Westamerica Bancorporation
WABC
#5509
Rank
โ‚น117.91 B
Marketcap
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Change (1 year)

Westamerica Bancorporation - 10-Q quarterly report FY


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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
þ  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010
or
   
o  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     .
Commission file number: 001-9383
WESTAMERICA BANCORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
   
CALIFORNIA 94-2156203
(State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization) Identification No.)
1108 FIFTH AVENUE, SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA 94901
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code (707) 863-6000
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. Yesþ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes oNo 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):
       
Large accelerated filer þ
 Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company o
 
 (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
   
Title of Class Shares outstanding as of April 23, 2010
   
Common Stock, 29,324,047
No Par Value  
 
 

 

 


 


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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements about Westamerica Bancorporation for which it claims the protection of the safe harbor provisions contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) projections of revenues, expenses, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, the payment or nonpayment of dividends, capital structure and other financial items; (ii) statements of plans, objectives and expectations of the Company or its management or board of directors, including those relating to products or services; (iii) statements of future economic performance; and (iv) statements of assumptions underlying such statements. Words such as “believes”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “intends”, “targeted”, “projected”, “continue”, “remain”, “will”, “should”, “may” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.
These forward-looking statements are based on Management’s current knowledge and belief and include information concerning the Company’s possible or assumed future financial condition and results of operations. A number of factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s ability to predict or control, could cause future results to differ materially from those contemplated. These factors include but are not limited to (1) the length and severity of current difficulties in the national and California economies and the effects of federal government efforts to address those difficulties; (2) liquidity levels in capital markets; (3) fluctuations in asset prices including, but not limited to stocks, bonds, real estate, and commodities; (4) the effect of acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses including the recent acquisition of County Bank assets and assumption of County Bank liabilities from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; (5) economic uncertainty created by terrorist threats and attacks on the United States, the actions taken in response, and the uncertain effect of these events on the national and regional economies; (6) changes in the interest rate environment; (7) changes in the regulatory environment; (8) competitive pressure in the banking industry; (9) operational risks including data processing system failures or fraud; (10) volatility of interest rate sensitive loans, deposits and investments; (11) asset/liability management risks and liquidity risks; and (12) changes in the securities markets. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in this report. The reader is directed to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, for further discussion of factors which could affect the Company’s business and cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made in this report. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in this report.

 

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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. 
Financial Statements
WESTAMERICA BANCORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited)
         
  At March 31,  At December 31, 
  2010  2009 
  (In thousands) 
Assets:
        
Cash and cash equivalents
 $253,229  $361,135 
Money market assets
  342   442 
Investment securities available for sale
  414,987   384,208 
Investment securities held to maturity, with fair values of:
        
$701,768 at March 31, 2010
  690,585     
$736,270 at December 31, 2009
      726,935 
Non-covered loans
  2,146,580   2,201,088 
Allowance for loan losses
  (40,316)  (41,043)
 
      
Non-covered loans, net of allowance for loan losses
  2,106,264   2,160,045 
Covered loans
  809,503   855,301 
 
      
Total loans
  2,915,767   3,015,346 
Other real estate owned
  14,266   12,642 
Covered other real estate owned
  22,305   23,297 
Premises and equipment, net
  37,423   38,098 
Identifiable intangibles
  34,070   35,667 
Goodwill
  121,699   121,699 
Interest receivable and other assets
  240,822   256,032 
 
      
Total Assets
 $4,745,495  $4,975,501 
 
      
 
        
Liabilities:
        
Deposits:
        
Noninterest bearing
 $1,376,760  $1,428,432 
Interest bearing:
        
Transaction
  653,872   669,004 
Savings
  957,126   971,384 
Time
  907,271   991,388 
 
      
Total deposits
  3,895,029   4,060,208 
Short-term borrowed funds
  211,756   227,178 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
  10,306   85,470 
Debt financing and Notes payable
  26,464   26,497 
Liability for interest, taxes and other expenses
  82,809   70,700 
 
      
Total Liabilities
  4,226,364   4,470,053 
 
      
 
        
Shareholders’ Equity:
        
Common stock, authorized — 150,000 shares
        
Issued and outstanding:
        
29,206 at March 31, 2010
  369,497     
29,208 at December 31, 2009
      366,247 
Deferred compensation
  2,485   2,485 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
  4,796   3,714 
Retained earnings
  142,353   133,002 
 
      
Total Shareholders’ Equity
  519,131   505,448 
 
      
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 $4,745,495  $4,975,501 
 
      
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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WESTAMERICA BANCORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(unaudited)
         
  Three months ended 
  March 31, 
  2010  2009 
  (In thousands, 
  except per share data) 
Interest Income:
        
Loans
 $44,702  $45,095 
Money market assets and funds sold
  1   1 
Investment securities available for sale
        
Taxable
  2,151   1,867 
Tax-exempt
  1,744   1,872 
Investment securities held to maturity
        
Taxable
  2,277   4,790 
Tax-exempt
  5,128   5,560 
 
      
Total Interest Income
  56,003   59,185 
 
      
Interest Expense:
        
Transaction deposits
  217   205 
Savings deposits
  739   900 
Time deposits
  1,532   2,679 
Short-term borrowed funds
  537   495 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
  84   131 
Notes payable
  425   423 
 
      
Total Interest Expense
  3,534   4,833 
 
      
Net Interest Income
  52,469   54,352 
Provision for Loan Losses
  2,800   1,800 
 
      
Net Interest Income After Provision For Loan Losses
  49,669   52,552 
 
      
Noninterest Income:
        
Service charges on deposit accounts
  8,742   8,422 
Merchant credit card
  2,221   2,432 
Debit card
  1,174   856 
ATM and interchange
  891   813 
Trust fees
  381   364 
Financial services commissions
  149   154 
Other
  1,912   2,083 
Gain on acquisition
     48,844 
 
      
Total Noninterest Income
  15,470   63,968 
 
      
Noninterest Expense:
        
Salaries and related benefits
  15,892   16,371 
Occupancy
  3,777   5,410 
Outsourced data processing services
  2,240   2,104 
Amortization of identifiable intangibles
  1,598   1,685 
Furniture and equipment
  1,051   1,222 
Courier service
  907   898 
Professional fees
  663   888 
FDIC insurance assessments
  1,320   157 
Other
  4,583   5,388 
 
      
Total Noninterest Expense
  32,031   34,123 
 
      
Income Before Income Taxes
  33,108   82,397 
Provision for income taxes
  9,532   29,572 
 
      
Net Income
  23,576   52,825 
Preferred stock dividends and discount accretion
     578 
 
      
Net Income Applicable to Common Equity
 $23,576  $52,247 
 
      
 
        
Average Common Shares Outstanding
  29,228   28,876 
Diluted Average Common Shares Outstanding
  29,596   29,105 
Per Common Share Data:
        
Basic earnings
 $0.81  $1.81 
Diluted earnings
  0.80   1.80 
Dividends paid
  0.36   0.36 
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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WESTAMERICA BANCORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(unaudited)
                             
  Common          Accumulated          
  Shares  Preferred  Common  Deferred  Comprehensive  Retained    
  Outstanding  Stock  Stock  Compensation  Income  Earnings  Total 
  (In thousands) 
Balance, December 31, 2008
  28,880  $  $352,265  $2,409  $1,040  $54,138  $409,852 
Comprehensive income
                            
Net income for the period
                      52,825   52,825 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
                            
Net unrealized gain on securities available for sale
                  1,225       1,225 
Post-retirement benefit transition obligation amortization
                  9       9 
 
                           
Total comprehensive income
                          54,059 
Issuance of preferred stock and related warrants
      82,519   1,207               83,726 
Preferred stock dividends and discount accretion
      31               (578)  (547)
Exercise of stock options
  9       299               299 
Stock option tax benefits
          3               3 
Stock based compensation
          294               294 
Stock awarded to employees
  1       46               46 
Purchase and retirement of stock
  (16)      (197)          (470)  (667)
Dividends
                      (10,397)  (10,397)
 
                     
Balance, March 31, 2009
  28,874  $82,550  $353,917  $2,409  $2,274  $95,518  $536,668 
 
                     
 
                            
Balance, December 31, 2009
  29,208  $  $366,247  $2,485  $3,714  $133,002  $505,448 
Comprehensive income
                            
Net income for the period
                      23,576   23,576 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
                            
Net unrealized gain on securities available for sale
                  1,073       1,073 
Post-retirement benefit transition obligation amortization
                  9       9 
 
                           
Total comprehensive income
                          24,658 
Exercise of stock options
  85       3,697               3,697 
Stock option tax benefits
          259               259 
Stock based compensation
          360               360 
Stock awarded to employees
  1       49               49 
Purchase and retirement of stock
  (88)      (1,115)          (3,689)  (4,804)
Dividends
                      (10,536)  (10,536)
 
                     
Balance, March 31, 2010
  29,206  $  $369,497  $2,485  $4,796  $142,353  $519,131 
 
                     
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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WESTAMERICA BANCORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)
         
  For the three months ended 
  March 31, 
  2010  2009 
  (In thousands) 
Operating Activities:
        
Net income
 $23,576  $52,825 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
        
Depreciation and amortization
  3,411   2,675 
Loan loss provision
  2,800   1,800 
Net amortization of deferred loan cost (fees)
  70   (156)
Decrease (increase) in interest income receivable
  258   (5,865)
Gain on acquisition
     (48,844)
(Increase) decrease in other assets
  (8,655)  27,928 
Increase in income taxes payable
  12,593   27,654 
(Decrease) increase in interest expense payable
  (66)  623 
Increase in other liabilities
  1,108   6,276 
Stock option compensation expense
  360   294 
Stock option tax benefits
  (259)  (3)
Gain on sale of property and equipment
  (463)   
Net loss (gain) on sale of property acquired in satisfaction of debt
  352   (110)
Writedown of property acquired in satisfaction of debt
  249   65 
 
      
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
  35,334   65,162 
 
      
 
        
Investing Activities:
        
Net repayments of loans
  89,819   96,009 
Proceeds from FDIC loss-sharing agreement
  19,863    
Purchases of investment securities available for sale
  (53,537)   
Proceeds from maturity/calls of securities available for sale
  22,621   24,964 
Proceeds from maturity/calls of securities held to maturity
  36,350   33,581 
Proceeds from sale of FRB/FHLB* stock
  2,763    
Proceeds from sale of property acquired in satisfaction of debt
  4,860   1,118 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
  (258)  (102)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
  603    
Net cash acquired from acquisitions
     44,397 
 
      
Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities
  123,084   199,967 
 
      
 
        
Financing Activities:
        
Net decrease in deposits
  (164,280)  (71,307)
Net decrease in short-term borrowings
  (90,660)  (256,616)
Exercise of stock options
  3,697   299 
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock
     83,726 
Stock option tax benefits
  259   3 
Repurchases/retirement of stock
  (4,804)  (667)
Dividends paid
  (10,536)  (10,397)
 
      
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities
  (266,324)  (254,959)
 
      
Net Increase (Decrease) In Cash and Cash Equivalents
  (107,906)  10,170 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
  361,135   138,883 
 
      
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
 $253,229  $149,053 
 
      
 
        
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures:
        
Supplemental disclosure of non cash activities:
        
Loan collateral transferred to other real estate owned
 $6,092  $15,716 
Unrealized gain on securities available for sale, net
  1,073   1,225 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow activities:
        
Interest paid for the period
  4,457   5,954 
Income tax payments for the period
  3,500   1,400 
Acquisitions:
        
Assets acquired
 $  $1,624,464 
Liabilities assumed
     1,575,620 
 
      
Net
 $  $48,844 
   
* 
Federal Reserve Bank/Federal Home Loan Bank (“FRB/FHLB”)
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1: Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The results of operations reflect interim adjustments, all of which are of a normal recurring nature and which, in the opinion of Management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. The interim results for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes as well as other information included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
The Company has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to the balance sheet date. Based on this evaluation, the Company is not aware of any events or transactions that occurred subsequent to the balance sheet date but prior to filing that would require recognition or disclosure in its consolidated financial statements.
Note 2: Accounting Policies
Certain accounting policies underlying the preparation of these financial statements require Management to make estimates and judgments. These estimates and judgments may significantly affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities.
Management exercises judgment to estimate the appropriate level of the allowance for credit losses and purchased impaired loans, which are discussed in Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In the first quarter of 2010, the Company adopted the following new accounting pronouncements:
 
Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 860 as amended, Transfers and Servicing (formerly FASB Statement No. 166, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets — an amendment of the provisions contained in FASB ASC 860)
 
 
FASB ASC 810, Consolidation as amended (formerly FASB Statement No. 167,Amendments to FASB ASC 810, Consolidation)
 
 
FASB Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure (Topic 820)
FASB ASC 860, as amended, Transfers and Servicing, has been amended to improve the relevance, representational faithfulness, and comparability of the information that a reporting entity provides in its financial statements about a transfer of financial assets; the effects of a transfer on its financial position, financial performance, and cash flows; and a transferor’s continuing involvement, if any, in transferred financial assets. Specifically to address: (1) practices that have developed since initial issuance, that are not consistent with the original intent and key requirements of that Standard and (2) concerns of financial statement users that many of the financial assets (and related obligations) that have been derecognized should continue to be reported in the financial statements of transferors. This Standard must be applied to transfers occurring on or after January 1, 2010, the effective date. Additionally, on and after the effective date, the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity is no longer relevant for accounting purposes. The adoption of this Statement did not have any effect on the Company’s financial statements at the date of adoption.

 

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FASB ASC 810, as amended, Consolidation, has been amended to improve financial reporting by enterprises involved with variable interest entities. Specifically to address: (1) the effects on certain provisions as a result of the elimination of the qualifying special-purpose entity concept in ASC 860, Transfers and Servicing, and (2) constituent concerns about the application of certain key provisions of the Standard, including those in which the accounting and disclosures do not always provide timely and useful information about an enterprise’s involvement in a variable interest entity. The adoption of this Statement did not have any effect on the Company’s financial statements at the date of adoption.
FASB ASU 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820), issued January 2010 and effective January 1, 2010, requires new disclosures for: (1) transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2, including separate disclosure of significant amounts and a description of the reasons for the transfers; and (2) separate presentation of information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements (on a gross basis rather than net) in the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Update clarifies existing disclosure requirements for: (1) Level of disaggregation, which provides measurement disclosures for each class of assets and liabilities. Emphasizing that judgment should be used in determining the appropriate classes of assets and liabilities; and (2) inputs and valuation techniques for both recurring and nonrecurring Level 2 and Level 3 fair value measurements.
This update also includes conforming amendments to the guidance on employer’s disclosures about postretirement benefit plan assets changing the terminology of major categories of assets to classes of assets and providing a cross reference to the guidance in Subtopic 820-10 on how to determine appropriate classes to present fair value disclosures.
The adoption of this Update did not have a significant effect on the Company’s financial statements at the date of adoption.
Note 3: Investment Securities
The amortized cost, unrealized gains and losses accumulated in other comprehensive income, and fair value of the available for sale investment securities portfolio as of March 31, 2010, follows:
                 
      Gross  Gross    
  Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized  Fair 
  Cost  Gains  Losses  Value 
  (In thousands) 
U.S. Treasury securities
 $2,991  $3  $  $2,994 
Securities of U.S. Government sponsored entities
  41,101   70   (18)  41,153 
Mortgage-backed securities
  139,430   3,283   (53)  142,660 
Obligations of States and political subdivisions
  164,705   3,714   (1,007)  167,412 
Collateralized mortgage obligations
  34,577   889   (13)  35,453 
Asset-backed securities
  10,000      (1,221)  8,779 
FHLMC and FNMA stock
  824   806   (1)  1,629 
Corporate securities
  9,827   21   (5)  9,843 
Other securities
  2,778   2,324   (38)  5,064 
 
            
Total
 $406,233  $11,110  $(2,356) $414,987 
 
            
The amortized cost, unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of the held to maturity investment securities portfolio as of March 31, 2010, follows:
                 
      Gross  Gross    
  Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized  Fair 
  Cost  Gains  Losses  Value 
  (In thousands) 
Mortgage-backed securities
 $56,992  $1,905  $  $58,897 
Obligations of States and political subdivisions
  500,472   12,951   (1,689)  511,734 
Collateralized mortgage obligations
  133,121   3,397   (5,381)  131,137 
 
            
Total
 $690,585  $18,253  $(7,070) $701,768 
 
            

 

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The amortized cost, unrealized gains and losses accumulated in other comprehensive income, and fair value of the available for sale investment securities portfolio as of December 31, 2009, follows:
                 
      Gross  Gross    
  Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized  Fair 
  Cost  Gains  Losses  Value 
  (In thousands) 
U.S. Treasury securities
 $2,987  $  $  $2,987 
Securities of U.S. Government sponsored entities
  21,018   48   (25)  21,041 
Mortgage-backed securities
  143,625   2,504   (124)  146,005 
Obligations of States and political subdivisions
  155,093   4,077   (977)  158,193 
Collateralized mortgage obligations
  40,981   652   (223)  41,410 
Asset-backed securities
  10,000      (1,661)  8,339 
FHLMC and FNMA stock
  824   750   (1)  1,573 
Other securities
  2,778   1,926   (44)  4,660 
 
            
Total
 $377,306  $9,957  $(3,055) $384,208 
 
            
The amortized cost, unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of the held to maturity investment securities portfolio as of December 31, 2009 follows:
                 
      Gross  Gross    
  Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized  Fair 
  Cost  Gains  Losses  Value 
  (In thousands) 
Mortgage-backed securities
 $61,893  $1,752  $  $63,645 
Obligations of States and political subdivisions
  516,596   12,528   (2,190)  526,934 
Collateralized mortgage obligations
  148,446   3,352   (6,107)  145,691 
 
            
Total
 $726,935  $17,632  $(8,297) $736,270 
 
            
The amortized cost and fair value of securities as of March 31, 2010, by contractual maturity, are shown in the following table:
                 
  Securities Available  Securities Held 
  for Sale  to Maturity 
  Amortized  Fair  Amortized  Fair 
  Cost  Value  Cost  Value 
  (In thousands) 
Maturity in years:
                
1 year or less
 $12,507  $12,601  $8,441  $8,509 
1 to 5 years
  102,789   104,567   61,474   63,542 
5 to 10 years
  65,983   67,271   401,322   410,347 
Over 10 years
  37,518   35,899   29,235   29,336 
 
            
Subtotal
  218,797   220,338   500,472   511,734 
Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations
  174,007   178,113   190,113   190,034 
Corporate and other securities
  13,429   16,536       
 
            
Total
 $406,233  $414,987  $690,585  $701,768 
 
            

 

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The amortized cost and fair value of securities as of December 31, 2009, by contractual maturity, are shown in the following table:
                 
  Securities Available  Securities Held 
  for Sale  to Maturity 
  Amortized  Fair  Amortized  Fair 
  Cost  Value  Cost  Value 
  (In thousands) 
Maturity in years:
                
1 year or less
 $12,763  $12,852  $8,303  $8,389 
1 to 5 years
  86,757   88,759   58,111   60,075 
5 to 10 years
  61,532   62,933   413,720   421,955 
Over 10 years
  28,046   26,016   36,462   36,515 
 
            
Subtotal
  189,098   190,560   516,596   526,934 
Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations
  184,606   187,415   210,339   209,336 
Other securities
  3,602   6,233       
 
            
Total
 $377,306  $384,208  $726,935  $736,270 
 
            
Expected maturities of mortgage-backed securities can differ from contractual maturities because borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. In addition, such factors as prepayments and interest rates may affect the yield on the carrying value of mortgage-backed securities.
An analysis of gross unrealized losses of the available for sale investment securities portfolio as of March 31, 2010, follows:
                         
  Less than 12 months  12 months or longer  Total 
      Unrealized      Unrealized      Unrealized 
  Fair Value  Losses  Fair Value  Losses  Fair Value  Losses 
  (In thousands) 
Securities of U.S. Government sponsored entities
 $15,066  $(18) $  $  $15,066  $(18)
Mortgage-backed securities
  5,453   (53)        5,453   (53)
Obligations of States and political subdivisions
  26,397   (519)  12,456   (488)  38,853   (1,007)
Collateralized mortgage obligations
  880   (3)  1,922   (10)  2,802   (13)
Asset-backed securities
        8,779   (1,221)  8,779   (1,221)
FHLMC and FNMA stock
  5   (1)        5   (1)
Corporate securities
  2,871   (5)        2,871   (5)
Other securities
        1,962   (38)  1,962   (38)
 
                  
Total
 $50,672  $(599) $25,119  $(1,757) $75,791  $(2,356)
 
                  
An analysis of gross unrealized losses of the held to maturity investment securities portfolio as of March 31, 2010, follows:
                         
  Less than 12 months  12 months or longer  Total 
      Unrealized      Unrealized      Unrealized 
  Fair Value  Losses  Fair Value  Losses  Fair Value  Losses 
  (In thousands) 
Mortgage backed securities
 $831  $  $  $  $831  $ 
Obligations of States and political subdivisions
  28,844   (426)  26,251   (1,263)  55,095   (1,689)
Collateralized mortgage obligations
  1,480   (20)  24,956   (5,361)  26,436   (5,381)
 
                  
Total
 $31,155  $(446) $51,207  $(6,624) $82,362  $(7,070)
 
                  

 

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The unrealized losses on the Company’s investments in collateralized mortgage obligations and asset backed securities were caused by market conditions for these types of investments. The Company evaluates these securities on a quarterly basis including changes in security ratings issued by ratings agencies, delinquency and loss information with respect to the underlying collateral, changes in the levels of subordination for the Company’s particular position within the repayment structure, and remaining credit enhancement as compared to expected credit losses of the security. Substantially all of these securities continue to be AAA rated by one or more major rating agencies.
The unrealized losses on the Company’s investments in obligations of states and political subdivisions were caused by conditions in the municipal securities market. The Company’s investments in obligations of states and political subdivisions primarily finance essential community services such as school districts, water delivery systems, hospitals and fire protection services. Further, these bonds are primarily “bank qualified” issues whereby the issuing authority’s total debt issued in any one year does not exceed $20 million, thereby qualifying the bonds for tax-exempt status for federal income tax purposes. Therefore, “bank qualified” bonds are relatively small in amount providing a high degree of diversification within the Company’s investment portfolio. The Company evaluates these securities quarterly to determine if a change in security rating has occurred or the municipality has experienced financial difficulties. Substantially all of these securities continue to be investment grade rated.
The Company does not intend to sell any investments and has concluded that it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell the investments prior to recovery of the amortized cost basis. Therefore, the Company does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired as of March 31, 2010.
The fair values of the investment securities could decline in the future if the general economy deteriorates, credit ratings decline, or the liquidity for securities is low. As a result, other than temporary impairments may occur in the future.
An analysis of gross unrealized losses of the available for sale investment securities portfolio as of December 31, 2009, follows:
                         
  Less than 12 months  12 months or longer  Total 
      Unrealized      Unrealized      Unrealized 
  Fair Value  Losses  Fair Value  Losses  Fair Value  Losses 
  (In thousands) 
U.S. Treasury securities
 $2,987  $  $  $  $2,987  $ 
Securities of U.S. Government sponsored entities
  19,979   (25)        19,979   (25)
Mortgage-backed securities
  17,885   (124)        17,885   (124)
Obligations of States and political subdivisions
  25,050   (795)  3,866   (182)  28,916   (977)
Collateralized mortgage obligations
  9,896   (37)  5,002   (186)  14,898   (223)
Asset-backed securities
        8,339   (1,661)  8,339   (1,661)
FHLMC and FNMA stock
  4   (1)        4   (1)
Other securities
        1,956   (44)  1,956   (44)
 
                  
Total
 $75,801  $(982) $19,163  $(2,073) $94,964  $(3,055)
 
                  
An analysis of gross unrealized losses of the held to maturity investment securities portfolio as of December 31, 2009, follows:
                         
  Less than 12 months  12 months or longer  Total 
      Unrealized      Unrealized      Unrealized 
  Fair Value  Losses  Fair Value  Losses  Fair Value  Losses 
  (In thousands) 
Obligations of States and political subdivisions
 $46,111  $(995) $16,964  $(1,195) $63,075  $(2,190)
Collateralized mortgage obligations
  7,639   (42)  30,674   (6,065)  38,313   (6,107)
 
                  
Total
 $53,750  $(1,037) $47,638  $(7,260) $101,388  $(8,297)
 
                  

 

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Note 4: Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses
A summary of the major categories of non-covered and covered loans outstanding is shown in the following tables:
         
  At March 31,  At December 31, 
  2010  2009 
  (In thousands) 
Non-covered loans:
        
Commercial
 $497,142  $498,594 
Commercial real estate
  793,085   801,008 
Construction
  29,873   32,156 
Residential real estate
  347,745   371,197 
Consumer installment & other
  478,735   498,133 
 
      
Gross Loans
  2,146,580   2,201,088 
Allowance for loan losses
  (40,316)  (41,043)
 
      
Net Loans
 $2,106,264  $2,160,045 
 
      
The carrying amount of the covered loans at March 31, 2010, consisted of impaired and non impaired purchased loans in the following table (refined).
             
  Impaired  Non Impaired  Total Covered 
  Purchased Loans  Purchased Loans  Loans 
  (In thousands) 
Covered loans:
            
Commercial
 $4,976  $215,865  $220,841 
Commercial real estate
  19,329   418,211   437,540 
Construction
  14,120   21,465   35,585 
Residential real estate
  138   18,530   18,668 
Consumer installment & other
  263   96,606   96,869 
 
         
Total loans
 $38,826  $770,677  $809,503 
 
         
The carrying amount of the covered loans at December 31, 2009, consisted of impaired and non impaired purchased loans in the following table (refined).
             
  Impaired  Non Impaired  Total Covered 
  Purchased Loans  Purchased Loans  Loans 
  (In thousands) 
Covered loans:
            
Commercial
 $8,538  $244,811  $253,349 
Commercial real estate
  19,870   425,570   445,440 
Construction
  14,378   26,082   40,460 
Residential real estate
  138   18,383   18,521 
Consumer installment & other
  272   97,259   97,531 
 
         
Total loans
 $43,196  $812,105  $855,301 
 
         
The Company pledges loans to secure borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB). At March 31, 2010, loans pledged to secure borrowing totaled $106.4 million. The FHLB does not have the right to sell or repledge such loans.

 

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Changes in the carrying amount of impaired purchased loans were as follows for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 and the period February 6, 2009 (acquisition date) through December 31, 2009 (dollars in thousands):
         
  At  At 
  March 31,  December 31, 
  2010  2009 
     (refined) 
  (In thousands) 
Carrying amount at the beginning of the period
 $43,196  $80,544 
Reductions during the period
  (4,370)  (37,348)
 
      
Carrying amount at the end of the period
 $38,826  $43,196 
 
      
Impaired purchased loans had an unpaid principal balance (less prior charge-offs) of $61 million, $70 million and $164 million at March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and February 6, 2009, respectively.
There were no loans held for sale at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
The following summarizes the allowance for credit losses of the Company for the periods indicated:
         
  Three months ended 
  March 31,  March 31, 
  2010  2009 
  (In thousands) 
    
Balance, beginning of period
 $43,736  $47,563 
Provision for loan losses
  2,800   1,800 
Loans charged off
  (4,456)  (2,928)
Recoveries of previously charged off loans
  929   461 
 
      
Net loan losses
  (3,527)  (2,467)
 
      
Balance, end of period
 $43,009  $46,896 
 
      
Components:
        
Allowance for loan losses
 $40,316  $43,803 
Reserve for unfunded credit commitments
  2,693   3,093 
 
      
Allowance for credit losses
 $43,009  $46,896 
 
      
Allowance for loan losses / non-covered loans outstanding
  1.88%  1.86%
Non-covered nonaccrual loans at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were $20.3 million and $19.9 million, respectively.
There were no commitments to lend additional funds to borrowers whose loans were on nonaccrual status at March 31, 2010.
Note 5: Goodwill and Other Identifiable Intangible Assets
The Company has recorded goodwill and other identifiable intangibles associated with purchase business combinations. Goodwill is not amortized, but is periodically evaluated for impairment. The Company did not recognize impairment during the three months ended March 31, 2010.

 

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Identifiable intangibles are amortized to their estimated residual values over their expected useful lives. Such lives and residual values are also periodically reassessed to determine if any amortization period adjustments are indicated. During the three months ended March 31, 2010, no such adjustments were recorded. The gross carrying amount of identifiable intangible assets and accumulated amortization was:
                 
  At March 31,  At December 31, 
  2010  2009 
  (In thousands) 
  Gross      Gross    
  Carrying  Accumulated  Carrying  Accumulated 
  Amount  Amortization  Amount  Amortization 
    
Core Deposit Intangibles
 $51,538  $(20,541) $51,538  $(19,160)
Merchant Draft Processing Intangible
  10,300   (7,227)  10,300   (7,011)
 
            
Total Identifiable Intangible Assets
 $61,838  $(27,768) $61,838  $(26,171)
 
            
As of March 31, 2010, the current year and estimated future amortization expense for identifiable intangible assets was:
             
      Merchant    
  Core  Draft    
  Deposit  Processing    
  Intangibles  Intangible  Total 
  (In thousands) 
Three months ended
            
March 31, 2010 (actual)
 $1,382  $216  $1,598 
Estimate for year ended December 31, 2010
  5,361   774   6,135 
2011
  4,817   624   5,441 
2012
  4,372   500   4,872 
2013
  3,842   400   4,242 
2014
  3,516   324   3,840 
2015
  3,193   262   3,455 
Note 6: Post Retirement Benefits
The Company offers a continuation of group insurance coverage to qualifying employees electing early retirement, for the period from the date of retirement until age 65. For eligible employees the Company pays a portion of these early retirees’ insurance premiums. The Company also reimburses a portion of Medicare Part B premiums for all qualifying retirees over age 65 and their qualified spouses. Eligibility for post-retirement medical benefits is based on age and years of service, and restricted to employees hired prior to February 1, 2006. The Company uses an actuarial-based accrual method of accounting for post-retirement benefits.
The following table sets forth the net periodic post-retirement benefit costs:
         
  For the three months ended 
  March 31,  March 31, 
  2010  2009 
  (In thousands) 
Service cost (benefit)
 $(90) $(79)
Interest cost
  48   55 
Amortization of unrecognized transition obligation
  15   15 
 
      
Net periodic cost (benefit)
 $(27) $(9)
 
      
The Company does not fund plan assets for any post-retirement benefit plans.

 

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Note 7: Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
Loan commitments are agreements to lend to a customer provided there is no violation of any condition established in the agreement. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future funding requirements. Loan commitments are subject to the Company’s normal credit policies and collateral requirements. Unfunded loan commitments were $482.2 million and $482.0 million at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. Standby letters of credit commit the Company to make payments on behalf of customers when certain specified future events occur. Standby letters of credit are primarily issued to support customers’ short-term financing requirements and must meet the Company’s normal credit policies and collateral requirements. Standby letters of credit outstanding totaled $27.4 million and $27.4 million at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. The Company also had commitments for commercial and similar letters of credit of $76 thousand and $176 thousand at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.
Due to the nature of its business, the Company is subject to various threatened or filed legal cases. Based on the advice of legal counsel, the Company does not expect such cases will have a material, adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations. Legal costs related to covered assets are 80 percent indemnified under loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC if certain conditions are met.
Note 8: Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure, the Company groups its assets and liabilities measured at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are:
  
Level 1 — Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active exchange markets, such as the New York Stock Exchange. Level 1 also includes U.S. Treasury and federal agency securities, which are traded by dealers or brokers in active markets. Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets or liabilities.
 
  
Level 2 — Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market. Level 2 includes mortgage-backed securities, municipal bonds and collateralized mortgage obligations as well as other real estate owned and impaired loans collateralized by real property where the fair value is generally based upon independent market prices or appraised values of the collateral.
 
  
Level 3 — Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect the Company’s estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques include use of option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques. Level 3 includes those impaired loans collateralized by other business assets where the expected cash flow has been used in determining the fair value.

 

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Assets Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The table below presents assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
                 
  At March 31, 2010 
      Quoted Prices       
      in Active  Significant    
      Markets for  Other  Significant 
      Identical  Observable  Unobservable 
      Assets  Inputs  Inputs 
  Fair Value  (Level 1)  (Level 2 )  (Level 3 ) 
  (In thousands) 
U.S. Treasury securities
 $2,994  $2,994  $  $ 
Securities of U.S. Government sponsored entities
  41,153   41,153       
Municipal bonds:
                
Federally Tax-exempt — California
  66,437      66,437    
Federally Tax-exempt — 27 other states
  96,271      96,271    
Taxable — California
  4,704      4,704    
Residential mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”):
                
Guaranteed by GNMA
  52,212      52,212    
Issued by FNMA and FHLMC
  85,046      85,046    
Residential collateralized mortgage obligations:
                
Issued or guaranteed by FNMA, FHLMC, or GNMA
  24,448      24,448    
All other
  11,005      11,005    
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
  5,402      5,402    
Asset-backed securities — government guaranteed student loans
  8,779      8,779    
FHLMC and FNMA stock
  1,629   1,629       
Corporate securities
  9,843   9,843       
Other securities
  5,064   3,102   1,962    
 
            
Total securities available for sale
 $414,987  $58,721  $356,266  $ 
 
            
                 
  At December 31, 2009 
      Quoted Prices       
      in Active  Significant    
      Markets for  Other  Significant 
      Identical  Observable  Unobservable 
      Assets  Inputs  Inputs 
  Fair Value  (Level 1)  (Level 2 )  (Level 3 ) 
  (In thousands) 
U.S. Treasury securities
 $2,987  $2,987  $  $ 
Securities of U.S. Government sponsored entities
  21,041   21,041       
Municipal bonds:
                
Federally Tax-exempt — California
  56,431      56,431    
Federally Tax-exempt — 25 other states
  97,094      97,094    
Taxable — California
  4,668      4,668    
Residential mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”):
                
Guaranteed by GNMA
  54,361      54,361    
Issued by FNMA and FHLMC
  91,644      91,644    
Residential collateralized mortgage obligations:
                
Issued or guaranteed by FNMA, FHLMC, or GNMA
  29,536      29,536    
All other
  11,874      11,874    
Asset-backed securities — government guaranteed student loans
  8,339      8,339    
FHLMC and FNMA stock
  1,573   1,573       
Other securities
  4,660   2,703   1,957    
 
            
Total securities available for sale
 $384,208  $28,304  $355,904  $ 
 
            
There were no significant transfers in or out of Levels 1 and 2 for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.

 

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Assets Recorded at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
The Company may be required, from time to time, to measure certain assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with GAAP. These adjustments to fair value usually result from application of lower-of-cost-or-market accounting or write-downs of individual assets. For assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the quarter ended March 31, 2010 and year ended December 31, 2009 that were still held in the balance sheet at the end of such periods, the following table provides the level of valuation assumptions used to determine each adjustment and the carrying value of the related assets at quarter end.
                     
  At March 31, 2010 
  Fair Value  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total losses 
  (In thousands)        
Non-covered other real estate owned (1)
 $180  $  $180  $  $(466)
 
               
Total assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis
 $180  $  $180  $  $(466)
 
               
                     
  At December 31, 2009 
  Fair Value  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total losses 
  (In thousands)        
Non-covered other real estate owned (1)
 $413  $  $413  $  $(233)
Non-covered impaired loans (2)
  2,447      2,447       
 
               
Total assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis
 $2,860  $  $2,860  $  $(233)
 
               
   
(1) 
Represents the fair value of foreclosed real estate owned that was measured at fair value subsequent to their initial classification as foreclosed assets.
 
(2) 
Represents carrying value of loans for which adjustments are predominantly based on the appraised value of the collateral and loans considered impaired under FASB ASC 310-10-35, Subsequent Measurement of Receivables, where a specific reserve has been established.
Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair values presented represent the Company’s best estimate of fair value using the methodologies discussed below. The fair values of financial instruments which have a relatively short period of time between their origination and their expected realization were valued using historical cost. The values assigned do not necessarily represent amounts which ultimately may be realized. In addition, these values do not give effect to discounts to fair value which may occur when financial instruments are sold in larger quantities. Such financial instruments and their fair values were:
         
  At  At 
  March 31,  December 31, 
  2010  2009 
  (In thousands) 
Cash and cash equivalents
 $253,229  $361,135 
Money market assets
  342   442 
Interest and taxes receivable
  63,971   57,667 
Noninterest bearing and interest-bearing transaction and savings deposits
  2,987,758   3,068,820 
Short-term borrowed funds excluding term repurchase agreements
  112,473   128,134 
Interest payable
  1,735   1,801 
The fair values of investment securities and liabilities for unvested restricted performance share grants were estimated using quoted prices as described above for Level 1 and Level 2 valuation:
                 
  At March 31, 2010  At December 31, 2009 
  Book Value  Fair Value  Book Value  Fair Value 
  (In thousands)  (In thousands) 
Investment securities available for sale
 $414,987  $414,987  $384,208  $384,208 
Investment securities held to maturity
  690,585   701,768   726,935   736,270 
Liability for restricted performance share grants
  2,014   2,014   1,942   1,942 

 

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The fair values of FHLB advances, term repurchase agreements, and notes payable were estimated by using interpolated yields for financial instruments with similar characteristics. Such financial instruments and their estimated fair values were:
                 
  At March 31, 2010  At December 31, 2009 
  Book Value  Fair Value  Book Value  Fair Value 
  (In thousands)  (In thousands) 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
 $10,306  $10,441  $85,470  $85,601 
Term repurchase agreements
  99,283   99,464   99,044   100,329 
Senior notes payable
  15,000   14,665   15,000   14,069 
Subordinated notes
  11,464   11,637   11,497   9,451 
Loans were separated into two groups for valuation. Variable rate loans, except for those described below, which reprice frequently with changes in market rates were valued using historical cost. Fixed rate loans and variable rate loans that have reached their minimum contractual interest rates were valued by discounting the future cash flows expected to be received from the loans using current interest rates charged on loans with similar characteristics. Additionally, the allowance for loan losses of $40.3 million at March 31, 2010 and $41.0 million at December 31, 2009 and the fair value discount due to credit default risk associated with purchased loans of $83.3 million at March 31, 2010 and $93.3 million at December 31, 2009 were applied against the estimated fair values to recognize estimated future defaults of contractual cash flows. The Company does not consider these values to be a liquidation price for the loans.
The book values and the estimated fair values of loans were:
                 
  At March 31, 2010  At December 31, 2009 
  Book Value  Fair Value  Book Value  Fair Value 
  (In thousands)  (In thousands) 
Loans
 $2,915,767  $2,925,297  $3,015,346  $3,024,866 
The fair values of FDIC receivables and time deposits were estimated by discounting estimated future cash flows related to these financial instruments using current market rates for financial instruments with similar characteristics. The book values and the estimated fair values were:
                 
  At March 31, 2010  At December 31, 2009 
  Book Value  Fair Value  Book Value  Fair Value 
  (In thousands)  (In thousands) 
FDIC receivables
 $65,924  $64,368  $85,787  $83,806 
Time deposits
  907,271   907,822   991,388   992,560 
The majority of the Company’s standby letters of credit and other commitments to extend credit carry current market interest rates if converted to loans. No premium or discount was ascribed to these commitments because virtually all funding would be at current market rates.

 

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Note 9: Shareholders’ Equity
On February 13, 2009, the Company issued to the United States Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”) 83,726 shares of Series A Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. The structure of the Series A Preferred Stock included cumulative dividends at a rate of 5% per year for the first five years and thereafter at a rate of 9% per year. On September 2, 2009 and November 18, 2009, the Company redeemed 41,863 shares and 41,863 shares, respectively, of its Series A Preferred Stock at $1,000 per share. Prior to redemption, under the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock, the Company could not declare or pay any dividends or make any distribution on its common stock, other than regular quarterly cash dividends not exceeding $0.35 or dividends payable only in shares of its common stock, or repurchase its common stock or other equity or capital securities, other than in connection with benefit plans consistent with past practice and certain other circumstances specified in the Securities Purchase Agreement with the Treasury. The Treasury, as part of the preferred stock issuance, received a warrant to purchase 246,640 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $50.92. The proceeds from Treasury were allocated based on the relative fair value of the warrant as compared with the fair value of the preferred stock. The fair value of the warrant was determined using a valuation model which incorporates assumptions including the Company’s common stock price, dividend yield, stock price volatility, the risk-free interest rate, and other assumptions. The Company allocated $1.2 million of the proceeds from the Series A Preferred Stock to the warrant. The discount on the preferred stock was accreted to par value during the period the Series A Preferred Stock was outstanding, and reported as a reduction to net income applicable to common equity over that period.
Note 10: Earnings Per Common Share
The table below shows earnings per common share and diluted earnings per common share. Basic earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income applicable to common equity by the average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income applicable to common equity by the average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus the impact of common stock equivalents.
         
  For the three months ended 
  March 31,  March 31, 
  2010  2009 
  (In thousands, except per share data) 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — basic
  29,228   28,876 
Add exercise of options reduced by the number of shares that could have been purchased with the proceeds of such exercise
  368   229 
 
      
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — diluted
  29,596   29,105 
 
      
Net income applicable to common equity
 $23,576  $52,247 
Basic earnings per common share
 $0.81  $1.81 
Diluted earnings per common share
  0.80   1.80 
For the three months ended March 31, 2010, options to purchase 294 thousand shares of common stock were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted net income per share because the option exercise price exceeded the fair value of the stock such that their inclusion would have had an anti-dilutive effect. For the three months ended March 31, 2009, options and warrants to purchase 1.5 million and 247 thousand shares of common stock, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted net income per share because the option exercise price exceeded the fair value of the stock such that their inclusion would have had an anti-dilutive effect.

 

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WESTAMERICA BANCORPORATION
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
             
  Three months ended 
  March 31,  March 31,  December 31, 
  2010  2009  2009 
  (In thousands, except per share data) 
Net Interest Income (FTE)*
 $57,029  $59,359  $58,949 
Provision for Loan Losses
  2,800   1,800   3,300 
Noninterest Income:
            
Gain on acquisition
     48,844    
Deposit service charges and other
  15,470   15,124   15,696 
 
         
Total Noninterest Income
  15,470   63,968   15,696 
Total Noninterest Expense
  32,031   34,123   32,836 
 
         
Income Before Income Taxes (FTE)*
  37,668   87,404   38,509 
Income Tax Provision (FTE)*
  14,092   34,579   14,348 
 
         
Net Income
  23,576   52,825   24,161 
Preferred stock dividends and discount accretion
     578   812 
 
         
Net Income Applicable to Common Equity
 $23,576  $52,247  $23,349 
 
         
 
            
Average Common Shares Outstanding
  29,228   28,876   29,205 
Diluted Average Common Shares Outstanding
  29,596   29,105   29,471 
Common Shares Outstanding at Period End
  29,206   28,874   29,208 
 
            
As Reported:
            
Basic Earnings Per Common Share
 $0.81  $1.81  $0.80 
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
  0.80   1.80   0.79 
Return On Assets
  1.99%  4.24%  1.85%
Return On Common Equity
  18.84%  48.01%  18.79%
Net Interest Margin (FTE)*
  5.60%  5.35%  5.50%
Net Loan Losses to Average Gross Non-Covered Loans
  0.66%  0.42%  0.88%
Efficiency Ratio**
  44.2%  27.7%  44.0%
 
            
Average Balances:
            
Total Assets
 $4,812,924  $4,998,964  $5,007,341 
Earning Assets
  4,111,345   4,475,371   4,268,101 
Non-covered Loans
  2,165,467   2,374,089   2,235,482 
Covered Loans
  831,161   761,855   889,101 
Total Deposits
  3,955,299   3,862,435   4,074,105 
Shareholders’ Equity
  507,406   485,054   514,497 
 
            
Balances at Period End:
            
Total Assets
 $4,745,495  $5,428,865  $4,975,501 
Earning Assets
  4,061,997   4,800,909   4,167,974 
Non-covered Loans
  2,146,580   2,356,237   2,201,088 
Covered Loans
  809,503   1,089,071   855,301 
Total Deposits
  3,895,029   4,256,281   4,060,208 
Shareholders’ Equity
  519,131   536,668   505,448 
 
            
Financial Ratios at Period End:
            
Allowance for Loan Losses to Non-Covered Loans
  1.88%  1.86%  1.86%
Book Value Per Common Share
 $17.77  $15.73  $17.31 
Equity to Assets
  10.94%  9.89%  10.16%
Total Capital to Risk Adjusted Assets
  15.21%  14.46%  14.50%
 
            
Dividends Paid Per Common Share
 $0.36  $0.36  $0.35 
Common Dividend Payout Ratio
  45%  20%  44%
The above financial summary has been derived from the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements. This information should be read in conjunction with those statements, notes and the other information included elsewhere herein. Percentages under the heading “As Reported” are annualized with the exception of the efficiency ratio.
   
* 
Yields on securities and certain loans have been adjusted upward to a “fully taxable equivalent” (“FTE”) basis, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, in order to reflect the effect of income which is exempt from federal income taxation at the current statutory tax rate.
 
** 
The efficiency ratio is defined as noninterest expense divided by total revenue (net interest income on an FTE basis, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, and noninterest income).

 

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Item 2. 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Westamerica Bancorporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) reported first quarter 2010 net income applicable to common equity of $23.6 million or $0.80 diluted earnings per common share. These results compare to net income applicable to common equity of $52.2 million or $1.80 diluted earnings per common share and $23.3 million or $0.79 diluted earnings per common share, respectively, for the first and fourth quarters of 2009. The first quarter of 2009 included a $48.8 million gain resulting from the acquisition of County Bank (“County”) which increased net income by $28.3 million and earnings per diluted common share by $0.98.
Net Income
Following is a summary of the components of net income for the periods indicated:
             
  Three months ended 
  March 31,  March 31,  December 31, 
  2010  2009  2009 
  (In thousands, except per share data) 
Net interest income (FTE)
 $57,029  $59,359  $58,949 
Provision for loan losses
  (2,800)  (1,800)  (3,300)
Noninterest income
  15,470   63,968   15,696 
Noninterest expense
  (32,031)  (34,123)  (32,836)
 
         
Income before taxes (FTE)
  37,668   87,404   38,509 
Income tax provision (FTE)
  (14,092)  (34,579)  (14,348)
 
         
Net income
 $23,576  $52,825  $24,161 
 
         
Net income applicable to common equity
 $23,576  $52,247  $23,349 
 
         
 
            
Average diluted common shares
  29,596   29,105   29,471 
Diluted earnings per common share
 $0.80  $1.80  $0.79 
 
            
Average total assets
 $4,812,924  $4,998,964  $5,007,341 
Net income applicable to common equity to average total assets (annualized)
  1.99%  4.24%  1.85%
Net income applicable to common equity to average common stockholders’ equity (annualized)
  18.84%  48.01%  18.79%
Net income applicable to common equity for the first quarter of 2010 was $28.7 million less than the same quarter of 2009, largely attributable to a gain on acquisition of $48.8 million in the first quarter of 2009, lower net interest income and higher loan loss provision, partially offset by lower noninterest expense and a decrease in income tax provision (FTE). A $2.3 million or 3.9% decrease in net interest income (FTE) was mostly attributed to lower average balances of earning assets, partially offset by higher yields on loans, lower average balances of borrowings and lower rates paid on interest-bearing deposits. The provision for loan losses increased $1.0 million, reflecting Management’s evaluation of losses inherent in the loan portfolio not covered by loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC. Noninterest income decreased $48.5 million mainly due to the gain on acquisition in the first quarter of 2009. Noninterest expense decreased $2.1 million mostly due to lower personnel and occupancy expenses resulting from the systems integrations and branch consolidations following the County acquisition, partially offset by higher FDIC insurance assessments. The provision for income taxes (FTE) decreased $20.5 million primarily because the first quarter of 2009 included the acquisition gain. Net income applicable to common equity in the first quarter of 2009 reflected $578 thousand in preferred stock dividends and discount accretion.
Comparing the first quarter of 2010 to the fourth quarter of 2009, net income applicable to common equity increased $227 thousand, due to decreases in the provision for loan losses, noninterest expense and income tax provision (FTE) and the elimination of preferred stock dividends and discount accretion, partially offset by decreases in net interest income and noninterest income. The lower net interest income (FTE) was primarily caused by a lower volume of average earning assets and lower yields on investments, partially offset by higher yields on loans, lower average balances of interest-bearing liabilities and lower rates paid on interest-bearing deposits. The provision for loan losses decreased $500 thousand, reflecting Management’s evaluation of losses inherent in the loan portfolio not covered by loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC. Noninterest income decreased $226 thousand largely due to lower service charges on deposits. The income tax provision (FTE) decreased $256 thousand primarily due to lower profitability. Net income applicable to common equity in the fourth quarter of 2009 reflected $812 thousand in preferred stock dividends and discount accretion. The preferred stock was redeemed during the fourth quarter of 2009.

 

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Net Interest Income
Following is a summary of the components of net interest income for the periods indicated:
             
  Three months ended 
  March 31,  March 31,  December 31, 
  2010  2009  2009 
  (In thousands) 
Interest and fee income
 $56,003  $59,185  $58,496 
Interest expense
  (3,534)  (4,833)  (4,301)
FTE adjustment
  4,560   5,007   4,754 
 
         
Net interest income (FTE)
 $57,029  $59,359  $58,949 
 
         
 
            
Average earning assets
 $4,111,345  $4,475,371  $4,268,101 
Net interest margin (FTE) (annualized)
  5.60%  5.35%  5.50%
Net interest income (FTE) decreased during the first quarter of 2010 by $2.3 million or 3.9% from the same period in 2009 to $57.0 million, mainly due to lower average balances of earning assets (down $364 million), partially offset by higher yields on loans (up 0.2%), lower average balances of short-term borrowings (down $308 million) and lower rates paid on interest-bearing deposits (down 0.2%).
Comparing the first three months of 2010 with the fourth quarter of 2009, net interest income (FTE) decreased $1.9 million or 3.3%, primarily due to a lower volume of average earning assets (down $157 million) and lower yields on investments (down 0.08%), partially offset by higher yields on loans (up 0.11%), lower average balances of interest-bearing liabilities (down $139 million) and lower rates paid on interest-bearing deposits (down 0.06%).
At March 31, 2010, FDIC covered loans represented 27 percent of the Company’s loan portfolio. Under the terms of the FDIC loss-sharing agreements, the FDIC is obligated to reimburse the Bank 80 percent of loan interest income foregone on covered loans. Such reimbursements are limited to the lesser of 90 days contractual interest or actual unpaid contractual interest at the time a principal loss is recognized in respect to the underlying loan. The Bank includes estimated FDIC reimbursable loan interest income in income in the period such loan interest would be recognized if the borrower were in compliance with the contractual terms of the loan.
Interest and Fee Income
Interest and fee income (FTE) for the first quarter of 2010 decreased $3.6 million or 5.7% from the same period in 2009. The decrease was caused by lower average balances of earning assets (down $364 million) and lower yields on investments (down 0.02%), partially offset by higher yields on loans (up 0.2%). The total average balances of loans declined $139 million or 4.4% mainly due to decreases in the average balances of residential real estate loans (down $82 million), taxable commercial loans (down $57 million), indirect auto loans (down $42 million), tax-exempt commercial loans (down $19 million) and construction loans (down $13 million), partially offset by a $47 million increase in the average balance of commercial real estate loans. The average investment portfolio decreased $225 million largely due to declines in average balances of mortgage backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations (down $101 million), U.S. government sponsored entity obligations (down $82 million) and municipal securities (down $50 million), partially offset by a $7 million increase in the average balances of corporate securities. The average yield on the Company’s earning assets increased from 5.79% in the first quarter of 2009 to 5.95% in the corresponding period of 2010. The composite yield on loans rose 0.2% to 6.17% due to increases in yields on construction loans (up 1.69%) and taxable commercial loans (up 0.43%), partially offset by decreases in yields on tax-exempt commercial loans (down 0.44%) and residential real estate loans (down 0.21%). The investment portfolio yield decreased 0.02% to 5.36%, mainly due to declines in yields on U.S. government sponsored entity obligations (down 2.8%), U.S. Treasury securities (down 2.36%), corporate and other securities (down 1.43%), mortgage backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations (down 0.39%) and municipal securities (down 0.1%).

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Comparing the first quarter of 2010 with the fourth quarter of 2009, interest and fee income (FTE) was down $2.7 million or 4.2%. The decrease resulted from a lower volume of average earning assets and lower yields on investment securities, partially offset by higher yields on loans. Average earning assets decreased $157 million or 3.7% in the first quarter of 2010 compared with the fourth quarter of 2009 due to a $128 million decrease in average loans and a $29 million decrease in average investments. The decrease in the average balance of the loan portfolio was attributable to decreases in average balances of residential real estate loans (down $29 million), taxable commercial loans (down $28 million), commercial real estate loans (down $27 million), indirect auto loans (down $20 million), construction loans (down $17 million) and tax-exempt commercial loans (down $7 million). The average investment portfolio decreased $29 million largely due to declines in average balances of mortgage backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations (down $31 million) and municipal securities (down $12 million), partially offset by increases in the average balances of U.S. government sponsored entity obligations (up $8 million) and corporate securities (up $7 million). The average yield on earning assets for the first three months of 2010 was 5.95% compared with 5.90% in the fourth quarter of 2009. The loan portfolio yield for the first three months of 2010 compared with the previous quarter was higher by 0.11%, due to increases in yields on construction loans (up 1.21%) and taxable commercial loans (up 0.48%), partially offset by decreases in yields on tax-exempt commercial loans (down 0.39%) and residential real estate loans (down 0.16%). The investment portfolio yield decreased by 0.08%, reflecting lower yields on U.S. Treasury securities (down 2.24%), U.S. government sponsored entity obligations (down 1.13%), partially offset by a 0.21% increase in the yield on corporate and other securities.
Interest Expense
Interest expense in the first quarter of 2010 decreased $1.3 million compared with the same period in 2009. The decrease was attributable to lower rates paid on the interest-bearing deposits and lower average balances of borrowing, partially offset by higher rates paid on borrowings. The average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities decreased from 0.62% in the first quarter of 2009 to 0.50% in the same quarter of 2010. Rates on interest-bearing deposits decreased 0.21% to 0.39% primarily due to decreases in rates paid on time deposits less than $100 thousand (down 0.97%), time deposits $100 thousand or more (down 0.08%) and preferred money market savings (down 0.16%). Rates on short-term borrowings increased 0.57% mostly due to a 0.34% increase in the rates on line of credit and repurchase facilities. The rate on Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances rose 0.22% to 1.37%. Average short-term borrowings declined $308 million in the first quarter of 2010 over the same period of 2009 primarily due to a $315 million decline in the average balance of federal funds purchased, partially offset by a $41 million increase in the average balance of line of credit and repurchase facilities. Interest-bearing deposits remained steady at first quarter 2009 levels, the net result of a $109 million decrease in the average balance of time deposits $100 thousand or more, offset by increases in average balances of money market savings (up $58 million), regular savings (up $24 million) and time deposits less than $100 thousand (down $24 million).
Comparing the first quarter of 2010 with the fourth quarter of 2009, interest expense declined $767 thousand, due to lower average balances of interest-bearing liabilities and lower rates on interest-bearing deposits, offset by higher rates paid on borrowings. Average interest-bearing liabilities during the first quarter of 2010 fell by $139 million over the last quarter of 2009 mainly due to decreases in average balances of FHLB advances (down $61 million), time deposits less than $100 thousand (down $44 million), money market savings (down $14 million) and time deposits $100 thousand or more (down $9 million). Rates paid on liabilities averaged 0.50% during the first three months of 2010 compared with 0.57% for the last three months of 2009. The average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits declined 0.06% to 0.39% in the first quarter 2010 mainly due to lower rates on time deposits $100 thousand or more (down 0.13%) and time deposits less than $100 thousand (down 0.13%).
Net Interest Margin (FTE)
The following summarizes the components of the Company’s net interest margin for the periods indicated:
             
  Three months ended 
  March 31,  March 31,  December 31, 
  2010  2009  2009 
Yield on earning assets (FTE)
  5.95%  5.79%  5.90%
Rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities
  0.50%  0.62%  0.57%
 
         
Net interest spread (FTE)
  5.45%  5.17%  5.33%
Impact of all other net noninterest bearing funds
  0.15%  0.18%  0.17%
 
         
Net interest margin (FTE)
  5.60%  5.35%  5.50%
 
         
During the first quarter of 2010, the net interest margin (FTE) increased 0.25% compared with the same period in 2009. Higher yields on earning assets (FTE) and lower rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities resulted in a 0.28% increase in net interest spread. The increase in the net interest spread was partially reduced by the lower net interest margin contribution of noninterest-bearing funding sources. The net interest margin (FTE) in the first three months of 2010 rose by 0.10% compared with the fourth quarter of 2009. Earning asset yields increased 0.05% while the cost of interest-bearing liabilities declined by 0.07%, resulting in a 0.12% increase in the net interest spread. The 0.02% decrease in margin contribution from noninterest bearing funding sources resulted in the net interest margin of 5.60%.

 

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Summary of Average Balances, Yields/Rates and Interest Differential
The following tables present, for the periods indicated, information regarding the Company’s consolidated average assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity, the amount of interest income from average earning assets and the resulting yields, and the amount of interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities. Average loan balances include nonperforming loans. Interest income includes proceeds from loans on nonaccrual status only to the extent cash payments have been received and applied as interest income. Yields on securities and certain loans have been adjusted upward to reflect the effect of income which is exempt from federal income taxation at the current statutory tax rate (FTE).
             
  For the three months ended 
  March 31, 2010 
          Yields 
      Interest  Earned/ 
  Average  Income/  Rates 
  Balance  Expense  Paid 
  (In thousands) 
Assets:
            
Money market assets and funds sold
 $640  $1   0.63%
Investment securities:
            
Available for sale
            
Taxable
  247,466   2,151   3.48%
Tax-exempt (1)
  156,484   2,604   6.66%
Held to maturity
            
Taxable
  206,445   2,277   4.41%
Tax-exempt (1)
  503,682   7,906   6.28%
Loans:
            
Commercial:
            
Taxable
  555,940   8,616   6.29%
Tax-exempt (1)
  172,850   2,664   6.25%
Commercial real estate
  1,238,344   20,294   6.65%
Real estate construction
  67,459   925   5.56%
Real estate residential
  376,254   4,345   4.62%
Consumer
  585,781   8,780   6.08%
 
          
Total loans (1)
  2,996,628   45,624   6.17%
 
          
Total earning assets (1)
  4,111,345  $60,563   5.95%
Other assets
  701,579         
 
           
 
            
Total assets
 $4,812,924         
 
           
 
            
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
            
Deposits:
            
Noninterest bearing demand
 $1,379,797  $   %
Savings and interest-bearing transaction
  1,629,009   956   0.24%
Time less than $100,000
  390,551   617   0.64%
Time $100,000 or more
  555,942   915   0.67%
 
          
Total interest-bearing deposits
  2,575,502   2,488   0.39%
Short-term borrowed funds
  244,158   621   1.03%
Debt financing and notes payable
  26,484   425   6.42%
 
          
Total interest-bearing liabilities
  2,846,144  $3,534   0.50%
Other liabilities
  79,577         
Shareholders’ equity
  507,406         
 
           
 
            
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 $4,812,924         
 
           
 
            
Net interest spread (1) (2)
          5.45%
 
            
Net interest income and interest margin (1) (3)
     $57,029   5.60%
 
          
   
(1) 
Interest and rates calculated on a fully taxable equivalent basis using the current statutory federal tax rate.
 
(2) 
Net interest spread represents the average yield earned on earning assets minus the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities.
 
(3) 
Net interest margin is computed by calculating the difference between interest income and expense (annualized), divided by the average balance of earning assets.

 

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  For the three months ended 
  March 31, 2009 
          Yields 
      Interest  Earned/ 
  Average  Income/  Rates 
  Balance  Expense  Paid 
  (In thousands) 
Assets:
            
Money market assets and funds sold
 $878  $1   0.46%
Investment securities:
            
Available for sale
            
Taxable
  229,304   1,867   3.26%
Tax-exempt (1)
  170,520   2,808   6.59%
Held to maturity
            
Taxable
  400,229   4,790   4.79%
Tax-exempt (1)
  538,496   8,539   6.34%
Loans:
            
Commercial:
            
Taxable
  612,454   8,848   5.86%
Tax-exempt (1)
  191,948   3,165   6.69%
Commercial real estate
  1,191,260   19,072   6.49%
Real estate construction
  80,830   772   3.87%
Real estate residential
  458,180   5,527   4.83%
Consumer
  601,272   8,803   5.94%
 
          
Total loans (1)
  3,135,944   46,187   5.97%
 
          
Total earning assets (1)
  4,475,371  $64,192   5.79%
Other assets
  523,593         
 
           
 
            
Total assets
 $4,998,964         
 
           
 
            
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
            
Deposits:
            
Noninterest bearing demand
 $1,286,013  $   %
Savings and interest-bearing transaction
  1,545,154   1,105   0.29%
Time less than $100,000
  366,794   1,452   1.61%
Time $100,000 or more
  664,474   1,227   0.75%
 
          
Total interest-bearing deposits
  2,576,422   3,784   0.60%
Short-term borrowed funds
  552,645   626   0.46%
Debt financing and notes payable
  26,618   423   6.35%
 
          
Total interest-bearing liabilities
  3,155,685  $4,833   0.62%
Other liabilities
  72,212         
Shareholders’ equity
  485,054         
 
           
 
            
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 $4,998,964         
 
           
 
            
Net interest spread (1) (2)
          5.17%
 
            
Net interest income and interest margin (1) (3)
     $59,359   5.35%
 
          
   
(1) 
Interest and rates calculated on a fully taxable equivalent basis using the current statutory federal tax rate.
 
(2) 
Net interest spread represents the average yield earned on earning assets minus the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities.
 
(3) 
Net interest margin is computed by calculating the difference between interest income and expense (annualized), divided by the average balance of earning assets.

 

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  For the three months ended 
  December 31, 2009 
          Yields 
      Interest  Earned/ 
  Average  Income/  Rates 
  Balance  Expense  Paid 
  (In thousands) 
Assets:
            
Money market assets and funds sold
 $543  $1   0.73%
Investment securities:
            
Available for sale
            
Taxable
  236,985   2,225   3.76%
Tax-exempt (1)
  155,244   2,626   6.77%
Held to maturity
            
Taxable
  234,604   2,587   4.41%
Tax-exempt (1)
  516,142   8,117   6.29%
Loans:
            
Commercial:
            
Taxable
  584,279   8,560   5.81%
Tax-exempt (1)
  179,814   3,011   6.64%
Commercial real estate
  1,265,086   21,119   6.62%
Real estate construction
  84,611   927   4.35%
Real estate residential
  405,094   4,838   4.78%
Consumer
  605,699   9,239   6.05%
 
          
Total loans (1)
  3,124,583   47,694   6.06%
 
          
Total earning assets (1)
  4,268,101  $63,250   5.90%
Other assets
  739,240         
 
           
 
            
Total assets
 $5,007,341         
 
           
 
            
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
            
Deposits:
            
Noninterest bearing demand
 $1,425,867  $   %
Savings and interest-bearing transaction
  1,649,492   1,041   0.25%
Time less than $100,000
  434,207   845   0.77%
Time $100,000 or more
  564,539   1,138   0.80%
 
          
Total interest-bearing deposits
  2,648,238   3,024   0.45%
Short-term borrowed funds
  310,739   855   1.09%
Debt financing and notes payable
  26,517   422   6.36%
 
          
Total interest-bearing liabilities
  2,985,494  $4,301   0.57%
Other liabilities
  81,483         
Shareholders’ equity
  514,497         
 
           
 
            
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 $5,007,341         
 
           
 
            
Net interest spread (1) (2)
          5.33%
 
            
Net interest income and interest margin (1) (3)
     $58,949   5.50%
 
          
   
(1) 
Interest and rates calculated on a fully taxable equivalent basis using the current statutory federal tax rate.
 
(2) 
Net interest spread represents the average yield earned on earning assets minus the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities.
 
(3) 
Net interest margin is computed by calculating the difference between interest income and expense (annualized), divided by the average balance of earning assets.

 

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Summary of Changes in Interest Income and Expense due to Changes in Average Asset & Liability Balances and Yields Earned & Rates Paid
The following tables set forth a summary of the changes in interest income and interest expense due to changes in average asset and liability balances (volume) and changes in average interest rates for the periods indicated. Changes not solely attributable to volume or rates have been allocated in proportion to the respective volume and rate components.
             
  Three months ended March 31, 2010 
  compared with 
  Three months ended March 31, 2009 
  Volume  Rate  Total 
  (In thousands) 
Interest and fee income:
            
Money market assets and funds sold
 $  $  $ 
Investment securities:
            
Available for sale
            
Taxable
  153   131   284 
Tax-exempt (1)
  (233)  29   (204)
Held to maturity
            
Taxable
  (2,163)  (350)  (2,513)
Tax-exempt (1)
  (547)  (86)  (633)
Loans:
            
Commercial:
            
Taxable
  (850)  618   (232)
Tax-exempt (1)
  (302)  (199)  (501)
Commercial real estate
  765   457   1,222 
Real estate construction
  (143)  296   153 
Real estate residential
  (954)  (228)  (1,182)
Consumer
  (230)  207   (23)
 
         
Total loans (1)
  (1,714)  1,151   (563)
 
         
Total (decrease) increase in interest and fee income (1)
  (4,504)  875   (3,629)
 
         
 
            
Interest expense:
            
Deposits:
            
Savings and interest-bearing transaction
  57   (206)  (149)
Time less than $100,000
  89   (924)  (835)
Time $100,000 or more
  (187)  (125)  (312)
 
         
Total interest-bearing deposits
  (41)  (1,255)  (1,296)
 
         
 
            
Short-term borrowed funds
  (482)  477   (5)
Debt financing and notes payable
  (2)  4   2 
 
         
 
            
Total decrease in interest expense
  (525)  (774)  (1,299)
 
         
(Decrease) increase in Net Interest Income (1)
 $(3,979) $1,649  $(2,330)
 
         
   
(1) 
Amounts calculated on a fully taxable equivalent basis using the current statutory federal tax rate.

 

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  Three months ended March 31, 2010 
  compared with 
  Three months ended December 31, 2009 
  Volume  Rate  Total 
  (In thousands) 
Interest and fee income:
            
Money market assets and funds sold
 $  $  $ 
Investment securities:
            
Available for sale
            
Taxable
  69   (143)  (74)
Tax-exempt (1)
     (22)  (22)
Held to maturity
            
Taxable
  (311)  1   (310)
Tax-exempt (1)
  (203)  (8)  (211)
Loans:
            
Commercial:
            
Taxable
  (615)  671   56 
Tax-exempt (1)
  (174)  (173)  (347)
Commercial real estate
  (897)  72   (825)
Real estate construction
  (230)  228   (2)
Real estate residential
  (363)  (130)  (493)
Consumer
  (499)  40   (459)
 
         
Total loans (1)
  (2,778)  708   (2,070)
 
         
Total (decrease) increase in interest and fee income (1)
  (3,223)  536   (2,687)
 
         
 
            
Interest expense:
            
Deposits:
            
Savings and interest-bearing transaction
  (34)  (51)  (85)
Time less than $100,000
  (94)  (134)  (228)
Time $100,000 or more
  (38)  (185)  (223)
 
         
Total interest-bearing deposits
  (166)  (370)  (536)
 
         
 
            
Short-term borrowed funds
  (240)  6   (234)
Debt financing and notes payable
  (10)  13   3 
 
         
 
            
Total decrease in interest expense
  (416)  (351)  (767)
 
         
(Decrease) increase in Net Interest Income (1)
 $(2,807) $887  $(1,920)
 
         
   
(1) 
Amounts calculated on a fully taxable equivalent basis using the current statutory federal tax rate.
Provision for Loan Losses
The Company manages credit costs by consistently enforcing conservative underwriting and administration procedures and aggressively pursuing collection efforts with troubled debtors. County loans purchased from the FDIC are “covered” by loss-sharing agreements the Company entered with the FDIC. Further, the Company recorded the purchased County loans at estimated fair value upon acquisition as of February 6, 2009. Due to the loss-sharing agreements and fair value recognition, the Company did not record a provision for loan losses during the first quarter 2010 related to such loans covered by the FDIC loss-sharing agreements. In Management’s judgment, the acquisition date loan fair value discounts remaining at March 31, 2010 represent appropriate loss estimates for default risk inherent in the purchased loans. The Company provided $2.8 million, $1.8 million and $3.3 million for loan losses on non-covered loans in the first quarter of 2010, the first quarter and the fourth quarter of 2009, respectively. The provision reflects Management’s assessment of credit risk in the loan portfolio for each of the periods presented. For further information regarding credit risk, the FDIC loss-sharing agreements, net credit losses and the allowance for loan losses, see the “Loan Portfolio Credit Risk” and “Allowance for Credit Losses” sections of this report.

 

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Noninterest Income
The following table summarizes the components of noninterest income for the periods indicated.
             
  Three months ended 
  March 31,  March 31,  December 31, 
  2010  2009  2009 
  (In thousands) 
    
Service charges on deposit accounts
 $8,742  $8,422  $9,376 
Merchant credit card fees
  2,221   2,432   2,250 
Debit card fees
  1,174   856   1,219 
ATM fees and interchange
  891   813   901 
Other service fees
  636   531   570 
Trust fees
  381   364   373 
Check sale income
  230   223   225 
Safe deposit rental
  162   167   165 
Financial services commissions
  149   154   163 
Gain on acquisition
     48,844    
Other noninterest income
  884   1,162   454 
 
         
Total
 $15,470  $63,968  $15,696 
 
         
Noninterest income for the first quarter of 2010 fell by $48.5 million from the same period in 2009 mostly attributable to the $48.8 million gain on acquisition in the first quarter 2009. Higher service charges on deposit accounts were generally attributable to the growth in deposit accounts through the County acquisition on February 6, 2009. Service charges on deposits increased $320 thousand or 3.8% primarily due to a $912 thousand increase in overdraft fees and a $101 thousand increase in checking account charges, partially offset by a $702 thousand decrease in return item charges. Debit card fees rose by $318 thousand or 37.1% mainly due to an increased customer base through the County acquisition. A $105 thousand or 19.8% in other service fees was largely due to increases in foreign currency commissions and internet banking charges. Merchant credit card fees declined $211 thousand or 8.7% due to lower transaction volume. Other noninterest income fell $278 thousand or 23.9% mostly due to miscellaneous fees from County in the first quarter of 2009.
In the first quarter of 2010, noninterest income decreased $226 thousand or 1.4% compared with the fourth quarter of 2009 primarily due to a $634 thousand or 6.8% decline in service charges on deposit accounts, the net result of lower overdraft fees (down $483 thousand), returned item charges and charges on checking accounts, partially offset by higher savings account service charges.

 

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Noninterest Expense
The following table summarizes the components of noninterest expense for the periods indicated.
             
  Three months ended 
  March 31,  March 31,  December 31, 
  2010  2009  2009 
  (In thousands) 
    
Salaries and related benefits
 $15,892  $16,371  $15,170 
Occupancy
  3,777   5,410   3,917 
Outsourced data processing services
  2,240   2,104   2,260 
Equipment
  1,051   1,222   1,240 
Amortization of identifiable intangibles
  1,598   1,685   1,646 
FDIC insurance assessments
  1,320   157   1,440 
Courier service
  907   898   927 
Professional fees
  663   888   1,003 
Postage
  475   462   540 
Loan expense
  418   994   342 
Telephone
  389   387   490 
Stationery and supplies
  350   367   364 
Operational losses
  220   195   295 
Advertising/public relations
  211   227   185 
In-house meetings
  175   257   314 
Customer checks
  172   176   223 
Correspondent service charges
  102   256   180 
Other noninterest expense
  2,071   2,067   2,300 
 
         
Total
 $32,031  $34,123  $32,836 
 
         
 
            
Average full time equivalent staff
  1,032   1,144   1,056 
Noninterest expense to revenues (FTE)
  44.18%  27.67%  43.99%
Noninterest expense decreased $2.1 million or 6.1% in the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared with the same period in 2009 mainly due to personnel and occupancy cost savings from the County acquisition, partially offset by a $1.2 million increase in FDIC insurance assessments. Salaries and related benefits decreased $479 thousand or 2.9% primarily due to a reduction in regular salaries, partially offset by annual merit increases. Lower salaries, wages and incentives were partially offset by higher group health insurance costs, profit sharing and other benefits. Occupancy expense decreased $1.6 million or 30.2% mainly due to branch and administrative office consolidations in May and August of 2009. Equipment expense declined $171 thousand or 14.0% primarily due to branch and administrative office consolidations. Loan expense decreased $576 thousand generally because the first quarter of 2009 included servicing fees on factoring receivables acquired from County. Such factoring receivables were fully liquidated in April 2009. Professional fees were lower by $225 thousand or 25.3% mainly because the first quarter of 2009 included legal fees for loans acquired from County, issuance of preferred stock and other professional fees. A $154 thousand decrease in correspondent service charges was mostly attributable to higher interest received on reserve balances held with the Federal Reserve Bank. Offsetting the decreases were higher FDIC insurance assessments and a $136 thousand increase in outsourced data processing services.
In the first quarter of 2010, noninterest expense fell $805 thousand or 2.5% compared with the fourth quarter of 2009 primarily due to lower occupancy and equipment expenses and professional fees, partially offset by higher salaries and related benefits. Salaries and related benefits increased $722 thousand or 4.8% mostly due to merit increases, higher payroll taxes, group health insurance costs, profit sharing and other benefits. Occupancy expense decreased $140 thousand or 3.6% mainly due to lower rent, net of sublease income and decreases in depreciation costs. Equipment expense declined $189 thousand or 15.2% mostly due to lower maintenance and repair costs and decreases in expenses associated with software. Professional fees decreased $340 thousand or 33.9% largely due to lower legal fees. Other categories which decreased were in-house meeting expense (down $139 thousand or 44.3%), FDIC insurance assessments (down $120 thousand or 8.3%) and telephone expense (down $101 thousand or 20.6%).

 

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Provision for Income Tax
During the first quarter of 2010, the Company recorded income tax expense (FTE) of $14.1 million, compared with $34.6 million and $14.3 million for the first and fourth quarters of 2009, respectively. The current quarter provision represents an effective tax rate (FTE) of 37.4%, compared with 39.6% and 37.3% for the first and fourth quarters of 2009, respectively. The higher effective tax rate for the first quarter 2009 reflects higher pretax income without a corresponding increase in tax preference items.
Loan Portfolio Credit Risk
The risk that loan customers do not repay loans granted by the Bank is the most significant risk to the Company. The Company closely monitors the markets in which it conducts its lending operations and follows a strategy to control exposure to loans with high credit risk. The Bank’s organization structure separates the functions of business development and loan underwriting; Management believes this segregation of duties avoids inherent conflicts of centralizing business development and loan approval. In measuring and managing credit risk, the Company adheres to the following practices.
  
The Bank maintains a Loan Review Department which reports directly to the Board of Directors. The Loan Review Department performs independent evaluations of loans and assigns credit risk grades to evaluated loans using grading standards employed by bank regulatory agencies. Those loans judged to carry higher risk attributes are referred to as “classified loans.” Classified loans receive elevated management attention to maximize collection.
  
The Bank maintains two loan administration offices whose sole responsibility is to manage and collect classified loans.
Classified loans with higher levels of credit risk are further designated as “nonaccrual loans.” Management places loans on nonaccrual status when full collection of contractual interest and principal payments is in doubt. Interest previously accrued on loans placed on nonaccrual status is charged against interest income, net of estimated FDIC reimbursements under loss-sharing agreements. The Company does not accrue interest income on nonaccrual loans. Interest payments received on nonaccrual loans are applied to reduce the carrying amount of the loan unless the carrying amount is well secured by loan collateral or covered by FDIC loss-sharing agreements. “Nonperforming assets” include nonaccrual loans, loans 90 or more days past due and still accruing, and repossessed loan collateral.
On February 6, 2009, the Bank purchased loans and repossessed loan collateral of the former County Bank from the FDIC. This purchase transaction included loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC wherein the FDIC and the Bank share losses on the purchased assets. The loss-sharing agreements significantly reduce the credit risk of these purchased assets. In evaluating credit risk, Management bifurcates the Bank’s total loan portfolio between those loans qualifying under the FDIC loss-sharing agreements (referred to as “covered loans”) and loans not qualifying under the FDIC loss-sharing agreements (referred to as “non-covered loans”). At March 31, 2010, covered loans totaled $810 million, or 27 percent of total loans, and non-covered loans totaled $2.1 billion, or 73 percent of total loans.
Covered Loans and Repossessed Loan Collateral (Covered Assets)
Covered loans and repossessed loan collateral qualify under loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC. Under the terms of the loss-sharing agreements, the FDIC absorbs 80 percent of losses and shares in 80 percent of loss recoveries on the first $269 million in losses on covered assets (“First Tier”), and absorbs 95 percent of losses and shares in 95 percent of loss recoveries if losses on covered assets exceed $269 million (“Second Tier”). The term of the loss-sharing agreement on residential real estate assets is ten years, while the term for loss-sharing on non-residential real estate assets is five years with respect to losses and eight years with respect to loss recoveries.
The covered assets are primarily located in the California Central Valley, including Merced County. This geographic area currently has some of the weakest economic conditions within California and has experienced significant declines in real estate values. Management expects higher loss rates on covered assets than on non-covered assets.
The Bank recorded acquired covered assets at estimated fair value on the February 6, 2009 acquisition date. The credit risk discount ascribed to the $1.2 billion acquired loan and repossessed loan collateral portfolio was $161 million representing estimated losses inherent in the assets at the acquisition date. The Bank also recorded a related receivable from the FDIC in the amount of $129 million representing estimated FDIC reimbursements under the loss-sharing agreements.
In Management’s judgment, the credit risk discount recognized for the acquired assets remains adequate as an estimate of credit risk inherent in covered assets as of March 31, 2010. In the event credit risk deteriorates beyond that estimated by Management, losses in excess of the credit risk discount would be recognized in income or as an expense, net of related FDIC loss indemnification.

 

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The maximum risk to future earnings if First Tier losses exceed Management’s estimated $161 million in recognized losses under the FDIC loss-sharing agreements follows (dollars in thousands):
     
First Tier Loss Coverage
 $269,000 
Less: Recognized credit risk discount
  161,203 
 
   
Exposure to under-estimated risk within First Tier
  107,797 
Bank loss-sharing percentage
 20 percent
 
   
First Tier risk to Bank, pre-tax
 $21,559 
 
   
First Tier risk to Bank, after-tax
 $12,494 
 
   
Of the estimated $161 million in recognized credit risk at February 6, 2009, the Company has realized losses of $78 million during the period February 6, 2009 through March 31, 2010. Management has judged the likelihood of experiencing losses of a magnitude to trigger Second Tier FDIC reimbursement as remote. The Bank’s maximum after-tax exposure to Second Tier losses is $21 million as of March 31, 2010, which would be realized only if all covered assets at March 31, 2010 generated no future cash flows.
The following is a summary of covered classified loans and repossessed loan collateral:
         
  At March 31,  At December 31, 
  2010  2009 
  (In thousands) 
Covered Classified Assets
        
Classified loans
 $184,565  $181,516 
Repossessed loan collateral
  22,305   23,297 
 
      
Total
 $206,870  $204,813 
 
      
The following is a summary of covered nonperforming assets:
         
  At March 31,  At December 31, 
  2010  2009 
  (In thousands) 
Covered nonperforming assets
        
Nonperforming, nonaccrual loans
 $52,431  $66,965 
Performing, nonaccrual loans
  25,731   18,183 
 
      
Total nonaccrual loans
  78,162   85,148 
Loans 90 days past due and still accruing
  317   210 
 
      
Total nonperforming loans
  78,479   85,358 
Covered repossessed loan collateral
  22,305   23,297 
 
      
Total
 $100,784  $108,655 
 
      
 
        
As a percentage of total covered loans and OREO
  12.12%  12.37%
The amount of gross interest income that would have been recorded if all covered nonaccrual loans had been current in accordance with their original terms while outstanding was $1.1 million in the first quarter of 2010, compared with $228 thousand and $1.4 million for the first and fourth quarters of 2009, respectively. The amount of interest income that was recognized on covered nonaccrual loans from cash payments made in the first quarter of 2010 was $1.1 million, compared with $-0- thousand and $1.3 million for the first and fourth quarters of 2009, respectively. The yield on these cash payments was 6.40% for the first quarter of 2010, compared with -0-% and 6.25% for the first and fourth quarters of 2009, respectively. There were no cash payments received, which were applied against the book balance of covered nonaccrual loans outstanding at March 31, 2010, March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2009 in the first quarter 2010, the first quarter 2009 and the fourth quarter 2009, respectively.

 

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Non-covered Classified Loans and Repossessed Loan Collateral (Non-covered Assets)
The following is a summary of non-covered classified loans and repossessed loan collateral:
         
  At March 31,  At December 31, 
  2010  2009 
  (In thousands) 
Non-covered Classified Assets
        
Classified loans
 $58,245  $57,241 
Repossessed loan collateral
  14,266   12,642 
 
      
Total
 $72,511  $69,883 
 
      
Allowance for loan losses / non-covered classified loans
  69%  72%
The following is a summary of non-covered nonperforming assets on the dates indicated:
         
  At March 31,  At December 31, 
  2010  2009 
  (In thousands) 
Non-covered nonperforming assets
        
Nonperforming, nonaccrual loans
 $20,230  $19,837 
Performing, nonaccrual loans
  57   25 
 
      
Total nonaccrual loans
  20,287   19,862 
Loans 90 days past due and still accruing
  746   800 
 
      
Total nonperforming loans
  21,033   20,662 
Repossessed loan collateral
  14,266   12,642 
 
      
Total
 $35,299  $33,304 
 
      
As a percentage of total non-covered loans and repossessed loan collateral
  1.63%  1.50%
The amount of gross interest income that would have been recorded if all non-covered nonaccrual loans had been current in accordance with their original terms while outstanding was $518 thousand in the first quarter of 2010, compared with $175 thousand and $404 thousand for the first and fourth quarters of 2009, respectively. The amount of interest income that was recognized on non-covered nonaccrual loans from cash payments made in the first quarter of 2010 was $460 thousand, compared with $39 thousand and $144 thousand for the first and fourth quarters of 2009, respectively. The yield on these cash payments was 5.35% for the first quarter of 2010, compared with 1.29% and 2.00% for the first and fourth quarters of 2009, respectively. There were no cash payments received, which were applied against the book balance of non-covered nonaccrual loans outstanding at March 31, 2010, March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2009 in the first quarter 2010, the first quarter 2009 and the fourth quarter 2009, respectively.
Fifty nine loans comprised the $20.3 million in nonaccrual loans as of March 31, 2010. During the first quarter of 2010 one construction relationship ($2.4 million) and three other loans ($1.3 million) were transferred to OREO while one commercial relationship ($2.2 million) and one commercial real estate relationship ($1.3 million) were placed on non nonaccrual status.
The Company had no restructured loans as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

 

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Delinquent non-covered commercial loans, non-covered construction loans and non-covered commercial real estate loans on accrual status were as follows:
         
  At March 31,  At December 31, 
  2010  2009 
  (In thousands) 
Non-covered commercial loans:
        
30-89 days delinquent:
        
Dollar amount
 $9,993  $10,677 
Percentage of total non-covered commercial loans
  2.01%  2.14%
90 or more days delinquent:
        
Dollar amount
 $248  $ 
Percentage of total non-covered commercial loans
  0.05%  %
Non-covered construction loans:
        
30-89 days delinquent:
        
Dollar amount
 $149  $149 
Percentage of total non-covered construction loans
  0.50%  0.46%
90 or more days delinquent:
        
Dollar amount
 $  $ 
Percentage of total non-covered construction loans
  %  %
Non-covered commercial real estate loans:
        
30-89 days delinquent:
        
Dollar amount
 $19,440  $12,158 
Percentage of total non-covered commercial real estate loans
  2.45%  1.52%
90 or more days delinquent:
        
Dollar amount
 $  $ 
Percentage of total non-covered commercial real estate loans
  %  %
The Company’s residential real estate loan underwriting standards for first mortgages limit the loan amount to no more than 80 percent of the appraised value of the property serving as collateral for the loan at the time of origination, and require verification of income of the borrower(s). The Company had no “sub-prime” non-covered loans as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009. At March 31, 2010, $4.9 million non-covered residential real estate loans were on nonaccrual status. Delinquent non-covered residential real estate loans, non-covered automobile loans and non-covered other consumer loans on accrual status were as follows:
         
  At March 31,  At December 31, 
  2010  2009 
  (In thousands) 
Non-covered residential real estate loans:
        
30-89 days delinquent:
        
Dollar amount
 $935  $3,064 
Percentage of total non-covered residential real estate loans
  0.27%  0.83%
90 or more days delinquent:
        
Dollar amount
 $  $ 
Percentage of total non-covered residential real estate loans
  %  %
Non-covered automobile loans:
        
30-89 days delinquent:
        
Dollar amount
 $5,765  $6,506 
Percentage of total automobile loans
  1.38%  1.49%
90 or more days delinquent:
        
Dollar amount
 $454  $723 
Percentage of total automobile loans
  0.11%  0.17%
Non-covered other consumer loans:
        
30-89 days delinquent:
        
Dollar amount
 $564  $762 
Percentage of total non-covered other consumer loans
  0.90%  1.25%
90 or more days delinquent:
        
Dollar amount
 $44  $77 
Percentage of total non-covered other consumer loans
  0.07%  0.13%

 

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Management believes the overall credit quality of the non-covered loan portfolio is reasonably stable; however, non-covered nonperforming assets could fluctuate from period to period. The performance of any individual loan can be affected by external factors such as the interest rate environment, economic conditions, collateral values or factors particular to the borrower. No assurance can be given that additional increases in non-covered nonaccrual loans will not occur in the future.
Allowance for Credit Losses
The Company’s allowance for credit losses represents Management’s estimate of credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio. In evaluating credit risk for loans, Management measures loss potential of the carrying value of loans. As described above, payments on nonaccrual loans may be applied against the principal balance of the loans until such time as full collection of the remaining recorded balance is expected. Further, the carrying value of covered loans includes fair value discounts assigned at the time of purchase under the provisions of FASB ASC 805, Business Combinations, and FASB ASC 310-30, Loans or Debt Securities with Deteriorated Credit Quality. The allowance for credit losses represents Management’s estimate of credit losses in excess of these principal reductions.
Management determined the fair value discounts assigned to covered loans purchased on February 6, 2009 remained adequate as an estimate of credit losses inherent in covered loans as of March 31, 2010.
The following table summarizes the credit loss provision, net credit losses and allowance for credit losses for the periods indicated:
             
  Three months ended 
  March 31,  March 31,  December 31, 
  2010  2009  2009 
  (In thousands) 
Total non-covered loans outstanding at period end
 $2,146,580  $2,356,237  $2,201,088 
Average non-covered loans outstanding during the period
  2,165,467   2,374,089   2,235,482 
Analysis of the allowance balance, beginning of period
  43,736   47,563   45,376 
Provision for loan losses
  2,800   1,800   3,300 
Loans charged off:
            
Commercial and commercial real estate
  (873)  (496)  (2,779)
Real estate construction
  (799)     (1,022)
Real estate residential
  (293)     (263)
Consumer
  (2,491)  (2,432)  (2,469)
 
         
Total non-covered loans chargeoffs
  (4,456)  (2,928)  (6,533)
Recoveries of previously charged off non-covered loans:
            
Commercial and commercial real estate
  229   90   233 
Real estate construction
        650 
Real estate residential
         
Consumer
  700   371   710 
 
          
Total recoveries
  929   461   1,593 
 
         
Net loan losses
  (3,527)  (2,467)  (4,940)
 
         
Balance, end of period
 $43,009  $46,896  $43,736 
 
         
Components:
            
Allowance for loan losses
 $40,316  $43,803  $41,043 
Reserve for unfunded credit commitments
  2,693   3,093   2,693 
 
         
Allowance for credit losses
 $43,009  $46,896  $43,736 
 
         
Net loan losses to average non-covered loans
  0.66%  0.42%  0.88%
Allowance for loan losses /non-covered loans outstanding
  1.88%  1.86%  1.86%
The Company’s allowance for credit losses is maintained at a level considered adequate to provide for losses that can be estimated based upon specific and general conditions. These include conditions unique to individual borrowers, as well as overall credit loss experience, the amount of past due, nonperforming loans and classified loans, FDIC loss-sharing coverage relative to covered loan carrying amounts, recommendations of regulatory authorities, prevailing economic conditions and other factors. A portion of the allowance is specifically allocated to impaired loans whose full collectibility is uncertain. Such allocations are determined by Management based on loan-by-loan analyses. A second allocation is based in part on quantitative analyses of

 

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historical credit loss experience, in which criticized and classified credit balances identified through an independent internal credit review process are analyzed using a linear regression model to determine standard loss rates. The results of this analysis are applied to current criticized and classified loan balances to allocate the allowance to the respective segments of the loan portfolio. In addition, loans with similar characteristics not usually criticized using regulatory guidelines are analyzed based on the historical loss rates and delinquency trends, grouped by the number of days the payments on these loans are delinquent. Given currently weak economic conditions, Management is applying further analysis to consumer loans. Current levels of automobile loan losses are compared to initial allowance allocations and, based on Management judgment, additional allocations are applied, if needed, to estimated losses. For residential real estate loans, Management is comparing ultimate loss rates on foreclosed residential real estate properties and applying such loss rates to nonaccrual residential real estate loans. Based on this analysis, Management exercises judgment in allocating additional allowance if deemed appropriate to estimated losses on residential real estate loans. Last, allocations are made to non-criticized and non-classified commercial loans based on historical loss rates and other statistical data.
The remainder of the allowance is considered to be unallocated. The unallocated allowance is established to provide for probable losses that have been incurred as of the reporting date but not reflected in the allocated allowance. It addresses additional qualitative factors consistent with Management’s analysis of the level of risks inherent in the loan portfolio, which are related to the risks of the Company’s general lending activity. Included in the unallocated allowance is the risk of losses that are attributable to national or local economic or industry trends which have occurred but have not yet been recognized in past loan charge-off history (external factors). The external factors evaluated by the Company include: economic and business conditions, external competitive issues, and other factors. Also included in the unallocated allowance is the risk of losses attributable to general attributes of the Company’s loan portfolio and credit administration (internal factors). The internal factors evaluated by the Company include: loan review system, adequacy of lending Management and staff, loan policies and procedures, problem loan trends, concentrations of credit, and other factors. By their nature, these risks are not readily allocable to any specific loan category in a statistically meaningful manner and are difficult to quantify with a specific number. Management assigns a range of estimated risk to the qualitative risk factors described above based on Management’s judgment as to the level of risk, and assigns a quantitative risk factor from the range of loss estimates to determine the appropriate level of the unallocated portion of the allowance. Management considers the $43.0 million allowance for credit losses to be adequate as a reserve against non-covered credit losses as of March 31, 2010.
The following table presents the allocation of the allowance for credit losses:
                 
  At March 31,  At December 31, 
  2010  2009 
  (In thousands) 
      Non-covered Loans      Non-covered Loans 
  Allocation of the  as Percent of Total  Allocation of the  as Percent of Total 
  Allowance Balance  Non-covered Loans  Allowance Balance  Non-covered Loans 
Commercial
 $19,591   61% $19,108   59%
Real estate construction
  2,366   1%  2,968   1%
Real estate residential
  1,279   16%  1,529   17%
Consumer
  7,504   22%  8,424   23%
Unallocated portion
  12,269      11,707    
 
            
Total
 $43,009   100% $43,736   100%
 
            
The allocation to loan portfolio segments changed from December 31, 2009 to March 31, 2010. The increase in allocation for commercial loans was substantially attributable to an increase in criticized commercial loans outstanding and Management’s evaluation of loss rates against commercial loan performance metrics. The decrease in allocation to real estate construction loans reflects a decline in criticized construction loans outstanding. The decrease in the allocation to real estate residential loans is due to a lower outstanding balance of delinquent real estate residential loans and Management’s judgment regarding the appropriate allocation based on recent foreclosure losses and levels of nonaccrual mortgages. The lower allocation for consumer loans was primarily due to a lower outstanding balance of delinquent consumer loans and Management’s judgment regarding the appropriate allocation based on current levels of auto loan charge-offs. The unallocated portion of the allowance for credit losses increased $562 thousand from December 31, 2009 to March 31, 2010. The unallocated allowance is established to provide for probable losses that have been incurred, but not reflected in the allocated allowance. At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, Management’s evaluations of the unallocated portion of the allowance for credit losses attributed significant risk levels to developing economic and business conditions ($2.4 million and $2.3 million, respectively), external competitive issues ($0.9 million and $0.8 million, respectively), internal credit administration considerations ($2.0 million and $2.0 million, respectively), and delinquency and problem loan trends ($3.7 million and $3.5 million, respectively). The change in the amounts allocated to the above qualitative risk factors was based upon Management’s judgment, review of trends in its loan portfolio, extent of migration of previously non-classified loans to classified status, levels of the allowance allocated to portfolio segments, and current economic conditions in its marketplace. Based on Management’s analysis and judgment, the amount of the unallocated portion of the allowance for credit losses was $12.3 million at March 31, 2010, compared to $11.7 million at December 31, 2009.

 

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Asset/Liability and Market Risk Management
Asset/liability management involves the evaluation, monitoring and management of interest rate risk, market risk, liquidity and funding. The fundamental objective of the Company’s management of assets and liabilities is to maximize its economic value while maintaining adequate liquidity and a conservative level of interest rate risk.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is a significant market risk affecting the Company. Interest rate risk results from many factors. Assets and liabilities may mature or reprice at different times. Assets and liabilities may reprice at the same time but by different amounts. Short-term and long-term market interest rates may change by different amounts. The remaining maturity of various assets or liabilities may shorten or lengthen as interest rates change. In addition, interest rates may have an impact on loan demand, demand for various deposit products, credit losses, and other sources of earnings such as account analysis fees on commercial deposit accounts and correspondent bank service charges.
In adjusting the Company’s asset/liability position, Management attempts to manage interest rate risk while enhancing the net interest margin and net interest income. At times, depending on expected increases or decreases in general interest rates, the relationship between long and short term interest rates, market conditions and competitive factors, Management may adjust the Company’s interest rate risk position in order to manage its net interest margin and net interest income. The Company’s results of operations and net portfolio values remain subject to changes in interest rates and to fluctuations in the difference between long and short term interest rates.
The Company’s asset and liability position ranged from “neutral” to slightly “asset sensitive” at March 31, 2010, depending on the interest rate assumptions applied to the simulation model employed by Management to measure interest rate risk. A “neutral” position results in similar amounts of change in interest income and interest expense resulting from application of assumed interest rate changes. A slightly “asset sensitive” position results in a slightly larger increase in interest income than in interest expense resulting from application of assumed interest rate changes. Management’s simulation modeling is currently biased toward rising interest rates. Management continues to monitor the interest rate environment as well as economic conditions and other factors it deems relevant in managing the Company’s exposure to interest rate risk.
Management assesses interest rate risk by comparing the Company’s most likely earnings plan with various earnings models using many interest rate scenarios that differ in the direction of interest rate changes, the degree of change over time, the speed of change and the projected shape of the yield curve. For example, using the current composition of the Company’s balance sheet and assuming no change in the federal funds rate and no change in the 10 year Constant Maturity Treasury Bond yield during the same period, earnings are not estimated to change by a meaningful amount compared to the Company’s most likely net income plan for the twelve months ending March 31, 2011. Using the current composition of the Company’s balance sheet and assuming an increase of 100 basis points (“bp”) in the federal funds rate and an increase of 32 bp in the 10 year Constant Maturity Treasury Bond yield during the same period, earnings are not estimated to change by a meaningful amount compared to the Company’s most likely net income plan for the twelve months ending March 31, 2011. Simulation estimates depend on, and will change with, the size and mix of the actual and projected balance sheet at the time of each simulation. Management is currently deploying tactics to maintain the current exposure to interest rate risk. The Company does not currently engage in trading activities or use derivative instruments to control interest rate risk, even though such activities may be permitted with the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors.
Market Risk — Equity Markets
Equity price risk can affect the Company. As an example, any preferred or common stock holdings, as permitted by banking regulations, can fluctuate in value. Management regularly assesses the extent and duration of any declines in market value, the causes of such declines, the likelihood of a recovery in market value, and its intent to hold securities until a recovery in value occurs. Declines in value of preferred or common stock holdings that are deemed “other than temporary” could result in loss recognition in the Company’s income statement.
Fluctuations in the Company’s common stock price can impact the Company’s financial results in several ways. First, the Company has regularly repurchased and retired its common stock; the market price paid to retire the Company’s common stock can affect the level of the Company’s shareholders’ equity, cash flows and shares outstanding for purposes of computing earnings per share. Second, the Company’s common stock price impacts the number of dilutive equivalent shares used to compute diluted earnings per share. Third, fluctuations in the Company’s common stock price can motivate holders of options to purchase Company common stock through the exercise of such options thereby increasing the number of shares outstanding. Finally, the amount of compensation expense associated with share based compensation fluctuates with changes in and the volatility of the Company’s common stock price.

 

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Market Risk — Other
Market values of loan collateral can directly impact the level of loan charge-offs and the provision for loan losses. Other types of market risk, such as foreign currency exchange risk and commodity price risk, are not significant in the normal course of the Company’s business activities.
Liquidity and Funding
The Company generates significant liquidity from its operating activities. The Company’s profitability during the first quarter of 2010 and 2009 contributed substantial operating cash flows of $35.3 million and $65.2 million, respectively. Operating cash flows in the first quarter 2009 increased $30 million from the settlement of County Bank securities sales which were unsettled trades on the acquisition date. In the first quarter of 2010, the Company paid $10.5 million in shareholder dividends and used $4.8 million to repurchase and retire common stock. In the first quarter of 2009, the Company paid $10.4 million in shareholder dividends and used $667 thousand to repurchase and retire common stock.
The Company’s routine operating sources of liquidity include investment securities, consumer and other loans, deposits, and other borrowed funds. During the first quarter of 2010, investment securities provided $61.7 million in liquidity from paydowns and maturities to purchase securities of $53.5 million, and loans provided $89.8 million in liquidity from scheduled payments and maturities, net of loan fundings. During the first quarter of 2009, investment securities provided $58.5 million in liquidity from paydowns and maturities, and loans provided $98.1 million in liquidity from scheduled payments and maturities, net of loan fundings. The Company also raised $83.7 million in February 2009 from the issuance of preferred stock to the United States Treasury which was redeemed in full in September and November of 2009.
The Company projects $69.5 million in additional liquidity from investment security paydowns and maturities in the three months ending June 30, 2010. At March 31, 2010, automobile loans totaled $418.1 million, which were experiencing stable monthly principal payments of approximately $16.6 million during the first quarter of 2010.
During the first quarter of 2010, a portion of the liquidity provided by operating activities, loans and proceeds from FDIC loss-sharing agreements provided a portion of funds to meet a net reduction in deposits totaling $164.3 million and a reduction in short-term borrowed funds, primarily FHLB advances, which declined $75.2 million.
During the first quarter of 2009, a portion of the liquidity provided by operating activities, investment securities and loans provided funds to meet a net reduction in deposits totaling $71.3 million and a reduction in short-term borrowed funds, primarily federal funds purchased, which declined $256.6 million.
The Company held $1.1 billion in total investment securities at March 31, 2010. Under certain deposit, borrowing and other arrangements, the Company must hold investment securities as collateral. At March 31, 2010, such collateral requirements totaled approximately $1.0 billion. At March 31, 2010, $415.0 million of the Company’s investment securities were classified as “available-for-sale”, and as such, could provide additional liquidity if sold, subject to the Company’s ability to meet continuing collateral requirements.
At March 31, 2010, $362.8 million in residential collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) and residential mortgage backed securities (“MBSs”) were held in the Company’s investment portfolios. None of the CMOs or MBSs are backed by sub-prime mortgages. Substantially all of the Non Agency residential CMOs are rated AAA based on their subordination structures without reliance on monoline insurance. Other than nominal amounts of FHLMC and FNMA MBSs purchased for Community Reinvestment Act investment purposes, the Company has not purchased a residential CMO or residential MBS since November 2005. The residential CMOs and MBSs provided $36.0 million in liquidity from paydowns during the three months ended March 31, 2010. In addition, at March 31, 2010, the Company had customary lines for overnight borrowings from other financial institutions in excess of $700 million, under which $-0- million was outstanding. Additionally, the Company has access to borrowing from the Federal Reserve. The Company’s short-term debt rating from Fitch Ratings is F1. The Company’s long-term debt rating from Fitch Ratings is A with a stable outlook. Management expects the Company could access additional long-term debt financing if desired. In Management’s judgment, the Company’s liquidity position is strong and asset liquidations or additional long-term debt are considered unnecessary to meet the ongoing liquidity needs of the Company.

 

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The Company anticipates maintaining its cash levels in 2010 mainly through profitability and retained earnings. It is anticipated that loan demand from credit-worthy borrowers will be weak during 2010, although such demand will be dictated by economic and competitive conditions. The Company aggressively solicits non-interest bearing demand deposits and money market checking deposits, which are the least sensitive to interest rates. The growth of deposit balances is subject to heightened competition, the success of the Company’s sales efforts, delivery of superior customer service and market conditions. Changes in interest rates, most notably rising interest rates, which could impact deposit volumes in the future. Depending on economic conditions, interest rate levels, and a variety of other conditions, deposit growth may be used to fund loans, to reduce short-term borrowings or purchase investment securities. However, due to concerns such as uncertainty in the general economic environment, competition and political uncertainty, loan demand and levels of customer deposits are not certain. Shareholder dividends are expected to continue subject to the Board’s discretion and continuing evaluation of capital levels, earnings, asset quality and other factors.
Westamerica Bancorporation (“the Parent Company”) is a separate entity and apart from Westamerica Bank (“the Bank”) and must provide for its own liquidity. In addition to its operating expenses, the Parent Company is responsible for the payment of dividends declared for its shareholders, and interest and principal on outstanding debt. Substantially all of the Parent Company’s revenues are obtained from subsidiary dividends and service fees. Payment of dividends to the Parent Company by the Bank is limited under California law. The amount that can be paid in any calendar year, without prior approval from the state regulatory agency, cannot exceed the net profits (as defined) for the preceding three calendar years less dividends paid. The Company believes that such restriction will not have an impact on the Parent Company’s ability to meet its ongoing cash obligations.
Capital Resources
The Company has historically generated high levels of earnings, which provides a means of raising capital. The Company’s net income as a percentage of average common stock equity (“return on common equity” or “ROE”) was 18.8% in the first quarter of 2010, 25.8% in 2009 and 14.8% in 2008. The Company also raises capital as employees exercise stock options, which are awarded as a part of the Company’s executive compensation programs to reinforce shareholders’ interests in the Management of the Company. Capital raised through the exercise of stock options totaled $3.7 million in the first quarter of 2010, $9.6 million in 2009 and $22.8 million in 2008.
The Company paid dividends totaling $10.5 million in the first quarter of 2010, $41.1 million in 2009 and $40.2 million in 2008, which represent dividends per share of $0.36, $1.41 and $1.39, respectively. The Company’s earnings have historically exceeded dividends paid to shareholders. The amount of earnings in excess of dividends gives the Company resources to finance growth and maintain appropriate levels of shareholders’ equity. In the absence of profitable growth opportunities, the Company has repurchased and retired its common stock as another means to return capital to shareholders. The Company repurchased and retired 88 thousand shares of common stock valued at $4.8 million in the first quarter of 2010, 42 thousand shares valued at $2.0 million in 2009 and 719 thousand shares valued at $35.9 million in 2008. Share repurchases were restricted to amounts conducted in coordination with employee benefit programs under the terms of the February 13, 2009 issuance of preferred stock to the Treasury; such restrictions were removed with full redemption of the preferred stock in November 2009.
The Company’s primary capital resource is shareholders’ equity, which increased $13.7 million or 2.7% at March 31, 2010 since December 31, 2009, primarily due to $23.6 million in profits earned during the quarter and $3.7 million in issuance of stock in connection with exercises of employee stock options, offset by $10.5 million in dividends paid and $4.8 million in stock repurchases.
The following summarizes the ratios of capital to risk-adjusted assets for the Company on the date indicated:
                     
              Minimum  Well-capitalized 
  At March 31,  At March 31,  At December 31,  Regulatory  by Regulatory 
  2010  2009  2009  Requirement  Definition 
                     
Tier I Capital
  13.91%  13.19%  13.20%  4.00%  6.00%
Total Capital
  15.21%  14.46%  14.50%  8.00%  10.00%
Leverage ratio
  8.21%  8.14%  7.60%  4.00%  5.00%

 

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The risk-based capital ratios increased at March 31, 2010, compared with March 31, 2009, due to a decrease in risk-weighted assets and increased retained earnings, partially offset by redemption of the preferred stock. The risk-based capital ratios increased at March 31, 2010, compared with December 31, 2009, due to a decrease in risk-weighted assets and increased retained earnings. FDIC-covered assets are included in the 20% risk-weight category due to the loss-sharing agreements; the residential loss-sharing agreement expires February 6, 2019 and the non-residential loss-sharing agreement expires (as to losses) February 6, 2014.
The following summarizes the ratios of capital to risk-adjusted assets for the Bank on the date indicated:
                     
              Minimum  Well-capitalized 
  At March 31,  At March 31,  At December 31,  Regulatory  by Regulatory 
  2010  2009  2009  Requirement  Definition 
                     
Tier I Capital
  13.65%  12.44%  13.39%  4.00%  6.00%
Total Capital
  15.14%  13.90%  14.88%  8.00%  10.00%
Leverage ratio
  8.01%  7.64%  7.67%  4.00%  5.00%
The risk-based capital ratios increased at March 31, 2010, compared with March 31, 2009, due to a decrease in risk-weighted assets. The risk-based capital ratios increased at March 31, 2010, compared with December 31, 2009, due to a decrease in risk-weighted assets.
The Company and the Bank intend to maintain regulatory capital in excess of the highest regulatory standard, referred to as “well capitalized”. The Company and the Bank routinely project capital levels by analyzing forecasted earnings, credit quality, securities valuations, shareholder dividends, asset volumes, share repurchase activity, stock option exercise proceeds, and other factors. Based on current capital projections the Company and the Bank expect to maintain regulatory capital levels exceeding the “well capitalized” standard and pay quarterly dividends to shareholders. No assurance can be given that changes in capital management plans will not occur.
Item 3. 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The Company does not currently engage in trading activities or use derivative instruments to control interest rate risk, even though such activities may be undertaken with the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. Interest rate risk as discussed above is the most significant market risk affecting the Company. Other types of market risk, such as foreign currency exchange risk, equity price risk and commodity price risk, are not significant in the normal course of the Company’s business activities.
Item 4. 
Controls and Procedures
The Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as of March 31, 2010. Based upon their evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to Management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The evaluation did not identify any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2010 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. 
Legal Proceedings
Due to the nature of the banking business, the Bank is at times party to various legal actions; generally such actions are of a routine nature and arise in the normal course of business of the Subsidiary Bank. The Bank is not a party to any pending or threatened legal action that, if determined adversely to the Bank, is likely in Management’s opinion to have a material adverse effect on the Bank’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

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Item 1A. 
Risk Factors
There are no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
Item 2. 
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
(a) Previously reported on Form 8-K.
(b) None
(c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The table below sets forth the information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of Westamerica Bancorporation or any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), of common stock during the quarter ended March 31, 2010.
                 
          (c)  (d) 
          Total Number  Maximum Number 
          of Shares  of Shares that May 
  (a)  (b)  Purchased as Part of  Yet Be Purchased 
  Total Number of  Average Price  Publicly Announced  Under the Plans 
Period Shares Purchased  Paid per Share  Plans or Programs*  or Programs 
  (In thousands, except per share data) 
January 1 through January 31
  2  $57.10   2   1,985 
February 1 through February 28
  49  $52.62   49   1,936 
March 1 through March 31
  37  $57.42   37   1,899 
 
            
Total
  88  $54.75   88   1,899 
 
            
   
* 
Includes 2 thousand, 1 thousand and 1 thousand shares purchased in January, February and March, respectively, by the Company in private transactions with the independent administrator of the Company’s Tax Deferred Savings/Retirement Plan (ESOP). The Company includes the shares purchased in such transactions within the total number of shares authorized for purchase pursuant to the currently existing publicly announced program.
The Company repurchases shares of its common stock in the open market to optimize the Company’s use of equity capital and enhance shareholder value and with the intention of lessening the dilutive impact of issuing new shares to meet stock performance, option plans, and other ongoing requirements.
Shares were repurchased during the first quarter of 2010 pursuant to a program approved by the Board of Directors on August 27, 2009, authorizing the purchase of up to 2 million shares of the Company’s common stock from time to time prior to September 1, 2010.
Item 3. 
Defaults upon Senior Securities
  
None
Item 4. 
Reserved

 

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Item 5. 
Other Information
  
None
Item 6. 
Exhibits
(a) The exhibit list required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Exhibit Index filed with this report.
   
Exhibit 31.1: Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
   
Exhibit 31.2: Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
   
Exhibit 32.1: Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
   
Exhibit 32.2: Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
WESTAMERICA BANCORPORATION
(Registrant)
/s/ JOHN “ROBERT” THORSON
John “Robert” Thorson
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Chief Financial and Accounting Officer)

Date: April 30, 2010

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX
   
Exhibit 31.1:
 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
 
  
Exhibit 31.2:
 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
 
  
Exhibit 32.1:
 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
  
Exhibit 32.2:
 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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