cbna10q2ndqtr2011.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

 
 x     QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2011

 
OR
 
 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: 001-13695

 
 
COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM, INC.
 (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
 Delaware    16-1213679
 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)    (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
 5790 Widewaters Parkway, DeWitt, New York    13214-1883
 (Address of principal executive offices)    (Zip Code)
   (315) 445-2282  
   (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)  
 
                                                              NONE                                                          
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer   o  Accelerated filer   x  Non-accelerated filer     o  Smaller reporting company  o.
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

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


Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.        
36,808,033 shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value, were outstanding on July 31, 2011.


 
1

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS



Part I.
   Financial Information
Page
     
Item 1.
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Condition
 
 
June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010....................................................................................................................................................................................................
3
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Income
 
 
Three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010..........................................................................................................................................................................
4
     
 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2011.............................................................................................................................................................................................................
5
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
 
 
Three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010..........................................................................................................................................................................
6
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010............................................................................................................................................................................................
7
     
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
June 30, 2011.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
8
     
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations......................................................................................................
25
     
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk...........................................................................................................................................................
41
     
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
42
     
Part II.
   Other Information
 
     
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
42
     
Item 1A.
Risk Factors...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
42
     
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds..........................................................................................................................................................
42
     
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities............................................................................................................................................................................................................
42
     
Item 4.
(Removed and Reserved)........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
42
     
Item 5.
Other Information.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
42
     
Item 6.
Exhibits.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
43


 
2

 

Part I.   Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements

COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION (Unaudited)
(In Thousands, Except Share Data)
 
June 30,
December 31,
 
2011
2010
Assets:
   
   Cash and cash equivalents
$273,693
$211,837
     
   Held-to-maturity investment securities (fair value of $626,085 and $625,789, respectively)
592,074
602,908
     
   Available-for-sale investment securities (cost of $1,401,969 and $1,076,030, respectively)
1,440,198
1,085,963
     
   Other securities, at cost
55,833
53,453
     
   Loans held for sale, at fair value
869
3,952
     
   Loans
3,478,150
3,026,363
   Allowance for loan losses
(42,531)
(42,510)
     Net loans
3,435,619
2,983,853
     
   Core deposit intangibles, net
13,291
10,897
   Goodwill
345,915
297,692
   Other intangibles, net
3,809
3,125
     Intangible assets, net
363,015
311,714
     
   Premises and equipment, net
86,426
81,561
   Accrued interest receivable
28,656
26,136
   Other assets
114,102
83,129
     
        Total assets
$6,390,485
$5,444,506
     
Liabilities:
   
   Noninterest-bearing deposits
$849,071
$741,166
   Interest-bearing deposits
3,908,031
3,192,879
      Total deposits
4,757,102
3,934,045
     
  Borrowings
728,441
728,460
  Subordinated debt held by unconsolidated subsidiary trusts
102,036
102,024
  Accrued interest and other liabilities
72,835
72,719
     Total liabilities
5,660,414
4,837,248
     
Commitments and contingencies (See Note J)
   
     
Shareholders' equity:
   
  Preferred stock $1.00 par value, 500,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued
-
-
  Common stock, $1.00 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized; 37,619,379 and
   
     34,131,289 shares issued, respectively
37,619
34,131
  Additional paid-in capital
308,779
225,543
  Retained earnings
391,993
374,700
  Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
9,456
(9,340)
  Treasury stock, at cost (812,346 and 812,346 shares, respectively)
(17,776)
(17,776)
     Total shareholders' equity
730,071
607,258
     
     Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$6,390,485
$5,444,506


 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 
3

 

COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
(In Thousands, Except Per-Share Data)

   
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
   
June 30,
 
June 30,
   
2011
2010
 
2011
2010
Interest income:
         
 
Interest and fees on loans
$49,471
$44,851
 
$91,768
$89,524
 
Interest and dividends on taxable investments
14,640
12,168
 
26,869
23,101
 
Interest and dividends on nontaxable investments
5,739
5,604
 
11,500
11,050
 
     Total interest income
69,850
62,623
 
130,137
123,675
 
 
         
Interest expense:
         
 
Interest on deposits
6,791
7,747
 
12,797
16,350
 
Interest on borrowings
7,389
7,446
 
14,680
15,149
 
Interest on subordinated debt held by unconsolidated subsidiary trusts
1,483
1,485
 
2,950
2,949
 
     Total interest expense
15,663
16,678
 
30,427
34,448
             
Net interest income
54,187
45,945
 
99,710
89,227
Less:  provision for loan losses
1,050
2,050
 
2,100
3,870
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
53,137
43,895
 
97,610
85,357
             
Noninterest income:
         
 
Deposit service fees
10,488
11,337
 
20,173
21,856
 
Mortgage banking and other services
1,627
1,115
 
2,421
2,038
 
Benefit plan administration, consulting and actuarial fees
7,854
7,260
 
16,037
15,159
 
Wealth management services
2,782
2,666
 
4,962
5,042
 
Gain on investment securities & debt extinguishments, net
14
0
 
14
0
Total noninterest income
22,765
22,378
 
43,607
44,095
             
Operating expenses:
         
 
Salaries and employee benefits
25,531
22,509
 
48,642
45,445
 
Occupancy and equipment
6,253
5,614
 
12,310
11,839
 
Data processing and communications
5,179
5,309
 
9,949
10,423
 
Amortization of intangible assets
1,189
1,849
 
2,090
3,708
 
Legal and professional fees
1,307
1,505
 
2,646
2,805
 
Office supplies and postage
1,377
1,311
 
2,573
2,560
 
Business development and marketing
2,183
1,731
 
3,438
2,745
 
FDIC insurance premiums
1,177
1,485
 
2,538
3,057
 
Acquisition expenses
3,617
199
 
4,308
199
 
Other
3,313
2,708
 
5,948
5,632
 
     Total operating expenses
51,126
44,220
 
94,442
88,413
             
Income before income taxes
24,776
22,053
 
46,775
41,039
Income taxes
6,790
5,891
 
12,629
10,875
Net income
$17,986
$16,162
 
$34,146
$30,164
             
Basic earnings per share
$0.49
$0.49
 
$0.97
$0.91
Diluted earnings per share
$0.49
$0.48
 
$0.96
$0.90
Dividends declared per share
$0.24
$0.24
 
$0.48
$0.46
           



The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
 
 
4

 
 
COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
(In Thousands, Except Share Data)


         
Accumulated
   
 
Common Stock
Additional
 
Other
   
 
Shares
Amount
Paid-In
Retained
Comprehensive
Treasury
 
 
Outstanding
Issued
Capital
Earnings
Income(Loss)
Stock
Total
               
Balance at December 31, 2010
          33,318,943
$34,131
$225,543
$374,700
($9,340)
($17,776)
$607,258
               
Net income
     
34,146
   
34,146
               
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
       
18,796
 
18,796
               
Dividends declared:
             
Common, $0.48 per share
     
(16,853)
   
(16,853)
               
Common stock issued under Stock Plan,
             
  including tax benefits of $284
135,289
135
1,717
     
1,852
               
Stock-based compensation
   
2,292
     
2,292
 
             
Stock issued for acquisition
3,352,801
3,353
79,227
     
82,580
               
Balance at June 30, 2011
36,807,033
$37,619
$308,779
$391,993
$9,456
($17,776)
$730,071





The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
 
 
5

 
 
COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)
(In Thousands)


   
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
   
June 30,
 
June 30,
   
2011
2010
 
2011
2010
             
Other comprehensive income, before tax:
           
Change in pension liabilities
 
$174
$289
 
$349
$596
Change in unrealized loss on derivative instruments used in cash flow hedges
 
804
539
 
1,592
645
Unrealized gains on securities:
           
     Unrealized holding gains arising during period
 
19,425
16,689
 
28,402
21,052
     Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income
 
(106)
-
 
(106)
-
Other comprehensive income, before tax:
 
20,297
17,517
 
30,237
22,293
Income tax expense related to other comprehensive income
 
(7,620)
(6,409)
 
(11,441)
(8,173)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
 
12,677
11,108
 
18,796
14,120
Net income
 
17,986
16,162
 
34,146
30,164
Comprehensive income
 
$30,663
$27,270
 
$52,942
$44,284

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 
6

 

COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(In Thousands)
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2011
2010
Operating activities:
   
  Net income
$34,146
$30,164
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
   
     Depreciation
5,659
4,941
     Amortization of intangible assets
2,090
3,708
     Net amortization (accretion) of premiums & discounts on securities, loans and borrowings
(1,431)
1,528
     Stock-based compensation
2,292
2,001
     Provision for loan losses
2,100
3,870
     Amortization of mortgage servicing rights
446
382
      Income on bank-owned life insurance policies
(374)
(280)
     Gain on investment securities and debt extinguishments, net
(14)
0
     Net gain on sale of loans and other assets
(524)
(246)
     Net change in loans held for sale
3,538
1,005
     Change in other assets and liabilities
2,464
(1,466)
       Net cash provided by operating activities
50,392
45,607
Investing activities:
   
  Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investment securities
10,795
0
  Proceeds from maturities of held-to-maturity investment securities
18,627
42,857
  Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale investment securities
103,299
95,573
  Purchases of held-to-maturity investment securities
(5,354)
(319,772)
  Purchases of available-for-sale investment securities
(147,898)
(71,014)
  Sales of other securities
1,195
1,060
  Purchases of other securities
(2)
(8)
  Net decrease in loans
10,916
5,158
  Cash received from acquisition, net of cash paid of $20,643 and $0
6,258
0
  Capital expenditures
(4,235)
(6,676)
       Net cash used in investing activities
(6,399)
(252,822)
Financing activities:
   
  Net increase in deposits
51,503
15,489
  Net decrease in borrowings
(19,779)
(25,222)
  Issuance of common stock
1,852
3,063
  Cash dividends paid
(15,997)
(14,479)
  Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
284
455
       Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
17,863
(20,694)
Change in cash and cash equivalents
61,856
(227,909)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
211,837
361,876
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$273,693
$133,967
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
   
  Cash paid for interest
$30,134
$34,870
  Cash paid for income taxes
9,689
0
Supplemental disclosures of noncash financing and investing activities:
   
  Dividends declared and unpaid
8,831
7,955
  Transfers from loans to other real estate
3,405
1,816
  Acquisitions:
   
     Fair value of assets acquired, excluding acquired cash and intangibles
814,144
0
     Fair value of liabilities assumed
791,222
0


 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 
7

 

COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
June 30, 2011

NOTE A:  BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The interim financial data as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 is unaudited; however, in the opinion of Community Bank System, Inc. (the “Company”), the interim data includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).  The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year or any other interim period.  Certain prior year amounts in the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

NOTE B:  ACQUISITIONS

On April 8, 2011, the Company acquired The Wilber Corporation (“Wilber”), parent company of Wilber National Bank, for $103 million in stock and cash, comprised of $20.4 million in cash and the issuance of 3.35 million additional shares of the Company’s common stock.  Based in Oneonta, New York, Wilber operated 22 branches in the Central, Greater Capital District, and Catskill regions of Upstate New York.

The assets and liabilities assumed were recorded at their estimated fair values based on management's best estimates using information available at April 8, 2011, the acquisition date, and Wilber’s results of operations have been included in the Company’s financial statements since that date.  The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

(000’s omitted)
 
Consideration paid:
 
   Community Bank System, Inc. common stock
$82,580
   Cash
20,372
   Total consideration paid
102,952
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
 
   Cash and cash equivalents
26,901
   Investment securities
297,420
   Loans
463,961
   Premises and equipment
6,213
   Accrued interest receivable
2,609
   Other assets and liabilities, net
43,941
   Core deposit intangibles
4,016
   Other intangibles
890
   Deposits
(771,554)
   Borrowings
(19,668)
     Total identifiable assets
54,729
        Goodwill
$  48,223

The above recognized amounts of assets and liabilities, at fair value, are subject to adjustment based on updated information not available at the time of acquisition.

Acquired loans that have evidence of deterioration in credit quality since origination and for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable were aggregated by comparable characteristics and  recorded at fair value without a carryover of the related allowance for loan losses.  Cash flows for each pool were determined using an estimate of future credit losses and an estimated rate of prepayments.  Projected monthly cash flows were then discounted to present value using a market-based discount rate.  The excess of the undiscounted expected cash flows over the estimated fair value is referred to as the “accretable yield” and is recognized into interest income over the remaining lives of the acquired loans.


 
8

 

The following is a summary of the loans acquired in the Wilber acquisition:

 
(000’s omitted)
Acquired
Impaired
Loans
Acquired
Non-Impaired
Loans
Total
Acquired
Loans
   Contractually required principal and interest at acquisition
$37,904
$684,460
$722,364
   Contractual cash flows not expected to be collected
 (18,229)
(31,055)
(49,284)
      Expected cash flows at acquisition
19,675
653,405
673,080
   Interest component of expected cash flows
(2,488)
(206,662)
(209,150)
      Fair value of acquired loans
$17,187
$446,743
$463,930

The core deposit intangible and customer list are being amortized over their estimated useful life of approximately eight years, using an accelerated method.  The goodwill, which is not amortized for book purposes, was assigned to the Banking segment and is not deductible for tax purposes.

The fair value of checking, savings and money market deposit accounts acquired from Wilber were assumed to approximate the carrying value as these accounts have no stated maturity and are payable on demand.  Certificate of deposit accounts were valued as the present value of the certificates expected contracted payments discounted at market rates for similar certificates.

Direct costs related to the Wilber acquisition were expensed as incurred.  During the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 the Company incurred $3.6 million and $4.3 million, respectively, of merger and acquisition integration related expenses and have been separately stated in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Pro Forma condensed Combined Financial Information
If the Wilber acquisition had been completed on January 1, 2010, total revenue, net of interest expense would have been $152.6 million and $153.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively and net income from continuing operations would have been $29.7 million and $33.0 million for the same periods.  Pro forma results of operations do not include the impact of conforming certain acquiree accounting policies to the Company’s policies.  The pro forma financial information does not indicate the impact of possible business model changes nor does it consider any potential impacts of current market condition or revenues, expenses efficiencies, or other factors.

NOTE C:  ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accounting policies of the Company, as applied in the consolidated interim financial statements presented herein, are substantially the same as those followed on an annual basis as presented on pages 53 through 58 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, with the addition of the acquired loans policy below.

Critical Accounting Policies

Acquired Loans
Acquired loans are initially recorded at their acquisition date fair values.  The carryover of allowance for loan losses is prohibited as any credit losses in the loans are included in the determination of the fair value of the loans at the acquisition date.  Fair values for acquired loans are based on a discounted cash flow methodology that involves assumptions and judgments as to credit risk, prepayment risk, liquidity risk, default rates, loss severity, payment speeds, collateral values and discount rate.

Acquired loans that have evidence of deterioration in credit quality since origination and for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable are aggregated by comparable characteristics.  The excess of cash flows expected at acquisition over the estimated fair value is referred to as the accretable discount and is recognized into interest income over the remaining life of the loans. The difference between contractually required payments at acquisition and the cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition is referred to as the non-accretable discount. The non-accretable discount represents estimated future credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the loan. Subsequent decreases to the expected cash flows require the Company to evaluate the need for an allowance for loan losses on these loans. Subsequent improvements in expected cash flows result in the reversal of a corresponding amount of the non-accretable discount which the Company then reclassifies as an accretable discount that is recognized into interest income over the remaining life of the loans using the interest method. The Corporation’s evaluation of the amount of future cash flows that it expects to collect is performed in a similar manner as that used to determine its allowance for loan losses. Charge-offs of the principal amount on acquired loans would be first applied to the non-accretable discount portion of the fair value adjustment.

Acquired loans that met the criteria for non-accrual of interest prior to acquisition may be considered performing upon acquisition, regardless of whether the customer is contractually delinquent, if the Company can reasonably estimate the timing and amount of the expected cash flows on such loans and if the Company expects to fully collect the new carrying value of the loans. As such, the Company may no longer consider the loan to be non-accrual or non-performing and may accrue interest on these loans, including the impact of any accretable discount.
 
 
9

 
 
For acquired loans that are not deemed impaired at acquisition, credit discounts representing the principal losses expected over the life of the loan are a component of the initial fair value and amortized over the life of the asset.  Subsequent to the purchase date, the methods utilized to estimate the required allowance for loan losses for these loans is similar to originated loans, however, the Company records a provision for loan losses only when the required allowance exceeds any remaining credit discounts.

Allowance for Loan Losses
Management continually evaluates the credit quality of the Company’s loan portfolio, and performs a formal review of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses on a quarterly basis.  The allowance reflects management’s best estimate of probable losses incurred in the loan portfolio.  Determination of the allowance is subjective in nature and requires significant estimates.   The Company’s allowance methodology consists of two broad components - general and specific loan loss allocations.

The general loan loss allocation is composed of two calculations that are computed on five main loan segments:  business lending; consumer installment – direct; consumer installment – indirect; home equity; and consumer mortgage.  The first calculation determines an allowance level based on historical net charge-off data for each loan category (commercial loans exclude balances with specific loan loss allocations).  The second calculation is qualitative and takes into consideration eight qualitative environmental factors:  levels and trends in delinquencies and impaired loans; levels of and trends in charge-offs and recoveries; trends in volume and terms of loans; effects of any changes in risk selection and underwriting standards, and other changes in lending policies, procedure, and practices; experience, ability, and depth of lending management and other relevant staff; national and local economic trends and conditions; industry condition; and effects of changes in credit concentrations.  These two calculations are added together to determine the general loan loss allocation.  The specific loan loss allocation relates to individual commercial loans that are both greater than $0.5 million and in a nonaccruing status with respect to interest.  Specific losses are based on discounted estimated cash flows, including any cash flows resulting from the conversion of collateral or collateral shortfalls.  The allowance levels computed from the specific and general loan loss allocation methods are combined with unallocated allowances, if any, to derive the required allowance for loan losses to be reflected on the Consolidated Statement of Condition. As it has in prior periods, the Company strives to continually refine and enhance its loss evaluation and estimation processes.

Loan losses are charged off against the allowance, while recoveries of amounts previously charged off are credited to the allowance.  A provision for loan loss is charged to operations based on management’s periodic evaluation of factors previously mentioned.

Investment Securities
The Company has classified its investments in debt and equity securities as held-to-maturity or available-for-sale.  Held-to-maturity securities are those for which the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity, and are reported at cost, which is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts.  Securities not classified as held-to-maturity are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair market value with net unrealized gains and losses reflected as a separate component of shareholders' equity, net of applicable income taxes.  None of the Company's investment securities have been classified as trading securities at June 30, 2011.  Certain equity securities are stated at cost and include restricted stock of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and Federal Home Loan Bank of New York.

Fair values for investment securities are based upon quoted market prices, where available.  If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based upon quoted market prices of comparable instruments, or a discounted cash flow model using market estimates of interest rates and volatility.  See Notes D and K for further information.

The Company conducts an assessment of all securities in an unrealized loss position to determine if other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) exists on a monthly basis. An unrealized loss exists when the current fair value of an individual security is less than its amortized cost basis.  The OTTI assessment considers the security structure, recent security collateral performance metrics if applicable, external credit ratings, failure of the issuer to make scheduled interest or principal payments, judgment and expectations of future performance, and relevant independent industry research, analysis and forecasts. The severity of the impairment and the length of time the security has been impaired is also considered in the assessment.  The assessment of whether an OTTI decline exists is performed on each security, regardless of the classification of the security as available-for-sale or held-to-maturity and involves a high degree of subjectivity and judgment that is based on the information available to management at a point in time.
 
An OTTI loss must be recognized for a debt security in an unrealized loss position if there is intent to sell the security or it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis. In this situation, the amount of loss recognized in income is equal to the difference between the fair value and the amortized cost basis of the security. Even if it is not expected that the security will be sold, an evaluation of the expected cash flows to be received is performed to determine if a credit loss has occurred. For debt securities, a critical component of the evaluation for OTTI is the identification of credit-impaired securities, where the Company does not expect to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security.  In the event of a credit loss, only the amount of impairment associated with the credit loss would be recognized in income. The portion of the unrealized loss relating to other factors, such as liquidity conditions in the market or changes in market interest rates, is recorded in “accumulated other comprehensive loss”.
 
 
10

 
 
Equity securities are also evaluated to determine whether the unrealized loss is expected to be recoverable based on whether evidence exists to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the amortized cost basis. If it is probable that the amortized cost basis will not be recovered, taking into consideration the estimated recovery period and the ability to hold the equity security until recovery, OTTI is recognized in earnings equal to the difference between the fair value and the amortized cost basis of the security.

The specific identification method is used in determining the realized gains and losses on sales of investment securities and other-than-temporary impairment charges.  Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized and accreted, respectively, on a systematic basis over the period to maturity or estimated life of the related security.  Purchases and sales of securities are recognized on a trade date basis.

Income Taxes
The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return.  Provisions for income taxes are based on taxes currently payable or refundable as well as deferred taxes that are based on temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are reported in the financial statements at currently enacted income tax rates applicable to the period in which the deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled.

Benefits from tax positions should be recognized in the financial statements only when it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority having full knowledge of all relevant information. A tax position meeting the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be measured at the largest amount of benefit for which the likelihood of realization upon ultimate settlement exceeds 50 percent.

Intangible Assets
Intangible assets include core deposit intangibles, customer relationship intangibles and goodwill arising from acquisitions. Core deposit intangibles and customer relationship intangibles are amortized on either an accelerated or straight-line basis over periods ranging from 7 to 20 years. The initial and ongoing carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets is based upon discounted cash flow modeling techniques that require management to make estimates regarding the amount and timing of expected future cash flows.  It also requires use of a discount rate that reflects the current return requirements of the market in relation to present risk-free interest rates, required equity market premiums, and company-specific risk indicators.

The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, or more often if events or circumstances indicate there may be impairment.  The fair value of each reporting unit is compared to the carrying amount of that reporting unit in order to determine if impairment is indicated.  If so, the fair value of the reporting units’ goodwill is compared to its carrying amount and the impairment loss is measured by the excess of the carrying value over fair value.

Retirement Benefits
The Company provides defined benefit pension benefits to eligible employees and post-retirement health and life insurance benefits to certain eligible retirees.  The Company also provides deferred compensation and supplemental executive retirement plans for selected current and former employees and officers.  Expense under these plans is charged to current operations and consists of several components of net periodic benefit cost based on various actuarial assumptions regarding future experience under the plans, including discount rate, rate of future compensation increases and expected return on plan assets.

New Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) - Presentation of Comprehensive Income.  This guidance eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of equity and requires an entity to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.  The amendments are effective retrospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011.  The guidance requires changes in presentation only and will have no significant impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). On May 12, 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standards Board both issued new guidance that results in a consistent definition of fair value and common requirements for measurement of and disclosures about fair value between GAAP and IFRS. While many of the amendments to GAAP are not expected to have a significant effect on practice, the new guidance changes some fair value measurement principles and disclosure requirements currently in GAAP. The new guidance goes into effect on January 1, 2012 for the Company and will be applied prospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of the adoption of this guidance on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

 
11

 

NOTE D:  INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows:

 
June 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
   
Gross
Gross
Estimated
   
Gross
Gross
Estimated
 
Amortized
Unrealized
Unrealized
Fair
 
Amortized
Unrealized
Unrealized
Fair
(000's omitted)
Cost
Gains
Losses
Value
 
Cost
Gains
Losses
Value
Held-to-Maturity Portfolio:
                 
U.S. Treasury and agency securities
                  $478,282
        $30,307
$0
               $508,589
 
$478,100
$21,571
$29
$499,642
Government agency mortgage-backed securities
                    43,676
          2,147
             0
                 45,823
 
56,891
2,753
0
59,644
Obligations of state and political subdivisions
                    70,074
          1,898
             341
                 71,631
 
67,864
277
1,691
66,450
Other securities
42
   0
     0
            42
 
53
0
0
53
Total held-to-maturity portfolio
$592,074
$34,352
$341
$626,085
 
$602,908
$24,601
$1,720
$625,789
                   
Available-for-Sale Portfolio:
                 
U.S. Treasury and agency securities
$400,764
$26,721
$713
$426,772
 
$281,826
$22,231
$0
$304,057
Obligations of state and political subdivisions
517,872
16,198
825
533,245
 
518,216
10,197
6,195
522,218
Government agency mortgage-backed securities
342,331
14,028
19
356,340
 
170,673
9,159
116
179,716
Pooled trust preferred securities
68,809
0
19,837
48,972
 
69,508
0
27,515
41,993
Corporate debt securities
19,007
1,385
0
20,392
 
25,523
1,634
0
27,157
Government agency collateralized mortgage obligations
52,806
1,352
153
54,005
 
9,904
491
0
10,395
Marketable equity securities
380
92
0
472
 
380
54
7
427
Total available-for-sale portfolio
$1,401,969
$59,776
$21,547
$1,440,198
 
$1,076,030
$43,766
$33,833
$1,085,963

A summary of investment securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than, or greater, than twelve months is as follows:

As of June 30, 2011
   
Less than 12 Months
 
12 Months or Longer
 
Total
     
Gross
   
Gross
   
Gross
   
Fair
Unrealized
 
Fair
Unrealized
 
Fair
Unrealized
(000's omitted)
 
Value
Losses
 
Value
Losses
 
Value
Losses
                   
Held-to-Maturity Portfolio:
                 
  Obligations of state and political subdivisions/
                 
     Total held-to-maturity portfolio
 
$9,743
$341
 
$0
$0
 
$9,743
$341
                   
Available-for-Sale Portfolio:
                 
 U.S. Treasury and agency securities
 
40,311
713
 
0
0
 
40,311
713
 Obligations of state and political subdivisions
 
34,185
385
 
4,800
440
 
38,985
825
 Government agency mortgage-backed securities
 
3,920
19
 
0
0
 
3,920
19
 Pooled trust preferred securities
 
0
0
 
48,972
19,837
 
48,972
19,837
 Government agency collateralized mortgage obligations
 
10,148
153
 
0
0
 
10,148
153
   Total available-for-sale portfolio
 
88,564
1,270
 
53,772
20,277
 
142,336
21,547
 
                 
    Total investment portfolio
 
$98,307
$1,611
 
$53,772
$20,277
 
$152,079
$21,888


 
12

 

As of December 31, 2010
   
Less than 12 Months
 
12 Months or Longer
 
Total
     
Gross
   
Gross
   
Gross
   
Fair
Unrealized
 
Fair
Unrealized
 
Fair
Unrealized
(000's omitted)
 
Value
Losses
 
Value
Losses
 
Value
Losses
                   
Held-to-Maturity Portfolio:
                 
  U.S. Treasury and agency securities
 
$14,967
$29
 
$0
$0
 
$14,967
$29
  Obligations of state and political subdivisions
 
43,851
1,691
 
0
0
 
43,851
1,691
     Total held-to-maturity portfolio
 
58,818
1,720
 
0
0
 
58,818
1,720
                   
Available-for-Sale Portfolio:
                 
 Obligations of state and political subdivisions
 
197,066
5,705
 
4,049
490
 
201,115
6,195
 Pooled trust preferred securities
 
0
0
 
41,993
27,515
 
41,993
27,515
 Government agency mortgage-backed securities
 
14,690
116
 
0
0
 
14,690
116
 Marketable equity securities
 
210
2
 
11
5
 
221
7
   Total available-for-sale portfolio
 
211,966
5,823
 
46,053
28,010
 
258,019
33,833
                   
    Total investment portfolio
 
$270,784
$7,543
 
$46,053
$28,010
 
$316,837
$35,553

Included in the available-for-sale portfolio are pooled trust preferred, class A-1 securities with a current total par value of $70.4 million and unrealized losses of $19.8 million at June 30, 2011.  The underlying collateral of these assets is principally trust-preferred securities of smaller regional banks and insurance companies.  The Company’s securities are in the super-senior cash flow tranche of the investment pools.  All other tranches in these pools will incur losses before the super senior tranche is impacted.  As of June 30, 2011, an additional 34% - 37% of the underlying collateral in these securities would have to be in deferral or default concurrently to result in an expectation of non-receipt of contractual cash flows.

In determining if unrealized losses are other-than-temporary, management considers the following factors: the length of time and extent that fair value has been less than cost; the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuers; any external credit ratings; the level of excess cash flows generated from the underlying collateral supporting the principal and interest payments of the debt securities; and the level of credit enhancement provided by the structure.  A detailed review of the pooled trust preferred securities was completed for the quarter ended June 30, 2011.  This review included an analysis of collateral reports, a cash flow analysis, including varying degrees of projected deferral/default scenarios, and a review of various financial ratios of the underlying banks and insurance companies that make up the collateral pool.  Based on the analysis performed, significant further deferral/defaults and further erosion in other underlying performance conditions would have to exist before the Company would incur a loss.  Therefore, the Company determined an other-than-temporary impairment did not exist at June 30, 2011.  To date, the Company has received all scheduled principal and interest payments and expects to fully collect all future contractual principal and interest payments. The Company does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the underlying securities.   Subsequent changes in market or credit conditions could change those evaluations.

Management does not believe any individual unrealized loss as of June 30, 2011 represents an other-than-temporary impairment.  The unrealized losses reported pertaining to government guaranteed mortgage-backed securities relate primarily to securities issued by GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC, who are currently rated AAA by Moody’s Investor Services and Standard & Poor’s and are guaranteed by the U.S. government.  The obligations of state and political subdivisions are general purpose debt obligations of various states and political subdivisions.  The unrealized losses in the portfolios are primarily attributable to changes in interest rates.  The Company does not intend to sell these securities, nor is it more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell these securities prior to recovery of the amortized cost.
 
 

 
13

 

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities at June 30, 2011, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.  Securities not due at a single maturity date are shown separately.

   
Held-to-Maturity
 
Available-for-Sale
   
Amortized
Fair
 
Amortized
Fair
(000's omitted)
 
Cost
Value
 
Cost
Value
Due in one year or less
 
$10,511
$10,616
 
$70,767
$72,246
Due after one through five years
 
64,645
67,931
 
160,805
168,751
Due after five years through ten years
 
403,812
430,599
 
317,349
339,439
Due after ten years
 
69,430
71,116
 
457,531
448,945
     Subtotal
 
548,398
580,262
 
1,006,452
1,029,381
Government agency collateralized mortgage obligations
 
0
0
 
52,806
54,005
Government agency mortgage-backed securities
 
43,676
45,823
 
342,331
356,340
     Total
 
$592,074
$626,085
 
$1,401,589
$1,439,726

NOTE E:  LOANS

The segments of the Company’s loan portfolio are disaggregated into levels that allow management to monitor risk and performance.  Consumer mortgages consist primarily of fixed rate residential instruments, typically 15 – 30 years in contractual term, secured by first liens on a property.  Business lending is comprised of general purpose commercial and industrial loans including agricultural-related and dealer floor plans, as well as mortgages on commercial property.  Consumer installment – indirect consists primarily of loans originated through selected dealerships and are secured by automobiles, marine and other recreational vehicles.  Home equity products are consumer purpose installment loans or lines of credit most often secured by a first or second lien position on residential real estate with terms of 15 years or less.  Consumer installment – direct are all other loans to consumers such as personal installment loans and lines of credit.  Loans are summarized as follows:

 
June 30,
December 31,
(000's omitted)
2011
2010
Consumer mortgage
$1,149,219
$1,057,332
Business lending
1,290,893
1,023,286
Consumer installment - indirect
549,449
494,813
Home equity
330,213
305,936
Consumer installment - direct
158,376
144,996
  Gross loans, including deferred origination costs
3,478,150
3,026,363
Allowance for loan losses
(42,531)
(42,510)
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses
$3,435,619
$2,983,853

The changes in the accretable discount related to the credit impaired acquired loans are as follows:

Balance at March 31, 2011
$0
Wilber acquisition
2,489
Accretion recognized, to-date
(227)
Balance at June 30, 2011
$2,262
 
 

 
14

 

Credit Quality
Management monitors the credit quality of its loan portfolio on an ongoing basis.  Measurement of delinquency and past due status are based on the contractual terms of each loan.  Past due loans are reviewed on a monthly basis to identify loans for non-accrual status.  The following is an aged analysis of the Company’s past due loans, by class as of June 30, 2011:

(000’s omitted)
30 - 89
Days
90+ Days Past
Due and
Still Accruing
Nonaccrual
Total
Past Due
 
Purchased
Impaired
Current
Total
Loans
Consumer mortgage
      $11,842
$1,949
         $5,881
       $19,672
$0
  $1,129,547
$1,149,219    
Business lending
7,277
157
10,928
18,362
16,520
1,256,011
1,290,893    
Consumer installment - indirect
8,029
19
4
8,052
0
541,397
549,449    
Home equity
2,343
273
1,020
3,636
0
326,577
330,213    
Consumer installment – direct
2,343
101
0
2,444
0
155,932
158,376    
Total
       $31,834
         $2,499
     $17,833
       $52,166
$16,520
$3,409,464
$3,478,150    

The following is an aged analysis of the Company’s past due loans by class as of December 31, 2010:
(000’s omitted)
30 - 89
Days
90+ Days Past
Due and
Still Accruing
Nonaccrual
Total
Past Due
Current
Total
Loans
Consumer mortgage
      $16,614
$2,308
         $4,737
       $23,659
  $1,033,673
$1,057,332    
Business lending
           5,965
             247
       9,715
         15,927
    1,007,359
1,023,286    
Consumer installment – indirect
10,246
131
0
10,377
484,436
494,813    
Home equity
  3,960
            309
             926
           5,195
300,741
305,936    
Consumer installment – direct
2,514
96
0
2,610
142,386
144,996    
Total
      $39,299
$3,091
      $15,378
       $57,768
  $2,968,595
$3,026,363    

The Company uses several credit quality indicators to assess credit risk in an ongoing manner.  The Company’s primary credit quality indicator for its business lending portfolio is an internal credit risk rating system that categorizes loans as “pass”, “special mention”, or “classified”.  Credit risk ratings are applied individually to those classes of loans that have significant or unique credit characteristics that benefit from a case-by-case evaluation.  The following are the definitions of the Company’s credit quality indicators:

 
 Pass  In general, the condition of the borrower and the performance of the loans are satisfactory or better.
   
 Special Mention  In general, the condition of the borrower has deteriorated although the loan performs as agreed.
   
 Classified  In general, the condition of the borrower has significantly deteriorated and the performance of the loan could further deteriorate if deficiencies are not corrected.
   

The following table shows the amount of business lending loans by credit quality category:

(000’s omitted)
June 30, 2011
December 31, 2010
Pass
$982,746
$753,252
Special mention
172,441
159,906
Classified
119,186
110,128
Purchased impaired
16,520
0
Total
$1,290,893
$1,023,286

All other loans are underwritten and structured using standardized criteria and characteristics, primarily payment performance, and are normally risk rated and monitored collectively on a monthly basis.  These are typically loans to individuals in the consumer categories and are delineated as either performing or nonperforming.   Performing loans include current, 30 – 89 days past due and purchased impaired loans.  Nonperforming loans include 90+ days past due and still accruing and non-accrual loans.

The following table details the balances in all other loan categories at June 30, 2011:
(000’s omitted)
Consumer
Mortgage
Indirect Consumer
Home
Equity
Direct Consumer
Total
Performing
$1,141,389
$549,426
$328,920
$158,275
$2,178,010
Nonperforming
7,830
23
1,293
101
9,247
Total
$1,149,219
$549,449
$330,213
$158,376
$2,187,257
 
 
15

 
 
The following table details the balances in all other loan categories at December 31, 2010:

(000’s omitted)
Consumer
Mortgage
Indirect
Consumer
Home
Equity
Direct
Consumer
Total
Performing
$1,050,287
$494,682
$304,701
$144,900
$1,994,570
Nonperforming
7,045
131
1,235
96
8,507
Total
$1,057,332
$494,813
$305,936
$144,996
$2,003,077

All loan classes are collectively evaluated for impairment except business lending, as described in Note B.  A summary of individually evaluated impaired loans as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 follows:

 
June 30,
December 31,
(000’s omitted)
2011
2010
Loans with reserve
$0    
$1,465    
Loans without reserve
2,564    
3,846    
Carrying balance
2,564    
5,311    
Contractual balance
3,351    
7,042
Specifically allocated allowance
0    
762

Allowance for Loan Losses

The following presents by class the activity in the allowance for loan losses:

 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2011
 
Consumer
Business
Home
Direct
Indirect
   
(000’s omitted)
Mortgage
Lending
Equity
Installment
Installment
Unallocated
Total
Beginning balance
$3,099
$21,559
$860
$3,794
$9,639
$3,196
$42,147
Charge-offs
(108)
(727)
(95)
(203)
(930)
0
(2,063)
Recoveries
7
232
4
178
976
0
1,397
Provision
288
(115)
142
109
592
34
1,050
Ending balance
$3,286
$20,949
$911
$3,878
$10,277
$3,230
$42,531

 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2010
 
Consumer
Business
Home
Direct
Indirect
   
(000’s omitted)
Mortgage
Lending
Equity
Installment
Installment
Unallocated
Total
Beginning balance
$1,290
$23,416
$360
$3,681
$9,930
$3,418
$42,095
Charge-offs
(321)
(770)
(103)
(402)
(909)
0
(2,505)
Recoveries
8
114
3
242
596
0
963
Provision
677
859
197
241
179
(103)
2,050
Ending balance
$1,654
$23,619
$457
$3,762
$9,796
$3,315
$42,603

 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
 
Consumer
Business
Home
Direct
Indirect
   
(000’s omitted)
Mortgage
Lending
Equity
Installment
Installment
Unallocated
Total
Beginning Balance
$2,451
$22,326
$689
$3,977
$9,922
$3,145
$42,510
Charge-offs
(344)
(1,570)
(131)
(620)
(1,956)
0
(4,621)
Recoveries
26
318
11
394
1,793
0
2,542
Provision
1,153
(125)
342
127
518
85
2,100
Ending Balance
$3,286
$20,949
$911
$3,878
$10,277
$3,230
$42,531

 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2010
 
Consumer
Business
Home
Direct
Indirect
   
(000’s omitted)
Mortgage
Lending
Equity
Installment
Installment
Unallocated
Total
Beginning Balance
$1,127
$23,577
$374
$3,660
$10,004
$3,168
$41,910
Charge-offs
(409)
(2,138)
(103)
(828)
(1,958)
0
(5,436)
Recoveries
36
399
4
401
1,419
0
2,259
Provision
900
1,781
182
529
331
147
3,870
Ending Balance
$1,654
$23,619
$457
$3,762
$9,796
$3,315
$42,603

Despite the above allocation, the allowance for loan losses is general in nature and is available to absorb losses from any loan type.
 
 
16

 
 
NOTE F:  GOODWILL AND IDENTIFIABLE INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization for each type of identifiable intangible asset are as follows:
   
As of June 30, 2011
 
As of December 31, 2010
   
Gross
 
Net
 
Gross
 
Net
   
Carrying
Accumulated
Carrying
 
Carrying
Accumulated
Carrying
(000's omitted)
 
Amount
Amortization
Amount
 
Amount
Amortization
Amount
Amortizing intangible assets:
               
  Core deposit intangibles
 
$64,610
($51,319)
$13,291
 
$60,595
($49,698)
$10,897
  Other intangibles
 
9,047
(5,238)
3,809
 
7,894
(4,769)
3,125
 Total amortizing intangibles
 
$73,657
($56,557)
$17,100
 
$68,489
($54,467)
$14,022

The estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years ended December 31 is as follows:

Jul – Dec 2011
$2,273
2012
3,958
2013
3,169
2014
2,464
2015
1,809
Thereafter
3,427
Total
$17,100

Shown below are the components of the Company’s goodwill at June 30, 2011:

(000’s omitted)
December 31, 2010
Activity
June 30, 2011
Goodwill
$302,516
$48,223
$350,739
Accumulated impairment
(4,824)
0
(4,824)
Goodwill, net
$297,692
$48,223
$345,915

NOTE G:  MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SECURITIES

The Company sponsors two business trusts, Community Statutory Trust III and Community Capital Trust IV (“Trust IV”), of which 100% of the common stock is owned by the Company.  The trusts were formed for the purpose of issuing company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred securities to third-party investors and investing the proceeds from the sale of such preferred securities solely in junior subordinated debt securities of the Company.  The debentures held by each trust are the sole assets of that trust.  Distributions on the preferred securities issued by each trust are payable quarterly at a rate per annum equal to the interest rate being earned by the trust on the debentures held by that trust and are recorded as interest expense in the consolidated financial statements.  The preferred securities are subject to mandatory redemption, in whole or in part, upon repayment of the debentures.  The Company has entered into agreements which, taken collectively, fully and unconditionally guarantee the preferred securities subject to the terms of each of the guarantees.  The terms of the preferred securities of each trust are as follows:

 
Issuance
Par
 
Maturity
   
Trust
Date
Amount
Interest Rate
Date
Call Provision
Call Price
III
7/31/2001
$24.5 million
3 month LIBOR plus 3.58% (3.85%)
7/31/2031
  5 year beginning 2006
101.5% declining to par at July 31, 2011
IV
12/8/2006
$75 million
3 month LIBOR plus 1.65% (1.90%)
12/15/2036
5 year beginning 2012
Par

Upon the issuance of Trust IV, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement to convert the variable rate trust preferred securities into a fixed rate security for a term of five years at a fixed rate of 6.43%.  Additional interest expense of approximately $849,000 and $1,688,000 was recognized based on the interest rate swap agreement for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively, compared to $848,000 and $1,696,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively.


 
17

 

NOTE H:  BENEFIT PLANS

The Company provides a qualified defined benefit pension to qualified employees and retirees, and other post-retirement health and life insurance benefits to certain retirees, an unfunded supplemental pension plan for certain key executives, and an unfunded stock balance plan for certain of its nonemployee directors.  The Company accrues for the estimated cost of these benefits through charges to expense during the years that employees earn these benefits.  The net periodic benefit cost for the three and six months ended June 30 is as follows:
 
   Pension Benefits   Post-retirement Benefits 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
(000's omitted)
2011
2010
 
2011
2010
 
2011
2010
 
2011
2010
Service cost
$784
$638
 
$1,470
$1,331
 
$0
$0
 
$0
$0
Interest cost
1,191
967
 
2,153
1,955
 
38
49
 
76
98
Expected return on plan assets
(2,167)
(1,618)
 
(3,934)
(3,235)
 
0
0
 
0
0
Amortization of unrecognized net loss
474
596
 
948
1,210
 
2
4
 
4
9
Amortization of prior service cost
(37)
(47)
 
(75)
(94)
 
(264)
(264)
 
(529)
(529)
Net periodic benefit cost
$245
$536
 
$562
$1,167
 
($224)
($211)
 
($449)
($422)


NOTE I:  EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted-average common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted-average shares outstanding adjusted for the dilutive effect of restricted stock and the assumed exercise of stock options during the year.  The dilutive effect of options is calculated using the treasury stock method of accounting.  The treasury stock method determines the number of common shares that would be outstanding if all the dilutive options (those where the average market price is greater than the exercise price) were exercised and the proceeds were used to repurchase common shares in the open market at the average market price for the applicable time period.  There were approximately 0.2 million weighted-average anti-dilutive stock options outstanding at June 30, 2011 compared to approximately 1.8 million weighted-average anti-dilutive stock options outstanding at June 30, 2010 that were not included in the computation below.

The following is a reconciliation of basic to diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010.

 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
(000's omitted, except per share data)
2011
2010
 
2011
2010
Net income
$17,986
$16,162
 
$34,146
$30,164
Income attributable to unvested stock-based compensation awards
(136)
(144)
 
(267)
(255)
Income available to common shareholders
$17,850
$16,018
 
$33,879
$29,909
           
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic
36,346
32,947
 
34,804
32,886
Basic earnings per share
$0.49
$0.49
 
$0.97
$0.91
           
Net income
$17,986
$16,162
 
$34,146
$30,164
Income attributable to unvested stock-based compensation awards
(136)
(144)
 
(267)
(255)
Income available to common shareholders
$17,850
$16,018
 
$33,879
$29,909
           
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
36,346
32,947
 
34,804
32,886
Assumed exercise of stock options
438
327
 
486
265
Weighted-average shares – diluted
36,784
33,274
 
35,290
33,151
Diluted earnings per share
$0.49
$0.48
 
$0.96
$0.90

Stock Repurchase Program
On July 22, 2009, the Company announced an authorization to repurchase up to 1,000,000 of its outstanding shares in open market transactions or privately negotiated transactions in accordance with securities laws and regulations through December 31, 2011.  Any repurchased shares will be used for general corporate purposes, including those related to stock plan activities.  The timing and extent of repurchases will depend on market conditions and other corporate considerations as determined at the Company’s discretion.  No repurchases have been made under the repurchase authorization since it was approved, and the full 1,000,000 shares of common shares remain available to be purchased under the authorization.
 
 
18

 
 
NOTE J:  COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND RESTRICTIONS

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers.  These financial instruments consist primarily of commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.  Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to customers, generally having fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses that may require payment of a fee.  These commitments consist principally of unused commercial and consumer credit lines.  Standby letters of credit generally are contingent upon the failure of the customer to perform according to the terms of an underlying contract with a third party.  The credit risks associated with commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are essentially the same as that involved with extending loans to customers and are subject to the Company’s normal credit policies.  Collateral may be obtained based on management’s assessment of the customer’s creditworthiness.

The contract amount of commitments and contingencies are as follows:

(000's omitted)
June 30,
 2011
December 31,
2010
Commitments to extend credit
$535,799
$445,625
Standby letters of credit
29,186
21,456
     Total
$564,985
$467,081

NOTE K:  FAIR VALUE

Accounting standards allow entities an irrevocable option to measure certain financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value.  Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected are reported in earnings.  The Company has elected to value loans held for sale at fair value in order to more closely match the gains and losses associated with loans held for sale with the gains and losses on forward sales contracts.  Accordingly, the impact on the valuation will be recognized in the Company’s consolidated statement of income.  All mortgage loans held for sale are current and in performing status.

Accounting standards establish a framework for measuring fair value and require certain disclosures about such fair value instruments.  It defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price).  Inputs used to measure fair value are classified into the following hierarchy:

·
Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
·
Level 2 – Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability.
·
Level 3 – Significant valuation assumptions not readily observable in a market.

A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.    The following tables set forth the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis.   There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 for any of the periods presented.

 
June 30, 2011
(000's omitted)
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total Fair Value
Available-for-sale investment securities:
       
  U.S. Treasury and agency securities
$151,553
$275,219
$0
$426,772
  Obligations of state and political subdivisions
0
533,245
0
533,245
  Government agency mortgage-backed securities
0
356,340
0
356,340
  Pooled trust preferred securities
0
0
48,972
48,972
  Corporate debt securities
0
20,392
0
20,392
  Government agency collateralized mortgage obligations
0
54,005
0
54,005
  Marketable equity securities
472
0
0
472
   Total available-for-sale investment securities
152,025
1,239,201
48,972
1,440,198
Forward sales commitments
0
0
0
0
Commitments to originate real estate loans for sale
0
0
142
142
Mortgage loans held for sale
0
869
0
869
Interest rate swap
0
(1,641)
0
(1,641)
   Total
$152,025
$1,238,429
$49,114
$1,439,568


 
19

 


 
December 31, 2010
(000's omitted)
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total Fair Value
Available-for-sale investment securities:
       
  U.S. Treasury and agency securities
$1,026
$303,031
$0
$304,057
  Obligations of state and political subdivisions
0
522,218
0
522,218
  Government agency mortgage-backed securities
0
179,716
0
179,716
  Pooled trust preferred securities
0
0
41,993
41,993
  Corporate debt securities
0
27,157
0
27,157
  Government agency collateralized mortgage obligations
0
10,395
0
10,395
  Marketable equity securities
427
0
0
427
   Total available-for-sale investment securities
1,453
1,042,517
41,993
1,085,963
Forward sales commitments
0
322
0
322
Commitments to originate real estate loans for sale
0
0
58
58
Mortgage loans held for sale
0
3,952
0
3,952
Interest rate swap
0
(3,232)
0
(3,232)
   Total
$1,453
$1,043,559
$42,051
$1,087,063

The valuation techniques used to measure fair value for the items in the table above are as follows:
 
·
Available for sale investment securities – The fair value of available-for-sale investment securities is based upon quoted prices, if available.  If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using quoted market prices for similar securities or model-based valuation techniques.  Level 1 securities include U.S. Treasury obligations and marketable equity securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets.  Level 2 securities include U.S. agency securities, mortgage-backed securities issued by government-sponsored entities, municipal securities and corporate debt securities that are valued by reference to prices for similar securities or through model-based techniques in which all significant inputs, such as reported trades, trade execution data, LIBOR swap yield curve, market prepayment speeds, credit information, market spreads, and security’s terms and conditions, are observable.  Securities classified as Level 3 include pooled trust preferred securities in less liquid markets.  The value of these instruments is determined using multiple pricing models or similar techniques as well as significant unobservable inputs such as judgment or estimation by the Company in the weighting of the models.

 
·
Mortgage loans held for sale – Mortgage loans held for sale are carried at fair value, which is determined using quoted secondary-market prices of loans with similar characteristics and, as such, have been classified as a Level 2 valuation.  The unpaid principal value of mortgage loans held for sale at June 30, 2011 is approximately $851,000.  The unrealized gain on mortgage loans held for sale of $18,000 was recognized in mortgage banking and other services income in the consolidated statement of income for the quarter ended June 30, 2011.

 
·
Forward sales contracts – The Company enters into forward sales contracts to sell certain residential real estate loans.  Such commitments are considered to be derivative financial instruments and, therefore, are carried at estimated fair value in the other asset or other liability section of the consolidated balance sheet.  The fair value of these forward sales contracts is primarily measured by obtaining pricing from certain government-sponsored entities and reflects the underlying price the entity would pay the Company for an immediate sale of these mortgages.  These instruments are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

 
·
Commitments to originate real estate loans for sale – The Company enters into various commitments to originate residential real estate loans for sale.  Such commitments are considered to be derivative financial instruments and, therefore, are carried at estimated fair value in the other asset or other liability section of the consolidated balance sheet.  The estimated fair value of these commitments is determined using quoted secondary market prices obtained from certain government-sponsored entities.  Additionally, accounting guidance requires the expected net future cash flows related to the associated servicing of the loan to be included in the fair value measurement of the derivative.  The expected net future cash flows are based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated net servicing income.  The valuation model incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income.  Such assumptions include estimates of the realization rate, cost of servicing loans, appropriate discount rate and prepayment speeds.  The determination of expected net cash flows is considered a significant unobservable input contributing to the Level 3 classification of commitments to originate real estate loans for sale.

 
·
Interest rate swap – The Company utilizes interest rate swap agreements to modify the repricing characteristics of certain of its interest-bearing liabilities.  The fair value of these interest rate swaps, which are traded in over-the-counter markets, where quoted market prices are not readily available, are measured using models for which the significant assumptions such as yield curves and option volatilities are market observable and, therefore, classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
 
 
20

 
 
The changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized in the following tables:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2011
 
2010
(000's omitted)
Pooled trust
preferred
securities
Commitments
to originate
real estate
loans for sale
Total
 
Pooled trust
preferred
securities
Commitments
to originate
real estate
loans for sale
Total
Beginning balance
$48,172
$58
$48,230
 
$46,021
$106
$46,127
Total gains (losses) included in earnings (1)
25
(58)
(33)
 
24
(106)
(82)
Total gains included in other comprehensive income
1,156
0
1,156
 
1,681
0
1,681
Sales/calls/principal reductions
(381)
0
(381)
 
(383)
0
(383)
Commitments to originate real estate loans held for sale, net
0
142
142
 
0
367
367
Ending balance
$48,972
$142
$49,114
 
$47,343
$367
$47,710
(1) Amounts included in earnings associated with the pooled trust preferred securities relate to accretion of related discount.
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2011
 
2010
(000's omitted)
Pooled trust
preferred
securities
Commitments
to originate
real estate loans
for sale
Total
 
Pooled trust
preferred
securities
Commitments
to originate
real estate
loans for sale
Total
Beginning balance
$41,993
$58
$42,051
 
$44,014
$31
$44,045
Total gains (losses) included in earnings (1)
48
(116)
(68)
 
49
(31)
18
Total gains included in other comprehensive income
7,679
0
7,679
 
4,037
0
4,037
Purchases
0
0
0
 
0
0
0
Sales/calls/principal reductions
(748)
0
(748)
 
(757)
0
(757)
Commitments to originate real estate loans held for sale, net
0
200
200
 
0
367
367
Ending balance
$48,972
$142
$49,114
 
$47,343
$367
$47,710
(1) Amounts included in earnings associated with the pooled trust preferred securities relate to accretion of related discount.

Assets and liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis:

 
June 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
(000's omitted)
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total Fair Value
 
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total Fair Value
Impaired loans
$0
$0
$0
$0
 
$0
$0
$703
$703
Other real estate owned
0
0
3,269
3,269
 
0
0
2,011
2,011
Mortgage servicing rights
0
0
1,359
1,359
 
0
0
2,422
2,422
   Total
$0
$0
$4,628
$4,628
 
$0
$0
$5,136
$5,136

Originated mortgage servicing rights are recorded at their fair value at the time of sale of the underlying loan, and are amortized in proportion to and over the estimated period of net servicing income.  In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, the Company must record impairment charges, on a nonrecurring basis, when the carrying value of certain strata exceed their estimated fair value.  The fair value of mortgage servicing rights is based on a valuation model incorporating inputs that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income.  Such inputs include estimates of the cost of servicing loans, appropriate discount rate and prepayment speeds and are considered to be unobservable and contribute to the Level 3 classification of mortgage servicing rights.  The amount of impairment recognized is the amount by which the carrying value of the capitalized servicing rights for a stratum exceeds estimated fair value.  Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance.  There is a valuation allowance of approximately $25,000 at June 30, 2011.


 
21

 

Loans are generally not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.  Periodically, the Company records nonrecurring adjustments to the carrying value of loans based on fair value measurements for partial charge-offs of the uncollectible portions of those loans.  Nonrecurring adjustments also include certain impairment amounts for collateral-dependent loans calculated when establishing the allowance for credit losses. Such amounts are generally based on the fair value of the underlying collateral supporting the loan and, as a result, the carrying value of the loan less the calculated valuation amount does not necessarily represent the fair value of the loan. Real estate collateral is typically valued using independent appraisals or other indications of value based on recent comparable sales of similar properties or assumptions generally observable in the marketplace, adjusted based on non-observable inputs and the related nonrecurring fair value measurement adjustments are generally classified as Level 3. Estimates of fair value used for other collateral supporting commercial loans generally are based on assumptions not observable in the marketplace and, therefore, such valuations classify as Level 3.

The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, or more often if events or circumstances indicate there may be impairment.  The fair value of each reporting unit is compared to the carrying amount of that reporting unit in order to determine if impairment is indicated.  If so, the implied fair value of the reporting units’ goodwill is compared to its carrying amount and the impairment loss is measured by the excess of the carrying value of the goodwill over fair value of the goodwill.  In such situations, the Company performs a discounted cash flow modeling technique that requires management to make estimates regarding the amount and timing of expected future cash flows of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit that enable the Company to calculate the implied fair value of the goodwill.  It also requires use of a discount rate that reflects the current return requirement of the market in relation to present risk-free interest rates, required equity market premiums and company-specific risk indicators.  The Company did not recognize an impairment charge during 2010 or the six months ended June 30, 2011.

The Company determines fair values based on quoted market values where available or on estimates using present values or other valuation techniques.  Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including, but not limited to, the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows.  In that regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instrument.  Certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments are excluded from fair value disclosure requirements.  Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of the Company.  The fair value of investment securities has been disclosed in Note D.

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s other financial instruments that are not accounted for at fair value at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows:

   
June 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
   
Carrying
Fair
 
Carrying
Fair
(000's omitted)
 
Value
Value
 
Value
Value
Financial assets:
           
   Net loans
 
$3,435,619
$3,450,501
 
$2,983,853
$2,996,821
Financial liabilities:
           
   Deposits
 
4,757,102
4,775,346
 
3,934,045
3,944,261
   Borrowings
 
728,441
810,714
 
728,460
808,902
   Subordinated debt held by unconsolidated subsidiary trusts
 
102,036
82,400
 
102,024
82,490
             
The following is a further description of the principal valuation methods used by the Company to estimate the fair values of its financial instruments.
 
 
Loans – Fair values for variable rate loans that reprice frequently are based on carrying values.  Fair values for fixed rate loans are estimated using expected discounted cash flows and interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality.

Deposits – The fair value of demand deposits, interest-bearing checking deposits, savings accounts and money market deposits is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date.  The fair values of time deposit obligations are based on current market rates for similar products.

Borrowings – Fair values for long-term borrowings are estimated using discounted cash flows and interest rates currently being offered on similar borrowings.

Subordinated debt held by unconsolidated subsidiary trusts – The fair value of subordinated debt held by unconsolidated subsidiary trusts are estimated using discounted cash flows and interest rates currently being offered on similar securities.

Other financial assets and liabilities – Cash and cash equivalents, accrued interest receivable and accrued interest payable have fair values which approximate the respective carrying values because the instruments are payable on demand or have short-term maturities and present relatively low credit risk and interest rate risk..
 
 
22

 
 
NOTE L:  DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

The Company is party to derivative financial instruments in the normal course of its business to meet the financing needs of its customers and to manage its own exposure to fluctuations in interest rates.  These financial instruments have been limited to interest rate swap agreements, commitments to originate real estate loans held for sale, and forward sales commitments.  The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes.

The Company enters into forward sales commitments for the future delivery of residential mortgage loans, and interest rate lock commitments to fund loans at a specified interest rate.  The forward sales commitments are utilized to reduce interest rate risk associated with interest rate lock commitments and loans held for sale.  Changes in the estimated fair value of the forward sales commitments and interest rate lock commitments subsequent to inception are based on changes in the fair value of the underlying loan resulting from the fulfillment of the commitment and changes in the probability that the loan will fund within the terms of the commitment, which is affected primarily by changes in interest rates and the passage of time.  At inception and during the life of the interest rate lock commitment, the Company includes the expected net future cash flows related to the associated servicing of the loan as part of the fair value measurement of the interest rate lock commitments.  These derivatives are recorded at fair value.

The Company utilizes interest rate swap agreements as part of the management of interest rate risk to modify the repricing characteristics of certain of its borrowings.  The interest rate swap has been designated as a qualifying cash flow hedge.  See further details of interest rate swap agreements in Note G.

The following table presents the Company’s derivative financial instruments, their estimated fair values, and balance sheet location as of June 30, 2011:

 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
(000's omitted)
Location
Notional
Fair Value
 
Location
Notional
Fair Value
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
             
   Interest rate swap agreement
       
Other liabilities
$75,000
$1,641
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
             
   Commitments to originate real estate loans for sale
Other assets
$7,787
$142
       
   Forward sales commitments
Other assets
2,526
0
       
Total derivatives
   
$142
     
$1,641

The following table presents the Company’s derivative financial instruments and the location of the net gain or loss recognized in the statement of income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011:

     
Loss recognized in the Statement of Income
(000's omitted)
Location
 
Three Months Ending
June 30, 2011
Six Months Ending
June 30, 2011
Interest rate swap agreement
Interest on subordinated debt held by
unconsolidated subsidiary trusts
 
($849)
($1,688)
Interest rate lock commitments
Mortgage banking and other services
 
84
84
Forward sales commitments
Mortgage banking and other services
 
(3)
(322)
Total
   
($768)
($1,926)

The amount of gain recognized during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 in other comprehensive income related to the interest rate swap accounted for as a hedging instrument was approximately $804,000 and $1,592,000, respectively.  The amount of loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income (effective portion) amounted to approximately $849,000 and $1,688,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively, and is located in interest expense on subordinated debt held by unconsolidated trusts.


 
23

 

NOTE M:  SEGMENT INFORMATION

Operating segments are components of an enterprise, which are evaluated regularly by the “chief operating decision maker” in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance.  The Company’s chief operating decision maker is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Company has identified Banking as its reportable operating business segment.  The banking segment provides full-service banking to consumers, businesses and governmental units in northern, central and western New York as well as Northern Pennsylvania.

Immaterial operating segments of the Company’s operations, which do not have similar characteristics to the banking segment and do not meet the quantitative thresholds requiring disclosure, are included in the “Other” category.  Revenues derived from these segments include administration, consulting and actuarial services to sponsors of employee benefit plans, broker-dealer and investment advisory services, asset management services to individuals, corporate pension and profit sharing plans, trust services and insurance commissions from various insurance related products and services.  The accounting policies used in the disclosure of business segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies (See Note A, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the most recent Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 filed with the SEC on March 15, 2011).

Information about reportable segments and reconciliation of the information to the consolidated financial statements follows:

 
(000's omitted) 
Banking
Other
Eliminations
Consolidated
Total
Three Months Ended June 30, 2011
       
Net interest income
$54,162
$25
$0
$54,187
Provision for loan losses
1,050
0
0
1,050
Noninterest income
12,115
11,081
(445)
22,751
Gain on investment securities & debt extinguishments
14
0
0
14
Amortization of intangible assets
921
268
0
1,189
Other operating expenses
41,778
8,604
(445)
49,937
Income before income taxes
$22,542
$2,234
$0
$24,776
Assets
$6,365,178
$36,688
($11,381)
$6,390,485
Goodwill
$335,634
$10,281
$0
$345,915
         
Three Months Ended June 30, 2010
       
Net interest income
$45,924
$21
$0
$45,945
Provision for loan losses
2,050
0
0
2,050
Noninterest income
12,451
10,289
(362)
22,378
Amortization of intangible assets
1,621
228
0
1,849
Other operating expenses
34,537
8,196
(362)
42,371
Income before income taxes
$20,167
$1,886
$0
$22,053
Assets
$5,424,388
$34,196
($10,782)
$5,447,802
Goodwill
$287,411
$10,281
$0
$297,692
         
Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
       
Net interest income
$99,663
$47
$0
$99,710
Provision for loan losses
2,100
0
0
2,100
Noninterest income
22,594
21,924
(925)
43,593
Gain on investment securities & debt extinguishments
14
0
0
14
Amortization of intangible assets
1,621
469
0
2,090
Other operating expenses
76,327
16,950
(925)
92,352
Income before income taxes
$42,223
$4,552
$0
$46,775
         
Six Months Ended June 30, 2010
       
Net interest income
$89,178
$49
$0
$89,227
Provision for loan losses
3,870
0
0
3,870
Noninterest income
23,893
20,976
(774)
44,095
Amortization of intangible assets
3,252
456
0
3,708
Other operating expenses
69,096
16,383
(774)
84,705
Income before income taxes
$36,853
$4,186
$0
$41,039


 
 

 
24

 

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

Introduction

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) primarily reviews the financial condition and results of operations of Community Bank System, Inc. (the “Company” or “CBSI”) as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, although in some circumstances the fourth quarter of 2010 is also discussed in order to more fully explain recent trends.  The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes that appear on pages 3 through 24.  All references in the discussion to the financial condition and results of operations are to those of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.  Unless otherwise noted, the term “this year” refers to results in calendar year 2011, “second quarter” refers to the quarter ended June 30, 2011, and earnings per share (“EPS”) figures refer to diluted EPS.
 
This MD&A contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company.  These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties.  Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those proposed by such forward-looking statements are set herein under the caption, “Forward-Looking Statements,” on page 40.

Critical Accounting Policies

As a result of the complex and dynamic nature of the Company’s business, management must exercise judgment in selecting and applying the most appropriate accounting policies for its various areas of operations.  The policy decision process not only ensures compliance with the latest generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), but also reflects management’s discretion with regard to choosing the most suitable methodology for reporting the Company’s financial performance.  It is management’s opinion that the accounting estimates covering certain aspects of the business have more significance than others due to the relative importance of those areas to overall performance, or the level of subjectivity in the selection process.  These estimates affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  Management believes that critical accounting estimates include:

Acquired Loans - Acquired loans are initially recorded at their acquisition date fair values.  The carryover of allowance for loan losses is prohibited as any credit losses in the loans are included in the determination of the fair value of the loans at the acquisition date.  Fair values for acquired loans are based on a discounted cash flow methodology that involves assumptions and judgments as to credit risk, prepayment risk, liquidity risk, default rates, loss severity, payment speeds, collateral values and discount rate.  For acquired loans that are not deemed impaired at acquisition, credit discounts representing the principal losses expected over the life of the loan are a component of the initial fair value.  Subsequent to the purchase date, the methods utilized to estimate the required allowance for loan losses for these loans is similar to originated loans, however, the company records a provision for loan losses only when the required allowance, exceeds any remaining credit discounts.

Allowance for loan losses – The allowance for loan losses reflects management’s best estimate of probable loan losses in the Company’s loan portfolio. Determination of the allowance for loan losses is inherently subjective.  It requires significant estimates including the amounts and timing of expected future cash flows on impaired loans and the amount of estimated losses on pools of homogeneous loans which is based on historical loss experience and consideration of current economic trends, all of which may be susceptible to significant change.
 
 
Investment securities – Investment securities are classified as held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading.  The appropriate classification is based partially on the Company’s ability to hold the securities to maturity and largely on management’s intentions with respect to either holding or selling the securities.  The classification of investment securities is significant since it directly impacts the accounting for unrealized gains and losses on securities.  Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, as a separate component of shareholders’ equity and do not affect earnings until realized.  The fair values of investment securities are generally determined by reference to quoted market prices, where available.  If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on quoted market prices of comparable instruments, or a discounted cash flow model using market estimates of interest rates and volatility.  Investment securities with significant declines in fair value are evaluated to determine whether they should be considered other-than–temporarily impaired.  An unrealized loss is generally deemed to be other-than-temporary and a credit loss is deemed to exist if the present value of the expected future cash flows is less than the amortized cost basis of the debt security.  The credit loss component of an other-than-temporary impairment write-down is recorded in earnings, while the remaining portion of the impairment loss is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), provided the Company does not intend to sell the underlying debt security and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the debt security prior to recovery.

 
25

 

Retirement benefits – The Company provides defined benefit pension benefits and post-retirement health and life insurance benefits to eligible employees.  The Company also provides deferred compensation and supplemental executive retirement plans for selected current and former employees and officers.  Expense under these plans is charged to current operations and consists of several components of net periodic benefit cost based on various actuarial assumptions regarding future experience under the plans, including, but not limited to, discount rate, rate of future compensation increases, mortality rates, future health care costs and expected return on plan assets.

Provision for income taxes – The Company is subject to examinations from various taxing authorities.  Such examinations may result in challenges to the tax return treatment applied by the Company to specific transactions.  Management believes that the assumptions and judgments used to record tax related assets or liabilities have been appropriate.  Should tax laws change or the taxing authorities determine that management’s assumptions were inappropriate, an adjustment may be required which could have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations.

Intangible assets – As a result of acquisitions, the Company has acquired goodwill and identifiable intangible assets.  Goodwill represents the cost of acquired companies in excess of the fair value of net assets at the acquisition date.  Goodwill is evaluated at least annually, or when business conditions suggest impairment may have occurred and will be reduced to its carrying value through a charge to earnings if impairment exists.  Core deposits and other identifiable intangible assets are amortized to expense over their estimated useful lives.  The determination of whether or not impairment exists is based upon discounted cash flow modeling techniques that require management to make estimates regarding the amount and timing of expected future cash flows.  It also requires them to select a discount rate that reflects the current return requirements of the market in relation to present risk-free interest rates, required equity market premiums and company-specific risk indicators, all of which are susceptible to change based on changes in economic conditions and other factors.  Future events or changes in the estimates used to determine the carrying value of goodwill and identifiable intangible assets could have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations.

A summary of the accounting policies used by management is disclosed in Note A, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” on pages 53-58 of the most recent Form 10-K (fiscal year ended December 31, 2010) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2011.

Executive Summary

The Company’s business philosophy is to operate as a community bank with local decision-making, principally in non-metropolitan markets, providing a broad array of banking and financial services to retail, commercial and municipal customers.

The Company’s core operating objectives are: (i) grow the branch network, primarily through a disciplined acquisition strategy, and certain selective de novo expansions, (ii) build high-quality, profitable loan and deposit portfolios using both organic and acquisition strategies, (iii) increase the noninterest income component of total revenues through development of banking-related fee income, growth in existing financial services business units, and the acquisition of additional financial services and banking businesses, and (iv) utilize technology to deliver customer-responsive products and services and reduce operating costs.

Significant factors management reviews to evaluate achievement of the Company’s operating objectives and its operating results and financial condition include, but are not limited to: net income and earnings per share; return on assets and equity; net interest margins; noninterest income; operating expenses; asset quality; loan and deposit growth; capital management; performance of individual banking and financial services units; liquidity and interest rate sensitivity; enhancements to customer products and services; technology advancements; market share; peer comparisons; and the performance of acquisition and integration activities.

On April 8, 2011 the Company acquired The Wilber Corporation, (“Wilber”) parent company of Wilber National Bank, for $103 million in stock and cash, comprised of $20.4 million in cash and the issuance of 3.35 million additional shares of the Company’s common stock.  Based in Oneonta, New York, Wilber operated 22 branches in the Central, Greater Capital District and Catskills regions of Upstate New York.  The Company added approximately $464 million of loans, $297 million of investment securities and $772 million of deposits.

Second quarter and June year-to-date net income of $18.0 million and $34.1 million, respectively, was $1.8 million or 11.3% and $4.0 million or 13.2% higher than the respective prior year periods.  Earnings per share were $0.49 and $0.96 for the first three and six months of 2011 respectively, an increase of $0.01 and $0.06 from the equivalent prior year periods.  The increase was due in large part to higher net interest income that resulted from earning asset growth, principally from the Wilber acquisition, and a higher net interest margin.  Also contributing to higher net income was a lower provision for loan losses.  These were partially offset by lower deposit service fees from reduced utilization of certain services.  Total operating expenses increased, reflective of the additional operating costs from the Wilber acquisition, partially offset by a decline in FDIC insurance costs and lower intangible amortization.  The second quarter and June year-to-date earnings included $3.6 million, or $0.07 per share and $4.3 million, or $0.09 per share of acquisition expenses, respectively.  Excluding acquisition expenses, earning per share were up 16.7% over the prior year to $0.56, a record for the Company’s second quarter.
 
 
26

 
 
Asset quality in the second quarter of 2011 remained stable and favorable in comparison to averages for peer financial organizations.  Second quarter loan net charge-offs and nonperforming loan ratios were below those experienced in the first quarter of 2011 and the second quarter of 2010.   The current quarter provision for loan losses was below that recorded in the second quarter of 2010 and consistent with the first quarter of 2011.  Delinquency ratios increased slightly from both the second quarter of 2010 and the first quarter of 2011.  The Company experienced year-over-year growth in second quarter average interest-earning assets, reflective of the Wilber acquisition which added approximately $464 million of loans and $297 million of investments, as well as nearly $34 million of organic loan growth in the legacy portfolio during the quarter.  Average deposits in the second quarter of 2011 were higher than the second quarter of 2010 and the first quarter of 2010, driven by the Wilber acquisition.  Average borrowings were up slightly from both the second quarter of 2010 and the first quarter of 2011, also as a result of the Wilber acqusition.

Net Income and Profitability

As shown in Table 1, net income for the second quarter and June YTD of $18.0 million and $34.1 million, respectively, increased 11.3% and 13.2% versus the comparable periods of 2010.  Earnings per share for the second quarter of $0.49 were $0.01 higher than the EPS generated in the second quarter of 2010, and earnings per share of $0.96 for the first six months of 2011 increased $0.06 from the amount earned in the first half of 2010.  Included in these results were $3.6 million and $4.3 million of acquisition expenses for the three and six months ending June 30, 2011, respectively.  Excluding these acquisition expenses, earnings per share for the second quarter and YTD periods were up 16.7% over the prior year to $0.56 and $1.05, respectively.

 As reflected in Table 1, second quarter net interest income of $54.2 million was up $8.2 million, or 18%, from the comparable prior year period and net interest income for the first six months of 2011 increased $10.5 million, or 12% over the first half of 2010, resulting from an increase in interest-earning assets primarily due to the Wilber acquisition, and a higher net interest margin.  The current quarter’s provision for loan losses decreased $1.0 million and $1.8 million as compared to the second quarter and first six months of 2010, respectively, reflective of lower levels of net charge-offs and generally stable asset quality profile.  Second quarter noninterest income was $22.8 million, up $0.4 million, or 1.7%, from the second quarter of 2010, while year-to-date noninterest income of $43.6 million decreased  $0.5 million, or 1.1% from the prior year level. The increase for the second quarter was primarily due to the Wilber acquisition.  Contributing to the decrease in the year-to-date period was lower mortgage-banking related revenues, as well as lower deposit service fees, which have been impacted by certain amendments to Regulation E (a Federal Reserve Board Regulation) and economic conditions, and have resulted in lower net service utilization.  Offsetting these declines was a 5.8% increase in the revenues generated by the Company’s employee benefits consulting and plan administration business.

Operating expenses of $51.1 million for the second quarter and $94.4 million for the first six months of 2011 increased $6.9 million or 16%, and $6.0 million or 6.8%, respectively, from the comparable prior year periods, reflective of additional operating costs and non-recurring acquisition expenses associated with the Wilber acquisition completed in early April, partially offset by solid cost management programs across all functional areas of the Company, as well as lower amortization of intangibles and FDIC insurance costs.
 
 
A condensed income statement is as follows:

Table 1: Condensed Income Statements

   
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
   
June 30,
 
June 30,
(000's omitted, except per share data)
 
2011
2010
 
2011
2010
Net interest income
 
$54,187
$45,945
 
$99,710
$89,227
Provision for loan losses
 
1,050
2,050
 
2,100
3,870
Noninterest income
 
22,751
22,378
 
43,593
44,095
Gain on sale of investment securities
 
14
0
 
14
0
Operating expenses
 
51,126
44,220
 
94,442
88,413
Income before taxes
 
24,776
22,053
 
46,775
41,039
Income taxes
 
6,790
5,891
 
12,629
10,875
Net income
 
$17,986
$16,162
 
$34,146
$30,164
             
Diluted earnings per share
 
$0.49
$0.48
 
$0.96
$0.90


 
27

 

Net Interest Income

Net interest income is the amount by which interest and fees on earning assets (loans, investments and cash equivalents) exceed the cost of funds, primarily interest paid to the Company's depositors and interest on external borrowings.  Net interest margin is the difference between the gross yield on earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing funds as a percentage of earning assets.

As shown in Table 2a, net interest income (with nontaxable income converted to a fully tax-equivalent basis) for the second quarter of 2011 was $58.2 million, an $8.4 million or 17% increase from the same period last year.  The increase was a result of a $790.8 million increase in second quarter interest-earning assets and a three-basis point increase in net interest margin versus the prior year having a greater impact than the $614.3 million increase in average interest-bearing liabilities.  As reflected in Table 3, the volume increase from interest-bearing assets combined with the rate decrease on interest-bearing liabilities had a $13.7 million favorable impact on net interest income, while the rate decrease on interest bearing assets and the volume increase on interest bearing liabilities had a $5.3 million unfavorable impact on net interest income.  The lower cost of funding had a greater favorable impact on the net interest margin than the negative impact from lower yields on interest-bearing assets.  June YTD net interest income of $107.7 million increased $10.9 million or 11.3% from the year-earlier period.  A $429.7 million increase in interest bearing assets and a nine-basis point increase in net interest margin more than offset a $302.2 million increase in interest-bearing liabilities.  The increase in interest-earning assets and the lower rate on interest-bearing liabilities had a $17.8 million favorable impact that was partially offset by a $6.8 million unfavorable impact from the decrease in rate on interest-bearing assets and the increase in interest-bearing liability balances.

Average investments, including cash equivalents, for the second quarter and YTD periods were $410.8 million and $273.6 million higher than the comparable periods of 2010, reflective of the acquired Wilber portfolio.  Second quarter and YTD average loan balances increased $380.0 million and $156.1 million, respectively, as compared to the comparable periods of 2010, due to the approximately $444 million of acquired Wilber loans, partially offset by an organic decline in the lending portfolio as a result of lower demand characteristics due to current economic conditions and the sale of a substantial portion of mortgage originations into the secondary market.  In comparison to the prior year, total average interest-bearing deposits were up $612.6 million or 19% and $314.4 million or 9.7% for the quarter and YTD periods, respectively, primarily as a result of the Wilber acquisition.  Quarterly average borrowings remained consistent with the prior year quarter and YTD average borrowings declined $12.2 million or 1.4% as compared to the first six months of 2010, reflective of the maturity of $25 million of term borrowings in the second quarter of 2010.

The net interest margin of 4.13% for the second quarter and 4.10% for the year-to-date period increased three basis points and nine basis points, respectively, versus the same periods in the prior year.  The improvement was attributable to a 25-basis point and a 26-basis point decrease in the cost of funds for the quarter and year-to-date periods, respectively, as compared to the prior year periods, partially offset by a 24-basis point and an 18-basis point decrease in earning-asset yields as compared to the prior year periods.  The decrease in the earning-asset yield was driven by a 10-basis point and 13-basis point decline in the loan yields for the second quarter and YTD periods, respectively, as compared to the like periods of 2010.  Additionally, contributing to the decrease in earning-asset yield was a 41-basis point and 19-basis point decrease in investment yield, including cash equivalents, for the quarter and YTD periods, respectively as compared to the prior year periods.  The decline in loan yields is primarily a result of yields on new volume being below that of longer-term loans that mature or pay off due to the decline in interest rates to levels below those prevalent in prior years and certain adjustable-rate loans repricing downward.  The decline in the yield on the investment portfolio during the second quarter of 2011 was largely a result of the acquired Wilber portfolio.  Compared to the first quarter of 2011, the net interest margin increased five basis points, primarily related to accretion of certain loan marks required for acquired loan accounting.

The second quarter cost of funds decreased versus the prior year quarter due to a 26-basis point decrease in interest-bearing deposit rates, a higher proportion of funding being supplied from low and non-interest bearing deposits and a four-basis point decrease in the average interest rate paid on external borrowings.  The YTD cost of funds decreased 26 basis points as compared to the prior year, driven by a 29-basis point decrease in average interest-bearing deposit rates and a five-basis point decrease in the average rate paid on external borrowings.  The decreased cost of funds was reflective of disciplined deposit pricing, whereby interest rates on selected categories of deposit accounts were lowered throughout 2010 and the first half of 2011 in response to market conditions.  Additionally, the proportion of customer deposits in higher cost time deposits has declined by almost two percentage points over the last twelve months.

 
28

 

Table 2 below sets forth information related to average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and their associated yields and rates for the periods indicated.  Interest income and yields are on a fully tax-equivalent basis using a marginal income tax rate of 38.53% and 38.46% in 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Average balances are computed by accumulating the daily ending balances in a period and dividing by the number of days in that period.  Loan yields and amounts earned include loan fees, deferred loan costs and accretion of acquired loan marks.  Average loan balances include nonaccrual loans and loans held for sale.

Table 2a: Quarterly Average Balance Sheet

 
Three Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
June 30, 2011
 
June 30, 2010
     
Avg.
     
Avg.
 
Average
 
Yield/Rate
 
Average
 
Yield/Rate
 (000's omitted except yields and rates)
Balance
Interest
Paid
 
Balance
Interest
Paid
Interest-earning assets:
             
   Cash equivalents
$177,154
$107
0.24%
 
$64,731
$40
0.25%
   Taxable investment securities (1)
1,447,815
14,995
4.15%
 
1,204,551
12,487
4.16%
   Nontaxable investment securities (1)
579,795
9,038
6.25%
 
524,697
8,954
6.84%
   Loans (net of unearned discount)(2)
3,454,246
49,728
5.77%
 
3,074,259
44,977
5.87%
       Total interest-earning assets
5,659,010
73,868
5.24%
 
4,868,238
66,458
5.48%
Noninterest-earning assets
654,381
     
585,835
   
     Total assets
$6,313,391
     
$5,454,073
   
               
Interest-bearing liabilities:
             
   Interest checking, savings and money market deposits
$2,694,125
2,619
0.39%
 
$2,191,490
2,778
0.51%
   Time deposits
1,170,546
4,172
1.43%
 
1,060,535
4,970
1.88%
   Borrowings
839,003
8,872
4.24%
 
837,356
8,930
4.28%
     Total interest-bearing liabilities
4,703,674
15,663
1.34%
 
4,089,381
16,678
1.64%
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
             
   Noninterest checking deposits
813,789
     
717,171
   
   Other liabilities
85,163
     
64,806
   
Shareholders' equity
710,765
     
582,715
   
     Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$6,313,391
     
$5,454,073
   
               
Net interest earnings
 
$58,205
     
$49,780
 
Net interest spread
   
3.90%
     
3.84%
Net interest margin on interest-earning assets
   
4.13%
     
4.10%
               
Fully tax-equivalent adjustment
 
$4,018
     
$3,835
 


(1) Averages for investment securities are based on historical cost basis and the yields do not give effect to changes in fair value that is reflected as a component of shareholders’ equity and deferred taxes.
(2) The impact of interest and fees not recognized on nonaccrual loans was immaterial.


 
29

 


Table 2b: Year-to-Date Average Balance Sheet

 
Six Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30, 2011
 
June 30, 2010
     
Avg.
     
Avg.
 
Average
 
Yield/Rate
 
Average
 
Yield/Rate
 (000's omitted except yields and rates)
Balance
Interest
Paid
 
Balance
Interest
Paid
Interest-earning assets:
             
   Cash equivalents
$168,149
$205
0.25%
 
$125,542
$155
0.25%
   Taxable investment securities (1)
1,318,716
27,580
4.22%
 
1,138,620
23,633
4.19%
   Nontaxable investment securities (1)
572,719
18,115
6.38%
 
521,844
17,662
6.83%
   Loans (net of unearned discount)(2)
3,231,325
92,224
5.76%
 
3,075,239
89,773
5.89%
       Total interest-earning assets
5,290,909
138,124
5.26%
 
4,861,245
131,223
5.44%
Noninterest-earning assets
611,877
     
578,394
   
     Total assets
$5,902,786
     
$5,439,639
   
               
Interest-bearing liabilities:
             
   Interest checking, savings and money market deposits
$2,509,678
4,979
0.40%
 
$2,143,893
5,693
0.54%
   Time deposits
1,041,890
7,818
1.51%
 
1,093,248
10,657
1.97%
   Borrowings
834,752
17,630
4.26%
 
846,956
18,098
4.31%
     Total interest-bearing liabilities
4,386,320
30,427
1.40%
 
4,084,097
34,448
1.70%
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
             
   Noninterest checking deposits
776,857
     
716,674
   
   Other liabilities
77,676
     
60,961
   
Shareholders' equity
661,933
     
577,907
   
     Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$5,902,786
     
$5,439,639
   
               
Net interest earnings
 
$107,697
     
$96,775
 
Net interest spread
   
3.86%
     
3.74%
Net interest margin on interest-earning assets
   
4.10%
     
4.01%