UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 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        September 30, 2010                               

OR

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

     For the transition period from                   to                                          

Commission File No. 000-20827

CASS INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Missouri
43-1265338
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

13001 Hollenberg Drive
Bridgeton, Missouri
63044
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

(314) 506-5500
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant:  (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes           x                      No           ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes           ¨                      No           ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

(Check one)
Large Accelerated Filer ¨
Accelerated Filer x
     
 
Non-Accelerated Filer ¨
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           ¨                      No           x
 
The number of shares outstanding of registrant's only class of stock as of November 1, 2010: Common stock, par value $.50 per share – 9,394,547 shares outstanding.
 

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
PART I – Financial Information    
       
Item 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
   
       
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
   
 
September 30, 2010 (unaudited) and December 31, 2009
 
3
       
 
Consolidated Statements of Income
   
 
Three and Nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited)
 
4
       
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
   
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited)
 
5
       
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
 
6
       
Item 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
   
 
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
15
       
Item 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
26
       
Item 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
26
       
PART II – Other Information – Items 1. – 6.
 
27
       
SIGNATURES
 
28

Forward-looking Statements - Factors That May Affect Future Results

This report may contain or incorporate by reference forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Although we believe that, in making any such statements, our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors beyond our control, which may cause future performance to be materially different from expected performance summarized in the forward-looking statements.  These risks, uncertainties and other factors are discussed in the section Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of the Company’s 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which may be updated from time to time in our future filings with the SEC.   We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events, or changes to future results over time, unless otherwise required by applicable rules.

-2-

 
PART I.                      FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.                      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CASS INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 (Dollars in Thousands except Share and Per Share Data)

   
September 30,
       
    
2010
   
December 31,
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
2009
 
Assets
           
Cash and due from banks
  $ 10,435     $ 5,763  
Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions
    73,434       33,426  
Federal funds sold and other short-term investments
    125,599       40,105  
Cash and cash equivalents
    209,468       79,294  
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value
    238,262       224,597  
                 
Loans
    689,683       641,957  
Less: Allowance for loan losses
    10,758       8,284  
Loans, net
    678,925       633,673  
Premises and equipment, net
    9,713       10,451  
Investment in bank-owned life insurance
    14,055       13,644  
Payments in excess of funding
    40,111       22,637  
Goodwill
    7,471       7,471  
Other intangible assets, net
    295       375  
Other assets
    19,129       20,839  
Total assets
  $ 1,217,429     $ 1,012,981  
                 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
               
Liabilities:
               
Deposits:
               
Noninterest-bearing
  $ 121,028     $ 113,151  
Interest-bearing
    380,231       324,725  
Total deposits
    501,259       437,876  
Accounts and drafts payable
    554,945       430,251  
Short-term borrowings
    13       26  
Other liabilities
    15,395       15,260  
Total liabilities
    1,071,612       883,413  
                 
Shareholders’ Equity:
               
Preferred stock, par value $.50 per share; 2,000,000 shares authorized and no shares issued
           
Common Stock, par value $.50 per share; 20,000,000 shares authorized and 9,949,324 shares issued at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009
    4,975       4,975  
Additional paid-in capital
    46,439       45,696  
Retained earnings
    103,685       92,401  
Common shares in treasury, at cost (554,777 shares at September 30, 2010 and 564,119 shares at December 31, 2009)
    (13,167 )     (13,323 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    3,885       (181 )
Total shareholders’ equity
    145,817       129,568  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 1,217,429     $ 1,012,981  

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
 
-3-

 
CASS INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in Thousands except Per Share Data)
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Fee Revenue and Other Income:
                               
Information services payment and processing revenue
  13,895     12,302     40,173     36,282  
Bank service fees
    367       292       1,006       1,037  
Gains on sales of securities
                      202  
Other
    139       140       415       413  
Total fee revenue and other income
    14,401        12,734        41,594        37,934   
                                 
Interest Income:
                               
Interest and fees on loans
    10,182        9,125       29,480       26,661  
Interest and dividends on securities:
                               
Taxable
    3       15       28       33  
Exempt from federal income taxes
    2,154       1,843       6,403       5,462  
Interest on federal funds sold and other short-term investments
    150       57       337       101  
Total interest income
    12,489       11,040       36,248       32,257  
                                 
Interest Expense:
                               
Interest on deposits
    1,249       1,372       3,624       3,541  
Interest on short-term borrowings
                      23  
Interest on subordinated convertible debentures
          27             106  
Total interest expense
    1,249       1,399       3,624       3,670  
Net interest income
    11,240       9,641       32,624       28,587  
Provision for loan losses
    950       400       3,000       1,100  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    10,290       9,241       29,624       27,487  
Total net revenue
    24,691       21,975       71,218       65,421  
                                 
Operating Expense:
                               
Salaries and employee benefits
    13,026       12,583       38,199       37,762  
Occupancy
    658       611       1,841       1,797  
Equipment
    887       835       2,701       2,509  
Amortization of intangible assets
    26       55       80       195  
Other operating
    2,501       2,282       7,324       7,190  
Total operating expense
    17,098       16,366       50,145       49,453  
                                 
Income before income tax expense
    7,593       5,609       21,073       15,968  
Income tax expense
    2,013       1,291       5,844       4,066  
Net Income
  $ 5,580     $ 4,318     $ 15,229     $ 11,902  
                                 
Basic Earnings Per Share
  $ .60     $ .47     $ 1.63     $ 1.30  
Diluted Earnings Per Share
  $ .59     $ .46     $ 1.61     $ 1.27  
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

-4-

 
CASS INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in Thousands)

   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
           
Net income
  $ 15,229     $ 11,902  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
               
by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    3,077       3,218  
Gains on sales of securities
          (202 )
Provision for loan losses
    3,000       1,100  
Stock-based compensation expense
    1,133       1,382  
Deferred income tax expense
          649  
Decrease in income tax liability
    (1,751 )     (994 )
Increase in pension liability
    640       728  
Other operating activities, net
    355       (812 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    21,683       16,971  
                 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
               
Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale
          14,591  
Proceeds from maturities of securities available-for-sale
    2,770       5,655  
Purchase of securities available-for-sale
    (11,548 )     (37,994 )
Net increase in loans
    (48,252 )     (29,186 )
(Increase) decrease in payments in excess of funding
    (17,474 )     3,470  
Purchases of premises and equipment, net
    (890 )     (1,043 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (75,394 )     (44,507 )
                 
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
               
Net increase in noninterest-bearing demand deposits
    7,877       3,639  
Net increase in interest-bearing demand and savings deposits
    19,729       102,360  
Net increase in time deposits
    35,777       66,916  
Net increase (decrease) in accounts and drafts payable
    124,694       (41,835 )
Net decrease in short-term borrowings
    (13 )     (300 )
Cash dividends paid
    (3,945 )     (3,611 )
Distribution of stock awards, net
    (251 )      
Other financing activities, net
    17       17  
Net cash provided by financing activities
    183,885       127,186  
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    130,174       99,650  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    79,294       29,485  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 209,468     $ 129,135  
                 
Supplemental information:
               
Cash paid for interest
  $ 3,568     $ 3,641  
Cash paid for income taxes
    7,621       4,456  

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

-5-

 
CASS INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  Certain amounts in the 2009 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2010 presentation.  Such reclassifications have no effect on previously reported net income or shareholders’ equity.  For further information, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and related footnotes included in Cass Information System, Inc.’s (“the Company” or “Cass”) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Note 2 – Intangible Assets

The Company accounts for intangible assets in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” which requires that intangibles with indefinite useful lives be tested annually for impairment and those with finite useful lives be amortized over their useful lives.  Details of the Company’s intangible assets are as follows:

   
September 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
(In thousands)
 
Gross Carrying
Amount
   
Accumulated
Amortization
   
Gross Carrying
Amount
   
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Assets eligible for amortization:
                       
Software
  $ 862     $ (862 )   $ 862     $ (862 )
Customer List
    750       (455 )     750       (375 )
Total
    1,612       (1,317 )     1,612       (1,237 )
Unamortized intangible assets:
                               
Goodwill
    7,698       (227 )     7,698       (227 )
Total unamortized intangibles
    7,698       (227 )     7,698       (227 )
Total intangible assets
  $ 9,310     $ (1,544 )   $ 9,310     $ (1,464 )

Software is amortized over four to five years and the customer list is amortized over seven years.  Amortization of intangible assets amounted to $80,000 and $195,000 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Estimated amortization of intangibles over the next five years is as follows:  $107,000 in 2010, 2011 and 2012, $54,000 in 2013 and $0 in 2014.

Note 3 - Equity Investments in Non-Marketable Securities

Non-marketable equity investments in low-income housing projects are included in other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.  The total balance of these investments at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were $456,000 and $520,000, respectively.

Note 4 – Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income, adjusted for the net income effect of the interest expense on the outstanding convertible debentures, by the sum of the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and the weighted-average number of potential common shares outstanding.  There were no antidilutive shares in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.  The calculations of basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows:

-6-

 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
(In thousands except share and per share data)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Basic
                       
Net income
  $ 5,580     $ 4,318     $ 15,229     11,902  
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
    9,338,006       9,157,055       9,333,884       9,144,521  
Basic earnings per share
  $ .60     $ .47     $ 1.63     1.30  
Diluted
                               
Basic net income
  $ 5,580     $ 4,318     $ 15,229     11,902  
Net income effect of 5.33% convertible debentures
          14             55  
Diluted net income
    5,580       4,332       15,229       11,957  
                                 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
    9,338,006       9,157,055       9,333,884       9,144,521  
Effect of dilutive restricted stock, stock options and stock appreciation rights
    116,960       141,907       105,825       124,512  
Effect of convertible debentures
          66,622             124,309  
Weighted-average common shares outstanding assuming dilution
    9,454,966       9,365,584       9,439,709       9,393,342  
                                 
Diluted earnings per share
  $ .59     $ .46     $ 1.61     1.27  

Note 5 – Stock Repurchases

The Company maintains a treasury stock buyback program pursuant to which the Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to 300,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock.  The Company did not repurchase any shares during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.  As of September 30, 2010, 180,000 shares remained available for repurchase under the program.  Repurchases are made in the open market or through negotiated transactions from time to time depending on market conditions.

Note 6 - Comprehensive Income

For the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale and reclassification adjustments for gains included in net income were the Company’s other comprehensive income components.  Comprehensive income is summarized as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
(In thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Net income
  $ 5,580     $ 4,318     $ 15,229     $ 11,902  
                                 
Other comprehensive income:
                               
Reclassification adjustments for gains included in net income, net of tax
                      (131 )
Net unrealized gain  on securities available-for-sale, net of tax
    3,558       4,108       4,066       7,981  
                                 
Total comprehensive income
  $ 9,138     $ 8,426     $ 19,295     $ 19,752  

Note 7 – Industry Segment Information

The services provided by the Company are classified into two reportable segments: Information Services and Banking Services.  Each of these segments provides distinct services that are marketed through different channels.  They are managed separately due to their unique service, processing and capital requirements.

The Information Services segment provides freight, utility and telecommunication invoice processing and payment services to large corporations.  The Banking Services segment provides banking services primarily to privately-held businesses and churches.
 
-7-

 
The Company’s accounting policies for segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.  Management evaluates segment performance based on net income after allocations for corporate expenses and income taxes.  Transactions between segments are accounted for at what management believes to be fair value.

All revenue originates from and all long-lived assets are located within North America, and no revenue from any customer of any segment exceeds 10% of the Company’s consolidated revenue.

Summarized information about the Company’s operations in each industry segment is as follows:

(In thousands)  
Information
Services
   
Banking
Services
   
Corporate,
Eliminations
and other
   
Total
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
                       
Total Revenues:
                       
Revenue from customers
  $ 19,034     $ 5,657     $     $ 24,691  
Intersegment revenue
    2,326       416       (2,742 )      
Net income
    3,776       1,804             5,580  
Total assets
    664,112       564,554       (11,237 )     1,217,429  
Goodwill
    7,335       136             7,471  
Other intangible assets, net
    295                   295  
Three Months Ended September 30, 2009
                               
Total Revenues:
                               
Revenue from customers
  $ 17,152     $ 4,823     $     $ 21,975  
Intersegment revenue
    1,911       414       (2,325 )      
Net income
    2,859       1,459             4,318  
Total assets
    536,063       503,744       (6,412 )     1,033,395  
Goodwill
    7,335       136             7,471  
Other intangible assets, net
    402                   402  
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
                               
Total Revenues:
                               
Revenue from customers
  $ 54,813     $ 16,405     $     $ 71,218  
Intersegment revenue
    6,585       1,209       (7,794 )      
Net income
    10,033       5,196             15,229  
Total assets
    664,112       564,554       (11,237 )     1,217,429  
Goodwill
    7,335       136             7,471  
Other intangible assets, net
    295                   295  
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
                               
Total Revenues:
                               
Revenue from customers
  $ 51,526     $ 13,895     $     $ 65,421  
Intersegment revenue
    5,259       1,159       (6,418 )      
Net income
    8,124       3,778             11,902  
Total assets
    536,063       503,744       (6,412 )     1,033,395  
Goodwill
    7,335       136             7,471  
Other intangible assets, net
    402                   402  

Note 8 - Loans by Type

(In thousands)
 
September 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
Commercial and industrial
  $ 127,659     $ 93,371  
Real estate:  (Commercial and church)
               
Mortgage
    501,536       469,097  
Construction
    58,547       74,407  
Industrial revenue bonds
    1,078       2,676  
Other
    863       2,406  
Total loans
  $ 689,683     $ 641,957  
 
-8-

 
Note 9 – Commitments and Contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Company is party to activities that contain credit, market and operational risks that are not reflected in whole or in part in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  Such activities include traditional off-balance sheet credit-related financial instruments and commitments under operating leases.  These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, commercial letters of credit and standby letters of credit. The Company’s maximum potential exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit, commercial letters of credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amounts of those instruments.  At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, no amounts have been accrued for any estimated losses for these instruments.

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract.  Commercial and standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company or its subsidiaries to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. These off-balance sheet financial instruments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee.  At September 30, 2010, the balance of unused loan commitments, standby and commercial letters of credit were $38,845,000, $18,738,000 and $3,571,000, respectively.  Since some of the financial instruments may expire without being drawn upon, the total amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Commitments to extend credit and letters of credit are subject to the same underwriting standards as those financial instruments included on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company evaluates each customer’s credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary upon extension of the credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the borrower. Collateral held varies, but is generally accounts receivable, inventory, residential or income-producing commercial property or equipment.  In the event of nonperformance, the Company or its subsidiaries may obtain and liquidate the collateral to recover amounts paid under its guarantees on these financial instruments.

The following table summarizes contractual cash obligations of the Company related to operating lease commitments and time deposits at September 30, 2010:

   
Amount of Commitment Expiration per Period
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Total
   
Less than
1 Year
   
1-3
Years
   
3-5
Years
   
Over 5
Years
 
Operating lease commitments
  $ 2,480     $ 702     $ 903     $ 456     $ 419  
Time deposits
    151,519       130,093       19,164       2,262       ¾  
Total
  $ 153,999     $ 130,795     $ 20,067     $ 2,718     $ 419  

The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in various pending legal actions and proceedings in which claims for damages are asserted. Management, after discussion with legal counsel, believes the ultimate resolution of these legal actions and proceedings will not have a material effect upon the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Note 10 – Stock-Based Compensation

In 2007, the Board and the Company’s shareholders approved the 2007 Omnibus Incentive Stock Plan (the “Omnibus Plan”).  The Omnibus Plan permits the issuance of up to 880,000 shares of the Company’s common stock in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance awards.  The Company issues shares out of treasury stock for these awards.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, 15,149 restricted shares and 23,311 SARs were granted under the Omnibus Plan.

The Company also continues to maintain its other stock-based incentive plans for the restricted common stock previously awarded and the options previously issued and still outstanding.  These plans have been superseded by the Omnibus Plan and accordingly, any available restricted stock and stock option grants not yet issued have been cancelled.

Restricted Stock
Restricted shares are amortized to expense over the three-year vesting period. As of September 30, 2010, the total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested common stock was $924,000 and the related weighted-average period over which it is expected to be recognized is approximately .9 years.
 
-9-

 
Following is a summary of the activity of the restricted stock:

   
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2010
 
    
Shares
   
Fair Value
 
Balance at December 31, 2009
    75,965     $ 28.97  
Granted
    15,149       30.91  
Vested
    (40,838 )     30.25  
Balance at September 30, 2010
    50,276     $ 28.51  

Stock Options
Stock options vest and expire over a period not to exceed seven years.  As of September 30, 2010, the total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock options was $39,000, and the related weighted-average period over which it is expected to be recognized is approximately 2.0 years.  Following is a summary of the activity of the stock options during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010:

   
Shares
   
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
   
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term Years
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(In thousands)
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2009
    44,120     $ 17.65              
Exercised
    (3,302 )     14.10              
Outstanding at September 30, 2010
    40,818       17.93       1.7     $ 830  
Exercisable at September 30, 2010
    28,378     $ 17.12       1.5     $ 519  

The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $60,000 and $279,000 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Following is a summary of the activity of the non-vested stock options during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010:

         
Weighted-
Average
 
          
Grant Date
 
    
Shares
   
Fair Value
 
Nonvested at December 31, 2009
    27,586     $ 2.81  
Vested
    (15,146 )     2.70  
Nonvested at September 30, 2010
    12,440     $ 2.94  

SARs
SARs vest over a three-year period with one-third of the shares vesting and becoming exercisable each year on the anniversary date of the grant and they expire 10 years from the original grant date.  As of September 30, 2010, the total unrecognized compensation expense was $653,000 and the related weighted-average period over which it is expected to be recognized is 1.0 year.  Following is a summary of the activity of the Company’s SARs program for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010:

   
Shares
   
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
   
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term Years
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(In thousands)
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2009
    231,262     $ 27.02              
Granted
    23,311       30.16              
Exercised
    (1,012 )     33.29              
Outstanding at September 30, 2010
    253,561       27.31       8.09       1,776  
Exercisable at September 30, 2010
    112,360     $ 27.47       5.02       769  

-10-

 
Following is a summary of the activity of the nonvested SARs during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010:

         
Weighted-
Average
 
          
Grant Date
 
    
Shares
   
Fair Value
 
Nonvested at December 31, 2009
    195,119     $ 6.74  
Granted
    23,311       9.12  
Vested
    (77,229 )     6.89  
Nonvested at September 30, 2010
    141,201     $ 7.06  

The Company uses the Black-Scholes pricing model to determine the fair value of the SARs at the date of grant.  Following are the assumptions used to estimate the per share fair value of SARs granted:

   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Risk-free interest rate
    3.33 %     1.94 %
Expected life
 
7 yrs.
   
7 yrs.
 
Expected volatility
    30.00 %     27.00 %
Expected dividend yield
    1.86 %     2.02 %

The risk-free interest rate is based on the zero-coupon U.S. Treasury yield for the period equal to the expected life of the SARs at the time of the grant.  The expected life was derived using the historical exercise activity.  The Company uses historical volatility for a period equal to the expected life of the rights using average monthly closing market prices of the Company’s stock as reported on The Nasdaq Global Market.  The expected dividend yield is based on the Company’s current rate of annual dividends.

Note 11 – Defined Pension Plans

The Company has a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan, which covers most of its employees. The Company accrues and makes contributions designed to fund normal service costs on a current basis using the projected unit credit with service proration method to amortize prior service costs arising from improvements in pension benefits and qualifying service prior to the establishment of the plan over a period of approximately 30 years.  Disclosure information is based on a measurement date of December 31 of the corresponding year.  The following table represents the components of the net periodic pension costs:

(In thousands)
 
Estimated
2010
   
Actual
2009
 
Service cost – benefits earned during the year
  $ 1,771     $ 1,606  
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
    2,291       2,080  
Expected return on plan assets
    (2,440 )     (1,880 )
Net amortization
    615       873  
Net periodic pension cost
  $ 2,237     $ 2,679  

Pension costs recorded to expense were $594,000 and $668,000 for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and totaled $1,678,000 and $2,009,000 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The Company made a contribution of $450,000 to the plan during the three-month period ended September 30, 2010, for a total of $1,350,000 for the nine-month period ending September 30, 2010 and expects to contribute at least an additional $450,000 in 2010.

In addition to the above funded benefit plan, the Company has an unfunded supplemental executive retirement plan which covers key executives of the Company. This is a noncontributory plan in which the Company and its subsidiaries make accruals designed to fund normal service costs on a current basis using the same method and criteria as its defined benefit plan.  The following table represents the components of the net periodic pension costs for 2009 and an estimate for 2010:

-11-

 
(In thousands)
 
Estimated
2010
   
Actual
2009
 
Service cost – benefits earned during the year
  $ 78     $ 33  
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
    315       278  
Net amortization
    257       130  
Net periodic pension cost
  $ 650     $ 441  

Pension costs recorded to expense were $158,000 and $103,000 for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and were $488,000 and $330,000 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Note 12 – Income Taxes

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, unrecognized tax benefits increased by $63,000 and related accrued interest increased by $37,000. As of December 31, 2009, the Company's unrecognized tax benefits were approximately $1,750,000, of which $1,466,000 would, if recognized, affect the Company's effective tax rate. During the next twelve months, the Company may realize a reduction of its unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $497,000 due to the lapse of federal and state statutes of limitations.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. At December 31, 2009, before any tax benefits, the Company had $147,000 of accrued interest on unrecognized tax benefits. There were no penalties for unrecognized tax benefits accrued at December 31, 2009.

The Company is subject to income tax in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and numerous state jurisdictions. U.S. federal income tax returns for tax years 2007 and 2008 remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. In addition, the Company is subject to state tax examinations for the tax years 2005 through 2008.

Note 13 – Investment Securities Available-for-Sale

Effective July 1, 2009, the Company adopted FASB ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.”  Investment securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.  The Company’s investment securities available-for-sale are measured at fair value using Level 2 valuations.  The market evaluation utilizes several sources which include “observable inputs” rather than “significant unobservable inputs” and therefore falls into the Level 2 category.  The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value of investment securities are summarized as follows:

   
September 30, 2010
 
(In thousands)
 
Amortized
Cost
   
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
State and political subdivisions
  $ 220,060     $ 18,202     $     $ 238,262  

   
December 31, 2009
 
(In thousands)
 
Amortized
Cost
   
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
State and political subdivisions
  $ 212,651     $ 11,970     $ 24     $ 224,597  

The fair values of securities with unrealized losses are as follows:

   
September 30, 2010
 
    
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or more
   
Total
 
    
Estimated
   
Unrealized
   
Estimated
   
Unrealized
   
Estimated
   
Unrealized
 
(In thousands)
 
fair value
   
losses
   
fair value
   
losses
   
Fair value
   
losses
 
State and political  subdivisions
  $ ¾     $ ¾     $ ¾     $ ¾     $ ¾     $ ¾  
 
-12-

 
   
December 31, 2009
 
    
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or more
   
Total
 
    
Estimated
   
Unrealized
   
Estimated
   
Unrealized
   
Estimated
   
Unrealized
 
(In thousands)
 
fair value
   
losses
   
fair value
   
losses
   
Fair value
   
losses
 
State and political  subdivisions
  $ 1,415     $ 24     $ ¾     $ ¾     $ 1,415     $ 24  

There were no securities in an unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2010.   There were two securities (none greater than 12 months) in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2009.   All unrealized losses were reviewed to determine whether the losses were other than temporary.

The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities by contractual maturity are shown in the following table. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers have the right to prepay obligations with or without prepayment penalties.

   
September 30, 2010
 
(In thousands)
 
Amortized Cost
   
Fair Value
 
Due in 1 year or less
  $ 7,194     $ 7,282  
Due after 1 year through 5 years
    39,371       41,792  
Due after 5 years through 10 years
    112,089       123,753  
Due after 10 years
    61,406       65,435  
Total
  $ 220,060     $ 238,262  

The amortized cost of investment securities pledged to secure public deposits and for other purposes at September 30, 2010 was $18,090,000.

There were no sales of investment securities for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.  Proceeds from sales of investment securities were $0 and $14,591,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Gross realized gains were $202,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Note 14 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Effective July 1, 2009, the Company adopted FASB ASC 270, “Interim Reporting.”  Following is a summary of the carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s financial instruments:

   
September 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
(In thousands)
 
Carrying
Amount
   
Fair Value
   
Carrying
Amount
   
Fair Value
 
Balance sheet assets:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 209,468     $ 209,468     $ 79,294     $ 79,294  
Investment securities
    238,262       238,262       224,597       224,597  
Loans, net
    678,925       693,150       633,673       634,598  
Accrued interest receivable
    5,366       5,366       5,294       5,294  
Total
  $ 1,132,021     $ 1,146,246     $ 942,858     $ 943,783  
                                 
Balance sheet liabilities:
                               
Deposits
  $ 501,259     $ 501,259     $ 437,876     $ 437,876  
Accounts and drafts payable
    554,945       554,945       430,251       430,251  
Short-term borrowings
    13       13       26       26  
Accrued interest payable
    283       283       227       227  
Total
  $ 1,056,500     $ 1,056,500     $ 868,380     $ 868,380  

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value:

Cash and Other Short-term Instruments – For cash and cash equivalents, accrued interest receivable, accounts and drafts payable, short-term borrowings and accrued interest payable, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value because of the demand nature or short maturities of these instruments.
 
-13-

 
Loans – The Company does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis other than loans that are considered impaired.  Once a loan is identified as impaired, management measures impairment in accordance with FASB ASC 310, “Allowance for Credit Losses.”  At September 30, 2010, all impaired loans were evaluated based on the fair value of the collateral.  The fair value of the collateral is based upon an observable market price or current appraised value and therefore, the Company classifies these assets as nonrecurring Level 2.  The total principal balance of impaired loans measured at fair value at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were $618,000 and $1,115,000, respectively.  The fair value of loans in the above table is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities.

Deposits – The fair value of demand deposits, savings deposits and certain money market deposits is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities. The fair value estimates above do not include the benefit that results from the low-cost funding provided by the deposit liabilities compared to the cost of borrowing funds in the market or the benefit derived from the customer relationship inherent in existing deposits.

Note 15 – Subsequent Events

In accordance with FASB ASC 855, “Subsequent Events,” the Company has evaluated subsequent events after the consolidated balance sheet date of September 30, 2010 and there were no events identified that would require additional disclosures to prevent the Company’s consolidated financial statements from being misleading.

-14-


ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

Cass provides payment and information processing services to large manufacturing, distribution and retail enterprises from its processing centers in St. Louis, Missouri, Columbus, Ohio, Boston, Massachusetts, Greenville, South Carolina and Wellington, Kansas.  The Company’s services include freight invoice rating, payment processing, auditing, and the generation of accounting and transportation information.  Cass also processes and pays utility invoices, which includes electricity, gas and telecommunications expenses and is a provider of telecom expense management solutions.  Cass extracts, stores and presents information from freight, utility and telecommunication invoices, assisting its customers’ transportation, energy and information technology managers in making decisions that will enable them to improve operating performance.  The Company receives data from multiple sources, electronic and otherwise, and processes the data to accomplish the specific operating requirements of its customers.  It then provides the data in a central repository for access and archiving.  The data is finally transformed into information through the Company’s databases that allow client interaction as required and provides Internet-based tools for analytical processing.  The Company also, through Cass Commercial Bank, its St. Louis, Missouri based bank subsidiary (the “Bank”), provides banking services in the St. Louis metropolitan area, Orange County, California and other selected cities in the United States.  In addition to supporting the Company’s payment operations, the Bank provides banking services to its target markets, which include privately-owned businesses and churches and church-related ministries.

The specific payment and information processing services provided to each customer are developed individually to meet each customer’s requirements, which can vary greatly.  In addition, the degree of automation such as electronic data interchange, imaging, and web-based solutions varies greatly among customers and industries.  These factors combine so that pricing varies greatly among the customer base.  In general, however, Cass is compensated for its processing services through service fees and investment of account balances generated during the payment process.  The amount, type and calculation of service fees vary greatly by service offering, but generally follow the volume of transactions processed.  Interest income from the balances generated during the payment processing cycle is affected by the amount of time Cass holds the funds prior to payment and the dollar volume processed.  Both the number of transactions processed and the dollar volume processed are therefore key metrics followed by management.  Other factors will also influence revenue and profitability, such as changes in the general level of interest rates, which have a significant effect on net interest income.  The funds generated by these processing activities are invested in overnight investments, investment grade securities and loans generated by the Bank.  The Bank earns most of its revenue from net interest income, or the difference between the interest earned on its loans and investments and the interest paid on its deposits and other borrowings.  The Bank also assesses fees on other services such as cash management services.

Industry-wide factors that impact the Company include the willingness of large corporations to outsource key business functions such as freight, utility and telecommunication payment and audit.  The benefits that can be achieved by outsourcing transaction processing and the management information generated by Cass’ systems can be influenced by factors such as the competitive pressures within industries to improve profitability, the general level of transportation costs, deregulation of energy costs and consolidation of telecommunication providers.  Economic factors that impact the Company include the general level of economic activity that can affect the volume and size of invoices processed, the ability to hire and retain qualified staff and the growth and quality of the loan portfolio. As lower levels of economic activity are encountered, such as those experienced in 2009, the number and total dollar amount of transactions processed by the Company may decline, thereby reducing fee revenue, interest income, and possibly liquidity.  Conversely, improving economic conditions, as those experienced in 2010, will tend to increase fee revenue, interest income and liquidity.  The general level of interest rates also has a significant effect on the revenue of the Company.  As discussed in greater detail in Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk,” in the Company’s 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, a decline in the general level of interest rates can have a negative impact on net interest income.

Currently, management views Cass’ major opportunity as the continued expansion of its payment and information processing service offering and customer base. While the economic slow-down in 2009 reduced the short-term growth rate, management remains optimistic about the long-term prospects for growth.

-15-

 
Critical Accounting Policies

The Company has prepared all of the consolidated financial information in this report in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”).  In preparing the consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.  These estimates have been generally accurate in the past, have been consistent and have not required any material changes.  There can be no assurances that actual results will not differ from those estimates.  Certain accounting policies that require significant management estimates and are deemed critical to our results of operations or financial position have been discussed with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and are described below.

Allowance for Loan Losses.  The Company performs periodic and systematic detailed reviews of its loan portfolio to assess overall collectability.  The level of the allowance for loan losses reflects management’s estimate of the collectability of the loan portfolio.  Although these estimates are based on established methodologies for determining allowance requirements, actual results can differ significantly from estimated results.  These policies affect both segments of the Company.  The impact and associated risks related to these policies on the Company’s business operations are discussed in the “Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses” section of this report.  The Company’s estimates have been materially accurate in the past, and accordingly, we expect to continue to utilize the present processes.

Impairment of Assets.  The Company periodically evaluates certain long-term assets such as intangible assets including goodwill, foreclosed assets and investments in private equity securities and assets held for sale for impairment.  Generally, these assets are initially recorded at cost, and recognition of impairment is required when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of these assets will not be recoverable in the future.  If impairment occurs, various methods of measuring impairment may be called for depending on the circumstances and type of asset, including quoted market prices, estimates based on similar assets, and estimates based on valuation techniques such as discounted projected cash flows.  The Company had no impairment of goodwill and intangible assets for the three or nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 or for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, and management does not anticipate any future impairment loss.  Investment securities available-for-sale are measured at fair value using Level 2 valuations calculated by an independent research firm.  The market evaluation utilizes several sources which include “observable inputs” rather than “significant unobservable inputs.” These policies affect both segments of the Company and require significant management assumptions and estimates that could result in materially different results if conditions or underlying circumstances change.

Income Taxes.  The objectives of accounting for income taxes are to recognize the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in an entity's financial statements or tax returns.  Judgment is required in addressing the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or tax returns such as the realization of deferred tax assets or changes in tax laws or interpretations thereof.  In addition, the Company is subject to the continuous examination of its income tax returns by the Internal Revenue Service and other taxing authorities.  In accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes,” the Company has unrecognized tax benefits related to tax positions taken or expected to be taken.  See Note 12 to the financial statements.

Pension Plans.  The amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements related to pension plans are determined from actuarial valuations.  Inherent in these valuations are assumptions, including expected return on plan assets, discount rates at which the liabilities could be settled, rate of increase in future compensation levels and mortality rates.  These assumptions are updated annually and are disclosed in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.   There have been no significant changes in the Company’s long-term rate of return assumptions for the past three fiscal years ended December 31 and management believes they are not reasonably likely to change in the future. Pursuant to ASC 715, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits,” the Company has recognized the funded status of its defined benefit postretirement plan in its statement of financial position and has recognized changes in that funded status through comprehensive income.  The funded status is measured as the difference between the fair value of the plan assets and the benefit obligation as of the date of its fiscal year-end.

-16-

 

Results of Operations

The following paragraphs discuss the results of operations and changes in financial condition for the three-month period ended September 30, 2010 (“Third Quarter of 2010”) compared to the three-month period ended September 30, 2009 (“Third Quarter of 2009”) and the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 (“Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010”) compared to the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009 (“Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009”).   The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes and with the statistical information and financial data appearing in this report as well as the Company's 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Results of operations for the Third Quarter of 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be attained for any other period.

Net Income

The following table summarizes the Company’s operating results:

   
Third Quarter
   
Nine Months Ended
 
(In thousands except per share data)
 
2010
   
2009
   
%
Change
   
2010
   
2009
   
%
Change
 
Net income
  $ 5,580     $ 4,318       29.2 %   $ 15,229     $ 11,902       28.0 %
Diluted earnings per share
  $ .59     $ .46       28.3 %   $ 1.61     $ 1.27       26.8 %
Return on average assets
    1.84 %     1.68 %           1.80 %     1.69 %      
Return on average equity
    15.72 %     14.44 %           15.03 %     13.84 %      

Fee Revenue and Other Income

The Company’s fee revenue is derived mainly from transportation and utility processing and payment fees.  As the Company provides its processing and payment services, it is compensated by service fees which are typically calculated on a per-item basis and by the accounts and drafts payable balances generated in the payment process which can be used to generate interest income.  Processing volumes related to fees and accounts and drafts payable were as follows:

   
Third Quarter
   
Nine Months Ended
 
(In thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
%
Change
   
2010
   
2009
   
%
Change
 
Transportation Invoice Volume
    6,886       5,962       15.5 %     19,619       17,073       14.9 %
Transportation Dollar Volume
  $ 4,534,235     $ 3,573,371       26.9 %   $ 12,497,079     $ 10,351,933       20.7 %
Utility Transaction Volume
    3,061       2,903       5.4 %     9,161       8,556       7.1 %
Utility Dollar Volume
  $ 2,878,647     $ 2,546,747       13.0 %   $ 7,938,521     $ 7,305,848       8.7 %
Payment and Processing Fees
  $ 13,895     $ 12,302       12.9 %   $ 40,173     $ 36,282       10.7 %

Third Quarter of 2010 compared to Third Quarter of 2009:

Transportation and utility transaction volumes were up 16% and 5%, respectively, and dollar volumes were up 27% and 13%, respectively, due to new business and improved activity for existing customers.

Bank service fees increased $75,000, or 26%, due to an increase in letter of credit fees and higher bank commission and foreign exchange fees.  Other income was approximately the same as the prior period. There were no gains on sales of securities in the Third Quarter of 2010.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009:

Transportation and utility transaction volumes were up 15% and 7%, respectively, and dollar volumes were up 21% and 9%, respectively, due to new business and improved activity for existing customers.

Bank service fees decreased $31,000, or 3%, due to a decrease in account analysis fees as more customers chose to pay for services with compensating balances rather than fees partially offset by higher letter of credit fees and bank commission and foreign exchange fees.  Other income was approximately the same as the prior period.  There were no gains on sales of securities in the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010.

 
-17-

 

Net Interest Income

Net interest income is the difference between interest earned on loans, investments, and other earning assets and interest expense on deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities.  Net interest income is a significant source of the Company’s revenues.  The following table summarizes the changes in net interest income and related factors:

   
Third Quarter
   
Nine Months Ended
 
(In thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
%
Change
   
2010
   
2009
   
%
Change
 
Average earnings assets
  $ 1,102,218     $ 938,566       7.8 %   $ 1,035,345     $ 858,557       20.6 %
Average interest-bearing liabilities
    367,571       308,980       19.0 %     342,063       255,875       33.7 %
Net interest income*
    12,405       10,652       16.4 %     36,103       31,584       14.3 %
Net interest margin*
    4.47 %     4.50 %           4.66 %     4.92 %      
Yield on earning assets*
    4.91 %     5.09 %           5.13 %     5.49 %      
Rate on interest-bearing liabilities
    1.35 %     1.80 %           1.42 %     1.92 %      
*Presented on a tax-equivalent basis assuming a tax rate of 35%.

Third Quarter of 2010 compared to Third Quarter of 2009:

Third Quarter 2010 average earning assets increased 8% compared to the same period in the prior year (see discussion in the following paragraphs). The yield on earning assets and the tax equivalent net interest margin both decreased in 2010 as the general level of interest rates declined; however, the significant increase in average earning assets caused net interest income to increase 16%.

Total average loans increased $57,293,000, or 9%, to $677,715,000 for the Third Quarter of 2010 as compared to the Third Quarter of 2009. This increase was attributable to successful marketing efforts by the Company’s lending staff.  Average investment securities increased $31,695,000, or 17%, to $219,432,000, as the Company took advantage of buying opportunities in the market.

Total average interest-bearing deposits for the Third Quarter of 2010 increased $60,515,000, or 20%, to $367,507,000 compared to the Third Quarter of 2009, primarily due to customers transferring funds from lower-yielding investments at other institutions.  Accounts and drafts payable increased $100,308,000, or 22%, as freight and utility payment processing activities increased.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009:

Average earning assets for the Nine months Ended September 30, 2010 increased 21% compared to the same period in the prior year (see discussion in the following paragraphs). The yield on earning assets and the tax equivalent net interest margin both decreased in 2010 as the general level of interest rates declined; however, the significant increase in average earning assets caused net interest income to increase 14%.

Total average loans increased $59,570,000, or 10%, to $667,167,000 for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009. This increase was attributable to successful marketing efforts by the Company’s lending staff.  Average investment securities increased $30,713,000, or 16%, to $217,048,000, as the Company took advantage of buying opportunities in the market.

Total average interest-bearing deposits for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 increased $93,798,000, or 38%, to $342,024,000 compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009, primarily due to customers transferring funds from lower-yielding investments at other institutions. Accounts and drafts payable increased $72,099,000, or 16%, as freight and utility payment processing activities increased.

For more information on the changes in net interest income, please refer to the tables that follow.

Distribution of Assets, Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity; Interest Rate and Interest Differential

The following table shows the condensed average balance sheets for each of the periods reported, the tax-equivalent interest income and expense on each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, and the average yield on such categories of interest-earning assets and the average rates paid on such categories of interest-bearing liabilities for each of the periods reported.

 
-18-

 

 
   
Third Quarter of 2010
   
Third Quarter of 2009
 
(In thousands)
 
Average
Balance
   
Interest
Income/
Expense
   
Yield/
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
Income/
Expense
   
Yield/
Rate
 
Assets1
                                   
Earning assets:
                                   
Loans2, 3:
                                   
Taxable
  $ 676,406     $ 10,173       5.97 %   $ 617,368     $ 9,093       5.84 %
Tax-exempt4
    1,309       14       4.24       3,054       49       6.37  
Debt and equity securities5:
                                               
Taxable
    928       3       1.28       3,425       15       1.74  
Tax-exempt4
    218,504       3,314       6.02       184,312       2,837       6.11  
Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions
    45,982       42       .36       43,016       24       .22  
Federal funds sold and other short-term investments
    159,089       108       .27       87,391       33       .15  
Total earning assets
    1,102,218       13,654       4.91       938,566       12,051       5.09  
Non-earning assets:
                                               
Cash and due from banks
    10,837                       10,028                  
Premise and equipment, net
    9,839                       10,996                  
Bank owned life insurance
    13,993                       13,446                  
Goodwill and other
                                               
intangibles
    7,781                       7,901                  
Other assets
    68,351                       45,167                  
Allowance for loan losses
    (10,316 )                     (7,075 )                
Total assets
  $ 1,202,703                     $ 1,019,029                  
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity1
                                         
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
Interest-bearing demand
                                               
deposits
  $ 183,806     $ 521       1.12 %   $ 141,077     $ 499       1.40 %
Savings deposits
    29,252       83       1.13       30,356       104       1.36  
Time deposits >= $100
    53,591       207       1.53       46,503       264       2.25  
Other time deposits
    100,858       438       1.72       89,056       505       2.25  
Total interest-bearing deposits
    367,507       1,249       1.35       306,992       1,372       1.77  
Short-term borrowings & other
    64                   13              
Subordinated debentures
                      1,975       27       5.42  
Total interest bearing liabilities
    367,571       1,249       1.35       308,980       1,399       1.80  
Non-interest bearing liabilities:
                                               
Demand deposits
    113,835                       106,685                  
Accounts and drafts payable
    565,241                       464,933                  
Other liabilities
    15,194                       19,804                  
Total liabilities
    1,061,841                       900,402                  
Shareholders’ equity
    140,862                       118,627                  
Total liabilities and
                                               
shareholders’ equity
  $ 1,202,703                     $ 1,019,029                  
Net interest income
          $ 12,405                     $ 10,652          
Interest spread
                    3.56 %                     3.29 %
Net interest margin
                    4.47                       4.50  
1.
Balances shown are daily averages.
2.
For purposes of these computations, nonaccrual loans are included in the average loan amounts outstanding.  Interest on nonaccrual loans is recorded when received as discussed further in Note 1 to the Company's 2009 consolidated financial statements, filed with the Company’s 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
3.
Interest income on loans includes net loan fees of $179,000 and $81,000 for the Third Quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively.
4.
Interest income is presented on a tax-equivalent basis assuming a tax rate of 35%.  The tax-equivalent adjustment was approximately $1,165,000 and $1,011,000 for the Third Quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively.
5.
For purposes of these computations, yields on investment securities are computed as interest income divided by the average amortized cost of the investments.

 
-19-

 

   
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
   
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
 
(In thousands)
 
Average
Balance
   
Interest
Income/
Expense
   
Yield/
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
Income/
Expense
   
Yield/
Rate
 
Assets1
                                   
Earning assets:
                                   
Loans2, 3:
                                   
Taxable
  $ 665,009     $ 29,423       5.92 %   $ 604,413     $ 26,557       5.87 %
Tax-exempt4
    2,158       88       5.45       3,184       160       6.72  
Debt and equity securities5:
                                               
Taxable
    870       28       4.30       3,490       33       1.26  
Tax-exempt4
    216,178       9,851       6.09       182,845       8,403       6.14  
Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions
    28,145       68       .32       24,051       42       .23  
Federal funds sold and other short-term investments
    122,985       269       .29       40,574       59       .19  
Total earning assets
    1,035,345       39,727       5.13       858,557       35,254       5.49  
Non-earning assets:
                                               
Cash and due from banks
    10,220                       9,517                  
Premise and equipment, net
    10,066                       11,322                  
Bank owned life insurance
    13,854                       13,306                  
Goodwill and other
                                               
intangibles
    7,808                       7,969                  
Other assets
    61,778                       47,197                  
Allowance for loan losses
    (9,280 )                     (6,803 )                
Total assets
  $ 1,129,791                     $ 941,065                  
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity1
                                         
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
Interest-bearing demand
                                               
deposits
  $ 172,057     $ 1,526       1.19 %   $ 107,397     $ 1,181       1.47 %
Savings deposits
    26,087       227       1.16       23,617       242       1.37  
Time deposits >= $100
    53,089       626       1.58       43,206       827       2.56  
Other time deposits
    90,791       1,245       1.83       74,006       1,291       2.33  
Total interest-bearing deposits
    342,024       3,624       1.42       248,226       3,541       1.91  
Short-term borrowings & other
    39                   5,000       23       .62  
Subordinated debentures
                      2,649       106       5.35  
Total interest bearing liabilities
    342,063       3,624       1.42       255,875       3,670       1.92  
Non-interest bearing liabilities:
                                               
Demand deposits
    111,645                       98,090                  
Accounts and drafts payable
    524,997                       452,898                  
Other liabilities
    15,625                       19,247                  
Total liabilities
    994,330                       826,110                  
Shareholders’ equity
    135,461                       114,955                  
Total liabilities and
                                               
shareholders’ equity
  $ 1,129,791                     $ 941,065                  
Net interest income
          $ 36,103                     $ 31,584          
Interest spread
                    3.71 %                     3.57 %
Net interest margin
                    4.66                       4.92  
1.
Balances shown are daily averages.
2.
For purposes of these computations, nonaccrual loans are included in the average loan amounts outstanding.  Interest on nonaccrual loans is recorded when received as discussed further in Note 1 to the Company's 2009 consolidated financial statements, filed with the Company’s 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
3.
Interest income on loans includes net loan fees of $345,000 and $348,000 for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
4.
Interest income is presented on a tax-equivalent basis assuming a tax rate of 35%.  The tax-equivalent adjustment was approximately $3,479,000 and $2,997,000 for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
5.
For purposes of these computations, yields on investment securities are computed as interest income divided by the average amortized cost of the investments.

 
-20-

 

Analysis of Net Interest Income Changes

The following table presents the changes in interest income and expense between periods due to changes in volume and interest rates.  That portion of the change in interest attributable to the combined rate/volume variance has been allocated to rate and volume changes in proportion to the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each.

   
Third Quarter of 2010 Over 2009
 
(In thousands)
 
Volume
   
Rate
   
Total
 
Increase (decrease) in interest income:
                 
Loans1, 2:
                 
Taxable
  $ 885     $ 195     $ 1,080  
Tax-exempt3
    (22 )     (13 )     (35 )
Debt and equity securities:
                       
Taxable
    (9 )     (3 )     (12 )
Tax-exempt3
    519       (42 )     477  
Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions
    2       16       18  
Federal funds sold and other short-term investments
    38       37       75  
Total interest income
    1,413       190       1,603  
Interest expense on:
                       
Interest-bearing demand deposits
    133       (111 )     22  
Savings deposits
    (4 )     (17 )     (21 )
Time deposits of $100 or more
    36       (93 )     (57 )
Other time deposits
    61       (128 )     (67 )
Subordinated debentures
    (14 )     (13 )     (27 )
Total interest expense
    212       (362 )     (150 )
Net interest income
  $ 1,201     $ 552     $ 1,753  
1.
Average balances include nonaccrual loans.
2.
Interest income includes net loan fees.
3.
Interest income is presented on a tax-equivalent basis assuming a tax rate of 35%.

   
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
Over 2009
 
(In thousands)
 
Volume
   
Rate
   
Total
 
Increase (decrease) in interest income:
                 
Loans1, 2:
                 
Taxable
  $ 2,680     $ 186     $ 2,866  
Tax-exempt3
    (45 )     (27 )     (72 )
Debt and equity securities:
                       
Taxable
    (39 )     34       (5 )
Tax-exempt3
    1,520       (72 )     1,448  
Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions
    8       18       26  
Federal funds sold and other short-term investments
    168       42       210  
Total interest income
    4,292       181       4,473  
Interest expense on:
                       
Interest-bearing demand deposits
    607       (262 )     345  
Savings deposits
    24       (39 )     (15 )
Time deposits of $100 or more
    162       (363 )     (201 )
Other time deposits
    261       (307 )     (46 )
Short-term borrowings & other
    (11 )     (12 )     (23 )
Subordinated debentures
    (53 )     (53 )     (106 )
Total interest expense
    990       (1,036 )     (46 )
Net interest income
  $ 3,302     $ 1,217     $ 4,519  
1.
Average balances include nonaccrual loans.
2.
Interest income includes net loan fees.
3.
Interest income is presented on a tax-equivalent basis assuming a tax rate of 35%.

 
-21-

 

Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses

A significant determinant of the Company's operating results is the provision for loan losses and the level of loans charged off.  There was a $950,000 and $400,000 provision for loan losses during the Third Quarter of 2010 and the Third Quarter of 2009, respectively.  There was a $3,000,000 and $1,100,000 provision for loan losses during the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009, respectively. As discussed below, the Company continually analyzes the outstanding loan portfolio based on the performance, financial condition and collateralization of the credits.  The increases were primarily due to the growth in loan balances of $68,840,000 from September 30, 2009 to September 30, 2010.  There were net loan charge-offs of $353,000 in the Third Quarter of 2010 compared to net loan charge-offs of $143,000 for the same period in 2009.  There were $526,000 net loan charge-offs in the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and $319,000 in the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009.

The allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2010 was $10,758,000 and at December 31, 2009 was $8,284,000. The ratio of allowance for loan losses to total loans outstanding at September 30, 2010 was 1.56% compared to 1.29% at December 31, 2009.  Nonperforming loans were $1,035,000, or .15%, of total loans at September 30, 2010 compared to $1,608,000, or .25%, of total loans at December 31, 2009.  These loans, which are also considered impaired, consisted of five loans to borrowers with businesses in financial trouble or in the process of liquidation at September 30, 2010.   Nonperforming loans at December 31, 2009 consisted of five non-accrual loans.  Total nonperforming loans decreased $753,000 from September 30, 2009 to September 30, 2010.  This change was primarily due to the charge-off of one loan, full payment of one loan plus the addition of one loan.

In addition to the nonperforming loans discussed above, at September 30, 2010, four loans totaling $2,995,000 not included in the table below were identified by management as having potential credit problems.  These loans are excluded from the table due to the fact that they are current under the original terms of the loans, however circumstances have raised doubts as to the ability of the borrowers to comply with the current loan repayment terms.  These loans are closely monitored by management.

The allowance for loan losses has been established and is maintained to absorb probable losses in the loan portfolio.  An ongoing assessment of risk of loss is performed to determine if the current balance of the allowance is adequate to cover probable losses in the portfolio.  A charge or credit is made to expense to cover any deficiency or reduce any excess.  The current methodology employed to determine the appropriate allowance consists of two components, specific and general.  The Company develops specific allowances on commercial, commercial real estate, and construction loans based on individual review of these loans and an estimate of the borrower’s ability to repay the loan given the availability of collateral, other sources of cash flow and collection options available.  The general component relates to all other loans, which are evaluated based on loan grade.  The loan grade assigned to each loan is typically evaluated on an annual basis, unless circumstances require interim evaluation.  The Company assigns an allowance amount consistent with each loan's rating category.  The allowance amount is based on derived loss experience over prescribed periods.  In addition to the amounts derived from the loan grades, a portion is added to the general allowance to take into account other factors including national and local economic conditions; downturns in specific industries including loss in collateral value; trends in credit quality at the Company and in the banking industry; and trends in risk rating changes.  As part of their examination process, federal and state agencies review the Company's methodology for maintaining the allowance for loan losses and the related balance.  These agencies may require the Company to increase the allowance for loan losses based on their judgments and interpretations about information available to them at the time of their examination.

Summary of Asset Quality
The following table presents information pertaining to the Company's provision for loan losses and analysis of the allowance for loan losses.

   
Third Quarter
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
(In thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Allowance at beginning of period
  $ 10,161     $ 6,975     $ 8,284     $ 6,451  
                                 
Provision charged to expense
    950       400       3,000       1,100  
Loans charged off
    (354 )     (146 )     (554 )     (400 )
Recoveries on loans previously charged off
    1       3       28       81  
Net loans charged-off
    (353 )     (143 )     (526 )     (319 )
Allowance at end of period
  $ 10,758     $ 7,232     $ 10,758     $ 7,232  
Loans outstanding:
                               
Average
  $ 677,715     $ 620,422     $ 667,167     $ 607,597  
September 30
    689,683       620,843       689,683       620,843  
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to loans outstanding:
                               
Average
    1.59 %     1.17 %     1.61 %     1.19 %
September 30
    1.56       1.16       1.56       1.16  
Nonperforming loans:
                               
Nonaccrual loans
  $ 1,035     $ 1,232     $ 1,035     $ 1,232  
Loans past due 90 days or more
                       
Renegotiated loans
          556             556  
Total nonperforming loans
  $ 1,035     $ 1,788     $ 1,035     $ 1,788  
Foreclosed assets
    1,910       2,177       1,910       2,177  
Nonperforming loans as percentage of average loans
    .15 %     .29 %     .16 %     .29 %

 
-22-

 

The Bank had two properties carried as other real estate owned of $1,910,000 and $2,177,000 as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses for the Third Quarter of 2010 were up 4%, or $732,000 compared to the Third Quarter of 2009.  Total operating expenses for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 were up 1%, or $692,000 from the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009.

Salaries and benefits expense for the Third Quarter of 2010 increased 4%, or $443,000, to $13,026,000 compared to the Third Quarter of 2009 due to additional incentive compensation related to the increase in pre-tax income from operations.  It increased 1%, or $437,000, to $38,199,000 for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009.

Occupancy expense for the Third Quarter of 2010 increased $47,000, or 8%, to $658,000 from the Third Quarter of 2009 and increased $44,000, or 2%, from the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009.

Equipment expense for the Third Quarter of 2009 increased $52,000, or 6%, compared to the Third Quarter of 2009 and increased $192,000, or 8%, from the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009.

Amortization of intangible assets was $26,000 and $55,000 for the Third Quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $80,000 and $195,000 for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Software from the Profitlab, Inc. acquisition in 2004 was fully amortized during the Third Quarter of 2009.

Other operating expenses for the Third Quarter of 2010 increased $219,000, or 10%, compared to the Third Quarter of 2009 primarily due to increases in promotional and outside service expenses.  Other operating expense increased $134,000 for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009, primarily due to an increase in outside services expense.

Income tax expense for the Third Quarter of 2010 increased $722,000, or 56%, compared to the Third Quarter of 2009 and increased $1,778,000 for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009.  The effective tax rate was 26.5% and 23.0% for the Third Quarters of 2010 and 2009, respectively, and was 27.7% and 25.5% for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The increases are the result of higher pre-tax income for the periods and smaller relative increases in tax-exempt investment income.

Financial Condition

Total assets at September 30, 2010 were $1,217,429,000, an increase of $204,448,000, or 20%, from December 31, 2009.  The most significant changes in asset balances during this period were an increase of $85,494,000, or 213%, in federal funds sold and other short-term investments and increases of $47,726,000 and $40,008,000 in loans and interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions, respectively. Changes in federal funds sold and other short-term investments reflect the Company’s daily liquidity position and are affected by the changes in the other asset balances and changes in deposit and accounts and drafts payable balances.

 
-23-

 

Total liabilities at September 30, 2010 were $1,071,612,000, an increase of $188,199,000, or 21%, from December 31, 2009.  Total deposits at September 30, 2010 were $501,259,000, an increase of $63,383,000, or 14%, from December 31, 2009.  Accounts and drafts payable at September 30, 2010 were $554,945,000, an increase of $124,694,000, or 29%, from December 31, 2009.  Total shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2010 was $145,817,000, a $16,249,000, or 13%, increase from December 31, 2009.

Accounts and drafts payable will fluctuate from period-end to period-end due to the payment processing cycle, which results in lower balances on days when checks clear and higher balances on days when checks are issued.  For this reason, average balances are a more meaningful measure of accounts and drafts payable (for average balances refer to the tables under the “Distribution of Assets, Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity; Interest Rate and Interest Differential” section of this report).

The increase in total shareholders’ equity primarily resulted from net income of $15,229,000, $1,133,000 from stock-based compensation expense, and an increase in other comprehensive income of $4,066,000, offset by dividends paid of $3,945,000 ($.14 per share) plus other miscellaneous activity of $234,000.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The balance of liquid assets consists of cash and cash equivalents, which include cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions, federal funds sold and other short-term investments, and was $209,468,000 at September 30, 2010, an increase of $130,174,000, or 164%, from December 31, 2009.  At September 30, 2010, these assets represented 17% of total assets.  These funds are the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ primary source of liquidity to meet future expected and unexpected loan demand, depositor withdrawals or reductions in accounts and drafts payable.

Secondary sources of liquidity include the investment portfolio and borrowing lines.  Total investment in securities was $238,262,000 at September 30, 2010, an increase of $13,665,000 from December 31, 2009.   These assets represented 20% of total assets at September 30, 2010.  Of this total, 100% were state and political subdivision securities.  Of the total portfolio, 3% mature in one year, 18% mature in one to five years, and 79% mature in five or more years.

The Bank has unsecured lines of credit at correspondent banks to purchase federal funds up to a maximum of $81,000,000 at the following banks:  Bank of America, $20,000,000; US Bank, $20,000,000; Wells Fargo Bank, $20,000,000; Frost National Bank, $10,000,000, JPM Chase Bank, $6,000,000 and UMB Bank, $5,000,000.  The Company had secured lines of credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank of $109,701,000 collateralized by commercial mortgage loans.  The Company also had a secured federal funds line of credit of $18,782,000 with the Federal Reserve Bank and a secured line of credit of $10,000,000 with UMB Bank.  There were no amounts outstanding under any of the lines of credit discussed above at September 30, 2010 or December 31, 2009.

The deposits of the Company's banking subsidiary have historically been stable, consisting of a sizable volume of core deposits related to customers that utilize other commercial products of the Bank.  The accounts and drafts payable generated by the Company has also historically been a stable source of funds.  The Company is part of the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (“CDARS”).  Time deposits at September 30, 2010 include $87,408,000 of CDARS deposits which offer the Bank’s customers the ability to maximize FDIC insurance coverage.  The Company uses this program to retain or attract deposits from existing customers.

Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $21,683,000 for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 compared with $16,971,000 for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009.  This increase is attributable to the increases in net income of $3,327,000 and provision for loan losses of $1,900,000 offset by the income taxes deferred and payable of $1,406,000 and the other normal fluctuations in asset and liability accounts.  Net cash flows from investing and financing activities fluctuate greatly as the Company actively manages its investment and loan portfolios and customer activity influences changes in deposit and accounts and drafts payable balances.  Other causes for the changes in these account balances are discussed earlier in this report.  Due to the daily fluctuations in these account balances, the analysis of changes in average balances, also discussed earlier in this report, can be more indicative of underlying activity than the period-end balances used in the statements of cash flows.  Management anticipates that cash and cash equivalents, maturing investments and cash from operations will continue to be sufficient to fund the Company’s operations and capital expenditures in 2010, which are estimated to be less than $3,000,000.

The Company faces market risk to the extent that its net interest income and fair market value of equity are affected by changes in market interest rates.  For information regarding the market risk of the Company’s financial instruments, see Item 3, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.”

 
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There are several trends and uncertainties that may impact the Company’s ability to generate revenues and income at the levels that it has in the past. In addition, these trends and uncertainties may impact available liquidity.  Those that could significantly impact the Company include the general levels of interest rates, business activity, and energy costs as well as new business opportunities available to the Company.

As a financial institution, a significant source of the Company’s earnings is generated from net interest income.  Therefore, the prevailing interest rate environment is important to the Company’s performance.  A major portion of the Company’s funding sources are the non-interest bearing accounts and drafts payable generated from its payment and information processing services.  Accordingly, higher levels of interest rates will generally allow the Company to earn more net interest income.  Conversely, a lower interest rate environment will generally tend to depress net interest income.  The Company actively manages its balance sheet in an effort to maximize net interest income as the interest rate environment changes.  This balance sheet management impacts the mix of earning assets maintained by the Company at any point in time.

The overall level of economic activity can have a significant impact on the Company’s ability to generate revenues and income, as the volume and size of customer invoices processed may increase or decrease.  Higher levels of economic activity increase both fee income (as more invoices are processed) and balances of accounts and drafts payable.

The relative level of energy costs can impact the Company’s earnings and available liquidity.  Higher levels of energy costs will tend to increase transportation and utility invoice amounts resulting in a corresponding increase in accounts and drafts payable.  Increases in accounts and drafts payable generate higher interest income and improve liquidity.

New business opportunities are an important component of the Company’s strategy to grow earnings and improve performance.  Generating new customers allows the Company to leverage existing systems and facilities and grow revenues faster than expenses.

Risk-based capital guidelines require the Company to meet a minimum total capital ratio of 8.0%, of which at least 4.0% must consist of Tier 1 capital.  Tier 1 capital generally consists of (a) common shareholders' equity (excluding the unrealized market value adjustments on the available-for-sale securities), (b) qualifying perpetual preferred stock and related surplus subject to certain limitations specified by the FDIC, (c) minority interests in the equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries less (d) goodwill, (e) mortgage servicing rights within certain limits, and (f) any other intangible assets and investments in subsidiaries that the FDIC determines should be deducted from Tier 1 capital.  The FDIC also requires a minimum leverage ratio of 3.0%, defined as the ratio of Tier 1 capital less purchased mortgage servicing rights to total assets, for banking organizations deemed the strongest and most highly rated by banking regulators.  A higher minimum leverage ratio is required of less highly rated banking organizations.  Total capital, a measure of capital adequacy, includes Tier 1 capital, allowance for loan losses, and debt considered equity for regulatory capital purposes.

The Company and the Bank continue to exceed all regulatory capital requirements, as evidenced by the following capital amounts and ratios:

   
September 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
(In thousands)
 
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)
                       
Cass Information Systems, Inc.
  $ 144,923       16.56 %   $ 130,187       16.69 %
Cass Commercial Bank
    56,544       10.90 %     50,853       10.34 %
Tier I capital (to risk-weighted assets)
                               
Cass Information Systems, Inc.
  $ 134,165       15.33 %   $ 121,903       15.63 %
Cass Commercial Bank
    50,061       9.65 %     44,864       9.12 %
Tier I capital (to average assets)
                               
Cass Information Systems, Inc.
  $ 134,165       11.23 %   $ 121,903       11.28 %
Cass Commercial Bank
    50,061       9.32 %     44,864       8.75 %

Inflation

The Company’s assets and liabilities are primarily monetary, consisting of cash, cash equivalents, securities, loans, payables and deposits.  Monetary assets and liabilities are those that can be converted into a fixed number of dollars. The Company's consolidated balance sheet reflects a net positive monetary position (monetary assets exceed monetary liabilities).  During periods of inflation, the holding of a net positive monetary position will result in an overall decline in the purchasing power of a company.  Management believes that replacement costs of equipment, furniture, and leasehold improvements will not materially affect operations.  The rate of inflation does affect certain expenses, such as those for employee compensation, which may not be readily recoverable in the price of the Company’s services.

 
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Impact of New and Not Yet Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) “Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses”. This guidance requires a greater level of disaggregated information about the credit quality of financing receivables and reserves for credit losses, including increased disclosure of credit quality indicators, past due information, and modifications of financing receivables. Disclosures regarding activity during a reporting period are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010. Adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

As described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company manages its interest rate risk through measurement techniques that include gap analysis and a simulation model. As part of the risk management process, asset/liability management policies are established and monitored by management. The policy objective is to limit the change in annualized net interest income to 15% from an immediate and sustained parallel change in interest rates of 200 basis points. Based on the Company's most recent evaluation, management does not believe the Company's risk position at September 30, 2010 has changed materially from that at December 31, 2009.

ITEM 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company’s management, under the supervision and with the participation of the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this report and concluded that, as of such date, these controls and procedures were effective.

There were no changes in the Third Quarter of 2010 in the Company's internal control over financial reporting identified by the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer in connection with their evaluation that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended).

 
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PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company and its subsidiaries are not involved in any pending proceedings other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to its businesses.  Management believes none of these proceedings, if determined adversely, would have a material effect on the businesses or financial conditions of the Company or its subsidiaries.

ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS
The Company has included in Part I, Item 1A of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, a description of certain risks and uncertainties that could affect the Company’s business, future performance or financial condition (the “Risk Factors”).  There are no material changes to the Risk Factors as disclosed in the Company’s 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
None

ITEM 3.
DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None

ITEM 4.
[REMOVED AND RESERVED]

ITEM 5.
OTHER INFORMATION
 
(a)
None
 
(b)
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which security holders may recommend nominees to the Company’s Board of Directors implemented in the Third Quarter of 2010.

ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS

Exhibit 31.1 Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit 31.2 Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit 32.1 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit 32.2 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 
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SIGNATURES

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

 
CASS INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC.
     
DATE:  November 4, 2010
By
/s/ Eric H. Brunngraber
   
Eric H. Brunngraber
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
   
(Principal Executive Officer)
     
DATE:  November 4, 2010
By
/s/ P. Stephen Appelbaum
   
P. Stephen Appelbaum
   
Chief Financial Officer
   
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 
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