Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

x

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009.

 

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

 

For the transition period from                 to                 

 

Commission file number:  0-21815

 

FIRST MARINER BANCORP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Maryland

 

 

 

52-1834860

(State of Incorporation)

 

 

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

 

 

 

 

1501 South Clinton Street, Baltimore,
MD

 

21224

 

410-342-2600

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(Telephone Number)

 

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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such report, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  x  No  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, 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 preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes  o  No  o (Not Applicable)

 

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 definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer o

 

Accelerated filer o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

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  o  No  x

 

The number of shares of common stock outstanding as of August 7, 2009 is 6,452,631 shares.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

FIRST MARINER BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONTENTS

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1 -

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at June 30, 2009 (unaudited) and at December 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Item 2 -

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

 

 

 

 

Item 3 -

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

 

 

 

Item 4 -

Controls and Procedures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1

Legal Proceedings

 

Item 1A

Risk Factors

 

Item 2

-

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

Item 3

-

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

Item 4

-

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

Item 5

-

Other Information

 

Item 6

-

Exhibits

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

 

 

 

Exhibit Index

 

 

2



Table of Contents

 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1 — Financial Statements

 

First Mariner Bancorp and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks

 

$

123,892

 

$

21,045

 

Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits

 

8,399

 

46,294

 

Trading securities, at fair value

 

11,789

 

12,566

 

Securities available for sale, at fair value

 

40,152

 

39,666

 

Loans held for sale

 

117,242

 

60,203

 

Loans receivable

 

997,130

 

978,696

 

Allowance for loan losses

 

(16,318

)

(16,777

)

Loans, net

 

980,812

 

961,919

 

Real estate acquired through foreclosure

 

29,384

 

18,994

 

Restricted stock investments

 

7,934

 

7,066

 

Premises and equipment, net

 

47,690

 

49,964

 

Accrued interest receivable

 

6,600

 

6,335

 

Income taxes recoverable

 

6,131

 

1,812

 

Deferred income taxes

 

24,304

 

26,057

 

Bank-owned life insurance

 

35,588

 

36,436

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

20,145

 

19,140

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

1,460,062

 

$

1,307,497

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits:

 

 

 

 

 

Noninterest-bearing

 

$

132,867

 

$

114,751

 

Interest-bearing

 

963,083

 

835,482

 

Total deposits

 

1,095,950

 

950,233

 

Short-term borrowings

 

54,041

 

43,128

 

Long-term borrowings, at fair value

 

62,978

 

64,073

 

Long-term borrowings

 

113,962

 

113,795

 

Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures

 

73,724

 

73,724

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities ($1,115 and $1,199 at fair value, respectively)

 

17,263

 

16,529

 

Total liabilities

 

1,417,918

 

1,261,482

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $.05 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 6,452,631 shares issued and outstanding at both June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008

 

323

 

323

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

56,763

 

56,741

 

Retained deficit

 

(9,848

)

(5,485

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(5,094

)

(5,564

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

42,144

 

46,015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

1,460,062

 

$

1,307,497

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

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Table of Contents

 

First Mariner Bancorp and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 (dollars in thousands except per share data)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

Interest income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

$

20,554

 

$

19,379

 

$

40,193

 

$

39,380

 

Investments and other earning assets

 

783

 

1,646

 

1,583

 

3,369

 

Total interest income

 

21,337

 

21,025

 

41,776

 

42,749

 

Interest expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits

 

6,270

 

6,018

 

12,688

 

12,174

 

Short-term borrowings

 

227

 

113

 

436

 

316

 

Long-term borrowings

 

2,667

 

2,983

 

5,401

 

6,378

 

Total interest expense

 

9,164

 

9,114

 

18,525

 

18,868

 

Net interest income

 

12,173

 

11,911

 

23,251

 

23,881

 

Provision for loan losses

 

4,344

 

2,504

 

8,740

 

6,327

 

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

 

7,829

 

9,407

 

14,511

 

17,554

 

Noninterest income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total other-than-temporary impairment charges

 

(113

)

 

(2,171

)

 

Less: Portion included in other comprehensive income (pre-tax)

 

24

 

 

366

 

 

Net other-than-temporary impairment charges on securities available for sale

 

(89

)

 

(1,805

)

 

Origination fees and gains on sale of loans

 

3,210

 

1,110

 

6,824

 

1,764

 

Other mortgage-banking revenue

 

1,486

 

900

 

2,782

 

1,877

 

ATM fees

 

797

 

828

 

1,511

 

1,605

 

Service fees on deposits

 

1,323

 

1,600

 

2,655

 

3,135

 

Gain on financial instruments carried at fair value

 

670

 

1,020

 

1,438

 

 

(Loss) gain on sale of premises and equipment

 

(18

)

589

 

(18

)

589

 

Commissions on sales of nondeposit investment products

 

131

 

275

 

267

 

515

 

Income from bank-owned life insurance

 

336

 

375

 

672

 

746

 

Commissions on sales of other insurance products

 

1,020

 

840

 

1,754

 

1,460

 

Other

 

253

 

411

 

1,310

 

885

 

Total noninterest income

 

9,119

 

7,948

 

17,390

 

12,576

 

Noninterest expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries and employee benefits

 

8,550

 

9,692

 

17,757

 

18,896

 

Occupancy

 

2,907

 

2,771

 

5,854

 

5,402

 

Furniture, fixtures, and equipment

 

897

 

966

 

1,876

 

1,949

 

Professional services

 

711

 

498

 

1,569

 

919

 

Advertising

 

333

 

158

 

591

 

588

 

Data processing

 

459

 

515

 

972

 

1,063

 

ATM servicing expenses

 

259

 

268

 

487

 

512

 

Write-downs, losses, and costs of real estate acquired through foreclosure

 

1,882

 

1,062

 

3,996

 

1,698

 

Secondary marketing valuation

 

 

54

 

 

234

 

Service and maintenance

 

649

 

625

 

1,375

 

1,298

 

Other

 

4,535

 

2,777

 

7,199

 

5,308

 

Total noninterest expense

 

21,182

 

19,386

 

41,676

 

37,867

 

Net loss before income taxes

 

(4,234

)

(2,031

)

(9,775

)

(7,737

)

Income tax benefit

 

(1,825

)

(1,562

)

(4,265

)

(3,990

)

Net loss

 

$

(2,409

)

$

(469

)

$

(5,510

)

$

(3,747

)

Net loss per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.37

)

$

(0.07

)

$

(0.85

)

$

(0.59

)

Diluted

 

$

(0.37

)

$

(0.07

)

$

(0.85

)

$

(0.59

)

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

First Mariner Bancorp and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(5,510

)

$

(3,747

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation

 

22

 

18

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

2,704

 

2,759

 

Amortization of unearned loan fees and costs, net

 

82

 

(133

)

Amortization of premiums and discounts on loans, net

 

(828

)

(877

)

Amortization of premiums and discounts on mortgage-backed securities, net

 

10

 

9

 

Gain on financial instruments carried at fair value

 

(1,438

)

 

Origination fees and gains on sale of loans

 

(6,824

)

(1,764

)

Other-than-temporary impairment charges on securities available for sale

 

1,805

 

 

(Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable

 

(265

)

210

 

Provision for loan losses

 

8,740

 

6,327

 

Write-downs and losses on sale of real estate acquired through foreclosure

 

3,765

 

1,689

 

Secondary marketing valuation

 

 

234

 

Loss (gain) on sale of premises and equipment

 

18

 

(589

)

Increase in cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance

 

(672

)

(746

)

Originations of loans held for sale

 

(1,030,434

)

(684,893

)

Proceeds from loans held for sale

 

979,719

 

700,944

 

Net increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

733

 

(531

)

Net increase in prepaids and other assets

 

(4,119

)

(5,026

)

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

(52,492

)

13,884

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Loan principal disbursements, net of repayments

 

(42,748

)

(75,584

)

Repurchase of loans previously sold

 

(113

)

 

Purchases of premises and equipment

 

(470

)

(2,065

)

Proceeds from disposals of premises and equipment

 

22

 

1,344

 

(Purchases) redemptions of restricted stock investments

 

(868

)

43

 

Maturities/calls/repayments of trading securities

 

1,119

 

2,555

 

Activity in securities available for sale:

 

 

 

 

 

Maturities/calls/repayments of securities available for sale

 

1,616

 

4,930

 

Purchase of securities available for sale

 

(1,749

)

(7,668

)

Redemptions of bank-owned life insurance

 

1,520

 

 

Additional disbursements on real estate acquired through foreclosure

 

 

(32

)

Proceeds from sales of real estate acquired through foreclosure

 

2,318

 

5,047

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(39,353

)

(71,430

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase in deposits

 

145,717

 

44,145

 

Net increase in other borrowed funds

 

11,080

 

3,271

 

Proceeds from stock issuance

 

 

195

 

Repurchase of common stock, net of costs

 

 

(67

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

156,797

 

47,544

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

64,952

 

(10,002

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

67,339

 

91,321

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

132,291

 

$

81,319

 

Supplemental information:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid on deposits and borrowed funds

 

$

17,062

 

$

18,616

 

Income taxes paid

 

$

 

$

 

Real estate acquired in satisfaction of loans

 

$

16,593

 

$

6,824

 

Transfer of loans held for sale to loan portfolio

 

$

500

 

$

3,494

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

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Table of Contents

 

First Mariner Bancorp and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Information as of and for the three and six months

ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 is unaudited)

 

(1)          Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis Of Presentation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements for First Mariner Bancorp have been prepared in accordance with the instructions for Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not include all information and notes necessary for a full presentation of financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S.”).  The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements included in First Mariner Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.  When used in these notes, the terms “the Company”,  “we”,  “us”,  and “our” refer to First Mariner Bancorp and, unless the context requires otherwise, its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company’s subsidiaries, First Mariner Bank (the “Bank”), Mariner Finance, LLC (“Mariner Finance”), and FM Appraisals, LLC (“FM Appraisals”).  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

 

The consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2009 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 are unaudited but include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which we consider necessary for a fair presentation of financial position and results of operations for those periods. The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results that will be achieved for the entire year or any future interim period.  Events occurring after the date of the financial statements through the date of issuance of August 14, 2009 were considered in the preparation of the financial statements.

 

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near-term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses (the “allowance”), loan repurchases and related valuations, real estate acquired through foreclosure, impairment of securities available for sale, and deferred taxes. In connection with these determinations, management evaluates historical trends and ratios and, where appropriate, obtains independent appraisals for significant properties and prepares fair value analyses. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

 

Securities

 

We designate securities into one of three categories at the time of purchase. Debt securities that we have the intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held to maturity and recorded at amortized cost. Debt and equity securities are classified as trading if bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term. Trading securities are reported at estimated fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. Debt securities not classified as held to maturity and debt and equity securities not classified as trading securities are considered available for sale and are reported at estimated fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity, net of tax effects, in accumulated other comprehensive income.

 

Securities held to maturity and available for sale are evaluated periodically to determine whether a decline in their value is other-than-temporary. The term “other-than-temporary” is not intended to indicate a permanent decline in value. Rather, it means that the prospects for near term recovery of value are not necessarily favorable, or that there is a lack of evidence to support fair values equal to, or greater than, the carrying value of the security.

 

The initial indication of other-than-temporary impairment for both debt and equity securities is a decline in the market value below the book value of an investment. In determining whether impairment is other-than-temporary, we consider whether it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before full recovery of the value. For marketable equity securities, we also consider the issuer’s financial condition, capital strength, and near-term prospects. For debt securities and for perpetual preferred securities that are treated as debt securities for the purpose of other-than-temporary analysis, we also consider the cause of the price decline (general level of interest rates and industry- and issuer-specific factors), the issuer’s

 

6



Table of Contents

 

financial condition, near-term prospects and current ability to make future payments in a timely manner, the issuer’s ability to service debt, and any change in agencies’ ratings at evaluation date from acquisition date and any likely imminent action. Once a decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary, the security is segmented into credit and noncredit-related components.  Any impairment adjustment due to identified credit-related components is recorded as an adjustment to current period earnings, while noncredit-related fair value adjustments will be recorded through other comprehensive income.

 

Gains or losses on the sales of securities are calculated using a specific-identification basis and are determined on a trade-date basis. Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized over the term of the security using methods that approximate the interest method.  Gains and losses on trading securities are recognized regularly in income as the fair value of those securities changes.

 

Derivatives and Hedging Activities

 

We account for derivatives in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended.  When we enter into the derivative contract, we designate a derivative as held for trading, an economic hedge not designated as a SFAS 133 hedge, or a qualifying SFAS 133 hedge. The designation may change based upon management’s reassessment or changing circumstances. Derivatives utilized by the Company include swaps, interest rate lock commitments, and forward settlement contracts. A swap agreement is a contract between two parties to exchange cash flows based on specified underlying notional amounts, assets and/or indices. Interest rate lock commitments occur when we originate mortgage loans with interest rates determined prior to funding.  Forward settlement contracts are agreements to buy or sell a quantity of a financial instrument, index, currency or commodity at a predetermined future date, and rate or price.

 

We designate at inception whether a derivative contract is considered hedging or non-hedging for SFAS 133 accounting purposes. All of our derivatives are non-exchange traded contracts, and, as such, their fair values are based on dealer quotes, pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques for which the determination of fair value may require significant management judgment or estimation.

 

For SFAS 133 hedges, we formally document at inception all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking various accounting hedges. We utilize derivatives to manage interest rate sensitivity in certain cases.

 

Cash flow hedges are hedges that are used to minimize the variability in cash flows of assets or liabilities, or forecasted transactions caused by interest rate or foreign exchange fluctuation.  We use dollar offset or regression analysis at the hedge’s inception and for each reporting period thereafter to assess whether the derivative used in a hedging transaction is expected to be, and has been, effective in offsetting changes in the fair value of the hedged item.

 

Fair value hedges are hedges that are used to minimize the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset or a liability or an identified portion thereof that is attributable to a particular risk.  At inception of a fair value hedge, we formally document the hedging relationship and our risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge, including identification of the hedging instrument, the hedged item, the nature of the risk being hedged, and how the hedging instrument’s effectiveness will be assessed.  Each reporting period, we evaluate the effectiveness of the hedge in offsetting changes in the fair value of the hedged item.

 

For both cash flow and fair value hedges, we discontinue hedge accounting if it is determined that a derivative is not expected to be, or has ceased to be, effective as a hedge.

 

We recognize gains and losses on swap contracts in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax effects; such gains and losses are reclassified into the line item in the Consolidated Statement of Operations in which the hedged item is recorded in the same period the hedged item affects earnings. Hedge ineffectiveness and gains and losses on the excluded component of a derivative in assessing hedge effectiveness are recorded in earnings in the same income statement line item that is used to record the hedged item. We recognize any gains and losses on interest rate lock commitments or forward sales commitments on residential mortgage originations through mortgage-banking revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain reclassifications have been made to amounts previously reported to conform to the classifications made in 2009.

 

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Table of Contents

 

(2)          Securities

 

The composition of our securities portfolio is as follows:

 

 

 

June 30, 2009

 

 

 

Amortized

 

Unrealized

 

Unrealized

 

Estimated

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Cost

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Available for Sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

$

20,659

 

$

945

 

$

215

 

$

21,389

 

Trust preferred securities

 

20,276

 

 

7,175

 

13,101

 

Equity securities - Banks

 

1,590

 

 

367

 

1,223

 

U.S. Treasury securities

 

999

 

1

 

 

1,000

 

Corporate obligations

 

2,745

 

47

 

103

 

2,689

 

Foreign government bonds

 

750

 

 

 

750

 

 

 

$

47,019

 

$

993

 

$

7,860

 

40,152

 

Trading:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,789

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

51,941

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2008

 

 

 

Amortized

 

Unrealized

 

Unrealized

 

Estimated

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Cost

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Available for Sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

$

22,423

 

$

609

 

$

784

 

$

22,248

 

Trust preferred securities

 

20,460

 

 

7,594

 

12,866

 

Equity securities - Banks

 

549

 

 

298

 

251

 

U.S. Treasury securities

 

1,000

 

3

 

 

1,003

 

Corporate obligations

 

2,675

 

 

127

 

2,548

 

Foreign government bonds

 

750

 

 

 

750

 

 

 

$

47,857

 

$

612

 

$

8,803

 

39,666

 

Trading:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,566

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

52,232

 

 

Contractual maturities of debt securities at June 30, 2009 are shown below.  Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

 

 

Amortized

 

Estimated

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Cost

 

Fair Value

 

Available for Sale:

 

 

 

 

 

Due in one year or less

 

$

1,875

 

$

1,922

 

Due after one year through five years

 

5,562

 

5,102

 

Due after five years through ten years

 

1,033

 

726

 

Due after ten years

 

16,300

 

9,790

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

20,659

 

21,389

 

 

 

$

45,429

 

38,929

 

Trading:

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

11,789

 

 

 

 

 

$

50,718

 

 

The following table shows the level of our gross unrealized losses and the fair value of the associated securities by type and maturity for securities available for sale at June 30, 2009:

 

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Less than 12 months

 

12 months or more

 

Total

 

 

 

Estimated

 

Unrealized

 

Estimated

 

Unrealized

 

Estimated

 

Unrealized

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Fair Value

 

Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Losses

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

$

2,496

 

$

18

 

$

5,131

 

$

197

 

$

7,627

 

$

215

 

Trust preferred securities

 

3,265

 

2,938

 

9,836

 

4,237

 

13,101

 

7,175

 

Corporate obligations

 

360

 

51

 

806

 

52

 

1,166

 

103

 

Equity securities - Banks

 

264

 

26

 

209

 

341

 

473

 

367

 

 

 

$

6,385

 

$

3,033

 

$

15,982

 

$

4,827

 

$

22,367

 

$

7,860

 

 

The trust preferred securities that we hold in our securities portfolio are issued by other banks and bank holding companies.  Certain of these securities have experienced declines in value since acquisition. These declines have occurred primarily over the past year due to changes in the market which has limited the demand for these securities and reduced their liquidity.  We recorded net other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) charges of $1.805 million on positions in pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations during the first six months of 2009.  In addition, as a result of the adoption of FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. FAS 157-4 Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly, and FSP No. FAS 115-1 and FAS 124-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other Than Temporary Impairments during the first quarter of 2009, we added back to retained earnings as a cumulative effect of accounting change $1.148 million, net of taxes of $750,000, in OTTI previously taken that was determined to not be related to credit deterioration (see Notes 6 and 9 for additional information). At the time of adoption, we determined that the remaining trust preferred securities were temporarily impaired.

 

The following shows the activity in OTTI related to credit losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009:

 

 

 

Three Months

 

Six Months

 

 

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

June 30, 2009

 

June 30, 2009

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

$

5,423

 

$

5,605

 

Reduction - cumulative effect of accounting change

 

 

(1,898

)

Additional OTTI taken for credit losses

 

89

 

1,805

 

Balance at end of period

 

$

5,512

 

$

5,512

 

 

All of the remaining securities that are temporarily impaired are impaired due to declines in fair values resulting from changes in interest rates or increased credit/liquidity spreads since the time they were purchased.  We have the ability and intent to hold these securities to maturity, or, for equity securities, for the foreseeable future, and we expect these securities will be repaid in full, with no losses realized. As such, management does not consider the impairments to be other-than-temporary.

 

(3)                                 Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses

 

Loans receivable are summarized as follows:

 

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June 30,

 

December 31,

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2009

 

2008

 

Loans secured by first mortgages on real estate:

 

 

 

 

 

Residential

 

$

155,156

 

$

138,551

 

Commercial

 

337,634

 

319,591

 

Consumer residential construction

 

58,762

 

69,496

 

Commercial construction

 

100,588

 

109,773

 

 

 

652,140

 

637,411

 

Commercial

 

88,294

 

90,896

 

Loans secured by second mortgages on real estate

 

143,887

 

135,873

 

Consumer

 

111,780

 

112,941

 

Loans secured by deposits and other

 

4,960

 

3,526

 

Total loans

 

1,001,061

 

980,647

 

Unamortized loan discounts, net

 

(463

)

(386

)

Unearned loan fees, net

 

(3,468

)

(1,565

)

 

 

$

997,130

 

$

978,696

 

 

Included in consumer loan totals in the above table are overdrawn commercial and retail checking accounts totaling $440,000 and $378,000 as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. Included in net unearned loan fees and costs in the above table is unearned income on installment loans of $4.406 million and $2.674 million as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.

 

In accordance with SFAS No. 65, Accounting for Certain Mortgage Banking Activities, any loans which are originally originated for sale into the secondary market and which we subsequently elect to transfer into the Company’s loan portfolio are valued at fair value at the time of the transfer with any decline in value recorded as a charge to operating expense.

 

Information on the activity in transferred loans and related accretable yield is as follows for the three months ended June 30:

 

 

 

Loan Balance

 

Accretable Yield

 

Total

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

Beginning balance

 

$

14,155

 

$

16,725

 

$

716

 

$

973

 

$

13,439

 

$

15,752

 

Additional transfers

 

500

 

3,002

 

 

121

 

500

 

2,881

 

Loans moved to real estate acquired through foreclosure

 

(1,018

)

(473

)

(6

)

(8

)

(1,012

)

(465

)

Charge-offs

 

(461

)

(2,307

)

(33

)

 

(428

)

(2,307

)

Payments/amortization

 

(28

)

 

(86

)

(94

)

58

 

94

 

Ending balance

 

$

13,148

 

$

16,947

 

$

591

 

$

992

 

$

12,557

 

$

15,955

 

 

Information on the activity in transferred loans and related accretable yield is as follows for the six months ended June 30:

 

 

 

Loan Balance

 

Accretable Yield

 

Total

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

Beginning balance

 

$

15,441

 

$

16,907

 

$

831

 

$

1,114

 

$

14,610

 

$

15,793

 

Additional transfers

 

500

 

3,662

 

 

168

 

500

 

3,494

 

Loans moved to real estate acquired through foreclosure

 

(1,218

)

(753

)

(6

)

(22

)

(1,212

)

(731

)

Charge-offs

 

(1,517

)

(2,869

)

(107

)

 

(1,410

)

(2,869

)

Payments/amortization

 

(58

)

 

(127

)

(268

)

69

 

268

 

Ending balance

 

$

13,148

 

$

16,947

 

$

591

 

$

992

 

$

12,557

 

$

15,955

 

 

The following table provides information concerning nonperforming assets and past-due loans:

 

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June 30,

 

December 31,

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2009

 

2008

 

Nonaccruing loans

 

$

33,045

 

$

38,763

 

Real estate acquired through foreclosure

 

29,384

 

18,994

 

Total nonperforming assets

 

$

62,429

 

$

57,757

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans past-due 90 days or more and accruing

 

$

16,893

 

$

9,679

 

 

The interest income which would have been recorded on nonaccrual loans if those loans had been performing in accordance with their contractual terms was approximately $2.099 million and $2.369 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The actual interest income recorded on these loans for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 was approximately $755,000 and $632,000, respectively.

 

Commercial loans we consider impaired at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 totaled $20.947 million and $26.695 million, respectively. The specific reserve for loan losses for commercial impaired loans was approximately $356,000 at June 30, 2009 and $1.264 million at December 31, 2008.   These balances have been reduced by previous charge-offs of $697,000 and $218,000 for impaired loans at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.

 

The following table shows the breakout of commercial impaired loans:

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2009

 

2008

 

Impaired loans with allowance for loan losses allocated in accordance with SFAS 114

 

$

3,001

 

$

8,155

 

Impaired loans with no allowance for loan losses allocated in accordance with SFAS 114

 

17,946

 

18,540

 

 

 

$

20,947

 

$

26,695

 

 

Consumer loans we consider impaired at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 totaled $15.522 million and $20.945 million, respectively. The specific reserve for loan losses for consumer impaired loans was approximately $526,000 at June 30, 2009 and $1.444 million at December 31, 2008.

 

The following table shows the breakout of consumer impaired loans at:

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2009

 

2008

 

Impaired loans with allowance for loan losses allocated in accordance with SFAS 114

 

$

2,570

 

$

7,410

 

Impaired loans with no allowance for loan losses allocated in accordance with SFAS 114

 

12,952

 

13,535

 

 

 

$

15,522

 

$

20,945

 

 

Troubled debt restructures (“TDRs”), which are loans that have been restructured due to the borrower’s inability to maintain a current status on the loan, that are not included in the nonaccrual balance above amounted to approximately $8.958 million as of June 30, 2009 and $9.074 million as of December 31, 2008.  Our TDRs are generally reviewed individually, in accordance with SFAS No. 114, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan, to determine impairment, accrual status, and the need for specific reserves.  For collateral dependent loans, we utilize the fair value of the collateral in determining impairment.  For noncollateral dependent loans, we calculate the present value of expected future cash flows to determine fair value and impairment.  We initially measure impairment of TDRs on a loan-by-loan basis.  The majority of our TDRs as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 were collateral dependent and, therefore, any impairment was determined using the fair value of the collateral.

 

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Changes in the allowance for losses on loans are summarized as follows for the three and six months ended June 30:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

$

15,515

 

$

13,808

 

$

16,777

 

$

12,789

 

Provision for loan losses

 

4,344

 

2,504

 

8,740

 

6,327

 

Charge-offs

 

(3,705

)

(1,801

)

(9,561

)

(4,776

)

Recoveries

 

164

 

32

 

362

 

203

 

Balance at end of period

 

$

16,318

 

$

14,543

 

$

16,318

 

$

14,543

 

 

(4)          Earnings Per Share

 

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted earnings per share is computed after adjusting the denominator of the basic earnings per share computation for the effects of all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period. The dilutive effects of options, warrants and their equivalents are computed using the “treasury stock” method.  For the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, all options (834,919 for the 2009 periods and 858,888 for the 2008 periods) were antidilutive and excluded from the computations due to our realized net losses.

 

Information relating to the calculation of earnings per common share is summarized as follows for the three and six months ended June 30:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data)

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

Net loss - basic and diluted

 

$

(2,409

)

$

(469

)

$

(5,510

)

$

(3,747

)

Weighted-average share outstanding - basic

 

6,452,631

 

6,366,804

 

6,452,631

 

6,359,317

 

Dilutive securities - options and warrants

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding - dilutive

 

6,452,631

 

6,366,804

 

6,452,631

 

6,359,317

 

Loss per share - basic

 

$

(0.37

)

$

(0.07

)

$

(0.85

)

$

(0.59

)

Loss per share - diluted

 

$

(0.37

)

$

(0.07

)

$

(0.85

)

$

(0.59

)

 

(5)          Regulatory Matters

 

Various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies apply to First Mariner Bancorp and the Bank. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly additional discretionary, actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on our financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Bank’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

 

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of Total and Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, and of Tier 1 capital to average assets.  Our regulatory capital amounts and ratios as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 were as follows:

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum

 

To be Well

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Requirements

 

Capitalized Under

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

for Capital Adequacy

 

Prompt Corrective

 

 

 

Actual

 

 

 

Purposes

 

Action Provision

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Amount

 

Ratio

 

Amount

 

Ratio

 

Amount

 

Ratio

 

As of June 30, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total capital (to risk-weighted assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

$

99,044

 

8.5

$

92,979

 

8.0

$

116,224

 

10.0

%

Bank

 

91,435

 

8.7

%

84,015

 

8.0

%

105,019

 

10.0

%

Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

49,522

 

4.3

%

46,489

 

4.0

%

69,734

 

6.0

%

Bank

 

72,333

 

6.9

%

42,007

 

4.0

%

63,011

 

6.0

%

Tier 1 capital (to average first quarter assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

49,522

 

3.6

%

54,529

 

4.0

%

68,161

 

5.0

%

Bank

 

72,333

 

5.8

%

50,187

 

4.0

%

62,733

 

5.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total capital (to risk-weighted assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

$

110,650

 

9.9

%

$

89,212

 

8.0

%

$

111,515

 

10.0

%

Bank

 

90,367

 

9.0

%

80,322

 

8.0

%

100,403

 

10.0

%

Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

55,325

 

5.0

%

44,606

 

4.0

%

66,909

 

6.0

%

Bank

 

70,693

 

7.0

%

40,161

 

4.0

%

60,242

 

6.0

%

Tier 1 capital (to average fourth quarter assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

55,325

 

4.3

%

51,122

 

4.0

%

63,903

 

5.0

%

Bank

 

70,693

 

6.0

%

47,052

 

4.0

%

58,815

 

5.0

%

 

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”), through the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”), insures deposits of accountholders up to $250,000. The Bank pays an annual premium to provide for this insurance. As a part of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 and subsequent regulatory developments, this maximum was raised from $100,000 to $250,000 through December 31, 2013.  Unless extended again, the maximum will revert back to the $100,000 amount at December 31, 2013.

 

The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) System and is required to maintain an investment in the stock of the FHLB based on specific percentages of outstanding mortgages, total assets, or FHLB advances. Purchases and sales of stock are made directly with the Bank at par value.

 

We have entered into agreements with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, FDIC, and the Maryland Banking Commissioner.  The material terms of these agreements require us to:  (i) formulate a plan for the reduction and collection of adversely classified loans, nonaccrual loans, and delinquent loans and otherwise improve our asset quality; (ii) develop a policy for managing the real estate we acquire by foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure; (iii) periodically review the adequacy of our allowance for loan and lease losses; (iv) develop a plan for systematically reducing and monitoring our residential real estate acquisition, development, and construction loan portfolio; (v) develop and implement a profit and budget plan to improve our operating performance; (vi) develop a capital plan to maintain “well capitalized” status; (vii) submit plans to reduce parent company leverage; and (viii) submit plans to improve enterprise-wide risk management and effectiveness of internal audit programs.  We have also agreed to provide the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond advance notice involving significant capital transactions.

 

On April 22, 2009, the Bank entered into an agreement (the “Consent Agreement”) with the FDIC relating to alleged violations of consumer protection regulations relative to its fair lending practices pursuant to which it consented to the issuance of certain Orders.  The Orders require the Bank to pay up to $950,000 in restitution to the Affected Borrowers.  It also imposes a civil money penalty of $50,000, all amounts for which were fully reserved in the final quarter of 2008.  Other than requiring the Bank to cease and desist from violating the ECOA, the FHA and Section 5, the Bank must develop and implement policies and procedures to (i) monitor and ensure compliance with fair lending laws and disclosure laws and regulations, (ii) ensure that the costs, terms, features and risks of the loans and services are adequately disclosed to applicants, and (iii) develop an operating plan to maintain quality control, internal audit, and compliance management systems that are effective in ensuring that the Bank’s residential mortgage lending activities comply with all applicable laws, regulations and Bank policies.  The Bank must also conduct or sponsor quarterly

 

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financial literacy and education courses where it provides residential mortgage loans.  Further, the Bank is prohibited from offering “payment-option” adjustable rate mortgage loans, although the Bank ceased offering these loans in 2007.  Management believes that neither the Consent Agreement nor the Orders will have a material impact on the Bank’s financial performance in 2009.

 

These agreements will subject us to increased regulatory scrutiny and may have an adverse impact on our business operations.  Failure to comply with the provisions of these agreements may result in more restrictive actions from our regulators, including more secure and restrictive enforcement actions.

 

(6)          Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

We group financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value.  These levels are:

 

Level 1

 

Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in active exchange markets.  Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets or liabilities.

 

 

 

Level 2

 

Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in less active dealer or broker markets.  Valuations are obtained from third party pricing services for identical or comparable assets or liabilities which use observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as 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 assets or liabilities.

 

 

 

Level 3

 

Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

 

The following table presents fair value measurements for assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet items that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2009:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

Significant

 

 

 

Total Changes

 

 

 

 

 

Quoted

 

Observable

 

Unobservable

 

 

 

In Fair Values

 

 

 

Carrying

 

Prices

 

Inputs

 

Inputs

 

Trading

 

Included In

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Value

 

(Level 1)

 

(Level 2)

 

(Level 3)

 

Gains

 

Period Earnings

 

Trading securities

 

$

11,789

 

$

 

$

11,789

 

$

 

$

343

 

$

343

 

Securities available for sale

 

40,152

 

 

38,061

 

2,091

 

 

(1,805

)(1)

Long-term borrowings at fair value

 

62,978

 

 

62,978

 

 

1,095

 

1,095

 

Interest rate swaps (notional amount of $60,000)

 

61,115

 

 

61,115

 

 

 

 

Mortgage servicing rights

 

1,325

 

 

 

1,325

 

 

(13

)

Interest rate lock commitments (notional amount of $75,452)

 

76,086

 

 

76,086

 

 

 

(2,429

)

Forward contracts to sell mortgage-backed securities (notional amount of $97,000)

 

97,100 

 

— 

 

97,100 

 

— 

 

— 

 

138 

 

 


(1) Represents other-than-temporary-impairment charges taken on certain Level 3 securities

 

Securities (trading and available for sale)

 

The fair values of trading securities are based on bid quotations received from securities dealers or modeling utilizing estimated cash flows, depending on the circumstances of the individual security.  The fair value of securities available for sale is based on bid quotations received from securities dealers, bid prices received from an external pricing service, or modeling utilizing estimated cash flows, depending on the circumstances of the individual security.

 

We adopted FSP No. FAS 157-4 Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly, and FSP No. FAS 115-1 and FAS 124-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other Than Temporary Impairments, during the first quarter of 2009.  As a result of the adoption of the FSPs, impairment recognition for the company’s four pooled preferred securities are now segmented into credit and noncredit related components.  Any fair value adjustment due to identified credit-related components will be recorded as an adjustment to

 

14



Table of Contents

 

current period earnings, while noncredit-related fair value adjustments will be recorded through other comprehensive income.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2009, we determined that, based on our most recent estimate of cash flows, other-than-temporary-impairment had occurred with respect to three of our pooled preferred securities. Under the revised guidance, the amount of OTTI that is recognized through earnings is determined by comparing the present value of the expected cash flows to the amortized cost of the security.  The discount rate used to determine the credit loss is the expected book yield on the security.  The credit loss estimated under this method that was charged to operating earnings totaled $89,000 and $1.805 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively.

 

The new FSPs also required that any previously recognized OTTI that was not credit related be recorded as an adjustment to the period’s beginning retained earnings. Accordingly, $1.148 million ($1.898 million fair value adjustment less deferred taxes of  $750,000) of previously recognized OTTI was added back to other accumulated comprehensive loss during the first quarter of 2009, with a corresponding adjustment to retained earnings.

 

The tables later in this Note show details concerning assumptions used to determine credit and noncredit-related losses and other details on the our pooled preferred securities.

 

Financial instruments are considered Level 3 when their values are determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques and at least one significant model assumption or input is unobservable.  Level 3 financial instruments also include those for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation. As of June 30, 2009, $2.091 million ($10.938 million par value) of our securities available for sale (four securities) were classified as Level 3, all of which are pooled trust preferred securities.  The ongoing market environment has become increasingly inactive for these security types and made fair value pricing more subjective.  The amount of Level 3 securities will likely continue to be a function of market conditions and additional security transfers from Level 2 to Level 3 could result if further market inactivity occurs.

 

The following table details the four Level 3 securities:

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

 

Remaining

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

Par

 

Current Rating/Outlook (2)

 

 

 

Auction

 

(4)

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Class

 

Subordinate

 

Value

 

Moody’s

 

Fitch

 

Maturity

 

Call Date

 

Index

 

ALESCO Preferred Funding VII

 

C-1

 

9.33

%

$

1,000

 

Ca

 

CC

 

7/23/2035

 

MAR 2015

 

3ML + 1.5%

 

ALESCO Preferred Funding XI

 

C-1

 

6.46

%

4,938

 

Ca

 

C

 

12/23/2036

 

JUNE 2016

 

3ML + 1.2%

 

MM Community Funding

 

B

 

9.90

%

2,500

 

Caa2

 

CCC

 

8/1/2031

 

N/A

 

6ML + 3.1%

 

MM Community Funding IX

 

B-1

 

10.51

%

2,500

 

Caa3

 

CC

 

5/1/2033

 

N/A

 

3ML + 1.8%

 

 


(1)

Indicates the estimated percentage of issued securities within the structure that are subordinate in payment of principal and interest to the notes owed by the bank

(2)

Ratings as of June 30, 2009

(3)

Under the terms of the offering, if the notes have not been redeemed in full prior to the indicated call date then an auction of the Collateral Debt Securities will be conducted and the collateral will be sold and the notes redeemed. If the auction is not successful, the Collateral Manager will conduct auctions on a quarterly basis until the rated notes are redeemed in full.

(4)

3/6ML - 3 or 6 Month LIBOR. LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) - daily reference rate based on the interest rates at which banks offer to lend unsecured funds to other banks in the London wholesale money market or interbank market

 

Classification of Level 3 indicates that significant valuation assumptions are not consistently observable in the market and, as such, fair values are derived using the best available data.  We calculated fair value for these four securities by using a present value of future cash flows model, which incorporated assumptions as follows:

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

Key Model Assumptions Used In Pricing

 

 

 

Cumulative

 

Credit $

 

Liquidity

 

Liquidity $

 

 

 

Default (1)

 

MTM (2)(5)

 

Premium (3)

 

MTM Adj (4)(5)

 

ALESCO Preferred Funding VII

 

36.00

%

$

43.98

 

12.00

%

$

33.33

 

ALESCO Preferred Funding XI

 

36.00

%

$

56.76

 

12.00

%

$

46.81

 

MM Community Funding

 

36.00

%

$

79.88

 

12.00

%

$

40.66

 

MM Community Funding IX

 

36.00

%

$

67.87

 

12.00

%

$

47.33

 

 


(1)

The anticipated level of total defaults from the issuers within the pool of performing collateral as of June 30, 2009. There are no recoveries assumed on any default.

(2)

The credit mark to market represents the discounted value of future cash flows after the assumption of current and future defaults discounted at the book rate of interest on the security

(3)

The risk of being unable to sell the instrument for cash at short notice without significant costs, usually indicative of the level of trading activity for a specific security or class of securities

(4)

The liquidity mark to market adjustment on the security represents the difference between the value of the discounted cash flows based on the book interest rate and the value discounted at the liquidity premium. The credit MTM less the liquidity MTM equals the estimated fair value price of the security.

(5)

Price per $100

 

 

 

Model

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

Result (1)

 

(in thousands)

 

ALESCO Preferred Funding VII

 

$

10.64

 

$

106

 

ALESCO Preferred Funding XI

 

9.95

 

491

 

MM Community Funding

 

39.22

 

981

 

MM Community Funding IX

 

20.53

 

513

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,091

 

 


(1)  Price per $100

 

Servicing Rights

 

As of June 30, 2009, mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) were classified as Level 3.  We calculate the fair value of MSRs by using a present value of future cash flows model.

 

Fair value of servicing rights are estimated based on the future servicing income of the servicing receivables utilizing  management’s best estimate of remaining loan lives and discounted at the original discount rate.

 

A summary of the key economic assumptions used to measure total MSRs as of June 30, 2009 and the sensitivity of the fair values to adverse changes in those assumptions follows (dollars in thousands):

 

Fair value of MSRs

 

$

1,325

 

Weighted-average life (in years) (1)

 

4.6

 

Discount rate

 

6.75

%

Option-adjusted spread (“OAS”)

 

2.75

%

 

 

 

 

Sensitivity Analysis

 

 

 

Discount Rate Assumption (Change in OAS):

 

 

 

Decrease in fair value from 100bp adverse change

 

$

38

 

Decrease in fair value from 200bp adverse change

 

74

 

Decrease in fair value from 300bp adverse change

 

108

 

 

 

 

 

Prepayment Speed Assumption (Assumed Age Borrower Vacates Property)

 

 

 

Decrease in fair value from 5-year adverse change

 

$

288

 

Decrease in fair value from 10-year adverse change

 

636

 

Decrease in fair value from 15-year adverse change

 

990

 

 


(1)  Represents the remaining life as the majority of our MSRs are related to reverse mortgages for which there are no calculable contractual lives

 

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The value of MSRs is derived from the net positive cash flows associated with the servicing contracts.  The Company receives an annual net servicing fee of approximately $240 per loan annually.  The precise market value of MSRs cannot be readily determined because these assets are not actively traded in stand-alone markets.  Our MSRs valuation process uses a discounted cash flow model combined with analysis of current market data to arrive at an estimate of fair value at each balance sheet date.  The key assumptions used in the valuation of MSRs include mortgage prepayment speeds (average lives), which are a function of the age of the borrower, and the discount rate (projected LIBOR plus option-adjusted spread).  Changes in fair value based on variations in assumptions generally cannot be extrapolated because the relationship of the change in assumption to the change in fair value may not be linear. Also, the effect of a variation in a particular assumption on the fair value of the retained interest is calculated without changing any other assumption. In reality, changes in one factor may result in changes in another, which might magnify or counteract the sensitivities. The discount rate used to determine the present value of estimated future net servicing income represents management’s expectation of the required rate of return investors in the market would expect for an asset with similar risk.

 

The table below presents a reconciliation of financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30, 2009

 

June 30, 2009

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Securities

 

MSRs

 

Securities

 

MSRs

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

$

1,952

 

$

1,227

 

$

2,507

 

$

1,081

 

Additions to and transfers into Level 3

 

 

184

 

 

378

 

MSR amortization

 

 

(75

)

 

(121

)

Total realized losses included in other comprehensive income

 

(89

)

 

(1,805

)

 

Total realized losses recaptured through retained earnings as cumulative effect of accounting change

 

 

 

1,898

 

 

Total unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income

 

228

 

(11

)

(509

)

(13

)

Balance at end of period

 

$

2,091

 

$

1,325

 

$

2,091

 

$

1,325

 

 

Derivative Loan Commitments

 

Commitments to Originate Loans. We engage an experienced third party to estimate the fair market values of our interest rate lock commitments (“IRLC”). IRLCs are valued based upon mandatory pricing quotes from correspondent lenders less estimated costs to process and settle the loan.  Fair value is adjusted for the estimated probability of the loan closing with the borrower.

 

Forward Sales of Mortgage-Backed Securities Contracts. The fair values of these commitments is determined based upon the quoted market values of the securities.

 

We may be required, from time to time, to measure certain other financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.  These adjustments to fair value usually result from application of lower-of-cost-or-market accounting or write-downs of individual assets.  For assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of June 30, 2009, the following table provides the level of valuation assumptions used to determine each adjustment and the carrying value of the assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

Quoted

 

Observable

 

Unobservable

 

 

 

Carrying

 

Prices

 

Inputs

 

Inputs

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Value

 

(Level 1)

 

(Level 2)

 

(Level 3)

 

Impaired Alt A loans

 

$

15,522

 

$

 

$

 

$

15,522

 

Other impaired loans

 

20,947

 

 

 

20,947

 

Real estate acquired through foreclosure

 

29,384

 

 

 

29,384

 

 

Impaired ALT A  loans

 

In accordance with American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”) Statement of Position (“SOP”) 03-3,

 

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Table of Contents

 

Accounting for Certain Loans or Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer, we record repurchased loans at their estimated fair value at the time of repurchase.  At June 30, 2009, we maintained $4.740 million of ALT A loans repurchased in accordance with covenants in our sales agreements with investors.  Such loans amounted to $6.335 million at December 31, 2008.

 

In establishing the loan’s estimated fair value, management makes significant assumptions concerning the ultimate collectibility of delinquent loans and their ultimate realizable value.  While these projections are made with the most current data available to management, actual realized losses could differ due to the changes in the borrowers’ willingness or ability to resolve the delinquency status, changes in the actual volume of future repurchases, changes in the real estate market, or changes in market values of those loans which are liquidated.  We consider these collateral values to be estimated using Level 3 inputs.  Management updates the assumptions utilized in determining fair value continually as greater experience becomes available.

 

In accordance with SFAS No. 65, Accounting for Certain Mortgage Banking Activities, any loans which are originally originated for sale into the secondary market and which we subsequently elect to transfer into the Company’s loan portfolio are valued at fair value at the time of the transfer with any decline in value recorded as a charge to operating expense.  At June 30, 2009, we held $10.782 million in impaired ALT A loans in our portfolio that were transferred from loans held for sale at fair value.  Such loans amounted to $14.610 million at December 31, 2008.

 

Other Impaired Loans

 

Loans for which it is probable that the Company will not collect all principal and interest due according to contractual terms are measured for impairment in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 114, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan.  Allowable methods for estimating fair value include using the fair value of the collateral for collateral dependent loans or, where a loan is determined not to be collateral dependent, using the discounted cash flow method.  In our determination of fair value, we have categorized both methods of valuation as estimates based on Level 3 inputs.

 

If the impaired loan is identified as collateral dependent, then the fair value method of measuring the amount of impairment is utilized. This method requires obtaining a current independent appraisal or utilizing some other method of valuation for the collateral and applying a discount factor to the value based on our loan review policy and procedures.

 

If the impaired loan is determined not to be collateral dependent, then the discounted cash flow method is used.  This method requires the impaired loan to be recorded at the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. The effective interest rate of a loan is the contractual interest rate adjusted for any net deferred loan fees or costs, premiums, or discounts existing at origination or acquisition of the loan.

 

Management establishes a specific reserve for loans that have an estimated fair value that is below the carrying value.  If management determines that it is probable the loan will proceed to foreclosure, a partial charge-off is recorded to reduce the carrying amount of the loan to its fair value.  Therefore, no specific reserve will be recorded for these impaired loans.  Total impaired loans (including ALT A loans) had a carrying value of $36.469 million as of June 30, 2009 and $47.640 million as total of December 31, 2008, with specific reserves of $882,000 as of June 30, 2009 and $2.708 million as of December 31, 2008.

 

When there is little prospect of collecting either principal or interest, loans, or portions of loans, may be charged-off to the allowance for loan losses.  Losses are recognized in the period an obligation becomes uncollectible.  The recognition of a loss does not mean that the loan has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather that it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off the loan even though partial recovery may occur in the future. During the first six months of 2009, the Company charged-off $6.122 million of impaired loans to the allowance for loan losses.

 

Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure

 

We record foreclosed real estate assets at the lower of cost or estimated fair value on their acquisition dates and at the lower of such initial amount or estimated fair value less estimated selling costs thereafter.   Estimated fair value is generally based upon independent appraisal of the collateral or listing prices supported by broker recommendation.   We consider these collateral values to be estimated using Level 3 inputs.  We held real estate acquired through foreclosure of $29.384 million as of June 30, 2009 and $18.994 million as of December 31, 2008.  During the first six months of 2009, we added $16.593 million, net of reserves, to real estate acquired through foreclosure and recorded write-downs and losses on sales, included in noninterest expense, of $3.765 million.  We disposed of $3.299 million of foreclosed properties.

 

The carrying value and estimated fair value of financial instruments are summarized in the following table.  Certain financial instruments disclosed previously in this footnote are excluded from this table.

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

June 30, 2009

 

 

 

Carrying

 

Estimated

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Value

 

Fair Value

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

132,291

 

$

132,291

 

Loans held for sale

 

117,242

 

117,242

 

Loans receivable

 

997,130

 

1,045,330

 

Restricted stock investments

 

7,934

 

7,934

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits

 

1,095,950

 

1,119,186

 

Long- and short-term borrowings

 

168,003

 

183,122

 

Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures

 

73,724

 

67,947

 

 

Pricing or valuation models are applied using current market information to estimate fair value. In some cases considerable judgment is required to interpret market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could realize in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methods may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The carrying amount for cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments.

 

Loans Held for Sale

 

Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or market, which may be indicated by the committed sales price for loans under contract to sell but are not yet funded or by third party quoted market values for loans not yet committed to be sold.

 

Loans Receivable

 

Loans were segmented into portfolios with similar financial characteristics. Loans were also segmented by type such as residential, multifamily, and nonresidential construction and land, second mortgage loans, commercial, and consumer.  Each loan category was further segmented by fixed and adjustable rate interest terms and performing and nonperforming categories. The fair value of each loan category was calculated by discounting anticipated cash flows based on weighted-average contractual maturity, weighted-average coupon, and discount rate.

 

The fair value for nonperforming loans was determined utilizing SFAS No. 114.

 

Restricted Stock Investments

 

The carrying value of restricted stock investments is a reasonable estimate of fair value as these investments do not have a readily available market.

 

Deposits

 

The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as noninterest-bearing deposits, interest-bearing NOW accounts, money market, and statement savings accounts, is deemed to be equal to the carrying amounts. The fair value of certificates of deposit is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate for certificates of deposit was estimated using the rate currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

 

Long- and Short-Term Borrowings and Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures

 

Long- and short-term borrowings and junior subordinated notes were segmented into categories with similar financial characteristics. Carrying values were discounted using a cash flow approach based on market rates.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Other Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments

 

The disclosure of fair value amounts does not include the fair values of any intangibles, including core deposit intangibles. Core deposit intangibles represent the value attributable to total deposits based on an expected duration of customer relationships.

 

Limitations

 

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about financial instruments. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from a one-time sale of our total holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a significant portion of our financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect estimates.

 

(7)          Segment Information

 

We are in the business of providing financial services, and we operate in three business segments—commercial and consumer banking, consumer finance, and mortgage-banking.  Commercial and consumer banking is conducted through the Bank and involves delivering a broad range of financial services, including lending and deposit taking, to individuals and commercial enterprises.  This segment also includes our treasury and administrative functions.  Consumer finance is conducted through Mariner Finance, and involves originating small direct consumer loans and the purchase of retail installment sales contracts.  Mortgage-banking is conducted through First Mariner Mortgage and Next Generation Financial Services, divisions of the Bank, and involves originating first- and second-lien residential mortgages for sale in the secondary market and to the Bank.  The results of our subsidiary, FM Appraisals, are included in the mortgage-banking segment.

 

The following table presents certain information regarding our business segments:

 

For the six month period ended June 30, 2009:

 

 

 

Commercial and

 

Consumer

 

Mortgage-

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Consumer Banking

 

Finance

 

Banking (1)

 

Total

 

Interest income

 

$

27,116

 

$

12,178

 

$

2,482

 

$

41,776

 

Interest expense

 

15,463

 

1,627

 

1,435

 

18,525

 

Net interest income

 

11,653

 

10,551

 

1,047

 

23,251

 

Provision for loan losses

 

5,035

 

2,480

 

1,225

 

8,740

 

Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses

 

6,618

 

8,071

 

(178

)

14,511

 

Noninterest income

 

6,147

 

2,178

 

9,065

 

17,390

 

Noninterest expense

 

24,841

 

8,855

 

7,980

 

41,676

 

Net intersegment income

 

324

 

 

(324

)

 

Net (loss) income before income taxes

 

$

(11,752

)

$

1,394

 

$

583

 

$

(9,775

)

Total assets

 

$

1,236,990

 

$

105,830

 

$

117,242

 

$

1,460,062

 

 


(1)  Includes $5.379 million in total expenses (included in interest expense, provision for loan losses, and noninterest expenses) related primarily to residential mortgage loans originated prior to 2008 from the Company’s former wholesale division.  Excluding those expenses, the mortgage-banking segment would have realized net income before income taxes of $5.962 million.

 

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Table of Contents

 

For the six month period ended June 30, 2008:

 

 

 

Commercial and

 

Consumer

 

Mortgage-

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Consumer Banking

 

Finance

 

Banking (1)

 

Total

 

Interest income

 

$

30,580

 

$

10,067

 

$

2,102

 

$

42,749

 

Interest expense

 

15,444

 

1,698

 

1,726

 

18,868

 

Net interest income

 

15,136

 

8,369

 

376

 

23,881

 

Provision for loan losses

 

2,036

 

1,827

 

2,464

 

6,327

 

Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses

 

13,100

 

6,542

 

(2,088

)

17,554

 

Noninterest income

 

6,233

 

1,844

 

4,499

 

12,576

 

Noninterest expense

 

24,417

 

7,003

 

6,447

 

37,867

 

Net intersegment income

 

114

 

 

(114

)

 

Net (loss) income before income taxes

 

$

(4,970

)

$

1,383

 

$

(4,150

)

$

(7,737

)

Total assets

 

$

1,135,892

 

$

90,279

 

$

62,453

 

$

1,288,624

 

 


(1)  Includes $4.736 million in total expenses (included in interest expense, provision for loan losses, and noninterest expenses) related primarily to residential mortgage loans originated prior to 2008 from the Company’s former wholesale division.  Excluding those expenses, the mortgage-banking segment would have realized net income before income taxes of $586,000.

 

(8)          Comprehensive Loss

 

Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as net income (loss) plus transactions and other occurrences which are the result of nonowner changes in equity.  Our nonowner equity changes are comprised of unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities and interest rate swaps that will be accumulated with net income (loss) in determining comprehensive income (loss).

 

Components of our comprehensive loss are as follows for the three and six months ended June 30:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

Net loss

 

$

(2,409

)

$

(469

)

$

(5,510

)

$

(3,747

)

Other comprehensive income items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative effect of accounting change for certain investments (net of tax expense of $0, $0, $750, and $0, respectively)

 

 

 

1,148

 

 

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities arising during the period (net of tax expense (benefit) of $212, $(959), $(941), and $(1,333), respectively)

 

326

 

(1,472

)

(1,445

)

(2,047

)

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on swaps arising during the period (net of tax expense (benefit) of $158, $354, $(212), and $354, respectively)

 

243

 

544

 

(326

)

544

 

Less: reclassification adjustment for losses on securities (net of tax benefit of $35, $0, $712, and $0, respectively) included in net loss

 

54

 

 

1,093

 

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

 

623

 

(928

)

470

 

(1,503

)

Total comprehensive loss

 

$

(1,786

)

$

(1,397

)

$

(5,040

)

$

(5,250

)

 

(9)          Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Pronouncements Adopted

 

On April 9, 2009, the FASB issued three final FSPs intended to provide additional application guidance and enhanced disclosures regarding fair value measurements and impairments of securities.  FSP No. FAS 157-4 Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly, provided guidelines for making fair value measurements more consistent with the principles presented in SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurement. FSP No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial instruments enhanced consistency in financial reporting by increasing the frequency of fair value disclosures.  FSP No. FAS 115-1 and FAS 124-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other Than Temporary Impairments, provided increased guidance to create increased consistency and clarity in accounting for and presenting impairment losses on securities.

 

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The FSPs are effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009.  Entities were permitted to adopt the new FSPs for interim and annual periods ending after March 15, 2009.  We elected to adopt the new FSPs effective with the quarter ended March 31, 2009 and recorded a $1.148 million cumulative effect of accounting change to retained earnings.

 

FSP No. FAS 157-4 relates to determining fair value when there is no active market or where the price inputs being used represent distressed sales. It reaffirms the concept that assets should be valued at a level that would be obtained in an orderly transaction, and the need to use judgment in determining fair value if an active market has become inactive.

 

FSP No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 now requires that disclosures for fair value of financial instruments not currently reflected on the balance sheet at fair value be prepared and presented quarterly.  Previously, these were annual disclosures.

 

FSP Nos. FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 are intended to provide greater consistency to the timing of impairment charges, and bring clarity to investors about the credit and noncredit components of impaired debt securities that are not expected to be sold.  The measure of impairment in comprehensive income remains fair value.  The FSP also requires more timely disclosure regarding expected cash flows, credit losses, and an aging of securities with unrealized losses.

 

See additional information about our adoption of these FSPs in Note 6.

 

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.  This statement requires enhanced disclosures in order to enable investors to better understand the effects of derivative instruments and hedging activities on an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows.   This statement is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008.  The disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 161 were adopted beginning with the interim period ended March 31, 2009.

 

In May 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165, Subsequent Events.  This statement requires entities to disclose the date through which they have evaluated subsequent events and whether the date corresponds with the release of their financial statements.  This statement is effective for fiscal years and interim periods ending after June 15, 2009.  The requirements of SFAS No. 165 were adopted beginning with the interim period ended June 30, 2009.

 

Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Effective

 

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets.  This statement revises SFAS No. 140 and will require entities to provide more information about sales of securitized financial assets and similar transactions, particularly if the seller retains some risk to the assets.  This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009.  Management does not anticipate the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operation.

 

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R). This statement amends FIN No. 46(R) by altering how a company determines when an entity that is insufficiently capitalized or not controlled through voting should be consolidated.  This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009.  Management does not anticipate the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operation.

 

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 168, The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. This statement replaces SFAS No. 162, which was issued in May, 2008 and identified the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting them.  This statement is effective for financial statements issued for reporting periods that end after September 15, 2009.  Once it’s effective, it will supersede all accounting standards in U.S. GAAP, aside form those issued by the SEC.  Management does not anticipate the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operation.

 

Item 2 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

When used in this report, the terms “the Company”, “we”, “us”, and “our” refer to First Mariner Bancorp and, unless the context requires otherwise, its consolidated subsidiaries.  The following discussion should be read and reviewed in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations set forth in First Mariner Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may contain forward-looking language within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Statements may include expressions about our confidence, policies, and strategies, provisions and allowance for loan losses, adequacy of capital levels, and liquidity.  All statements included or incorporated by reference in this

 

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Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, other than statements that are purely historical, are forward-looking statements. Statements that include the use of terminology such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” and similar expressions also identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on our current intent, belief, and expectations. Forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include, but are not limited to, statements of our plans, strategies, objectives, intentions, including, among other statements, statements involving our projected loan and deposit growth, loan collateral values, collectibility of loans, anticipated changes in other operating income, payroll and branching expenses, branch, office and product expansion of the Company, and liquidity and capital levels.  Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, including general economic conditions, competition in the geographic and business areas in which we operate, inflation, fluctuations in interest rates, legislation, and government regulation.  These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. For a more complete discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see the “Risk Factors” discussion in the periodic reports (see Item 1A of Part II of this report) that First Mariner Bancorp files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Except as required by applicable laws, we do not intend to publish updates or revisions of any forward-looking statements we make to reflect new information, future events, or otherwise.

 

The Company

 

First Mariner Bancorp is a bank holding company incorporated under the laws of Maryland and registered under the federal Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended.  First Mariner Bancorp’s business is conducted primarily through its wholly-owned subsidiaries:  First Mariner Bank (the “Bank”); Mariner Finance, LLC (“Mariner Finance”); and FM Appraisals, LLC (“FM Appraisals”).  The Company has over 1,140 employees (approximately 968 full-time equivalent employees).

 

The Bank, which is the largest operating subsidiary of First Mariner Bancorp with assets exceeding $1.339 billion as of June 30, 2009, is engaged in the general commercial banking business, with particular attention and emphasis on the needs of individuals and small to mid-sized businesses, and delivers a wide range of financial products and services that are offered by many larger competitors.  The Bank’s primary market area for its core banking operations, which consist of traditional commercial and consumer lending, as well as retail and commercial deposit operations, is central Maryland as well as portions of Maryland’s eastern shore.  The Bank also has one branch in Pennsylvania.   Products and services of the Bank include traditional deposit products, a variety of consumer and commercial loans, residential and commercial mortgage and construction loans, wire transfer services, nondeposit investment products, and Internet banking and similar services.  Most importantly, the Bank provides customers with access to local Bank officers who are empowered to act with flexibility to meet customers’ needs in an effort to foster and develop long-term loan and deposit relationships. The Bank is an independent community bank and its deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”).

 

First Mariner Mortgage, a division of the Bank, engages in mortgage-banking activities, providing mortgages and associated products to customers and selling most of those mortgages into the secondary market.  First Mariner Mortgage has offices in Maryland, Delaware, and North Carolina.

 

Next Generation Financial Services (“NGFS”), a division of the Bank, engages in the origination of reverse and conventional mortgages, providing these products directly through commission based loan officers throughout the United States.  NGFS originates reverse mortgages for sale to Fannie Mae and other private investors.  The Bank does not originate any reverse mortgages for its portfolio and currently sells all of its reverse mortgage originations into the secondary market.  The Bank retains the servicing rights on reverse mortgages sold to Fannie Mae.  NGFS is one of the largest originators of reverse mortgages in the United States.

 

Mariner Finance engages in traditional consumer finance activities, making small direct cash loans to individuals, the purchase of installment loan sales contracts from local merchants and retail dealers of consumer goods, and loans to individuals via direct mail solicitations, as well as a low volume of mortgage loans. Mariner Finance currently operates branches in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.  Mariner Finance had total assets of $105,830 million as of June 30, 2009.

 

FM Appraisals is a residential real estate appraisal preparation and management company that is headquartered in Baltimore City. FM Appraisals offers appraisal services for residential real estate lenders, including appraisal preparation, the compliance oversight of sub-contracted appraisers, appraisal ordering and administration, and appraisal review services. FM Appraisals provides these services to First Mariner Mortgage, NGFS, and Mariner Finance.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies

 

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and follow general practices within the industry in which it operates.  Application of these principles requires management to make estimates, assumptions, and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates, assumptions, and judgments are based on information available as of the date of the consolidated financial statements; accordingly, as this information changes, the consolidated financial statements could reflect different estimates, assumptions, and judgments. Certain policies inherently have a greater reliance on the use of estimates, assumptions, and judgments and, as such, have a greater possibility of producing results that could be materially different than originally reported. Estimates, assumptions, and judgments are necessary when assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value, when a decline in the value of an asset not carried on the consolidated financial statements at fair value warrants an impairment write-down or valuation reserve to be established, or when an asset or liability needs to be recorded contingent upon a future event. Carrying assets and liabilities at fair value inherently results in more financial statement volatility.  When applying accounting policies in such areas that are subjective in nature, management must use its best judgment to arrive at the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities.  Below is a discussion of our critical accounting policies.

 

Allowance for loan losses

 

A variety of estimates impact the carrying value of the loan portfolio including the calculation of the allowance for loan losses, valuation of underlying collateral, and the timing of loan charge-offs.

 

The allowance is established and maintained at a level that management believes is adequate to cover losses resulting from the inability of borrowers to make required payments on loans.  Estimates for loan losses are arrived at by analyzing risks associated with specific loans and the loan portfolio.  Current trends in delinquencies and charge-offs, the views of Bank regulators, changes in the size and composition of the loan portfolio, and peer comparisons are also factors.  The analysis also requires consideration of the economic climate and direction and change in the interest rate environment, which may impact a borrower’s ability to pay, legislation impacting the banking industry, and environmental and economic conditions specific to the Bank’s service areas.  Because the calculation of the allowance for loan losses relies on estimates and judgments relating to inherently uncertain events, results may differ from our estimates.

 

Securities available for sale

 

Securities available for sale are evaluated periodically to determine whether a decline in their value is other-than-temporary. The term “other-than-temporary” is not intended to indicate a permanent decline in value. Rather, it means that the prospects for near term recovery of value are not necessarily favorable, or that there is a lack of evidence to support fair values equal to, or greater than, the carrying value of the security.

 

The initial indication of other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) for both debt and equity securities is a decline in the market value below book value of an investment. In determining whether an impairment is other-than-temporary, we consider whether it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before full recovery of the value. For marketable equity securities, we also consider the issuer’s financial condition, capital strength, and near-term prospects. For debt securities and for perpetual preferred securities that are treated as debt securities for the purpose of other-than-temporary analysis, we also consider the cause of the price decline (general level of interest rates and industry- and issuer-specific factors), the issuer’s financial condition, near-term prospects and current ability to make future payments in a timely manner, the issuer’s ability to service debt, and any change in agencies’ ratings at evaluation date from acquisition date and any likely imminent action. Once a decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary, the security is segmented into credit and noncredit-related components.  Any fair value adjustment due to identified credit related components is recorded as an adjustment to current period earnings, while noncredit-related fair value adjustments will be recorded through other comprehensive income.

 

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Deferred income taxes

 

Under the liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are subject to management’s judgment based upon available evidence that future realization is not likely.

 

Loan income recognition

 

Interest income on loans is accrued at the contractual rate based on the principal outstanding. Loan origination fees and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred and amortized as a yield adjustment over the contractual loan terms. Accrual of interest is discontinued when its receipt is in doubt, which typically occurs when a loan becomes impaired. Any interest accrued to income in the year when interest accruals are discontinued is generally reversed. Management may elect to continue the accrual of interest when a loan is in the process of collection and the estimated fair value of the collateral is sufficient to satisfy the principal balance and accrued interest. Loans are returned to accrual status once the doubt concerning collectibility has been removed and the borrower has demonstrated the ability to pay and remain current. Payments on nonaccrual loans are generally applied to principal.

 

Loan Repurchases

 

Our sales agreements with investors who buy our loans generally contain covenants which may require us to repurchase loans under certain provisions, including delinquencies, or return premiums paid by those investors should the loan be paid off early.  These covenants are usual and customary within the mortgage-banking industry.  We maintain a reserve (included in other liabilities) for potential losses relating to these sales covenants.

 

Loans repurchased are accounted for under American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”) Statement of Position (“SOP”) 03-3, Accounting for Certain Loans or Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer.  Under the SOP, loans repurchased must be recorded at market value at the time of repurchase with any deficiency for recording the loan compared to proceeds paid charged to earnings.  Repurchased loans are carried on the balance sheet in the loan portfolio.  Any further change in the underlying risk profile or further impairment is recorded as a specific reserve in the allowance for loan losses through the provision for loan losses.

 

Repurchased loans which are foreclosed upon are transferred to Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure at the time of ratification of foreclosure and recorded at estimated fair value.  These assets remain in Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure until their disposition.  Any declines in value subsequent to foreclosure reduce the carrying amounts through a charge to noninterest expense.

 

Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure

 

We record foreclosed real estate assets at the lower of cost or estimated fair value on their acquisition dates and at the lower of such initial amount or estimated fair value less estimated selling costs thereafter.   Estimated fair value is based upon many subjective factors, including location and condition of the property and current economic conditions, among other things.  Because the calculation of fair value relies on estimates and judgments relating to inherently uncertain events, results may differ from our estimates.

 

Write-downs at time of transfer are made through the allowance for loan losses.  Write-downs subsequent to transfer are included in our noninterest expenses, along with operating income, net of related expenses of such properties and gains or losses realized upon disposition.

 

Financial Condition

 

At June 30, 2009, our total assets were $1.460 billion compared to $1.307 billion at December 31, 2008, an increase of 11.7%.  Earning assets increased $38.155 million or 3.3% to $1.183 billion at June 30, 2009 from $1.144 billion at December 31, 2008.  The growth in assets was due primarily to increases in cash and due from banks (+$102.847 million), loans outstanding (+$18.434 million), and loans held for sale (+$57.039 million), partially offset by a decrease in federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits (-$37.895 million).  We funded the growth in assets with increases in deposits (+$145.717 million) and short-term borrowings (+$10.913 million).

 

Securities

 

We utilize the securities portfolio as part of our overall asset/liability management practices to enhance interest revenue while providing necessary liquidity for the funding of loan growth or deposit withdrawals.  We continually monitor the

 

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credit risk associated with corporate investments and attempt to diversify the risk in the corporate portfolio.  As of June 30, 2009, we held $11.789 million in securities classified as trading and $40.152 million in securities classified as available for sale (“AFS”). As of December 31, 2008, we held $12.566 million in securities classified as trading and $39.666 million in securities classified as AFS.

 

Trading Securities

 

Trading securities decreased $777,000 or 6.2% from the December 31, 2008 level of $12.566 million due to maturities and repayments. The entire trading security portfolio consisted of mortgage-backed securities as of both June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.

 

Securities Available for Sale

 

AFS securities remained relatively stable at $40.152 million at June 30, 2009 compared to $39.666 million at December 31, 2008.  We recorded $1.805 million in OTTI charges related to three pooled trust preferred securities during the first six months of 2009.  In addition, during the first quarter of 2009, we added back to retained earnings as a cumulative effect of accounting change $1.148 million (net of tax effect) in OTTI previously recorded that was determined not to be related to credit deterioration (see Notes 2, 6, and 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).  At June 30, 2009, our net unrealized loss on securities classified as available for sale totaled $6.867 million compared to a net unrealized loss of $8.191 million at December 31, 2008.

 

Changes in current market conditions, such as interest rates and the economic uncertainties in the mortgage, housing, and banking industries, have severely impacted the securities market. The secondary market for various types of securities has been limited and has negatively impacted securities values. Quarterly, we review each security in our AFS portfolio to determine the nature of any decline in value and evaluate if any impairment should be classified as OTTI.

 

The trust preferred securities we hold in our securities portfolio were issued by other banks and bank holding companies.  Certain of these securities have experienced declines in credit ratings from credit rating firms, which have devalued these specific securities. These declines have occurred primarily over the past year due to changes in the market which has limited the demand for these securities and reduced their liquidity. We monitor the actual default rates and interest deferrals for possible losses and contractual shortfalls of interest or principal, which could warrant further recognition of impairment, depending on our intention to hold the securities until full value can be recovered.  See additional information on OTTI in Notes 2, 6, and 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

All of the remaining securities that are temporarily impaired are impaired due to declines in fair values resulting from changes in interest rates or increased credit/liquidity spreads compared to the time they were purchased.  We have the ability to hold these securities to maturity and we expect these securities will be repaid in full, with no losses realized. As such, management does not consider the impairments to be other-than-temporary.

 

Our securities available for sale portfolio composition is as follows:

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2009

 

2008

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

$

21,389

 

$

22,248

 

Trust preferred securities

 

13,101

 

12,866

 

U.S. Treasury securities

 

1,000

 

1,003

 

Corporate obligations

 

2,689

 

2,548

 

Equity securities - Banks

 

1,223

 

251

 

Foreign government bonds

 

750

 

750

 

 

 

$

40,152

 

$

39,666

 

 

Loans

 

Our loan portfolio is expected to produce higher yields than investment securities and other interest-earning assets; the absolute volume and mix of loans and the volume and mix of loans as a percentage of total earning assets is an important determinant of our net interest margin.

 

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The following table sets forth the composition of our loan portfolio:

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2009

 

2008

 

Commercial loans and lines of credit

 

$

88,429

 

$

91,111

 

Commercial construction

 

100,412

 

109,484

 

Commercial mortgages

 

337,014

 

319,143

 

Consumer residential construction

 

58,750

 

69,589

 

Residential mortgages

 

155,038

 

138,323

 

Consumer

 

257,487

 

251,046

 

Total loans

 

$

997,130

 

$

978,696

 

 

Total loans increased $18.434 million during the first six months of 2009.  We experienced higher balances in commercial mortgage loans (+$17.871 million), residential mortgage loans (+$16.715 million), and consumer loans (+$6.441 million).  Commercial and consumer residential construction balances decreased (-$9.072 million and -$10.839 million, respectively), as did commercial loans and lines of credit (-$2.682 million).  Although we have been aggressive in our loan origination activity, as evidenced by the growth in our total loan portfolio, the poor market environment has continued to impact the demand for construction and development lending products.  Additionally, we incurred significant charge-offs in the commercial and construction loan portfolios during the first six months of 2009.

 

Commercial Construction Portfolio

 

Our commercial construction portfolio consists of construction and development loans for commercial purposes and includes loans made to builders and developers of residential real estate projects.  Of the total included above, $57.226 million represents loans made to borrowers for the development of residential real estate as of June 30, 2009.  This segment of the portfolio has exhibited greater weakness during 2008 and the first half of 2009 due to overall weakness in the residential housing sector.

 

The breakdown of the portion of the commercial construction portfolio made to borrowers for residential real estate is as follows as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2009

 

2008

 

Raw residential land

 

$

6,952

 

$

6,630

 

Residential subdivisions

 

18,002

 

23,407

 

Single residential lots

 

4,678

 

4,338

 

Single family construction

 

13,835

 

12,547

 

Townhome construction

 

1,934

 

2,817

 

Condominium unit construction

 

1,203

 

 

Multi-family unit construction

 

10,622

 

12,317

 

 

 

$

57,226

 

$

62,056

 

 

Credit Risk Management

 

Credit risk is the risk of loss arising from the inability of a borrower to meet its obligations.  We manage credit risk by evaluating the risk profile of the borrower, repayment sources, the nature of the underlying collateral, and other support given current events, conditions, and expectations.  We attempt to manage the risk characteristics of our loan portfolio through various control processes, such as credit evaluation of borrowers, establishment of lending limits, and application of lending procedures, including the holding of adequate collateral and the maintenance of compensating balances. However, we seek to rely primarily on the cash flow of our borrowers as the principal source of repayment. Although credit policies and evaluation processes are designed to minimize our risk, management recognizes that loan losses will occur and the amount of these losses will fluctuate depending on the risk characteristics of our loan portfolio, as well as general and regional economic conditions.

 

We provide for loan losses through the establishment of an allowance for loan losses by provisions charged against earnings. Our allowance represents an estimated reserve for existing losses in the loan portfolio. We deploy a systematic methodology for determining our allowance that includes a quarterly review process, risk rating, and adjustment to our allowance.  We classify our portfolios as either consumer or commercial and monitor credit risk separately as discussed below.  We evaluate the adequacy of our allowance continually based on a review of all significant loans, with a particular emphasis on nonaccruing, past due, and other loans that we believe require special attention.

 

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The allowance consists of three elements: (1) specific reserves and valuation allowances for individual credits; (2) general reserves for types or portfolios of loans based on historical loan loss experience, judgmentally adjusted for current conditions and credit risk concentrations; and (3) unallocated reserves. Combined specific reserves and general reserves by loan type are considered allocated reserves. All outstanding loans are considered in evaluating the adequacy of the allowance.

 

Commercial

 

Our commercial portfolio includes all secured and unsecured loans to borrowers for commercial purposes, including commercial lines of credit and commercial real estate.  Our process for evaluating commercial loans includes performing updates on all loans that we have rated for risk. Our commercial loans are generally reviewed individually, in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 114, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan, to determine impairment, accrual status, and the need for specific reserves.  Our methodology incorporates a variety of risk considerations, both qualitative and quantitative. Quantitative factors include our historical loss experience by loan type, collateral values, financial condition of borrowers, and other factors. Qualitative factors include judgments concerning general economic conditions that may affect credit quality, credit concentrations, the pace of portfolio growth, and delinquency levels; these qualitative factors are evaluated in connection with our unallocated portion of our allowance for loan losses. We periodically engage outside firms and experts to independently assess our methodology and perform various loan review functions.

 

The process of establishing the allowance with respect to our commercial loan portfolio begins when a loan officer initially assigns each loan a risk rating, using established credit criteria. Approximately 50% of our risk grades are subject to review and validation annually by an independent consulting firm, as well as periodically by our internal credit review function.  Our methodology employs management’s judgment as to the level of future losses on existing loans based on our internal review of the loan portfolio, including an analysis of the borrowers’ current financial position, and the consideration of current and anticipated economic conditions and their potential effects on specific borrowers and or lines of business. In determining our ability to collect certain loans, we also consider the fair value of any underlying collateral. We also evaluate credit risk concentrations, including trends in large dollar exposures to related borrowers, industry and geographic concentrations, and economic and environmental factors.

 

A commercial loan is determined to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Such a loan is not considered impaired during a period of delay in payment if we expect to collect all amounts due, including past-due interest. We generally consider a period of delay in payment to include delinquency up to 90 days. Commercial loans we consider impaired at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 totaled $20.947 million and $26.695 million, respectively. The reserve for loan losses for commercial impaired loans was approximately $356,000 at June 30, 2009 and $1.264 million at December 31, 2008.  The decrease in the ratio of specific reserves to impaired loans reflects partial charge-offs of loans with specific reserves, which reduced the carrying amount of the loan to its estimated fair value.

 

In general, we place commercial impaired loans on nonaccrual status.  Once a loan is placed on nonaccrual, it remains in nonaccrual status until the loan is current as to payment of both principal and interest and the borrower demonstrates the ability to pay and remain current.  All payments made on nonaccrual loans are applied to the principal balance of the loan.

 

The allowance for impaired loans (both commercial and consumer) represents the fair value deficiencies for those loans for which the estimated fair value of the collateral was less than our carrying amount of the loan as of June 30, 2009.  Not all of the loans placed on nonaccrual since December 31, 2008 required impairment reserves, as some of the loans’ collateral had estimated fair values greater than the carrying amount of the loan.

 

Consumer

 

Our consumer portfolio includes second mortgage loans and other loans to individuals.  Consumer loans are segregated into homogeneous pools with similar risk characteristics. Trends and current conditions in consumer and residential mortgage pools are analyzed and historical loss experience is adjusted accordingly.  Quantitative and qualitative adjustment factors for the consumer and residential mortgage portfolios are consistent with those for the commercial portfolios.  Consumer loans originated on the Bank that are greater than 120 days past due are generally charged off.  For consumer loans originated by Mariner Finance, all such loans greater than 90 days past due are considered nonaccrual and are generally charged off when they become 180 days past due.

 

Consumer loans we consider impaired at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 consisted of ALT A loans and totaled $15.522 million and $20.945 million, respectively.   Specific reserve for loan losses for consumer impaired loans amounted to $526,000 at June 30, 2009 and $1.444 million at December 31, 2008.  The decrease in the ratio of specific reserves to impaired loans reflects partial charge-offs of loans with specific reserves, which reduced the carrying amount of the loan to its estimated fair value.

 

We place consumer impaired loans on nonaccrual status as deemed necessary by relevant circumstances.  Once a loan is placed on nonaccrual, it remains in nonaccrual status until the loan is current as to payment of both principal and interest and the

 

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borrower demonstrates the ability to pay and remain current.  All payments made on nonaccrual loans are applied to the principal balance of the loan.

 

Residential Mortgage Loans

 

Residential mortgage loans, including ALT A second mortgages, are analyzed as pools with historical loss rates applied.  Management generally may modify the historical loss rates based upon prevailing economic conditions or trends in delinquency and loss.  Loans delinquent greater than 90 days are individually reviewed and assessed for accrual status and the need for specific reserves.

 

Repurchased Loans

 

In accordance with AICPA SOP 03-3, Accounting for Certain Loans or Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer, we record repurchased loans at their estimated fair value at the time of repurchase.   At June 30, 2009, we maintained $4.740 million of loans repurchased in accordance with covenants in our sales agreements with investors.

 

In establishing the loan’s estimated fair value, management makes significant assumptions concerning the ultimate collectibility of delinquent loans and their ultimate realizable value.  While these projections are made with the most current data available to management, actual realized losses could differ due to the changes in the borrowers’ willingness or ability to resolve the delinquency status, changes in the actual volume of future repurchases, changes in the real estate market, or changes in market values of those loans which are liquidated.  Management updates these assumptions continually as greater experience becomes available.

 

The following table shows the total portfolio of repurchased loans and their status:

 

As of June 30, 2009:

 

 

 

Principal

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

Balance

 

Initial

 

Carrying

 

Allocated

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

at Repurchase

 

Write-Down

 

Value

 

Reserves (1)

 

Nonaccrual 1st mortgages

 

$

2,730

 

$

16

 

$

2,714

 

$

328

 

Modifications (3)

 

2,186

 

160

 

2,026

 

18

 

 

 

$

4,916

 

$

176

 

$

4,740

 

$

346

 

 

As of December 31, 2008:

 

 

 

Principal

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

Balance

 

Initial

 

Carrying

 

Allocated

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

at Repurchase

 

Write-Down

 

Value

 

Reserves (1)

 

Nonaccrual 1st mortgages

 

$

2,974

 

$

8

 

$

2,966

 

$

335

 

Nonaccrual 2nd mortgages

 

73

 

24

 

49

 

49

 

Delinquent 1st mortgages (2)

 

325

 

 

325

 

 

Modifications (3)

 

3,163

 

168

 

2,995

 

205

 

 

 

$

6,535

 

$

200

 

$

6,335

 

$

589

 

 


(1)         Additional allocated reserves are included in the allowance for loan losses

(2)         Includes ALT A loans that are 30 days or more past due that are not on nonaccrual status, except for past-due modifications

(3)         Includes ALT A modifications that are 30 days or more past due that are not on nonaccrual status

 

All ALT A loans which were 90 days delinquent as of June 30, 2009 were evaluated individually for impairment, with any estimated loss compared to the carrying amount recorded as a specific reserve.  All other ALT A loans were evaluated collectively for impairment.

 

The nonaccrual and delinquent loans are currently in the process of collection and the resolution of many of these loans may be through foreclosure of the property.  The modifications in the table represent repurchased loans we have renegotiated at lower rates in order to improve the borrower’s ability to pay.

 

Transferred Loans

 

In accordance with SFAS No. 65, Accounting for Certain Mortgage Banking Activities, any loans which are originally

 

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originated for sale into the secondary market and which we subsequently elect to transfer into the Company’s loan portfolio are valued at fair value at the time of the transfer with any decline in value recorded as a charge to operating expense.

 

We maintain $10.353 million in first-lien mortgage loans and $2.204 million in second-lien mortgage loans that were transferred from loans held for sale to our mortgage and consumer loan portfolios, respectively.  These loans are primarily ALT A loans originated for sale and subsequently transferred as the secondary market for these products became increasingly illiquid.  All of the loans transferred were current with respect to principal and interest payments at the time of transfer.

 

Unallocated

 

The unallocated portion of the allowance is intended to provide for losses that are not identified when establishing the specific and general portions of the allowance and is based upon management’s evaluation of various conditions that are not directly measured in the determination of the formula and specific allowances. Such conditions include general economic and business conditions affecting key lending areas, credit quality trends (including trends in delinquencies and nonperforming loans expected to result from existing conditions), loan volumes and concentrations, specific industry conditions within portfolio categories, recent loss experience in particular loan categories, duration of the current business cycle, bank regulatory examination results, findings of external loan review examiners, and management’s judgment with respect to various other conditions including loan administration and management and the quality of risk identification systems.  Executive management reviews these conditions quarterly.  We have risk management practices designed to ensure timely identification of changes in loan risk profiles; however, undetected losses may exist inherently within the loan portfolio. The judgmental aspects involved in applying the risk grading criteria, analyzing the quality of individual loans, and assessing collateral values can also contribute to undetected, but probable, losses.

 

Our total allowance at June 30, 2009 is considered by management to be sufficient to address the credit losses inherent in the current loan portfolio.  However, our determination of the appropriate allowance level is based upon a number of assumptions we make about future events, which we believe are reasonable, but which may or may not prove valid. Thus, there can be no assurance that our charge-offs in future periods will not exceed our allowance for loan losses or that we will not need to make additional increases in our allowance for loan losses.

 

The changes in the allowance are presented in the following table:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

Allowance for loan losses, beginning of period

 

$

15,515

 

$

13,808

 

$

16,777

 

$

12,789

 

Loans charged off:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial

 

(284

)

 

(517

)

 

Commercial construction

 

(688

)

 

(2,228

)

 

Commercial mortgages

 

(252

)

 

(304

)

 

Consumer residential construction

 

(269

)

(47

)

(816

)

(182

)

Residential mortgages

 

(444

)

(948

)

(1,888

)

(2,152

)

Consumer (1)

 

(1,768

)

(806

)

(3,808

)

(2,442

)

Total loans charged off

 

(3,705

)

(1,801

)

(9,561

)

(4,776

)

Recoveries:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial

 

 

 

 

13

 

Commercial construction

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial mortgages

 

4

 

3

 

4

 

3

 

Consumer residential construction

 

 

 

 

 

Residential mortgages

 

1

 

 

1

 

7

 

Consumer

 

159

 

29

 

357

 

180

 

Total recoveries

 

164

 

32

 

362

 

203

 

Net charge-offs

 

(3,541

)

(1,769

)

(9,199

)

(4,573

)

Provision for loan losses

 

4,344

 

2,504

 

8,740

 

6,327

 

Allowance for loan losses, end of period

 

$

16,318

 

$

14,543

 

$

16,318

 

$

14,543

 

Loans (net of premiums and discounts):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Period-end balance

 

$

997,130

 

$

924,296

 

$

997,130

 

$

924,296

 

Average balance during period

 

991,887

 

883,228

 

986,358

 

866,134

 

Allowance as a percentage of period-end loan balance

 

1.64

%

1.57

%

1.64

%

1.57

%

Percent of average loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for loan losses (annualized)

 

1.76

%

1.14

%

1.79

%

1.47

%

Net charge-offs (annualized)

 

1.43

%

0.81

%

1.88

%

1.06

%

 


(1)            Includes $0, $1,000, $400,000, and $751,000, respectively, of ALT A second mortgage loans originated by the Bank.

 

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The following table summarizes our allocation of allowance by loan type:

 

 

 

June 30, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

of Loans

 

 

 

 

 

of Loans

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

to Total

 

 

 

Percent

 

to Total

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Amount

 

of Total

 

Loans

 

Amount

 

of Total

 

Loans

 

Commercial loans and lines of credit

 

$

876

 

5.4

%

8.9

%

$

824

 

4.9

%

9.3

%

Commercial construction

 

1,420

 

8.7

%

10.1

%

2,702

 

16.1

%

11.2

%

Commercial mortgages

 

3,297

 

20.2

%

33.8

%

2,985

 

17.8

%

32.6

%

Consumer residential construction

 

812

 

5.0

%

5.9

%

583

 

3.5

%

7.1

%

Residential mortgages

 

1,071

 

6.5

%

15.5

%

1,576

 

9.4

%

14.1

%

Consumer

 

4,714

 

28.9

%

25.8

%

4,683

 

27.9

%

25.7

%

Unallocated

 

4,128

 

25.3

%

 

3,424

 

20.4

%

 

Total

 

$

16,318

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

$

16,777

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

Based upon management’s evaluation, provisions are made to maintain the allowance as a best estimate of inherent losses within the portfolio. The allowance for loan losses totaled $16.318 million and $16.777 million as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  The change in the allowance reflects management’s ongoing application of its methodologies to establish the allowance, which included increases to reflect negative market trends and other qualitative factors (unallocated reserves).  Our allowance for loan losses may not move in direct proportion to changes in our overall trends in delinquent, nonperforming, or impaired loans.  The specific loans that make up those categories change from period to period. Impairment on those loans, which would be reflected in the allowance for loan losses, might or might not exist, depending on the specific circumstances of each loan.

 

Specific and general reserves for the commercial construction portfolio decreased $1.282 million and reflect partial charge- offs of certain loans with specific reserves as of December 31, 2008. During the first six months of 2009, we charged-off $2.228 million in commercial construction loans.

 

Specific and general reserves for the residential mortgage portfolio also decreased (-$505,000) due to partial and complete charge-offs of certain loans with specific reserves as of December 31, 2008. During the first six months of 2009, we charged-off $1.888 million in residential mortgage loans.

 

The provision for loan losses recognized to maintain the allowance was $4.344 million and $8.740 million for the three and  six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, compared to $2.504 million and $6.327 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2008.  We recorded net charge-offs of $9.199 million during the first six months of 2009 compared to net charge-offs of $4.573 million for the same period in 2008, primarily due to increases in net charge-offs of construction loans, commercial loans, and commercial mortgages.  During the first six months of 2009, annualized net charge-offs as compared to average loans outstanding increased to 1.88%, compared to 1.06% during the same period of 2008.  Net charge-offs for the Bank totaled $6.875 million, while Mariner Finance net charge-offs were $2.324 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009.

 

Our allowance as a percentage of outstanding loans has decreased from 1.71% as of December 31, 2008 to 1.64% as of June 30, 2009, reflecting the changes in our loss estimates and the changes resulting from the application of our loss estimate methodology.  The decrease in the overall allowance occurred as loans which had specific reserves as of December 31, 2008, were determined to be losses in the six months ended June 30, 2009 and were charged off against the allowance during the period.  Management believes the allowance for loan losses is adequate as of June 30, 2009.

 

Nonperforming Assets and Loans 90 Days Past Due and Still Accruing

 

Nonperforming assets, expressed as a percentage of total assets, totaled 4.28% at June 30, 2009, 4.42% at December 31, 2008, and 3.78% at June 30, 2008.  The distribution of our nonperforming assets and loans greater than 90 days past due and accruing is illustrated in the following table:

 

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June 30,

 

December 31,

 

June 30,

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2009

 

2008

 

2008

 

Nonaccruing loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial loans and lines of credit

 

$

321

 

$

603

 

$

882

 

Commercial construction

 

12,100

 

14,544

 

12,340

 

Commercial mortgages

 

5,724

 

4,134

 

3,228

 

Consumer residential construction

 

2,838

 

8,222

 

3,142

 

Alt A first and second mortgages

 

3,922

 

6,772

 

7,523

 

Other residential mortgages

 

3,353

 

1,343

 

336

 

Other consumer

 

4,787

 

3,145

 

2,158

 

 

 

33,045

 

38,763

 

29,609

 

Real estate acquired through foreclosure:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial loans and lines of credit

 

 

 

 

Commercial construction

 

7,889

 

4,909

 

3,668

 

Commercial mortgages

 

4,429

 

2,080

 

866

 

Consumer residential construction

 

6,743

 

2,826

 

3,160

 

Alt A first and second mortgages

 

6,179

 

9,079

 

9,908

 

Other residential mortgages

 

2,224

 

 

1,500

 

Other consumer

 

1,920

 

100

 

 

 

 

29,384

 

18,994

 

19,102

 

Total nonperforming assets

 

$

62,429

 

$

57,757

 

$

48,711

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans past-due 90 days or more and accruing:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial loans and lines of credit

 

$

522

 

$

 

$

255

 

Commercial construction

 

2,667

 

210

 

2,128

 

Commercial mortgages

 

8,120

 

1,634

 

4,523

 

Consumer residential construction

 

1,496

 

1,587

 

910

 

Alt A first and second mortgages

 

672

 

1,519

 

5,616

 

Other residential mortgages

 

2,899

 

1,739

 

338

 

Other consumer

 

517

 

2,990

 

2,769

 

 

 

$

16,893

 

$

9,679

 

$

16,539

 

 

Nonaccrual loans decreased $5.718 million between December 31, 2008 and June 30, 2009, as troubled loans moved through the process of charge-off and/or foreclosure.  Although total nonaccrual loans decreased, we did experience increases in nonaccrual commercial mortgages and residential mortgages. The increase in commercial mortgage loans consisted of the addition of 12 commercial mortgage loans in the amount of $4.097 million, partially offset by charge-offs and foreclosures of loans previously on nonaccrual.

 

Real estate acquired through foreclosure increased $10.390 million when compared to December 31, 2008 as troubled assets moved through the foreclosure process.  Commercial and consumer construction properties increased due to the addition of 18 properties for $9.471 million, partially offset by write-downs and disposals of properties.

 

We continue to maintain a substantial amount of foreclosed individual residential properties concentrated in the northern Virginia region that originally collateralized ALT A loans.  These properties and are being carried at their fair value, which is subject to quarterly review.

 

Real estate acquired through foreclosure is carried at estimated fair value, less estimated costs to sell.

 

Loans 90 days delinquent and accruing increased from $9.679 million at December 31, 2008 to $16.893 million as of June 30, 2009.  Included in the increase are increases in commercial mortgage loans of $6.486 million and commercial construction loans of $2.457 million.  The commercial mortgage total is made up of nine loans, with the largest balance amounting to $4.283 million.  The commercial construction total is made up of seven loans, with the largest loan totaling $938,000.

 

Troubled debt restructures (“TDRs”), which are loans that have been restructured due to the borrower’s inability to maintain a

 

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current status on the loan, that are not included in the nonaccrual balance above amounted to approximately $8.958 million as of June 30, 2009 and $9.074 million as of December 31, 2008.  Our TDRs are generally reviewed individually, in accordance with SFAS No. 114, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan, at the time of restructure, to determine impairment, accrual status, and the need for specific reserves.  For collateral dependent loans, we utilize the fair value of the collateral in determining impairment.  For noncollateral dependent loans, we calculate the present value of expected future cash flows to determine fair value and impairment.  We initially measure impairment of TDRs on a loan-by-loan basis.  The majority of our TDRs as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 were collateral dependent and, therefore, any impairment was determined using the fair value of the collateral.

 

Deposits

 

Deposits totaled $1.096 billion at June 30, 2009, increasing $145.717 million or 15.3% over the December 31, 2008 balance of $950.233 million.  The increase in deposits was primarily due to increases in time deposits, regular savings accounts, and noninterest-bearing demand deposits, partially offset by decreases in NOW and money market deposits. The increase in time deposits out of money market accounts has occurred as customer preference has shifted to higher-yielding certificates of deposit.  We also took in approximately $36.000 million in time deposits associated with a newly launched program for acquiring nonbrokered national deposits. The deposit breakdown is as follows:

 

 

 

June 30, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

Percent

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Balance

 

of Total

 

Balance

 

of Total

 

NOW & money market savings deposits

 

$

169,374

 

15.5

$

172,690

 

18.2

%

Regular savings deposits

 

57,926

 

5.3

%

51,550

 

5.4

%

Time deposits

 

735,783

 

67.1

%

611,242

 

64.3

%

Total interest-bearing deposits

 

963,083

 

87.9

%

835,482

 

87.9

%

Noninterest-bearing demand deposits

 

132,867

 

12.1

%

114,751

 

12.1

%

Total deposits

 

$

1,095,950

 

100.0

$

950,233

 

100.0

%

 

Core deposits represent deposits that we believe to be less sensitive to changes in interest rates and, therefore, will be retained regardless of the movement of interest rates.  We consider our core deposits to be all noninterest-bearing, NOW, money market accounts less than $100,000, and saving deposits, as well as all time deposits less than $100,000 that are not scheduled to mature within one year.  As of June 30, 2009, our core deposits were $473.625 million as of June 30, 2009 , compared to $422.191 million as of December 31, 2008.  The remainder of our deposits could be susceptible to attrition due to interest rate movements.

 

Borrowings

 

Our borrowings consist of short-term promissory notes issued to certain qualified investors, short-term and long-term advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), a mortgage loan, and a line of credit to finance consumer receivables.  Our short-term promissory notes are in the form of commercial paper, which reprice daily and have maturities of 270 days or less.  Our advances from the FHLB may be in the form of short-term or long-term obligations. Short-term advances have maturities for one year or less and can be paid without penalty. Long-term borrowings through the FHLB have original maturities up to 15 years and generally contain prepayment penalties.

 

Long-term borrowings, which totaled $176.940 million and $177.868 million at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, consist of long-term advances from the FHLB, a line of credit used to fund consumer finance receivables, and a mortgage loan on our former headquarters building.  The amortized cost of long-term FHLB advances totaled $85.000 million at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008; however, $60.000 million of the advances are recorded at fair value ($62.978 million) in accordance with SFAS No. 159, making the total carrying amount of long-term FHLB advances $87.978 million as of June 30, 2009.  As of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the balance on the mortgage loan was $9.165 million and $9.249 million, respectively, and the balance on the consumer receivable line of credit was $79.797 million and $79.546 million, respectively.

 

Short-term borrowings consist of short-term promissory notes and short-term advances from the FHLB.  These borrowings increased from $43.128 million at December 31, 2008 to $54.041 million at June 30, 2009.

 

In the past, to further our funding and capital needs, we raised capital by issuing Trust Preferred Securities through statutory trusts (the “Trusts”), which are wholly-owned by First Mariner Bancorp.  The Trusts used the proceeds from the sales of the Trust Preferred Securities, combined with First Mariner Bancorp’s equity investment in these Trusts, to purchase subordinated deferrable interest debentures from First Mariner Bancorp.  The debentures are the sole assets of the Trusts.  Aggregate debentures as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 were $73.724 million.

 

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The Trust Preferred Securities are mandatorily redeemable, in whole or in part, upon repayment of their underlying subordinated debentures at their respective maturities or their earlier redemption. The subordinated debentures are redeemable prior to maturity at First Mariner’s option on or after its optional redemption dates.  On December 22, 2008, First Mariner announced that it was electing to suspend interest payments on the debentures, beginning with the January 7, 2009 payment.  This deferment is permitted under the terms of the debentures and does not constitute an event of default.  The debentures continue to accrue interest, which will have to be fully repaid prior to the expiration of the deferral period.  The total deferral period may not exceed 20 consecutive quarters.

 

First Mariner Bancorp has fully and unconditionally guaranteed all of the obligations of the Trusts.

 

Under applicable regulatory guidelines, a portion of the Trust Preferred Securities will qualify as Tier I capital, and the remaining portion will qualify as Tier II capital. Under applicable regulatory guidelines, $15.746 million of the outstanding Trust Preferred Securities qualify as Tier I capital and $34.971 million of the remaining Trust Preferred Securities qualify as Tier II capital at June 30, 2009.  The total amount of our Trust Preferred Securities allowable as part of capital was limited to $50.717 million as of June 30, 2009.

 

Capital Resources

 

Stockholders’ equity decreased $3.871 million in the first six months of 2009 to $42.144 million at June 30, 2009 from $46.015 million at December 31, 2008.  The retained deficit increased by the net loss of $5.510 million for the first six months of 2009, partially offset by the cumulative effect of accounting change adjustment related to securities of $1.148 million.

 

Common stock and additional paid-in-capital increased by $22,000 due to the vesting of previously granted stock options during the first six months of 2009.  We did not repurchase any common stock during 2009, nor was any stock issued through the employee stock purchase plan.  Accumulated other comprehensive loss, which is derived from the fair value calculations for securities available for sale and interest rate swaps, decreased by $470,000.

 

Banking regulatory authorities have implemented strict capital guidelines directly related to the credit risk associated with an institution’s assets.  Banks and bank holding companies are required to maintain capital levels based on their “risk adjusted” assets so that categories of assets with higher “defined” credit risks will require more capital support than assets with lower risk.  Additionally, capital must be maintained to support certain off-balance sheet instruments.

 

Capital is classified as Tier 1 capital (common stockholders’ equity less certain intangible assets plus a portion of the Trust Preferred Securities) and Total Capital (Tier 1 plus the allowed portion of the allowance for loan losses plus any off-balance sheet reserves and the portion of Trust Preferred Securities not included in Tier 1 capital). Minimum required levels must at least equal 4% for Tier 1 capital and 8% for Total Capital. In addition, institutions must maintain a minimum of 4% leverage capital ratio (Tier 1 capital to average total assets for the previous quarter).

 

We regularly monitor our capital adequacy ratios and attempt to ensure that we meet our regulatory capital requirements.  The regulatory capital ratios are shown below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

Regulatory

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Requirements

 

Regulatory capital ratios:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leverage:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

3.6

%

4.3

%

4.0

%

The Bank

 

5.8

%

6.0

%

4.0

%

Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

4.3

%

5.0

%

4.0

%

The Bank

 

6.9

%

7.0

%

4.0

%

Total capital to risk-weighted assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

8.5

%

9.9

%

8.0

%

The Bank

 

8.7

%

9.0

%

8.0

%

 

Results of Operations

 

Net Loss

 

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Table of Contents

 

Six Months Ended June 30:

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2009, we realized a net loss of $5.510 million compared to a net loss of $3.747 million for the six month period ended June 30, 2008.  Basic and diluted losses per share for the first six months of 2009 and 2008 totaled $(0.85) and $(0.59), respectively.  Our ability to produce earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2009 continued to be impacted by the significant deterioration of the national and local residential real estate markets, which is resulting in higher levels of loan loss provisions and write-downs in value or losses on sales of foreclosed real estate.  The increases in our provision for loan losses and expenses related to real estate acquired through foreclosure were partially offset by increased mortgage-banking revenue and insurance sales commissions, as well as a recovery of value in our trading assets and certain long-term borrowings and an insurance recovery.  We also recognized a $1.805 million OTTI charge on securities.

 

Return on average assets and return on average equity are key measures of an entity’s performance. Return on average assets, the product of net income divided by total average assets, measures how effectively we utilize the Company’s assets to produce income. Our return on average assets (annualized) for the six months ended June 30, 2009 was (0.82)% compared to (0.60)% for the corresponding period in 2008. Return on average equity, the product of net income divided by average equity, measures how effectively we invest the Company’s capital to produce income. Return on average equity (annualized) for the six months ended June 30, 2009 was (24.03)% compared to (11.58)% for the corresponding period in 2008.  All profitability indicators were significantly affected by our net losses.

 

Three Months Ended June 30:

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2009, net losses totaled $2.409 million compared to net losses of $469,000 for the three month period ended June 30, 2008.  Basic and diluted losses per share for the three months ended June 30, 2009 totaled $(0.37) compared to basic and diluted losses of ($0.07) per share for the three months ended June 30, 2008.  Losses for the three months ended June 30, 2009 reflected higher levels of loan loss provisions and write-downs in value or losses on sales of foreclosed real estate, partially offset by higher mortgage-banking revenue and insurance sales commissions.  Our return on average assets (annualized) for the three months ended June 30, 2009 was (0.70)% compared to (0.15)% for the corresponding period in 2008 and our return on average equity (annualized) for the three months ended June 30, 2009 was (21.71)% compared to (2.97)% for the corresponding period in 2008.

 

Net Interest Income

 

Six Months Ended June 30:

 

Net interest income, the amount by which interest income on interest-earning assets exceeds interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, is the most significant component of our earnings. Net interest income is a function of several factors, including changes in the volume and mix of interest-earning assets and funding sources, and market interest rates. While management policies influence these factors, external forces, including customer needs and demands, competition, the economic policies of the federal government, and the monetary policies of the Federal Reserve Board, are also determining factors.

 

Net interest income for the first six months of 2009 totaled $23.251 million, a decrease of $630,000 from $23.881 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008. The decrease in net interest income during 2009 was primarily due to a decrease in the yield on interest-earning assets from 7.72% for the six months ended June 30, 2008 to 6.91% for the six months ended June 30, 2009, and increases in the volume of interest-bearing liabilities, partially offset by a decrease in the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities and an increase in the volume of interest-earning assets. In addition, we experienced a decline in our noninterest-bearing sources of funds.  The impact of these items decreased the net interest margin to 3.80% for the six months ended June 30, 2009 from 4.27% for the same period in 2008.

 

Interest income.  Total interest income decreased by $973,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2009 due primarily to the decreased yield on average earning assets. Yields on earning assets for the period decreased to 6.91% from 7.72%, while average earning assets increased $100.966 million.  We experienced decreased yields on most major earning asset categories, primarily a result of the lower interest rate environment in 2009.  Additionally, our interest income was negatively affected by increased interest reversals on and increased average balances of nonaccrual loans.  The yield on loans decreased from 8.55% for the six months ended June 30, 2008 to 7.59% for the same period in 2009.

 

Average loans outstanding for the six months ended June 30, 2009 increased by $120.224 million when compared to the same period in 2008.  We experienced increases in commercial loans and lines of credit (+$12.189 million), commercial mortgages (+$46.989 million), residential mortgages (+$57.489 million), and consumer loans (+$45.714), which were partially offset by

 

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decreases in commercial and consumer construction loans (-$16.195 million and -$25.962 million, respectively).  Average loans held for sale increased $22.525 million.

 

The decrease in both commercial and consumer residential construction loans was due primarily to the deterioration of the real estate market, which has led to the reduction of new construction as well as write-downs of nonperforming loans and increased foreclosures.  The increases in commercial loans and lines of credit and in commercial mortgages were due to a continued focus on commercial lending.  The increase in residential mortgage loans was due primarily to increased portfolio lending activity, with record high residential mortgage loan production in both portfolio and held for sale lending during the second quarter of 2009, which was also reflected in the increase in average loans held for sale.  Consumer loans increased due to increases in both Bank and Mariner Finance consumer lending.  Average securities decreased by $30.193 million, due primarily to normal principal repayments on mortgage-backed securities and deteriorations in value due to the current economic conditions.

 

Interest expense.  Interest expense decreased by $343,000 to $18.525 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009, compared to $18.868 million for the same period in 2008.  We experienced a decrease in the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities, from 3.62% for the six months ended June 30, 2008 to 3.13% for the six months ended June 30, 2009, which was partially offset by a higher level of interest-bearing liabilities.  The decrease in the rate paid on interest-bearing deposits from 3.12% in 2008 to 2.87% in 2009 was driven primarily by decreases in the rates on money market accounts and certificates of deposit, partially offset by increases in the rates on NOW and savings accounts.  Average interest-bearing deposits increased by $107.579 million primarily due to an increase in the volume of time deposits, including brokered deposits placed during 2008.  In addition, during the second quarter of 2009, we began a national certificate of deposit campaign that has brought in approximately $36.000 million in new time deposits.  An increase in average borrowings of $36.088 million was due primarily to increased borrowings on the consumer finance line of credit of Mariner Finance to fund its consumer loan growth and increases in our short-term FHLB advances.  We experienced a decrease in the costs of borrowed funds from 5.09% for the six months ended June 30, 2008 to 3.92% for the same period in 2009 due to the decline in variable-rate trust preferred security costs, as well as lower short-term borrowing costs.

 

Three Months Ended June 30:

 

Net interest income for the second quarter of 2009 totaled $12.173 million, an increase of $262,000 over $11.911 million for the second quarter of 2008. The increase in net interest income during the second quarter of 2009 was primarily due to an increase in the volume of interest-earning assets and a decrease in the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities, partially offset by a decrease in the yield on interest-earning assets and an increase in the volume of interest-bearing liabilities.  The impact of these items, along with a decline in our noninterest-bearing sources of funds, decreased the net interest margin to 3.94% from 4.19%.

 

Interest income.  Total interest income increased by $312,000 for the second quarter of 2009 due primarily to the increased  volume of interest-earning assets.  Average loans outstanding for the three months ended June 30, 2009 increased by $108.659 million when compared to the same period of 2008.  We experienced increases in commercial loans and lines of credit (+$1.150 million), commercial mortgages (+$44.463 million), residential mortgages (+$63.018 million), and consumer loans (+$41.139), which were partially offset by decreases in commercial and consumer construction loans (-$12.397 million and -$28.714 million, respectively).  Average loans held for sale increased $42.499 million.

 

The decrease in both commercial and consumer residential construction loans was due primarily to the deterioration of the real estate market.  The increases in commercial loans and lines of credit and in commercial mortgages were due to our continued focus on commercial lending.  The increase in residential mortgage loans and loans held for sale was due to increased residential mortgage loan production.  Consumer loans increased due to increases in both Bank and Mariner Finance consumer lending.  Average securities decreased by $30.230 million, due primarily to normal principal repayments on mortgage-backed securities and deteriorations in value due to the current economic conditions.

 

The yield on average earning assets decreased from 7.46% in 2008 to 6.96% in 2009.  We experienced decreased yields on most major earning asset categories, primarily a result of the lower interest rate environment in 2009.  Our interest income was negatively affected by increased interest reversals on and increased average balances of nonaccrual loans.  The yield on loans decreased from 8.29% for the three months ended June 30, 2008 to 7.67% for the same period in 2009.

 

Interest expense.  Interest expense increased by $50,000 to $9.164 million for the second quarter of 2009, compared to $9.114 million for the same period in 2008.  We had a higher level of interest-bearing liabilities of $1.208 billion for the second quarter of 2009 when compared to $1.071 billion for the same period of 2008, which was partially offset by a decrease in the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities, from 3.42% for the second quarter of 2008 to 3.04% for the second quarter of 2009.

 

Average interest-bearing deposits increased by $99.485 million primarily due to an increase in the volume of time deposits, including brokered deposits placed during 2008 and $36.000 million in new time deposits from our national certificate of deposit

 

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campaign.  An increase in average borrowings of $37.135 million was due primarily to increased borrowings on the consumer finance line of credit of Mariner Finance to fund its consumer loan growth and increases in our short-term FHLB advances.

 

The decrease in the rate paid on interest-bearing deposits from 3.00% in 2008 to 2.78% in 2009 was driven primarily by decreases in the rates on money market accounts and certificates of deposit.  We experienced a decrease in the costs of borrowed funds from 4.70% for the second quarter of 2008 to 3.85% for the same period in 2009 due to the decline in variable-rate trust preferred security costs, as well as lower short-term borrowing costs.

 

The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, information regarding the average balances of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the resulting yields on average interest-earning assets and rates paid on average interest-bearing liabilities. Average balances are also provided for noninterest-earning assets and noninterest-bearing liabilities.

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

Yield/

 

Average

 

 

 

Yield/

 

 

 

Balance (1)

 

Interest (2)

 

Rate

 

Balance (1)

 

Interest (2)

 

Rate

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial loans and lines of credit

 

$

87,989

 

$

2,300

 

5.17

%

$

75,800

 

$

2,390

 

6.24

%

Commercial construction

 

104,349

 

2,690

 

5.10

%

120,544

 

4,073

 

6.68

%

Commercial mortgages

 

327,285

 

11,061

 

6.69

%

280,296

 

10,741

 

7.58

%

Consumer residential construction

 

65,801

 

1,708

 

5.21

%

91,763

 

3,316

 

7.27

%

Residential mortgages

 

146,082

 

4,424

 

6.06

%

88,593

 

2,649

 

5.98

%

Consumer

 

254,852

 

15,528

 

12.08

%

209,138

 

14,109

 

13.40

%

Total loans

 

986,358

 

37,711

 

7.59

%

866,134

 

37,278

 

8.55

%

Loans held for sale

 

97,162

 

2,482

 

5.11

%

74,637

 

2,102

 

5.63

%

Securities, trading and AFS

 

51,005

 

1,554

 

6.09

%

81,198

 

2,293

 

5.65

%

Interest-bearing deposits

 

58,986

 

29

 

0.16

%

72,217

 

904

 

2.51

%

Restricted stock investments, at cost

 

7,603

 

 

 

5,962

 

172

 

5.78

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total earning assets

 

1,201,114

 

41,776

 

6.91

%

1,100,148

 

42,749

 

7.72

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for loan losses

 

(16,949

)

 

 

 

 

(12,687

)

 

 

 

 

Cash and other nonearning assets

 

177,853

 

 

 

 

 

167,980

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

1,362,018

 

41,776

 

 

 

$

1,255,441

 

42,749

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing deposits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOW deposits

 

$

6,758

 

21

 

0.64

%

$

16,343

 

38

 

0.46

%

Savings deposits

 

55,216

 

93

 

0.34

%

55,545

 

90

 

0.32

%

Money market deposits

 

158,726

 

640

 

0.81

%

238,041

 

1,935

 

1.63

%

Time deposits

 

671,821

 

11,934

 

3.58

%

475,013

 

10,111

 

4.28

%

Total interest-bearing deposits

 

892,521

 

12,688

 

2.87

%

784,942

 

12,174

 

3.12

%

Borrowings

 

300,500

 

5,837

 

3.92

%

264,412

 

6,694

 

5.09

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total interest-bearing liabilities

 

1,193,021

 

18,525

 

3.13

%

1,049,354

 

18,868

 

3.62

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noninterest-bearing demand deposits

 

115,815

 

 

 

 

 

138,349

 

 

 

 

 

Other noninterest-bearing liabilities

 

6,933

 

 

 

 

 

2,650

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

46,249

 

 

 

 

 

65,088

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

1,362,018

 

18,525

 

 

 

$

1,255,441

 

18,868

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income/net interest spread

 

 

 

$

23,251

 

3.78

%

 

 

$

23,881

 

4.10

%

Net interest margin

 

 

 

 

 

3.80

%

 

 

 

 

4.27

%

 


(1)          Nonaccrual loans are included in average loans.

(2)          There are no tax equivalency adjustments

 

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For the Three Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

Average
Balance (1)

 

Interest (2)

 

Yield/
Rate

 

Average
Balance (1)

 

Interest (2)

 

Yield/
Rate

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial loans and lines of credit

 

$

87,556

 

$

1,144

 

5.17

%

$

86,406

 

$

 1,249

 

5.72

%

Commercial construction

 

103,715

 

1,296

 

4.94

%

116,112

 

1,776

 

6.05

%

Commercial mortgages

 

329,530

 

5,536

 

6.65

%

285,067

 

5,352

 

7.43

%

Consumer residential construction

 

64,441

 

906

 

5.64

%

93,155

 

1,597

 

6.90

%

Residential mortgages

 

151,554

 

2,377

 

6.27

%

88,536

 

1,239

 

5.60

%

Consumer

 

255,091

 

7,913

 

12.31

%

213,952

 

7,225

 

13.41

%

Total loans

 

991,887

 

19,172

 

7.67

%

883,228

 

18,438

 

8.29

%

Loans held for sale

 

109,320

 

1,382

 

5.06

%

66,821

 

941

 

5.63

%

Securities, trading and AFS

 

50,532

 

762

 

6.03

%

80,762

 

1,147

 

5.68

%

Interest-bearing deposits

 

57,266

 

21

 

0.14

%

82,945

 

415

 

2.00

%

Restricted stock investments, at cost

 

7,830

 

 

 

5,941

 

84

 

5.66

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total earning assets

 

1,216,835

 

21,337

 

6.96

%

1,119,697

 

21,025

 

7.46

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for loan losses

 

(16,682

)

 

 

 

 

(13,441

)

 

 

 

 

Cash and other nonearning assets

 

177,317

 

 

 

 

 

168,441

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

1,377,470

 

21,337

 

 

 

$

1,274,697

 

21,025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing deposits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOW deposits

 

$

7,060

 

10

 

0.58

%

$

16,826

 

25

 

0.60

%

Savings deposits

 

57,486

 

49

 

0.34

%

57,692

 

47

 

0.33

%

Money market deposits

 

157,378

 

293

 

0.75

%

221,194

 

703

 

1.28

%

Time deposits

 

684,080

 

5,918

 

3.47

%

510,807

 

5,243

 

4.13

%

Total interest-bearing deposits

 

906,004

 

6,270

 

2.78

%

806,519

 

6,018

 

3.00

%

Borrowings

 

301,812

 

2,894

 

3.85

%

264,677

 

3,096

 

4.70

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total interest-bearing liabilities

 

1,207,816

 

9,164

 

3.04

%

1,071,196

 

9,114

 

3.42

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noninterest-bearing demand deposits

 

118,626

 

 

 

 

 

138,583

 

 

 

 

 

Other noninterest-bearing liabilities

 

6,519

 

 

 

 

 

1,527

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

44,509

 

 

 

 

 

63,391

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

1,377,470

 

9,164

 

 

 

$

1,274,697

 

9,114

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income/net interest spread

 

 

 

$

12,173

 

3.92

%

 

 

$

11,911

 

4.04

%

Net interest margin

 

 

 

 

 

3.94

%

 

 

 

 

4.19

%

 


(1)          Nonaccrual loans are included in average loans.

(2)          There are no tax equivalency adjustments

 

A rate/volume analysis, which demonstrates changes in interest income and expense for significant assets and liabilities, appears below.  Changes attributable to mix (rate and volume) are allocated to volume and rate based on the relative size of the variance that can be separately identified with each.

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended

 

For the Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30, 2009

 

June 30, 2009

 

 

 

Due to Variances in

 

Due to Variances in

 

 

 

Rate

 

Volume

 

Total

 

Rate

 

Volume

 

Total

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Interest earned on:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial loans and lines of credit

 

$

(208

)

$

103

 

$

(105

)

$

(831

)

$

741

 

$

(90

)

Commercial construction

 

(303

)

(177

)

(480

)

(882

)

(501

)

(1,383

)

Commercial mortgages

 

(2,591

)

2,775

 

184

 

(2,811

)

3,131

 

320

 

Consumer residential construction

 

(257

)

(434

)

(691

)

(804

)

(804

)

(1,608

)

Residential mortgages

 

164

 

974

 

1,138

 

34

 

1,741

 

1,775

 

Consumer

 

(3,095

)

3,783

 

688

 

(3,358

)

4,777

 

1,419

 

Total loans

 

(6,290

)

7,024

 

734

 

(8,652

)

9,085

 

433

 

Loans held for sale

 

(600

)

1,041

 

441

 

(505

)

885

 

380

 

Securities, trading and AFS

 

434

 

(819

)

(385

)

464

 

(1,203

)

(739

)

Interest-bearing deposits

 

(296

)

(98

)

(394

)

(718

)

(157

)

(875

)

Restricted stock investments, at cost

 

(226

)

142

 

(84

)

(301

)

129

 

(172

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total interest income

 

(6,978

)

7,290

 

312

 

(9,712

)

8,739

 

(973

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid on:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing deposits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOW deposits

 

(1

)

(14

)

(15

)

28

 

(45

)

(17

)

Savings deposits

 

3

 

(1

)

2

 

5

 

(2

)

3

 

Money market deposits

 

(242

)

(168

)

(410

)

(778

)

(517

)

(1,295

)

Time deposits

 

(4,369

)

5,044

 

675

 

(4,243

)

6,066

 

1,823

 

Total interest-bearing deposits

 

(4,609

)

4,861

 

252

 

(4,988

)

5,502

 

514

 

Borrowings

 

(2,084

)

1,882

 

(202

)

(2,845

)

1,988

 

(857

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total interest expense

 

(6,693

)

6,743

 

50

 

(7,833

)

7,490

 

(343

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income

 

$

(285

)

$

547

 

$

262

 

$

(1,879

)

$

1,249

 

$

(630

)

 

Noninterest Income

 

Six Months Ended June 30:

 

Noninterest income for the six months ended June 30, 2009 was $17.390 million, an increase of $4.814 million or 38.3% from the comparable period of 2008 primarily due to an increase in mortgage-banking revenue, an insurance recovery of $850,000, and a recovery in value on our assets and liabilities carried at fair value, partially offset by OTTI charges of $1.805 million.

 

Mortgage-banking revenue increased from $3.641 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 to $9.606 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 due primarily to a significantly larger volume of originations of loans and higher margins on loans sold.  The volume of loans sold increased from $684.893 million in 2008 to $1.030 billion in 2009 and reflects continued customer refinance activity.

 

Deposit service charges declined to $2.655 million in the first six months of 2009 from $3.135 million for the first six months of 2008 due to lower overdraft income and to a decline in the number of accounts in general.  During the six months ended June 30, 2009, we experienced a recovery of value of our trading assets and certain long-term borrowings of $1.438 million.  The valuation of these items resulted in no net trading gain or loss for the same period in 2008.

 

Other income increased $425,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2009.  Included in this line item for 2009 is an insurance recovery of $850,000 related to ALT A loans originated in 2006 and 2007.  Other income for the six months ended June 30, 2008 included Visa IPO income of $156,000.  In addition, in 2008, we recorded $589,000 in gains on the sales of two former branch facilities.

 

Three Months Ended June 30:

 

Noninterest income for the second quarter of 2009 was $9.119 million, an increase of $1.171 million or 14.7% from the comparable period of 2008 primarily due to an increase in mortgage-banking revenue, offset by decreases in most other noninterest income categories.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Mortgage-banking revenue increased from $2.010 million for the second quarter of 2008 to $4.696 million for the second quarter of 2009 due primarily to a significantly larger volume of originations of loans and higher margins on loans sold.

 

Deposit service charges declined to $1.323 million in the second quarter of 2009 from $1.600 million for the second quarter of 2008 due to lower overdraft income and a decline in the number of accounts.  During the second quarter of 2009, we experienced a recovery in the value of our trading assets and certain long-term borrowings of $670,000 compared to a recovery of $1.020 million for the same period in 2008.  During the three months ended June 30, 2009, we recorded an additional $89,000 in OTTI charges.  The three months ended June 30, 2008 included $589,000 in gains on the sales of two former branch facilities.

 

Noninterest expenses

 

Six Months Ended June 30:

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2009, noninterest expenses increased $3.809 million, or 10.1%, to $41.676 million compared to $37.867 million for the same period of 2008, primarily due to increased expenses for costs related to real estate acquired through foreclosure, deposit insurance premiums, loan collections, and professional services.

 

Write-downs and costs of real estate acquired through foreclosure increased $2.298 million, as nonperforming commercial, commercial construction, consumer construction, and ALT A loans moved through the foreclosure process.  Management regularly updates its values of foreclosed properties and continued declines in the value of residential real estate have required further write-downs in our carrying value.  Occupancy expenses increased by $452,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2009 due primarily to decreased rental income received from tenants of our facilities and higher communications expenses.  Deposit insurance costs increased due to an increase in our rates assessed by the FDIC, including a special assessment of approximately $600,000 in the second quarter of 2009.  Professional fees increased due primarily to legal fees associated with regulatory compliance issues and loan workouts.  Loan collection expenses increased $748,000 due to costs associated with loan workouts.  Restructuring initiatives (staff reductions) undertaken during 2008 resulted in a decrease in compensation costs of $1.139 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008.

 

Three Months Ended June 30:

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2009, noninterest expenses increased $1.796 million, or 9.3%, to $21.182 million compared to $19.386 million for the same period of 2008, primarily due to costs related to real estate acquired through foreclosure, deposit insurance, loan collections, and legal fees.

 

Write-downs and costs of real estate acquired through foreclosure increased $820,000, as nonperforming commercial, commercial construction, consumer construction, and ALT A loans moved through the foreclosure process.  Professional fees increased due primarily to legal fees associated with regulatory compliance issues and loan workouts.   Deposit insurance costs increased due to an increase in our rates assessed by the FDIC, including the special assessment.  Loan collection expenses increased $629,000 due to loan workouts.  The restructuring initiatives resulted in a decrease in compensation costs of $1.142 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008.

 

The following table shows the breakout of noninterest expense:

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

Salaries and employee benefits

 

$

8,550

 

$

9,692

 

$

17,757

 

$

18,896

 

Occupancy

 

2,907

 

2,771

 

5,854

 

5,402

 

Furniture, fixtures, and equipment

 

897

 

966

 

1,876

 

1,949

 

Secondary marketing valuation

 

 

54

 

 

234

 

Professional services

 

711

 

498

 

1,569

 

919

 

Advertising

 

333

 

158

 

591

 

588

 

Data processing

 

459

 

515

 

972

 

1,063

 

Service and maintenance

 

649

 

625

 

1,375

 

1,298

 

Office supplies

 

180

 

193

 

358

 

379

 

ATM servicing expenses

 

259

 

268

 

487

 

512

 

Printing

 

144

 

164

 

263

 

316

 

Corporate insurance

 

298

 

164

 

445

 

313

 

Write-downs, losses, and costs of real estate acquired through foreclosure

 

1,882

 

1,062

 

3,996

 

1,698

 

FDIC premiums

 

1,236

 

186

 

1,508

 

372

 

Consulting fees

 

220

 

164

 

433

 

318

 

Marketing/promotion

 

146

 

149

 

288

 

287

 

Postage

 

210

 

250

 

433

 

468

 

Overnight delivery/courier

 

140

 

198

 

284

 

387

 

Security

 

51

 

34

 

119

 

70

 

Dues and subscriptions

 

109

 

112

 

231

 

248

 

Loan collection expenses

 

849

 

220

 

1,154

 

406

 

Director fees

 

58

 

75

 

135

 

147

 

Employee education and training

 

61

 

99

 

122

 

178

 

Automobile expense

 

62

 

77

 

120

 

153

 

Travel and entertainment

 

111

 

164

 

183

 

273

 

Other

 

660

 

528

 

1,123

 

993

 

 

 

$

 21,182

 

$

19,386

 

$

41,676

 

$

37,867

 

 

Income Taxes

 

We recorded an income tax benefit of $4.265 million on a net loss before taxes of $9.775 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of (43.6)%, for the six-month period ended June 30, 2009 in comparison to an income tax benefit of $3.990 million on a net loss before taxes of $7.737 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of (51.6)%, for the six month period ended June 30, 2008.

 

We recorded an income tax benefit of $1.825 million on a net loss before taxes of $4.234 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of (43.1)%, for the three-month period ended June 30, 2009 in comparison to an income tax benefit of $1.562 million on a net loss before taxes of $2.031 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of (76.9)%, for the three month period ended June 30, 2008. The tax benefit in 2008 reflected the recording of a state tax credit.

 

At June 30, 2009, we had approximately $39.000 million in state operating loss carryforwards, representing a deferred income tax asset of $2.073 million, and approximately $17.000 million in federal operating loss carryforwards, representing a deferred income tax asset of $5.951 million.  Management has determined that a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets was not required as of June 30, 2009.

 

Liquidity

 

Liquidity describes our ability to meet financial obligations, including lending commitments and contingencies, that arise during the normal course of business. Liquidity is primarily needed to meet the borrowing and deposit withdrawal requirements of our customers, as well as to meet current and planned expenditures. These cash requirements are met on a daily basis through the inflow of deposit funds, and the maintenance of short-term overnight investments, maturities and calls in our investment portfolio and available lines of credit with the FHLB, which requires pledged collateral. Fluctuations in deposit and short-term borrowing balances may be influenced by the interest rates paid, general consumer confidence and the overall economic environment. There can be no assurances that deposit withdrawals and loan fundings will not exceed all available sources of liquidity on a short-term basis. Such a

 

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situation would have an adverse effect on our ability to originate new loans and maintain reasonable loan and deposit interest rates, which would negatively impact earnings.

 

The borrowing requirements of customers include commitments to extend credit and the unused portion of lines of credit (collectively “commitments”), which totaled $233.103 million at June 30, 2009. Historically, many of the commitments expire without being fully drawn; therefore, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Commitments for real estate development and construction, which totaled $54.048 million at June 30, 2009, are generally short-term in nature, satisfying cash requirements with principal repayments as construction properties financed are generally repaid with permanent financing. Available credit lines represent the unused portion of credit previously extended and available to the customer as long as there is no violation of material contractual conditions. Commitments to extend credit for residential mortgage loans of $75.452 million at June 30, 2009 generally expire within 60 days. Commercial commitments to extend credit and unused lines of credit of $16.309 million at June 30, 2009 generally do not extend for more than 12 months. Consumer commitments to extend credit and unused lines of credit of $14.100 million at June 30, 2009 are generally open ended. At June 30, 2009, available home equity lines totaled $73.194 million. Home equity credit lines generally extend for a period of 10 years.

 

Capital expenditures for various branch locations and equipment can be a significant use of liquidity.  As of June 30, 2009, we plan on expending approximately $1.000 million in the next 12 months on our premises and equipment.

 

Customer withdrawals are also a principal use of liquidity, but are generally mitigated by growth in customer funding sources, such as deposits and short-term borrowings. While balances may fluctuate up and down in any given period, historically we have experienced a steady increase in total customer funding sources.

 

The Bank’s principal sources of liquidity are cash and cash equivalents (which are cash on hand or amounts due from financial institutions, federal funds sold, money market mutual funds, and interest bearing deposits), trading and available for sale securities, deposit accounts, and borrowings.  The levels of such sources are dependent on the Bank’s operating, financing and investing activities at any given time.  Cash and cash equivalents totaled $132.291 million at June 30, 2009 compared to $67.339 million as of December 31, 2008.  Our loan to deposit ratio stood at 91.0% as of June 30, 2009 and 103.0% as of December 31, 2008.

 

We also have the ability to utilize established credit lines as additional sources of liquidity. To utilize the vast majority of our credit lines, we must pledge certain loans and/or securities before advances can be obtained.  As of June 30, 2009, we maintained lines of credit totaling $295.059 million and funding capacity of $62.563 million based upon loans and securities available for pledging and available overnight deposits.

 

Inflation

 

Inflation may be expected to have an impact on our operating costs and, thus, on net income. A prolonged period of inflation could cause interest rates, wages, and other costs to increase and could adversely affect our results of operations unless the fees we charge could be increased correspondingly. However, we believe that the impact of inflation on our operations was not material for 2009 or 2008.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We enter into off-balance sheet arrangements in the normal course of business. These arrangements consist primarily of commitments to extend credit, lines of credit, and letters of credit. In addition, the Company has certain operating lease obligations.

 

Credit Commitments

 

Credit commitments are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition to the contract. Loan commitments generally have interest rates fixed at current market amounts, fixed expiration dates, and may require payment of a fee. Lines of credit generally have variable interest rates. Such lines do not represent future cash requirements because it is unlikely that all customers will draw upon their lines in full at any time. Letters of credit are commitments issued to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party.

 

Our exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the borrower is the contract amount of the commitment. Loan commitments, lines of credit, and letters of credit are made on the same terms, including collateral, as outstanding loans. We are not aware of any accounting loss we would incur by funding our commitments.

 

See detailed information on credit commitments above under “Liquidity.”

 

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Derivatives

 

We maintain and account for hedging derivatives, in the form of swaps and interest rate lock commitments, in accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.  We recognize gains and losses on swap contracts in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax effects.  We recognize any gains and losses on interest rate lock commitments or forward sales commitments on loan pipeline through mortgage-banking revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

Mariner Finance has entered into swap contracts to hedge the economic impact of its consumer finance receivables line of credit. The swap is intended to decrease the volatility of the variable nature of the interest rate associated with the line of credit and ultimately decrease interest sensitivity.

 

The Bank, through First Mariner Mortgage, enters into interest rate lock commitments, under which we originate residential mortgage loans with interest rates determined prior to funding. Rate lock commitments on mortgage loans that we intend to sell in the secondary market are considered derivatives. The period of time between issuance of a loan commitment and closing and sale of the loan generally ranges from 14 days to 60 days. For these rate lock commitments, we protect the Company from changes in interest rates through the use of forward sales of to be issued (“TBA”) mortgage-backed securities.

 

We are exposed to price risk from the time a mortgage loan closes until the time the loan is sold. To manage this risk, we also utilize forward sales of TBA mortgage-backed securities. During the period of the rate lock committment and from the time a loan is closed with the borrower and sold to investors, we remain exposed to basis (execution, timing, and/or volatility) risk in that the changes in value of our hedges may not equal or completely offset the changes in value of the rate commitments being hedged. This can result due to changes in the market demand for our mortgage loans brought about by supply and demand considerations and perceptions about credit risk relative to the agency securities. We also mitigate counterparty risk by entering into commitments with proven counterparties and pre-approved financial intermediaries.

 

The market value of rate lock commitments is not readily ascertainable with precision because rate lock commitments are not actively traded in stand-alone markets.  The Bank determines the fair value of rate lock commitments by measuring the change in the value of the underlying asset, while taking into consideration the probability that the rate lock commitments will close.

 

Information pertaining to the carrying amounts of our derivative financial instruments follows as of June 30, 2009:

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Notional
Amount

 

Estimated
Fair Value

 

Interest rate swaps

 

$

60,000

 

$

61,115

 

Interest rate lock commitments

 

75,452

 

76,086

 

Forward contracts to sell mortgage-backed securities

 

97,000

 

97,100

 

 

Changes in interest rates could materially affect the fair value of the swaps, the interest rate lock commitments, or the forward commitments. In the case of the loan related derivatives, fair value is also impacted by the probability that the rate lock commitment will close (“fallout factor”). In addition, changes in interest rates could result in changes in the fallout factor, which might magnify or counteract the sensitivities. This is because the impact of an interest rate shift on the fallout ratio is non-symmetrical and non-linear.

 

Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Results of operations for financial institutions, including us, may be materially and adversely affected by changes in prevailing economic conditions, including declines in real estate values, rapid changes in interest rates, and the monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government.  Our loan portfolio is concentrated primarily in central Maryland and portions of Maryland’s Eastern Shore and is, therefore, subject to risks associated with these local economies.

 

As of June 30, 2009, we have a significant amount of loans that we either repurchased from investors or transferred from our held for sale portfolio with collateral located in Northern Virginia, where the housing market has declined dramatically.  See our discussion of repurchased loans in Item 2 -  “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under the heading “Credit Risk Management.”

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Our profitability is in part a function of the spread between the interest rates earned on assets and the interest rates paid on deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities (net interest income), including advances from the FHLB and other borrowings.  Interest rate risk arises from mismatches (i.e., the interest sensitivity gap) between the dollar amount of repricing or maturing assets and liabilities and is measured in terms of the ratio of the interest rate sensitivity gap to total assets.  More assets repricing or maturing

 

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than liabilities over a given time period is considered asset-sensitive and is reflected as a positive gap, and more liabilities repricing or maturing than assets over a given time period is considered liability-sensitive and is reflected as negative gap.  An asset-sensitive position (i.e., a positive gap) will generally enhance earnings in a rising interest rate environment and will negatively impact earnings in a falling interest rate environment, while a liability-sensitive position (i.e., a negative gap) will generally enhance earnings in a falling interest rate environment and negatively impact earnings in a rising interest rate environment.  Fluctuations in interest rates are not predictable or controllable.  We have attempted to structure our asset and liability management strategies to mitigate the impact on net interest income of changes in market interest rates.  However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to manage interest rate risk so as to avoid significant adverse effects on net interest income.  At June 30, 2009, we had a one-year cumulative positive gap of approximately $117.121 million.

 

In addition to the use of interest rate sensitivity reports, we test our interest rate sensitivity through the deployment of a simulation analysis.  Earnings simulation models are used to estimate what effect specific interest rate changes would have on our projected net interest income.  Derivative financial instruments, such as interest rate caps, are included in the analysis. Changes in prepayments have been included where changes in behavior patterns are assumed to be significant to the simulation, particularly mortgage related assets. Call features on certain securities and borrowings are based on their call probability in view of the projected rate change.  At June 30, 2009, the simulation model provided the following profile of our interest rate risk measured over a one-year time horizon, assuming a parallel shift in a yield curve based off the U.S. dollar forward swap curve adjusted for certain pricing assumptions:

 

 

 

Immediate Rate Change

 

 

 

+200BP

 

-200BP

 

Net interest income

 

(0.68

)%

(5.00

)%

 

Both of the above tools used to assess interest rate risk have strengths and weaknesses.  Because the gap analysis reflects a static position at a single point in time, it is limited in quantifying the total impact of market rate changes which do not affect all earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities equally or simultaneously.  In addition, gap reports depict the existing structure, excluding exposure arising from new business.  While the simulation process is a powerful tool in analyzing interest rate sensitivity, many of the assumptions used in the process are highly qualitative and subjective and are subject to the risk that past historical activity may not generate accurate predictions of the future.  The model also assumes parallel movements in interest rates, which means both short-term and long-term rates will change equally.  Nonparallel changes in interest rates (short-term rates changing differently from long-term rates) could result in significant differences in projected income amounts when compared to parallel tests.  Both measurement tools taken together, however, provide an effective evaluation of our exposure to changes in interest rates, enabling management to better control the volatility of earnings.

 

We are party to mortgage rate lock commitments to fund mortgage loans at interest rates previously agreed (locked) by both us and the borrower for specified periods of time. When the borrower locks an interest rate, we effectively extend a put option to the borrower, whereby the borrower is not obligated to enter into the loan agreement, but we must honor the interest rate for the specified time period. We are exposed to interest rate risk during the accumulation of interest rate lock commitments and loans prior to sale. We utilize forward sales commitments to economically hedge the changes in fair value of the loan due to changes in market interest rates.

 

Item 4  - Controls and Procedures

 

(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.  The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, such as this Quarterly Report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.  Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs.  These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can 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 system of controls also is 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 or procedures may deteriorate.

 

An evaluation of the effectiveness of these disclosure controls, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO.  Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, has concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are in fact effective at the reasonable assurance level.

 

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(b) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.  During the quarter ended June 30, 2009, Joseph Cicero, former President of the Company, retired.  Mark Keidel, former Chief Financial Officer, was promoted to President of the Company.  Paul Susie was subsequently hired as Chief Financial Officer.  In addition, Robert Warr was promoted to Chief Risk Officer.  We do not believe these changes in executive management affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

During the second quarter of 2009, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1 -  Legal Proceedings

 

We are party to other legal actions that are routine and incidental to our business.  In management’s opinion, the outcome of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on our results of operations or financial position.

 

Item 1A – Risk Factors

 

The risks and uncertainties to which our financial condition and operations are subject are discussed in detail in Item 1A of Part I of the Annual Report of First Mariner Bancorp on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

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

 

None

 

Item 3 - Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None

 

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

 

The information required by this item is included in Item 4 of Part II of the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 and is incorporated by reference thereto.

 

Item 5 - Other Information

 

None

 

Item 6 - Exhibits

 

The exhibits that are filed or furnished with this report are listed in the Exhibit Index, which immediately follows the signatures to this report, which index is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) 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.

 

 

 

 

FIRST MARINER BANCORP

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

08/14/09

 

By:

/s/ Edwin F. Hale Sr.

 

 

Edwin F. Hale Sr.

 

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

08/14/09

 

By:

/s/ Paul B. Susie

 

 

Paul B. Susie

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

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Exhibit Index

 

31.1

Certifications of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a), promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, filed herewith

 

 

31.2

Certifications of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a), promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, filed herewith

 

 

32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, furnished herewith

 

 

32.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, furnished herewith

 

47