f10q0910_firstunited.htm


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

FORM 10-Q

x           QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGEACT OF 1934
For quarterly period ended September 30, 2010

o           TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
For the transition period from _______________ to ________________

Commission file number 0-14237

First United Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Maryland   52-1380770
(State or other jurisdiction of
 incorporation or organization)
  (I. R. S. Employer Identification No.)
 
19 South Second Street, Oakland, Maryland                                                                            21550-0009
       (Address of principal executive offices)                                                                               (Zip Code)

(800) 470-4356
(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 periods that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes o No o (Not Applicable)

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

Large accelerated filer o                                                                                                           Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)                           Smaller reporting company o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).Yes £ No x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:  6,161,410 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, as of October 31, 2010.
 
 
 

 
 
INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT
FIRST UNITED CORPORATION
 
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
   
Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited)
   
  Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition –September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009
   
  Consolidated Statements of Operations - for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009
   
  Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity - for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and year ended December 31, 2009
   
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009
   
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
   
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
   
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
   
  Controls and Procedures
   
Item 4.  
   
   
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
   
Item 1.  Legal Proceedings
   
Item 1A. Risk Factors
   
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
   
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
   
Item 4. [Removed and Reserved]
   
Item 5. Other Information
   
Item 6. Exhibits
   
SIGNATURES
   
EXHIBIT INDEX
  
 
 

 
 
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

FIRST UNITED CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
(In thousands, except per share and percentage data)

   
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
Assets
           
  Cash and due from banks
  $ 253,433     $ 139,169  
  Interest bearing deposits in banks
    108,818       50,502  
     Cash and cash equivalents
    362,251       189,671  
  Investment securities – available-for-sale (at fair value)
    239,257       273,784  
  Restricted investment in bank stock, at cost
    12,931       13,861  
  Loans
    1,044,024       1,121,884  
  Allowance for loan losses
    (24,288 )     (20,090 )
     Net loans
    1,019,736       1,101,794  
  Premises and equipment, net
    31,987       31,719  
  Goodwill and other intangible assets, net
    14,808       15,241  
  Bank owned life insurance
    30,140       29,386  
  Deferred tax assets
    24,917       29,189  
  Other real estate owned
    15,612       7,591  
  Accrued interest receivable and other assets
    43,589       51,560  
Total Assets
  $ 1,795,228     $ 1,743,796  
                 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
               
Liabilities:
               
   Non-interest bearing deposits
  $ 121,433     $ 106,976  
   Interest bearing deposits
    1,264,996       1,197,190  
      Total deposits
    1,386,429       1,304,166  
                 
   Short-term borrowings
    43,922       47,563  
   Long-term borrowings
    243,364       270,544  
   Accrued interest payable and other liabilities
    19,715       20,342  
   Dividends payable
    64       615  
Total Liabilities
    1,693,494       1,643,230  
                 
Shareholders’ Equity:
               
   Preferred stock – no par value;
     Authorized 2,000 shares of which 30 shares of Series A, $1,000 per
     share liquidation preference, 5% cumulative increasing to 9%
     cumulative on February 15, 2014, were issued and outstanding on
     September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 (discount of $217
     and $261, respectively)
             29,783                29,739  
   Common Stock – par value $.01 per share;
     Authorized 25,000 shares; issued and outstanding 6,161 shares at
     September 30, 2010 and 6,144 at December 31, 2009
       62          61  
   Surplus
    21,403       21,305  
   Retained earnings
    69,060       76,120  
   Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (18,574 )     (26,659 )
   Total Shareholders’ Equity
    101,734       100,566  
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
  $ 1,795,228     $ 1,743,796  

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 
1

 
 
FIRST UNITED CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
Interest income
     
  Interest and fees on loans
  $ 46,595     $ 51,571  
  Interest on investment securities
               
     Taxable
    5,356       10,316  
     Exempt from federal income tax
    2,689       2,932  
     Total investment income
    8,045       13,248  
  Other
    407       65  
  Total interest income
    55,047       64,884  
Interest expense
               
  Interest on deposits
    13,904       15,385  
  Interest on short-term borrowings
    207       237  
  Interest on long-term borrowings
    8,205       8,768  
     Total interest expense
    22,316       24,390  
  Net interest income
    32,731       40,494  
  Provision for loan losses
    10,653       10,837  
     Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    22,078       29,657  
Other operating income
               
  Changes in fair value on impaired securities
    (10,401 )     (18,334 )
  Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive
     income (before taxes)
     2,126        7,492  
  Net securities impairment losses recognized in operations
    (8,275 )     (10,842 )
  Net losses – other
    (3,396 )     (272 )
     Total net losses
    (11,671 )     (11,114 )
  Service charges
    3,449       4,163  
  Trust department
    2,978       2,631  
  Insurance commissions
    2,003       2,123  
  Debit card income
    1,198       1,029  
  Bank owned life insurance
    754       401  
  Other
    840       1,392  
     Total other income
    11,222       11,739  
     Total other operating (loss)/income
    (449 )     625  
Other operating expenses
               
  Salaries and employee benefits
    16,321       17,398  
  FDIC premiums
    3,054       2,589  
  Equipment
    2,384       2,568  
  Occupancy
    2,208       2,097  
  Data processing
    1,966       1,829  
  Other
    7,634       8,555  
     Total other operating expenses
    33,567       35,036  
  Loss before income taxes
    (11,938 )     (4,754 )
  Applicable income tax benefit
    (6,233 )     (2,696 )
Net Loss
    (5,705 )     (2,058 )
     Accumulated preferred stock dividends and discount accretion
  $ (1,169 )   $ (1,041 )
Net Loss Attributable to Common Shareholders
  $ (6,874 )   $ (3,099 )
Basic net loss per common share
  $ (1.12 )   $ (.51 )
Diluted net loss per common share
  $ (1.12 )   $ (.51 )
Dividends declared per common share
  $ .03     $ .60  
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
    6,153       6,116  
Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding
    6,153       6,116  
 
See accompanying noted to the consolidated financial statements.

 
2

 
 
  FIRST UNITED CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Interest income
 
(Unaudited)
 
  Interest and fees on loans
  $ 15,234     $ 17,061  
  Interest on investment securities
               
     Taxable
    953       3,041  
     Exempt from federal income tax
    883       975  
     Total investment income
    1,836       4,016  
  Other
    183       61  
  Total interest income
    17,253       21,138  
Interest expense
               
  Interest on deposits
    4,682       4,835  
  Interest on short-term borrowings
    68       82  
  Interest on long-term borrowings
    2,602       2,916  
     Total interest expense
    7,352       7,833  
  Net interest income
    9,901       13,305  
  Provision for loan losses
    3,467       6,917  
     Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    6,434       6,388  
Other operating income
               
  Changes in fair value on impaired securities
    397       (12,538 )
  Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive
     income (before taxes)
    (607 )      3,877  
  Net securities impairment losses recognized in operations
    (210 )     (8,661 )
  Net losses – other
    (687 )     132  
     Total net losses
    (897 )     (8,529 )
  Service charges
    1,119       1,460  
  Trust department
    940       944  
  Insurance commissions
    678       682  
  Debit card income
    401       363  
  Bank owned life insurance
    255       133  
  Other
    387       417  
     Total other income
    3,780       3,999  
     Total other operating income/(loss)
    2,883       (4,530 )
Other operating expenses
               
  Salaries and employee benefits
    5,384       5,551  
  FDIC premiums
    980       838  
  Equipment
    738       862  
  Occupancy
    767       709  
  Data processing
    662       665  
  Other
    2,631       2,875  
     Total other operating expenses
    11,162       11,500  
  Loss before income taxes
    (1,845 )     (9,642 )
  Applicable income tax benefit
    (2,167 )     (4,056 )
Net Income/(Loss)
    322       (5,586 )
     Accumulated preferred stock dividends and discount accretion
  $ (390 )   $ (389 )
Net Loss Attributable to Common Shareholders
  $ (68 )   $ (5,975 )
Basic net loss per common share
  $ (.01 )   $ (.97 )
Diluted net loss per common share
  $ (.01 )   $ (.97 )
Dividends declared per common share
  $ .01     $ .20  
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
    6,160       6,132  
Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding
    6,160       6,132  
 
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 
3

 
 
FIRST UNITED CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
(In thousands, except share and per share data)

   
 
Preferred Stock
   
 
Common Stock
   
 
 
Surplus
   
 
Retained Earnings
   
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
   
Total Shareholders’ Equity
 
Balance at January 1, 2009
  $ -     $ 61     $ 20,520     $ 93,092     $ (40,983 )   $ 72,690  
                                                 
Comprehensive income:
                                               
  Net loss for the year
                            (11,324 )             (11,324 )
  Unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale, net of reclassifications and income taxes of $8,407
                                     12,422        12,422  
  Change in accumulated unrealized losses for pension and SERP obligations, net of income taxes of $1,311
                                       1,938          1,938  
  Unrealized loss on derivatives, net of income taxes of $24
                                    (36 )     (36 )
     Comprehensive income
                                            3,000  
  Issuance of 43,680 shares of common stock under dividend reinvestment plan
                     488                        488  
  Stock based compensation
                    (16 )                     (16 )
  Preferred stock issued pursuant to TARP-30,000 shares
    29,687                                       29,687  
  Preferred stock discount accretion
    52                       (52 )             --  
  Warrant issued pursuant to TARP
                    313                       313  
  Preferred stock dividends
                            (1,186 )             (1,186 )
  Common stock dividends declared - $.70 per share
                            (4,410 )             (4,410 )
                                                 
  Balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 29,739     $ 61     $ 21,305     $ 76,120     $ (26,659 )   $ 100,566  
                                                 
  Comprehensive income:
                                               
  Net loss year-to-date
                            (5,705 )             (5,705 )
  Unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale, net of reclassifications and income taxes of $5,938
                                     8,775        8,775  
  Unrealized loss on derivatives, net of income taxes of $467
                                    (690 )     (690 )
  Comprehensive income
                                            2,380  
  Issuance of 5,297 shares of common stock under dividend reinvestment plan
            1        28                        29  
  Stock based compensation
                    70                       70  
  Preferred stock discount accretion
    44                       (44 )             --  
  Preferred stock dividends
                            (1,125 )             (1,125 )
  Common stock dividends declared - $.03 per share
                            (186 )             (186 )
                                                 
  Balance at September 30, 2010
  $ 29,783     $ 62     $ 21,403     $ 69,060     $ (18,574 )   $ 101,734  


See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 
4

 
 
FIRST UNITED CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
 
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Operating activities
 
(Unaudited)
 
Net loss
  $ (5,705 )   $ (2,058 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
     Provision for loan losses
    10,653       10,837  
     Depreciation
    1,899       2,046  
     Stock compensation
    70       (16 )
     Amortization of intangible assets
    622       867  
     Loss on sales of foreclosed real estate
    838       114  
     Loss on loan sales
    156       --  
     (Gain)/loss on disposal of fixed assets
    (11 )     63  
     Net amortization of investment securities discounts and premiums
    578       161  
     Other-than-temporary-impairment loss on securities
    8,275       10,842  
     Proceeds from sales of investment securities trading
    99,626       --  
     Proceeds from maturities/calls of investment securities trading
    17,167       --  
     Loss on trading securities
    251       226  
     Loss/(gain) on sales of investment securities – available-for-sale
    2,162       (131 )
     Decrease/(increase) in accrued interest receivable and other assets
    6,604       (1,425 )
     Deferred tax benefit
    (1,178 )     (437 )
     (Decrease)/increase in accrued interest payable and other liabilities
    (627 )     255  
     Earnings on bank owned life insurance
    (754 )     (401 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    140,626       20,943  
                 
Investing activities
               
Proceeds from maturities/calls of investment securities available- for-sale
    95,795       73,738  
Proceeds from sales of investment securities available-for-sale
    12,297       37,878  
Purchases of investment securities available-for-sale
    (186,911 )     (70,170 )
Proceeds from sales of foreclosed real estate
    2,007       1,148  
Proceeds from loan sales
    1,764       --  
Proceeds from disposal of fixed assets
    11       --  
Net decrease/(increase) in loans
    58,619       (14,974 )
Net decrease in bank stock
    930       72  
Purchases of premises and equipment
    (2,167 )     (3,348 )
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities
    (17,655 )     24,344  
                 
Financing activities
               
Net increase in deposits
    82,263       14,245  
Net decrease in short-term borrowings
    (3,641 )     (4,266 )
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
    3,609       --  
Payments on long-term borrowings
    (30,789 )     (788 )
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock and warrants
    --       30,000  
Cash dividends paid on common stock
    (737 )     (3,665 )
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
    29       366  
Preferred stock dividends paid
    (1,125 )     (813 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
    49,609       35,079  
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
    172,580       80,366  
     Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year
    189,671       19,305  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 362,251     $ 99,671  
                 
Supplemental information
               
Interest paid
  $ 22,731     $ 25,679  
Taxes paid
  $ 70     $ 1,750  
Non-cash investing activities:
               
     Transfers from loans to foreclosed real estate
  $ 10,865     $ 2,899  
     Transfers from available-for-sale to trading
  $ 117,078     $ 409  
 
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 
5

 
 
FIRST UNITED CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010

Note A – Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of First United Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, including First United Bank & Trust (the “Bank”), have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information, as required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 270, Interim Reporting, and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required for annual financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation, consisting of normal recurring items, have been included.  Operating results for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year or for any future interim period.  These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in First United Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.  For purposes of comparability, certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2010 presentation.  Such reclassifications had no impact on net income/(loss) or equity.

First United Corporation has evaluated events and transactions occurring subsequent to the statement of financial condition date of September 30, 2010 for items that should potentially be recognized or disclosed in these financial statements as prescribed by ASC Topic 855, Subsequent Events.

As used in these notes to consolidated financial statements, First United Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries are sometimes collectively referred to as the “Corporation”.

Note B – Earnings/(Loss) Per Common Share

Basic loss per common share is derived by dividing net loss attributable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period and does not include the effect of any potentially dilutive common stock equivalents.  Diluted loss per share is derived by dividing net loss attributable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding, adjusted for the dilutive effect of outstanding common stock equivalents.  There is no dilutive effect on the earnings per share during loss periods.

The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the nine- and three-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands, except for per share amounts):

   
For the nine months ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
                                     
   
Income
   
Average
Shares
   
Per Share
Amount
   
Income
   
Average
Shares
   
Per Share
Amount
 
Basic Earnings Per Share:
                                   
Net loss
  $ (5,705 )               $ (2,058 )            
Accumulated preferred stock dividends
    (1,125 )                 (1,004 )            
Discount accretion on preferred stock
    (44 )                 (37 )            
Net loss attributable to common
   shareholders
  $ (6,874 )     6,153     $ (1.12 )   $ (3,099 )     6,116     $ (.51 )
                                                 
Diluted Earnings Per Share:
                                               
Net loss attributable to common
   shareholders
  $ (6,874 )     6,153     $ (1.12 )   $ (3,099 )     6,116     $ (.51 )
Diluted net loss attributable to common
   shareholders
  $ (6,874 )     6,153     $ (1.12 )   $ (3,099 )     6,116     $ (.51 )

 
6

 
 
   
For the three months ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
                                     
   
Income
   
Average
Shares
   
Per Share
Amount
   
Income
   
Average
Shares
   
Per Share
Amount
 
Basic Earnings Per Share:
                                   
Net income/(loss)
  $ 322                 $ (5,586 )            
Accumulated preferred stock dividends
    (375 )                 (375 )            
Discount accretion on preferred stock
    (15 )                 (14 )            
Net loss attributable to common
   shareholders
  $ (68 )     6,160     $ (.01 )   $ (5,975 )     6,132     $ (.97 )
                                                 
Diluted Earnings Per Share:
                                               
Net loss attributable to common
   shareholders
  $ (68 )     6,160     $ (.01 )   $ (5,975 )     6,132     $ (.97 )
Diluted net loss attributable to common
   shareholders
  $ (68 )     6,160     $ (.01 )   $ (5,975 )     6,132     $ (.97 )


Note C – Net Losses

The following table summarizes the gain/loss activity for the nine- and three-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):
 
   
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Available-for-sale securities:
           
     Other-than-temporary impairment charges
  $ (8,275 )   $ (10,842 )
     Realized gains
    262       131  
     Realized losses
    (170 )     --  
     Transfers of available-for-sale securities to trading:
               
       Gains recognized in earnings
    2,852       --  
       Losses recognized in earnings
    (5,106 )     --  
         Net (loss)/gain recognized on available-for-sale securities
    (2,162 )     131  
                 
Trading securities:
               
     Gross gains on sales
    972       --  
     Gross losses on sales
    (1,223 )     --  
       Net loss recognized on sales
    (251 )     --  
     Unrealized loss recognized on trading securities still held
    --       (226 )
       Net loss on trading securities
    (251 )     (226 )
Loss on loan sales
    (156 )     --  
Loss on foreclosed real estate
    (838 )     (114 )
Gain/(loss) on disposal of fixed assets
    11       (63 )
       Net losses
  $ (11,671 )   $ (11,114 )

 
7

 
 
   
Three months ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Available-for-sale securities:
           
     Other-than-temporary impairment charges
  $ (210 )   $ (8,661 )
     Realized gains
    --       35  
     Realized losses
    (170 )     --  
     Transfers of available-for-sale securities to trading:
               
       Gains recognized in earnings
    --       --  
       Losses recognized in earnings
    --       --  
         Net (loss)/gain recognized on available-for-sale securities
    (170 )     35  
                 
Trading securities:
               
     Gross gains on sales
    --       --  
     Gross losses on sales
    --       --  
       Net loss recognized on sales
    --       --  
     Unrealized gain recognized on trading securities still held
    --       147  
       Net gain on trading securities
    --       147  
Loss on loan sales
    --       --  
(Loss)/gain on foreclosed real estate
    (528 )     13  
Gain/(loss) on disposal of fixed assets
    11       (63 )
       Net losses
  $ (897 )   $ (8,529 )

Note D – Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and due from banks, which represents vault cash in the retail offices and invested cash balances at the Federal Reserve, is carried at fair value.

   
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
Cash and due from banks, weighted average interest rate of 0.18%
  (at September 30, 2010)
  $ 253,433     $ 139,169  

Interest bearing deposits in banks, which represent funds invested at a correspondent bank, are carried at fair value and, as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, consisted of daily funds invested at the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of Atlanta, First Tennessee Bank (“FTN”) and Community Bankers Bank (“CBB”).

   
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
FHLB daily investments, interest rate of 0.10% (at September 30, 2010)
  $ 77,657     $ 49,727  
FTN daily investments, interest rate of 0.15% (at September 30, 2010)
    1,150       700  
FTN Fed Funds sold, interest rate of 0.25% (at September 30, 2010)
    --       75  
CBB Fed Funds sold, interest rate of 0.22% (at September 30, 2010)
    30,011       --  
    $ 108,818     $ 50,502  

Note E – Investments

The investment portfolio is classified and accounted for based on the guidance of ASC Topic 320, Investments – Debt and Equity Securities.
The following table shows a comparison of amortized cost and fair values of investment securities available-for-sale at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 (in thousands):
 
 
8

 
 
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Gross Unrealized Gains
   
Gross Unrealized Losses
   
Fair
Value
   
OTTI in
AOCI
 
September 30, 2010
                             
U.S. government agencies
  $ 31,827     $ 228     $ 3     $ 32,052     $ --  
Residential mortgage-backed agencies
    96,852       1,891       284       98,459       --  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    838       --       101       737       --  
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
    93,465       5,116       171       98,410       --  
Collateralized debt obligations
    36,382       --       26,783       9,599       17,827  
Totals
  $ 259,364     $ 7,235     $ 27,342     $ 239,257     $ 17,827  
                                         
December 31, 2009
                                       
U.S. government agencies
  $ 68,487     $ 274     $ 498     $ 68,263     $ --  
Residential mortgage-backed agencies
    59,640       2,946       13       62,573       --  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    40,809       --       7,612       33,197       1,574  
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
    95,190       2,501       388       97,303       --  
Collateralized debt obligations
    44,478       --       32,030       12,448       14,127  
Totals
  $ 308,604     $ 5,721     $ 40,541     $ 273,784     $ 15,701  

 
Proceeds from sales of securities and the realized gains and losses for the nine- and three-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 are as follows (in thousands):
 
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Proceeds
  $ 12,297     $ 37,878     $ 10,029     $ 8,510  
Realized gains
    262       131       --       35  
Realized losses
    170       --       170       --  

 
The following table shows the Corporation’s available-for-sale securities with gross unrealized losses and fair values, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 (in thousands):
 
   
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or more
 
   
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized Losses
   
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
September 30, 2010
                       
U.S. government agencies
  $ 10,019     $ 3     $ --     $ --  
Residential mortgage-backed agencies
    23,080       284       --       --  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    --       --       737       101  
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
    6,152       171       --       --  
Collateralized debt obligations
    --       --       9,599       26,783  
Totals
  $ 39,251     $ 458     $ 10,336     $ 26,884  
                                 
December 31, 2009
                               
U.S. government agencies
  $ 36,090     $ 371     $ 14,873     $ 127  
Residential mortgage-backed agencies
    589       13       --       --  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    --       --       33,197       7,612  
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
    12,154       123       8,075       265  
Collateralized debt obligations
    --       --       12,448       32,030  
Totals
  $ 48,833     $ 507     $ 68,593     $ 40,034  
 
 
9

 
 
Management systematically evaluates securities for impairment on a quarterly basis.  Management assesses whether (a) it has the intent to sell a security being evaluated and (b) it is more likely than not that the Corporation will be required to sell the security prior to its anticipated recovery.  If neither applies, then declines in the fair values of securities below their cost that are considered other-than-temporary declines are split into two components.  The first is the loss attributable to declining credit quality.  Credit losses are recognized in earnings as realized losses in the period in which the impairment determination is made.  The second component consists of all other losses, which are recognized in other comprehensive loss.  In estimating other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses, management considers (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) adverse conditions specifically related to the security, an industry, or a geographic area, (3) the historic and implied volatility of the fair value of the security, (4) changes in the rating of the security by a rating agency, (5) recoveries or additional declines in fair value subsequent to the balance sheet date, (6) failure of the issuer of the security to make scheduled interest or principal payments, and (7) the payment structure of the debt security and the likelihood of the issuer being able to make payments that increase in the future.  Management also monitors cash flow projections for securities that are considered beneficial interests under the guidance of ASC Subtopic 325-40, Investments – Other – Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets, (ASC Section 325-40-35). Further discussion about the evaluation of securities for impairment can be found in Item 2 of Part I of this report under the heading “Investment Securities”.

Management believes that the valuation of certain securities is a critical accounting policy that requires significant estimates in preparation of its consolidated financial statements.  Beginning in the first quarter of 2010, management utilized an independent third party to prepare both the impairment valuations and fair value determinations for its collateralized debt obligation (“CDO”) portfolio consisting of pooled trust preferred securities. In previous periods, management performed internal impairment valuations and utilized a third party service for the portfolio pricing.  Management will continue to review the assumptions and results and does not believe that there were any material differences in the valuations between December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010.

Residential Mortgage-Backed Agencies - Three residential mortgage-backed agencies have been in a slight unrealized loss position for less than 12 months as of September 30, 2010.  The securities are of the highest investment grade and the Corporation does not intend to sell them, and it is not more likely than not that the Corporation will be required to sell them before recovery of their amortized cost basis, which may be at maturity. Therefore, no OTTI exists at September 30, 2010.

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations – The collateralized mortgage obligation portfolio, consisting of one security at September 30, 2010, has been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more.  This security is a private label residential mortgage-backed security and is reviewed for factors such as loan to value ratio, credit support levels, borrower FICO scores, geographic concentration, prepayment speeds, delinquencies, coverage ratios and credit ratings.  Management believes that this security continues to demonstrate collateral coverage ratios that are adequate to support the Corporation’s investment.  At the time of purchase, this security was of the highest investment grade and was purchased at a discount relative to its face amount.  As of September 30, 2010, this security remains at investment grade and continues to perform as expected at the time of purchase.  During the third quarter 2010, two private label residential mortgage backed securities were sold in order to enhance the credit quality of the investment portfolio and to minimize the risks associated with further declines in the residential mortgage markets.  The Corporation does not intend to sell the remaining security and it is not more likely than not that the Corporation will be required to sell the investment before recovery of its amortized cost basis, which may be at maturity.  Accordingly, management does not consider this investment to be other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2010.
 
Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions – The unrealized losses on the Corporation’s investments in state and political subdivisions were $171 thousand at September 30, 2010.  Four securities have been in an unrealized loss position for less than 12 months.  All of these investments are of investment grade as determined by the major rating agencies and management reviews the ratings of the underlying issuers.  Management believes that this portfolio is well-diversified throughout the United States, and all bonds continue to perform according to their contractual terms.  The Corporation does not intend to sell these investments and it is not more likely than not that the Corporation will be required to sell the investments before recovery of their amortized cost basis, which may be at maturity.  Accordingly, management does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2010.

Collateralized Debt Obligations - The $26.8 million in unrealized losses greater than 12 months at September 30, 2010 relates to 18 pooled trust preferred securities that comprise the CDO portfolio.  See Note H for a discussion of the methodology used by management to determine the fair values of these securities.  Based upon a review of credit quality and the cash flow tests performed by the independent third party, management determined that there were two securities that had additional credit-related OTTI charges during the third quarter of 2010 and 11 securities with previously recorded OTTI charges that had no further impairment.  As a result of this assessment, the Corporation recorded $8.3 million in credit-related OTTI losses on these securities for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.  The unrealized losses on the remaining five securities in the portfolio are primarily attributable to continued depression in market interest rates, marketability, liquidity and the current economic environment.
 
 
10

 
 
The following tables present a cumulative roll-forward of the amount of OTTI charges related to credit losses which have been recognized in earnings for debt securities held and not intended to be sold for the nine- and three-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009 (in thousands):

   
September 30,
2010
   
September 30,
2009
 
Balance of credit-related OTTI at January 1
  $ 10,765     $ 2,724  
Additions for credit-related OTTI not previously recognized
    1,402       7,925  
Additional increases for credit-related OTTI previously recognized when there is no
     intent to sell and no requirement to sell before recovery of amortized cost basis
     6,873        2,917  
Decreases for previously recognized credit-related OTTI because there is current
     intent to sell
    (4,369 )     (7,845 )
Reduction for increases in cash flows expected to be collected
    (33 )     --  
Balance of credit-related OTTI at September 30
  $ 14,638     $ 5,721  
                 
Balance of credit-related OTTI at July 1
  $ 14,461     $ 2,181  
Additions for credit-related OTTI not previously recognized
    --       5,744  
Additional increases for credit-related OTTI previously recognized when there is no
     intent to sell and no requirement to sell before recovery of amortized cost basis
     210        2,917  
Decreases for previously recognized credit-related OTTI because there is current
     intent to sell
     --       (5,121 )
Reduction for increases in cash flows expected to be collected
    (33 )     --  
Balance of credit-related OTTI at September 30
  $ 14,638     $ 5,721  
 
 
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities by contractual maturity at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are shown in the following table (in thousands).  Actual maturities will differ from contractual maturities because the issuers of the securities may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 
   
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Fair
Value
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Fair
Value
 
Contractual Maturity
                       
Due in one year or less
  $ --     $ --     $ --     $ --  
Due after one year through five years
    14,221       14,166       14,095       14,294  
Due after five years through ten years
    29,174       29,737       26,687       27,367  
Due after ten years
    118,279       96,158       167,373       136,353  
      161,674       140,061       208,155       178,014  
Residential mortgage-backed agencies
    96,852       98,459       59,640       62,573  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    838       737       40,809       33,197  
    $ 259,364     $ 239,257     $ 308,604     $ 273,784  
 
Note F - Restricted Investment in Bank Stock

Restricted stock, which represents required investments in the common stock of the FHLB of Atlanta, Atlantic Central Bankers Bank and CBB, is carried at cost and is considered a long-term investment.

The Company recognizes dividends on a cash basis.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, dividends of $33,600 were recognized in earnings.  For the comparable period of 2009, dividends of $29,000 were recognized in earnings.
 
 
11

 
 
Management has evaluated the restricted stock for impairment and believes that no impairment charge is necessary as of September 30, 2010.

Note G – Loans and Related Allowance for Loan Losses

The following table summarizes the primary segments of the loan portfolio as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 (in thousands):

   
Commercial Real Estate
   
Acquisition and Development
   
Commercial and Industrial
   
Residential Mortgage
   
 
Consumer
   
 
Total
 
September 30, 2010
                                   
Total loans
  $ 351,594     $ 172,330     $ 71,446     $ 362,473     $ 86,181     $ 1,044,024  
   Individually evaluated for impairment
    18,646       44,196       6,341       12,296       154       81,633  
   Collectively evaluated for impairment
    332,948       128,134       65,105       350,177       86,027       962,391  
                                                 
December 31, 2009
                                               
Total loans
  $ 326,826     $ 231,724     $ 81,256     $ 373,223     $ 108,855     $ 1,121,884  
   Individually evaluated for impairment
    33,597       72,047       12,254       13,332       --       131,230  
   Collectively evaluated for impairment
    293,229       159,677       69,002       359,891       108,855       990,654  


The segments of the Bank’s loan portfolio are disaggregated to a level that allows management to monitor risk and performance.  The commercial real estate (“CRE”) loan segment is further disaggregated into two classes. Non-owner occupied CRE loans, which include loans secured by non-owner occupied nonfarm nonresidential properties, generally have a greater risk profile than all other CRE loans, which include loans secured by farmland, multifamily structures and owner-occupied commercial structures.  The acquisition and development (“A&D”) loan segment is further disaggregated into two classes. One to four family residential construction loans are generally made to individuals for the acquisition of and/or construction on a lot or lots on which a residential dwelling is to be built.  All other A&D loans are generally made to developers or investors for the purpose of acquiring, developing and constructing residential or commercial structures.  These loans have a higher risk profile because the ultimate buyer, once development is completed, is generally not known at the time of the A&D loan.  The commercial and industrial (C&I) loan segment consists of loans made for the purpose of financing the activities of commercial customers.  The residential mortgage loan segment is further disaggregated into two classes: amortizing term loans, which are primarily first liens, and home equity lines of credit, which are generally second liens.  The consumer loan segment consists primarily of installment loans (direct and indirect) and overdraft lines of credit connected with customer deposit accounts.

Management evaluates individual loans in all of the commercial segments for possible impairment if the loan is greater than $500,000 or is part of a relationship that is greater than $750,000, and if the loan either is in nonaccrual status, or is risk rated Substandard and is greater than 60 days past due.  Loans are considered to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Corporation will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Factors considered by management in evaluating impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due.  Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.  The Corporation does not separately evaluate individual consumer and residential mortgage loans for impairment, unless such loans are part of larger relationship that is impaired, or are classified as a troubled debt restructuring agreement.

Once the determination has been made that a loan is impaired, the determination of whether a specific allocation of the allowance is necessary is measured by comparing the recorded investment in the loan to the fair value of the loan using one of three methods:  (a) the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate; (b) the loan’s observable market price; or (c) the fair value of the collateral less selling costs.  The method is selected on a loan-by loan basis, with management primarily utilizing the fair value of collateral method.  The evaluation of the need and amount of a specific allocation of the allowance and whether a loan can be removed from impairment status is made on a quarterly basis.  The Corporation’s policy for recognizing interest income on impaired loans does not differ from its overall policy for interest recognition.

 
12

 

The following table presents impaired loans by class, segregated by those for which a specific allowance was required and those for which a specific allowance was not necessary as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 (in thousands):

   
 
Impaired Loans with
Specific Allowance
   
Impaired Loans with No Specific Allowance
   
 
 
Total Impaired Loans
 
   
Recorded Investment
   
Related Allowance
   
Recorded Investment
   
Recorded Investment
   
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
September 30, 2010
                             
  Commercial real estate
                             
     Non owner-occupied
  $ 1,137     $ 197     $ 6,029     $ 7,166     $ 7,166  
     All other CRE
    713       80       10,767       11,480       11,680  
  Acquisition and development
                                       
     1-4 family residential construction
    2,902       245       442       3,344       3,390  
     All other A&D
    20,197       6,688       20,655       40,852       41,063  
  Commercial and industrial
    29       9       6,312       6,341       7,125  
  Residential mortgage
                                       
     Residential mortgage - term
    798       41       9,637       10,435       11,212  
     Residential mortgage – home equity
    --       --       1,861       1,861       1,861  
  Consumer
    --       --       154       154       172  
        Total impaired loans
  $ 25,776     $ 7,260     $ 55,857     $ 81,633     $ 83,669  
                                         
December 31, 2009
                                       
  Commercial real estate
                                       
     Non owner-occupied
  $ 1,424     $ 356     $ 9,218     $ 10,642     $ 10,642  
     All other CRE
    1,570       362       21,385       22,955       23,257  
  Acquisition and development
                                       
     1-4 family residential construction
    583       48       --       583       583  
     All other A&D
    18,760       6,085       52,704       71,464       75,965  
  Commercial and industrial
    821       335       11,433       12,254       13,038  
  Residential mortgage
                                       
     Residential mortgage - term
    5,519       438       3,836       9,355       9,981  
     Residential mortgage – home equity
    --       --       3,977       3,977       4,011  
  Consumer
    --       --       --       --       --  
        Total impaired loans
  $ 28,677     $ 7,624     $ 102,553     $ 131,230     $ 137,477  

 
13

 

The following table presents the average recorded investment in impaired loans and related interest income recognized for the periods indicated (in thousands):
 
   
Nine months ended
 September 30,
   
Three months ended
 September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Average investment in impaired loans
  $ 105,769     $ 78,715     $ 86,463     $ 81,662  
Interest income recognized on an accrual
   basis on impaired loans
  $ 1,889     $ 3,443     $ 533     $ 1,229  
Interest income recognized on a cash basis
   on impaired loans
  $ -     $ 704     $ -     $ 251  


           The following table presents impaired loans that are troubled debt restructurings as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 (in thousands):

   
Troubled Debt Restructurings at
Period End
   
New Troubled Debt Restructurings in
YTD Period
   
Troubled Debt Restructurings that Subsequently Defaulted during Prior 12 Months
 
   
Number of Contracts
   
Recorded Investment
   
Number of Contracts
   
Recorded Investment
   
Number of Contracts
   
Recorded Investment
 
September 30, 2010
                                   
  Commercial real estate
                                   
     Non owner-occupied
    3     $ 3,804       1     $ 2,175       3     $ 3,502  
     All other CRE
    --       --       --       --       --       --  
  Acquisition and development
                                               
     1-4 family residential construction
    1       324       1       324       --       --  
     All other A&D
    10       9,310       2       1,010       --       --  
  Commercial and industrial
    3       2,855       --       --       --       --  
  Residential mortgage
                                               
     Residential mortgage - term
    9       2,270       4       621       1       249  
     Residential mortgage – home equity
    --       --       --       --       --       --  
  Consumer
    --       --       --       --       --       --  
        Total
    24     $ 18,563       8     $ 4,130       4     $ 3,751  
                                                 
December 31, 2009
                                               
  Commercial real estate
                                               
     Non owner-occupied
    4     $ 1,927       4     $ 1,927       --       --  
     All other CRE
    5       5,433       5       5,433       --       --  
  Acquisition and development
                                               
     1-4 family residential construction
    2       257       1       112       --       --  
     All other A&D
    12       18,608       11       17,605       --       --  
  Commercial and industrial
    4       4,542       4       4,542       --       --  
  Residential mortgage
                                               
     Residential mortgage - term
    16       4,410       16       4,410       --       --  
     Residential mortgage – home equity
    1       304       1       304       --       --  
  Consumer
    --       --       --       --               --  
        Total
    44     $ 35,481       42     $ 34,333       --     $ --  

Management uses a ten point internal risk rating system to monitor the credit quality of the overall loan portfolio. The first six categories are considered not criticized, and are aggregated as “Pass” rated. The criticized rating categories utilized by management generally follow bank regulatory definitions. The Special Mention category includes assets that are currently protected but are potentially weak, resulting in an undue and unwarranted credit risk, but not to the point of justifying a Substandard classification.  Loans in the Substandard category have well-defined weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt, and have a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if the weaknesses are not corrected.  All loans greater than 90 days past due are considered Substandard.  The portion of any loan that represents a specific allocation of the allowance for loan losses is placed in the Doubtful category.  Any portion of a loan that has been charged off is placed in the Loss category.
 
 
14

 
 
To help ensure that risk ratings are accurate and reflect the present and future capacity of borrowers to repay a loan as agreed, the Bank has a structured loan rating process with several layers of internal and external oversight.  Generally, consumer and residential mortgage loans are included in the Pass categories unless a specific action, such as bankruptcy, repossession, or death occurs to raise awareness of a possible credit event.  The Bank’s Commercial Loan Officers are responsible for the timely and accurate risk rating of the loans in their portfolios at origination and on an ongoing basis.  The Credit Quality Department performs an annual review of all commercial relationships $500,000 or greater.  Confirmation of the appropriate risk grade is included in the review on an ongoing basis.  The Bank has an experienced Loan Review Department that continually reviews and assesses loans within the portfolio.  The Bank engages an external consultant to conduct loan reviews on at least an annual basis. Generally, the external consultant reviews commercial relationships greater than $750,000 and/or criticized relationships greater than $500,000.  Detailed reviews, including plans for resolution, are performed on loans classified as Substandard on a quarterly basis.  Loans in the Special Mention and Substandard categories that are collectively evaluated for impairment are given separate consideration in the determination of the allowance.

The following table presents the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by the aggregate Pass and the criticized categories of Special Mention, Substandard and Doubtful within the internal risk rating system as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
Pass
   
Special
Mention
   
Substandard
   
Doubtful
   
Total
 
September 30, 2010
                             
  Commercial real estate
                             
     Non owner-occupied
  $ 147,482     $ 13,944     $ 20,341     $ 197     $ 181,964  
     All other CRE
    105,155       10,597       53,798       80       169,630  
  Acquisition and development
                                       
     1-4 family residential construction
    67,980       2,045       7,525       245       77,795  
     All other A&D
    27,777       5,258       54,812       6,688       94,535  
  Commercial and industrial
    45,130       1,835       24,472       9       71,446  
  Residential mortgage
                                       
     Residential mortgage - term
    262,970       3,046       17,749       41       283,806  
     Residential mortgage – home equity
    75,400       --       3,267       --       78,667  
  Consumer
    85,313       17       851       --       86,181  
        Total
  $ 817,207     $ 36,742     $ 182,815     $ 7,260     $ 1,044,024  
                                         
December 31, 2009
                                       
  Commercial real estate
                                       
     Non owner-occupied
  $ 144,238     $ 1,087     $ 15,140     $ 356     $ 160,821  
     All other CRE
    109,054       11,110       45,479       362       166,005  
  Acquisition and development
                                       
     1-4 family residential construction
    72,438       --       2,456       48       74,942  
     All other A&D
    64,301       13,190       73,206       6,085       156,782  
  Commercial and industrial
    64,266       354       16,301       335       81,256  
  Residential mortgage
                                       
     Residential mortgage - term
    273,722       548       17,786       438       292,494  
     Residential mortgage – home equity
    74,195       1,426       5,108       --       80,729  
  Consumer
    107,545       18       1,292       --       108,855  
        Total
  $ 909,759     $ 27,733     $ 176,768     $ 7,624     $ 1,121,884  

 
15

 
 
Management further monitors the performance and credit quality of the loan portfolio by analyzing the age of the portfolio as determined by the length of time a recorded payment is past due. The following table presents the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by the aging categories of performing loans and nonaccrual loans as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 (in thousands):

   
Current
   
30-59 Days
Past Due
   
60-89 Days
Past Due
   
90 Days+
Past Due
   
Total
Past Due
   
Non-
Accrual
   
Total
Loans
 
September 30, 2010
                                         
  Commercial real estate
                                         
     Non owner-occupied
  $ 176,191     $ 1,592     $ 148     $ --     $ 1,740     $ 4,033     $ 181,964  
     All other CRE
    160,874       73       7,585       156       7,814       942       169,630  
  Acquisition and development
                                                       
     1-4 family residential construction
    76,863       --       491       --       491       441       77,795  
     All other A&D
    67,317       283       --       --       283       26,935       94,535  
  Commercial and industrial
    68,829       463       1,377       --       1,840       777       71,446  
  Residential mortgage
                                                       
     Residential mortgage - term
    273,112       709       4,321       822       5,852       4,842       283,806  
     Residential mortgage – home equity
    77,042       754       43       --       797       828       78,667  
  Consumer
    83,343       1,924       636       124       2,684       154       86,181  
        Total
  $ 983,571     $ 5,798     $ 14,601     $ 1,102     $ 21,501     $ 38,952     $ 1,044,024  
                                                         
December 31, 2009
                                                       
  Commercial real estate
                                                       
     Non owner-occupied
  $ 155,337     $ 1,276     $ 162     $ --     $ 1,438     $ 4,046     $ 160,821  
     All other CRE
    164,555       1,450       --       --       1,450       --       166,005  
  Acquisition and development
                                                       
     1-4 family residential construction
    72,284       761       651       --       1,412       1,246       74,942  
     All other A&D
    120,629       73       82       --       155       35,998       156,782  
  Commercial and industrial
    80,810       288       158       --       446       --       81,256  
  Residential mortgage
                                                       
     Residential mortgage - term
    270,304       12,544       4,190       1,483       18,217       3,973       292,494  
     Residential mortgage – home equity
    78,410       580       485       --       1,065       1,254       80,729  
  Consumer
    104,676       2,656       1,169       287       4,112       67       108,855  
        Total
  $ 1,047,005     $ 19,628     $ 6,897     $ 1,770     $ 28,295     $ 46,584     $ 1,121,884  


An allowance for loan losses (“ALL”) is maintained to absorb losses from the loan portfolio.  The ALL is based on management’s continuing evaluation of the risk characteristics and credit quality of the loan portfolio, assessment of current economic conditions, diversification and size of the portfolio, adequacy of collateral, past and anticipated loss experience, and the amount of non-performing loans.

The Bank’s methodology for determining the ALL is based on the requirements of ASC Section 310-10-35 for loans individually evaluated for impairment (discussed above) and ASC Subtopic 450-20 for loans collectively evaluated for impairment, as well as the Interagency Policy Statements on the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses and other bank regulatory guidance.   The total of the two components represents the Bank’s ALL.

Loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment are analyzed with general allowances being made as appropriate.  For general allowances, historical loss trends are used in the estimation of losses in the current portfolio.  These historical loss amounts are modified by other qualitative factors.

The classes described above, which are based on the Federal call code assigned to each loan, provide the starting point for the ALL analysis.  Management tracks the historical net charge-off activity at the call code level.  A historical charge-off factor is calculated utilizing a defined number of consecutive historical quarters. Consumer pools currently utilize a rolling 12 quarters, while Commercial pools currently utilize a rolling 8 quarters.
 
 
16

 
 
“Pass” rated credits are segregated from “Criticized” credits for the application of qualitative factors. The un-criticized (“pass”) pools for commercial and residential real estate real estate are further segmented based upon the geographic location of the underlying collateral.  There are seven geographic regions utilized – six that represent the Bank’s lending footprint and a seventh for all out-of-market credits.  Different economic environments and resultant credit risks exist in each region that are acknowledged in the assignment of qualitative factors.  Loans in the criticized pools, which possess certain qualities or characteristics that may lead to collection and loss issues, are closely monitored by management and subject to additional qualitative factors.

Management has identified a number of additional qualitative factors which it uses to supplement the historical charge-off factor because these factors are likely to cause estimated credit losses associated with the existing loan pools to differ from historical loss experience.  The additional factors that are evaluated quarterly and updated using information obtained from internal, regulatory, and governmental sources are: national and local economic trends and conditions; levels of and trends in delinquency rates and non-accrual loans; trends in volumes and terms of loans; effects of changes in lending policies; experience, ability, and depth of lending staff; value of underlying collateral; and concentrations of credit from a loan type, industry and/or geographic standpoint.

Management reviews the loan portfolio on a quarterly basis using a defined, consistently applied process in order to make appropriate and timely adjustments to the ALL.  When information confirms all or part of specific loans to be uncollectible, these amounts are promptly charged off against the ALL.

Historically, management has utilized an internally developed spreadsheet to track and apply the various components of the allowance. In the second quarter of 2010, management began utilizing an externally developed software application to track and apply the allowance components.  Prior to implementation, management had reviewed the results of both the internal and external application to ensure that there were no material differences in the determination of the allowance.

The following table summarizes the primary segments of the ALL, segregated into the amount required for loans individually evaluated for impairment and the amount required for loans collectively evaluated for impairment as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.  Activity in the allowance is presented for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 (in thousands):

   
Commercial
Real Estate
   
Acquisition and Development
   
Commercial and Industrial
   
Residential Mortgage
   
Consumer
   
Total
 
ALL balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 5,351     $ 7,922     $ 1,945     $ 3,061     $ 1,811     $ 20,090  
   Charge-offs
    (513 )     (3,601 )     (1,402 )     (1,701 )     (1,489 )     (8,706 )
   Recoveries
    94       1,067       380       330       380       2,251  
   Provision
    1,103       5,169       985       2,449       947       10,653  
ALL balance at September 30, 2010
  $ 6,035     $ 10,557     $ 1,908     $ 4,139     $ 1,649     $ 24,288  
   Individually evaluated for impairment
    277       6,933       9       41       --       7,260  
   Collectively evaluated for impairment
    5,758       3,624       1,899       4,098       1,649       17,028  
                                                 
ALL balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 5,351     $ 7,992     $ 1,945     $ 3,061     $ 1,811     $ 20,090  
   Individually evaluated for impairment
    718       6,133       335       438       --       7,624  
   Collectively evaluated for impairment
    4,633       1,789       1,610       2,623       1,811       12,466  

The allowance for loan losses is based on estimates, and actual losses will vary from current estimates.   Management believes that the granularity of the homogeneous pools and the related historical loss ratios and other qualitative factors, as well as the consistency in the application of assumptions, result in an ALL that is representative of the risk found in the components of the portfolio at any given date.

Note H – Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Corporation complies with the guidance of ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements required under other accounting pronouncements. The Corporation also follows the guidance on matters relating to all financial instruments found in ASC Subtopic 825-10, Financial Instruments – Overall.
 
 
17

 

 
Fair value is defined as the price to sell an asset or to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants as of the measurement date.  Fair value is best determined by values quoted through active trading markets.  Active trading markets are characterized by numerous transactions of similar financial instruments between willing buyers and willing sellers. Because no active trading market exists for various types of financial instruments, many of the fair values disclosed were derived using present value discounted cash flows or other valuation techniques described below.  As a result, the Corporation’s ability to actually realize these derived values cannot be assumed.

The Corporation measures fair values based on the fair value hierarchy established in ASC Paragraph 820-10-35-37.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).  The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value under the hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets and liabilities.  This level is the most reliable source of valuation.

Level 2: Quoted prices that are not active, or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.  Level 2 inputs include inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (for example, interest rates and yield curves at commonly quoted intervals, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks, and default rates).  It also includes inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market-corroborated inputs).  Several sources are utilized for valuing these assets, including a contracted valuation service, Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) evaluations and pricing services, and other valuation matrices.

Level 3: Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the valuation assumptions and not readily observable in the market (i.e. supported with little or no market activity).  Level 3 instruments are valued based on the best available data, some of which is internally developed, and consider risk premiums that a market participant would require.

The level established within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The Corporation believes that its valuation techniques are appropriate and consistent with the techniques used by other market participants.  However, the use of different methodologies and assumptions could result in a different estimate of fair values at the reporting date.  The following valuation techniques were used to measure the fair value of assets in the table below which are measured on a recurring and non-recurring basis as of September 30, 2010.

Investments available-for-sale – The fair value of investments available-for-sale is determined using a market approach.  As of September 30, 2010, the U.S. Government agencies, residential mortgage-backed securities, private label residential mortgage-backed securities, and municipal bonds segments are classified as Level 2 within the valuation hierarchy.  Their fair values were determined based upon market-corroborated inputs and valuation matrices, which were obtained through third party data service providers or securities brokers through which the Corporation has historically transacted both purchases and sales of investment securities.

The CDO segment, which consists of pooled trust preferred securities issued by banks, thrifts and insurance companies, is classified as Level 3 within the valuation hierarchy. At September 30, 2010, the Corporation owned 18 pooled trust preferred securities with an amortized cost of $36.4 million and a fair value of $9.6 million. The market for these securities at September 30, 2010 is not active and markets for similar securities are also not active.  The inactivity was evidenced first by a significant widening of the bid-ask spread in the brokered markets in which these securities trade and then by a significant decrease in the volume of trades relative to historical levels.  The new issue market is also inactive, as few CDOs have been issued since 2007.  There are currently very few market participants who are willing to transact for these securities.  The market values for these securities or any securities other than those issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”), are very depressed relative to historical levels.  Therefore, in the current market, a low market price for a particular bond may only provide evidence of stress in the credit markets in general rather than being an indicator of credit problems with a particular issue.  Given the conditions in the current debt markets and the absence of observable transactions in the secondary and new issue markets, management has determined that (a) the few observable transactions and market quotations that are available are not reliable for the purpose of obtaining fair value at September 30, 2010, (b) an income valuation approach technique (i.e. present value) that maximizes the use of relevant observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs will be equally or more representative of fair value than a market approach, and (c) the CDO segment is appropriately classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy because management determined that significant adjustments were required to determine fair value at the measurement date.
 
 
18

 
 
Beginning in the first quarter of 2010, management utilized an independent third party to prepare both the evaluations of other-than-temporary impairment as well as the fair value determinations for its CDO portfolio. In previous periods, management performed internal impairment valuations and utilized a third party service for the portfolio pricing.  Management believes the change will provide a more consistent approach going forward and does not believe that there were any material differences in the impairment evaluations and pricing between December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010.

The approach of the third party utilized beginning in the first quarter of 2010 to determine fair value involved several steps, including detailed credit and structural evaluation of each piece of collateral in each bond, default, recovery and prepayment/amortization probabilities for each piece of collateral in the bond, and discounted cash flow modeling.  The discount rate methodology used by the third party combines a baseline current market yield for comparable corporate and structured credit products with adjustments based on evaluations of the differences found in structure and risks associated with actual and projected credit performance of each CDO being valued.  Currently, the only active and liquid trading market that exists is for stand-alone trust preferred securities.  Therefore, adjustments to the baseline discount rate are also made to reflect the additional leverage found in structured instruments.

Previously, the Corporation obtained fair values for these securities from Moody’s Analytics and from S&P.  Information such as performance of the underlying collateral, deferral/default rates, cash flow projections, related relevant trades, models, inquiries of trading firms who are prominent in the trust preferred securities market, actual market activity, clearing levels where bonds are likely to trade, current market sentiment and other analytical tools were utilized by the third-parties in determining individual security valuations in accordance with proper accounting guidance.

In determining the fair values of the CDOs with no intent to sell at December 31, 2009, Moody’s Analytics utilized an income valuation approach (present value technique) which maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs.  Management believes that this approach is more indicative of fair value than the market approach that has been used historically, and involves several steps.  The credit quality of the collateral was estimated using the average probability of default values for each underlying issuer, adjusted for credit ratings.  The default probabilities also considered the potential for correlation among issuers within the same industry, such as banks with other banks.  The loss given default was assumed to be 95%, allowing for a 5% recovery of collateral.  Management elected to utilize the option assuming that there were no defaults or deferrals for a two-year time period for those banks who have publicly announced participation in the Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program (the “CPP”). The cash flows for the securities were forecast for the underlying collateral and applied to each tranche in the structure to determine the resulting distribution among the securities.  These expected cash flows were then discounted to calculate the present value of the security.  The effective discount rate utilized by Moody’s Analytics for the various securities in the present value calculation was the three-month LIBOR plus 200 basis points (a risk free rate plus a premium for illiquidity).  The resulting prices are highly dependent upon the credit quality of the collateral, the relative position of the tranche in the capital structure of the security and the prepayment assumptions.   Moody’s Analytics modeled the calculations in several thousand scenarios using a Monte Carlo engine and the average price was used for valuation purposes.

S&P is another independent third party whose pricing methodology is based upon inquiries of trading firms who are prominent in the trust preferred market.  Information such as actual market activity, clearing levels where bonds are likely to trade and current market sentiment are considered in valuations.  S&P structures their approach to pricing on the premise that the market now trades on dollar price versus yield or discount margin.  This pricing methodology is more market driven, considering distressed sales, and is more indicative of the pricing likely to be achieved should the securities be sold in the short term. Management utilized this approach in determining the fair values of the CDOs for which the Corporation had intent to sell at December 31, 2009.  These securities were sold in the first quarter of 2010.

Derivative Financial Instruments – The Corporation’s open derivative positions are interest rate swaps that are classified as Level 3 within the valuation hierarchy. Open derivative positions are valued using externally developed pricing models based on observable market inputs provided by a third party and validated by management.   The Corporation has considered counterparty credit risk in the valuation of its interest rate swap assets.
 
 
19

 
 
Impaired loans – Loans included in the table below are those that are considered impaired under the guidance of the loan impairment subsection of the Receivables Topic, ASC Section 310-10-35, under which the Corporation has measured impairment generally based on the fair value of the loan’s collateral.  Fair value consists of the loan balance less its valuation allowance and is generally determined based on independent third-party appraisals of the collateral or discounted cash flows based upon the expected proceeds.  These assets are included as Level 3 fair values based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements.

Foreclosed real estate – Fair value of foreclosed assets was based on independent third-party appraisals of the properties.  These values were determined based on the sales prices of similar properties in the approximate geographic area.  These assets are included as Level 3 fair values based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements.

For assets measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis, the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy used at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are as follows:

       
Fair Value Measurements at
September 30, 2010 Using
(In Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Description
 
 
Assets
Measured at
Fair Value
9/30/2010
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Obsevable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   
 
Significant Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Recurring:
                   
Investment securities available-for-sale:
                   
   U.S. government agencies
  $ 32,052       $ 32,052        
   Residential mortgage-backed agencies
  $ 98,459       $ 98,459        
   Collateralized mortgage obligations
  $ 737       $ 737        
   Obligations of states and political subdivisions
  $ 98,410       $ 98,410        
   Collateralized debt obligations
  $ 9,599               $ 9,599  
Financial Derivative
  $ (1,217 )             $ (1,217 )
Non-recurring:
                         
Impaired loans1
  $ 18,516               $ 18,516  
Foreclosed real estate
  $ 1,011               $ 1,011  
1The impaired loans fair value consists of impaired loans net of the $7,260 valuation allowance.
 
 
 
20

 

 
       
Fair Value Measurements at
December 31, 2009 Using
(In Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Description
 
 
Assets
Measured at
Fair Value
12/31/2009
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Obsevable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   
 
Significant Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Recurring:
                   
Investment securities available-for-sale:
                   
   U.S. government agencies
  $ 68,263       $ 68,263        
   Residential mortgage-backed agencies
  $ 62,573       $ 62,573        
   Collateralized mortgage obligations
  $ 33,197       $ 33,197        
   Obligations of states and political subdivisions
  $ 97,303       $ 97,303        
   Collateralized debt obligations
  $ 12,448               $ 12,448  
Financial Derivative
  $ (60 )             $ (60 )
Non-recurring:
                         
Impaired loans1
  $ 21,053               $ 21,053  
Foreclosed real estate
  $ 40               $ 40  
1The impaired loans fair value consists of impaired loans net of the $7,624 valuation allowance.
 

There were no transfers of assets between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 or September 30, 2009.

The following tables show a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for fair valued assets measured using Level 3 significant unobservable inputs for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2010:

   
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
(In Thousands)
 
   
Investment Securities
 Available for Sale
   
Investment Securities –
Trading
   
Cash Flow
Hedge
 
Beginning balance January 1, 2010
  $ 12,448     $ --     $ (60 )
   Total gains/(losses) realized/unrealized:
                       
       Included in earnings
    (8,275 )     1       --  
       Included in other comprehensive loss
    5,628       --       (1,157 )
   Purchases, issuances, and settlements
    --       --       --  
       Transfers from Available-for-Sale to Trading
    --       --       --  
       Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
    --       --       --  
       Sales
    (202 )     (1 )     --  
Ending balance September 30, 2010
  $ 9,599     $ --     $ (1,217 )
                         
The amount of total gains or losses for the period
   included in earnings attributable to the change in
   realized/unrealized gains or losses related to assets
   still held at the reporting date
  $ (8,275 )   $    --     $    --  
 
 
21

 
 
   
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
(In Thousands)
 
   
Investment Securities
 Available for Sale
   
Investment Securities –
Trading
   
Cash Flow
Hedge
 
Beginning balance July 1, 2010
  $ 9,318     $ --     $ (850 )
   Total gains/(losses) realized/unrealized:
                       
       Included in earnings
    (210 )     --       --  
       Included in other comprehensive loss
    491       --       (367 )
   Purchases, issuances, and settlements
    --       --       --  
       Transfers from Available-for-Sale to Trading
    --       --       --  
       Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
    --       --       --  
       Sales
    --       --       --  
Ending balance September 30, 2010
  $ 9,599     $ --     $ (1,217 )
                         
The amount of total gains or losses for the period
   included in earnings attributable to the change in
   realized/unrealized gains or losses related to assets
   still held at the reporting date
  $ (210 )   $    --     $    --  

Gains and losses (realized and unrealized) included in earnings for the periods above are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in Other Operating Income.

The fair values disclosed may vary significantly between institutions based on the estimates and assumptions used in the various valuation methodologies.  The derived fair values are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and significant judgment. Therefore, they cannot be determined with precision. Changes in the assumptions could significantly impact the derived estimates of fair value.  Disclosure of non financial assets such as buildings as well as certain financial instruments such as leases is not required.  Accordingly, the aggregate fair values presented do not represent the underlying value of the Corporation.

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Corporation in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments:

Cash and due from banks:  The carrying amounts as reported in the statement of financial condition for cash and due from banks approximate their fair values.

Interest bearing deposits in banks:  The carrying amount of interest bearing deposits approximates their fair values.

Restricted Bank stock:  The carrying value of stock issued by the FHLB of Atlanta, Atlantic Central Bankers Bank and CBB approximates fair value based on the redemption provisions of the stock.

Loans (excluding impaired loans with specific loss allowances):  For variable rate loans that reprice frequently or “in one year or less”, and with no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying values.  Fair values for fixed rate loans that do not reprice frequently are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies current market interest rates being offered on the various loan products.

Deposits:  The fair values disclosed for demand deposits (e.g., interest and non-interest checking, savings, and certain types of money market accounts, etc.) are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amounts).  Fair values for fixed rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered on the various certificates of deposit to the cash flow stream.

Borrowed funds: The fair value of the Corporation’s FHLB borrowings and junior subordinated debt is calculated based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows, using rates currently existing for borrowings with similar remaining maturities.  The carrying amounts of federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase approximate their fair values.
 
 
22

 
 
Accrued Interest:  The carrying amount of accrued interest receivable and payable approximates their fair values.

Off-Balance-Sheet Financial Instruments:  In the normal course of business, the Bank makes commitments to extend credit and issues standby letters of credit.  The Bank expects most of these commitments to expire without being drawn upon; therefore, the commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  Due to the uncertainty of cash flows and difficulty in the predicting the timing of such cash flows, fair values were not estimated for these instruments.
 
The following table presents fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the statement of financial condition, for which it is practicable to estimate that value. The actual carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Corporation’s financial instruments that are included in the statement of financial condition are as follows (in thousands):

 
   
September 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
   
Carrying
Amount
   
Fair
Value
   
Carrying
Amount
   
Fair
Value
 
Financial Assets:
                       
Cash and due from banks
  $ 253,433     $ 253,433     $ 139,169     $ 139,169  
Interest bearing deposits in banks
    108,818       108,818       50,502       50,502  
Investment securities-AFS
    239,257       239,257       273,784       273,784  
Restricted Bank stock
    12,931       12,931       13,861       13,861  
Loans, net
    1,019,736       995,703       1,101,794       1,093,241  
Accrued interest receivable
    5,319       5,319       6,103       6,103  
                                 
Financial Liabilities:
                               
Deposits
    1,386,429       1,356,330       1,304,166       1,251,465  
Borrowed funds
    287,286       297,412       318,107       325,090  
Accrued interest payable
    2,466       2,466       2,881       2,881  
Financial derivative
    1,217       1,217       60       60  
Off balance sheet financial instruments
    --       --       --       --  

Note I – Comprehensive Income/(Loss)

Other comprehensive income/(loss) (“OCI”) consists of the changes in unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities available-for-sale, pension obligations and cash flow hedges. Total comprehensive income/(loss), which consists of net income/(loss) plus the changes in other comprehensive income/(loss), was $2.4 million and $7.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $2.1 million and $6.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 
23

 
 
The following table presents the accumulated other comprehensive loss for the 12 months ended December 31, 2009 and the three months ended March 31, 2010, June 30, 2010 and September 30, 2010 (in thousands):

   
Investment securities– with OTTI
   
Investment securities-
all other
   
Cash Flow
Hedge
   
Pension
Plan
   
 
SERP
   
 
Total
 
Accumulated OCI, net:
                                   
Balance-December 31, 2008
  $ --     $ (33,190 )   $ --     $ (7,386 )   $ (407 )   $ (40,983 )
Net gain/(loss) during period
    (9,364 )     21,786       (36 )     2,335       (397 )     14,324  
Balance-December 31, 2009
    (9,364 )     (11,404 )     (36 )     (5,051 )     (804 )     (26,659 )
Net gain/(loss) during period
    (2,208 )     7,921       (163 )     --       --       5,550  
Balance-March 31, 2010
    (11,572 )     (3,483 )     (199 )     (5,051 )     (804 )     (21,109 )
Net gain/(loss) during period
    578       506       (309 )     --       --       775  
Balance-June 30, 2010
    (10,994 )     (2,977 )     (508 )     (5,051 )     (804 )     (20,334 )
Net gain/(loss) during period
    362       1,616       (218 )     --       --       1,760  
Balance-September 30, 2010
  $ (10,632 )   $ (1,361 )   $ (726 )     (5,051 )     (804 )     (18,574 )


The following table presents the components of other comprehensive income/(loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009 (in thousands):

   
Nine Months Ended
September 30
   
Three Months Ended
September 30
 
Components of OCI
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Available for sale (AFS) securities with OTTI:
                       
    Securities with OTTI charges during the period
  $ (10,401 )   $ (18,334 )   $ 397     $ (12,538 )
    Less:  OTTI charges recognized in income
    (8,275 )     (10,842 )     (210 )     (8,661 )
Unrealized (losses)/gains on investments with OTTI
    (2,126 )     (7,492 )     607       (3,877 )
Taxes
    858       3,023       (245 )     1,564  
Net unrealized (losses)/gains on investments with OTTI
    (1,268 )     (4,469 )     362       (2,313 )
                                 
Available for sale securities – all other:
                               
    Unrealized holding gains during the period
    4,447       5,178       3,108       11,264  
    Less:  reclassification adjustment for losses
      recognized in income
    (1,992 )      --        --        --  
    Less:  securities with OTTI charges during the period
    (10,401 )     (18,334 )     397       (12,538 )
Unrealized gains on all other AFS securities
    16,840       23,512       2,711       23,802  
Taxes
    (6,797 )     (9,489 )     (1,095 )     (9,606 )
Net unrealized gains on all other AFS securities
    10,043       14,023       1,616       14,196  
                                 
Net unrealized gains on AFS securities
    8,775       9,554       1,978       11,883  
                                 
Unrealized losses on cash flow hedges
    (1,157 )     (284 )     (367 )     (284 )
Taxes
    467       115       149       115  
Net unrealized losses on cash flow hedges
    (690 )     (169 )     (218 )     (169 )
                                 
Total
  $ 8,085     $ 9,385     $ 1,760     $ 11,714  

 
24

 
 
Note J – Junior Subordinated Debentures

In March 2004, First United Corporation’s two Connecticut statutory trusts, First United Statutory Trust I and First United Statutory Trust II, issued preferred securities with an aggregate liquidation amount of $30.9 million to third-party investors and issued common equity with an aggregate liquidation amount of $.9 million to First United Corporation.  These trusts used the proceeds of these offerings to purchase an equal amount of junior subordinated debentures of First United Corporation, as follows:

$20.6 million—floating rate payable quarterly based on floating rate based on three-month LIBOR plus 275 basis points (3.04% at September 30, 2010), maturing in 2034, redeemable five years after issuance at First United Corporation’s option.

$10.3 million--floating rate payable quarterly based on three-month LIBOR plus 275 basis points (3.04% at September 30, 2010) maturing in 2034, redeemable five years after issuance at First United Corporation’s option.

In December 2004, First United Corporation issued $5.0 million of junior subordinated debentures.  The debentures had a fixed rate of 5.88% for the first five years, payable quarterly, and converted to a floating rate in March 2010 based on the three month LIBOR plus 185 basis points (2.14% at September 30, 2010).  The debentures mature in 2014, but are redeemable five years after issuance at First United Corporation’s option.

In December 2009, First United Corporation’s Delaware statutory trust, First United Statutory Trust III (“Trust III”), issued 9.875% fixed-rate preferred securities with an aggregate liquidation amount of approximately $7.2 million to private investors and issued common securities to First United Corporation with an aggregate liquidation amount of approximately $.2 million.  Trust III used the proceeds of the offering to purchase approximately $7.2 million of 9.875% fixed-rate junior subordinated debentures of First United Corporation.  In January 2010, Trust III issued an additional $3.5 million of 9.875% fixed-rate preferred securities to private investors and issued common securities to First United Corporation with an aggregate liquidation amount of $.1 million.  Trust III used the proceeds of the offering to purchase $3.6 million of 9.875% fixed-rate junior subordinated debentures of First United Corporation.  Interest on the debentures is payable quarterly, and the debentures mature in 2040 but are redeemable five years after issuance at First United Corporation’s option.

The debentures issued to the foregoing trusts represent the sole assets of those trusts, and payments of the debentures by First United Corporation are the only sources of cash flow for the trusts.  First United Corporation has the right to defer interest on all of the foregoing debentures for up to 20 quarterly periods, in which case distributions on the preferred securities will also be deferred.  Should this occur, First United Corporation may not pay dividends or distributions on, or repurchase, redeem or acquire any shares of its capital stock.  As of September 30, 2010, First United Corporation has not deferred any payments.

Note K – Borrowed Funds
 
The following is a summary of short-term borrowings with original maturities of less than one year (in thousands):

   
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, with weighted
   average interest rate at end of period of 0.47% and 0.66%, respecitvely
     43,922        47,563  
    $ 43,922     $ 47,563  

At September 30, 2010, the repurchase agreements were secured by $45.0 million in available for sale investment securities.
 
 
25

 
 
The following is a summary of long-term borrowings with original maturities exceeding one year (in thousands):
   
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
FHLB advances, bearing interest at rates ranging from 2.46% to
   4.93% at September 30, 2010
  $ 196,634     $ 227,423  
Junior subordinated debt, bearing interest at rates ranging from
   2.14% to 9.88% at September 30, 2010
    46,730       43,121  
    $ 243,364     $ 270,544  


At September 30, 2010, the long-term FHLB advances are secured by $134.0 million in loans, $76.0 million in cash, and $7.6 million in securities.

The contractual maturities of all long-term borrowings are as follows (in thousands):

   
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
Due in 2010
  $ 250     $ 31,000  
Due in 2011
    51,000       51,000  
Due in 2012
    44,250       44,250  
Due in 2013
    --       --  
Due in 2014
    5,000       --  
Thereafter
    142,864       144,294  
Total long-term debt
  $ 243,364     $ 270,544  


Note L - Pension and SERP Plans

The following table presents the components of the net periodic pension plan cost for First United Corporation’s Defined Benefit Pension Plan and the Bank’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”):

Pension
 
For the nine months ended
September 30,
   
For the three months ended
September 30,
 
(In thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Service cost
  $ --     $ 606     $ --     $ 202  
Interest cost
    981       912       327       304  
Expected return on assets
    (1,523 )     (1,275 )     (508 )     (425 )
Amortization of transition asset
    (30 )     (30 )     (10 )     (10 )
Recognized net actuarial loss
    259       465       86       155  
Amortization of prior service cost
    5       9       2       3  
Net pension expense included in employee benefits
  $ (308 )   $ 687     $ (103 )   $ 229  

SERP
 
For the nine months ended
September 30,
   
For the three months ended
September 30,
 
(In thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Service cost
  $ 130     $ 100     $ 43     $ 33  
Interest cost
    203       172       68       58  
Amortization of recognized loss
    45       --       15       --  
Amortization of prior service cost
    94       95       31       32  
Net pension expense included in employee benefits
  $ 472     $ 367     $ 157     $ 123  

In March 2010, the Corporation notified participants of the pension plan that it will not recognize Years of Service credited after April 30, 2010 and will not accept new entrants to the plan effective April 30, 2010.
 
 
26

 
 
The Corporation does not intend to contribute to the pension plan in 2010 based upon its fully funded status and an evaluation of the future benefits provided under the pension plan. The Corporation expects to fund the annual projected benefit payments for the SERP from operations.

Note M - Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
At the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, First United Corporation’s shareholders approved the First United Corporation Omnibus Equity Compensation Plan (the “Omnibus Plan”), which authorizes the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards, stock units, performance units, dividend equivalents, and other stock-based awards to employees or directors totaling up to 185,000 shares.
 
On June 18, 2008, the Board of Directors of First United Corporation adopted a Long-Term Incentive Program (the “LTIP”).  This program was adopted as a sub-plan of the Omnibus Plan to reward participants for increasing shareholder value, align executive interests with those of shareholders, and serve as a retention tool for key executives.  Under the LTIP, participants are granted shares of restricted common stock of First United Corporation.  The amount of an award is based on a specified percentage of the participant’s salary as of the date of grant.  These shares will vest if the Corporation meets or exceeds certain performance thresholds.  There were no grants of restricted stock outstanding at September 30, 2010.

The Corporation complies with the provisions of ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, in measuring and disclosing stock compensation cost.   The measurement objective in ASC Compensation Paragraph 718-10-30-6 requires public companies to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of the award. The cost is recognized in expense over the period in which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award (the vesting period).  The performance-related shares granted in connection with the LTIP are expensed ratably from the date that the likelihood of meeting the performance measures is probable through the end of a three year vesting period.

The federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the “Recovery Act”) imposes restrictions on the type and timing of bonuses and incentive compensation that may be accrued for or paid to certain employees of institutions that participated in the CPP.  The Recovery Act generally limits bonuses and incentive compensation to grants of long-term restricted stock that, among other requirements, cannot fully vest until the CPP assistance is repaid, but certain types of compensation are grandfathered.

Stock-based awards were made to non-employee directors in May 2010.  Each award, which is part of the director’s annual compensation package, totaled 12,166 shares having a fair market value of $5.75 per share.  Share-based compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $70,000.
 
Note N – Letters of Credit and Off Balance Sheet Liabilities

The Corporation does not issue any guarantees that would require liability recognition or disclosure other than the standby letters of credit issued by the Bank.  Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Bank to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party.  Generally, the Bank’s letters of credit are issued with expiration dates within one year.  The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers.  The Bank generally holds collateral and/or personal guarantees supporting these commitments.  The Bank had $5.2 million of outstanding standby letters of credit at September 30, 2010 and $2.9 million at December 31, 2009.  Management believes that the proceeds obtained through a liquidation of collateral and the enforcement of guarantees would be sufficient to cover the potential amount of future payment required by the letters of credit.  Management does not believe that the amount of the liability associated with guarantees under standby letters of credit outstanding at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 is material.

Note O – Derivative Financial Instruments
 
As a part of managing interest rate risk, the Corporation entered into interest rate swap agreements to modify the re-pricing characteristics of certain interest-bearing liabilities. The Corporation has designated its interest rate swap agreements as cash flow hedges under the guidance of ASC Subtopic 815-30, Derivatives and Hedging – Cash Flow Hedges. Cash flow hedges have the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative, net of taxes, recorded in net accumulated other comprehensive income.
 
In July 2009, the Corporation entered into three interest rate swap contracts totaling $20.0 million notional amount, hedging future cash flows associated with floating rate trust preferred debt. At September 30, 2010, the fair value of the interest rate swap contracts was ($1.2) million and was reported in Other Liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.  Cash in the amount of $1.2 million was posted as collateral as of September 30, 2010.
 
 
27

 
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Corporation recorded a decrease in the value of the derivatives of $1.2 million and the related deferred tax benefit of $467 thousand in net accumulated other comprehensive loss to reflect the effective portion of cash flow hedges.  For the three months ended September 30, 2010, the Corporation recorded a decrease in the value of the derivatives of $367 thousand and the related deferred tax benefit of $149 thousand in net accumulated other comprehensive loss to reflect the effective portion of cash flow hedges.  ASC Subtopic 815-30 requires this amount to be reclassified to earnings if the hedge becomes ineffective or is terminated.  There was no hedge ineffectiveness recorded for the nine months ending September 30, 2010.  The Corporation does not expect any losses relating to these hedges to be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months.
 
Interest rate swap agreements are entered into with counterparties that meet established credit standards and the Corporation believes that the credit risk inherent in these contracts is not significant as of September 30, 2010.

The table below discloses the impact of derivative financial instruments on the Corporation’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the periods indicated.

 
 
 
Derivative in Cash Flow Hedging
Relationships
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
Amount of gain or (loss) recognized in OCI on derivative (effective portion)
   
 
Amount of gain or (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective portion) (a)
   
Amount of gain or (loss) recognized in income on derivative (ineffective portfion and amount excluded from effectiveness testing) (b)
 
Interest rate contracts:
                 
Nine months ended September 30, 2010
  $ (690 )   $ --     $ --  
Three months ended September 30, 2010
  $ (218 )   $ --     $ --  

(a)  
Reported as interest expense
(b)  
Reported as other income

Note P – Variable Interest Entities

In November 2009, the Bank became a 99.99% limited partner in Liberty Mews Limited Partnership (the “Partnership”), a Maryland limited partnership formed for the purpose of acquiring, developing and operating low-income housing units in Garrett County, Maryland.  The Partnership will be financed with a total of $10.6 million of funding, including a $6.1 million equity contribution from the Bank as the limited partner. The Partnership will use the proceeds from these sources to purchase the land and construct a 36-unit low income housing rental complex at a total projected cost of $10.6 million.  The total assets of the Partnership were approximately $6.7 million at September 30, 2010 and $ 2.0 million at December 31, 2009.

Through September 30, 2010, the Bank had made contributions totaling $3.2 million.  The remaining $2.8 million in contributions are scheduled to be made over the balance of 2010 and into the first quarter of 2011.  Once the project is complete, estimated to be in March 2011, and certain qualifying hurdles are met and maintained, the Bank will be entitled to $8.4 million in federal investment tax credits over a 10-year period.  The Bank will also receive the benefit of tax operating losses from the Partnership to the extent of its capital contribution. The investment in the Partnership assists the Bank in achieving its community reinvestment initiatives.

Because the Partnership is considered to be a variable interest entity (“VIE”), management performed an analysis to determine whether its involvement with the Partnership would lead it to determine that it must consolidate the Partnership.  In performing its analysis, management evaluated the risks creating the variability in the Partnership and identified which activities most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance.  Finally, it examined each of the variable interest holders to determine which, if any, of the holders was the primary beneficiary based on their power to direct the most significant activities and their obligation to absorb potentially significant losses of the Partnership.
 
 
28

 
 
The Bank, as a limited partner, generally has no voting rights. The Bank is not in any way involved in the daily management of the Partnership and has no other rights that provide it with the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the Partnership’s economic performance, which are to develop and operate the housing project in such a manner that complies with specific tax credit guidelines.  As a limited partner, there is no recourse to the Bank by the creditors of the Partnership.  The tax credits that result from the Bank’s investment in the Partnership are generally subject to recapture should the partnership fail to comply with the applicable government regulations.  The Bank has not provided any financial or other support to the Partnership beyond its required capital contributions and does not anticipate providing such support in the future. Management currently believes that no material losses are probable as a result of the Bank’s investment in the Partnership.

On the basis of management’s analysis, the general partner is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the Partnership. Because the Bank is not the primary beneficiary, the Partnership has not been included in the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.

At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Corporation included the unfunded commitment in “Other Liabilities” and its total investment in the Partnership in “Other Assets” in its Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.  The following table presents details of the Bank’s involvement with the Partnership at the dates indicated (in thousands):

   
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
Investment in LIHTC Partnership
           
Carrying amount on Balance Sheet of:
           
   Investment (Other Assets)
  $ 6,050     $ 6,050  
   Unfunded commitment (Other Liabilities)
    2,823       5,498  
Maximum exposure to loss
    6,050       6,050  


Note Q – Adoption of New Accounting Standards and Effects of New Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2010-20, Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses (“ASU 2010-20”).  ASU 2010-20 adds a number of disclosures that are intended to provide a greater level of disaggregated information about the credit risk exposures of an entity’s financing receivables, how those risks are analyzed and assessed in arriving at the allowance for credit losses, and the changes and reasons for changes in the allowance.  For public entities, end of period disclosures are effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending on or after December 15, 2010, and disclosures about activity that occurs during a reporting period are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2010.  The adoption of this guidance will not impact the Corporation’s financial position or results of operations.

In April 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-18, Effect of a Loan Modification When the Loan is part of a Pool That is Accounted for as a Single Asset (“ASU 2010-18”) as a clarification of ASC Subtopic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality.  ASU 2010-18 provides guidance that modifications of acquired loans are accounted for within a pool (versus accounted for individually) do not result in the removal of those loans from the pool even if the modification of those loans would otherwise be considered a troubled debt restructuring.  An entity will continue to be required to consider whether the pool of assets in which the loan is included is impaired if expected cash flows for the pool change.  The amendments in ASU 2010-18 are effective for modifications of loans accounted for within pools under Subtopic 310-30 occurring in the first interim or annual period ending on or after July 15, 2010.  The adoption of this guidance did not impact the Corporation’s financial position or results of operations.

In January 2010, the FASB amended fair value measurement and disclosure guidance in ASU No. 2010-6 to require disclosure of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and the reasons for the transfers and to require separate presentation of information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. The amended guidance also clarifies existing requirements that (a) fair value measurement disclosures should be disaggregated for each class of asset and liability and (b) disclosures about valuation techniques and inputs for both recurring and nonrecurring Level 2 and Level 3 fair value measurements should be provided. The Corporation has implemented this guidance, which became effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, which are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010 and for interim periods within those years. The adoption of this guidance did not impact the Corporation’s financial position or results of operations.
 
 
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In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140, which was codified in December 2009 as ASU No. 2009-16, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets (“ASU 2009-16”).  This statement prescribes the information that a reporting entity must provide in its financial reports about a transfer of financial assets; the effects of a transfer on its financial position, financial performance and cash flows; and a transferor’s continuing involvement in transferred financial assets.  Specifically, among other aspects, ASU 2009-16 amends the guidance found in ASC Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing, by removing the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity and by modifying the financial-components approach used in Topic 860. The Corporation adopted the amended guidance, which became effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009.  The adoption of ASU 2009-16 did not have any impact on its financial position and results of operations.

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) which was codified in December 2009 as ASU No. 2009-17, Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities (“ASU 2009-17”).  This statement amends guidance found in ASC Topic 810, Consolidation, that required an enterprise to determine whether it’s variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a VIE.  Under ASU 2009-17, the primary beneficiary of a VIE is the enterprise that has both (a) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE.  ASU 2009-17 also amends Topic 810 to require ongoing reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE.  The amended guidance became effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009.

Management evaluated whether the accounting for the VIEs that existed at December 31, 2009 would change as a result of the transition to the new standard effective January 1, 2010.  Management’s review concluded that the existing VIEs, which were determined to not require consolidation under the old standard, would continue to not require consolidation under the new standard.  Management determined that the accounting treatment for the subordinated debentures issued by the Trusts described in Note J continues to be appropriate because the Corporation’s equity is not at risk. The treatment of the Corporation’s investment in a limited partnership is considered a VIE and is evaluated in Note P.

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

INTRODUCTION
 
The following discussion and analysis is intended as a review of material changes in and significant factors affecting the financial condition and results of operations of the Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries for the periods indicated.  This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto contained in Item 1 of Part I of this report.  Unless the context clearly suggests otherwise, references in this report to “us”, “we”, “our”, and “the Corporation” are to First United Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Readers of this report should be aware of the speculative nature of “forward-looking statements.”  Statements that are not historical in nature, including those that include the words “anticipate”, “estimate”, “should”, “expect”, “believe”, “intend”, and similar expressions, are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about, among other things, the industry and the markets in which we operate, and they are not guarantees of future performance.  Whether actual results will conform to expectations and predictions is subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including risks and uncertainties discussed in this report; general economic, market, or business conditions; changes in interest rates, deposit flow, the cost of funds, and demand for loan products and financial services; changes in our competitive position or competitive actions by other companies; changes in the quality or composition of our loan and investment portfolios; our ability to manage growth; changes in laws or regulations
 
 
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or policies of federal and state regulators and agencies; and other circumstances beyond our control.  Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this report are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results anticipated will be realized, or if substantially realized, will have the expected consequences on our business or operations.  These and other risks are discussed in detail in the periodic reports that First United Corporation files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (see Item 1A of Part II of this report for further information).  Except as required by applicable laws, we do not intend to publish updates or revisions of any forward-looking statements we make to reflect new information, future events or otherwise.

THE CORPORATION

The Corporation is a Maryland corporation chartered in 1985 and a financial holding company registered under the federal Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. The Corporation’s primary business is serving as the parent company of First United Bank & Trust, a Maryland trust company (the “Bank”), First United Insurance Group, LLC, a full service insurance provider organized under Maryland law (the “Insurance Group”), First United Statutory Trust I and First United Statutory Trust II, both Connecticut statutory business trusts (“Trust I” and “Trust II”, respectively), and First United Statutory Trust III, a Delaware statutory business trust  (“Trust III” and together with Trust I and Trust II, the “Trusts”).  The Trusts were formed for the purpose of selling trust preferred securities.  The Bank has two wholly-owned subsidiaries: OakFirst Loan Center, Inc., a West Virginia finance company; and OakFirst Loan Center, LLC, a Maryland finance company (collectively, the “OakFirst Loan Centers”); and owns 99.9% of the limited partnership interests in Liberty Mews Limited Partnership, a Maryland limited partnership formed for the purpose of acquiring, developing and operating low-income housing units in Garrett County, Maryland.  First United Insurance Agency, Inc., a subsidiary of OakFirst Loan Center, Inc., was merged into the Insurance Group effective June 30, 2009. The Bank provides a complete range of retail and commercial banking services to a customer base serviced by a network of 28 offices and 33 automated teller machines.

The Corporation maintains an Internet site at www.mybank4.com on which it makes available, free of charge, its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to the foregoing as soon as reasonably practicable after these reports are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the “SEC”.

ESTIMATES AND CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

This discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent liabilities.  (See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of First United Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009). On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates, including those related to loan losses, intangible assets, other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) of investment securities and pension plan assumptions.  Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.  Management described its critical accounting policies in First United Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.  The following discussion updates critical accounting policies that were contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K to reflect recent changes.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment of Investment Securities

Management believes that the valuation of certain securities is a critical accounting policy that requires significant estimates in preparation of its consolidated financial statements. Management systematically evaluates securities for impairment on a quarterly basis.  Beginning in the first quarter of 2010, management utilized an independent third party to prepare both the impairment valuations and fair value determinations for its collateralized debt obligation (“CDO”) portfolio consisting of pooled trust preferred securities. In previous periods, management performed internal impairment valuations and utilized a third party service for the portfolio pricing.  Management will continue to review the assumptions and results and does not believe that there were any material differences in the valuations between December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010.

 
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Allowance for Loan Losses

Management believes that the determination of the allowance for loan losses is a critical accounting policy that requires significant estimates in preparation of its consolidated financial statements.  Management reviews the components of the allowance on a quarterly basis.  Historically, management has utilized an internally developed spreadsheet to track and apply the various components of the allowance. In the second quarter of 2010, management began utilizing an externally developed software application to track and apply the allowance components.  Prior to implementation, management had reviewed the results of both the internal and external application to ensure that there were no material differences in the determination of the allowance.

Other than as discussed above, management does not believe that any material changes in our critical accounting policies have occurred since December 31, 2009.
 
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table sets forth certain selected financial data for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 and is qualified in its entirety by the detailed information and unaudited financial statements, including the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this quarterly report.

   
As of or For the nine months
ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Per Share Data
           
   Basic net loss per common share
  $ (1.12 )   $ (.51 )
   Diluted net loss per common share
  $ (1.12 )   $ (.51 )
                 
Dividends Paid on common shares
  $ .12     $ .60  
   Book Value
  $ 11.67     $ 12.35  
                 
Significant Ratios
               
   Return on Average Assets (a)
    (.43 %)     (.16 %)
   Return on Average Equity (a)
    (7.50 %)     (2.68 %)
   Dividend Payout Ratio (b)
    (12.94 %)     (178.16 %)
   Average Equity to Average Assets
    5.72 %     6.15 %

    Note: (a) Annualized
              (b) Cash dividends paid on common stock as a percent of net loss                                                                                                                                


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

Consolidated net loss attributable to common shareholders for the first nine months of 2010 was $6.87 million, compared to net loss attributable to common shareholders of $3.1 million for the same period of 2009.  Basic and diluted net loss per common share for the first nine months of 2010 were $1.12, compared to basic and diluted net loss per common share of $0.51 for the same period of 2009.  The net loss was a result primarily from a decline in net interest income of $7.8 million and $3.4 million of net losses related to a restructuring of the investment portfolio, and losses on the sale of foreclosed real estate.  These losses were partially offset by a net income tax benefit of $6.2 million and a decrease of $2.6 million in credit-related OTTI charges when comparing the first nine months of 2010 to the first nine months of 2009.  The decline in net interest income resulted in a compressed net interest margin, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, of 2.78% when compared to 3.68% in the first nine months of 2009.  Interest income on our interest earning assets declined $10.0 million, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, due to the increase in non-accrual loans throughout 2009, the decline in loan balances, the decrease in the investment portfolio and the lower interest rate environment.  Additionally, during 2009 and throughout the first nine months of 2010, we elected to maintain an increased liquidity position.  Our cash position has increased significantly due to our election not to reinvest cash from called investments and continued growth in our deposit base.   This increase in cash levels has had a negative impact on our net interest income in the first nine months of 2010 of approximately $8.3 million, or 67 basis points on our net interest margin.
 
 
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The provision for loan losses was $10.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $10.8 million for the same period of 2009.  Specific allocations were made for impaired loans where management has determined that the collateral supporting the loans is not adequate to cover the loan balance and management increased the qualitative factors affecting the allowance for loan losses as a result of the current recession and distressed economic environment. 

Interest expense on our interest-bearing liabilities decreased $2.1 million in spite of a $131 million increase in average deposits partially offset by a $20 million decrease in average debt outstanding.  The decline in expense was due to the low interest rate environment, our decision to only increase special pricing for full relationship customers and retail and brokered certificates of deposit renewing at lower interest rates due to the short duration of our portfolio.

Other operating income decreased $1.1 million during the first nine months of 2010 when compared to the same period of 2009. This decrease is primarily attributable to $3.4 million of net losses related to a restructuring of the investment portfolio to limit potential market and interest rate risk from a rising rate environment and credit risk,  losses on sales of foreclosed real estate and sales of loans, partially offset by a decrease of $2.6 million in credit-related OTTI charges.  Management also noted a decline of $.7 million in service charge income due to the decline in consumer spending and the resulting decrease in overdraft income.  Operating expenses decreased $1.5 million in the first nine months of 2010 when compared to the same period of 2009.  This decrease is due primarily to a $1.1 million decline in salaries and benefits resulting from reduced service costs in the pension plan and elimination of all performance based pay for employees and management in 2010.

Consolidated net loss attributable to common shareholders for the third quarter of 2010 totaled $.1 million or $.01 per share, compared to net loss attributable to common shareholders of $6.0 million or $.97 per share for the same period of 2009.  The net interest margin, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, for the third quarter of 2010 was 2.51% compared to 3.53% for the same period of 2009.  This decrease is primarily attributable to a shift in the balance sheet mix from loans and investments to cash at lower investment rates.  The increased liquidity position, at lower rates, was the primary factor that negatively impacted third quarter results.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income is the largest source of operating revenue and is the difference between the interest earned on interest-earning assets and the interest expense incurred on interest-bearing liabilities.  For analytical and discussion purposes, net interest income is adjusted to a fully taxable equivalent (“FTE”) basis to facilitate performance comparisons between taxable and tax-exempt assets.  Fully taxable equivalent income is determined by increasing tax-exempt income by an amount equal to the federal income taxes that would have been paid if this income were taxable at the statutorily applicable rate.  The following table sets forth the average balances, net interest income and expense, and average yields and rates of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):

 
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For the nine months ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
                                     
   
Average
 Balance
   
Interest
   
Average
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
   
Average
Rate
 
Interest-Earning Assets:
                                   
  Loans
  $ 1,110,710     $ 46,635       5.61 %   $ 1,132,999     $ 51,606       6.09 %
  Investment securities
    247,401       9,491       5.15       330,823       14,827       5.99  
  Other interest earning assets
    287,453       407       .19       65,614       65       .14  
     Total earning assets
  $ 1,645,564       56,533       4.59 %   $ 1,529,436       66,498       5.81 %
                                                 
Interest-bearing liabilities
                                               
  Interest-bearing deposits
  $ 1,253,588       13,904       1.48 %   $ 1,122,255       15,385       1.83 %
  Short-term borrowings
    45,507       207       .61       44,231       237       .72  
  Long-term borrowings
    256,098       8,205       4.28       277,033       8,768       4.23  
     Total interest-bearing liabilities
  $ 1,555,193       22,316       1.92 %   $ 1,443,519       24,390       2.26 %
                                                 
Net interest income and spread
          $ 34,217       2.67 %           $ 42,108       3.55 %
Net interest margin
                    2.78 %                     3.68 %


Net interest income on an FTE basis decreased $7.9 million during the first nine months of 2010 over the same period in 2009 due to a $10.0 million (15.0%) decrease in interest income partially offset by a $2.1 million (8.5%) decrease in interest expense.  The decrease in net interest income resulted primarily from a shift in the mix of earning assets from loans and investment securities into cash and cash equivalents (other interest earning assets) for the periods compared, as the Corporation made the conscious decision to increase its liquidity position during this period of risk and economic uncertainty.  The cost of the liquidity position represented by the foregone interest income from the $221.8 million in incremental average liquidity was approximately $8.3 million, or 67 basis points of the 90 basis point decrease in the net interest margin from 3.68% during the first nine months of 2009 to 2.78% for the same time period of 2010.

The overall $116.1 million increase in average interest-earning assets at lower yields also impacted the 122 basis point decline in the average yield on our average earning assets, which dropped from 5.81% for the first nine months of 2009 to 4.59% for the first nine months of 2010 (on an FTE basis).

Interest expense decreased during the first nine months of 2010 when compared to the same period of 2009 due to an overall reduction in interest rates on time deposits driven by our decision to only increase special rates for full relationship customers, and the shorter duration of the portfolio. This more than offset the impact of a $111.7 million increase in average interest-bearing liabilities in the first nine months of 2010 when compared to the same time period for 2009, with interest-bearing deposits increasing by approximately $131.3 million. The overall effect of these changes was a 34 basis point decrease in the average rate paid on our average interest-bearing liabilities from 2.26% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 to 1.92% for the same period of 2010. 

The following table sets forth the average balances, net interest income and expense, and average yields and rates of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):

 
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For the three months ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
                                     
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
   
Average
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
   
Average
 Rate
 
Interest-Earning Assets:
                                   
  Loans
  $ 1,063,538     $ 15,246       5.75 %   $ 1,140,369     $ 17,076       5.94 %
  Investment securities
    233,055       2,310       3.98       326,413       4,541       5.52  
  Other interest earning assets
    365,817       183       .20       89,996       61       .29  
     Total earning assets
  $ 1,662,410       17,739       4.28 %   $ 1,556,778       21,678       5.52 %
                                                 
Interest-bearing liabilities
                                               
  Interest-bearing deposits
  $ 1,283,068       4,682       1.46 %   $ 1,103,462       4,835       1.74 %
  Short-term borrowings
    55,176       68       .49       45,523       82       .71  
  Long-term borrowings
    243,526       2,602       4.29       276,770       2,916       4.18  
     Total interest-bearing liabilities
  $ 1,581,770       7,352       1.86 %   $ 1,425,755       7,833       2.18 %
                                                 
Net interest income and spread
          $ 10,387       2.42 %           $ 13,845       3.34 %
Net interest margin
                    2.51 %                     3.53 %


Net interest income on an FTE basis decreased $3.5 million for the third quarter of 2010 in comparison to the third quarter of 2009.  This decrease resulted from a decrease in interest income of $3.9 million partially offset by a $0.5 million decrease in interest expense during the period. Overall, the net interest margin decreased by 102 basis points from 3.53% to 2.51% when comparing quarter to quarter, due primarily to the change in earning asset mix discussed above.  Average loans decreased by $76.8 million and the average balance in investment securities declined by $93.4 million.  Other interest-earning assets increased $275.8 million due to the increased liquidity position.  Average interest-bearing liabilities increased by $156.0 million (10.9%) during the third quarter of 2010 when compared to the third quarter of 2009.  This increase resulted primarily from increases in interest-bearing deposits partially offset by decreases in long-term borrowings.  The effective rate on these liabilities decreased by 32 basis points as the Corporation continued to manage the rates on its certificates of deposit portfolio.

Provision for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses was $10.7 million for the first nine months of 2010, compared to $10.8 million for the same period of 2009.  The provision for loan losses is a result of increases in the rolling historical loss rates and qualitative factors utilized in the determination of the allowance for loans collectively evaluated discussed below in the section entitled “FINANCIAL CONDITION” under the heading “Allowance and Provision for Loan Losses”.  Management strives to ensure that the Allowance for Loan Losses reflects a level commensurate with the risk inherent in our loan portfolio.

Other Operating Income

Other operating income, exclusive of losses, decreased $.5 million during the first nine months of 2010 when compared to the same period of 2009.  Service charge income decreased $.7 million due primarily to a reduction in non-sufficient funds (NSF) fees and increased charge-off overdraft fees.  Trust department income increased $.4 million during the first nine months of 2010 when compared to the first nine months of 2009 due to an increase in assets under management and the fees received on those accounts.  Income on Bank Owned Life Insurance increased $.4 million during the first nine months of 2010 when compared to the same period of 2009 due to the surrender of the separate account and purchase of general account contracts during the fourth quarter of 2009.

Net losses of $11.7 million were reported through other income in the first nine months of 2010 compared to $11.1 million during the same period of 2009.  There were $8.3 million in losses in 2010 that were attributable to other-than-temporary impairment losses on the investment portfolio, down from the $10.8 million in 2009.  Other losses of $3.4 million in the first nine months of 2010 consisted primarily of $2.4 million from sales of investments, $.2 million from a loan sale in the second quarter and $.8 million from sales of foreclosed real estate.
 
 
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Other operating income, exclusive of losses, for the third quarter of 2010 decreased $.2 million when compared to the third quarter of 2009.  Service charge income decreased $.3 million due primarily to a reduction in NSF fees and increased charge-off overdrafts.  Bank Owned Life Insurance income increased $.1 million during the third quarter of 2010 when compared to the third quarter of 2009 due to the surrender of the separate account contracts and purchase of general account contracts during the fourth quarter of 2009.

Net losses of $0.9 million were reported through other income in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $8.5 million during the same period of 2009.  There were $.2 million in losses in the third quarter of 2010 attributable to other-than-temporary impairment losses on the investment portfolio, down from $8.7 million in 2009.  Other losses of $.7 million in the third quarter of 2010 consisted primarily of $.2 million from sales of investments and $.5 million from sales of foreclosed real estate.

The following table shows the major components of other operating income for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, exclusive of net losses:

   
Income as % of Total Other Operating Income
 
   
For the nine months ended
September 30,
   
For the three months ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Service charges
    31 %     36 %     30 %     37 %
Trust department
    26 %     22 %     25 %     24 %
Insurance commissions
    18 %     18 %     18 %     17 %
Debit card Income
    11 %     9 %     10 %     9 %
Bank owned life insurance
    7 %     3 %     7 %     3 %
Other income
    7 %     12 %     10 %     10 %
      100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %

Other Operating Expenses

Other operating expenses decreased $1.5 million (4%) for the first nine months of 2010 when compared to the first nine months of 2009.  For the third quarter 2010, other operating expenses decreased $.3 million, or 3%, when compared to the same time period of 2009.  The decrease for the first nine months of 2010 is primarily due to a decline of $1.1 million in salaries and benefits resulting from reduced service costs in the pension plan and elimination of all performance based pay for employees and management.  FDIC premiums increased $.5 million during the first nine months of 2010 when compared to the same period of 2009 due to the increased rate structure.  Other miscellaneous expenses decreased $.9 million for the first nine months of 2010 compared to the same time period of 2009.  This decrease is attributable to reductions in expenses such as marketing, postage, and office supplies.

The decrease in other operating expense for the third quarter of 2010 is primarily due to a decline of $.2 million in salaries and benefits due to the aforementioned factors above.  There have not been any special assessments by the FDIC as of September 30, 2010.  Other miscellaneous expenses decreased $.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared the same time period of 2009 due to the aforementioned factors above.

The composition of operating expense for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 is illustrated in the following table.
 
   
Expense as % of Total Other Operating Expenses
 
   
For the nine months ended
September 30,
   
For the three months ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Salaries and employee benefits
    49 %     50 %     48 %     48 %
FDIC premiums
    9 %     7 %     9 %     7 %
Occupancy, equipment and data processing
    19 %     18 %     19 %     20 %
Other
    23 %     25 %     24 %     25 %
      100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %
 
 
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Applicable Income Taxes

In reporting interim financial information, income tax provisions should be determined under the procedures set forth in ASC Topic, Income Taxes, in Section 740-270-30.  This guidance provides that at the end of each interim period the company should make its best estimate of the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year.  The rate so determined should be used in providing for income taxes on a current year-to-date basis.  The effective tax rate should reflect anticipated investment tax credits, capital gains rates, and other available tax planning alternatives.  However, in arriving at this effective tax rate no effect should be included for the tax related to significant, unusual or extraordinary items that will be separately reported or reported net of their related tax effect in reports for the interim period or for the fiscal year.

      Based on the guidance in ASC Topic 740, management has concluded that the OTTI charge meets the definition of a “significant, unusual or extraordinary item that will be separately reported” based on the following:

·  
The impairment charge related to credit loss is significant and is a highly unusual event for investments, which were investment grade at the time of purchase and have become impaired as a result of the severe decline in the economy and an illiquid credit market.
·  
The OTTI is reported as a separate line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The effective tax benefit rate for the first nine months of 2010 was 52%, compared to an effective tax benefit rate of 57% for the first nine months of 2009.  The decrease thus far in 2010 when compared to the same time period in 2009 is primarily attributable to the OTTI charge of $8.3 million recognized in the first nine months of the year.  The year-to-date loss coupled with forecasted favorable, permanent book to tax adjustments resulted in an income tax benefit for the Corporation and the 52% effective tax benefit rate.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Balance Sheet Overview

Total assets were $1.8 billion at September 30, 2010, an increase of $51.4 million since December 31, 2009.  During this time period, cash and interest-bearing deposits in banks increased $172.6 million, our investment portfolio decreased $34.5 million, gross loans decreased $77.9 million, and deferred tax assets decreased $4.3 million.  During 2009 and throughout the first nine months of 2010, we elected to maintain an increased liquidity position to comply with recent guidance published by the FDIC in FIL 13-2010 and in recognition of the distressed economic environment.  Our cash position has increased significantly due to our election not to reinvest cash from called investments and continued growth in our deposit base.  Although the cash levels should remain high through the fourth quarter, approximately $75 million was used to payback brokered funds.  The decrease in loans is due to runoff in our indirect portfolio as well as refinancings in the mortgage portfolio.  Management has made the decision to utilize the secondary mortgage markets and government agencies as opposed to booking long, fixed rate mortgages.  The decrease in our investment portfolio is due in part to calls that were not reinvested and to approximately $26 million in sales from the portfolio restructuring that have not been reinvested as of September 30, 2010.    Total liabilities increased by approximately $50.3 million during the first nine months of 2010, reflecting increases in total deposits of $82.3 million offset by a $3.6 million decrease in short-term borrowings as a result of a decrease in repurchase agreements, our treasury management product and a $27.2 million decrease in long-term borrowings due to repayment of two maturing FHLB advances.  The increase in deposits is due in part to a $48 million increase in the accounts of a local municipality.

 
37

 
 
Loan Portfolio

The following table presents the composition of our loan portfolio at the dates indicated:

(In millions)
 
September 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
Commercial real estate
  $ 351.6       34 %   $ 326.8       29 %
Acquisition and development
    172.3       16       231.7       21  
Commercial and industrial
    71.4       7       81.3       7  
Residential mortgage
    362.5       35       373.2       33  
Consumer
    86.2       8       108.9       10  
   Total Loans
  $ 1,044.0       100 %   $ 1,121.9       100 %

Comparing loans at September 30, 2010 to loans at December 31, 2009, our loan portfolio has decreased by $77.9 million (6.9%).  Commercial real estate loans increased $24.8 million as certain acquisition and development loans, which decreased $59.4 million, were completed and transferred to permanent financing.  Commercial and industrial loans declined $9.9 million and residential mortgage declined $10.7 million. The decrease in the residential mortgage portfolio is attributable to the increased amount of loan refinancings that are occurring as consumers seek long-term fixed rate loans.  The Corporation is not retaining these long-term fixed rate loans.  Therefore, we are using secondary market and Fannie Mae outlets to satisfy these loan requests. The consumer portfolio declined $22.7 million as repayment activity in the indirect auto portfolio exceeded new production resulting from the continued slowdown in economic activity and the special financing offered by the automotive manufacturers.  At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, approximately 71% of the commercial loan portfolio was collateralized by real estate.

Risk Elements of Loan Portfolio

The following table presents the risk elements of our loan portfolio at the dates indicated.  Management is not aware of any potential problem loans other than those listed in this table or discussed below.

 
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(In thousands)
 
September 30,
 2010
   
% of
Applicable
Portfolio
   
December 31,
2009
   
% of
Applicable
Portfolio
 
Non-accrual loans:
                       
   Commercial real estate
  $ 4,975       1.4 %   $ 4,046       1.2 %
   Acquisition and development
    27,376       15.9 %     37,244       16.1 %
   Commercial and industrial
    777       1.1 %     --       --  
   Residential mortgage
    5,670       1.6 %     5,227       1.4 %
   Consumer
    154       .2 %     67       .1 %
     Total non-accrual loans
  $ 38,952       3.7 %   $ 46,584       4.2 %
                                 
Accruing Loans Past Due 90 days or more:
                               
   Commercial real estate
  $ 156             $ --          
   Acquisition and development
    --               --          
   Commercial and industrial
    --               --          
   Residential mortgage
    822               1,483          
   Consumer
    124               287          
     Total loans past due 90 days or more
  $ 1,102             $ 1,770          
                                 
Total non-accrual and loans past due 90
  days or more
  $ 40,054             $ 48,354          
                                 
Restructured Loans (TDRs):
                               
   Performing
  $ 6,918             $ 22,160          
   Non-accrual (included above)
    11,645               13,321          
     Total TDRs
  $ 18,563             $ 35,481          
                                 
Other Real Estate Owned
  $ 15,612             $ 7,591          
                                 
Other Impaired Loans – performing
  $ 35,790             $ 67,747          
                                 
Impaired loans without a valuation allowance
  $ 55,857             $ 102,553          
Impaired loans with a valuation allowance
    25,776               28,677          
   Total impaired loans
  $ 81,633             $ 131,230          
Valuation allowance related to impaired loans
  $ 7,260             $ 7,624          


Performing loans considered to be impaired (including performing restructured loans, or TDRs), as defined and identified by management, amounted to $42.7 million at September 30, 2010 and $89.9 million at December 31, 2009.  Loans are identified as impaired when based on current information and events, management determines that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to contractual terms.  These loans consist primarily of acquisition and development loans and commercial real estate loans.  The fair values are generally determined based upon independent third party appraisals of the collateral or discounted cash flows based upon the expected proceeds.  Specific allocations have been made where management believes there is insufficient collateral to repay the loan balance if liquidated and there is no secondary source of repayment is available.

The level of performing impaired loans (other than performing TDRs) declined $31.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.  In 2009, due to the deteriorating credit environment, management made a concerted effort to reduce the risk in its portfolio by enhancing its efforts to structure plans for some of its larger impaired credits to maximize their collectability by converting interest only lines of credit to amortizing term loans.  During the first nine months of 2010, as loans have demonstrated sustained payment performance, management has determined that it should be able to collect full contractual principal and interest and, accordingly, has removed them from an impaired status. During the first nine months of 2010, $25.0 million of loans have been removed from impaired status due to satisfactory payment performance, another $2.0 million of loans were paid off and $1.6 million in principal reductions were received. Thus far in 2010, $2.9 million of previously performing impaired loans have been transferred to non-accrual or foreclosure and $2.2 million have been transferred to performing TDRs.  Three loans totaling $0.8 million and $1.0 million of loans reclassified from performing TDRs were added to performing impaired loans thus far in 2010. Management will continue to monitor loans that have been removed from an impaired status and take appropriate steps in an effort to ensure that satisfactory performance is sustained.
 
 
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The level of TDRs declined $16.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, with five loans totaling $3.1 million added to performing TDRs, three loans totaling $1.0 million added to non-performing TDRs and $21.0 million removed from TDR reporting.  Four non-accrual TDRs totaling $3.8 million were foreclosed on and two performing TDRs totaling $2.6 million paid off during 2010. Loans that had been modified in 2009 at market rates, totaling $14.0 million, were removed from performing TDRs during 2010 because the borrowers had made at least six consecutive payments and were current at September 30, 2010. One TDR that had been performing was reclassified to non-performing in 2010 with a partial charge-off recorded on the loan.

Allowance and Provision for Loan Losses

An allowance for loan losses is maintained to absorb losses from the loan portfolio.  The allowance for loan losses is based on management’s continuing evaluation of the quality of the loan portfolio, assessment of current economic conditions, diversification and size of the portfolio, adequacy of collateral, past and anticipated loss experience, and the amount of non-performing loans.

The allowance for loan losses is based on estimates, and actual losses will vary from current estimates.  These estimates are reviewed quarterly, and as adjustments, either positive or negative, become necessary, a corresponding increase or decrease is made in the allowance for loan losses.  The methodology used to determine the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is consistent with prior years.  An estimate for probable losses related to unfunded lending commitments, such as letters of credit and binding but unfunded loan commitments is also prepared.  This estimate is computed in a manner similar to the methodology described above, adjusted for the probability of actually funding the commitment.

The following table presents a summary of the activity in the allowance for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30 (in thousands):

   
2010
   
2009
 
Balance, January 1
  $ 20,090     $ 14,347  
Charge-offs:
               
   Commercial real estate
    (513 )     (584 )
   Acquisition and development
    (3,601 )     (3,348 )
   Commercial and industrial
    (1,402 )     (1,997 )
   Residential mortgage
    (1,701 )     (1,110 )
   Consumer
    (1,489 )     (1,840 )
     Total charge-offs
    (8,706 )     (8,879 )
Recoveries:
               
   Commercial real estate
    94       --  
   Acquisition and development
    1,067       16  
   Commercial and industrial
    380       183  
   Residential mortgage
    330       55  
   Consumer
    380       370  
     Total recoveries
    2,251       624  
     Net credit losses
    (6,455 )     (8,255 )
Provision for loan losses
    10,653       10,837  
Balance at end of period
  $ 24,288     $ 16,929  
                 
Allowance for loan losses to loans outstanding (as %)
    2.33 %     1.49 %
Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding during the period,
  annualized (as %)
    .77 %     .97 %
 
 
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The allowance for loan losses increased to $24.3 million at September 30, 2010, compared to $20.1 million at December 31, 2009.  The provision for loan losses remained stable for the first nine months at $10.7 million compared to $10.8 million for the same period of 2009.  Net charge-offs also remained fairly constant.  As part of our loan review process, management has noted an increase in foreclosures and bankruptcies in the geographic areas in which we operate.  Additionally, the current economic environment has caused a decline in real estate sales.  Consequently, we have closely reviewed and applied sensitivity analyses to collateral values to more adequately measure potential future losses.  Where necessary, we have obtained new appraisals on collateral.  Specific allocations of the allowance have been provided in these instances where losses may occur.

Year-to-date charge-offs include $3.0 million for two loans in the acquisition and development portfolio that were transferred to other real estate owned during the period and $0.8 million that represented a partial charge-off of one loan in the commercial and industrial portfolio during the period. These charge-offs were the primary contributors of the annualized net charge-off loss rate of 1.67% in the acquisition and development portfolio and 1.79% in the commercial and industrial portfolio.  The 1.52% annualized charge-off rate in the consumer loan portfolio is the result of our policy of charging off these loans after they are 120 days contractually past due.   Accruing loans past due 30 days or more declined to 2.1% of the loan portfolio at September 30, 2010 from 2.5% of the loan portfolio at December 31, 2009.  Improvements in the consumer portfolio delinquency rates, which improved from 4.9% at December 31, 2009 to 2.1% at September 30, 2010, were partially offset by weakness in the commercial portfolios which have experienced an increase in the total delinquency rate from 0.8% to 2.0% in the same time periods.  The rate of loans entering delinquency has slowed in the commercial portfolios, with loans 30 days past due decreasing from 0.6% of those portfolios at December 31, 2009 to 0.4% at September 30, 2010.

Management believes that the allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2010 is adequate to provide for probable losses inherent in our loan portfolio.  Amounts that will be recorded for the provision for loan losses in future periods will depend upon trends in the loan balances, including the composition of the loan portfolio, changes in loan quality and loss experience trends, potential recoveries on previously charged-off loans and changes in other qualitative factors.

Investment Securities

At September 30, 2010, the total amortized cost basis of the available-for-sale investment portfolio was $259.4 million, compared to a fair value of $239.3 million.  Unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss, a component of shareholders’ equity.

The following table presents the composition of our securities portfolio available-for-sale at amortized cost and fair values at the dates indicated:

   
September 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
(Dollars in thousands)  
Amortized
Cost
   
Fair Value
 (FV)
   
FV as %
of Total
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Fair Value
 (FV)
   
FV as %
of Total
 
Securities Available-for-Sale:
                                   
   U.S. government agencies
  $ 31,827     $ 32,052       13 %   $ 68,487     $ 68,263       25 %
   Residential mortgage-backed agencies
    96,852       98,459       41 %     59,640       62,573       23 %
   Collateralized mortgage obligations
    838       737       1 %     40,809       33,197       12 %
   Obligations of states and political
     subdivisions
    93,465       98,410       41 %     95,190       97,303       35 %
   Collateralized debt obligations
    36,382       9,599       4 %     44,478       12,448       5 %
     Total Investment Securities
  $ 259,364     $ 239,257       100 %   $ 308,604     $ 273,784       100 %

Total investment securities have decreased $34.5 million since December 31, 2009.  During the first quarter, the Corporation embarked on a restructuring of its available-for-sale investment portfolio with goals of reducing sensitivity to future increases in interest rates and reducing future negative credit exposure.  As part of this restructuring, available for sale securities with an aggregate fair value of $117.1 million were transferred to the trading portfolio, comprised of $20.0 million from the collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMO”) portfolio, $89.6 million from the U.S. government agency and residential mortgage-backed agency portfolios, and $7.5 million from the municipal securities portfolio. Previously unrealized losses of $5.1 million and previously unrealized gains of $2.9 million were recognized in earnings at the time of transfer.  The bonds selected for transfer to trading and ultimate sale were chosen to maximize the following benefits: a reduction of extension and price risk in a rising interest rate environment; recognition of gains on callable agency securities and fixed rate mortgage-backed securities that will disappear with rising rates; and improvement in the credit quality of the portfolio through reduction of the private label CMO portfolio with the most exposure to potential credit risk.
 
 
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As of September 30, 2010, all of the aforementioned securities had been sold, resulting in an additional $.3 million net loss on the trading transaction.  As of September 30, 2010, the replacement securities had been purchased except for approximately $26 million, which is reflected in the increase in cash.  Management anticipates that any future acquired replacement securities will be shorter term in nature, structured to take advantage of higher interest rates through incorporation of staggered cash flows, and collateral eligible, (providing additional liquidity to the portfolio).
 
At September 30, 2010, the securities classified as available-for-sale included a net unrealized loss of $20.1 million, which represents the difference between the fair value and amortized cost of securities in the portfolio.

As discussed in Note H to the consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this report, the Corporation measures fair market values based on the fair value hierarchy established in ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Level 3 prices or valuation techniques require inputs that are both significant to the valuation assumptions and are not readily observable in the market (i.e. supported with little or no market activity).  These Level
3 instruments are valued based on both observable and unobservable inputs derived from the best available data, some of which is internally developed, and considers risk premiums that a market participant would require.

Approximately $229.7 million of the available-for-sale portfolio was valued using Level 2 pricing, and had net unrealized gains of $6.7 million at September 30, 2010.  The remaining $9.6 million of the securities available-for-sale represents the entire CDO portfolio, which was valued using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 assets).  The $26.8 million in unrealized losses associated with this portfolio relates to 18 pooled trust preferred securities that comprise the CDO portfolio. Unrealized losses of $17.8 million represent non-credit related OTTI charges on 13 of the securities, while $9.0 million of unrealized losses relates to five securities which have no credit related OTTI.  The unrealized losses on these securities are primarily attributable to continued depression in the marketability and liquidity associated with CDOs.
 
The following table provides a summary of the trust preferred securities in the CDO portfolio and the credit status of the securities as of September 30, 2010.
 
 
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The terms of the debentures underlying trust preferred securities allow the issuer of the debentures to defer interest payments for up to 20 quarters, and, in such case, the terms of the related trust preferred securities allow their issuers to defer dividend payments for up to 20 quarters.  Some of the issuers of the trust preferred securities in our investment portfolio have defaulted and/or deferred payments ranging from 4.0% to 33.3% of the total collateral balances underlying the securities.  The securities were designed to include structural features that provide investors with credit enhancement or support to provide default protection by subordinated tranches.  These features include over-collateralization of the notes or subordination, excess interest or spread which will redirect funds in situations where collateral is insufficient, and a specified order of principal payments.  There are securities in our portfolio that are under-collateralized, which does represent additional stress on our tranche.  However, in these cases, the terms of the securities require excess interest to be redirected from subordinate tranches as credit support, which provides additional support to our investment.

Management systematically evaluates securities for impairment on a quarterly basis.  Based upon application of Topic 320 (ASC Section 320-10-35) management must assess whether (a) it has the intent to sell the security and (b) it is more likely than not that the Corporation will be required to sell the security prior to its anticipated recovery.  If neither applies, then declines in the fair value of securities below their cost that are considered other-than-temporary declines are split into two components.  The first is the loss attributable to declining credit quality.  Credit losses are recognized in earnings as realized losses in the period in which the impairment determination is made.  The second component consists of all other losses.  The other losses are recognized in other comprehensive income.  In estimating OTTI charges, management considers (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) adverse conditions specifically related to the security, an industry, or a geographic area, (3) the historic and implied volatility of the security, (4) changes in the rating of a security by a rating agency, (5) recoveries or additional declines in fair value subsequent to the balance sheet date, (6) failure of the issuer of the security to make scheduled interest payments, and (7) the payment structure of the debt security and the likelihood of the issuer being able to make payments that increase in the future.  Due to the duration and the significant market value decline in the pooled trust preferred securities held in our portfolio, we performed more extensive testing on these securities for purposes of evaluating whether or not an OTTI has occurred.

The market for these securities at September 30, 2010 is not active and markets for similar securities are also not active.  The inactivity was evidenced first by a significant widening of the bid-ask spread in the brokered markets in which these securities trade and then by a significant decrease in the volume of trades relative to historical levels.  The new issue market is also inactive, as no new CDOs have been issued since 2007.  There are currently very few market participants who are willing to transact for these securities.  The market values for these securities, or any securities other than those issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”), are very
 
 
43

 
 
depressed relative to historical levels.  Therefore, in the current market, a low market price for a particular bond may only provide evidence of stress in the credit markets in general rather than being an indicator of credit problems with a particular issue.  Given the conditions in the current debt markets and the absence of observable transactions in the secondary and new issue markets, management has determined that (a) the few observable transactions and market quotations that are available are not reliable for the purpose of obtaining fair value at September 30, 2010, (b) an income valuation approach technique (i.e. present value) that maximizes the use of relevant observable inputs and minimizes the use of observable inputs will be equally or more representative of fair value than a market approach, and (c) the CDO segment is appropriately classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy because management determined that significant adjustments were required to determine fair value at the measurement date.

Beginning in the first quarter of 2010, management utilized an independent third party to prepare both the evaluations of OTTI as well as the fair value determinations for its CDO portfolio. In previous periods, management performed internal impairment valuations and utilized a third party service for the portfolio pricing.  Management will continue to review the assumptions and results and does not believe that there were any material differences in the impairment evaluations and pricing between December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010.

The approach of the third party utilized beginning in the first quarter of 2010 to determine fair value involved several steps, including detailed credit and structural evaluation of each piece of collateral in each bond, default, recovery and prepayment/amortization probabilities for each piece of collateral in the bond, and discounted cash flow modeling.  The discount rate methodology used by the third party combines a baseline current market yield for comparable corporate and structured credit products with adjustments based on evaluations of the differences found in structure and risks associated with actual and projected credit performance of each CDO being valued.  Currently the only active and liquid trading market that exists is for stand-alone trust preferred securities.  Therefore, adjustments to the baseline discount rate are also made to reflect the additional leverage found in structured instruments.

Based upon a review of credit quality and the cash flow tests performed by the independent third party, management determined that two securities had an additional $.2 million of credit-related OTTI during the quarter and twelve securities with previously recorded OTTI had no further impairment.  The Corporation recorded $8.3 million OTTI charges on the CDO securities in earnings for the nine month period ended September 30, 2010.

Management does not intend to sell these securities nor is it more likely than not that the Corporation will be required to sell the securities prior to recovery.  The risk-based capital ratios require that banks set aside additional capital for securities that are rated below investment grade.  Securities rated one level below investment grade require a 200% risk weighting.  Additional methods are applicable to securities rated more than one level below investment grade.  As of September 30, 2010, management believes that we maintain sufficient capital and liquidity to cover the additional capital requirements of these securities and future operating expenses.  Additionally, we do not anticipate any material commitments or expected outlays of capital in the near term.

 
44

 

Deposits

           The following table presents the composition of our deposits as of the dates indicated:

(In millions)
 
September 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
Non-interest bearing demand deposits
  $ 121.4       9 %   $ 107.0       8 %
Interest-bearing deposits:
                               
   Demand
    108.3       8       109.8       8  
   Money Market:
                               
     Retail
    267.7       19       266.3       20  
     Brokered
    65.1       5       74.8       6  
Savings deposits
    26.6       2       28.8       2  
Time deposits less than $100,000
    286.2       20       293.5       23  
Time deposits $100,000 or more:
                               
   Retail
    222.3       16       190.2       15  
   Brokered/CDARS
    288.8       21       233.8       18  
     Total Deposits
  $ 1,386.4       100 %   $ 1,304.2       100 %

Total deposits increased $82.2 million during the first nine months of 2010 when compared to deposits at December 31, 2009.    Non-interest bearing deposits increased $14.4 million.  Retail money market accounts increased $1.4 offset by a $2.2 million decline in traditional savings accounts.  Time deposits less than $100,000 declined $7.3 million and time deposits greater than $100,000 increased $87.1 million. The increase in time deposits greater than $100,000 is primarily due to a $48 million increase in the CDARs product for a local municipality.  These funds are relatively short-term in nature and will mature within six months.

During October 2010, $45 million of brokered certificates of deposit were paid back and $34 million of CDARs one-way buy funds were paid back. Although brokered deposits are at very low rates in the current environment, management made the decision to deploy a portion of the excess liquidity to pay these funds back rather than renew.

Borrowed Funds

The following table presents the composition of our borrowings at the dates indicated:

 
(In millions)
 
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
  $ 43.9     $ 47.6  
  Total short-term borrowings
  $ 43.9     $ 47.6  
                 
FHLB advances
  $ 196.7     $ 227.4  
Junior subordinated debt
    46.7       43.1  
   Total long-term borrowings
  $ 243.4     $ 270.5  

Total short-term borrowings decreased by approximately $3.7 million during the first nine months of 2010 due to a decline in repurchase agreements as a result of business customers utilizing cash for operating needs.  Long-term borrowings decreased during the first nine months of 2010 by $27.1 million due to the repayment of two FHLB advances totaling $30 million and scheduled monthly amortization of long-term advances, offset by an increase of $3.6 million in subordinated debt due to the additional issuance of the trust preferred securities by Trust III and the underlying junior subordinated debentures by First United Corporation in January 2010.

 
45

 

Liquidity Management

Liquidity is a financial institution’s capability to meet customer demands for deposit withdrawals while funding all credit-worthy loans.  The factors that determine the institutions liquidity are:

·  
Reliabilty and stability of core deposits
·  
Cash flow structure and pledging status of investments
·  
Potential for unexpected loan demand

We actively manage our liquidity position through weekly meetings of the Treasury sub-committee of executive management, which looks forward 12 months at 30-day intervals.  The measurement is based upon the projection of funds sold or purchased position, along with ratios and trends developed to measure dependence on purchased funds and core growth.  Monthly reviews by management and quarterly reviews by the Asset and Liability committee under prescribed policies and procedures are designed to ensure that we will maintain adequate levels of available funds.

It is our policy to manage our affairs so that liquidity needs are fully satisfied through normal Bank operations.  That is, the Bank will manage its liquidity to minimize the need to make unplanned sales of assets or to borrow funds under emergency conditions.  The Bank will use funding sources where the interest cost is relatively insensitive to market changes in the short run (periods of one year or less) to satisfy operating cash needs.  The remaining normal funding will come from interest-sensitive liabilities, either deposits or borrowed funds.  When the marginal cost of needed wholesale funding is lower than the cost of raising this funding in the retail markets, the Company may supplement retail funding with external funding sources such as:

1.  
Unsecured Fed Funds lines of credit with upstream correspondent banks (FTN Financial, M&T Bank, Atlantic Central Banker’s Bank, Community Banker’s Bank)
2.  
Secured advances with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, which are collateralized by eligible one to four family residential mortgage portfolio, home equity lines of credit portfolio, commercial real estate loan portfolio, and various securities.  Cash may also be pledged as collateral.
3.  
Secured line of credit with the Fed Discount Window for use in borrowing funds up to 90 days, using municipal securities as collateral.
4.  
Brokered deposits, including CDs and money market funds, provide a method to generate deposits quickly.  These deposits are strictly rate driven but often provide the most cost effective means of funding growth.
5.  
One Way Buy CDARS funding – a form of brokered deposits that has become a viable supplement to brokered deposits obtained directly.

In response to current economic conditions, management has performed an extensive review of the Bank’s liquidity position.  We have identified alternative methods to reduce the pledges on securities in our investment portfolio.  Throughout 2009 and into 2010, management made the decision not to reinvest called investments.  The growth in deposits and decreased loan demand has also attributed to our increased liquidity position.  While management believes that the increased liquidity position is prudent in light of the current economic environment, the increased liquidity did have a direct impact on the net interest margin and earnings as compared to prior periods.

Management believes that we have adequate liquidity available to respond to current and anticipated liquidity demands and is unaware of any trends or demands, commitments, events or uncertainties that will materially affect our ability to maintain liquidity at satisfactory levels.

Market Risk

Our primary market risk is interest rate fluctuation.  Interest rate risk results primarily from the traditional banking activities that we engage in, such as gathering deposits and extending loans.  Many factors, including economic and financial conditions, movements in interest rates and consumer preferences affect the difference between the interest earned on our assets and the interest paid on our liabilities.  Interest rate sensitivity refers to the degree that earnings will be impacted by changes in the prevailing level of interest rates.  Interest rate risk arises from mismatches in the repricing or maturity characteristics between interest-bearing assets and liabilities.  Management seeks to minimize fluctuating net interest margins, and to enhance consistent growth of net interest income through periods of changing interest rates.  Management uses interest sensitivity gap analysis and simulation models to measure and manage these risks.  The interest rate sensitivity gap analysis assigns each interest-earning asset and interest-bearing liability to a time frame reflecting its next repricing or maturity date.  The differences between total interest-sensitive assets and liabilities at each time interval represent the interest sensitivity gap for that interval.  A positive gap generally indicates that rising interest rates during a given interval will increase net interest income, as more assets than liabilities will reprice. A negative gap position would benefit us during a period of declining interest rates.
 
 
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Throughout 2010, we have shifted our focus on a shorter duration balance sheet to move to a more neutral to asset sensitive position as we anticipate a flat to rising rate environment in the future. As of September 30, 2010, we were slightly asset sensitive.

Our interest rate risk management goals are:

·  
Ensure that the Company’s Board of Directors and Senior Management will provide effective oversight and ensure that risks are adequately identified, measured, monitored and controlled;
·  
Enable dynamic measurement and management of interest rate risk;
·  
Select strategies that optimize the ability of the Company to meet its long-range financial goals while maintaining  interest rate risk within policy limits established by the Board of Directors;
·  
Use both income and market value oriented techniques to select strategies that optimize the relationship between risk and return; and
·  
Establish interest rate risk exposure limits for fluctuation in net interest income (NII), net income and economic value of equity.

In order to manage interest sensitivity risk, management formulates guidelines regarding asset generation and pricing, funding sources and pricing, and off-balance sheet commitments.  These guidelines are based on management’s outlook regarding future interest rate movements, the state of the regional and national economy, and other financial and business risk factors.  Management uses computer simulations to measure the effect on net interest income of various interest rate scenarios.  Key assumptions used in the computer simulations include cash flows and maturities of interest rate sensitive assets and liabilities, changes in asset volumes and pricing, and management’s capital plans.  This modeling reflects interest rate changes and the related impact on net interest income over specified periods.

We evaluate the effect of a change in interest rates of +/-100 basis points to +/-400 basis points on both Net Interest Income (“NII”) and Net Portfolio Value (“NPV”) / Economic Value of Equity (“EVE”).  We concentrate on NII rather than net income as long as net interest income remains the significant contributor to net income.

NII modeling allows management to view how changes in interest rates will affect the spread between the yield paid on assets and the cost of deposits and borrowed funds.  Unlike traditional Gap modeling, NII modeling takes into account the different degree to which installments in the same repricing period will adjust to a change in interest rates. It also allows the use of different assumptions in a falling versus a rising rate environment.  The period considered by the NII modeling is the next eight quarters.

NPV / EVE modeling focuses on the change in the market value of equity. NPV / EVE is defined as the market value of assets less the market value of liabilities plus/minus the market value of any off-balance sheet positions.  By effectively looking at the present value of all future cash flows on or off the balance sheet, NPV / EVE modeling takes a longer-term view of interest rate risk.  This complements the shorter-term view of the NII modeling.

Measures of net interest income at risk produced by simulation analysis are indicators of an institution’s short-term performance in alternative rate environments.  These measures are typically based upon a relatively brief period, usually one year.  They do not necessarily indicate the long-term prospects or economic value of the institution.

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

   
 
September 30,
2010
   
 
December 31,
2009
   
Required for
Capital Adequacy Purposes
   
Required To
Be Well
Capitalized
 
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)
                       
  Consolidated
    12.29 %     11.20 %     8.00 %     10.00 %
  First United Bank
    11.62 %     11.05 %     8.00 %     10.00 %
Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)
                               
  Consolidated
    10.60 %     9.60 %     4.00 %     6.00 %
  First United Bank
    10.35 %     9.78 %     4.00 %     6.00 %
Tier 1 Capital (to average assets)
                               
  Consolidated
    8.09 %     8.53 %     4.00 %     5.00 %
  First United Bank
    7.90 %     8.73 %     4.00 %     5.00 %


At September 30, 2010, First United Corporation and the Bank were categorized as “well capitalized” under federal banking regulatory capital requirements.  Pursuant to the Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program, in January 2009, First United Corporation sold 30,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock and a related warrant to purchase 326,323 shares of common stock at $13.79 per share to the Treasury for an aggregate purchase price of $30 million.  The proceeds from this transaction count as Tier 1 capital and the warrant qualifies as tangible common equity.
 
On August 16, 2010, First United Corporation paid a quarterly cash dividend on the Series A Preferred Stock in the amount of $375,000.  The fourth quarter dividend will be paid on November 16, 2010.

First United Corporation paid a cash dividend of $0.01 per common share on August 2, 2010.  On September 22, 2010, the Board of Directors declared another dividend of $0.01, to be paid on November 1, 2010 to shareholders of record as of October 13, 2010.

Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Loan commitments are made to accommodate the financial needs of our customers.  Letters of credit commit us to make payments on behalf of customers when certain specified future events occur. The credit risks inherent in loan commitments and letters of credit are essentially the same as those involved in extending loans to customers, and these arrangements are subject to our normal credit policies.  Loan commitments and letters of credit totaled $92.1 million and $5.2 million, respectively, at September 30, 2010, compared to $87.3 million and $2.9 million, respectively, at December 31, 2009.  We are not a party to any other off-balance sheet arrangements.

See Note K to the consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this report for further disclosure on Borrowed Funds.  There have been no other significant changes to contractual obligations as presented at December 31, 2009.
 
 
Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our primary market risk is interest rate fluctuation and we have procedures in place to evaluate and mitigate this risk. This market risk and our procedures are described in First United Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation – Interest Rate Sensitivity”.  Management believes that no material changes in our  procedures used to evaluate and mitigate these risks have occurred since December 31, 2009.   We believe the investment portfolio restructuring has better positioned the Corporation for a rising interest rate environment.

 
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Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with the SEC, such as this Quarterly Report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the periods specified in those rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.  Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs.  These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake.  Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control.  The design of any system of controls is also based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

An evaluation of the effectiveness of these disclosure controls as of September 30, 2010 was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of Management, including the CEO and the CFO.  Based on that evaluation, Management, including the CEO and the CFO, has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are, in fact, effective at the reasonable assurance level.

During the third quarter of 2010, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 
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Part II.   OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.   Legal Proceedings

None.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

The risks and uncertainties to which our financial condition and operations are subject are discussed in detail in Item 1A of Part I of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and in Item 1A of Part II of the Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010.

The following discussion updates a risk factor that was contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K:

The Corporation’s ability to pay dividends is limited by applicable banking and corporate law.

In the past, the Corporation’s ability to pay dividends to shareholders has been largely dependent upon the receipt of dividends from the Bank.  Since December 2009, the Corporation has used capital raised through private offerings to pay dividends, but there can be no guarantee that the Corporation's capital resources will be sufficient to continue paying dividends to shareholders without receiving dividends from the Bank.  Both federal and state laws impose restrictions on the ability of the Bank to pay dividends.  Federal law generally prohibits the payment of a dividend by a troubled institution.  Under Maryland law, a state-chartered commercial bank may pay dividends only out of undivided profits or, with the prior approval of the Commissioner, from surplus in excess of 100% of required capital stock.  If however, the surplus of a Maryland bank is less than 100% of its required capital stock, cash dividends may not be paid in excess of 90% of net earnings. In addition to these specific restrictions, bank regulatory agencies also have the ability to prohibit proposed dividends by a financial institution which would otherwise be permitted under applicable regulations if the regulatory body determines that such distribution would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice.  Moreover, the payment of dividends to shareholders and the amounts thereof are at the discretion of the Corporation’s Board of Directors.  Accordingly, there can be no guarantee that we will declare dividends in any fiscal quarter or, if declared, that the amount of a dividend will remain unchanged from quarter to quarter.

The following discussion constitutes a new risk factor:

We have entered into informal agreements with our regulators that could prevent us from paying dividends or taking other actions that reduce capital.

The Corporation recently entered into an informal agreement with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond (the “FRBR”) pursuant to which the Corporation agreed not to pay dividends on outstanding shares of its common or preferred stock, or to take any other action that reduces regulatory capital, without the prior approval of the FRBR.  The Bank recently entered into a similar agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) and the Maryland Commissioner of Financial Regulation (the “Maryland Commissioner”).  These agreements give our regulators the ability to prohibit a proposed dividend payment, or any other distribution with respect to outstanding stock, including the repurchase of stock, at a time or times when applicable banking and corporate law would otherwise permit such a dividend or repurchase.  There is no requirement that our regulators take consistent approaches when exercising their powers under these agreements.  For example, even though the FRBR might approve the payment of a particular dividend, that dividend could be effectively prohibited by the FDIC and/or the Maryland Commissioner if the Corporation intended to fund that dividend through a dividend by the Bank and the FDIC and/or the Maryland Commissioner were to deny the Bank’s dividend request.  Similarly, even though the FDIC and the Maryland Commissioner might approve a dividend by the Bank to the Corporation, the FRBR could prevent the Corporation from using that dividend to make a distribution to the holders of its outstanding common or preferred stock.  It should be noted that the terms of the Corporation’s outstanding Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), entitle the holders thereof to elect two directors if the Corporation fails to pay accrued but unpaid dividends for six quarterly periods, whether or not consecutive, and this right could be triggered if the FRBR were to prohibit dividend payments with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock.  These agreements increase the likelihood that the other risks related to our ability to pay dividends and make other distributions will be realized.
 
 
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Other than as set forth above, management believes that no material changes have occurred in our risk factors since the date these risks were last discussed.

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

None.

Item 6.   Exhibits

The exhibits filed or furnished with this quarterly report are listed in the Exhibit Index that follows the signatures, which index is incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
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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.
 
 
  FIRST UNITED CORPORATION  
       
Date:           November 4, 2010     
 
/s/ William B. Grant  
    William B. Grant, Chairman of the Board,  
    Chief Executive Officer and President  
       
       
Date:           November 4, 2010     
 
/s/ Carissa L. Rodeheaver  
    Carissa L. Rodeheaver, Executive Vice President,  
    Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary
 
 
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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit                                Description

31.1
Certifications of the CEO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (filed herewith)
 
31.2
Certifications of the CFO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (filed herewith)
 
32
Certification of the CEO and the CFO pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (furnished herewith)
 
 
57