Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

[ X ] Quarterly Report Under Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2007

[    ] Transition Report Under Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period ended                                         

Commission File Number 000-51513

CAPE FEAR BANK CORPORATION


(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

NORTH CAROLINA

      

20-3035898

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

     

(IRS Employer

Identification Number)

 

1117 MILITARY CUTOFF ROAD, WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA 28405


(Address of principal executive office)

(910) 509-2000


(Registrant’s telephone number)

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 [    ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer                        Accelerated filer                                    Non-accelerated filer  X  

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

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of November 9, 2007 was 3,766,295


Table of Contents

Page No.

 

Part I.

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1 -

 

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

  
 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

  
 

September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006

   3
 

Consolidated Statements of Operations

  
 

Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006

   4
 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

  
 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006

   5
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   6

Item 2 -

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and

Results of Operations

   10

Item 3 -

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

   18

Item 4T -

 

Controls and Procedures

   18

Part II.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1 -

 

Legal Proceedings

   19

Item 1A-

 

Risk Factors

   19

Item 2 -

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

   19

Item 3 -

 

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

   19

Item 4 -

 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Securities Holders

   19

Item 5 -

 

Other Information

   19

Item 6 -

 

Exhibits

   19

 

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Table of Contents

Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1 - Financial Statements

CAPE FEAR BANK CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


    September 30, 2007       December 31, 2006 *
    (Unaudited)        
    (In thousands, except share data)  

ASSETS

   

Cash and due from banks

  $ 5,222     $ 7,209  

Interest earning deposits in other banks

    1,908       1,639  

Investment securities available for sale, at fair value

    71,836       69,565  

Time deposits in other banks

    298       298  

Loans

    357,962       334,409  

Allowance for loan losses

    (4,795 )     (4,536 )
               
NET LOANS     353,167       329,873  

Accrued interest receivable

    2,392       2,195  

Premises and equipment, net

    3,649       2,954  

Stock in Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, at cost

    2,159       2,081  

Foreclosed real estate and repossessions

    2       616  

Bank owned life insurance

    9,774       5,491  

Other assets

    3,071       2,964  
               
TOTAL ASSETS   $ 453,478     $ 424,885  
               

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

   

Deposits

   

Demand

  $ 29,483     $ 33,066  

Savings

    6,187       11,154  

Money market and NOW

    67,782       41,317  

Time

    278,245       268,080  
               
TOTAL DEPOSITS     381,697       353,617  

Short-term borrowings

    -       3,000  

Long-term borrowings

    40,310       38,310  

Accrued interest payable

    829       745  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    2,443       2,161  
               
TOTAL LIABILITIES     425,279       397,833  
               

Shareholders’ Equity

   

Common stock, $3.50 par value, 12,500,000 shares authorized;

   

3,766,295 and 3,586,780 shares issued and outstanding

at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively

    13,182       12,554  

Additional paid-in capital

    14,018       12,739  

Accumulated retained earnings

    1,555       2,092  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    (556 )     (333 )
               
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY     28,199       27,052  
               

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

  $ 453,478     $ 424,885  
               

*Derived from audited financial statements

See accompanying notes.

 

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Table of Contents

CAPE FEAR BANK CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)


 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
             2007                     2006                    2007                     2006          
     (In thousands, except share and per share data)  

INTEREST INCOME

         

Loans

   $ 7,280     $ 6,647    $ 21,299     $ 18,032  

Investment securities available for sale

     882       733      2,579       2,017  

Other interest-earning assets

     55       97      255       350  
                               
TOTAL INTEREST INCOME      8,217       7,477      24,133       20,399  
                               

INTEREST EXPENSE

         

Money market, NOW and savings deposits

     709       466      1,903       1,144  

Time deposits

     3,596       3,177      10,735       8,285  

Short-term borrowings

     15       46      59       103  

Long-term borrowings

     549       437      1,601       1,261  
                               
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE      4,869       4,126      14,298       10,793  
                               
NET INTEREST INCOME      3,348       3,351      9,835       9,606  

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

     50       436      125       1,120  
                               
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER          
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES      3,298       2,915      9,710       8,486  
                               

NON-INTEREST INCOME

         

Service fees and charges

     191       161      525       468  

Loss on sale of investments

     (7 )     -      (11 )     (18 )

Income from bank owned life insurance

     101       49      282       144  

Other

     43       57      184       252  
                               
NON-INTEREST INCOME      328       267      980       846  
                               

NON INTEREST EXPENSE

         

Salaries and employee benefits

     1,683       1,228      4,893       3,511  

Occupancy and equipment

     542       417      1,415       1,118  

Other

     968       748      2,729       2,118  
                               
TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSE      3,193       2,393      9,037       6,747  
                               
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES      433       789      1,653       2,585  

INCOME TAXES

     74       231      361       901  
                               
NET INCOME    $ 359     $ 558    $ 1,292     $ 1,684  
                               

NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE*

         

Basic

   $ 0.10     $ 0.15    $ 0.34     $ 0.45  
                               

Diluted

   $ 0.09     $ 0.14    $ 0.34     $ 0.43  
                               

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING*

         

Basic

     3,766,224       3,766,080      3,766,010       3,765,923  

Effect of dilutive stock options

     67,233       146,102      77,832       125,595  
                               

Diluted

     3,833,457       3,912,182      3,843,842       3,891,518  
                               

*All per share and outstanding share data has been restated for the 5% stock dividend distributed 6/29/07

See accompanying notes.

 

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CAPE FEAR BANK CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)


     Nine Months Ended  
     September 30  
             2007                     2006          
     (In thousands)  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net income

   $ 1,292     $ 1,684  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     427       338  

Provision for loan losses

     125       1,120  

Loss on disposal of equipment

     3       5  

Loss on sale of investments

     11       18  

Income from bank owned life insurance

     (282 )     (144 )

Stock based compensation

     79       89  

Change in assets and liabilities:

    

Decrease (increase) in other assets

     32       (382 )

Increase in accrued interest receivable

     (197 )     (513 )

Increase in accrued interest payable

     84       377  

Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities

     168       (148 )
                

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

     1,742       2,444  
                

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    

Purchase of investment securities available for sale

     (16,897 )     (19,716 )

Proceeds from calls and maturities of securities available for sale

     4,323       4,019  

Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale

     9,930       1,144  

Net increase in loans

     (22,680 )     (51,718 )

Net expenditures on foreclosed real estate

     (10 )     -  

Purchase of bank owned life insurance

     (4,000 )     -  

Purchases of bank premises and equipment

     (1,127 )     (1,240 )

Purchase of time deposits in other banks

     -       (99 )

Net purchases of FHLB stock

     (78 )     (327 )
                

NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES

     (30,539 )     (67,937 )
                

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Net increase in deposits

     28,080       76,712  

Net (decrease) increase in borrowings

     (1,000 )     1,000  

Cash paid for fractional shares

     (3 )     (4 )

Net proceeds from exercise of stock options

     2       1  
                

NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES

     27,079       77,709  
                
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN     
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS      (1,718 )     12,216  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     8,848       7,273  
                

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

   $ 7,130     $ 19,489  
                

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

    

Interest paid

   $ 14,214     $ 10,416  

Cash paid for income taxes

     474       2,068  

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NONCASH INVESTING AND
FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Loans to facilitate the sale of foreclosed real estate

   $ 740     $ -  

Unrealized holding (losses) gains on available-for-sale securities, net of taxes

     (223 )     113  

 

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CAPE FEAR BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NOTE A - BASIS OF PRESENTATION

In management’s opinion, the financial information included in these unaudited consolidated financial statements reflects all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial information as of and for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cape Fear Bank Corporation (the “Company”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Cape Fear Bank (the “Bank”). Because the financial statements are presented on a consolidated basis, the Company and the Bank are collectively referred to as the “Company” unless otherwise noted. All significant inter-company transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation. Operating results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007.

Other information about the Company and the Bank, including their organization, business and accounting policies, is contained in the notes to the consolidated financial statements filed as part of the Company’s 2006 annual report on Form 10-K. This quarterly report should be read in conjunction with such annual report.

NOTE B - COMMITMENTS

At September 30, 2007, loan commitments are as follows:

 

     (In thousands)

Undisbursed lines of credit

   $ 66,401

Commitments to extend credit

     16,327

Letters of credit

     973

NOTE C - NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE

Basic and diluted net income per share has been computed based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period after retroactively adjusting for the 5% stock dividend distributed on June 29, 2007. Diluted net income per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if outstanding stock options were exercised.

NOTE D - COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

A summary of comprehensive income is as follows:

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,

   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
             2007                     2006                     2007                     2006          
     (In thousands)       (In thousands)  

Net income

   $ 359     $ 558     $ 1,292     $ 1,684  

Other comprehensive income (loss):

        

Unrealized gain/(loss) on investment securities available for sale arising during the period

     630       1,279       (374 )     165  

Tax effect

     (243 )     (492 )     144       (63 )

Reclassification of losses recognized in net income

     7       -       11       18  

Tax effect

     (3 )     -       (4 )     (7 )
                                

   Total other comprehensive income (loss)

     391       787       (223 )     113  
                                

Total comprehensive income

   $ 750     $ 1,345     $ 1,069     $ 1,797  
                                

 

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CAPE FEAR BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NOTE E - STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

The Company has three share-based compensation plans in effect at September 30, 2007. The compensation cost that has been charged against income for those plans was approximately $20 thousand and $79 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007. There has been no deferred tax asset recorded due to the fact that stock based compensation expense results solely from incentive stock options.

A summary of option activity under the stock option plans as of September 30, 2007 and changes during the nine month period ended September 30, 2007 is presented below:

 

             Shares             Weighted
Average
  Exercise Price  
   Weighted
Average
    Remaining    
Contractual
Term
   Aggregate
  Intrinsic Value  

Outstanding at December 31, 2006

   435,021     $ 7.35      

Exercised

   (523 )     3.78      

Forfeited

   (5,995 )     9.62      

Granted

   -       -      
                  

Outstanding at September 30, 2007

   428,503     $ 7.32   

4.58 years

   $ 871,267
                        

Exerciseable at September 30, 2007

   381,417     $ 7.02   

4.18 years

   $ 871,267
                        

There were 275 options exercised during the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006. There were 0.6 (rounded to one) and 0.5 (rounded to one) options forfeited during the quarters ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The intrinsic value of options exercised was $1 thousand and $2 thousand for the quarters ended September 30, 2007 and 2006.

There were 523 and 275 options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. There were 5,995 and 0.5 (rounded to one) options forfeited during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, the intrinsic value of options exercised was approximately $3 thousand and $2 thousand.

On May 17, 2007, the Company adopted the 2007 Omnibus Equity Plan, which provides for the issuance of up to an aggregate of 243,042 shares of common stock of the Company pursuant to stock options, restricted stock, and other awards granted or issued under its terms. This plan includes 89,041 new shares available and 154,001 shares that were available for stock option grants under the previously existing 1999 Incentive Stock Option Plan and 1999 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan. No additional stock options will be granted under those prior plans. There have not been any awards granted to date under the new plan. The Company does not typically purchase shares to fulfill the obligations of the stock benefit plans. Under the 2007 Omnibus Equity Plan, the Plan Committee may establish different terms and conditions for each type of award granted to an Employee or Director. The 2007 Omnibus Equity Plan will be in effect for ten years after date of approval.

 

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CAPE FEAR BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NOTE F - INCOME TAXES

Effective January 1, 2007, Cape Fear Bank Corporation adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (the Interpretation).” This Interpretation provides guidance on financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, in tax returns. The initial adoption of this Interpretation had no impact on the Company’s financial statements.

The amount of unrecognized tax benefits may increase or decrease in the future for various reasons including amounts for current tax year positions, expiration of open income tax returns due to the statutes of limitation, changes in management’s judgment about the level of uncertainty, status of examinations, litigation and legislative activity and the addition or elimination of uncertain tax positions.

The Company’s policy is to report interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The Company’s federal and state income tax returns are open and subject to examination from the 2004 tax return year and forward.

NOTE G - RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

SFAS 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The objective of this standard is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. This statement is effective as of the beginning of fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, with early adoption permitted under certain circumstances. The Company has evaluated this statement, has elected not to early adopt SFAS 159, and does not anticipate that the adoption of this statement on January 1, 2008 will have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

From time to time the FASB issues exposure drafts for proposed statements of financial accounting standards. Such exposure drafts are subject to comment from the public, to revisions by the FASB and to final issuance by the FASB as statements of financial accounting standards. Management considers the effect of the proposed statements on the consolidated financial statements of the Company and monitors the status of changes to and proposed effective dates of exposure drafts.

Reclassification

Certain items included in prior years’ quarterly consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. The reclassifications had no effect on the net income or shareholders’ equity as previously reported.

In September 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108 (“SAB 108”), “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements.” SAB 108, which is effective for years ending on or after November 15, 2006, was issued in order to eliminate the diversity of practice surrounding how public companies quantify financial statement misstatements.

 

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CAPE FEAR BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


SAB 108 permits public companies to initially apply its provisions either by (i) restating prior financial statements as if the “dual approach” had always been applied or (ii) recording the cumulative effect of initially applying the “dual approach” as adjustments to the carrying values of assets and liabilities as of January 1, 2006 with an offsetting adjustment recorded to the opening balance of retained earnings.

As disclosed in our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company adopted SAB 108 during the quarter ended December 31, 2006 and elected to use the cumulative effect transition method in connection with the preparation of its financial statements.

Quarterly data for 2006 has been restated to reflect the effect of the adjustments resulting from the adoption of SAB 108. For additional information regarding the adoption and effect of SAB 108, see Note B of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included in the Annual Report Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Management’s discussion and analysis is intended to assist readers in the understanding and evaluation of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of Cape Fear Bank Corporation (the “Company”). The analysis includes detailed discussions for each of the factors affecting the Company’s operating results and financial condition for the periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s financial statements and the notes thereto located in this report and in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. Because the Company has no separate operations and conducts no business on its own other than owning Cape Fear Bank (the “Bank”), the discussion contained in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis concerns primarily the business of the Bank. However, for ease of reading and because the financial statements are presented on a consolidated basis, the Company and the Bank are collectively referred to herein as the Company unless otherwise noted. All significant inter-company transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation.

Overview

Established in 1998 as the Bank of Wilmington, Cape Fear Bank serves the communities of the Cape Fear region of North Carolina through seven full-service banking offices. The Bank was developed by, and is currently managed by, local residents of the communities it serves who are committed to providing their customers with a high quality banking experience. Headquartered in Wilmington, NC, the Bank’s franchise has expanded to include the three southeastern North Carolina counties that comprise the Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area: New Hanover, Pender, and Brunswick. With these expansion efforts continuing into 2008, the slowing local real estate market, and the current rate environment, the Bank’s performance will face challenges in the near term, but investments in the infrastructure should yield greater benefits over time. Cape Fear Bank Corporation, the holding company, formed as Bank of Wilmington Corporation in June 2005, has $453.5 million in assets as of September 30, 2007. The Company’s common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol CAPE.

Just prior to the end of the third quarter, the Company received a letter from a shareholder calling for a number of actions, including that the Board of Directors retain the services of an investment banker in order to explore strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value. Because the shareholder owns greater than 5% of the outstanding Cape Fear Bank Corporation common stock, his request was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Board of Directors is committed to maximizing shareholder value over the long term, and continues to review the Company’s long term plan to make sure that it is in the best interests of all shareholders. The Board continues to work with its financial and other advisers to evaluate its long term plan for success.

Financial Condition at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006

During the first nine months of 2007, our total consolidated assets increased from $424.9 million to $453.5 million, an increase of $28.6 million or 6.7% from December 31, 2006. This increase in assets was funded by a $28.1 million increase in total deposits. However, demand deposits declined $3.6 million primarily due to a concentration in attorney trust accounts whose balances have eroded with the slowed real estate closings. In addition, demand deposits and savings deposits decreased and moved into money market accounts which increased $24.3 million due to a money market special being advertised through year end. Liquidity provided by this deposit growth, combined with our net income for the nine-month period of $1.3 million, offset by a decline of $2.0 million in cash and due from banks, provided for growth of $269 thousand in interest-earning deposits in other banks, $2.3 million in investment securities available for sale, and $23.6 million in total loans receivable during the period. Net premises and equipment increased by $695 thousand in the current period related to our branch expansion initiatives.

 

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Also, we purchased an additional $4.0 million of bank owned life insurance in the current period. In addition, short-term borrowings decreased by $3.0 million and long-term borrowings increased by $2.0 million during the first nine months of 2007. Our total shareholders’ equity increased by $1.1 million during the nine months, principally due to retention of net income of $1.3 million earned during the period, offset by a decrease of $223 thousand in market value, net of taxes, of investment securities available for sale. Our regulatory capital was successfully maintained at “well capitalized” levels throughout the period. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below for more information about our minimum capital requirements under regulatory guidelines.

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006

Overview. The Company achieved net income of $359 thousand or $0.09 per diluted share for the three months ended September 30, 2007 as compared with net income of $558 thousand or $0.14 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2006. Comparing the two periods, net income decreased by $199 thousand principally due to increases in non-interest expenses related to branch expansion initiatives. Earnings per share for the 2006 period have been restated to reflect the 5% stock dividend distributed June 29, 2007.

Net Interest Income. Interest income increased by $740 thousand when comparing the third quarters of 2007 and 2006, while interest expense increased by $743 thousand, resulting in the decrease in net interest income of $3 thousand. This decrease in the level of our net interest income resulted principally from the 7.3% increase in the level of our average interest earning assets offset by a 22 basis point decline, period to period, in our net interest margin to 3.11%. The increase in the level of our interest earning assets resulted primarily from our loan and investment securities growth offset by a decline in interest earning deposits in other banks from the year ago period. The level of our average interest bearing liabilities experienced similar growth, increasing 10.8%.

Provision for Loan Losses. A $50 thousand provision for loan losses was recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared with a provision of $436 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2006. The decrease in the level of loan loss provision in the current period resulted primarily from the payoff of a $1.1 million commercial real estate loan which had previously accounted for nearly all of the Company’s non-performing assets. Also, nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets declined from 0.22% at September 30, 2006 to 0.04% at September 30, 2007.

Non-Interest Income. Non-interest income increased to $328 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2007 as compared with $267 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2006. This increase in non-interest income resulted primarily from growth in income on bank owned life insurance and increases in service fees and charges, offset by a decline in correspondent loan fees.

Non-Interest Expenses. Non-interest expenses increased to $3.2 million for the third quarter of 2007 from $2.4 million for the third quarter of 2006, an increase of $800 thousand. A large component of this increase was a $455 thousand increase in salaries and employee benefits due to growth related personnel additions, normal compensation adjustments, and higher costs for group insurance coverage. Of this increase, 13 employees are associated with staffing our Oleander and Sunset Beach branches which opened in 2007, in addition to personnel hired for our Southport branch which is scheduled to open in temporary space in the fourth quarter of 2007. The Southport branch will move to its permanent location in second quarter 2008. Occupancy and equipment costs increased by $125 thousand related to the branch expansion previously mentioned. Other non-interest expense increased by $220 thousand from period to period, including increases of $75 thousand in consulting fees associated with compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, $75 thousand increase in FDIC insurance premiums and $30 thousand in data processing and check processing costs along with other expenses associated with growth related changes.

 

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Income Taxes. The Company recorded an income tax expense of $74 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to $231 thousand for the same period in 2006. The effective tax rate for the 2007 period was 17.1% versus 29.3% for the 2006 period. The lower effective tax rate for the 2007 period is primarily the result of an overall greater proportion of pre-tax income being comprised of non-taxable income earned on bank owned life insurance and municipal securities.

Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006

Overview. The Company achieved net income of $1.3 million or $0.34 per diluted share for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared with net income of $1.7 million or $0.43 per diluted share for the same period in 2006. Comparing the two periods, net income decreased by $392 thousand, or 23.3%, principally due to increases in non-interest expenses related to branch expansion initiatives. Earnings per share for the 2006 period have been restated to reflect the 5% stock dividend distributed to shareholders on June 29, 2007.

Net Interest Income. Interest income increased by $3.7 million when comparing the first nine months of 2007 and 2006, while interest expense increased by $3.5 million, resulting in the increase in net interest income of $229 thousand. This increase in the level of our net interest income resulted principally from the 12.7% increase in the level of our average interest earning assets offset by a 31 basis point decline, period to period, in our net interest margin to 3.10%. The increase in the level of our interest earning assets resulted primarily from our loan and investment securities growth offset by a decline in interest earning deposits in other banks from the same period last year. The level of our average interest bearing liabilities experienced similar growth in the nine-month period of 2007, increasing 16.2% from the same period last year.

Provision for Loan Losses. The provision for loan losses was $125 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared with a provision of $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The decrease in the level of loan loss provision in the current period resulted primarily from the payoff of a $1.1 million commercial real estate loan which had previously accounted for nearly all of the Company’s non-performing assets. Also, nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets declined from 0.22% at September 30, 2006 to 0.04% at September 30, 2007.

Non-Interest Income. Non-interest income increased to $980 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared with $846 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. This increase in non-interest income resulted primarily from growth in income on bank owned life insurance and service fees and charges in the current period, offset by a decline in correspondent loan fees.

Non-Interest Expenses. Non-interest expenses increased from $6.7 million for the first nine months of 2006 to $9.0 million for the first nine months of 2007, an increase of $2.3 million. A large component of this increase was a $1.4 million increase in salaries and employee benefits primarily attributed to the addition of 15 full-time equivalent employees during the past year, normal compensation adjustments, performance bonuses, and higher costs for group insurance coverage. Thirteen of the employees hired in the past nine months are associated with staffing our Oleander and Sunset Beach branches which opened in 2007, in addition to personnel hired for our Southport branch which is scheduled to open in temporary space in fourth quarter 2007. The Southport branch will move to its permanent location in second quarter 2008. Occupancy and equipment costs increased by $297 thousand related to the branch expansion previously mentioned. Other non-interest expense increased by $611 thousand from period to period, including increases of $315 thousand in audit and consulting fees largely associated with compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, $80 thousand in FDIC insurance premiums, and $72 thousand in data processing and check processing costs along with other expenses associated with growth related changes.

 

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Income Taxes. The Company recorded an income tax expense of $361 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to $901 thousand for the same period in 2006. The effective tax rate for the 2007 period was 21.8% versus 34.9% for the 2006 period. The lower effective tax rate for the 2007 period is primarily the result of an overall greater proportion of pre-tax income being comprised of non-taxable income earned on bank owned life insurance and municipal securities.

Asset Quality

Maintaining a high level of asset quality is a primary goal in our lending function, and we employ a formal internal loan review process to ensure adherence to the lending policies approved by our Board of Directors. A systematic evaluation process fundamentally drives the function of determining the allowance for loan losses. This ongoing process serves as the basis for determining, on a monthly basis, the allowance for loan losses and any resulting provision to be charged against earnings. Consideration is given to historical loan loss experience, the value and adequacy of collateral, economic conditions in our market area and other factors. For loans determined to be impaired, the allowance is based on discounted cash flows using the loan’s initial effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral for certain collateral dependent loans. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates, including the amounts and timing of future cash flows expected to be received on impaired loans that may be susceptible to significant change. The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of the appropriate level of reserve to provide for probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio.

Our policy regarding past due loans requires a prompt charge-off to the allowance for loan losses following timely collection efforts and a thorough review. Further efforts are then pursued through various means available to recover charged off amounts. Loans carried in a non-accrual status are generally collateralized and probable losses are considered in the determination of the allowance for loan losses.

Nonperforming Assets. The following table sets forth information with respect to our nonaccrual loans, restructured loans, total nonperforming loans (nonaccrual loans plus restructured loans), and total nonperforming assets.

 

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     At September 30,    At December 31,
     2007            2006                    2005        
     (Dollars in thousands)

Nonaccrual loans

   $ 177    $ 350    $ 1,174

Restructured loans

     -      -      -
                    

Total nonperforming loans

     177      350      1,174

Real estate owned and repossessions

     2      616      -
                    

Total nonperforming assets

   $ 179    $ 966    $ 1,174
                    

Accruing loans past due 90 days or more

   $ -    $ -    $ -

Allowance for loan losses

     4,795      4,536      3,510

Nonperforming loans to period end loans

     0.05%      0.10%      0.42%

Allowance for loan losses to period end loans

     1.34%      1.36%      1.26%

Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans

     2709.04%      1296.00%      298.98%

Nonperforming assets to total assets

     0.04%      0.23%      0.34%

Our nonperforming loans decreased by $173 thousand, or by approximately 49.4%, from December 31, 2006 to September 30, 2007. The amount of nonperforming loans as a percentage of our total loans decreased from 0.10% to 0.05% during the same period. However, the $1.1 million decrease from $1.3 million in the prior quarter was due to the payoff of one large classified commercial real estate loan of $1.1 million in the third quarter of 2007. The majority of the nonperforming assets consist of one residential real estate property totaling $154 thousand, or 86.0% of the total nonperforming assets. Based on our assessment of the property value, no additional loss of principal is anticipated.

Our financial statements are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting, including the recognition of interest income on our loan portfolio, unless a loan is placed on a nonaccrual basis. Loans are placed on a nonaccrual basis when they become 90 days past due or whenever we believe that collection has become doubtful. Amounts received on non-accrual loans generally are applied first to principal and then to interest only after all principal has been collected. Restructured loans are those for which concessions, including the reduction of interest rates below a rate otherwise available to that borrower or the deferral of interest or principal, have been granted due to the borrower’s weakened financial condition. Interest on restructured loans is accrued at the restructured rates when it is anticipated that no loss of original principal will occur. Loans are charged off when the collection of principal and interest has become doubtful and the loans no longer can be considered sound collectible assets (or, in the case of unsecured loans, when they become 90 days past due).

Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level considered adequate by management to provide for probable loan losses based on management’s assessment of various factors affecting the loan portfolio, including a review of problem loans, business conditions and loss experience and an overall evaluation of the quality of the underlying collateral. The allowance is increased by provisions charged to operations and reduced by loans charged off, net of recoveries.

While management believes that it uses the best information available to determine the allowance for loan losses, unforeseen market conditions could result in adjustments to the allowance for loan losses, and net income could be significantly affected, if circumstances differ substantially from the assumptions used in making the final determination. In addition, various regulatory agencies may require us to make adjustments to the allowance for loan losses based on their judgments about information

 

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available to them at the time of their examination. The following table shows the allocation of our allowance for loan losses at the dates indicated. The allocation is based on an evaluation of inherent loan risk, historical ratios of loan losses and other factors that may affect future loan losses in the categories of loans shown.

 

     At September 30,    At December 31,
     2007    2006    2005
         Amount       

    % of total    

loans (1)

       Amount        % of total
    loans (1)    
       Amount        % of total
    loans (1)    
     (Dollars in thousands)

Balance applicable to:

                 

Commercial and industrial

   $ 221    4.5%    $ 286    4.4%    $ 410    5.2%

Real estate - mortgage

     4,286    84.1%      4,116    85.7%      2,611    84.8%

Consumer loans

     71    1.3%      38    0.7%      38    1.3%

Home equity lines of credit

     45    10.1%      27    9.2%      298    8.7%
                                   

Total allocated

     4,623    100.0%      4,467    100.0%      3,357    100.0%
                       

Unallocated

     172         69         153   
                             

Total

   $ 4,795       $ 4,536       $ 3,510   
                             

 


(1) Represents total of all outstanding loans in each category as a percent of total loans outstanding.

 

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The following table sets forth for the periods indicated information regarding changes in our allowance for loan losses.

 

   

At or for the

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

   

At or for the

Years Ended

December 31,

 
            2007                     2006                     2006                     2005          
    (Dollars in thousands)  

Balance at beginning of period

  $ 4,536     $ 3,510     $ 3,510     $ 2,106  

Charge-offs:

       

Real estate - mortgage

    -       -       -       -  

Home equity lines of credit

    -       (92 )     (92 )     (43 )

Commercial and industrial

    (6 )     (290 )     (292 )     (131 )

Consumer loans

    (5 )     (23 )     (23 )     (10 )
                               

Total charge-offs

    (11 )     (405 )     (407 )     (184 )
                               

Recoveries:

       

Real estate - mortgage

    3       3       4       4  

Home equity lines of credit

    -       -       -       74  

Commercial and industrial

    142       72       84       10  

Consumer loans

    -       5       5       1  
                               

Total recoveries

    145       80       93       89  
                               

Net (charge-offs) recoveries

    134       (325 )     (314 )     (95 )

Provision for loan losses

    125       1,120       1,340       1,499  
                               

Balance at end of period

  $ 4,795     $ 4,305     $ 4,536     $ 3,510  
                               

Ratio of net loan charge-offs (recoveries) to
average loans outstanding

    (0.05%)       0.14%       0.10%       0.04%  

Ratio of allowance for loan losses to loans
outstanding at period-end

    1.34%       1.31%       1.36%       1.26%  

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our sources of funds are customer deposits, cash and demand balances due from other banks, interest-earning deposits in other banks, investment securities available for sale, brokered time deposits and borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank and other correspondent banks. These funds, together with loan repayments, are used to make loans and to fund continuing operations. In addition, at September 30, 2007, we had credit availability with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLB”) of approximately $68.0 million and credit lines with various financial institutions in the amount of $11.5 million. We had $30.0 million in borrowings outstanding under FHLB advances at September 30, 2007. In addition, the Company had $10.3 million in subordinated long-term debt payable to its unconsolidated subsidiary, BKWW Statutory Trust I (the “Trust”) in connection with the Trust’s issuance of trust preferred securities in October 2005. Total deposits were $381.7 million and $353.6 million at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. Because loan demand has exceeded the rate of growth in core deposits, we have relied heavily on time deposits as a source of funds. Certificates of deposit are the only deposit accounts that have stated maturity dates, and those deposits are generally

 

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considered to be rate sensitive. At September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, time deposits represented 72.9% and 75.8%, respectively, of total deposits. Certificates of deposit of $100 thousand or more represented 41.9% and 37.1% of total deposits at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. The Company advertises its certificate of deposit rates on the Internet, and we also obtain time deposits through deposit brokers. On September 30, 2007, those out-of-market deposits amounted to $133.1 million, or approximately 34.9% of total deposits and approximately 47.9% of total certificates of deposit. With the exception of these out-of-market deposits, management believes most of our other time deposits are relationship-oriented, but it will be necessary to pay competitive rates to retain those deposits at their maturities. Brokered deposits represent a source of fixed rate funds priced competitively with Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings but do not require collateralization like Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings. Based upon prior experience, management anticipates that a substantial portion of our outstanding certificates of deposit, including out-of-market deposits, will renew upon maturity.

Management anticipates that we will rely primarily upon deposits, loan repayments and current earnings to provide liquidity, and will use funds thus generated to make loans and to purchase securities, primarily securities issued by the federal government and its agencies, mortgage-backed securities, and municipal bonds. As of September 30, 2007, liquid assets (cash and due from banks, interest-earning bank deposits, time deposits in other banks and investment securities available for sale) were approximately $79.3 million, which represented 17.5% of total assets and 20.8% of total deposits. At September 30, 2007, outstanding commitments to extend credit were $16.3 million, letters of credit were $973 thousand and available line of credit balances totaled $66.4 million. Management believes that the combined aggregate liquidity position of the Company is sufficient to meet the funding requirements of loan demand and deposit maturities and withdrawals in the near term.

We are subject to minimum capital requirements. The following table indicates the Company’s capital ratios at September 30, 2007. All capital ratios place the Company and the Bank in excess of the minimum necessary to be deemed “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines.

 

     At September 30, 2007
     Actual
        Ratio        
   Minimum
    Requirement    
       Well Capitalized    
Requirement

Total risk-based capital ratio

   11.43%    8.0%    10.0%

Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio

   10.07%    4.0%    6.0%

Leverage ratio

   8.64%    4.0%    5.0%

Forward-Looking Information

This Report and its exhibits contain statements relating to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, strategies, branch expansion plans, trends, projections of results of specific activities or investments, expectations or beliefs about future events or results, and other statements that are not descriptions of historical facts. Those statements may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements may be identified by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “forecasts,” “potential” or “continue,” or similar terms or the negative of these terms, or other statements concerning opinions or judgments of our management about future events. Forward-looking information is inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, which include, but are not limited to, factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Copies of those reports are available directly through the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. Other factors that could influence the accuracy of those forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (a) the financial success or changing

 

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strategies of our customers; (b) customer acceptance of our services, products and fee structure; (c) changes in competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions or in our ability to compete effectively against larger financial institutions in our banking market; (d) actions of government regulators, or changes in laws, regulations or accounting standards, that adversely affect our business; (e) our ability to manage our growth and to underwrite increasing volumes of loans; (f) the impact on our profits of increased staffing and expenses resulting from expansion; (g) changes in the interest rate environment and the level of market interest rates that reduce our net interest margin and/or the volumes and values of loans we make and securities we hold; (h) weather and similar conditions, particularly the effect of hurricanes on our banking and operations facilities and on our customers and the coastal communities in which we do business; (i) changes in general economic or business conditions and the real estate market in our banking market (particularly changes that affect our loan portfolio, the abilities of our borrowers to repay their loans, and the values of loan collateral); and (j) other developments or changes in our business that we do not expect. Although our management believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements in this paragraph. We have no obligation, and do not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Market risk reflects the risk of economic loss resulting from adverse changes in market price and interest rates. This risk of loss can be reflected in diminished current market values and/or reduced potential net interest income in future periods. The Company’s market risk arises primarily from interest rate risk inherent in its lending and deposit-taking activities. Interest rate risk is the result of differing maturities or repricing intervals of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the fact that rates on these financial instruments do not change uniformly. These changes can have a direct impact on the Company’s overall earnings. The current structure of the Company’s loan and deposit portfolios is such that a significant decline in interest rates may have an adverse impact on net market values and net interest income. The Company does not maintain a trading account, nor is the Company subject to currency exchange risk or commodity price risk.

Management of the Company actively monitors interest rate risk through the development of and adherence to the Company’s asset/liability management policy. The Company also has established a Board Asset Liability Management Committee (“BALCO”) which monitors interest rate risk exposure, liquidity and funding strategies to ensure that their potential impact is within approved guidelines.

Item 4T. Controls and Procedures

An evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report has been performed by the Company’s management, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, in accordance with Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act (the “Exchange Act”). Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that material information required under the securities laws to be disclosed is identified and communicated to senior management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, on a timely basis.

In connection with the above evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was identified that occurred during the period covered by this report and that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Part II.     OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

    

None.

Item 1A.

  

Risk Factors

Along with the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. In addition to the risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and investment risks that apply in the case of any financial institution, our business, financial condition and operating results could be harmed by other risks, including risks we have not yet identified or that we may believe are immaterial or unlikely.

 

Item 2.

  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

  

None.

Item 3.

  

Defaults Upon Senior Debt

  

None.

Item 4.

  

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

  

None.

Item 5.

  

Other Information

  

None.

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

  

The following exhibits are being furnished or incorporated by reference with this report.

Exhibit No.

  

Description

10.1

  

Copy of Annual Cash Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from exhibits to Current

Report on Form 8-K dated July 19, 2007)

31.1

  

Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-

Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith)

31.2

  

Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-

Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith)

32.1

  

Certification by the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-

Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith)

32.2

  

Certification by the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-

Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith)

 

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SIGNATURES

Under 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.

 

 

 

CAPE FEAR BANK CORPORATION

Date: November 14, 2007

 

By:

 

  /s/ Cameron Coburn

   

Cameron Coburn

   

President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: November 14, 2007

 

By:

 

  /s/ Betty V. Norris

   

Betty V. Norris

   

Chief Financial Officer

 

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