U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

 

 

x

Annual report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

for the fiscal ended December 31, 2006.

 

 

o

Transition report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

for the transition period from ______________ to ______________.

 

 

Commission file number: 33-27139.

 

 

FEDERAL TRUST CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Florida

 

59-2935028


 


(State or other jurisdiction of
 incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

 

 

312 West 1st Street
Sanford, Florida

 

32771


 


(Address of principal executive office)

 

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (407) 323-1833

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, par value $.01 per share


(Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes   o

No   x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

Yes   o

No   x

Note - Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from their obligations under those Sections.

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   o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will no be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, indefinitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of the Form 10-K or any amendment to the Form 10-K.      o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer       o

Accelerated filer        x

Non-accelerated filer        o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

Yes   o

No   x

Revenues for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006: $46,068,000

The aggregate market value of the common stock of the Registrant held by non-affiliates of the Registrant (8,365,460 shares) on June 30, 2006, was approximately $91,184,000. The closing price of Registrant’s common stock on June 30, 2006 was $10.90 per share. For the purposes of this response, directors, officers and holders of 5% or more of the Registrant’s common stock are considered the affiliates of the Registrant at that date.

The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s common stock, as of March 9, 2007 was 9,388,825 shares.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

1.

Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about April 15, 2007. (Part III)

 

 




TABLE OF CONTENTS

Federal Trust Corporation and Subsidiaries (“Registrant”).

 

 

Page Number

 

 


PART I

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Business

 2

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

29

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

33

Item 2.

Properties

33

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

34

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

34

 

 

 

PART II

 

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

35

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

36

Item 7.

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

37

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

44

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

48

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

93

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

93

Item 9B.

Other Information

94

 

 

 

PART III

 

 

 

 

 

Item 10.

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

   94(1)

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

   94(1)

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

   94(1)

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

95

Item 14.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

   95(1)

 

 

 

PART IV

 

 

 

 

 

Item 15.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

95

Signatures

 

97



(1)

The material required by Items 9 through 11 and item 14 is hereby incorporated by reference from Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement, pursuant to Instruction E 3 of Form 10-K.

1



PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

General

Federal Trust Corporation (“Federal Trust”) was organized in February 1989 for the purpose of becoming the unitary savings and loan holding company of Federal Trust Bank (the “Bank”), a federally-chartered stock savings bank.  Federal Trust essentially has two wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, the Bank and Federal Trust Mortgage Company (the “Mortgage Company”) collectively referred to as the “Subsidiaries.”  Federal Trust and its Subsidiaries are collectively referred to herein as the “Company.”  As a savings and loan holding company, Federal Trust has greater flexibility than the Bank to diversify and expand its business activities, either through newly formed subsidiaries or through acquisitions.

Federal Trust is a legal entity separate from its Subsidiaries.  Federal Trust’s corporate headquarters are located at 312 West 1st Street, Sanford, Florida 32771, and its telephone number is (407) 323-1833.  To date, the principal source of Federal Trust’s revenues, on an unconsolidated basis, is earnings of the Bank and the Mortgage Company.  Various regulatory restrictions and tax considerations limit, directly or indirectly, the amount of dividends the Bank can pay to Federal Trust.  In addition, federal law restricts the Bank in the making of investments in or loans to Federal Trust or its affiliates.  See “Regulation and Supervision.”

Subsidiaries

Federal Trust Bank is chartered as a Federal-stock savings bank and is primarily engaged in the business of obtaining funds in the form of customer deposits and Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances and investing such funds in permanent loans on residential and commercial real estate and, as well as in various types of construction, commercial and consumer loans and in investment securities.  The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), an agency of the United States Government, insures through the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”), all depositors of the Bank up to $100,000 in accordance with the rules and regulations of the FDIC.  The Bank is subject to comprehensive regulation, examination and supervision by the Office of Thrift Supervision (“OTS”) and the FDIC, which is intended primarily for the benefit of depositors.  See “Regulation and Supervision.”

Federal Trust Mortgage Company was formed in May 2005 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Federal Trust.  The Mortgage Company commenced operations on January 2, 2006 to provide residential loan products for customers of the Bank, to produce mortgage loans to be sold to third party purchasers, to buy and sell mortgages in the secondary market and to service the residential loans, including the Bank’s portfolio.  When the Mortgage Company commenced operations, the mortgage origination and servicing staff of the Bank were transferred to the Mortgage Company.

Federal Trust Statutory Trust I (the “Statutory Trust I”) - was formed in September 2003, for the sole purpose of issuing $5,000,000 of trust preferred securities.  In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Interpretation No. 46 “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” Federal Trust accounts for the Statutory Trust under the equity method of accounting.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our financial condition and results of operations are sensitive to accounting measurements and estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain.  When applying accounting policies in areas that are subjective in nature, we use our best judgment to arrive at the carrying value of certain assets.  The most sensitive accounting measurement we applied is related to the valuation of the loan portfolio and the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses.

2



A number of factors impact the carrying value of the loan portfolio including the calculation of the allowance for loan losses, the valuation of underlying collateral, the timing of loan charge-offs and the amount and amortization of loan fees and deferred origination costs.  We believe that the determination of the allowance for loan losses represents a critical accounting policy.  The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level management considers to be adequate to absorb probable loan losses inherent in the portfolio, based on evaluations of the collectibility and historical loss experience of loans.  Credit losses are charged and recoveries are credited to the allowance.  Provisions for loan losses are based on our review of the historical loan loss experience and such factors which, in management’s judgment, deserve consideration under existing economic conditions in estimating probable credit losses.  The allowance is based on ongoing assessments of the probable estimated losses inherent in the loan portfolio. 

Our methodology for assessing the appropriate allowance level consists of several key elements described in the section ‘Lending Activities – Allowance for Loan Losses’.  The allowance for loan losses is also discussed as part of “Results of Operations” and in Notes 1 and 3 to the consolidated financial statements.  The significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.

Forward Looking Statements

Readers should note, in particular, that this document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including the risks described in Item 1A of this Form 10-K.  When used in this document, or in the documents incorporated by reference herein, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “may,” “intend” and “expect” and similar expressions identify certain of such forward-looking statements.  Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein.  Actual results may differ materially, depending upon a variety of important factors, including competition, inflation, general economic conditions, changes in interest rates and changes in the value of collateral securing loans we have made, among other things.

Strategy

Our operating strategy has been and continues to be focused on building a strong community bank branch network serving Central Florida with competitive deposit products, which fund the origination and acquisition of residential mortgage loans, and the expansion of our commercial loan portfolio.  Residential loans are typically secured by a first mortgage on a dwelling and commercial loans are secured by real estate located and operated primarily in our market area and where appropriate, the working assets of the borrower (such as accounts receivable, inventory, and equipment).  We also provide loans to consumers secured by the equity in their homes.

Our lending activities are funded by core deposit generation through our expanding branch network, borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank, and in the brokered deposit market when rates are favorable.  To the extent possible, we attempt to control interest rates paid on deposits; however, outside factors such as economic, environmental, competitive and liquidity needs will have an effect on the cost of funds.  Our principal sources of earnings is interest on loans, securities, and overnight deposits, fees on checking and loan accounts and sales of loans and investments held for sale.  Our principal expenses are interest paid on deposits and other borrowings, personnel and other operating expenses.

Market Area and Competition

We have nine full-service branch offices located in: Sanford, Winter Park, New Smyrna Beach, Casselberry, Deltona, Orange City, Lake Mary, Port Orange and Eustis, Florida.  Sanford, which is located approximately 20 miles northeast of downtown Orlando, is the second largest city in Seminole County and is the county seat.  Winter Park is located 13 miles southeast of Sanford and approximately seven miles northeast of downtown Orlando.  Our market area encompasses Orange, Seminole, Lake, and Volusia Counties in Central Florida.  The total population of the four County areas is estimated at 1.9 million, with the majority in Orange and Seminole Counties.  The Casselberry and Lake Mary branches are located in Seminole County between our Sanford and Winter Park Offices.  New Smyrna Beach and Port Orange are located in Volusia County near the Atlantic Ocean, south of Daytona Beach, Florida.  Eustis is located in Lake County, 26 miles west of our Sanford branch.  Deltona and Orange City are both located in the Western part of Volusia County along the Interstate 4 corridor between Orlando and Daytona Beach.  During 2006, we opened our Lake Mary branch in January, Port Orange branch in July and Eustis branch in October.  We plan to open two additional branches in the second half of 2007, our Palm Coast branch in Flagler County and the Edgewater branch in Eastern Volusia County.  Our administrative and operation offices are housed in Sanford.

3



Our primary market area is Orange, Seminole, Volusia and Lake Counties, and to a lesser extent Flagler and Osceola Counties.  Although best known as a tourist destination, with over 20 million visitors a year, the Central Florida area has become a center for industries such as aerospace and defense, electro-optics and lasers, computer simulated training, computer networking and data management.  In addition, motion picture production, professional and amateur sports, and distribution makes the local economy more diverse each year.  Many companies, including some in the Fortune 500, have chosen the greater Orlando area as a base for corporate, regional, and divisional headquarters.

The area is also home to the University of Central Florida with an enrollment of 47,000, one of the fastest growing schools in the state university system, as well as Valencia Community College and Seminole Community College whose combined enrollment exceeds 80,000.  Winter Park is home to Rollins College, Florida’s oldest college.  In addition, Stetson University, Florida’s first private university is located in Volusia County.

We experience substantial competition in attracting and retaining deposits and in lending funds. The primary factors in competing for deposits are customer service, branch locations and interest rates.  Direct competition for deposits comes from other savings institutions, commercial banks and nontraditional financial service providers, including insurance companies, consumer finance companies, brokerage houses and credit unions.  Additional significant competition for deposits comes from corporate and government securities and money market funds.  The primary factors in competing for loans are loan structure, interest rates and loan origination fees.  Competition for origination of real estate loans normally comes from other savings institutions, commercial banks, mortgage bankers, insurance companies and real estate investment trusts.

Consolidation within the banking industry, and in particular within Florida, has remained constant over the past several years. As of June 30, 2006, the five largest out-of-state bank holding companies in Florida controlled approximately 57% of the bank deposits.  Federal Trust is one of the largest independent financial institutions with headquarters and all of our branch locations in the Central Florida market place.  At the same time that we have seen continued consolidation of local community banks, seasoned banking executives continue to spearhead the formation of new community banks with aggressive capital and growth plans.

Geographic deregulation also has had a material impact on the banking industry.  Legislation in Florida and on the national level, has removed most of the final barriers to interstate banking.  Under Florida Law, bank holding companies are permitted to acquire existing non de novo banks across state lines.  A bank holding company may consolidate its interstate subsidiary banks into branches and merge with a bank in another state, depending on state laws.

Lending Activities

General.  Our residential lending has traditionally included the origination, purchase and sale of mortgage loans for the purchase, refinance or constructing of residential real property, primarily secured by first liens on such property.  In January 2006, the residential origination and underwriting functions were transferred to the Mortgage Company.  These loans are typically conventional home loans or lot loans which are not insured by the Federal Housing Agency (FHA) or partially secured by the Veterans Administration (VA).  Loans with fixed rates beyond five years are generally sold into the secondary market.  Loans with fixed rates of five years or less are generally considered for portfolio.  Interest rates for construction loans are generally tied to the prime rate and float daily during the construction period and are converted to either fixed or adjustable permanent mortgages upon completion.  To a lesser extent, we also make home equity loans with second liens, which generally float daily with the prime rate.  Other consumer related loans are savings loans secured by certificates of deposit at an interest rate above the rate paid on the certificate.

4



Since 2000, we have increased our commercial real estate lending and cross marketing of business accounts.  Commercial loans are comprised of loans to small businesses secured by real estate used in the enterprise and, where appropriate, the working assets of the business.  We also make real estate loans for the acquisition and development of land for residential, and income producing projects.  Commercial loans are generally priced on a floating prime rate basis or fixed at repricing intervals not to exceed five years.  As a matter of policy, commercial loans are generally guaranteed by the borrowers’ principals.

Credit Risk.  Since our primary business is the origination and acquisition of real estate secured loans, that activity entails potential credit losses which are beyond our control, the magnitude of which depends on a variety of economic factors affecting borrowers. While guidelines have been instituted and credit review procedures have been put into place to protect us from credit losses, some losses may inevitably occur.  During 2006, we recognized $39,000 in charge-offs, and $21,000 in recoveries from prior charge-offs.

Loan Portfolio Composition.  Our net loan amount, which is total loans plus premiums paid for loans purchased less loans in process, deferred loan origination fees and costs and allowance for loan losses, totaled $603.9 million at December 31, 2006, representing 84% of total assets at such date.  At December 31, 2005, our net loan portfolio was $630.8 million or 86% of total assets.

Residential mortgage loans, not including construction and lot loans, still comprise the largest group of loans in our loan portfolio, amounting to $356.1 million or 56% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2006, down from  $400.0 million or 57% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2005.  The decrease in the residential loan portfolio in 2006 was primarily due to the decrease in the volume of residential origination and purchase loan activity, due to the flat yield curve.  As a result, the volume of loan prepayments exceeded the volume of new loans added to our portfolio.  We offer and purchase adjustable rate mortgage (‘ARM’) loans with maturities up to 30 years. As of December 31, 2006, approximately 97% of the residential loan portfolio loans were ARM loans and 3% were fixed-rate.  Fixed-rate loans are generally underwritten to secondary market standards to insure liquidity and interest-rate risk protection.  Residential lot loans amounted to $42.7 million or 7% of total loans at December 31, 2006.  These loans are secured by developed lots ready for construction of single-family homes.  As a result of the softening in the housing market during 2006, we also reduced our residential construction loans to $36.6 million or 6% of total loans at December 31, 2006, from $81.6 million or 12% of total loans at the end of 2005.  These loans are generally on property in Southwest Florida and throughout the state and are underwritten directly to the individual or family for their primary residence or second home.

Commercial real estate secured loans amounted to $93.1 million or 15% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2006. This portfolio includes loans to businesses to finance their office, manufacturing or retail facilities.  Commercial land, development and construction loans amounted to $88.6 million or 14% of total loans.  The land loans are generally larger parcels of property held for future development.  The development and construction loans include loans for the acquisition and development of both residential and commercial projects.  The construction loans are made directly to the builders of single and multi-family homes for pre-sold or speculative units.  We also finance the construction of commercial facilities, generally for the owner/operator.

Commercial loans at December 31, 2006, were $15.3 million or 2% of total loans.  These loans are generally secured by the assets of the borrower including accounts receivable, inventory and fixed assets, including company owned real estate and are usually also guaranteed by the owners.

Consumer loans, consisting of installment loans and savings account loans at December 31, 2006, were $125,000 or less than 1% of the total loan portfolio.

5



The following table sets forth information on our loan portfolio by type (in thousands):

 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

Amount

 

% of
Total

 

Amount

 

% of
Total

 

Amount

 

% of
Total

 

Amount

 

% of
Total

 

Amount

 

% of
Total

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Residential lending:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgages

 

$

356,133

 

 

56.4

%

$

399,973

 

 

56.6

%

$

374,581

 

 

70.8

%

$

302,083

 

 

75.4

%

$

246,235

 

 

79.2

%

Lot loans

 

 

42,676

 

 

6.7

 

 

40,203

 

 

5.7

 

 

41,369

 

 

7.8

 

 

20,816

 

 

5.2

 

 

8,742

 

 

2.8

 

Construction

 

 

36,570

 

 

5.8

 

 

81,572

 

 

11.5

 

 

5,405

 

 

1.0

 

 

780

 

 

0.2

 

 

1,822

 

 

0.6

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total Residential lending

 

 

435,379

 

 

68.9

 

 

521,748

 

 

73.8

 

 

421,355

 

 

79.6

 

 

323,679

 

 

80.8

 

 

256,799

 

 

82.6

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Commercial lending:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate secured

 

 

93,095

 

 

14.7

 

 

71,253

 

 

10.1

 

 

56,267

 

 

10.6

 

 

47,918

 

 

12.0

 

 

32,061

 

 

10.3

 

Land, development and construction

 

 

88,586

 

 

14.0

 

 

90,794

 

 

12.8

 

 

38,091

 

 

7.2

 

 

16,524

 

 

4.1

 

 

14,598

 

 

4.7

 

Commercial loans

 

 

15,308

 

 

2.4

 

 

22,529

 

 

3.2

 

 

13,257

 

 

2.5

 

 

11,639

 

 

2.9

 

 

6,568

 

 

2.1

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total Commercial lending

 

 

196,989

 

 

31.1

 

 

184,576

 

 

26.1

 

 

107,615

 

 

20.3

 

 

76,081

 

 

19.0

 

 

53,227

 

 

17.1

 

Consumer loans

 

 

125

 

 

—  

 

 

447

 

 

0.1

 

 

657

 

 

0.1

 

 

864

 

 

0.2

 

 

969

 

 

0.3

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total loans

 

 

632,493

 

 

100.0

%

 

706,771

 

 

100.0

%

 

529,627

 

 

100.0

%

 

400,624

 

 

100.0

%

 

310,995

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

Add (deduct):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for loan losses

 

 

(5,098

)

 

 

 

 

(4,477

)

 

 

 

 

(3,835

)

 

 

 

 

(2,779

)

 

 

 

 

(2,110

)

 

 

 

Net premiums, discounts, deferred fees and costs

 

 

3,567

 

 

 

 

 

4,584

 

 

 

 

 

3,524

 

 

 

 

 

3,346

 

 

 

 

 

2,902

 

 

 

 

Loans in process

 

 

(27,045

)

 

 

 

 

(76,051

)

 

 

 

 

(7,985

)

 

 

 

 

(2,790

)

 

 

 

 

(3,189

)

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Net loans

 

$

603,917

 

 

 

 

$

630,827

 

 

 

 

$

521,331

 

 

 

 

$

398,401

 

 

 

 

$

308,598

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Contractual Repayments.  Scheduled contractual principal repayments of loans do not reflect the actual life of such assets.  The average life of loans is substantially less than their average contractual terms because of prepayments.  In addition, due-on-sale clauses on loans generally give the Bank the right to declare a conventional loan immediately due and payable in the event, among other things, that the borrower sells the real property subject to the mortgage and the loan is not repaid.  The average life of mortgage loans tends to increase, however, when home sale activity decreases as we experienced in 2006, or when current mortgage loan rates are substantially higher than rates on existing mortgage loans.  Conversely, the average life decreases when home sale activity increases and rates on existing mortgages are substantially lower than current mortgage loan rates.  Residential lot loans generally mature in less than five years and are typically repaid or convert to a construction loan when the owner begins construction of the residence.  Construction loans generally mature in one year or less.

6



The following table shows the contractual maturities of the Bank’s loan portfolio at December 31, 2006.  Loans that have adjustable rates are shown as amortizing to final maturity rather than when the interest rates are next subject to change. The table does not include prepayments or scheduled principal repayments (in thousands):

 

 

Residential

 

Commercial

 

Consumer

 

Total
 Loans

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Amounts due:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Within 1 year

 

$

21,406

 

$

112,412

 

$

82

 

$

133,900

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

1 to 3 years

 

 

40,828

 

 

54,387

 

 

36

 

 

95,251

 

3 to 5 years

 

 

30,792

 

 

20,001

 

 

7

 

 

50,800

 

5 to 10 years

 

 

38,542

 

 

8,425

 

 

—  

 

 

46,967

 

10 to 20 years

 

 

100,724

 

 

1,660

 

 

—  

 

 

102,384

 

Over 20 years

 

 

203,087

 

 

104

 

 

—  

 

 

203,191

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total due after 1 year

 

 

413,973

 

 

84,577

 

 

43

 

 

498,593

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total amounts due

 

$

435,379

 

$

196,989

 

$

125

 

$

632,493

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Loans Due After December 31, 2007. The following table sets forth at December 31, 2006, the dollar amount of all loans due after December 31, 2007, classified according to whether such loans have fixed or adjustable interest rates (in thousands):

 

 

Due after December 31, 2007

 

 

 


 

 

 

Fixed

 

Adjustable

 

Total

 

 

 



 



 



 

Residential lending

 

$

14,760

 

$

399,213

 

$

413,973

 

Commercial lending

 

 

24,253

 

 

60,324

 

 

84,577

 

Consumer loans

 

 

41

 

 

2

 

 

43

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total

 

$

39,054

 

$

459,539

 

$

498,593

 

 

 



 



 



 

Purchase, Origination, and Sale of LoansFlorida has historically experienced a rate of population growth in excess of national averages.  The real estate development and construction industries in Florida, however, have been sensitive to cyclical changes in economic conditions and the demand for and supply of residential units.  In 2006, the demand for real estate mortgage loans declined, and the rapid increase in home prices has slowed and the inventory of homes for sale has increased.

Our loan portfolio consists of purchased and originated loans.  When loans are acquired in the secondary market, the loan packages are generally between $2 million to $25 million in single-family residential mortgages, comprised of new and seasoned ARM loans.  While we prefer to purchase loan packages comprised of Florida real estate, because of pricing and the limited number of Florida loan packages that are available, we have also purchased packages of loans outside of Florida. The loan packages undergo an individual loan underwriting review prior to purchases.  Due to the unfavorable interest rate environment from the flat yield curve, we purchased only $62.7 million in loans during 2006, significantly less then the $207.1 million purchased in 2005.  During 2006, all of the loans we purchased were for residential properties located in Florida.

Loans that the Bank and the Mortgage Company originate are generally on real estate located in our primary lending area of Central Florida.  Sources for residential mortgage loan originations include direct solicitation by employed loan originators, depositors, other existing customers, advertising and referrals from real estate brokers, mortgage brokers and developers.  Our residential mortgage loans are originated in accordance with written underwriting standards approved by the Board of Directors of the Bank.  Most fixed rate loan originations are eligible for sale to Fannie Mae and other investors in the secondary market. 

Commercial and commercial real estate loan originations are primarily attributable to Bank loan officers and referrals from existing customers, while consumer loan originations are attributable largely to depositors and walk-in customers and referrals.  In addition, if the size of a particular loan request exceeds our legal or internal lending limit, we may sell a participation in that loan to a correspondent bank.  From time to time, we also purchase participations from other correspondent banks.

7



The following table sets forth the amount of loans originated, purchased, sold and repaid during the periods indicated (in thousands):

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Originations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans on existing property

 

$

45,766

 

$

51,285

 

$

62,999

 

$

44,416

 

Land, Development and Construction loans

 

 

115,817

 

 

64,197

 

 

66,719

 

 

20,681

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total mortgage loans

 

 

161,583

 

 

115,482

 

 

129,718

 

 

65,097

 

Commercial loans

 

 

7,181

 

 

8,555

 

 

7,337

 

 

12,373

 

Consumer loans

 

 

1,290

 

 

478

 

 

635

 

 

701

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total loans originated

 

 

170,054

 

 

124,515

 

 

137,690

 

 

78,171

 

Purchases

 

 

62,668

 

 

207,136

 

 

178,482

 

 

176,828

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total loans originated and purchased

 

$

232,722

 

$

331,651

 

$

316,172

 

$

254,999

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Sales and principal repayments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans sold

 

 

(27,972

)

 

(24,407

)

 

(28,632

)

 

(39,560

)

Principal repayments

 

 

(231,660

)

 

(200,509

)

 

(158,537

)

 

(125,810

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total loans sold and principal repayments

 

$

(259,632

)

$

(224,916

)

$

(187,169

)

$

(165,370

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

(Decrease) increase in total loans (before net items)

 

$

(26,910

)

$

106,735

 

$

129,003

 

$

89,629

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Loan Underwriting Our lending activities are subject to strict underwriting standards and loan origination procedures prescribed by Board of Directors of the Bank and management.  All loan applications are evaluated by staff at the administrative and operations office in Sanford to ensure compliance with our underwriting standards.  Loan applications are obtained to determine the borrower’s ability to repay, and the more significant items on these applications are verified through the use of credit reports, financial statements and confirmations.  Our lending policy for real estate loans generally requires that collateral be appraised by an independent, outside appraiser who is approved by the Board of Directors of the Bank.  Loans originated or acquired by the Mortgage Company are in accordance with the Banks’ underwriting standards, or to the standards set by the secondary market agencies or other correspondent banks that are purchasing the loan.  While the Mortgage Company generally retains the servicing on the loans it originates, it does not hold the loans for its own portfolio.

Loans are approved at various management levels up to and including the Loan Committee of the Board of Directors of the Bank.  Loan approvals are made in accordance with delegated authority levels approved by our Board of Directors.  Generally, loans less than $300,000 are approved by authorized officers and underwriters.  Loans in excess of $300,000 to $4,000,000 require the concurrence of three or more authorized officers.  Loans greater than $4,000,000 require approval of the Board of Directors’ Loan Committee of the Bank. For loan approvals, the aggregate loans to the borrower and their related interest are used for determination of the appropriate lending authority required for any new loans or renewals.

To ensure that underwriting standards and loan policies are being followed, an internal loan review process is in place.  In 2006, we engaged a firm to perform an independent review of our portfolio. Additionally, our external auditor and the OTS perform testing of the Bank’s underwriting, credit grading and credit quality. 

8



General Lending Policies. Our policy for real estate loans is to have a valid mortgage lien on real estate securing a loan and to obtain a title insurance policy, which insures the validity and priority of the lien.  Borrowers must also obtain hazard insurance policies prior to closing, and when the property is in a flood prone area, flood insurance is required.

While our policy is to lend up to 80% of appraised value, we are permitted to lend up to 100% of the appraised value of real property securing a residential mortgage loan.  However, if the amount of a conventional, residential loan (including a construction loan or a combination construction and permanent loan) originated or refinanced exceeds 90% of the appraised value, federal regulations require that private mortgage insurance be obtained on that portion of the principal amount of the loan that exceeds 80% of the appraised value of the property.  We originate fully amortizing and interest-only single family residential mortgage loans up to a 97% loan-to-value ratio if the required private mortgage insurance is obtained.  Loans over 97% loan-to-value ratio, if originated, would be under special community support programs or one of the Federal Housing Administration, Veterans Administration or USDA Rural Housing Service or insurance programs. The loan-to-value ratio on a home loan secured by a junior lien generally does not exceed 100%, including the amount of the first mortgage on the collateral. With respect to home loans granted for construction or combination construction/permanent financing, we will lend up to 95% of the appraised value of the property on an “as completed” basis. The loan-to-value ratio on multi-family residential and commercial real estate loans is generally limited to 80% of value.  Loans that exceed our policy are monitored, reported to the Board and do not exceed our regulatory limits.

Neither the Bank nor the Mortgage Company has originated, or purchased any loans to borrowers with low credit scores, which are typically referred to as “sub-prime” borrowers, over the past five years.  In addition, we have not originated or purchased any loans with below market interest rates that result in increasing loan balances or “negative amortization.”  Finally, we have not originated or hold any reverse equity mortgages.

The maximum amount that could have been loaned by the Bank to one borrower and the borrower’s related entities at December 31, 2006, was approximately $8.8 million.  We have no loans in our portfolio that exceed our loans to one borrower limit.

Consumer loans are considered to be loans to natural persons for personal, family or household purposes, and these loans may be unsecured, secured by personal property or secured by liens on real estate.

Federal savings and loan association regulations permit the Bank to invest in loans secured by non-residential or commercial real estate up to four times our regulatory capital.  At December 31, 2006, this limit allowed us to invest in non-residential or commercial real estate loans in an aggregate amount up to $222.6 million.  At such date, we had $93.1 million in loans secured by non-residential or commercial real estate.

The risk of non-payment of loans is inherent in all loans.  To address this risk, we carefully evaluate all loan applicants and attempt to minimize our credit risk exposure by use of thorough loan application and approval procedures that we have established for each category of loan.  In determining whether to make a loan, we consider the borrower’s credit history, analyze the borrower’s income and ability to service the loan, and evaluate the need for collateral to secure recovery in the event of default.  An allowance for loan losses is maintained based upon assumptions and judgments regarding the ultimate collectability of loans in our portfolio and a percentage of the outstanding balances of specific loans when their ultimate collectability is considered questionable.

Income from Lending Activities/Loan Servicing.  Fees are earned in connection with loan commitments and originations, loan modifications, late payments, assumptions related to changes of property ownership and for miscellaneous services related to loans.  We also receive fees for servicing loans owned by other financial institutions.  At December 31, 2006, we were servicing $56.1 million in loans for other institutions, which produces servicing income, net of amortization of mortgage servicing rights.  During 2002, we executed a seven-year agreement to have a third party begin servicing our residential mortgage loans.  This third party charges standard servicing and administration fees for these services.

Commitment, loan fees, and direct costs typically are charged at the time of loan origination and may be a flat fee or a percentage of the amount of the loan.  Under current accounting standards such fees cannot be recognized as income and are deferred and taken into income over the contractual life of the loan, using a level yield method.  If a loan is prepaid or refinanced, all remaining deferred fees with respect to such loan are taken into income at that time.

9



Non-performing Loans and Foreclosed Assets.  When a borrower fails to make a required payment on a loan, we attempt to collect the payment by contacting the borrower through our in-staff commercial loan officers or through our third party servicer for residential loans.  If a payment on a loan has not been received by the end of a grace period, notices are sent at that time, with follow-up contacts made thereafter.  In most cases, the delinquencies are cured promptly.  If the delinquency exceeds 90 days and is not cured through normal collection procedures, more formal measures are instituted to remedy the default, including the commencement of foreclosure proceedings.  If foreclosure is affected, the property is sold at a public auction in which we typically participate as a bidder.  If we are the successful bidder, the acquired real estate property is then included in our “foreclosed assets” account until it is sold.  When assets are acquired through foreclosure, they are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated selling costs at the date of acquisition and any write-down resulting therefrom is charged to the allowance for loan losses.  At December 31, 2006, we had one foreclosed asset with a book value of $36,000.  Under federal regulations, we are permitted to finance sales of foreclosed assets by “loans to facilitate”, which may involve more favorable interest rates and terms than generally would be granted under our underwriting guidelines. At December 31, 2006, we had no loans to facilitate the sale of foreclosed assets. 

Loans are placed on non-accrual status when, in the judgment of management, the probability of collection of interest is deemed to be insufficient to warrant further accrual of interest.  When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, previously accrued, but unpaid interest is deducted from interest income.  Our policy is to not accrue interest on loans as soon as it is determined that repayment of all principal and interest is not likely, however, not later than 90 days past due.

Non-accrual loans at December 31, 2006, were $12.0 million. Included in the total were $4.0 million in construction loans to 27 individual borrowers for single family homes, substantially all of which are in Lee County, Florida.  Construction on eight of these loans, with a balance of $1.5 million, is either completed or in process. Construction has not commenced on the remaining nineteen loans with a total balance of $2.5 million. As a result of the weakness in the Florida housing market during 2006, we reduced our residential construction loans from $81.6 million at December 31, 2005 to $36.6 million at the end of 2006.  We continuously monitor the portfolio and, if the loan matures prior to the commencement or completion of construction, we negotiate with the borrower to either extend the loan or to convert the credit to a lot loan for future sale or construction; in some cases, we commence foreclosure.

The December 31, 2006 non-accrual loans also include $3.1 million in residential mortgages.  Of this total, $2.3 million is comprised of foreign national borrowers, a majority of whom reside in the United Kingdom.  These loans are for fifteen residential properties all located in Central Florida, of which ten are for single family residences, four are for condominiums and one is a lot loan. The increase in the foreign national delinquencies was due to a slowdown in the market for investor properties in and around the Central Florida resort areas and the well publicized increase in Florida property taxes and hazard insurance on these investment properties.  The Bank has had extensive experience and has been very successful over the past ten years with our foreign national loan product.  Because of the location and size of these residential properties and our prior experience with this product, we believe the current delinquencies will be successfully resolved with minimal losses.

Included in the $4.8 million of commercial non-accrual loans is a $4.0 million or 14% participation in a loan secured by several contiguous residential parcels fronting the Gulf of Mexico, in the Florida panhandle. The borrower is planning to develop the site for a high rise residential condominium project. Due to the weakness in the Florida panhandle condominium market and the effects of hurricane Katrina in 2005, the borrower has delayed construction and is seeking additional equity investors. Foreclosure action has been initiated, however, negotiations are continuing with the borrower for an acceptable workout plan.

Management is aggressively pursuing resolutions to these non-performing assets as quickly as possible. The amount and timing of losses, if any, cannot be determined at the present time and we believe that the allowance for loan losses is adequate to absorb potential losses on the loans, all of which are all secured by real estate in Florida.

10



The following table sets forth certain information regarding our non-accrual loans and foreclosed assets, the ratio of such loans and foreclosed assets to total assets as of the date indicated, and certain other related information (in thousands):

 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Non-accrual loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Construction

 

$

3,952

 

$

158

 

$

5

 

$

229

 

$

293

 

Residential

 

 

3,140

 

 

1,240

 

 

1,862

 

 

6,167

 

 

5,221

 

Commercial

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Total mortgage loans

 

 

7,092

 

 

1,398

 

 

1,867

 

 

6,396

 

 

5,514

 

Commercial loans

 

 

4,878

 

 

720

 

 

720

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Consumer loans

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

13

 

 

—  

 

 

65

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Total non-accrual loans

 

$

11,970

 

$

2,118

 

$

2,600

 

$

6,396

 

$

5,579

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Total non-accrual loans to total loans

 

 

1.9

%

 

0.3

%

 

0.5

%

 

1.6

%

 

1.8

%

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Total non-accrual loans to total assets

 

 

1.7

%

 

0.3

%

 

0.4

%

 

1.4

%

 

1.5

%

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Total allowance for loss to total non-accrual loans

 

 

42.6

%

 

211.4

%

 

147.5

%

 

43.4

%

 

37.8

%

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Total foreclosed assets

 

$

36

 

$

556

 

$

326

 

$

1,007

 

$

858

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Total non-accrual loans and foreclosed assets to total assets

 

 

1.7

%

 

0.4

%

 

0.5

%

 

1.6

%

 

1.7

%

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

At December 31, 2006, we had no accruing loans which were contractually past due 90 days or more as to principal and interest and no troubled debt restructurings as defined by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 15. Nonaccrual loans for which interest has been reduced totaled approximately $12.0 million and $2.1 million at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.  For the year ended December 31, 2006, interest income that would have been recorded under the original terms of non-accrual loans and interest income actually recognized is summarized below (in thousands):

Interest income that would have been recorded

 

$

446

 

Interest income recognized

 

 

46

 

 

 



 

Interest income foregone

 

$

400

 

 

 



 

11



Classified Assets – Potential Problem Loans.  Federal regulations and the Bank’s policies require the classification of loans and other assets, such as debt and equity securities, considered to be of lesser quality as “substandard,” “doubtful” or “loss” assets. An asset is considered “substandard” if it is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. “Substandard” assets include those characterized by the “distinct possibility” that the institution will sustain “some loss” if the deficiencies are not corrected.  Assets classified as “doubtful” have all of the weaknesses inherent in those classified “substandard,” with the added characteristic that the weaknesses present make “collection or liquidation in full,” on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, “highly questionable and improbable.” Assets classified as “loss” are those considered “uncollectible” and of such little value that their continuance as assets without the establishment of a specific loss reserve is not warranted. In addition, our policies require that assets which do not currently expose the insured institution to sufficient risk to warrant classification as substandard but possess other weaknesses are designated “special mention” by management.

If an asset is classified, the estimated fair value of the asset is determined and if that value is less than the carrying value of the asset, the difference is established as a specific reserve. If an asset is classified as loss, the amount of the asset classified as loss is reserved. General reserves or general valuation allowances represent loss allowances which have been established to recognize the inherent risk associated with lending activities but, unlike specific reserves, are not allocated to particular assets.

At December 31, 2006, there were twelve loans for a total of $9.2 million that were graded special mention and 79 loans for $14.1 million classified substandard.  There were no loans graded doubtful or loss at December 31, 2006.

Loan Review

An internal review of the portfolio is conducted on a quarterly basis and requires updated financial statements and income tax returns yearly.  During 2006, an independent firm was hired to review our commercial loan portfolio to assess the underwriting, credit grading and credit quality of the portfolio.  Additionally, our external auditor and the OTS perform testing of the Bank’s underwriting, credit grading, and credit quality.  Based on these inspections, we then grade our loans using the classifications as outlined above.

Provisions for Loan Losses

A provision for loan losses is generally charged to earnings based upon management’s evaluation of the inherent losses in our loan portfolio.  During 2006, our gross loans decreased by $26.9 million and we recognized a $638,000 provision for loan losses. Also during 2006, we recognized $39,000 in charge-offs against our allowance, but collected $21,000 in recoveries from prior charge-offs.

While we believe that our allowance for loan losses is adequate as of December 31, 2006, the provisions are based on the current and anticipated future operating conditions, thereby causing these estimates to be susceptible to changes that could result in a material adjustment to results of operations in the near term.  The amount needed in the allowance for loan losses is based on the particular circumstances of the individual non-performing loans, including the type, amount, and value of the collateral, if any.  In addition, the overall composition and amount of the performing loans in the portfolio at the time of evaluation is considered to determine the adequacy of the allowance, and, as a result, will vary over time.  Although more emphasis is being placed on originating new commercial, commercial real estate, land and development loans, the composition of our loan portfolio continues to be concentrated primarily in residential mortgage loans, which tend to have a lower risk of loss.  Loan repayments are dependent on loan underwriting and also on economic, operating and other conditions that may be beyond our control.  Therefore, actual losses in future periods could differ materially from amounts provided in the current period and could result in a material adjustment to operations. 

12



Allowance for Loan Losses

A number of factors are considered when establishing our allowance for loan losses.  For loan loss purposes, the loan portfolio is segregated into the following broad segments: residential real estate loans to United States citizens; residential real estate loans to foreign borrowers; commercial real estate loans; land development and construction loans; commercial business loans and other loans.  A general allowance for losses is then provided for each of the aforementioned categories, which consists of two components.  General loss percentages are calculated based upon historical analyses.  A supplemental portion of the allowance is calculated for inherent losses which probably exist as of the evaluation date even though they might not have been identified by the more objective processes used for the portion of the allowance described above.  This is due to the risk of error and/or inherent imprecision in the process.  This portion of the allowance is particularly subjective and requires judgments based on qualitative factors which do not lend themselves to exact mathematical calculations such as; trends in delinquencies and nonaccruals; migration trends in the portfolio; trends in volume, terms, and portfolio mix; new credit products and/or changes in the geographic distribution of those products; changes in lending policies and procedures; collection practices; examination results from bank regulatory agencies; external loan reviews, and our internal credit review function; changes in the outlook for local, regional and national economic conditions; concentrations of credit; and peer group comparisons.

Large commercial loans that exhibit probable or observed credit weaknesses are subject to individual review.  Where appropriate, reserves are allocated to individual loans based on our estimate of the borrower’s ability to repay the loan given the availability of collateral, other sources of cash flows, and available legal options.  Included in the review of individual loans, are those that are impaired as provided in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 114, “Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan” as amended.  Any specific reserves for impaired loans are measured based on the fair market value of the underlying collateral.  We evaluate the collectibility of both principal and interest when assessing the need for a special reserve.  Specific reserves on individual loans and historical loss rates are reviewed throughout the year and adjusted as necessary based on changing borrower and collateral conditions and actual collection and charge-off experience.  Historical loss rates are applied to other commercial loans not subject to specific reserve allocations.

Homogenous loans, such as installment and residential mortgage loans are not individually reviewed by management except in the case of delinquencies.  Reserves are established for each pool of loans based on the expected net charge-offs.  Loss rates are based on the average net charge-off history and an analysis of the risks and trend information by loan category.

Historical loss rates for commercial and consumer loans may be adjusted for significant factors that, in management’s judgment, reflect the impact of any current conditions or loss recognition.  Based on these procedures, management believes that the allowance for loan losses is adequate to absorb estimated loan losses associated with the loan portfolio at December 31, 2006.  Actual results could differ from these estimates.  However, since the allowance is affected by management’s judgments and uncertainties, there is the likelihood that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or assumptions.  To the extent that the economy, collateral values, reserve factors, or the nature and volume of problem loans change, we may need to adjust the provision for loan losses.  In addition, federal regulatory agencies, as an integral part of the examination process, periodically review our allowance for loan losses.  Such agencies may require us to recognize additions to the allowance level based upon their judgment of the information available to them at the time of their examination.  Material additions to our provision for loan losses would result in a decrease in net earnings and capital.

At December 31, 2006, the allowance for loan losses was $5.1 million, or 42.6% of non-performing loans and .84% of total loans net of loans in process (“LIP”) compared to $4.5 million, or 211.4% of non-performing loans and .71% of total loans net of LIP at December 31, 2005.  The allowance at December 31, 2006, consisted of reserves for the performing loans in the portfolio and reserves against certain loans based on management’s evaluation of these loans.  As the amount of commercial loans in the portfolio continues to increase, the allowance will be adjusted accordingly.

13



The following table sets forth information with respect to our allowance for loan losses during the periods indicated. The allowances shown in the table below should not be interpreted as an indication that charge-offs in future periods will occur in these amounts or proportions or that the allowance indicates future charge-off amounts or trends ($ in thousands):

 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Average loans outstanding, net of LIP

 

$

621,670

 

$

579,811

 

$

447,773

 

$

366,488

 

$

279,934

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Allowance at beginning of year

 

 

4,477

 

 

3,835

 

 

2,779

 

 

2,110

 

 

1,765

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Charge-offs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential real estate loans

 

 

(25

)

 

—  

 

 

(106

)

 

(30

)

 

(173

)

Construction loans

 

 

(14

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(10

)

Commercial real estate loans

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Commercial loans

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(48

)

 

—  

 

 

(39

)

Consumer loans

 

 

—  

 

 

(10

)

 

—  

 

 

(1

)

 

(36

)

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Total loans charged-off

 

 

(39

)

 

(10

)

 

(154

)

 

(31

)

 

(258

)

Recoveries

 

 

21

 

 

2

 

 

30

 

 

50

 

 

158

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Net (charge-offs) recoveries

 

 

(18

)

 

(8

)

 

(124

)

 

19

 

 

(100

)

Provision for loan losses

 

 

639

 

 

650

 

 

1,180

 

 

650

 

 

445

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Allowance at end of year

 

$

5,098

 

$

4,477

 

$

3,835

 

$

2,779

 

$

2,110

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Ratio of net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans outstanding, net of LIP

 

 

.00

%

 

.00

%

 

.03

%

 

(.01

)%

 

.04

%

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Ratio of allowance to period-end total loans, net of LIP

 

 

.84

%

 

.71

%

 

.74

%

 

.70

%

 

.69

%

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Period-end total loans, net of LIP

 

$

605,448

 

$

630,720

 

$

521,642

 

$

397,834

 

$

307,806

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

The following table represents information regarding our total allowance for loan losses, as well as the allocation of such amounts to the various categories of loans ($ in thousands):

 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

Amount

 

% of
Loans to
Total
Loans

 

Amount

 

% of
Loans to
Total
Loans

 

Amount

 

% of
Loans to
Total
Loans

 

Amount

 

% of
Loans to
Total
Loans

 

Amount

 

% of
Loans to
Total
Loans

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Residential lending

 

$

2,671

 

 

68.9

%

$

2,337

 

 

73.8

%

$

2,488

 

 

79.6

%

$

1,886

 

 

80.8

%

$

1,409

 

 

82.6

%

Commercial lending

 

 

2,427

 

 

31.1

 

 

2,130

 

 

26.1

 

 

1,055

 

 

20.3

 

 

825

 

 

19.0

 

 

566

 

 

17.1

 

Consumer loans

 

 

—  

 

 

.0

 

 

10

 

 

.1

 

 

292

 

 

.1

 

 

68

 

 

.2

 

 

135

 

 

.3

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total allowance for loan losses

 

$

5,098

 

 

100.0

%

$

4,477

 

 

100.0

%

$

3,835

 

 

100.0

%

$

2,779

 

 

100.0

%

$

2,110

 

 

100.0

%

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

14



Investment Activities

Mortgage-Backed SecuritiesWe purchase mortgage-backed securities and other collateralized mortgage obligations, which are guaranteed as to principal and interest by FNMA and FHLMC, agencies of the Federal government.  We also purchased mortgage-backed securities issued by entities that are not Federal Government agencies.  The securities are permissible investments for a savings institution and are acquired primarily for their liquidity, yield, and credit characteristics.  Such securities may be used as collateral for borrowings.  The mortgage-backed securities that are purchased are backed by either fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgage loans.  At December 31, 2006, these securities totaled $27.0 million.

Other InvestmentsAs a condition of our membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta we are required to own FHLB stock.  The other investments in the portfolio, with the exception of the corporate equity securities, are eligible for inclusion in our liquidity base when calculating our regulatory liquidity requirement.  We also purchase municipal bonds and corporate equity and debt securities.  At December 31, 2006, we did not have any securities pledged to the FHLB as collateral under its short-term credit agreement.

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.  Consideration is given to: (1) the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been less than cost; (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; and (3) our intent and ability to retain the investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.

During 2004, we recorded an other-than-temporary impairment write-down of approximately $1,055,000.  The charge related to our $9.5 million investment in Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae adjustable rate preferred stock, which is included in our investment securities, available for sale portfolio.  These investment grade securities declined in value in 2004 primarily due to the record low interest rates, which caused the dividend payment to decline from the original rates at the time of issuance.  During 2005, we sold 42,000 shares of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae preferred stock with a total book value of $2.0 million and recognized a net loss on the sales of less than $6,000.  During 2006, we sold the remaining 93,000 shares of Freddie Mac preferred stock with a total book value of $3.7 million and recognized a net loss of less than $24,000.  In 2006 we also sold 135,000 shares of Fannie Mae preferred stock with a total book value of $5.7 million and recognized a net loss of approximately $24,000.  At December 31, 2006, the par value, the carrying value, and the market value of the remaining Fannie Mae preferred stock was $2.8 million.  Subsequent to December 31, 2006, we were notified that all of the remaining shares of Fannie Mae preferred stock that we own, were being called by the end of March 2007 at par value.

The following table sets forth the carrying values of our total investments and liquidity as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 



 

Short-term investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-earning deposits

 

$

1,585

 

$

6,424

 

$

3,836

 

Debt securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Government agency

 

 

8,855

 

 

4,798

 

 

2,977

 

Municipal bonds

 

 

14,056

 

 

12,321

 

 

1,056

 

Corporate debt

 

 

5,289

 

 

5,068

 

 

3,915

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

26,960

 

 

21,807

 

 

24,152

 

Trust preferred securities

 

 

6,489

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FHLB stock

 

 

9,591

 

 

10,273

 

 

7,385

 

Corporate equity

 

 

3,909

 

 

6,086

 

 

9,072

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total investment portfolio

 

$

76,734

 

$

66,777

 

$

52,393

 

 

 



 



 



 

15



The following table sets forth the remaining maturity and weighted-average yields as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 ($ in thousands):

 

 

One Year
or less

 

Over 1 yr
to 5 Years

 

Over 5 Years
to 10 Years

 

More
than 10 Years

 

Total

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

Carrying
Value

 

Yield

 

Carrying
Value

 

Yield

 

Carrying
Value

 

Yield

 

Carrying
Value

 

Yield

 

Carrying
Value

 

Yield

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

At December 31, 2006:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-earning deposits

 

$

1,585

 

 

5.15

%

$

—  

 

 

—  

%

$

—  

 

 

—  

%

$

—  

 

 

—  

%

$

1,585

 

 

5.15

%

FHLB stock (*)

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

9,591

 

 

5.90

 

 

9,591

 

 

5.90

 

Government agency securities

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

994

 

 

5.79

 

 

3,539

 

 

5.97

 

 

4,322

 

 

6.82

 

 

8,855

 

 

6.36

 

Municipal bonds

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

101

 

 

6.06

 

 

8,652

 

 

6.50

 

 

5,303

 

 

6.42

 

 

14,056

 

 

6.47

 

Corporate debt

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

3,516

 

 

6.94

 

 

1,773

 

 

3.68

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

5,289

 

 

5.85

 

Mortgage-backed securities (*)

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

26,960

 

 

5.05

 

 

26,960

 

 

5.05

 

Trust preferred securities

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

6,489

 

 

6.65

 

 

6,489

 

 

6.65

 

Corporate equity securities (*)

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

3,909

 

 

5.96

 

 

3,909

 

 

5.96

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total

 

$

1,585

 

 

5.15

%

$

4,611

 

 

6.67

%

$

13,964

 

 

6.01

%

$

56,574

 

 

5.70

%

$

76,734

 

 

5.81

%

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



*

Estimated and scheduled prepayments of principal on Mortgage-backed securities are not allocated in the above table and corporate equity securities and FHLB stock are perpetual investments with no maturity date.

Impact of Interest Rates on the Investment PortfolioStarting in June 2004 through the meeting in June 2006, the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) of the Federal Reserve had incrementally increased the Federal Funds rate by ¼% from 1.00% to 5.25%.  At the same time, longer term Treasury rates driven by market expectations of future inflation, were relatively constant.  As a result, throughout the period, the Treasury yield curve experienced significant flattening and throughout 2006, the yield curve was slightly inverted with the Federal Funds rate above the ten-year treasury rate.

Due to this flattening of the yield curve from 2004 to 2006, and the expectation that the FOMC would reach the end of their rate tightening cycle in 2006, we increased our mortgage-backed security portfolio from $19.3 million at December 31, 2005, to $25.1 million at the end of 2006.  At the same time, our tax-free municipal bond portfolio was increased from $12.3 million at December 31, 2005, to $14.1 million at December 31, 2006.

16



Sources of Funds

General.  Deposits are our primary source of funds for use in lending, investments and for other general business purposes.  In addition to deposits, funds are obtained from normal loan amortization and prepayments, and from operations.  Contractual loan payments are a relatively stable source of funds, while deposit inflows and outflows and loan prepayments are significantly influenced by general market interest rates and economic conditions.  Other borrowings are also used on a short-term basis to compensate for seasonal or other reductions in normal sources of funds.  FHLB borrowings are used on a longer term basis to support expanded lending or investment activities.  Borrowings by Federal Trust can also be used as an additional source of capital for the Bank.  At December 31, 2006, Federal Trust had approximately $1.1 million in borrowings, which was used as capital for the Bank. 

DepositsOur primary deposit products include fixed-rate certificate accounts, money-market deposit accounts and both noninterest and interest-bearing transaction accounts.  We have a number of different programs that are designed to attract both short-term and long-term deposits.

Deposits have generally been obtained from residents in our primary market area and, to a lesser extent, nationwide, through a network of deposit brokers.  The principal methods used to attract “in market” deposit accounts have included offering a wide variety of services and accounts, competitive interest rates and convenient office locations, including access to automated teller machines (“ATMs”) and Internet Banking.  We currently operate nine ATM’s and our customers also have access to the Star (previously Honor) and other shared ATM networks.  We also offer customers Internet Banking with access to their accounts, funds transfer, and bill paying.

The following table shows the distribution of, and certain other information relating to, our deposits by type as of the dates indicated ($ in thousands):

 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

Amount

 

Percent of Deposits

 

Amount

 

Percent of Deposits

 

Amount

 

Percent of Deposits

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Noninterest-bearing checking accounts

 

$

13,887

 

 

2.9

%

$

13,628

 

 

2.9

%

$

21,305

 

 

5.3

%

Interest-bearing checking accounts

 

 

51,584

 

 

10.9

 

 

51,682

 

 

11.0

 

 

48,792

 

 

12.1

 

Money-market accounts

 

 

64,458

 

 

13.7

 

 

78,371

 

 

16.6

 

 

76,236

 

 

18.9

 

Savings accounts

 

 

3,065

 

 

.6

 

 

4,062

 

 

.8

 

 

6,237

 

 

1.5

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Subtotal

 

 

132,994

 

 

28.1

 

 

147,743

 

 

31.3

 

 

152,570

 

 

37.8

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Time deposits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.00% to 1.99%

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

2,160

 

 

.5

 

 

52,463

 

 

13.0

 

2.00% to 2.99%

 

 

695

 

 

.1

 

 

40,677

 

 

8.6

 

 

161,975

 

 

40.1

 

3.00% to 3.99%

 

 

5,747

 

 

1.2

 

 

171,712

 

 

36.5

 

 

29,041

 

 

7.2

 

4.00% to 4.99%

 

 

120,416

 

 

25.5

 

 

108,004

 

 

22.9

 

 

5,945

 

 

1.5

 

5.00% to 5.99%

 

 

212,942

 

 

45.1

 

 

720

 

 

.2

 

 

930

 

 

.2

 

6.00% to 6.99%

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

46

 

 

—  

 

 

677

 

 

.1

 

7.00% to 7.99%

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

515

 

 

.1

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total time deposits

 

 

339,800

 

 

71.9

 

 

323,319

 

 

68.7

 

 

251,546

 

 

62.2

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total deposits

 

$

472,794

 

 

100.0

%

$

471,062

 

 

100.0

%

$

404,116

 

 

100.0

%

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

17



The following table shows the average amount of and the weighted average rate paid on each of the following categories during the periods indicated ($ in thousands):

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

Average
Balance

 

Average
Rate

 

Average
Balance

 

Average
Rate

 

Average
Balance

 

Average
Rate

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Noninterest-bearing checking accounts

 

$

13,615

 

 

—  

%

$

14,667

 

 

—  

%

$

10,076

 

 

—  

%

Money market and interest-bearing checking accounts

 

 

127,182

 

 

3.77

 

 

127,485

 

 

2.83

 

 

109,654

 

 

1.84

 

Savings

 

 

3,417

 

 

1.76

 

 

5,103

 

 

1.37

 

 

7,520

 

 

1.46

 

Time deposits

 

 

340,144

 

 

4.50

 

 

282,693

 

 

3.16

 

 

228,876

 

 

2.37

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Total deposits

 

$

484,358

 

 

4.16

%

$

429,948

 

 

2.93

%

$

356,126

 

 

2.12

%

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

The variety of deposit accounts that we offer has increased our ability to retain deposits and has allowed us to be competitive in obtaining new funds, although the threat of disintermediation (the flow of funds away from savings institutions into direct investment vehicles such as government and corporate securities) still exists. Our ability to attract and retain deposits and our cost of funds has been, and will continue to be, significantly affected by competition and market interest rates.

On a weekly basis, we review the rates offered by other deposit institutions in our market area and make adjustments to the rates we offer to meet our funding needs and to be competitive with the local market.  Our total deposits increased slightly to $472.8 million at December 31, 2006, from $471.1 million at December 31, 2005.  During 2006, however, with the addition of our three new branches, we reduced our reliance on wholesale brokered deposits, which decreased 32% from $115.6 million at December 31, 2005 to $78.6 million at the end of 2006.

The following table sets forth jumbo certificates of $100,000 and over at December 31, 2006, maturing as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Amount

 

 

 



 

Due three months or less

 

$

45,150

 

Due over three months to six months

 

 

44,033

 

Due over six months to one year

 

 

74,452

 

Due over one year

 

 

18,866

 

 

 



 

 

 

$

182,501

 

 

 



 

Federal Home Loan Bank Advances.  A source of funds to support our lending activity is advances from the FHLB.  Such advances may be made pursuant to several different credit programs.  Each credit program has its own interest rate based on the range of maturities. The FHLB has limitations on the total amount and terms of advances that are available to the Bank based on, among other things, asset size, capital strength, earnings and the amount of collateral available to be pledged for such advances. Prepayment of FHLB advances may incur prepayment penalties.  At December 31, 2006, we had $180.6 million in borrowings, down from $201.7 million at the end of 2005.

18



The following table is a summary of our advances from the FHLB of Atlanta ($ in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Maturing During the Year Ending December 31,

 

Interest
Rate

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 


 



 



 



 



 

2005

 

 

1.56

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

5,000

 

2005

 

 

1.70

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

5,000

 

2005

 

 

2.00

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

25,000

 

2005

 

 

2.44

(1)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

15,000

 

2005

 

 

2.84

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

10,000

 

2006

 

 

3.13

 

 

—  

 

 

5,000

 

 

5,000

 

2006

 

 

3.79

 

 

—  

 

 

5,000

 

 

—  

 

2006

 

 

4.34

 

 

—  

 

 

10,000

 

 

—  

 

2006

 

 

4.37

 

 

—  

 

 

10,000

 

 

—  

 

2006

 

 

4.43

 

 

—  

 

 

12,500

 

 

—  

 

2007

 

 

2.01

(2)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

15,000

 

2007

 

 

3.86

 

 

12,500

 

 

12,500

 

 

—  

 

2007

 

 

4.08

 

 

5,000

 

 

5,000

 

 

—  

 

2007

 

 

4.15

 

 

5,000

 

 

5,000

 

 

—  

 

2007

 

 

5.16

 

 

5,000

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

2007

 

 

5.22

 

 

2,200

 

 

2,200

 

 

2,200

 

2007

 

 

5.29

 

 

5,000

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

2007

 

 

5.33

 

 

15,000

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

2007

 

 

5.35

 

 

10,000

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

2007

 

 

5.38

 

 

5,000

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

2007

 

 

5.50

(1)

 

10,500

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

2008

 

 

1.98

(3)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

5,000

 

2009

 

 

2.05

(3)

 

—  

 

 

5,000

 

 

5,000

 

2009

 

 

3.11

(3)

 

—  

 

 

10,000

 

 

10,000

 

2009

 

 

4.81

(4)

 

5,000

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

2009

 

 

5.35

 

 

5,000

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

2010

 

 

3.88

(5)

 

—  

 

 

15,000

 

 

—  

 

2011

 

 

4.31

(6)

 

5,000

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

2011

 

 

4.73

(4)

 

5,000

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

2014

 

 

2.93

(3)

 

—  

 

 

5,000

 

 

5,000

 

2014

 

 

3.03

(7)

 

11,500

 

 

11,500

 

 

11,500

 

2014

 

 

3.22

(6)

 

25,000

 

 

25,000

 

 

25,000

 

2015

 

 

3.19

(8)

 

8,000

 

 

8,000

 

 

—  

 

2015

 

 

3.29

(9)

 

10,000

 

 

10,000

 

 

—  

 

2015

 

 

3.51

(3)

 

—  

 

 

5,000

 

 

—  

 

2015

 

 

3.77

(10)

 

5,000

 

 

5,000

 

 

—  

 

2015

 

 

3.77

(3)

 

—  

 

 

5,000

 

 

—  

 

2015

 

 

3.77

(3)

 

5,000

 

 

5,000

 

 

—  

 

2015

 

 

3.89

(3)

 

—  

 

 

5,000

 

 

—  

 

2015

 

 

3.99

(11)

 

15,000

 

 

15,000

 

 

—  

 

2015

 

 

4.00

(12)

 

5,000

 

 

5,000

 

 

—  

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

$

179,700

 

$

201,700

 

$

143,700

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

(Continued)


(1)

Daily advance.

(2)

Called by the FHLB in June 2005.

(3)

FHLB has the option to call every three months.

(4)

FHLB has the option to call every three months beginning in August 2007.

(5)

FHLB had a one-time call option in June 2006.

(6)

FHLB has the option to call every three months beginning in December 2007.

(7)

FHLB has the option to call every three months beginning in September 2007.

(8)

FHLB has the option to call every three months beginning in January 2007.

(9)

FHLB has the option to call every three months beginning in February 2007.

(10)

FHLB has a one-time call option in May 2009.

(11)

FHLB has the option to call every three months beginning in November 2007.

(12)

FHLB has the option to call every three months beginning in October 2007.

19



The security agreement with FHLB includes a blanket floating lien requiring the Bank to maintain qualifying first mortgage loans, discounted at 75% of the unpaid principal balances, as pledged collateral in an amount equal to at least 100% of the total advances outstanding.  The FHLB also requires the purchase of FHLB common stock in proportion to the amount of advances outstanding.  The FHLB stock is also pledged as collateral for these advances.

The overnight, variable rate advances reprice daily and may be repaid at any time without penalty.  Fixed rate advances incur a prepayment penalty if repaid prior to maturity, and the interest rate is fixed for the term of the advance.

Other BorrowingsIn addition to FHLB advances, another source of funds to support our operations, are borrowings from correspondent banks.  During 2003, Federal Trust entered into a loan agreement with a correspondent bank.  Under this agreement, we could borrow up to $6,000,000 under a revolving line of credit (“LOC”) for general operations and up to $2,000,000 on a separate non-revolving line of credit (“ESOP LOC”) for common stock purchases relating to our Employee Stock Ownership Plan.  Both lines were secured by all of the Bank’s common stock and had interest rates of prime minus 12.5 basis points as long as we maintain certain loan-to-book value percentages.  The loan agreement also has certain covenants that the Company is required to meet.  In August 2004, the outstanding balance of the LOC was repaid from a portion of the proceeds of the secondary stock offering. 

During 2005 and 2006, we had a revolving line of credit agreement with a correspondent bank that enabled us to borrow up to $8,000,000. The interest rate on the line of credit bore interest at the prime lending rate minus 50 basis points as long as we maintain certain loan-to-book value percentages.  The line of credit is secured by all of the Bank’s common stock. Federal Trust can draw upon or repay the line of credit in whole or in part for the first 24 months without any prepayment penalties, at which time the remaining principal balance will be scheduled for repayment over eight years. At December 31, 2006, the outstanding balance under the line of credit agreement was approximately $500,000; our available balance was $7.5 million and the interest rate was 7.75% with payments due quarterly.

Total interest expense on other borrowings for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, was approximately
$104,000, $58,000 and $124,000, respectively.

Junior Subordinated Debentures.  On September 17, 2003, the Statutory Trust I sold adjustable-rate Trust Preferred Securities due September 17, 2033 in the aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 (the “Trust Preferred Securities”) in a pooled trust preferred securities offering. The interest rate on the Trust Preferred Securities adjusts quarterly, to a rate equal to the then current three-month London Interchange Bank Offering Rate (“LIBOR”), plus 295 basis points (8.31% at December 31, 2006). In addition, Federal Trust contributed capital of $155,000 to the Statutory Trust I for the purchase of the common securities of the Statutory Trust I.  The proceeds from these sales were paid to Federal Trust in exchange for $5,155,000 of its adjustable-rate Junior Subordinated Debentures (the “Debentures”) due September 17, 2033. The Debentures have the same terms as the Trust Preferred Securities. The sole asset of the Statutory Trust I, the obligor on the Trust Preferred Securities, is the Debentures.

Federal Trust guaranteed the Statutory Trust I’s payment of distributions on, payments on any redemptions of, and any liquidation distribution with respect to, the Trust Preferred Securities.  Cash distributions on both the Trust Preferred Securities and the Debentures are payable quarterly in arrears on March 17, June 17, September 17 and December 17 of each year.

20



The Trust Preferred Securities are subject to mandatory redemption: (i) in whole, but not in part, upon repayment of the Debentures at stated maturity or, at the option of Federal Trust, their earlier redemption in whole upon the occurrence of certain changes in the tax treatment or capital treatment of the Trust Preferred Securities, or a change in the law such that the Statutory Trust I would be considered an Investment Company; and (ii) in whole or in part at any time on or after September 17, 2008, contemporaneously with the optional redemption by Federal Trust of the Debentures in whole or in part.  The Debentures are redeemable prior to maturity at the option of Federal Trust: (i) on or after September 17, 2008, in whole at any time or in part from time to time; or (ii) in whole, but not in part, at any time within 90 days following the occurrence and continuation of certain changes in the tax treatment or capital treatment of the Trust Preferred Securities, or a change in law such that the Statutory Trust I would be considered an Investment Company, required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

The following table sets forth certain information relating to the Bank’s borrowings at the dates indicated (in thousands):

 

 

At or For the Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 



 

FHLB advances:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average balance outstanding

 

$

183,106

 

$

186,122

 

$

118,729

 

Maximum amount outstanding at any month end during the year

 

 

207,400

 

 

212,500

 

 

143,700

 

Balance outstanding at end of year

 

 

179,700

 

 

201,700

 

 

143,700

 

Weighted average interest rate during the year

 

 

3.98

%

 

3.31

%

 

2.34

%

Weighted average interest rate at end of year

 

 

4.22

%

 

3.67

%

 

2.73

%

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average balance outstanding

 

$

69

 

$

—  

 

$

—  

 

Maximum amount outstanding at any month end during the year

 

 

893

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Balance outstanding at end of year

 

 

893

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Weighted average interest rate during the year

 

 

3.83

%

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Weighted average interest rate at end of year

 

 

3.83

%

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Other borrowings and junior subordinated debentures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average balance outstanding

 

$

9,167

 

$

9,000

 

$

11,482

 

Maximum amount outstanding at any month end during the year

 

 

13,370

 

 

12,019

 

 

13,706

 

Balance outstanding at end of year

 

 

8,159

 

 

12,019

 

 

9,089

 

Weighted average interest rate during the year

 

 

7.68

%

 

5.98

%

 

4.44

%

Weighted average interest rate at end of year

 

 

9.42

%

 

6.78

%

 

5.22

%

Total borrowings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average balance outstanding

 

$

192,342

 

$

195,122

 

$

130,211

 

Maximum amount outstanding at any month end during the year

 

 

221,663

 

 

224,519

 

 

157,406

 

Balance outstanding at end of year

 

 

188,752

 

 

213,719

 

 

152,789

 

Weighted average interest rate during the year

 

 

4.14

%

 

3.44

%

 

2.53

%

Weighted average interest rate at end of year

 

 

4.44

%

 

3.85

%

 

3.02

%

21



Expansion Activities

 

Since 1998 we have continued to expand our franchise footprint across the Eastern – Central Florida corridor as follows:

 

 

 

Sanford Branch, 420 West First Street, (November 1998)

 

 

 

 

Winter Park Branch, 655 West Morse Boulevard, (December 2000)

 

 

 

 

Casselberry Branch, 487 Semoran Boulevard, (December 2002)

 

 

 

 

New Smyrna Branch, 761 East Third Street, (June 2003)

 

 

 

 

Deltona Branch, 901 Doyle Road, (Replaced Deltona strip center branch June 2003)

 

 

 

 

Orange City Branch, 2690 Enterprise Road, (October 2003)

 

 

 

 

Lake Mary Branch, 791 Rinehart Road, (January 2006)

 

 

 

 

Port Orange Branch, 3880 S. Nova Road, (July 2006)

 

 

 

 

Eustis Branch, 256 W. County Road 44, (October 2006)

In addition to the above locations, we are planning to build two new, free-standing branch locations during 2007.  The land for one of the locations, Edgewater (Eastern Volusia County) is owned by the Bank.  The Palm Coast Office site (Flagler County) is subject to a land lease.  Both offices are in the final pre-construction phase with estimated openings in the second half of 2007. 

All of our branch offices have ATM facilities and all but the New Smyrna Beach branch has drive-through teller windows.

Employees

At December 31, 2006, the Company had a total of 100 full-time employees.  We consider relations with our employees to be excellent.  We currently maintain a comprehensive employee benefit program providing, among other benefits, hospitalization and major medical insurance, long-term disability insurance, life insurance, education assistance, an employee stock ownership plan (“ESOP”) and a 401K Plan.  For 2006, the Company did not make a contribution to the ESOP due to the reduction in earnings from the prior year. These benefits are considered by management to be competitive with employee benefits provided by other major employers in our market areas.  Our employees are not represented by any collective bargaining group.

Bank Subsidiaries

There are no limits on the amount a savings institution may invest in its operating subsidiaries, either separately or in the aggregate.  The Bank had no operating subsidiaries during 2005 and 2006.

Legal Proceedings

There are no material pending legal proceedings to which the Company is a party, or to which any of its property is subject.

Monetary Policies

The results of our operations are affected by credit policies of monetary authorities, particularly the Federal Reserve Board. The instruments of monetary policy employed by the Federal Reserve Board include open market operations in U.S. government securities, changes in the Federal Funds and discount rate on member bank borrowings and changes in reserve requirements against member bank deposits. In view of changing conditions in the national economy and in the financial markets, as well as the effect of action by monetary and fiscal authorities, including the Federal Reserve Board, no accurate prediction can be made as to possible future changes in interest rates, deposit levels, loan demand or the business and earnings of the Company.

22



REGULATION AND SUPERVISION

General 

Federal Trust is a non-diversified savings and loan holding company within the meaning of the Home Owners’ Loan Act (“HOLA”). Federal Trust and the Bank operate in a highly regulated environment. Our business activities, which are governed by statute, regulation and administrative policies, are supervised by a number of federal regulatory agencies, including the OTS, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and, to a limited extent, the Federal Reserve Board. As a Florida corporation, Federal Trust is subject to the Florida Business Corporation Act (“FBCA”) and the regulation by the Florida Department of State under its authority to implement the FBCA. 

The federal banking agencies have broad discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities and policies, including policies concerning the classification of assets and the establishment of loan loss reserves for regulatory purposes.  Any change in such regulation or banking laws, whether by the OTS, FDIC or the United States Congress, can have a material adverse impact on our operations.

The following summarizes some of the regulatory requirements that are applicable to our operations.

Regulation of Federal Trust

Restrictions on the Acquisition of Savings Institutions.  Section 1467a of the HOLA provides that no holding company, “directly or indirectly,” or acting in concert with one or more persons, or through one or more subsidiaries, or through one or more transactions, may acquire “control” of an insured savings institution at any time without the prior approval of the OTS. In addition, any holding company that acquires such control becomes a “savings and loan holding company” subject to registration, examination and regulation under HOLA and the regulations promulgated thereunder.  The OTS considers acquirers to have conclusively gained control of a savings bank if they:

acquire more than 25% of any class of voting stock;

 

 

acquire irrevocable proxies representing more than 25% of any class of voting stock;

 

 

acquire a combination of shares and irrevocable proxies representing more than 25% of any class of voting stock; or

 

 

control, in any manner, the majority of the directors of the savings bank.

An acquirer must file for approval of control with the OTS or file to rebut the presumptions before acquiring 10% or more of any class of voting stock of the savings bank and again prior to acquiring more than 25% of any class of voting stock of the savings bank and if it has any of the control factors enumerated in 12 C.F.R., Section 574.4(c), which include, but are not limited to:

the acquirer would be one of the two largest shareholders of any class of voting stock;

 

 

the acquirer and/or the acquirer’s representative or nominees would constitute more than one member of the savings bank’s Board of Directors; and

 

 

the acquirer, or nominee or management official of the acquirer, would serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, or in any similar policy making authority in the savings bank.

A person or company are presumed to be acting in concert with members of the person’s immediate family (which includes a person’s spouse, father, mother, children, brothers, sisters and grandchildren, as well as the father, mother, brothers and sisters of the person’s spouse, and the spouse of the person’s child, brother or sister). Persons will be presumed to be acting in concert with each other where:

both own stock in a savings bank and both are also management officials, controlling shareholders, partners, or trustees of  another company; or

 

 

one person provides credit to another or is instrumental in obtaining financing for another person to purchase stock of the  savings bank.

23



A person or company is presumed to be acting in concert with any trust for which such person or company serves as trustee.

Intra-Company Transactions.  Federal Trust’s authority to engage in transactions with related parties or “affiliates,” or to make loans to certain insiders, are governed by Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation W adopted by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to implement these sections of the Federal Reserve Act. Federal Trust, as the parent-holding company of the Bank, is considered to be an affiliate of the Bank.

Sections 23A and 23B generally:

limit the extent to which a bank or its subsidiaries may engage in “covered transactions” with any one affiliate to an amount equal to 10% of the institution’s capital stock and surplus;

 

 

contain an aggregate limit on all such transactions with all affiliates to an amount equal to 20% of such capital stock and surplus; and

 

 

require that all such transactions be on terms substantially the same, or at least as favorable, to a bank or its subsidiaries as those provided to a non-affiliate.

 

 

The term “covered transaction” includes the making of loans, purchase of assets, issuance of a guarantee and similar other types of transactions.  In addition to the restrictions imposed by Sections 23A and 23B, no savings bank or bank may:

 

loan or otherwise extend credit to an affiliate, except for any affiliate which engages only in activities which are  permissible for bank holding companies or loans between affiliates which are 80% or more owned by the same parent  company; or

 

 

purchase or invest in any stocks, bonds, debentures, notes or similar obligations any affiliate, except for affiliates which are  subsidiaries of the savings bank or bank.

The Bank’s authority to extend credit to executive officers, directors and 10% shareholders, as well as entities controlled by such persons, is governed by Section 22(g) and 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation O thereunder.  Among other things, these regulations require such loans to be made on terms substantially similar to those offered to unaffiliated individuals, place limits on the amount of loans the Bank may make to such persons, based in part, on the Bank’s capital position, and require certain approval procedures to be followed.  The OTS regulations, with certain minor variances, apply Regulation O to savings banks and banks.  At December 31, 2006, the Bank had no outstanding loans or other extensions of credit to the Company’s directors and executive officers.

Regulation W. Regulation W comprehensively implements Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act. Sections 23A and 23B and Regulation W restricts loans by a depository institution to its affiliates, asset purchases by depository institutions from its affiliates, and other transactions between a depository institution and its affiliates. Regulation W unifies in one public document, the Federal Reserve’s interpretations of sections 23A and 23B.

Support of Subsidiary Depository Banks. Under OTS policy, Federal Trust is expected to act as a source of financial strength to and to commit resources to support the Bank. This support may be required at times when, in the absence of such OTS policy, Federal Trust might not be inclined to provide such support. In addition, any capital loans by Federal Trust to the Bank must be subordinate in right of payment to depositors and to certain other indebtedness of the Bank. In the event of bankruptcy, any commitment by a holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary depository institution will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and will be entitled to a priority of payment.

Payment of Dividends. The principal source of cash flow of Federal Trust, including cash flow to pay cash dividends, has been the sale of common stock of Federal Trust, the $8,000,000 revolving line of credit and dividends from the Bank. There are statutory and regulatory limitations on the payment of dividends by the Bank. The ability of the Bank to pay a dividend to Federal Trust is governed by the OTS’s capital distribution regulation. Under the regulation, the Bank may make a capital distribution without the approval of the OTS, provided the OTS is notified 30 days before declaration of the capital distribution. The Bank must also meet the following requirements: (i) it has a regulatory rating in one of the two top examination categories; (ii) it is not of supervisory concern, and will remain adequately or well-capitalized, as defined in the OTS prompt corrective action regulations, following the proposed distribution; and (iii) the distribution does not exceed the Bank’s net income for the calendar year-to-date plus retained net income for the previous two calendar years (less any dividends previously paid). If the Bank does not meet the above-stated requirements, it must obtain the prior approval of the OTS before declaring any proposed distributions. The OTS can prohibit a  proposed capital distribution by a savings bank, which would otherwise be permitted by the regulation if the OTS determines that such distribution would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice.  In February 2007, the Bank notified the OTS of its intention to pay cash dividends to Federal Trust during 2007 in the amount of $375,000 per quarter.  The Bank was notified by the OTS that it has no objection to this dividend payment plan.  Federal Trust paid $.17 per share in cash dividends to shareholders during 2006 and $.13 per share in cash dividends during 2005.  In addition, Federal Trust paid a 2% stock dividend to shareholders in 2006.

24



34 Act Reporting.  As a publicly traded company with its shares of common stock are registered under the Securities Act of 1933.  Federal Trust is required to file periodic public disclosure reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission, pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, and the regulations promulgated thereunder. A Form 10-K is a required annual report that must contain a complete overview of Federal Trust’s business, financial, management, regulatory, legal, ownership and organizational status. Federal Trust must file Form 10-K seventy-five days after the fiscal year end of each year.

Similarly, Form 10-Q must contain information concerning Federal Trust on a quarterly basis.  Although Form 10-K requires the inclusion of audited financial statements, unaudited statements are sufficient for inclusion on Form 10-Q.  Additionally, any significant non-recurring events that occur during the subject quarter, as well as changes in securities, any defaults and the submissions of any matters to a vote of security holders, must also be reported on Form 10-Q.  In addition to the annual and quarterly reports, Federal Trust is also required to file report 8-K if any specified reportable events take place.  Generally, this report is due to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within four days of the occurrence of such event.

Recently, the national securities exchanges, including the American Stock Exchange adopted a rule requiring the audit committees of Boards of Directors of reporting corporations, such as Federal Trust, to undertake certain organizational and operational steps.  The Securities and Exchange Commission also adopted a similar rule. These standards require our audit committee to be comprised of independent, non-employee directors who are financially literate. Furthermore, the audit committee has adopted a formal charter defining the scope for its operations. The Securities and Exchange Commission’s rule also requires our auditors to review the financial statements contained in our Form 10-K’s, in addition to our quarterly Form 10-Q’s.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act.  The primary purpose of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act is to protect investors by improving the accuracy and reliability of disclosures made pursuant to the federal securities laws.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to prohibit a registered public accounting firm from performing specified non-audit services contemporaneously with an audit. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act also vests the audit committee of an issuer with responsibility for the appointment, compensation, and oversight of any registered public accounting firm employed to perform audit services. It requires each audit committee member to be a member of the Board of Directors of the issuer, and to be otherwise independent. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act further requires the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of an issuer to make certain certifications as to each annual and quarterly report.

In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires officers to forfeit certain bonuses and profits under certain circumstances. Specifically, if an issuer is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the material non-compliance of the issuer as a result of misconduct with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the issuer shall be required to reimburse the issuer for: (1) any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation received by that person from the issuer during the 12-month period following the first public issuance or filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the financial document embodying such financial reporting requirement; and (2) any profits realized from the sale of securities of the issuer during that 12-month period.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act also requires:

disclosure of all material off-balance sheet transactions and relationships that may have material effect upon the financial status of an issuer; and

 

 

the presentation of pro forma financial information in a manner that is not misleading, and which is reconcilable with the financial condition of the issuer under generally accepted accounting principles.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act also prohibits insider transactions in stock held within pension plans during lock-out periods, and any profits on such insider transactions are to be disgorged. In addition, there is a prohibition of company loans to executives, except in certain circumstances. Further, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act adds a criminal penalty of fines and imprisonment of up to ten years for securities fraud.

25



Florida Business Corporation Act.    As a Florida Corporation, Federal Trust, and the Mortgage Company are subject to the provisions of the FBCA, which authorizes the establishment of Florida corporations and sets forth the corporate governance standards for their operations.  Some of the more pertinent provisions include:

general powers of a corporation;

shareholders rights;

notice, conduct of meetings and voting rights;

director and officer requirements and duties;

election of directors;

terms of directors;

compensation of directors;

contract rights of offers;

indemnification of directors, officers, employees and agents;

business combinations and mergers; and

corporate dissolutions.

The FBCA also permits for super majority voting requirements for shareholders, which may be considered to be anti-takeover provisions.  At the 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Shareholders approved the Articles of Amendments to our Articles of Incorporation, which require certain super majority voting requirements.  Specifically, Article V, Powers and Governance, was amended to provide that Special Meetings of Shareholders can be called by 20% or more of all of the outstanding shares; Article VIII, Amendment, was amended to provide that any provisions of the Articles of Incorporation can be amended by vote of a majority of all the outstanding shares of our capital stock; and Article IX, was added to require the vote of not less than 66% of the outstanding shares of common stock for transactions involving Control Share Acquisition and Business Combinations.

Regulation of the Bank

Capital Requirements. The OTS and the FDIC have adopted capital regulations, which establish a Tier 1 core capital definition and a minimum 3% leverage capital ratio requirement for the most highly-rated savings banks, banks and holding companies (i.e., those savings banks, banks and holding companies with a composite rating of  “1” under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System by the Federal Financial Institution Examination Council) that are not anticipating or experiencing significant growth. All other savings banks are required to meet a minimum leverage ratio of at least 4% to 5%. A savings bank or bank that is not in the highest-rated category or that is anticipating or experiencing significant growth will have to meet a minimum leverage ratio of at least 4%.

Under the OTS’ risk-based regulations, a savings bank must classify its assets and certain off-balance sheet activities into categories and maintain specified levels of capital for each category. The least capital is required for the category deemed by the FDIC to have the least risk, and the most capital is required for the category deemed by the FDIC to have the greatest risk. Under the regulations, certain assets are excluded for purposes of determining risk-based capital. Such assets include intangible assets, unconsolidated subsidiaries, investments in securities subsidiaries, ineligible equity investments and reciprocal holding of capital instruments with other financial institutions.

Prompt Corrective Action.  Federal banking regulatory agencies have established certain capital and other criteria which define the categories under which a particular savings bank or bank may be classified. Constraints are imposed on operation, management, and capital distributions depending on the category in which a financial institution is classified. Among other things, the regulations define the relevant capital measures for the five capital categories. For example, a savings bank is deemed to be “well capitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio (total capital to risk-weighted assets) of 10% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio (Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets) of 6% or greater, and a Tier 1 leverage capital ratio (Tier 1 capital to adjusted to total assets) of 5% or greater, and is not subject to a regulatory order, agreement or directive to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure.

26



A savings bank or bank is deemed to be “adequately capitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 8% or greater, and, generally, a Tier 1 leverage capital ratio of 4% or greater, and the savings bank or bank does not meet the definition of a “well capitalized” bank. A savings bank or bank is deemed to be “critically undercapitalized” if it has a ratio of tangible equity (as defined in the regulations) to total assets that is equal to or less than 2%. In addition, the OTS is authorized to downgrade a savings bank to a lower capital category than the savings bank’s capital ratios would otherwise indicate, based upon safety and soundness considerations (such as when the savings bank has received a less than satisfactory examination rating for any of the equivalent regulatory rating categories).

Both the risk-based capital guidelines and the leverage ratio are minimum requirements, applicable only to top-rated savings banks and banks. Savings banks and banks operating at or near these levels are expected to have well-diversified risk, excellent asset quality, high liquidity, good earnings and, in general, have to be considered strong banking organizations and rated composite “1” under the regulatory rating system adopted by the OTS. Savings banks and banks with lower ratings and savings banks and banks with high levels of risk or that are experiencing or anticipating significant growth would be expected to maintain ratios 1% to 2% above the stated minimums.

At December 31, 2006, the Bank exceeded each of its capital requirements. The following table sets forth the regulatory capital calculations of the Bank at December 31, 2006 ($ in thousands):

 

 

Tier I

 

Risk-Based

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

Amount

 

Percent of
Assets

 

Amount

 

Percent of
Assets

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Regulatory capital

 

$

55,903

 

 

7.8

%

$

58,891

 

 

12.1

%

“Adequately Capitalized” Requirement

 

 

28,662

 

 

4.0

 

 

39,524

 

 

8.0

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Excess

 

$

27,241

 

 

3.8

%

$

19,367

 

 

4.1

%

 

 



 



 



 



 

Standards for Safety and Soundness.  Federal banking agencies have prescribed for all insured depository institutions and their holding companies, standards relating to internal controls, information systems and audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate-risk exposure, asset growth, and compensation, fees and benefits and such other operational and managerial standards as the agency deems appropriate. In addition, the federal banking regulatory agencies have prescribed by regulation standards specifying:

Maximum classified assets to capital ratios;

Minimum earnings sufficient to absorb loses without impairing capital;

To the extent feasible, a minimum ratio of market value to book value for publicly traded shares of depository banks or the depository bank holding companies; and

Such other standards relating to asset quality, earnings and valuation as the agency deems appropriate.

If the OTS determines that a savings bank is not in compliance with the safety and soundness guidelines, it may require the institution to submit an acceptable plan to achieve compliance with the guidelines. A savings bank is required to submit an acceptable compliance plan to the OTS within 30 days after receipt of a request for such a plan.  Failure to submit or implement a compliance plan may subject the savings bank to regulatory sanctions.

Insurance of Deposit Accounts. The FDIC currently maintains the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”), which was created in 2006 in the merger of the Bank Insurance Fund and the Savings Association Insurance Fund.  The deposit accounts of the Bank are insured by the DIF to the maximum amount provided by law.  This insurance is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.

As insurer, the FCIC is authorized to conduct examinations of and to require reporting by DIF-insured institutions.  It also may prohibit any DIF-insured institution from engaging in any activity the FDIC determines by regulation or order to pose a serious threat to the DIF.  The FCIC also has the authority to take enforcement actions against insured institutions.

The FDIC’s regulations for risk-based deposit insurance assessments establish four Risk Categories.  Risk Category I is for well-capitalized institutions that are financially sound with only a few minor weaknesses.  Risk Categories II, III and IV present progressively greater risks to the DIF.  Effective January 1, 2007, Risk Category I institutions pay quarterly assessments for deposit insurance at annual rates of 5 to 7 basis points.  The rates for Risk Categories II, III and IV are 7, 28 and 43 basis points, respectively.  With advance notice to insured institutions, rates are subject to change.  Within Risk Category I, the precise rate for an individual institution with less than $10 billion in assets is generally determined by a formula using CAMELS ratings, which are assigned in examinations, and financial ratios.  A different method applies for larger institutions.  The rate for an individual institution is applied to its assessment base, consisting generally of its deposit liabilities subject to certain adjustments.  An institution insured by the FDIC on December 31, 1996, which had previously paid assessments (or its successor) is eligible for certain credit against deposit insurance assessments.

27



The FDIC also collects assessments against the assessable deposits of insured institutions to service the debt on bonds issued during the 1980s to resolve the thrift bailout.  During the year ended December 31, 2006, the quarterly assessments averaged approximately 0.012% of assessable deposits, and the Bank paid approximately $60,000 in assessments.

Qualified Thrift Lender Test (“QTL”).  The HOLA requires savings institutions to meet a QTL test. The QTL test, requires savings institutions to maintain at least 65% of its “portfolio assets” (as defined by regulation) in qualified thrift investments, primarily residential mortgages and related investments on a monthly basis in nine out of every 12 months.   As of December 31, 2006, the Bank exceeded the QTL test, maintaining 74% of its portfolio assets in qualified thrift investments.

Brokered Deposits. In accordance with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991, the FDIC has implemented restrictions on the acceptance of brokered deposits. In general, only “well capitalized” financial institutions may accept brokered deposits. As a “well capitalized” savings bank, the Bank is able to accept some brokered deposits to fund its liquidity and loan demand needs. At December 31, 2006, the Bank had $78.6 million in brokered deposits.

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, amongst other items, established a minimum federal standard of financial privacy. Financial institutions are required to have written privacy policies that must be disclosed to customers. The disclosure of a financial institution’s privacy policy must take place at the time a customer relationship is established and not less than annually during the continuation of the relationship. The act also limits when and how financial institutions may share their customers’ personal information with both affiliated and nonaffiliated entities.

USA Patriot Act. The terrorist attacks in September 2001, have led to the adoption of the Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, commonly known as the USA Patriot Act. Part of the USA Patriot Act is the International Money Laundering Abatement and Financial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001. This act requires the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the heads of other government agencies, to adopt special measures applicable to financial institutions. These measures include enhanced recordkeeping and reporting requirements for certain financial transactions that are of primary money laundering concern, due diligence requirements concerning the beneficial ownership of 22 certain types of accounts, and restrictions or prohibitions on certain types of accounts with foreign financial institutions. Among its other provisions, this law requires each financial institution to: (i) establish an anti-laundering program; (ii) establish due diligence policies, procedures and controls with respect to private banking accounts and correspondent banking accounts involving foreign individuals and certain foreign banks; and (iii) avoid establishing, maintaining, administering, or managing correspondent accounts in the United States for, or on behalf of, a foreign bank that does not have a physical presence in this country. In addition, the law contains a provision encouraging cooperation among financial institutions, regulatory authorities and law enforcement authorities with respect to individuals, entities and organizations engaged in, or reasonably suspected of engaging in, terrorist acts or money laundering activities. The law expands the circumstances under which funds in a bank account may be forfeited and requires covered financial institutions to respond under certain circumstances to requests for information from federal banking agencies within 120 hours.

Interstate Banking.  Federally-chartered savings banks are allowed to branch nationwide to the extent allowed by federal statute. This ability permits savings banks with interstate networks to diversify their loan portfolios and lines of business. The OTS authority preempts any state law purporting to regulate branching by federal savings banks. Prior approval of the OTS is required for a savings bank to branch interstate or intrastate. To obtain supervisory clearance for branching, an applicant’s regulatory capital must meet or exceed the minimum requirements established by law and by the OTS regulations. In addition, the savings bank must have a satisfactory record under the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”). The Bank does not conduct interstate branching operations and does not plan to do so in the foreseeable future.

28



The Reigle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 (“Interstate Act”) eliminated many existing restrictions on interstate banking by authorizing interstate acquisitions of financial institutions by bank holding companies without geographic limitations. Under the Interstate Act, existing restrictions on interstate acquisitions of banks by bank holding companies were repealed. Bank holding companies located in Florida are able to acquire any Florida-based bank, subject to certain deposit percentage and other restrictions. The legislation also provides that de novo branching by an out-of-state bank is permitted only if it is expressly permitted by the laws of the host state. The authority of a bank to establish and operate branches within a state is subject to applicable state branching laws. Florida law permits interstate branching through the acquisition of a bank in existence for more than three years, but prohibits de novo branching by out of state banks.

OTS Assessments. Savings banks are required by OTS regulation to pay assessments to the OTS to fund their operations. The general assessment, to be paid on a semiannually basis, is computed upon the savings bank’s total assets, including consolidated subsidiaries, as reported in the savings bank’s latest quarterly thrift financial report. The Bank paid approximately $158,000 in OTS assessments for the year-ended December 31, 2006.

Federal Home Loan Bank System

The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) System which consists of 12 regional FHLBs. The FHLB provides a central credit facility primarily for member institutions. As a member of the FHLB-Atlanta, the Bank is required to acquire and hold shares of capital stock in that FHLB in an amount at least equal to the lesser of 0.20% of total assets or $25 million, plus 4.5% of outstanding advances.  Effective March 27, 2007, the percentage of total assets will be reduced to 0.18%.  The Bank is in compliance with this requirement and at December 31, 2006, the Bank held $9.6 million in FHLB stock. FHLB advances must be secured by specified types of collateral and may be obtained only for the purpose of providing funds to finance residential housing.

The FHLBs are required to provide funds for the resolution of insolvent savings institutions and to contribute funds for affordable housing programs. These requirements could reduce the amount of dividends that the FHLBs pay to their members and could also result in the FHLBs imposing a higher rate of interest on advances to members. For the year ended December 31, 2006, dividends paid by the FHLB-Atlanta to the Bank amounted to approximately $551,000 for a yield of approximately 5.72%. Should dividends be reduced, or interest on FHLB advances increased, the consolidated net interest income might also be reduced for the Bank. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the value of the FHLB-Atlanta stock held by the Bank will not decrease as a result of any new legislation.

Federal Reserve System

The Federal Reserve regulations require depository institutions to maintain non-interest-earning reserves against their transaction accounts (primarily NOW and regular checking accounts). The Federal Reserve regulations generally require that reserves of 3% must be maintained against aggregate transaction accounts of $37.3 million or less (subject to adjustment by the Federal Reserve) plus 10% of accounts in excess of $37.3 million. The first $8.5 million of otherwise reservable balances (subject to adjustments by the Federal Reserve) are exempted from the reserve requirements. The Bank is in compliance with the foregoing requirements. The balances maintained to meet the reserve requirements imposed by the Federal Reserve may be used to satisfy liquidity requirements imposed by the OTS. Because required reserves must be maintained in the form of either vault cash, a non-interest-bearing account at a Federal Reserve or a pass-through account as defined by the Federal Reserve, the effect of this reserve requirement is to reduce the Bank’s interest-earning assets. FHLB System members are also authorized to borrow from the Federal Reserve “discount window,” however, Federal Reserve regulations require institutions to exhaust all FHLB sources before borrowing from a Federal Reserve.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Investing in our common stock involves risk.  In addition to the other information set forth elsewhere in this Report, the following factors relating to us and our common stock should be carefully considered in deciding whether to invest in our common stock.

Our growth strategy may not be successful

As a strategy, we have sought to increase the size of our franchise through branch expansion and growth, aggressively pursuing business development opportunities. No assurance can be provided that we will continue to be successful in increasing the volume of loans and deposits at acceptable risk levels and upon acceptable terms and expanding our asset base, while managing the costs and implementation risks associated with this growth strategy. There also can be no assurance that any further expansion will be profitable or that we will continue to be able to sustain our rate of growth, either through internal growth or through other successful expansions of our banking markets, or that we will be able to maintain capital sufficient to support our continued growth.

29



Losses from loan defaults may exceed the allowance we establish for that purpose, which will have a material adverse effect on our business

If a significant number of loans are not repaid, it would have an adverse effect on our earnings and overall financial condition. Like all financial institutions, we maintain an allowance for loan losses to provide for losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses reflects our best estimate of probable losses in the loan portfolio at the relevant balance sheet date. This evaluation is primarily based upon a review of our loan portfolio and the banking industry’s historical loan loss experience, known risks contained in the loan portfolio, composition and growth of the loan portfolio, and economic factors. However, the determination of an appropriate level of loan loss allowance is an inherently difficult process and is based on numerous assumptions. As a result, our allowance for loan losses may not be adequate to cover actual losses, and future increased provisions for loan losses may have a material adverse affect our earnings.

If real estate values in our target markets decline, our loan portfolio would be impaired

A significant portion of our loan portfolio consists of mortgages secured by real estate located in our primary market area of Orange, Seminole, Volusia and Lake Counties and throughout Florida. Real estate values and real estate markets are generally affected by, among other things, changes in national, regional or local economic conditions; fluctuations in interest rates and the availability of loans to potential purchasers; changes in the tax laws and other governmental statutes, regulations and policies; and acts of nature. If real estate prices decline in any of these markets, the value of the real estate collateral securing our loans could be reduced. Such a reduction in the value of our collateral could increase the number of non-performing loans and adversely affect our financial performance.

If we lose key employees, our business may suffer

Our success is largely dependent on the personal contacts of our officers and employees in our market areas. If we lose key employees, temporarily or permanently, our business could be negatively impacted. We could be particularly hurt if our key employees went to work for our competitors. Our future success depends on the continued contributions of our existing senior management personnel, including our Chief Executive Officer and President James V. Suskiewich, Chief Financial Officer Gregory E. Smith, Chief Operating Officer of the Bank, Dennis T. Ward, and President of the Mortgage Company, Thomas P. Spatola. We have entered into an employment agreement with Chief Executive Officer and President Suskiewich and Severance Agreements with four of our key executive officers, which contain standard non-competition provisions to help alleviate some of this risk.

Our subsidiaries face strong competition, which may limit their asset growth and profitability

Our primary market area is the urban areas of Orange, Seminole, Volusia, and Lake Counties, and to a lesser extent Flagler and Osceola Counties. The banking business in these areas is extremely competitive, and the level of competition facing us following our expansion plans may increase further, which may limit our asset growth and profitability. Our subsidiary Bank and Mortgage Company experience competition in both lending and attracting funds from other banks, savings institutions, and non-bank financial institutions located within our market area, many of which are significantly larger institutions. Non-bank institutions competing for deposits and deposit type accounts include mortgage bankers and brokers, finance companies, credit unions, securities firms, money market funds, life insurance companies and the mutual funds industry. For loans, we encounter competition from other banks, savings associations, finance companies, mortgage bankers and brokers, insurance companies, small loan and credit card companies, credit unions, pension trusts and securities firms.

If adverse economic conditions in our target markets exist for a prolonged period, our financial results could be adversely affected

Our success will depend in large part on economic conditions in Central Florida. A prolonged economic downturn or recession in this market could increase our nonperforming assets, which would result in operating losses, impaired liquidity and the erosion of capital. A variety of factors could cause such an economic dislocation or recession, including adverse developments in the industries in these areas such as tourism, or natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods or tornadoes, or additional terrorist activities such as those our country experienced in September 2001.

30



Federal Trust and its subsidiaries operate in an environment highly regulated by state and federal government; changes in banking laws and regulations could have a negative impact on our business.

As a unitary savings and loan holding company, Federal Trust is regulated primarily by the Office of Thrift Supervision. Our current Subsidiaries are regulated primarily by the OTS, the FDIC and the Florida Office of Finance Regulation. Federal and various state laws and regulations govern numerous aspects of our operations and the operations of our Subsidiaries, including:

Adequate capital and financial condition;

Permissible types and amounts of extensions of credit and investments;

Permissible non-banking activities; and

Restrictions on dividend payments.

Federal and state regulatory agencies have extensive discretion and power to prevent or remedy unsafe or unsound practices or violations of law by our holding company, our subsidiary bank and mortgage company. Following such examinations, the Company may be required, among other things, to change its asset valuations or the amounts of required loan loss allowances or to restrict its operations, based on information available to them at the time of their respective examination.

Regulatory action could severely limit future expansion plans

To carry out some of our expansion plans, we are required to obtain permission from the OTS. Application for the acquisition of existing thrifts and banks are submitted to the federal and state bank regulatory agencies for their approval. The future climate for regulatory approval is impossible to predict. Regulatory agencies could prohibit or otherwise significantly restrict our expansion plans, as well as those of our subsidiaries, which could limit our ability to increase revenue.

Investors may face dilution resulting from the issuance of common stock in the future

We have the power to issue common stock without shareholder approval, up to the number of authorized shares set forth in our Articles of Incorporation.  Our Board of Directors may determine from time to time a need to obtain additional capital through the issuance of additional shares of common stock or other securities, subject to limitations imposed by the American Stock Exchange and the OTS. There can be no assurance that such shares can be issued at prices or on terms better than or equal to the terms obtained by our current shareholders. The issuance of any additional shares of common stock by us in the future may result in a reduction of the book value or market price, if any, of the then-outstanding common stock. Issuance of additional shares of common stock will reduce the proportionate ownership and voting power of our existing shareholders.

Shares of preferred stock may be issued in the future which could materially adversely affect the rights of the holders of our common stock

Pursuant to our Articles of Incorporation, we have the authority to issue preferred stock and to determine the designations, preferences, rights and qualifications or restrictions of those shares without any further vote or action of the shareholders. The rights of the holders of our common stock will be subject to, and may be materially adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of any preferred stock that may be issued by us in the future.

31



We may need additional capital in the future and this capital may not be available when needed or at all 

We may need to incur additional debt or equity financing in the future to fund growth and meet our capital needs. We cannot assure you that such financing will be available to us on acceptable terms or at all. If we are unable to obtain future financing, we may not have the resources available to fund our planned growth. 

Future sales of our common stock could depress the price of the common stock

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market by our shareholders, or the perception that such sales are likely to occur, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline. 

There are substantial regulatory limitations on ownership of our common stock and changes of control

With certain limited exceptions, federal regulations prohibit a person or company or a group of persons deemed to be “acting in concert” from, directly or indirectly, acquiring 10% or more (5% if the acquirer is a bank holding company) of any class of our voting stock or obtaining the ability to control in any manner the election of a majority of our directors, or otherwise direct our management or our policies without prior notice or application to and the approval of the OTS. 

Although publicly traded, our common stock has substantially less liquidity than the average trading market for a stock quoted on the American Stock Exchange, and our price may fluctuate in the future

Although our common stock is listed for trading on the American Stock Exchange, the trading market in our common stock has substantially less liquidity than the average trading market for companies quoted on the American Stock Exchange. A public trading market having the desired characteristics of depth, liquidity and orderliness depends on the presence in the marketplace of willing buyers and sellers of our common stock at any given time. This presence depends on the individual decisions of investors and general economic and market conditions over which we have no control. 

The market price of our common stock may fluctuate in the future, and these fluctuations may be unrelated to our performance. General market price declines or overall market volatility in the future could adversely affect the price of our common stock, and the current market price may not be indicative of future market prices.

All of Federal Trust Bank’s stock is pledged under a line of credit agreement

          Federal Trust, as the sole holder of the Bank’s outstanding stock, has pledged the Bank’s stock in its entirety as security for the extension of an $8 million revolving line of credit with a correspondent bank.  This credit arrangement could impair our ability to borrow other funds which could inhibit our ability to fund future growth.  The Bank’s stock constitutes a significant portion of Federal Trust’s assets, therefore, in the unlikely event that Federal Trust defaults on the payments of this line of credit, we may be forced to transfer some or all of the Bank’s stock to satisfy the debt on the line credit, which would result in the Bank no longer being a subsidiary of Federal Trust.

Changes in interest rates can have an adverse effect on our profitability

          Federal Trust’s earnings and cash flows are largely dependent upon its net interest income.  Net interest income is the difference between interest income earned on interest earning assets such as loans and investment securities and interest expense paid on interest bearing liabilities such as deposits and borrowed funds.  Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond our control, including general economic conditions, competition, and policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies and, in particular, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.  Changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, could influence not only the interest we receive on loans and investment securities and the amount of interest it pays on deposits and borrowings, but such changes could also affect (i) our ability to originate loans and obtain deposits, (ii) the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities, and (iii) the average duration of our assets and liabilities.  If the interest rates paid on deposits and other borrowings increase at a faster rate than the interest rates received on loans and other investments, our net interest income, and therefore earnings, could be adversely affected.  Earnings could also be adversely affected if the interest rates received on loans and other investments fall more quickly than the interest rates paid on deposits and other borrowings.

          Although management believes it has implemented effective asset and liability management strategies to reduce the potential effects of changes in interest rates on our results of operations, any substantial unexpected, prolonged change in market interest rates could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

32



Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

Not applicable.

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

The following table sets forth certain information on the Company’s principal offices, net carrying value and the expiration of leases when applicable at December 31, 2006 ($ in thousands):

 

 

Net Carrying Value of Real Property

 

 

 


 

 

 

Owned

 

Leased

 

Lease
Expiration

 

 

 



 



 



 

Sanford Branch
420 West First Street
Sanford, Florida 32771

 

$

1,119

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

Winter Park Branch
655 West Morse Blvd.
 Winter Park, Florida 32789

 

 

N/A

 

$

211

 

 

12/31/10

 

Casselberry Branch
487 Semoran Boulevard
 Casselberry, Florida  32707

 

$

1,301

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

New Smyrna Beach Branch
761 East Third Avenue
 New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32169

 

 

N/A

 

$

0

 

 

Monthly

 

Orange City Branch
2690 Enterprise Road
 Orange City, Florida  32763

 

$

1,320

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

Deltona Branch
901 Doyle Road
 Deltona, Florida 32725

 

$

907

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

Lake Mary Branch (1)
791 Rinehart Road
 Lake Mary, Florida 32746

 

$

1,279

 

 

N/A

 

 

3/31/25

 

Port Orange Branch
3880 S. Nova Road
 Port Orange, Florida  32127

 

$

1,633

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

Eustis Branch
256 W. County Road 44
 Eustis, Florida 32726

 

$

1,503

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

Corporate Headquarters (2)
312 West First Street
 Sanford, Florida 32771

 

 

N/A

 

$

6,039

 

 

8/31/16

 

Future Branch locations (3)

 

$

937

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

33



The Company also had net furniture, fixtures, and equipment of approximately $1,089,000.

Note (1):  The Bank has a ground lease on the Lake Mary branch site.  The lease has a 20 year term with optional renewal periods.  The building and improvements for the branch are owned by the Bank.

Note (2): In October 2001, Federal Trust entered into a 15 year, fixed-rate lease on the office building in Sanford, Florida, which houses the Executive, Administrative, Lending and Operations Departments.  The lease provides for a fixed annual rental over the 15 year term.  In addition, the agreement provides an option to purchase the building at a pre-determined amount.   On January 30, 2007, the Company exercised its option to purchase the building.  The net settlement amount including closing costs was $2.4 million. The building has a total of 48,268 rentable square feet of which the Company occupies 25,881 square feet.  A total of 18,395 square feet is rented to various non-affiliated tenants and 3,992 square feet are vacant.

Note (3): The Bank owns a parcel of land in Edgewater, in Volusia County, Florida and has a ground lease on a parcel of land in Flagler County, Florida, with lease payments commencing in the second quarter of 2007.  Construction is expected to commence on the Palm Coast and Edgewater branches in the second half of 2007.

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

There are no material pending legal proceedings to which the Company is a party or to which any of its property is subject.

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

During the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, no matters were submitted to a vote of the security holders through a solicitation or otherwise.

34



PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCK HOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

(a)

In June 2003, Federal Trust’s stock began trading on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol “FDT”.  Prior to that, Federal Trust’s common stock traded on the NASDAQ Small Cap Market under the symbol “FDTR”. As of March 9, 2007, there were 382 registered holders of common stock of Federal Trust, some of which are street name holders.  Federal Trust paid cash dividends of $.17 per share in 2006 ($.04 per share for the first, second, and fourth quarters of 2006 and $.05 for the third quarter of 2006) and $.13 per share during 2005 ($.03 per share for the first three quarters of 2005 and $.04 per share for the fourth quarter).  In addition, Federal Trust paid a 2% stock dividend to shareholders in the third quarter of 2006.


Message


 

 

Period Ending

 

 

 


 

Index

 

12/31/01

 

12/31/02

 

12/31/03

 

12/31/04

 

12/31/05

 

12/31/06

 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Federal Trust Corporation

 

 

100.00

 

 

118.34

 

 

231.06

 

 

297.74

 

 

373.27

 

 

309.38

 

Russell 3000

 

 

100.00

 

 

78.46

 

 

102.83

 

 

115.11

 

 

122.16

 

 

141.35

 

SNL Southeast Thrift Index

 

 

100.00

 

 

117.30

 

 

177.89

 

 

210.29

 

 

191.37

 

 

224.90

 

The following table lists the low and high closing stock prices for the periods indicated.

 

 

Calendar Year 2006

 

Calendar Year 2005

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

Low $

 

High $

 

Low $

 

High $

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

First Quarter

 

$

11.60

 

$

12.52

 

$

9.90

 

$

10.60

 

Second Quarter

 

 

10.36

 

 

12.15

 

 

9.92

 

 

11.25

 

Third Quarter

 

 

10.00

 

 

11.05

 

 

11.00

 

 

12.32

 

Fourth Quarter

 

 

9.77

 

 

10.50

 

 

10.00

 

 

12.63

 

(b) Not Applicable

(c) There were no stock repurchases during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2006.

35



ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
($in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

AT YEAR END:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

722,964

 

$

735,416

 

$

603,131

 

$

468,198

 

$

368,054

 

Loans, net

 

 

603,917

 

 

630,827

 

 

521,331

 

 

398,401

 

 

308,598

 

Investment securities

 

 

65,558

 

 

50,080

 

 

41,172

 

 

33,615

 

 

21,520

 

Deposits

 

 

472,794

 

 

471,062

 

 

404,116

 

 

314,630

 

 

278,531

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

 

54,620

 

 

44,141

 

 

39,387

 

 

26,457

 

 

25,039

 

Book value per share

 

 

5.86

 

 

5.33

 

 

4.97

 

 

4.05

 

 

3.80

 

Shares outstanding (*)

 

 

9,319,603

 

 

8,277,554

 

 

7,942,438

 

 

6,526,215

 

 

6,591,338

 

Equity-to-assets ratio

 

 

7.56

%

 

6.00

%

 

6.53

%

 

5.65

%

 

6.80

%

FOR THE YEAR:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

$

43,842

 

$

33,977

 

$

24,609

 

$

20,921

 

$

19,452

 

Interest expense

 

 

28,114

 

 

19,336

 

 

10,851

 

 

9,750

 

 

10,971

 

Net interest income

 

 

15,728

 

 

14,641

 

 

13,758

 

 

11,171

 

 

8,481

 

Provision for loan losses

 

 

639

 

 

650

 

 

1,180

 

 

650

 

 

445

 

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

 

 

15,089

 

 

13,991

 

 

12,578

 

 

10,521

 

 

8,036

 

Other income

 

 

2,226

 

 

2,533

 

 

2,391

 

 

2,358

 

 

2,400

 

Other-than-temporary impairment

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

1,055

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Other expenses

 

 

12,461

 

 

9,791

 

 

9,334

 

 

8,826

 

 

7,339

 

Net earnings

 

 

3,410

 

 

4,436

 

 

3,089

 

 

2,777

 

 

2,059

 

Basic earnings per share

 

 

.38

 

 

.54

 

 

.43

 

 

.42

 

 

.34

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

 

.37

 

 

.53

 

 

.42

 

 

.41

 

 

.34

 

Average common shares outstanding

 

 

9,002,900

 

 

8,107,277

 

 

7,082,421

 

 

6,548,957

 

 

5,991,155

 

Return on average assets

 

 

.46

%

 

.66

%

 

.59

%

 

.64

%

 

.63

%

Return on average equity

 

 

6.70

%

 

10.70

%

 

9.80

%

 

10.79

%

 

9.45

%

Net interest margin

 

 

2.33

%

 

2.34

%

 

2.86

%

 

2.81

%

 

2.79

%

Average equity to average assets ratio

 

 

6.92

%

 

6.16

%

 

6.02

%

 

5.95

%

 

6.68

%

Dividend payout ratio

 

 

44.74

%

 

24.03

%

 

20.36

%

 

11.81

%

 

—  

 

Allowance for loan losses as a percent of loans, net

 

 

.84

%

 

.71

%

 

.74

%

 

.70

%

 

.68

%



*

Net of unallocated ESOP shares of 31,939, 21,789 and 119,375 as of December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

36



ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

For the year ended December 31, 2006, we had net earnings of $3.4 million, compared to $4.4 million for 2005.  On a per share basis, basic earnings for 2006 were $.38 and diluted earnings were $.37 compared to $.54 for basic and $.53 diluted earnings per share for 2005.  The decrease in the net earnings in 2006 was due to increases in employee compensation and benefits and occupancy expense relating to our three new branches and the staffing of our Mortgage Company, together with decreases in net gains from sales of loans and securities available for sale, partially offset by an increase in net interest income.

Total assets at the end of 2006 were $723.0 million, a decrease of $12.5 million, or 2% from December 31, 2005.  Net loans declined to $603.9 million during 2006, down $26.9 million or 4% from the end of 2005.  Total deposits and FHLB advances at December 31, 2006, were $472.8 million and $179.7 million, respectively, compared to $471.1 million and $201.7 million, respectively at the end of 2005.

At the end of 2006, stockholders’ equity was $54.6 million, compared to $44.1 million at December 31, 2005.  The book value per share grew to $5.86 at December 31, 2006, from $5.33 at December 31, 2005.  We paid cash dividends of $.17 per share in 2006, compared to $.13 per share in 2005.

General

Federal Trust was organized in February 1989 for the purpose of becoming the unitary savings and loan holding company of the Bank, a federally-chartered stock savings bank.  Our corporate headquarters are located at 312 West First Street, Sanford, Florida 32771 and our telephone number is (407) 323-1833.  The primary source of our revenues on an unconsolidated basis is earnings of the Bank and the Mortgage Company.  Various regulatory restrictions and tax considerations limit, directly or indirectly, the amount of dividends the Bank can pay to Federal Trust.  In addition, federal law restricts the Bank in the making of investments in or loans to us or our affiliates.  See “Regulation and Supervision.”  In January 2006, the Mortgage Company, a newly created subsidiary of Federal Trust, commenced operations.  Residential mortgage originations sales and loan servicing for the Bank and others are now done by the Mortgage Company.

37



Average Balance Sheet

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, information regarding: (i) the total dollar amount of tax equivalent interest income of the Company from interest-earning assets and the resultant average yields; (ii) the total dollar amount of interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities and the resultant average cost; (iii) tax equivalent net interest income; (iv) interest rate spread; (v) tax equivalent net interest margin; and (vi) weighted average yields and rates.  Average balances are based on average daily balances ($ in thousands):

 

 

For The Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

Average
Balance

 

Interest

 

Average
Yield/
Cost

 

Average
Balance

 

Interest

 

Average
Yield/
Cost

 

Average
Balance

 

Interest

 

Average
Yield/
Cost

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Interest-earning assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans (1)

 

$

621,670

 

$

39,885

 

 

6.42

%

$

579,811

 

$

31,484

 

 

5.43

%

$

447,773

 

$

23,034

 

 

5.14

%

Securities (2)

 

 

62,941

 

 

3,712

 

 

5.90

 

 

45,700

 

 

2,249

 

 

4.92

 

 

35,516

 

 

1,560

 

 

4.39

 

Other interest-earning assets (3)

 

 

11,935

 

 

721

 

 

6.04

 

 

11,352

 

 

492

 

 

4.33

 

 

7,521

 

 

285

 

 

3.79

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Total interest-earning assets

 

 

696,546

 

 

44,318

 

 

6.36

 

 

636,863

 

 

34,225

 

 

5.37

 

 

490,810

 

 

24,879

 

 

5.07

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Non-interest earning assets

 

 

38,935

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

35,953

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32,883

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

735,481

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

672,816

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

523,693

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest bearing demand deposits

 

$

13,615

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

$

14,667

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

$

10,076

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Interest-bearing demand and money- market deposits

 

 

127,182

 

 

4,792

 

 

3.77

 

 

127,485

 

 

3,606

 

 

2.83

 

 

109,654

 

 

2,019

 

 

1.84

 

Savings deposits

 

 

3,417

 

 

60

 

 

1.76

 

 

5,103

 

 

70

 

 

1.37

 

 

7,520

 

 

110

 

 

1.46

 

Time deposits

 

 

340,144

 

 

15,291

 

 

4.50

 

 

282,693

 

 

8,928

 

 

3.16

 

 

228,876

 

 

5,430

 

 

2.37

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Total deposit accounts

 

 

484,358

 

 

20,143

 

 

4.16

 

 

429,948

 

 

12,604

 

 

2.93

 

 

356,126

 

 

7,559

 

 

2.12

 

Borrowings (4)

 

 

192,342

 

 

7,971

 

 

4.14

 

 

195,122

 

 

6,732

 

 

3.45

 

 

130,211

 

 

3,292

 

 

2.52

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Total interest bearing liabilities

 

 

676,700

 

 

28,114

 

 

4.15

 

 

625,070

 

 

19,336

 

 

3.09

 

 

486,337

 

 

10,851

 

 

2.23

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Non-interest bearing liabilities

 

 

7,903

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,283

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,842

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

 

50,878

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

41,463

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31,514

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

735,481

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

672,816

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

523,693

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest/dividend income

 

 

 

 

$

16,204

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

14,889

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

14,028

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Interest rate spread (5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.21

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.28

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.84

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Net interest margin (6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.33

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.34

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.86

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities

 

 

1.03

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.03

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.01

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



(1)

Includes non-accrual loans.

(2)

Interest income on tax-exempt securities have been adjusted to a fully tax equivalent basis.

(3)

Includes interest-earning deposits and Federal Home Loan Bank stock.

(4)

Includes Federal Home Loan Bank advances, other borrowings, junior subordinated debentures and capital lease obligation, and securities sold under agreements to repurchase.

(5)

Interest rate spread represents the difference between the average yield on interest-earning assets and the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.

(6)

Net interest margin is tax equivalent net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

38



Rate/Volume Analysis

The following table sets forth certain information regarding changes in interest income and interest expense for the periods indicated.  For each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, information is provided on changes attributable to: (i) changes in rate (change in rate multiplied by prior volume); (ii) changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate); and (iii) changes in rate-volume (change in rate multiplied by change in volume) (in thousands):

 

 

Year Ended December 31,
2006 vs. 2005
Increase (Decrease) Due to Changes in

 

 

 


 

 

 

Rate

 

Volume

 

Rate/
Volume

 

Total

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Interest-earning assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

$

5,715

 

$

2,273

 

$

413

 

$

8,401

 

Securities

 

 

446

 

 

849

 

 

168

 

 

1,463

 

Other interest-earning assets

 

 

194

 

 

25

 

 

10

 

 

229

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total

 

 

6,355

 

 

3,147

 

 

591

 

 

10,093

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Interest-bearing liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deposit accounts

 

 

5,276

 

 

1,595

 

 

668

 

 

7,539

 

FHLB advances and other borrowings, and securities sold under agreements to repurchase

 

 

1,354

 

 

(96

)

 

(19

)

 

1,239

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total

 

 

6,630

 

 

1,499

 

 

649

 

 

8,778

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net change in net interest income before provision for loan losses

 

$

(275

)

$

1,648

 

$

(58

)

$

1,315

 

 

 



 



 



 



 


 

 

Year Ended December 31,
 2005 vs. 2004
 Increase (Decrease) Due to Changes in

 

 

 


 

 

 

Rate

 

Volume

 

Rate/
Volume

 

Total

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Interest-earning assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

$

1,280

 

$

6,792

 

$

378

 

$

8,450

 

Securities

 

 

188

 

 

447

 

 

54

 

 

689

 

Other interest-earning assets

 

 

41

 

 

145

 

 

21

 

 

207

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total

 

 

1,509

 

 

7,384

 

 

453

 

 

9,346

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Interest-bearing liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deposit accounts

 

 

2,881

 

 

1,567

 

 

597

 

 

5,045

 

FHLB advances and other borrowings

 

 

1,201

 

 

1,641

 

 

598

 

 

3,440

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total

 

 

4,082

 

 

3,208

 

 

1,195

 

 

8,485

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net change in net interest income before provision for loan losses

 

$

(2,573

)

$

4,176

 

$

(742

)

$

861

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

39



Liquidity and Capital Resources at December 31, 2006

General.  Like other financial institutions, we must ensure that sufficient funds are available to meet deposit withdrawals, loan commitments, investment needs and expenses.  Control of our cash flow requires the anticipation of deposit flows and loan payments.  Our primary sources of funds are deposit accounts, FHLB advances and principal and interest payments on loans and investments.

We require funds in the short term to finance ongoing operating expenses, pay liquidating deposits, invest in loans and purchase investment securities.  We fund short-term requirements through advances from the FHLB, deposit growth, the sale of investments, and loan principal payments.  Long-term funds are required to invest in loans for our portfolio, purchase fixed assets and provide for the liquidation of deposits maturing in the future.  Long-term funding requirements are obtained from principal payments from maturing loans, the sale of loans and the sale of investments. Management has no plans to significantly change long-term funding requirements. 

The following summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations, including certain on-balance-sheet and off-balance-sheet obligations, at December 31, 2006 (in thousands):

 

 

Payments Due by Period

 

 

 


 

 

 

Total

 

Less
Than 1
 Year

 

Greater Than
1Year, Up
To 3 Years

 

Greater Than
3 Years, Up
To 5 Years

 

More
than
5 Years

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

FHLB advances – assumed final maturity

 

$

179,700

 

$

80,200

 

$

10,000

 

$

5,000

 

$

84,500

 

Time deposit maturities

 

 

339,800

 

 

304,844

 

 

30,128

 

 

4,828

 

 

—  

 

Junior subordinated debentures – assumed final maturity

 

 

5,155

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

5,155

 

Accrued Interest Payable

 

 

1,506

 

 

1,506

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Other borrowings

 

 

500

 

 

—  

 

 

73

 

 

125

 

 

302

 

Operating Leases

 

 

2,680

 

 

317

 

 

671

 

 

426

 

 

1,266

 

Loan Commitments

 

 

6,762

 

 

6,762

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Standby Letters of Credit

 

 

1,453

 

 

1,453

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Undisbursed construction and line of credit loans

 

 

50,312

 

 

50,312

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Total

 

$

587,868

 

$

445,394

 

$

40,872

 

$

10,379

 

$

91,223

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

During the year ended December 31, 2006, our sources of funds came primarily from net principal repayment of loans of $73.2 million; proceeds from the sale and repayments of securities of $30.0 million and sale of loans of $28.2 million.  We used cash to fund $62.7 million in loan purchases; the purchase of securities for $44.3 million; the repayment of FHLB advances of $21.1 million; $13.5 million in loans originated for sale; and the purchase of premises and equipment of $3.8 million.  Management believes that in the future, funds will continue to be obtained from the above sources. 

At December 31, 2006, loans-in-process, or closed loans scheduled to be funded over a future period of time, totaled
$27.0 million.  Available lines of credit totaled $23.3 million; loans committed, but not closed, totaled $6.8 million, and standby letters of credit totaled $1.5 million. Funding for these amounts is expected to be provided by the sources described above. 

In December 2006, the Bank’s average liquidity was 11.7%.  The Bank’s nine Central Florida branches, plus the two additional planned branches, are expected to generate deposits to provide liquidity for loan originations and other investments.  The Asset/Liability Management Committee meets regularly, and reviews liquidity levels to ensure that funds are available as needed.

We paid cash dividends per share of $.17 in 2006 and $.13 in 2005.  The payment of future dividends will depend on general economic conditions, as well as our overall performance, capital needs of our subsidiaries and regulatory restrictions.

40



At December 31, 2006, Federal Trust had $122,000 in cash in its account, which will be used primarily for cash dividend payments and operating expenses.  On January 31, 2007, Federal Trust exercised its option to purchase its corporate headquarters building in Sanford, Florida.  As part of our plan to exercise the purchase option, the Bank purchased the building from Federal Trust.  The Bank paid approximately $4.5 million for the building, which was Federal Trust’s book value of the building including the capitalized lease amount and leasehold improvements.  Federal Trust paid approximately $2.4 million for the purchase option of the building.  Of the remaining $2.1 million paid to Federal Trust from the Bank, approximately $500,000 was used to repay the balance of the revolving credit line and the remaining $1.6 million is available for future use by Federal Trust.  In addition, the full $8 million revolving credit line is available for liquidity needs of Federal Trust.

The following table is a reconciliation of the stockholders’ equity for the Bank calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) to regulatory capital (in thousands):

 

 

At December 31, 2006

 

 

 


 

 

 

Tier I

 

Total
Risk-Based

 

 

 



 



 

Bank’s stockholders’ equity in accordance with GAAP

 

$

55,654

 

$

55,654

 

Add (deduct):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized losses on investments

 

 

249

 

 

249

 

Excess mortgage servicing rights and excess net deferred tax assets

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

General valuation allowances

 

 

—  

 

 

3,988

 

 

 



 



 

Regulatory capital

 

$

55,903

 

$

59,891

 

 

 



 



 

At December 31, 2006, the Bank exceeded each of its minimum capital requirements.

Results of Operations

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2006 and 2005

General.  The Company had net earnings for 2006 of $3.4 million or $.38 per basic share and $.37 per diluted share compared to net earnings of $4.4 million or $.54 per basic and $.53 per diluted share for 2005.  The decrease in the net earnings in 2006 was due to increases in employee compensation and benefits and occupancy expense relating to our three new branches and the staffing of our Mortgage Company, together with decreases in net gains from sales of loans and securities available for sale, partially offset by an increase in net interest income.

Interest Income.  Interest income was $43.8 million in 2006 compared to $34.0 million in 2005.  Interest income on loans increased to $40.0 million in 2006 from $31.5 million in 2005.  The increase in interest income on loans in 2006 is attributable primarily to an increase in the yield earned on the loans outstanding during the year and to a lesser extent by an increase in the average amount of loans outstanding.  Interest income on securities increased to $3.2 million in 2006 from $2.0 million in 2005 as a result of an increase in the average balance of securities held by the Company and an increase in the yield earned on the securities.  Other interest income increased from $492,000 in 2005 to $721,000 during 2006.  Management expects the yield earned on the portfolios to fluctuate with general market interest rate movements.

Interest Expense.  Interest expense increased during 2006 to $28.1 million compared to $19.3 million in 2005, due to an increase in the average amount of deposit accounts and borrowings outstanding and an increase in the average rate paid.  Interest expense on deposits increased by $7.5 million in 2006 as a result of an increase in the average amount of deposits and an increase in average rate paid on deposits.  Interest expense on these accounts will increase or decrease according to the general level of interest rates.  Interest on borrowings increased to $8.0 million in 2006 from $6.7 million in 2005 due to an increase in the average rate paid on borrowings outstanding, offset by a small decrease in the average amount of borrowings.  Management expects to continue to use FHLB advances and other borrowings when the rates offered on such funds is favorable when compared to the rates paid on deposits in the local market.

41



Provisions for Loan Losses.  A provision for loan losses is charged to earnings based upon our evaluation of the inherent losses in the loan portfolio.  Our provisions for loan losses for 2006 were $639,000 compared to $650,000 in 2005 based on our evaluation of the loan portfolio.  Total loans declined by $74.3 million, or 11% in 2006.  Of this amount, $43.8 million were residential mortgage loans, $45.0 million in residential construction loans, $2.2 million in land development and construction loans, all offset by an increase of $21.8 million in non-residential estate loans.  As of December 31, 2006, 56% of our loan portfolio was in residential mortgage loans, which historically have had the lowest risk of loss in the overall portfolio, and as a result have had a lower reserve percentage applied to them based on historical loss percentages.

Total charge-offs were $39,000 in 2006 compared to recoveries of $21,000 on loans previously charged-off.  For 2005, total charge-offs and recoveries were $10,000 and $2,000, respectively.  At December 31, 2006, the allowance for loan losses was
$5.1 million, or .84% of year-end loans net, compared to $4.5 million or .71% of net loans at December 31, 2005.  Total non-accrual loans at December 31, 2006, increased to $12.0 million compared to $2.1 million at December 31, 2005. The amount needed in the allowance for loan losses for nonaccrual loans is based on the particular circumstances of the individual loans, including the type, amount, and value of the collateral, if any, and the overall composition and amount of the performing loans in the portfolio at the time of evaluation, and, as a result, will vary over time.

Other Income.  Other income decreased $307,000 to $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2006.  This decline was primarily the result of declines in gains on sales of loans and securities of $256,000 and other of $297,000, which includes a decline in prepayment loan fees of $136,000, loan servicing fee income of $184,000, and gains on dispositions of foreclosed assets of $69,000, offset by an increase in service charges and fees of $226,000.

Other Expense.  Other expense increased $2.7 million or 27% to $12.5 million for the twelve-month period ended
December 31, 2006, from $9.8 million for the same period in 2005.  Salary and employee benefits increased
$1.7 million and occupancy expense increased $413,000 primarily due to the staffing and opening of the branches in Lake Mary in January 2006, Port Orange in July 2006, Eustis in October 2006, increases in the lending staff, and the overall growth of the Company. Specifically, the three new branches that opened this year have added approximately $613,000 to our overhead expenses.  While our branch expansion plan will enhance franchise value, their positive effect on earnings will not be felt until the branches have been given an opportunity to mature and reach their respective efficiency levels. Professional expenses increased $121,000 primarily as a result of the proxy contest and lawsuit filed by Keefe Managers, LLC, regarding the election of directors at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.  In addition, other volume and growth related expense increases included data processing expense of $117,000, marketing and advertising of $66,000, printing and stationary of $86,000, and $36,000 in telephone expense.

Income Taxes.  Income taxes decreased from $2.3 million (an effective tax rate of 34.1%) in 2005 to $1.4 million (an effective tax rate of 29.8%) in 2006.   

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2005 and 2004

General.  For 2005, net earnings were $4.4 million or $.54 per basic share and $.53 per diluted share compared to net earnings of $3.1million or $.43 per basic and $.42 per diluted share for 2004.  The improvement in the net earnings in 2005 was due to the non-cash, other-than-temporary impairment charge of approximately $1,055,000 recorded in December 2004, together with the increases in net interest income and other income in 2005, partially offset by an increase in other expenses.

The other-than-temporary impairment charge related to the Bank’s $9.5 million investment in Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae adjustable rate preferred stock.  These investment grade securities declined in value in 2004 due to the events at the Government Sponsored Enterprises (‘GSE’s’) coupled with the record low interest rates, which caused the dividend payment rate to decline from the original rates at the time of issuance.  The other-than-temporary impairment charge was recorded in 2004 since we were unable to determine at that time when and how much the preferred stock prices would recover.  Excluding the $659,000 after-tax effect of the charge, net earnings for 2004 would have been $3.7 million, or $.52 and $.51 per basic and fully diluted share, respectively.

42



Interest Income.  Interest income was $34.0 million in 2005 compared to $24.6 million in 2004.  Interest income on loans increased to $31.5 million in 2005 from $23.0 million in 2004.  The increase in interest income on loans in 2005 is attributable primarily to an increase in the average amount of loans outstanding during the year and to a lesser extent by an increase in yield earned on loans. Interest income on securities increased to $2.0 million in 2005 from $1.3 million in 2004 as a result of an increase in the average balance of securities held by the Company and an increase in the yield earned on the securities.  Other interest income increased from $285,000 in 2004 to $492,000 during 2005. 

Interest Expense.  Interest expense increased during 2005 to $19.3 million compared to $10.9 million in 2004, due to an increase in the average amount of deposit accounts and borrowings outstanding and an increase in the average rate paid.  Interest expense on deposits increased by $5.0 million in 2005 as a result of an increase in the average amount of deposits and an increase in average rate paid on deposits.  Interest expense on these accounts will increase or decrease according to the general level of interest rates.  Interest on borrowings increased to $6.7 million in 2005 from $3.3 million in 2004 due to an increase in the average amount of borrowings outstanding, and an increase in the average rate paid for borrowings. 

Provisions for Loan Losses.  A provision for loan losses is charged to earnings based upon our evaluation of the inherent losses in the loan portfolio.  Our provisions for loan losses for 2005 were $650,000 compared to $1,180,000 in 2004 based on our evaluation of the loan portfolio.  Total loans grew by $106.7 million, or 20% in 2005.  Of this amount, $25.4 million were residential mortgage loans, $35.0 million in residential construction loans, $15.0 million in non-residential real estate loans and $24.6 million in land development and construction loans.  As of December 31, 2005, 63% of our loan portfolio was in residential mortgage loans, which historically have had the lowest risk of loss in the overall portfolio, and as a result have had a lower reserve percentage applied to them based on historical loss percentages.

Total charge-offs were $10,000 in 2005 compared to recoveries of $2,000 on loans previously charged-off.  For 2004, total charge-offs and recoveries were $154,000 and $30,000, respectively.  At December 31, 2005, the allowance for loan losses was $4.5 million, or .71% of year-end loans net, compared to $3.8 million or .74% of net loans at December 31, 2004.  Total non-accrual loans at December 31, 2005, decreased to $2.1 million compared to $2.6 million at December 31, 2004. The amount needed in the allowance for loan losses for nonaccrual loans is based on the particular circumstances of the individual loans, including the type, amount, and value of the collateral, if any, and the overall composition and amount of the performing loans in the portfolio at the time of evaluation, and, as a result, will vary over time.

Other Income.  Other income increased $142,000 to $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.  Included in other income for 2005, are $94,000 in net gains on disposition of foreclosed assets.

Other Expense.  Other expense increased to $9.8 million in 2005 or 5.0%, from $9.3 million in 2004.  The increase was the result of increased salary and employee benefits expense, occupancy expenses and professional services.  The increase in salary and employee benefits of $311,000 was the result of additions to staff, as a result of the continued growth of the Company and the formation of the Mortgage Company, together with the manpower and professional services associated with Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404, which required additional documentation and testing of our internal controls over financial reporting.

Income Taxes.  Income taxes increased from $1.5 million (an effective tax rate of 32.6%) in 2004 to $2.3 million (an effective tax rate of 34.1%) in 2005.   

43



ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.   

Asset /Liability Management

It is our objective to manage assets and liabilities to provide a satisfactory, consistent level of profitability within the framework of established cash, loan, investment, borrowing and capital policies.  Management is responsible for monitoring policies and procedures that are designed to ensure acceptable composition of the asset/liability mix, stability and leverage of all sources of funds while adhering to prudent banking practices.  It is the overall philosophy of management to support asset growth through FHLB advances, borrowings, and most importantly, core deposits, which include deposits of all categories made by individuals, partnerships and corporations.  Management seeks to invest the largest portion of its assets in residential, commercial, and consumer loans.

The asset/liability mix is monitored on a monthly basis and a report reflecting interest-sensitive assets and interest-sensitive liabilities is prepared and presented to the Bank’s Board of Directors.  The objective of this policy is to control interest-sensitive assets and liabilities to minimize the impact of substantial movements in interest rates on our earnings.

Our profitability, like that of most bank holding companies and financial institutions, is dependent to a large extent upon its net interest income, which is the difference between our interest income on interest-earning assets, such as loans, mortgage-backed securities and investment securities, and our interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and other borrowings. Financial institutions are affected by general changes in levels of interest rates and other economic factors beyond their control. At December 31, 2006, our cumulative, one-year interest sensitivity gap (the difference between the amount of interest-earning assets anticipated to mature or reprice within one year and the amount of interest-bearing liabilities anticipated to mature or reprice within one year) as a percentage of total assets was a negative 24.3%, while our three-month gap was virtually matched with $292.5 million assets and $289.9 million in liabilities scheduled or eligible for repricing. Generally, an institution with a negative gap would experience a decrease in net interest income in a period of rising interest rates or an increase in net interest income in a period of declining interest rates since there will be more liabilities than assets that will either mature or be subject to repricing within that period.  However, certain shortcomings are inherent in this rate sensitivity analysis.  For example, although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturities or periods to repricing, they may react in different manners to changes in market interest rates. Therefore, no assurance can be given that we will be able to maintain our net interest-rate spread as market interest rates fluctuate.

We monitor our interest-rate risk through the Asset/Liability Committee which meets regularly and reports the results of the meetings to the Board of Directors. Our policy is to seek to maintain a balance between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities so that the cumulative one-year gap is within a range established by the Board of Directors and which we believe is conducive to maintaining profitability without incurring undue risk.  Our virtually matched three-month cumulative gap position at the end of 2006, will help reduce the negative impact of changes in interest rates in the first half of 2007.

44



The following table sets forth the amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities outstanding at December 31, 2006, that are expected to reprice, based upon certain assumptions and contractual maturities, in each of the future periods shown. Adjustable-rate mortgage-backed securities are scheduled according to their next adjustment date, fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities are scheduled according to their maturity date, and equity securities are scheduled according to the date of their next dividend announcement (in thousands):

 

 

Three
Months
or Less

 

More
than
Three
Months
to Six
Months

 

More
than
Six
Months
to 12
Months

 

More
than
One
Year
to 3
Years

 

More
than
Three
Years
to 5
Years

 

More
than
Five
Years
to 10
Years

 

More
than
Ten
Years

 

Total

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Rate-sensitive assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential lending

 

$

101,639

 

$

67,207

 

$

53,166

 

$

150,343

 

$

40,621

 

$

5,520

 

$

16,883

 

$

435,379

 

Commercial and consumer lending

 

 

163,591

 

 

1,142

 

 

6,274

 

 

13,628

 

 

9,921

 

 

2,064

 

 

494

 

 

197,114

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

879

 

 

878

 

 

3,771

 

 

6,733

 

 

2,944

 

 

5,084

 

 

6,990

 

 

27,279

 

Debt securities

 

 

7,470

 

 

—  

 

 

2,340

 

 

1,060

 

 

535

 

 

14,212

 

 

2,652

 

 

28,269

 

Corporate equity securities

 

 

2,750

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

1,134

 

 

3,884

 

Trust preferred securities

 

 

5,000

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

1,500

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

6,500

 

FHLB stock

 

 

9,591

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

9,591

 

Interest-earning deposits

 

 

1,585

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

1,585

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total interest-earning assets

 

 

292,505

 

 

69,227

 

 

65,551

 

 

171,764

 

 

55,521

 

 

26,880

 

 

28,153

 

 

709,601