UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_______________________________

FORM 10-K

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2012

 

Commission File No. 0-22345

 

SHORE BANCSHARES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Maryland   52-1974638
(State or Other Jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)   Identification No.)
     
18 East Dover Street, Easton, Maryland   21601
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

 

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (410) 763-7800

 

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

 

Title of Each Class:   Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered:
Common stock, par value $.01 per share Nasdaq Global Select Market

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 16(d) of the Act. £ Yes R No

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes R No £

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer (check one):

 

  Large accelerated filer £ Accelerated filer £ Non-accelerated filer £ Smaller Reporting Company R

 

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

 

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter: $48,048,361.

 

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of the latest practicable date: 8,457,359 as of February 28, 2013.

 

Documents Incorporated by Reference

 

Certain information required by Part III of this annual report is incorporated therein by reference to the definitive proxy statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 
 

 

INDEX

 

 

Part I    
Item 1. Business 3
Item 1A. Risk Factors 14
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments 21
Item 2. Properties 21
Item 3. Legal Proceedings 22
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 22
     
Part II    
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and  
  Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities 23
Item 6. Selected Financial Data 25
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 26
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 41
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 41
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 79
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures 79
Item 9B. Other Information 79
     
Part III    
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 79
Item 11. Executive Compensation 80
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters 80
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 80
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services 80
     
Part IV    
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules 81
SIGNATURES 82
     
EXHIBIT LIST 83

 

 
 

 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K of Shore Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company” and “we”, “our” or “us” on a consolidated basis) contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include projections, predictions, expectations or statements as to beliefs or future events or results or refer to other matters that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this annual report are based on various factors and were derived using numerous assumptions. In some cases, you can identify these forward-looking statements by words like “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, intend”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, or “continue” or the negative of those words and other comparable words. You should be aware that those statements reflect only our predictions. If known or unknown risks or uncertainties should materialize, or if underlying assumptions should prove inaccurate, actual results could differ materially from past results and those anticipated, estimated or projected. You should bear this in mind when reading this annual report and not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to:

 

·the risk that the weak national and local economies and depressed real estate and credit markets caused by the recent global recession will continue to decrease the demand for loan, deposit and other financial services and/or increase loan delinquencies and defaults;

 

·changes in market rates and prices may adversely impact the value of securities, loans, deposits and other financial instruments and the interest rate sensitivity of our balance sheet;

 

·our liquidity requirements could be adversely affected by changes in our assets and liabilities;

 

·the effect of legislative or regulatory developments, including changes in laws concerning taxes, banking, securities, insurance and other aspects of the financial services industry;

 

·competitive factors among financial services organizations, including product and pricing pressures and our ability to attract, develop and retain qualified banking professionals;

 

·the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and other regulatory agencies; and

 

·the effect of fiscal and governmental policies of the United States federal government.

 

You should also consider carefully the Risk Factors contained in Item 1A of Part I of this annual report, which address additional factors that could cause our actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements and could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition. The risks discussed in this annual report are factors that, individually or in the aggregate, management believes could cause our actual results to differ materially from expected and historical results. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, you should not consider such disclosures to be a complete discussion of all potential risks or uncertainties.

 

The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and, except to the extent required by federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

 

PART I

 

Item 1. Business.

 

BUSINESS

 

General

 

The Company was incorporated under the laws of Maryland on March 15, 1996 and is a financial holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHC Act”). The Company is the largest independent financial holding company located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The Company’s primary business is acting as the parent company to several financial institution and insurance entities. The Company engages in the banking business through CNB, a Maryland commercial bank with trust powers, The Talbot Bank of Easton, Maryland, a Maryland commercial bank (“Talbot Bank”), and, until January 1, 2011, The Felton Bank, a Delaware commercial bank (“Felton Bank”). On January 1, 2011, Felton Bank merged into CNB, with CNB as the surviving bank. Until December 31, 2009, CNB did business as The Centreville National Bank of Maryland, a national banking association. It was converted to a Maryland charter on that date. As used in this annual report, the term “Banks” refers to CNB, Talbot Bank and Felton Bank for periods prior to January 1, 2011 and to CNB and Talbot Bank for all other periods.

3
 

 

The Company engages in the insurance business through two general insurance producer firms, The Avon-Dixon Agency, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company, and Elliott Wilson Insurance, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company; one marine insurance producer firm, Jack Martin & Associates, Inc., a Maryland corporation; three wholesale insurance firms, Tri-State General Insurance Agency, LTD, a Maryland corporation, Tri-State General Insurance Agency of New Jersey, Inc., a New Jersey corporation, and Tri-State General Insurance Agency of Virginia, Inc., a Virginia corporation (collectively “TSGIA”); and two insurance premium finance companies, Mubell Finance, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company, and ESFS, Inc., a Maryland corporation (all of the foregoing are collectively referred to as the “Insurance Subsidiaries”).

 

The Company has three inactive subsidiaries, Wye Financial Services, LLC, Shore Pension Services, LLC, and Wye Mortgage, LLC, all of which were organized under Maryland law.

 

Talbot Bank owns all of the issued and outstanding securities of Dover Street Realty, Inc., a Maryland corporation that engages in the business of holding and managing real property acquired by Talbot Bank as a result of loan foreclosures.

 

We operate in two business segments: community banking and insurance products and services. Financial information related to our operations in these segments for each of the two years ended December 31, 2012 is provided in Note 25 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this annual report.

 

Banking Products and Services

 

CNB is a Maryland commercial bank with trust powers that commenced operations in 1876. CNB was originally chartered as a national banking association but converted to its present charter effective January 1, 2010. Talbot Bank is a Maryland commercial bank that commenced operations in 1885 and was acquired by the Company in its December 2000 merger with Talbot Bancshares, Inc. Felton Bank was a Delaware commercial bank that commenced operations in 1908 and was acquired by the Company in April 2004 when it merged with Midstate Bancorp, Inc. The Banks operate 18 full service branches and 20 ATMs and provide a full range of commercial and consumer banking products and services to individuals, businesses, and other organizations in Kent County, Queen Anne’s County, Caroline County, Talbot County and Dorchester County in Maryland and in Kent County, Delaware. The Banks’ deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”).

 

The Banks are independent community banks and serve businesses and individuals in their respective market areas. Services offered are essentially the same as those offered by larger regional institutions that compete with the Banks. Services provided to businesses include commercial checking, savings, certificates of deposit and overnight investment sweep accounts. The Banks offer all forms of commercial lending, including secured and unsecured loans, working capital loans, lines of credit, term loans, accounts receivable financing, real estate acquisition development, construction loans and letters of credit. Merchant credit card clearing services are available as well as direct deposit of payroll, internet banking and telephone banking services.

 

Services to individuals include checking accounts, various savings programs, mortgage loans, home improvement loans, installment and other personal loans, credit cards, personal lines of credit, automobile and other consumer financing, safe deposit boxes, debit cards, 24-hour telephone banking, internet banking, and 24-hour automatic teller machine services. The Banks also offer nondeposit products, such as mutual funds and annuities, and discount brokerage services to their customers. Additionally, the Banks have Saturday hours and extended hours on certain evenings during the week for added customer convenience.

 

Lending Activities

 

The Banks originate secured and unsecured loans for business purposes. Commercial loans are typically secured by real estate, accounts receivable, inventory, equipment and/or other assets of the business. Commercial loans generally involve a greater degree of credit risk than one to four family residential mortgage loans. Repayment is often dependent on the successful operation of the business and may be affected by adverse conditions in the local economy or real estate market. The financial condition and cash flow of commercial borrowers is therefore carefully analyzed during the loan approval process, and continues to be monitored by obtaining business financial statements, personal financial statements and income tax returns. The frequency of this ongoing analysis depends upon the size and complexity of the credit and collateral that secures the loan. It is also the Banks’ general policy to obtain personal guarantees from the principals of the commercial loan borrowers.

4
 

 

Commercial real estate loans are primarily those secured by land for residential and commercial development, agricultural purpose properties, service industry buildings such as restaurants and motels, retail buildings and general purpose business space. The Banks attempt to mitigate the risks associated with these loans through thorough financial analyses, conservative underwriting procedures, including prudent loan to value ratio standards, obtaining additional collateral when prudent, closely monitoring construction projects to control disbursement of funds on loans, and management’s knowledge of the local economy in which the Banks lend.

 

The Banks provide residential real estate construction loans to builders and individuals for single family dwellings. Residential construction loans are usually granted based upon “as completed” appraisals and are secured by the property under construction. Additional collateral may be taken if loan to value ratios exceed 80%. Site inspections are performed to determine pre-specified stages of completion before loan proceeds are disbursed. These loans typically have maturities of six to 12 months and may have fixed or variable rate features. Permanent financing options for individuals include fixed and variable rate loans with three- and five-year balloon features and one-, three- and five-year adjustable rate mortgage loans. The risk of loss associated with real estate construction lending is controlled through conservative underwriting procedures such as loan to value ratios of 80% or less at origination, obtaining additional collateral when prudent, and closely monitoring construction projects to control disbursement of funds on loans.

 

The Banks originate fixed and variable rate residential mortgage loans. As with any consumer loan, repayment is dependent on the borrower’s continuing financial stability, which can be adversely impacted by job loss, divorce, illness, or personal bankruptcy. Underwriting standards recommend loan to value ratios not to exceed 80% at origination based on appraisals performed by approved appraisers. The Banks rely on title insurance to protect their lien priorities and protect the property securing the loans by requiring fire and casualty insurance.

 

A variety of consumer loans are offered to customers, including home equity loans, credit cards and other secured and unsecured lines of credit and term loans. Careful analysis of an applicant’s creditworthiness is performed before granting credit, and ongoing monitoring of loans outstanding is performed in an effort to minimize risk of loss by identifying problem loans early.

 

Deposit Activities

 

The Banks offer a full array of deposit products including checking, savings and money market accounts, regular and IRA certificates of deposit, and Christmas Savings accounts. The Banks also offer the CDARS program, providing up to $50 million of FDIC insurance to our customers. In addition, we offer our commercial customers packages which include Cash Management services and various checking opportunities.

 

Trust Services

 

CNB has a trust department through which it markets trust, asset management and financial planning services to customers within our market areas using the trade name Wye Financial & Trust.

 

Insurance Activities

 

The Avon-Dixon Agency, LLC, Elliott Wilson Insurance, LLC, and Mubell Finance, LLC were formed as a result of the Company’s acquisition of the assets of The Avon-Dixon Agency, Inc., Elliott Wilson Insurance, Inc., Avon-Dixon Financial Services, Inc., Joseph M. George & Son, Inc. and 59th Street Finance Company on May 1, 2002. In November 2002, The Avon-Dixon Agency, LLC acquired certain assets of W. M. Freestate & Son, Inc., a full-service insurance producer firm located in Centreville, Maryland. Jack Martin & Associates, Inc., Tri-State General Insurance Agency, LTD, Tri-State General Insurance Agency of New Jersey, Inc., Tri-State General Insurance Agency of Virginia, Inc., and ESFS, Inc. were acquired on October 1, 2007.

 

The Insurance Subsidiaries offer a full range of insurance products and services to customers, including insurance premium financing.

 

Seasonality

 

Management does not believe that our business activities are seasonal in nature.

5
 

 

Employees

 

At February 28, 2013, we employed 328 persons, of which 299 were employed on a full-time basis.

 

COMPETITION

 

The banking business, in all of its phases, is highly competitive. Within our market areas, we compete with commercial banks (including local banks and branches or affiliates of other larger banks), savings and loan associations and credit unions for loans and deposits, with money market and mutual funds and other investment alternatives for deposits, with consumer finance companies for loans, with insurance companies, agents and brokers for insurance products, and with other financial institutions for various types of products and services. There is also competition for commercial and retail banking business from banks and financial institutions located outside our market areas.

 

The primary factors in competing for deposits are interest rates, personalized services, the quality and range of financial services, convenience of office locations and office hours. The primary factors in competing for loans are interest rates, loan origination fees, the quality and range of lending services and personalized services. The primary factors in competing for insurance customers are competitive rates, the quality and range of insurance products offered, and quality, personalized service.

 

To compete with other financial services providers, we rely principally upon local promotional activities, including advertisements in local newspapers, trade journals and other publications and on the radio, personal relationships established by officers, directors and employees with customers, and specialized services tailored to meet customers’ needs. In those instances in which we are unable to accommodate the needs of a customer, we will arrange for those services to be provided by other financial services providers with which we have a relationship. We additionally rely on referrals from satisfied customers.

 

The following tables set forth deposit data for FDIC-insured institutions in Kent County, Queen Anne’s County, Caroline County, Talbot County and Dorchester County in Maryland and in Kent County, Delaware as of June 30, 2012, the most recent date for which comparative information is available.

 

       % of 
Kent County, Maryland  Deposits   Total 
   (in thousands)     
Peoples Bank of Kent County, Maryland  $188,333    37.64%
PNC Bank, NA   124,636    24.92 
Chesapeake Bank and Trust Co.   61,978    12.39 
Branch Banking & Trust   50,628    10.12 
CNB   45,898    9.18 
SunTrust Bank   28,747    5.75 
           
          Total  $500,220    100.00%

 

Source: FDIC DataBook

6
 

 

       % of 
Queen Anne’s County, Maryland  Deposits   Total 
   (in thousands)     
The Queenstown Bank of Maryland  $353,778    41.21%
CNB   220,369    25.66 
PNC Bank   62,411    7.27 
Bank of America, NA   62,096    7.23 
M&T   46,972    5.47 
Bank Annapolis   45,107    5.25 
Branch Banking & Trust   20,788    2.42 
Capital One Bank   18,995    2.21 
Peoples Bank   17,912    2.09 
Sun Trust Bank   10,249    1.19 
           
           
          Total  $858,677    100.00%

 

Source: FDIC DataBook

 

       % of 
Caroline County, Maryland  Deposits   Total 
   (in thousands)     
Provident State Bank, Inc  $154,176    40.03%
PNC Bank, NA   95,358    24.76 
CNB   62,582    16.25 
Branch Banking & Trust   27,965    7.26 
M&T   27,419    7.12 
Easton Bank & Trust   13,021    3.38 
The Queenstown Bank of Maryland   4,610    1.20 
           
          Total  $385,131    100.00%

 

Source: FDIC DataBook

       % of 
Talbot County, Maryland  Deposits   Total 
   (in thousands)     
The Talbot Bank of Easton, Maryland  $599,548    50.19%
Bank of America, NA   129,080    10.81 
PNC Bank   123,876    10.37 
Easton Bank & Trust   119,710    10.02 
The Queenstown Bank of MD   48,449    4.06 
Branch Banking & Trust   44,848    3.75 
SunTrust Bank   39,312    3.29 
M&T   38,532    3.23 
Provident State Bank, Inc   26,023    2.18 
First Mariner Bank   16,168    1.35 
Capital One Bank   8,956    0.75 
           
          Total  $1,194,502    100.00%

 

Source: FDIC DataBook

7
 

 

       % of 
Dorchester County, Maryland  Deposits   Total 
   (in thousands)     
The National Bank of Cambridge  $189,377    34.61%
Hebron Savings Bank   103,567    18.92 
Provident State Bank, Inc   65,109    11.90 
Branch Banking & Trust   59,571    10.88 
M&T   35,468    6.48 
The Talbot Bank of Easton, Maryland   35,164    6.42 
Bank of America   29,799    5.44 
SunTrust Bank   29,256    5.35 
           
        Total  $547,311    100.00%

 

Source: FDIC DataBook

       % of 
Kent County, Delaware  Deposits   Total 
   (in thousands)     
M&T  $559,075    31.01%
PNC Bank Delaware   271,355    15.05 
First NB of Wyoming   231,225    12.82 
RBS Citizens NA   181,779    10.08 
Wilmington Savings Fund Society   158,617    8.79 
Wells Fargo   147,152    8.16 
CNB   70,560    3.91 
TD Bank National Assn   57,011    3.16 
Artisans Bank   46,410    2.57 
County Bank   38,807    2.15 
Midcoast Community Bank   34,508    1.91 
Fort Sill National Bank   7,122    0.39 
           
          Total  $1,803,621    100.00%

 

Source: FDIC DataBook

 

For further information about competition in our market areas, see the Risk Factor entitled “We operate in a highly competitive market and our inability to effectively compete in our markets could have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations” in Item 1A of Part I of this annual report.

 

SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

 

The following is a summary of the material regulations and policies applicable to us and is not intended to be a comprehensive discussion. Changes in applicable laws and regulations may have a material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

General

 

The Company is a financial holding company registered with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “FRB”) under the BHC Act and, as such, is subject to the supervision, examination and reporting requirements of the BHC Act and the regulations of the FRB.

 

CNB and Talbot Bank are Maryland commercial banks subject to the banking laws of Maryland and to regulation by the Commissioner of Financial Regulation of Maryland, who is required by statute to make at least one examination in each calendar year (or at 18-month intervals if the Commissioner determines that an examination is unnecessary in a particular calendar year). The primary federal regulator of CNB is the FRB. The primary federal regulator of Talbot Bank is the FDIC, which is also entitled to conduct regular examinations. The deposits of the Banks are insured by the FDIC, so certain laws and regulations administered by the FDIC also govern their deposit taking operations. In addition to the foregoing, the Banks are subject to numerous state and federal statutes and regulations that affect the business of banking generally.

8
 

 

Nonbank affiliates of the Company are subject to examination by the FRB, and, as affiliates of the Banks, may be subject to examination by the Banks’ regulators from time to time. In addition, the Insurance Subsidiaries are each subject to licensing and regulation by the insurance authorities of the states in which they do business. Retail sales of insurance products by the Insurance Subsidiaries to customers of the Banks are also subject to the requirements of the Interagency Statement on Retail Sales of Nondeposit Investment Products promulgated in 1994, as amended, by the FDIC, the FRB and the other federal banking agencies.

 

Regulation of Financial Holding Companies

 

In November 1999, the federal Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the “GLB Act”) was signed into law. Effective in pertinent part on March 11, 2000, the GLB Act revised the BHC Act and repealed the affiliation provisions of the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933, which, taken together, limited the securities, insurance and other non-banking activities of any company that controls an FDIC insured financial institution. Under the GLB Act, a bank holding company can elect, subject to certain qualifications, to become a “financial holding company”. The GLB Act provides that a financial holding company may engage in a full range of financial activities, including insurance and securities underwriting and agency activities, merchant banking, and insurance company portfolio investment activities, with new expedited notice procedures.

 

Under FRB policy, the Company is expected to act as a source of strength to its subsidiary banks, and the FRB may charge the Company with engaging in unsafe and unsound practices for failure to commit resources to a subsidiary bank when required. This support may be required at times when the bank holding company may not have the resources to provide the support. Under the prompt corrective action provisions, if a controlled bank is undercapitalized, then the regulators could require the bank holding company to guarantee the bank’s capital restoration plan. In addition, if the FRB believes that a bank holding company’s activities, assets or affiliates represent a significant risk to the financial safety, soundness or stability of a controlled bank, then the FRB could require the bank holding company to terminate the activities, liquidate the assets or divest the affiliates. The regulators may require these and other actions in support of controlled banks even if such actions are not in the best interests of the bank holding company or its stockholders. Because the Company is a bank holding company, it is viewed as a source of financial and managerial strength for any controlled depository institutions, like the Banks.

 

On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), which made sweeping changes to the financial regulatory landscape and will impact all financial institutions, including the Company and the Banks. The Dodd-Frank Act also directs federal bank regulators to require that all companies that directly or indirectly control an insured depository institution serve as sources of financial strength for the institution. The term “source of financial strength” is defined under the Dodd-Frank Act as the ability of a company to provide financial assistance to its insured depository institution subsidiaries in the event of financial distress. The appropriate federal banking agency for such a depository institution may require reports from companies that control the insured depository institution to assess their abilities to serve as sources of strength and to enforce compliance with the source-of-strength requirements. The appropriate federal banking agency may also require a holding company to provide financial assistance to a bank with impaired capital. Under this requirement, in the future the Company could be required to provide financial assistance to the Banks should they experience financial distress.

 

In addition, under the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 (“FIRREA”), depository institutions insured by the FDIC can be held liable for any losses incurred by, or reasonably anticipated to be incurred by, the FDIC in connection with (i) the default of a commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository institution or (ii) any assistance provided by the FDIC to a commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository institution in danger of default. Accordingly, in the event that any insured subsidiary of the Company causes a loss to the FDIC, other insured subsidiaries of the Company could be required to compensate the FDIC by reimbursing it for the estimated amount of such loss. Such cross guaranty liabilities generally are superior in priority to obligations of a financial institution to its stockholders and obligations to other affiliates.

 

Federal Regulation of Banks

 

Federal and state banking regulators may prohibit the institutions over which they have supervisory authority from engaging in activities or investments that the agencies believe are unsafe or unsound banking practices. These banking regulators have extensive enforcement authority over the institutions they regulate to prohibit or correct activities that violate law, regulation or a regulatory agreement or which are deemed to be unsafe or unsound practices. Enforcement actions may include the appointment of a conservator or receiver, the issuance of a cease and desist order, the termination of deposit insurance, the imposition of civil money penalties on the institution, its directors, officers, employees and institution-affiliated parties, the issuance of directives to increase capital, the issuance of formal and informal agreements, the removal of or restrictions on directors, officers, employees and institution-affiliated parties, and the enforcement of any such mechanisms through restraining orders or other court actions.

 

The Banks are subject to the provisions of Section 23A and Section 23B of the Federal Reserve Act. Section 23A limits the amount of loans or extensions of credit to, and investments in, the Company and its nonbank affiliates by the Banks. Section 23B requires that transactions between any of the Banks and the Company and its nonbank affiliates be on terms and under circumstances that are substantially the same as with non-affiliates.

9
 

 

The Banks are also subject to certain restrictions on extensions of credit to executive officers, directors, and principal stockholders or any related interest of such persons, which generally require that such credit extensions be made on substantially the same terms as are available to third parties dealing with the Banks and not involve more than the normal risk of repayment. Other laws tie the maximum amount that may be loaned to any one customer and its related interests to capital levels.

 

As part of the Federal Deposit Insurance Company Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”), each federal banking regulator adopted non-capital safety and soundness standards for institutions under its authority. These standards include internal controls, information systems and internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, and compensation, fees and benefits. An institution that fails to meet those standards may be required by the agency to develop a plan acceptable to meet the standards. Failure to submit or implement such a plan may subject the institution to regulatory sanctions. The Company, on behalf of the Banks, believes that the Banks meet substantially all standards that have been adopted. FDICIA also imposes capital standards on insured depository institutions.

 

The Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) requires that, in connection with the examination of financial institutions within their jurisdictions, the federal banking regulators evaluate the record of the financial institution in meeting the credit needs of their communities including low and moderate income neighborhoods, consistent with the safe and sound operation of those banks. These factors are also considered by all regulatory agencies in evaluating mergers, acquisitions and applications to open a branch or facility. As of the date of its most recent examination report, each of the Banks has a CRA rating of “Satisfactory.”

 

The Banks are also subject to a variety of other laws and regulations with respect to the operation of their businesses, including, but not limited to, the Truth in Lending Act, the Truth in Savings Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Expedited Funds Availability (Regulation CC), Reserve Requirements (Regulation D), Privacy of Consumer Information (Regulation P), Margin Stock Loans (Regulation U), the Right To Financial Privacy Act, the Flood Disaster Protection Act, the Homeowners Protection Act, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the CAN-SPAM Act, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, and the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act.

 

The Dodd-Frank Act

 

The Dodd-Frank Act, enacted in July 2010, significantly changed the bank regulatory structure and affected the lending, investment, trading and operating activities of financial institutions and their holding companies. The Dodd-Frank Act requires the FRB to set minimum capital levels for bank holding companies that are as stringent as those required for insured depository institutions. The legislation also establishes a floor for capital of insured depository institutions that cannot be lower than the standards in effect today, and directs the federal banking regulators to implement new leverage and capital requirements. The new leverage and capital requirements must take into account off-balance sheet activities and other risks, including risks relating to securitized products and derivatives. Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the FDIC has backup enforcement authority over a depository institution holding company, such as the Company, if the conduct or threatened conduct of such holding company poses a risk to the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”), although such authority may not be used if the holding company is generally in sound condition and does not pose a foreseeable and material risk to the DIF. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act contains a wide variety of provisions (many of which are not yet effective) affecting the regulation of depository institutions, including restrictions related to mortgage originations, risk retention requirements as to securitized loans and the establishment of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”).

 

The full impact of the Dodd-Frank Act on our business and operations will not be known for years until regulations implementing the statute are written and adopted. The Dodd-Frank Act will increase our regulatory compliance burden and costs and may restrict the financial products and services we offer to our customers. In particular, the Dodd-Frank Act will require us to invest significant management attention and resources so that we can evaluate the impact of this law and its regulations and make any necessary changes to our product offerings and operations. These impacts may be material.

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Capital Requirements

 

General

 

FDICIA established a system of prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of undercapitalized institutions. Under this system, the federal banking regulators are required to rate supervised institutions on the basis of five capital categories: “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized,” and “critically undercapitalized;” and to take certain mandatory actions (and are authorized to take other discretionary actions) with respect to institutions in the three undercapitalized categories. The severity of the actions will depend upon the category in which the institution is placed. A depository institution is “well capitalized” if it has a total risk based capital ratio of 10% or greater, a Tier 1 risk based capital ratio of 6% or greater, and a leverage ratio of 5% or greater and is not subject to any order, regulatory agreement, or written directive to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure. An “adequately capitalized” institution is defined as one that has a total risk based capital ratio of 8% or greater, a Tier 1 risk based capital ratio of 4% or greater and a leverage ratio of 4% or greater (or 3% or greater in the case of a bank with a composite CAMEL rating of 1).

 

FDICIA generally prohibits a depository institution from making any capital distribution, including the payment of cash dividends, or paying a management fee to its holding company if the depository institution would thereafter be undercapitalized. Undercapitalized depository institutions are subject to growth limitations and are required to submit capital restoration plans. For a capital restoration plan to be acceptable, the depository institution’s parent holding company must guarantee (subject to certain limitations) that the institution will comply with such capital restoration plan.

 

Significantly undercapitalized depository institutions may be subject to a number of other requirements and restrictions, including orders to sell sufficient voting stock to become adequately capitalized and requirements to reduce total assets and stop accepting deposits from correspondent banks. Critically undercapitalized depository institutions are subject to the appointment of a receiver or conservator; generally within 90 days of the date such institution is determined to be critically undercapitalized.

 

As of December 31, 2012, the Banks were each deemed to be “well capitalized.” For more information regarding the capital condition of the Company, see Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 8 of Part II of this annual report.

 

The Collins Amendment provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act

 

The Collins Amendment provision of the Dodd-Frank Act imposes increased capital requirements in the future. The Collins Amendment also requires federal banking regulators to establish minimum leverage and risk-based capital requirements to apply to insured depository institutions, bank and thrift holding companies, and systemically important nonbank financial companies. These capital requirements must not be less than the Generally Applicable Risk Based Capital Requirements and the Generally Applicable Leverage Capital Requirements as of July 21, 2010, and must not be quantitatively lower than the requirements that were in effect for insured depository institutions as of July 21, 2010. The Collins Amendment defines Generally Applicable Risk Based Capital Requirements and Generally Applicable Leverage Capital Requirements to mean the risk-based capital requirements and minimum ratios of Tier 1 risk-based capital to average total assets, respectively, established by the appropriate federal banking agencies to apply to insured depository institutions under the Prompt Corrective Action provisions, regardless of total consolidated asset size or foreign financial exposure.

 

Basel III — Capital, Liquidity and Stress Testing Requirements

 

The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (“Basel”) has drafted frameworks for the regulation of capital and liquidity of internationally active banking organizations, generally referred to as “Basel III”. On June 7, 2012, the FRB issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that would implement elements of Sections 165 and 166 of the Dodd-Frank Act that encompass certain aspects of Basel III with respect to capital and liquidity. On November 9, 2012, following a public comment period, the U.S. federal banking agencies issued a joint press release announcing that the January 1, 2013 effective date was being delayed so the agencies could consider operational and transitional issues identified in the large volume of public comments received. It is anticipated that the U.S. federal banking agencies will formalize the implementation of the Basel III framework applicable to domestic banks in the United States during 2013. As proposed, the new rules, when implemented and fully phased-in, will require U.S. bank holding companies to maintain higher levels of capital and liquidity than the minimums that currently apply under existing capital regulations.

 

Capital Requirements

 

The Basel III final capital framework, among other things, (i) formalizes a capital measure called “Tier 1 Common Equity” (“T1CE”), (ii) specifies that Tier 1 capital consist only of T1CE and certain “Additional Tier 1 capital” instruments meeting specified requirements, and (iii) defines T1CE narrowly by requiring that most adjustments to regulatory capital measures be made to T1CE and not to the other components of capital. Requirements to maintain higher levels of capital could adversely impact our return on equity. Management is evaluating the Company’s capital levels and ratios to prepare for compliance with the fully phased in Basel III capital requirements, if and when they become final.

 

Liquidity Requirements

 

Historically, regulation and monitoring of bank and bank holding company liquidity has been addressed as a supervisory matter, without required formulaic measures. The Basel III liquidity framework, however, requires banks and bank holding companies to measure their liquidity against specific liquidity tests that, although similar in some respects to liquidity measures historically applied by banks and regulators for management and supervisory purposes, going forward would be required by regulation. Current rules and proposals from the U.S. federal banking agencies do not specifically address the Basel III liquidity requirements.

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Deposit Insurance

 

The Banks are members of the FDIC and pay an insurance premium on a quarterly basis. Deposits are insured by the FDIC through the Deposit Insurance Fund (the “DIF”) and such insurance is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, a permanent increase in deposit insurance to $250,000 was authorized. The coverage limit is per depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category.

 

The Dodd-Frank Act also set a new minimum DIF reserve ratio at 1.35% of estimated insured deposits. The FDIC is required to attain this ratio by September 30, 2020. The Dodd-Frank Act required the FDIC to redefine the deposit insurance assessment base for an insured depository institution. Prior to the Dodd-Frank Act, an institution’s assessment base has historically been its domestic deposits, with some adjustments. As redefined pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, an institution’s assessment base is now an amount equal to the institution’s average consolidated total assets during the assessment period minus average tangible equity. Institutions with $1.0 billion or more in assets at the end of a fiscal quarter must report their average consolidated total assets on a daily basis and report their average tangible equity on an end-of-month balance basis. Institutions with less than $1.0 billion in assets at the end of a fiscal quarter may opt to report average consolidated total assets and average tangible equity on a weekly and end-of-quarter basis, respectively.

 

The Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005, which created the DIF, gave the FDIC greater latitude in setting the assessment rates for insured depository institutions which could be used to impose minimum assessments. On May 22, 2009, the FDIC imposed an emergency insurance assessment of five basis points in an effort to restore the DIF to an acceptable level. On November 12, 2009, the FDIC adopted a final rule requiring insured depository institutions to prepay their estimated quarterly risk-based deposit assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009, and for all of 2010, 2011, and 2012, on December 30, 2009, along with each institution’s risk based deposit insurance assessment for the third quarter of 2009. It was also announced that the assessment rate will increase by 3 basis points effective January 1, 2011. The prepayment will be accounted for as a prepaid expense to be amortized quarterly. The prepaid assessment will qualify for a zero risk weight under the risk-based capital requirements. The Banks’ three-year prepaid assessment was $5.4 million. The Banks expensed a total of $1.4 million in FDIC premiums during 2012. The FDIC has the flexibility to adopt actual deposit assessment rates that are higher or lower than the total base assessment rates adopted without notice and comment, if certain conditions are met.

 

DIF-insured institutions pay a Financing Corporation (“FICO”) assessment in order to fund the interest on bonds issued in the 1980s in connection with the failures in the thrift industry. For the fourth quarter of 2012, the FICO assessment was equal to 0.660 basis points computed on assets as required by the Dodd-Frank Act. These assessments will continue until the bonds mature in 2019.

 

The FDIC is authorized to conduct examinations of and require reporting by FDIC-insured institutions. It is also authorized to terminate a depository bank’s deposit insurance upon a finding by the FDIC that the bank’s financial condition is unsafe or unsound or that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices or has violated any applicable rule, regulation, order or condition enacted or imposed by the bank’s regulatory agency. The termination of deposit insurance for either of the Banks would have a material adverse effect on our earnings, operations and financial condition.

 

Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering

 

The Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”), which is intended to require financial institutions to develop policies, procedures, and practices to prevent and deter money laundering, mandates that every national bank have a written, board-approved program that is reasonably designed to assure and monitor compliance with the BSA.

 

The program must, at a minimum: (i) provide for a system of internal controls to assure ongoing compliance; (ii) provide for independent testing for compliance; (iii) designate an individual responsible for coordinating and monitoring day-to-day compliance; and (iv) provide training for appropriate personnel. In addition, state-chartered banks are required to adopt a customer identification program as part of its BSA compliance program. State-chartered banks are also required to file Suspicious Activity Reports when they detect certain known or suspected violations of federal law or suspicious transactions related to a money laundering activity or a violation of the BSA.

 

In addition to complying with the BSA, the Banks are subject to the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “USA Patriot Act”). The USA Patriot Act is designed to deny terrorists and criminals the ability to obtain access to the United States’ financial system and has significant implications for depository institutions, brokers, dealers, and other businesses involved in the transfer of money. The USA Patriot Act mandates that financial service companies implement additional policies and procedures and take heightened measures designed to address any or all of the following matters: (i) customer identification programs; (ii) money laundering; (iii) terrorist financing; (iv) identifying and reporting suspicious activities and currency transactions; (v) currency crimes; and (vi) cooperation between financial institutions and law enforcement authorities.

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Ability-to-Repay and Qualified Mortgage Rule

 

Pursuant to the Dodd Frank Act, the CFPB issued a final rule on January 10, 2013 (effective on January 10, 2014), amending Regulation Z, as implemented by the Truth in Lending Act, that requires mortgage lenders to make a reasonable and good faith determination based on verified and documented information that a consumer applying for a mortgage loan has a reasonable ability to repay the loan according to its terms. Mortgage lenders are required to determine consumers’ ability to repay in one of two ways. The first alternative requires the mortgage lender to consider the following eight underwriting factors when making the credit decision: (i) current or reasonably expected income or assets; (ii) current employment status; (iii) the monthly payment on the covered transaction; (iv) the monthly payment on any simultaneous loan; (v) the monthly payment for mortgage-related obligations; (vi) current debt obligations, alimony, and child support; (vii) the monthly debt-to-income ratio or residual income; and (viii) credit history. Alternatively, the mortgage lender can originate “qualified mortgages,” which are entitled to a presumption that the creditor making the loan satisfied the ability-to-repay requirements. In general, a “qualified mortgage” is a mortgage loan without negative amortization, interest-only payments, balloon payments, or terms exceeding 30 years. In addition, to be a qualified mortgage the points and fees paid by a consumer cannot exceed three percent of the total loan amount. Qualified mortgages that are “higher-priced” (e.g. subprime loans) garner a rebuttable presumption of compliance with the ability-to-repay rules, while qualified mortgages that are not “higher-priced” (e.g. prime loans) are given a safe harbor of compliance.

 

Volcker Rule

 

The Dodd-Frank Act prohibits insured depository institutions from engaging in proprietary trading except in limited circumstances, and prohibits them from owning equity interests in excess of three percent (3%) of Tier 1 Capital in private equity and hedge funds (known as the “Volcker Rule”). The FRB released a final rule on February 9, 2011 (effective on April 1, 2011) which requires a “banking entity”, a term that is defined to include banks like the Banks, to bring its proprietary trading activities and investments into compliance with the Dodd-Frank Act restrictions no later than two years after the earlier of: (i) July 21, 2012; or (ii) 12 months after the date on which interagency final rules are adopted. Pursuant to the compliance date final rule, banking entities are permitted to request an extension of this timeframe from the FRB. On October 11, 2011, the federal banking agencies released for comment proposed regulations implementing the Volcker Rule. The public comment period closed on February 13, 2012 and a final rule has not yet been published. The proposal has been criticized and there is no consensus as to what the provisions will ultimately include. The Banks do not, nor intend to, engage in proprietary trading or own equity interests in private equity and hedge funds restricted by the Dodd-Frank Act. However, the Banks intend to review the implications of the interagency rules on their investments once those rules are issued and will plan for any adjustments of their activities or their holdings so that they will be in compliance by the announced compliance date.

 

Federal Securities Laws

 

The shares of the Company’s common stock are registered with the SEC under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. The Company is subject to information reporting requirements, proxy solicitation requirements, insider trading restrictions and other requirements of the Exchange Act, including the requirements imposed under the federal Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC. Among other things, loans to and other transactions with insiders are subject to restrictions and heightened disclosure, directors and certain committees of the Board must satisfy certain independence requirements, and the Company is generally required to comply with certain corporate governance requirements.

 

Governmental Monetary and Credit Policies and Economic Controls

 

The earnings and growth of the banking industry and ultimately of the Company are affected by the monetary and credit policies of governmental authorities, including the FRB. An important function of the FRB is to regulate the national supply of bank credit in order to control recessionary and inflationary pressures. Among the instruments of monetary policy used by the FRB to implement these objectives are open market operations in U.S. Government securities, changes in the federal funds rate, changes in the discount rate of member bank borrowings, and changes in reserve requirements against member bank deposits. These means are used in varying combinations to influence overall growth of bank loans, investments and deposits and may also affect interest rates charged on loans or paid for deposits. The monetary policies of the FRB authorities have had a significant effect on the operating results of commercial banks in the past and are expected to continue to have such an effect in the future. In view of changing conditions in the national economy and in the money markets, as well as the effect of actions by monetary and fiscal authorities, including the FRB, no prediction can be made as to possible future changes in interest rates, deposit levels, loan demand or their effect on the business and earnings of the Company and its subsidiaries.

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AVAILABLE INFORMATION

 

The Company maintains an Internet site at www.shbi.com on which it makes available, free of charge, its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to the foregoing as soon as reasonably practicable after these reports are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. In addition, stockholders may access these reports and documents on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov.

 

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS.

 

The significant risks and uncertainties related to us, our business and the Company’s securities of which we are aware are discussed below. You should carefully consider these risks and uncertainties before making investment decisions in respect of the Company’s securities. Any of these factors could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results and prospects and could negatively impact the market price of the Company’s securities. If any of these risks materialize, you could lose all or part of your investment in the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties that we do not yet know of, or that we currently think are immaterial, may also impair our business operations. You should also consider the other information contained in this annual report, including our financial statements and the related notes, before making investment decisions.

 

Risks Relating to Our Business

 

The Company may not be successful if it is not able to grow its subsidiaries and their businesses.

 

The Company’s primary business activity for the foreseeable future will be to act as the holding company of CNB, Talbot Bank, and its other subsidiaries. Therefore, the Company’s future profitability will depend on the success and growth of these subsidiaries. In the future, part of the Company’s growth may come from buying other banks and buying or establishing other companies. Such entities may not be profitable after they are purchased or established, and they may lose money, particularly at first. A new bank or company may bring with it unexpected liabilities, bad loans, or bad employee relations, or the new bank or company may lose customers.

 

A majority of our business is concentrated in Maryland and Delaware, a significant amount of which is concentrated in real estate lending, so a decline in the local economy and real estate markets could adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Because most of our loans are made to customers who reside on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and in Delaware, a decline in local economic conditions may have a greater effect on our earnings and capital than on the earnings and capital of larger financial institutions whose loan portfolios are geographically diverse. Further, we make many real estate secured loans, including construction and land development loans, all of which are in greater demand when interest rates are low and economic conditions are good. Accordingly, a decline in local economic conditions would likely have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations, and the impact on us would likely be greater than the impact felt by larger financial institutions whose loan portfolios are geographically diverse. We cannot guarantee that any risk management practices that we implement to address our geographic and loan concentrations will be effective to prevent losses relating to our loan portfolio.

 

The national and local economies have significantly weakened during the past three years in large part due to the widely-reported problems in the sub-prime mortgage loan market and the meltdown of the financial industry as a whole. As a result, real estate values across the country, including in our market areas, have decreased and the general availability of credit, especially credit to be secured by real estate, has also decreased. These conditions have made it more difficult for real estate owners and owners of loans secured by real estate to sell their assets at the times and at the prices they desire. Not only has this impacted the demand for credit to finance the acquisition and development of real estate, but it has also impaired the ability of banks, including the Banks, to sell real estate acquired through foreclosure. In the case of real estate acquisition, construction and development projects that we have financed, these challenging economic conditions have caused some of our borrowers to default on their loans. Because of the deterioration in the market values of real estate collateral caused by the recession, banks, including the Banks, have been unable to recover the full amount due under their loans when forced to foreclose on and sell real estate collateral. As a result, the Banks have realized significant impairments and losses in their loan portfolios, which have materially and adversely impacted our financial condition and results of operations. These conditions and their consequences are likely to continue until the nation fully recovers from the recent economic recession. Management cannot predict the extent to which these conditions will cause future impairments or losses, nor can it provide any assurances as to when, or if, economic conditions will improve.

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Our concentrations of commercial real estate loans could subject us to increased regulatory scrutiny and directives, which could force us to preserve or raise capital and/or limit our future commercial lending activities.

 

The FRB and the FDIC, along with the other federal banking regulators, issued guidance in December 2006 entitled “Concentrations in Commercial Real Estate Lending, Sound Risk Management Practices” directed at institutions that have particularly high concentrations of commercial real estate loans within their lending portfolios. This guidance suggests that these institutions face a heightened risk of financial difficulties in the event of adverse changes in the economy and commercial real estate markets. Accordingly, the guidance suggests that institutions whose concentrations exceed certain percentages of capital should implement heightened risk management practices appropriate to their concentration risk. The guidance provides that banking regulators may require such institutions to reduce their concentrations and/or maintain higher capital ratios than institutions with lower concentrations in commercial real estate. Based on our concentration of commercial real estate and construction lending as of December 31, 2012, we may be subject to heightened supervisory scrutiny during future examinations and/or be required to take steps to address our concentration and capital levels. Management cannot predict the extent to which this guidance will impact our operations or capital requirements. Further, we cannot guarantee that any risk management practices we implement will be effective to prevent losses relating from concentrations in our commercial real estate portfolio.

 

Interest rates and other economic conditions will impact our results of operations.

 

Our results of operations may be materially and adversely affected by changes in prevailing economic conditions, including declines in real estate values, rapid changes in interest rates and the monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government. Our profitability is in part a function of the spread between the interest rates earned on assets and the interest rates paid on deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities (i.e., net interest income), including advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (the “FHLB”) of Atlanta. Interest rate risk arises from mismatches (i.e., the interest sensitivity gap) between the dollar amount of repricing or maturing assets and liabilities. If more assets reprice or mature than liabilities during a falling interest rate environment, then our earnings could be negatively impacted. Conversely, if more liabilities reprice or mature than assets during a rising interest rate environment, then our earnings could be negatively impacted. Fluctuations in interest rates are not predictable or controllable. There can be no assurance that our attempts to structure our asset and liability management strategies to mitigate the impact on net interest income of changes in market interest rates will be successful in the event of such changes.

 

The Banks may experience credit losses in excess of their allowances, which would adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.

 

The risk of credit losses on loans varies with, among other things, general economic conditions, the type of loan being made, the creditworthiness of the borrower over the term of the loan and, in the case of a collateralized loan, the value and marketability of the collateral for the loan. Management of each of the Banks bases the allowance for credit losses upon, among other things, historical experience, an evaluation of economic conditions and regular reviews of delinquencies and loan portfolio quality. Based upon such factors, management makes various assumptions and judgments about the ultimate collectability of the loan portfolio and provides an allowance for credit losses based upon a percentage of the outstanding balances and for specific loans when their ultimate collectability is considered questionable. If management’s assumptions and judgments prove to be incorrect and the allowance for credit losses is inadequate to absorb future losses, or if the bank regulatory authorities, as a part of their examination process, require our bank subsidiaries to increase their respective allowance for credit losses, our earnings and capital could be significantly and adversely affected. Moreover, future adjustments may be necessary if economic conditions differ substantially from the assumptions used or adverse developments arise with respect to the Banks’ nonperforming or performing loans. Material additions to the allowance for credit losses of one of the Banks would result in a decrease in that Bank’s net income and capital and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

 

The market value of our investments might decline.

 

As of December 31, 2012, we had classified 98% of our investment securities as available-for-sale pursuant to the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 320 (“ASC 320”) of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) relating to accounting for investments. ASC 320 requires that unrealized gains and losses in the estimated value of the available-for-sale portfolio be “marked to market” and reflected as a separate item in stockholders’ equity (net of tax) as accumulated other comprehensive income. The remaining investment securities are classified as held-to-maturity in accordance with ASC 320 and are stated at amortized cost.

 

In the past, gains on sales of investment securities have not been a significant source of income for us. There can be no assurance that future market performance of our investment portfolio will enable us to realize income from sales of securities. Stockholders’ equity will continue to reflect the unrealized gains and losses (net of tax) of these investments. There can be no assurance that the market value of our investment portfolio will not decline, causing a corresponding decline in stockholders’ equity.

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CNB and Talbot Bank are members of the FHLB of Atlanta. Prior to its merger with CNB, Felton Bank was a member of the FHLB of Pittsburgh. A member of the FHLB system is required to purchase stock issued by the relevant FHLB bank based on how much it borrows from the FHLB and the quality of the collateral pledged to secure that borrowing. Accordingly, our investments include stock issued by the FHLB of Atlanta and the FHLB of Pittsburgh. These investments could be subject to future impairment charges and there can be no guaranty of future dividends.

 

Management believes that several factors will affect the market values of our investment portfolio. These include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates or expectations of changes, the degree of volatility in the securities markets, inflation rates or expectations of inflation and the slope of the interest rate yield curve (the yield curve refers to the differences between shorter-term and longer-term interest rates; a positively sloped yield curve means shorter-term rates are lower than longer-term rates). Also, the passage of time will affect the market values of our investment securities, in that the closer they are to maturing, the closer the market price should be to par value. These and other factors may impact specific categories of the portfolio differently, and management cannot predict the effect these factors may have on any specific category.

 

Impairment of investment securities, goodwill, other intangible assets, or deferred tax assets could require charges to earnings, which could result in a negative impact on our results of operations.

 

We are required to record a non-cash charge to earnings when management determines that an investment security is other-than-temporarily impaired. In assessing whether the impairment of investment securities is other-than-temporary, management considers the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and the intent and ability to retain our investment in the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value in the near term.

 

Under current accounting standards, goodwill is not amortized but, instead, is subject to impairment tests on at least an annual basis or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. A decline in the price of the Company’s common stock or occurrence of a triggering event following any of our quarterly earnings releases and prior to the filing of the periodic report for that period could, under certain circumstances, cause us to perform a goodwill impairment test and result in an impairment charge being recorded for that period which was not reflected in such earnings release. In the event that we conclude that all or a portion of our goodwill may be impaired, a non-cash charge for the amount of such impairment would be recorded to earnings. At December 31, 2012, we had recorded goodwill of $12.5 million, representing approximately 10.9% of stockholders’ equity.

 

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Assessing the need for, or the sufficiency of, a valuation allowance requires management to evaluate all available evidence, both negative and positive, including the recent trend of quarterly earnings. Positive evidence necessary to overcome the negative evidence includes whether future taxable income in sufficient amounts and character within the carryback and carry forward periods is available under the tax law, including the use of tax planning strategies. When negative evidence (e.g., cumulative losses in recent years, history of operating loss or tax credit carry forwards expiring unused) exists, more positive evidence than negative evidence will be necessary. At December 31, 2012, our deferred tax assets were approximately $9.2 million.

 

The impact of each of these impairment matters could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 9 of Part II of this annual report for further information.

 

We operate in a highly competitive market, and our inability to effectively compete in our markets could have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

We operate in a competitive environment, competing for loans, deposits, insurance products and customers with commercial banks, savings associations and other financial entities. Competition for deposits comes primarily from other commercial banks, savings associations, credit unions, money market and mutual funds and other investment alternatives. Competition for loans comes primarily from other commercial banks, savings associations, mortgage banking firms, credit unions and other financial intermediaries. Competition for other products, such as insurance and securities products, comes from other banks, securities and brokerage companies, insurance companies, insurance agents and brokers, and other nonbank financial service providers in our market areas. Many of these competitors are much larger in terms of total assets and capitalization, have greater access to capital markets, and/or offer a broader range of financial services than those offered by us. In addition, banks with a larger capitalization and financial intermediaries not subject to bank regulatory restrictions have larger lending limits and are thereby able to serve the needs of larger customers. Our growth and profitability will depend upon our ability to attract and retain skilled managerial, marketing and technical personnel. Competition for qualified personnel in the financial services industry is intense, and there can be no assurance that we will be successful in attracting and retaining such personnel.

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In addition, current banking laws facilitate interstate branching, merger activity among banks, and expanded activities. Since September 1995, certain bank holding companies have been authorized to acquire banks throughout the United States. Since June 1, 1997, certain banks have been permitted to merge with banks organized under the laws of different states. As a result, interstate banking is now an accepted element of competition in the banking industry and the Company may be brought into competition with institutions with which it does not presently compete. Moreover, as discussed above, the GLB Act revised the BHC Act in 2000 and repealed the affiliation provisions of the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933, which, taken together, limited the securities, insurance and other non-banking activities of any company that controls an FDIC insured financial institution. These laws may increase the competition we face in our market areas in the future, although management cannot predict the degree to which such competition will impact our financial condition or results of operations.

 

The banking industry is heavily regulated; significant regulatory changes could adversely affect our operations.

 

Our operations are and will be affected by current and future legislation and by the policies established from time to time by various federal and state regulatory authorities. The Company is subject to supervision by the FRB; CNB is subject to supervision and periodic examination by the Maryland Commissioner and the FRB; and Talbot Bank is subject to supervision and periodic examination by the Maryland Commissioner and the FDIC. Banking regulations, designed primarily for the safety of depositors, may limit a financial institution’s growth and the return to its investors by restricting such activities as the payment of dividends, mergers with or acquisitions by other institutions, investments, loans and interest rates, interest rates paid on deposits, expansion of branch offices, and the offering of securities or trust services. The Company and the Banks are also subject to capitalization guidelines established by federal law and could be subject to enforcement actions to the extent that those institutions are found by regulatory examiners to be undercapitalized. It is not possible to predict what changes, if any, will be made to existing federal and state legislation and regulations or the effect that such changes may have on our future business and earnings prospects. Management also cannot predict the nature or the extent of the effect on our business and earnings of future fiscal or monetary policies, economic controls, or new federal or state legislation. Further, the cost of compliance with regulatory requirements may adversely affect our ability to operate profitably.

 

The full impact of the recently enacted Dodd-Frank Act is currently unknown given that many of the details and substance of the new laws will be implemented through agency rulemakings, but it will likely materially increase our regulatory expenses.

 

On July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Act was signed into law. The Dodd-Frank Act represents a comprehensive overhaul of the financial services industry within the United States and requires federal agencies to adopt nearly 250 new rules and conduct more than 60 studies over the course of the next few years, ensuring that the federal regulations and implementing policies in these areas will continue to develop for the foreseeable future.

 

Significantly, the Dodd-Frank Act includes the following provisions which affect the Company and/or the Banks:

 

·It established the CFPB, which directly regulates and supervises the Banks for compliance with the CFPB’s regulations and policies. The creation of the CFPB will directly impact the scope and cost of products and services offered to consumers by the Bank and may have a significant effect on its financial performance.
·It revised the FDIC’s insurance assessment methodology so that premiums are assessed based upon the average consolidated total assets of the Banks less tangible equity capital.
·It permanently increased deposit insurance coverage to $250,000.
·It authorized the FRB to set debit interchange fees in an amount that is “reasonable and proportional” to the costs incurred by processors and card issuers. Under the final rule issued by the FRB, there is a cap of $0.21 per transaction (with a maximum of $.24 per transaction permitted if certain requirements are met). Implementation of these caps went into effect on October 1, 2011.
·It imposes proprietary trading restrictions on insured depository institutions and their holding companies that prohibit them from engaging in proprietary trading except in limited circumstances, and prevents them from owning equity interests in excess of three percent (3%) of a bank’s Tier 1 capital in private equity and hedge funds.
·It requires a phased-in exclusion of trust preferred securities as a component of Tier 1 capital for certain bank holding companies.
·Depository institution holding companies must now act as a “source of strength” for their depository institution subsidiaries (previously, this had been limited to regulatory policy).
·Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFPB recently issued a final rule requiring mortgage lenders to make a reasonable and good faith determination based on verified and documented information that a consumer applying for a mortgage loan has a reasonable ability to repay the loan according to its terms, or to originate “qualified mortgages” that meet specific requirements with respect to terms, pricing and fees. The new rule also contains new disclosure requirements at mortgage loan origination and in monthly statements. These requirements will likely require significant personnel resources and could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

 

17
 

 

Based on the text of the Dodd-Frank Act and the implementing regulations (both published and yet-to-be-published), it is anticipated that the costs to banks and their holding companies may increase or fee income may decrease significantly, which could adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and/or liquidity. Moreover, compliance obligations will expose us to additional noncompliance risk and could divert management’s focus from the business of banking.

 

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau may reshape the consumer financial laws through rulemaking and enforcement of the prohibitions against unfair, deceptive and abusive business practices. Compliance with any such change may impact our business operations.

 

The CFPB has broad rulemaking authority to administer and carry out the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act with respect to financial institutions that offer covered financial products and services to consumers. The CFPB has also been directed to write rules identifying practices or acts that are unfair, deceptive or abusive in connection with any transaction with a consumer for a consumer financial product or service, or the offering of a consumer financial product or service. The concept of what may be considered to be an “abusive” practice is new under the law. The full scope of the impact of this authority has not yet been determined as the CFPB has not yet released significant supervisory guidance. Moreover, the Banks will be supervised and examined by the CFPB for compliance with the CFPB’s regulations and policies.

 

The costs and limitations related to this additional regulatory reporting regimen have yet to be fully determined, although they may be material and the limitations and restrictions that will be placed upon the Banks with respect to their consumer product offerings and services may produce significant, material effects on our profitability. As of the date of this annual report, the CFPB has not examined the Banks.

 

Bank regulators and other regulations, including proposed Basel III capital standards, may require higher capital levels, impacting our ability to pay dividends or repurchase our stock.

 

In June 2012, the U.S. federal banking agencies issued three Notices of Proposed Rulemaking that would revise and replace the agencies’ current capital rules to align with the BASEL III capital standards and meet certain requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act. Certain requirements of the proposed rules would establish more restrictive capital definitions, higher risk-weightings for certain asset classes, capital buffers, and higher minimum capital ratios. The proposed rules were in a comment period through October 22, 2012 and are subject to further modification by the agencies, as the release of the final rules has been deferred indefinitely. If adopted, our ability to use our capital resources could be materially limited and/or we could be required to raise additional capital by issuing common stock. The issuance of additional shares of common stock may dilute existing stockholders.

 

Customer concern about deposit insurance may cause a decrease in deposits held at the Banks.

 

With increased concerns about bank failures over the past three years, customers increasingly are concerned about the extent to which their deposits are insured by the FDIC. Customers may withdraw deposits from the Banks in an effort to ensure that the amount they have on deposit with us is fully insured. Decreases in deposits may adversely affect our funding costs and net income.

 

Our funding sources may prove insufficient to replace deposits and support our future growth.

 

We rely on customer deposits, advances from the FHLB, and lines of credit at other financial institutions to fund our operations. Although we have historically been able to replace maturing deposits and advances if desired, no assurance can be given that we would be able to replace such funds in the future if our financial condition or the financial condition of the FHLB or market conditions were to change. Our financial flexibility will be severely constrained and/or our cost of funds will increase if we are unable to maintain our access to funding or if financing necessary to accommodate future growth is not available at favorable interest rates. Finally, if we are required to rely more heavily on more expensive funding sources to support future growth, our revenues may not increase proportionately to cover our costs. In this case, our profitability would be adversely affected.

 

In addition, the FRB has issued rules pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act governing debit card interchange fees that apply to institutions with greater than $10 billion in assets. Although we are not subject to these rules, market forces may effectively require all banks to adopt debit card interchange fee structures that comply with these rules, in which case our non-interest income for future periods could be materially and adversely affected.

 

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The loss of key personnel could disrupt our operations and result in reduced earnings.

 

Our growth and profitability will depend upon our ability to attract and retain skilled managerial, marketing and technical personnel. Competition for qualified personnel in the financial services industry is intense, and there can be no assurance that we will be successful in attracting and retaining such personnel. Our current executive officers provide valuable services based on their many years of experience and in-depth knowledge of the banking industry. Due to the intense competition for financial professionals, these key personnel would be difficult to replace and an unexpected loss of their services could result in a disruption to the continuity of operations and a possible reduction in earnings.

 

Our lending activities subject us to the risk of environmental liabilities.

 

A significant portion of our loan portfolio is secured by real property. During the ordinary course of business, we may foreclose on and take title to properties securing certain loans. In doing so, there is a risk that hazardous or toxic substances could be found on these properties. If hazardous or toxic substances are found, we may be liable for remediation costs, as well as for personal injury and property damage. Environmental laws may require us to incur substantial expenses and may materially reduce the affected property’s value or limit our ability to use or sell the affected property. In addition, future laws or more stringent interpretations of enforcement policies with respect to existing laws may increase our exposure to environmental liability. Although we have policies and procedures to perform an environmental review before initiating any foreclosure action on real property, these reviews may not be sufficient to detect all potential environmental hazards. The remediation costs and any other financial liabilities associated with an environmental hazard could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

We may be subject to other claims.

 

We may from time to time be subject to claims from customers for losses due to alleged breaches of fiduciary duties, errors and omissions of employees, officers and agents, incomplete documentation, the failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations, or many other reasons. Also, our employees may knowingly or unknowingly violate laws and regulations. Management may not be aware of any violations until after their occurrence. This lack of knowledge may not insulate the Company or our subsidiaries from liability. Claims and legal actions may result in legal expenses and liabilities that may reduce our profitability and hurt our financial condition.

 

We may be adversely affected by other recent legislation.

 

As discussed above, the GLB Act repealed restrictions on banks affiliating with securities firms and it also permitted bank holding companies that become financial holding companies to engage in additional financial activities, including insurance and securities underwriting and agency activities, merchant banking, and insurance company portfolio investment activities that are currently not permitted for bank holding companies. Although the Company is a financial holding company, this law may increase the competition we face from larger banks and other companies. It is not possible to predict the full effect that this law will have on us.

 

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires management of publicly traded companies to perform an annual assessment of their internal controls over financial reporting and to report on whether the system is effective as of the end of the Company’s fiscal year. Disclosure of significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in internal controls could cause an unfavorable impact to stockholder value by affecting the market value of the Company’s stock.

 

The USA Patriot Act requires certain financial institutions, such as the Banks, to maintain and prepare additional records and reports that are designed to assist the government’s efforts to combat terrorism. This law includes sweeping anti-money laundering and financial transparency laws and required additional regulations, including, among other things, standards for verifying client identification when opening an account and rules to promote cooperation among financial institutions, regulators and law enforcement entities in identifying parties that may be involved in terrorism or money laundering. If we fail to comply with this law, we could be exposed to adverse publicity as well as fines and penalties assessed by regulatory agencies.

 

19
 

 

We may not be able to keep pace with developments in technology in which case we may become less competitive and lose customers.

 

We use various technologies in our business, including telecommunication, data processing, computers, automation, internet-based banking, and debit cards. Technology changes rapidly. Our ability to compete successfully with other banks and non-bank entities may depend on whether we can exploit technological changes. We may not be able to exploit technological changes, and any investment we do make may not make us more profitable.

 

Risks Relating to the Company’s Securities

 

The shares of the Company’s common stock are not insured.

 

The shares of the Company’s common stock are not deposits and are not insured against loss by the FDIC or any other governmental or private agency.

 

The Company’s ability to pay dividends is limited.

 

The Company’s ability to pay dividends is subject to the requirements of Maryland corporate laws, federal and state banking laws, and the policies and actions of our regulators. Moreover, the Company’s ability to pay dividends to stockholders is largely dependent upon its earnings in future periods and upon the receipt of dividends from the Banks. Under corporate law, stockholders are entitled to dividends on their shares of common stock if, when, and as declared by the Company’s Board of Directors out of funds legally available for that purpose. FRB guidance requires a bank holding company, like the Company, to consult with the FRB before paying dividends if the Company’s earnings do not exceed the aggregate amount of the proposed dividend. The FRB has the ability to prohibit a dividend in such a situation. Both federal and state laws impose restrictions on the ability of the Banks to pay dividends. Federal law prohibits the payment of a dividend by an insured depository institution if the depository institution is considered “undercapitalized” or if the payment of the dividend would make the institution “undercapitalized”. Maryland banking law provides that a state-chartered bank may pay dividends out of undivided profits or, with the prior approval of the Maryland Commissioner, from surplus in excess of 100% of required capital stock. If, however, the surplus of a Maryland bank is less than 100% of its required capital stock, then cash dividends may not be paid in excess of 90% of net earnings. In addition to these specific restrictions, bank regulatory agencies also have the ability to prohibit proposed dividends by a financial institution that would otherwise be permitted under applicable regulations if the regulatory body determines that such distribution would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice. Both the Company and Talbot Bank are currently prohibited from paying any dividends without the consent of the FRB or the FDIC and the Maryland Commissioner, respectively. Thus, even if the Company and/or Talbot Bank had cash sufficient under corporate and banking laws to lawfully pay dividends, the FRB and/or the FDIC and the Maryland Commissioner could deny a request to do so. Because of these limitations, there can be no guarantee that the Company’s Board will declare dividends in any fiscal quarter.

 

The shares of the Company’s common stock are not heavily traded.

 

Shares of the Company’s common stock are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, but shares are not heavily traded. Securities that are not heavily traded can be more volatile than stock trading in an active public market. Factors such as our financial results, the introduction of new products and services by us or our competitors, and various factors affecting the banking industry generally may have a significant impact on the market price of the shares of the common stock. Management cannot predict the extent to which an active public market for the shares of the common stock will develop or be sustained in the future. Accordingly, holders of shares of the common stock may not be able to sell them at the volumes, prices, or times that they desire.

 

The Company’s Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws and Maryland law may discourage a corporate takeover.

 

The Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as supplemented (the “Charter”), and Amended and Restated By-Laws, as amended (the “By-Laws”), contain certain provisions designed to enhance the ability of the Board of Directors to deal with attempts to acquire control of the Company. The Charter and By-Laws provide for the classification of the Board into three classes; directors of each class generally serve for staggered three-year periods. No director may be removed except for cause and then only by a vote of at least two-thirds of the total eligible stockholder votes. The Charter gives the Board certain powers in respect of the Company’s securities. First, the Board has the authority to classify and reclassify unissued shares of stock of any class or series of stock by setting, fixing, eliminating, or altering in any one or more respects the preferences, rights, voting powers, restrictions and qualifications of, dividends on, and redemption, conversion, exchange, and other rights of, such securities. Second, a majority of the Board, without action by the stockholders, may amend the Charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class that the Company has authority to issue. The Board could use these powers, along with its authority to authorize the issuance of securities of any class or series, to issue securities having terms favorable to management to persons affiliated with or otherwise friendly to management.

20
 

 

Maryland law also contains anti-takeover provisions that apply to the Company. The Maryland Business Combination Act generally prohibits, subject to certain limited exceptions, corporations from being involved in any “business combination” (defined as a variety of transactions, including a merger, consolidation, share exchange, asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities) with any “interested shareholder” for a period of five years following the most recent date on which the interested shareholder became an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder is defined generally as a person who is the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation after the date on which the corporation had 100 or more beneficial owners of its stock or who is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding stock of the corporation at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question and after the date on which the corporation had 100 or more beneficial owners of its stock. The Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act applies to acquisitions of “control shares”, which, subject to certain exceptions, are shares the acquisition of which entitle the holder, directly or indirectly, to exercise or direct the exercise of the voting power of shares of stock of the corporation in the election of directors within any of the following ranges of voting power: one-tenth or more, but less than one-third of all voting power; one-third or more, but less than a majority of all voting power or a majority or more of all voting power. Control shares have limited voting rights. The By-Laws exempt the Company’s capital securities from the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act, but the Board has the authority to eliminate the exemption without stockholder approval.

 

Although these provisions do not preclude a takeover, they may have the effect of discouraging, delaying or deferring a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in his or her best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the common stock. Such provisions will also render the removal of the Board of Directors and of management more difficult and, therefore, may serve to perpetuate current management. These provisions could potentially adversely affect the market price of the Company’s common stock.

 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

 

None.

 

Item 2. Properties.

 

Our offices are listed in the tables below. The Company’s main office is the same as Talbot Bank’s main office. The Company owns real property at 28969 Information Lane in Easton, Maryland, which houses the Operations, Information Technology and Finance departments of the Company and its subsidiaries, and certain operations of The Avon-Dixon Agency, LLC.

 

The Talbot Bank of Easton, Maryland
Branches
 

Main Office

18 East Dover Street

Easton, Maryland 21601

Elliott Road Branch

8275 Elliott Road

Easton, Maryland 21601

Tred Avon Square Branch

212 Marlboro Road

Easton, Maryland 21601

     

St. Michaels Branch

1013 South Talbot Street

St. Michaels, Maryland 21663

Sunburst Branch

424 Dorchester Avenue

Cambridge, Maryland 21613

Tilghman Branch

5804 Tilghman Island Road

Tilghman, Maryland 21671

     
 

Trappe Branch

29349 Maple Avenue, Suite 1

Trappe, Maryland 21673

 
     
  ATMs  
     

Memorial Hospital at Easton

219 South Washington Street

Easton, Maryland 21601

Talbottown

218 North Washington Street

Easton, Maryland 21601

 

 

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CNB
Branches
 

Main Office

109 North Commerce Street

Centreville, Maryland 21617

Route 213 South Branch

2609 Centreville Road

Centreville, Maryland 21617

Chester Branch

300 Castle Marina Road

Chester, Maryland 21619

     

Denton Branch

850 South 5th Avenue

Denton, Maryland 21629

Grasonville Branch

202 Pullman Crossing

Grasonville, Maryland 21638

Stevensville Branch

408 Thompson Creek Road

Stevensville, Maryland 21666

     

Tuckahoe Branch

22151 WES Street

Ridgely, Maryland 21660

Washington Square Branch

899 Washington Avenue

Chestertown, Maryland 21620

Felton Branch

120 West Main Street

Felton, Delaware 19943

     

Milford Branch

698-A North Dupont Boulevard

Milford, Delaware 19963

Camden Branch

4580 South DuPont Highway

Camden, Delaware 19934

Division Office - Wye Financial & Trust

16 North Washington Street, Suite 1

Easton, Maryland 21601

     
     
     
The Avon-Dixon Agency, LLC
 

Headquarters

106 North Harrison Street

Easton, Maryland 21601

Benefits Office

28969 Information Lane

Easton, Maryland 21601

Centreville Office

105 Lawyers Row

Centreville, Maryland 21617

     

Elliott-Wilson Insurance, LLC

106 North Harrison Street

Easton, Maryland 21601

Mubell Finance, LLC

106 North Harrison Street

Easton, Maryland 21601

Jack Martin & Associates, Inc.

135 Old Solomon’s Island Road

Annapolis, Maryland 21401

     
 

Tri-State General Insurance Agencies and ESFS, Inc.

One Plaza East, 4th Floor

Salisbury, Maryland 21802

 
     

 

 

 

Talbot Bank owns the real property on which all of its offices are located, except that it operates under leases at its St. Michaels, Tilghman and Trappe branches. CNB owns the real property on which all of its Maryland offices are located, except that it operates under a lease at the office of Wye Financial and Trust in Easton. CNB leases the real property on which all of its Delaware offices are located, except that it owns the real property on which the Camden Branch is located. The Insurance Subsidiaries do not own any real property, but operate under leases. For information about rent expense for all leased premises, see Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 8 of Part II of this annual report.

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

 

We are at times, in the ordinary course of business, subject to legal actions. Management, upon the advice of counsel, believes that losses, if any, resulting from current legal actions will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

 

This item is not applicable.

22
 

 

PART II

 

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

 

MARKET PRICE, HOLDERS AND CASH DIVIDENDS

 

The shares of the Company’s common stock are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “SHBI”. As of February 28, 2013, the Company had approximately 1,563 holders of record. The high and low sales prices for the shares of common stock of the Company, as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, and the cash dividends declared on those shares for each quarterly period of 2012 and 2011 are set forth in the table below.

 

   2012   2011 
   Price Range   Dividends   Price Range   Dividends 
   High   Low   Paid   High   Low   Paid 
First Quarter  $7.40   $4.91   $0.01   $11.11   $9.42   $0.06 
Second Quarter   7.45    5.51    -    10.21    6.51    0.01 
Third Quarter   6.33    4.98    -    7.06    3.95    0.01 
Fourth Quarter   6.98    4.65    -    6.13    4.20    0.01 
             $0.01             $0.09 

 

On February 28, 2013, the closing sales price for the shares of common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market was $6.68 per share.

 

Stockholders received cash dividends totaling $85 thousand and $760 thousand in 2012 and 2011, respectively. Dividends paid per share exceeded earnings per share in both 2012 and 2011. In an effort to preserve the Company’s capital, the quarterly cash dividend on common stock was reduced from $0.06 to $0.01 per share, beginning with the dividend that was payable May 31, 2011. On May 3, 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors voted to suspend quarterly cash dividends until further notice. As a general matter, the payment of dividends is at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors, based on such factors as operating results, financial condition, capital adequacy, regulatory requirements, and stockholder return. The Company’s ability to pay dividends is limited by federal banking and state corporate law and is generally dependent on the ability of the Company’s subsidiaries, particularly the Banks, to declare dividends to the Company. Further, our regulators have the ability to prohibit the payment of dividends even if dividends could otherwise be paid under applicable law if they determine that such payment would not be in our best interests. As noted above, the Company and Talbot Bank are currently prohibited from paying any dividends without the prior consent of their respective regulators. For more information regarding these dividend limitations, see Item 1A of Part I of this annual report under the heading, “The Company’s ability to pay dividends is limited”, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The transfer agent for the Company’s common stock is:

 

Registrar & Transfer Company

10 Commerce Drive

Cranford, New Jersey 07016

Investor Relations: 1-800-368-5948

E-mail for investor inquiries: info@rtco.com.

 

23
 

 

The performance graph below compares the cumulative total stockholder return on the common stock of the Company with the cumulative total return on the equity securities included in the NASDAQ Composite Index (reflecting overall stock market performance), the NASDAQ Bank Index (reflecting changes in banking industry stocks), and the SNL Small Cap Bank Index (reflecting changes in stocks of banking institutions of a size similar to the Company) assuming in each case an initial $100 investment on December 31, 2007 and reinvestment of dividends as of the end of the Company’s fiscal years. Returns are shown on a total return basis. The performance graph represents past performance and should not be considered to be an indication of future performance.

 

 

   Period Ending 
Index  12/31/07   12/31/08   12/31/09   12/31/10   12/31/11   12/31/12 
Shore Bancshares, Inc.   100.00    112.36    70.50    52.33    25.86    27.11 
NASDAQ Composite   100.00    60.02    87.24    103.08    102.26    120.42 
NASDAQ Bank   100.00    78.46    65.67    74.97    67.10    79.64 
SNL Small Cap Bank   100.00    84.06    59.08    72.17    68.94    80.30 

 

ISSUER REPURCHASES

 

On February 2, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to 165,000 shares of its common stock over a period not to exceed 60 months. Since the expiration of that repurchase program on February 2, 2011, the Board has not authorized additional repurchases.

 

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

 

Pursuant to the SEC’s Regulation S-K Compliance and Disclosure Interpretation 106.01, the information regarding the Corporation’s equity compensation plans required by this Item pursuant to Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K is located in Item 12 of Part III of this annual report and is incorporated herein by reference.

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

 

The following table sets forth certain selected financial data for the five years ended December 31, 2012, and is qualified in its entirety by the detailed statistical and other information contained in this annual report, including “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” appearing in Item 7 of Part II of this annual report and the financial statements and notes thereto appearing in Item 8 of Part II of this annual report.

 

   Years Ended December 31, 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)  2012   2011   2010   2009   2008 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:                    
Interest income  $45,901   $50,852   $55,461   $58,789   $61,474 
Interest expense   10,562    11,088    12,822    17,411    21,555 
Net interest income   35,339    39,764    42,639    41,378    39,919 
Provision for credit losses   27,745    19,470    21,119    8,986    3,337 
Net interest income after provision for credit
     losses
   7,594    20,294    21,520    32,392    36,582 
Noninterest income   15,758    17,318    18,041    19,541    20,350 
Noninterest expense   39,555    39,167    41,720    40,248    38,370 
(Loss) income before income taxes   (16,203)   (1,555)   (2,159)   11,685    18,562 
Income tax (benefit) expense   (6,565)   (658)   (492)   4,412    7,092 
Net (loss) income   (9,638)   (897)   (1,667)   7,273    11,470 
Preferred stock dividends and discount accretion   -    -    -    1,876    - 
Net (loss) income available to common
     shareholders
  $(9,638)  $(897)  $(1,667)  $5,397   $11,470 
                          
PER COMMON SHARE DATA:                         
Net (loss) income – basic  $(1.14)  $(0.11)  $(0.20)  $0.64   $1.37 
Net (loss) income – diluted   (1.14)   (0.11)   (0.20)   0.64    1.37 
Dividends paid   0.01    0.09    0.24    0.64    0.64 
Book value (at year end)   13.48    14.34    14.51    15.18    15.16 
Tangible book value (at year end)1   11.56    12.37    12.32    12.64    12.55 
                          
FINANCIAL CONDITION (at year end):                         
Loans  $785,082   $841,050   $895,404   $916,557   $888,528 
Assets   1,185,807    1,158,193    1,130,311    1,156,516    1,044,641 
Deposits   1,049,273    1,009,919    979,516    990,937    845,371 
Long-term debt   -    455    932    1,429    7,947 
Stockholders’ equity   114,026    121,249    122,513    127,810    127,385 
                          
PERFORMANCE RATIOS (for the year):                         
Return on average total assets   (0.82)%   (0.08)%   (0.15)%   0.48%   1.13%
Return on average stockholders’ equity   (8.07)   (0.74)   (1.33)   4.00    9.22 
Net interest margin   3.23    3.74    4.02    3.90    4.23 
Efficiency ratio2   77.17    68.35    68.75    66.07    63.66 
Dividend payout ratio   (0.88)   (81.82)   (120.00)   100.00    46.72 
Average stockholders’ equity to average total
     assets
   10.18    10.66    11.05    11.96    12.30 

 

1Total stockholders’ equity, net of goodwill and other intangible assets, divided by the number of shares of common stock outstanding at year end.

 

2Noninterest expense as a percentage of total revenue (net interest income plus total noninterest income).  Lower ratios indicate improved productivity.

 

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

The following discussion compares the Company’s financial condition at December 31, 2012 to its financial condition at December 31, 2011 and the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto appearing in Item 8 of Part II of this annual report.

 

PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW

The Company recorded a net loss of $9.6 million in 2012, compared to a net loss of $897 thousand for 2011 and a net loss of $1.7 million for 2010. The basic and diluted loss per common share was $1.14, $0.11 and $0.20 for 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

When comparing 2012 to 2011, the principal factors for the difference in results were an $8.3 million increase in the provision for credit losses, a $4.4 million decline in net interest income and a $1.3 million loss incurred to terminate the ineffective portion of a cash flow hedge. During 2012, the slow economic recovery on the Delmarva Peninsula continued to negatively impact our loan portfolio performance and our overall financial performance. For 2011, the main contributors to the lower net loss when compared to 2010 were a $1.7 million decrease in goodwill and other intangible assets impairment charges and a $1.6 million decrease in the provision for credit losses, which were partially offset by a decline in net interest income of $2.9 million.

 

Return on average assets was (0.82)% for 2012, compared to (0.08)% for 2011 and (0.15)% for 2010. Return on average stockholders’ equity for 2012 was (8.07)%, compared to (0.74)% for 2011 and (1.33)% for 2010. Average assets were $1.172 billion for 2012, a 2.9% increase when compared to 2011. Average loans decreased 6.8% to $814.2 million while average earning assets increased 2.7% to $1.098 billion. Average deposits increased 3.7% to $1.029 billion while average stockholders’ equity decreased 1.8% to $119.4 million for 2012. Comparing 2011 to 2010, average assets increased less than 1.0%, average loans decreased 3.7%, and average earning assets remained relatively unchanged. Average deposits increased 1.2% while average stockholders’ equity decreased 3.3% for 2011.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and follow general practices within the industries in which it operates. Application of these principles requires management to make estimates, assumptions, and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates, assumptions, and judgments are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements; accordingly, as this information changes, the financial statements could reflect different estimates, assumptions, and judgments. Certain policies inherently have a greater reliance on the use of estimates, assumptions, and judgments and as such have a greater possibility of producing results that could be materially different than originally reported. Estimates, assumptions, and judgments are necessary when assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value, when a decline in the value of an asset not carried on the financial statements at fair value warrants an impairment write-down or valuation reserve to be established, or when an asset or liability needs to be recorded contingent upon a future event. Carrying assets and liabilities at fair value inherently results in more financial statement volatility. The fair values and the information used to record valuation adjustments for certain assets and liabilities are based on quoted market prices, collateral value or are provided by other third-party sources, when available.

 

The most significant accounting policies that the Company follows are presented in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. These policies, along with the disclosures presented in the notes to the financial statements and in this discussion, provide information on how significant assets and liabilities are valued in the financial statements and how those values are determined. Based on the valuation techniques used and the sensitivity of financial statement amounts to the methods, assumptions, and estimates underlying those amounts, management has determined that the accounting policy with respect to the allowance for credit losses to be the accounting area that requires the most subjective or complex judgments, and, as such, could be most subject to revision as new information becomes available. Accordingly, the allowance for credit losses is considered to be a critical accounting policy, along with goodwill and other intangible assets and fair value, as discussed below.

 

The allowance for credit losses represents management’s estimate of credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. Determining the amount of the allowance for credit losses is considered a critical accounting estimate because it requires significant judgment and the use of estimates related to the amount and timing of expected future cash flows on impaired loans, estimated losses on pools of homogeneous loans based on historical loss experience, and consideration of current economic trends and conditions, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. The loan portfolio also represents the largest asset type on the consolidated balance sheets. Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements describes the methodology used to determine the allowance for credit losses. A discussion of the factors driving changes in the amount of the allowance for credit losses is included in the Provision for Credit Losses and Risk Management section of this discussion.

 

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Other intangible assets represent purchased assets that also lack physical substance but can be distinguished from goodwill because of contractual or other legal rights or because the asset is capable of being sold or exchanged either on its own or in combination with a related contract, asset or liability. Goodwill and other intangible assets are required to be recorded at fair value. Determining fair value is subjective, requiring the use of estimates, assumptions and management judgment. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are tested at least annually for impairment, usually during the third quarter, or on an interim basis if circumstances dictate. Intangible assets that have finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and also are subject to impairment testing. Impairment testing requires that the fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units be compared to the carrying amount of its net assets, including goodwill. The Company’s reporting units were identified based on an analysis of each of its individual operating segments. If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than book value, an expense may be required to write down the related goodwill or purchased intangibles to record an impairment loss.

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The Company measures certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value, with the measurements made on a recurring or nonrecurring basis. Significant financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are investment securities and interest rate caps. Impaired loans and other real estate and other assets owned are significant financial instruments measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. In determining fair value, the Company is required to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs, reducing subjectivity.

 

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS AND DEVELOPMENTS

Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements discusses new accounting policies that the Company adopted during 2012 and the expected impact of accounting policies recently issued or proposed but not yet required to be adopted. To the extent the adoption of new accounting standards materially affects our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity, the impacts are discussed in the applicable section(s) of this discussion and Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income remains the most significant component of our earnings. It is the excess of interest and fees earned on total average earning assets (loans, investment securities, federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits with other banks) over interest owed on average interest-bearing liabilities (deposits and borrowings). Tax-equivalent net interest income is net interest income adjusted for the tax-favored status of income from certain loans and investments. As shown in the table below, tax-equivalent net interest income for 2012 was $35.5 million, an 11.2% decrease from 2011. The decrease was primarily due to lower yields earned on average earning assets and a decline in higher-yielding average loan balances. Tax-equivalent net interest income for 2011 decreased 6.8% from 2010 for the same reasons as the decline in net interest income for 2012.

 

Our net interest margin (i.e., tax-equivalent net interest income divided by average earning assets) represents the net yield on earning assets. The net interest margin is managed through loan and deposit pricing and asset/liability strategies. The net interest margin was 3.23% for 2012, compared to 3.74% for 2011, representing a decline of 51 basis points due to both the decrease in net interest income and increase in average earning assets. The net interest margin declined 28 basis points in 2011 when compared to 2010 primarily due to a decrease in net interest income. The net interest spread, which is the difference between the average yield on earning assets and the rate paid for interest-bearing liabilities, was 3.02% for 2012, 3.52% for 2011 and 3.76% for 2010.

 

In December 2012, the Company decided to partially exit the Promontory Insured Network Deposits Program (the “IND Program”) which it had participated in since 2009. The money market deposits associated with the program were $90 million at December 31, 2012 and are expected to decline by $50 million during the first quarter of 2013. Interest rate caps were used to hedge the interest rates on these deposits; therefore, a portion of the interest rate caps was terminated. By partially exiting the IND Program and terminating a portion of the interest rate caps, money market deposit account balances and related interest expense are expected to decline. The lower money market deposit account balances will reduce our excess liquidity and the lower related interest expense is expected to benefit the net interest margin going forward. The effects of these transactions are expected to impact the Company’s financial results beginning in the first quarter of 2013. See the discussion below relating to interest expense and Note 20 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

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The following table sets forth the major components of net interest income, on a tax-equivalent basis, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010.

 

   2012   2011   2010 
   Average   Interest   Yield/   Average   Interest   Yield/   Average   Interest   Yield 
(Dollars in thousands)  Balance   (1)   Rate   Balance   (1)   Rate   Balance   (1)   /Rate 
Earning assets                                    
Loans (2) (3)  $814,167   $42,808    5.26%  $873,155   $47,688    5.46%  $906,732   $52,118    5.75%
Investment securities:                                             
Taxable   134,697    2,815    2.09    109,059    3,031    2.78    101,162    3,209    3.17 
Tax-exempt   2,989    157    5.25    4,509    234    5.19    6,080    321    5.29 
Federal funds sold   10,185    10    0.10    23,808    25    0.10    39,770    60    0.15 
Interest-bearing deposits   135,813    274    0.20    58,927    93    0.16    14,520    18    0.12 
Total earning assets   1,097,851    46,064    4.20%   1,069,458    51,071    4.78%   1,068,264    55,726    5.22%
Cash and due from banks   20,256              19,198              16,567           
Other assets   68,813              67,695              65,774           
Allowance for credit losses   (14,468)             (16,408)             (13,689)          
Total assets  $1,172,452             $1,139,943             $1,136,916           
                                              
Interest-bearing liabilities                                             
Demand deposits  $160,741    294    0.18%  $145,533    300    0.21%  $130,297    315    0.24%
Money market and savings deposits (4)   279,126    3,279    1.17    265,910    2,654    1.00    258,650    1,970    0.76 
Certificates of deposit, $100,000 or more   238,241    3,442    1.44    245,214    3,965    1.62    256,393    5,128    2.00 
Other time deposits   204,644    3,486    1.70    205,154    4,076    1.99    214,121    5,268    2.46 
Interest-bearing deposits   882,752    10,501    1.19    861,811    10,995    1.28    859,461    12,681    1.48 
Short-term borrowings   14,976    45    0.30    15,319    56    0.37    16,348    83    0.51 
Long-term debt   341    16    4.61    814    37    4.50    1,304    58    4.41 
Total interest-bearing liabilities   898,069    10,562    1.18%   877,944    11,088    1.26%   877,113    12,822    1.46%
                                              
Noninterest-bearing deposits   146,057              130,260              120,871           
Other liabilities   8,967              10,243              13,346           
Stockholders’ equity   119,359              121,496              125,586           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $1,172,452             $1,139,943             $1,136,916           
                                              
Net interest spread       $35,502    3.02%       $39,983    3.52%       $42,904    3.76%
Net interest margin             3.23%             3.74%             4.02%

  

(1) All amounts are reported on a tax-equivalent basis computed using the statutory federal income tax rate of 34.0%, exclusive of the alternative minimum tax rate and nondeductible interest expense. The tax-equivalent adjustment amounts used in the above table to compute yields aggregated $163 thousand in 2012, $219 thousand in 2011 and $265 thousand in 2010.

(2) Average loan balances include nonaccrual loans.

(3) Interest income on loans includes amortized loan fees, net of costs, and all are included in the yield calculations.

(4) Interest on money market and savings deposits includes an adjustment to expense related to interest rate caps and the hedged deposits from the Promontory Insured Network Deposits Program associated with them. This adjustment increased interest expense by $2.0 million for 2012, $1.3 million for 2011 and $429 thousand for 2010.

 

On a tax-equivalent basis, total interest income was $46.1 million for 2012, compared to $51.1 million for 2011 and $55.7 million for 2010. The decline in interest income for both 2012 and 2011 was primarily due to loan activity. During 2012 and 2011, average loans decreased $59.0 million and $33.6 million, respectively, and the yield earned on loans decreased 20 and 29 basis points, respectively. Excluding average nonaccrual loans, the yield on loans would have been 5.57%, 5.78% and 5.97% for 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively. The changes in all other average earning assets included an increase in interest-bearing deposits with other banks of $76.9 million and an increase of four basis points in the related yield, which increased interest income $181 thousand. Beginning in 2011 and continuing in 2012, the investment of excess cash from customers’ deposits shifted from federal funds sold to interest-bearing deposits in other banks, primarily with the Federal Reserve Bank, to take advantage of higher yields on these deposits. While taxable investment securities increased $25.6 million, the related yield declined 69 basis points, which reduced interest income by $216 thousand. The yield on taxable investment securities decreased because the reinvestment rates on investment securities purchased during 2012 were lower than the yields on the investment securities that matured during the period. The remaining earning assets, federal funds sold and tax-exempt investment securities, declined $13.6 million and $1.5 million, respectively. The yield on tax-exempt securities increased six basis points while the yield on federal funds sold remained the same. The changes in the balances and yields of these earning assets reduced interest income a combined $92 thousand.

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Similarly for 2011, average interest-bearing deposits and taxable investment securities increased $44.4 million and $7.9 million, respectively, and the yield on interest-bearing deposits increased four basis points while the yield on taxable securities decreased 39 basis points. The changes in the balances and yields of interest-bearing deposits increased interest income $75 thousand while the changes in taxable securities reduced interest income $178 thousand when compared to 2010. Federal funds sold and tax-exempt investment securities declined $16.0 million and $1.6 million, respectively, and the yields on these assets declined five and 10 basis points, respectively, which reduced interest income by a combined $122 thousand.

 

As a percentage of total average earning assets, loans, investment securities, federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits were 74.2%, 12.5% , 0.9% and 12.4%, respectively, for 2012. The comparable percentages were 81.7%, 10.6%, 2.2%, and 5.5%, respectively, for 2011 and 84.9%, 10.0%, 3.7% and 1.4%, respectively, for 2010. When comparing 2012 to 2011, the overall decrease in yields on and average balances of earning assets both produced $2.5 million less in interest income, as seen in the Rate/Volume Variance Analysis below. In 2011, the overall decrease in yields on earning assets produced $3.0 million less in interest income and the decrease in average balances of earning assets produced $1.7 million less in interest income.

 

Interest expense was $10.6 million for 2012, compared to $11.1 million for 2011 and $12.8 million for 2010. The decline in interest expense for both 2012 and 2011 was primarily due to lower expense on time deposits partially offset by higher expense on money market and savings accounts. Interest expense on time deposits (certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more and other time deposits) declined $1.1 million when compared to 2011 due to a decrease of $7.5 million in average time deposits and a decrease of 23 basis points on rates paid on these deposits. The decrease in average time deposits reflected a decrease in the Company’s liquidity needs and the lower rates reflected current market conditions.

 

During 2012, average interest-bearing demand deposits and money market and savings deposits increased $28.4 million, offsetting the decline in average time deposits. The rates paid on average interest-bearing demand deposits decreased three basis points but the rates paid on money market and savings deposits increased 17 basis points. The changes in average balances and rates paid on these deposits increased interest expense by $619 thousand when compared to 2011. Interest expense for money market deposits included $727 thousand more in 2012 than in 2011 related to interest rate caps and the hedged deposits associated with them. During 2009, the Company bought the interest rate caps to effectively fix the interest rate at 2.97% for five years on $70 million of the Company’s money market deposit accounts related to our participation in the IND Program. In December 2012, the Company decided to partially exit the IND Program as a way of decreasing its excess liquidity and expects that these deposits, which were $90 million at December 31, 2012, will be reduced by $50 million during the first quarter of 2013. As such, a portion of the interest rate caps used to hedge the interest rates on these deposits was terminated. Because the interest rate caps qualified for hedge accounting, a $1.3 million loss on the termination of the ineffective portion of the cash flow hedge was recognized at the end of 2012. By partially exiting the IND Program and terminating a portion of the interest rate caps, the hedged money market deposit account balances associated with the interest rate caps and related interest expense are expected to decline. The Company expects that the charge to interest expense associated with the hedged deposits over the next 12 months will be approximately $1.5 million, which is $900 thousand less than if a portion of the cash flow hedge had not been terminated. The lower money market deposit account balances will reduce our excess liquidity and the lower related interest expense is expected to benefit the net interest margin going forward. The effects of these transactions are expected to impact the Company’s financial results beginning in the first quarter of 2013. See Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion regarding the effect of the interest rate caps on interest expense.

 

For 2011, average time deposits decreased $20.1 million and rates paid decreased 42 basis points, which lowered interest expense by $2.4 million when compared to 2010. Average interest-bearing demand deposits and money market and savings deposits increased $22.5 million and the rates paid on these deposits increased 13 basis points, which increased interest expense by $669 thousand when compared to 2010. Interest expense included $882 thousand more in 2011 than in 2010 related to the interest rate caps.

 

During 2012, lower rates on interest-bearing liabilities produced $562 thousand less in interest expense and increased volume produced $36 thousand more in interest expense, as shown in the table below. In 2011, lower rates produced $1.4 million less in interest expense and decreased volume produced $372 thousand less in interest expense.

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The following Rate/Volume Variance Analysis identifies the portion of the changes in tax-equivalent net interest income attributable to changes in volume of average balances or to changes in the yield on earning assets and rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities.

 

 

   2012 over (under) 2011   2011 over (under) 2010 
   Total   Caused By   Total   Caused By 
(Dollars in thousands)  Variance   Rate   Volume   Variance   Rate   Volume 
Interest income from earning assets:                        
       Loans  $(4,880)  $(1,715)  $(3,165)  $(4,430)  $(2,554)  $(1,876)
       Taxable investment securities   (216)   (843)   627    (178)   (415)   237 
       Tax-exempt investment securities   (77)   3    (80)   (87)   (6)   (81)
       Federal funds sold   (15)   -    (15)   (35)   (16)   (19)
       Interest-bearing deposits   181    30    151    75    8    67 
              Total interest income   (5,007)   (2,525)   (2,482)   (4,655)   (2,983)   (1,672)
                               
Interest expense on deposits                              
     and borrowed funds:                              
       Interest-bearing demand deposits   (6)   (41)   35    (15)   (46)   31 
       Money market and savings deposits   625    484    141    684    628    56 
       Time deposits   (1,113)   (996)   (117)   (2,355)   (1,923)   (432)
       Short-term borrowings   (11)   (10)   (1)   (27)   (22)   (5)
       Long-term debt   (21)   1    (22)   (21)   1    (22)
              Total interest expense   (526)   (562)   36    (1,734)   (1,362)   (372)
                 Net interest income  $(4,481)  $(1,963)  $(2,518)  $(2,921)  $1,621   $(1,300)

 

The rate and volume variance for each category has been allocated on a consistent basis between rate and volume variances, based on a percentage of rate, or volume, variance to the sum of the absolute two variances.

 

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income decreased $1.6 million, or 9.0%, in 2012 when compared to 2011. This compared to a decrease of $723 thousand, or 4.0%, in 2011 when compared to 2010. The decrease in noninterest income in 2012 when compared to 2011 was mainly due to a $1.3 million loss on the termination of a cash flow hedge which is discussed above under the caption “Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin”. The decline in noninterest income for 2012 also included decreases in gains on sales of investment securities ($285 thousand) and service charges on deposit accounts ($294 thousand), partially offset by an increase in insurance agency commissions ($456 thousand).

 

The decrease in noninterest income in 2011 when compared to 2010 was mainly due to declines in insurance agency commissions of $755 thousand, service charges on deposit accounts of $412 thousand and other noninterest income of $179 thousand. The decline in insurance agency commissions reflected the ongoing soft market in the insurance industry and the decline in service charges on deposit accounts reflected a decrease in customer use of overdraft protection programs. The primary reason for the lower amount in other noninterest income was a $224 thousand gain relating to the surrender of directors’ life insurance policies in 2010. In 2011, the decreases in noninterest income were partially offset by $563 thousand in gains on sales of investment securities.

 

The following table summarizes our noninterest income for the years ended December 31.

 

   Years Ended   Change from Prior Year 
               2012/11   2011/10 
(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011   2010   Amount   Percent   Amount   Percent 
Service charges on deposit accounts  $2,551   $2,845   $3,257   $(294)   (10.3)%  $(412)   (12.6)%
Trust and investment fee income   1,644    1,563    1,503    81    5.2    60    4.0 
Gains on sales of investment securities   278    563    -    (285)   (50.6)   563    - 
Insurance agency commissions income   9,814    9,358    10,113    456    4.9    (755)   (7.5)
Loss on termination of cash flow hedge   (1,339)   -    -    (1,339)   -    -    - 
Other noninterest income   2,810    2,989    3,168    (179)   (6.0)   (179)   (5.7)
Total  $15,758   $17,318   $18,041   $(1,560)   (9.0)  $(723)   (4.0)

 

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Noninterest Expense

Total noninterest expense increased $388 thousand, or 1.0%, in 2012, compared to a decrease of $2.6 million, or 6.1%, in 2011. The increase was primarily due to higher salaries and wages ($593 thousand), write-downs of other real estate owned ($277 thousand) and other noninterest expenses ($632 thousand) which was largely offset by a $1.3 million decline in goodwill impairment. Salaries and wages included amounts relating to the hiring of a new executive vice president at The Talbot Bank of Easton, Maryland during the second quarter of last year as part of that bank’s succession plan, and a new lender at CNB for the Delaware region during the third quarter of last year. Other noninterest expenses included higher amounts relating to collection expense for loans ($286 thousand) and provision for off balance sheet credit losses ($216 thousand).

 

A significant portion of the decrease in noninterest expense in 2011 when compared to 2010 was due to $1.7 million less in goodwill and other intangible assets impairment charges. As a result of the 2011 annual assessment for goodwill and other intangible assets impairment, it was determined that goodwill and other intangible assets were impaired primarily in our retail insurance business. The Company recorded goodwill impairment charges of $1.2 million and other intangible assets impairment charges of $120 thousand. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding goodwill and other intangible assets. When comparing 2011 to 2010, in addition to the large decrease in impairment charges, salaries and wages declined $652 thousand due to cost containment measures, FDIC insurance premium expense declined $536 thousand due to regulatory changes in the calculation of the premium, and insurance agency commissions expense declined $302 thousand. These decreases in expenses were somewhat offset by higher expenses related to write-downs of other real estate owned and higher data processing charges related to the merger of The Felton Bank into CNB during the first quarter of 2011.

 

We had 312 full-time equivalent employees at December 31, 2012, compared to 319 and 321 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

The following table summarizes our noninterest expense for the years ended December 31.

 

   Years Ended   Change from Prior Year 
               2012/11   2011/10 
(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011   2010   Amount   Percent   Amount   Percent 
Salaries and wages  $17,418   $16,825   $17,477   $593    3.5%  $(652)   (3.7)%
Employee benefits   3,994    3,840    3,829    154    4.0    11    0.3 
Occupancy expense   2,559    2,312    2,328    247    10.7   (16)   (0.7)
Furniture and equipment expense   963    1,059    1,200    (96)   (9.1)   (141)   (11.8)
Data processing   2,717    2,852    2,607    (135)   (4.7)   245    9.4 
Directors’ fees   474    500    412    (26)   (5.2)   88    21.4 
Goodwill and other intangible assets impairment   -    1,344    3,051    (1,344)   (100.0)   (1,707)   (55.9)
Amortization of intangible assets   392    512    515    (120)   (23.4)   (3)   (0.6)
Insurance agency commissions expense   1,391    1,267    1,569    124    9.8    (302)   (19.2)
FDIC insurance premium expense   1,380    1,298    1,834    82    6.3    (536)   (29.2)
Write-downs of other real estate owned   1,328    1,051    657    277    26.4    394    60.0 
Other noninterest expense   6,939    6,307    6,241    632    10.0    66    1.1 
Total  $39,555   $39,167   $41,720   $388    1.0   $(2,553)   (6.1)

 

Income Taxes

The Company reported an income tax benefit of $6.6 million for 2012, compared to an income tax benefit of $658 thousand for 2011 and an income tax benefit of $492 thousand for 2010. The effective tax rate was a 40.5% benefit for 2012, a 42.3% benefit for 2011 and a 22.8% benefit for 2010. The lower tax rate for 2010 when compared to 2011 and 2012 reflected that $1.5 million of the goodwill impairment charge recorded in 2010 was not tax deductible.

 

REVIEW OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

Asset and liability composition, capital resources, asset quality, market risk, interest sensitivity and liquidity are all factors that affect our financial condition.

 

Assets

Total assets increased 2.4% from $1.158 billion at December 31, 2011 to $1.186 billion at December 31, 2012. Total assets increased 2.5% from the end of 2010 to the end of 2011. Average total assets were $1.172 billion, $1.140 billion and $1.137 billion for 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The loan portfolio is the primary source of our income, and it represented 74.2%, 81.7% and 84.9% of average earning assets for 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

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Funding for loans is provided primarily by core deposits. Additional funding is obtained through short-term and long-term borrowings. Average total deposits increased 3.7% to $1.029 billion at December 31, 2012, compared to a 1.2% increase for 2011. Deposits provided funding for approximately 93.7%, 92.8% and 91.8% of average earning assets for 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

The following table sets forth the average balance of the components of average earning assets as a percentage of total average earning assets for the year ended December 31.

 

   2012   2011   2010   2009   2008 
Loans   74.2%   81.7%   84.9%   85.5%   87.8%
Investment securities   12.5    10.6    10.0    8.6    10.1 
Federal funds sold   0.9    2.2    3.7    5.6    1.7 
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks   12.4    5.5    1.4    0.3    0.4 
    100.0%   100.0%   100.0%   100.0%   100.0%

 

Interest-Bearing Deposits with Other Banks and Federal Funds Sold

We invest excess cash balances (i.e., the excess cash remaining after funding loans and investing in securities with deposits and borrowings) in interest-bearing accounts and federal funds sold offered by our correspondent banks. These liquid investments are maintained at a level that management believes is necessary to meet current liquidity needs. Total interest-bearing deposits with other banks and federal funds sold increased $68.8 million from $104.8 million at December 31, 2011 to $173.6 million at December 31, 2012. Average interest-bearing deposits with other banks and federal funds sold increased $63.3 million to $146.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. Total interest-bearing deposits with other banks and federal funds sold increased $46.5 million from the end of 2010 to the end of 2011. Average interest-bearing deposits with other banks and federal funds sold increased $28.4 million in 2011. Beginning in 2010 and continuing through 2012, the investment of excess cash from customers’ deposits shifted from federal funds sold to interest-bearing deposits in other banks to take advantage of higher yields on these deposits. Average federal funds sold decreased $13.6 million and $16.0 million in 2012 and 2011, respectively, while average interest-bearing deposits increased $76.9 million and $44.4 million in 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

Investment Securities

The investment portfolio is structured to provide us with liquidity and also plays an important role in the overall management of interest rate risk. Investment securities available for sale are stated at estimated fair value based on quoted market prices. They represent securities which may be sold as part of the asset/liability management strategy or which may be sold in response to changing interest rates. Net unrealized holding gains and losses on these securities are reported net of related income taxes as accumulated other comprehensive income, a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Investment securities in the held to maturity category are stated at cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. We have the intent and current ability to hold such securities until maturity. At December 31, 2012, 98% of the portfolio was classified as available for sale and 2% as held to maturity, compared to 95% and 5%, respectively, at December 31, 2011 and 94% and 6%, respectively, at December 31, 2010. The percentage of securities designated as available for sale reflects the amount that management believes is needed to support our anticipated growth and liquidity needs. With the exception of municipal securities, our general practice is to classify all newly-purchased securities as available for sale.

 

Investment securities available for sale were $145.5 million at the end of 2012 and $129.8 million at the end of 2011. Investment securities available for sale increased $15.7 million, or 12.1%, for 2012, and $30.7 million, or 31.0%, for 2011. Investment activity for 2012 included sales of $6.0 million in mortgage-backed securities which generated a gain of $278 thousand. Activity for 2011 included sales of U.S. Government agencies and mortgage-backed securities of $12.7 million and $7.5 million, respectively, which generated gains of $314 thousand and $249 thousand, respectively. At year-end 2012, 24.8% of the securities in the portfolio were U.S. Government agencies and 74.8% of the securities were mortgage-backed securities, compared to 32.5% and 67.1%, respectively, at year-end 2011, reflecting a continued shift in the composition of the portfolio to higher-yielding mortgage-backed securities which began in 2011. Our investments in mortgage-backed securities are issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies or government-sponsored agencies.

 

Investment securities held to maturity, consisting primarily of tax-exempt municipal bonds, totaled $2.7 million at December 31, 2012, compared to $6.5 million at December 31, 2011 and $6.7 million at December 31, 2010. The balance continues to decline because there were only maturities and no purchases of investment securities held to maturity during 2012 and 2011. We do not typically invest in structured notes or other derivative securities.

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The following table sets forth the maturities and weighted average yields of the bond investment portfolio as of December 31, 2012.

 

   1 Year or Less   1-5 Years   5-10 Years   Over 10 Years 
   Carrying   Average   Carrying   Average   Carrying   Average   Carrying   Average 
(Dollars in thousands)  Amount   Yield   Amount   Yield   Amount   Yield   Amount   Yield 
Available for sale:                                
U.S. Government agencies  $2,003    0.71%  $22,133    0.62%  $1,396    2.65%  $10,575    4.41%
Mortgage-backed securities   49    4.17    83    4.48    3,047    3.00    105,601    2.07 
Total available for sale  $2,052    0.79   $22,216    0.64   $4,443    2.89   $116,176    2.27 
                                         
Held to maturity:                                        
Obligations of states and political subdivisions1  $145    6.52%  $1,001    4.36%  $1,007    4.67%  $504    5.38%
                                         

 

1Yields adjusted to reflect a tax equivalent basis assuming a federal tax rate of 34.0%.

 

Loans

At the end of 2012, loans declined when compared to the prior year because fewer high-quality loan opportunities and the level of loan charge-offs continued to deter overall loan growth. Loans totaled $785.1 million at December 31, 2012, a decrease of $56.0 million, or 6.7%, from 2011. Loans included deferred costs net of deferred fees of $286 thousand at year-end 2012 and $188 thousand at year-end 2011. Most of our loans are secured by real estate. Real estate loans are classified as construction, residential or commercial real estate loans. Total real estate loans decreased $45.9 million, or 6.1%, from year-end 2011 to year-end 2012. The decrease in real estate loans was mainly due to declines in residential real estate loans of $33.6 million, or 10.4%, and construction loans of $11.8 million, or 9.9%. Commercial real estate loans declined slightly from the end of 2011. Commercial loans, which include financial and agricultural loans, decreased $8.7 million, or 12.5%, and consumer loans, a small percentage of the overall loan portfolio, decreased $1.3 million, or 9.2%, from the end of 2011 to the end of 2012. At December 31, 2012, 64.7% of the loan portfolio had fixed interest rates and 35.3% had adjustable interest rates. Loans decreased $54.4 million, or 6.1%, in 2011 when compared to 2010. At the end of 2011, real estate loans decreased $39.5 million, or 5.0%, commercial loans decreased $13.3 million, or 16.1%, and consumer loans decreased $1.6 million or, 9.6%, when compared to the end of 2010. See the discussion below under the caption “Provision for Credit Losses and Risk Management” and Note 3, “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses”, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, there were no loans held for sale. We do not engage in foreign or subprime lending activities.

 

The table below sets forth trends in the composition of the loan portfolio over the past five years (including net deferred loan fees/costs).

 

   December 31, 
(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011   2010   2009   2008 
Construction  $108,051   $119,883   $143,952   $161,437   $179,847 
Residential real estate   288,011    321,604    333,738    327,873    289,510 
Commercial real estate   314,941    315,439    318,726    315,930    304,396 
Commercial   60,786    69,485    82,787    91,783    91,644 
Consumer   13,293    14,639    16,201    19,534    23,131 
Total  $785,082   $841,050   $895,404   $916,557   $888,528 

 

The table below sets forth the maturities and interest rate sensitivity of the loan portfolio at December 31, 2012.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Maturing within one year   Maturing after one but within five years   Maturing after five years   Total 
Construction  $54,426   $50,774   $2,851   $108,051 
Residential real estate   86,400    94,809    106,802    288,011 
Commercial real estate   85,837    193,716    35,388    314,941 
Commercial   29,476    20,549    10,761    60,786 
Consumer   6,510    5,743    1,040    13,293 
     Total  $262,649   $365,591   $156,842   $785,082 
Rate terms:                    
   Fixed-interest rate loans  $149,948   $318,594   $39,421   $507,963 
   Adjustable-interest rate loans   112,701    46,997    117,421    277,119 
     Total  $262,649   $365,591   $156,842   $785,082 

 

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Deposits

We use core deposits primarily to fund loans and to purchase investment securities. Total deposits increased from $1.010 billion at December 31, 2011 to $1.049 billion at December 31, 2012. The increase in noninterest-bearing demand ($20.2 million), interest-bearing demand ($25.8 million), and money market and savings deposits ($9.4 million) more than offset the decrease in time deposits ($16.1 million), primarily in certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more ($18.7 million), net of an increase in other time deposits ($2.6 million). Average deposits increased $36.7 million, or 3.7%, in 2012, compared to a 1.2% increase in 2011. Average noninterest-bearing deposits increased $15.8 million, or 12.1%, which reflected continuing growth from our customer base. Average interest-bearing demand deposits, and money market and savings deposits increased in aggregate $28.4 million, or 6.9%. Partially offsetting these increases, average time deposits decreased $7.5 million, or 1.7%, during 2012 mainly due to a reduction in the Company’s liquidity needs, a shift in customer investment needs and a decline in deposits of a large municipal customer. As previously mentioned, in December 2012, the Company decided to partially exit the IND Program and expects that the money market deposit accounts associated with the program will decline by approximately $50 million during the first quarter of 2013 and reduce excess liquidity.

 

Similar to 2012, average deposit growth for 2011 was primarily in noninterest-bearing deposits, interest-bearing demand deposits, and money market and savings deposits which increased in aggregate $31.9 million, or 6.3%. Average time deposits decreased $20.1 million, or 4.3%, during 2011 mainly due to a reduction in the Company’s liquidity needs and because the deposits of some of the local government municipalities decreased due to reduced tax revenues.

 

The following table sets forth the average balances of deposits and the percentage of each category to total average deposits for the years ended December 31.

 

   Average Balances 
(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011   2010 
Noninterest-bearing demand  $146,057    14.2%  $130,260    13.1%  $120,871    12.3%
Interest-bearing deposits                              
       Demand   160,741    15.6    145,533    14.7    130,297    13.3 
       Money market and savings   279,126    27.1    265,910    26.8    258,650    26.4 
       Certificates of deposit, $100,000 or
          more
   238,241    23.2    245,214    24.7    256,393    26.2 
       Other time deposits   204,644    19.9    205,154    20.7    214,121    21.8 
              Total  $1,028,809    100.0%  $992,071    100.0%  $980,332    100.0%

 

The following table sets forth the maturity ranges of certificates of deposit with balances of $100,000 or more as of December 31, 2012.

 

(Dollars in thousands)    
Three months or less  $60,843 
Over three through 12 months   73,107 
Over 12 months   91,308 
        Total  $225,258 

 

Short-Term Borrowings

Short-term borrowings generally consist of securities sold under agreements to repurchase and short-term borrowings from the FHLB. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are issued in conjunction with cash management services for commercial depositors. We also borrow from the FHLB on a short-term basis and occasionally borrow from correspondent banks under federal fund lines of credit arrangements to meet short-term liquidity needs. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, short-term borrowings included only repurchase agreements.

 

The average balance of short-term borrowings decreased $343 thousand, or 2.2%, in 2012, while the average balance decreased $1.0 million, or 6.3%, in 2011. The need for short-term borrowings declined due to increases in average deposits and fewer funding requirements for loans during 2012 and 2011.

  

The following table sets forth our position with respect to short-term borrowings.

 

   2012   2011   2010 
       Interest       Interest       Interest 
(Dollars in thousands)  Balance   Rate   Balance   Rate   Balance   Rate 
Average outstanding for the year  $14,976    0.30%  $15,319    0.37%  $16,348    0.51%
Outstanding at year end   13,761    0.26    17,817    0.34    16,041    0.35 
Maximum outstanding at any month end   18,879    -    18,251    -    18,447    - 

 

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Long-Term Debt

We use long-term borrowings to meet longer term liquidity needs, specifically to fund loan growth where liquidity from deposit growth is not sufficient. Average long-term debt declined $473 thousand during 2012 and $490 thousand during 2011 because deposit growth was sufficient to meet funding needs. Long-term debt at the end of 2012 and 2011 was $0 and $455 thousand, respectively. Long-term debt was related to the acquisition of TSGIA and the final payment was made on October 1, 2012.

 

Capital Management

Total stockholders’ equity for the Company was $114.0 million at December 31, 2012, 6.0% lower than in the previous year. The decrease in stockholders’ equity in 2012 was primarily due to the $9.6 million loss recorded. Stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2011 decreased 1.0% from December 31, 2010. The decrease in stockholders’ equity in 2011 was primarily due to the $897 thousand loss recorded and $760 thousand in dividends paid on shares of the common stock of the Company.

 

In 2012, the Board of Directors of the Company voted to suspend quarterly cash dividends on common stock until further notice. In 2011, the Company reduced the quarterly cash dividend to $0.01 from $0.06 per share which was reduced in 2010 from $0.16 per share. The reduction in dividends was intended primarily to mitigate declines in stockholders’ equity and capital ratios. Even though stockholders’ equity has decreased, the Company and the Banks continued to maintain capital at levels in excess of the risk-based capital guidelines adopted by the federal banking agencies, as seen in the table below. At year-end 2012, the Company remained well in excess of regulatory requirements for well-capitalized institutions. Being well capitalized should enable us to continue funding the costs to resolve our problem loans.

 

We record unrealized holding gains (losses), net of tax, on investment securities available for sale and on cash flow hedging activities as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of stockholders’ equity. At December 31, 2012, the portion of the investment portfolio designated as “available for sale” had net unrealized holding gains, net of tax, of $1.9 million, compared to net unrealized holding gains, net of tax, of $1.4 million at December 31, 2011 and net unrealized holding gains, net of tax, of $970 thousand at December 31, 2010. There were $1.2 million, $3.1 million and $2.8 million in net unrealized holding losses on cash flow hedging activities at the end of 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

On January 9, 2009, as a requirement of its participation in the Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program (the “TARP CPP”) of the United States Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”), the Company issued a common stock purchase warrant covering 172,970 shares of common stock (the “Warrant”) to the Treasury. On November 16, 2011, the Company paid $25,000 to repurchase the Warrant from the Treasury. The repurchase price was based on the fair market value of the Warrant as agreed on by the Company and the Treasury. With the repurchase of the Warrant, the Company concluded its participation in the TARP CPP.

 

The following table compares the Company’s capital ratios to the minimum regulatory requirements as of December 31.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011   2010   Minimum
Regulatory
Requirements
 
Tier 1 capital  $97,049   $106,276   $105,808      
Tier 2 capital   10,159    10,641    11,249      
Total risk-based capital   107,208    116,917    117,057      
Net risk-weighted assets   805,108    846,936    895,581      
Adjusted average total assets   1,166,865    1,143,990    1,109,999      
Risk-based capital ratios:                    
        Tier 1   12.05%   12.55%   11.81%   4.0%
        Total capital   13.32    13.80    13.07    8.0 
        Tier 1 leverage ratio   8.32    9.29    9.53    4.0 

 

See Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information about the regulatory capital positions of the Company and the Banks.

 

Provision for Credit Losses and Risk Management

Originating loans involves a degree of risk that credit losses will occur in varying amounts according to, among other factors, the types of loans being made, the credit-worthiness of the borrowers over the terms of the loans, the quality of the collateral for the loans, if any, as well as general economic conditions. The Company’s Board of Directors demands accountability of management, keeping the interests of stockholders in focus. Through the Company’s and Banks’ Asset/Liability Management Committees and the Company’s Audit Committee, the Board actively reviews critical risk positions, including credit, market, liquidity and operational risk. The Company’s goal in managing risk is to reduce earnings volatility, control exposure to unnecessary risk, and ensure appropriate returns for risk assumed. Senior members of management actively manage risk at the product level, supplemented with corporate level oversight through the Asset/Liability Management Committee and internal audit function. The risk management structure is designed to identify risk issues through a systematic process, enabling timely and appropriate action to avoid and mitigate risk.

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Credit risk is mitigated through loan portfolio diversification, limiting exposure to any single industry or customer, collateral protection, and standard lending policies and underwriting criteria. The following discussion provides information and statistics on the overall quality of the Company’s loan portfolio. Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements describes the accounting policies related to nonperforming loans (nonaccrual, delinquent 90 days or more and troubled debt restructurings) and loan charge-offs and describes the methodologies used to develop the allowance for credit losses, including the specific, formula and nonspecific components (also discussed below). Management believes the policies governing nonperforming loans and charge-offs are consistent with regulatory standards. The amount of the allowance for credit losses and the resulting provision are reviewed monthly by senior members of management and approved quarterly by the Board of Directors.

 

The allowance is increased by provisions for credit losses charged to expense and recoveries of loans previously charged-off. It is decreased by loans charged-off in the current period. Loans, or portions thereof, are charged off when considered uncollectible by management. Provisions for credit losses are made to bring the allowance for credit losses within the range of balances that are considered appropriate based on the results of the allowance methodology and to reflect losses within the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date.

 

The adequacy of the allowance for credit losses is determined based on management’s estimate of the inherent risks associated with lending activities, estimated fair value of collateral, past experience and present indicators such as loan delinquency trends, nonaccrual loans and current market conditions. Management believes the current allowance is adequate to provide for probable losses inherent in our loan portfolio; however, future changes in the composition of the loan portfolio and financial condition of borrowers may result in additions to the allowance. Examination of the portfolio and allowance by various regulatory agencies and consultants engaged by the Company may result in the need for additional provisions based on information available at the time of the examination. Each of the Banks maintains a separate allowance for credit losses, which is only available to absorb losses from their respective loan portfolios. The allowance set by each of the Banks is subject to regulatory examination and determination as to its adequacy.

 

The allowance for credit losses is comprised of three parts: (i) the specific allowance; (ii) the formula allowance; and (iii) the nonspecific allowance. The specific allowance is established against impaired loans until charge offs are made. Loans are considered impaired (i.e., nonaccrual loans and accruing troubled debt restructurings) when it is probable that the Company will not collect all principal and interest payments according to the loan’s contractual terms. The formula allowance is determined based on management’s assessment of industry trends and economic factors in the markets in which we operate. The determination of the formula allowance involves a higher risk of uncertainty and considers current risk factors that may not have yet manifested themselves in our historical loss factors. The nonspecific allowance captures losses that have impacted the portfolio but have yet to be recognized in either the specific or formula allowance.

 

The specific allowance is used to individually allocate an allowance to loans identified as impaired. An impaired loan may involve deficiencies in the borrower’s overall financial condition, payment history, support available from financial guarantors and/or the fair market value of collateral. If it is determined that there is a loss associated with an impaired loan, a specific allowance is established until a charge off is made. Impaired loans, or portions thereof, are charged off when deemed uncollectible.

 

The formula allowance is used to estimate the loss on internally risk-rated loans, exclusive of those identified as impaired. Loans are grouped by type (construction, residential real estate, commercial real estate, commercial or consumer). Each loan type is assigned allowance factors based on management’s estimate of the risk, complexity and size of individual loans within a particular category. Loans that are identified as special mention, substandard and doubtful are adversely rated. These loans are assigned higher allowance factors than favorably rated loans due to management’s concerns regarding collectability or management’s knowledge of particular elements regarding the borrower.

 

The nonspecific allowance is used to estimate the loss on loans stemming from more global factors such as delinquencies, loss history, trends in volume and terms of loans, effects of changes in lending policy, the experience and depth of management, national and local economic trends, concentrations of credit, the quality of the loan review system and the effect of external factors such as competition and regulatory requirements.

 

The slow economic recovery on the Delmarva Peninsula materially impacted our performance in 2012. Because most of our loans are secured by real estate, the lack of a meaningful upturn in real estate related activities in our local real estate market and construction industry and slow improvement in general economic conditions have had a material adverse effect on the performance of our loan portfolio and the value of the collateral securing that portfolio. Factors impeding our loan performance and overall financial performance include our levels of loan charge-offs and provisions for credit losses.

 

As seen in the table below, the allowance for credit losses was $16.0 million, or 1.96% of average outstanding loans at December 31, 2012, compared to an allowance of $14.3 million, or 1.64% of average outstanding loans at December 31, 2011. At December 31, 2010, the allowance for credit losses was $14.2 million, or 1.57% of average outstanding loans. The ratio of net charge-offs to average loans was 3.20% in 2012, 2.22% in 2011 and 1.96% in 2010.

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The provision for credit losses was $27.7 million for 2012, compared to $19.5 million and $21.1 million for 2011 and 2010, respectively. The level of provision for credit losses was primarily in response to loan charge-offs. Net loan charge-offs totaled $26.0 million in 2012, $19.4 million in 2011 and $17.8 million in 2010. Real estate loans were 77%, 83% and 77% of total loans charged off during 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

Although credit quality has been negatively impacted by weak economic conditions, we continue to observe strong underwriting guidelines. However, when problem loans are identified, management takes prompt action to quantify and minimize losses in its focused efforts to dispose of existing problem loans. Management expects to continue charging off nonperforming assets as rapidly as possible, to enable the Company to improve its overall credit quality and permanently reduce problem loans. In appropriate cases, management also works with borrowers in an effort to reach mutually acceptable resolutions.

 

The following table sets forth a summary of our loan loss experience for the years ended December 31.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011   2010   2009   2008 
                     
Balance, beginning of year  $14,288   $14,227   $10,876   $9,320   $7,551 
                          
Loans charged off                         
Construction   (7,826)   (4,236)   (7,910)   (674)   (536)
Residential real estate   (9,838)   (7,693)   (5,818)   (2,621)   (316)
Commercial real estate   (2,954)   (5,037)   (492)   (1,695)   (238)
Commercial   (5,451)   (3,388)   (3,710)   (2,304)   (447)
Consumer   (576)   (202)   (589)   (417)   (276)
     Total   (26,645)   (20,556)   (18,519)   (7,711)   (1,813)
Recoveries                         
Construction   6    49    14    2    - 
Residential real estate   102    120    215    70    19 
Commercial real estate   166    361    108    6    - 
Commercial   304    549    214    66    136 
Consumer   25    68    200    137    90 
     Total   603    1,147    751    281    245 
                          
Net loans charged off   (26,042)   (19,409)   (17,768)   (7,430)   (1,568)
Provision for credit losses   27,745    19,470    21,119    8,986    3,337 
Balance, end of year  $15,991   $14,288   $14,227   $10,876   $9,320 
                          
Average loans outstanding  $814,167   $873,155   $906,732   $913,631   $837,739 
                          
Percentage of net charge-offs to average loans outstanding during the year   3.20%   2.22%   1.96%   0.81%   0.19%
Percentage of allowance for credit losses at year end to average loans   1.96%   1.64%   1.57%   1.19%   1.11%

 

During 2012, there was no significant change in the processes or assumptions affecting the allowance methodology. Included in the balance of the allowance for credit losses were specific reserves of $2.2 million, $1.5 million and $203 thousand for real estate loans at the end of 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. As seen in the table below, the unallocated portion of the allowance for credit losses was a fairly small amount of the total allowance at the end of 2012 ($187 thousand), 2011 ($22 thousand) and 2010 ($343 thousand). As stated previously, most of our loans are secured by real estate with the portfolio comprised of 13.8% construction, 36.7% residential real estate and 40.1% commercial real estate at December 31, 2012. That compares to 14.3%, 38.2% and 37.5%, respectively, at December 31, 2011 and 16.1%, 37.3% and 35.6 %, respectively, at December 31, 2010.

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The following table sets forth the allocation of the allowance for credit losses and the percentage of loans in each category to total loans for the years ended December 31.

 

   2012   2011   2010   2009   2008 
       % of       % of       % of       % of       % of 
(Dollars in thousands)  Amount   Loans   Amount   Loans   Amount   Loans   Amount   Loans   Amount   Loans 
Construction  $4,387    13.8%  $3,745    14.3%  $3,327    16.1%  $2,630    17.6%  $2,749    20.2%
Residential real estate   5,194    36.7    5,014    38.2    4,833    37.3    1,528    35.8    644    32.6 
Commercial real estate   4,134    40.1    3,415    37.5    3,665    35.6    3,947    34.5    3,357    34.3 
Commercial   1,682    7.7    1,498    8.3    1,422    9.2    2,132    10.0    2,073    10.3 
Consumer   407    1.7    594    1.7    637    1.8    515    2.1    281    2.6 
Unallocated   187    -    22    -    343    -    124    -    216    - 
     Total  $15,991    100.0%  $14,288    100.0%  $14,227    100.0%  $10,876    100.0%  $9,320    100.0%

 

Nonperforming assets were $96.9 million, $88.7 million and $69.6 million at December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. For 2012, total nonperforming assets increased $8.3 million, primarily due to a $27.1 million increase in accruing troubled debt restructurings net of an $18.8 million decrease in the other components of nonperforming assets. The change in the components of nonperforming assets reflected our continued effort to either develop concessionary workouts relating to problem loans or remove problem loans from our portfolio. See Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information about the changes in the balances of nonaccrual loans and accruing troubled debt restructurings. For 2011, total nonperforming assets increased $19.1 million, primarily due to $15.2 million and $5.7 million in higher amounts of nonaccrual loans and other real estate owned, respectively, which was partially offset by a $2.0 million decline in loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing. Accruing troubled debt restructurings increased $251 thousand from the end of 2010 to the end of 2011.

 

The following table summarizes our nonperforming and past due assets as of December 31.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011   2010   2009   2008 
Nonperforming assets                    
   Nonaccrual loans                    
     Construction  $9,694   $15,555   $17,261   $7,163   $5,277 
     Residential real estate   11,532    20,106    9,969    4,246    1,015 
     Commercial real estate   14,567    14,012    5,133    2,828    1,682 
     Commercial   594    1,669    3,845    2,028    137 
     Consumer   87    28    30    37    4 
        Total nonaccrual loans   36,474    51,370    36,238    16,302    8,115 
                          
Loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing                         
     Construction   -    325    -    5,096    64 
     Residential real estate   290    2,331    3,454    2,274    583 
     Commercial real estate   165    -    986    -    726 
     Commercial   -    66    174    -    3 
     Consumer   5    1    88    55    5 
        Total loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing   460    2,723    4,702    7,425    1,381 
                          
Accruing troubled debt restructurings                         
     Construction   27,335    11,781    10,914    -    237 
     Residential real estate   7,017    3,792    5,367    1,722    - 
     Commercial real estate   17,880    9,566    8,147    -    - 
     Commercial   121    69    529    -    - 
     Consumer   -    -    -    -    - 
        Total accruing troubled debt restructurings   52,353    25,208    24,957    1,722    237 
         Total nonperforming loans   89,287    79,301    65,897    25,449    9,733 
Other real estate and other assets owned   7,659    9,385    3,702    2,572    148 
         Total nonperforming  assets  $96,946   $88,686   $69,599   $28,021   $9,881 
                          
Nonaccrual loans to total loans   4.65%   6.11%   4.05%   1.78%   0.91%
Nonaccrual loans to total assets   3.08%   4.44%   3.21%   1.41%   0.78%
Nonperforming assets to total loans and other real estate and other assets owned   12.23%   10.43%   7.74%   3.05%   1.11%
Nonperforming assets to total assets   8.18%   7.66%   6.16%   2.42%   0.95%
                          

 

38
 

 

Market Risk Management

Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments due to changes in interest rates, exchange rates or equity pricing. Our principal market risk is interest rate risk that arises from our lending, investing and deposit taking activities. Our profitability is largely dependent on the Banks’ net interest income. Interest rate risk can significantly affect net interest income to the degree that interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice at different intervals than interest-earning assets. The Company’s and Banks’ Asset/Liability Management Committees oversee the management of interest rate risk. The primary purpose of these committees is to manage the exposure of net interest margins to unexpected changes due to interest rate fluctuations. These efforts affect our loan pricing and deposit rate policies as well as asset mix, volume guidelines, and liquidity and capital planning.

 

During 2009, the Company began using derivative instruments to hedge its exposure to changes in interest rates. The Company does not use derivatives for any trading or other speculative purposes. See Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on hedging activities.

 

Because we are not exposed to market risk from trading activities and do not use off-balance sheet management strategies, the Asset/Liability Management Committees of the Company and Banks rely on “gap” analysis as a tool in managing interest rate risk. Gap analysis summarizes the amount of interest sensitive assets and liabilities, which will reprice over various time intervals. The excess between the volume of assets and liabilities repricing in each interval is the interest sensitivity “gap”. “Positive gap” occurs when more assets reprice in a given time interval, while “negative gap” occurs when more liabilities reprice. At December 31, 2012, as shown in the table below, we had an overall negative gap position within the one-year repricing interval because the interest sensitive liabilities exceeded the interest sensitive assets within the one-year repricing interval by $104.2 million, or 8.8% of total assets. The negative gap position within the one-year interval at December 31, 2011 totaled $34.5 million, or 3.0% of total assets. The $69.7 million increase in the one-year negative gap for 2012 when compared to 2011 was primarily due to fewer loans ($100.4 million) partially offset by more interest-bearing deposits with other banks ($65.1 million), and more interest-bearing demand and money market and savings deposits ($35.3 million). Management expects that the negative gap position within the one-year interval will decline in 2013 due to partially exiting the IND Program which will reduce money market deposits associated with the program approximately $50 million. The negative gap position within the one-year interval at December 31, 2010, totaled $37.0 million, or 3.3% of total assets, similar to the negative gap position at the end of 2011.

 

The following table summarizes our interest sensitivity at December 31, 2012. Loans, federal funds sold, time deposits and short-term borrowings are classified based on contractual maturities if fixed rate or earliest repricing date if variable rate. Investment securities are classified by contractual maturities or, if they have call provisions, by the most likely repricing date.

 

       3 Months   1 Year   3 Years       Non-     
   Within   through   through   through   After   Sensitive     
December 31, 2012  3 Months   12 Months   3 Years   5 Years   5 Years   Funds   Total 
(Dollars in thousands)                            
ASSETS                            
Loans, net  $336,546   $89,722   $200,878   $116,272   $41,664   $(15,991)  $769,091 
Investment securities   9,501    11,720    37,432    57,918    30,973    621    148,165 
Federal funds sold   8,750    -    -    -    -    -    8,750 
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks   164,864    -    -    -    -    -    164,864 
Other assets   -    -    -    -    -    94,937    94,937 
        Total assets   519,661    101,442    238,310    174,190    72,637    79,567    1,185,807 
                                    
LIABILITIES                                   
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits   -    -    -    -    -    153,992    153,992 
Interest-bearing demand deposits   187,843    -    -    -    -    -    187,843 
Money market and savings deposits   278,653    -    -    -    -    -    278,653 
Certificates of deposit, $100,000 or more   60,843    73,107    55,475    35,833    -    -    225,258 
Other time deposits   31,736    79,318    53,472    39,001    -    -    203,527 
Short-term borrowings   13,761    -    -    -    -    -    13,761 
Long-term debt   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Other liabilities   -    -    -    -    -    8,747    8,747 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   -    -    -    -    -    114,026    114,026 
        Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity   572,836    152,425    108,947    74,834    -    276,765    1,185,807 
Excess (deficit)  $(53,175)  $(50,983)  $129,363   $99,356   $72,637   $(197,198)  $- 
Cumulative excess (deficit)  $(53,175)  $(104,158)  $25,205   $124,561   $197,198   $-   $- 
Cumulative excess (deficit) as percent of total assets   (4.5)%   (8.8)%   2.1%   10.5%   16.6%    -%     -% 

 

39
 

 

In addition to gap analysis, the Banks use simulation models to quantify the effect a hypothetical immediate plus or minus 100, 200 and 300 basis point change in rates would have on their net interest income and the fair value of capital. The model takes into consideration the effect of call features of investment securities as well as prepayments of loans in periods of declining rates. The chart below summarizes the forecasted results provided by the simulation model for net interest income and the fair value of capital as of year-end 2012 and 2011. For example, the model projects that, compared with net interest income under stable rates, net interest income would increase 3.8% if interest rates increased 100 basis points. Conversely, net interest income would decrease 3.0% if interest rates decreased 100 basis points. When actual changes in interest rates occur, the changes in interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities may differ from the assumptions used in the model. Due to the low interest-rate environment, we believe the results of the minus 300 basis point change in rates are not meaningful.

 

   Immediate Change in Rates 
   -300   -200   -100   +100   +200   +300 
   Basis Points   Basis Points   Basis Points   Basis Points   Basis Points   Basis Points 
2012                        
% Change in Net Interest Income   N/A    (7.8)%   (3.0)%   3.8%   8.3%   13.4%
% Change in Value of Capital   N/A    14.0%   7.2%   0.3%   5.7%   10.4%
                               
2011                              
% Change in Net Interest Income   N/A    (6.6)%   (1.4)%   3.0%   8.0%   14.6%
% Change in Value of Capital   N/A    12.8%   6.9%   3.3%   7.8%   11.6%
                               

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In the normal course of business, to meet the financing needs of its customers, the Banks are parties to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. The Banks’ exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to these financial instruments is represented by the contractual amount of the instruments. The Banks use the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as they use for on-balance sheet instruments. The Banks generally require collateral or other security to support the financial instruments with credit risk. The amount of collateral or other security is determined based on management’s credit evaluation of the counterparty. The Banks evaluate each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis.

 

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Banks to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Letters of credit and other commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Because many of the letters of credit and commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amount does not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Further information about these arrangements is provided in Note 21 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Management does not believe that any of the foregoing arrangements have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.

 

Liquidity Management

Liquidity describes our ability to meet financial obligations that arise during the normal course of business. Liquidity is primarily needed to meet the borrowing and deposit withdrawal requirements of customers and to fund current and planned expenditures. Liquidity is derived through increased customer deposits, maturities in the investment portfolio, loan repayments and income from earning assets. To the extent that deposits are not adequate to fund customer loan demand, liquidity needs can be met in the short-term funds markets. We have arrangements with correspondent banks whereby we have $15.5 million available in federal funds lines of credit and a reverse repurchase agreement available to meet any short-term needs which may not otherwise be funded by the Banks’ portfolio of readily marketable investments that can be converted to cash. The Banks are also members of the FHLB, which provides another source of liquidity, and had credit availability of approximately $58.0 million from the FHLB as of December 31, 2012.

 

At December 31, 2012, our loan to deposit ratio was approximately 74.8%, which represents a more liquid position than the 83.3% and 91.4% at year-end 2011 and 2010, respectively. Investment securities available for sale totaling $145.5 million at the end of 2012 were available for the management of liquidity and interest rate risk. The comparable amounts were $129.8 million and $99.1 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Cash and cash equivalents were $200.2 million at December 31, 2012, compared to $127.7 million at year-end 2011 and $78.0 million at year-end 2010. Management expects that excess liquidity will decline in 2013 due to the Company’s partial exit of the IND Program which will reduce money market deposits associated with the program by approximately $50 million. Similarly, we were in a more liquid position at the end of 2011 than we were at the end of 2010. Management is not aware of any demands, commitments, events or uncertainties that will materially affect our ability to maintain liquidity at satisfactory levels.

40
 

 

We have various financial obligations, including contractual obligations and commitments, that may require future cash payments.

The following table presents significant fixed and determinable contractual obligations to third parties by payment date as of December 31, 2012.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Within
one year
   One to
three years
   Three to
five years
   Over
five years
   Total 
Operating leases  $708   $765   $496   $1,137   $3,106 
Purchase obligations   2,899    2,992    2,556    3,589    12,036 
Total  $3,607   $3,757   $3,052   $4,726   $15,142 

 

 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

The information required by this item may be found in Item 7 of Part II of this annual report under the caption “Market Risk Management”, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting 42
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 43
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets 44
   
Consolidated Statements of Operations 45
   
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss 46
   
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity 47
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 48
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 50

 

41
 

 

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

 

Management of Shore Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) is responsible for the preparation, integrity and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report. The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and, as such, include some amounts that are based on the best estimates and judgments of management.

 

The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. This internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance to management and the Board of Directors regarding the reliability of the Company’s financial reporting and the preparation and presentation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, as well as to safeguard assets from unauthorized use or disposition. The system of internal control over financial reporting is evaluated for effectiveness by management and tested for reliability through a program of internal audit with actions taken to correct potential deficiencies as they are identified. Because of inherent limitations in any internal control system, no matter how well designed, misstatement due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected, including the possibility of the circumvention or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even an effective internal control system can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. Further, because of changes in conditions, internal control effectiveness may vary over time.

 

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012 based upon criteria set forth in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

 

Based on this assessment and on the foregoing criteria, management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2012, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective. Stegman & Company, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm that audited the financial statements included in this annual report, has issued a report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, which appears on the following page.

 

 

 

March 14, 2013

 

/s/ W. Moorhead Vermilye   /s/ George S. Rapp  
W. Moorhead Vermilye   George S. Rapp  
Chief Executive Officer   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer  
(Principal Executive Officer)   (Principal Accounting Officer)  

 

42
 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

To the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of Shore Bancshares, Inc.

 

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Shore Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012. We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Shore Bancshares, Inc. as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, Shore Bancshares, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

 

 

 
   
Baltimore, Maryland  
March 14, 2013  

 

43
 

  

SHORE BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

December 31,

 

(In thousands, except share data)  2012   2011 
ASSETS        
Cash and due from banks  $26,579   $22,986 
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks   164,864    99,776 
Federal funds sold   8,750    4,980 
Investment securities:          
Available for sale, at fair value   145,508    129,780 
Held to maturity, at amortized cost – fair value of $2,884 (2012) and $6,732 (2011)   2,657    6,480 
           
Loans   785,082    841,050 
Less: allowance for credit losses   (15,991)   (14,288)
Loans, net   769,091    826,762 
           
Premises and equipment, net   15,593    14,662 
Goodwill   12,454    12,454 
Other intangible assets, net   3,816    4,208 
Other real estate and other assets owned, net   7,659    9,385 
Other assets   28,836    26,720 
           
Total assets  $1,185,807   $1,158,193 
           
LIABILITIES          
Deposits:          
Noninterest-bearing  $153,992   $133,801 
Interest-bearing   895,281    876,118 
Total deposits   1,049,273    1,009,919 
           
Short-term borrowings   13,761    17,817 
Other liabilities   8,747    8,753 
Long-term debt   -    455 
           
Total liabilities   1,071,781    1,036,944 
           
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Common stock, par value $.01, authorized 35,000,000 shares; shares issued and outstanding–8,457,359 (2012 and 2011)   85    85 
Additional paid in capital   32,155    32,052 
Retained earnings   81,078    90,801 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   708    (1,689)
           
Total stockholders’ equity   114,026    121,249 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $1,185,807   $1,158,193 

 

The notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

44
 

 

SHORE BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)  2012   2011   2010 
INTEREST INCOME            
Interest and fees on loans  $42,698   $47,549   $51,962 
Interest and dividends on investment securities:               
Taxable   2,815    3,031    3,209 
Tax-exempt   104    154    212 
Interest on federal funds sold   10    25    60 
Interest on deposits with other banks   274    93    18 
Total interest income   45,901    50,852    55,461 
                
INTEREST EXPENSE               
Interest on deposits   10,501    10,995    12,681 
Interest on short-term borrowings   45    56    83 
Interest on long-term debt   16    37    58 
Total interest expense   10,562    11,088    12,822 
                
NET INTEREST INCOME   35,339    39,764    42,639 
                
Provision for credit losses   27,745    19,470    21,119 
                
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES   7,594    20,294    21,520 
                
NONINTEREST INCOME               
Service charges on deposit accounts   2,551    2,845    3,257 
Trust and investment fee income   1,644    1,563    1,503 
Gains on sales of investment securities   278    563    - 
Insurance agency commissions income   9,814    9,358    10,113 
Loss on termination of cash flow hedge   (1,339)   -    - 
Other noninterest income   2,810    2,989    3,168 
Total noninterest income   15,758    17,318    18,041 
                
NONINTEREST EXPENSE               
Salaries and wages   17,418    16,825    17,477 
Employee benefits   3,994    3,840    3,829 
Occupancy expense   2,559    2,312    2,328 
Furniture and equipment expense   963    1,059    1,200 
Data processing   2,717    2,852    2,607 
Directors’ fees   474    500    412 
Goodwill and other intangible assets impairment   -    1,344    3,051 
Amortization of other intangible assets   392    512    515 
Insurance agency commissions expense   1,391    1,267    1,569 
FDIC insurance premium expense   1,380    1,298    1,834 
Write-downs of other real estate owned   1,328    1,051    657 
Other noninterest expenses   6,939    6,307    6,241 
Total noninterest expense   39,555    39,167    41,720 
                
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAX BENEFIT   (16,203)   (1,555)   (2,159)
Income tax benefit   (6,565)   (658)   (492)
                
NET LOSS  $(9,638)  $(897)  $(1,667)
                
Basic loss per common share  $(1.14)  $(0.11)  $(0.20)
Diluted loss per common share  $(1.14)  $(0.11)  $(0.20)
Cash dividends paid per common share  $0.01   $0.09   $0.24 

 

The notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

45
 

 

SHORE BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

For the Years Ending December 31,

 

(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011   2010 
Net loss  $(9,638)  $(897)  $(1,667)
                
Other comprehensive income (loss)               
Securities available for sale:               
Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities   1,155    1,241    406 
Tax effect   (465)   (505)   (164)
Reclassification of gains recognized in net loss   (278)   (563)   - 
Tax effect   112    227    - 
Net of tax amount   524    400    242 
                
Cash flow hedging activities:               
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on cash flow hedging activities   1,801    (460)   (3,717)
Tax effect   (727)   185    1,501 
Reclassification of losses recognized in net loss   1,339    -    - 
Tax effect   (540)   -    - 
Net of tax amount   1,873    (275)   (2,216)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)   2,397    125    (1,974)
Comprehensive loss  $(7,241)  $(772)  $(3,641)

 

The notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

46
 

 

SHORE BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)  Common
Stock
   Warrant   Additional
Paid In
Capital
   Retained
Earnings
   Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
   Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 
                         
Balances, December 31, 2009  $84   $1,543   $29,872   $96,151   $160   $127,810 
Comprehensive loss:                              
Net loss   -    -    -    (1,667)   -    (1,667)
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of reclassification adjustment, net of taxes   -    -    -    -    242    242 
Unrealized losses on cash flow hedging activities, net of taxes   -    -    -    -    (2,216)   (2,216)
Total comprehensive loss                            (3,641)
                               
Stock-based compensation   -    -    370    -    -    370 
Cash dividends paid ($0.24 per share)   -    -    -    (2,026)   -    (2,026)
                               
Balances, December 31, 2010   84    1,543    30,242    92,458    (1,814)   122,513 
Comprehensive loss:                              
Net loss   -    -    -    (897)   -    (897)
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of reclassification adjustment, net of taxes   -    -    -    -    400    400 
Unrealized losses on cash flow hedging activities, net of taxes   -    -    -    -    (275)   (275)
Total comprehensive loss                            (772)
                               
Repurchase of warrant   -    (1,543)   1,518    -    -    (25)
Shares issued for employee stock-based awards   1    -   (1)   -    -    - 
Stock-based compensation   -    -    293    -    -    293 
Cash dividends paid ($0.09 per share)   -    -    -    (760)   -    (760)
                               
Balances, December 31, 2011   85    -    32,052    90,801    (1,689)   121,249 
                               
Comprehensive loss:                              
Net loss   -    -    -    (9,638)   -    (9,638)
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of reclassification adjustment, net of taxes   -    -    -    -    524    524 
Unrealized gains on cash flow hedging activities, net of reclassification adjustment, net of taxes   -    -    -    -    1,873    1,873 
Total comprehensive loss                            (7,241)
                               
Stock-based compensation   -    -    103    -    -    103 
Cash dividends paid ($0.01 per share)   -    -    -    (85)   -    (85)
                               
Balances, December 31, 2012  $85   $-   $32,155   $81,078   $708   $114,026 

 

The notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

47
 

 

SHORE BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011   2010 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:            
Net loss  $(9,638)  $(897)  $(1,667)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:               
Provision for credit losses   27,745    19,470    21,119 
Goodwill and other intangible assets impairment   -    1,344    3,051 
Depreciation and amortization   2,648    2,341    2,405 
Discount accretion on debt securities   (70)   (156)   (128)
Stock-based compensation expense   209    338    390 
Excess tax expense from stock-based arrangements   (106)   (45)   (20)
Deferred income tax benefit   (1,765)   (1,550)   (2,905)
Gains on sales of investment securities   (278)   (563)   - 
(Gains) losses on disposals of premises and equipment   (192)   36    - 
Losses on sales and write-downs of other real estate owned   2,015    1,222    735 
Loss on termination of cash flow hedge   1,339    -    - 
Net changes in:               
Accrued interest receivable   1,137    1,127    (256)
Other assets   (1,652)   1,813    2,516 
Accrued interest payable   (230)   (291)   (921)
Other liabilities   224    (2,265)   (4,429)
                
Net cash provided by operating activities   21,386    21,924    19,890 
                
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:               
Proceeds from maturities and principal payments of investment securities available for sale   47,854    53,343    47,945 
Proceeds from sales of investment securities available for sale   6,275    20,825    - 
Purchases of investment securities available for sale   (69,491)   (104,305)   (49,626)
Proceeds from maturities and principal payments of investment securities held to maturity   3,810    226    2,195 
Net change in loans   23,896    24,233    264 
Purchases of premises and equipment   (2,202)   (1,216)   (1,292)
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment   317    4    - 
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned   5,742    3,807    1,255 
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary   -    (25)   (25)
                
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   16,201    (3,108)   716 
                
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:               
Net changes in:               
Noninterest-bearing deposits   20,191    9,613    1,696 
Interest-bearing deposits   19,163    20,790    (13,118)
Short-term borrowings   (4,056)   1,776    (4,363)
Excess tax expense from stock-based arrangements   106    45    20 
Repayment of long-term debt   (455)   (477)   (497)
Repurchase of warrant   -    (25)   - 
Common stock dividends paid   (85)   (760)   (2,026)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   34,864    30,962    (18,288)
48
 

 

SHORE BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011   2010 
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS   72,451    49,778    2,318 
                
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR   127,742    77,964    75,646 
                
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR  $200,193   $127,742   $77,964 
                
Supplemental cash flow information:               
                
Interest paid  $10,792   $11,379   $13,743 
                
Income taxes paid  $163   $2,062   $1,193 
                
Transfers from loans to other real estate owned  $6,031   $10,712   $3,140 

 

The notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

49
 

 

SHORE BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010

 

NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Shore Bancshares, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to in these Notes as the “Company”), with all significant intercompany transactions eliminated. The investments in subsidiaries are recorded on the Company’s books (Parent only) on the basis of its equity in the net assets of the subsidiaries. The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). For purposes of comparability, certain reclassifications have been made to amounts previously reported to conform with the current period presentation.

 

Nature of Operations

The Company engages in the banking business through CNB, a Maryland commercial bank with trust powers, and The Talbot Bank of Easton, Maryland, a Maryland commercial bank (“Talbot Bank”). Through December 31, 2010, the Company also engaged in the banking business through The Felton Bank, a Delaware commercial bank (“Felton Bank” and, together with CNB and Talbot Bank, the “Banks”), which was merged into CNB on January 1, 2011. The Company’s primary source of revenue is interest earned on commercial, real estate and consumer loans made to customers located on the Delmarva Peninsula. The Company engages in the insurance business through two general insurance producer firms, The Avon-Dixon Agency, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company, and Elliott Wilson Insurance, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company; one marine insurance producer firm, Jack Martin & Associates, Inc., a Maryland corporation; three wholesale insurance firms, Tri-State General Insurance Agency, LTD, a Maryland corporation, Tri-State General Insurance Agency of New Jersey, Inc., a New Jersey corporation, and Tri-State General Insurance Agency of Virginia, Inc., a Virginia corporation (collectively, “TSGIA”); and two insurance premium finance companies, Mubell Finance, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company, and ESFS, Inc., a Maryland corporation (all of the foregoing insurance entities are collectively referred to as the “Insurance Subsidiaries”).

 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

The allowance for credit losses is a material estimate that is particularly susceptible to significant changes in the near term. Management believes that the Company’s current allowance for credit losses is sufficient to address the probable losses in the current portfolio. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination processes, periodically review the Company’s allowance for credit losses. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.

 

Investment Securities Available for Sale

Investment securities available for sale are stated at estimated fair value based on quoted market prices. They represent those securities which management may sell as part of its asset/liability management strategy or which may be sold in response to changing interest rates, changes in prepayment risk or other similar factors. The cost of securities sold is determined by the specific identification method. Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities. Net unrealized holding gains and losses on these securities are reported as accumulated other comprehensive income, a separate component of stockholders’ equity, net of related income taxes. Declines in the fair value of individual available-for-sale securities below their cost that are other than temporary result in write-downs of the individual securities to their fair value and are reflected in earnings as realized losses. Factors affecting the determination of whether an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred include a downgrade of the security by a rating agency, a significant deterioration in the financial condition of the issuer, or a determination that management has the intent to sell the security or will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost.

 

Investment Securities Held to Maturity

Investment securities held to maturity are stated at cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities. The Company intends and has the ability to hold such securities until maturity. Declines in the fair value of individual held-to-maturity securities below their cost that are other than temporary result in write-downs of the individual securities to their fair value. Factors affecting the determination of whether an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred include a downgrade of the security by a rating agency, a significant deterioration in the financial condition of the issuer, or a determination that management has the intent to sell the security or will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost.

 

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Loans

Loans are stated at their principal amount outstanding net of any deferred fees and costs. Interest income on loans is accrued at the contractual rate based on the principal amount outstanding. Fees charged and costs capitalized for originating loans are being amortized substantially on the interest method over the term of the loan. A loan is placed on nonaccrual (i.e., interest income is no longer accrued) when it is specifically determined to be impaired or when principal or interest is delinquent for 90 days or more, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. Any unpaid interest previously accrued on those loans is reversed from income. Interest payments received on nonaccrual loans are applied as a reduction of the loan principal balance unless collectability of the principal amount is reasonably assured, in which case interest is recognized on a cash basis. Loans are returned to accrual status when all principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

 

A loan is considered impaired if it is probable that the Company will not collect all principal and interest payments according to the loan’s contractual terms. An impaired loan may show deficiencies in the borrower’s overall financial condition, payment history, support available from financial guarantors and/or the fair market value of collateral. The impairment of a loan is measured at the present value of expected future cash flows using the loan’s effective interest rate, or at the loan’s observable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Generally, the Company measures impairment on such loans by reference to the fair value of the collateral. Once the amount of impairment has been determined, the uncollectible portion is charged off. Income on impaired loans is recognized on a cash basis, and payments are first applied against the principal balance outstanding (i.e., placing impaired loans on nonaccrual status). Generally, interest income is not recognized on impaired loans unless the likelihood of further loss is remote. The allowance for credit losses may include specific reserves related to impaired loans. Specific reserves remain until charge offs are made. Impaired loans do not include groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans such as residential mortgage and consumer installment loans that are evaluated collectively for impairment. Reserves for probable credit losses related to these loans are based on historical loss ratios and are included in the formula portion of the allowance for credit losses. See additional discussion below under the section, “Allowance for Credit Losses”.

A loan is considered a troubled debt restructuring if a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and a creditor has granted a concession. Concessions may include interest rate reductions or below market interest rates, principal forgiveness, restructuring amortization schedules and other actions intended to minimize potential losses. All loans designated as troubled debt restructurings are considered impaired loans and may be on either accrual or nonaccrual status. The Company does not participate in any specific government or Company sponsored loan modification programs. All restructured loan agreements are contracts negotiated with each of the borrowers.

 

Allowance for Credit Losses

The allowance for credit losses is maintained at a level believed adequate by management to absorb losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date and is based on the size and current risk characteristics of the loan portfolio, an assessment of individual problem loans and actual loss experience, current economic events in specific industries and geographical areas, including unemployment levels, and other pertinent factors, including regulatory guidance and general economic conditions and other observable data. Determination of the allowance is inherently subjective as it requires significant estimates, including the amounts and timing of expected future cash flows or collateral value of impaired loans, estimated losses on pools of homogeneous loans that are based on historical loss experience, and consideration of current economic trends, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. Loans, or portions thereof, that are considered uncollectible are charged off against the allowance, while recoveries of amounts previously charged off are credited to the allowance. A provision for credit losses is charged to operations based on management’s periodic evaluation of the factors previously mentioned, as well as other pertinent factors. Evaluations are conducted at least quarterly and more often if deemed necessary.

 

The allowance for credit losses is an estimate of the losses that may be sustained in the loan portfolio. The allowance is based on two basic principles of accounting: (i) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 450, “Contingencies”, which requires that losses be accrued when they are probable of occurring and estimable; and (ii) ASC Topic 310, “Receivables,” which requires that losses be accrued based on the differences between the loan balance and the value of collateral, present value of future cash flows or values that are observable in the secondary market. Management uses many factors to estimate the inherent loss that may be present in our loan portfolio, including economic conditions and trends, the value and adequacy of collateral, the volume and mix of the loan portfolio, and our internal loan processes. Actual losses could differ significantly from management’s estimates. In addition, GAAP itself may change from one previously acceptable method to another. Although the economics of transactions would be the same, the timing of events that would impact the transactions could change.

 

The allowance for credit losses is comprised of three parts: (i) the specific allowance; (ii) the formula allowance; and (iii) the nonspecific allowance. The specific allowance is established against impaired loans (i.e., nonaccrual loans and troubled debt restructurings) until charge offs are made. The formula allowance, described below, is determined based on management’s assessment of industry trends and economic factors in the markets in which we operate. The determination of the formula allowance involves a higher risk of uncertainty and considers current risk factors that may not have yet manifested themselves in our historical loss factors. The nonspecific allowance captures losses that have impacted the portfolio but have yet to be recognized in either the specific or formula allowance.

 

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The formula allowance is used to estimate the loss on internally risk-rated loans, exclusive of those identified as impaired. Loans are grouped by type (construction, residential real estate, commercial real estate, commercial or consumer). Each loan type is assigned allowance factors based on management’s estimate of the risk, complexity and size of individual loans within a particular category. Loans that are identified as special mention, substandard and doubtful are adversely rated. These loans are assigned higher allowance factors than favorably rated loans due to management’s concerns regarding collectability or management’s knowledge of particular elements regarding the borrower. A special mention loan has potential weaknesses that could result in a future loss to the Company if the weaknesses are realized. A substandard loan has certain deficiencies that could result in a future loss to the Company if these deficiencies are not corrected. A doubtful loan has enough risk that there is a high probability that the Company will sustain a loss.

 

Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Useful lives range from three to 10 years for furniture, fixtures and equipment; three to five years for computer hardware and data handling equipment; and 10 to 40 years for buildings and building improvements. Land improvements are amortized over a period of 15 years and leasehold improvements are amortized over the term of the respective lease. Sale-leaseback transactions are considered normal leasebacks and any realized gains are deferred and amortized to other income on a straight-line basis over the initial lease term. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred, while improvements which extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized and depreciated over the estimated remaining life of the asset.

 

Long-lived assets are evaluated periodically for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Impairment exists when the expected undiscounted future cash flows of a long-lived asset are less than its carrying value. In that event, the Company recognizes a loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the estimated fair value of the asset.

 

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Other intangible assets represent purchased assets that also lack physical substance but can be distinguished from goodwill because of contractual or other legal rights or because the asset is capable of being sold or exchanged either on its own or in combination with a related contract, asset or liability. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are tested at least annually for impairment, usually during the third quarter, or on an interim basis if circumstances dictate. Intangible assets that have finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and also are subject to impairment testing. The Company’s other intangible assets that have finite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over varying periods not exceeding 21 years.

 

Impairment testing requires that the fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units be compared to the carrying amount of its net assets, including goodwill. The Company’s reporting units were identified based on an analysis of each of its individual operating segments. If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than book value, an expense may be required to write down the related goodwill or purchased intangibles to record an impairment loss.

 

During the third quarter of 2012, goodwill and other intangible assets were subjected to the annual assessment for impairment. As a result of the assessment, it was determined that there was no impairment at the Company’s subsidiaries that have these intangible assets on their balance sheets. During the third quarter of 2011, when goodwill and other intangible assets were assessed for impairment, it was determined that goodwill and other intangible assets were impaired in our Insurance Products and Services segment, primarily relating to the Company’s retail insurance business. The Company recorded goodwill impairment charges of $1.2 million and other intangible assets impairment charges of $120 thousand reflected in noninterest expense. In 2010, the annual assessment determined that goodwill was impaired at one of the Banks and goodwill and other intangible assets were impaired in the Company’s wholesale insurance business. The Company recorded goodwill impairment charges of $1.5 million at that Bank and goodwill impairment charges of $1.5 million and other intangible assets impairment charges of $51 thousand at the wholesale insurance business.

 

Other Real Estate Owned

Other real estate owned represents assets acquired in satisfaction of loans either by foreclosure or deeds taken in lieu of foreclosure. Properties acquired are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated selling costs at the time of acquisition with any deficiency charged to the allowance for credit losses. Thereafter, costs incurred to operate or carry the properties as well as reductions in value as determined by periodic appraisals are charged to operating expense. Gains and losses resulting from the final disposition of the properties are included in noninterest income.

 

Short-Term Borrowings

Short-term borrowings are comprised primarily of repurchase agreements. The repurchase agreements are securities sold to the Company’s customers, at the customers’ request, under a continuing “roll-over” contract that matures in one business day. The underlying securities sold are U.S. Government agency securities, which are segregated from the Company’s other investment securities by its safekeeping agents.

 

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Income Taxes

Shore Bancshares, Inc. and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method in accordance with required accounting guidance. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined by applying the applicable federal and state income tax rates to cumulative temporary differences. These temporary differences represent differences between financial statement carrying amounts and the corresponding tax bases of certain assets and liabilities. Deferred taxes result from such temporary differences.

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the expected amount most likely to be realized. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on the generation of a sufficient level of future taxable income and recoverable taxes paid in prior years. Although realization is not assured, management believes it is more likely than not that all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties as a component of tax expense. The Company does not have any uncertain tax positions and did not recognize any adjustments for unrecognized tax benefits. The Company remains subject to examination for income tax returns ending after December 31, 2007.

 

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and does not include the effect of any potentially dilutive common stock equivalents. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding, adjusted for the effect of any potentially dilutive common stock equivalents. There is no dilutive effect on the loss per share during loss periods. See Note 16 for further information.

 

Transfers of Financial Assets

Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (i) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (ii) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (iii) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.

 

Statement of Cash Flows

Cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits with other banks and federal funds sold are considered “cash and cash equivalents” for financial reporting purposes.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

Accounting guidance for stock-based compensation requires that expense relating to such transactions be recognized as compensation cost in the income statement. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for all awards and is based on the grant date fair value. See Note 13 for a further discussion.

 

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Under accounting guidance for derivative instruments and hedging activities, all derivatives are recorded as other assets or other liabilities on the balance sheet at their respective fair values. When the purpose of a derivative is to hedge the variability of a floating rate asset or liability, the derivative is considered a “cash flow” hedge. To account for the effective portion of a cash flow hedge, unrealized gains and losses due to changes in the fair value of the derivative designated as a cash flow hedge are recorded in other comprehensive income. Ineffectiveness resulting from differences between the cash flows of the hedged item and changes in fair value of the derivative is recognized as other noninterest income. The net interest settlement on a derivative designated as a cash flow hedge is treated as an adjustment of the interest income or interest expense of the hedged asset or liability.

 

Fair Value

The Company measures certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value. Significant financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are investment securities and interest rate caps. Impaired loans and other real estate and other assets owned are significant financial instruments measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. See Note 19 for a further discussion of fair value.

 

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are generally expensed as incurred. The Company incurred advertising costs of approximately $338 thousand, $296 thousand and $347 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

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Recent Accounting Standards

 

Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-03, “Transfers and Servicing (ASC Topic 860) - Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements.” ASU 2011-03 affects all entities that enter into agreements to transfer financial assets that both entitle and obligate the transferor to repurchase or redeem the financial assets before their maturity. The amendments in ASU 2011-03 remove from the assessment of effective control the criterion relating to the transferor’s ability to repurchase or redeem financial assets on substantially the agreed terms, even in the event of default by the transferee. ASU 2011-03 also eliminates the requirement to demonstrate that the transferor possesses adequate collateral to fund substantially all the cost of purchasing replacement financial assets. ASU 2011-03 became effective for the Company on January 1, 2012 and did not have a significant impact on the Company's financial statements.

ASU 2011-04, "Fair Value Measurement (ASC Topic 820) - Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs." ASU 2011-04 amends ASC Topic 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures," to converge the fair value measurement guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2011-04 clarifies the application of existing fair value measurement requirements, changes certain principles in ASC Topic 820 and requires additional fair value disclosures. ASU 2011-04 became effective for the Company on January 1, 2012 and, aside from new disclosures included in Note 19 – Fair Value Measurements, did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ASU 2011-08, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (ASC Topic 350) - Testing Goodwill for Impairment." ASU 2011-08 amends ASC Topic 350, "Intangibles – Goodwill and Other," to give entities the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required to perform the first step of the two-step impairment test by calculating the fair value of the reporting unit and comparing the fair value with the carrying amount of the reporting unit. ASU 2011-08 became effective for the Company on January 1, 2012, and did not have a significant impact on the Company's financial statements.

 

ASU 2012-02, "Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (ASC Topic 350) – Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment." ASU 2012-02 gives entities the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, then the entity must perform the quantitative impairment test. If, under the quantitative impairment test, the carrying amount of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an entity should recognize an impairment loss in the amount of that excess. Permitting an entity to assess qualitative factors when testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment results in guidance that is similar to the goodwill impairment testing guidance in ASU 2011-08. ASU 2012-02 is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2013 (early adoption permitted) and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

54
 

 

NOTE 2. INVESTMENT SECURITIES

 

The following table provides information on the amortized cost and estimated fair values of investment securities.

 

       Gross   Gross   Estimated 
   Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized   Fair 
(Dollars in thousands)  Cost   Gains   Losses   Value 
Available-for-sale securities:                
December 31, 2012:                    
Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and corporations  $35,213   $903   $9   $36,107 
Mortgage-backed securities   106,524    2,464    208    108,780 
Equity securities   596    25    -    621 
Total  $142,333   $3,392   $217   $145,508 
                     
December 31, 2011:                    
Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and corporations  $41,360   $803   $15   $42,148 
Mortgage-backed securities   85,545    1,587    99    87,033 
Equity securities   577    22    -    599 
Total  $127,482   $2,412   $114   $129,780 
                     
Held-to-maturity securities:                    
December 31, 2012:                    
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  $2,657   $227   $-   $2,884 
                     
December 31, 2011:                    
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  $6,480   $252   $-   $6,732 

 

The following table provides information about gross unrealized losses and fair value by length of time that the individual available-for-sale securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2012.

 

  

Less than

12 Months

  

More than

12 Months

   Total 
(Dollars in thousands)  Fair
Value
   Unrealized Losses   Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value
   Unrealized Losses 
Available-for-sale securities:                              
U.S. Gov’t agencies and corporations  $4,991   $9   $-   $-   $4,991   $9 
Mortgage-backed securities   24,788    208    -    -    24,788    208 
Total  $29,779   $217   $-   $-   $29,779   $217 

 

Total available-for-sale securities have a fair value of approximately $145.5 million. Of these securities, approximately $29.8 million have unrealized losses when compared to their amortized cost. All of the securities with the unrealized losses in the available-for-sale portfolio have modest duration risk, low credit risk, and minimal losses when compared to total amortized cost. The unrealized losses on debt securities that exist are the result of market changes in interest rates since original purchase. Because the Company does not intend to sell these debt securities and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell these securities before recovery of their amortized cost bases, which may be at maturity, the Company considers the unrealized losses in the available-for-sale portfolio to be temporary. There were no unrealized losses in the held-to-maturity securities portfolio at December 31, 2012.

 

55
 

 

The following table provides information on the amortized cost and estimated fair values of investment securities by maturity date at December 31, 2012.

 

   Available for sale   Held to maturity 
   Amortized   Estimated   Amortized   Estimated 
(Dollars in thousands)  Cost   Fair Value   Cost   Fair Value 
Due in one year or less  $2,047   $2,052   $145   $145 
Due after one year through five years   22,162    22,216    1,001    1,050 
Due after five years through ten years   4,274    4,443    1,007    1,133 
Due after ten years   113,254    116,176    504    556 
    141,737    144,887    2,657    2,884 
Equity securities   596    621    -    - 
Total  $142,333   $145,508   $2,657   $2,884 

 

The maturity dates for debt securities are determined using contractual maturity dates.

 

The following table sets forth the amortized cost and estimated fair values of securities which have been pledged as collateral for obligations to federal, state and local government agencies, and other purposes as required or permitted by law, or sold under agreements to repurchase. All pledged securities are in the available-for-sale investment portfolio.

 

   December 31, 2012   December 31, 2011 
   Amortized   Estimated   Amortized   Estimated 
(Dollars in thousands)  Cost   Fair Value   Cost   Fair Value 
Pledged available-for-sale securities  $91,814   $94,391   $77,762   $79,358 

 

There were no obligations of states or political subdivisions with carrying values, as to any issuer, exceeding 10% of stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2012 or 2011.

 

Proceeds from sales of investment securities were $6.3 million, $20.8 million, and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively. Gross gains from sales of investment securities were $278 thousand, $595 thousand and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively. Gross losses were $0, $32 thousand and $0 for 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

 

NOTE 3. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

 

The Company makes residential mortgage, commercial and consumer loans to customers primarily in Talbot County, Queen Anne’s County, Kent County, Caroline County and Dorchester County in Maryland and in Kent County, Delaware. The following table provides information about the principal classes of the loan portfolio at December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011 
Construction  $108,051   $119,883 
Residential real estate   288,011    321,604 
Commercial real estate   314,941    315,439 
Commercial   60,786    69,485 
Consumer   13,293    14,639 
Total loans   785,082    841,050 
Allowance for credit losses   (15,991)   (14,288)
Total loans, net  $769,091   $826,762 

 

In the normal course of banking business, loans are made to officers and directors and their affiliated interests. These loans are made on substantially the same terms and conditions as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with persons who are not related to the Company and are not considered to involve more than the normal risk of collectibility. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, such loans outstanding, both direct and indirect (including guarantees), to directors, their associates and policy-making officers, totaled approximately $26.0 million and $22.4 million, respectively. During 2012 and 2011, loan additions were approximately $9.7 million and $4.4 million, respectively, and loan repayments were approximately $6.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively.

 

56
 

 

The following tables include impairment information relating to loans and the allowance for credit losses as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Construction   Residential real estate   Commercial real estate   Commercial   Consumer   Unallocated   Total 
December 31, 2012                                   
Loans individually evaluated for impairment  $37,029   $18,549   $32,447   $715   $87   $-   $88,827 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment   71,022    269,462    282,494    60,071    13,206    -    696,255 
Total loans  $108,051   $288,011   $314,941   $60,786   $13,293   $-   $785,082 
                                    
Allowance for credit losses allocated to:                                   
Loans individually evaluated for impairment  $941   $598   $614   $-   $48   $-   $2,201 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment   3,446    4,596    3,520    1,682    359    187    13,790 
Total allowance for credit losses  $4,387   $5,194   $4,134   $1,682   $407   $187   $15,991 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Construction   Residential real estate   Commercial real estate   Commercial   Consumer   Unallocated   Total 
December 31, 2011                                   
Loans individually evaluated for impairment  $27,336   $23,898   $23,578   $1,738   $28   $-   $76,578 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment   92,547    297,706    291,861    67,747    14,611    -    764,472 
Total loans  $119,883   $321,604   $315,439   $69,485   $14,639   $-   $841,050 
                                    
Allowance for credit losses allocated to:                                   
Loans individually evaluated for impairment  $170   $1,296   $-   $-   $-   $-   $1,466 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment   3,575    3,718    3,415    1,498    594    22    12,822 
Total allowance for credit losses  $3,745   $5,014   $3,415   $1,498   $594   $22   $14,288 

 

57
 

 

The following tables provide information on impaired loans and any related allowance by loan class as of December 31, 2012 and 2011. The difference between the unpaid principal balance and the recorded investment is the amount of partial charge-offs that have been taken.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Unpaid principal balance   Recorded investment with no allowance   Recorded investment with an allowance   Related allowance   Average recorded investment 
December 31, 2012                         
Impaired nonaccrual loans:                         
Construction  $14,288   $3,371   $6,323   $941   $12,428 
Residential real estate   17,975    9,469    2,063    598    17,472 
Commercial real estate   19,515    11,838    2,729    614    12,975 
Commercial   1,556    594    -    -    1,538 
Consumer   92    39    48    48    55 
Total   53,426    25,311    11,163    2,201    44,468 
                          
Impaired accruing restructured loans:                         
Construction   27,335    27,335    -    -    21,193 
Residential real estate   7,017    7,017    -    -    5,064 
Commercial real estate   17,880    17,880    -    -    16,252 
Commercial   121    121    -    -    87 
Consumer   -    -    -    -    - 
Total   52,353    52,353    -    -    42,596 
                          
Total impaired loans:                         
Construction   41,623    30,706    6,323    941    33,621 
Residential real estate   24,992    16,486    2,063    598    22,536 
Commercial real estate   37,395    29,718    2,729    614    29,227 
Commercial   1,677    715    -    -    1,625 
Consumer   92    39    48    48    55 
Total  $105,779   $77,664   $11,163   $2,201   $87,064 

 

58
 

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Unpaid principal balance   Recorded investment with no allowance   Recorded investment with an allowance   Related allowance   Average recorded investment 
December 31, 2011                         
Impaired nonaccrual loans:                         
Construction  $22,883   $14,005   $1,550   $170   $16,555 
Residential real estate   22,431    16,925    3,181    1,296    15,430 
Commercial real estate   17,372    14,012    -    -    14,624 
Commercial   2,119    1,669    -    -    2,539 
Consumer   30    28    -    -    32 
Total   64,835    46,639    4,731    1,466    49,180 
                          
Impaired accruing restructured loans:                         
Construction   11,781    11,781    -    -    10,663 
Residential real estate   3,792    3,792    -    -    6,093 
Commercial real estate   9,566    9,566    -    -    7,960 
Commercial   69    69    -    -    111 
Consumer   -    -    -    -    - 
Total   25,208    25,208    -    -    24,827 
                          
Total impaired loans:                         
Construction   34,664    25,786    1,550    170    27,218 
Residential real estate   26,223    20,717    3,181    1,296    21,523 
Commercial real estate   26,938    23,578    -    -    22,584 
Commercial   2,188    1,738    -    -    2,650 
Consumer   30    28    -    -    32 
Total  $90,043   $71,847   $4,731   $1,466   $74,007 

 

The following tables provide information on troubled debt restructurings by loan class as of December 31, 2012 and 2011. The amounts include nonaccrual troubled debt restructurings.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Number of contracts   Premodification outstanding recorded investment   Postmodification outstanding recorded investment 
Troubled debt restructurings:               
December 31, 2012               
Construction   18   $33,174   $28,782 
Residential real estate   32    15,659    9,187 
Commercial real estate   22    24,673    20,478 
Commercial   3    150    121 
Consumer   1    30    27 
Total  76   $73,686   $58,595 
                
December 31, 2011               
Construction   9   $12,981   $12,539 
Residential real estate   20    11,471    10,359 
Commercial real estate   20    15,874    14,175 
Commercial   1    69    69 
Consumer   -    -    - 
Total   50   $40,395   $37,142 

 

59
 

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Number of contracts   Recorded investment 
Troubled debt restructurings that subsequently defaulted (1):          
December 31, 2012          
Construction   6   $1,447 
Residential real estate   10    2,295 
Commercial real estate   6    3,398 
Commercial   -    - 
Consumer   1    27 
Total  23   $7,167 
           
December 31, 2011          
Construction   3   $758 
Residential real estate   10    7,353 
Commercial real estate   5    6,751 
Commercial   -    - 
Consumer   -    - 
Total   18   $14,862 

 

(1) Generally, a loan is considered in default when principal or interest is past due 30 days or more.

 

Management uses risk ratings as part of its monitoring of the credit quality in the Company’s loan portfolio. Loans that are identified as special mention, substandard or doubtful are adversely rated. They are assigned higher risk ratings than favorably rated loans in the calculation of the formula portion of the allowance for credit losses.

 

The following tables provide information on loan risk ratings as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Pass/Performing   Special mention   Substandard   Doubtful   Nonaccrual   Total 
December 31, 2012                              
Construction  $45,385   $30,817   $22,155   $-   $9,694   $108,051 
Residential real estate   237,299    23,657    15,090    433    11,532    288,011 
Commercial real estate   257,418    21,554    21,402    -    14,567    314,941 
Commercial   55,432    3,062    1,639    59    594    60,786 
Consumer   13,147    -    59    -    87    13,293 
Total  $608,681   $79,090   $60,345   $492   $36,474   $785,082 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Pass/Performing   Special mention   Substandard   Doubtful   Nonaccrual   Total 
December 31, 2011                              
Construction  $50,403   $30,373   $23,552   $-   $15,555   $119,883 
Residential real estate   261,910    13,467    25,676    445    20,106    321,604 
Commercial real estate   257,247    16,001    28,179    -    14,012    315,439 
Commercial   59,178    3,813    4,748    77    1,669    69,485 
Consumer   14,520    32    59    -    28    14,639 
Total  $643,258   $63,686   $82,214   $522   $51,370   $841,050 

 

60
 

The following tables provide information on the aging of the loan portfolio as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

   Accruing         
(Dollars in thousands)  Current   30-59 days past due   60-89 days past due   90 days or more past due   Total past due   Non-accrual   Total 
December 31, 2012                            
Construction  $98,221   $136   $-   $-   $136   $9,694   $108,051 
Residential real estate   272,311    3,116    762    290    4,168    11,532    288,011 
Commercial real estate   298,522    887    800    165    1,852    14,567    314,941 
Commercial   59,746    380    66    -    446    594    60,786 
Consumer   13,125    57    19    5    81    87    13,293 
Total  $741,925   $4,576   $1,647   $460   $6,683   $36,474   $785,082 
Percent of total loans   94.5%   0.6%   0.2%   0.1%   0.9%   4.6%     

 

 

   Accruing         
(Dollars in thousands)  Current   30-59 days past due   60-89 days past due   90 days or more past due   Total past due   Non-accrual   Total 
December 31, 2011                            
Construction  $102,441   $1,246   $316   $325   $1,887   $15,555   $119,883 
Residential real estate   289,459    4,417    5,291    2,331    12,039    20,106    321,604 
Commercial real estate   289,760    10,073    1,594    -    11,667    14,012    315,439 
Commercial   64,581    1,350    1,819    66    3,235    1,669    69,485 
Consumer   14,492    112    6    1    119    28    14,639 
Total  $760,733   $17,198   $9,026   $2,723   $28,947   $51,370   $841,050 
Percent of total loans   90.5%   2.0%   1.1%   0.3%   3.4%   6.1%     

 

 

The following tables provide a summary of the activity in the allowance for credit losses allocated by loan class for 2012 and 2011.

Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one loan class does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other loan classes.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Construction   Residential real estate   Commercial real estate   Commercial   Consumer   Unallocated   Total 
2012                            
Allowance for credit losses:                            
Beginning balance  $3,745   $5,014   $3,415   $1,498   $594   $22   $14,288 
                                    
Charge-offs   (7,826)   (9,838)   (2,954)   (5,451)   (576)   -    (26,645)
Recoveries   6    102    166    304    25    -    603 
Net charge-offs   (7,820)   (9,736)   (2,788)   (5,147)   (551)   -    (26,042)
                                    
Provision   8,462    9,916    3,507    5,331    364    165    27,745 
Ending balance  $4,387   $5,194   $4,134   $1,682   $407   $187   $15,991 

 

61
 

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Construction   Residential real estate   Commercial real estate   Commercial   Consumer   Unallocated   Total 
2011                            
Allowance for credit losses:                                   
Beginning balance  $3,327   $4,833   $3,665   $1,422   $637   $343   $14,227 
                                    
Charge-offs   (4,236)   (7,693)   (5,037)   (3,388)   (202)   -    (20,556)
Recoveries   49    120    361    549    68    -    1,147 
Net charge-offs   (4,187)   (7,573)   (4,676)   (2,839)   (134)   -    (19,409)
                                    
Provision   4,605    7,754    4,426    2,915    91    (321)   19,470 
Ending balance  $3,745   $5,014   $3,415   $1,498   $594   $22   $14,288 

 

 

NOTE 4. PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

 

The following table provides information on premises and equipment at December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011 
Land  $5,818   $4,902 
Buildings and land improvements   13,159    13,404 
Furniture and equipment   7,589    7,390 
    26,566    25,696 
Accumulated depreciation   (10,973)   (11,034)
Total  $15,593   $14,662 

 

Depreciation expense totaled $1.1 million, $996 thousand and $1.1 million for 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The increase in land was primarily due to the relocation of a branch of one of the Banks.

 

The Company leases facilities under operating leases. Rental expense for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 was $777 thousand, $753 thousand and $770 thousand, respectively. Future minimum annual rental payments are approximately as follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands)    
2013  $708 
2014   520 
2015   245 
2016   246 
2017   250 
Thereafter   1,137 
Total minimum lease payments  $3,106 

 

62
 

NOTE 5. INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARY

 

During 2012, the Company terminated its mortgage brokerage activities which were conducted through a minority series investment in an unrelated Delaware limited liability company under the name “Wye Mortgage Group”. This investment was carried at cost, adjusted for the Company’s 49.0% equity ownership in Wye Mortgage Group’s undistributed income or loss. The following table provides a summary of the activity related to the Company’s investment in Wye Mortgage Group for 2012 and 2011.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011 
Beginning balance  $89   $19 
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary   -    25 
Equity in undistributed income   (4)   45 
Ending balance  $85   $89 
           
Income  $138   $169 

 

At December 31, 2012, the remaining balance included the Company’s investments in and undistributed income from Wye Mortgage Group. The Company expects that these amounts will be returned/distributed to the Company during the first quarter of 2013.

 

 

NOTE 6. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

The following table provides information on the significant components of goodwill and acquired intangible assets at December 31, 2012 and 2011. The Community Banking segment and the Insurance Products and Services segment had goodwill of $2.6 million and $9.9 million, respectively, at the end of both 2012 and 2011. See Note 25 for further information regarding the Company’s business segments.

 

   December 31, 2012   December 31, 2011 
(Dollars in thousands)  Gross Carrying Amount   Cumulative
Impairment Charges
   Accumulated
Amortization
   Net Carrying Amount   Weighted Average Remaining Life
(in years)
   Gross Carrying Amount   Cumulative
Impairment Charges
   Accumulated
Amortization
   Net Carrying Amount   Weighted Average Remaining Life
(in years)
 
                                         
Goodwill  $17,345   $(4,224)  $(667)  $12,454    -   $17,345   $(4,224)  $(667)  $12,454    - 
                                                   
Other intangible assets                                                  
Amortizable                                                  
Employment agreements  $1,730   $-   $(1,286)  $444    2.0   $1,730   $-   $(1,059)  $671    2.7 
Insurance expirations   1,270    -    (894)   376    4.4    1,270    -    (809)   461    5.4 
Core deposits   968    -    (968)   -    -    968    -    (938)   30    0.3 
Customer relationships   960    (126)   (303)   531    10.7    960    (126)   (253)   581    11.6 
    4,928    (126)   (3,451)   1,351         4,928    (126)   (3,059)   1,743      
Unamortizable                                                  
Carrier relationships   1,300    (45)   -    1,255    -    1,300    (45)   -    1,255    - 
Trade name   1,210    -    -    1,210    -    1,210    -    -    1,210    - 
    2,510    (45)   -    2,465         2,510    (45)   -    2,465      
Total other intangible assets  $7,438   $(171)  $(3,451)  $3,816        $7,438   $(171)  $(3,059)  $4,208      
                                                   

 

The following table provides information on current period and estimated future amortization expense for amortizable other intangible assets.

 

       Amortization 
(Dollars in thousands)      Expense 
Year ended December 31, 2012       $392 
           
Estimate for years ended December 31,   2013    296 
    2014    296 
    2015    255 
    2016    134 
    2017    87 

 

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NOTE 7. OTHER ASSETS

 

The Company had the following other assets at December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011 
Nonmarketable investment securities  $2,750   $2,866 
Insurance premiums receivable   1,089    876 
Accrued interest receivable   2,796    3,933 
Income taxes receivable   5,160    719 
Deferred income taxes (1)   9,180    9,036 
Interest rate caps (2)   14    250 
Prepaid expenses   2,227    3,641 
Other assets   5,620    5,399 
Total  $28,836   $26,720 

 

(1) See Note 15 for further discussion.

(2) See Note 20 for further discussion.

 

NOTE 8. OTHER LIABILITIES

 

The Company had the following other liabilities at December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011 
Accrued interest payable  $339   $569 
Other liabilities   8,408    8,184 
Total  $8,747   $8,753 

 

NOTE 9. DEPOSITS

 

The approximate amount of certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more was $225.3 million and $243.5 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

The following table provides information on the approximate maturities of total time deposits at December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011 
Due in one year or less  $245,004   $244,715 
Due in one to three years   108,947    116,586 
Due in three to five years   74,834    83,604 
Total  $428,785   $444,905 

 

NOTE 10. SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

 

The following table summarizes certain information for short-term borrowings for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

   2012   2011 
(Dollars in thousands)  Amount   Rate   Amount   Rate 
Average for the Year                
Retail repurchase agreements  $14,976    0.30%  $15,319    0.37%
                     
At Year End                    
Retail repurchase agreements  $13,761    0.26%  $17,817    0.34%

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are securities sold to customers, at the customers’ request, under a “roll-over” contract that matures in one business day. The underlying securities sold are U.S. Government agency securities, which are segregated in the Company’s custodial accounts from other investment securities.

 

The Company may periodically borrow from a correspondent federal funds line of credit arrangement, under a secured reverse repurchase agreement, or from the Federal Home Loan Bank to meet short-term liquidity needs.

 

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NOTE 11. LONG-TERM DEBT

 

The Company had the following long-term debt as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011 
Acquisition-related debt, 4.08% interest, annual payments over five years  $-   $455 

 

The acquisition-related debt was incurred as part of the purchase price of TSGIA and payable to the seller thereof, who remains the President of that subsidiary. The final payment was made on October 1, 2012.

 

NOTE 12. BENEFIT PLANS

 

401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan

 

The Company has a 401(k) and profit sharing plan covering substantially all full-time employees. The plan calls for matching contributions by the Company, and the Company makes discretionary contributions based on profits. Company contributions to this plan included in expense totaled $513 thousand, $430 thousand, and $501 thousand for 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively. The expense increased in 2012 when compared to 2011 because there were larger forfeitures available to reduce 401(k) costs during 2011.

 

 

NOTE 13. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

As of December 31, 2012, the Company maintained the Shore Bancshares, Inc. 2006 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan (“2006 Equity Plan”) under which Shore Bancshares, Inc. may issue shares of its common stock or grant other equity-based awards. Shore Bancshares, Inc.’s ability to grant options under the Shore Bancshares, Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan (the “1998 Option Plan”) expired on March 3, 2008 and all of the remaining 7,125 outstanding options expired on May 9, 2012.

 

Under the 2006 Equity Plan, stock-based awards may be granted periodically to the Company’s directors, executive officers, and key employees at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Shore Bancshares, Inc. Stock-based awards granted to date under the 2006 Equity Plan are generally time-based, vesting on each anniversary of the grant date over a three- to five-year period of time and, in the case of stock options, expiring 10 years from the grant date. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for all awards, is based on the grant date fair value and reflects forfeitures as they occur. The 2006 Equity Plan originally reserved 631,972 shares of common stock for grant, and 507,078 shares remained available for grant at December 31, 2012.

 

The following tables provide information on stock-based compensation expense for 2012, 2011 and 2010.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011   2010 
Stock-based compensation expense  $209   $338   $390 
Excess tax expense related to stock-based compensation   106    45    20 

 

   December 31, 
(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011   2010 
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense  $143   $167   $424 
Weighted average period unrecognized expense is expected to be recognized   2.1 years    8.5 months    1.7 years 

 

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The following table summarizes restricted stock award activity for the Company under the 2006 Equity Plan for the two years ended December 31, 2012.

 

   Year Ended December 31, 2012   Year Ended December 31, 2011 
   Number   Weighted Average
Grant Date
   Number   Weighted Average
Grant Date
 
   of Shares   Fair Value   of Shares   Fair Value 
Nonvested at beginning of year   45,779   $13.20    44,127   $16.76 
Granted   -    -    13,923    6.99 
Vested   (39,231)   12.92    (12,271)   18.95 
Cancelled   -    -    -    - 
                     
Nonvested at end of year   6,548   $14.89    45,779   $13.20 

 

The total fair value of restricted stock awards that vested was $245 thousand in 2012 and $119 thousand in 2011.

 

During the first quarter of 2012, Shore Bancshares, Inc. granted options to purchase 54,216 shares of its common stock pursuant to the 2006 Equity Plan. The options have an exercise price of $6.64 and vest 50% after two years from date of grant and 50% after three years from date of grant. The following table summarizes stock option activity for the Company under the 2006 Equity Plan for the year ended December 31, 2012. There were no stock options outstanding or stock option activity under the 2006 Equity Plan during 2011.

 

   Year Ended December 31, 2012 
   Number   Weighted Average   Aggregate   Weighted Average Grant Date 
   of shares   Exercise Price   Intrinsic Value   Fair Value 
Outstanding at beginning of year  -   $ -         $ - 
Granted   54,216    6.64         3.44 
Exercised   -    -         - 
Expired/Cancelled   -    -         - 
Outstanding at end of year   54,216   $6.64   $-   $3.44 
                     
Exercisable at end of year   -   $-   $-   $- 

 

The Company estimates the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes valuation model with weighted average assumptions for dividend yield, expected volatility, risk-free interest rate and expected lives (in years). The expected dividend yield is calculated by dividing the total expected annual dividend payout by the average stock price. The expected volatility is based on historical volatility of the underlying securities. The risk-free interest rate is based on the Federal Reserve Bank’s constant maturities daily interest rate in effect at grant date. The expected contract life of the options represents the period of time that the Company expects the awards to be outstanding based on historical experience with similar awards. The following weighted average assumptions were used as inputs to the Black-Scholes valuation model for options granted in 2012.

 

Dividend yield 0.60%
Expected volatility 58.65%
Risk-free interest rate 1.69%
Expected contract life (in years) 5.83

 

There was no aggregate intrinsic value of the options outstanding under the 2006 Equity Plan based on the $5.39 market value per share of Shore Bancshares, Inc.’s common stock at December 31, 2012. Since there were no options exercised during 2012 or 2011, there was no intrinsic value associated with stock options exercised and no cash received on exercise of options. No stock options vested in 2012 or 2011. At December 31, 2012, the weighted average remaining contract life of options outstanding was 9.2 years.

 

NOTE 14. DEFERRED COMPENSATION

 

The Shore Bancshares, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) is for members of management and highly compensated employees of Shore Bancshares, Inc. and its subsidiaries. The Plan permits a participant to elect, each year, to defer receipt of up to 100% of his or her salary and bonus to be earned in the following year. The Plan also permits the participant to defer the receipt of performance-based compensation not later than six months before the end of the period for which it is to be earned. The deferred amounts are credited to an account maintained on behalf of the participant and are invested at the discretion of each participant in certain deemed investment options selected from time to time by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Shore Bancshares, Inc. Shore Bancshares, Inc. may also make matching, mandatory and discretionary contributions for certain participants. A participant is fully vested at all times in the amounts that he or she elects to defer. Any contributions by Shore Bancshares, Inc. will vest over a five-year period. There were no elective deferrals made by plan participants during 2012, 2011 or 2010.

 

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The following table provides information on Shore Bancshares, Inc.’s contributions to the Plan for 2012, 2011 and 2010 and the related deferred compensation liability at December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011   2010 
Deferred compensation contribution  $20   $65   $94 

 

   December 31, 
(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011 
Deferred compensation liability  $632   $544 

 

Shore Bancshares, Inc. has a supplemental deferred compensation plan to provide retirement benefits to its Chief Executive Officer. The participant is 100% vested in amounts credited to his account. No contributions have been made to this plan since the adoption of the Plan described above.

 

CNB has agreements with certain of its directors under which they have deferred part of their fees and compensation. The amounts deferred are invested in insurance policies, owned by CNB, on the lives of the respective individuals. Amounts available under the policies are to be paid to the individuals as retirement benefits over future years. The following table includes information on the cash surrender value and the accrued benefit obligation included in other assets and other liabilities at December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011 
Cash surrender value  $3,143   $3,006 
Accrued benefit obligation   1,171    1,158 

  

NOTE 15. INCOME TAXES

 

The following table provides information on components of income tax expense for each of the three years ended December 31.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011   2010 
Current tax (benefit) expense:               
Federal  $(3,977)  $656   $1,940 
State   (823)   236    473 
    (4,800)   892    2,413 
Deferred income tax benefit:               
Federal   (1,140)   (1,233)   (2,350)
State   (625)   (317)   (555)
    (1,765)   (1,550)   (2,905)
                
Total income tax benefit  $(6,565)  $(658)  $(492)

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of tax computed at the statutory federal tax rate of 34.0% to the actual tax expense for each of the three years ended December 31.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011   2010 
Tax at federal statutory rate   34.0%   34.0%   34.0%
Tax effect of:               
Tax-exempt income   0.6    8.8    7.6 
Non-deductible goodwill impairment charges   -    (6.0)   (24.3)
Other non-deductible expenses   (0.2)   (2.1)   (1.3)
State income taxes, net of federal benefit   5.9    3.6    2.4 
Other   0.2    4.0    4.4 
                
Actual income tax expense rate  40.5%  42.3%  22.8%

 

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The following table provides information on significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011 
Deferred tax assets:          
Allowance for credit losses  $6,421   $5,640 
Reserve for off-balance sheet commitments   166    137 
Write-downs of other real estate owned   742    346 
Net operating loss carry forward   364    212 
Deferred income   2,370    2,055 
Accrued expenses   1,353    1,450 
Loss on termination of cash flow hedge   540    - 
Unrealized losses on interest rate caps   803    2,070 
Other   55    54 
Total deferred tax assets   12,814    11,964 
Deferred tax liabilities:          
Depreciation   515    612 
Purchase accounting adjustments   1,009    680 
Deferred capital gain on branch sale   451    473 
Deferred gains on interest rate swaps   169    169 
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities   1,282    928 
Other   208    66 
Total deferred tax liabilities   3,634    2,928 
Net deferred tax assets  $9,180   $9,036 

 

No valuation allowance for deferred tax assets was recorded at December 31, 2012 and 2011 as management believes it is more likely than not that all of the deferred tax assets will be realized because they were supported by recoverable taxes paid in prior years and the expected generation of a sufficient level of future taxable income.

 

 

NOTE 16. EARNINGS/(LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE

 

Basic earnings/(loss) per common share is calculated by dividing net income/(loss) available to (allocable to) common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings/(loss) per common share is calculated by dividing net income/(loss) available to (allocable to) common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, adjusted for the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents (stock-based awards and the warrant). There is no dilutive effect on the loss per share during loss periods. The following table provides information relating to the calculation of earnings/(loss) per common share.

 

(In thousands, except per share data)  2012   2011   2010 
                
Net loss  $(9,638)  $(897)  $(1,667)
                
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic   8,457    8,451    8,442 
                
Dilutive effect of common stock equivalents   -    -    - 
                
Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted   8,457    8,451    8,442 
                
Loss per common share – basic  $(1.14)  $(0.11)  $(0.20)
                
Loss per common share – diluted  $(1.14)  $(0.11)  $(0.20)

 

The calculations of diluted loss per share excluded weighted average common stock equivalents of 46 thousand for 2012, 159 thousand for 2011 and 182 thousand for 2010 because the effect of including them would have been antidilutive.

 

NOTE 17. REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

 

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

 

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Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Banks to maintain amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of Tier 1 and total capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (leverage ratio). As of December 31, 2012, management believes that Shore Bancshares, Inc. and the Banks met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

 

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the most recent notification from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation categorized the Banks as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, the Banks must maintain minimum Tier 1 risk-based and total risk-based capital ratios, and Tier 1 leverage ratios. Management believes that there are no conditions or events since that notification that have changed the well-capitalized category of Shore Bancshares, Inc. or either of the Banks.

 

The minimum ratios for capital adequacy purposes are 4.00%, 8.00% and 4.00% for the Tier 1 risk-based capital, total risk-based capital and leverage ratios, respectively. To be categorized as well capitalized, a bank must maintain minimum ratios of 6.00%, 10.00% and 5.00% for its Tier 1 risk-based capital, total risk-based capital and leverage ratios, respectively. Shore Bancshares, Inc., as a financial holding company, is subject to the well-capitalized requirement.

 

The following tables present the capital amounts and ratios for Shore Bancshares, Inc., Talbot Bank and CNB as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

 

 

December 31, 2012

(Dollars in thousands)

  Tier 1
Capital
   Total
Risk-
Based
Capital
   Net
Risk-
Weighted
Assets
   Adjusted
Average
Total Assets
   Tier 1
Risk-Based
Capital
Ratio
   Total
Risk-Based
Capital
Ratio
   Tier 1
Leverage
Ratio
 
Company  $97,049   $107,208   $805,108   $1,166,865    12.05%   13.32%   8.32%
Talbot Bank   53,496    59,847    501,612    713,472    10.66    11.93    7.50 
CNB   41,976    45,780    303,627    450,109    13.82    15.08    9.33 
                                    

 

December 31, 2011
(Dollars in thousands)
  Tier 1
Capital
   Total
Risk-
Based
Capital
   Net
Risk-
Weighted
Assets
   Adjusted
Average
Total Assets
   Tier 1
Risk-Based
Capital
Ratio
   Total
Risk-Based
Capital
Ratio
   Tier 1
Leverage
Ratio
 
Company  $106,276   $116,917   $846,936   $1,143,990    12.55%   13.80%   9.29%
Talbot Bank   63,667    70,604    551,202    706,984    11.55    12.81    9.01 
CNB   41,542    45,246    295,232    431,968    14.07    15.33    9.62 

 

Federal and state laws and regulations applicable to banks and their holding companies impose certain restrictions on dividend payments by the Banks, as well as restricting extensions of credit and transfers of assets between the Banks and Shore Bancshares, Inc. Talbot Bank is currently prohibited from paying dividends to Shore Bancshares, Inc. without the prior consent of its banking regulators. CNB paid dividends of $2.3 million to Shore Bancshares, Inc. during 2012. At December 31, 2012, CNB could have paid additional dividends to Shore Bancshares, Inc. of approximately $2.7 million without the prior consent and approval of its regulatory agencies. Shore Bancshares, Inc. had no outstanding receivables from subsidiaries at December 31, 2012 or 2011.

 

NOTE 18. LINES OF CREDIT

 

The Banks had $15.5 million in federal funds lines of credit and a reverse repurchase agreement available on a short-term basis from correspondent banks at both December 31, 2012 and 2011. In addition, the Banks had credit availability of approximately $58.0 million and $31.6 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Banks have pledged as collateral, under a blanket lien, all qualifying residential loans under borrowing agreements with the Federal Home Loan Bank. The Banks had no short-term borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank at December 31, 2012 or 2011.

 

NOTE 19. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

Accounting guidance under GAAP defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. This accounting guidance also establishes a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

 

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The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. Securities available for sale and derivative assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, the Company may be required to record at fair value other assets on a nonrecurring basis, such as impaired loans and other real estate and other assets owned (foreclosed assets). These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve application of lower of cost or market accounting or write-downs of individual assets.

 

Under fair value accounting guidance, assets and liabilities are grouped 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 their fair values. These hierarchy levels are:

 

Level 1 inputs – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

 

Level 2 inputs – Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These might include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.

 

Level 3 inputs – Unobservable inputs for determining the fair values of assets or liabilities that reflect an entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities.

 

Below is a discussion on the Company’s assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

 

Investment Securities Available for Sale

Fair value measurement for investment securities available for sale is based on quoted prices from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include present value of future cash flows, prepayment assumptions, credit loss assumptions and other factors. The Company classifies its investments in U.S. Treasury securities as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy, and it classifies its investments in U.S. Government agencies securities and mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government sponsored entities as Level 2.

 

Derivative Assets

Derivative instruments held by the Company for risk management purposes are traded in over-the-counter markets where quoted market prices are not readily available. For those derivatives, the Company measures fair value using third-party models that use primarily market observable inputs, such as yield curves and option volatilities, and include the value associated with counterparty credit risk. The Company classifies its derivative instruments held for risk management purposes as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company’s derivative instruments consisted solely of interest rate caps. These derivative assets are included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

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The tables below present the recorded amount of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2012 and 2011. No assets were transferred from one hierarchy level to another during 2012 or 2011.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Fair Value   Quoted Prices (Level 1)   Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) 
December 31, 2012                    
Securities available for sale:                    
U.S. Government agencies  $36,107   $-   $36,107   $- 
Mortgage-backed securities   108,780    -    108,780    - 
Other equity securities   621    -    621    - 
Total  $145,508   $-   $145,508   $- 
                     
Interest rate caps  $14   $-   $14   $- 
                     

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Fair Value   Quoted Prices (Level 1)   Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) 
December 31, 2011                    
Securities available for sale:                    
U.S. Government agencies  $42,148   $-   $42,148   $- 
Mortgage-backed securities   87,033    -    87,033    - 
Other equity securities   599    -    599    - 
Total  $129,780   $-   $129,780   $- 
                     
Interest rate caps  $250   $-   $250   $- 

 

Below is a discussion on the Company’s assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

 

Loans

The Company does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis; however, from time to time, a loan is considered impaired and a valuation allowance may be established if there are losses associated with the loan. Loans are considered impaired if it is probable that payment of interest and principal will not be made in accordance with contractual terms. The fair value of impaired loans can be estimated using one of several methods, including the collateral value, market value of similar debt, liquidation value and discounted cash flows. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, substantially all impaired loans were evaluated based on the fair value of the collateral and were classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

Other Real Estate and Other Assets Owned (Foreclosed Assets)

Foreclosed assets are adjusted for fair value upon transfer of loans to foreclosed assets. Subsequently, foreclosed assets are carried at the lower of carrying value and fair value. Fair value is based on independent market prices, appraised value of the collateral or management’s estimation of the value of the collateral. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, foreclosed assets were classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

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The tables below summarize the changes in the recorded amount of assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis for 2012 and 2011. All assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis were classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the periods presented.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Construction   Residential real estate   Commercial real estate   Commercial   Consumer   Total 
2012                              
Impaired loans:                              
Beginning balance  $27,166   $22,602   $23,578   $1,738   $28   $75,112 
Charge-offs   (7,790)   (9,483)   (2,954)   (2,037)   -    (22,264)
Payments   (1,096)   (10,134)   (2,856)   (310)   (8)    (14,404)
Transfers to other real estate owned   (1,631)   (1,997)   (2,128)   (30)   -    (5,786)
Returned to performing status   -    (491)   -    (76)   -    (567)
Changed to nonaccrual status   (1,578)   (786)   -    -    -    (2,364)
Additions   21,788    17,542    16,807    1,430    67    57,634 
Changes in allowance   (771)   698    (614)   -    (48)   (735)
Ending balance  $36,088   $17,951   $31,833   $715   $39   $86,626 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Construction   Residential real estate   Commercial real estate   Commercial   Consumer   Total 
2011                              
Impaired loans:                              
Beginning balance  $28,175   $15,327   $13,280   $4,374   $30   $61,186 
Charge-offs   (4,313)   (7,082)   (4,643)   (2,600)   -    (18,638)
Payments   (1,555)   (7,557)   (2,364)   (550)   (13)    (12,039)
Transfers to other real estate owned   (2,317)   (1,642)   (4,920)   (388)   -    (9,267)
Returned to performing status   -    (1,907)   -    -    -    (1,907)
Changed to nonaccrual status   (419)   (3,120)   (1,825)   -    -    (5,364)
Additions   7,765    29,879    24,050    902    11    62,607 
Changes in allowance   (170)   (1,296)   -    -    -    (1,466)
Ending balance  $27,166   $22,602   $23,578   $1,738   $28   $75,112 

 

(Dollars in thousands)   2012    2011 
Other real estate owned:          
Beginning balance  $9,385   $3,702 
Sales   (6,429)   (3,978)
Write-downs   (1,328)   (1,051)
Additions   6,031    10,712 
Ending balance  $7,659   $9,385 

 

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The following information relates to the estimated fair values of financial assets and liabilities that are reported in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at their carrying amounts. The discussion below describes the methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial asset and liability for which it is practicable to estimate that value.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents include interest-bearing deposits with other banks and federal funds sold. For these short-term instruments, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

 

Investment Securities Held to Maturity

For all investments in debt securities, fair values are based on quoted market prices. If a quoted market price is not available, fair value is estimated using quoted market prices for similar securities.

 

Loans

The fair values of categories of fixed rate loans, such as commercial loans, residential real estate, and other consumer loans, are estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities. Other loans, including variable rate loans, are adjusted for differences in loan characteristics.

 

Financial Liabilities

The fair values of demand deposits, savings accounts, and certain money market deposits are the amounts payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities. These estimates do not take into consideration the value of core deposit intangibles. Generally, the carrying amount of short-term borrowings is a reasonable estimate of fair value. The fair values of securities sold under agreements to repurchase (included in short-term borrowings) and long-term debt are estimated using the rates offered for similar borrowings.

 

Commitments to Extend Credit and Standby Letters of Credit

The majority of the Company’s commitments to grant loans and standby letters of credit are written to carry current market interest rates if converted to loans. In general, commitments to extend credit and letters of credit are not assignable by the Company or the borrower, so they generally have value only to the Company and the borrower. Therefore, it is impractical to assign any value to these commitments.

 

The following table provides information on the estimated fair values of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are reported in the balance sheets at their carrying amounts. The financial assets and liabilities have been segregated by their classification level in the fair value hierarchy.

 

   2012   2011 
       Estimated       Estimated 
   Carrying   Fair   Carrying   Fair 
(Dollars in thousands)  Amount   Value   Amount   Value 
Financial assets                    
Level 2 inputs                    
Cash and cash equivalents  $200,193   $200,193   $127,742   $127,742 
Investment securities held to maturity   2,657    2,884    6,480    6,732 
Level 3 inputs                    
Loans, net   769,091    798,381    826,762    856,917 
                     
Financial liabilities                    
Level 2 inputs                    
Deposits  $1,049,273   $1,052,382   $1,009,919   $1,013,964 
Short-term borrowings   13,761    13,761    17,817    17,817 
Long-term debt   -    -    455    470 

  

NOTE 20. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

 

Accounting guidance under GAAP defines derivatives, requires that derivatives be carried at fair value on the balance sheet and provides for hedge accounting when certain conditions are met. Changes in the fair values of derivative instruments designated as “cash flow” hedges, to the extent the hedges are highly effective, are recorded in other comprehensive income, net of taxes. Ineffective portions of cash flow hedges, if any, are recognized in current period earnings. The net interest settlement on cash flow hedges is treated as an adjustment of the interest income or interest expense of the hedged assets or liabilities. The Company uses derivative instruments to hedge its exposure to changes in interest rates. The Company does not use derivatives for any trading or other speculative purposes.

 

During the second quarter of 2009, the Company purchased interest rate caps for $7.1 million to effectively fix the interest rate at 2.97% for five years on $70 million of the Company’s money market deposit accounts related to our participation in the IND Program. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the aggregate fair value of these derivatives was an asset of $14 thousand and $250 thousand, respectively. The change in fair value included a $1.8 million adjustment to record unrealized holding gains on the interest rate caps and a $2.0 million charge to interest expense associated with the hedged money market deposit accounts. For 2011 and 2010, unrealized holding losses on the interest rate caps were $460 thousand and $3.7 million, respectively, and interest expense associated with the hedged money market deposit accounts was $1.3 million thousand and $429 thousand, respectively.

 

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In December 2012, the Company decided to partially exit the IND Program in an effort to reduce its excess liquidity and, as a result, expects that the deposits related to this program, which totaled $90 million at the end of 2012, will be reduced by approximately $50 million during the first quarter of 2013. As such, a portion of the interest rate caps used to hedge the interest rates on these deposits was terminated. Because the interest rate caps qualified for hedge accounting, a $1.3 million loss on the termination of the ineffective portion of the cash flow hedge was recognized at the end of 2012. By partially exiting the IND Program and terminating a portion of the interest rate caps, the hedged money market deposit account balances associated with the interest rate caps and related interest expense are expected to decline. The Company expects that the charge to interest expense associated with the hedged deposits over the next 12 months will be approximately $1.5 million, which is $900 thousand less than if a portion of the cash flow hedge had not been terminated. The lower money market deposit account balances will reduce the Company’s excess liquidity and the lower related interest expense will benefit the net interest margin going forward. The effects of these transactions are expected to impact the Company’s financial results beginning in the first quarter of 2013.

 

By entering into derivative instrument contracts, the Company exposes itself, from time to time, to counterparty credit risk. Counterparty credit risk is the risk that the counterparty will fail to perform under the terms of the derivative contract. When the fair value of a derivative contract is in an asset position, the counterparty has a liability to the Company, which creates credit risk for the Company. The Company attempts to minimize this risk by selecting counterparties with investment grade credit ratings, limiting its exposure to any single counterparty and regularly monitoring its market position with each counterparty. Collateral required by the counterparties, recorded in other liabilities, was $428 thousand at both December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

NOTE 21. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK

 

In the normal course of business, to meet the financing needs of its customers, the Banks are parties to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. The Banks’ exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to these financial instruments is represented by the contractual amount of the instruments. The Banks use the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as they do for on-balance sheet instruments. The Banks generally require collateral or other security to support the financial instruments with credit risk. The amount of collateral or other security is determined based on management’s credit evaluation of the counterparty. The Banks evaluate each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis.

 

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Banks to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Letters of credit and other commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Because many of the letters of credit and commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amount does not necessarily represent future cash requirements.

 

The following table provides information on commitments outstanding as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011 
Commitments to extend credit  $141,518   $136,222 
Letters of credit   12,817    11,311 
           
Total  $154,335   $147,533 

 

NOTE 22. CONTINGENCIES

 

In the normal course of business, Shore Bancshares, Inc. and its subsidiaries may become involved in litigation arising from banking, financial, and other activities. Management, after consultation with legal counsel, does not anticipate that the future liability, if any, arising out of current proceedings will have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, operating results, or liquidity.

 

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NOTE 23. PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

The following tables provide condensed financial information for Shore Bancshares, Inc. (Parent Company Only).

 

Condensed Balance Sheets

December 31,

 

(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011 
Assets          
Cash  $820   $1,316 
Investment in subsidiaries   113,529    121,567 
Premises and equipment, net   2,616    2,711 
Other assets   1,196    1,519 
Total assets  $118,161   $127,113 
           
Liabilities          
Accrued interest payable  $1   $91 
Deferred tax liability   1,687    1,383 
Other liabilities   104    1,040 
Long-term debt   2,343    3,350 
Total liabilities   4,135    5,864 
           
Stockholders’ equity          
Common stock   85    85 
Additional paid in capital   32,155    32,052 
Retained earnings   81,078    90,801 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   708    (1,689)
Total stockholders’ equity   114,026    121,249 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $118,161   $127,113 

 

Condensed Statements of Operations

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011   2010 
Income               
Dividends from subsidiaries  $3,154   $1,519   $2,786 
Management and other fees from subsidiaries   5,692    5,783    6,095 
Other income   177    245    70 
Interest income   3    6    1 
Total income   9,026    7,553    8,952 
                
Expenses               
Interest expense   107    154    172 
Salaries and employee benefits   4,188    3,977    4,120 
Occupancy and equipment expense   463    471    494 
Other operating expenses   1,529    1,360    1,499 
Total expenses   6,287    5,962    6,285 
                
Income before income tax expense and equity in undistributed net loss of subsidiaries   2,739    1,591    2,667 
Income tax (benefit) expense   (58)   (190)   151 
Income before equity in undistributed net loss of subsidiaries   2,797    1,781    2,516 
                
Equity in undistributed net loss of subsidiaries   (12,435)   (2,678)   (4,183)
Net loss  $(9,638)  $(897)  $(1,667)

 

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Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

(Dollars in thousands)  2012   2011   2010 
Cash flows from operating activities:               
Net loss  $(9,638)  $(897)  $(1,667)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash provided by operating activities:               
Equity in undistributed net loss of subsidiaries   12,435    2,678    4,183 
Depreciation and amortization   367    404    414 
Stock-based compensation expense   209    338    390 
Excess tax expense from stock-based arrangements   (106)   (45)   (20)
Net decrease (increase) in other assets   159    (253)   129 
Net (decrease) increase in other liabilities   (828)   (99)   406 
Net cash provided by operating activities   2,598    2,126    3,835 
                
Cash flows from investing activities:               
Purchases of premises and equipment   (108)   (57)   (109)
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary   -    (25)   (25)
Investment in subsidiaries   (2,000)   (550)   - 
Net cash used in investing activities   (2,108)   (632)   (134)
                
Cash flows from financing activities:               
Net decrease in short-term borrowings   -    -    (3,378)
Proceeds from long-term debt   -    -    3,200 
Repayment of long-term debt   (1,007)   (782)   (497)
Excess tax expense from stock-based arrangements   106    45    20 
Repurchase of warrant   -    (25)   - 
Common stock dividends paid   (85)   (760)   (2,026)
Net cash used in financing activities   (986)   (1,522)   (2,681)
                
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents   (496)   (28)   1,020 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year   1,316    1,344    324 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year  $820   $1,316   $1,344 

 

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NOTE 24. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL RESULTS (unaudited)

 

The following table provides a summary of selected consolidated quarterly financial data for the two years ended December 31, 2012.

 

(In thousands, except per share data)  First
Quarter
   Second
Quarter
   Third
Quarter
   Fourth
Quarter
 
2012                    
Interest income  $11,856   $11,692   $11,393   $10,960 
Net interest income   9,195    9,033    8,730    8,381 
Provision for credit losses   8,370    3,525    6,200    9,650 
(Loss) income before income taxes   (5,099)   422    (3,178)   (8,348)
Net (loss) income   (3,036)   293    (1,821)   (5,074)
                     
Basic (loss) earnings per common share  $(0.36)  $0.03   $(0.22)  $(0.60)
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share  $(0.36)  $0.03   $(0.22)  $(0.60)
                     
2011                    
Interest income  $12,718   $12,735   $12,868   $12,531 
Net interest income   9,862    9,942    10,123    9,837 
Provision for credit losses   6,390    5,395    3,650    4,035 
(Loss) income before income taxes   (2,024)   (266)   319    416 
Net (loss) income   (1,083)   (233)   94    325 
                     
Basic (loss) earnings per common share  $(0.13)  $(0.03)  $0.01   $0.04 
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share  $(0.13)  $(0.03)  $0.01   $0.04 

 

Earnings per share are based on quarterly results and may not be additive to the annual earnings per share amounts.

 

NOTE 25. SEGMENT REPORTING

 

The Company operates two primary business segments: Community Banking and Insurance Products and Services. The Community Banking business provides services to consumers and small businesses on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and in Delaware through its 18-branch network. Community banking activities include small business services, retail brokerage, trust services and consumer banking products and services. Loan products available to consumers include mortgage, home equity, automobile, marine, and installment loans, credit cards and other secured and unsecured personal lines of credit. Small business lending includes commercial mortgages, real estate development loans, equipment and operating loans, as well as secured and unsecured lines of credit, credit cards, accounts receivable financing arrangements, and merchant card services.

 

Through the Insurance Products and Services business, the Company provides a full range of insurance products and services to businesses and consumers in the Company’s market areas. Products include property and casualty, life, marine, individual health and long-term care insurance. Pension and profit sharing plans and retirement plans for executives and employees are available to suit the needs of individual businesses.

 

During the third quarter of 2012, goodwill and other intangible assets were subjected to an annual assessment for impairment. As a result of the assessment, the Company determined that there was no impairment at the Company’s subsidiaries that have these intangible assets on their balance sheets. During the third quarter of 2011, when goodwill and other intangible assets were assessed for impairment, it was determined that goodwill and other intangible assets were impaired in our Insurance Products and Services segment, primarily relating to the Company’s retail insurance business. The Company recorded goodwill impairment charges of $1.2 million and other intangible assets impairment charges of $120 thousand reflected in the table below in noninterest expense.

 

During the third quarter of 2010, it was determined that goodwill and other intangible assets were impaired in the Company’s Community Banking segment at one of the Banks, and in the Insurance Products and Services segment, specifically relating to the Company’s wholesale insurance business. The Company recorded goodwill impairment charges of $1.5 million in both segments, and other intangible assets impairment charges of $51 thousand in the Insurance Products and Services segment.

 

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Selected financial information by business segments is included in the following table.

 

   Community   Insurance Products   Parent     
(Dollars in thousands)  Banking   and Services   Company   Total 
2012                    
Interest income  $45,822   $79   $-   $45,901 
Interest expense   (10,546)   -   (16)    (10,562)
Provision for credit losses   (27,745)   -    -    (27,745)
Noninterest income   5,197    10,422    139    15,758 
Noninterest expense   (23,702)   (9,820)   (6,033)   (39,555)
Net intersegment (expense) income   (4,993)   (503)   5,496    - 
(Loss) income before income taxes   (15,967)   178    (414)   (16,203)
Income tax benefit (expense)   6,467    (70)   168    6,565 
Net (loss) income  $(9,500)  $108   $(246)  $(9,638)
                     
Total assets  $1,166,468   $16,809   $2,530   $1,185,807 
                     
2011                    
Interest income  $50,721   $131   $-   $50,852 
Interest expense   (11,051)   -    (37)   (11,088)
Provision for credit losses   (19,470)   -    -    (19,470)
Noninterest income   7,269    9,881    168    17,318 
Noninterest expense   (22,738)   (10,766)   (5,663)   (39,167)
Net intersegment (expense) income   (5,148)   (455)   5,603    - 
(Loss) income before income taxes   (417)   (1,209)   71    (1,555)
Income tax benefit (expense)   176    512    (30)   658 
Net (loss) income  $(241)  $(697)  $41   $(897)
                     
Total assets  $1,138,576   $17,354   $2,263   $1,158,193 
                     
2010                    
Interest income  $55,293   $168   $-   $55,461 
Interest expense   (12,752)   -    (70)   (12,822)
Provision for credit losses   (21,119)   -    -    (21,119)
Noninterest income   7,308    10,739   (6)    18,041 
Noninterest expense   (24,328)   (11,410)   (5,982)   (41,720)
Net intersegment (expense) income   (5,418)   (521)   5,939    - 
Loss before income tax benefit   (1,016)   (1,024)   (119)   (2,159)
Income tax benefit   232    233    27    492 
Net loss  $(784)  $(791)  $(92)  $(1,667)
                     
Total assets  $1,108,712   $18,759   $2,840   $1,130,311 

  

NOTE 26. PREFERRED STOCK

 

On January 9, 2009, Shore Bancshares, Inc. participated in the Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program (the “TARP CPP”) of the United States Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”) by issuing 25,000 shares of Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A (the “Preferred Stock”) and a common stock purchase warrant covering 172,970 shares of common stock (the “Warrant”) to the Treasury for a total sales price of $25 million. On April 15, 2009, Shore Bancshares, Inc. redeemed all 25,000 shares of the Preferred Stock from Treasury for $25 million, plus accrued dividends of $208 thousand. At the time of the redemption, the Preferred Stock had a carrying value of $23.5 million. The difference between the redemption price and carrying value represented an additional accelerated deemed dividend of $1.5 million. Total dividends paid on the Preferred Stock was $1.8 million for 2009.

 

On November 16, 2011, Shore Bancshares, Inc. paid $25,000 to repurchase the Warrant from the Treasury. The repurchase price was based on the fair market value of the Warrant as agreed on by Shore Bancshares, Inc. and the Treasury. With the repurchase of the Warrant, Shore Bancshares, Inc. concluded its participation in the TARP CPP.

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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

 

None.

 

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.

 

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

 

An evaluation of the effectiveness of these disclosure controls as of December 31, 2012 was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the PEO and the PAO. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the CEO and the PAO, has concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are, in fact, effective at the reasonable assurance level.

 

During the fourth quarter of 2012, there was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

As required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, management has performed an evaluation and testing of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012. Management’s report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and the related attestation report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm are included in Item 8 of Part II of this annual report, and each such report is incorporated into this Item 9A by reference thereto.

 

Item 9B. Other Information.

 

None.

 

PART III

 

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

 

The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all of its directors, officers, and employees, including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, or controller, or persons performing similar functions. A written copy of the Company’s Code of Ethics will be provided to stockholders, free of charge, upon request to: W. David Morse, Secretary, Shore Bancshares, Inc., 18 E. Dover Street, Easton, Maryland 21601 or (410) 822-1400.

 

All other information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the following sections of the Company’s definitive proxy statement to be filed in connection with the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders:

 

·Election of Directors (Proposal 1);
·Continuing Directors;
·Executive Officers;
·Qualifications of Director Nominees and Continuing Directors;
·Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance; and
·Corporate Governance Matters (under the heading, “Board Committees”).

 

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Item 11. Executive Compensation.

 

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the following sections of the Company’s definitive proxy statement to be filed in connection with the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders:

 

·Executive Compensation
·Director Compensation

 

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

 

The Company maintains the Shore Bancshares, Inc. 2006 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2006 Plan”) under which it may issue shares of common stock or grant other equity-based awards (stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards, stock units, and performance units) to directors, executive officers, and key employees at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Shore Bancshares, Inc. The plan was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and its stockholders.

 

The following table contains information about these equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2012.

 

Plan Category  Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights   Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants, and rights   Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans [excluding securities reflected in column (a)] 
   (a)   (b)   (c) 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1)   54,216   $6.64    507,078 
                
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders   -    -    - 
                
Total   54,216   $6.64    507,078 
                

 

(1) In addition to stock options and stock appreciation rights, the 2006 Plan permits the grant of stock awards, stock units, and performance units, and the shares available for issuance shown in column (c) may be granted pursuant to such awards.  Subject to the anti-dilution provisions of the Omnibus Plan, the maximum number of shares of restricted stock that may be granted to any participant in any calendar year is 45,000; the maximum number of restricted stock units that may be granted to any one participant in any calendar year is 45,000; and the maximum dollar value of performance units that may be granted to any one participant in any calendar year is $1,500,000.  As of December 31, 2012, the Company has granted 70,678 shares of restricted stock that are not reflected in column (a) of this table.

  

All other information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section of the Company’s definitive proxy statement to be filed in connection with the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders entitled “Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock”.

 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

 

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the sections of the Company’s definitive proxy statement to be filed in connection with the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and “Corporate Governance Matters” (under the heading, “Director Independence”).

 

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section of the Company’s definitive proxy statement to be filed in connection with the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders entitled “Audit Fees and Services”.

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PART IV

 

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

 

  (a)(1), (2) and (c) Financial statements and schedules:
   
  Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
  Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2012 and 2011
  Consolidated Statements of Operations -- Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010
  Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss -- Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010
  Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity -- Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -- Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010
   
  (a)(3) and (b) Exhibits required to be filed by Item 601 of Regulation S-K:

 

The exhibits filed or furnished with this annual report are shown on the Exhibit Index that follows the signatures to this annual report, which index is incorporated herein by reference.

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  Shore Bancshares, Inc.  
       
Date:  March 14, 2013 By: /s/ W. Moorhead Vermilye  
    W. Moorhead Vermilye  
    Chief Executive Officer  

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

  /s/ Herbert L. Andrew, III   /s/ Blenda W. Armistead  
  Herbert L. Andrew, III, Director   Blenda W. Armistead, Director  
  March 14, 2013   March 14, 2013  
         
  /s/David J. Bates   /s/ Lloyd L. Beatty, Jr.  
  David J. Bates, Director   Lloyd L. Beatty, Jr., Director  
  March 14, 2013   March 14, 2013  
         
  /s/ William W. Duncan   /s/ James A. Judge  
  William W. Duncan, Director   James A. Judge, Director  
  March 14, 2013   March 14, 2013  
         
  /s/ Neil R. LeCompte   /s/ Frank E. Mason, III  
  Neil R. LeCompte, Director   Frank E. Mason, III, Director  
  March 14, 2013   March 14, 2013  
         
  /s/ Christopher F. Spurry   /s/ F. Winfield Trice, Jr.  
  Christopher F. Spurry, Director   F. Winfield Trice, Jr., Director  
  March 14, 2013   March 14, 2013  
         
  /s/ John H. Wilson   /s/ W. Moorhead Vermilye  
  John H. Wilson, Director   W. Moorhead Vermilye, Director  
  March 14, 2013   Chief Executive Officer  
    March 14, 2013  
         
  /s/ George S. Rapp      
  George S. Rapp, Vice President &      
  Chief Financial Officer      
  (Principal Accounting Officer)      
  March 14, 2013      

 

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EXHIBIT LIST

 

Exhibit No. Description
   
3.1(i) Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on December 14, 2000)
   
3.1(ii) Articles Supplementary relating to the Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A (incorporated by reference Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on January 13, 2009)
   
3.1(iii) Articles Supplementary relating to the reclassification of Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, as common stock (incorporated by reference Exhibit 3.1(i) of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on June 17, 2009)
   
3.2(i) Amended and Restated By-Laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2(i) of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
   
3.2(ii) First Amendment to Amended and Restated By-Laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2(ii) of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
   
3.2(iii) Second Amendment to Amended and Restated By-Laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2(iii) of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
   
3.2(iv) Third Amendment to Amended and Restated By-Laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2(iv) of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
   
10.1 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated June 16, 2011, between the Company and W. Moorhead Vermilye (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q/A for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 filed on November 14, 2011).
   
10.2 Employment Agreement, dated June 16, 2011, between the Company and Lloyd L. Beatty, Jr. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Form 10-Q/A for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 filed on November 14, 2011)
   
10.3 Amended Summary of Compensation Arrangement for William W. Duncan, Jr. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on February 14, 2007, as amended by Form 8-K/A filed on May 3, 2007)
   
10.4 Summary of Compensation Arrangement between Centreville National Bank and F. Winfield Trice, Jr. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on August 13, 2007)
   
10.5 Employment Agreement between The Avon-Dixon Agency, LLC and Mark M. Freestate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006)
   
10.6 Shore Bancshares, Inc. Management Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on April 21, 2010)
   
10.7 Shore Bancshares, Inc. Amended and Restated Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on February 14, 2007)
   
10.8 Deferral Election, Investment Designation, and Beneficiary Designation Forms under the Shore Bancshares, Inc. Amended and Restated Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on October 2, 2006)
   
10.9 Form of Centreville National Bank of Maryland Director Indexed Fee Continuation Plan Agreement with Messrs. Freestate and Pierson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on December 12, 2006)
   
10.10 Form of Amended and Restated Director Indexed Fee Continuation Plan Agreement between Centreville National Bank and Messrs. Freestate and Pierson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 7, 2009)

 

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10.11 Form of Centreville National Bank Life Insurance Endorsement Split Dollar Plan Agreement with Messrs. Freestate and Pierson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on December 12, 2006)
   
10.12 Talbot Bank of Easton, Maryland Supplemental Deferred Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2005)
   
10.13 First Amendment to The Talbot Bank of Easton, Maryland Supplemental Deferred Compensation Plan for the benefit of W. Moorhead Vermilye (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 7, 2009)
   
10.14 Talbot Bank of Easton, Maryland Supplemental Deferred Compensation Plan Trust Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2005)
   
10.15 1998 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on September 25, 1998 (Registration No. 333-64319))
   
10.16 Talbot Bancshares, Inc. Employee Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed May 4, 2001 (Registration No. 333-60214))
   
10.17 Shore Bancshares, Inc. 2006 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the Company’s 2006 definitive proxy statement filed on March 24, 2006)
   
10.18 Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the 2006 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on April 11, 2007)
   
21 Subsidiaries of the Company (included in the “BUSINESS—General” section of Item 1 of Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K)
   
23 Consent of Stegman & Company (filed herewith)
   
31.1 Certifications of the PEO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (filed herewith)
   
31.2 Certifications of the PAO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (filed herewith)
   
32 Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (furnished herewith)

 

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