UNITED STATESSECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM 10-Q
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 000-49883
PLUMAS BANCORP
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code (530) 283-7305
Indicated by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).Yes o No þ
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of May 5, 2005; 3,298,060 shares
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PLUMAS BANCORPCONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET(In thousands, except share data)
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
2
PLUMAS BANCORPCONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME(In thousands, except per share data)
3
PLUMAS BANCORPCONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS(In thousands)
Continued on next page.
4
PLUMAS BANCORPCONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS(In thousands)(Continued)
5
PLUMAS BANCORPNOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Unaudited)
1. GENERAL
Plumas Bancorp (the “Company”) was incorporated on January 17, 2002 and subsequently obtained approval from various state and federal agencies to be a bank holding company in connection with the merger of Plumas Bank (the “Bank”). The Company became the sole shareholder of the Bank on June 21, 2002 pursuant to a Plan of Reorganization and Merger Agreement dated April 3, 2002. Pursuant to that plan, on June 21, 2002 each outstanding share of the Bank’s common stock was exchanged for one share of common stock of the Company. The Company formed Plumas Statutory Trust I for the sole purpose of issuing trust preferred securities on September 26, 2002.
The Bank operates twelve branches in California, including branches in Alturas, Chester, Fall River Mills, Greenville, Kings Beach, Loyalton, Portola, Quincy, Susanville, Tahoe City, Truckee and Westwood. The Bank’s deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to applicable legal limits. The Bank’s primary source of revenue is generated from providing loans to customers who are predominately small and middle market businesses and individuals residing in the surrounding areas.
2. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and the accounts of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Plumas Bank. Plumas Statutory Trust I is not consolidated into the Company’s consolidated financial statements and, accordingly, is accounted for under the equity method. In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position at March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 and the results of operations and cash flows for the three month ended March 31, 2005 and 2004. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods’ balances to conform to classifications used in 2005.
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim reporting on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, certain disclosures normally presented in the notes to the consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been omitted. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2004 Annual Report to Shareholders on Form 10-K. The results of operations for the three-month period ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 may not necessarily be indicative of future operating results. In preparing such financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet and revenues and expenses for the periods reported. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.
Management has determined that since all of the commercial banking products and services offered by the Company are available in each branch of the Bank, all branches are located within the same economic environment and management does not allocate resources based on the performance of different lending or transaction activities, it is appropriate to aggregate the Bank branches and report them as a single operating segment.
6
3. LOANS
Outstanding loans are summarized below, in thousands:
4. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company is party to claims and legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to such proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or result of operations of the Company taken as a whole.
In the normal course of business, there are various outstanding commitments to extend credit which are not reflected in the financial statements, including loan commitments of $95,516,000 and $90,084,000 and letters of credit of $1,775,000 and $1,777,000 at March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively.
Of the loan commitments outstanding at March 31, 2005, $28,896,000 are real estate construction loan commitments that are expected to fund within the next twelve months. The remaining commitments primarily relate to revolving lines of credit or other commercial loans, and many of these are expected to expire without being drawn upon. Therefore, the total commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Each loan commitment and the amount and type of collateral obtained, if any, are evaluated on an individual basis. Collateral held varies, but may include real property, bank deposits, debt or equity securities or business assets.
Stand-by letters of credit are conditional commitments written to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. These guarantees are primarily related to the purchases of inventory by commercial customers and are typically short-term in nature. Credit risk is similar to that involved in extending loan commitments to customers and accordingly, evaluation and collateral requirements similar to those for loan commitments are used. The deferred liability related to the Company’s stand-by letters of credit was not significant at of March 31, 2005 or December 31, 2004.
7
5. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock, such as stock options, result in the issuance of common stock which shares in the earnings of the Company. The treasury stock method has been applied to determine the dilutive effect of the stock options in computing diluted earnings per share.
There were 56,925 stock options in the three-month period ended March 31, 2004, considered to be antidilutive and therefore omitted from the above calculation of diluted earnings per share. There were no stock options in the three-month period ended March 31, 2005 considered antidilutive.
6. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Total comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 totaled $179,000 and $1,305,000, respectively. Comprehensive income is comprised of net unrealized (losses) gains, net of taxes, on available-for-sale investment securities, which were $(718,000) and $579,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, together with net income.
At March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, accumulated other comprehensive loss totaled $1,210,000 and $492,000, respectively, and is reflected as a component of shareholders’ equity.
7. ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In December 2004 the FASB issued Statement Number 123 (revised 2004) (FAS 123 (R)), Share-Based Payments. FAS 123 (R) requires all entities to recognize compensation expense in an amount equal to the fair value of share-based payments such as stock options granted to employees. In April 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted a rule amending the effective date of FAS 123(R) from the first reporting period beginning after June 15, 2005 to the first fiscal year beginning after June 15, 2005, January 1 2006 for the Company. Management has not completed its evaluation of the effect that FAS 123 (R) will have, but believes that the effect will be consistent with its previous pro forma disclosures.
8. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
At March 31, 2005, the Company had two stock-based compensation plans, the Plumas Bank 2001 and 1991 Stock Option Plans. The Company accounts for these plans under the recognition and measurement principles of APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related Interpretations. No stock-based compensation cost is reflected in net income, as all options granted under these plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant.
8
Pro forma adjustments to the Company’s consolidated net earnings and earnings per share are disclosed during the years in which the options become vested. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of FASB Statements No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to stock-based compensation, dollars in thousands except per share amounts:
There were no option grants made during the three-month periods ending March 31, 2005 and 2004.
9
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Certain matters discussed in this Quarterly Report are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, (1) significant increases in competitive pressures in the financial services industry; (2) changes in the interest rate environment resulting in reduced margins; (3) general economic conditions, either nationally or regionally, maybe less favorable than expected, resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality; (4) changes in regulatory environment; (5) loss of key personnel; (6) fluctuations in the real estate market; (7) changes in business conditions and inflation; (8) operational risks including data processing systems failures or fraud; and (9) changes in securities markets. Therefore, the information set forth herein should be carefully considered when evaluating the business prospects of Plumas Bancorp.
When the Company uses in this Quarterly Report the words “anticipate”, “estimate”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “commit”, “believe” and similar expressions, the Company intends to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are not guarantees of performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described in this Quarterly Report. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated, expected, projected, intended, committed or believed. The future results and stockholder values of the Company may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Many of the factors that will determine these results and values are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict. For those statements, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
INTRODUCTION
During the three month period ended March 31, 2005, Plumas Bancorp (the “Company”) was traded on the OTC Bulletin Board (“OTC BB”) under the ticker symbol “PLBC”. The Company will continue to be traded on the OTC BB until May 18, 2005, at which time the Company expects to begin trading on the NASDAQ small cap market. The Company’s ticker symbol will remain “PLBC”.
The following discussion and analysis sets forth certain statistical information relating to the Company as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 and for the three-month period ended March 31, 2005 and 2004. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Plumas Bancorp’s Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
OVERVIEW
The Company’s net income increased $171 thousand, or 24%, to $897 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from $726 thousand for the same period in 2004. The primary contributor to the increase in net income for the first three months of 2005 was the $708 thousand increase in net interest income. This increase was largely offset by a $193 thousand increase in salaries and benefits, an increase in other non-interest expenses of $165 thousand and increase in the provision for loan losses of $150 thousand.
Total assets at March 31, 2005 were $431 million, an increase of $14 million, or 3%, from the $417 million at December 31, 2004. The growth in assets was funded by growth in the Company’s deposits and increases in Federal funds purchased. Deposits grew $5 million, or 1%, to $383 million at March 31, 2005
10
from the $378 million at December 31, 2004. Short-term advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank stood at $10 million at March 31, 2005 up from $1 million at December 31, 2004.
The annualized return on average assets was 0.86% for the three months ended March 31, 2005 up from 0.74% for the same period in 2004. The annualized return on average equity was 12.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2005 up from 10.7% for the same period in 2004.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2005
Net interest income before provision for loan losses. Net interest income, on a nontax-equivalent basis, was $4.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, an increase of $708 thousand, or 18%, from $4.0 million for the same period in 2004. The increase in net interest income was primarily attributed to volume increases in the Company’s average loan balances offset by increases in rates paid primarily on money market accounts and time deposits.
Interest income increased $924 thousand, or 20%, to $5.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005. The increase in interest income was primarily attributed to volume increases in loan balances. The Company’s average loan balances were $274 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, up $57 million, or 26%, from the $217 million for the same period in 2004.
Interest expense increased $216 thousand, or 31%, to $923 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2005, up from $707 thousand for the same period in 2004. The increase in interest expense was primarily attributed to rate increases on money market accounts and time deposits. For the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to the same period in 2004, the Company’s average rate on money market accounts increased 23 basis points to 0.99% from 0.76% while time deposit accounts increased 43 basis points to 2.27% for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from 1.84%.
As a result of the changes noted above, the net interest margin for the three months ended March 31, 2005 increased 29 basis points, or 6%, to 5.02%, up from 4.73% for the same period in 2004.
11
The following table presents for the three-month periods indicated the distribution of consolidated average assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity. It also presents the amounts of interest income from interest-earning assets and the resultant yields expressed in both dollars and yield percentages, as well as, the amounts of interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities and the resultant cost expressed in both dollars and rate percentages. Average balances are based on daily averages. Nonaccrual loans are included in the calculation of average loans while nonaccrued interest thereon is excluded from the computation of yields earned:
12
The following table sets forth changes in interest income and interest expense, for the three-month periods indicated and the amount of change attributable to variances in volume, rates and the combination of volume and rates based on the relative changes of volume and rates:
Provision for loan losses. The Company recorded $300,000 in provision for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2005, up $150,000, or 100%, from the $150,000 provision for the same period in 2004. Management assesses its loan quality monthly to maintain an adequate allowance for loan losses. Based on information currently available, management believes that the allowance for loan losses is adequate to absorb potential risks in the portfolio. However, no assurance can be given that the Company may not sustain charge-offs which are in excess of the allowance in any given period. The Company’s loan portfolio composition and non-performing assets are further discussed under the financial condition section below.
Non-interest income. During the three months ended March 31, 2005, total non-interest income increased $89 thousand, or 9%, to $1.1 million, up from $1.0 million for the comparable period in 2004. The increase in non-interest income was primarily the result of increases in service charge revenue of $116 thousand, tax refunds of $58 thousand and other income of $94 thousand offset by declines in gains on sales of loans of $49 thousand and gains on available-for-sale investment securities of $98 thousand.
A large portion of the growth in service charge revenue resulted from an increase of $108 thousand in customer overdraft charges. During April of 2004 the Bank implemented a new overdraft privilege program for select deposit relationships thereby increasing service charge revenue when comparing the first three months of 2005 to the first three months of 2004.
Non-interest expenses. Non-interest expenses consist of salaries and related employee benefits, occupancy and equipment expenses, professional fees, business development expenses, telephone expense, stationery and supplies expense, armored car and courier expense, advertising and promotion expense, loan expenses, directors’ fees, and other operating expenses. For the three months ended March 31, 2005, non-
13
interest expense increased $440 thousand, or 12%, to $4.2 million, up from $3.8 million for the comparable period in 2004.
Salaries and employee benefits increased $193 thousand, or 9%, over the same three-month period last year. This increase was due primarily to the staffing additions related to the expansion of the Company’s centralized lending function and to manage the overall growth of the Company.
Occupancy and equipment increased $82 thousand, or 12%, over the same three-month period last year. This increase was due primarily to additional software expense associated with upgraded software systems, including the Company’s core data system, credit services systems, regulatory compliance systems, teller systems, communication systems and security systems.
Professional fees increased $61 thousand, or 59%, over the same three-month period last year. This increase was primarily the result of consulting projects related to the Company’s overdraft privilege program and an evaluation of the Company’s risk management environment.
Advertising and promotion expense increased $51 thousand, or 91%, over the same three-month period last year as a result of a general expansion of marketing efforts related to the Company’s expanded service area. In November 2003 the Company began operating three new branches in the communities of Tahoe City, Kings Beach and Loyalton.
The following table describes the components of non-interest expense for the three-month periods ending March 31, 2005 and 2004.
14
FINANCIAL CONDITION
Loan portfolio composition. The Company continues to manage the mix of its loan portfolio consistent with its identity as a community bank serving the financing needs of all sectors of Northeastern California. Although the Company offers a broad array of financing options, it continues to concentrate its focus on small- to medium-sized commercial businesses. These commercial loans are diversified as to the industries and types of businesses, thus limiting material exposure from any one industry concentration. The Company offers both fixed and floating rate loans and obtains collateral in the form of real property, business assets and deposit accounts, but looks to business and personal cash flows as its primary source of repayment. As of March 31, 2005, real estate construction and land development loan balances as a percentage of total loans increased to 12.9% from 12.0% at December 31, 2004. Also during the first three months of 2005, consumer loan balances increased slightly to 22.3% of total loans from 22.1% at December 31, 2004. The increased percentages in real estate construction and land development and consumer loan balances were offset with declines in the relative percentage of agricultural and real estate mortgage loan balances which were 10.8% and 38.0%, respectively at March 31, 2005, versus 11.6% and 38.3%, respectively at December 31, 2004. Commercial loan balances as a percentage of total loans remained unchanged at 16.0% at both March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004.
Nonperforming assets. Nonperforming loans at March 31, 2005 were $1,429,000, an increase of $258,000, or 22%, over the $1,171,000 balance at December 31, 2004.
The increase in nonperforming loans from December 31, 2004 is primarily due to the Bank, in March 2005, classifying as nonaccrual, several agricultural loans to one borrower with an outstanding balance $341 thousand at March 31, 2005. These agricultural loans are collateralized by various livestock and real estate holdings. At March 31, 2005, nonperforming loans to this one borrower represented 24% of the Bank’s total nonperforming loans outstanding. Management believes that these nonperforming loan balances will be satisfactory resolved without significant loss to the Company.
As a result of the above, nonperforming loans as a percent of total loans increased to 0.50% at March 31, 2005 up from the 0.44% at December 31, 2004. In addition, nonperforming assets (which is comprised of nonperforming loans plus foreclosed real estate and vehicle holdings) as a percent of total assets were 0.33% at March 31, 2005 up from 0.29% at December 31, 2004.
Analysis of allowance for loan losses. Net charge-offs during the three months ended March 31, 2005 totaled $98 thousand, or 0.03% of total loans, compared to $71 thousand, or 0.03% of total loans, for the comparable period in 2004. Net charge-offs during the first three months of 2005 were comprised of $132 thousand of charge-offs less $34 thousand in recoveries, compared to $115 thousand of charge-offs less $44 thousand in recoveries for the same period in 2004. The allowance for loan losses stood at 1.03% of total loans as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004. Based on an evaluation of the credit quality of the loan portfolio and delinquency trends and charge-offs, management believes the allowance for loan losses to be adequate.
15
The following table provides certain information for the three-month period indicated with respect to the Company’s allowance for loan losses as well as charge-off and recovery activity.
Investment securities. Investment securities decreased $10.2 million to $103 million at March 31, 2005, from $113 million at December 31, 2004. The Company’s investment in U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. agencies decreased to 76.1% of the investment portfolio at March 31, 2005, versus 78.0% at December 31, 2004. The Company’s investment in corporate bonds increased to 9.5% of the investment portfolio at March 31, 2005, versus 8.8% at December 31, 2004. Tax-exempt municipal obligation bonds increased to 14.4% of the investment portfolio at March 31, 2005, up from 13.2% at December 31, 2004.
Premises and equipment. Premises and equipment increased $376 thousand, or 4%, to $10.2 million at March 31, 2005, from $9.8 million at December 31, 2004. The increase was the result of the purchase of $533 thousand of vacant land in February 2005 offset by ongoing depreciation on existing premises and equipment. The land was purchase for the purpose of building a branch office in the community of Truckee.
Accrued interest receivable and other assets. Accrued interest receivable and other assets increased $259 thousand, or 3%, to $8.9 million at March 31, 2005, from $8.7 million at December 31, 2004. The increase was the result of recording additional deferred tax benefits in the first three months of 2005 related to the available-for-sale investment securities portfolio.
Deposits. Total deposits were $383 million as of March 31, 2005, an increase of $4.5 million, or 1.2%, from the December 31, 2004 balance of $379 million. The Company continues to manage the mix of its deposits consistent with its identity as a community bank serving the financial needs of its customers. Non-
16
interest bearing demand deposits and interest checking deposits decreased to 40.3% of total deposits at March 31, 2005, down from 40.7% of total deposits at December 31, 2004. Money market and savings deposits increased to 34.7% of total deposits at March 31, 2005 compared to 34.3% as of December 31, 2004. Time deposits increased slightly to 25.1% of total deposits as of March 31, 2005 up from 25.0% as of December 31, 2004.
Federal funds purchased. Federal funds purchased were $10 million as of March 31, 2005, an increase of $9 million from the December 31, 2004 balance of $1 million. During the first three months of 2005 the Company utilized an established line of credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank to meet its short-term liquidity needs.
CAPITAL RESOURCES
Shareholders’ equity as of March 31, 2005 increased $277 thousand, or 1%, to $28.2 million up from $27.9 million as of December 31, 2004. This increase was the result of earnings during the first three months of $897 thousand and the exercise of stock options of $98 thousand offset by a $718 thousand increase in accumulated other comprehensive losses. The accumulated other comprehensive losses at March 31, 2005, were the result of the adverse affects of the rising interest rate environment on the market value of the Bank’s available-for-sale investment portfolio. Management believes that these unrealized losses are not permanent and will reverse over time as these shorter-term securities approach maturity.
The Company and the Bank are subject to certain regulatory capital requirements administered by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Failure to meet these 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 Company’s consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Bank’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company’s and the Bank’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of total and Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets and of Tier 1 capital to average assets. Each of these components is defined in the regulations. Management believes that the Company met all its capital adequacy requirements and that the Bank met the requirements to be considered well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action as of March 31, 2005.
17
LIQUIDITY
The Company manages its liquidity to provide the ability to generate funds to support asset growth, meet deposit withdrawals (both anticipated and unanticipated), fund customers’ borrowing needs, satisfy maturity of short-term borrowings and maintain reserve requirements. The Company’s liquidity needs are managed using assets or liabilities, or both. On the asset side the Company maintains an investment portfolio containing U.S. government securities and agency securities that are classified as available-for-sale. On the liability side, liquidity needs are managed by charging competitive offering rates on deposit products and the use of established lines of credit from correspondent financial institutions and the Federal Home Loan Bank.
The Company has unsecured short-term borrowing agreements with two of its correspondent banks in the amounts of $10 million and $5 million. In addition, the Company can borrow up to $61 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank secured by commercial and residential mortgage loans. During the first three months of 2005, the Company outstanding advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank increased from $1 million at December 31, 2004 to $10 million at March 31, 2005. These additional advances were used to meet the Company’s liquidity needs as loan growth exceeded deposit growth during the first quarter of 2005. Management expects this trend to reverse with more significant deposit growth anticipated to occur in the second and third quarter of 2005.
Customer deposits are the Company’s primary source of funds. Those funds are held in various types of accounts with varying maturities. The Company does not accept brokered deposits. During the first three months of 2005, deposits increased $4.5 million, or 1.2%, from the December 31, 2004 balance of $378 million. The Company has historically experienced a seasonal trend in regards to deposits; whereas the majority of the Company’s annual deposit growth occurs in the late spring, summer and fall months.
The Company’s available-for-sale securities portfolio, cash and due from banks and short-term borrowings from correspondent banks and the Federal Home Loan Bank serve as the primary sources of liquidity, providing adequate funding for loans during periods of high loan demand. During periods of decreased lending activity, proceeds from the maturity or sale of investment securities, loan payments, and new deposits are invested in short-term earning assets, such as Federal funds sold and investment securities, to serve as a source of funding for future loan growth. Management believes that the Company’s available sources of funds, including short-term borrowings, will provide adequate liquidity for its operations in the foreseeable future.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market risk is the risk of loss in a financial instrument arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices such as interest rates, commodity prices and equity prices. As a financial institution, the Company’s market risk arises primarily from interest rate risk exposure. Fluctuation in interest rates will ultimately impact both the level of income and expense recorded on a large portion of the Company’s assets and liabilities, and the market value of all interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, dependent upon the stated or estimated maturity date. Since virtually all of the Company’s interest earning assets and all of the Company’s interest bearing liabilities, with the exception of the junior subordinated debentures, are located at the Bank level, virtually all of the Company’s interest rate risk exposure lies at the Bank level. As a result, all significant interest rate risk management procedures are performed at the Bank level. Based upon the nature of its operations, the Bank is not subject to foreign currency exchange or commodity price risk. The Bank’s real estate loan portfolio, concentrated primarily within northeastern California, is subject to risks associated with the local economies.
18
The fundamental objective of the Bank’s management of its assets and liabilities is to maximize the economic value of the Company while maintaining adequate liquidity and an exposure to interest rate risk deemed by management to be acceptable. Management believes an acceptable degree of exposure to interest rate risk results from the management of assets and liabilities through maturities, pricing and mix to attempt to neutralize the potential impact of changes in market interest rates. The Bank’s profitability is dependent to a large extent upon its net interest income which is the difference between its interest income on interest-earning assets, such as loans and securities, and its interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. The Bank, like other financial institutions, is subject to interest rate risk to the degree that its interest-earning assets reprice differently than its interest-bearing liabilities. The Bank manages its mix of assets and liabilities with the goals of limiting its exposure to interest rate risk, ensuring adequate liquidity, and coordinating its sources and uses of funds.
The Bank seeks to control its interest rate risk exposure in a manner that will allow for adequate levels of earnings and capital over a range of possible interest rate environments. The Bank has adopted formal policies and practices to monitor and manage interest rate risk exposure. As part of this effort, the Bank measures interest rate risk utilizing both an internal asset liability management system as well as employing independent third party reviews to confirm the reasonableness of the assumptions used to measure and report the Bank’s interest rate risk, enabling management to make any adjustments necessary.
Interest rate risk is managed by the Bank’s Asset Liability Committee (“ALCO”), which includes members of senior management. The ALCO monitors interest rate risk by analyzing the potential impact on the net interest income from potential changes in interest rates and considers the impact of alternative strategies or changes in balance sheet structure. The ALCO manages the Bank’s balance sheet in part to maintain the potential impact on net interest income within acceptable ranges despite changes in interest rates. The Bank’s exposure to interest rate risk is reviewed on at least a quarterly basis by ALCO.
In management’s opinion there has not been a material change in the Company’s market risk or interest rate risk profile for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to December 31, 2004 as discussed in the Company’s 2004 annual report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, based on their evaluation within 90 days prior to the date of this report of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a—15(e), have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are adequate and effective for purposes of Rule 13a—15(e) in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Company required to be included in the Company’s filings with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
There were no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation.
19
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, the Company and/or its subsidiaries are a party to claims and legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to such proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company taken as a whole.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
None.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
The following documents are included or incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report on Form 10Q:
20
21
22
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.
23