Horizon Bancorp - 10-K annual report

 

 

(Mark One)

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 219-879-0211

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

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

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act Yes o No þ

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 of Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act Yes o No þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ  No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to the Form 10-K o

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

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

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

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based on the average bid price of such stock as of June 30, 2007, the last day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $66,408,840.

As of March 14, 2008, the registrant had 3,252,232 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

 

 

Horizon Bancorp (“Horizon” or the “Company”) is a registered bank holding company incorporated in Indiana and headquartered in Michigan City, Indiana. Horizon provides a broad range of banking services in Northwestern Indiana and Southwestern Michigan through its bank subsidiary, Horizon Bank, N.A. (the “Bank”) and other affiliated entities. Horizon operates as a single segment, which is commercial banking. Horizon’s Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol HBNC. The Bank was chartered as a national banking association in 1873 and has operated continuously since that time. The Bank is a full-service commercial bank offering commercial and retail banking services, corporate and individual trust and agency services and other services incident to banking.

On June 10, 2005, Horizon acquired Alliance Financial Corporation and its wholly owned bank subsidiary, Alliance Banking Company (collectively referred to as Alliance). Alliance had three offices in southwest Michigan, and one office in Michigan City, Indiana, $141 million of assets and $117 million of deposits at the date of the acquisition. See Note 2 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion regarding the acquisition.

On April 23, 2007, the Bank opened a full service branch in Benton Harbor, Michigan and on January 28, 2008 the Bank opened its second full service branch in Valparaiso, Indiana. The Bank maintains fourteen other full service facilities and one loan production office in Northwest Indiana . At December 31, 2007, the Bank had total assets of $1.259 million and total deposits of $894 million. The Bank has four wholly-owned subsidiaries: Horizon Trust & Investment Management, N.A. (“Horizon Trust”), Horizon Investments, Inc. (“Horizon Investments”), Horizon Insurance Services, Inc. (“Horizon Insurance”) and Horizon Grantor Trust. Horizon Trust offers corporate and individual trust and agency services and investment management services. Horizon Investments manages the investment portfolio of the Bank. Horizon Insurance offered a full line of personal insurance products until March 2005, at which time the majority of its assets were sold to a third party. Horizon Grantor Trust holds title to certain company owned life insurance policies.

Horizon formed Horizon Bancorp Capital Trust II in 2004 (“Trust II”) and Horizon Bancorp Capital Trust III in 2006 (“Trust III”) for the purpose of participating in pooled trust preferred securities offerings. The Company assumed additional debentures as the result of the acquisition of Alliance in 2005, which formed Alliance Financial Statutory Trust I (“Alliance Trust”). See Note 10 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion regarding these previously consolidated entities that are now reported separately. The business of Horizon is not seasonal to any material degree.

No material part of Horizon’s business is dependent upon a single or small group of customers, the loss of any one or more of whom would have a materially adverse effect on the business of Horizon. In 2007, revenues from loans accounted for 73% of the total consolidated revenue and revenues from investment securities accounted for 13% of total consolidated revenue.

The Bank, Horizon Trust and Horizon Investments employed approximately 265 full and part-time people as of December 31, 2007. Horizon does not have any employees.

A high degree of competition exists in all major areas where Horizon engages in business. The Bank’s primary market consists of Porter, LaPorte, St. Joseph and Elkhart Counties, Indiana, and Berrien County, Michigan. The Bank competes with commercial as well as with savings and loan associations, consumer finance companies and credit unions. To a more moderate extent, the Bank competes with Chicago money center banks, mortgage banking companies, insurance companies, brokerage houses, other institutions engaged in money market financial services and certain government agencies.

Based on deposits as of June 30, 2007, Horizon was the largest of the 11 bank and thrift institutions in LaPorte County with a 35.74% market share and the fifth largest of the 16 such institutions in Porter County with an 8.18% market share. In Berrien County, Michigan, Horizon was the fourth largest of the 10 bank and thrift institutions with an 8.09% market share. In 2005, Horizon opened new offices in St. Joseph and Elkhart Counties, Indiana. Horizon’s market share of deposits was less than 1.00% in each of these counties. (Source: FDIC Summary of Deposits Market Share Reports, available at www.fdic.gov).

Horizon is registered as a bank holding company and is subject to the supervision of, and regulation by, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve”) under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (“BHC Act”). The Federal Reserve has issued regulations under the BHC Act requiring a bank holding company to serve as a source of financial and managerial strength to its subsidiary banks. It is the policy of the Federal Reserve that, pursuant to this requirement, a bank holding company should stand ready to use its resources to provide adequate capital funds to its subsidiary banks during periods of financial stress or adversity.

The BHC Act requires the prior approval of the Federal Reserve to acquire more than a 5% voting interest of any bank or bank holding company. Additionally, the BHC Act restricts Horizon’s nonbanking activities to those, which are determined by the Federal Reserve to be closely related to banking and a proper incident thereto.

Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (the “FDICIA”), a bank holding company is required to guarantee the compliance of any insured depository institution subsidiary that may become “undercapitalized” (as defined in FDICIA) with the terms of any capital restoration plan filed by such subsidiary with its appropriate federal bank regulatory agency.

Bank holding companies are required to comply with the Federal Reserve’s risk-based capital guidelines. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) have adopted risk-based capital ratio guidelines to which depository institutions under their respective supervision are subject. The guidelines establish a systematic analytical framework that makes regulatory capital requirements more sensitive to differences in risk profiles among banking organizations. Risk-based capital ratios are determined by allocating assets and specified off-balance sheet commitments to four risk weighted categories, with higher levels of capital being required for the categories perceived as representing greater risk. For Horizon’s regulatory capital ratios and regulatory requirements as of December 31, 2007, see the information in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation in Item 7 below, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The Bank is (i) subject to the provisions of the National Bank Act; (ii) supervised, regulated, and examined by the OCC; and (iii) subject to the rules and regulations of the OCC, Federal Reserve, and the FDIC.

The Bank’s deposits are insured to applicable limits by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). The Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005 (the “Reform Act”), which was signed into law in February 2006, has resulted in significant changes to the federal deposit insurance program:

Pursuant to the Reform Act, the FDIC is authorized to set the reserve ratio for the DIF annually at between 1.15% and 1.5% of estimated insured deposits and the FDIC has been given discretion to set assessment rates according to risk regardless of the level of the fund reserve ratio. On November 2, 2006, the FDIC adopted final regulations that set the designated reserve ratio for the DIF at 1.25% beginning January 1, 2007.

Insured depository institutions that were in existence on December 31, 1996, and paid assessments prior to that date (or their successors) are entitled to a one-time credit against future assessments based on their past contributions to the BIF or SAIF. In 2006, the Bank received a one-time credit of $457,534 against future assessments. Of the initial credit, $143,623 remained unused at December 31, 2007.

Also on November 2, 2006, the FDIC adopted final regulations that establish a new risk-based premium system. Under the new system, the FDIC will evaluate each institution’s risk based on three primary sources of information: supervisory ratings for all insured institutions, financial ratios for most institutions, and long-term debt issuer ratings for large institutions that have such ratings. An institution’s assessments will be based on the insured institution’s ranking in one of four risk categories. Effective January 1, 2007, well-capitalized institutions with the CAMELS ratings of 1 or 2 are grouped in Risk Category I and will be assessed for deposit insurance at an annual rate of between five and seven cents for every $100 of domestic deposits. Institutions in Risk Categories II, III and IV will be assessed at annual rates of 10, 28 and 43 cents, respectively. An increase in assessments could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s earnings.

FDIC-insured institutions remain subject to the requirement to pay assessments to the FDIC to fund interest payments on bonds issued by the Financing Corporation (“FICO”), an agency of the Federal government established to recapitalize the predecessor to the SAIF. These assessments will continue until the FICO bonds mature in 2017. For the quarter ended December 31, 2007, the FICO assessment rate was equal to 1.14 cents for each $100 in domestic deposits maintained at an institution.

Both federal and state law extensively regulates various aspects of the banking business, such as reserve requirements, truth-in-lending and truth-in-savings disclosures, equal credit opportunity, fair credit reporting, trading in securities and other aspects of banking operations. Branching by the Bank is subject to the jurisdiction and requires notice to or the prior approval of the OCC.

Horizon and the Bank are subject to the Federal Reserve Act, which restricts financial transactions between banks and affiliated companies. The statute limits credit transactions between banks, affiliated companies and its executive officers and its affiliates. The statute prescribes terms and conditions for bank affiliate transactions deemed to be consistent with safe and sound banking practices, and restricts the types of collateral security permitted in connection with a bank’s extension of credit to an affiliate.

The FDICIA accomplished a number of sweeping changes in the regulation of depository institutions and their holding companies. The FDICIA requires, among other things, federal bank regulatory authorities to take “prompt corrective action” with respect to banks that do not meet minimum capital requirements. The FDICIA further directs that each federal banking agency prescribe standards for depository institutions and depository institution holding companies relating to internal controls, information systems, internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, management compensation, a maximum ratio of classified assets to capital, minimum earnings sufficient to absorb losses, a minimum ratio of market value to book value of publicly traded shares and such other standards as the agency deems appropriate.

On November 12, 1999, the President signed into law comprehensive legislation that modernizes the financial services industry for the first time in decades. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (“GLBA”) permits bank holding companies to conduct essentially unlimited securities and insurance activities, in addition to other activities determined by the Federal Reserve to be related to financial services. As a result of the GLBA, Horizon may underwrite and sell securities and insurance. It may acquire, or be acquired by, brokerage firms and insurance underwriters. Horizon does not anticipate significant changes in its products or services as a result of the GLBA.

The USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (the “PATRIOT Act”) is intended to strengthen the ability of U.S. Law Enforcement to combat terrorism on a variety of fronts. The PATRIOT Act contains sweeping anti-money laundering and financial transparency laws and requires financial institutions to implement additional policies and procedures with respect to, or additional measures designed to address, any or all the following matters, among others: money laundering, suspicious activities and currency transaction reporting, and currency crimes. Many of the provisions in the PATRIOT Act were to have expired December 31, 2005, but the U.S. Congress authorized renewals that extended the provisions until March 10, 2006. In early March 2006, the U.S. Congress approved the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 (the “Reauthorization Act”) and the USA PATRIOT Act Additional Reauthorizing Amendments Act of 2006 (the “PATRIOT Act Amendments”), and they were signed into law by President Bush on March 9, 2006. The Reauthorization Act makes permanent all but two of the provisions that had been set to expire and provides that the remaining two provisions, which relate to surveillance and the production of business records under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, will expire in three years. The PATRIOT Act Amendments include provisions allowing recipients of certain subpoenas to obtain judicial review of nondisclosure orders and clarifying the use of certain subpoenas to obtain information from libraries. Horizon does not anticipate that these changes will materially affect its operations.

On July 30, 2002, President Bush signed into law the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”). The Sarbanes-Oxley Act represents a comprehensive revision of laws affecting corporate governance, accounting obligations and corporate reporting. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act is applicable to all companies with equity or debt securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”). In particular, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act establishes: (i) new requirements for audit committees, including independence, expertise and responsibilities; (ii) additional responsibilities regarding financial statements for the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the reporting company; (iii) new standards for auditors and regulation of audits; (iv) increased disclosure and reporting obligations for the reporting company and their directors and executive officers; and (v) new and increased civil and criminal penalties for violation of the securities laws. Management expects that significant additional efforts and expense will continue to be required to comply with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (the “FACT Act”) amended the Fair Credit Reporting Act and made permanent certain federal preemptions that form the basis for a national credit reporting system. The FACT Act was also intended to (i) address identity theft, (ii) increase access to credit information, (iii) enhance the accuracy of credit reporting, (iv) facilitate the opt-out by consumers from certain marketing solicitations, (v) protect medical information, and (vi) promote financial literacy. The statute applies to credit reporting agencies (commonly referred to as “credit bureaus”), financial institutions, other users of credit reports and those who furnish information to credit bureaus.

In addition to the matters discussed above, Horizon Bank is subject to additional regulation of its activities, including a variety of consumer protection regulations affecting its lending, deposit, and collection activities and regulations affecting secondary mortgage market activities. The earnings of financial institutions are also affected by general economic conditions and prevailing interest rates, both domestic and foreign, and by the monetary and fiscal policies of the United States Government and its various agencies, particularly the Federal Reserve.

Additional legislative and administrative actions affecting the banking industry may be considered by the United States Congress, state legislatures and various regulatory agencies, including those referred to above. It cannot be predicted with certainty whether such legislative or administrative action will be enacted or the extent to which the banking industry in general or Horizon and its affiliates will be affected.

The following is a schedule of fixed-rate and variable-rate commercial, financial, agricultural and commercial tax-exempt loans due after one year. (Variable-rate loans are those loans with floating or adjustable interest rates.)

A cautionary note about forward-looking statements: In its oral and written statements, Horizon from time to time includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements can include statements about estimated cost savings, plans and objectives for future operations and expectations about Horizon’s financial and business performance as well as economic and market conditions. They often can be identified by the use of words like “expect,” “may,” “could,” “intend,” “project,” “estimate,” “believe” or “anticipate.”

Horizon may include forward-looking statements in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), such as this Form 10-K, in other written materials, and in oral statements made by senior management to analysts, investors, representatives of the media, and others. It is intended that these forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Horizon undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the forward-looking statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

By their nature, forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors. You are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statement. The discussion in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation in Item 7 of this Form 10-K lists some of the factors that could cause Horizon’s actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or implied by any forward-looking statements. Your attention is directed to this discussion.

Other risks and uncertainties that could affect Horizon’s future performance are set forth immediately below in Item 1A — Risk Factors

As a financial institution, we are subject to a number of types of risks. Although we undertake a variety of efforts to manage and control those risks, many of the risks are outside of our control. Among the risks we face are the following:

Investors should consider carefully these risks and the other risks and uncertainties described below. Any of the following risks could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results which could cause our stock price to decline. The risks and uncertainties described below are not, however, the only ones that we may face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us, or that we currently believe are not material, could also materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results.

Our ability to maintain our history of record earnings year after year will depend, in large part, on our ability to continue to grow our commercial and consumer loan portfolios and obtain low-cost funds. During 2006 and 2007, we focused on increasing consumer loans, and we intend to continue to emphasize and grow consumer, as well as commercial types of loans in the foreseeable future. This

represented a shift in our emphasis from 2002 and 2003 when we focused on mortgage banking services, which generated a large portion of our income during those years.

We have also funded our growth with low-cost consumer deposits, and our ability to sustain our growth will depend in part on our continued success in attracting such deposits or finding other sources of low-cost funds.

Another factor in maintaining our history of record earnings will be our ability to expand our scope of available financial services to our customers in an increasingly competitive environment. In addition to other banks, our competitors include credit unions, securities dealers, brokers, mortgage bankers, investment advisors, and finance and insurance companies. Competition is intense in most of our markets. We compete on price and service with our competitors. Competition could intensify in the future as a result of industry consolidation, the increasing availability of products and services from non-banks, greater technological developments in the industry, and banking reform.

We have a large percentage of commercial and consumer loans. Commercial loans generally have greater credit risk than residential mortgage loans because repayment of these loans often depends on the successful business operations of the borrowers. These loans also typically have much larger loan balances than residential mortgage loans. Consumer loans generally involve greater risk than residential mortgage loans because they are unsecured or secured by assets that depreciate in value. Although we undertake a variety of underwriting, monitoring and reserving protections with respect to these types of loans, there can be no guarantee that we will not suffer unexpected losses.

Our financial condition and results of operations are significantly affected by changes in market interest rates. Our results of operations depend substantially on our net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income that we earn on our interest-earning assets and the interest expense that we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities. Our profitability depends on our ability to manage our assets and liabilities during periods of changing market interest rates. If rates increase rapidly as a result of an improving economy, we may have to increase the rates paid on our deposits and borrowed funds more quickly than loans and investments reprice, resulting in a negative impact on interest spreads and net interest income. The impact of rising rates could be compounded if deposit customers move funds from savings accounts to higher rate certificate of deposit accounts. Conversely, should market interest rates fall below current levels, our net interest margin could also be negatively affected, as competitive pressures could keep us from further reducing rates on our deposits, and prepayments and curtailments on assets may continue. Such movements may cause a decrease in our interest rate spread and net interest margin, and therefore, decrease our profitability.

We also are subject to reinvestment risk associated with changes in interest rates. Changes in interest rates may affect the average life of loans and mortgage-related securities. Increases in interest rates may decrease loan demand and/or may make it more difficult for borrowers to repay adjustable rate loans. Decreases in interest rates often result in increased prepayments of loans and mortgage-related securities, as borrowers refinance their loans to reduce borrowing costs. Under these circumstances, we are subject to reinvestment risk to the extent that we are unable to reinvest the cash received from such prepayments in loans or other investments that have interest rates that are comparable to the interest rates on existing loans and securities.

Our primary market area for deposits and loans consists of LaPorte and Porter Counties in Northwestern Indiana and Berrien County in Southwestern Michigan. An economic slowdown in these areas could hurt our business. Possible consequences of such a downturn could include the following:

Although our common stock has been listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market since December 2001 and since February 1, 2007, has been listed on NASDAQ Global Market, our common stock is thinly traded. Average daily trading volume during 2007 was only 1,689 shares. The prices of thinly traded stocks, such as ours, are typically more volatile than stocks traded in a large, active public market and can be more easily impacted by sales or purchases of large blocks of stock. Thinly traded stocks are also less liquid, and because of the low volume of trades, you may be unable to sell your shares when you desire to do so.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make significant estimates that affect the financial statements. One of our most critical estimates is the level of the allowance for loan losses. Due to the inherent nature of these estimates, we cannot provide absolute assurance that we will not have to increase the allowance for loan losses and/or sustain loan losses that are significantly higher than the provided allowance.

We buy loans originated by mortgage bankers and automobile dealers. Because we must rely on the mortgage bankers and automobile dealers in making and documenting these loans, there is an increased risk of fraud to us on the part of the third-party originators and the underlying borrowers. In order to guard against this increased risk, we perform investigations on the loan originators with whom we do business, and we review the loan files and loan documents we purchase to attempt to detect any irregularities or legal noncompliance. However, there is no guarantee that our procedures will detect all cases of fraud or legal noncompliance.

Our operations are subject to extensive regulation by federal agencies. See “Supervision and Regulation” in the description of our Business in Item 1 above for detailed information on the laws and regulations to which we are subject. Changes in applicable laws, regulations or regulator policies could materially affect our business. The likelihood of any major changes in the future and their effects are impossible to determine.

In the normal course of business, we process large volumes of transactions. If systems of internal control should fail to work as expected, if systems are used in an unauthorized manner, or if employees subvert the system of internal controls, significant losses could result.

We process large volumes of transactions on a daily basis and are exposed to numerous types of operational risk. Operational risk resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people and systems includes the risk of fraud by persons inside or outside the company, the execution of unauthorized transactions by employees, errors relating to transaction processing and systems, and breaches of the internal control system and compliance requirements. This risk of loss also includes the potential legal actions that could arise as a result of the operational deficiency or as a result of noncompliance with applicable regulatory standards.

We establish and maintain systems of internal operational controls that provide us with timely and accurate information about our level of operational risk. While not foolproof, these systems have been designed to manage operational risk at appropriate, cost-effective levels. Procedures exist that are designed to ensure that policies relating to conduct, ethics and business practices are followed. From time to time, losses from operational risk may occur, including the effects of operational errors.

While we continually monitor and improve the system of internal controls, data processing systems and corporate-wide processes and procedures, there can be no assurance that future losses will not occur.

Not applicable.

The main office of Horizon and the Bank is located at 515 Franklin Square, Michigan City, Indiana. The building located across the street from the main office of Horizon and the Bank, at 502 Franklin Square, houses the credit administration, operations, facilities and purchasing and information technology departments of the Bank. In addition to these principal facilities, the Bank has 16 sales offices located at:

3631 South Franklin Street, Michigan City, Indiana

113 W. First St., Wanatah, Indiana

1500 W. Lincolnway, LaPorte, Indiana

423 South Roosevelt Street, Chesterton, Indiana

4208 N. Calumet, Valparaiso, Indiana

902 Lincolnway, Valparaiso, Indiana

2650 Willowcreek Road, Portage, Indiana

233 East 84th Drive, Merrillville, Indiana

811 Ship Street, St. Joseph, Michigan

2608 Niles Road, St. Joseph, Michigan

1041 E. Napier Ave., Benton Harbor, Michigan

233 South Main Street, South Bend, Indiana

1909 East Bristol Street, Elkhart, Indiana

500 West Buffalo Street, New Buffalo, Michigan

13696 Redarrow Highway, Harbert, Michigan

6801 West U.S. 12 Three Oaks, Michigan

Horizon owns all of the facilities, except for the South Bend and Merrillville, Indiana offices, which are leased from third parties.

No material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business to which Horizon or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any of their property is subject.

No matters were submitted to a vote of Horizon’s stockholders during the fourth quarter of the 2007 fiscal year.

There were no purchases by the Company of its common stock during the fourth quarter.

The Securities and Exchange Commission requires Horizon to include a line graph comparing Horizon’s cumulative five-year total shareholder returns on the Common Shares with market and industry returns over the past five years. SNL Financial LC prepared the following graph. The return represented in the graph assumes the investment of $100 on January 1, 2003, and further assumes reinvestment of all dividends. The Common Shares began trading on the NASDAQ Global Market February 1, 2007. Prior to that date, the Common Shares were traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market.

The other information regarding Horizon’s common stock is included under the caption “Horizon’s Common Stock and Related Stockholders’ Matters” in Item 8 below, which is incorporated by reference.

The information required under this item is incorporated by reference to the information appearing under the caption “Summary of Selected Financial Data” in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(Table Dollar Amounts in Thousands)

Horizon’s net interest margin at 3.03% for 2007 declined two basis points from 2006. Average earning assets increased approximately $54 million, which was the primary cause of an increase of $1.3 million or 4.0% in net interest income. Growth in earning assets occurred in commercial and consumer loans. Growth in these higher yielding asset categories offset a higher cost core deposits.

Non-interest income increased $2.1 million or 21% over the prior year, which was the largest contributor to the growth in net income. Growth occurred in most areas of non-interest income, especially gain on sale of loans which increased due to a higher percentage of new loans being sold and better sales execution.

Non-interest expenses increased $689 thousand or 2.3% over the prior year. Horizon began to see positive impact from staff reductions initiated during 2007 and other expense categories were held constant with the previous year.

Horizon has established various accounting policies, which govern the application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States in the preparation the Company’s financial statements. The significant accounting policies of the Company are described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 on Form 10-K. Certain of these policies are important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition, since they require management to make difficult, complex or subjective judgments, some of which may relate to matters that are inherently uncertain. Management has identified the following as critical accounting policies:

An allowance for loan losses is maintained to absorb loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The determination of the allowance for loan losses is a critical accounting policy that involves management’s ongoing quarterly assessments of the probable incurred losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The identification of loans that have probable incurred losses is subjective, therefore, a general reserve is maintained to cover all probable losses within the entire loan portfolio. Horizon utilizes a loan grading system that helps identify, monitor and address asset quality problems in an adequate and timely manner. Each quarter, various factors affecting the quality of the loan portfolio are reviewed. Large credits are reviewed on an individual basis for loss potential. Other loans are reviewed as a group based upon previous trends of loss experience. Horizon also reviews the current and anticipated economic conditions of its lending market as well as transaction risk to determine the effect they may have on the loss experience of the loan portfolio.

Management believes that the accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets also involves a higher degree of judgment than most other significant accounting policies. Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 142, “Accounting for Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” establishes standards for the amortization of acquired intangible assets and impairment assessment of goodwill. At December 31, 2007, Horizon had core deposit intangibles of $2.068 million subject to amortization and $5.787 million of goodwill, which is not subject to amortization. Goodwill arising from business combinations represents the value attributable to unidentifiable intangible assets in the business acquired. Horizon’s goodwill relates to the value inherent in the banking industry and that value is dependent upon the ability of Horizon to provide quality, cost effective banking services in a competitive marketplace. The goodwill value is supported by revenue that is in part driven by the volume of business transacted. A decrease in earnings resulting from a decline in the customer base or the inability to deliver cost effective services over sustained periods can lead to impairment of goodwill that could adversely impact earnings in future periods. SFAS No. 142 requires an annual evaluation of goodwill for impairment. The evaluation of goodwill for impairment requires the use of estimates and assumptions. Horizon has concluded that the recorded value of goodwill is not impaired.

Servicing assets are recognized as separate assets when rights are acquired through purchase or through the sale of financial assets on a servicing-retained basis. Capitalized servicing rights are amortized into non-interest income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying financial assets. Servicing assets are evaluated regularly for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to amortized cost. Impairment is determined by stratifying servicing rights by predominant characteristics, such as interest rates, original loan terms and whether the loans are fixed or adjustable rate mortgages. Fair value is determined using prices for similar assets with similar characteristics, when available, or based upon discounted cash flows using market-based assumptions. When the book value of an individual stratum exceeds its fair value, an impairment reserve is recognized so that each individual stratum is carried at the lower of its amortized book value or fair value. In periods of falling market interest rates, accelerated loan prepayment speeds can adversely impact the fair value of these mortgage-servicing rights relative to their book value. In the event that the fair value of these assets was to increase in the future, Horizon can recognize the increased fair value to the extent of the impairment allowance but cannot recognize an asset in excess of its amortized book value. Future changes in management’s assessment of the impairment of these servicing assets, as a result of changes in observable market data relating to market interest rates, loan prepayment speeds, and other factors, could impact Horizon’s financial condition and results of operations either positively or adversely.

Investment securities totaled $234.675 million at December 31, 2007, and consisted of U. S. Treasury and Government Agency securities of $26.220 million (11.2)%; Municipal securities of $86.931 million (37.0)%; Mortgage-backed securities of $107.371 million (45.8)%; collateralized mortgage obligations of $13.552 million (5.8)%; and corporate securities of $601 thousand (.2)%.

As indicated above, 51.9% of the investment portfolio consists of mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations. These instruments are secured by residential mortgages of varying maturities. Principal and interest payments are received monthly as the underlying mortgages are repaid. These payments also include prepayments of mortgage balances as borrowers either sell their homes or refinance their mortgages. Therefore, mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations have maturities that are stated in terms of average life. The average life is the average amount of time that each dollar of principal is expected to be outstanding. As of December 31, 2007, the mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations in the investment portfolio had an average life of 6.46 years. Securities that have interest rates above current market rates are purchased at a premium. These securities may experience a significant increase in prepayments when lower market interest rates create an incentive for the borrower to refinance the underlying mortgage. This may result in a decrease of current income, however, this risk is mitigated by a shorter average life. Management currently believes that prepayment risk on these securities is nominal.

At December 31, 2007 and 2006, all investment securities were classified as available for sale. Securities classified as available for sale are carried at their fair value, with both unrealized gains and losses recorded, net of tax, directly to stockholders’ equity. Net appreciation on these securities totaled $97 thousand, which resulted in a $63 thousand increase, net of tax, to stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2007. This compared to a $1.507 million, net of tax, reduction in stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2006.

As a member of the Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank system, Horizon is required to maintain an investment in the common stock of each entity. The investment in common stock is based on a predetermined formula. At December 31, 2007, Horizon has investments in the common stock of the Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank totaling $12.625 million compared to $12.136 million at December 31, 2006.

At December 31, 2007, Horizon does not maintain a trading account and is not using any derivative products for hedging or other purposes.

Total loans, the principal earning asset of the Bank, were $888.852 million at December 31, 2007. The current level of loans is an increase of 5.3% from the December 31, 2006, level of $843.834 million. As the table below indicates, the increase is related to growth in Commercial and Consumer loans. The categories related to residential real estate lending, Real estate and Mortgage warehouse, declined during 2007.

The acceptance and management of credit risk is an integral part of the Bank’s business as a financial intermediary. The Bank has established underwriting standards including a policy that monitors the lending function through strict administrative and reporting requirements as well as an internal loan review of consumer and small business loans. The Bank also uses an independent third-party loan review function that regularly reviews asset quality.

Real estate loans totaled $216.019 million or 24.3% of total loans as of December 31, 2007, compared to $222.235 million or 26.3% of total loans as of December 31, 2006. This category consists of home mortgages that generally require a loan to value of no more than 80%. Some special guaranteed or insured real estate loan programs do permit a higher loan to collateral value ratio.

In addition to the customary real estate loans described above, the Bank also has outstanding on December 31, 2007, $58.809 million in home equity lines of credit compared to $54.527 million at December 31, 2006. Credit lines normally limit the loan to collateral value to no more than 89%. These loans are classified as consumer loans in the table above and in Note 4 of the consolidated financial statements.

Residential real estate lending is a highly competitive business. As of December 31, 2007, the real estate loan portfolio reflected a wide range of interest rates and repayment patterns, but could generally be categorized as follows:

During 2007 and 2006, approximately $135 million and $96 million, respectively, of residential mortgages were sold into the secondary market.

In addition to the real estate loan portfolio, the Bank sells real estate loans and retains the servicing rights. Loans serviced for others are not included in the consolidated balance sheets. During 2006 Horizon sold a large portion of its mortgage servicing business. The unpaid principal balances and number of loans serviced for others totaled approximately $26,191,000 and 324 and $23,702,000 and 279 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

The Bank began capitalizing mortgage servicing rights during 2000 and the aggregate fair value of capitalized mortgage servicing rights at December 31, 2007, totaled approximately $269,000. Comparable market values and a valuation model that calculates the present value of future cash flows were used to estimate fair value. For purposes of measuring impairment, risk characteristics including product type, investor type and interest rates, were used to stratify the originated mortgage servicing rights.

Commercial loans totaled $307.535 million, or 34.6% of total loans as of December 31, 2007, compared to $271.457 million, or 32.1% as of December 31, 2006.

Commercial loans consisted of the following types of loans at December 31:

Consumer loans totaled $287.073 million, or 32.3% of total loans as of December 31, 2007, compared to $237.875 million, or 28.2% as of December 31, 2006. The total consumer loan portfolio increased 20.7% in 2007. The growth in consumer loans came from the indirect automobile segment of the portfolio as Horizon continued to expand its dealer network in southwest Michigan and north central Indiana that started in 2006 and into Northern Illinois in 2007. The Illinois indirect program was begun in the first quarter with the intent to sell the loans originated. Due to changes in economic conditions, efforts to sell these loans were unsuccessful and the program was terminated during the third quarter. Approximately $25 million of loans were originated under this program. These loans remain on Horizon’s books and are generally performing as agreed. Direct consumer loans, mostly consisting of home equity term and revolving loans, were relatively stable in 2007.

Horizon’s mortgage warehousing business line has specific mortgage companies as customers of Horizon Bank. Individual mortgage loans originated by these mortgage companies are funded as a secured borrowing with pledge of collateral under Horizon’s agreement with the mortgage company. Each individual mortgage is assigned to Horizon until the loan is sold to the secondary market by the mortgage company. In addition, Horizon takes possession of each original note and forwards such note to the end investor once the mortgage company has sold the loan. At the time a loan is transferred to the secondary market, the mortgage company repurchases the loan under its option within the agreement. Due to the repurchase feature contained in the agreement, the transaction does not qualify as a sale under SFAS 140 paragraph 9 (c) and therefore is accounted for as a secured borrowing with pledge of collateral under paragraph 12 of SFAS 140 pursuant to the agreement with the mortgage company. When the individual loan is sold to the end investor by the mortgage company the proceeds from the sale of the loan are received by Horizon and used to payoff the loan balance with Horizon along with any accrued interest and any related fees. The remaining balance from the sale is forwarded to the mortgage company. These individual loans typically are sold by the mortgage company within 30 days and are seldom held more than 90 days. Interest income is accrued during this period and collected at the time each loan is sold. Fee income for each loan sold is recorded when collected and no costs are deferred due to the term between each loan funding and related payoff is typically less than 30 days.

Based on the agreements with each mortgage company, at any time a mortgage company can repurchase from Horizon their outstanding loan balance on an individual mortgage and regain possession of the original note. Horizon also has the option to request that the mortgage company repurchase an individual mortgage. Should this occur, Horizon would return the original note and reassign the assignment of the mortgage to the mortgage company. Also, in the event that the end investor would not be able to honor the sales commitment and the mortgage company would not be able to repurchase its loan on an individual mortgage, Horizon would be able to exercise its rights under the agreement.

At December 31, 2007, the allowance for loan losses was $9.791 million, or 1.10% of total loans outstanding, compared to $8.738 million, or 1.03% at December 31, 2006. During 2007, the provision for loan losses totaled $3.068 million compared to $905 thousand in 2006. The need for an additional provision is a direct result of deterioration of loan quality in the wholesale mortgage (which total approximately $8.0 million) and indirect automobile portfolios.

In December, Horizon discovered a $189 thousand fraudulent loan in the wholesale mortgage portfolio. This, combined with three other delinquent wholesale mortgage loans, prompted Horizon to conduct an internal review of the portfolio. This review included approximately 65% of the portfolio and, while no additional fraudulent loans were detected, the review resulted in a specific allocation of over $1.400 million of the total allowance to this portfolio. The allocation included a combination of specific reserves assigned to certain loans as well as an amount based on Horizon’s recent loss history and national charge off statistics of sub-prime mortgage loans.

Horizon’s analysis of the indirect loan portfolio gave added weight to recent charge off history plus a comparison of current credit scores compared to original credit scores on approximately 65% of the borrowers in this portfolio. Original credit scores had only six percent of the borrowers at or below a 624 credit score. The recent analysis indicated that 19% of these borrowers now have credit scores of 624 or below. Based on this analysis, Horizon increased its allocation of the allowance by $500 thousand for future indirect loan losses.

Despite the increased allowance, no assurance can be given that Horizon will not, in any particular period, sustain loan losses that are significant in relation to the amount reserved, or that subsequent evaluations of the loan portfolio, in light of factors then prevailing, including economic conditions and management’s ongoing quarterly assessments of the portfolio, will not require increases in the allowance for loan losses. Horizon considers the allowance for loan losses to be adequate to cover losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of December 31, 2007.

Nonperforming loans are defined as loans that are greater than 90 days delinquent or have had the accrual of interest discontinued by management. Management continues to work diligently toward returning nonperforming loans to an earning asset basis. Nonperforming loans for the previous three years ending December 31 are as follows:

Nonperforming loans total 31% of the allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2007, compared to 30% and 22% of the allowance for loan losses on December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

A loan becomes impaired when, based on current information, it is probable that a creditor will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. When a loan is classified as impaired, the degree of impairment must be recognized by estimating future cash flows from the debtor. The present value of these cash flows is computed at a discount rate based on the interest rate contained in the loan agreement. However, if a particular loan has a determinable market value, the creditor may use that value. Also, if the loan is secured and considered collateral dependent, the creditor may use the fair value of the collateral. (See Note-4 of the audited financial statements for further discussion of impaired loans)

Smaller-balance, homogeneous loans are evaluated for impairment in total. Such loans include residential first mortgage loans secured by 1 — 4 family residences, residential construction loans, automobile, home equity, second mortgage loans and mortgage warehouse loans. Commercial loans and mortgage loans secured by other properties are evaluated individually for impairment. When analysis of borrower operating results and financial condition indicate that underlying cash flows of a borrower’s business are not adequate to meet its debt service requirements, the loan is evaluated for impairment. Often this is associated with a delay or shortfall in payments of 30 days or more. Loans are generally moved to nonaccrual status when 90 days or more past due. These loans are often considered impaired. Impaired loans, or portions thereof, are charged off when deemed uncollectible.

Other real estate owned (OREO) net of any related allowance for OREO losses for the previous three years ending December 31 are as follows:

The primary source of funds for the Bank comes from the acceptance of demand and time deposits. However, at times the Bank will use its ability to borrow funds from the Federal Home Loan Bank and other sources when it can do so at interest rates and terms that are superior to those required for deposited funds or loan demand is greater than the ability to grow deposits. Total deposits were $893.664 million at December 31, 2007, compared to $913.973 million at December 31, 2006, or a decrease of 2.2%. Average deposits and rates by category for the pervious three years ended December 31 are as follows:

Horizon continually revises and enhances its interest-bearing consumer and commercial demand deposit products based on local market conditions and its need for funding to support various types of assets. These product changes caused the changes in the average balances and rates paid as displayed in the table above.

Certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more, which are considered to be rate sensitive and are not considered a part of core deposits, mature as follows as of December 31, 2007:

Interest expense on time certificates of $100,000 or more was approximately $5.134 million, $5.533 million and $2.059 million for 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

As of December 31, 2007, Horizon does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on the Company’s financial condition, change in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to investors. The term “off-balance sheet arrangement” generally means any transaction, agreement, or other contractual arrangement to which an entity unconsolidated with the Company is a party under which the Company has (i) any obligation arising under a guarantee contract, derivative instrument or variable interest; or (ii) a retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to such entity or similar arrangement that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support for such assets.

During 2001, Horizon initiated a Shareholder Value Plan. The Plan is a comprehensive strategic plan to broaden and improve the market for Horizon’s common stock with local community investors who have a long-term, personal interest in helping Horizon remain an independent community bank. It includes improved communications with stockholders and customers as well as efforts to improve the marketability of its common stock. During the fourth quarter of 2001, two important components of the Shareholder Value Plan were completed. These included a 3-for-1 stock split and the listing of Horizon’s stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market (formerly named the NASDAQ SmallCap Market) and effective February 1, 2007, Horizon is listed on Nasdaq Global Market. Before this, Horizon’s stock was traded on the Bulletin Board. A dividend reinvestment plan was implemented in early 2002 and the quarterly per share dividend was increased to $.102/3 in the fourth quarter of 2002. In October of 2003, Horizon’s Board of Director’s declared a 3-for-2 stock split and in December of 2003 increased the dividend to $.12. In December 2004, the Board of Director’s increased the quarterly dividend to $.13 per share and to $.14 per share and $.15 per share in December 2005 and June 2007 respectively.

The capital resources of Horizon and the Bank exceed regulatory capital ratios for “well capitalized” banks at December 31, 2007. Stockholders’ equity totaled $70.645 million as of December 31, 2007, compared to $61.877 million as of December 31, 2006. At year-end 2007, the ratio of stockholders’ equity to assets was 5.61% compared to 5.06% for 2006. Horizon’s capital increased during the year 2007 as a result of increased earnings, net of dividends declared, exercise of stock options net of tax, improvement in unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale and the amortization of unearned compensation.

Horizon declared dividends in the amount of $.59 per share in 2007, and $.56 per share in 2006 and $.53 per share in 2005. The dividend payout ratio (dividends as a percent of net income) was 24% during 2007 and 2006 and 23% during 2005. For additional information regarding dividend conditions, see Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In October of 2004, Horizon formed Horizon Statutory Trust II (Trust II), a wholly owned statutory business trust. Trust II issued $10.310 million of Trust Preferred Capital Securities as a participant in a pooled trust preferred securities offering. The proceeds from the sale of the trust preferred securities were used by the trust to purchase an equivalent amount of subordinated debentures from Horizon. The junior subordinated debentures are the sole assets of Trust II and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Horizon. The junior subordinated debentures and the trust preferred securities pay interest and dividends, respectively, on a quarterly basis. The junior subordinated debentures and the securities bear interest at a rate of 90 day LIBOR plus 1.95% and mature on October 21, 2034, and are non-callable for five years. After that period, the securities may be called at any quarterly interest payment date at par. Costs associated with the issuance of the securities totaling $17,500 were capitalized and are being amortized to the first call date of the securities.

In December of 2006, Horizon formed Horizon Bancorp Capital Trust III (Trust III), a wholly owned statutory business trust. Trust III issued $12.372 million of Trust Preferred Capital Securities as a participant in a pooled trust preferred securities offering. The proceeds from the sale of the trust preferred securities were used by the trust to purchase an equivalent amount of subordinated debentures from Horizon. The junior subordinated debentures are the sole assets of Trust III and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Horizon. The junior subordinated debentures and the trust preferred securities pay interest and dividends, respectively, on a quarterly basis. The junior subordinated debentures and the securities bear interest at a rate of 90 day LIBOR plus 1.65% and mature on January 30, 2037, and are noncallable for five years. After that period, the securities may be called at any quarterly interest payment date at par. Costs associated with the issuance of the securities totaling $12,647 were capitalized and are being amortized to the first call date of the securities. The proceeds of this issue were used to redeem the securities issued by Trust I on March 26, 2007.

The Company assumed additional debentures as the result of the acquisition of Alliance in 2005. In June 2004, Alliance formed Alliance Financial Statutory Trust I a wholly owned business trust (Alliance Trust) to sell $5.155 million in trust preferred securities. The proceeds from the sale of the trust preferred securities were used by the trust to purchase an equivalent amount of subordinated debentures from Alliance. The junior subordinated debentures are the sole assets of Alliance Trust and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Horizon. The junior subordinated debentures and the trust preferred securities pay interest and dividends, respectively, on a quarterly basis. The junior subordinated debentures and the securities bear interest at a rate of 90-day LIBOR plus 2.65%, mature in June 2034, and are non-callable for five years. After that period, the securities may be called at any quarterly interest payment date at par.

The Trust Preferred Capital Securities, subject to certain limitations, are included in Tier 1 Capital for regulatory purposes. At December 31, 2007, $6.049 million of the $27.837 million in securities were not included in Tier 1 Capital for regulatory purposes. Dividends on the Trust Preferred Capital Securities are recorded as interest expense.

As of December 31, 2007, management is not aware of any recommendations by banking regulatory authorities, which, if they were to be implemented, would have or are reasonably likely to have a material effect on Horizon’s liquidity, capital resources or operations.

Consolidated net income was $8.140 million or $2.51 per diluted share in 2007, $7.484 million or $2.33 per diluted share in 2006 and $7.091 million or $2.24 per share in 2005.

The primary source of earnings for Horizon is net interest income. Net interest income is the difference between what Horizon has earned on assets it has invested and the interest paid on deposits and other funding sources. The net interest margin is net interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets. Horizon’s earning assets consist of loans, investment securities and interest-bearing balances in banks.