c8128210q.htm


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

 
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)

x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008
 
OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 
For the transition period from _____ to _____

Commission file number:   000-51889                      

 
COMMUNITY PARTNERS BANCORP
 
 
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 


New Jersey
 
20-3700861
(State of Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation or Organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1250 Highway 35 South, Middletown, New Jersey
 
07748
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)

(732) 706-9009 
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
 
 
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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 x       No o

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

 
Large accelerated filer
o
Accelerated filer
o
 
Non-accelerated filer
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
o
Smaller reporting company
x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o   No x
 
As of August 11, 2008, there were 6,740,303 shares of the registrant’s common stock, no par value, outstanding.
 


 
 

 

COMMUNITY PARTNERS BANCORP
 
FORM 10-Q

INDEX
Page
PART I.
 
     
Item 1.
1
     
   
 
1
     
   
 
2
     
   
 
3
     
   
 
4
     
 
5
     
Item 2.
 
 
13
     
Item 3.
34
     
Item 4.
34
     
PART II.
 
     
Item 4.
35
     
Item 6.
35
     
 
36



PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.      Financial Statements

COMMUNITY PARTNERS BANCORP
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
At June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007
(In thousands, except per share data)

   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
ASSETS
           
Cash and due from banks
  $ 11,689     $ 9,675  
Federal funds sold
    -       338  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents
    11,689       10,013  
                 
Securities available-for-sale
    55,655       55,545  
Securities held-to-maturity (fair value of $7,162 and $7,492 at June 30,
2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively)
    7,556       7,557  
                 
Loans
    434,067       416,967  
Allowance for loan losses
    (5,349 )     (4,675 )
Net loans
    428,718       412,292  
                 
Bank-owned life insurance
    4,026       3,951  
Premises and equipment, net
    5,901       5,090  
Accrued interest receivable
    2,099       2,291  
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization
          of $804 and $641 at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007,
          respectively
    26,136       26,299  
Other assets
    2,294       2,063  
                 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 544,074     $ 525,101  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
LIABILITIES
               
Deposits:
               
Non-interest bearing
  $ 74,604     $ 72,688  
Interest bearing
    361,495       354,271  
                 
Total deposits
    436,099       426,959  
                 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    19,553       15,187  
Short-term borrowings
    5,346       -  
Accrued interest payable
    457       531  
Long-term debt
    7,500       7,500  
Other liabilities
    2,256       2,467  
                 
Total liabilities
    471,211       452,644  
                 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Preferred stock, no par value; 6,500,000 shares authorized; no shares
           issued and outstanding
    -       -  
Common stock, no par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized;  6,740,303
           and 6,722,784 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2008 and
           December 31, 2007, respectively
    66,644       66,552  
Retained earnings
    6,425       5,805  
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
    (206 )     100  
                 
Total shareholders' equity
    72,863       72,457  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES and SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 544,074     $ 525,101  

See notes to consolidated financial statements.


COMMUNITY PARTNERS BANCORP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
For the Three Months and Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 and 2007

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
 
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
INTEREST INCOME:
                       
Loans, including fees
  $ 6,832     $ 8,120     $ 14,066     $ 16,225  
Investment securities
    705       695       1,454       1,368  
Federal funds sold
    24       333       60       502  
Total Interest Income
    7,561       9,148       15,580       18,095  
INTEREST EXPENSE:
                               
Deposits
    2,499       3,952       5,440       7,896  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    112       141       240       240  
Borrowings
    81       -       164       -  
Total Interest Expense
    2,692       4,093       5,844       8,136  
Net Interest Income
    4,869       5,055       9,736       9,959  
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
    589       1       674       57  
Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses
    4,280       5,054       9,062       9,902  
NON-INTEREST INCOME:
                               
Service fees on deposit accounts
    155       147       333       290  
Other loan customer service fees
    48       94       79       185  
Earnings from investment in life insurance
    37       31       75       62  
Other income
    145       166       276       301  
Total Non-Interest Income
    385       438       763       838  
NON-INTEREST EXPENSES:
                               
Salaries and employee benefits
    2,272       1,993       4,446       3,925  
Occupancy and equipment
    760       631       1,578       1,305  
Professional
    210       180       416       359  
Insurance
    135       144       290       271  
Advertising
    61       104       117       209  
Data processing
    159       113       271       260  
Outside services fees
    151       112       265       219  
Amortization of identifiable intangibles
    76       86       163       182  
Other operating
    425       401       747       843  
Total Non-Interest Expenses
    4,249       3,764       8,293       7,573  
                                 
Income before Income Taxes
    416       1,728       1,532       3,167  
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
    126       699       527       1,237  
                                 
Net Income
  $ 290     $ 1,029     $ 1,005     $ 1,930  
                                 
EARNINGS PER SHARE:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.04     $ 0.15     $ 0.15     $ 0.29  
Diluted
  $ 0.04     $ 0.15     $ 0.15     $ 0.28  
                                 
Weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands):
                               
Basic
    6,740       6,715       6,738       6,711  
Diluted
    6,870       6,876       6,872       6,881  

See notes to consolidated financial statements.


COMMUNITY PARTNERS BANCORP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited)
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 and 2007
(Dollars in thousands)

                     
Accumulated
       
                     
Other
   
Total
 
   
Outstanding
   
Common
   
Retained
   
Comprehensive
   
Shareholders’
 
   
Shares
   
Stock
   
Earnings
   
Income/(Loss)
   
Equity
 
Balance December 31, 2007
    6,722,784     $ 66,552     $ 5,805     $ 100     $ 72,457  
                                         
Comprehensive income:
                                       
Net income
    -       -       1,005       -       1,005  
Change in net unrealized gain (loss) on
securities available for sale,
net of tax of $201
    -       -       -       (306 )     (306 )
                                         
Total comprehensive income
    -       -       -       -       699  
                                         
Options exercised
    17,519       92       -       -       92  
                                         
Cumulative effect adjustment – adoption of
                                       
accounting for post-retirement benefit costs
    -       -       (385 )     -       (385 )
                                         
Balance, June 30, 2008
    6,740,303     $ 66,644     $ 6,425     $ (206 )   $ 72,863  
                                         
Balance December 31, 2006
    6,511,582     $ 64,728     $ 3,884     $ (293 )   $ 68,319  
                                         
Comprehensive income:
                                       
Net income
    -       -       1,930       -       1,930  
Change in net unrealized loss on
securities available for sale,
net of tax of $209
    -       -       -       (331 )     (331 )
                                         
Total comprehensive income
                                    1,599  
                                         
Options exercised
    15,423       71       -       -       71  
                                         
Tax benefit from exercised non-qualified
                                       
Stock options
    -       23       -       -       23  
                                         
Balance, June 30, 2007
    6,527,005     $ 64,822     $ 5,814     $ (624 )   $ 70,012  

See notes to consolidated financial statements.


COMMUNITY PARTNERS BANCORP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 and 2007

   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
  $ 1,005     $ 1,930  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
 operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    539       514  
Provision for loan losses
    674       57  
Intangible amortization
    163       182  
Net amortization (accretion) of securities premiums and discounts
    21       (11 )
Net increase in investment in life insurance
    (75 )     (62 )
Commercial loan participations originated for sale
    (1,802 )     (6,021 )
Proceeds from sales of commercial loan participations
    1,802       6,021  
Decrease (increase) in assets:
               
Accrued interest receivable
    192       78  
Other assets
    (30 )     (102 )
(Decrease) increase in liabilities:
               
Accrued interest payable
    (74 )     (9 )
Other liabilities
    (596 )     218  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    1,819       2,795  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchase of securities available for sale
    (21,514 )     (14,004 )
Purchase of securities held to maturity
    (475 )     -  
Proceeds from repayments and maturities of securities held to maturity
    475       1,000  
Proceeds from repayments and maturities of securities available for sale
    20,877       9,208  
Net (increase) decrease in loans
    (17,100 )     3,746  
Purchases of premises and equipment
    (1,350 )     (149 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (19,087 )     (199 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Net increase in deposits
    9,140       15,529  
Net increase in securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    4,366       7,439  
Net increase in short-term borrowings
    5,346       -  
Proceeds and tax benefit from exercise of stock options
    92       94  
Net cash provided by financing activities
    18,944       23,062  
                 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    1,676       25,658  
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning
    10,013       15,177  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents - ending 
  $ 11,689     $ 40,835  
                 
Supplementary cash flow information:
               
Interest paid
  $ 5,918     $ 8,145  
Income taxes paid
  $ 1,080     $ 1,294  

See notes to consolidated financial statements.



COMMUNITY PARTNERS BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Community Partners Bancorp (the “Company” or “Community Partners”), a bank holding company, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Two River Community Bank (“Two River”) and The Town Bank (“Town Bank”) and Two River’s wholly-owned subsidiary, TRCB Investment Corporation, and wholly-owned trust, Two River Community Bank Employer’s Trust.  All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
 
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for full year financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included and are of a normal, recurring nature.  Operating results for the three-month period and six-month period ended June 30, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2008.  These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2007 included in the Community Partners Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 31, 2008 (the “Annual Report”).
 
NOTE 2 – EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period.  Diluted earnings per share reflects additional shares of common stock that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential shares of common stock had been issued relating to outstanding stock options.  Potential shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options are determined using the treasury stock method.  All share and per share data have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the 3% stock dividend declared on July 17, 2007 and paid August 31, 2007 to shareholders of record as of August 10, 2007.
 

 


The following table sets forth the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share:
 
   
Three Months Ended
 June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
                         
Net income applicable to common stock
  $ 290     $ 1,029     $ 1,005     $ 1,930  
                                 
Weighted average common shares
outstanding
    6,739,644       6,714,729       6,737,531       6,710,851  
Effect of dilutive securities, stock options
    130,080       161,139       133,970       169,673  
                                 
Weighted average common shares
outstanding used to calculate diluted
earnings per share
    6,869,724       6,875,868       6,871,501       6,880,524  
                                 
Basic earnings per share
  $ 0.04     $ 0.15     $ 0.15     $ 0.29  
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.04     $ 0.15     $ 0.15     $ 0.28  

 
Stock options that had no intrinsic value because their effect would be anti-dilutive and therefore would not be included in the diluted EPS calculation were 414,972 and 398,012 for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
NOTE 3 – OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
The components of other comprehensive loss for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:
 
   
Three Months Ended
 June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                         
Unrealized holding losses on 
available-for-sale securities
  $ (1,193 )   $ (631 )   $ (507 )   $ (540 )
Less:
Reclassification adjustments for
gains (losses) included in net
 income
    -       -       -       -  
      (1,193 )     (631 )     (507 )     (540 )
Tax effect
    470       242       201       209  
                                 
Net unrealized losses
  $ (723 )   $ (389 )   $ (306 )   $ (331 )

 
NOTE 4 – STOCK BASED COMPENSATION
 
Both Two River and Town Bank had stock option plans for the benefit of their employees and directors outstanding at the time of their acquisition by Community Partners.  The plans provided for the granting of both incentive and non-qualified stock options.  All stock options outstanding at the time of acquisition, April 1, 2006, became fully vested.  In accordance with terms of the acquisition, Two River’s outstanding stock options were converted into options to purchase the same number of shares of Company common stock at the same per share exercise price.
 
 
Town Bank’s outstanding options were converted into options to purchase shares of Company common stock determined by multiplying the number of Town Bank shares subject to the original option by the 1.25 exchange ratio, at an exercise price determined by dividing the exercise price of the original Town Bank option by the 1.25 exchange ratio.
 
The converted options are subject to the same terms and conditions, including expiration date, vesting and exercise provisions, that applied to the original options.  There are no shares available for grant under the prior stock option plans.
 
On March 20, 2007, the Board of Directors adopted the Community Partners Bancorp 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).  The Plan, which was approved by the Company’s shareholders at the 2007 annual meeting of shareholders held on May 15, 2007, provides that the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”) may grant to those individuals who are eligible under the terms of the Plan stock options, shares of restricted stock, or such other equity incentive awards as the Committee may determine.  The number of shares of Company common stock to be reserved and available for awards under the Plan is 772,500 after adjusting for the 3% stock dividend paid on August 31, 2007 to shareholders of record as of August 10, 2007.
 
Community Partners did not issue any stock option awards, shares of restricted stock, or any other share-based compensation awards during 2006, 2007 or during the six months ended June 30, 2008.
 
The following table presents information regarding the Company’s outstanding stock options as of June 30, 2008.
 
   
Number of
Shares
   
Weighted
Average
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
                     
Options outstanding, beginning of year
    765,850     $ 9.40          
Options exercised
    (17,519 )     5.25          
                         
Options outstanding, June 30, 2008
    748,331     $ 9.49  
4.34 years
  $ 1,034,913  
Options exercisable, June 30, 2008
    748,331     $ 9.49  
4.34 years
  $ 1,034,913  
Option price range at June 30, 2008
  $ 3.45 to $16.26                    

 
Intrinsic value represents the amount by which the market price of the shares issuable upon the exercise of an option on the measurement date exceeds the exercise price of the option.  The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2008 was $63,311.


NOTE 5 – GUARANTEES
 
The Company does not issue any guarantees that would require liability recognition or disclosure, other than its standby letters of credit.  Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party.  Generally, all letters of credit, when issued, have expiration dates within one year.  The credit risks involved in issuing letters of credit are essentially the same as those that are involved in extending loan facilities to customers.  The Company generally holds collateral and/or personal guarantees supporting these commitments.  As of June 30, 2008, the Company had $5,982,000 of commercial and similar letters of credit.  Management believes that the proceeds obtained through a liquidation of collateral and the enforcement of guarantees would be sufficient to cover the potential amount of future payments required under the corresponding guarantees.  Management believes that the current amount of the liability as of June 30, 2008 for guarantees under standby letters of credit issued is not material.
 
NOTE 6 – STOCK DIVIDENDS
 
On July 17, 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a 3% stock dividend which was paid August 31, 2007 to shareholders of record as of August 10, 2007.  Weighted average shares outstanding and earnings per share for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2007 have been retroactively adjusted to reflect this dividend.
 
NOTE 7 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
 
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  SFAS 157 applies to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements.  The new standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and for interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company adopted SFAS 157 effective for its fiscal year beginning January 1, 2008.  In December 2007, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” (“FSP 157-2”).  FSP 157-2 delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for all non-financial assets and liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually) to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years.  The adoption of SFAS 157 and FSP 157-2 had no impact on the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements.
 
The primary effect of SFAS 157 on the Company was to expand the required disclosures pertaining to the methods used to determine fair values.
 
SFAS 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation methods used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under SFAS 157 are as follows:

 
Level 1:
  Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
     
Level 2:
 
Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
     
Level 3:
 
Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e. supported with little or no market activity).
 
An asset’s or liability’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
 
For financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis, the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy used at June 30, 2008 are as follows:
 
Description
 
June 30,
2008
   
(Level 1)
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
   
(Level 2)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
   
(Level 3)
Significant Unobservable
Inputs
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                         
Securities available for sale
  $ 55,655     $ -     $ 55,355     $ 300  

 
The following table presents a reconciliation of the securities available for sale measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2008:
 
   
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
   
Securities available for sale
 
   
Three Months Ended
 June 30, 2008
   
Six Months Ended
 June 30, 2008
 
   
(in thousands)
 
             
             
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 870     $ 974  
Total gains/(losses) – (realized/unrealized):
               
Included in earnings
    -       -  
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)
    (101 )     (205 )
Purchases, issuances and settlements
    -       -  
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
    (469 )     (469 )
                 
Ending balance June 30, 2008
  $ 300     $ 300  
 

Both observable and unobservable inputs may be used to determine the fair value of positions that the Company has classified within the Level 3 category.  As a result, any unrealized gains and losses for assets within the Level 3 category may include changes in fair value attributable to both observable (e.g. changes in market interest rates) and unobservable (e.g. changes in unobservable long-dated volatilities) inputs.
 
For financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy used at June 30, 2008 are as follows:
 
Description
 
June 30, 2008
   
(Level 1)
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
   
(Level 2)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
   
(Level 3)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                         
Impaired Loans
  $ 2,893     $ -     $ -     $ 2,893  
                                 

 
The following valuation techniques were used to measure fair value of assets in the tables above:
 
 
·
Available for sale securities – The Company utilizes a third party source to determine the fair value of its fixed income securities.  The methodology consists of pricing models based on asset class and include available trade, bid, other market information, broker quotes, proprietary models, various databases and trading desk quotes, some of which are heavily influenced by unobservable inputs.
 
 
·
Impaired loans – Impaired loans are those that are accounted for under FASB Statement No. 114, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan (“SFAS 114”), in which the Company has measured impairment generally based on the fair value of the loan’s collateral.  Fair value is generally determined based upon independent third party appraisals of the properties, or discounted cash flows based upon the expected proceeds.  These assets are included as Level 3 fair values, based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements.  The fair value consists of the loan balances of $3,554,000 less their valuation allowances of $661,000, as determined under SFAS 114.
 
NOTE 8 – NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
In September 2006, the Emerging Issues Task Force (the “Task Force”) of the FASB issued EITF Issue No. 06-4, “Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements” (“EITF 06-4”).  EITF 06-4 requires the recognition of a liability related to the postretirement benefits covered by an endorsement split-dollar life insurance arrangement.  The Task Force consensus highlights that the employer (who is also the policyholder) has a liability for the benefit it is providing to its employee. As such, if the policyholder has agreed to maintain the insurance policy in force for the employee’s benefit during his or her retirement, then the liability recognized during the employee’s active service period should be based on the future cost of insurance to be incurred during the employee’s retirement. Alternatively, if the policyholder has agreed to provide the employee with a death benefit, then the liability for the future death benefit should be recognized by following the guidance in FASB Statement No. 106, “Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions”, or Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 12, as appropriate. For transition, an entity can choose to apply the guidance using either of the following approaches:  (a) a change in accounting principle through retrospective application to all periods presented; or (b) a change in accounting principle through a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance in retained earnings at the beginning of the year of adoption.  The Company adopted EITF 06-4 on January 1, 2008 as a change in accounting principle through a cumulative effect adjustment charge to retained earnings of $385,000.  In addition, the benefit expense recorded in the six months ended June 30, 2008 was approximately $25,000 due to the adoption of EITF 06-4.  Total benefit expense for 2008 will approximate $50,000.

 
Also in September 2006, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  (See Note 7 – Fair Value Measurements.)

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities-Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115" (“SFAS 159”).  SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value.  Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected will be recognized in earnings at each subsequent reporting date.  SFAS 159 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2008.  The Company did not elect the fair value option for any financial assets or financial liabilities; therefore, the adoption of SFAS 159 did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 141 (R), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141R”).  SFAS 141R establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer of a business recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree.  SFAS 141R also provides guidance for recognizing and measuring the goodwill acquired in the business combination and determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination.  The guidance will become effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008.  This new pronouncement will impact the Company’s accounting for business combinations beginning January 1, 2009.

Also in December 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 160, “Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS 160”).  SFAS 160 establishes accounting and reporting standards for the non-controlling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary.  The guidance will become effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008.  The Company believes that this new pronouncement will have an immaterial impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements in future periods.

In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position 140-3, “Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets and Repurchase Financing Transactions” (“FSP 140-3”).  FSP 140-3 addresses the issue of whether or not these transactions should be viewed as two separate transactions or as one “linked” transaction.  FSP 140-3 includes a “rebuttable presumption” that presumes linkage of the two transactions unless the presumption can be overcome by meeting certain criteria.  FSP 140-3 will be effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and will apply only to original transfers made after that date; early adoption will not be allowed.  The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact the new pronouncement will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 
In March 2008, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” (“SFAS 161”).  SFAS 161 requires entities that utilize derivative instruments to provide qualitative disclosures about their objectives and strategies for using such instruments, as well as any details of credit-risk-related contingent features contained within derivatives.  Statement 161 also requires entities to disclose additional information about the amounts and location of derivatives located within the financial statements, how the provisions of SFAS 133 has been applied, and the impact that hedges have on an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows.  Statement 161 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged.  The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact the new pronouncement will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets” (“FSP 142-3”).  FSP 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under FASB Statement No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS 142”).  The intent of FSP 142-3 is to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under SFAS 141R, and other GAAP.  FSP 142-3 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  Early adoption is prohibited.  The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact the new pronouncement will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2008, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (“SFAS 162”).  SFAS 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in the preparation of financial statements.  SFAS 162 is effective 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411, “The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.”  The Company believes that this new pronouncement will have an immaterial impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements in future periods.

In June 2008, the FASB ratified EITF Issue No. 08-3, “Accounting for Lessees for Maintenance Deposits Under Lease Arrangements” (“EITF 08-3”). EITF 08-3 provides guidance for accounting for nonrefundable maintenance deposits.  It also provides revenue recognition accounting guidance for the lessor.  EITF 08-3 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008.  The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact the new pronouncement will have on its consolidated financial statements.


Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such statements are not historical facts and include expressions about management’s confidence and strategies and management’s expectations about new and existing programs and products, relationships, opportunities, taxation, technology and market conditions. When used in this and in our future filings with the SEC, in our press releases and in oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer, the words or phrases “will,” “will likely result,” “could,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “continues,” “expects,” “plans,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimated,” “project” or “outlook” or similar expressions (including confirmations by one of our authorized executive officers of any such expressions made by a third party with respect to us) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We wish to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, each of which speaks only as of the date made. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical earnings and those presently anticipated or projected.
 
Factors that may cause actual results to differ from those results, expressed or implied, include, but are not limited to, those listed under “Business”, “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2008, including but not limited to:
 
 
·
unanticipated changes in the financial markets and the resulting unanticipated effects on financial instruments in the Company’s investment portfolio;
 
 
·
unanticipated changes in interest rates or in national or local economic conditions in areas in which our operations are concentrated;
 
 
·
volatility in earnings due to certain financial assets and liabilities held at fair value;
 
 
·
risks associated with investments in mortgage-backed securities;
 
 
·
changes in loan, investment and mortgage prepayment assumptions;
 
 
·
the occurrence of an other-than-temporary impairment to investment securities classified as available for sale or held to maturity;
 
 
·
stronger than anticipated competition from banks, other financial institutions and other companies;
 
 
·
insufficient allowance for credit losses;
 
 
·
a higher level of net loan charge-offs and delinquencies than anticipated;

 
 
·
changes in relationships with major customers;
 
 
·
changes in effective income tax rates
 
 
·
a change in legal and regulatory barriers, including issues related to compliance with anti-money laundering and bank secrecy act laws;
 
 
·
rapid growth; and
 
 
·
reliance on management and other key personnel.
 
Although management has taken certain steps to mitigate any negative effect of the aforementioned items, significant unfavorable changes could severely impact the assumptions used and have an adverse effect on profitability.  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statements to reflect anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances occurring after the date of such statements, except as required by law.
 
The following information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included in the Annual Report.
 
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
The following discussion is based upon the financial statements of the Company, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses.
 
Note 1 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report contains a summary of our significant accounting policies.  Management believes the following critical accounting policies encompass the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
 
Allowance for Loan Losses.  Management believes our policy with respect to the methodology for the determination of the allowance for loan losses involves a high degree of complexity and requires management to make difficult and subjective judgments, which often require assumptions or estimates about highly uncertain matters.  Changes in these judgments, assumptions or estimates could materially impact our results of operations.  This critical policy and its application are periodically reviewed with our audit committee and board of directors.
 
The allowance for loan losses is based upon management’s evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance account, including an assessment of known and inherent risks in the portfolio, giving consideration to the size and composition of the loan portfolio, actual loan loss experience, level of delinquencies, detailed analysis of individual loans for which full collectibility may not be assured, the existence and estimated net realizable value of any underlying collateral and guarantees securing the loans, and current economic and market conditions.  Although management utilizes the best information available, the level of the allowance for loan losses remains an estimate that is subject to the exercise of significant judgment by management and to short-term changes.  Various regulatory agencies may require us and our banking subsidiaries to make additional provisions for loan losses based upon information available to them at the time of their examination.  Furthermore, the majority of our loans are secured by real estate in New Jersey, primarily in Monmouth County and Union County.  Accordingly, the collectibility of a substantial portion of the carrying value of our loan portfolio is susceptible to changes in local market conditions and may be adversely affected should real estate values decline or the New Jersey and/or our local market areas experience an economic downturn.  Future adjustments to the allowance for loan losses account may be necessary due to economic, operating, regulatory and other conditions beyond our control.

 
Purchase Accounting for Business Combinations.  In June 2001, the FASB issued Statement No. 141, “Business Combinations,” and Statement No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”  These standards eliminated the pooling-of-interests method of accounting in favor of purchase accounting.  Further, these standards were promulgated to ensure that post-merger financial statements of combined entities are prepared in a manner that best represents the underlying economics of a business combination.
 
These standards necessitate the application of accounting policies and procedures that entail the use of assumptions, estimates, and judgments that are critical to the presentation of financial information, including the ongoing valuation of intangibles. Goodwill and other intangible assets are reviewed for impairment on an annual basis, or on a more frequent basis if events or circumstances indicate that there may be impairment.
 
Investment Securities Impairment Valuation.  Management evaluates securities for other-than- temporary impairment on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation.  Consideration is given to (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.
 
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities.  We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for future tax effects of temporary differences.  Deferred tax assets are subject to management’s judgment based upon available evidence that future realization is more likely than not.  If management determines that we may be unable to realize all or part of net deferred tax assets in the future, a direct charge to income tax expense may be required to reduce the value of the net deferred tax asset to the expected realizable amount.
 
Overview
 
Community Partners reported net income of $290 thousand for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, or $0.04 for both basic and diluted earnings per share, compared to net income of $1.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2007, or $0.15 for both basic and diluted earnings per share, a decrease of $739 thousand, or 71.8%.  On July 17, 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a 3% stock dividend which was paid August 31, 2007 to shareholders of record as of August 10, 2007.  Weighted average shares outstanding and earnings per share for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2007 have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the stock dividend.  On a linked quarter basis, net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 decreased by $425 thousand, or 59.4%, compared to the first quarter of 2008.  The decrease in net income was primarily due to the recording of an additional provision for potential loan losses described below.  The balance of the decrease in net income is attributable to the costs associated with the opening of two new branch offices during March 2008 and June 2008.

 
During the quarter ended June 30, 2008, the Company recorded an additional provision of $589 thousand primarily for potential loan losses on impaired loans compared to $1 thousand during the same prior year quarter and $85 thousand during the linked quarter ended March 31, 2008.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2008, net income amounted to $1.0 million compared to $1.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007.  This represents a decrease of $925 thousand, or 47.9%, in net income.  Basic and diluted earnings per share for the six months ended June 30, 2008 were $0.15 compared to basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.29 and $0.28, respectively, for the same prior year period.  Results of operations were significantly lower during the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the same prior year period as a result of the above additional loan loss provisions and the investment in three new branch offices and an expanded operations center.  The general slow-down of earning asset growth opportunities resulting from the weakening economic conditions was another factor causing the reduction in earnings.
 
At June 30, 2008, assets totaled $544.1 million, an increase of $19.0 million, or 3.6%, over December 31, 2007 assets of $525.1 million.  The increase in total assets was the result of loan growth that was funded partially by our deposit growth.  Total deposits were $436.1 million at June 30, 2008, compared to $427.0 million at December 31, 2007, an increase of $9.1 million, or 2.1%.  Additional funding came from securities sold under agreements to repurchase, which increased to $19.6 million at June 30, 2008, compared to $15.2 million at December 31, 2007, an increase of $4.4 million, or 28.9%, and from short-term borrowings, which amounted to $5.3 million at June 30, 2008 compared to no short-term borrowings at December 31, 2007.
 
The Company’s loan portfolio, net of allowances for loan losses, increased to $428.7 million at June 30, 2008, compared to $412.3 million at December 31, 2007, an increase of $16.4 million, or 4.0%.  The allowance for loan losses totaled $5.3 million, or 1.23% of total loans at June 30, 2008, compared to $4.7 million, or 1.12%, of total loans at December 31, 2007.  Although loan originations began to increase during the second quarter of 2008, the moderate increase in loan volume as of June 30, 2008 compared to our December 31, 2007 net loans balance reflects our efforts to maintain our high credit standards in a challenging market.  As an alternative to focusing on earning asset growth during the current weak economic conditions, we decided to invest our time and resources in the start-up of three new branch offices and an expanded operations center, which we believe positioned our franchise to take quick advantage of opportunities when the economic conditions become more favorable.


The following table provides information on our performance ratios for the dates indicated.
 
   
(Annualized)
At or For the
Six Months
ended June
30, 2008
   
At or For the
Year ended
December
31, 2007
 
Performance Ratios:
           
Return on average assets
    0.38 %     0.68 %
Return on average tangible assets
    0.40 %     0.72 %
Return on average shareholders' equity
    2.76 %     5.19 %
Return on average tangible shareholders' equity
    4.31 %     8.30 %
Average equity to average assets
    13.73 %     13.14 %
Average tangible equity to average tangible assets
    9.27 %     8.63 %
Dividend payout
    0.00 %     0.00 %


 
Results of Operations
 
Community Partners’ principal source of revenue is net interest income, the difference between interest income on earning assets and interest expense on deposits and borrowings.  Interest earning assets consist primarily of loans, investment securities and Federal funds sold.  Sources to fund interest-earning assets consist primarily of deposits and borrowed funds.  The Company’s net income is also affected by its provision for loan losses, other income and other expenses.  Other income consists primarily of service charges and commissions and fees, while other expenses are comprised of salaries and employee benefits, occupancy costs and other operating expenses.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007

Net Interest Income

Interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2008 decreased by $1.5 million, or 16.5%, to $7.6 million, from $9.1 million in the same 2007 period.  The decrease in interest income was primarily due to interest rate-related decreases in income amounting to $1.6 million and volume-related decreases in interest income amounting to $36 thousand.  The decrease in market interest rates throughout 2007 and the first half of 2008 accounted for the decrease in yield on interest-earning assets.  The Federal Reserve decreased the Federal funds rate by 100 basis points during 2007, to 4.25%, and by an additional 225 basis points during the first half of 2008, to 2.00%.

Interest and fees on loans decreased by $1.3 million, or 16.0%, to $6.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to $8.1 million for the same 2007 period.  Of the $1.3 million decrease in interest and fees on loans, $1.5 million is attributable to interest rate-related decreases, which were partially offset by $186 thousand attributable to volume-related increases.  The Company experienced reduced yields on our loan portfolio as our new and variable rate loans adjusted to the decreasing market rates as the Federal Reserve reduced the Federal funds rate.  The average balance of the loan portfolio for the three months ended June 30, 2008 increased by $9.5 million, or 2.3%, to $424.1 million from $414.6 million for the same 2007 period.  The average annualized yield on the loan portfolio was 6.46% for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 compared to 7.85% for the same prior year quarter.


Interest income on Federal funds sold decreased by $309 thousand, or 92.8%, from $333 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2007, to $24 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2008.  For the three months ended June 30, 2008, Federal funds sold had an average interest earning balance of $4.5 million with an average annualized yield of 2.14%.  For the three months ended June 30, 2007, this category had average interest earning balances of $25.8 million with an average annualized yield of 5.18%.  During these comparative periods, the Federal funds rate decreased 325 basis points to 2.00% by the end of the second quarter of 2008.
 
Interest income on investment securities totaled $705 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to $695 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2007.  The slight increase in investment securities interest income was primarily attributable to higher volume, which was partially offset by generally lower rates realized on new purchases of investment securities during the first half of 2008 than those rates realized in the existing portfolio.  For the three months ended June 30, 2008, investment securities had an average balance of $61.1 million with an average annualized yield of 4.62% compared to an average balance of $56.8 million with an average annualized yield of 4.90% for the three months ended June 30, 2007.
 
Interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities amounted to $2.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008, compared to $4.1 million for the same 2007 period, a decrease of $1.4 million, or 34.1%.  Of this decrease in interest expense, $1.2 million was due to rate-related decreases on interest-bearing liabilities and $174 thousand was due to volume-related decreases on interest-bearing liabilities.
 
During 2007 and the first half of 2008, management employed additional programs designed to increase core deposit growth in our subsidiary banks. These programs included extended business day hours in our branch network, the offering of health savings accounts, and a revised deposit availability schedule.  In addition, products and services offered to Two River customers were offered to Town Bank customers as well.  Also during this period, as the Federal funds rate was decreasing, management restructured the mix of our interest-bearing liabilities portfolio by decreasing our funding dependence on high-cost time deposits to lower-cost money market deposit products and borrowed funds.  The average balance of our deposit accounts and agreements to repurchase securities products, excluding certificates of deposit, was $287.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to $266.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007, an increase of $20.5 million, or 7.7%.  Our average deposit mix changed from $203.5 million in time deposits and $99.2 million in money market deposits during the second quarter of 2007 to $161.8 million in time deposits and $124.2 million in money market deposits during the second quarter of 2008.  This represents a decrease of $41.7 million, or 20.5%, in time deposits and an increase in money market accounts of $25.0 million, or 25.2%, for the second quarter of 2008 as compared to the same prior year period.  During the second quarter of 2008, we partially replaced maturing high-cost time deposits by utilizing our funds borrowing capabilities, as our average borrowed funds increased to $8.9 million for the second quarter of 2008 compared to $9 thousand for the same prior year period.  For the three months ended June 30, 2008, the average interest cost for all interest-bearing liabilities was 2.82% compared to 4.21% for the three months ended June 30, 2007.


Management utilizes its borrowing lines and accesses wholesale certificates of deposit to fund the growth in its loan portfolio pending deposit inflows and to fund daily cash outflows in excess of daily cash deposits and Federal funds sold.  During the second quarter of 2008, management found it cost-effective to access our borrowing lines and also purchased $5.0 million of wholesale certificates of deposit as alternatives to pursuing higher costing certificates of deposit originated in our market area.  Wholesale certificates of deposit, which totaled $10.0 million at June 30, 2008, mature at various amounts and dates through November 2008.  The Company’s strategies for increasing and retaining deposits, managing loan originations within our acceptable credit criteria and loan category concentrations and our planned branch network growth have combined to meet our liquidity needs.  The Company also offers agreements to repurchase securities, commonly known as repurchase agreements, to its customers as an alternative to other insured deposits.  Average balances of repurchase agreements for the second quarter of 2008 increased to $19.1 million, with an average rate of 2.35%, compared to $15.1 million, with an average rate of 3.74%, during the same prior year quarter.  The lower interest rates paid during the second quarter of 2008 resulted from the Federal Reserve’s decreases in the Federal funds rate, as previously described.
 
Net interest income decreased by $186 thousand, or 3.7%, to $4.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the same 2007 period.  The decrease in net interest income was due to changes in interest income and interest expense described previously.  The net interest margin decreased to 3.99% for the three months ended June 30, 2008 from 4.08% for the three months ended June 30, 2007.  This decrease is also attributed to the decreases in interest income that were partially offset by the changes in interest expense that were previously discussed.
 


The following tables reflect, for the periods presented, the components of our net interest income, setting forth (1) average assets, liabilities, and shareholders’ equity, (2) interest income earned on interest-earning assets and interest expenses paid on interest-bearing liabilities, (3) average yields earned on interest-earning assets and average rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities, (4) our net interest spread (i.e., the average yield on interest-earning assets less the average rate on interest-bearing liabilities), and (5) our yield on interest-earning assets.  Yields on tax-exempt assets have not been calculated on a fully tax-exempt basis.

   
Three Months Ended
 June 30, 2008
   
Three Months Ended
 June 30, 2007
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Average
Balance
   
Interest
Income/
Expense
   
Average
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
Income/
Expense
   
Average
Rate
 
       
ASSETS
                                   
Interest Earning Assets:
                                   
Federal funds sold
  $ 4,507     $ 24       2.14 %   $ 25,796     $ 333       5.18 %
Investment securities
    61,098       705       4.62 %     56,770       695       4.90 %
Loans (1) (2)
    424,134       6,832       6.46 %     414,645       8,120       7.85 %
                                                 
Total Interest Earning Assets
    489,739       7,561       6.19 %     497,211       9,148       7.38 %
                                                 
Non-Interest Earning Assets:
                                               
 Allowance for loan losses
    (4,778 )                     (4,623 )                
 All other assets
    49,796                       50,813                  
                                                 
Total Assets
  $ 534,757                     $ 543,401                  
                                                 
LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                         
Interest-Bearing Liabilities:
                                               
NOW deposits
  $ 40,150       99       0.99 %   $ 38,935       200       2.06 %
Savings deposits
    28,004       104       1.49 %     33,363       202       2.43 %
Money market deposits
    124,221       808       2.61 %     99,173       1,008       4.08 %
Time deposits
    161,842       1,488       3.69 %     203,537       2,542       5.01 %
Repurchase agreements
    19,138       112       2.35 %     15,128       141       3.74 %
Short-term borrowings
    1,444       8       2.22 %     9       -       -  
Long-term debt
    7,500       73       3.90 %     -       -       -  
                                                 
Total Interest Bearing Liabilities
    382,299       2,692       2.82 %     390,145       4,093       4.21 %
                                                 
Non-Interest Bearing Liabilities:
                                               
Demand deposits
    75,581                       79,971                  
Other liabilities
    3,205                       3,317                  
                                                 
Total Non-Interest Bearing Liabilities
    78,786                       83,288                  
                                                 
Shareholders' Equity
    73,672                       69,968                  
                                                 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
  $ 534,757                     $ 543,401                  
                                                 
NET INTEREST INCOME
          $ 4,869                     $ 5,055          
                                                 
NET INTEREST SPREAD (3)
                    3.37 %                     3.17 %
                                                 
NET INTEREST MARGIN(4)
                    3.99 %                     4.08 %
 
(1)
Included in interest income on loans are loan fees.
(2)
Includes non-performing loans.
(3)
The interest rate spread is the difference between the weighted average yield on average interest earning assets and the weighted average cost of average interest bearing liabilities.
(4)
The interest rate margin is calculated by dividing annualized net interest income by average interest earning assets.
 
 
   
Six Months Ended
 June 30, 2008
   
Six Months Ended
 June 30, 2007
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Average
Balance
   
Interest
Income/
Expense
   
Average
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
Income/
Expense
   
Average
Rate
 
       
ASSETS
                                   
Interest Earning Assets:
                                   
Federal funds sold
  $ 4,771     $ 60       2.54 %   $ 19,140     $ 502       5.29 %
Investment securities
    60,855       1,454       4.78 %     56,588       1,368       4.83 %
Loans (1) (2)
    422,051       14,066       6.72 %     416,087       16,225       7.86 %
                                                 
Total Interest Earning Assets
    487,677       15,580       6.44 %     491,815       18,095       7.42 %
                                                 
Non-Interest Earning Assets:
                                               
 Allowance for loan losses
    (4,743 )                     (4,607 )                
 All other assets
    49,619                       50,622                  
                                                 
Total Assets
  $ 532,553                     $ 537,830                  
                                                 
LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                         
Interest-Bearing Liabilities:
                                               
NOW deposits
  $ 38,006       213       1.13 %   $ 39,460       406       2.07 %
Savings deposits
    28,268       254       1.81 %     34,015       402       2.38 %
Money market deposits
    122,321       1,788       2.95 %     91,257       1,816       4.01 %
Time deposits
    166,270       3,185       3.86 %     211,128       5,272       5.04 %
Repurchase agreements
    17,896       240       2.70 %     12,978       240       3.73 %
Short-term borrowings
    1,232       18       2.95 %     12       -       -  
Long-term debt
    7,500       146       3.93 %     -       -       -  
                                                 
Total Interest Bearing Liabilities
    381,493       5,844       3.09 %     388,850       8,136       4.22 %
                                                 
Non-Interest Bearing Liabilities:
                                               
Demand deposits
    74,465                       76,339                  
Other liabilities
    3,463                       3,186                  
                                                 
Total Non-Interest Bearing Liabilities
    77,928                       79,525                  
                                                 
Shareholders' Equity
    73,132                       69,455                  
                                                 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
  $ 532,553                     $ 537,830                  
                                                 
NET INTEREST INCOME
          $ 9,736                     $ 9,959          
                                                 
NET INTEREST SPREAD (3)
                    3.35 %                     3.20 %
                                                 
NET INTEREST MARGIN(4)
                    4.03 %                     4.08 %
 
(1)
Included in interest income on loans are loan fees.
(2)
Includes non-performing loans.
(3)
The interest rate spread is the difference between the weighted average yield on average interest earning assets and the weighted average cost of average interest bearing liabilities.
(4)
The interest rate margin is calculated by dividing annualized net interest income by average interest earning assets.


Analysis of Changes in Net Interest Income
 
The following table sets forth for the periods indicated a summary of changes in interest earned and interest paid resulting from changes in volume and changes in rates (in thousands):
 
   
Three Months Ended June 30, 2008
   
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008
 
   
Compared to Three Months Ended
   
Compared to Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30, 2007
   
June 30, 2007
 
   
Increase (Decrease) Due To
 
   
Volume
   
Rate
   
Net
   
Volume
   
Rate
   
Net
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Interest Earned On:
                                   
Federal funds sold
  $ (275 )   $ (34 )   $ (309 )   $ (377 )   $ (65 )   $ (442 )
Investment securities
    53       (43 )     10       103       (17 )     86  
Loans (net of unearned income)
    186       (1,474 )     (1,288 )     233       (2,392 )     (2,159 )
                                                 
Total Interest Income
    (36 )     (1,551 )     (1,587 )     (41 )     (2,474 )     (2,515 )
                                                 
Interest Paid On:
                                               
NOW deposits
    6       (107 )     (101 )     (15 )     (178 )     (193 )
Savings deposits
    (32 )     (66 )     (98 )     (68 )     (80 )     (148 )
Money market deposits
    255       (455 )     (200 )     618       (646 )     (28 )
Time deposits
    (521 )     (533 )     (1,054 )     (1,120 )     (967 )     (2,087 )
Repurchase agreement
    37       (66 )     (29 )     91       (91 )     -  
Short-term borrowings
    8       -       8       18       -       18  
Long-term debt
    73       -       73       146       -       146  
                                                 
Total Interest Expense
    (174 )     (1,227 )     (1,401 )     (330 )     (1,962 )     (2,292 )
                                                 
Net Interest Income
  $ 138     $ (324 )   $ (186 )   $ 289     $ (512 )   $ (223 )

 
The change in interest due to both volume and rate has been allocated proportionally to both, based on their relative absolute values.
 
Provision for Loan Losses
 
The provision for loan losses for the three months ended June 30, 2008 increased by $588 thousand, to $589 thousand, as compared to $1 thousand for the same 2007 period.  Impaired loans, with specific reserves of $661 thousand, increased to $4.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008.  During the quarter ended June 30, 2008 the Company felt it prudent to record the additional provision based on our assessment and evaluation of risk inherent in the loan portfolio, continued growth of the loan portfolio and the generally weakening economic conditions.  Subsequent to June 30, 2008, impaired loans amounting to $389 thousand were paid in full with no loss to the Company.  In management’s opinion, the allowance for loan losses, totaling $5.3 million at June 30, 2008, is adequate to cover losses inherent in the portfolio.  The amount of the provision is based upon management’s evaluation of risk inherent in the loan portfolio.  At June 30, 2008, the Company had $1.5 million of non-accrual loans and no loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing.  As a Company policy, we do not become involved in any sub-prime lending activity.  In the current interest rate and credit quality environment, the Company’s strategy has been to stay within our established credit culture.  Net loan originations increased moderately to $10.8 million in the second quarter of 2008 compared to a decrease in loan volume of $4.6 million experienced in the second quarter of 2007.  The moderate increase in net loan originations reflects management’s more stringent credit qualification criteria and the overall difficult economic environment within our market area.  Loan volume temporarily decreased at various times during 2007 as management maintained our loan pricing strategy even though some competitive institutions offered lower than market justified loan rates.  Management will continue to review the need for additions to its allowance for loans based upon its monthly review of the loan portfolio, the level of delinquencies and general market and economic conditions.

 
Non-Interest Income

For the three months ended June 30, 2008, non-interest income amounted to $385 thousand compared to $438 thousand for the same prior year period.  This decrease of $53 thousand, or 12.1%, is primarily attributable to lower other loan customer service fees, which decreased by $46 thousand, or 48.9%, for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, compared to the same prior year quarter.  The decrease in other loan customer service fees for the second quarter of 2008 resulted from reduced realized loan pre-payment penalty fees as fixed rate loan pre-payments decreased during the second quarter of 2008 compared to the same prior year period.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2008 increased $485 thousand, or 12.9%, to $4.2 million compared to $3.8 million for the same prior year period.  The Company’s salary and employee benefits increased $279 thousand, or 14.0%, primarily as a result of additions of staff to support the growth of the Company, including three new branches, higher salaries and higher health insurance costs.  Advertising expense decreased by $43 thousand, or 41.3%, as management reallocated its resources.  Data processing fees increased by $46 thousand, or 40.7%, due to additional non-recurring service fees associated with the integration of our two subsidiaries and the servicing of new financial products.  Occupancy and equipment expense rose by $129 thousand, or 20.4%, as we opened three new branches and positioned our back-office operations for future growth.  Professional expenses increased by $30 thousand, or 16.7%, primarily due to preparing to meet the internal control compliance requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  Outside service fees increased by $39 thousand, or 34.8%, as we experienced higher costs associated with our expanding branch network.  Insurance costs decreased by $9 thousand, or 6.3%, due primarily to efficiencies realized as our two subsidiaries’ individual insurance policies were combined into single policies.  Other operating expenses increased by $24 thousand, or 6.0%, primarily due to a theft at a branch office.  Subsequent to the acquisition of Town Bank as of April 1, 2006, the Company began amortizing identifiable intangible assets and incurred $76 thousand in costs for the second quarter of 2008 compared to $86 thousand for the same prior year quarter.  We currently anticipate continued increases in non-interest expense for the remainder of 2008 and beyond, as we incur costs related to the expansion of our branch system and our lending activities, and ongoing efforts to penetrate our target markets.


Income Taxes

The Company recorded income tax expense of $126 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to $699 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2007.  The decrease is primarily due to lower pre-tax income and higher tax-exempt income earned during the second quarter of 2008 compared to the same prior year quarter.  The effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2008 was 30.3%, compared to 40.5% for the same 2007 period.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007

Net Interest Income

Interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2008 decreased by $2.5 million, or 13.8%, to $15.6 million, from $18.1 million in the same 2007 period.  The decrease in interest income was primarily due to interest rate-related decreases in income amounting to $2.5 million and volume-related decreases in interest income amounting to $41 thousand.  The decrease in market interest rates throughout 2007 and the first half of 2008 accounted for the decrease in yield on interest-earning assets.  The Federal Reserve decreased the Federal funds rate by 100 basis points during 2007, to 4.25%, and by an additional 225 basis points during the first half of 2008, to 2.00%.

Interest and fees on loans decreased by $2.1 million, or 13.0%, to $14.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to $16.2 million for the same 2007 period.  Of the $2.1 million decrease in interest and fees on loans, $2.4 million is attributable to interest rate-related decreases, which was partially offset by $233 thousand attributable to volume-related increases.  The Company experienced reduced yields on our loan portfolio as our new and variable-rate loans adjusted to the decreasing market rates as the Federal Reserve reduced the Federal funds rate.  The average balance of the loan portfolio for the six months ended June 30, 2008 increased by $6.0 million, or 1.4%, to $422.1 million from $416.1 million for the same 2007 period.  The average annualized yield on the loan portfolio was 6.72% for the six month period ended June 30, 2008 compared to 7.86% for the same prior year period.

Interest income on Federal funds sold decreased by $442 thousand, or 88.0%, from $502 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2007, to $60 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2008.  For the six months ended June 30, 2008, Federal funds sold had an average interest-earning balance of $4.8 million with an average annualized yield of 2.54%.  For the six months ended June 30, 2007, this category had average interest earning balances of $19.1 million with an average annualized yield of 5.29%.  During these comparative periods, the Federal funds rate decreased 325 basis points to 2.00% at June 30, 2008.  The decrease in Federal funds sold is attributable to the decrease in deposits and the increase in loans and investment securities.
 
Interest income on investment securities totaled $1.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to $1.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The slight increase in investment securities interest income was primarily attributable to higher volume, which was partially offset by generally lower rates realized on new purchases of investment securities during the first half of 2008 than those rates realized in the existing portfolio.  For the six months ended June 30, 2008, investment securities had an average balance of $60.9 million, with an average annualized yield of 4.78%, compared to an average balance of $56.6 million, with an average annualized yield of 4.83% for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

 
Interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities amounted to $5.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008, compared to $8.1 million for the same 2007 period, a decrease of $2.3 million, or 28.4%.  Of this decrease in interest expense, $2.0 million was due to rate-related decreases on interest-bearing liabilities and $330 thousand was due to volume-related decreases on interest-bearing liabilities.
 
During 2007 and the six months ended June 30, 2008, management employed additional programs designed to increase core deposit growth in our subsidiary banks.  These programs included extended business day hours in our branch network, the offering of health savings accounts, and a revised deposit availability schedule.  In addition, certain products and services offered to Two River customers were offered to Town Bank customers as well.  Also during this period, as the Federal funds rate was decreasing, management restructured the mix of our interest-bearing liabilities portfolio by decreasing our funding dependence on high-cost time deposits to lower-cost money market deposit products and borrowed funds.  The average balance of our deposit accounts and agreement to repurchase securities product, excluding certificates of deposit, was $281.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to $254.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007, an increase of $27.0 million, or 10.6%.  Our average deposit mix changed from $211.1 million in time deposits and $91.3 million in money market deposits during the six months ended June 30, 2007 to $166.3 million in time deposits and $122.3 million in money market deposits during the six months ended June 30, 2008.  This represents a decrease of $44.8 million, or 21.2%, in time deposits and an increase in money market accounts of $31.0 million, or 34.0%, for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the same prior year period.  During the six months ended June 30, 2008, we partially replaced maturing high-cost time deposits by utilizing our funds borrowing capabilities, as our average borrowed funds increased to $8.7 million for the first half of 2008 compared to $12 thousand for the same prior year period.  For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the average interest cost for all interest-bearing liabilities was 3.09% compared to 4.22% for the six months ended June 30, 2007.
 
Management utilizes its borrowing lines and accesses wholesale certificates of deposit to fund the growth in its loan portfolio pending deposit inflows and to fund daily cash outflows in excess of daily cash deposits and Federal funds sold.  During the six months ended June 30, 2008, management found it cost-effective to access our borrowing lines and also purchased $10.0 million of wholesale certificates of deposit as alternatives to pursuing higher costing certificates of deposit originated in our market area.  Wholesale certificates of deposit totaled $10.0 million at June 30, 2008 and mature at various amounts and dates through November 2008.  The Company’s strategies for increasing and retaining deposits, managing loan originations within our acceptable credit criteria and loan category concentrations and our planned branch network growth have combined to meet our liquidity needs.  The Company also offers agreements to repurchase securities, commonly known as repurchase agreements, to its customers as an alternative to other insured deposits.  Average balances of repurchase agreements for the six months ended June 30, 2008 increased to $17.9 million, with an average rate of 2.70%, compared to $13.0 million, with an average rate of 3.73%, during the same prior year period.  The lower interest rates paid during the first half of 2008 resulted from the Federal Reserve’s decreases in the Federal funds rate, as previously described.


Net interest income decreased by $223 thousand, or 2.2%, to $9.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to $10.0 million for the same 2007 period.  The decrease in net interest income was due to changes in interest income and interest expense described previously.  The net interest margin decreased to 4.03% for the six months ended June 30, 2008 from 4.08% for the six months ended June 30, 2007.  This decrease is also attributed to the changes in interest income and interest expense previously discussed.
 
Provision for Loan Losses
 
The provision for loan losses for the six months ended June 30, 2008 increased by $617 thousand, to $674 thousand, as compared to $57 thousand for the same 2007 period.  Impaired loans, with specific reserves of $661 thousand, increased to $4.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008.  During the six months ended June 30, 2008 the Company felt it prudent to record the additional provision based on our assessment and evaluation of risk inherent in the loan portfolio, continued growth of the loan portfolio and the generally weakening economic conditions.  Subsequent to June 30, 2008, impaired loans amounting to $389 thousand were paid in full with no loss to the Company.  In management’s opinion, the allowance for loan losses, totaling $5.3 million at June 30, 2008, is adequate to cover losses inherent in the portfolio.  The amount of the provision is based upon management’s evaluation of risk inherent in the loan portfolio.  At June 30, 2008, the Company had $1.5 million of non-accrual loans and no loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing.  As a Company policy, we do not become involved in any sub-prime lending activity.  In the current interest rate and credit quality environment, the Company’s strategy has been to stay within our established credit culture.  Net loan originations increased to $17.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to a decrease in loan volume amounting to $3.7 million experienced in the same prior year period.  The moderate increase in net loan originations reflects management’s more stringent credit qualification criteria and the overall difficult economic environment within our market area. Loan volume temporarily decreased at various times during 2007 as management maintained our loan pricing strategy even though some competitive institutions offered lower than market justified loan rates.  Management will continue to review the need for additions to its allowance for loans based upon its monthly review of the loan portfolio, the level of delinquencies and general market and economic conditions.

Non-Interest Income

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, non-interest income amounted to $763 thousand compared to $838 thousand for the same prior year period.  This decrease of $75 thousand, or 8.9%, is primarily attributable to lower other loan customer service fees, which decreased by $106 thousand, or 57.3%, for the six months ended June 30, 2008, compared to the same prior year period.  The decrease in other loan customer service fees for the first half of 2008 resulted from reduced realized loan pre-payment penalty fees as fixed rate loan pre-payments decreased during the first half of 2008 compared to the same prior year period.  The decrease in loan pre-payment penalty fees was partially offset by a $43 thousand, or 14.8%, increase in service fees on deposit accounts as a result of increased volume in non-sufficient funds fees.


Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2008 increased $720 thousand, or 9.5%, to $8.3 million compared to $7.6 million for the same prior year period.  The Company’s salary and employee benefits increased $521 thousand, or 13.3%, primarily as a result of additions of staff to support the growth of the Company, including three new branches, higher salaries and higher health insurance costs.  Advertising expense decreased by $92 thousand, or 44.0%, as management reallocated its resources.  Data processing fees increased by $11 thousand, or 4.2%, due to additional non-recurring service fees associated with the integration of our two subsidiaries and the servicing of new financial products, which were partially offset by efficiencies realized through the integration of the operations of the two banks.  Occupancy and equipment expense rose by $273 thousand, or 20.9%, as we opened three new branches and positioned our back-office operations for future growth.  Professional expenses increased by $57 thousand, or 15.9%, primarily due to preparing to meet the internal control compliance requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  Outside service fees increased by $46 thousand, or 21.0%, as we experienced higher costs associated with our expanding branch network.  Insurance costs increased by $19 thousand, or 7.0%, due primarily to increased FDIC insurance costs, which were partially offset by efficiencies realized as our two subsidiaries’ individual insurance policies were combined into single policies.  Other operating expenses decreased by $96 thousand, or 11.4%, primarily due to several management initiatives aimed at reducing other non-interest expenses during a period of slowed loan originations.  Subsequent to the acquisition of Town Bank as of April 1, 2006, the Company began amortizing identifiable intangible assets and incurred $163 thousand in costs for the first half of 2008 compared to $182 thousand for the same prior year period.  We currently anticipate continued increases in non-interest expense for the remainder of 2008 and beyond, as we incur costs related to the expansion of our branch system and our lending activities, and ongoing efforts to penetrate our target markets.

Income Taxes

The Company recorded income tax expense of $527 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to $1.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007.  The decrease in income tax expense is primarily due to lower pre-tax income and to a lesser extent higher tax-exempt income earned during the first half of 2008 compared to the same prior year period.  The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2008 was 34.4%, compared to 39.1% for the same 2007 period.

Financial Condition

General
 
Total assets increased to $544.1 million at June 30, 2008, compared to $525.1 million at December 31, 2007, an increase of $19.0 million, or 3.6%.  The increase in total assets was funded partially by the growth in our deposit base, which increased by $9.1 million, or 2.1%, to $436.1 million at June 30, 2008 from $427.0 million at December 31, 2007.  Also contributing funding to support asset growth were increases in securities sold under agreements to repurchase and short-term borrowings, which increased by $4.4 million and $5.3 million, respectively.


Loans increased by $17.1 million, or 4.1%, to $434.1 million at June 30, 2008 compared to $417.0 million at December 31, 2007.
 
Securities Portfolio
 
We maintain an investment portfolio to fund increased loans or decreased deposits and other liquidity needs and to provide an additional source of interest income.  The portfolio is composed of obligations of the U.S. government and agencies, government-sponsored entities, tax-exempt municipal securities and a limited amount of corporate debt securities.  All of our mortgage-backed investment securities are collateralized by pools of mortgage obligations which are guaranteed by privately managed, United States government-sponsored agencies such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Association and Government National Mortgage Association.  At June 30, 2008, we maintained $23.6 million of mortgage-backed securities in our investment securities portfolio, all of which are current as to payment of principal and interest.
 
Investments totaled $63.2 million at June 30, 2008 compared to $63.1 million at December 31, 2007, an increase of $0.1 million, or 0.2%. Investment securities purchases amounted to $22.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2008.  Funding for the investment securities purchases came primarily from proceeds from repayments and maturities of securities, which amounted to $21.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2008.  During each of the six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, there were no sales of investment securities.  Management considers unrealized losses and unrealized gains in the securities portfolio to be temporary and primarily resulting from changes in the interest rate environment. The securities portfolio contained no high-risk securities or derivatives as of June 30, 2008 or December 31, 2007.
 
Loan Portfolio
 
The following table summarizes total loans outstanding by loan category and amount as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.
 
   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
   
(in thousands, except for percentages)
 
Commercial and industrial
  $ 118,555       27.3 %   $ 114,657       27.5 %
Real estate – construction
    79,334       18.3 %     86,937       20.9 %
Real estate – commercial
    174,453       40.2 %     167,404       40.1 %
Real estate – residential
    16,252       3.7 %     4,955       1.2 %
Consumer
    45,454       10.5 %     42,627       10.2 %
Other
    255       0.1 %     711       0.2 %
Unearned fees
    (236 )     (0.1 )%     (324 )     (0.1 )%
Total loans
  $ 434,067       100.0 %   $ 416,967       100.0 %

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, loans increased by $17.1 million, or 4.1%, to $434.1 million from $417.0 million at December 31, 2007.  For the six months ended June 30, 2008, our loan portfolio increased moderately in volume and continued to deemphasize construction lending, as we focused on maintaining our established credit culture during an increasingly difficult economic environment.  The increase in real estate-residential consists primarily of interim financing, or “bridge loans”, to high-net-worth customers that are in the process of selling their primary residence and purchasing or constructing another primary residence.


The Company is not involved in any sub-prime lending activity.
 
Asset Quality
 
Non-performing loans consist of non-accrual loans, loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing, and loans that have been renegotiated to provide a reduction of or deferral of interest or principal because of a weakening in the financial positions of the borrowers.  Loans are placed on non-accrual when a loan is specifically determined to be impaired or when principal or interest is delinquent for 90 days or more and the loan is not fully secured.  Any unpaid interest previously accrued on those loans is reversed from income.  Payments received on non-accrual loans are either applied to the outstanding principal or recorded as interest income, depending on management’s assessment of the collectibility of the loan.  At June 30, 2008, the Company had $1.5 million of non-accrual loans, no restructured loans, no loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing, and $3.4 million of loans which management has determined are impaired but are current as to payment of principal and interest. Non-accrual loans and other impaired loans have been measured based on the fair value of each loan’s collateral, and specific valuation allowances amounting to $661 thousand have been recorded at June 30, 2008.  Subsequent to June 30, 2008, impaired loans amounting to $389 thousand were paid in full with no loss to the Company.

At December 31, 2007, the Company had no non-accrual loans, no restructured loans, and $799 thousand of loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing.  The Company also had no other real estate owned due to foreclosure at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.

Allowance for Loan Losses
 
The following table summarizes our allowance for loan losses for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 and for the year ended December 31, 2007.
 
   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2007
 
   
(in thousands, except percentages)
 
                   
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 4,675     $ 4,567     $ 4,567  
Provision charged to expense
    674       57       108  
Loans (charged off) recovered, net
    -       -       -  
                         
Balance of allowance at end of period
  $ 5,349     $ 4,624     $ 4,675  
                         
Ratio of net charge-offs to average
loans outstanding
    0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %
                         
Balance of allowance as a percent of
        loans at period-end
    1.23 %     1.12 %     1.12 %
                         


 
The allowance for loan losses is a valuation reserve available for losses incurred or expected on extensions of credit.  Additions are made to the allowance through periodic provisions that are charged to expense.
 
All losses of principal are charged to the allowance when incurred or when a determination is made that a loss is expected.  Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.
 
We attempt to maintain an allowance for loan losses at a sufficient level to provide for probable losses in the loan portfolio.  Risks within the loan portfolio of each subsidiary bank are analyzed on a continuous basis by such bank’s senior management, outside independent loan review auditors, directors’ loan committee, and board of directors.  A risk system, consisting of multiple grading categories, is utilized as an analytical tool to assess risk and set appropriate reserves.  Along with the risk system, senior management of each subsidiary bank further evaluates risk characteristics of the loan portfolio under current economic conditions and considers such factors as the financial condition of the borrower, past and expected loss experience, and other factors management feels deserve recognition in establishing an appropriate reserve.  Although management at each subsidiary bank attempts to maintain the allowance at a level deemed adequate, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based upon changes in market conditions, either generally or specific to our area, or changes in the circumstances of particular borrowers.  In addition, various regulatory agencies periodically review the allowance for loan losses of each subsidiary bank. These agencies may require a subsidiary to take additional provisions based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.
 
Bank-owned Life Insurance
 
During 2004, the Company invested in $3.5 million of bank-owned life insurance.  The Company invests in bank-owned life insurance as a source of funding for employee benefit expenses.  Bank-owned life insurance involves purchasing of life insurance by the Company on a chosen group of officers.  The Company is owner and beneficiary of the policies.  Increases in the cash surrender value of this investment are recorded in non-interest income in the statements of income.  Bank-owned life insurance increased by $75 thousand during the six months ended June 30, 2008 as a result of increases in the cash surrender value of this investment, which amounted to $4.0 million at June 30, 2008.
 
Premises and Equipment
 
Premises and equipment totaled approximately $5.9 million and $5.1 million at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.  The increase in the Company’s premises and equipment was due to purchases of premises and equipment amounting to $1.4 million, which was partially offset by depreciation expenses amounting to $539 thousand.  The purchases of premises and equipment resulted primarily from the expansion of our back-office operations and the expansion of our branch network.


Intangible Assets
 
Intangible assets totaled $26.1 million at June 30, 2008 compared to $26.3 million at December 31, 2007.  The Company’s intangible assets at June 30, 2008 were comprised of $24.8 million of goodwill and $1.3 million of core deposit intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $804 thousand.  At December 31, 2007, the Company’s intangible assets were comprised of $24.8 million of goodwill and $1.5 million of core deposit intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $641 thousand.

LIABILITIES

Deposits

Deposits are the primary source of funds used by the Company in lending and for general corporate purposes.  In addition to deposits, Community Partners may derive funds from principal repayments on loans, the sale of loans and securities designated as available for sale, maturing investment securities and borrowing from financial intermediaries.  The level of deposit liabilities may vary significantly and is dependent upon prevailing interest rates, money market conditions, general economic conditions and competition. The Company’s deposits consist of checking, savings and money market accounts along with certificates of deposit and individual retirement accounts.  Deposits are obtained from individuals, partnerships, corporations, unincorporated businesses and non-profit organizations throughout the Company’s market area.  We attempt to control the flow of deposits primarily by pricing our deposit offerings to be competitive with other financial institutions in our market area, but not necessarily offering the highest rate.

At June 30, 2008, total deposits amounted to $436.1 million, reflecting an increase of $9.1 million, or 2.1%, from December 31, 2007.  Decreases in certificates of deposit balances and increases in our money market account balances and other interest-bearing deposit products were due to our pricing strategies, as we balanced our desire to retain and grow deposits with asset funding needs and interest expense costs.  Banks generally prefer to increase non-interest-bearing deposits, as this lowers the institution’s costs of funds.  However, due to market rate increases and competitive pressures, we have found money market account promotions and other interest-bearing deposit products, excluding high-cost certificates of deposit, to be our most efficient and cost-effective source to fund our loan originations at present.
 
Core deposits consist of all deposits, except certificates of deposits in excess of $100 thousand.  Core deposits at June 30, 2008 accounted for 78.8% of total deposits, compared to 78.1% at December 31, 2007.  During the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company marketed deposit products other than certificates of deposit in its local market areas for the purpose of increasing deposits to fund the loan portfolio and increase liquidity.  The Company found this strategy was able to provide a more cost-effective source of funding when used in conjunction with the utilization of our borrowing lines at the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB”) and other correspondents.


Borrowings
 
Each subsidiary bank utilizes its account relationship with Atlantic Central Bankers Bank to borrow funds through its Federal funds borrowing line in an aggregate amount up to $12.0 million.  These borrowings are priced on a daily basis.  There was $5.3 million of borrowings under this line at June 30, 2008 compared to no borrowings under this line at December 31, 2007.  Two River also maintains secured borrowing lines with the FHLB in an amount of up to approximately $68.0 million.  At June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, Two River had no short-term borrowings under this line.
 
Long-term debt consists of a $7.5 million convertible note due in November 2017 at an interest rate of 3.965% from the FHLB that is collateralized by a portion of Two River’s real estate-collateralized loans.  The convertible note contains an option which allows the FHLB to adjust the rate on the note in November 2012 to the then-current market rate offered by the FHLB.  The Company has the option to repay this advance, if converted, without penalty.
 
Repurchase Agreements
 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, which are classified as secured borrowings, generally mature within one to four days after the transaction date.  Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are reflected as the amount of cash received in connection with the transaction.  The Company may be required to provide additional collateral based on the fair value of the underlying securities.  Securities sold under agreements to repurchase increased to $19.6 million at June 30, 2008 from $15.2 million at December 31, 2007, an increase of $4.4 million, or 28.9%.
 
Liquidity
 
Liquidity defines the Company’s ability to generate funds to support asset growth, meet deposit withdrawals, maintain reserve requirements and otherwise operate on an ongoing basis.  An important component of the Company’s asset and liability management structure is the level of liquidity available to meet the needs of our customers and requirements of our creditors.  The liquidity needs of each of our independently operated bank subsidiaries are primarily met by cash on hand, Federal funds sold position, maturing investment securities and short-term borrowings on a temporary basis.  Each subsidiary bank invests the funds not needed to meet its cash requirements in overnight Federal funds sold.  With adequate deposit inflows coupled with the above-mentioned cash resources, management is maintaining short-term assets which we believe are sufficient to meet our liquidity needs.  At June 30, 2008, the Company had no Federal funds sold, compared to $338 thousand of Federal funds sold at December 31, 2007.  The decrease in Federal funds sold was primarily due to cash outflows resulting from our loan growth exceeding our deposit growth.  In the short term, we utilized our borrowing lines to help fund our loan growth until our deposit generation increased.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
The Company’s financial statements do not reflect off-balance sheet arrangements that are made in the normal course of business.  These off-balance sheet arrangements consist of unfunded loans and letters of credit made under the same standards as on-balance sheet instruments.  These instruments have fixed maturity dates, and because many of them will expire without being drawn upon, they do not generally present any significant liquidity risk to the Company.
 
 
Management believes that any amounts actually drawn upon these commitments can be funded in the normal course of operations.  The following table sets forth our off-balance sheet arrangements as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007:
 
   
June 30,
2008
   
December 31,
2007
 
             
Commercial lines of credit
  $ 50,767     $ 45,639  
One-to-four family residential lines of credit
    25,763       26,342  
Commitments to grant commercial and construction
       loans secured by real estate
    27,696       22,084  
Commercial and financial letters of credit
    5,982       5,304  
                 
    $ 110,208     $ 99,369  

Capital
 
Shareholders’ equity increased by approximately $406 thousand, or 0.6%, to $72.9 million at June 30, 2008 compared to $72.5 million at December 31, 2007.  Net income for the six-month period ended June 30, 2008 added $1.0 million to shareholders’ equity.  Shareholders’ equity was also increased by stock options exercised amounting to $92 thousand and was reduced by $385 thousand as a result of the one-time cumulative effect adjustment due to the adoption of accounting for post-retirement benefit costs.  These changes in shareholders’ equity were further decreased by net unrealized losses on securities available for sale, net of tax, amounting to $306 thousand.
 
The Company and the subsidiary banks are subject to various regulatory and capital requirements administered by the Federal banking agencies.  Our regulators, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (which regulates bank holding companies) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (which regulates the subsidiary banks), have issued guidelines classifying and defining capital.  Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions 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 Company and each subsidiary bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices.  The capital amounts and classification of the Company and each subsidiary bank are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
 
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and each subsidiary bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios, set forth in the following tables of Tier 1 Capital to Average Assets (Leverage Ratio), Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets and Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets.  Management believes that, at June 30, 2008, the Company and each subsidiary bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.
 
 
The capital ratios of Community Partners and the subsidiary banks, Two River and Town Bank, at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, are presented below.
 
   
Tier I
Capital to
Average Assets Ratio
(Leverage Ratio)
   
Tier I
Capital to
Risk Weighted
Assets Ratio
   
Total Capital to
Risk Weighted
Assets Ratio
 
   
June 30, 2008
   
Dec. 31, 2007
   
June 30, 2008
   
Dec. 31, 2007
   
June 30, 2008
   
Dec. 31, 2007
 
Community Partners
    9.23 %     9.15 %     10.43 %     10.59 %     11.62 %     11.66 %
Two River
    8.20 %     8.71 %     9.24 %     9.95 %     10.20 %     10.96 %
Town Bank
    10.20 %     9.48 %     12.32 %     11.25 %     13.58 %     12.42 %
                                                 
“Adequately capitalized” institution
(under Federal regulations)
    4.00 %     4.00 %     4.00 %     4.00 %     8.00 %     8.00 %
                                                 
“Well capitalized” institution
(under Federal regulations)
    5.00 %     5.00 %     6.00 %     6.00 %     10.00 %     10.00 %


Item 3.       Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
Not required.

Item 4.       Controls and Procedures.
 
The Company has established disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
The Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, with the assistance of other members of the Company’s management, have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report.  Based upon such evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report.
 
The Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have also concluded that there was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 4.       Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
 
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Community Partners Bancorp was held on May 20, 2008.  There were present at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy shareholders holding an aggregate of 5,675,016 shares of common stock of a total number of 6,737,303 shares of common stock issued, outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.  At the Annual Meeting, each of Barry B. Davall, Charles T. Parton, Joseph F.X. O’Sullivan, Michael W. Kostelnik, Jr., Frank J. Patock, Jr., Robert E. Gregory, Frederick H. Kurtz and John J. Perri, Jr. was re-elected as a director of the Company.  The results of the voting on the election of directors were as follows:
 
Elected Directors
 
Votes For
 
Votes Withheld
Barry B. Davall
 
5,370,822
 
304,194
Charles T. Parton
 
5,516,076
 
158,940
Joseph F.X. O’Sullivan
 
5,440,835
 
234,181
Michael W. Kostelnik, Jr.
 
5,518,576
 
156,440
Frank J. Patock, Jr.
 
5,518,854
 
156,162
Robert E. Gregory
 
5,585,146
 
  89,870
Frederick H. Kurtz
 
5,536,812
 
138,204
John J. Perri, Jr.
 
5,544,437
 
130,579

A vote of the shareholders was taken at the Annual Meeting on the proposal to approve and ratify selection of Beard Miller Company LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2008.  The proposal was approved by the shareholders, with 5,530,289 shares voting in favor of the proposal and 14,782 shares voting against the proposal. There were 129,945 abstentions and no broker non-votes.

Item 6.       Exhibits.
 
31.1
*
Certification of Barry B. Davall, principal executive officer of the Company, pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)
     
31.2
*
Certification of Michael J. Gormley, principal financial officer of the Company, pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)
     
32
*
Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, signed by Barry B. Davall, principal executive officer of the Company, and Michael J. Gormley, principal financial officer of the Company
_____________________
*           Filed herewith.



SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
  COMMUNITY PARTNERS BANCORP  
       
       
Date: August 12, 2008    
By:
/s/ BARRY B. DAVALL  
    Barry B. Davall  
    President and Chief Executive Officer  
    (Principal Executive Officer)  
       
       
Date: August 12, 2008      By: /s/ MICHAEL J. GORMLEY    
    Michael J. Gormley  
    Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer  
    (Principal Financial Officer)  
       

 
 


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