FORM 10-Q
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 September 30, 2012

OR

 

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

Commission File Number: 001-13901

 

 

 

LOGO

AMERIS BANCORP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

GEORGIA   58-1456434
(State of incorporation)   (IRS Employer ID No.)

310 FIRST STREET, S.E., MOULTRIE, GA 31768

(Address of principal executive offices)

(229) 890-1111

(Registrant’s 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 of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   x
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

There were 23,819,144 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of October 31, 2012.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

AMERIS BANCORP

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  Financial Statements.   
  Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2012, December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011      1   
 

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the Three and Nine Month Periods Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011

     2   
 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011

     3   
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011      4   
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements      5   

Item 2.

  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.      33   

Item 3.

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.      45   

Item 4.

  Controls and Procedures.      45   

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  Legal Proceedings.      46   

Item 1A.

  Risk Factors.      46   

Item 2.

  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.      46   

Item 3.

  Defaults Upon Senior Securities.      46   

Item 4.

  Mine Safety Disclosures.      46   

Item 5.

  Other Information.      46   

Item 6.

  Exhibits.      47   

Signatures

     47   


Table of Contents

Item 1. Financial Statements.

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

     September 30,
2012
    December 31,
2011
    September 30,
2011
 
     (Unaudited)     (Audited)     (Unaudited)  

Assets

      

Cash and due from banks

   $ 57,289      $ 65,528      $ 55,761   

Federal funds sold and interest bearing accounts

     66,872        229,042        170,349   

Investment securities available for sale, at fair value

     361,051        339,967        340,839   

Other investments

     7,003        9,878        11,089   

Mortgage loans held for sale

     29,021        11,563        8,867   

Loans

     1,439,862        1,332,086        1,368,895   

Covered loans

     546,234        571,489        595,428   

Less: allowance for loan losses

     25,901        35,156        35,238   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loans, net

     1,960,195        1,868,419        1,929,085   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Foreclosed assets

     37,325        46,680        50,866   

Covered foreclosed assets

     88,895        78,617        81,907   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total foreclosed assets

     126,220        125,297        132,773   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

FDIC indemnification asset

     198,440        242,394        239,719   

Premises and equipment, net

     75,609        73,124        71,848   

Cash value of bank owned life insurance

     50,087        —          —     

Intangible assets, net

     3,404        3,250        3,471   

Goodwill

     956        956        956   

Other assets

     13,236        24,889        45,622   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 2,949,383      $ 2,994,307      $ 3,010,379   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

      

Liabilities

      

Deposits:

      

Noninterest-bearing

   $ 464,503      $ 395,347      $ 354,434   

Interest-bearing

     2,115,614        2,196,219        2,274,458   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deposits

     2,580,117        2,591,566        2,628,892   

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

     17,404        37,665        13,180   

Other borrowings

     —          20,000        21,000   

Other liabilities

     10,387        9,037        10,616   

Subordinated deferrable interest debentures

     42,269        42,269        42,269   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     2,650,177        2,700,537        2,715,957   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

      

Stockholders’ Equity

      

Preferred stock, stated value $1,000; 5,000,000 shares authorized; 52,000 shares issued

     51,207        50,727        50,572   

Common stock, par value $1; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 25,155,318, 25,087,468 and 25,078,968 issued

     25,155        25,087        25,079   

Capital surplus

     164,182        166,639        166,385   

Retained earnings

     62,156        54,852        54,530   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     7,337        7,296        8,687   

Treasury stock, at cost, 1,336,174 shares

     (10,831     (10,831     (10,831
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     299,206        293,770        294,422   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 2,949,383      $ 2,994,307      $ 3,010,379   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011  

Interest income

        

Interest and fees on loans

   $ 29,165      $ 31,633      $ 88,981      $ 93,480   

Interest on taxable securities

     2,017        2,672        6,513        7,904   

Interest on nontaxable securities

     365        330        1,104        964   

Interest on deposits in other banks and federal funds sold

     104        153        342        500   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest income

     31,651        34,788        96,940        102,848   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest expense

        

Interest on deposits

     3,005        6,431        10,724        20,631   

Interest on other borrowings

     408        555        1,370        1,461   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest expense

     3,413        6,986        12,094        22,092   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net interest income

     28,238        27,802        84,846        80,756   

Provision for loan losses

     6,540        7,552        26,647        23,710   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

     21,698        20,250        58,199        57,046   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Noninterest income

        

Service charges on deposit accounts

     5,121        4,666        14,277        13,598   

Mortgage banking activity

     3,740        707        8,221        1,533   

Other service charges, commissions and fees

     331        392        1,044        907   

Gain on acquisitions

     —          26,867        20,037        26,867   

Gain on sale of securities

     —          —          —          238   

Other noninterest income

     639        1,090        2,391        2,746   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total noninterest income

     9,831        33,722        45,970        45,889   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Noninterest expense

        

Salaries and employee benefits

     13,766        10,029        37,337        29,293   

Equipment and occupancy expenses

     3,340        3,203        9,555        8,685   

Amortization of intangible assets

     364        277        996        782   

Data processing and telecommunications expenses

     2,599        2,817        7,429        7,665   

Advertising and marketing expenses

     421        189        1,134        501   

Other non-interest expenses

     8,320        12,748        33,228        26,088   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total noninterest expense

     28,810        29,263        89,679        73,014   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income tax expense

     2,719        24,709        14,490        29,921   

Applicable income tax expense

     816        8,249        4,727        9,969   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 1,903      $ 16,460      $ 9,763      $ 19,952   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Preferred stock dividends

     827        817        2,459        2,422   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders

   $ 1,076      $ 15,643      $ 7,304      $ 17,530   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

        

Unrealized holding gain (loss) arising during period on investment securities available for sale, net of tax

     (228     2,803        1,017        4,791   

Reclassification adjustment for gains included in earnings, net of tax

     —          —          —          (154

Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges arising during period, net of tax

     (240     (1,526     (976     (2,154
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

     (468     1,277        41        2,483   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 608      $ 16,920      $ 7,345      $ 20,013   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

   $ 0.05      $ 0.67      $ 0.31      $ 0.75   

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.04      $ 0.66      $ 0.30      $ 0.74   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

        

Basic

     23,819        23,438        23,800        23,439   

Diluted

     23,973        23,559        23,954        23,530   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

(Unaudited)

 

     Nine Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     September 30, 2012     September 30, 2011  
     Shares      Amount     Shares     Amount  

PREFERRED STOCK

         

Balance at beginning of period

     52,000       $ 50,727        52,000      $ 50,121   

Accretion of fair value of warrant

     —           480        —          451   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Issued at end of period

     52,000       $ 51,207        52,000      $ 50,572   

COMMON STOCK

         

Issued at beginning of period

     25,087,468       $ 25,087        24,982,911      $ 24,983   

Issuance of restricted shares

     67,450         67        125,075        125   

Cancellation of restricted shares

     —           —          (32,650     (33

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     400         1        3,632        4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Issued at end of period

     25,155,318       $ 25,155        25,078,968      $ 25,079   

CAPITAL SURPLUS

         

Balance at beginning of period

      $ 166,639        $ 165,930   

Repurchase of warrants

        (2,670       —     

Stock-based compensation

        278          522   

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

        2          25   

Issuance of restricted shares

        (67       (125

Cancellation of restricted shares

        —            33   
     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

      $ 164,182        $ 166,385   

RETAINED EARNINGS

         

Balance at beginning of period

      $ 54,852        $ 37,000   

Net income

        9,763          19,952   

Dividends on preferred shares

        (1,979       (1,971

Accretion of fair value of warrant

        (480       (451
     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

      $ 62,156        $ 54,530   

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX

         

Unrealized gains on securities and derivatives:

         

Balance at beginning of period

      $ 7,296        $ 6,204   

Other comprehensive income

        41          2,483   
     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

      $ 7,337        $ 8,687   

TREASURY STOCK

         

Balance at beginning of period

      $ 10,831        $ 10,831   

Purchase of treasury shares

        —            —     
     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

      $ 10,831        $ 10,831   

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

      $ 299,206        $ 294,422   

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in Thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2012     2011  

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

    

Net income

   $ 9,763      $ 19,952   

Adjustments reconciling net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation

     3,585        3,248   

Net (gains) losses on sale or disposal of premises and equipment

     163        (148

Net losses or write-downs on sale of other real estate owned

     9,048        9,962   

Provision for loan losses

     26,647        23,710   

Gain on acquisitions

     (20,037     (26,867

Amortization of intangible assets

     996        782   

Net change in mortgage loans held for sale

     (17,458     (8,867

Net gains on securities available for sale

     —          (238

Change in other prepaids, deferrals and accruals, net

     16,236        14,104   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     28,943        35,638   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities, net of effect of business combinations:

    

Net decrease in federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits

     162,170        95,983   

Proceeds from maturities of securities available for sale

     82,623        59,655   

Purchase of securities available for sale

     (89,787     (116,228

Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale

     27,563        89,345   

Purchase bank owned life insurance

     (50,000     —     

Net (increase) decrease in loans

     (53,660     49,071   

Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned

     57,443        36,885   

Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment

     409        1,115   

Purchases of premises and equipment

     (6,642     (9,573

Decrease in FDIC indemnification asset

     96,608        20,519   

Net cash proceeds received from FDIC-assisted acquisitions

     220,516        38,017   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by investing activities

     447,243        264,789   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Financing Activities, net of effect of business combinations:

    

Net decrease in deposits

     (429,185     (218,522

Net decrease in securities sold under agreements to repurchase

     (20,261     (55,004

Decrease in other borrowings

     (30,334     (43,495

Dividends paid—preferred stock

     (1,979     (1,971

Repurchase of warrants

     (2,670     —     

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     4        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (484,425     (318,992
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and due from banks

   $ (8,239   $ (18,565

Cash and due from banks at beginning of period

     65,528        74,326   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks at end of period

   $ 57,289      $ 55,761   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

    

Cash paid during the period for:

    

Interest

   $ 13,699      $ 23,456   

Income taxes

   $ 52      $ 2,198   

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Ameris Bancorp (the “Company” or “Ameris”) is a financial holding company headquartered in Moultrie, Georgia. Ameris conducts substantially all of its operations through its wholly-owned banking subsidiary, Ameris Bank (the “Bank”). At September 30, 2012, the Bank operated 66 branches in select markets in Georgia, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina. Our business model capitalizes on the efficiencies of a large financial services company while still providing the community with the personalized banking service expected by our customers. We manage our Bank through a balance of decentralized management responsibilities and efficient centralized operating systems, products and loan underwriting standards. Ameris’ Board of Directors and senior managers establish corporate policy, strategy and administrative policies. Within Ameris’ established guidelines and policies, the banker closest to the customer responds to the differing needs and demands of his or her unique market.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements for Ameris have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and Regulation S-X. Accordingly, the financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statement presentation. The interim consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited, but reflect all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The results of operations for the period ended September 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto and the report of our registered independent public accounting firm included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Newly Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

ASU 2011-04—Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs (“ASU 2011-04”). ASU 2011-04 generally represents clarifications of Topic 820, but also includes some instances where a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or disclosing information about fair value measurements has changed. ASU 2011-04 results in common principles and requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. ASU 2011-04 is to be applied prospectively and is effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 for public companies. It did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

ASU 2011-05—Amendments to Topic 220, Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2011-05”). ASU 2011-05 grants an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In both choices, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. ASU 2011-05 does not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income. For public entities, ASU 2011-05 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, and is to be adopted retrospectively. It did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

ASU 2011-08 – Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) Testing Goodwill for Impairment (“ASU 2011-08”). ASU 2011-08 grants an entity the option to assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. This conclusion can be used as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test required in Topic 350. ASU 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. It is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair value of a financial instrument is the current amount that would be exchanged between willing parties, other than in a forced liquidation. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for the Company’s various financial instruments. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based on discounted cash flows or other valuation techniques. These techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument. The accounting standard for disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments excludes certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not necessarily represent the underlying fair value of the Company.

 

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Table of Contents

The Company has elected to record mortgage loans held for sale at fair value in order to eliminate the complexities and inherent difficulties of achieving hedge accounting and to better align reported results with the underlying economic changes in value of the loans and related hedge instruments. This election impacts the timing and recognition of origination fees and costs, as well as servicing value, which are now recognized in earnings at the time of origination. Interest income on mortgage loans held for sale is recorded on an accrual basis in the consolidated statement of income under the heading “Interest income – Interest and fees on loans”. The servicing value is included in the fair value of the Interest Rate Lock Commitments (“IRLCs”) with borrowers. The mark-to-market adjustments related to loans held for sale and the associated economic hedges are captured in mortgage banking activities.

The fair value hierarchy describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2—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 methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the fair value of its financial instruments and other accounts recorded based on their fair value:

Cash and Due From Banks, Federal Funds Sold and Interest-Bearing Accounts: The carrying amount of cash and due from banks, federal funds sold and interest-bearing accounts approximates fair value.

Investment Securities Available for Sale: The fair value of securities available for sale is determined by various valuation methodologies. Where quoted market prices are available in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, or discounted cash flows. Level 2 securities include mortgage-backed securities issued by government sponsored enterprises and municipal bonds. The level 2 fair value pricing is provided by an independent third-party and is based upon similar securities in an active market. In certain cases where Level 1 or Level 2 inputs are not available, securities are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy and include certain residual municipal securities and other less liquid securities.

Other Investments: Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock is included in other investments at its original cost basis, as cost approximates fair value and there is no ready market for such investments.

Mortgage Loans Held for Sale: The fair value of mortgage loans held for sale is determined on outstanding commitments from third party investors in the secondary markets and are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

Loans: The carrying amount of variable-rate loans that reprice frequently and have no significant change in credit risk approximates fair value. The fair value of fixed-rate loans is estimated based on discounted contractual cash flows, using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers with similar credit quality. The fair value of impaired loans is estimated based on discounted expected future cash flows or underlying collateral values, where applicable. A loan is determined to be impaired if the Company believes it is probable that all principal and interest amounts due according to the terms of the loan will not be collected as scheduled. The fair value of impaired loans is determined in accordance with accounting standards and generally results in a specific reserve established through a charge to the provision for loan losses. Losses on impaired loans are charged to the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan is confirmed. Management has determined that the majority of impaired loans are Level 2 assets due to the extensive use of market appraisals. To the extent that market appraisals or other methods do not produce reliable determinations of fair value, these assets are deemed to be Level 3.

Other Real Estate Owned: The fair value of other real estate owned (“OREO”) is determined using certified appraisals that value the property at its highest and best uses by applying traditional valuation methods common to the industry. The Company does not hold any OREO for profit purposes and all other real estate is actively marketed for sale. In most cases, management has determined that additional write-downs are required beyond what is calculable from the appraisal to carry the property at levels that would attract buyers. Because this additional write-down is not based on observable inputs, management has determined that other real estate owned should be classified as Level 3.

Covered Assets: Covered assets include loans and other real estate owned on which the majority of losses would be covered by loss-sharing agreements with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”). Management initially valued these assets at fair value using mostly unobservable inputs and, as such, has classified these assets as Level 3.

 

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Table of Contents

Intangible Assets and Goodwill: Intangible assets consist of core deposit premiums acquired in connection with business combinations and are based on the established value of acquired customer deposits. The core deposit premium is initially recognized based on a valuation performed as of the consummation date and is amortized over an estimated useful life of three to ten years. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill and other intangible assets deemed to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized but instead are subject to an annual review for impairment.

FDIC Indemnification Asset: Because the FDIC will reimburse the Company for certain acquired loans should the Company experience a loss, an indemnification asset is recorded at fair value at the acquisition date. The indemnification asset is recognized at the same time as the indemnified loans and measured on the same basis, subject to collectability or contractual limitations. The shared- loss agreements on the acquisition date reflect the reimbursements expected to be received from the FDIC, using an appropriate discount rate which reflects counterparty credit risk and other uncertainties. The shared-loss agreements continue to be measured on the same basis as the related indemnified loans, and the loss-share receivable is impacted by changes in estimated cash flows associated with these loans.

Deposits: The carrying amount of demand deposits, savings deposits and variable-rate certificates of deposit approximates fair value. The fair value of fixed-rate certificates of deposit is estimated based on discounted contractual cash flows using interest rates currently offered for certificates with similar maturities.

Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase and Other Borrowings: The carrying amount of variable rate borrowings and securities sold under repurchase agreements approximates fair value. The fair value of fixed rate other borrowings is estimated based on discounted contractual cash flows using the current incremental borrowing rates for similar borrowing arrangements.

Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures: The carrying amount of the Company’s variable rate trust preferred securities approximates fair value.

Off-Balance-Sheet Instruments: Because commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are typically made using variable rates and have short maturities, the carrying value and fair value are immaterial for disclosure.

Derivatives: The Company has entered into derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk. The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of the derivatives. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivative, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities. The fair value of the derivatives are determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts and the discounted expected variable cash payments. The variable cash payments are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves derived from observable market interest rate curves).

The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of its derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, the Company has considered the impact of netting any applicable credit enhancements such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts and guarantees.

Although the Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself or the counterparty. However, as of September 30, 2012, December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011, the Company has assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and has determined that the credit valuation adjustment is not significant to the overall valuation of its derivatives. As a result, the Company has determined that its derivative valuation in its entirety is classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

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Table of Contents

The carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments, not shown elsewhere in these financial instruments, were as follows:

 

     Carrying
Amount
     Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2012  Using:  
        Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
     (Dollars in Thousands)  

Financial assets:

              

Loans, net

   $ 1,960,195       $ —         $ 1,989,786       $ —         $ 1,989,786   

Financial liabilities:

              

Deposits

     2,580,117         —           2,581,465         —           2,581,465   

Other borrowings

     —           —           —           —           —     

 

     December 31, 2011      September 30, 2011  
     Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
     Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
 
     (Dollars in Thousands)  

Financial assets:

           

Loans, net

   $ 1,868,419       $ 1,877,320       $ 1,929,085       $ 1,907,017   

Financial liabilities:

           

Deposits

     2,591,566         2,593,113         2,628,892         2,629,974   

Other borrowings

     20,000         20,936         21,000         20,814   

The following table presents the fair value measurements of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall as of September 30, 2012 and 2011 and December 31, 2011 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
As of September 30, 2012
 
     Fair Value     Level 1      Level 2     Level 3  

U.S. government agencies

   $ 8,895      $ —         $ 8,895      $ —     

State, county and municipal securities

     111,742        6,932         104,810        —     

Corporate debt securities

     11,495        —           9,495        2,000   

Mortgage backed securities

     228,919        1,965         226,954        —     

Mortgage loans held for sale

     29,021        —           29,021        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total recurring assets at fair value

   $ 390,072      $ 8,897       $ 379,175      $ 2,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments

   $ 3,233      $ —         $ 3,233        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total recurring liabilities at fair value

   $ 3,233      $ —         $ 3,233      $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
As of December 31, 2011
 
     Fair Value     Level 1      Level 2     Level 3  

U.S. government agencies

   $ 14,937      $ —         $ 14,937      $ —     

State, county and municipal securities

     79,133        2,966         76,167        —     

Corporate debt securities

     11,401        —           9,401        2,000   

Mortgage backed securities

     234,496        3,302         231,194        —     

Derivative financial instruments

     (2,049     —           (2,049     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total recurring assets at fair value

   $ 337,918      $ 6,268       $ 329,650      $ 2,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
As of September 30, 2011
 
     Fair Value     Level 1      Level 2     Level 3  

U.S. government agencies

   $ 20,309      $ —         $ 20,309      $ —     

State, county and municipal securities

     71,682        6,552         65,130        —     

Corporate debt securities

     11,528        —           9,528        2,000   

Mortgage backed securities

     237,320        6,044         231,276        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total recurring assets at fair value

   $ 340,839      $ 12,596       $ 326,243      $ 2,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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The following table is a presentation of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy as of September 30, 2012 and 2011 and December 31, 2011 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis
As of September 30, 2012
 
     Fair Value      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Impaired loans carried at fair value

   $ 50,437       $ —         $ 50,437       $ —     

Other real estate owned

     37,325         —           —           37,325   

Covered loans

     546,234         —           —           546,234   

Covered other real estate owned

     88,895         —           —           88,895   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-recurring assets at fair value

   $ 722,891       $ —         $ 50,437       $ 672,454   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis
As of December 31, 2011
 
     Fair Value      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Impaired loans carried at fair value

   $ 70,296       $ —         $ 70,296       $ —     

Other real estate owned

     46,680         —           —           46,680   

Covered loans

     571,489         —           —           571,489   

Covered other real estate owned

     78,617         —           —           78,617   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total nonrecurring assets at fair value

   $ 767,082       $ —         $ 70,296       $ 696,786   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis
As of September 30, 2011
 
     Fair Value      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Impaired loans carried at fair value

   $ 58,648       $ —         $ 58,648       $ —     

Other real estate owned

     50,866         —           —           50,866   

Covered loans

     595,428         —           —           595,428   

Covered other real estate owned

     81,907         —           —           81,907   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total nonrecurring assets at fair value

   $ 786,849       $ —         $ 58,648       $ 728,201   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Below is the Company’s reconciliation of Level 3 assets as of September 30, 2012 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Investment
Securities
Available
for Sale
     Other Real
Estate
Owned
    Covered
Loans
    Covered
Other Real
Estate
 

Beginning balance January 1, 2012

   $ 2,000       $ 46,680      $ 571,489      $ 78,617   

Total gains/(losses) included in net income

     —           (9,048     —          —     

Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements, net

     —           (21,008     15,281        (30,258

Transfers in or out of Level 3

     —           20,701        (40,536     40,536   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance September 30, 2012

   $ 2,000       $ 37,325      $ 546,234      $ 88,895   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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NOTE 2 – INVESTMENT SECURITIES

Ameris’ investment policy blends the Company’s liquidity needs and interest rate risk management with its desire to increase income and provide funds for expected growth in loans. The investment securities portfolio consists primarily of U.S. government sponsored mortgage-backed securities and agencies, state, county and municipal securities and corporate debt securities. Ameris’ portfolio and investing philosophy concentrate activities in obligations where the credit risk is limited. For the small portion of Ameris’ portfolio found to present credit risk, the Company has reviewed the investments and financial performance of the obligors and believes the credit risk to be acceptable.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities available for sale at September 30, 2012, December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011 are presented below:

 

     Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
 
     (Dollars in Thousands)  

September 30, 2012:

          

U. S. government agencies

   $ 8,606       $ 289       $ —        $ 8,895   

State, county and municipal securities

     106,541         5,345         (144     111,742   

Corporate debt securities

     11,793         262         (560     11,495   

Mortgage-backed securities

     222,641         6,562         (284     228,919   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total securities

   $ 349,581       $ 12,458       $ (988   $ 361,051   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2011:

          

U. S. government agencies

   $ 14,670       $ 267       $ —        $ 14,937   

State, county and municipal securities

     75,665         3,558         (90     79,133   

Corporate debt securities

     11,640         167         (406     11,401   

Mortgage-backed securities

     228,085         6,559         (148     234,496   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total securities

   $ 330,060       $ 10,551       $ (644   $ 339,967   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

September 30, 2011:

          

U. S. government agencies

   $ 20,007       $ 302       $ —        $ 20,309   

State, county and municipal securities

     68,486         3,196         —          71,682   

Corporate debt securities

     11,638         247         (357     11,528   

Mortgage-backed securities

     230,786         6,838         (304     237,320   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total securities

   $ 330,917       $ 10,583       $ (661   $ 340,839   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale securities at September 30, 2012 by contractual maturity are summarized in the table below. Expected maturities for mortgage-backed securities may differ from contractual maturities because in certain cases borrowers can prepay obligations without prepayment penalties. Therefore, these securities are not included in the following maturity summary:

 

     Amortized
Cost
     Fair
Value
 
     (Dollars in Thousands)  

Due in one year or less

   $ 9,385       $ 9,428   

Due from one year to five years

     18,605         19,420   

Due from five to ten years

     57,227         61,179   

Due after ten years

     41,723         42,105   

Mortgage-backed securities

     222,641         228,919   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 349,581       $ 361,051   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Securities with a carrying value of approximately $171.7 million serve as collateral to secure public deposits and other purposes required or permitted by law at September 30, 2012.

 

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Table of Contents

The following table details the gross unrealized losses and fair value of securities aggregated by category and duration of continuous unrealized loss position at September 30, 2012, December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011.

 

     Less Than 12 Months     12 Months or More     Total  
Description of Securities    Fair
Value
     Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
     Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
     Unrealized
Losses
 
     (Dollars in Thousands)  

September 30, 2012:

               

U. S. government agencies

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

State, county and municipal securities

     14,653         (132     505         (12     15,158         (144

Corporate debt securities

     —           —          5,551         (560     5,551         (560

Mortgage-backed securities

     32,660         (267     3,434         (17     36,094         (284
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

   $ 47,313       $ (399   $ 9,490       $ (589   $ 56,803       $ (988
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2011:

               

U. S. government agencies

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

State, county and municipal securities

     10,134         (90     —           —          10,134         (90

Corporate debt securities

     100         —          6,681         (406     6,781         (406

Mortgage-backed securities

     20,929         (148     —           —          20,929         (148
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

   $ 31,163       $ (238   $ 6,681       $ (406   $ 37,844       $ (644
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

September 30, 2011:

               

U. S. government agencies

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

State, county and municipal securities

     —           —          —           —          —           —     

Corporate debt securities

     100         —          6,732         (357     6,832         (357

Mortgage-backed securities

     33,741         (304     —           —          33,741         (304
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

   $ 33,841       $ (304   $ 6,732       $ (357   $ 40,573       $ (661
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 3 – LOANS

The Company engages in a full complement of lending activities, including real estate-related loans, agriculture-related loans, commercial and financial loans and consumer installment loans within select markets in Georgia, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina. Ameris concentrates the majority of its lending activities in real estate loans. While risk of loss in the Company’s portfolio is primarily tied to the credit quality of the various borrowers, risk of loss may increase due to factors beyond Ameris’ control, such as local, regional and/or national economic downturns. General conditions in the real estate market may also impact the relative risk in the real estate portfolio.

Commercial, financial and agricultural loans include both secured and unsecured loans for working capital, expansion, crop production, and other business purposes. Short-term working capital loans are secured by non-real estate collateral such as accounts receivable, crops, inventory and equipment. The Company evaluates the financial strength, cash flow, management, credit history of the borrower and the quality of the collateral securing the loan. The Bank often requires personal guarantees and secondary sources of repayment on commercial, financial and agricultural loans.

Real estate loans include construction and development loans, commercial and farmland loans and residential loans. Construction and development loans include loans for the development of residential neighborhoods, construction of one-to-four family residential construction loans to builders and consumers, and commercial real estate construction loans, primarily for owner-occupied properties. The Company limits its construction lending risk through adherence to established underwriting procedures. Commercial real estate loans include loans secured by owner-occupied commercial buildings for office, storage, retail, farmland and warehouse space. They also include non-owner occupied commercial buildings such as leased retail and office space. Commercial real estate loans may be larger in size and may involve a greater degree of risk than one-to-four family residential mortgage loans. Payments on such loans are often dependent on successful operation or management of the properties. The Company’s residential loans represent permanent mortgage financing and are secured by residential properties located within the Bank’s market areas.

Consumer installment loans and other loans include automobile loans, boat and recreational vehicle financing, and both secured and unsecured personal loans. Consumer loans carry greater risks than other loans, as the collateral can consist of rapidly depreciating assets such as automobiles and equipment that may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the loan in the case of default.

 

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Table of Contents

Loans are stated at unpaid balances, net of unearned income and deferred loan fees. Balances within the major loans receivable categories are presented in the following table:

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

   September 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
     September 30,
2011
 

Commercial, financial and agricultural

   $ 189,374       $ 142,960       $ 159,020   

Real estate – construction and development

     125,315         130,270         145,770   

Real estate – commercial and farmland

     713,240         672,765         677,048   

Real estate – residential

     343,332         330,727         331,236   

Consumer installment

     43,441         37,296         38,163   

Other

     25,160         18,068         17,658   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,439,862       $ 1,332,086       $ 1,368,895   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Covered loans are defined as loans that were acquired in FDIC-assisted transactions that are covered by a loss-sharing agreement with the FDIC. Covered loans totaling $546.2 million, $571.5 million and $595.4 million at September 30, 2012, December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011, respectively, are not included in the above schedule.

Covered loans are shown below according to loan type as of the end of the periods shown:

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

   September 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
     September 30,
2011
 

Commercial, financial and agricultural

   $ 37,167       $ 41,867       $ 49,859   

Real estate – construction and development

     73,356         77,077         82,933   

Real estate – commercial and farmland

     298,903         321,257         323,760   

Real estate – residential

     135,154         127,644         135,318   

Consumer installment

     1,654         3,644         3,558   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 546,234       $ 571,489       $ 595,428   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Nonaccrual and Past Due Loans

A loan is placed on nonaccrual status when, in management’s judgment, the collection of the interest income appears doubtful. Interest receivable that has been accrued and is subsequently determined to have doubtful collectability is charged to interest income. Interest on loans that are classified as non-accrual is recognized when received. Past due loans are loans whose principal or interest is past due 90 days or more. In some cases, where borrowers are experiencing financial difficulties, loans may be restructured to provide terms significantly different from the original contractual terms.

The following table presents an analysis of non-covered loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis:

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

   September 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
     September 30,
2011
 

Commercial, financial and agricultural

   $ 4,285       $ 3,987       $ 4,570   

Real estate – construction and development

     8,201         15,020         15,789   

Real estate – commercial and farmland

     11,408         35,385         24,450   

Real estate – residential

     13,236         15,498         13,529   

Consumer installment

     1,095         933         729   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 38,225       $ 70,823       $ 59,067   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table presents an analysis of covered loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis:

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

   September 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
     September 30,
2011
 

Commercial, financial and agricultural

   $ 11,938       $ 11,952       $ 12,136   

Real estate – construction and development

     21,971         30,977         32,878   

Real estate – commercial and farmland

     58,377         75,458         63,940   

Real estate – residential

     31,189         41,139         34,846   

Consumer installment

     426         473         451   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 123,901       $ 159,999       $ 144,251   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

12


Table of Contents

The following table presents an analysis of non-covered past due loans as of September 30, 2012, December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011.

 

     Loans
30-59
Days Past
Due
     Loans
60-89
Days
Past Due
     Loans 90
or More
Days Past
Due
     Total
Loans
Past Due
     Current
Loans
     Total
Loans
     Loans 90
Days or
More Past
Due and
Still
Accruing
 
     (Dollars in Thousands)  

As of September 30, 2012:

                    

Commercial, financial & agricultural

   $ 1,192       $ 639       $ 3,786       $ 5,617       $ 183,757       $ 189,374       $ —     

Real estate – construction & development

     518         152         8,180         8,850         116,465         125,315         —     

Real estate – commercial & farmland

     3,507         812         11,402         15,721         697,519         713,240         —     

Real estate – residential

     7,200         2,346         12,372         21,918         321,414         343,332         —     

Consumer installment loans

     687         284         993         1,964         41,477         43,441         —     

Other

     —           —           —           —           25,160         25,160         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 13,104       $ 4,233       $ 36,733       $ 54,070       $ 1,385,792       $ 1,439,862       $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Loans
30-59
Days Past
Due
     Loans
60-89
Days
Past Due
     Loans 90
or More
Days Past
Due
     Total
Loans
Past Due
     Current
Loans
     Total
Loans
     Loans 90
Days or
More Past
Due and
Still
Accruing
 
     (Dollars in Thousands)  

As of December 30, 2011:

                    

Commercial, financial & agricultural

   $ 1,103       $ 705       $ 3,975       $ 5,783       $ 137,177       $ 142,960       $ —     

Real estate – construction & development

     2,395         1,507         13,608         17,510         112,760         130,270         —     

Real estate – commercial & farmland

     6,686         7,071         32,953         46,710         626,055         672,765         —     

Real estate – residential

     5,229         4,995         12,874         23,098         307,629         330,727         —     

Consumer installment loans

     963         305         725         1,993         35,303         37,296         —     

Other

     —           —           —           —           18,068         18,068         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 16,376       $ 14,583       $ 64,135       $ 95,094       $ 1,236,992       $ 1,332,086       $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Loans
30-59
Days Past
Due
     Loans
60-89
Days
Past Due
     Loans 90
or More
Days Past
Due
     Total
Loans
Past Due
     Current
Loans
     Total
Loans
     Loans 90
Days or
More Past
Due and
Still
Accruing
 
     (Dollars in Thousands)  

As of September 30, 2011:

                    

Commercial, financial & agricultural

   $ 657       $ 884       $ 4,544       $ 6,085       $ 152,935       $ 159,020       $ —     

Real estate – construction & development

     1,228         1,759         15,050         18,037         127,733         145,770         —     

Real estate – commercial & farmland

     6,755         2,594         22,777         32,126         644,922         677,048         —     

Real estate – residential

     5,581         2,476         12,706         20,763         310,473         331,236         —     

Consumer installment loans

     475         260         661         1,396         36,767         38,163         20  

Other

     —           —           —           —           17,658         17,658         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 14,696       $ 7,973       $ 55,738       $ 78,407       $ 1,290,488       $ 1,368,895       $ 20  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

13


Table of Contents

The following table presents an analysis of covered past due loans as of September 30, 2012, December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011.

 

     Loans
30-59
Days Past
Due
     Loans
60-89
Days
Past Due
     Loans 90
or More
Days Past
Due
     Total
Loans
Past Due
     Current
Loans
     Total
Loans
     Loans 90
Days or
More Past
Due and
Still
Accruing
 
     (Dollars in Thousands)  

As of September 30, 2012:

                    

Commercial, financial & agricultural

   $ 1,384       $ 788       $ 11,315       $ 13,487       $ 23,680       $ 37,167       $ —     

Real estate – construction & development

     3,611         1,663         22,194         27,468         45,888         73,356         2,312   

Real estate – commercial & farmland

     7,072         6,559         51,382         65,013         233,890         298,903         808   

Real estate – residential

     4,702         3,349         28,559         36,610         98,544         135,154         1,018   

Consumer installment loans

     56         92         255         403         1,251         1,654         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 16,825       $ 12,451       $ 113,705       $ 142,981       $ 403,253       $ 546,234       $ 4,138   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Loans
30-59
Days Past
Due
     Loans
60-89
Days
Past Due
     Loans 90
or More
Days Past
Due
     Total
Loans
Past Due
     Current
Loans
     Total
Loans
     Loans 90
Days or
More Past
Due and
Still
Accruing
 
     (Dollars in Thousands)  

As of December 30, 2011:

                    

Commercial, financial & agricultural

   $ 968       $ 4,297       $ 11,253       $ 16,518       $ 25,349       $ 41,867       $ —     

Real estate – construction & development

     2,444         1,318         27,867         31,629         45,448         77,077         —     

Real estate – commercial & farmland

     18,282         8,544         64,091         90,917         230,340         321,257         165   

Real estate – residential

     3,485         1,493         35,950         40,928         86,716         127,644         290   

Consumer installment loans

     127         270         440         837         2,807         3,644         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 25,306       $ 15,922       $ 139,601       $ 180,829       $ 390,660       $ 571,489       $ 455   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Loans
30-59
Days Past
Due
     Loans
60-89
Days
Past Due
     Loans 90
or More
Days Past
Due
     Total
Loans
Past Due
     Current
Loans
     Total
Loans
     Loans 90
Days or
More Past
Due and
Still
Accruing
 
     (Dollars in Thousands)  

As of September 30, 2011:

                    

Commercial, financial & agricultural

   $ 290       $ 411       $ 11,406       $ 12,107       $ 37,752       $ 49,859       $ 5  

Real estate – construction & development

     1,175         2,610         30,220         34,005         48,928         82,933         347  

Real estate – commercial & farmland

     16,316         7,790         54,009         78,115         245,645         323,760         339  

Real estate – residential

     8,180         2,717         32,570         43,467         91,851         135,318         2,039  

Consumer installment loans

     72         73         422         567         2,991         3,558         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 26,033       $ 13,601       $ 128,627       $ 168,261       $ 427,167       $ 595,428       $ 2,730  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

14


Table of Contents

Impaired Loans

Loans are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due in accordance with the original contractual terms of the loan agreements. When determining if the Company will be unable to collect all principal and interest payments due in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement, the Company considers the borrower’s capacity to pay, which includes such factors as the borrower’s current financial statements, an analysis of global cash flow sufficient to pay all debt obligations and an evaluation of secondary sources of repayment, such as guarantor support and collateral value. Impaired loans include loans on nonaccrual status and troubled debt restructurings. The Company individually assesses for impairment all nonaccrual loans greater than $200,000 and rated substandard or worse and all troubled debt restructurings greater than $100,000. If a loan is deemed impaired, a specific valuation allowance is allocated, if necessary, so that the loan is reported net, at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate or at the fair value of collateral if repayment is expected solely from the collateral. Interest payments on impaired loans are typically applied to principal unless collectability of the principal amount is reasonably assured, in which case interest is recognized on a cash basis.

The following is a summary of information pertaining to non-covered impaired loans:

 

     As of and For the Period Ended  
     September 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
     September 30,
2011
 
     (Dollars in Thousands)  

Nonaccrual loans

   $ 38,225       $ 70,823       $ 59,067   

Troubled debt restructurings not included above

     19,893         17,951         16,591   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total impaired loans

   $ 58,118       $ 88,774       $ 75,658   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Impaired loans not requiring a related allowance

   $ —         $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Impaired loans requiring a related allowance

   $ 58,118       $ 88,774       $ 75,658   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Allowance related to impaired loans

   $ 7,681       $ 18,478       $ 17,010   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average investment in impaired loans

   $ 73,353       $ 88,320       $ 88,207   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest income recognized on impaired loans

   $ 376       $ 637       $ 847   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Foregone interest income on impaired loans

   $ 491       $ 613       $ 202   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table presents an analysis of information pertaining to non-covered impaired loans as of September 30, 2012, December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011.

 

     Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
     Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
     Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
     Total
Recorded
Investment
     Related
Allowance
     Average
Recorded
Investment
 
     (Dollars in Thousands)  

As of September 30, 2012:

                 

Commercial, financial & agricultural

   $ 8,261       $ —         $ 5,089       $ 5,089       $ 876       $ 4,974   

Real estate – construction & development

     19,583         —           9,682         9,682         1,253         11,879   

Real estate – commercial & farmland

     25,346         —           20,948         20,948         2,907         33,070   

Real estate – residential

     24,993         —           21,304         21,304         2,616         22,303   

Consumer installment loans

     1,220         —           1,095         1,095         29         1,127   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 79,403       $ —         $ 58,118       $ 58,118       $ 7,681       $ 73,353   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

15


Table of Contents
     Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
     Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
     Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
     Total
Recorded
Investment
     Related
Allowance
     Average
Recorded
Investment
 
     (Dollars in Thousands)  

As of December 31, 2011:

                 

Commercial, financial & agricultural

   $ 9,592       $ —         $ 5,110       $ 5,110       $ 1,366       $ 5,700   

Real estate – construction & development

     21,893         —           15,672         15,672         4,053         18,667   

Real estate – commercial & farmland

     48,688         —           45,006         45,006         8,331         42,192   

Real estate – residential

     25,309         —           22,053         22,053         4,499         21,081   

Consumer installment loans

     1,056         —           933         933         229         680   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 106,538       $ —         $ 88,774       $ 88,774       $ 18,478       $ 88,320   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
     Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
     Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
     Total
Recorded
Investment
     Related
Allowance
     Average
Recorded
Investment
 
     (Dollars in Thousands)  

As of September 30, 2011:

                 

Commercial, financial & agricultural

   $ 8,895       $ —         $ 4,571       $ 4,571       $ 1,277       $ 5,848   

Real estate – construction & development

     26,450         —           17,486         17,486         6,164         19,417   

Real estate – commercial & farmland

     35,835         —           31,455         31,455         4,470         41,488   

Real estate – residential

     23,871         —           21,436         21,436         4,933         20,837   

Consumer installment loans

     875         —           710         710         166         617   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 95,926       $ —         $ 75,658       $ 75,658       $ 17,010       $ 88,207   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following is a summary of information pertaining to covered impaired loans:

 

     As of and For the Period Ended  
     September 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
     September 30,
2011
 
     (Dollars in Thousands)  

Nonaccrual loans

   $ 123,901       $ 159,999       $ 144,251   

Troubled debt restructurings not included above

     25,926         19,884         10,768   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total impaired loans

   $ 149,827       $ 179,883       $ 155,019   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Impaired loans not requiring a related allowance

   $ 149,827       $ 179,883       $ 155,019   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Impaired loans requiring a related allowance

   $ —         $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Allowance related to impaired loans

   $ —         $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average investment in impaired loans

   $ 171,055       $ 138,950       $ 128,717   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest income recognized on impaired loans

   $ 1,319       $ 526       $ 462   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Foregone interest income on impaired loans

   $ 554       $ 202       $ 1,515   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

16


Table of Contents

The following table presents an analysis of information pertaining to impaired covered loans as of September 30, 2012, December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011.

 

     Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
     Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
     Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
     Total
Recorded
Investment
     Related
Allowance
     Average
Recorded
Investment
 
     (Dollars in Thousands)  

As of September 30, 2012:

                 

Commercial, financial & agricultural

   $ 17,833       $ 11,976       $ —         $ 11,976       $ —         $ 12,932   

Real estate – construction & development

     34,787         23,833         —           23,833         —           31,653   

Real estate – commercial & farmland

     98,909         72,802         —           72,802         —           82,430   

Real estate – residential

     54,020         40,790         —           40,790         —           43,492   

Consumer installment loans

     890         426         —           426         —           548   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 206,439       $ 149,827       $ —         $ 149,827       $ —         $ 171,055   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
     Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
     Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
     Total
Recorded
Investment
     Related
Allowance
     Average
Recorded
Investment
 
     (Dollars in Thousands)  

As of December 31, 2011:

                 

Commercial, financial & agricultural

   $ 21,352       $ 12,027       $ —         $ 12,027       $ —         $ 10,210   

Real estate – construction & development

     47,005         34,363         —           34,363         —           30,610   

Real estate – commercial & farmland

     106,953         84,740         —           84,740         —           56,607   

Real estate – residential

     68,411         48,280         —           48,280         —           40,675   

Consumer installment loans

     623         473         —           473         —           848   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 244,344       $ 179,883       $ —         $ 179,883       $ —         $ 138,950   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
     Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
     Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
     Total
Recorded
Investment
     Related
Allowance
     Average
Recorded
Investment
 
     (Dollars in Thousands)  

As of September 30, 2011:

                 

Commercial, financial & agricultural

   $ 19,904       $ 12,194       $ —         $ 12,194       $ —         $ 9,756   

Real estate – construction & development

     111,148         33,380         —           33,380         —           29,672   

Real estate – commercial & farmland

     135,514         65,592         —           65,592         —           49,573   

Real estate – residential

     72,962         43,402         —           43,402         —           38,775   

Consumer installment loans

     581         451         —           451         —           941   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 340,109       $ 155,019       $ —         $ 155,019       $ —         $ 128,717   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Credit Quality Indicators

The Company uses a nine category risk grading system to assign a risk grade to each loan in the portfolio. Following is a description of the general characteristics of the grades:

Grade 10 – Prime Credit – This grade represents loans to the Company’s most creditworthy borrowers or loans that are secured by cash or cash equivalents.

Grade 15 – Good Credit – This grade includes loans that exhibit one or more characteristics better than that of a Satisfactory Credit. Generally, debt service coverage and borrower’s liquidity is materially better than required by the Company’s loan policy.

Grade 20 – Satisfactory Credit – This grade is assigned to loans to borrowers who exhibit satisfactory credit histories, contain acceptable loan structures and demonstrate ability to repay.

Grade 23 – Performing, Under-Collateralized Credit – This grade is assigned to loans that are currently performing and supported by adequate financial information that reflects repayment capacity but exhibits a loan-to-value ratio greater than 110%, based on a documented collateral valuation.

 

17


Table of Contents

Grade 25 – Minimum Acceptable Credit – This grade includes loans which exhibit all the characteristics of a Satisfactory Credit, but warrant more than normal level of banker supervision due to (i) circumstances which elevate the risks of performance (such as start-up operations, untested management, heavy leverage, interim losses); (ii)adverse, extraordinary events that have affected, or could affect, the borrower’s cash flow, financial condition, ability to continue operating profitability or refinancing (such as death of principal, fire, divorce); (iii) loans that require more than the normal servicing requirements (such as any type of construction financing, acquisition and development loans, accounts receivable or inventory loans and floor plan loans); (iv) existing technical exceptions which raise some doubts about the Bank’s perfection in its collateral position or the continued financial capacity of the borrower; or (v) improvements in formerly criticized borrowers, which may warrant banker supervision.

Grade 30 – Other Asset Especially Mentioned – This grade includes loans that exhibit potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset or in the Company’s credit position at some future date.

Grade 40 – Substandard – This grade represents loans which are inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged, if any. These assets exhibit a well-defined weakness or are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. These weaknesses may be characterized by past due performance, operating losses or questionable collateral values.

Grade 50 – Doubtful – This grade includes loans which exhibit all of the characteristics of a substandard loan with the added provision that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable or improbable.

Grade 60 – Loss – This grade is assigned to loans which are considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as active assets of the Bank is not warranted. This classification does not mean that the loss has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather it is not practical or desirable to defer writing it off.

The following table presents the non-covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of September 30, 2012.

 

Risk
Grade
  Commercial,
financial &
agricultural
    Real estate -
construction &
development
    Real estate -
commercial &
farmland
    Real estate -
residential
    Consumer
installment
loans
    Other     Total  
    (Dollars in Thousands)  
10   $ 26,291      $ —        $ 220      $ 411      $ 7,887      $ —        $ 34,809   
15     11,816        4,532        152,678        74,040        1,400        —          244,466   
20     80,681        33,603        324,270        105,531        23,038        25,160        592,283   
23     5        7,667        8,773        13,650        81        —          30,176   
25     62,377        59,013        184,146        113,560        8,502        —          427,598   
30     1,508        7,948        14,742        10,535        745        —          35,478   
40     6,436        12,396        28,411        25,583        1,780        —          74,606   
50     260        156        —          22        8        —          446   
60     —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Total   $ 189,374      $ 125,315      $ 713,240      $ 343,332      $ 43,441      $ 25,160      $ 1,439,862   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table presents the non-covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of December 31, 2011.

 

Risk
Grade
  Commercial,
financial &
agricultural
    Real estate -
construction &
development
    Real estate -
commercial &
farmland
    Real estate -
residential
    Consumer
installment
loans
    Other     Total  
    (Dollars in Thousands)  
10   $ 17,213      $ 20      $ 235      $ 252      $ 6,210      $ —        $ 23,930   
15     15,379        5,391        151,068        88,586        1,065        —          261,489   
20     60,631        32,654        272,241        80,989        20,781        18,068        485,364   
23     32        7,994        10,679        10,997        28        —          29,730   
25     42,815        62,029        163,554        110,786        7,181        —          386,365   
30     2,509        2,027        21,490        15,001        557        —          41,584   
40     4,258        19,864        53,498        23,867        1,460        —          102,947   
50     123        291        —          249        14        —          677   
60     —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Total   $ 142,960      $ 130,270      $ 672,765      $ 330,727      $ 37,296      $ 18,068      $ 1,332,086   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

18


Table of Contents

The following table presents the non-covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of September 30, 2011.

 

Risk
Grade
  Commercial,
financial &
agricultural
    Real estate -
construction &
development
    Real estate -
commercial &
farmland
    Real estate -
residential
    Consumer
installment
loans
    Other     Total  
    (Dollars in Thousands)  
10   $ 16,047      $ 211      $ 905      $ 109      $ 6,189      $ —        $ 23,461   
15     12,135        4,814        146,029        29,930        973        —          193,881   
20     67,085        35,764        277,651        130,731        21,859        17,658        550,748   
23     1,192        8,043        9,290        11,985        28        —          30,538   
25     55,307        69,618        169,887        122,939        7,391        —          425,142   
30     1,738        4,291        35,550        10,583        598        —          52,760   
40     5,376        22,753        37,736        24,959        1,033        —          91,857   
50     140        276        —          —          92        —          508   
60     —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Total   $ 159,020      $ 145,770      $ 677,048      $ 331,236      $ 38,163      $ 17,658      $ 1,368,895   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table presents the covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of September 30, 2012.

 

Risk
Grade
  Commercial,
financial &
agricultural
    Real estate -
construction &
development
    Real estate -
commercial &
farmland
    Real estate -
residential
    Consumer
installment
loans
    Other     Total  
    (Dollars in Thousands)  
10   $ —        $ 8      $ —        $ 853      $ —        $ —        $ 861   
15     91        44        1,673        708        —          —          2,516   
20     4,970        13,950        40,912        34,397        319        —          94,548   
23     30        1,226        4,638        1,889        —          —          7,783   
25     11,986        18,921        130,155        44,999        721        —          206,782   
30     4,063        7,494        35,764        9,016        64        —          56,401   
40     16,027        31,713        85,761        43,292        550        —          177,343   
50     —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
60     —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Total   $ 37,167      $ 73,356      $ 298,903      $ 135,154      $ 1,654      $ —        $ 546,234   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table presents the covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of December 31, 2011.

 

Risk
Grade
  Commercial,
financial &
agricultural
    Real estate -
construction &
development
    Real estate -
commercial &
farmland
    Real estate -
residential
    Consumer
installment
loans
    Other     Total  
    (Dollars in Thousands)  
10   $ 442      $ —        $ —        $ 1,329      $ 768      $ —        $ 2,539   
15     29        52        1,755        586        14        —          2,436   
20     4,807        5,751        26,211        19,216        687        —          56,672   
23     —          1,177        3,262        1,038        —          —          5,477   
25     15,531        21,142        137,981        43,606        1,308        —          219,568   
30     5,882        10,654        49,642        12,374        172        —          78,724   
40     15,176        38,273        102,406        49,495        695        —          206,045   
50     —          28        —          —          —          —          28   
60     —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Total   $ 41,867      $ 77,077      $ 321,257      $ 127,644      $ 3,644      $ —        $ 571,489   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

19


Table of Contents

The following table presents the covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of September 30, 2011.

 

Risk

Grade

  Commercial,
financial &
agricultural
    Real estate -
construction &
development
    Real estate -
commercial &
farmland
    Real estate -
residential
    Consumer
installment
loans
    Other     Total  
    (Dollars in Thousands)  
10   $ 587      $ —        $ —        $ 1,376      $ 578      $ —        $ 2,541   
15     31        53        1,799        633        16        —          2,532   
20     4,602        5,615        31,938        20,911        557        —          63,623   
23     —          54        1,478        690        —          —          2,222   
25     22,142        22,664        141,921        51,260        1,386        —          239,373   
30     5,810        12,831        41,679        8,705        198        —          69,223   
40     16,683        40,571        104,008        51,743        823        —          213,828   
50     4        1,145        937        —          —          —          2,086   
60     —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Total   $ 49,859      $ 82,933      $ 323,760      $ 135,318      $ 3,558      $ —        $ 595,428   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Troubled Debt Restructurings

The restructuring of a loan is considered a “troubled debt restructuring” if both (i) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and (ii) the Company has granted a concession. Concessions may include interest rate reductions to below market interest rates, principal forgiveness, restructuring amortization schedules and other actions intended to minimize potential losses. The Company has exhibited the greatest success for rehabilitation of the loan by a reduction in the rate alone (maintaining the amortization of the debt) or a combination of a rate reduction and the forbearance of previously past due interest or principal. This has most typically been evidenced in certain commercial real estate loans whereby a disruption in the borrower’s cash flow resulted in an extended past due status, of which the borrower was unable to catch up completely as the cash flow of the property ultimately stabilized at a level lower than its original level. A reduction in rate, coupled with a forbearance of unpaid principal and/or interest, allowed the net cash flows to service the debt under the modified terms.

The Company’s policy requires a restructure request to be supported by a current, well-documented credit evaluation of the borrower’s financial condition and a collateral evaluation that is no older than six months from the date of the restructure. Key factors of that evaluation include the documentation of current, recurring cash flows, support provided by the guarantor(s) and the current valuation of the collateral. If the appraisal in file is older than six months, an evaluation must be made as to the continued reasonableness of the valuation. For certain income-producing properties, current rent rolls and/or other income information can be utilized to support the appraisal valuation, when coupled with documented cap rates within our markets and a physical inspection of the collateral to validate the current condition.

The Company’s policy states in the event a loan has been identified as a troubled debt restructuring, it should be assigned a grade of substandard and placed on nonaccrual status until such time that the borrower has demonstrated the ability to service the loan payments based on the restructured terms – generally defined as six months of satisfactory payment history. Missed payments under the original loan terms are not considered under the new structure; however, subsequent missed payments are considered non-performance and are not considered toward the six month required term of satisfactory payment history. The Company’s loan policy states that a nonaccrual loan may be returned to accrual status when (i) none of its principal and interest is due and unpaid, and the Company expects repayment of the remaining contractual principal and interest, or (ii) when it otherwise becomes well secured and in the process of collection. Restoration to accrual status on any given loan must be supported by a well-documented credit evaluation of the borrower’s financial condition and the prospects for full repayment, approved by the Company’s Senior Credit Officer.

In the normal course of business, the Company renews loans with a modification of the interest rate or terms that are not deemed as troubled debt restructurings because the borrower is not experiencing financial difficulty. The Company modified loans in the first nine months of 2012 totaling $23.5 million and loans in 2011 totaling $27.0 million under such parameters. In addition, the Company offers consumer loan customers an annual skip-a-pay program that is based on certain qualifying parameters and not based on financial difficulties. The Company does not treat these as troubled debt restructurings.

 

20


Table of Contents

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class, classified separately as accrual and non-accrual at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

 

As of September 30, 2012    Accruing Loans      Non-Accruing Loans  

Loan class:

           #              Balance
(in thousands)
             #              Balance
(in thousands)
 

Commercial, financial & agricultural

     5       $ 804         —         $ —     

Real estate – construction & development

     4         1,481         —           —     

Real estate – commercial & farmland

     15         9,540         1         2,770   

Real estate – residential

     27         8,068         2         620   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     51       $ 19,893         3       $ 3,390   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2011    Accruing Loans      Non-Accruing Loans  

Loan class:

           #              Balance
(in thousands)
             #              Balance
(in thousands)
 

Real estate – construction & development

     6       $ 1,774         5       $ 2,122   

Real estate – commercial & farmland

     14         9,622         2         4,737   

Real estate – residential

     19         6,555         4         1,296   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     39       $ 17,951         11       $ 8,155   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class, classified separately as those currently paying under restructured terms and those that have defaulted under restructured terms at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

 

As of September 30, 2012    Loans Currently Paying
Under Restructured Terms
     Loans that have Defaulted
Under Restructured Terms
 

Loan class:

           #              Balance
(in thousands)
             #              Balance
(in thousands)
 

Commercial, financial & agricultural

     5       $ 804         —         $ —     

Real estate – construction & development

     4         1,481         —           —     

Real estate – commercial & farmland

     15         9,540         1         2,770   

Real estate – residential

     26         8,068         3         620   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     50       $ 19,893         4       $ 3,390   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2011    Loans Currently Paying
Under Restructured Terms
     Loans that have Defaulted
Under Restructured Terms
 

Loan class:

           #              Balance
(in thousands)
             #              Balance
(in thousands)
 

Real estate – construction & development

     7       $ 2,897         4       $ 999   

Real estate – commercial & farmland

     15         11,695         1         2,664   

Real estate – residential

     20         6,862         3         989   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     42       $ 21,454         8       $ 4,652   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

21


Table of Contents

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by types of concessions made, classified separately as accrual and non-accrual at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

 

As of September 30, 2012    Accruing Loans      Non-Accruing Loans  

Type of Concession:

           #              Balance
(in thousands)
             #              Balance
(in thousands)
 

Forbearance of Interest

     2       $ 1,902         —         $ —     

Forgiveness of Principal

     3         1,516         1         369   

Payment Modification Only

     2         1,292         1         251   

Rate Reduction Only

     10         5,889         —           —     

Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Interest

     15         4,371         1         2,770   

Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Principal

     18         4,874         —           —     

Rate Reduction, Payment Modification

     1         49         —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     51       $ 19,893         3       $ 3,390   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2011    Accruing Loans      Non-Accruing Loans  

Type of Concession:

           #              Balance
(in thousands)
             #              Balance
(in thousands)
 

Forbearance of Interest

     1       $ 311         —         $ —     

Forgiveness of Principal

     2         902         1         136   

Payment Modification Only

     1         92         1         307   

Rate Reduction Only

     7         4,192         4         1,145   

Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Interest

     14         9,347         —           —     

Rate Reduction, Forbearance of Principal

     14         3,107         1         1,123   

Rate Reduction, Payment Modification

     —           —           4         5,444   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     39       $ 17,951         11       $ 8,155   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by collateral types, classified separately as accrual and non-accrual at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

 

As of September 30, 2012    Accruing Loans      Non-Accruing Loans  

Collateral type:

           #              Balance
(in thousands)
             #              Balance
(in thousands)
 

Warehouse

     3       $ 1,621         —         $ —     

Raw Land

     2         1,349         —           —     

Hotel & Motel

     3         2,362         —           —     

Office

     2         1,503         1         2,770   

Retail, including Strip Centers

     7         4,054         —           —     

1-4 Family Residential

     30         8,216         2         620   

Inventory

     1         450         —           —     

Equipment

     1         38         —           —     

Unsecured

     2         300         —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     51       $ 19,893         3       $ 3,390   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2011    Accruing Loans      Non-Accruing Loans  

Collateral type:

           #              Balance
(in thousands)
             #              Balance
(in thousands)
 

Apartments

     1       $ 1,347         —         $ —     

Raw Land

     3         1,549         2         618   

Hotel & Motel

     1         503         1         2,072   

Office

     3         1,077         —           —     

Retail, including Strip Centers

     9         6,694         1         2,665   

1-4 Family Residential

     22         6,781         7         2,800   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     39       $ 17,951         11       $ 8,155   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had a balance of $23.3 million and $26.1 million, respectively, in troubled debt restructurings. The Company has recorded $2.1 million and $1.7 million in previous charge-offs on such loans at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The Company’s balance in the allowance for loan losses allocated to such troubled debt restructurings was $676,000 and $2.7 million at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses represents a reserve for inherent losses in the loan portfolio. The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is evaluated periodically based on a review of all significant loans, with a particular emphasis on non-accruing, past due and other loans that management believes might be potentially impaired or warrant additional attention. The Company segregates the loan portfolio by type of loan and utilizes this segregation in evaluating exposure to risks within the portfolio. In addition, based on internal reviews and external reviews performed by independent auditors and regulatory authorities, the Company further segregates the loan portfolio by loan grades based on an assessment of risk for a particular loan or group of loans. Certain reviewed loans are assigned specific allowances when a review of relevant data determines that a general allocation is not sufficient or when the review affords management the opportunity to adjust the amount of exposure in a given credit. In establishing allowances, management considers historical loan loss experience but adjusts this data with a significant emphasis on data such as current loan quality trends, current economic conditions and other factors in the markets where the Company operates. Factors considered include, among others, current valuations of real estate in their markets, unemployment rates, the effect of weather conditions on agricultural related entities and other significant local economic events.

The Company has developed a methodology for determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses which is monitored by the Company’s Chief Credit Officer. Procedures provide for the assignment of a risk rating for every loan included in the total loan portfolio, with the exception of credit card receivables and overdraft protection loans which are treated as pools for risk rating purposes. The risk rating schedule provides nine ratings of which five ratings are classified as pass ratings and four ratings are classified as criticized ratings. Each risk rating is assigned a percentage factor to be applied to the loan balance to determine the adequate amount of reserve. Many of the larger loans require an annual review by an independent loan officer or an independent third party loan review firm. As a result of these loan reviews, certain loans may be assigned specific reserve allocations. Other loans that surface as problem loans may also be assigned specific reserves. Past due loans are assigned risk ratings based on the number of days past due. The calculation of the allowance for loan losses, including underlying data and assumptions, is reviewed regularly by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and the Director of Internal Audit.

Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the collection of a loan’s principal is unlikely. Subsequent recoveries are credited to the allowance. Consumer loans are charged-off in accordance with the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s (“FFIEC”) Uniform Retail Credit Classification and Account Management Policy. Commercial loans are charged-off when they are deemed uncollectible, which usually involves a triggering event within the collection effort. If the loan is collateral dependent, the loss is more easily identified and is charged-off when it is identified, usually based upon receipt of an appraisal. However, when a loan has guarantor support, the Company may carry the estimated loss as a reserve against the loan while collection efforts with the guarantor are pursued. If, after collection efforts with the guarantor are complete, the deficiency is still considered uncollectible, the loss is charged-off and any further collections are treated as recoveries. In all situations, when a loan is downgraded to an Asset Quality Rating of 60 (Loss per the regulatory guidance), the uncollectible portion is charged-off.

Activity in the allowance for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, for the year ended December 31, 2011 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 is as follows:

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

   September 30,
2012
    December 31,
2011
    September 30,
2011
 

Balance, January 1

   $ 35,156      $ 34,576      $ 34,576   

Provision for loan losses charged to expense

     24,360        30,341        22,098   

Loans charged off

     (34,167     (31,623     (22,714

Recoveries of loans previously charged off

     552        1,862        1,278   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ 25,901      $ 35,156      $ 35,238   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the year ended December 31, 2011 and the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recorded provision for loan loss expense of $2.3 million, $2.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively, to account for losses where the initial estimate of cash flows was found to be excessive on loans acquired in FDIC-assisted transactions. These amounts are excluded from the rollforwards above and below but are reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

23


Table of Contents

The following table details activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the year ended December 31, 2011 and the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one category of loans does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other categories.

 

     Commercial,
financial &
agricultural
    Real estate -
construction &
development
    Real estate -
commercial &
farmland
    Real estate -
residential
    Consumer
installment
loans and
Other
    Total  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Balance, January 1, 2012

   $ 2,918      $ 9,438      $ 14,226      $ 8,128      $ 446      $ 35,156   

Provision for loan losses

     677        4,954        13,087        4,936        706        24,360   

Loans charged off

     (889     (7,819     (18,199     (6,642     (618     (34,167

Recoveries of loans previously charged off

     101        23        32        199        197        552   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, September 30, 2012

   $ 2,807      $ 6,596      $ 9,146      $ 6,621      $ 731      $ 25,901   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Period-end amount allocated to:

            

Loans individually evaluated for impairment

   $ 610      $ 526      $ 2,315      $ 2,105      $ —        $ 5,556   

Loans collectively evaluated for impairment

     2,197        6,070        6,831        4,516        731        20,345   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ 2,807      $ 6,596      $ 9,146      $ 6,621      $ 731      $ 25,901   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loans:

            

Individually evaluated for impairment

   $ 2,748      $ 5,510      $ 21,552      $ 15,178      $ —        $ 44,988   

Collectively evaluated for impairment

     186,626        119,805        691,688        328,154        68,601        1,394,874   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ 189,374      $ 125,315      $ 713,240      $ 343,332      $ 68,601      $ 1,439,862   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Commercial,
financial &
agricultural
    Real estate -
construction &
development
    Real estate -
commercial &
farmland
    Real estate -
residential
    Consumer
installment
loans and
Other
    Total  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Balance, January 1, 2011

   $ 2,779      $ 7,705      $ 14,971      $ 8,664      $ 457      $ 34,576   

Provision for loan losses

     5,772        11,354        7,883        4,717        615        30,341   

Loans charged off

     (5,807     (10,988     (8,680     (5,399     (749     (31,623

Recoveries of loans previously charged off

     174        1,367        52        146        123        1,862   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2011

   $ 2,918      $ 9,438      $ 14,226      $ 8,128      $ 446      $ 35,156   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Period-end amount allocated to:

            

Loans individually evaluated for impairment

   $ 766      $ 3,478      $ 8,152      $ 3,567      $ 3      $ 15,966   

Loans collectively evaluated for impairment

     2,152        5,960        6,074        4,561        443        19,190   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ 2,918      $ 9,438      $ 14,226      $ 8,128      $ 446      $ 35,156   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loans:

            

Individually evaluated for impairment

   $ 2,831      $ 13,561      $ 45,084      $ 16,080      $ 17      $ 77,573   

Collectively evaluated for impairment

     140,129        116,709        627,681        314,647        55,347        1,254,513   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ 142,960      $ 130,270      $ 672,765      $ 330,727      $ 55,364      $ 1,332,086   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

24


Table of Contents
     Commercial,
financial &
agricultural
    Real estate -
construction &
development
    Real estate -
commercial &
farmland
    Real estate -
residential
    Consumer
installment
loans and
Other
    Total  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Balance, January 1, 2011

   $ 2,779      $ 7,705      $ 14,971      $ 8,664      $ 457      $ 34,576   

Provision for loan losses

     3,586        7,615        6,447        3,931        519        22,098   

Loans charged off

     (3,855 ))      (6,859     (7,851     (3,641     (508     (22,714

Recoveries of loans previously charged off

     153        873        43        107        102        1,278   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, September 30, 2011

   $ 2,663      $ 9,334      $ 13,610      $ 9,061      $ 570      $ 35,238   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Period-end amount allocated to:

            

Loans individually evaluated for impairment

   $ 903      $ 5,209      $ 4,580      $ 3,332      $ 1      $ 14,025   

Loans collectively evaluated for impairment

     1,760        4,125        9,030        5,729        569        21,213   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ 2,663      $ 9,334      $ 13,610      $ 9,061      $ 570      $ 35,238   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loans:

            

Individually evaluated for impairment

   $ 3,214      $ 13,979      $ 31,892      $ 15,468      $ 17      $ 64,570   

Collectively evaluated for impairment

     155,806        131,791        645,156        315,768        55,804        1,304,325   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ 159,020      $ 145,770      $ 677,048      $ 331,236      $ 55,821      $ 1,368,895   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE 4 – ASSETS ACQUIRED IN FDIC-ASSISTED ACQUISITIONS

From October 2009 through July 2012, the Company participated in ten FDIC-assisted acquisitions whereby the Company purchased certain failed institutions out of the FDIC’s receivership. These institutions include:

 

Bank Acquired

                   Location:                         Branches:                             Date Acquired                    

American United Bank (“AUB”)

   Lawrenceville, Ga.    1    October 23, 2009

United Security Bank (“USB”)

   Sparta, Ga.    2    November 6, 2009

Satilla Community Bank (“SCB”)

   St. Marys, Ga.    1    May 14, 2010

First Bank of Jacksonville (“FBJ”)

   Jacksonville, Fl.    2    October 22, 2010

Tifton Banking Company (“TBC”)

   Tifton, Ga.    1    November 12, 2010

Darby Bank & Trust (“DBT”)

   Vidalia, Ga.    7    November 12, 2010

High Trust Bank (“HTB”)

   Stockbridge, Ga.    2    July 15, 2011

One Georgia Bank (“OGB”)

   Midtown Atlanta, Ga.    1    July 15, 2011

Central Bank of Georgia (“CBG”)

   Ellaville, Ga.    5    February 24, 2012

Montgomery Bank & Trust (“MBT”)

   Ailey, Ga.    2    July 6, 2012

 

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Table of Contents

On July 6, 2012, the Bank purchased certain assets and assumed substantially all the deposits of Montgomery Bank & Trust (“MBT”) from the FDIC, as Receiver of MBT. MBT operated two branches in Ailey and Vidalia, Georgia. The Bank assumed approximately $156.6 million in customer deposits and acquired approximately $18.1 million in assets, including approximately $16.7 million in cash and cash equivalents and approximately $1.2 million in deposit-secured loans. The assets were acquired without a discount and the deposits were assumed with no premium. To settle the transaction, the FDIC made a cash payment to the Bank totaling approximately $138.7 million, based on the differential between liabilities assumed and assets acquired.

The estimated fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed are shown below:

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

   Montgomery Bank
& Trust
 

Assets acquired:

  

Cash and due from banks

   $ 16,726   

Loans

     1,218   

Other assets

     183   
  

 

 

 

Assets acquired

     18,127   

Cash received (paid) to settle the acquisition

     138,740   
  

 

 

 

Fair value of assets acquired

   $ 156,867   
  

 

 

 

Liabilities assumed:

  

Deposits

   $ 156,699   

Other liabilities

     168   
  

 

 

 

Fair value of liabilities assumed

   $ 156,867   
  

 

 

 

Net assets acquired / gain from acquisition

   $ —     
  

 

 

 

On February 24, 2012, the Bank purchased substantially all of the assets and assumed substantially all the liabilities of Central Bank of Georgia (“CBG”) from the FDIC, as Receiver of CBG. CBG operated five branches in Ellaville, Buena Vista, Butler, Cusseta and Macon, Georgia. The Company’s agreement with the FDIC included shared-loss agreements that afford the Bank significant protection from losses associated with loans and OREO. Under the terms of the shared-loss agreements, the FDIC will absorb 80% of all losses and share 80% of all loss recoveries. The shared-loss agreement applicable to single family residential mortgage loans provides for FDIC loss sharing and reimbursement by the Bank to the FDIC for ten years. The shared-loss agreement applicable to commercial loans and securities provides for FDIC loss sharing for five years and reimbursement by the Bank to the FDIC for eight years.

The estimated fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed are shown below:

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

   Central Bank of
Georgia
 

Assets acquired:

  

Cash and due from banks

   $ 33,150   

Securities available for sale

     39,920   

Loans

     124,782   

Foreclosed property

     6,177   

Estimated FDIC indemnification asset

     52,654   

Other assets

     4,606   
  

 

 

 

Assets acquired

     261,289   

Cash received (paid) to settle the acquisition

     31,900   
  

 

 

 

Fair value of assets acquired

   $ 293,189   
  

 

 

 

Liabilities assumed:

  

Deposits

   $ 261,036   

Other borrowings

     10,334   

Other liabilities

     1,782   
  

 

 

 

Fair value of liabilities assumed

   $ 273,152   
  

 

 

 

Net assets acquired / gain from acquisition

   $ 20,037   
  

 

 

 

 

26


Table of Contents

The Company’s bid to acquire the assets of CBG included a discount of approximately $33.9 million, and the Company received a $31.9 million cash payment from the FDIC to settle the acquisition.

The shared-loss agreements are subject to the servicing procedures as specified in the agreements with the FDIC. The expected reimbursements under the CBG shared-loss agreements were recorded as an indemnification asset at its estimated fair value of $52.7 million on the acquisition date. Based upon the acquisition date fair values of the net assets acquired, no goodwill was recorded on the transaction.

The CBG transaction resulted in a before-tax gain of $20.0 million, which is included in the Company’s September 30, 2012 Consolidated Statement of Operations. Due to the difference in tax bases of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, the Bank recorded deferred tax liabilities with respect to CBG of $7.0 million, resulting in an after-tax gain of $13.0 million.

The determination of the initial fair values of loans at the acquisition date and the initial fair values of the related FDIC indemnification assets involves a high degree of judgment and complexity. The carrying values of the acquired loans and the FDIC indemnification assets reflect management’s best estimate of the fair value of each of these assets as of the date of acquisition. However, the amount that the Company realizes on these assets could differ materially from the carrying values reflected in the financial statements included in this report, based upon the timing and amount of collections on the acquired loans in future periods. Because of the loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC on these assets, the Company does not expect to incur any significant losses. To the extent the actual values realized for the acquired loans are different from the estimates, the indemnification assets will generally be affected in an offsetting manner due to the loss-sharing support from the FDIC.

FASB ASC 310 – 30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality (“ASC 310”), applies to a loan with evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination, acquired by completion of a transfer for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the investor will be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable. ASC 310 prohibits carrying over or creating an allowance for loan losses upon initial recognition for loans which fall under the scope of this statement. At the acquisition dates, a majority of these loans were valued based on the liquidation value of the underlying collateral because the future cash flows are primarily based on the liquidation of underlying collateral. There was no allowance for credit losses established related to these ASC 310 loans at the acquisition dates, based on the provisions of this statement. Over the life of the acquired loans, the Company continues to estimate cash flows expected to be collected. If the estimated cash flows expected to be collected increases, the Company adjusts the amount of accretable discount recognized on a prospective basis over the loan’s remaining life. If the estimated cash flows expected to be collected decreases, the Company records a provision for loan loss in its consolidated statement of operations.

On the acquisition date, the preliminary estimates of the contractually required payments receivable for all ASC 310 loans acquired in the CBG acquisition totaled $137.2 million and the estimated fair values of the loans totaled $73.4 million, net of an accretable discount of $10.2 million, the difference between the value of the loans on the Company’s balance sheet and the cash flows they are expected to produce. These amounts were determined based upon the estimated remaining life of the underlying loans, which includes the effects of estimated prepayments.

The estimated fair values of loans acquired in the CBG acquisition are detailed below based on their initial estimate of credit quality (dollars in thousands):

 

     Loans with
deterioration
of credit
quality
     Loans
without a
deterioration
of credit
quality
     Total
loans, at
fair value
 

Commercial, industrial, agricultural

   $ 1,256       $ 6,288       $ 7,544   

Real estate – residential

     22,389         22,213         44,602   

Real estate – commercial & farmland

     34,458         10,538         44,996   

Construction & development

     15,038         5,507         20,545   

Consumer

     273         6,822         7,095   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 73,414       $ 51,368       $ 124,782   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

27


Table of Contents

The results of operations of CBG and MBT subsequent to the acquisition date are included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The following unaudited pro forma information reflects the Company’s estimated consolidated results of operations as if the acquisitions had occurred on December 31, 2011 and 2010, unadjusted for potential cost savings (in thousands).

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2012      2011      2012     2011  

Net interest income and noninterest income

   $ 38,069       $ 65,844       $ 134,799      $ 138,697   

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,903       $ 8,596       $ (14,905   $ (3,957

Net income (loss) available to common stockholders

   $ 1,076       $ 7,779       $ (17,364   $ (6,379

Income (loss) per common share available to common stockholders – basic

   $ 0.05       $ 0.33       $ (0.73   $ (0.27

Income (loss) per common share available to common stockholders – diluted

   $ 0.04       $ 0.33       $ (0.72   $ (0.27

Average number of shares outstanding, basic

     23,819         23,438         23,800        23,439   

Average number of shares outstanding, diluted

     23,973         23,559         23,954        23,530   

In addition to the covered assets acquired in the most recent acquisitions, the Company has other investments in covered assets remaining from its previous FDIC-assisted acquisitions. The following table summarizes components of all covered assets at September 30, 2012 and 2011 and at December 31, 2011 and their origin:

 

     Covered
loans
     Less: Credit
risk
adjustments
     Less:
Liquidity
and rate
adjustments
     Total
covered
loans
     OREO      Less: Fair
value
adjustments
     Total
covered
OREO
     Total
covered
assets
     FDIC
indemnification
asset
 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

As of September 30, 2012:

                          

AUB

   $ 28,955       $ 2,532       $ —         $ 26,423       $ 10,342       $ —         $ 10,342       $ 36,765       $ 3,256   

USB

     33,145         5,036         —           28,109         7,641         99         7,542         35,651         8,408   

SCB

     44,340         3,892         —           40,448         10,464         646         9,818         50,266         6,130   

FBJ

     33,312         6,299         43         26,970         3,407         572         2,835         29,805         6,731   

DBT

     186,815         47,598         331         138,886         33,404         2,798         30,606         169,492         63,789   

TBC

     51,084         5,790         212         45,082         10,110         1,533         8,577         53,659         15,559   

HTB

     95,904         18,727         56         77,121         15,219         5,766         9,453         86,574         23,698   

OGB

     86,091         18,719         146         67,226         7,874         3,663         4,211         71,437         21,419   

CBG

     139,583         43,406         208         95,969         8,518         3,007         5,511         101,480         49,450   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 699,229       $ 151,999       $ 996       $ 546,234       $ 106,979       $ 18,084       $ 88,895       $ 635,129       $ 198,440   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

28


Table of Contents
     Covered
loans
     Less: Credit
risk
adjustments
     Less:
Liquidity
and rate
adjustments
     Total
covered
loans
     OREO      Less: Fair
value
adjustments
     Total
covered
OREO
     Total
covered
assets
     FDIC
indemnification
asset
 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

As of December 31, 2011:

                          

AUB

   $ 34,242       $ 3,236       $ —         $ 31,006       $ 11,100       $ —         $ 11,100       $ 42,106       $ 7,271   

USB

     51,409         5,259         50         46,100         7,445         50         7,395         53,495         10,648   

SCB

     56,780         5,779         155         50,846         10,635         500         10,135         60,981         6,527   

FBJ

     40,106         7,473         92         32,541         2,370         641         1,729         34,270         8,551   

DBT

     260,883         68,757         703         191,423         28,947         2,763         26,184         217,607         105,528   

TBC

     79,586         14,358         331         64,897         8,441         1,274         7,167         72,064         18,628   

HTB

     110,899         28,024         73         82,802         20,132         10,171         9,961         92,763         48,289   

OGB

     105,285         33,221         190         71,874         12,615         7,669         4,946         76,820         36,952   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 739,190       $ 166,107       $ 1,594       $ 571,489       $ 101,685       $ 23,068       $ 78,617       $ 650,106       $ 242,394   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Covered
loans
     Less: Credit
risk
adjustments
     Less:
Liquidity
and rate
adjustments
     Total
covered
loans
     OREO      Less: Fair
value
adjustments
     Total
covered
OREO
     Total
covered
assets
     FDIC
indemnification
asset
 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

As of September 30, 2011:

                          

AUB

   $ 39,217       $ 3,594       $ 64       $ 35,559       $ 13,415       $ 37       $ 13,378       $ 48,937       $ 3,215   

USB

     58,121         5,913         199         52,009         7,489         51         7,438         59,447         7,431   

SCB

     58,748         6,029         258         52,461         10,957         500         10,457         62,918         5,365   

FBJ

     42,499         8,239         108         34,152         3,037         1,559         1,478         35,630         8,863   

DBT

     313,029         112,480         827         199,722         35,672         8,774         26,898         226,620         104,739   

TBC

     90,044         18,995         371         70,678         6,955         1,274         5,681         76,359         19,046   

HTB

     129,269         47,738         73         81,458         21,953         12,618         9,335         90,793         47,604   

OGB

     110,188         40,609         190         69,389         19,242         12,000         7,242         76,631         43,456   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 841,115       $ 243,597       $ 2,090       $ 595,428       $ 118,720       $ 36,813       $ 81,907       $ 677,335       $ 239,719   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

29


Table of Contents

On the dates of acquisition, the Company estimated the future cash flows on each individual loan and made the necessary adjustments to reflect the asset at fair value. At each quarter end subsequent to the acquisition dates, the Company revises the estimates of future cash flows based on current information and makes the necessary adjustments to continue reflecting the assets at fair value. The adjustments to fair value are performed on a loan-by-loan basis and have resulted in the following:

 

Total Amounts

   September 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
     September 30,
2011
 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Adjustments needed where the Company’s initial estimate of cash flows were underestimated: (recorded with a reclassification from non-accretable difference to accretable discount)

   $ 16,210       $ 22,031       $ 15,846   

Adjustments needed where the Company’s initial estimate of cash flows were overstated: (recorded through a provision for loan losses)

     11,435         11,940         8,055   

Amounts reflected in the Company’s Statement of Operations

   September 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
     September 30,
2011
 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Adjustments needed where the Company’s initial estimate of cash flows were underestimated: (recorded with a reclassification from non-accretable difference to accretable discount)

   $ 3,242       $ 4,406       $ 3,169   

Adjustments needed where the Company’s initial estimate of cash flows were overstated: (recorded through a provision for loan losses)

     2,287         2,388         1,611   

A rollforward of acquired loans with deterioration of credit quality for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the year ended December 31, 2011 and the nine months ended September 30, 2011 is shown below:

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

   September 30,
2012
    December 31,
2011
    September 30,
2011
 

Balance, January 1

   $ 307,790      $ 252,535      $ 252,535   

Change in estimate of cash flows, net of charge-offs or recoveries

     (7,119     (25,787     (18,815

Additions due to acquisitions

     73,414       124,136        124,136  

Other (loan payments, transfers, etc.)

     (70,402     (43,094     (36,899
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ 303,683      $ 307,790      $ 320,957   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

A rollforward of acquired loans without deterioration of credit quality for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the year ended December 31, 2011 and the nine months ended September 30, 2011 is shown below:

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

   September 30,
2012
    December 31,
2011
    September 30,
2011
 

Balance, January 1

   $ 266,966      $ 302,456      $ 302,456   

Change in estimate of cash flows, net of charge-offs or recoveries

     3,861        (11,604     (16,886

Additions due to acquisitions

     51,367        35,439        35,439   

Other (loan payments, transfers, etc.)

     (72,755     (59,325     (46,538
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ 249,439      $ 266,966      $ 274,471   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

The following is a summary of changes in the accretable discounts of acquired loans during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the year ended December 31, 2011 and the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

   September 30,
2012
    December 31,
2011
    September 30,
2011
 

Balance, January 1

   $ 29,537      $ 37,383      $ 37,383   

Additions due to acquisitions

     9,863        24,094        24,094  

Accretion

     (36,241     (36,519     (18,765

Other activity, net

     16,210        4,579        (1,606
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ 19,369      $ 29,537      $ 41,106   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The shared-loss agreements are subject to the servicing procedures as specified in the agreement with the FDIC. The expected reimbursements under the shared-loss agreements were recorded as an indemnification asset at their estimated fair values on the acquisition dates. Changes in the FDIC shared-loss receivable for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, for the year ended December 31, 2011 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 are as follows:

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

   September 30,
2012
    December 31,
2011
    September 30,
2011
 

Balance, January 1

   $ 242,394      $ 177,187      $ 177,187   

Indemnification asset recorded in acquisitions

     52,654        94,973        94,973   

Payments received from FDIC

     (97,399     (36,813     (22,107

Effect of change in expected cash flows on covered assets

     791        7,047        (10,334
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ 198,440      $ 242,394      $ 239,719   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE 5 – WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING

Earnings per share have been computed based on the following weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

 

     For the Three Months
Ended September 30,
     For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
     2012      2011      2012      2011  
     (share data in
thousands)
     (share data in
thousands)
 

Basic shares outstanding

     23,819         23,438         23,800         23,439   

Plus: Dilutive effect of ISOs

     105         24         105         31   

Plus: Dilutive effect of Restricted Grants

     49         97         49         60   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted shares outstanding

     23,973         23,559         23,954         23,530   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 6 – OTHER BORROWINGS

The Company has, from time to time, utilized certain borrowing arrangements with various financial institutions to fund growth in earning assets or provide additional liquidity when appropriate spreads can be realized. There were no outstanding borrowings with the Company’s correspondent banks at September 30, 2012. At December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011, there were $20.0 million and $21.0 million, respectively, in outstanding borrowings with the Company’s correspondent banks. The Company’s success with attracting and retaining retail deposits has allowed for very low dependence on more volatile non-deposit funding.

 

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NOTE 7 – COMMITMENTS

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets.

The contract amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in particular classes of financial instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as are used for on-balance-sheet instruments.

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.

The Company issues standby letters of credit, which are conditional commitments issued to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Those guarantees are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements and expire in decreasing amounts with varying terms. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. The Company holds various assets as collateral supporting those commitments for which collateral is deemed necessary.

The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the borrower. Collateral held may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, residential real estate and income-producing commercial properties.

The Company’s commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are presented in the following table:

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

   September 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
     September 30,
2011
 

Commitments to extend credit

   $ 145,936       $ 132,700       $ 130,646   

Standby letters of credit

   $ 9,367       $ 8,074       $ 6,889   

 

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Table of Contents

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

Cautionary Note Regarding Any Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements made in this report are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of, and subject to the protections of, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions and future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which may be beyond our control and which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements through our use of words such as “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “should,” “indicate,” “would,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “point to,” “project,” “predict,” “could,” “intend,” “target,” “potential” and other similar words and expressions of the future. These forward-looking statements may not be realized due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation, legislative and regulatory initiatives; additional competition in Ameris’ markets; potential business strategies, including acquisitions or dispositions of assets or internal restructuring, that may be pursued by Ameris; state and federal banking regulations; changes in or application of environmental and other laws and regulations to which Ameris is subject; political, legal and economic conditions and developments; financial market conditions and the results of financing efforts; changes in commodity prices and interest rates; weather, natural disasters and other catastrophic events; and other factors discussed in Ameris’ filings with the SEC under the Exchange Act.

All written or oral forward-looking statements that are made by or are attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice. Our forward-looking statements apply only as of the date of this report or the respective date of the document from which they are incorporated herein by reference. We have no obligation and do not undertake to update, revise or correct any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this report, or after the respective dates on which such statements otherwise are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Overview

The following is management’s discussion and analysis of certain significant factors which have affected the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as reflected in the unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2012 as compared to December 31, 2011 and operating results for the three-and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011. These comments should be read in conjunction with the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes appearing elsewhere herein.

The following table sets forth unaudited selected financial data for the previous five quarters, which should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto and the information contained in this Item 2.

 

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Table of Contents

(in thousands, except share data,

taxable equivalent)

   Third
Quarter
2012
    Second
Quarter
2012
    First
Quarter
2012
    Fourth
Quarter
2011
    Third
Quarter
2011
    For Nine Months Ended  
             September 30,
2012
    September 30,
2011
 

Results of Operations:

              

Net interest income

   $ 28,238      $ 28,881      $ 27,727      $ 32,768      $ 27,802      $ 84,846      $ 80,756   

Net interest income (tax equivalent)

     28,420        29,058        27,655        33,022        28,026        85,134        81,413   

Provision for loan losses

     6,540        7,225        12,882        9,019        7,552        26,647        23,710   

Non-interest income

     9,831        8,875        27,264        6,689        33,945        45,970        45,889   

Non-interest expense

     28,810        26,623        34,246        28,710        29,486        89,679        73,014   

Income tax expense

     816        1,413        2,498        587        8,249        4,727        9,969   

Preferred stock dividends

     827        817        815        819        817        2,459        2,422   

Net income available to common shareholders

     1,076        1,678        4,550        322        15,643        7,304        17,530   

Selected Average Balances:

              

Loans, net of unearned income

   $ 1,430,227      $ 1,378,448      $ 1,329,146      $ 1,335,242      $ 1,437,609      $ 1,408,642      $ 1,373,152   

Covered loans

     574,897        601,802        602,353        600,367        540,959        564,995        540,730   

Investment securities

     364,786        370,928        356,112        338,076        327,195        364,390        304,808   

Earning assets

     2,502,908        2,505,744        2,482,070        2,516,100        2,503,121        2,498,927        2,474,707   

Assets

     2,935,715        2,966,527        2,978,469        2,978,469        3,048,337        2,963,978        2,944,875   

Deposits

     2,616,866        2,591,607        2,589,978        2,623,403        2,639,848        2,606,551        2,598,025   

Common shareholders’ equity

     242,614        243,463        242,817        248,729        228,716        242,961        226,568   

Period-End Balances:

              

Loans, net of unearned income

   $ 1,439,862      $ 1,365,489      $ 1,323,844      $ 1,332,086      $ 1,368,895      $ 1,439,862      $ 1,368,895   

Covered loans

     546,234        601,737        653,377        571,489        595,428        546,234        595,428   

Earning assets

     2,443,040        2,465,116        2,558,047        2,484,147        2,484,378        2,443,040        2,484,378   

Total assets

     2,949,383        2,920,311        3,043,234        2,994,307        3,010,379        2,949,383        3,010,379   

Total deposits

     2,580,117        2,544,672        2,665,360        2,591,566        2,628,892        2,580,117        2,628,892   

Common shareholders’ equity

     247,999        249,895        246,813        243,043        243,850        247,999        243,850   

Per Common Share Data:

              

Earnings per share—Basic

   $ 0.05      $ 0.07      $ 0.19      $ 0.01      $ 0.67      $ 0.31      $ 0.75   

Earnings per share—Diluted

     0.04        0.07        0.19        0.01        0.66        0.30        0.74   

Common book value per share

     10.41        10.49        10.36        10.23        10.27        10.41        10.27   

End of period shares outstanding

     23,819,144        23,819,144        23,814,144        23,751,294        23,742,794        23,819,144        23,742,794   

Weighted average shares outstanding

              

Basic

     23,819,144        23,818,814        23,762,196        23,457,739        23,438,335        23,800,121        23,438,763   

Diluted

     23,973,369        23,973,039        23,916,421        23,611,964        23,559,063        23,954,346        23,530,278   

Market Price:

              

High closing price

     12.88        13.40        13.32        10.66        10.30        13.40        11.10   

Low closing price

     11.27        10.88        10.34        8.55        8.47        10.34        8.47   

Closing price for quarter

     12.59        12.60        13.14        10.28        8.71        12.59        8.71   

Average daily trading volume

     45,543        58,370        59,139        68,654        71,955        54,325        59,275   

Cash dividends per share

     —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Stock dividend

     —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Closing price to book value

     1.21        1.20        1.27        1.00        0.85        1.21        0.85   

Performance Ratios:

              

Return on average assets

     0.26     0.34     0.72     0.15     2.14     0.44     0.79

Return on average common equity

     3.12     4.12     8.89     1.82     28.55     5.38     10.36

Average loans to average deposits

     76.62     76.41     74.58     73.78     74.95     75.72     73.67

Average equity to average assets

     10.01     9.93     9.86     9.91     9.16     9.92     9.39

Net interest margin (tax equivalent)

     4.52     4.66     4.48     5.21     4.44     4.55     4.40

Efficiency ratio (tax equivalent)

     75.68     70.51     62.28     72.76     47.75     68.55     57.65

 

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Table of Contents

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012

Consolidated Earnings and Profitability

Ameris reported net income available to common shareholders of $1.1 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, compared to $15.6 million, or $0.66 per diluted share for the same period in 2011. The Company’s return on average assets and average shareholders’ equity in the third quarter of 2012 was 0.26% and 3.12%, respectively, compared to 2.14% and 28.55%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2011. The decrease in income in the third quarter of 2012, compared to the third quarter of 2011, is due to an after-tax gain of $17.5 million related to an FDIC-assisted acquisition recorded in the third quarter of 2011.

Net Interest Income and Margins

On a tax equivalent basis, net interest income for the third quarter of 2012 was $28.4 million, a slight increase compared to $28.0 million reported in the same quarter in 2011. Significant increases in the Company’s net interest margin have been the result of flat yields on all classes of earning assets complemented by steady decreases in the Company’s cost of funds. The Company’s net interest margin decreased during the third quarter of 2012 to 4.52%, compared to 4.66% during the second quarter of 2012, but improved from 4.44% during the third quarter of 2011. Lower yields on most earning asset classes have been offset by lower funding costs and an improved allocation of earning assets.

Total interest income, on a tax equivalent basis, during the third quarter of 2012 was $31.8 million, compared to $35.0 million in the same quarter of 2011. Yields on earning assets fell to 5.06%, compared to 5.55% reported in the third quarter of 2011. During the third quarter of 2012, loans comprised 81.3% of earning assets, compared to 79.1% in the same quarter of 2011. Increased lending activities have provided opportunities to begin to grow the legacy loan portfolio. Yields on legacy loans improved to 5.64% in the third quarter of 2012, compared to 5.34% in the same period of 2011. Covered loan yields declined from 9.04% in the third quarter of 2011 to 6.19% in the third quarter of 2012, due to one-time adjustments made during the third quarter of 2011 associated with certain fair value adjustments. Management anticipates improving economic conditions and increased loan demand will provide opportunities to invest a portion of the short-term assets at higher yields.

Total funding costs declined to 0.51% in the third quarter of 2012, compared to 1.02% during the third quarter of 2011. Deposit costs decreased from 0.97% in the third quarter of 2011 and 0.56% in the second quarter of 2012 to 0.46% in the third quarter of 2012. Ongoing efforts to maintain the percentage of funding from transaction deposits have succeeded such that non-CD deposits averaged 68.0% of total deposits in the third quarter of 2012 compared to 60.5% during the third quarter of 2011. Lower costs on deposits were due mostly to the lower rate environment and the Company’s ability to be less competitive on higher priced CDs due to its larger than normal position in short-term assets. Further opportunity to realize savings on deposits exists but may be limited due to current costs. Average balances of interest bearing deposits and their respective costs for the third quarter of 2012 and 2011 are shown below:

 

      September 30, 2012     September 30, 2011  
(Dollars in Thousands)    Average
Balance
     Average
Cost
    Average
Balance
     Average
Cost
 

NOW

   $ 593,204         0.20   $ 593,801         0.66

MMDA

     631,231         0.39     583,552         1.00

Savings

     102,129         0.12     82,210         0.44

Retail CDs < $100,000

     365,807         0.79     448,597         1.24

Retail CDs > $100,000

     430,677         0.91     511,205         1.44

Brokered CDs

     41,799         3.16     82,880         3.29
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest bearing deposits

   $ 2,164,847         0.55   $ 2,302,245         1.11

 

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Table of Contents

Provision for Loan Losses and Credit Quality

The Company’s provision for loan losses during the third quarter of 2012 amounted to $6.5 million, compared to $7.2 million in the second quarter of 2012 and $7.6 million in the third quarter of 2011. Although the Company has experienced improving trends in criticized and classified assets for several quarters, provision for loan losses continues to be required to account for continued devaluation of real estate collateral. At September 30, 2012, classified loans still accruing totaled $36.8 million, compared to $33.3 million at September 30, 2011. Non-accrual loans at September 30, 2012 totaled $38.2 million, a 13.9% decrease from the $44.4 million reported at June 30, 2012 and a 35.3% decrease from the $59.1 million reported at September 30, 2011.

At September 30, 2012, other real estate owned (excluding covered OREO) totaled $37.3 million, compared to $36.4 million at June 30, 2012 and $50.9 million at September 30, 2011. Management regularly assesses the valuation of OREO through periodic reappraisal and through inquiries received in the marketing process. The Company has found that with a marketing window of 3-6 months, the liquidation of properties occurs between 85% and 100% of current book value. Certain properties, mostly raw land and subdivision lots, have extended marketing periods because of excessive inventory and record low home building activity. At the end of the third quarter of 2012, total non-performing assets decreased to 2.58% of total assets, compared to 3.65% at September 30, 2011, as a result of the bulk sale consummated during the first quarter of 2012. Management continues to aggressively identify and resolve problem assets while seeking quality credits to grow the loan portfolio.

Net charge-offs on loans during the third quarter of 2012 were $6.0 million, or 1.65% of loans on an annualized basis, compared to $6.8 million, or 1.98% of loans, in the third quarter of 2011. The Company’s allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2012 was $25.9 million, or 1.80% of total loans, compared to $35.2 million, or 2.57% of total loans, at September 30, 2011.

Non-interest Income

Total non-interest income for the third quarter of 2012 was $9.8 million, compared to $33.9 million in the third quarter of 2011. The Company recorded a $26.9 million gain on acquisition in the third quarter of 2011. Excluding the gain on acquisition, non-interest income increased $2.8 million, or 38.9% in the third quarter of 2012, compared to the third quarter of 2011. Income from mortgage related activities continued to increase as a result of the Company’s increased number of mortgage bankers and higher level of productions. Service charges on deposit accounts in the third quarter of 2012 increased slightly to $5.1 million, compared to $4.8 million in the second quarter of 2012 and $4.7 million in the third quarter of 2011. This increase was driven by higher balances in accounts subject to service charges and continued growth of core accounts through the Company’s FDIC-assisted acquisition strategy.

Non-interest Expense

Total non-interest expenses for the third quarter of 2012 decreased to $28.8 million, compared to $29.5 million in the same quarter in 2011. The decrease in non-interest expense was primarily the result of declining credit related expenses. Credit related expenses, including problem loan and OREO expense and OREO write-downs and losses, decreased to $3.7 million in the third quarter of 2012, compared to $9.0 million in the third quarter of 2011. Excluding credit related expenses, non-interest expense totaled $25.1 million in the third quarter of 2012, compared to $20.5 million in the third quarter of 2011. Salaries and benefits increased $3.5 million when compared to the third quarter of 2011, due to the reinstatement of certain compensation elements (including incentive accruals and board fees). Occupancy and equipment expense increased during the quarter from $3.2 million in the third quarter of 2011 to $3.3 million in the third quarter of 2012. Data processing and telecommunications expenses decreased slightly to $2.6 million for the third quarter of 2012 from $2.8 million for the same period in 2011.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense is influenced by the amount of taxable income, the amount of tax-exempt income and the amount of non-deductible expenses. For the third quarter of 2012, the Company reported income tax expense of $816,000, compared to $8.2 million in the same period of 2011. The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ending September 30, 2012 and 2011 was 30.0% and 33.4%, respectively.

Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012

Interest Income

Interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $85.1 million on a tax equivalent basis, an increase of $3.7 million when compared to $81.4 million for the same period in 2011. Average earning assets for the nine-month period increased $24.2 million to $2.50 billion as of September 30, 2012, compared to $2.47 billion as of September 30, 2011. Yield on average earning assets was 5.20% compared to 5.59% in the first nine months of 2011. Earning assets acquired in connection with the Company’s FDIC-assisted acquisitions have allowed the Company to maintain rather level amounts of earning assets while interest rate floors on individual customer loans have allowed the Company to keep the yield on loans from falling precipitously in the current rate environment. Additionally, yields on the acquired assets have been much stronger than the Company’s other earning assets, helping boost the Company’s overall yield on earning assets.

 

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Table of Contents

Interest Expense

Total interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 amounted to $12.1 million, reflecting a $10.0 million decrease from the $22.1 million expense recorded in the same period of 2011. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012, the Company’s funding costs declined to 0.60% from 1.10% reported in the previous period. The majority of the decline in interest expense and costs relates to improvements in the cost of the Company’s retail time deposits, which fell to 0.98% in the nine-month period ending September 30, 2012, compared to 1.52% in the same period in 2011. In addition to lower costs on deposits, the Company’s mix of deposits has improved over the past year. Non-interest bearing deposits increased 31.1% from $354.4 million and 13.5% of total deposits at September 30, 2011 to $464.5 million and 18.0% of total deposits at September 30, 2012.

Net Interest Income

Higher levels of earning assets with generally level yields have combined with reduced funding costs to result in material improvements in net interest income. For the year-to-date period ending September 30, 2012, the Company reported $85.1 million of net interest income on a tax equivalent basis, compared to $81.4 million of net interest income for the same period in 2011. The Company’s net interest margin increased to 4.55% in the nine month period ending September 30, 2012, compared to 4.40% in the same period in 2011.

Provision for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses increased to $26.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $23.7 million in the same period in 2011, due to charges related to the bulk sale of certain non-performing assets in the first quarter of 2012. Non-performing assets totaled $76.0 million at September 30, 2012, compared to $110.0 million at September 30, 2011. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012, the Company had net charge-offs totaling $33.6 million, compared to $21.4 million for the same period in 2011. Annualized net charge-offs as a percentage of loans increased to 3.12% during the first nine months of 2012, compared to 2.09% during the first nine months of 2011, as a result of the bulk sale consummated during the first quarter of 2012.

Non-interest Income

Non-interest income for the first nine months of 2012 was $46.0 million, compared to $45.9 million in the same period in 2011. Excluding non-recurring gains on investment securities and FDIC-assisted acquisitions, the Company’s non-interest income totaled $22.9 million, an increase of $4.1 million, or 22.1% compared to the same period in 2011. Service charges on deposit accounts increased approximately $679,000 to $14.3 million in the first nine months of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. Income from mortgage banking activity increased from $1.5 million in the first nine months of 2011 to $8.2 million in the first nine months of 2012, due to increased number of mortgage bankers and higher level of productions.

Non-interest Expense

Total operating expenses for the first nine months of 2012 increased to $89.7 million, compared to $73.1 million in the same period in 2011. Salaries and benefits increased $8.0 million when compared to the first nine months of 2011, due to the increased number of branch locations over this time period, the reinstatement of certain compensation elements during 2012 and increased compensation expenses related to the Company’s mortgage strategy. Occupancy and equipment expenses for the first nine months of 2012 amounted to $9.6 million, representing an increase of $870,000 from the same period in 2011. Data processing and telecommunications expenses decreased slightly during the first nine months of 2012. Credit related expenses, including problem loan and OREO expense and OREO write-downs and losses, increased to $19.9 million in the first nine months of 2012, compared to $14.7 million in the first nine months of 2011, due to the Company’s bulk sale of certain non-performing assets in the first quarter of 2012. During the first quarter of 2012, the Company successfully sold $31.2 million of non-performing and classified assets through several individual transactions. Through these sales, the Company sold $16.1 million in non-performing loans, $13.3 million in other real estate owned and $1.8 million in classified accruing loans. Losses associated with the sales totaled $16.1 million.

Income Taxes

In the first nine months of 2012, the Company recorded income tax expense of $4.7 million, compared to $10.0 million in the same period of 2011. The Company’s effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was 32.6% and 33.3%, respectively.

 

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Financial Condition as of June 30, 2012

Securities

Debt securities with readily determinable fair values are classified as available for sale and recorded at fair value with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of the related deferred tax effect. Equity securities, including restricted equity securities, are classified as other investments and are recorded at cost.

The amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts are recognized in interest income using methods approximating the interest method over the life of the securities. Realized gains and losses, determined on the basis of the cost of specific securities sold, are included in earnings on the settlement date. Declines in the fair value of securities below their cost that are deemed to be other-than-temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses.

In determining whether other-than-temporary impairment losses exist, management considers: (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation. Substantially all of the unrealized losses on debt securities are related to changes in interest rates and do not affect the expected cash flows of the issuer or underlying collateral. All unrealized losses are considered temporary because each security carries an acceptable investment grade and the Company does not intend to sell these investment securities at an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2012, and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell these securities prior to recovery or maturity. Therefore, at September 30, 2012, these investments are not considered impaired on an other-than temporary basis.

The following table illustrates certain information regarding the Company’s investment portfolio with respect to yields, sensitivities and expected cash flows over the next twelve months assuming constant prepayments and maturities:

 

     Book Value      Fair Value      Yield     Modified
Duration
     Estimated Cash
Flows
12 months
 
     Dollars in Thousands  

September 30, 2012:

             

U.S. government agencies

   $ 8,606       $ 8,895         2.36     1.91       $ —     

State and municipal securities

     106,541         111,742         3.95     6.02         9,994   

Corporate debt securities

     11,793         11,495         6.73     6.92         1,250   

Mortgage-backed securities

     222,641         228,919         2.34     2.42         71,773   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total debt securities

   $ 349,581       $ 361,051         2.98     3.66       $ 83,017   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

September 30, 2011:

             

U.S. government agencies

   $ 20,007       $ 20,309         1.49     1.30       $ 14,300   

State and municipal securities

     68,486         71,682         3.70     5.84         5,579   

Corporate debt securities

     11,638         11,528         6.79     6.52         100   

Mortgage-backed securities

     230,786         237,320         3.33     2.90         66,521   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total debt securities

   $ 330,917       $ 340,839         3.42     3.57       $ 86,500   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

At September 30, 2012, gross loans outstanding (including covered loans) were $1.99 billion, an increase from $1.90 billion reported at December 31, 2011. Non-covered loans increased $74.4 million to $1.44 billion during the third quarter of 2012, compared to $1.37 billion at June 30, 2012 and $1.33 billion at December 31, 2011. Covered loans decreased $55.5 million, from $601.7 million at June 30, 2012 and $571.5 million at December 31, 2011, to $546.2 million at September 30, 2012.

 

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The Company regularly monitors the composition of the loan portfolio to evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses in light of the impact that changes in the economic environment may have on the loan portfolio. The Company focuses on the following loan categories: (1) commercial, financial and agricultural; (2) residential real estate; (3) commercial and farmland real estate; (4) construction and development related real estate; and (5) consumer. The Company’s management has strategically located its branches in select markets in south and southeast Georgia, north Florida, southeast Alabama and throughout South Carolina to take advantage of the growth in these areas.

The Company’s risk management processes include a loan review program designed to evaluate the credit risk in the loan portfolio and ensure credit grade accuracy. Through the loan review process, the Company conducts (1) a loan portfolio summary analysis, (2) charge-off and recovery analysis, (3) trends in accruing problem loan analysis, and (4) problem and past due loan analysis. This analysis process serves as a tool to assist management in assessing the overall quality of the loan portfolio and the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. Loans classified as “substandard” are loans which are inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged. These assets exhibit a well-defined weakness or are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. These weaknesses may be characterized by past due performance, operating losses and/or questionable collateral values. Loans classified as “doubtful” are those loans that have characteristics similar to substandard loans but have an increased risk of loss. Loans classified as “loss” are those loans which are considered uncollectible and are in the process of being charged-off.

The allowance for loan losses is a reserve established through charges to earnings in the form of a provision for loan losses. The provision for loan losses is based on management’s evaluation of the size and composition of the loan portfolio, the level of non-performing and past due loans, historical trends of charged-off loans and recoveries, prevailing economic conditions and other factors management deems appropriate. The Company’s management has established an allowance for loan losses which it believes is adequate for the risk of loss inherent in the loan portfolio. Based on a credit evaluation of the loan portfolio, management presents a monthly review of the allowance for loan losses to the Company’s Board of Directors. The review that management has developed primarily focuses on risk by evaluating individual loans in certain risk categories. These categories have also been established by management and take the form of loan grades. By grading the loan portfolio in this manner the Company’s management is able to effectively evaluate the portfolio by risk, which management believes is the most effective way to analyze the loan portfolio and thus analyze the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses.

The allowance for loan losses is established by examining (1) the large classified loans, nonaccrual loans and loans considered impaired and evaluating them individually to determine the specific reserve allocation, and (2) the remainder of the loan portfolio to allocate a portion of the allowance based on past loss experience and the economic conditions for the particular loan category. The Company also considers other factors such as changes in lending policies and procedures; changes in national, regional, and/or local economic and business conditions; changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio; changes in the experience, ability and depth of either the bank president or lending staff; changes in the volume and severity of past due and classified loans; changes in the quality of the Company’s corporate loan review system; and other factors management deems appropriate.

For the nine month period ended September 30, 2012, the Company recorded net charge-offs totaling $33.6 million, compared to $21.4 million for the period ended September 30, 2011. The provision for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 increased to $26.6 million, compared to $23.7 million during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011. Increased levels of charge-offs and provision expense relates almost entirely to the Company’s bulk sale of non-performing loans during the first quarter of 2012. At the end of the third quarter of 2012, the allowance for loan losses totaled $25.9 million, or 1.80% of total legacy loans, compared to $35.2 million, or 2.64% of total legacy loans, at December 31, 2011 and $35.2 million, or 2.57% of total legacy loans, at September 30, 2011.

 

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Table of Contents

The following table presents an analysis of the allowance for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011:

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

   September 30,
2012
    September 30,
2011
 

Balance of allowance for loan losses at beginning of period

   $ 35,156      $ 34,576   

Provision charged to operating expense

     24,360        22,098   

Charge-offs:

    

Commercial, financial and agricultural

     889        3,855   

Real estate – residential

     6,642        3,641   

Real estate – commercial and farmland

     18,199        7,851   

Real estate – construction and development

     7,819        6,859   

Consumer installment

     618        508   

Other

     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total charge-offs

     34,167        22,714   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Recoveries:

    

Commercial, financial and agricultural

     101        153   

Real estate – residential

     199        107   

Real estate – commercial and farmland

     32        43   

Real estate – construction and development

     23        873   

Consumer installment

     197        102   

Other

     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total recoveries

     552        1,278   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net charge-offs

     33,615        21,436   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance of allowance for loan losses at end of period

   $ 25,901      $ 35,238   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net annualized charge-offs as a percentage of average loans

     3.12     2.09

Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans at end of period

     1.80     2.57

Assets Covered by Loss-Sharing Agreements with the FDIC

Loans that were acquired in FDIC-assisted transactions that are covered by the loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC (“covered loans”) totaled $546.2 million, $571.5 million and $595.4 million at September 30, 2012, December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011, respectively. OREO that is covered by the loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC totaled $88.9 million, $78.6 million and $81.9 million at September 30, 2012, December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011, respectively. The loss-sharing agreements are subject to the servicing procedures as specified in the agreements with the FDIC. The expected reimbursements under the loss-sharing agreements were recorded as an indemnification asset at their estimated fair value on the acquisition dates. The FDIC loss-share receivable reported at September 30, 2012, December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011 was $198.4 million, $242.4 million and $239.7 million, respectively.

The Bank recorded the loans at their fair values, taking into consideration certain credit quality, risk and liquidity marks. The Company is confident in its estimation of credit risk and its adjustments to the carrying balances of the acquired loans. If the Company determines that a loan or group of loans has deteriorated from its initial assessment of fair value, a reserve for loan losses will be established to account for that difference. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the year ended December 31, 2011 and the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recorded provision for loan loss expense of $2.3 million, $2.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively, to account for losses where the initial estimate of cash flows was found to be excessive on loans acquired in FDIC-assisted transactions. If the Company determines that a loan or group of loans has improved from its initial assessment of fair value, the increase in cash flows over those expected at the acquisition date is recognized as interest income prospectively.

 

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Table of Contents

Covered loans are shown below according to loan type as of the end of the periods shown:

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

   September 30,      December 31,      September 30,  
   2012      2011      2011  

Commercial, financial and agricultural

   $ 37,167       $ 41,867       $ 49,859   

Real estate – construction and development

     73,356         77,077         82,933   

Real estate – commercial and farmland

     298,903         321,257         323,760   

Real estate – residential

     135,154         127,644         135,318   

Consumer installment

     1,654         3,644         3,558   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 546,234       $ 571,489       $ 595,428   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-Performing Assets

Non-performing assets include nonaccrual loans, accruing loans contractually past due 90 days or more, repossessed personal property and other real estate owned. Loans are placed on nonaccrual status when management has concerns relating to the ability to collect the principal and interest and generally when such loans are 90 days or more past due. Management performs a detailed review and valuation assessment of impaired loans on a quarterly basis and recognizes losses when permanent impairment is identified. A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that not all principal and interest amounts will be collected according to the loan contract. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, any interest previously accrued but not collected is reversed against current income.

As of September 30, 2012, nonaccrual loans totaled $38.2 million, a decrease of approximately $32.6 million since December 31, 2011. The decrease in nonaccrual loans is due to the bulk sale of non-performing assets during the first quarter of 2012, the success in the foreclosure and resolution process, and a significant slowdown in the formation of new problem credits. Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets were 2.58%, 3.92% and 3.65% at September 30, 2012, December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011, respectively.

Non-performing assets at September 30, 2012, December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011 were as follows:

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

   September 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
     September 30,
2011
 

Total nonaccrual loans

   $ 38,225       $ 70,823       $ 59,067   

Other real estate owned and repossessed collateral

     37,325         46,680         50,866   

Accruing loans delinquent 90 days or more

     —           —           20   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-performing assets

   $ 75,550       $ 117,503       $ 109,953   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The restructuring of a loan is considered a “troubled debt restructuring” if both (i) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and (ii) the Company has granted a concession. The following table presents the amount of accruing troubled debt restructurings by loan class at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

 

     September 30, 2012      December 31, 2011  

Loan class:

   #      Balance
(in thousands)
     #      Balance
(in thousands)
 

Commercial, financial & agricultural

     5       $ 804         —         $ —     

Real estate – construction & development

     4         1,481         6         1,774   

Real estate – commercial & farmland

     15         9,540         14         9,622   

Real estate – residential

     27         8,068         19         6,555   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     51       $ 19,893         39       $ 17,951   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Commercial Lending Practices

On December 12, 2006, the Federal Bank Regulatory Agencies released guidance on Concentration in Commercial Real Estate Lending. This guidance defines commercial real estate (“CRE”) loans as loans secured by raw land, land development and construction (including 1-4 family residential construction), multi-family property and non-farm nonresidential property where the primary or a significant source of repayment is derived from rental income associated with the property, excluding owner occupied properties (loans for which 50% or more of the source of repayment is derived from the ongoing operations and activities conducted by the party, or affiliate of the party, who owns the property) or the proceeds of the sale, refinancing or permanent financing of the property. Loans for owner occupied CRE are generally excluded from the CRE guidance.

The CRE guidance is applicable when either:

 

  (1) total loans for construction, land development, and other land, net of owner occupied loans, represent 100% or more of a bank’s total risk-based capital; or

 

  (2) total loans secured by multifamily and nonfarm nonresidential properties and loans for construction, land development, and other land, net of owner occupied loans, represent 300% or more of a bank’s total risk-based capital.

Banks that are subject to the CRE guidance’s criteria are required to implement enhanced strategic planning, CRE underwriting policies, risk management and internal controls, portfolio stress testing, risk exposure limits, and other policies, including management compensation and incentives, to address the CRE risks. Higher allowances for loan losses and capital levels may also be appropriate.

As of September 30, 2012, the Company exhibited a concentration in CRE loan category based on Federal Reserve Call codes. The primary risks of CRE lending are:

 

  (1) within CRE loans, construction and development loans are somewhat dependent upon continued strength in demand for residential real estate, which is reliant on favorable real estate mortgage rates and changing population demographics;

 

  (2) on average, CRE loan sizes are generally larger than non-CRE loan types; and

 

  (3) certain construction and development loans may be less predictable and more difficult to evaluate and monitor.

The following table outlines CRE loan categories and CRE loans as a percentage of total loans as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011. The loan categories and concentrations below are based on Federal Reserve Call codes and include “covered” loans.

 

      September 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  
(Dollars in Thousands)    Balance      % of Total
Loans
    Balance      % of Total
Loans
 

Construction and development loans

   $ 198,671         10   $ 207,347         11

Multi-family loans

     57,046         3     60,247         3

Nonfarm non-residential loans

     819,885         41     806,176         42
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total CRE Loans

   $ 1,075,602         54   $ 1,073,770         56

All other loan types

     910,494         46     829,805         44
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Loans

   $ 1,986,096         100   $ 1,903,575         100
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table outlines the percent of total CRE loans, net owner occupied loans to total risk-based capital, and the Company’s internal concentration limits as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 

     Internal
Limit
    September 30,
2012
    December 31,
2011
 
       Actual     Actual  

Construction and development

     100     66     71

Commercial real estate

     300     241     228

Short-Term Investments

The Company’s short-term investments are comprised of federal funds sold and interest bearing balances. At September 30, 2012, the Company’s short-term investments were $66.9 million, compared to $229.0 million and $170.3 million at December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011, respectively. At September 30, 2012, all of the balance was comprised of interest bearing balances.

 

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Table of Contents

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company had a cash flow hedge with notional amount of $37.1 million at September 30, 2012, December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011, for the purpose of converting the variable rate on the junior subordinated debentures to fixed rate. The fair value of this instrument amounted to a liability of approximately $3.2 million, $2.0 million and $31,000 at September 30, 2012, December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011, respectively. No hedge ineffectiveness from cash flow hedges was recognized in the statement of operations. All components of each derivative’s gain or loss are included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

Additionally, in the second quarter of 2012, the Company began maintaining a risk management program to manage interest rate risk and pricing risk associated with its mortgage lending activities. This includes the use of forward contracts and other derivatives that are used to offset changes in value of the mortgage inventory due to changes in market interest rates. As a normal part of its operations, the Company enters into derivative contracts such as forward sale commitments and IRLCs to economically hedge risks associated with overall price risk related to IRLCs and mortgage loans held for sale carried at fair value. The fair value of these instruments amounted to an asset of approximately $531,000 at September 30, 2012.

Capital

Capital management consists of providing equity to support both current and anticipated future operations. The Company is subject to capital adequacy requirements imposed by the Federal Reserve Board (the “FRB”) and the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance (the “GDBF”), and the Bank is subject to capital adequacy requirements imposed by the FDIC and the GDBF.

The FRB, the FDIC and the GDBF have adopted risk-based capital requirements for assessing bank holding company and bank capital adequacy. These standards define and establish minimum capital requirements in relation to assets and off-balance sheet exposure, adjusted for credit risk. The risk-based capital standards currently in effect are designed to make regulatory capital requirements more sensitive to differences in risk profiles among bank holding companies and banks and to account for off-balance sheet exposure. The regulatory capital standards are defined by the following three key measurements:

 

  a) The “Leverage Ratio” is defined as Tier 1 capital to average assets. To be considered “adequately capitalized” under this measurement, a bank must maintain a leverage ratio greater than or equal to 4.00%. For a bank to be considered “well capitalized” a bank must maintain a leverage ratio greater than or equal to 5.00%.

 

  b) The “Core Capital Ratio” is defined as Tier 1 capital to total risk weighted assets. To be considered “adequately capitalized” under this measurement, a bank must maintain a core capital ratio greater than or equal to 4.00%. For a bank to be considered “well capitalized” a bank must maintain a core capital ratio greater than or equal to 6.00%.

 

  c) The “Total Capital Ratio” is defined as total capital to total risk weighted assets. To be considered “adequately capitalized” under this measurement, a bank must maintain a total capital ratio greater than or equal to 8.00%. For a bank to be considered “well capitalized” a bank must maintain a total capital ratio greater than or equal to 10.00%.

As of June 30, 2012, under the regulatory capital standards, the Bank was considered “well capitalized” under all capital measurements. The following table sets forth the regulatory capital ratios of Ameris at September 30, 2012, December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011.

 

     September 30,
2012
    December 31,
2011
    September 30,
2011
 

Leverage Ratio (tier 1 capital to average assets)

      

Consolidated

     11.33     10.76     10.59

Ameris Bank

     11.30        10.62        10.46   

Core Capital Ratio (tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets)

      

Consolidated

     18.91        18.80        19.16   

Ameris Bank

     18.88        18.61        18.99   

Total Capital Ratio (total capital to risk weighted assets)

      

Consolidated

     20.16        20.05        20.42   

Ameris Bank

     20.13        19.87        20.25   

 

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Table of Contents

Capital Purchase Program

On November 21, 2008, the Company issued and sold to the United States Treasury (the “Treasury”), as part of its Troubled Asset Relief Program (“TARP”) Capital Purchase Program, for an aggregate cash purchase price of $52 million, (i) 52,000 shares (the “Preferred Shares”) of the Company’s fixed rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, having a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share, and (ii) a ten-year warrant (the “Warrant”) to purchase up to 679,443 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $1.00 per share (the “Common Stock”), at an exercise price of $11.48 per share. On June 14, 2012, the Preferred Shares were sold by the Treasury through a registered public offering as part of the Treasury’s efforts to wind down its remaining TARP bank investments. While the sale of the Preferred Shares to new investors did not result in any accounting entries and does not change the Company’s capital position, it eliminated many executive compensation and corporate governance restrictions that were applicable to the Company during the period in which the Treasury held its investment in the Preferred Shares. Subsequently, on August 22, 2012, the Company repurchased the Warrant from the Treasury for $2.67 million.

Cumulative dividends on the Preferred Shares will continue to accrue on the liquidation preference at a rate of 5% per annum for the first five years from initial issuance and at a rate of 9% per annum thereafter, but such dividends will be paid only if, as and when declared by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Preferred Shares have no maturity date and rank senior to the Common Stock (and pari passu with the Company’s other authorized preferred stock, of which no shares are currently designated or outstanding) with respect to the payment of dividends and distributions and amounts payable upon liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the Company. Subject to the approval of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Preferred Shares are redeemable at the option of the Company at 100% of their liquidation preference.

Interest Rate Sensitivity and Liquidity

The Company’s primary market risk exposures are credit risk, interest rate risk, and to a lesser degree, liquidity risk. The Bank operates under an Asset Liability Management Policy approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and the Asset and Liability Committee (the “ALCO Committee”). The policy outlines limits on interest rate risk in terms of changes in net interest income and changes in the net market values of assets and liabilities over certain changes in interest rate environments. These measurements are made through a simulation model which projects the impact of changes in interest rates on the Bank’s assets and liabilities. The policy also outlines responsibility for monitoring interest rate risk, and the process for the approval, implementation and monitoring of interest rate risk strategies to achieve the Bank’s interest rate risk objectives.

The ALCO Committee is comprised of senior officers of Ameris and two outside members of the Company’s Board of Directors. The ALCO Committee makes all strategic decisions with respect to the sources and uses of funds that may affect net interest income, including net interest spread and net interest margin. The objective of the ALCO Committee is to identify the interest rate, liquidity and market value risks of the Company’s balance sheet and use reasonable methods approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and executive management to minimize those identified risks.

The normal course of business activity exposes the Company to interest rate risk. Interest rate risk is managed within an overall asset and liability framework for the Company. The principal objectives of asset and liability management are to predict the sensitivity of net interest spreads to potential changes in interest rates, control risk and enhance profitability. Funding positions are kept within predetermined limits designed to properly manage risk and liquidity. The Company employs sensitivity analysis in the form of a net interest income simulation to help characterize the market risk arising from changes in interest rates. In addition, fluctuations in interest rates usually result in changes in the fair market value of the Company’s financial instruments, cash flows and net interest income. The Company’s interest rate risk position is managed by the ALCO Committee.

The Company uses a simulation modeling process to measure interest rate risk and evaluate potential strategies. Interest rate scenario models are prepared using software created and licensed from an outside vendor. The Company’s simulation includes all financial assets and liabilities. Simulation results quantify interest rate risk under various interest rate scenarios. Management then develops and implements appropriate strategies. The ALCO Committee has determined that an acceptable level of interest rate risk would be for net interest income to decrease no more than 5.00% given a change in selected interest rates of 200 basis points over any 24-month period.

Liquidity management involves the matching of the cash flow requirements of customers, who may be either depositors desiring to withdraw funds or borrowers needing assurance that sufficient funds will be available to meet their credit needs, and the ability of Ameris to manage those requirements. The Company strives to maintain an adequate liquidity position by managing the balances and maturities of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities so that the balance it has in short-term investments at any given time will adequately cover any reasonably anticipated immediate need for funds. Additionally, the Bank maintains relationships with correspondent banks, which could provide funds on short notice, if needed. The Company has invested in FHLB stock for the purpose of establishing credit lines with the FHLB. The credit availability to the Bank is equal to 20% of the Bank’s total assets as reported on the most recent quarterly financial information submitted to the regulators subject to the pledging of sufficient collateral. There were no outstanding borrowings with the Company’s correspondent banks at September 30, 2012, compared to $20.0 million at December 31, 2011 and $21.0 million at September 30, 2011.

 

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The following liquidity ratios compare certain assets and liabilities to total deposits or total assets:

 

     September 30,
2012
    June 30,
2012
    March 31,
2012
    December 31,
2011
    September 30,
2011
 

Investment securities available for sale to total deposits

     13.99     14.42     13.95     13.12     12.97

Loans (net of unearned income) to total deposits (1)

     55.81     53.66     49.67     51.40     52.07

Interest-earning assets to total assets

     82.83     84.41     84.06     82.96     82.23

Interest-bearing deposits to total deposits

     82.00     83.14     83.32     84.74     86.52

 

(1) Loans exclude covered assets where appropriate

The liquidity resources of the Company are monitored continuously by the ALCO Committee and on a periodic basis by state and federal regulatory authorities. As determined under guidelines established by these regulatory authorities, the Company’s and the Bank’s liquidity ratios at September 30, 2012 were considered satisfactory. The Company is aware of no events or trends likely to result in a material change in liquidity.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

The Company is exposed only to U.S. dollar interest rate changes, and, accordingly, the Company manages exposure by considering the possible changes in the net interest margin. The Company does not have any trading instruments nor does it classify any portion of the investment portfolio as held for trading. The Company’s hedging activities are limited to cash flow hedges that are part of the Company’s program to manage interest rate sensitivity and the use of forward contracts and other derivatives that are used to offset changes in value of the mortgage inventory due to changes in market interest rates. At September 30, 2012, the Company had one effective LIBOR rate swap with a notional amount of $37.1 million. The LIBOR rate swap exchanges fixed rate payments of 4.15% for floating rate payments based on the three month LIBOR and matures December 2018. The Company also had forward contracts with a fair value of approximately $531,000 at September 30, 2012 to hedge changes in the value of the mortgage inventory due to changes in market interest rates. Finally, the Company has no exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk, commodity price risk and other market risks.

Interest rates play a major part in the net interest income of a financial institution. The sensitivity to rate changes is known as “interest rate risk”. The repricing of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities can influence the changes in net interest income. As part of the Company’s asset/liability management program, the timing of repriced assets and liabilities is referred to as “gap management”.

The Company uses simulation analysis to monitor changes in net interest income due to changes in market interest rates. The simulation of rising, declining and flat interest rate scenarios allows management to monitor and adjust interest rate sensitivity to minimize the impact of market interest rate swings. The analysis of the impact on net interest income over a twelve-month period is subjected to a gradual 200 basis point increase or decrease in market rates on net interest income and is monitored on a quarterly basis.

Additional information required by Item 305 of Regulation S-K is set forth under Part I, Item 2 of this report.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act), as of the end of the period covered by this report, as required by paragraph (b) of Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 of the Exchange Act. Based on such evaluation, such officers have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2012, there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 of the Exchange Act that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

Nothing to report with respect to the period covered by this report.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A. of Part 1 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

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

None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information.

On November 7, 2012, the Bank and certain executive officers and other employees of the Bank and the Company entered into Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreements (the “Retirement Agreements”), the purpose of which is to provide a select group of employees who are expected to contribute significantly to the future business success of the Company and the Bank with supplemental retirement income and death benefits. Each Retirement Agreement provides for the payment of an annual retirement benefit, payable in monthly installments, commencing when the employee reaches age 65, provided that the employee is then employed by the Bank. Included among the officers entering into a Retirement Agreement were the Company’s executive officers for whom disclosure was provided as “named executive officers” in the Company’s Proxy Statement with respect to its 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders., each of whom is to receive annual retirement benefits under his or her respective Retirement Agreement as follows: (i) Edwin W. Hortman, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, $250,000 for ten years; (ii) Dennis J. Zember Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, $200,000 for fifteen years; (iii) Jon S. Edwards, Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer and Director of Credit Administration, $100,000 for fifteen years; and (iv) Cindi H. Lewis, Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary, $100,000 for ten years.

Each Retirement Agreement provides for a reduced benefit in the event that the employee terminates his or her employment prior to reaching age 65. If the termination is voluntary and without “good reason,” as defined in the Retirement Agreements, then the termination benefit is equal to the liability balance then accrued in the Company’s accounting records for the employee, to be paid out in monthly installments ratably over a period of ten years commencing at age 65; provided, however, that Mr. Hortman and Ms. Lewis , as well as certain other non-named executive officer employees currently age 57 or older, do not become vested in this benefit until after the five-year anniversary of the date of his or her Retirement Agreement, and each of Messrs. Zember and Edwards, as well as certain other non-named executive officer employees currently age 53 or younger, do not become vested in this benefit until after the ten-year anniversary of the date of his or her Retirement Agreement. If the termination of employment is involuntary and without “cause,” as defined in the Retirement Agreements, or is voluntary but with good reason, then the termination benefit is equal to the liability balance then accrued in the Company’s accounting records for the employee, to be paid out in monthly installments ratably over a period of ten years commencing at age 65, without a time-vesting precondition. If the employee is terminated for cause at any time, then all remaining benefits under his or her Retirement Agreement will be forfeited.

 

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Each Retirement Agreement also provides that if the applicable employee dies prior to reaching age 65, then the annual retirement benefit amount set forth above will be payable in monthly installments to the employee’s beneficiary for a period of ten years, commencing upon the employee’s death. In addition, if the employee becomes disabled prior to reaching age 65, then the employee will be entitled to a benefit equal to the liability balance then accrued in the Company’s accounting records for the employee, to be paid out in monthly installments ratably over a period of five years commencing at the time of disability. The Retirement Agreement with Mr. Hortman further provides that, following a “change in control,” as defined in such Retirement Agreement, Mr. Hortman will be entitled to receive the annual retirement benefit amount set forth above in monthly installments for a period of ten years commencing at age 65, without regard to whether he continues to be employed by the Bank until reaching age 65.

Item 6. Exhibits.

The exhibits required to be furnished with this report are listed on the exhibit index attached hereto.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: November 9, 2012       AMERIS BANCORP
      /s/ Dennis J. Zember Jr.
     

Dennis J. Zember Jr., Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer (duly authorized signatory

and principal accounting and financial officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

3.1    Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Ameris Bancorp’s Regulation A Offering Statement on Form 1-A filed with the Commission on August 14, 1987).
3.2    Amendment to Amended Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1.1 to Ameris Bancorp’s Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 28, 1996).
3.3    Amendment to Amended Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Ameris Bancorp’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Commission on July 17, 1996).
3.4    Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to Ameris Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 25, 1998).
3.5    Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 to Ameris Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 26, 1999).
3.6    Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.9 to Ameris Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 31, 2003).
3.7    Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Ameris Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 1, 2005).
3.8    Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Ameris Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on November 21, 2008).
3.9    Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Ameris Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on June 1, 2011).
3.10    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Ameris Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 14, 2005).
10.1    Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement with Edwin W. Hortman, Jr. dated as of November 7, 2012.
10.2    Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement with Dennis J. Zember Jr. dated as of November 7, 2012.
10.3    Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement with Jon S. Edwards dated as of November 7, 2012.
10.4    Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement with Cindi H. Lewis dated as of November 7, 2012.
31.1    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer
31.2    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer
32.1    Section 1350 Certification by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer
32.2    Section 1350 Certification by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer
101    The following financial statements from Ameris Bancorp’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, formatted as interactive data files in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements. (1)

 

(1) Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not to be filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not to be filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

 

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