c111210010q.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 September 30, 2010
OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _____ to _____

Commission file number:   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 has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o      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 November 5, 2010, there were 7,616,329 shares of the registrant’s common stock, no par value, outstanding.



 
 

 
 
COMMUNITY PARTNERS BANCORP
 
FORM 10-Q

INDEX

 
PART I. 
      
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 Page
       
         
 
Item 1.    
 
3
           
       
3
           
       
4
           
       
5
           
       
6
           
       
7
           
     
23
           
     
41
           
     
41
           
PART II.
 
OTHER INFORMATION
   
           
     
42
           
 
43
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.           Financial Statements

COMMUNITY PARTNERS BANCORP
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share data)
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
ASSETS
           
Cash and due from banks
 
$
32,091
   
$
6,841
 
Federal funds sold
   
7,000
     
35,894
 
                 
Cash and cash equivalents
   
39,091
     
42,735
 
                 
Securities available-for-sale
   
30,858
     
37,690
 
Securities held-to-maturity (fair value of $10,550 and $10,266 at September 30,
2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively)
   
10,490
     
10,618
 
Restricted stock. at cost
   
1,420
     
1,000
 
                 
Loans
   
523,214
     
513,399
 
Allowance for loan losses
   
(7,077
   
(6,184
Net loans
   
516,137
     
507,215
 
                 
Other real estate owned
   
3,547
     
 
Bank-owned life insurance
   
8,056
     
7,770
 
Premises and equipment, net
   
3,267
     
3,764
 
Accrued interest receivable
   
1,894
     
1,876
 
Goodwill
   
18,109
     
18,109
 
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $1,417 and
$1,235 at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively
   
689
     
871
 
Other assets
   
6,944
     
8,380
 
                 
TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
640,502
   
$
640,028
 
                 
                 
LIABILITIES
               
Deposits:
               
Non-interest bearing
 
$
80,033
   
$
69,980
 
Interest bearing
   
449,872
     
465,432
 
                 
Total Deposits
   
529,905
     
535,412
 
                 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
   
14,475
     
17,065
 
Accrued interest payable
   
88
     
164
 
Long-term debt
   
13,500
     
7,500
 
Other liabilities
   
3,149
     
3,050
 
                 
Total Liabilities
   
561,117
     
563,191
 
                 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Preferred stock, no par value; 6,500,000 shares authorized; $1,000
liquidation preference per share, 9,000 shares issued and
outstanding at September 30, 2010 and at December 31, 2009
   
8,599
     
8,508
 
Common stock, no par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; 7,596,329  
and 7,182,397 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2010 and
December 31, 2009, respectively
   
70,017
     
69,794
 
Retained Earnings (Accumulated deficit)
   
421
     
(1,714
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
348
     
249
 
                 
Total Shareholders' Equity
   
79,385
     
76,837
 
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES and SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
$
640,502
   
$
640,028
 
 
See notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
 
 
3

 
 
COMMUNITY PARTNERS BANCORP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009
     (in thousands, except per share data)
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
INTEREST INCOME:
                       
Loans, including fees
 
$
7,595
   
$
7,191
   
$
22,126
   
$
20,391
 
Investment securities
   
368
     
594
     
1,229
     
1,904
 
Federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits
   
24
     
12
     
78
     
48
 
Total Interest Income
   
7,987
     
7,797
     
23,433
     
22,343
 
INTEREST EXPENSE:
                               
Deposits
   
1,286
     
1,880
     
4,438
     
6,470
 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
   
39
     
73
     
134
     
214
 
Borrowings
   
91
     
76
     
241
     
226
 
Total Interest Expense
   
1,416
     
2,029
     
4,813
     
6,910
 
Net Interest Income
   
6,571
     
5,768
     
18,620
     
15,433
 
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
   
950
     
675
     
2,350
     
1,180
 
Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses
   
5,621
     
5,093
     
16,270
     
14,253
 
NON-INTEREST INCOME:
                               
Total other-than-temporary impairment charges
   
-
     
(51
)
   
-
     
(352
)
Less:  Portion included in other
comprehensive income (pre tax)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
217
 
Net other-than-temporary impairment charges to earnings
   
-
     
(51
)
   
-
     
(135
)
Service fees on deposit accounts
   
122
     
146
     
378
     
469
 
Other loan fees
   
96
     
126
     
392
     
377
 
Earnings from investment in life insurance
   
86
     
37
     
262
     
108
 
Net realized gain on sale of securities
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
487
 
Other income
   
134
     
110
     
364
     
293
 
Total Non-Interest Income
   
438
     
368
     
1,396
     
1,599
 
NON-INTEREST EXPENSES:
                               
Salaries and employee benefits
   
2,169
     
2,392
     
6,954
     
7,105
 
Occupancy and equipment
   
809
     
841
     
2,498
     
2,513
 
Professional
   
263
     
201
     
717
     
576
 
Insurance
   
94
     
75
     
277
     
191
 
FDIC insurance and assessments
   
248
     
250
     
764
     
904
 
Advertising
   
75
     
75
     
225
     
226
 
Data processing
   
156
     
216
     
467
     
700
 
Outside services fees
   
122
     
130
     
355
     
407
 
Amortization of identifiable intangibles
   
58
     
67
     
182
     
211
 
Goodwill impairment charge
   
-
     
6,725
     
-
     
6,725
 
Loan workout and OREO expenses, net
   
88
     
220
     
282
     
270
 
Other operating
   
343
     
208
     
1,021
     
881
 
Total Non-Interest Expenses
   
4,425
     
11,400
     
13,742
     
20,709
 
Income (loss) before Income Taxes
   
1,634
     
(5,939
)
   
3,924
     
(4,857
)
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
   
539
     
282
     
1,358
     
646
 
Net Income (loss)
   
1,095
     
(6,221
)
   
2,566
     
(5,503
)
Preferred stock dividend and discount accretion
   
(145
)
   
              (145
)
   
(431
)
   
(385
)
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders
 
$
950
   
$
(6,366
 
$
2,135
   
$
(5,888
)
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE:
                               
Basic
 
$
0.12
   
$
(0.85
)
 
$
0.28
   
$
(0.78
)
Diluted
 
$
0.12
   
$
(0.84
)
 
$
0.28
   
$
(0.78
)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
   
7,575
     
7,527
     
7,558
     
7,527
 
Diluted
   
 7,652
     
  7,585
     
  7,595
     
  7,556
 
 
See notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
 
 
4

 
 
COMMUNITY PARTNERS BANCORP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009
(dollar amounts in thousands)
 
         
Common Stock
   
(Accumulated
   
Accumulated
       
   
Preferred
Stock
   
Outstanding
shares
   
Amount
   
Deficit)
Retained
Earnings
   
Other
Comprehensive
Income
   
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
Balance, January 1, 2010
 
$
8,508
     
7,182,397
   
$
69,794
   
$
(1,714
)
 
$
249
   
$
76,837
 
                                                 
Comprehensive income:
                                               
Net income
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
2,566
     
-
     
2,566
 
Change in net unrealized gain
on securities available for sale,
net of reclassification adjustment and tax
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
99
     
99
 
                                                 
Total comprehensive income
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
2,665
 
                                                 
Preferred stock discount accretion
   
91
     
-
     
-
     
(91
)
   
-
     
-
 
                                                 
Dividends on preferred stock
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(340
)
   
-
     
(340
)
                                                 
Common stock dividend – 5%
   
-
     
361,756
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
                                                 
Options exercised
   
-
     
52,176
     
178
     
-
     
-
     
178
 
                                                 
Stock option compensation expense
   
-
     
-
     
45
     
-
     
-
     
45
 
                                                 
Balance, September 30, 2010
 
$
8,599
     
7,596,329
   
$
70,017
   
$
421
   
$
348
   
$
79,385
 
                                                 
Balance January 1, 2009
 
$
-
     
6,959,821
   
$
68,197
   
$
4,738
   
$
377
   
$
73,312
 
                                                 
Comprehensive income:
                                               
Net loss
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(5,503
   
-
     
(5,503
Change in net unrealized gain
on securities available for sale,
net of reclassification adjustment
and tax
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
                   50
     
50
 
                                                 
Total comprehensive loss
                                           
(5,453
                                                 
Preferred stock and common stock
warrants issued
   
8,398
     
-
     
602
     
-
     
-
     
9,000
 
                                                 
Preferred stock discount accretion
   
80
     
-
     
-
     
(80
)
   
-
     
-
 
                                                 
Dividends on preferred stock
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(305
)
   
-
     
(305
)
                                                 
Common stock dividend – 3%
   
-
     
208,852
     
801
     
(801
)
   
-
     
-
 
                                                 
Stock option compensation expense
   
-
     
-
     
128
     
-
     
-
     
128
 
                                                 
Balance, September 30, 2009
 
$
8,478
     
7,168,673
   
$
69,728
   
$
(1,951
)
 
$
427
   
$
76,682
 

See notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
 
 
5

 
 
COMMUNITY PARTNERS BANCORP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009
 
   
Nine Months Ended 
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income (loss)
 
$
2,566
   
$
(5,503
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by
operating activities:
               
    Goodwill impairment charge
   
-
     
6,725
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
704
     
794
 
Provision for loan losses
   
2,350
     
1,180
 
Intangible amortization
   
182
     
211
 
Net amortization of securities premiums and discounts
   
97
     
186
 
Other-than-temporary impairment on securities available for sale
   
-
     
135
 
Earnings from investment in life insurance
   
(262
)
   
(108
)
Net realized gain on sale of foreclosed real estate
   
(48
)
   
(3
Stock option compensation expense
   
45
     
128
 
Net realized gain on sale of securities
   
-
     
(487
)
(Increase) decrease in assets:
               
Accrued interest receivable
   
(18
   
(30
Other assets
   
1,379
     
(1,459
)
(Decrease) increase in liabilities:
               
Accrued interest payable
   
(76
)
   
(114
)
Other liabilities
   
99
     
522
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
7,018
     
2,177
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchase of securities available-for-sale
   
(8,552
)
   
(19,259
)
Purchase of securities held-to-maturity
   
(1,823
)
   
(4,175
)
Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale
   
-
     
7,940
 
Proceeds from repayments, calls and maturities of securities available-for-sale
   
15,454
     
26,566
 
Proceeds from repayments, calls and maturities of securities held to maturity
   
1,940
     
-
 
Purchase of restricted stock
   
(420
)
   
-
 
Purchase of bank-owned life insurance
   
(24
)
   
-
 
Net  increase in loans
   
(17,757
)
   
(60,100
)
Purchases of premises and equipment
   
(207
)
   
(154
)
Proceeds from sale of foreclosed real estate
   
2,986
     
1,093
 
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(8,403)
     
(48,089
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Net (decrease) increase in deposits
   
(5,507
   
40,731
 
Net (decrease) increase in securities sold under agreements to repurchase
   
(2,590
)
   
5,501
 
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock
   
-
     
9,000
 
Proceeds from long term debt
   
6,000
     
-
 
Cash dividend paid on preferred stock
   
(340
)
   
(244
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
   
178
     
-
 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
   
(2,259
   
54,988
 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
   
(3,644
   
9,076
 
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning
   
42,735
     
23,017
 
                 
Cash and cash equivalents - ending
 
$
39,091
   
$
32,093
 
Supplementary cash flow information:
               
Interest paid
 
$
4,889
   
$
7,024
 
Income taxes paid
 
$
741
   
$
2,168
 
Supplementary schedule of non-cash activities:
               
Other real estate acquired in settlement of loans
 
$
6,485
   
$
1,770
 

See notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
 
 
6

 
 
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 subsidiary, Two River Community Bank (“Two River” or the “Bank”), and Two River’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, TRCB Investment Corporation, TRCB Holdings One LLC, TRCB Holdings Two LLC, TRCB Holdings Three LLC 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 pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulation S-X. 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 months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2010. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2009 included in the Community Partners Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2010 (the “2009 Form 10-K”). For a description of the Company’s significant accounting policies, refer to Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2009 Form 10-K.
 
The Company has evaluated events and transactions occurring subsequent to the balance sheet date of September 30, 2010 for items that should potentially be recognized or disclosed in these financial statements.
 
Certain amounts in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 have been reclassified to conform to the presentation used in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010. These reclassifications had no effect on net income.
 
NOTE 2 – NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. This ASU requires some new disclosures and clarifies some existing disclosure requirements about fair value measurements as set forth in Codification Subtopic 820-10. The FASB‘s objective is to improve these disclosures and, thus, increase transparency in financial reporting. Specifically, ASU 2010-06 amends Codification Subtopic 820-10 to now require:
 
 
·
A reporting entity to disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and describe the reasons for the transfers; and
 
 
·
In the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs, a reporting entity should present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements.
 
In addition, ASU 2010-06 clarifies the requirements of the following existing disclosures:
 
 
·
For purposes of reporting fair value measurements for each class of assets and liabilities, a reporting entity needs to use judgment in determining the appropriate classes of assets and liabilities; and
 
 
·
A reporting entity should provide disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements.
 
ASU 2010-06 is effective for the interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuance, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years after December 15, 2010 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has evaluated the impact the adoption of ASU 2010-06, and has determined that it did not and will not have any impact on our financial position or results of operations.
 
 
7

 
 
NOTE 2 – NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS (Continued)
 
The FASB has issued ASU 2010-08, Technical Corrections to Various Topics, thereby amending the Codification. This ASU resulted from a review by the FASB of its standards to determine if any provisions are outdated, contain inconsistencies, or need clarifications to reflect the FASB’s original intent. The FASB believes the amendments do not fundamentally change GAAP. However, certain clarifications on embedded derivatives and hedging reflected in Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, may cause a change in the application of the guidance in Subtopic 815-15. Accordingly, the FASB provided special transition provisions for those amendments.

ASU 2010-08 contains various effective dates. The clarifications of the guidance on embedded derivatives and hedging (Subtopic 815-15) are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2009. The amendments to the guidance on accounting for income taxes in a reorganization (Subtopic 852-740) applies to reorganizations for which the date of the reorganization is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. All other amendments are effective as of the first reporting period (including interim periods) beginning after February 2, 2010. The adoption of ASU 2010-08 did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

The FASB issued ASU 2010-13, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Effect of Denominating the Exercise Price of a Share-Based Payment Award in the Currency of the Market in Which the Underlying Equity Security Trades. The ASU codifies the consensus reached in Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 09-J. The amendments to the Codification clarify that an employee share-based payment award with an exercise price denominated in the currency of a market in which a substantial portion of the entity’s equity shares trades should not be considered to contain a condition that is not a market, performance, or service condition. Therefore, an entity would not classify such an award as a liability if it otherwise qualifies as equity.
 
The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2010. Earlier adoption is permitted. The amendments are to be applied by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings. The Company has evaluated the impact of the adoption of ASU 2010-13, and has determined that it will not have any impact on our financial position or results of operations.

The FASB issued ASU 2010-18, Receivables (Topic 310): Effect of a Loan Modification When the Loan Is Part of a Pool That Is Accounted for as a Single Asset, codifies the consensus reached in EITF Issue No. 09-I, “Effect of a Loan Modification When the Loan Is Part of a Pool That Is Accounted for as a Single Asset.” The amendments to the Codification provide that modifications of loans that are accounted for within a pool under Subtopic 310-30 do not result in the removal of those loans from the pool even if the modification of those loans would otherwise be considered a troubled debt restructuring. An entity will continue to be required to consider whether the pool of assets in which the loan is included is impaired if expected cash flows for the pool change. ASU 2010-18 does not affect the accounting for loans under the scope of Subtopic 310-30 that are not accounted for within pools. Loans accounted for individually under Subtopic 310-30 continue to be subject to the troubled debt restructuring accounting provisions within Subtopic 310-40.

ASU 2010-18 is effective prospectively for modifications of loans accounted for within pools under Subtopic 310-30 occurring in the first interim or annual period ending on or after July 15, 2010. Upon initial adoption of ASU 2010-18, an entity may make a one-time election to terminate accounting for loans as a pool under Subtopic 310-30. This election may be applied on a pool-by-pool basis and does not preclude an entity from applying pool accounting to subsequent acquisitions of loans with credit deterioration. The Company does not expect the implementation of ASU 2010-18 to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
 
ASU 2010-20, Receivables (Topic 310): Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses, will help investors assess the credit risk of a company’s receivables portfolio and the adequacy of its allowance for credit losses held against the portfolios by expanding credit risk disclosures. 
 
This ASU requires more information about the credit quality of financing receivables in the disclosures to financial statements, such as aging information and credit quality indicators.  Both new and existing disclosures must be disaggregated by portfolio segment or class.  The disaggregation of information is based on how a company develops its allowance for credit losses and how it manages its credit exposure.
 
The amendments in this ASU apply to all public and nonpublic entities with financing receivables.  Financing receivables include loans and trade accounts receivable.  However, short-term trade accounts receivable, receivables measured at fair value or lower of cost or fair value, and debt securities are exempt from these disclosure amendments. 
 
For public companies, the amendments that require disclosures as of the end of a reporting period are effective for periods ending on or after December 15, 2010.  The amendments that require disclosures about activity that occurs during a reporting period are effective for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The Company does not expect the implementation of ASU 2010-20 to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

 
8

 

NOTE 3 – GOODWILL

The Company’s goodwill was recognized in connection with the acquisition of The Town Bank (“Town Bank”) in April 2006. GAAP requires that goodwill be tested for impairment annually or more frequently if impairment indicators arise utilizing a two-step methodology. Step one requires the Company to determine the fair value of the reporting unit and compare it to the carrying value, including goodwill, of such reporting unit. The reporting unit was determined to be our community banking operations, which is our only operating segment. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value, goodwill is not impaired. If the carrying value exceeds fair value, there is an indication of impairment and the second step is performed to determine the amount of impairment, if any. The second step compares the fair value of the reporting unit to the aggregate fair values of its individual assets, liabilities and identified intangibles.

The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment analysis as of September 30, 2010 and determined that no impairment charge was required. In September 2009, the Company performed its goodwill impairment analysis as of September 30, 2009 and based on the results, recorded a $6,725,000 impairment charge for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The $6,725,000 goodwill impairment charge was non-deductible for income tax purposes. In addition, since goodwill is excluded from regulatory capital, the impairment charge did not impact the Company’s regulatory capital ratios.

The following table summarizes the changes in goodwill:

   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Balance at beginning of year
 
$
18,109
   
$
24,834
 
Goodwill impairment
   
-
     
(6,725
                 
Balance at end of period
 
$
18,109
   
$
18,109
 
 




 
 
9

 
 
NOTE 4 – EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
 
Basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period.  Diluted earnings per common 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 and warrants.  Potential shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants are determined using the treasury stock method.  All share and per share data have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the 5% stock dividend declared on August 23, 2010 and issued on October 22, 2010 to shareholders of record as of September 24, 2010.
 
The following table sets forth the computations of basic and diluted earnings per common share:
 
   
Three Months Ended
 September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
1,095
   
$
(6,221
 
$
2,566
   
$
(5,503
Preferred stock dividend and discount
accretion
   
(145
)
   
(145
)
   
(431
)
   
(385
)
                                 
Net income (loss) applicable to common stock
 
$
950
   
$
(6,366
 
$
2,135
   
$
(5,888
                                 
Weighted average common shares
outstanding
   
7,575,180
     
7,527,107
     
7,558,065
     
7,527,107
 
Effect of dilutive securities, stock options
and warrants
   
76,382
     
58,277
     
36,921
     
28,589
 
                                 
Weighted average common shares
outstanding used to calculate diluted
earnings per share
   
7,651,562
     
7,585,384
     
7,594,986
     
7,555,696
 
                                 
Basic earnings (loss) per common share
 
$
0.12
   
$
(0.85
 
$
0.28
   
$
(0.78
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share
 
$
0.12
   
$
(0.84
 
$
0.28
   
$
(0.78
 
Dilutive securities in the table above exclude common stock options and warrants with exercise prices that exceed the average market price of the Company’s common stock during the periods presented. Inclusion of these common stock options and warrants would be anti-dilutive to the diluted earnings per common share calculation. Stock options and warrants that had no intrinsic value because their effect would be anti-dilutive and therefore would not be included in the diluted earnings per common share calculation were 672,090 and 694,720 for the three-month period and nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, respectively, and 859,350 and 1,236,148 for the three-month period and nine-month period ended September 30, 2009, respectively.
 
 
10

 
 
NOTE 5 – SECURITIES

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair values of the Company’s securities are summarized as follows:

         
 
Gross
   
Gross
 Unrealized Losses
       
(in thousands)
 
Amortized
Cost
   
Unrealized
Gains
   
Noncredit
 OTTI
   
Other
   
Fair
Value
 
                               
September 30, 2010:
                             
                               
Securities available for sale:
                             
U.S. Government agency securities
 
$
5,535
   
$
44
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
5,579
 
Municipal securities
   
2,005
     
57
     
-
     
-
     
2,062
 
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises
(GSE) – Mortgage-backed securities
   
13,762
     
821
     
-
     
-
     
14,583
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations
   
3,993
     
117
     
-
     
-
     
4,110
 
Corporate debt securities
   
2,805
     
19
     
(260
)
   
(266
)
   
2,298
 
                                         
     
28,100
     
1,058
     
(260
)
   
(266
)
   
28,632
 
                                         
Mutual fund
   
2,179
     
47
     
-
     
-
     
2,226
 
                                         
   
$
30,279
   
$
1,105
   
$
(260
)
 
$
( 266
)
 
$
30,858
 
                                         
Securities held to maturity:
                                       
Municipal securities
 
$
8,181
   
$
444
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
8,625
 
Corporate debt securities
   
2,309
     
7
     
-
     
(391
)
   
1,925
 
                                         
   
$
10,490
   
$
451
   
$
-
   
$
(391
)
 
$
10,550
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11

 
 
NOTE 5 – SECURITIES (Continued)
 
         
Gross
   
Gross
 Unrealized Losses
       
 
(in thousands)
 
Amortized
Cost
   
Unrealized
Gains
   
Noncredit
OTTI
   
 Other
   
Fair
Value
 
                               
December 31, 2009:
                             
                               
Securities available for sale:
                             
U.S. Government agency securities
 
$
11,068
   
$
83
   
$
-
   
$
(49
)
 
$
11,102
 
Municipal securities
   
2,011
     
26
     
-
     
(12
)
   
2,025
 
GSE – Mortgage-backed securities
   
18,769
     
838
     
-
     
(1
)
   
19,606
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations
   
1,961
     
22
     
-
     
(5
)
   
1,978
 
Corporate debt securities
   
2,323
     
29
     
(204
)
   
(310
)
   
1,838
 
                                         
     
36,132
     
998
     
(204
)
   
(377
)
   
36,549
 
                                         
Mutual fund
   
1,136
     
5
     
-
     
-
     
1,141
 
                                         
   
$
37,268
   
$
1,003
   
$
(204
)
 
$
(377
)
 
$
37,690
 
Securities held to maturity:
                                       
U.S. Government agency securities
 
$
1,000
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
(21
)
 
$
979
 
Municipal securities
   
6,802
     
214
     
-
     
(5
)
   
7,011
 
Corporate debt securities
   
2,816
     
16
     
-
     
(556
)
   
2,276
 
                                         
   
$
10,618
   
$
230
   
$
-
   
$
(582
)
 
$
10,266
 
 
 
The amortized cost and fair value of the Company’s debt securities at September 30, 2010, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. 
 
   
Available for Sale
   
Held to Maturity
 
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Fair
Value
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Fair
Value
 
   
(in thousands)
 
       
Due in one year or less
  $ 1,068     $ 1,088     $ 2,489     $ 2,498  
Due in one year through five years
    4,001       4,000       1,219       1,317  
Due in five years through ten years
    1,411       1,433       1,059       1,169  
Due after ten years
    7,858       7,528       5,723       5,566  
                                 
      14,338       14,049       10,490       10,550  
                                 
GSE - Mortgage-backed securities
    13,762       14,583       -       -  
                                 
    $ 28,100     $ 28,632     $ 10,490     $ 10,550  
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company had no securities sales. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company sold $7,940,000 of securities available-for-sale and realized gross gains on sales totaling $487,000 and no losses on these sales. The Company had no sales of securities during the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.
 
 
12

 
 
NOTE 5 – SECURITIES (Continued)

Certain of the Company’s investment securities, totaling $18,456,000 and $19,544,000 at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, were pledged as collateral to secure securities sold under agreements to repurchase and public deposits as required or permitted by law.
 
The tables below indicate the length of time individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
 
   
Less than 12 Months
   
12 Months or More
   
Total
 
   
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                                     
September 30, 2010:
                                   
                                     
Corporate debt securities
 
 $
497
   
 $
(3
)
 
 $
2,230
   
 $
(914
)
 
 $
2,727
   
 $
(917
)
                                                 
Total Temporarily
                                               
Impaired Securities
 
$
497
   
$
(3
)
 
$
2,230
   
$
(914
)
 
$
2,727
   
$
(917
)

 
   
Less than 12 Months
   
12 Months or More
   
Total
 
   
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
   
(in thousands)
 
       
December 31, 2009:
                                   
                                     
U.S. Government agency
securities
 
$
4,930
   
$
(70
)
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
4,930
   
$
(70
)
Municipal securities
   
1,341
     
(17
)
   
-
     
-
     
1,341
     
(17
)
GSE – Mortgage-backed
securities
   
42
     
(1
)
   
-
     
-
     
42
     
(1
)
Collateralized mortgage
obligations
   
325
     
(5
)
   
-
     
-
     
325
     
(5
)
Corporate debt securities
   
-
     
-
     
2,071
     
(1,070
)
   
2,071
     
(1,070
)
                                                 
Total Temporarily
                                               
Impaired Securities
 
$
6,638
   
$
(93
)
 
$
2,071
   
$
(1,070
)
 
$
8,709
   
$
(1,163
)
 
The Company had 6 securities in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2010. In management’s opinion, the unrealized loss for the 6 corporate debt securities reflects a widening of spreads due to the liquidity and credit concerns in the financial markets. The Company does not intend to sell these debt securities prior to recovery and it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell these debt securities prior to recovery.
 
Included in corporate debt securities are four individual trust preferred securities issued by large financial institutions with Moody’s ratings from A2 to Baa3. As of September 30, 2010, all of these securities are current with their scheduled interest payments. These single issue securities are from large money center banks. Management concluded that these securities were not other-than-temporarily impaired as of September 30, 2010.
 
 
13

 
 
NOTE 5 – SECURITIES (Continued)

The Company also has one pooled trust preferred security with a Moody’s rating of Ca included in corporate debt securities. This pooled trust preferred security has been remitting reduced amounts of interest as some individual participants of the pool have deferred interest payments. The pooled instrument consists of securities issued by financial institutions and insurance companies and we hold the mezzanine tranche of such security. Senior tranches generally are protected from defaults by over-collateralization and cash flow default protection provided by subordinated tranches, with senior tranches having the greatest protection and mezzanine tranches being subordinated to the senior tranches. For the pooled trust preferred security, management reviewed expected cash flows and credit support and determined it was not probable that all principal and interest would be repaid. The most significant input to the expected cash flow model was the assumed default rate for each pooled trust preferred security. Financial metrics, such as capital ratios and non-performing asset ratios, of each individual financial institution issuer that comprises the pooled trust preferred securities were evaluated to estimate the expected default rates for each security. Total impairment on this security was $416,000 at September 30, 2010.  As the Company does not intend to sell this security and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell this security, only the credit loss portion of other-than-temporary impairment in the amount of $156,000 was recognized on the income statement for the year ended December 31, 2009. The Company recognized the remaining $260,000 of the other-than-temporary impairment in accumulated other comprehensive income at September 30, 2010. The Company had no other-than-temporary impairment charge to earnings during the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Future deterioration in the cash flow of these instruments or the credit quality of the financial institution issuers could result in additional impairment charges in the future.
 
NOTE 6 – OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income. Although certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities, are reported as a separate component of the equity section of the balance sheet, such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income (loss).
 
The components of other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
         
(in thousands)
       
                         
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on
available for sale securities
 
$
(40
 
$
462
   
$
212
   
$
416
 
Unrealized losses on securities for which
a portion of the impairment has been
recognized in income
   
(10
)
   
-
     
(56
)
   
-
 
Less:     
Reclassification adjustments for
gains included in net income
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
487
 
Less:
Reclassification adjustment for
credit losses on securities included
in net income
   
-
     
(51
)
   
-
     
(135
)
     
(50
   
513
     
156
     
64
 
Tax effect
   
22
     
(197
)
   
(57
)
   
(14
                                 
Net unrealized gains (losses)
 
$
(28)
   
$
316
   
$
99
   
$
50
 


NOTE 7 – STOCK BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

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. There were no shares available for grant under these prior plans at the time of the acquisition.
 
 
14

 
 
NOTE 7 – STOCK BASED COMPENSATION PLANS (Continued)

On March 20, 2007, the Board of Directors adopted the Community Partners Bancorp 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), subject to shareholder approval. 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. As of September 30, 2010, the number of shares of Company common stock remaining and available for future issuance under the Plan is 401,674 after adjusting for the 5% stock dividends declared in 2010.
 
Options awarded under the Plan may be either options that qualify as incentive stock options (“ISOs”) under section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or options that do not, or cease to, qualify as incentive stock options under the Code (“nonqualified stock options” or “NQSOs”).  Awards may be granted under the Plan to directors and employees.
 
Shares reserved under the Plan will be issued out of authorized and unissued shares, or treasury shares, or partly out of each, as determined by the Board. The exercise price per share purchasable under either an ISO or a NQSO may not be less than the fair market value of a share of stock on the date of grant of the option. The Committee will determine the vesting period and term of each option, provided that no ISO may have a term in excess of ten years after the date of grant.
 
Restricted stock is stock which is subject to certain transfer restrictions and to a risk of forfeiture. The Committee will determine the period over which any restricted stock which is issued under the Plan will vest, and will impose such restrictions on transferability, risk of forfeiture and other restrictions as the Committee may in its discretion determine. Unless restricted by the Committee, a participant granted restricted stock will have all of the rights of a shareholder, including the right to vote the restricted stock and the right to receive dividends with respect to that stock.
 
Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in the award document or subject to other applicable restrictions, in the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan) all non-forfeited options and awards carrying a right to exercise that was not previously exercisable and vested will become fully exercisable and vested as of the time of the Change in Control, and all restricted stock and awards subject to risk of forfeiture will become fully vested.
 
On January 20, 2010, the Company awarded officers ISOs to purchase an aggregate of 46,305 shares of Company’s common stock. These options are scheduled to vest 33.3% per year over three years beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date with a ten year exercise term. The options were granted with an exercise price of $3.10 per share based upon the average trading price of Company’s common stock on the grant date.
 
On April 20, 2010, the Company awarded officers ISOs to purchase an aggregate of 21,000 shares of Company’s common stock. These options are scheduled to vest 20% per year over five years beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date with a ten year exercise term. The options were granted with an exercise price of $3.95 per share based upon the average trading price of Company’s common stock on the grant date.

On September 9, 2010, the Company awarded officers ISOs to purchase an aggregate of 13,650 shares of Company’s common stock. These options are scheduled to vest over a five year period with 33.3% of the award vesting on each of September 10, 2013, September 10, 2014 and September 10, 2015 with a ten year exercise term. The options were granted with an exercise price of $4.52 per share based upon the average trading price of Company’s common stock on the grant date.

On August 18, 2010, the Company awarded officers 20,000 shares of the Company’s restricted common stock, which were subsequently issued on September 30, 2010. These awards are scheduled to vest on the first day of the fourth year following the grant date, with 5,000 of these awards subject to an earnings condition.

During the three month period ended September 30, 2010, the Company recorded a $8,000 benefit relating to stock based compensation due to the unvested stock options related to officers no longer employed with the Company. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, stock based compensation expense amounted to $45,000. Stock based compensation expense for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, was $22,000 and $128,000, respectively. Stock based compensation expense is included in salaries and employee benefits on the statements of operations.
 
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested options and restricted stock under the Plan was $510,000 as of September 30, 2010 and will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.3 years.
 
 
15

 
 
NOTE 7 – STOCK BASED COMPENSATION PLANS (Continued)


The following table presents information regarding the Company’s outstanding stock options and awards granted at September 30, 2010:
 
   
Number of Shares
   
Weighted
Average
Price
   
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
Options outstanding, beginning of year
   
1,088,489
   
$
6.87
             
Options and awards granted
   
100,955
     
3.83
             
Options exercised
   
(54,785
)
   
3.21
             
Options forfeited
   
(260,884
)
   
5.62
             
Options and awards outstanding, September 30, 2010
   
873,775
   
$
6.82
   
5.7 years
   
$
597,503
 
Options exercisable, September 30, 2010
   
543,540
   
$
8.80
   
4.0 years
   
$
270,814
 
Option price range at September 30, 2010
  $
3.10 to $14.60
                       
 
The aggregate 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 intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $41,000 and $49,000, respectively, while the cash received from such exercises was $137,000 and $178,000, respectively. There was no tax benefit recognized during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010.
 
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The following weighted average assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the stock options granted on January 20, 2010:

Dividend yield
   
0.00
%
Expected volatility
   
30.09
%
Risk-free interest rate
   
2.84
%
Forfeiture rate
   
5.00
%
Expected life
 
6.5 years
 
Weighted average fair value 
of options granted
 
$
1.19
 
 
The following weighted average assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the stock options granted on April 20, 2010:

Dividend yield
   
0.00
%
Expected volatility
   
33.51
%
Risk-free interest rate
   
2.91
%
Forfeiture rate
   
5.00
%
Expected life
 
6.5 years
 
Weighted average fair value
of options granted
 
$
1.64
 
 
The following weighted average assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the stock options granted on September 9, 2010:

Dividend yield
   
0.00
%
Expected volatility
   
32.4
%
Risk-free interest rate
   
2.09
%
Forfeiture rate
   
0.00
%
Expected life
 
7.5 years
 
Weighted average fair value
of options granted
 
$
1.87
 

The dividend yield assumption is based on the Company’s history and expectations of cash dividends. The expected volatility is based on historical volatility. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve for the expected life of the grants which is based on historical exercise experience.

All share and per share data have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the 5% stock dividend issued on October 22, 2010 to shareholders of record as of September 24, 2010.
 
 
16

 
 
NOTE 8 – 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 September 30, 2010, the Company had $6,051,000 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 September 30, 2010 for guarantees under standby letters of credit issued is not material.

NOTE 9 – LONG-TERM DEBT AND SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE

Long-term debt consisted of the following Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) fixed rate advances at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
 
       
Rate
 
  
   Original  Term
            Maturity
(dollars in thousands)
 
           2010
2009
         
               
Convertible Note
      $   7,500
         $ 7,500
   
3.97%
 
     10 years
November 2017
Fixed Rate Note
           1,500
           -
   
1.67%
 
       4 years
August 2014
Fixed Rate Note
           1,500
           -
   
2.00%
 
       5 years
August 2015
Fixed Rate Note
           1,500
           -
   
2.41%
 
       6 years
August 2016
Fixed Rate Note
           1,500
           -
   
2.71%
 
       7 years
August 2017
                 
 
      $ 13,500
         $ 7,500
   
3.18%
     

 
The $7.5 million 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.
 
The Company has an unsecured line of credit totaling $10,000,000 with another financial institution that bears interest at a variable rate and is renewed annually. There were no borrowings under this line of credit at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
 
There were no short-term borrowings from the FHLB at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. Advances from the FHLB are secured by qualifying assets of the Bank.
 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, which are classified as secured borrowings, generally mature within one to four days from the transaction date. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are reflected as the amount of cash received in connection with the transaction. Securities sold under these agreements are retained under the Company’s control at their safekeeping agent. The Company may be required to provide additional collateral based on the fair value of the underlying securities. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase totaled $14,475,000 and $17,065,000 at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

NOTE 10 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
 
FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” 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 are as follows:
 
 
17

 
 
NOTE 10 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)


 
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 September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are as follows:
 
Description
 
(Level 1)
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
   
(Level 2)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
   
(Level 3)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   
Total
 
   
(in thousands)
 
At September 30, 2010
                       
                         
Securities available for sale:
                       
U.S. Government agency
securities
 
$
-
   
$
5,579
   
$
-
   
$
5,579
 
Municipal securities
   
-
     
2,062
     
-
     
2,062
 
GSE: Mortgage-backed
                               
securities
   
-
     
14,583
     
-
     
14,583
 
Collateralized mortgage
obligations
   
-
     
4,110
     
-
     
4,110
 
Corporate debt securities
   
-
     
2,214
     
84
     
2,298
 
Mutual Fund
   
2,226
     
-
     
-
     
2,226
 
                                 
Total
 
$
2,226
   
$
28,548
   
$
84
   
$
30,858
 
                                 
At December 31, 2009
                               
                                 
Securities available for sale:
                               
U.S. Government agency
                               
securities
 
$
-
   
$
11,102
   
$
-
   
$
11,102
 
Municipal securities
   
-
     
2,025
     
-
     
2,025
 
GSE: Mortgage-backed
                               
securities
   
-
     
19,606
     
-
     
19,606
 
Collateralized mortgage
obligations
   
-
     
1,978
     
-
     
1,978
 
Corporate debt securities
   
-
     
1,698
     
140
     
1,838
 
Mutual Fund
   
1,141
     
-
     
-
     
1,141
 
                                 
Total
 
$
1,141
   
$
36,409
   
$
140
   
$
37,690
 
 
 
18

 
 
 NOTE 10 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)
 
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 periods presented:
 
 
   
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
   
Securities available for sale
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2010
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2010
 
   
(in thousands)
 
             
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
94
   
$
140
 
Total losses:
               
Included in other comprehensive
income (loss)
   
(10
)
   
(56
)
                 
Balance at end of period
 
$
84
   
$
84
 
 
 
 
For assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy used at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are as follows:
 
Description
 
(Level 1)
Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
   
(Level 2)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
   
(Level 3)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   
Total
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                         
                         
At September 30, 2010
                       
Impaired loans
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
10,211
   
$
10,211
 
Other Real Estate Owned
   
-
     
-
     
3,547
     
3,547
 
                                 
At December 31, 2009
                               
Impaired loans
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
6,959
   
$
6,959
 
Goodwill
   
-
     
-
     
18,109
     
18,109
 
Property held for sale
   
-
     
-
     
1,100
     
1,100
 
 
 
The following valuation techniques were used to measure fair value of assets in the tables above:
 
 
·
Impaired loans – Impaired loans measured at fair value are those loans 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 either 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. At September 30, 2010, fair value consists of the loan balances of $10,211,000, which is net of a valuation allowance of $1,954,000. At December 31, 2009, fair value consists of loan balances of $6,959,000, which is net of a valuation allowance of $1,313,000. At September 30, 2010, the recorded investment in impaired loans, not requiring a specific allowance for loan losses, was $6,660,000 as compared to $17,266,000 at December 31, 2009. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the average recorded investment in impaired loans was $23,248,000 as compared to $26,584,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, and the interest income recognized on these impaired loans was $396,000 and $596,000, respectively.
 
 
19

 
 
NOTE 10 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)
 
 
·
Other real estate owned (“OREO”) – Real estate properties acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are to be sold and are carried at fair value less cost to sell. Fair value is based upon independent market prices, appraised value of the collateral or management’s estimation of the value of the collateral. These assets are included in Level 3 fair value based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. At September 30, 2010, properties totaling $3,547,000 million were acquired through foreclosure and are carried at fair value less estimated selling costs based on current appraisals.
 
 
·
Goodwill – Goodwill is evaluated for impairment on an annual basis. See Note 3 for further details on goodwill.
 
 
·
Property held for sale – Real estate originally classified as bank premises for a planned branch, was reclassified during 2009 to held for sale in other assets. At December 31, 2009, the fair value was based upon the appraised value of the property.
 
The following information should not be interpreted as an estimate of the fair value of the entire Company since a fair value calculation is only provided for a limited portion of the Company’s assets and liabilities.  Due to a wide range of valuation techniques and the degree of subjectivity used in making the estimates, comparisons between the Company’s disclosures and those of other companies may not be meaningful.  The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents (carried at cost):
 
The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash and short-term instruments approximate those assets’ fair values.
 
Securities:
 
The fair value of securities available-for-sale (carried at fair value) and held to maturity (carried at amortized cost) are determined by obtaining quoted market prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges (Level 1), or matrix pricing (Level 2), which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted market prices for the specific securities but instead relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted prices. For certain securities which are not traded in active markets or are subject to transfer restrictions, valuations are adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability, and such adjustments are generally based on available market evidence (Level 3). At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company determined that no active market existed for our pooled trust preferred security.  This security is classified as a Level 3 investment.  Management’s best estimate of fair value consists of both internal and external support on the Level 3 investment. Internal cash flow models using a present value formula that includes assumptions market participants would use along with indicative exit pricing obtained from broker/dealers (where available) were used to support the fair value of the Level 3 investment.
 
Restricted Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank Stock and ACBB Stock (carried at cost):
 
The carrying amount of restricted investment in FHLB stock and Atlantic Central Bankers Bank stock approximates fair value, and considers the limited marketability of such securities.
 
Loans Receivable (carried at cost):
 
The fair values of loans, excluding collateral dependent impaired loans, are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, using market rates at the balance sheet date that reflect the credit and interest rate-risk inherent in the loans.  Projected future cash flows are calculated based upon contractual maturity or call dates, projected repayments and prepayments of principal. Generally, for variable rate loans that reprice frequently and with no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying values.
 
Accrued Interest Receivable and Payable (carried at cost):
 
The carrying amount of accrued interest receivable and accrued interest payable approximates their respective fair values.
 
Deposit Liabilities (carried at cost):
 
The fair values disclosed for demand deposits (e.g., interest and noninterest checking, passbook savings and money market accounts) are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amounts). Fair values for fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered in the market on certificates to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits.
 
 
20

 
 
NOTE 10 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase (carried at cost):
 
The carrying amounts of these short-term borrowings approximate their fair values.
 
Long-term Debt (carried at cost):
 
Fair values of FHLB advances are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, based on quoted prices for new FHLB advances with similar credit risk characteristics, terms and remaining maturity.  These prices obtained from this active market represent a market value that is deemed to represent the transfer price if the liability were assumed by a third party.
 
Off-balance Sheet Financial Instruments (disclosed at cost):
 
Fair values for the Company’s off-balance sheet financial instruments (lending commitments and letters of credit) are based on fees currently charged in the market to enter into similar agreements, taking into account, the remaining terms of the agreements and the counterparties’ credit standing. The fair values of such fees are not material at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
 
 The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were as follows:
 
   
September 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
   
Carrying
Amount
   
Estimated Fair
Value
   
Carrying
Amount
   
Estimated Fair
Value
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                         
Financial assets:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
39,091
   
$
39,091
   
$
42,735
   
$
42,735
 
Securities available for sale
   
30,858
     
30,858
     
37,690
     
37,690
 
Securities held to maturity
   
10,490
     
10,550
     
10,618
     
10,266
 
Restricted stock
   
1,420
     
1,420
     
1,000
     
1,000
 
Loans receivable
   
516,137
     
512,727
     
507,215
     
486,729
 
Accrued interest receivable
   
1,894
     
1,894
     
1,876
     
1,876
 
                                 
Financial liabilities:
                               
Deposits
   
529,905
     
532,108
     
535,412
     
536,101
 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
   
14,475
     
14,475
     
17,065
     
17,065
 
Long-term debt
   
13,500
     
14,970
     
7,500
     
8,111
 
Accrued interest payable
   
88
     
88
     
164
     
164
 
                                 
Off-balance sheet financial instruments:
                               
Commitments to extend credit and outstanding
letters of credit
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
 
 




 
21

 
 
NOTE 11 – SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
In connection with the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (“EESA”), the Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”) was authorized to establish a Troubled Asset Relief Program (“TARP”) to purchase up to $700 billion in troubled assets from qualified financial institutions (“QFI”).  EESA has also been interpreted by the Treasury to allow it to make direct equity investments in QFIs. Subsequent to the enactment of EESA, the Treasury announced the TARP Capital Purchase Program under which QFIs that elected to participate in the TARP Capital Purchase Program were allowed to issue senior perpetual preferred stock to the Treasury, and the Treasury was authorized to purchase such preferred stock of QFIs, subject to certain limitations and terms. EESA was developed to stabilize the financial system and increase lending to benefit the national economy and citizens of the United States.
 
On January 30, 2009, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with the Treasury as part of the TARP Capital Purchase Program, pursuant to which the Company sold to the Treasury 9,000 shares of Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A (the “Senior Preferred Stock”), no par value per share and with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share, and a warrant (the “Warrant”) to purchase 311,972 shares of the Company’s common stock, as adjusted for the stock dividend declared in August 2010, for an aggregate purchase price of $9,000,000.
 
The shares of Senior Preferred Stock have no stated maturity, do not have voting rights except in certain limited circumstances and are not subject to mandatory redemption or a sinking fund. The Senior Preferred Stock may be redeemed at the liquidation preference price plus accrued and unpaid dividends. The Company must provide at least 30 days and no more than 60 days notice to the holder of its intention to redeem the shares. In February 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “Stimulus Act”), which amended and supplemented EESA, was signed into law. EESA, as amended and supplemented by the Stimulus Act, imposes extensive new restrictions applicable to participants in the TARP, including the Company, and removes the requirement of being limited to using proceeds from only qualifying equity offerings.
 
The Senior Preferred Stock has priority over the Company’s common stock with regard to the payment of dividends and liquidation distribution. The Senior Preferred Stock qualifies as Tier 1 capital and will pay cumulative dividends at a rate of 5% per annum for the first five years, and 9% per annum thereafter.  Dividends are payable quarterly on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year. The Senior Preferred Stock may be redeemed at any time following consultation by the Company’s primary bank regulator and the Treasury, notwithstanding the terms of the original transaction documents.  Participants in the TARP Capital Purchase Program desiring to repay part of an investment by the Treasury must repay a minimum of 25% of the issue price of the Senior Preferred Stock.
 
Prior to the earlier of the third anniversary date (January 30, 2012) of the issuance of the Senior Preferred Stock or the date on which the Senior Preferred Stock has been redeemed in whole or the Treasury has transferred all of the Senior Preferred Stock to third parties which are not affiliates of the Treasury, the Company cannot declare or pay any cash dividend on its common stock or with certain limited exceptions, redeem, purchase or acquire any shares of the Company’s stock without the consent of the Treasury.
 
The Warrant has a 10-year term and is immediately exercisable upon its issuance, with an exercise price, subject to anti-dilution adjustments, equal to $4.33 per share of common stock, as adjusted for the stock dividend declared in August 2010. In the event that the Company redeems the Senior Preferred Stock, the Company can repurchase the Warrant at “Fair Market Value,” as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement with the Treasury.
  
The proceeds received were allocated between the Senior Preferred Stock and the Warrant based upon their relative fair values as of the date of issuance, which resulted in the recording of a discount of the Senior Preferred Stock upon issuance that reflects the value allocated to the Warrant. The discount is accreted by a charge to accumulated deficit on a straight-line basis over the expected life of the preferred stock of five years.
 
The agreement with the Treasury contains limitations on certain actions by the Company, including the Treasury consent prior to the payment of cash dividends on the Company’s common stock and the repurchase of its common stock during the first three years of the agreement. In addition, the Company agreed that, while the Treasury owns the Senior Preferred Stock, the Company’s employee benefit plans and other executive compensation arrangements for its senior executive officers must comply with Section 111 of EESA, as amended.

On August 23, 2010, the Company declared a 5% stock dividend issued on October 22, 2010 to shareholders of record as of September 24, 2010. Accounting for this transaction is consistent pursuant to having accumulated deficit at the time of declaration.
 
 
22

 
 
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 Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward looking statements. 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, even if subsequently made available on our website or otherwise. 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 discussed under “Business”, “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the 2009 Form 10-K, under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC.
 
Although management has taken certain steps to mitigate any negative effect of these factors, 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.
 
The following information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included in the 2009 Form 10-K.
 
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
The following discussion is based upon the financial statements of the Company, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. 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 2009 Form 10-K 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 the results of operations. This critical policy and its application are reviewed quarterly with our audit committee and board of directors.
 
Management is responsible for preparing and evaluating the allowance for loan losses on a quarterly basis in accordance with Bank policy, and the Interagency Policy Statement on the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses released on December 13, 2006 as well as GAAP. We believe that our allowance for loan losses is adequate to cover specifically identifiable loan losses, as well as estimated losses inherent in our portfolio for which certain losses are probable but not specifically identifiable. The allowance for loan losses is based upon management’s evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses account, including a qualitative and quantitative analysis 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 collectability 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. To be effective, management utilizes the best information available, therefore, the level of the allowance for loan losses remains an estimate that is subject to significant judgment and short term change. Various regulatory agencies may require us and our banking subsidiary 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 and Union counties. Accordingly, the collectability 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 economic shock.
 
 
23

 
 
Stock Based Compensation. Stock based compensation cost has been measured using the fair value of an award on the grant date and is recognized over the service period, which is usually the vesting period. The fair value of each award is amortized into compensation expense on a straight-line basis between the grant date for the award and each vesting date. The Company estimates the fair value of stock options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The model requires the use of numerous assumptions, many of which are highly subjective in nature.
 
Goodwill Impairment. Although goodwill is not subject to amortization, the Company must test the carrying value for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Impairment testing requires that the fair value of our reporting unit be compared to the carrying amount of its net assets, including goodwill. Our reporting unit is identified as our community bank operations. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the book value, no write-down of recorded goodwill is necessary. If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than book value, an expense may be required on the Company’s books to write-down the related goodwill to the proper carrying value. Impairment testing for goodwill was completed at September 30, 2010 and no goodwill impairment was recorded.
 
Investment Securities Impairment Valuation. Securities are evaluated on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when market conditions warrant such an evaluation, to determine whether a decline in their value is other-than-temporary. The analysis of other-than-temporary impairment requires the use of various assumptions including, but not limited to, the length of time the investment’s book value has been greater than fair value, the severity of the investment’s decline and the credit deterioration of the issuer. For debt securities, management assesses whether (a) it has the intent to sell the security and (b) it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security prior to its anticipated recovery. These steps are done before assessing whether the entity will recover the cost basis of the investment.
 
In instances when a determination is made that an other-than-temporary impairment exists but the Company does not intend to sell the debt security and it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell the debt security prior to its anticipated recovery, the other-than-temporary impairment is separated into (a) the amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to a decrease in cash flows expected to be collected from the debt security (the credit loss) and (b) the amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to all other factors. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss is recognized in earnings. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to all other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income.
 
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for future tax effects of temporary differences, net operating loss carry forwards and tax credits. 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 recorded value of the net deferred tax asset to the expected realizable amount.
 
Overview
 
The Company reported net income to common shareholders of $950,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to a net loss to common shareholders of $6.4 million, for the same period in 2009. Basic and diluted earnings per common share after preferred stock dividends and accretion were $0.12 for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 compared to basic and diluted loss of $0.85 and $0.84, respectively, per common share for the same period in 2009. Dividends and accretion related to the preferred stock issued to the Treasury reduced earnings for the third quarter of 2010 and 2009 by $145,000 or $0.02 per fully diluted common share. The annualized return on average assets increased to 0.68% for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to an annualized loss of 3.91% for the same period in 2009. The annualized return on average shareholders’ equity increased to 5.54% for the three month period ended September 30, 2010 as compared to an annualized loss of 29.72% for the three months ended September 30, 2009.
 
The Company reported net income to common shareholders of $2.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to a net loss to common shareholders of $5.9 million, for the same period in 2009. Basic and diluted earnings per common share after preferred stock dividends and accretion were both $0.28 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to basic and diluted loss of $0.78 per common share for the same period in 2009. The annualized return on average assets increased to 0.52% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to an annualized loss of 1.19% for the same period in 2009. The annualized return on average shareholders’ equity increased to 4.38% for the nine month period ended September 30, 2010 as compared to an annualized loss of 8.88% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
 
Net interest income increased by $803,000, or 13.9%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 over the same period in 2009, primarily as a result of loan growth and lower deposit costs in 2010 as compared to the same period last year. The Company reported a net interest margin of 4.35% for the quarter ended September 30, 2010, an increase of 31 basis points when compared to the 4.04% for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 and 42 basis points when compared to the 3.93% reported for the comparable quarter in 2009.

 
24

 
 
Net interest income increased by $3.2 million, or 20.7%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 over the same period in 2009, primarily as a result of loan growth and lower deposit costs in 2010. The Company reported a net interest margin of 4.11% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, an increase of 50 basis points over the 3.61% reported for the same period last year.
 
Non-interest income for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 totaled $438,000, an increase of $70,000, or 19.0%, compared with the same period in 2009. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, non-interest income totaled $1.4 million, a decrease of $203,000, or 12.7%, from the same period in 2009. This decrease for the nine month period was due primarily to gains of $487,000 from the sale of securities available-for-sale during the first quarter of 2009. Excluding net securities gains as well as the $135,000 other-than-temporary impairment charge taken during the nine months ended September 30, 2009, non-interest income increased $149,000, or 11.9%, over the same period in 2009. The increase in both the quarter and nine month periods was due primarily to higher bank-owned life insurance income resulting from increased purchases of such investments during the fourth quarter of 2009 and the first quarter of 2010.
 
Non-interest expense for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 totaled $4.4 million, a decrease of $7.0 million, or 61.2%, from the same period in 2009, primarily due to a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $6.7 million taken during the third quarter of 2009 and the recognition of a $280,000 benefit taken in the third quarter of 2010 due to the forfeiture of certain plan benefits pertaining to officers no longer employed with the Bank. Non-interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 totaled $13.7 million, a decrease of $7.0 million, or 33.6%, over the same period in 2009, due primarily to the same items discussed above.
 
Total assets at September 30, 2010 were $640.5 million, up 0.1% from total assets of $640.0 million at December 31, 2009. Total deposits were $529.9 million at September 30, 2010, a decrease of 1.0% from total deposits of $535.4 million at December 31, 2009. Total loans at September 30, 2010 were $523.2 million, an increase of 1.9% from total loans of $513.4 million at December 31, 2009.
 
At September 30, 2010, the Company’s allowance for loan losses was $7.1 million, compared with $6.2 million at December 31, 2009. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans at September 30, 2010 was 1.35%, compared with 1.20% at December 31, 2009. Non-accrual loans were $9.4 million at September 30, 2010, compared with $14.2 million at December 31, 2009. OREO properties were $3.5 million at September 30, 2010, compared to none at December 31, 2009.
 
 
 
 
25

 

 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
The Company’s principal source of revenue is net interest income, which is 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, commissions and fees, earnings from investment in life insurance and gains on security sales, while other expenses are primarily comprised of salaries and employee benefits, occupancy costs and other operating expenses.
 
The following table provides information on our performance ratios for the dates indicated.
   
(Annualized) 
Nine months ended 
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Return on average assets
    0.52%       (1.19%)  
Return on average tangible assets
    0.54%       (1.24%)  
Return on average shareholders' equity
    4.38%       (8.88%)  
Return on average tangible shareholders' equity
    5.77%       (12.91%)  
Net interest margin
    4.11%           3.61%   
Average equity to average assets
    11.98%       13.38%   
Average tangible equity to average tangible assets
    9.35%       9.46%   
 
We anticipate that our earnings will remain challenged in 2010 principally due to the sluggish economic conditions in the New Jersey commercial and real estate markets. In addition, should a further general decline in economic conditions in New Jersey continue throughout 2010 and beyond, the Company may suffer higher default rates on its loans, decreased value of assets it holds as collateral, and potentially lower loan originations due to heightened competition for lending relationships coupled with our higher credit standards and requirements.

Three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009
 
Net Interest Income
 
Net interest income increased by $803,000, or 13.9%, to $6.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $5.8 million for the corresponding period in 2009, as a result of both balance sheet growth and lower deposit costs. The net interest margin and net interest spread increased to 4.35% and 4.13% respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from 3.93% and 3.59%, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2009.
 
Total interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2010 increased by $190,000, or 2.4%, to $8.0 million from $7.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The increase in interest income was primarily due to volume and interest rate-related increases in interest income amounting to $176,000 and $14,000, respectively, for the third quarter of 2010 as compared to the same prior year period.
 
Interest and fees on loans increased by $404,000, or 5.6%, to $7.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $7.2 million for the corresponding period in 2009. Of the $404,000 increase in interest and fees on loans, $331,000 was attributable to volume-related increases and $73,000 was attributable to interest rate-related increases. During the third quarter of 2010, the Company recognized $93,000 of interest income relating to the full recovery and payoff of two related credits totaling $1.4 million, both of which were in non-accrual status. The average balance of the loan portfolio for the three months ended September 30, 2010 increased by $22.9 million, or 4.6%, to $520.2 million from $497.3 million for the corresponding period in 2009. The average annualized yield on the loan portfolio was 5.79% for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 compared to 5.74% for the quarter ended September 30, 2009. The average balance of non-accrual loans, which amounted to $11.9 million and $13.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, impacted the Company’s loan yield for both periods presented.
 
Interest income on Federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits was $24,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2010, representing an increase of $12,000, or 100.0%, from $12,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009.  For the three months ended September 30, 2010, Federal funds sold had an average balance of $7.0 million with an average annualized yield of 0.34%, as compared to $27.7 million with an average annualized yield of 0.17% for the three months ended September 30, 2009. During the first quarter of 2010, in order to maximize earnings on excess liquidity and increased safety of our funds, the Bank transferred its cash balances to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which paid approximately 10 basis points more than our correspondent banks. Accordingly, for the three months ended September 30, 2010, interest bearing deposits had an average balance of $28.8 million and an average annualized yield of 0.25% as compared to no interest bearing deposits for the same period in 2009.

 
26

 
 
Interest income on investment securities totaled $368,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $594,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $226,000, or 38.0%. The decrease in interest income on investment securities was primarily attributable to the partial replacement of maturities, calls and principal paydowns of existing securities with new purchases that had generally lower rates resulting from the lower rate environment. For the three months ended September 30, 2010, investment securities had an average balance of $43.5 million with an average annualized yield of 3.38% compared to an average balance of $57.7 million with an average annualized yield of 4.12% for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

Interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities amounted to $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $2.0 million for the corresponding period in 2009, a decrease of $613,000, or 30.2%. Of this decrease in interest expense, $647,000 was due to rate-related decreases on interest-bearing liabilities primarily resulting from lower deposit costs. This decrease was partially offset by $34,000 of volume-related increases on interest-bearing liabilities.
 
During 2010, management continued to focus on developing core deposit relationships in the Company. Additionally, management continued to restructure the mix of interest-bearing liabilities portfolio by decreasing our funding dependence from high-cost time deposits to lower-cost core money market and savings account deposit products. The average balance of interest-bearing liabilities increased to $483.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $468.8 million for the same period last year, an increase of $15.1 million, or 3.2%. Our average balance in certificates of deposit decreased by $15.0 million, or 11.7%, to $113.3 million with an average annualized yield of 1.91% for the third quarter of 2010 from $128.3 million with an average annualized yield of 2.30% for the same period in 2009. Additionally, average money market deposits decreased by $1.3 million over this same period while the average annualized yield declined by 71 basis points. These average balance decreases were more than offset by increases of $22.7 million in average savings deposits, which increased from $177.1 million with an average annualized yield of 1.56% during the third quarter of 2009, to $199.8 million with an average annualized yield of 0.98% during the third quarter of 2010, as well as an increase in our negotiable order of withdrawal (NOW) accounts, which increased $6.9 million from $40.5 million with an average yield of 0.76% during the third quarter of 2009, to $47.4 million with an average yield of 0.54% during the third quarter of 2010. During the third quarter of 2010, our average demand deposits reached $78.8 million, an increase of $2.9 million, or 3.8%, over the same period last year. For the three months ended September 30, 2010, the average annualized cost for all interest-bearing liabilities was 1.16%, compared to 1.72% for the three months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of 56 basis points.

Our strategies for increasing and retaining core relationship 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 third quarter of 2010 were $16.2 million, with an average interest rate of 0.95%, compared to $17.2 million, with an average interest rate of 1.69%, for the third quarter of 2009.

The Company also utilizes FHLB term borrowings as an additional funding source. The average balance of such borrowings for the third quarter of 2010 were $10.3 million, with an average interest rate of 3.54%, compared to $7.5 million, with an average interest rate of 4.02%, for the third quarter of 2009.
 
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 margin on interest-earning assets.  Yields on tax-exempt assets have not been calculated on a fully tax-exempt basis.
 
 
27

 

   
Three Months Ended
 September 30, 2010
 
Three Months Ended
 September 30, 2009
(dollars in thousands)
 
Average
Balance
   
Interest
Income/
Expense
   
Average
Rate
 
Average
Balance
   
Interest
Income/
Expense
   
Average
Rate
ASSETS
                                   
Interest Earning Assets:
                                   
    Interest bearing deposits due from banks
 
$
28,849
   
$
18
     
0.25
%
 
$
-
   
$
-
     
-
 
Federal funds sold
   
7,000
     
6
     
0.34
%
   
27,655
     
12
     
0.17
%
Investment securities
   
43,487
     
368
     
3.38
%
   
57,668
     
594
     
4.12
%
Loans, net of unearned fees (1) (2)
   
520,229
     
7,595
     
5.79
%
   
497,335
     
7,191
     
5.74
%
                                                 
Total Interest Earning Assets
   
599,565
     
7,987
     
5.29
%
   
582,658
     
7,797
     
5.31
%
                                                 
Non-Interest Earning Assets:
                                               
Allowance for loan losses
   
(7,056
)
                   
(7,042
)
               
All other assets
   
52,923
                     
56,164
                 
                                                 
Total Assets
 
$
645,432
                   
$
631,780
                 
                                                 
LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                               
Interest-Bearing Liabilities:
                                               
NOW deposits
 
$
47,387
     
64
     
0.54
%
 
$
40,514
     
78
     
0.76
%
Savings deposits
   
199,781
     
492
     
0.98
%
   
177,097
     
698
     
1.56
%
Money market deposits
   
96,859
     
182
     
0.75
%
   
98,165
     
361
     
1.46
%
Time deposits
   
113,337
     
547
     
1.91
%
   
128,335
     
743
     
2.30
%
Repurchase agreements
   
16,223
     
39
     
0.95
%
   
17,152
     
73
     
1.69
%
Long-term borrowings
   
10,304
     
92
     
3.54
%
   
7,500
     
76
     
4.02
%
                                                 
Total Interest Bearing Liabilities
   
483,891
     
1,416
     
1.16
%
   
468,763
     
2,029
     
1.72
%
                                                 
Non-Interest Bearing Liabilities:
                                               
Demand deposits
   
78,783
                     
75,894
                 
Other liabilities
   
3,700
                     
4,081
                 
                                                 
Total Non-Interest Bearing Liabilities
   
82,483
                     
79,975
                 
                                                 
Shareholders' Equity
   
79,058
                     
83,042
                 
                                                 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
 
$
645,432
                   
$
631,780
                 
                                                 
NET INTEREST INCOME
         
$
6,571
                   
$
5,768
         
                                                 
NET INTEREST SPREAD (3)
                   
4.13
%
                   
3.59
%
                                                 
NET INTEREST MARGIN(4)
                   
4.35
%
                   
3.93
%

(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.
 
 
28

 
 
   
Nine Months Ended
 September 30, 2010
 
Nine Months Ended
 September 30, 2009
(dollars in thousands)
 
Average
Balance
   
Interest
Income/
Expense
   
Average
Rate
 
Average
Balance
   
Interest
Income/
Expense
   
Average
Rate
ASSETS
                                   
Interest Earning Assets:
                                   
    Interest bearing deposits due from banks
 
$
29,971
   
$
56
     
0.25
%
 
$
-
   
$
-
     
-
 
Federal funds sold
   
14,630
     
22
     
0.20
%
   
35,558
     
48
     
0.18
%
Investment securities
   
46,263
     
1,229
     
3.54
%
   
59,658
     
1,904
     
4.26
%
Loans, net of unearned fees  (1) (2)
   
514,195
     
22,126
     
5.75
%
   
475,642
     
20,391
     
5.73
%
                                                 
Total Interest Earning Assets
   
605,059
     
23,433
     
5.18
%
   
570,858
     
22,343
     
5.23
%
                                                 
Non-Interest Earning Assets:
                                               
Allowance for loan losses
   
(6,813
)
                   
(6,870
)
               
All other assets
   
54,326
                     
55,158
                 
                                                 
Total Assets
 
$
652,572
                   
$
619,146
                 
                                                 
LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                               
Interest-Bearing Liabilities:
                                               
NOW deposits
 
$
48,197
     
230
     
0.64
%
 
$
39,499
     
233
     
0.79
%
Savings deposits
   
200,840
     
1,751
     
1.17
%
   
173,539
     
2,490
     
1.92
%
Money market deposits
   
100,745
     
707
     
0.94
%
   
96,065
     
1,235
     
1.72
%
Time deposits
   
119,876
     
1,750
     
1.95
%
   
130,737
     
2,513
     
2.57
%
Repurchase agreements
   
15,611
     
134
     
1.15
%
   
15,339
     
214
     
1.87
%
Long-term borrowings
   
8,445
     
241
     
3.82
%
   
7,500
     
225
     
4.01
%
                                                 
Total Interest Bearing Liabilities
   
493,714
     
4,813
     
1.30
%
   
462,679
     
6,910
     
2.00
%
                                                 
Non-Interest Bearing Liabilities:
                                               
Demand deposits
   
77,020
                     
69,948
                 
Other liabilities
   
3,679
                     
3,682
                 
                                                 
Total Non-Interest Bearing Liabilities
   
80,699
                     
73,630
                 
                                                 
Shareholders' Equity
   
78,159
                     
82,837
                 
                                                 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
 
$
652,572
                   
$
619,146
                 
                                                 
NET INTEREST INCOME
         
$
18,620
                   
$
15,433
         
                                                 
NET INTEREST SPREAD (3)
                   
3.88
%
                   
3.23
%
                                                 
NET INTEREST MARGIN(4)
                   
4.11
%
                   
3.61
%

(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.
 
 
29

 
 
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:
 
   
Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
   
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
 
   
Compared to Three Months Ended
   
Compared to Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2009
 
   
Increase (Decrease) Due To
 
   
Volume
   
Rate
   
Net
   
Volume
   
Rate
   
Net
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Interest Earned On:
                                   
Interest bearing deposits
 
$
-
   
$
18
   
$
18
   
$
-
   
$
56
   
$
56
 
Federal funds sold
   
(9
)
   
3
     
(6
)
   
(28
)
   
2
     
(26
)
Investment securities
   
(146
)
   
(80
)
   
(226
)
   
(428
)
   
(247
)
   
(675
)
Loans
   
331
     
73
     
404
     
1,653
     
82
     
1,735
 
                                                 
Total Interest Income
   
176
     
14
     
190
     
1,197
     
(107
)
   
1,090
 
                                                 
Interest Paid On:
                                               
NOW deposits
   
13
     
(27
)
   
(14
)
   
51
     
(54
)
   
(3
Savings deposits
   
89
     
(295
)
   
(206
)
   
392
     
(1,131
)
   
(739
)
Money market deposits
   
(5
)
   
(174
)
   
(179
)
   
60
     
(588
)
   
(528
)
Time deposits
   
(87
)
   
(109
)
   
(196
)
   
(209
)
   
(554
)
   
(763
)
Repurchase agreements
   
(4
)
   
(30
)
   
(34
)
   
4
     
(84
)
   
(80
)
Long-term debt
   
28
     
(12
)
   
16
     
28
     
(12
   
16
 
                                                 
Total Interest Expense
   
34
     
(647
)
   
(613
)
   
326
     
(2,423
)
   
(2,097
)
                                                 
Net Interest Income
 
$
142
   
$
661
   
$
803
   
$
871
   
$
2,316
   
$
3,187
 
 
 
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 September 30, 2010 increased to $950,000, as compared to a provision for loan losses of $675,000 for the corresponding 2009 period. The provision recorded during the quarter was primarily due to our assessment to reflect the current state of the economy, prolonged high levels of unemployment, increased reserves related to our impaired loans as well as growth in our loan portfolio.

In management’s opinion, the allowance for loan losses, totaling $7.1 million at September 30, 2010, is adequate to cover losses inherent in the portfolio. In accordance with Company policy, we do not become involved in any sub-prime lending activity.  In the current interest rate and credit quality environment, our prudent risk management philosophy has been to stay within our established credit culture. We anticipate increased loan volume over the coming year as we continue to target credit worthy customers that have become dissatisfied with their relationships with larger institutions. Management will continue to review the need for additions to its allowance for loan losses based upon its ongoing review of the loan portfolio, the level of delinquencies and general market and economic conditions.
 
 
30

 
 
Non-Interest Income
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2010, non-interest income amounted to $438,000 compared to $368,000 for the corresponding period in 2009. This increase was primarily due to an other-than-temporary impairment charge of $51,000 taken during the third quarter of 2009 and higher bank-owned life insurance income of $49,000, or 132.4%, resulting from increased purchases of such investments during the fourth quarter of 2009 and the first quarter of 2010. Additionally, other income for the third quarter of 2010 increased to $134,000 as compared to $110,000 during the third quarter of 2009 primarily due to an increase in debit card and merchant fees collected by the Bank. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in service fees on deposits of $24,000, or 16.4%, from the quarter ended September 30, 2009, primarily due to lower fee income revenue and a decrease of $30,000 in other loan fees or 23.8%, primarily due to lower origination volume.
 
Non-Interest Expenses
 
Non-interest expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2010 decreased $7.0 million, or 61.2%, to $4.4 million compared to $11.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. This decrease was primarily due to the non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $6.7 million taken during the third quarter of 2009. Salaries and employee benefits decreased $223,000, or 9.3%, primarily due to the $280,000 benefit due to the forfeiture of certain plan benefits to officers whom are no longer employed with the Bank. Data processing fees decreased by $60,000, or 27.8%, for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the prior year period due primarily to residual conversion costs incurred during the third quarter of 2009. Loan workout and OREO expenses decreased by $132,000, to $88,000 for the third quarter of 2010 from $220,000 for the third quarter of 2009, primarily due to a decrease in carrying costs and workout expenses relating to our impaired loans and OREO assets. These decreases were partially offset by insurance costs increasing by $19,000, or 25.3%, for the third quarter of 2010 as compared to the third quarter of 2009 due to increased coverage on certain policies. Professional expenses increased by $62,000, or 30.8%, for the third quarter of 2010 as compared to the third quarter of 2009, primarily due to higher legal and consulting fees. Subsequent to the acquisition of Town Bank as of April 1, 2006, the Company began amortizing identifiable intangible assets and incurred $58,000 in amortization expense for the third quarter of 2010 compared to $67,000 for the corresponding period in 2009.
 
Income Taxes
 
The Company recorded income tax expense of $539,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $282,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was 33.0%, compared to 35.9% for the corresponding period in 2009, excluding the goodwill impairment charge of $6.7 million, a permanent difference. The decrease in the effective tax rate resulted from a higher level of the tax-exempt income relative to earnings on bank owned life insurance.
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009
 
Net Interest Income
 
Net interest income increased by $3.2 million, or 20.7%, to $18.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $15.4 million for the corresponding period in 2009, as a result of both balance sheet growth and lower deposit costs. The net interest margin and net interest spread increased to 4.11% and 3.88% respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from 3.61% and 3.23%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
 
Total interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased by $1.1 million, or 4.9%, to $23.4 million from $22.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The increase in interest income was primarily due to volume-related increases in interest income amounting to $1.2 million, partially offset by interest rate-related decreases in income of $107,000 for the nine month period of 2010 as compared to the same prior year period.
 
Interest and fees on loans increased by $1.7 million, or 8.5%, to $22.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $20.4 million for the corresponding period in 2009. The majority of the  $1.7 million increase in interest and fees on loans was attributable to volume-related increases. The average balance of the loan portfolio for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased by $38.6 million, or 8.1%, to $514.2 million from $475.6 million for the corresponding period in 2009. The average annualized yield on the loan portfolio increased to 5.75% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, from 5.73% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The average balance of non-accrual loans, which amounted to $12.7 million and $13.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, impacted the Company’s loan yield for both periods presented.
 
 
31

 
 
Interest income on Federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits was $78,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, representing an increase of $30,000, or 62.5%, from $48,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, Federal funds sold had an average balance of $14.6 million with an average annualized yield of 0.20%, as compared to $35.6 million with an average annualized yield of 0.18% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. As previously discussed above, during the first quarter 2010, in order to maximize earnings on excess liquidity and increased safety of our funds, the Bank transferred its cash balances to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which paid approximately 10 basis points more than our correspondent banks. Accordingly, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, interest bearing deposits had an average balance of $30.0 million and an average annualized yield of 0.25% as compared to no interest bearing deposits for the same period in 2009.
 
Interest income on investment securities totaled $1.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $1.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease in interest income on investment securities was primarily attributable to the partial replacement of maturities, calls and principal paydowns of existing securities with new purchases that had generally lower rates resulting from the lower rate environment. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, investment securities had an average balance of $46.3 million with an average annualized yield of 3.54% compared to an average balance of $59.7 million with an average annualized yield of 4.26% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
 
Interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities amounted to $4.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $6.9 million for the corresponding period in 2009, a decrease of $2.1 million, or 30.3%. Of this decrease in interest expense, $2.4 million was due to rate-related decreases on interest-bearing liabilities primarily resulting from lower deposit costs. This decrease was partially offset by $326,000 of volume-related increases on interest-bearing liabilities.
 
The average balance of interest-bearing liabilities increased to $493.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $462.7 million for the same period last year, an increase of $31.0 million, or 6.7%. The average balance in certificates of deposit decreased by $10.8 million, or 8.3%, to $119.9 million with an average annualized yield of 1.95% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $130.7 million with an average annualized yield of 2.57% for the same period in 2009. This average balance decrease was more than offset by increases of $27.3 million in average savings deposits, which increased from $173.5 million with an average annualized yield of 1.92% during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 to $200.8 million with an average annualized yield of 1.17% for the same prior period in 2010, an $8.7 million increase in average NOW accounts, which increased from $39.5 million with an average annualized yield of 0.79% during the nine months ended September 30, 2009, to $48.2 million with an average annualized yield of 0.64%. Additionally, average money market deposits increased by $4.7 million over this same period while the average annualized yield declined by 78 basis points. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, average demand deposits reached $77.0 million, an increase of $7.1 million, or 10.1%, over the same period last year.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the average annualized cost for all interest-bearing liabilities was 1.30%, compared to 2.00% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
 
Average balances of repurchase agreements for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased to $15.6 million, with an average interest rate of 1.15%, compared to $15.3 million, with an average interest rate of 1.87%, for the same prior year period. Average FHLB term borrowings increased to $8.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, with an average yield of 3.82%, compared to $7.5 million, with an average yield of 4.01%, for the same prior year period.
 
Provision for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased to $2.4 million, as compared to a provision for loan losses of $1.2 million for the corresponding 2009 period. The provision recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was primarily due to our assessment to reflect the current state of the economy, prolonged high levels of unemployment, increased reserves related to our impaired loans as well as growth in our loan portfolio.
 
Non-Interest Income
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, non-interest income amounted to $1.4 million compared to $1.6 million for the corresponding period in 2009. This decrease of $203,000, or 12.7%, is primarily due to the recording of $487,000 in realized gains for the sales of securities available for sale during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to no realized gains during the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Excluding net securities gains as well as the $135,000 other-than-temporary impairment charge taken during the nine months ended September 30, 2009, non-interest income increased $149,000, or 11.9%, over the same period last year. This increase was primarily due to higher bank-owned life insurance income of $154,000, resulting from purchases of such investments during the fourth quarter of 2009 and the first quarter of 2010. Additionally, other income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased to $364,000 from $293,000 during the same prior year period in 2009 primarily due to an increase in debit card and ATM fees collected by the Bank. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in service fees on deposits of $91,000, or 19.4%, from the nine months ended September 30, 2010, primarily due to lower fee income revenue.
 
 
32

 
 
Non-interest Expenses
 
Non-interest expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 decreased $7.0 million, or 33.6%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009. This decrease was primarily due to the non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $6.7 million taken during the third quarter of 2009. Salaries and employee benefits decreased $151,000, or 2.1%, primarily due to the $280,000 benefit from the forfeiture of certain plan benefits to officers whom are no longer employed with the Bank. Data processing fees decreased by $233,000, or 33.3%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the prior year period. This decrease was primarily due to the successful completion of the Town Bank conversion, which consummated during the fourth quarter of 2009. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance and assessments decreased $140,000 primarily due to the $288,000 one-time FDIC special assessment recorded during the second quarter of 2009, partially offset by higher FDIC insurance costs due to higher deposit levels in 2010. These decreases were partially offset by insurance costs increasing by $86,000, or 45.0%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the same prior year period due to increased coverage on certain policies. Professional expenses increased by $141,000, or 24.5%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the same prior year period, primarily due to higher legal and consulting fees. Other operating expenses increased by $140,000, or 15.9%, due primarily to higher expense relating to postage and stationary and supplies. Subsequent to the acquisition of Town Bank as of April 1, 2006, the Company began amortizing identifiable intangible assets and incurred $182,000 in amortization expense for the third quarter of 2010 compared to $211,000 for the corresponding period in 2009.

Income Taxes
 
The Company recorded income tax expense of $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $646,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was 34.6%, compared to 34.6% excluding the goodwill impairment charge of $6.725 million, a permanent difference, for the corresponding period in 2009.
 
 
 
 
33

 
 
FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
Assets
 
At September 30, 2010, our total assets were $640.5 million, an increase of $474,000, or 0.1%, over total assets of $640.0 million at December 31, 2009. At September 30, 2010, total loans were $523.2 million, an increase of $9.8 million or 1.9% from the $513.4 million reported at December 31, 2009. Investment securities were $42.8 million at September 30, 2010 as compared to $49.3 million at December 31, 2009, a decrease of $6.5 million, or 13.2%. At September 30, 2010, cash and cash equivalents totaled $39.1 million compared to $42.7 million at December 31, 2009, a decrease of $3.6 million, or 8.5%, as our liquidity position continued to remain strong at September 30, 2010. Goodwill totaled $18.1 million at both September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
 
Liabilities
 
Total deposits decreased $5.5 million, or 1.0%, to $529.9 million at September 30, 2010, from $535.4 million at December 31, 2009. Deposits are the Company’s primary source of funds. The deposit decrease during the nine month period ending September 30, 2010 was primarily attributable to the runoff of higher priced time deposits and money market accounts. The Company’s strategic initiative will continue to stay focused in growing market share through core deposit relationships. The Company anticipates continued loan demand increases over the coming year, and will depend on the expansion and maturation of our branch network as the primary funding source. As a secondary funding source, the Company intends to utilize borrowed funds at opportune times during changing rate cycles. The Company continues to experience change in the mix of the deposit products through its branch sales efforts, which are targeted to gain market penetration. In order to fund future quality loan demand, the Company intends to raise the most cost-effective funding available within the market area.
 
Securities Portfolio
 
Investment securities, including restricted stock, totaled $42.8 million at September 30, 2010 compared to $49.3 million at December 31, 2009, a decrease of $6.5 million, or 13.2%. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, investment securities purchases amounted to $10.8 million, while repayments and maturities amounted to $17.3 million. There were no sales of securities available for sale during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $7.9 million in the comparable period in 2009.
 
The Company maintains an investment portfolio to fund increased loans and liquidity needs (resulting from decreased deposits or otherwise) and to provide an additional source of interest income. The portfolio is composed of obligations of the U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government-sponsored entities, municipal securities and a limited amount of corporate debt securities. All of our mortgage-backed investment securities are collateralized by pools of mortgage obligations that are guaranteed by privately managed, U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises (GSE), such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Government National Mortgage Association. Due to these GSE guarantees, these investment securities are susceptible to less risk of non-performance and default than other corporate securities which are collateralized by private pools of mortgages. At September 30, 2010, the Company maintained $14.6 million of GSE mortgage-backed securities in the investment portfolio, all of which are current as to payment of principal and interest and are performing to the terms set forth in their respective prospectuses.
 
Included within the Company’s investment portfolio are trust preferred securities, which consists of four single issue securities and one pooled issue security. These securities have an amortized cost value of $3.1 million and a fair value of $2.2 million at September 30, 2010. The unrealized loss on these securities is related to general market conditions, the widening of interest rate spread and downgrades in credit ratings. The single issue securities are from large money center banks. The pooled instrument consists of securities issued by financial institutions and insurance companies, and we hold the mezzanine tranche of such security. Senior tranches generally are protected from defaults by over-collateralization and cash flow default protection provided by subordinated tranches, with senior tranches having the greatest protection and mezzanine tranches subordinated to the senior tranches. For the pooled trust preferred security, management reviewed expected cash flows and credit support and determined it was not probable that all principal and interest would be repaid. Total impairment on this security was $416,000 at September 30, 2010.  As the Company does not intend to sell this security and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell this security, only the credit loss portion of other-than-temporary impairment in the amount of $156,000 was recognized on the income statement for the year ended December 31, 2009. The Company recognized the remaining $260,000 of the other-than-temporary impairment in accumulated other comprehensive income at September 30, 2010. The Company had no other-than-temporary impairment charge to earnings during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Management evaluates all securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic and market concerns warrant such evaluations. As of September 30, 2010, all of these securities are current with their scheduled interest payments, with the exception of the one pooled trust preferred security which has been remitting reduced amounts of interest as some individual participants of the pool have deferred interest payments. Future deterioration in the cash flow of these instruments or the credit quality of the financial institution issuers could result in additional impairment charges in the future.
 
 
34

 
 
The Company accounts for its investment securities as available for sale or held to maturity. Management determines the appropriate classification at the time of purchase. Based on an evaluation of the probability of the occurrence of future events, we determine if we have the ability and intent to hold the investment securities to maturity, in which case we classify them as held to maturity. All other investments are classified as available for sale.
 
Securities classified as available for sale must be reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity, net of taxes. Gains or losses on the sales of securities available for sale are recognized upon realization utilizing the specific identification method. The net effect of unrealized gains or losses, caused by marking our available for sale portfolio to fair value, could cause fluctuations in the level of shareholders’ equity and equity-related financial ratios as changes in market interest rates cause the fair value of fixed-rate securities to fluctuate.
 
Securities classified as held to maturity are carried at cost, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount over the terms of the maturity in a manner that approximates the interest method.
 
Loan Portfolio
 
The following table summarizes total loans outstanding, by loan category and amount as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
   
(in thousands, except for percentages)
 
Commercial and industrial
 
$
146,835
     
28.0%
   
$
133,916
     
26.1%
 
Real estate – construction
   
35,682
     
6.8%
     
67,011
     
13.0%
 
Real estate – commercial
   
254,636
     
48.7%
     
228,818
     
44.5%
 
Real estate – residential
   
21,928
     
4.2%
     
19,381
     
3.8%
 
Consumer
   
64,574
     
12.3%
     
64,547
     
12.6%
 
Other
   
111
     
0.0%
     
176
     
0.0%
 
Unearned fees
   
(552
)
   
0.0%
     
(450
)
   
0.0%
 
Total loans
 
$
523,214
     
100.0%
   
$
513,399
     
100.0%
 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, loans increased by $9.8 million, or 1.9%, to $523.2 million from $513.4 million at December 31, 2009. Adverse credit conditions have created a difficult environment for both borrowers and lenders. We anticipate continued increased loan volume to be a major challenge during 2010 as we continue to target creditworthy customers.
 
Over the past year, we have made a concerted effort in focusing on deleveraging our real estate construction portfolio, which is evidenced in the mix of our loan composition at September 30, 2010 when compared to December 31, 2009. Real estate construction decreased $31.3 million, or 46.8%, to $35.7 million at September 30, 2010 from $67.0 million at December 31, 2009. This decrease was primarily driven by payoffs of the construction loans as well as completed construction projects which, at the time of renewal, were converted to commercial real estate loans. As such, commercial real estate increased $25.8 million, or 11.3%, to $254.6 million at September 30, 2010 from $228.8 million at December 31, 2009, while commercial and industrial loans increased by $12.9 million, or 9.6%, to $146.8 million at September 30, 2010 from $133.9 million at December 31, 2009. Residential real estate loans increased $2.5 million, or 13.1%, to $21.9 million at September 30, 2010 from $19.4 million at December 31, 2009.

Other Real Estate Owned

Foreclosed real estate represents real estate acquired as a result of foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure and is carried at the fair value less estimated selling costs. When a property is acquired, the excess of the loan balance over fair value is charged to the allowance for loan losses. Operating results from real estate owned, including rental income, operating expenses, and gains and losses realized from the sales of real estate owned, are recorded as incurred. At September 30, 2010, the Bank had $3.5 million in other real estate owned as compared to no other real estate owned at December 31, 2009. The balance at September 30, 2010 consisted of one property located in Union County and four related properties located in Middlesex County.

Asset Quality
 
One of our key operating objectives has been, and continues to be, to maintain a high level of credit quality. Through a variety of strategies, we have been proactive in addressing problem and non-performing assets. These strategies, as well as our prudent maintenance of sound credit standards for new loan originations, have resulted in relatively low levels of non-performing loans and charge-offs. Since the later part of 2008, the financial and capital markets have been faced with significant disruptions and volatility. The weakened economy has contributed to an overall challenge in building loan volume and we continue to be faced with declines in real estate values, which tend to reduce the collateral coverage of our existing loans. Efficient and effective asset management strategies reflect the type and quality of assets being originated.

 
35

 
 
We continue to note positive signs in asset quality trends as the growth of troubled loans continued to decrease over the three quarters of 2010. These disruptions have been exacerbated by the continued weakness in the real estate and housing markets as well as the prolonged high unemployment rate. We closely monitor local and regional real estate markets and other factors related to risks inherent in our loan portfolio. The improvement in our asset quality trends is reflective of the Company’s efforts in identifying troubled credits early enough to correct the problems, to record charge-offs promptly based on realistic assessments of current collateral values, and to maintain an adequate allowance for loan losses at all times.

The Bank does not originate or purchase loans with payment options, negative amortization loans or sub-prime loans. For loans involved in a workout situation, a new or updated appraisal or evaluation, as appropriate, is ordered to address current project plans and market conditions that are considered in the development of the workout plan. The consideration include whether there has been material deterioration in the following factors: the performance of the project; conditions for the geographic market and property type; variances between actual conditions and original appraisal assumptions; changes in project specifications (e.g., changing a planned condominium project to an apartment building); loss of a significant lease or a take-out commitment; or increases in pre-sales fallout.

Non-Performing Assets
 
Loans are considered to be non-performing if they are on a non-accrual basis, past due 90 days or more and still accruing, or have been restructured to provide a reduction of or deferral of interest or principal because of a weakening in the financial condition of the borrowers. A loan is placed on non-accrual status when collection of all principal or interest is considered unlikely or when principal or interest is past due for 90 days or more, unless the loan is well-secured and in the process of collection, in which case, the loan will continue to accrue interest. Any unpaid interest previously accrued on those loans is reversed from income. Interest income generally is not recognized on specific impaired loans unless the likelihood of further loss is remote. Interest income on other non-accrual loans is recognized only to the extent of interest payments received. Interest income generally is not recognized on specific impaired loans unless the likelihood of further loss is remote. Interest income on other non-accrual loans is recognized only to the extent of interest payments received. At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company had $9.4 million and $14.2 million in non-accrual loans, respectively. All of the non-performing loans are secured by real estate.
 
The following table summarizes our non-performing assets as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
 
 
   
September 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
Non-Performing Assets:
           
             
Non-Accrual Loans:
           
Commercial and industrial
 
$
4,900
   
$
4,720
 
Real estate-construction
   
1,813
     
7,120
 
Real estate-residential
   
888
     
-
 
Consumer
   
1,790
     
2,311
 
                 
Total Non-Accrual Loans
   
9,391
     
14,151
 
                 
Loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing
   
29
     
-
 
                 
Total Non-Performing Loans
   
9,420
     
14,151
 
                 
Other Real Estate Owned
   
3,547
     
-
 
                 
Total Non-Performing Assets
 
$
12,967
   
$
14,151
 
                 
Ratios:
               
                 
Non-Performing loans to total loans
   
2.48
%
   
2.76
%
                 
Non-Performing assets to total assets
   
2.02
%
   
2.21
%
                 
Restructured Loans
 
$
5,442
   
$
4,717
 

 
36

 
 
At September 30, 2010, non-accrual commercial and industrial loans increased by $180,000 and real estate construction loans decreased by $5.3 million from December 31, 2009. Two non-performing loans totaling $3.5 million were transferred into OREO during the third quarter of 2010. One property relates to a $2.4 million loan on a 14 unit residential apartment complex in Union County for which Two River is the lead lender in a 50/50 participation with another bank. During the second quarter of 2010, the Company had recorded a $500,000 partial write-down through the allowance for loan losses on this loan. The other properties relate to a $2.8 million loan for a residential development project secured by commercial real estate properties located in Middlesex County. The Company recorded a $130,000 partial write-down through the allowance for loan losses on this loan. These actions were the result of either Deeds-in-Lieu or Foreclosure Sales. Both projects are being actively marketed, and we do not currently anticipate any further loss on the ultimate liquidation of these properties. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, $3.0 million of OREO inventory was sold and liquidated for a gain of $48,000, which is included within the loan workout and OREO expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
 
At September 30, 2010, non-accrual real estate residential loans increased by $888,000 from December 31, 2009, due to one loan.
 
At September 30, 2010, non-performing consumer loans decreased by $521,000 from December 31, 2009, due to the charge-off of a $395,000 home equity line of credit loan and the reinstatement of a $225,000 loan, which was transferred to performing status.
 
Restructured loans are primarily commercial loans for which the Bank granted a concession to the borrower for economic or legal reasons due to the borrower’s financial difficulties. The Bank continues to work with all the related restructured loans and, at September 30, 2010, all such loans continued to pay as agreed under the terms of the restructured loan agreement.

The recorded investment in impaired loans, not requiring a specific allowance for loan losses, was $6.7 million and $17.3 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. The recorded investment in impaired loans requiring a specific allowance for loan losses was $12.2 million and $8.3 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. The allowance allocated to these impaired loans was $2.0 million and $1.3 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the average recorded investment in impaired loans was $23.2 million as compared to $26.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, and the interest income recognized on these impaired loans was $396,000 and $596,000, respectively.
 
Allowance for Loan Losses
 
The following table summarizes our allowance for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 and for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands, except percentages)
 
                   
Balance at beginning of year
 
$
6,184
   
$
6,815
   
$
6,815
 
Provision charged to expense
   
2,350
     
1,180
     
2,205
 
Loans charged off, net
   
(1,457
)
   
(610
)
   
(2,836
)
                         
Balance of allowance at end of period
 
$
7,077
   
$
7,385
   
$
6,184
 
                         
Ratio of net charge-offs to average
loans outstanding
   
0.28
%
   
0.13
%
   
0.59
%
                         
Balance of allowance as a percent of
loans at period-end
   
1.35
%
   
1.46
%
   
1.20
%
                         

At September 30, 2010, the Company’s allowance for loan losses was $7.1 million, compared with $6.2 million at December 31, 2009.  Loss allowance as a percentage of total loans at September 30, 2010 was 1.35%, compared with 1.20% at December 31, 2009. The Company had total provisions to the allowance for loan losses for the nine month period ended September 30, 2010 in the amount of $2.4 million as compared to $1.2 million for the comparable period in 2009. There was $1.5 million in net charge-offs for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $610,000 in net charge-offs for the same period in 2009. During the third quarter of 2010, the Company recorded $561,000 of net charge-offs and partial write-downs taken against the allowance for loan losses in connection with five separate credits, which had been reserved for previously. Non-performing loans at September 30, 2010 are either well-collateralized or adequately reserved for in the allowance for loan losses.

 
37

 

Credit quality trends of the portfolio has shown improvement since year-end. As a result, our non-performing loans to total loans and non-performing assets to total assets ratios at September 30, 2010 declined by 28 basis points and 19 basis points, respectively, when compared to December 31, 2009.

While there are some signs of increasing economic stability in some of our markets, the economy remains challenging, and as such prudent risk management must be maintained. Along with this conservative approach, we have further stressed our qualitative and quantitative allowance reserve factors to, among other things, primarily reflect the current state of the economy and prolonged high levels of unemployment. Collectively, these actions have resulted in an increase in our reserve levels. We apply this process and methodology in a consistent manner and reassess and modify the estimation methods and assumptions on a regular basis.

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 are analyzed on a continuous basis by the Bank’s senior management, outside independent loan review auditors, directors’ loan committee, and board of directors.  The level of the allowance is determined by assigning specific reserves to individually identified problem credits or impaired loans and general reserves on all other loans. The portion of the allowance that is allocated to impaired loans is determined by estimating the inherent loss on each credit after giving consideration to the value of the underlying collateral. 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 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. These estimates are reviewed at least quarterly, and as adjustments become necessary, they are realized in the periods in which they become known. Although management 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. These agencies may require the Company to take additional provisions based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.
 
Bank-owned Life Insurance
 
In November of 2004, the Company invested in $3.5 million of bank-owned life insurance as a source of funding for additional life insurance benefits for officers and employee benefit expenses related to the Company’s non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) for certain executive officers implemented in 2004 that provides for payments upon retirement, death or disability. On December 26, 2009, and on February 26, 2010, the Company purchased an additional $3.5 million and $24,000, respectively, of bank-owned life insurance in order to provide additional life insurance benefits for additional officers upon death or disability and to provide a source of funding future enhancements of the benefits under the SERP. Expenses related to the SERP were approximately $96,000 and $48,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Bank recorded a $280,000 benefit due to forfeitures of certain plan benefits to officers whom are no longer employed with the Bank. Bank-owned life insurance involves our purchase of life insurance on a chosen group of officers. The Company is the owner and beneficiary of the policies. Increases in the cash surrender values of this investment are recorded in other income in the statements of operations. Income on bank-owned life insurance amounted to $262,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $108,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
 
Premises and Equipment
 
Premises and equipment totaled approximately $3.3 million and $3.8 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. The Company purchased premises and equipment amounting to $207,000 primarily to replace fully depreciated and un-repairable equipment, while depreciation expenses totaled $704,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
 
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
 
Intangible assets totaled $18.8 million and $19.0 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. The Company’s intangible assets at September 30, 2010 were comprised of $18.1 million of goodwill and $689,000 of core deposit intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $1.4 million. The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment analysis as of September 30, 2010 and determined that no impairment charge was required. At December 31, 2009, the Company’s intangible assets were comprised of $18.1 million of goodwill and $871,000 of core deposit intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $1.2 million.

Deposits
 
Deposits are the primary source of funds used by the Company in lending and for general corporate purposes. In addition to deposits, the Company 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.
 
 
38

 
 
At September 30, 2010, total deposits amounted to $529.9 million, reflecting a decrease of $5.5 million, or 1.0%, from December 31, 2009. Core checking deposits accounted for a growth of 9.0%, while savings accounts, inclusive of money market deposits, decreased 0.4%, as well as certificate of deposits, which decreased 11.2%. We believe that the slight decrease in our deposits was primarily due to our pricing strategies, as we balanced our desire to retain and grow deposits with asset funding needs and interest expense costs. The Company has continued to focus on building non-interest-bearing deposits, as this lowers the institution’s costs of funds. Additionally, our savings accounts and other interest-bearing deposit products, excluding high-cost certificates of deposit, provide an efficient and cost-effective source to fund our loan originations.
 
One of the primary strategies is the accumulation and retention of core deposits. Core deposits consist of all deposits, except certificates of deposit in excess of $100,000. Core deposits at September 30, 2010 accounted for 89.1% of total deposits, compared to 86.4% at December 31, 2009. The balance in our certificates of deposit over $100,000 at September 30, 2010 totaled $57.9 million as compared to $72.9 million at December 31, 2009. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company continued to grow savings and checking account products, as well as other interest-bearing deposit products without promoting certificates of deposit. The Company found this strategy was able to provide a more cost-effective source of funding.
 
Borrowings
 
The 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 $10.0 million. These borrowings are priced on a daily basis. There were no outstanding borrowings under this line at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.  The Bank also maintains secured borrowing lines with the FHLB in an amount of up to approximately $52.1 million. At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, we had no short-term borrowings outstanding under this line.
 
Long term debt includes FHLB advances consisting 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 the Bank’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 Bank has the option to repay this advance, if converted, without penalty. Additionally, during the three month period ended September 30, 2010, the Bank received $6.0 million in FHLB fixed rate term advances ranging from 4 to 7 years maturity terms with interest rates ranging from 1.67% to 2.71%. These advances are collateralized by a portion of the Bank’s real estate-collateralized loans.
 
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 decreased to $14.5 million at September 30, 2010 from $17.1 million at December 31, 2009, a decrease of $2.6 million, or 15.2%.
 
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 the Bank are primarily met by cash on hand, Federal funds sold position, maturing investment securities and short-term borrowings on a temporary basis. The Bank invests the funds not needed to meet its cash requirements in overnight Federal funds sold and an interest bearing account with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. 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 September 30, 2010, the Company had $39.1 million in cash and cash equivalents as compared to $42.7 million at December 31, 2009. Cash and cash equivalent balances consisted of $7.0 million in Federal funds sold and $25.3 million at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York at September 30, 2010, as compared to $35.9 million and $70,000 at December 31, 2009. It was determined by management during the nine month period ended September 30, 2010, to transfer most of the Bank’s investable funds out of the Federal funds sold position and into the interest bearing deposit account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York due primarily to a higher rate of return, which averaged approximately 10 basis points higher. Additionally, balances at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York provided the highest level of safety for our investable funds.
 
 
39

 
 
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 September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
 
   
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Home equity lines of credit
 
$
30,016
   
$
29,443
 
Commitments to fund commercial real estate and 
construction loans
   
40,062
     
36,300
 
Commitments to fund commercial and industrial loans
   
45,573
     
46,928
 
Commercial and financial letters of credit
   
6,051
     
5,824
 
   
$
121,702
   
$
118,495
 
 
Capital
 
Shareholders’ equity increased by approximately $2.5 million, or 3.3%, to $79.4 million at September 30, 2010 compared to $76.8 million at December 31, 2009. Net income for the nine month period ended September 30, 2010 added $2.6 million to shareholders’ equity. Additionally, stock option compensation expense of $45,000 as well as $178,000 in options exercised and $99,000 in the net unrealized gains on securities available for sale, net of tax, all contributed to the increase. Shareholders’ equity was reduced by $340,000 relating to the cash dividends accrued on the preferred stock.
 
The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory and capital requirements administered by the Federal banking agencies. Our federal banking regulators, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (which regulates bank holding companies) and the FDIC (which regulates the Bank), 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 the 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 the Bank is also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
 
The Company’s and the Bank’s Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Ratio and Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Ratio increased during the nine month period ended September 30, 2010 as compared to year end December 31, 2009, primarily due to the transfer of cash balances to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and, to a lesser degree, the decrease in the Bank’s loan portfolio. The transfer of cash balances was a decision based on maximizing the Bank’s earnings on excess liquidity, increased safety of the Bank’s funds and the resultant positive effect on capital ratios. Deposits held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York are measured at a 0% percent risk weight as compared to a 20% risk weight if held at other institutions.
 
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the 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 September 30, 2010, the Company and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.
 
 
 
 
40

 
 
The capital ratios of the Company and the Bank, at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, 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
   
September 30,
2010
 
Dec. 31,
2009
 
September 30,
2010
 
Dec. 31,
2009
 
September 30,
2010
 
Dec. 31,
2009
                                                 
Community Partners
   
9.61
%
   
9.28
%
   
10.96
%
   
10.60
%
   
12.21
%
   
11.74
%
Two River
   
9.59
%
   
9.18
%
   
10.94
%
   
10.55
%
   
12.19
%
   
11.68
%
                                                 
“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 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 September 30, 2010 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
 
 
41

 
 
PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 6.         Exhibits.
 
 
  3.1
 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i)(A) to the Company’s Annual Report on a Form 10-K (File No. 000-51889) for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed with the SEC on March 31, 2009)
       
 
  3.2
 
By-laws of the Company, as amended (conformed copy) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(ii)(A) to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-51889) filed with the SEC on December 19, 2007)
       
 
10.1
*
Restricted Stock Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2010, by and between Community Partners Bancorp, Two River Community Bank and William D. Moss and supplemented effective October 20, 2010
       
 
10.2
*
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement
       
 
31.1
*
Certification of principal executive officer of the Company pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)
       
 
31.2
*
Certification of 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 the principal executive officer of the Company and the principal financial officer of the Company
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
 
_____________________
*           Filed herewith.
 
 
42

 
 
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:  November 15, 2010
By:
/s/ WILLIAM D. MOSS
 
   
William D. Moss
 
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
   
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
       
       
Date:  November 15, 2010
By:
/s/ A. RICHARD ABRAHAMIAN
 
   
A. Richard Abrahamian
 
   
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
   
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
43