Form 10-K
Index to Financial Statements

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 10-K

 


(Mark One)

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005

 

¨ 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 000-16461

 


Community Bancshares, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 


 

Delaware   63-0868361

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

68149 Main Street

Blountsville, Alabama

  35031
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (205) 429-1000

 


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

 

Title of Each Class

 

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

None   None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, $.10 Par Value Per Share

(Title of Class)

 


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

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and “large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of in 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 Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The aggregate market value of Community Bancshares, Inc.’s common stock, par value $.10 per share, held by non-affiliates on June 30, 2005 was $66.1 million.

As of March 30, 2006, there were 8,792,641 shares of the common stock, par value $.10 per share, of Community Bancshares, Inc., issued and outstanding.

 



Index to Financial Statements

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS REPORT

In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which we refer to as this “report,” the words “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to the combined entities of Community Bancshares, Inc., Community Bank, 1st Community Credit Corporation, Community Insurance Corp., Southern Select Insurance, Inc., Community Appraisals, Inc. and Community Funding Corporation.

The words “Community Bancshares,” “Community Bank,” “Community Credit,” “Community Insurance,” “Southern Select,” “Community Appraisals,” and “Community Funding” refer, respectively, to each of the above entities in their individual capacities.

SPECIAL CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements made or incorporated by reference in this report are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of, and subject to the protections of, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, or the “Securities Act,” and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the “Exchange Act.”

Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions, and future performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which may be beyond our control, and which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements through our use of words such as “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “hope,” “project,” “assume,” “should,” “indicate,” “would,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “point to,” “could,” “intend,” “seek,” “target,” and other similar words and expressions of the future. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding:

 

    our business strategy;

 

    future performance, developments, transactions or market forecasts;

 

    projected benefits to us as a result of any changes in our regulatory restrictions; and

 

    projected investments and dispositions of assets.

The forward-looking statements may not be realized due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation:

 

    future economic or business conditions;

 

    governmental monetary and fiscal policies, as well as legislative and regulatory changes, including changes in tax laws and regulations;

 

    the risks of changes in interest rates on the levels, composition and costs of deposits, loan demand, and the values of loan collateral, securities, and interest sensitive assets and liabilities;

 

    interest rate risks and credit risks of borrowers;

 

    the effects of competition from a wide variety of local, regional, national and other providers of financial, investment and insurance services;

 

    the failure of assumptions underlying the establishment of the allowance for loan losses and other estimates, and the uncertainty and costs of litigation;

 

    the risks of mergers, acquisitions and divestures, including, without limitation, the related time and costs of implementing such transactions, and the possible failure to achieve expected gains, revenue growth and/or expense savings expected from such transactions;

 

    changes in accounting policies, rules and practices;

 

    difficulties with, or changes in the cost or effectiveness of technology and/or products;

 

    the outcome of our proxy contest with one of our stockholders, including as the result of the actions that may be taken by the alternative slate of directors nominated by that stockholder, if such directors are elected;

 

    the effects of war or other conflict, acts of terrorism or other catastrophic events that affect general economic conditions; and

 

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Index to Financial Statements
    other factors and other information discussed in this report, as well as other factors and risks described in any of our other reports that we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the “SEC,” under the Exchange Act.

All written or oral statements that are made by or are attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice. We have no obligation and do not undertake to update, revise or correct any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this report, or after the respective dates on which such statements otherwise are made.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS.

General

Our company is made up of the following entities:

 

    Community Bancshares, Inc., a Delaware bank holding company that owns 100% of Community Funding, Community Bank and indirectly, Community Bank’s subsidiaries;

 

    Community Bank, a community-focused Alabama commercial bank;

 

    1st Community Credit Corporation, a finance company subsidiary of Community Bank;

 

    Community Insurance Corp., a subsidiary of Community Bank that is as an insurance agency for the sale of title, property, casualty and life insurance to individuals and businesses;

 

    Southern Select Insurance, Inc., a subsidiary of Community Insurance that brokers agricultural, commercial and personal insurance products;

 

    Community Appraisals, Inc., a subsidiary of Community Bank that provided appraisal services in connection with the lending activities of Community Bank and its subsidiaries, but ceased operations in late 2003; and

 

    Community Funding Corporation, a subsidiary of Community Bancshares, Inc. formed on December 30, 2003 to purchase and maintain certain nonperforming assets of Community Bank.

As of December 31, 2005, we had total consolidated assets of $572.5 million, total deposits of $438.9 million, total consolidated liabilities, including deposits, of $528.1 million, and consolidated stockholders’ equity of $44.3 million.

Our principal executive offices, which also serve as the principal executive offices of Community Bank, Community Appraisals and Community Funding, are located at 68149 Main Street, Blountsville, Alabama 35031, and our telephone number at that address is (205) 429-1000. The principal executive offices of Community Credit are located at 587 Highway 31 N.W., Suite A, Hartselle, Alabama 35640, and the telephone number at that address is (256) 751-2031. The principal executive offices of Community Insurance and Southern Select are located at 401 Holmes Avenue, Huntsville, Alabama 35801, and the telephone number at that address is (256) 533-5600.

Community Bancshares

Community Bancshares is a Delaware corporation that is registered as a bank holding company with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or the “Federal Reserve,” under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, or the “BHC Act.” Community Bancshares was organized in 1983 and commenced business in 1985.

Our Commercial Banking Business

We conduct our commercial banking operations through Community Bank. Community Bank is an Alabama banking corporation founded in 1923. Community Bank is a member of the FDIC and its deposits are insured by the FDIC.

Community Bank operates through 18 locations in nine counties in Alabama. Community Bank offers a wide range of commercial and retail banking services, which principally include checking transaction accounts and personal and commercial loans to customers in our target market area. Community Bank seeks to provide its customers with outstanding service and to become a vital component of each of the communities that it serves. We believe that the retail nature of Community Bank’s commercial banking operations allows for diversification of customers and that our loans to businesses are not concentrated in any one industry.

Community Bank’s lending activities include commercial, real estate and consumer loans. The majority of Community Bank’s loans are to individuals and small to mid-sized businesses in Alabama. Its commercial loan services include term loans, lines of credit and agricultural loans. It provides a broad range of short to medium-term commercial loans, both secured and unsecured, to various local businesses for working capital, business expansion and the purchase of equipment and machinery. Its real estate lending activities include fixed and adjustable rate residential mortgage loans, construction loans, second mortgages, home improvement loans and home equity lines of credit. Its consumer lending services include loans for automobiles, recreational vehicles and boats, as well as unsecured personal loans and loans secured by deposit accounts.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Community Bank operates primarily in small non-urban communities. As of December 31, 2005, Community Bank operated 17 full service offices and one paying and receiving office located in a Wal-Mart® store, which primarily opens deposit accounts, cashes checks and receives deposits and loan payments.

For the year ended December 31, 2005, Community Bank had pretax income of $3.6 million. During the fiscal years 2004 and 2003, Community Bank had pretax income of $1.5 million and a pretax loss of $(19.6) million, respectively. Its loan portfolio, which made up 58.8% of our assets at December 31, 2005, 54.3% at December 31, 2004 and 56.6% at December 31, 2003, continues to represent our largest earning asset. As of December 31, 2005, Community Bank had total commercial banking loans of $336.4 million.

Our Other Operations

Consumer Finance Operations

1st Community Credit Corporation operates 15 finance company offices in Limestone, Madison, Morgan, Blount, Cullman, Marshall, Etowah, DeKalb, Walker, Talladega and St. Clair Counties, Alabama, primarily in local communities where Community Bank does not operate. Community Credit provides smaller loans to a market segment traditionally not pursued by Community Bank. These loans typically involve greater risk and generate higher yields than standard commercial bank loans. We believe that, by conducting this business, we reach a customer base not served by our banking operations. For the year ended December 31, 2005, Community Credit had a pretax income of $0.7 million. For the years ended December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, we had $1.4 million and $0.9 million, respectively, in pretax income from the operations of Community Credit. At December 31, 2005, the loan portfolio at Community Credit was $37.2 million, representing 6.5% of our total consolidated assets. At December 31, 2004 and 2003, the loan portfolio at Community Credit was $35.2 million and $31.2 million, representing 6.4% and 5.6% of our total assets, respectively.

Insurance Agency Operations

Community Insurance Corp. serves as an agency in the sale of title, property, casualty and life insurance products to individuals and businesses in the Huntsville metropolitan area. Community Insurance owns 100% of Southern Select Insurance, Inc., a managing general agency in Huntsville that brokers agricultural, commercial and personal insurance products. For the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, we had $73,000, $81,000 and $(486,000), respectively, in pretax income (losses) from our insurance agency.

Appraisal Operations

Community Appraisals, Inc. previously provided appraisal services in connection with the lending activities of Community Bank and Community Credit. For the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, our appraisal business generated $1,000 and $6,000, respectively, in pretax losses. At this time and during all of 2005, Community Appraisals was inactive and therefore generated no income. Community Bank outsources its appraisal needs to qualified third parties.

Asset Quality Improvement

Community Funding Corporation was formed in December 2003 for the purpose of purchasing and maintaining certain of Community Bank’s nonperforming assets in order to improve Community Bank’s asset quality. Community Funding conducted no business in 2003. Since its formation, Community Bancshares has capitalized Community Funding with $4.0 million. Community Funding has used the cash to purchase nonperforming assets from Community Bank. The pretax loss for Community Funding for the year ended December 31, 2004 was $2,300. At December 31, 2005, Community Funding owned $4.0 million in assets and had a pretax loss of $15,000.

Our Market Area

Community Bank currently has 18 branches in nine counties, most of which are situated in northern Alabama. We serve customers in five counties in north Alabama – Blount, Lauderdale, Limestone, Madison and Morgan Counties; two counties in northwest Alabama – Marion and Winston Counties; and two counties in southwest Alabama – Marengo and Perry Counties. We have focused on those market areas between the Birmingham and Huntsville metropolitan areas, where significant growth and economic change have transpired over the last decade.

Community Bank’s primary market area is Blount County, which was added to the Birmingham metropolitan area in 1983. The Birmingham Metropolitan Statistical Area, or “MSA,” consists of seven counties and is home to approximately 1.1 million people, representing the most populous MSA in the State of Alabama. Once known as the South’s largest manufacturing center, Birmingham previously relied heavily on both the steel and manufacturing industries. Manufacturing remains an important part of Birmingham’s economy but the economy has become more diverse in its industries, and, according to the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce, the healthcare, banking and professional services industries are its leading economic sectors and largest employers.

Community Bank also has customers in four counties – Lauderdale, Limestone, Madison and Morgan Counties – which are proximate to or within the Huntsville MSA, currently one of Alabama’s fastest growing metropolitan areas. According to the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce, Huntsville’s achievements include outstanding job growth in primary business sectors and confirmation of over 4,700 direct jobs slated to come to Redstone Arsenal between now and 2011 as a result of the U.S Department of Defense Base Realignment and Closure Process.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Huntsville possesses a diverse economic base and is home to numerous industries, including technology, space and defense, manufacturing, and retail and service. Huntsville is home to numerous centers of global excellence, including the Cummings Research Park (over 22,000 employees and more than 220 companies, according to the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce), the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, and the US Army Redstone Arsenal.

Community Bank has branches in Marion, Lauderdale and Winston Counties, located in northwest Alabama, near the Mississippi border. These counties are economically driven by manufacturing and furniture production. Community Bank also operates in Marengo and Perry Counties, located in southwest Alabama, where manufacturing, catfish farming, livestock and the timber industry are important components of the local economy. These are relatively low growth areas, with income levels that are below Alabama averages.

Community Bank Foundation

In early 2004, the Board of Directors of Community Bank authorized the establishment of the Community Bank Foundation (the “Foundation”). The Foundation is a private non-profit organization established as a vehicle for making a positive contribution to the communities in which Community Bank and its subsidiaries do business. The Foundation has been notified by the Internal Revenue Service of its approval as a tax exempt organization. It is anticipated that the Foundation will award college scholarships to deserving high school seniors, make contributions to schools, hospitals, senior citizen centers, centers for abused children or spouses, children’s camps and other worthy organizations whose purpose is to make our communities better places to live and work.

Competition

The banking business in Alabama is highly competitive with respect to loans, deposits and other financial services and is dominated by a number of major banks and bank holding companies that have offices and affiliates operating over wide geographic areas, and that have greater resources at their disposal than we do. We compete for deposits, loans and other business with these institutions as well as with other types of financial services entities, including savings and loan associations, credit unions, securities and mutual fund firms, mortgage companies, and insurance companies. Many of the major commercial banks operating in or around Community Bank’s service areas offer services such as investment and trust services, which we do not currently offer. As a community bank, we compete through our community identity, customer loyalty and customer service tailored to the needs of our local residents.

Our competitive environment has been and will continue to be materially affected by the enactment by Congress of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999, or the “GLB Act.” This law authorized a bank holding company that possesses a prescribed amount of capital and meets other criteria to become a “financial holding company,” which enables it to then engage in investment banking, insurance underwriting and the sale of insurance, as well as any other activity that federal regulators view as “financial in nature.” We may face greater competition as more financial holding companies enter our market area and offer a more diverse line of financial products and consolidated financial services than we may offer.

Seasonality

Our management believes that our business, including our subsidiaries’ businesses, is not seasonal in nature.

Customer Concentration

For each of the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, we did not, and we presently expect for the year ended December 31, 2006, that we will not derive more than 10% of our revenues, on a consolidated basis, from any one customer.

Employees

At December 31, 2005, the Company had 277 full-time equivalent employees.

Supervision and Regulation

The banking and financial services industry is extensively regulated under both federal and state law. The following discussion summarizes certain statutes, rules and regulations affecting our business and operations. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the statutory and regulatory provisions referred to below and elsewhere and is not intended to be an exhaustive description of the statutes or regulations applicable to us. Changes in the laws and regulations that apply to us can affect our operations in substantial and unpredictable ways. We cannot accurately predict whether legislation will be enacted, and, if enacted, the ultimate effect that it or any implementing regulations will have on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

The following summary describes our regulatory environment in the absence of any restrictive memoranda, orders or agreements with our regulators and therefore is further subject to, and does not address, the regulatory restrictions to which we have been subject. You

 

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Index to Financial Statements

should refer to and carefully review these restrictions, which are described below in this report. To the extent that the limitations imposed by those regulatory restrictions on our business activities are different than as described in this summary, then the regulatory restrictions govern.

Supervision, regulation, and examination of holding companies and banks by bank regulatory agencies are intended primarily for the protection of depositors rather than holders of our securities, including our preferred stock and common stock.

Holding Company Regulation

General

Community Bancshares is a bank holding company within the meaning of the BHC Act, and is subject to supervision, examination, and reporting by the Federal Reserve. The State of Alabama does not currently regulate bank holding companies. Community Bancshares is required to file with the Federal Reserve periodic reports and any additional information as the Federal Reserve may require. The Federal Reserve regularly examines Community Bancshares and may examine its subsidiaries.

Investment Activities

The BHC Act requires prior Federal Reserve approval for, among other things:

 

    the acquisition by a bank holding company of direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting shares or substantially all of the assets of any bank; and

 

    a merger or consolidation of a bank holding company with another bank holding company.

The Change in Bank Control Act and Federal Reserve regulations also generally require a notice and prior action thereon if anyone not subject to the BHC Act application acquires 10% or more of a bank’s or its parent holding company’s securities where the bank or holding company has a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act.

A bank holding company may acquire direct or indirect ownership or control of voting shares of any company that is engaged directly or indirectly in banking, managing or controlling banks, or performing services for its authorized subsidiaries. A bank holding company may also engage in or acquire an interest in a company that engages in activities that the Federal Reserve has determined by regulation or order to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident to those activities.

The GLB Act made substantial revisions to the statutory restrictions separating banking activities from certain other financial activities. Under the GLB Act, bank holding companies that are well-capitalized and well-managed and meet other conditions can elect to become “financial holding companies.” Financial holding companies and their subsidiaries are permitted to acquire or engage in previously impermissible activities such as insurance underwriting, securities underwriting and distribution, travel agency activities, board insurance agency activities, merchant banking, and other activities that the Federal Reserve determines to be financial in nature or complementary to those activities. In addition, under the merchant banking authority added by the GLB Act and Federal Reserve regulations, financial holding companies are authorized to invest in companies that engage in activities that are not financial in nature, as long as the financial holding company makes its investment with the intention of limiting the investment in duration, does not manage the company on a day-to-day basis, and the investee company does not cross-market with any of the financial holding company’s controlled depository institutions. Financial holding companies continue to be subject to the overall oversight and supervision of the Federal Reserve, but the GLB Act applies the concept of functional regulation to the activities conducted by subsidiaries. For example, insurance activities would be subject to supervision and regulation by state insurance authorities. Community Bancshares has not sought approval to become a financial holding company and presently has no intention of doing so.

Source of Financial Strength

Federal Reserve policy requires a bank holding company to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to its subsidiary banks. This means that a bank holding company must be prepared to use available resources to provide adequate capital funds to its bank subsidiaries during periods of financial stress and must have sufficient financial flexibility and capital-raising capacity to provide ongoing support to the banks. In addition, under the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989, or “FIRREA,” if a bank holding company has more than one bank or thrift subsidiary, each of the bank holding company’s subsidiary depository institutions are responsible for any losses to the FDIC as a result of an affiliated depository institution’s failure. As a result, a bank holding company may be required to loan money to its subsidiaries in the form of capital notes or other instruments which qualify as capital under regulatory rules. Any loans from a bank holding company to its subsidiary banks likely will be unsecured and subordinated to the bank’s depositors and perhaps to other creditors of that bank.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Transactions With Affiliates

Community Bancshares is a legal entity separate and distinct from Community Bank. Various legal limitations restrict Community Bank from lending or otherwise supplying funds to Community Bancshares or its other affiliates. Section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act limits a bank’s “covered transactions,” which include extensions of credit with any affiliate, to 10% of the bank’s capital and surplus. All covered and exempt transactions between a bank and its affiliates must be on terms and conditions consistent with safe and sound banking practices, and banks and their subsidiaries are prohibited from purchasing low-quality assets from the bank’s affiliates. Finally, all of a bank’s extensions of credit to an affiliate must be appropriately secured by acceptable collateral, generally United States government or agency securities.

Section 23B of the Federal Reserve Act requires that covered and exempt transactions among affiliates be on terms and under circumstances, including credit standards, that are substantially the same, or at least as favorable to the bank or its subsidiary, as those prevailing at the time for transactions with unaffiliated companies.

Bank Regulation

General

Community Bank is an Alabama bank whose deposits are insured by the FDIC. Community Bank is subject to regulation and examination by the Alabama Superintendent of Banks and by the FDIC. The Alabama Superintendent of Banks and the FDIC regulate and examine all of Community Bank’s operations, including its overall financial condition and resources, loan loss reserves, the quality of its loan portfolio, mortgages, payments of dividends, interest rates charged, the establishment of branches, the actions of its directors and management, the investment of its funds, and compliance with its charter and the law.

The powers of Alabama-chartered banks include provisions designed to provide these banks with competitive equality to the powers of national banks. In addition, the GLB Act permits banks to engage in “financial activities” through subsidiaries in a manner similar to financial holding companies.

Dividends

Dividends from Community Bank historically have been Community Bancshares’ primary source of funds for servicing debt and paying cash dividends to our stockholders.

Under Alabama law, a bank may not pay a dividend in excess of 90% of its net earnings until its surplus is equal to at least 20% of its capital. The prior approval of the FDIC and/or the Alabama Superintendent is required if the total of all dividends declared by a bank in any calendar year will exceed the sum of that bank’s net earnings for the year and its retained net earnings for the preceding two calendar years, less any required transfers to surplus. In addition, a bank may not pay dividends from its surplus without the prior approval of the Superintendent. During 2004 and 2005, Community Bank paid no cash dividends to Community Bancshares.

In addition, Community Bancshares and Community Bank are subject to various regulatory policies and requirements that affect the payment of dividends, including requirements to maintain adequate capital. The appropriate federal and state regulatory authorities are authorized to determine, based on the financial condition of a bank or bank holding company, that the payment of dividends would be an unsafe or unsound practice and to prohibit payment of those dividends. The FDIC and the Alabama Superintendent have indicated that paying dividends that deplete a bank’s capital base to an inadequate level would be an unsound and unsafe banking practice.

As to Community Bancshares, the Federal Reserve may prohibit the payment of dividends to our stockholders if it determines that the payment would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice. The Federal Reserve’s position is that a bank holding company should not pay dividends if it is experiencing earnings weaknesses or other financial pressures and should not pay dividends that exceed its net income, that are inconsistent with its capital position or that could only be funded in ways that weaken its financial health, such as by borrowing or selling its assets. In addition, a bank holding company must not pay dividends if such payment would affect its ability to provide adequate financial support for its subsidiary banks. As of December 31, 2004, under a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) between Community Bancshares and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, the Federal Reserve restricted Community Bancshares from declaring or paying any dividends, including the payments on our trust preferred securities, or repurchasing our capital stock without prior Federal Reserve approval. However, because of the improved financial condition of our organization, combined with our compliance with the MOU, the MOU between Community Bancshares and the Federal Reserve was terminated on March 17, 2005.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Safety and Soundness

The FDIC has adopted the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s, or the “FFIEC,” internal rating system for assessing the soundness of financial institutions on a uniform basis and for identifying those institutions requiring special supervisory attention. Each financial institution is assigned a confidential composite “CAMELS” rating based on an evaluation and rating of the following six components of an institution’s financial condition and operations:

 

    Capital adequacy;
    Asset quality;

 

    Management;

 

    Earnings;

 

    Liquidity; and

 

    Sensitivity to market risk.

For most institutions, the FFIEC has indicated that market risk primarily reflects exposures to changes in interest rates. When regulators evaluate this component, consideration is expected to be given to the sensitivity of the financial institution’s earnings or the economic value of its capital to adverse changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices, or equity prices; management’s ability to identify, measure, monitor and control exposure to market risk; the nature and complexity of interest rate risk exposure arising from non-trading positions; and the adequacy of its capital and earnings in relation to its level of exposure.

Capital Regulations

The federal bank regulatory agencies have adopted risk-based capital guidelines for bank holding companies and banks. The guideline for a minimum ratio of capital to risk-weighted assets, including certain off-balance-sheet activities, such as standby letters of credit, is 8.0%. At least half of the total capital must consist of “Tier 1 Capital,” which includes common equity, retained earnings and a limited amount of qualifying preferred stock, less goodwill. The remainder may consist of “Tier 2 Capital,” which includes non-qualifying preferred stock, qualifying subordinated, perpetual, and/or mandatory convertible debt, term subordinated debt, intermediate term preferred stock and up to 45.0% of the pretax unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale equity securities with readily determinable market values that are prudently valued, and a limited amount of any loan loss allowance.

All bank holding companies and banks are expected to hold capital commensurate with the level and nature of their risks, including the volume and severity of their problem loans. The federal agencies have established minimum leverage ratio guidelines for bank holding companies, national banks, and state banks, which provide for a minimum leverage ratio of Tier 1 Capital to adjusted average quarterly assets equal to 3.0%, plus an additional cushion of 1.0% to 2.0% if the institution has less than the highest regulatory rating. The guidelines also provide that institutions experiencing internal growth or making acquisitions will be expected to maintain capital positions substantially above the minimum supervisory levels. Higher capital may be required in individual cases, depending upon a bank holding company’s risk profile. Lastly, the Federal Reserve’s guidelines indicate that the Federal Reserve will continue to consider a “Tangible Tier 1 Leverage Ratio,” calculated by deducting all intangibles, in evaluating proposals for expansion or new activity.

FDICIA requires the federal banking agencies to take “prompt corrective action” in respect of depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements. FDICIA established five capital tiers:

 

    well capitalized;

 

    adequately capitalized;

 

    undercapitalized;

 

    significantly undercapitalized; and

 

    critically undercapitalized.

A depository institution’s capital tier will depend upon how its capital levels compare to various measures and certain other factors, as established by regulation. The capital measures used by the federal banking regulators are:

 

    the Total Capital ratio, which is the ratio of the total of Tier 1 Capital and Tier 2 Capital to total risk-weighted assets;

 

    the Tier 1 Capital ratio; and

 

    the Leverage Ratio.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Under these regulations, a bank will be:

 

    “well capitalized” if it has a Total Capital ratio of 10.0% or greater, a Tier 1 Capital ratio of 6.0% or greater, and is not subject to any written agreement, order, capital directive, or prompt corrective action directive by a federal bank regulatory agency to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure;

 

    “adequately capitalized” if it has a Total Capital ratio of 8.0% or greater, a Tier 1 Capital ratio of 4.0% or greater, and a leverage ratio of 4.0% or greater – or 3.0% in some circumstances – and is not well capitalized;

 

    “undercapitalized” if it has a Total Capital ratio of less than 8.0% or a Tier 1 capital ratio of less than 4.0%, or 3.0% in some circumstances;

 

    “significantly undercapitalized” if it has a Total Capital ratio of less than 6.0%, a Tier 1 Capital ratio of less than 3.0%, or a leverage ratio of less than 3.0%; or

 

    “critically undercapitalized” if its tangible equity is equal to or less than 2.0% of average quarterly tangible assets.

The following table sets forth the capital information of Community Bancshares and Community Bank as of December 31, 2005:

CAPITAL ADEQUACY RATIOS

 

     Actual     Minimum Capital
Requirement
    Minimum
to be
Well Capitalized
 
     Amount    Ratio     Amount    Ratio     Amount    Ratio  
     (dollars in thousands)  

Total risk based capital to risk weighted assets:

               

Consolidated

   $ 58,511    15.77 %   $ 29,691    8.00 %   $ 37,114    10.00 %

Community Bank

     51,245    14.06       29,154    8.00       36,442    10.00  

Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets:

               

Consolidated

     53,871    14.52       14,846    4.00       22,268    6.00  

Community Bank

     46,689    12.81       14,577    4.00       21,865    6.00  

Tier 1 capital to average assets (leverage ratio):

               

Consolidated

     53,871    9.58       22,504    4.00       28,130    5.00  

Community Bank

     46,689    8.37       22,308    4.00       27,886    5.00  

Community Reinvestment Act

Community Bancshares and Community Bank are subject to the Community Reinvestment Act, or the “CRA,” and the federal banking agencies’ related regulations. Under the CRA, all banks and thrifts have a continuing and affirmative obligation, consistent with their safe and sound operation, to help meet the credit needs for their entire communities, including low and moderate-income neighborhoods. The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions, nor does it limit an institution’s discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community, consistent with the CRA. The CRA requires a depository institution’s primary federal regulator, in connection with its examination of the institution, to assess the institution’s record of assessing and meeting the credit needs of the community served by that institution, including low and moderate-income neighborhoods. The regulatory agency’s assessment of the institution’s record is made available to the public. Further, such assessment is required of any institution that has applied to:

 

    charter a bank;

 

    obtain deposit insurance coverage for a newly-chartered institution;

 

    establish a new branch office that accepts deposits;

 

    relocate an office; or

 

    merge or consolidate with, or acquire the assets or assume the liabilities of, a federally regulated financial institution.

A less than satisfactory CRA rating will slow, if not preclude, expansion of banking activities.

Current CRA regulations rate institutions based on their actual performance in meeting community credit needs. CRA performance is evaluated by the FDIC, Community Bank’s primary federal regulator using a lending test, an investment test, and a service test. The FDIC also will consider:

 

    demographic data about the community;

 

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Index to Financial Statements
    the institution’s capacity and constraints;

 

    the institution’s product offerings and business strategy; and

 

    data on the prior performance of the institution and similarly situated lenders.

The Federal bank regulators recently proposed changes to their CRA regulations. Financial holding company subsidiaries must receive “satisfactory” or better CRA ratings to engage in financial holding company or subsidiary activities permitted by the GLB Act. Community Bank received a “satisfactory” CRA rating on its most recent examination.

Consumer Regulations

Interest and certain other charges collected or contracted for by Community Bank are subject to state usury laws and certain federal laws concerning interest rates. Community Bank’s loan operations are also subject to certain federal laws applicable to credit transactions, such as:

 

    the federal Truth-In-Lending Act governing disclosures of credit terms to consumer borrowers;

 

    the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975 requiring financial institutions to provide information to enable the public and public officials to determine whether a financial institution is fulfilling its obligation to help meet the housing needs of the community it serves;

 

    the Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, creed, or other prohibited factors in extending credit;

 

    the Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1978 governing the use and provision of information to credit reporting agencies;

 

    the Fair Debt Collection Act governing the manner in which consumer debts may be collected by collection agencies;

 

    The GLB Act, which requires banks and their affiliated companies to adopt and disclose privacy policies, including policies regarding the sharing of personal information they obtain from customers with third parties; and

 

    the rules and regulations of the various federal agencies charged with the responsibility of implementing such federal laws.

FDIC Insurance Assessments

Community Bank’s deposits are primarily insured by the FDIC’s Bank Insurance Fund, or “BIF.” The FDIC utilizes a risk-based deposit insurance premium schedule to determine the assessment rates for Bank Insurance Fund-insured depository institutions. Each financial institution is assigned to one of three capital groups:

 

    well capitalized;

 

    adequately capitalized; or

 

    undercapitalized.

Each financial institution is further assigned to one of three subgroups within a capital group, on the basis of supervisory evaluations by the institution’s primary federal and, if applicable, state regulators and other information relevant to the institution’s financial condition and the risk posed to the applicable insurance fund. The actual assessment rate applicable to a particular institution will, therefore, depend in part upon the risk assessment classification so assigned to the institution by the FDIC.

The BIF assessment rates currently range from zero basis points on deposits for a financial institution in the highest category, to 27 basis points on deposits for an institution in the lowest category. In addition, the Deposit Insurance Funds Act of 1996 authorizes the FDIC to collect The Financing Corporation, or “FICO,” deposit assessments on Bank Insurance Fund – and Savings Association Insurance Fund-assessable deposits at the same rate. FICO assessments are set quarterly, and in 2005 ranged from 1.34 to 1.44 cents per $100 of assessable deposits. For the first quarter of 2006, the FICO assessment rate for such deposits will be 1.32 cents per $100 of assessable deposits. Community Bank accrued insurance premiums in 2003, 2004 and 2005 of $777,000, $763,000 and $373,000, respectively, and paid FICO assessments of approximately $73,000, $68,000 and $61,000, in each of these years, respectively. The decline in our cost of FDIC insurance is directly attributable to our improved regulatory status and since the improved rates became effective on July 1, 2005, we anticipate additional savings to be recognized for the full year 2006.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Congress passed the Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005 and the Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Conforming Amendment Act of 2005, in each case at the beginning of February 2006. Among other things, this new law will merge BIF and SAIF during 2006. Deposits will remain insured up to a maximum of $100,000, but will be adjusted every five years based upon inflation. Retirement accounts will be insured for up to $250,000, and a bank that is less than adequately capitalized will not be able to accept employee benefit deposits. This law also changes the way FDIC insurance assessments and credits are calculated, and authorizes the FDIC to revise its risk-based deposit insurance assessment scheme.

Enforcement Policies and Actions

The Federal Reserve, the FDIC and the Alabama Superintendent monitor compliance with laws and regulations. Violations of laws and regulations, or other unsafe and unsound practices, may result in these agencies imposing fines or penalties, issuing cease and desist orders or memorandums of understanding, or taking other enforcement actions. Under certain circumstances, these agencies may enforce these remedies directly against officers, directors, employees and others participating in the affairs of a bank or bank holding company. The regulatory agencies have extensive powers to enforce their agreements with banks and bank holding companies, including, among other actions, civil money penalties, and possible proceedings to terminate FDIC insurance. We previously have been subject to a memorandum of understanding, a safety and soundness compliance plan and two cease and desist orders. However, we were notified in March 2005 that all regulatory memoranda, agreements, plans and orders to which we were subject had been terminated. See “Our Current Regulatory Restrictions.”

Fiscal and Monetary Policy

Banking is a business that depends on interest rate differentials. In general, the difference between the interest paid by a bank on its deposits and its other borrowings, and the interest received by a bank on its loans and securities holdings, constitutes the major portion of a bank’s earnings. Thus, our earnings and growth will be subject to the influence of economic conditions generally, both domestic and foreign, and also to the monetary and fiscal policies of the United States and its agencies, particularly the Federal Reserve.

The Federal Reserve regulates the supply of money through various means, including open market dealings in United States government securities, the discount rate at which banks may borrow from the Federal Reserve, and the reserve requirements on deposits. The monetary policies of the Federal Reserve historically have had a significant effect on the operating results of commercial banks and will continue to do so in the future. The conditions in the national and international economies and money markets, as well as the actions and changes in policy by monetary and fiscal authorities, and their effect on us cannot be predicted.

Money Laundering

The International Money Laundering Abatement and Anti-Terrorism Funding Act of 2001 restricts money laundering by terrorists in the United States and abroad. This Act specifies new “know your customer” requirements that will obligate financial institutions to take actions to verify the identity of the account holders in connection with opening an account at any U.S. financial institution. Banking regulators will consider compliance with the act’s money laundering provisions in making decisions regarding approval of acquisitions and mergers. In addition, sanctions for violations of the act can be imposed in an amount equal to twice the sum involved in the violating transaction, up to $1.0 million.

In the wake of the tragic events of September 11th, on October 26, 2001, the President signed the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, (“USA PATRIOT”). Under the USA PATRIOT Act, financial institutions are subject to prohibitions against specified financial transactions and account relationships as well as enhanced due diligence and “know your customer” standards in their dealings with foreign financial institutions and foreign customers. For example, the enhanced due diligence policies, procedures, and controls generally require financial institutions to take reasonable steps:

 

  to conduct enhanced scrutiny of account relationships to guard against money laundering and report any suspicious transaction;

 

  to ascertain the identity of the nominal and beneficial owners of, and the source of funds deposited into, each account as needed to guard against money laundering and report any suspicious transactions;

 

  to ascertain for any foreign bank, the shares of which are not publicly traded, the identity of the owners of the foreign bank, and the nature and extent of the ownership interest of each such owner; and

 

  to ascertain whether any foreign bank provides correspondent accounts to other foreign banks and, if so, the identity of those foreign banks and related due diligence information.

The USA PATRIOT Act requires financial institutions to establish anti-money laundering programs. The USA PATRIOT Act sets forth minimum standards for these programs, including:

 

  the development of internal policies, procedures, and controls;

 

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Index to Financial Statements
  the designation of a compliance officer;

 

  an ongoing employee training program; and

 

  an independent audit function to test the programs.

In addition, the USA PATRIOT Act authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to adopt rules increasing the cooperation and information sharing between financial institutions, regulators, and law enforcement authorities regarding individuals, entities and organizations engaged in, or reasonably suspected based on credible evidence of engaging in, terrorist acts or money laundering activities.

Insurance Regulation

Community Insurance and Southern Select are licensed insurance agents and brokers for various insurance companies, and are subject to regulation by the Alabama Insurance Commission.

Legislative and Regulatory Changes

Legislative and regulatory proposals regarding changes in banking laws, the regulation of banks, thrifts and other financial institutions, as well as bank and bank holding company powers are being considered by the executive branch of the Federal government, Congress and various state governments, including Alabama. Other proposals pending in Congress would, among other things, allow banks to pay interest on checking accounts and to establish interstate branches de novo. The Alabama Banking Department has introduced legislation in the Alabama legislature that would, among other things, permit interstate de novo branching in Alabama by out-of-state banks, regulate bank holding companies and expand the enforcement powers of the Alabama Banking Department. Certain of these proposals, if adopted, could significantly change the regulation of banks and the financial services industry. It cannot be predicted whether any of these proposals will be adopted, and, if adopted, how these proposals will affect us.

Our Previous Regulatory Restrictions

During the entire year of 2004, Community Bancshares and Community Bank were subject to four different regulatory agreements or orders. Since their inception, the Company has materially complied with the requirements and expectations contained in the documents and cooperated fully with the regulatory authorities. All of these agreements and orders, the terms of which are described in our 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K, were terminated in March 2005.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

The following risks are among some of the most important risks faced by us. The list of risks below is not exhaustive, and there may be other risks that significantly affect us.

Any of the following risks could significantly harm our business, results of operations and financial condition, and the price of our common stock. The risks discussed below also include forward-looking statements, and our actual results may differ substantially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements.

Risks Related to Our Business

Our future success is dependent on our ability to compete effectively in highly competitive markets.

We and our subsidiaries operate in highly competitive markets in Alabama. Our future growth and success will depend on our ability to compete effectively in these markets. We compete for loans, deposits and other financial services in our geographic markets with other local, regional and national commercial banks, thrifts, credit unions, mortgage lenders, and securities and insurance brokerage firms. Many of our competitors offer products and services different from us, and have substantially greater resources, name recognition and market presence than we do, which benefits them in attracting business. In addition, larger competitors may be able to price loans and deposits more aggressively than us and have broader customer and geographic bases to draw upon.

We face credit quality risks and our credit policies may not be sufficient to avoid losses.

A significant source of risk for us arises from the possibility that losses will result because of the risks inherent in our lending business, due to the failure of borrowers, guarantors and related parties failing to pay interest on and principal of their loans from us. Although we maintain and have improved our credit policies, credit underwriting, monitoring and collection procedures to manage these risks of loss, these policies and procedures may not prevent losses that could harm our results of operations. If our customers fail to repay their loans or pay interest when due, then our business would suffer.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Our loan evaluation process and allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover losses.

We seek to manage our credit exposure through review and monitoring of loan applicants and borrowers, and loan concentrations in particular industries, and through loan approval and credit review and risk management procedures. We have established evaluation processes to determine the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses. While this evaluation process uses historical and other objective information, the classification of loans and the establishment of the amount of loan losses is an estimate based upon experience, judgment, and expectations regarding our borrowers, current and anticipated economic conditions in the markets in which we and our borrowers operate, as well as the judgments of our regulators, which may, in part, be based upon comparisons with our peers. If our loan loss reserves are insufficient to absorb future loan losses, then our profitability and financial condition will suffer.

We are required to maintain capital to meet regulatory requirements, and if we fail to maintain sufficient capital, our financial condition, liquidity and results of operations would be adversely affected.

We must meet regulatory capital requirements. If we fail to meet these capital and other regulatory requirements, our financial condition, liquidity and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected. Our failure to remain “well capitalized” and “well managed” for regulatory purposes could affect customer confidence, our ability to grow, our costs of funds and FDIC insurance, our ability to raise brokered deposits, our ability to pay dividends on common stock in the future and our ability to make acquisitions.

Our cost of funds may increase as a result of general economic conditions, interest rates and competitive pressures.

Our cost of funds may increase as a result of general economic conditions, increased interest rates and competitive pressures. We have traditionally obtained funds principally through brokered deposits and borrowings from other institutional lenders. Generally, we believe local deposits are a cheaper and more stable source of funds than borrowings because interest rates paid for local deposits are typically lower than interest rates charged for borrowings from other institutional lenders. Brokered deposits are generally considered more likely to fluctuate in availability and rates than local deposits that may be relationship-based. Our costs of funds and our profitability and liquidity are likely to be adversely affected if we have to rely upon higher cost brokered deposits and borrowings from other institutional lenders to fund loan demand.

We could encounter operational difficulties as a result of growth.

Our loans, deposits, fee businesses and employees may increase as a result of our growth. Our failure to successfully manage and support our growth with sufficient human resources, training and operational, financial and technology resources could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition. We may not be able to sustain or manage our growth.

Additional growth may require us to raise additional capital in the future, but that capital may not be available to us on favorable terms, if at all, when it is needed.

We anticipate that our current capital resources will satisfy our capital requirements for the foreseeable future. We may, however, need to raise additional capital to support our continued growth. Our ability to raise additional capital, if needed, will depend, among other things, on conditions in the capital markets at that time, which are outside our control, and on our financial performance. If we cannot raise additional capital on acceptable terms when needed, our ability to further expand our operations through internal growth and acquisitions could be limited.

Attractive acquisition opportunities may not be available to us in the future.

While we presently expect to seek more organic growth, we will continue to consider the acquisition of other businesses. However, we may not have the opportunity to make suitable acquisitions on favorable terms in the future, which could adversely affect our growth. We expect that other banking and financial companies, many of which have significantly greater resources, will compete with us to acquire financial services businesses. This competition could increase prices for potential acquisitions that we believe are attractive. Also, acquisitions are subject to various regulatory approvals. If we fail to receive the appropriate regulatory approvals, we will not be able to consummate an acquisition that we believe is in our best interests. Among other things, our regulators consider our capital, liquidity, profitability, regulatory compliance and levels of goodwill and intangibles when considering acquisition and expansion proposals.

Our business may be harmed by inflation, price increases and changes in interest rates.

Unlike most companies, virtually all of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature and are therefore sensitive to changes in interest rates. Our profitability depends upon net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on assets, and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. For example, when interest rates decline, the spread between the rate that we pay on our customer deposits and the rate that we charge on our commercial loans typically decreases. As this spread decreases, we generally realize lower net income from our commercial banking operations.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

If interest rates increase from their current historically low levels, then our banking business may benefit from an increase in the spread between the rate that we pay on our customer deposits and the rate that we charge on our commercial loans. However, this benefit may be offset by:

 

    increases in the rates we have to pay on deposits;

 

    the inflationary effect that typically accompanies increases in interest rates, which increases the prices of goods and services that we purchase, as well as the cost of salaries, benefits, occupancy expense, and overhead;

 

    the decrease in the volume of our commercial loan origination that typically results from higher interest rates;

 

    reduction in our borrower’s ability to service higher interest expenses; and

 

    reduced volumes of mortgage loans.

Increases in interest rates may also decrease the market value of our assets, including our investments, mortgages and loans held, which may harm our liquidity, ability to borrow funds, earnings, and stockholders’ equity.

Interest rates, and consequently our results of operations, are affected by general economic conditions (domestic and foreign) and fiscal and monetary policies. Monetary and fiscal policies may materially affect the level and direction of interest rates. Beginning in June 2004, the Federal Reserve has raised the federal funds rate 15 times from 1.0% to 4.75%. Increases in interest rates generally decrease the market values of fixed-rate, interest-bearing investments and loans held and the production of mortgage and other loans, and therefore may adversely affect our liquidity and earnings.

A downturn in our markets could adversely affect our business

Our principal operating subsidiary, Community Bank, is a traditional community bank operating in the market area comprised of Blount County, Alabama, and the surrounding areas of Lauderdale, Limestone, Madison and Morgan Counties in north and west-central Alabama. We also operate branches in south west Alabama in Marengo and Perry Counties, and in west Alabama in Marion and Winston counties. As a result, our financial condition and performance are affected by the general economic conditions in the markets we serve, and our ability to diversify and manage economic risks is limited by the performance of these local economies.

A significant downturn in these local economies could negatively affect our loan demand as well as the value of the collateral that secures these loans. Our market area is primarily retail-oriented and our operations are dependent upon local individuals and small- to medium-sized businesses. As a result, we may face greater lending and credit risks than financial institutions lending to larger, better-capitalized businesses with longer operating histories.

We operate in a heavily regulated environment, and changes in state and federal regulations could adversely impact our business.

Our success depends not only on competitive and market factors but also on state and federal regulations applicable to us. We operate in a highly regulated environment and are subject to supervision by several governmental regulatory agencies, including the Federal Reserve, the FDIC, the Alabama State Banking Department, the Alabama Insurance Commission, the SEC and Nasdaq. Banking regulations are primarily intended to protect depositors, not stockholders. Regulation of the financial institutions industry has undergone extensive changes in recent years and continues to change frequently. We cannot predict the effects of these changes, and the regulations now affecting us may be modified at any time. We can give no assurance that future legislation or regulations will not harm our business or decrease the profitability of our business.

We are subject to internal control reporting requirements that increase our compliance costs and failure to comply timely could adversely affect our reputation and the value of our securities.

We are required to comply with various corporate governance and financial reporting requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as rules and regulations adopted by the SEC, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and Nasdaq. We have evaluated our controls, including compliance with the SEC rules on internal controls, and have spent, and expect to continue to spend, significant amounts of time and money on compliance with these rules, as we continue to work on the testing and reporting on internal controls required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and which are due at the end of 2006.

Our failure to comply with these internal control rules may materially adversely affect our reputation, ability to obtain the necessary certifications to financial statements, and the value of our securities. At December 31, 2005, we had identified one material weakness in our financial reporting controls related to the treatment of an interest rate swap as a hedge. Specifically, the deficiency resulted from the absence of controls designed to ensure the proper application of generally accepted accounting principles to derivative financial instruments. As a result of this deficiency and the resulting errors in accounting for derivative financial instruments, previously reported 2004 and 2005 financial information was restated. These restatements were required to properly reflect changes in the estimated fair value of certain derivative financial instruments as a component of earnings in the period of change in estimated fair value.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Technological changes affect our business, and we may have fewer resources than many competitors to invest in technological improvements.

The financial services industry is undergoing rapid technological changes with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. In addition to serving clients better, the effective use of technology may increase efficiency and may enable financial institutions to reduce costs. Our future success will depend, in part, upon our ability to use technology to provide products and services that provide convenience to customers and to create additional efficiencies in operations. We may need to make significant additional capital investments in technology in the future, and we may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services. Many competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements than we do.

We rely heavily on our executive officers, who would be difficult to replace.

Our success depends, and is expected to continue to depend, on our executive officers. In particular, we rely on Mr. Patrick M. Frawley, the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Community Bancshares and the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Community Bank, and Mr. Stacey Mann, the President and Chief Operating Officer of Community Bank. Our growth will continue to place significant demands on our management, and the loss of these executive officers’ services could harm our future operations. If we were to lose any of these key executive officers, we may be unable to identify, attract and retain a qualified replacement on favorable terms, if at all.

Our rights to collect interest and take other actions may be limited by the Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act of 2003.

The United States declared “war” on terrorism and National Guard and reserve forces either have been called up or may be called up for domestic and international service. Under the Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act of 2003, which amended and expanded the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1940, a borrower who enters military service is afforded various types of relief under their loans and other obligations, including a maximum annual interest rate of 6% during the period of the borrower’s active duty status. The Act further provides that any interest in excess of 6% may not become due once the servicemember leaves active duty; any accrued interest above 6% is permanently waived. The Relief Act applies to members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard, Reserves, Coast Guard and officers of the U.S. Public Health Service assigned to active duty. Because the Relief Act applies to individuals who enter active military service after they enter into their loans, we cannot predict the effect that the Relief Act will have on our mortgage and commercial loans, if any. Under the Relief Act, we may be unable to collect the full amount of interest otherwise due on many of our loans for an indefinite period. Further, we may be unable to foreclose on these loans during, and in some cases after, the borrower’s period of active duty.

We face regulatory risks related to our commercial real estate loan concentrations.

Commercial real estate, or “CRE,” is cyclical and poses risks of possible loss due to concentration levels and similar risks of the asset. The banking regulators have begun giving CRE lending greater scrutiny, and may require banks with higher levels of CRE loans to implement improved underwriting, internal controls, risk management policies and portfolio stress testing, as well as possibly requiring higher levels of allowances for possible loan losses and capital levels as a result of CRE lending growth and exposures.

We may be unable to meet our obligations under our outstanding indebtedness, and, in particular, under our 10.875% junior subordinated debentures.

We have several outstanding debt obligations, and, in order to repay those obligations, we must obtain adequate funds. As a holding company, we rely primarily on dividends from Community Bank to make payments of principal of, and interest on, our indebtedness, to meet debt payment obligations, including payments on our trust preferred securities and to meet other obligations. As a result, our success and our ability to make such payments and meet such obligations depends upon the earnings and capital position of Community Bank and the ability of Community Bank to pay dividends or make distributions to us.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

If we default on any debt obligation, then we may face claims by creditors to recover monies owed to them, and we may face cross-defaults under other obligations, whereupon all amounts owed by us could become immediately due, which would significantly harm our business and our ability to finance our operations and growth, and likely result in Community Bancshares being the subject of a bankruptcy proceeding.

In March 2000, we issued $10.0 million of junior subordinated debentures that back an equivalent amount of trust preferred securities. The debentures accrue and pay interest semiannually at a rate of 10.875% per annum and have a maturity date of March 8, 2030, at which time we will be obligated to repay the $10.0 million principal amount of the debentures. We have, as permitted by the instruments governing our trust preferred securities and related junior subordinated debentures, deferred interest payments on these securities. In addition, because our trust preferred securities are held by a special purpose entity in a securitized pool, we may be unable to renegotiate the terms of, or to repurchase, our outstanding trust preferred securities prior to 2010 in order to refinance these at lower interest rates and on better terms.

Some of our debt may be accelerated at any time by the lender.

Under Community bank’s “Convertible Advance Program” line of credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, or the “FHLBA,” we presently owe $38.0 million. In an “event of default” under this line of credit, the FHLBA may declare all or any part of our indebtedness to the FHLBA, together with any accrued interest, and including any prepayment fees, to be immediately due and payable. Included in the list of “events of default” is the situation where the FHLBA reasonably and in good faith determines that a “material adverse change” has occurred in the financial condition of Community Bank from that disclosed at the time of the making of any advance or from the condition of Community Bank as most recently disclosed to the FHLBA.

In the event that the FHLBA determines that, since the time that we borrowed funds under the line of credit, there has been a “material adverse change” in the financial condition of Community Bank, then the FHLBA may declare all amounts due under the line of credit immediately due and payable. In that case, we would need to seek additional sources of funding from deposits, borrowings, repurchase agreements or capital in order to repay amounts outstanding, which we may be unable to obtain on favorable terms, if at all, and which would significantly harm our business and our ability to finance our operations and growth. A default on our FHLBA line of credit could lead to defaults on other indebtedness and the bankruptcy, receivership or conservatorship of Community Bancshares and Community Bank.

We may be difficult to acquire, which could harm the market price of our common stock and our preferred stock and deprive you of a possible premium over the market price.

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that could have the effect of discouraging a third party from acquiring control of us without the approval of our board of directors. These provisions may delay, prevent or deter a merger, acquisition, tender offer, proxy contest or other transaction that might otherwise result in our stockholders receiving a premium over the market price for their common stock or their preferred stock. Among other things, these provisions:

 

    authorize us to issue preferred stock, the terms of which may be determined in the sole discretion of our board of directors and may harm the voting or economic rights of the holders of our common stock or of other series of our preferred stock;

 

    provide for a classified board of directors having three classes, with each class serving staggered three year terms, so that no more than approximately one-third of our board of directors could be replaced at any annual meeting of our stockholders;

 

    restrict the persons eligible to call a special meeting of our stockholders; and

 

    provide that our directors may be removed only for cause by the holders of at least 80% of our outstanding common stock.

We may acquire other companies, and our business operations may suffer if we do not successfully implement and integrate our acquisitions.

We may engage in acquisitions, mergers and branch sales, either as buyers or sellers, in the future. Acquisitions, mergers and branch transactions involve a number of risks, including:

 

    the time associated with identifying and evaluating potential transactions;

 

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Index to Financial Statements
    our ability to finance the transaction and any associated costs, including possible dilution to our existing stockholders;

 

    the diversion of our management’s attention to the integration of the assets, operations or personnel of the acquired businesses;

 

    entry into new markets where we lack experience;

 

    the introduction of new products and services into our business;

 

    possible adverse short-term effects on our results of operations and profitability;

 

    possible amortization of goodwill associated with an acquisition;

 

    the risk of loss of key employees and customers of the acquired business;

 

    risks of unknown or contingent liabilities;

 

    unanticipated costs and delays;

 

    risks that acquired new businesses do not perform consistent with our growth and profitability expectations;

 

    risks that growth will strain our infrastructure, staff, internal controls and management, which may require additional personnel, time and expenditures;

 

    exposure to potential asset quality issues with acquired institutions;

 

    difficulties, expenses and delays of integrating the operations and personnel of acquired institutions, and start-up delays and costs of other expansion activities; and

 

    potential disruptions to our business;

We may issue equity securities and other forms of common stock-based consideration in connection with future acquisitions, which could cause ownership and economic dilution to our current stockholders and to investors purchasing our common stock in this offering. There can be no assurance that, following any future mergers or acquisition, integration efforts will be successful or that our company, after giving effect to the acquisition, will be profitable.

A hedge fund shareholder seeks to elect three new directors, which could result in new management and/or the sale of our company.

One of our largest stockholders, a New York hedge fund, recently launched a proxy contest in an effort to have its own slate of directors elected as members of our board of directors, as replacements for our existing directors, in conjunction with this year’s annual meeting of stockholders. If this proxy contest is successful, the new board of directors may determine to replace our existing management team and/or seek a sale of our company. We cannot predict the outcome of the proxy contest, nor can we predict the actions, or related effects of those actions, that may be taken by the newly elected board of directors. This stockholder, which purchased shares of our common stock at a price substantially lower than that paid by many of our other stockholders, and the directors elected by this stockholder, may seek a sale transaction at a price that is lower than that which would appeal to many of our other stockholders. The hedge fund’s actions may increase our costs and adversely affect our profitability.

Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock

The market price of our common stock has fluctuated, and could fluctuate significantly.

The market price of our common stock has been and could be subject to wide fluctuations, including fluctuations in response to quarterly variations in our operating results, changes in our dividend payments, changes in earnings estimates by analysts, material announcements by us or our competitors, governmental or regulatory actions, acquisitions, the liquidity of the market for our common stock, changes in general economic and market conditions, changes in the securities markets, war and other conflicts, acts of terrorism, speculation raised by the actions of a hedge fund stockholder seeking a sale of the Company and the election of three new directors, market rumors and other events, many of which are beyond our control. The stock market has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations which have affected market prices of smaller capitalization companies and which often have been unrelated to the operating performance of such companies. In addition, if our operating results fall below the expectations of securities analysts and investors, the price of our common stock would likely decline, perhaps substantially.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Our ability to pay dividends to stockholders in the future is subject to profitability, capital, liquidity and regulatory requirements.

Cash available to pay dividends to our stockholders is derived primarily from dividends paid to us by our subsidiaries, and, principally, Community Bank. The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends to us, as well as our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders, will continue to be subject to and limited by the results of operations of our subsidiaries and our need to maintain appropriate liquidity and capital consistent with regulatory requirements and the needs of our businesses.

We may issue additional securities, which could affect the market price of our common stock and dilute ownership.

We may issue additional securities to raise capital to support growth or make acquisitions. Holders of our common stock do not have any preemptive rights to purchase additional shares of our common stock in future offerings. Therefore, holders of our common stock may not be able to maintain their current percentage equity interest if we decide to issue more common stock or more preferred stock, or other securities exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into, our common stock.

We also have made and expect to continue to make grants of equity-based compensation to retain and motivate employees, and we have issued warrants to certain outside third parties. As a result of the exercise or conversion of outstanding options and warrants, the ownership interests of our existing stockholders could be diluted.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock, or the perception by the market that those sales could occur, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline or could make it more difficult for us to raise capital through the sale of common stock or to the use of common stock as currency in future acquisitions.

Future potential debt incurred by us, and future debt or preferred stock issuances by us, may negatively affect the holders of our common stock.

Any existing or future debt or preferred securities of our Company will require the payment of interest or dividends prior to the payment of dividends on our common stock. Debt and preferred securities also will have a senior claim on our assets relative to our common stockholders. Therefore, in the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation or dissolution, our assets must be used to pay off our debt and preferred obligations in full before making any distributions to our common stockholders.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.

Our corporate headquarters is owned by Community Bank and located at 68149 Main Street (U.S. Highway 231) in Blountsville, Alabama. Community Bank’s administrative, operational, accounting and legal functions are housed in three buildings which were constructed in 1997, all of which are located on the same property as the corporate headquarters. These buildings, which collectively provide a total of approximately 72,500 square feet of office space on seven acres of land, are in good condition.

The main commercial banking office of Community Bank is located at 69156 Main Street, Blountsville, Alabama. The premises are owned by Community Bank. This building offers a total of 7,500 square feet of office space and is in good condition.

At December 31, 2005, Community Bank owned or leased buildings that were used in the normal course of business in nine counties in Alabama, including Blount, Lauderdale, Limestone, Madison, Marengo, Marion, Morgan, Perry and Winston Counties. Community Credit owned or leased buildings that were used in the normal course of business in eleven counties in Alabama, including Blount, Cullman, Marshall, Morgan, Limestone, Etowah, Madison, DeKalb, Walker, Talladega and St. Clair Counties. Community Insurance and Southern Select leased space in a building that is used in the normal course of business in Madison County, Alabama. We presently believe that none of these other facilities are, individually, material to our operations, and, if forced for any reason to vacate or sell any of these other facilities, we presently believe that we would be able to timely identify and occupy suitable alternative locations on equally favorable terms.

On March 23, 2006, Community Bank entered into an Acquisition Agreement to sell its branch office located in Demopolis, Alabama. As a result, the Company’s fixed assets located in Demopolis, Alabama will be sold.

For information about the amounts at which bank premises, equipment and other real estate are recorded in our financial statements and information relating to commitments under leases, see our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

 

19


Index to Financial Statements

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

Background

At a June 20, 2000, meeting of the board of directors of Community Bank, one of Community Bank’s directors brought to the attention of the board of directors the total amount of money that Community Bank had paid to subcontractors in connection with the construction of a new Community Bank branch office in Guntersville, Alabama. Questions were subsequently raised about a number of Community Bank construction projects. A joint committee of the boards of directors of Community Bancshares and Community Bank conducted an investigation as did law enforcement and bank regulatory authorities. Following these investigations, the boards of directors terminated the employment of Kennon R. Patterson, Sr., former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Community Bancshares and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Community Bank, and Larry Bishop, former Vice President of Community Bank and the FDIC commenced administrative proceedings against Mr. Patterson and Mr. Bishop which are still pending. On March 10, 2005 Mr. Patterson and Mr. Bishop were convicted in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama of conspiracy, bank fraud and causing false entries to be made in bank records. Mr. Patterson was also convicted of filing false income tax returns. On December 13, 2005, Mr. Patterson was sentenced to five years in federal prison, and on January 26, 2006, Mr. Bishop was sentenced to four years in federal prison. On January 30, 2006, Mr. Patterson and Mr. Bishop were ordered, jointly and severally, to pay restitution of approximately $1.8 million, of which approximately $1.3 million is payable to Community Bank.

Patterson Employment Litigation

 

Plaintiffs:   Community Bancshares, Inc. and Community Bank
Defendants:   Kennon R. Patterson, Sr., Community Bancshares’ former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

On September 14, 2004, Community Bancshares and Community Bank filed suit against Mr. Patterson in the Circuit Court of Blount County, Alabama. The complaint alleges that:

 

    Mr. Patterson breached his employment agreement with Community Bancshares by failing to faithfully perform the duties assigned to him;

 

    Mr. Patterson made fraudulent misrepresentations to, or suppressed material information from, Community Bancshares and Community Bank and/or their officers, directors and agents concerning his bankruptcy, the release of mortgages which Community Bank held on his house, and payments made by Community Bancshares and Community Bank to companies owned by Mr. Patterson and members of his family;

 

    Mr. Patterson removed property belonging to Community Bancshares and Community Bank following the termination of his employment; and

 

    Mr. Patterson breached a duty of loyalty and other fiduciary duties owed to Community Bancshares and Community Bank.

On October 18, 2004, Mr. Patterson filed an answer and counterclaim against Community Bancshares and Community Bank. Mr. Patterson’s counterclaim alleges that:

 

    Community Bancshares breached its employment agreement with Mr. Patterson by terminating his employment;

 

    Community Bancshares failed to pay to Mr. Patterson compensation and benefits of $2.4 million which had allegedly accrued prior to the termination of his employment;

 

    Community Bank intentionally interfered with the employment contract between Mr. Patterson and Community Bancshares by instigating, promoting, assisting in and participating in the termination of Mr. Patterson’s employment agreement; and

 

    Community Bancshares falsely represented to Mr. Patterson that his employment would not be terminated until Match 31, 2008.

On January 25, 2005, Mr. Patterson filed a third-party complaint in this lawsuit against R.B. Jackson, Jimmie Trotter, Glynn Debter, John J. Lewis, Jr., Patrick M. Frawley and Powell, Goldstein, Frazer & Murphy, LLP. The third-party complaint alleges that Messrs, Jackson, Trotter, Debter and Lewis, as members of Community Bank’s Audit Committee, Powell, Goldstein, Frazier & Murphy, LLP, as the independent counsel for Community Bank’s Audit Committee, and Mr. Frawley, acting individually and in concert with one another, interfered with Mr. Patterson’s employment agreement with Community Bancshares. On April 19, 2005, Powell Goldstein, LLP was dismissed from the lawsuit.

 

20


Index to Financial Statements

Patterson ESOP Litigation

 

Plaintiffs:   Community Bancshares, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “ESOP”) and North Star Trust Company, as Trustee of the ESOP
Defendants:   Kennon R. Patterson, Sr., Community Bancshares’ former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

On March 15, 2004 the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, or “ESOP,” of Community Bancshares, together with the ESOP trustee, North Star Trust Company, filed suit against Mr. Patterson in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. The ESOP’s complaint:

 

    alleges that Mr. Patterson breached his fiduciary duty to the ESOP by engaging in activities which adversely affected the value of the Community Bancshares stock held by the ESOP and concealing information with respect to those activities from other ESOP fiduciaries; and

 

    seeks a declaratory judgment that Mr. Patterson is not entitled to a distribution of his accrued benefits in the ESOP and that such benefits may be held and used to offset the damages which the ESOP suffered as a result of Mr. Patterson’s alleged breach of fiduciary duty.

On July 7, 2004, the Court denied Mr. Patterson’s motion to dismiss the case. On or about July 23, 2004, Mr. Patterson filed a counterclaim seeking a judgment that he is entitled to benefits from the ESOP and declaratory and injunctive relief compelling the payment of such benefits. On July 26, 2004 the Court, at Mr. Patterson’s request, stayed discovery in the case pending the disposition of the criminal charges against Mr. Patterson. On December 14, 2005, the stay was lifted.

Patterson Benefit Restoration Plan Litigation

 

Plaintiff:   Kennon R. Patterson, Sr.
Defendant:   Community Bancshares, Inc. Benefit Restoration Plan

On February 17, 2005, Mr. Patterson filed suit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama to compel payment of his accrued benefits under the Community Bancshares, Inc. Benefit Restoration Plan, a nonqualified supplemental retirement plan. The complaint seeks a judgment against the plan and an order compelling the payment of benefits.

Patterson Pension Plan Litigation

 

Plaintiff:   Kennon R. Patterson, Sr.
Defendant:   Community Bancshares, Inc. Revised Pension Plan

On December 16, 2005, Mr. Patterson filed suit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama to compel payment of his accrued benefits under the Community Bancshares, Inc. Revised Pension Plan. The complaint seeks a judgment against the plan and an order compelling the payment of benefits. On March 23, 2006, the Pension Plan filed a motion for summary judgment seeking dismissal of the lawsuit on the grounds that the retroactive payments sought by Mr. Patterson are not permitted under the terms of the Pension Plan and Mr. Patterson both failed to exhaust his administrative remedies before filing the lawsuit and failed to complete the forms required to receive a distribution.

Employee Litigation

 

Plaintiffs:   Bishop K. Walker, Jr., former Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Community Bancshares, and his wife, Wanda Walker, and Denny G. Kelly, former President of Community Bank, and his wife, Arlene Kelly
Defendants:   Community Bancshares, Community Bank, Kennon R. Patterson, Sr., and a number of unidentified defendants

On May 5, 2003, the plaintiffs filed separate suits in the Circuit Court of Blount County, Alabama, against the defendants alleging that they were induced to retire based upon misrepresentations made by Kennon R. Patterson, Sr., who at the time was Community Bancshares’ Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. The plaintiffs claim that Mr. Patterson’s actions constituted fraud, promissory fraud, fraudulent suppression, fraud in the inducement, deceit, fraudulent deceit, negligence, recklessness, wantonness and breach of contract. The complaints seek an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages.

 

21


Index to Financial Statements

On October 23, 2003, Community Bancshares and Community Bank filed counterclaims against Mr. Walker and Mr. Kelly seeking repayment of amounts paid to them as part of a severance arrangement and, in the case of Mr. Kelly, amounts owed to Community Bank in connection with the two loans from Community Bank to Mr. Kelly.

Mr. Kelly and Mr. Walker each filed an amended complaint on or about April 20, 2004. The amended complaints add Mrs. Kelly and Mrs. Walker as parties plaintiff and allege that representations were made by the defendants to Mrs. Kelly and Mrs. Walker that the defendants would purchase their personal and jointly owned stock of the Company. The complaints assert that the defendants’ failure to purchase such stock constitutes promissory fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, fraudulent suppression, negligence and/or wantonness. Mr. Walker’s amended complaint also seeks damages based on Community Bank’s refusal to accept a deed in lieu of foreclosure on Mr. Walker’s home. On June 15, 2004, Community Bank amended its counterclaim against Mr. Walker to recover a loan deficiency balance following Community Bank’s foreclosure on Mr. Walker’s home.

Other Litigation

In addition to the foregoing, Community Bancshares and its affiliates also are from time to time parties to other legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of Community Bancshares’ business. We presently believe that, other than the litigation discussed above, there is no other litigation to which Community Bancshares or its affiliates presently are party that, if such litigation were to result in an outcome unfavorable to Community Bancshares, would, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Community Bancshares’ Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that, in certain circumstances, we will indemnify its directors and officers, and, provided such persons acted in accordance with the standards set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law and Community Bancshares’ organizational documents, advance expenses to its directors and officers in connection with investigations and proceedings in connection with their service as officers and directors.

We have incurred no penalties for failing to include on our tax returns any information required to be disclosed under Section 6011 of the Internal Revenue Code 1988, as amended (the “Code”) with respect to a “reportable transaction” under the Code and that is required to be reported under Code Section 6707A(e).

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

No matter was submitted to a vote of our security holders by solicitation of proxies or otherwise during the fourth quarter of 2005.

 

22


Index to Financial Statements

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

Number of Shares and Holders

We presently have no shares of our preferred stock outstanding. At March 30, 2006, we had approximately 8.8 million shares of our common stock outstanding and held by approximately 2,238 stockholders of record.

Market Information

On September 20, 2005, our common stock began being traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “COMB.” It had previously, since February 26, 2004, been traded on the over-the-counter market under the same symbol. Share price data for 2004 and 2005 presented below is based on reported information on the over-the-counter and NASDAQ markets.

Before February 26, 2004, there was no trading market for our common stock. Our common stock was purchased and sold infrequently in private transactions, and there was no reliable information available as to trades of our common stock, or as to the prices at which our common stock had traded.

 

    

Estimated Price Range

Per Share

     High    Low

2005:

     

Fourth Quarter

   $ 8.74    $ 8.07

Third Quarter

     8.25      7.95

Second Quarter

     8.00      7.25

First Quarter

     7.98      6.75

2004:

     

Fourth Quarter

   $ 7.25    $ 6.60

Third Quarter

     7.25      6.56

Second Quarter

     8.25      6.80

First Quarter

     6.80      5.25

In addition, we engaged Alex Sheshunoff & Co. Investment Banking, LP, to perform independent valuations of the fair market value of our common stock held by our Employee Stock Ownership Program, or “ESOP,” as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and, at each of those dates, Alex Sheshunoff determined the value of the shares of our common stock held by the ESOP to be $6.00 and $5.35 per share, respectively. Since our stock is now listed on NASDAQ, we have not engaged an outside firm to perform an independent valuation of the fair market value of our common stock as of December 31, 2005 nor do we intend to do so going forward.

Dividends

We have not declared or paid any dividends on our common stock since December 31, 2000. Generally, the payment of dividends on our common stock is subject to the prior payment of principal and interest on our long-term debt, the retention of sufficient earnings and capital in our operating subsidiaries and regulatory restrictions. Dividends from Community Bank historically have been the primary source of cash and income to Community Bancshares and, consequently, any restrictions on Community Bank’s ability to pay dividends may and have limited our liquidity and ability to pay dividends on our common stock.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

During the fourth quarter of 2003, we commenced a private placement of our common stock, and, as of December 31, 2003, we had sold 2,151,552 shares of our common stock at a price of $5.35 per share, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $10.4 million. In addition, we granted to those investors who purchased shares in the offering prior to December 31, 2003, as well as to one investor who purchased an additional 40,345 shares after December 31, 2003, an option to exchange by December 31, 2008, in whole but not in part, the shares of our common stock purchased in the offering for shares of our newly designated Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock. We completed the private placement on February 20, 2004, selling an additional 1,586,771 shares of our common stock at a price of $5.35 per share after December 31, 2003, for $7.9 million of additional net proceeds, resulting in the sale of a total of 3,738,323 shares for total net proceeds from the offering of $18.3 million.

 

23


Index to Financial Statements

Our Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock has a liquidation preference equal to the aggregate purchase price of the 2,191,897 shares of common stock initially purchased in the offering, and each whole share of the Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock will have a liquidation preference of $500,000. The Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock has, among other things, the following designations:

 

    The Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock has terms consistent with the Company’s Tier 1 capital treatment for regulatory purposes;

 

    The Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock is noncumulative and is not entitled to the payment of, or otherwise accrue, any dividends;

 

    The Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock is not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund or similar arrangement;

 

    The Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock has no preemptive, preferential or other right to purchase, subscribe for or convert into any other of the Company’s securities;

 

    The Company is not required to purchase the shares of Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock;

 

    Holders of the Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock do not have registration rights requiring the Company to register the shares of the Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock; and

 

    The Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock has no voting power with respect to any Company matters, except in the case of a merger or a significant acquisition or sales transaction, in which case, the Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock will be entitled to one vote per whole share, and will vote together, as one class, with the holders of our common stock.

The complete terms of the Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock are set forth in the Certificate of Designation of the Series 2003 Noncumulative Preferred Stock of Community Bancshares, Inc., which the Company has filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as part of our certificate of incorporation.

No underwriters were involved in the private placement. The investors in the offering were comprised entirely of “accredited investors,” as that term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act. The common stock and options we issued in the offering were not registered under the Securities Act, in reliance upon the exemption from registration under Section 4(2) and the safe harbor afforded by Rule 506 of Regulation D. The certificates evidencing the shares of common stock and the options sold in the offering bear restrictive legends permitting the transfer of the underlying securities only upon registration of the securities or an exemption under the Securities Act, together with an opinion of counsel.

In connection with the offering, we entered into an engagement letter with FIG Partners, pursuant to which FIG Partners agreed to serve as placement agent for the offering, and we agreed to grant to FIG Partners, upon the closing of the offering, a warrant to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock. In connection with the closing of the offering on February 20, 2004, the Company became obligated to issue to FIG Partners a warrant to purchase up to 140,187 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $5.89 per share. The warrant expires on February 20, 2008, and, until that date, may be exercised either in cash or pursuant to a “cashless exercise.”

 

24


Index to Financial Statements

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

The following table sets forth selected financial data for the last five years, and should be read in conjunction with the section in this report entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” as well as our consolidated financial statements and related notes contained elsewhere herein. All averages are daily averages.

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2005     2004 (restated)     2003     2002     2001  
     (dollars in thousands, except per share data)  

Selected consolidated operations data:

          

Net interest income

   $ 18,423     $ 17,301     $ 18,362     $ 23,505     $ 22,853  

Provision for loan losses

     796       987       11,381       10,033       6,096  

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     1,649       4       (13,100 )     (5,023 )     (2,381 )

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     —         —         —         5,927       958  

Net income (loss)

     1,649       4       (13,100 )     904       (1,423 )

Selected per share data:

          

Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations – basic

     0.19       0.00       (2.79 )     (1.08 )     (0.52 )

Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations - diluted

     0.19       0.00       (2.79 )     (1.08 )     (0.52 )

Earnings (loss) per share – basic

     0.19       0.00       (2.79 )     0.19       (0.31 )

Earnings (loss) per share – diluted

     0.19       0.00       (2.79 )     0.19       (0.31 )

Cash dividends

     —         —         —         —         —    

Selected consolidated balance sheet data:

          

Loans

     336,462       300,380       316,207       359,184       501,519  

Total assets

     572,468       553,539       558,555       567,596       727,591  

Deposits

     438,904       448,915       453,946       459,464       617,706  

FHLBA long-term debt

     67,200       38,000       38,000       38,000       38,000  

Other long-term debt

     —         —         3,169       3,578       4,667  

Trust preferred securities

     —         —         10,000       10,000       10,000  

Junior subordinated debt

     10,310       10,310       —         —         —    

Average equity

     43,393       46,903       36,984       42,848       42,938  

Average earning assets

     479,950       485,859       488,227       526,025       530,717  

Average assets

     548,360       549,816       556,591       629,481       725,461  

Selected ratios:

          

Return on average assets

     0.30 %     0.00 %     (2.35 )%     0.14 %     (0.20 )%

Return on average equity

     3.80       0.01       (35.42 )     2.11       (3.31 )

Average equity to average assets

     7.91       8.53       6.64       6.81       5.92  

 

25


Index to Financial Statements

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

The purpose of this discussion is to assist in the understanding of the significant changes in the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries during each of 2003, 2004 and 2005. This discussion and analysis is intended to supplement and highlight information contained in, and should be read in conjunction with, the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes and the selected financial data presented elsewhere in this report.

Overview

During 2005, many positive developments occurred at our Company. A summary of several key 2005 developments include:

 

    Approval of the pro tanto settlements of the Benson and Packard derivative lawsuits on January 31, 2005, resulting in a $0.6 million payment to the Company;

 

    The conviction of our former Chairman, Kennon R. Patterson, Sr. on March 11, 2005, on 15 counts of conspiracy to commit fraud, bank fraud, false entries in bank records and filing false income tax returns, among others, which we view as another positive development for ongoing litigation;

 

    Notice during March 2005 from the FDIC, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, and the Alabama State Banking Department that all regulatory agreements, memoranda, plans and/or orders have been terminated, which actions we expect to substantially reduce costs.

 

    Purchase of American Family Mortgage, LLC effective on March 1, 2005 which we anticipate will increase fee income through the origination and sale of residential mortgage loans;

 

    Opening of a full service “Financial Center” in Huntsville, Alabama on August 10, 2005, the first banking office to open as part of our expansion plans in this growing market;

 

    Improvement in our net interest margin from 3.56% for 2004 to 3.84% for 2005, an important development in our strategy to increase core earnings;

 

    The sale of our Double Springs, Alabama branch on November 9, 2005 as part of our branch rationalization strategies resulting in a gain of $0.4 million;

 

    A contract on Heritage Valley Ranch, our largest piece of other real estate owned for $9.8 million; and

 

    A substantial reduction in loan charge-offs.

Management believes the combined effect of these developments helps position the Company for a renewed focus on customer attraction and retention, improved marketing of competitive products and services, expansion into higher growth markets, and management of an improved balance sheet. On March 23, 2006, Community Bank entered into an agreement to sell its Demopolis, Alabama branch office. The branch was not profitable for our Company; therefore, we believe this to be a good strategy in our branch rationalization efforts.

Restatement

Community Bancshares, Inc. has restated its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2004 and each of the quarters in 2005 and 2004 to restate financial statements and other financial information previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The restatements correct errors in the originally filed Form 10-K and Forms 10-Q related to the Company’s derivative accounting under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS No. 133”).

In December 2003, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement relating to a pool of certificates of deposit (CD swap) that was accounted for as a fair value hedge under SFAS No. 133. The company elected an abbreviated method (the “short-cut” method) of documenting the effectiveness of the swap as a hedge, which allowed the Company to assume no ineffectiveness in the transaction as long as critical terms did not change. The Company recently concluded that the CD swap did not qualify for this method in prior periods. Although, historical effectiveness testing performed in January 2006 demonstrated that the CD swap would have qualified for hedge accounting under the “long-haul” method, hedge accounting under SFAS No. 133 is not allowed retrospectively because the hedge documentation required for the long-haul method was not in place at the inception of the hedge. Eliminating the application of fair value hedge accounting reverses the fair value adjustments that were made to the hedged item and the certificates of deposit. This reversal of fair value hedge accounting also results in reclassification of swap net settlements from interest expense to noninterest income as well as recording of swap mark-to-market adjustments in trading gains (losses) on economic hedges. Any gains or losses resulting from changes in the fair market value of the swap will reverse as the swap gets closer to maturity. The swap will mature at a fair market value of zero.

 

26


Index to Financial Statements

This restatement increased (decreased) income statement captions for the affected periods as follows (unaudited) (in thousands, except per share data):

 

     Total     Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2005
    Year Ended
December 31,
2004
 

Interest expense

   $ 288     $ (11 )   $ 299  

Noninterest income

     (222 )     (233 )     11  

Provision for income taxes

     (204 )     (89 )     (115 )
                        

Net income

   $ (306 )   $ (133 )   $ (173 )
                        

Diluted net income per share

   $ (0.04 )   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.02 )
                        

 

     For the Quarters Ended  
     Total     September 30,
2005
    June 30,
2005
   March 31,
2005
 

Interest expense

   $ (11 )   $ (30 )   $ 1    $ 18  

Noninterest income

     (233 )     (144 )     135      (224 )

Provision for income taxes

     (89 )     (46 )     54      (97 )
                               

Net income

   $ (133 )   $ (68 )   $ 80    $ (145 )
                               

Diluted net income per share

   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.01 )   $ 0.01    $ (0.02 )
                               

 

     For the Quarters Ended
     Total     December 31,
2004
    September 30,
2004
   June 30,
2004
    March 31,
2004

Interest expense

   $ 299     $ 61     $ 61    $ 88     $ 89

Noninterest income

     11       (125 )     369      (620 )     387

Provision for income taxes

     (115 )     (74 )     123      (283 )     119
                                     

Net income

   $ (173 )   $ (112 )   $ 185    $ (425 )   $ 179
                                     

Diluted net income per share

   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.01 )   $ 0.02    $ (0.05 )   $ 0.02
                                     

We have identified this failure to ensure the correct application of generally accepted accounting principles as described above as a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting with respect to accounting for hedge transactions. See Item 9A “Controls and Procedures.” The information presented in this Item 7, and elsewhere in this report, reflects the effects of this restatement. We are confident that as of the date of this filing, we have fully remediated the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting with respect to accounting for derivative transactions.

Primary Sources of Revenues and Expenses

Net Interest Income

While Community Bank provides most traditional banking services, its principal activities as a community bank are the taking of demand and time deposits and the making of secured and unsecured consumer loans and commercial loans in its markets. As a result, our principal source of revenue is net interest income at Community Bank. Net interest income is the difference between:

 

    income we receive on our interest-earning assets, such as investment securities and loans; and

 

    payments we make on our interest-bearing sources of funds, such as deposits and borrowings.

The level of net interest income is determined primarily by the average balances, or volume, of interest-earning assets and the various rate spreads between the interest-earning assets and our funding sources. Changes in our net interest income from period to period result from, among other things:

 

    increases or decreases in the volumes of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities;

 

    increases or decreases in the average rates earned and paid on those assets and liabilities;

 

    our ability to manage the interest-earning asset portfolio, which includes loans;

 

27


Index to Financial Statements
    the availability and costs of particular sources of funds, such as noninterest-bearing deposits; and

 

    our ability to “match” our liabilities to fund our assets.

Net Noninterest Income

Our noninterest revenues consist primarily of:

 

    service charges on customer deposit accounts;

 

    insurance commissions;

 

    securities gains or losses; and

 

    other service fees charged to customers.

Our noninterest expenses consist primarily of:

 

    salaries and employee benefits;

 

    costs to hold and maintain premises and equipment;

 

    insurance;

 

    director and committee fees;

 

    professional service fees, especially legal and accounting; and

 

    cost of foreclosed assets.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our accounting policies are established in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP, and general practices within our industry. The application of certain of these accounting policies involves a significant amount of judgment as well as the use of estimates and assumptions based upon information that we have at the time of these judgments. These estimates and judgments involve significant uncertainties, and are susceptible to change. If different assumptions or conditions were to prevail, depending upon the magnitude of any discrepancies from our estimates and judgments, then our financial condition and results of operations may prove to be materially different from the presentation herein.

We recognize the following as our critical accounting policies:

 

    Accounting for Allowance for Loan Losses. We analyze our loan portfolio to determine the adequacy of allowance for loan losses and the appropriate provision required to maintain a level that we consider to be adequate to absorb anticipated loan losses. When we believe that the collection of the principal of a loan is unlikely, that loan is charged off against the allowance for loan losses. Subsequent recoveries of principal on that loan are added back to the allowance for loan losses. Our evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is based on a formal analysis which assesses the risks within the loan portfolio. Among other factors that we consider are the following:

 

    our past loan loss experience;

 

    known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio, including past due and nonperforming loans;

 

    adverse situations that may affect the borrowers’ ability to repay those loans;

 

    the estimated value of any underlying collateral;

 

    our internal loan reviews;

 

    the reviews of regulators; and

 

    an analysis of current economic conditions.

The consideration and application of many of these factors involve assumptions, estimates and judgments that are inherently uncertain and are subject to change. We believe that the allowance for loan losses was adequate at December 31, 2005. While we use available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions to the allowance for loan losses may be necessary

 

28


Index to Financial Statements

based on economic changes and changes to various borrowers. Certain economic and interest rate factors could have a material effect on the determination of the allowance for loan losses. Our allowance for loan losses is also subject to regulatory examinations and determinations as to adequacy, which may take into account such factors as the methodology used to calculate the allowance for loan losses and the size of the allowance for loan losses in comparison to a group of peer banks identified by our regulators. During their routine examinations of banks, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Alabama State Banking Department may require us to make additional provisions to our allowance for loan losses where, in the opinion of the regulators, credit evaluations and allowance for loan loss methodology differ materially from ours.

 

    Accounting for Income Taxes. We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Our determination of the deferred and current provision for income taxes requires analysis of certain transactions and the related tax laws and regulations applicable to those transactions. We exercise significant judgment in evaluating the amount and timing of the recognition of the resulting tax liabilities and assets. Our judgments and estimates are re-evaluated on a continual basis as regulatory and business factors change. However, because our judgments and estimates are inherently subjective and subject to change, there can be no assurance that our determination of the provision for income taxes will not be changed, upward or downward, in future periods. Significant judgments are also made in determining the amount, if any, of valuation allowance accounts established to reduce the value of deferred tax assets for amounts estimated to be of no future benefit. As of December 31, 2005, we have no such valuation allowances established against our deferred tax assets. Although we believe that as of December 31, 2005, a valuation allowance on our deferred tax asset is not necessary because we believe they do represent future tax benefits, it is possible that results of operations could affect our judgments and estimates whereby we believe it to be necessary to establish a valuation allowance in the future.

 

    Accounting for Contingencies. Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 5 (“SFAS 5”), “Accounting for Contingencies,” defines a contingency as an existing condition, situation, or set of circumstances involving uncertainty as to possible gain or loss. It will ultimately be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur. SFAS 5 defines the different levels of probability as to whether or not future events will confirm the existence of a loss as follows:

 

    “probable” – meaning that the future event or events are likely to occur;

 

    “reasonably possible” – meaning that the chance of the future event or events occurring is more than remote but less than likely; or

 

    “remote” – meaning that the chance of the future event or events is slight.

Professional judgment is required to classify the likelihood of the future events occurring. In assessing these levels of probability, we acquire all relevant information concerning the uncertain set of circumstances. An accrual of a loss occurs when it is both probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and when the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.

As discussed in Note 16 to our consolidated financial statements, legal proceedings are pending or threatened against us, our subsidiaries as well as their respective indemnities. Except as discussed in Note 16:

 

    we have not concluded that it is probable that a loss has been incurred in any pending litigation;

 

    we are unable to make a meaningful estimate of the amount or range of loss that could result from an unfavorable outcome of pending litigation; and

 

    accordingly, we have not provided any amounts in the consolidated financial statements for unfavorable outcome, if any.

As discussed in Note 16, as of December 31, 2003, we had accrued $2.5 million for potential losses on pending litigation, where in our best judgment, losses were both probable and reasonably estimated. The estimates were based on current circumstances of pending matters. As of December 31, 2004, $0.3 million of this reserve remained and is reported in other liabilities on our balance sheet. As of December 31, 2005, there were no reserves for pending litigation since we believe no contingent losses are probable nor can be reasonably estimated.

The present litigation environment, though improved, is substantially uncertain, and it is possible that our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position could be materially affected by unfavorable outcomes or settlements of certain pending litigation. All such cases are, and will continue to be, vigorously defended. However, we and our subsidiaries may enter into discussions in an attempt to settle particular cases if it is in the best interests of our stockholders to do so.

 

    Accounting for Impaired Assets. Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 144 (“SFAS 144”), “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” requires long-lived assets to be sold to be classified as held for sale when certain criteria are met. A long-lived asset classified as held for sale is measured at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell and no longer depreciated while it is classified as held for sale. As discussed in Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements, we classified three properties as held for sale during 2003. Consequently, we incurred a loss of $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 on these assets in transferring them to held for sale.

 

29


Index to Financial Statements

We used estimates in determining the fair values of these assets and, although we believe the fair values established are reasonable, it is possible that our results of operations, cash flows or financial position could be materially affected by the eventual sale of the assets.

 

    Derivative Instruments. In various segments of its business, the Company uses derivative financial instruments to reduce exposure to changes in interest rates and market prices for financial instruments. The application of the hedge accounting policy requires judgment in the assessment of hedge effectiveness, identification of similar hedged item groupings and measurement of changes in the fair value of hedged items. The Company believes that its methods for addressing these judgmental areas are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States and are in line with industry practices in assessing hedge effectiveness. However, if in the future, the derivative financial instruments used by the Company no longer qualify for hedge accounting treatment and, consequently, the change in fair value of hedged items could not be recognized in earnings, the impact on the consolidated results of operations and reported earnings could be significant. Management believes hedge effectiveness is evaluated properly in preparation of the financial statements. All of the derivative financial instruments used by the Company have active markets and indications of fair value can be readily obtained.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

General

Our total assets at December 31, 2005 were $572.5 million, an increase of $19.0 million, or 3.4%, from $553.5 million at December 31, 2004. Net loans (excluding loans held for sale) grew by $35.9 million to $331.7 million in 2005, compared to $295.8 million in 2004. Total loans (before deducting the allowance for loan losses) grew by $36.1 million to $336.5 million in 2005 due to new loan production, net of paydowns. We experienced a $10.0 million, or 2.2%, decline in deposits from December 31, 2004 to December 31, 2005, primarily due to management’s decision not to pursue higher priced certificates of deposits. Management’s decision was based upon funding needs, as well as our focus on building profitable relationships. Community Bank currently is not in need of funding for its liquidity. Noninterest-bearing deposits increased by $1.1 million, or 1.6%, from December 31, 2004 to December 31, 2005, where they were $71.4 million and interest-bearing deposits decreased by $11.1 million, or 2.9%, to $367.5 million during that same period.

On March 23, 2006, Community Bank entered into an agreement to sell its Demopolis, Alabama branch office. As consideration for the purchase, we will receive the net book value of the loans, equal to approximately $6.6 million, and an agreed upon price of $1.0 million for the fixed assets and deposits which is the equivalent of the net book value of the fixed assets and a premium of approximately 7.4% on the core deposits assumed based on a 30-day average of account balances. As of the date of this report, our Demopolis branch had $7.1 million in total deposits.

Earning Assets

Our earning assets are mainly comprised of:

 

    loans;

 

    investment securities;

 

    interest-bearing balances in other banks; and

 

    federal funds sold.

Our average total assets in 2005 were $548.4 million, representing a decrease of $1.4 million, or 0.3%, from average total assets of $549.8 million in 2004. Average total assets decreased $6.8 million, or 1.2% from $556.6 million in 2003. Average earning assets were $480.0 million, $485.9 million and $488.2 million in each of 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively, accounting for approximately 87.5%, 88.4% and 87.7% of our average total assets for the respective years. Average earning assets have decreased primarily as an effect from lower average deposit balances.

Average loans, net of unearned income, were $321.2 million, $312.9 million and $330.9 million, representing 66.9%, 64.4% and 67.8% of average earning assets during 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Because of loan production efforts, average loans increased during 2005. Average investment securities were $143.2 million in 2005, representing 29.8% of average earning assets for the year and a decrease of $9.6 million, or 6.3%, from the average investment securities for 2004. This decrease was due to our reinvestment of funds into higher yielding loans and the decline in higher cost deposits. Our average investment securities were $152.8 million in 2004 and represented 31.5% of average earning assets in 2004, compared to 26.6% in 2003. The change in the mix of loans and securities has been

 

30


Index to Financial Statements

attributable to our intended strategy to increase loans with funding from the investment portfolio. Average federal funds sold as a percent of average earning assets was 2.3%, 2.5% and 4.9% for 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The average dollar amount invested in federal funds sold during 2005 was relatively level to that of 2004. The decrease in average federal funds from $23.9 million to $11.9 million in 2004 was related to the increased securities investments as we sought higher yields. The other earning asset categories accounted for less than 3.0% of average earning assets for all three periods.

Loans comprise the largest single category of our assets. The following table shows the classification of loans by major category at December 31, 2005, and at the end of each of the preceding four years:

LOAN PORTFOLIO

 

     December 31,  
     2005     2004     2003     2002     2001  
     Amount     Percent of
Total
    Amount     Percent of
Total
    Amount     Percent of
Total
    Amount     Percent of
Total
    Amount     Percent of
Total
 
     (dollars in thousands)  

Commercial, financial and agricultural (1)

   $ 111,578     33.2 %   $ 86,604     28.8 %   $ 73,746     23.3 %   $ 101,841     28.3 %   $ 146,210     29.1 %

Real estate - construction

     22,638     6.7       4,702     1.6       3,386     1.1       2,017     0.6       3,126     0.6  

Real estate - mortgage

     152,453     45.3       157,350     52.4       176,097     55.7       174,775     48.7       233,216     46.5  

Installment loans to individuals

     49,732     14.8       51,603     17.2       62,826     19.9       80,596     22.4       119,031     23.8  

Unamortized premiums in loans

     63     —         122     —         184     —         —       —         —       —    

Unearned income

     (2 )   —         (1 )   —         (32 )   —         (45 )   —         (64 )   —    
                                                                      

Loans, net of unearned income

     336,462     100.00 %     300,380     100.0 %     316,207     100.0 %     359,184     100.0 %     501,519     100.0 %

Allowance for loan losses

     (4,736 )       (4,625 )       (14,358 )       (9,784 )       (7,292 )  
                                                  

Net loans

   $ 331,726       $ 295,755       $ 301,849       $ 349,400       $ 494,227    
                                                  

(1) Includes commercial loans secured by real estate.

The following table provides maturities of certain loan classifications and an analysis of these loans maturing in over one year as of December 31, 2005:

SELECTED LOAN MATURITY AND INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY

 

     Maturity    Total    Rate Structure for Loans
Maturing Over One Year
     One
Year or
Less
   Over One
Year
Through
Five Years
  

Over

Five

Years

     

Predetermined
Interest

Rate

   Floating or
Adjustable
Rate
     (in thousands)

Commercial, financial and agricultural (1)

   $ 42,181    $ 32,657    $ 36,740    $ 111,578    $ 27,199    $ 84,379

Real estate - construction

     17,200      2,843      2,595      22,638      —        22,638
                                         

Total

   $ 59,381    $ 35,500    $ 39,335    $ 134,216    $ 27,199    $ 107,017
                                         

(1) Includes commercial loans secured by real estate.

Nonperforming Assets and Past Due Loans

Our nonperforming assets are comprised of:

 

    nonaccruing loans;

 

    loans 90 days past due or greater;

 

    restructured loans;

 

    nonaccruing securities; and

 

    other real estate owned.

Total nonperforming assets as of December 31, 2005 were $13.8 million, comprised primarily of other real estate owned, represented an increase of $1.0 million, or 7.8%, from the $12.8 million of nonperforming assets at December 31, 2004. The increase in nonperforming assets resulted mostly from an increase in nonaccrual loans. During 2004, we charged down $4.1 million in loans transferred to held for sale and sold the remaining net value of $16.2 million in order to purge problem assets. In addition, loans classified as held for sale at December 31, 2003 of $1.8 million were sold.

 

31


Index to Financial Statements

At December 31, 2005, other real estate owned of $10.2 million accounted for 73.9% of our $13.8 million in nonperforming assets and decreased $0.9 million from December 31, 2004. During 2004, progress was made in selling other real estate owned; however, on December 8, 2004, another financial institution foreclosed on the property owned by our former Chief Executive Officer, Kennon R. Patterson, Sr. The Company had a nonaccrual real estate loan on a mansion and twenty acres of land in the amount of $5.4 million outstanding to Mr. Patterson and in prior years had charged off $0.2 million. On the date of foreclosure, the remaining loan balance was $5.2 million, of which $2.2 million was reserved for in the allowance for loan losses. The Company charged off $2.2 million and transferred $3.0 million to other real estate owned. Then, on December 30, 2004, in order to protect its interest and facilitate an orderly sale of the property, the Company purchased at the foreclosure of another financial institution, the surrounding land (approximately 900 acres) and attached buildings to Mr. Patterson’s property for $3.4 million. After giving effect to this purchase, the total property formerly owned by Mr. Patterson was carried at $6.4 million; accordingly, the Company had $8.6 million in principal exposure on the property. The Company focused all efforts to sell the property during 2005 and successfully did so in the first quarter of 2006, recording a gain of $2.3 million also in the first quarter of 2006.

At December 31, 2005, total nonaccruing loans amounted to $3.1 million, an increase of $2.0 million, from total nonaccruing loans at December 31, 2004 of $1.1 million. This increase is the result of recent changes in bankruptcy law that caused an acceleration in bankruptcy filings. The Company’s policy is to take loans to nonaccrual status whenever a customer files for bankruptcy. During 2004, nonaccruing loans decreased 92.2%, from $14.1 million at December 31, 2003 to $1.1 million at December 31, 2004. This decrease primarily resulted from the loan sales as well as the foreclosure discussed in the previous paragraph. Loans past due 90 days or more remained relatively level from December 31, 2004 to December 31, 2005 at $0.3 million. Our credit standards have improved significantly over the past several years through various enhancements and initiatives including but not limited to the following:

 

    improvements in lending personnel and credit administration process;

 

    establishment of a Special Assets division to focus on nonperforming loans, other real estate owned and other foreclosed assets;

 

    centralized loan processing to ensure that loan policies and procedures and documentation are applied consistently and accurately;

 

    improved collection and analysis of updated financial data on borrowers;

 

    tighter lending authority limits for lenders;

 

    improved credit training, risk selection and loan underwriting;

 

    renewed focus on reducing past due loans;

 

    ongoing improvements and updates to overall loan policies; and

 

    written, comprehensive strategies and policies required for all problem assets above $150,000.

Although we presently believe that we have improved our asset quality, we can give no assurance that continued deterioration will not occur. However, it is our policy to adequately reserve for losses in the loan portfolio. See “Results of Operations – Provision for Loan Losses, Net Charge-Offs and Allowance for Loan Losses” for more information and detail below.

 

32


Index to Financial Statements

The following table summarizes our nonperforming assets at December 31 during each of the last five years:

NONPERFORMING ASSETS

 

     December 31,  
     2005     2004     2003     2002     2001  
     (dollars in thousands)  

Nonaccruing loans

   $ 3,078     $ 1,115     $ 14,138     $ 10,099     $ 5,859  

Loans past due 90 days or more

     318       290       611       1,241       2,346  

Restructured loans

     235       238       2,390       3,244       —    
                                        

Total nonperforming loans

     3,631       1,643       17,139       14,584       8,205  

Other real estate

     10,185       11,126       6,945       7,676       4,287  
                                        

Total nonperforming assets

   $ 13,816     $ 12,769     $ 24,084     $ 22,260     $ 12,492  
                                        

Ratios:

          

Allowance for loan losses to total nonperforming assets

     34.28 %     36.22 %     59.62 %     43.95 %     58.37 %

Total nonperforming loans to total loans

     1.08       0.55       5.42       4.06       1.64  

Total nonperforming assets to total assets

     2.41       2.31       4.31       3.92       1.72  

If nonaccrual loans had performed in accordance with their original contractual terms, gross interest income on these loans would have been an estimated $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, compared to $0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 and $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2003.

Investment Portfolio

The composition of our investment securities portfolio reflects the Company’s investment strategy of maximizing portfolio yields subject to risk and liquidity considerations. Our entire portfolio is classified as “available for sale.” The primary objectives of our investment strategy are to maintain an appropriate level of liquidity and to provide a tool to assist in controlling our interest rate position, while at the same time producing adequate levels of interest income. Managing the maturity of the portfolio is necessary to provide liquidity and to reduce interest rate risk. During 2005, gross investment securities sales, calls and pay downs were approximately $50.8 million and maturities totaled $5.0 million, compared to $72.2 million of sales, calls and paydowns and no maturities in 2004, and $113.5 million and $18.4 million, respectively in 2003. The decrease in gross investment securities in 2005 was due to increases in the loan portfolio funded by cash flows from the investment portfolio. The decrease in gross investment securities in 2004 resulted from increased cash balances at year end reinvested again in early 2005.

Net gains (losses) realized on investment security sales totaled ($41,000) in 2005, compared to $193,000 during 2004, and $1.1 million in 2003. At December 31, 2005, gross unrealized gains in our investment portfolio were $39,000, compared to $173,000 at December 31, 2004. Gross unrealized losses amounted to $4.3 million at December 31, 2005 and $2.5 million at December 31, 2004. These fluctuations in the gross unrealized gains and losses in our investment portfolio resulted from changing bond prices. Unrealized losses on a bond occur when the bond’s yield is less than we could currently receive in the market. The opposite is true when a bond is paying more yield than the current market resulting in unrealized gains.

Mortgage-backed securities have varying degrees of risk of impairment of principal, compared to U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agency obligations, which are considered to contain virtually no default or prepayment risk for the Company. Impairment risk is primarily associated with accelerated prepayments, particularly with respect to longer maturities purchased at a premium and interest-only strip securities. At each of December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 our mortgage-backed securities portfolio had no interest-only strips, and the amount of unamortized premium on mortgage-backed securities was $1.6 million, $1.8 million and $2.2 million respectively. As prepayment rates on mortgage-backed securities change, the speed at which unamortized premiums are amortized will change as well, in order to amortize the premium over the expected life of the security. This change will be reflected in the overall yield on the security. The recoverability of our investment in mortgage-backed securities is reviewed periodically by management, and, if necessary, appropriate adjustments for impaired value are made to income.

 

33


Index to Financial Statements

The carrying amount of investment securities at the end of each of the last three years is set forth in the following table:

INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO

 

     December 31,
     2005    2004    2003
     (in thousands)

U. S. Treasury and agency securities

   $ 49,981    $ 58,529    $ 61,216

Mortgage-backed securities

     80,245      79,353      86,623

State and municipal securities

     1,092      5,454      6,427

Corporate bonds

     970      1,006      —  

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

     4,117      2,826      2,005
                    

Total investment securities

   $ 136,405    $ 147,168    $ 156,271
                    

Total investment securities decreased approximately $10.8 million, or 7.3%, from approximately $147.2 at December 31, 2004, to approximately $136.4 million at December 31, 2005. This decrease primarily was due to new loan production and the funding of such with cash flows from the investment portfolio. In 2004, total investment securities decreased $9.1 million, or 5.8%, from approximately $156.3 million at December 31, 2003, to approximately $147.2 million at December 31, 2004. This decrease primarily was due to the implementation of strategies in the third and fourth quarters of 2004 to reduce investment securities and make more funds available for lending. At December 31, 2005, non-taxable investment securities were $1.1 million, representing a decrease of $4.3 million in 2005 related to the payoff of one security and no reinvestment into additional non-taxable investment securities as a result of the Company operating with tax loss carryforwards that would limit the potential benefit of these investments.

The composition of the Company’s investment securities portfolio stayed relatively constant during 2005 and 2004, but changed in 2003 primarily as the result of the Company selling certain collateralized mortgage obligations due to (i) their price volatility, (ii) their high extension risk in an increasing rate environment, and (iii) their high prepayment risk in a decreasing rate environment, and also as the result of the Company reinvesting the resulting funds into government agency and mortgage-backed securities with shorter average maturities. At December 31, 2005, U.S. government and agency securities (including mortgage-backed securities) represented 95.5% of the Company’s total investment securities portfolio, compared to 93.7% at December 31, 2004 and 94.6% at December 31, 2003, while state and municipal securities represented 0.8%, 3.7% and 4.1% of the investment securities portfolio at December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. During 2005, the Company’s investment strategy has been to seek the best yield while maintaining acceptable price risk volatility in an expected future rising rate environment.

The maturities and weighted average yields of the investments in the December 31, 2005 portfolio of investment securities are presented below. The weighted average life of the investment portfolio was 4.43 years at December 31, 2005, compared to 4.39 years at December 31, 2004 and 5.12 years at December 31, 2003, with an average yield of 3.77%, 3.70% and 4.00% at December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Mortgage-backed securities are included in U.S. Government agencies and are based upon the guaranteed payoff date of each security.

INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO MATURITY SCHEDULE

 

     Maturing  
     Within
One Year
    After One but
within Five Years
    After Five but
within Ten Years
    After
Ten Years
 
     Amount    Yield     Amount    Yield     Amount    Yield     Amount    Yield  
     (dollars in thousands)  

December 31, 2005:

                    

Securities - available-for-sale:

                    

U. S. Government agencies

   $ 12,867    2.22 %   $ 34,063    3.06 %   $ 26,006    4.37 %   $ 57,290    4.60 %

State and municipal securities

     —      —         —      —         —      —         1,092    4.85  

Corporate bonds

     —      —         970    5.99       —      —         —      —    

FHLBA stock

     —      —         —      —         —      —         4,117    —    
                                    
   $ 12,867    2.22     $ 35,033    3.14     $ 26,006    4.37     $ 62,499    4.61  
                                    

With the exception of some securities issued by U.S. Government agencies, at December 31, 2004 the Company held one municipal bond, which exceeded 10% of the Company’s consolidated stockholders’ equity. This bond was called in early 2005 and is no longer owned by the Company as of December 31, 2005.

Cash and amounts due from banks along with interest-bearing deposits in banks decreased $8.5 million during 2005, from $52.5 million at December 31, 2004 to $44.0 million at December 31, 2005. Cash balances were high on December 31, 2004 because of a bulk sale of loans on December 30, 2004. As a result, approximately $12.6 million was received in cash and had not yet been redeployed into

 

34


Index to Financial Statements

earnings assets. We invested these funds into securities in early 2005. Average balances in cash and due from banks for the year ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 were $18.3 million and $27.8 million, respectively. Cash and due from banks balances were high during 2004 primarily due to earnings credit rates, which are applied to balances held in our correspondent bank accounts that are maintained with other banks. We receive credits based on balances at these correspondent banks, and the credits are used to offset the service charges experienced. We ultimately received a larger credit against the service charges that would have been paid compared to the interest income that otherwise would have been received had the funds been held in federal funds sold. During 2005, we lowered cash in our correspondent accounts as the federal funds rate increased. The balance of interest-bearing deposits held by the Company with other banks was $2.2 million at December 31, 2005, and $5.4 million at December 31, 2004.

Federal funds sold increased $11.9 million, or 88.1%, during 2005, from $13.5 million at December 31, 2004 to $25.4 million at December 31, 2005, as a result of the Company taking advantage of favorable FHLBA rates and borrowing to lock in cost on funds to make available for future loan funding needs. Federal funds sold decreased $0.8 million, or 5.6%, during 2004, from $14.3 million at December 31, 2003 to $13.5 million at December 31, 2004.

Deposits

Dividends from Community Bank have historically been Community Bancshares’ primary source of funds, and Community Bank’s primary source of funds for dividends comes from its deposits. Community Bank began geographic expansion in August 2005, which we believe will lead to deposit increases. Community Bank intends to expand its consumer base into higher growth markets than those it currently serves, such as Huntsville, Alabama. To achieve future deposit growth, the Bank intends to enhance existing products and emphasize better customer service in all markets.

During 2005, the Company’s average total deposits decreased approximately $5.1 million, or 1.1%, from $444.6 million at December 31, 2004, to approximately $439.5 million at December 31, 2005. During 2004, the Company’s average total deposits decreased approximately $7.8 million, or 1.7%, from $452.4 million at December 31, 2003. The Company’s total deposits at December 31, 2005 were $438.9 million, a decrease of $10.0 million from December 31, 2004. The decreases have been due not only to the sale of our Double Springs, Alabama branch in November 2005 which attributed to $7.9 million of the decline in deposits, but also to lowering of high priced deposit rates leading to decreases in more volatile deposits. The Company lowered its rates on interest bearing transaction and savings accounts in March 2005 which were high compared to other banks in our markets. As a result, deposits declined as some of those customers were only seeking higher rates. Some of the customers maintained their relationships with our bank, but shifted deposits into higher yielding time deposits.

We have also better managed our rates on time deposits or certificates of deposits as part of our strategy to improve our net interest margin. As we have implemented our strategy to attract customers by means other than rate, we have also maintained our focus to build our noninterest-bearing deposit base. Although these accounts generally carry lower balances, they offer more noninterest income opportunities, they improve our net interest margin, they tend to be a more stable deposit base and they generally offer more opportunities for building customer relationships through ancillary services.

The following table presents the average deposit balances and the average rates paid for each of the major classifications of deposits for the 12 month periods ending December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003:

 

     Average Deposit Balances and Rates Paid  
     2005     2004 (restated)     2003  
     Average
Balance
   Average
Rate
Paid
    Average
Balance
   Average
Rate
Paid
    Average
Balance
   Average
Rate
Paid
 
     (dollars in thousands)  

Noninterest-bearing demand

   $ 67,292    0.00 %   $ 61,872    0.00 %   $ 55,463    0.00 %

Interest-bearing demand

     103,190    2.15       106,743    1.90       86,053    1.62  

Savings

     64,542    1.35       71,102    1.40       63,464    1.47  

Time

     204,432    3.50       204,893    2.97       247,417    3.24  
                           

Total (1)

   $ 439,456    2.75     $ 444,610    2.38     $ 452,397    2.60  
                           

(1) The rate paid on total average deposits represents the rate paid on total average interest-bearing deposits only.

Our average interest-bearing deposits decreased $10.5 million, or 2.7%, in 2005 from $382.7 million at December 31, 2004 to $372.2 million at December 31, 2005. This decrease occurred in interest-bearing demand and savings deposits for the reasons discussed above. Average interest-bearing deposits decreased in 2004 by $14.2 million, or 3.6%, from $396.9 million at December 31, 2003. Average savings deposits and average time deposits decreased 9.3% and 0.2%, respectively, during 2005, compared to an increase of 12.0% and a decrease of 17.2%, respectively, during 2004. As also discussed above, we have placed significant focus on increasing our noninterest-bearing deposits. Average noninterest-bearing demand deposits increased 8.7% during 2005, compared to 11.5% in 2004. Total average

 

35


Index to Financial Statements

deposits decreased 1.1% in 2005 and decreased 1.7% in 2004. The two categories of the Company’s lowest cost deposits, noninterest-bearing demand deposits and interest-bearing demand deposits, comprised the following percentages of the Company’s total average deposits during 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively: (i) 15.3%, 13.9% and 12.3% of average noninterest-bearing demand deposits; and (ii) 23.5%, 24.0% and 19.0% of average interest-bearing demand deposits. Of total time deposits at December 31, 2005, approximately 34.4% were large denomination certificates of deposit and other time deposits of $100,000 or more, up slightly from 32.4% at December 31, 2004.

The maturities of the time certificates of deposit and other time deposits of $100,000 or more issued by the Company at December 31, 2005 are summarized in the table below:

MATURITIES OF TIME DEPOSITS OF $100,000 OR MORE

 

     December 31, 2005
     Time
Certificates
of Deposit
   Other
Time
Deposits
   Total
     (in thousands)

Maturing in three months or less

   $ 4,585    $ 15,385    $ 19,970

Maturing in over three through six months.

     4,826      —        4,826

Maturing in over six through twelve months

     9,959      —        9,959

Maturing in over twelve months

     37,000      —        37,000
                    

Total

   $ 56,370    $ 15,385    $ 71,755
                    

Borrowed Funds

Borrowed funds consist primarily of short-term borrowings and long-term debt. Total short-term borrowings remained relatively even at $0.5 million at December 31, 2005 and $0.6 million at December 31, 2004.

Line of Credit

On May 6, 2004, the Company established a line of credit with a commercial bank in the amount of $3.0 million. The rate on any used portion of the line of credit is the prime rate plus 50 basis points. The line of credit will mature on May 1, 2009, and only interest is due on outstanding amounts until May 1, 2006, with principal payments to begin thereafter. At December 31, 2005, no balance was outstanding on this line of credit. The loan is secured by 100% of the common stock of Community Bank.

FHLBA Long-Term Debt

Community Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, or the “FHLBA,” and is approved to borrow up to $84.7 million under the FHLBA’s “Convertible Advance Program.” As of December 31, 2005, Community Bank had borrowed $67.2 million. These borrowings are secured under a blanket lien agreement on qualifying mortgage instruments in Community Bank’s loan and investment portfolios. Under this lien agreement, in an “event of default,” the FHLBA may declare all or any part of the indebtedness and accrued interest, including any prepayment fees, to be immediately due and payable. Included in the list of “events of default” is the situation where the FHLBA reasonably and in good faith determines that a “material adverse change” has occurred in the financial condition of Community Bank from that disclosed at the time of the making of any advance or from the condition of Community Bank as most recently disclosed to the FHLBA.

The Company’s borrowings from the FHLBA as of December 31, 2005 are as follows:

 

Principal    Rate   Maturity   

Options

(in thousands)              
$ 38,000    3-month LIBOR   August 10, 2015    Convertible by the FHLBA on August 10, 2007. If not converted, rate flips to 5.75% and will be fixed until maturity.
$ 9,200    4.02%   August 23, 2010    Convertible by the FHLBA on August 23, 2007.
$ 20,000    3.91%   September 16, 2015    Convertible by the FHLBA on September 16, 2015.

At December 31, 2004, Community Bank had borrowed from the FHLBA $38.0 million at a fixed rate of 5.93% per annum with a final maturity of March 1, 2010. The borrowing was callable by the FHLBA on every quarterly payment date during the life of the obligation. On August 8, 2005, the Bank restructured this borrowing into the $38.0 million listed in the table above. This restructure was considered to be a modification of debt; therefore, no gain or loss was recognized.

 

36


Index to Financial Statements

Of the new debt totaling $29.2 million, $19.2 million was used to fund securities purchases in a leverage transaction and we expect to use the remaining $10.0 million for expected future loan funding.

Junior Subordinated Debt

In March 2000, the Company completed an offering of $10.0 million of trust preferred securities, pursuant to which:

 

    the Company organized a Delaware statutory business trust called Community (AL) Capital Trust I, or the “Trust,” governed by an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust;

 

    the Company issued and sold to the Trust approximately $10.3 million in aggregate principal amount of unsecured junior subordinated debentures, or “debentures,” which were issued under an Indenture, and which represent the sole assets of the Trust;

 

    the Trust issued and sold:

 

    $10.0 million of preferred capital securities, or “trust preferred securities,” representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, to a third party special purpose company, which in turn pooled the trust preferred securities together with similar securities of other issuers and sold certificates representing interests in that closed-end, unmanaged pool to investors; and the Trust used the proceeds from the sale of the trust preferred securities to the pool to purchase the debentures from the Company; and

 

    $0.3 million of its common securities to the Company, which represent all of the Trust’s outstanding common securities; and

 

    pursuant to a Guarantee Agreement, the Company fully and unconditionally guaranteed the payments of all amounts due on the trust preferred securities, which guarantee is limited to the extent the Trust has funds available for payment of distributions.

Both the debentures and the trust preferred securities accrue and pay interest semiannually at a rate of 10 7/8% per annum and have a maturity date of March 8, 2030, at which time the principal amount of the debentures becomes due and the trust preferred securities become mandatorily redeemable by the Company. When the Company makes payments to the Trust, as the holder of the debentures, the Trust, in turn, makes payments to the pool, as the holder of the trust preferred securities. The debentures represent the sole asset of the Trust. The Company presently is entitled to treat the aggregate liquidation amount of the debentures as Tier 1 capital under Federal Reserve guidelines.

The Company may elect to defer payments of interest due on the debentures for up to ten semiannual payment periods. The Company elected to defer its March 2002, September 2002, March 2003, September 2003 and March 2004 interest payments, but on September 8, 2004 paid $3.7 million, representing all deferred and current amounts then due, and since then, has timely made all payments of interest due. The Company could elect to defer amounts due in the future.

The trust preferred securities are mandatorily redeemable upon their maturity, or upon their earlier redemption as provided in the indenture. Additionally, the Company has the right to redeem the debentures purchased by the Trust:

 

    in whole or in part, on or after, but not at any time before, March 8, 2010; and

 

    in whole, but not in part, at any time within 90 days following the occurrence and during the continuation of a “tax event,” “capital treatment event” or “investment company event,” as those terms are defined in the indenture.

As specified in the indenture, if the debentures are redeemed prior to maturity, then the redemption price will be a percentage of the principal amount, ranging from 105.438% in 2010 to 100.00% in and after 2020, plus any accrued but unpaid interest due on the debentures at the time of redemption. If the debentures are redeemed prior to March 8, 2010 following a “tax event”, “capital treatment event” or “investment company event,” the redemption price will be the greater of 100% of the debentures redeemed or the present value of the remaining principal and interest payments between the redemption date and March 8, 2010, plus, in either case, any accrued but unpaid interest due on the debentures at the time of redemption.

The Company adopted FIN 46 as of March 31, 2004. As a result, the Company deconsolidated the Trust because the Company does not absorb a majority of the expected losses or residual returns of the Trust. The Trust was previously consolidated because it is controlled by the Company through a majority voting interest. The effect of such deconsolidation, was:

 

    to remove the trust preferred securities from the consolidated statement of condition;

 

37


Index to Financial Statements
    to recognize the Company’s junior subordinated debt obligation to the Trust; and

 

    to recognize the Company’s equity investment in the common stock of the Trust.

The junior subordinated debt obligation and equity investment was previously eliminated in consolidation. The equity investment, totaling $310,000, represents the Company’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with the Trust. The adoption of FIN 46 had no impact on the Company’s net income or earnings per share.

ESOP

The Company sponsors an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, or “ESOP,” to provide the Company’s employees with a means of owning its common stock. An employee becomes an eligible participant in the ESOP on June 30 or December 31 of any given year after completing 12 months of employment during which the employee is credited with 1,000 or more hours of service. Contributions by the Company to the ESOP are made at the discretion of the Company’s board of directors, but may not be less than the amount required to cover any debt service due on the ESOP’s loan, which is described below.

The Company has a loan to the ESOP that bears interest at a floating rate equal to the prime rate of interest. As of December 31, 2005, the interest rate on the note was 7.25%. Principal and interest payments on the ESOP loan are due monthly through July 16, 2011, based on the current amortization schedule, with the remaining principal and interest, if any, due upon that date. The ESOP loan may be prepaid in whole or in part without penalty under the loan agreement, subject to applicable ERISA and tax restrictions. The Company makes contributions to the ESOP that enables the ESOP to make payments due under the ESOP loan. Under Statement of Position No. 93-6 (“SOP 93-6), “Employer’s Accounting for Employee Stock Ownership Plans,” employers that sponsor an ESOP with an employer loan should not report the ESOP’s note payable or the employer’s note receivable in the employer’s balance sheet, nor should interest cost or interest income be recognized on the employer loan. The Company has followed SOP 93-6 accordingly. The principal balance of the Company’s loan to the ESOP at December 31, 2005 was $1.3 million.

Under the terms of the ESOP, after a person ceases to be an employee of Community Bancshares and/or its affiliates, that person is no longer eligible to participate in the ESOP. In that case, the person may demand to receive all stock credited to his benefit under the ESOP as of the end of the year immediately preceding that person’s termination of employment with the Company.

Mr. Kennon R. Patterson, Sr., whose employment with the Company terminated in January 2003, has demanded to receive from the ESOP a total of approximately $298,000, representing the total amount accrued by Mr. Patterson during his participation in the ESOP. The Company evaluated its obligations to Mr. Patterson in light of Mr. Patterson’s indictment and subsequent conviction of certain crimes involving the Company, as well as other requirements of law applicable to ESOPs, and, as a result, on March 15, 2004, the ESOP and the ESOP trustee, North Star Trust Company, filed suit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama against Kennon R. Patterson, Sr. In the lawsuit, the ESOP seeks damages for alleged breaches of fiduciary duty by Mr. Patterson, and both the ESOP and the trustee seek a declaratory judgment that the ESOP has a right of set-off against Mr. Patterson’s account in the ESOP, and the ESOP is not required to make a distribution of funds to Mr. Patterson. Mr. Patterson has since been convicted on various counts including bank fraud. Prior to September 20, 2005, the Company could have been required to contribute cash to the ESOP in order to enable the ESOP to make this lump sum cash payment. However, on September 20, 2005, the Company’s stock was approved for trading on NASDAQ Capital Market, and as a result, the Company has amended its ESOP to no longer permit cash distributions, but rather require stock to be distributed. The Company now believes that should the ESOP be required to distribute the $298,000 to Mr. Patterson, it can do so in stock thus eliminating the potential need for a cash contribution from the Company.

The Company also evaluated its obligations to Mr. Patterson under a supplemental nonqualified retirement plan and as a result has denied his request for payment of benefits under the plan. Our denial has been challenged by Mr. Patterson in pending litigation and therefore we have not removed the accrued liability for the benefit from the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

MATURITIES OF LONG-TERM DEBT

 

     2006    2007    2008    2009    2010
     (in thousands)

Interest on:

              

FHLBA long-term debt

   $ 2,789    $ 2,789    $ 2,789    $ 2,789    $ 2,789

Junior subordinated debt

     1,088      1,088      1,088      1,088      1,088
                                  
   $ 3,877    $ 3,877    $ 3,877    $ 3,877    $ 3,877
                                  

 

38


Index to Financial Statements

Liquidity

Liquidity is defined as the ability of a Company to convert assets into cash or cash equivalents without significant loss. Liquidity management involves maintaining the Company’s ability to meet the day-to-day cash flow requirements of Community Bank’s customers, whether they are depositors wishing to withdraw funds or borrowers requiring funds to meet their credit needs. Without proper liquidity management, the Company would not be able to perform the primary function of a financial intermediary and would, therefore, not be able to meet the production and growth needs of the communities it serves.

The primary function of asset and liability management is not only to assure adequate liquidity in order for the Company to meet the needs of its customer base, but to maintain an appropriate balance between interest-sensitive assets and interest-sensitive liabilities so that the Company can also meet the investment objectives of its stockholders. Daily monitoring of the sources and uses of funds is necessary to maintain an acceptable cash position that meets both its customers’ needs and its stockholders’ objectives. In a banking environment, both assets and liabilities are considered sources of liquidity funding and both are, therefore, monitored on a daily basis.

The following is a discussion of the Company’s current cash flows and liquidity. The Company experienced an approximate $8.5 million decrease in cash and cash equivalents during 2005, due primarily to cash used by investing activities. Cash provided by operating activities during 2005 was $3.3 million, compared to $2.0 million and $6.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively. Investing activities used cash of $32.0 million during 2005, mostly through loan origination net of principal collections. Financing activities provided $20.3 million of cash and cash equivalents during 2005, compared to its providing of $0.3 million and $3.2 million during 2004 and 2003, respectively. Certificates of deposits increased $9.5 million during 2005, but this was more than offset by decreases in cash from the growth of demand deposits, NOW deposits, and other savings deposits totaling $19.5 million. The issuance of common stock (from both the capital raise in 2004 and stock options exercised in 2004 and 2005), net of transaction costs brought cash inflow of $1.2 million and $8.5 million in 2005 and 2004, respectively and an increase in long-term debt provided $29.2 million of cash flows from financing activities.

Community Bank represents the Company’s principal operating subsidiary and source of cash. Dividends paid by Community Bank historically have been the primary source of funds available to the Company to pay expenses, service debt and pay dividends to stockholders. Generally, the Federal Reserve Act, Section 23A, limits loans and extensions of credit from banks to their affiliated holding companies. The Company also receives cash from its subsidiaries for its portion of tax benefit on intercompany income tax settlements. The intercompany tax settlements, however, are only possible if the subsidiaries generate taxable income sufficient to pay income taxes. Community Bank does not pay the Company a management fee.

In addition to debt service, as described above, the Company also will expend capital to settle, resolve and pay legal and other professionals to assist it in defending against, the litigation to which it presently is subject, as described in Note 16 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in this report. The Company also may apply cash to maintain and improve capital levels at the parent Company and at each subsidiary, as described below under “Capital Resources.” The Company also may use cash if it determines to review and possibly sell any of its branches that do not contribute to the Company’s improved operations, or if it determines to resolve its non-performing assets.

At the end of 2003, the Company’s management evaluated various alternatives to improve its cash flows, liquidity, and capital position. Since the Bank could not make payments to the Company without prior regulatory approval, the Company had relied, since April 2001, upon income tax refunds to fund its obligations. Such refunds resulted from carrybacks to prior years. Accordingly, to pay its ordinary expenses, as well as debt service requirements and the expenses of litigation and restructuring, it was determined the Company needed additional capital. In addition, management believed, that as part of its plan to restore Community Bank’s profitability and grow in its core markets, it needed capital in order to dispose of other real estate owned and non-performing assets, to rationalize and/or sell certain branches and to refinance or repay approximately $3.2 million of long-term indebtedness. Management believed that new capital was needed for these purposes.

As a result, during the fourth quarter of 2003, the Company commenced a private placement of its common stock, which it completed in the first quarter of 2004 raising total net capital of $18.3 million. The Company granted to those investors who initially purchased shares in the offering prior to December 31, 2003, as well as to one investor who purchased an additional 40,345 shares after December 31, 2003, an option to exchange by December 31, 2008, in whole but not in part, the shares of the Company’s common stock purchased in the offering for shares of the Company’s newly designated Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock.

The terms of the Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock are set forth in the certificate of designation of the Series 2003 Noncumulative Preferred Stock of Community Bancshares, Inc., which the Company has filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as part of its Certificate of Incorporation.

In connection with the offering, the Company entered into an engagement letter with FIG Partners, L.L.C., and Burke Capital Group, L.L.C., pursuant to which they agreed to serve as placement agent for the offering, and the Company agreed to grant, upon the closing of the offering, a warrant to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock. In connection with the closing of the offering on February 20, 2004, the Company granted FIG Partners a warrant to purchase up to 140,187 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $5.89 per share. The warrant expires on February 20, 2008, and, until that date, may be exercised either in cash or pursuant to a “cashless exercise.”

 

39


Index to Financial Statements

As of December 31, 2003, the Company had used approximately $5.1 million of the net proceeds from this offering as follows:

 

    $3.0 million to replace capital in Community Bank; and

 

    $2.1 million to capitalize Community Funding which will purchase certain nonperforming assets from Community Bank thus lowering its level of nonperforming assets.

As of December 31, 2004, the Company had used an additional $11.3 million of the net proceeds from this offering as follows:

 

    $3.2 million to pay off long-term debt;

 

    $2.0 million to further supplement capital in Community Bank;

 

    $4.3 million to pay deferred and accrued interest on junior subordinated debt; and

 

    $1.8 million to further capitalize Community Funding so that it could purchase other real estate to protect Community Bank’s property acquired in the foreclosure of Kennon R. Patterson, Sr.’s real estate loan.

As of December 31, 2005, the Company had used an additional $0.1 million of the net proceeds from the offering to further capitalize Community Funding to support its operations. In addition, the Company has used and will continue to use any remaining proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes and other capital needs, in each case as permitted by the Company’s regulatory authorities and as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors and/or management to be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

Capital

The Company’s total stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2005 was 7.74% of total assets, as compared to 7.71% at December 31, 2004 and 6.32% at December 31, 2003. The increase in 2005 is primarily a result of net income which reduced the Company’s retained deficit. The increase in 2004 was primarily due to capital raised in early 2004.

The following table summarizes the equity-to assets and dividend payout ratios for each of the last three years:

CAPITAL GROWTH RATIOS

 

     Years ended
December 31,
 
     2005     2004     2003  

Dividend payout ratio

   0 %   0 %   0 %

Average equity to average assets ratio

   7.91     8.53     6.64  

The Company’s return on average assets ratio, which is computed by dividing net income (loss) by average assets was 0.30%, 0.00% and (2.35)% for 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The Company’s return on average equity ratio, which is computed by dividing net income (loss) by average stockholders’ equity, was 3.80%, representing an increase from 0.01% for 2004 due to net income of $1.6 million. The increase in 2004 from (35.42)% for 2003 was due to the break even in earnings compared to a net loss of $13.1 million in 2003.

The Company’s dividend payout ratio is determined by dividing the dividends per share by the basic net earnings or loss per share for the relevant period. The Company did not pay dividends in 2005, 2004 or 2003, and, therefore, the payout ratio remained zero.

The Company’s average equity to average assets ratio, which is computed by dividing average stockholders’ equity by average assets, is presented above. The decrease in 2005 resulted from a 7.5% decrease in average equity and a 0.3% decrease in average assets, while the increase in 2004 resulted from a 26.8% increase in average stockholders’ equity, while average assets decreased by 1.2%.

In addition, the Company must satisfy the capital requirements established by the Company’s regulatory authorities, as described under “Business – Our Regulatory Environment” and “— Our Current Regulatory Restrictions.”

 

40


Index to Financial Statements

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net Income and Earnings per Share

For the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company had net income of $1.6 million which was a $1.6 million increase over 2004 and consisted of the following:

 

    an increase of $1.1 million in net interest income, primarily due to higher levels of loans, resulting from the Company’s loan production efforts, as well as a higher interest rate environment;

 

    a decrease of $0.2 million in the provision for loan losses, reflecting the Company’s continued improvement in asset quality;

 

    an increase in noninterest income of $0.5 million as a result of the settlement of certain litigation and resulting in a $0.6 million payment to the Company;

 

    a decrease of $0.4 million in noninterest expenses despite expansion into new markets due to: (i) decreased professional fees associated with continued litigation and regulatory issues the Company was confronting, (ii) decreased foreclosed assets and related costs, as the Company successfully disposed of foreclosed assets, (iii) declines in salaries and benefits, and (iv) declines in insurance costs; and

 

    an increase in taxes of $0.6 million as a result of increased net income before taxes.

The Company’s net income broke even for 2004 and represented an increase of $13.1 million from its net loss of $13.1 million for 2003. When stated as changes in basic earnings (losses) per share, the basic earnings per share for the Company in 2004 was $0.00, an increase of $2.79 from the 2003 basic loss per share of $(2.79). There are various factors contributing to the $13.1 million increase in 2004, including positive changes such as:

 

    a decrease of $11.7 million in noninterest expenses due to: (i) significant reductions in professional fees in 2004; (ii) decreased foreclosed assets and related costs in 2004 resulting from addressing identified problems in our loan portfolio; (iii) impairments on fixed assets recorded in 2003 as part of the Company’s branch rationalization decisions, and (iv) losses that were realized on certain pending litigation matters in 2003; and

 

    a decrease of a $10.4 million in the provision for loan losses, reflecting our significant improvement in asset quality.

The above positive results were somewhat offset by negative factors including:

 

    a decrease in noninterest income of $0.2 million as a result of a $0.9 million decrease in securities gains of which were mostly offset by increases in service charges and other noninterest income items;

 

    a decline of $0.5 million in net interest income occurred in 2004, primarily due to: (i) lower levels of earning assets, resulting from the Company’s sale of sub-par and delinquent assets, as well as charge-offs, and (ii) lower yields on earning assets due to: (x) loans repricing at lower rates and (y) increased levels of investment securities, which typically have lower yields than loans; and

 

    a decrease in tax benefits recognized of $8.3 million.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income generally is the principal source of a financial institution’s earnings stream and represents the difference or spread between interest income generated from the Company’s earning assets and the cost born by the Company on its interest-bearing liabilities. Fluctuations in interest rates as well as volume and mix changes in earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities impact net interest income.

Net interest income for 2005 increased approximately $1.1 million, or 6.4%, to approximately $18.4 million from approximately $17.3 million in 2004, compared to a decrease of approximately $1.1 million, or 6.0%, during 2004 from approximately $18.4 million in 2003. The increase in net interest income for 2005 was a result of an increase in interest income due to higher volumes of loans, and higher rates earned on assets, offset by increases in interest expense as a result of higher rates paid on those liabilities. The “Rate/Volume Variance Analysis” provided on the following pages contains additional information regarding changes in the Company’s interest income, interest expense and net interest income due to changes in average balances and rates.

The Company’s interest income for 2005 increased approximately $2.2 million, or 7.3%, to $32.4 million in 2005 from $30.2 million in 2004. This increase was due to higher average balances of loans which earn more yield, versus securities and higher rates during 2005.

 

41


Index to Financial Statements

Rate increases accounted for 95.7% of the increase in interest income. For the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company experienced interest income on loans of $26.2 million, which was an 8.3% increase from the interest income on loans in 2004 of $24.2 million. Interest income for the year ended December 31, 2004 was $30.2 million, representing a decrease of $2.4 million, or 7.4%, from interest income during 2003. This decrease was due to a decrease of 46 basis points in the yield on average earning assets during 2004 together with a decrease of $2.3 million in the volume of average earning assets. Volume attributed to 23.8% of the decrease in interest income for 2004, while rate attributed to 76.2%.

During 2005, the Company’s interest expense increased approximately $1.0 million, or 7.8%, to approximately $13.9 million from approximately $12.9 million in 2004. Interest-bearing deposits are the major component of the Company’s interest-bearing liabilities, representing 85.8% in 2005, 87.8% in 2004 and 87.7% in 2003 of average total interest-bearing liabilities outstanding. Average interest-bearing deposits outstanding decreased in both 2004 and 2005 by $14.2 million and $10.5 million, respectively, and the rate paid on these average balances reflected an increase of 37 basis points during 2005 and a decrease of 22 basis points during 2004. For the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company’s interest expense totaled $12.9 million, representing a decrease of $1.4 million from the interest expense incurred during 2003. This decrease resulted from a 3.7% decrease in average interest-bearing liabilities outstanding during 2004 due to lower levels of time deposits and other long-term debt, coupled with a decrease in the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities during 2004 of 19 basis points due to time deposits repricing at lower rates. The decrease in interest expense on long-term debt during 2005 was in most part the result of our payment of all deferred interest on the Company’s junior subordinated debt in 2004. Interest expense was high on junior subordinated debt in 2004 at an average cost of 12.60% due to the fact that the Company was accruing interest on interest. On September 8, 2004, the Company paid all deferred and accrued interest and during 2005 that cost is in line with the debt instrument’s stated rate of 10.875% at an average yield of 10.51%.

The trend in net interest income is also evaluated in terms of average rates using the net interest margin and the interest rate spread. The net interest margin, or the net yield on the Company’s earning assets, is computed by dividing net interest income by average earning assets. This ratio represents the difference between the average yield returned on average earning assets and the average rate paid for funds used to support those earning assets, including both interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing sources. The Company’s net interest margin for 2005 was 3.84%, compared to 3.56% and 3.76% for 2004 and 2003, respectively. The main factor contributing to the increase in the net interest margin for 2005 was an improved balance sheet mix which was accomplished by reinvesting securities cash flows into higher yielding loans and shifting deposits from interest-bearing to noninterest-bearing.

The interest rate spread measures the difference between the average yield on earning assets and the average rate paid on interest-bearing sources of funds. The interest rate spread eliminates the impact of noninterest-bearing funds and gives a more direct perspective to the effect of market interest rate movements. The net interest spread in 2005 was 3.53%, an increase of 27 basis points from 2004, primarily as a result of a larger increase in asset yields than the increase in rates paid on deposits. The net interest spread for 2004 decreased 27 basis points to 3.26% from the Company’s 2003 spread of 3.53% as the cost of interest-bearing sources of funds decreased only 19 basis points, but the yield on earning assets decreased 46 basis points. See the tables following in this section entitled “Consolidated Average Balances, Interest Income/Expenses and Yields/Rates” and “Rate/Volume Variance Analysis” for more information.

The following tabulation presents certain net interest income data without modification for assumed tax equivalency:

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2005     2004 (restated)     2003     2002     2001  

Rate earned on earning assets

   6.74 %   6.22 %   6.68 %   7.73 %   8.95 %

Rate paid on borrowed funds

   3.21     2.96     3.15     3.66     5.23  

Interest rate spread

   3.53     3.26     3.53     4.07     3.72  

Net interest margin

   3.84     3.56     3.76     4.47     4.31  

The “Consolidated Average Balances, Interest Income/Expenses and Yields/Rates” and the “Rate/Volume Variance Analysis” tables are presented on the following two pages. The Consolidated Average Balances/Interest Income/Expenses and Yields/Rates table presents, for the periods shown, the average balance of certain balance sheet items, the dollar amount of interest income from average earning assets and resultant yields, the interest expense and rate paid on average interest-bearing liabilities, and the net-interest margin. The Rate/Volume Variance Analysis table presents an analysis of changes in interest income, interest expense and net interest income attributable to changes in volume and interest rate.

 

42


Index to Financial Statements

CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCES, INTEREST INCOME/EXPENSE AND YIELDS/RATES

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2005     2004 (restated)     2003  
     Average
Balance
    Income/
Expense
   Yield/
Rate
    Average
Balance
    Income/
Expense
   Yield/
Rate
    Average
Balance
    Income/
Expense
   Yield/
Rate
 
     (dollars in thousands)  

Assets

                     

Earning assets:

                     

Loans, (1)(2)

   $ 321,190     $ 26,201    8.16 %   $ 312,876     $ 24,176    7.73 %   $ 330,941     $ 26,971    8.15 %

Investment securities:

                     

Taxable

     141,805       5,330    3.76       147,289       5,374    3.65       123,402       4,861    3.94  

Tax-exempt

     1,419       70    4.93       5,560       284    5.11       6,680       342    5.12  
                                                   

Total investment securities

     143,224       5,400    3.77       152,849       5,658    3.70       130,082       5,203    4.00  

Other interest-bearing assets

     4,502       366    8.13       8,185       236    2.87       3,252       198    6.09  

Federal funds sold

     11,034       390    3.53       11,949       156    1.31       23,952       255    1.06  
                                                   

Total earning assets

     479,950       32,357    6.74       485,859       30,226    6.22       488,227       32,627    6.68  

Noninterest-bearing assets:

                     

Cash and due from banks

     18,254            27,779            28,315       

Premises and equipment

     22,585            21,678            24,456       

Accrued interest and other assets

     32,220            26,098            26,544       

Allowance for loan losses

     (4,649 )          (11,598 )          (10,951 )     
                                       

Total assets

   $ 548,360          $ 549,816          $ 556,591       
                                       

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

                     

Interest-bearing liabilities:

                     

Demand deposits

   $ 103,190       2,223    2.15 %   $ 106,743       2,026    1.90     $ 86,053       1,391    1.62  

Savings deposits

     64,542       873    1.35       71,102       997    1.40       63,464       930    1.47  

Time deposits

     204,432       7,145    3.50       204,893       6,092    2.97       247,417       8,017    3.24  
                                                   
     372,164       10,241    2.75       382,738       9,115    2.38       396,934       10,338    2.60  

Short-term borrowings

     535       9    1.68       364       4    1.10       365       3    0.82  

FHLBA long-term debt

     46,948       2,356    5.02       38,000       2,291    6.03       38,000       2,285    6.01  

Capitalized lease obligations

     3,869       242    6.25       3,937       169    4.29       4,020       166    4.13  

Junior subordinated debt

     10,310       1,084    10.51       10,282       1,296    12.60       10,000       1,283    12.83  

Other long-term debt

     —         2    —         798       50    6.27       3,369       190    5.64  
                                                   

Total interest-bearing liabilities

     433,826       13,934    3.21       436,119       12,925    2.96       452,688       14,265    3.15  
                                             

Noninterest-bearing liabilities:

                     

Demand deposits

     67,292            61,872            55,463       

Accrued interest and other liabilities

     3,849            4,922            11,456       

Stockholders’ equity

     43,393            46,903            36,984       
                                       

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 548,360          $ 549,816          $ 556,591       
                                       

Net interest income/net interest spread

     $ 18,423    3.53 %     $ 17,301    3.26 %     $ 18,362    3.53 %
                                             

Net interest margin

        3.84 %        3.56 %        3.76 %
                                 

(1) Average loans include nonaccrual loans. All loans and deposits are domestic.
(2) Income on loans, net of unearned income, includes loan fees.

 

43


Index to Financial Statements

RATE/VOLUME VARIANCE ANALYSIS

 

     Average Volume    Change in Volume     Average Rate  
     2005    2004
(restated)
   2003    2005-2004     2004-2003
(restated)
    2005     2004
(restated)
    2003  
     (dollars in thousands)                    
Earning Assets:                    

Loans

   $ 321,190    $ 312,876    $ 330,941    $ 8,314     $ (18,065 )   8.16 %   7.73 %   8.15 %

Investment securities:

                   

Taxable

     141,805      147,289      123,402      (5,484 )     23,887     3.76     3.65     3.94  

Tax-exempt

     1,419      5,560      6,680      (4,141 )     (1,120 )   4.93     5.11     5.12  
                                           

Total investment securities

     143,224      152,849      130,082      (9,625 )     22,767     3.77     3.70     4.00  

Other interest-bearing assets

     4,502      8,185      3,252      (3,683 )     4,933     8.13     2.87     6.09  

Federal funds sold

     11,034      11,949      23,952      (915 )     (12,003 )   3.53     1.31     1.06  
                                           

Total earning assets

   $ 479,950    $ 485,859    $ 488,227    $ (5,909 )   $ (2,368 )   6.74     6.22     6.68  
                                           
Interest-bearing Liabilities:                    

Deposits:

                   

Demand

   $ 103,190    $ 106,743    $ 86,053    $ (3,553 )   $ 20,690     2.15     1.90     1.62  

Savings

     64,542      71,102      63,464      (6,560 )     7,638     1.35     1.40     1.47  

Time

     204,432      204,893      247,417      (461 )     (42,524 )   3.50     2.97     3.24  
                                           

Total interest-bearing deposits

     372,164      382,738      396,934      (10,574 )     (14,196 )   2.75     2.38     2.60  

Short-term borrowings

     535      364      365      171       (1 )   1.68     1.10     0.82  

FHLBA long-term debt

     46,948      38,000      38,000      8,948       —       5.02     6.03     6.01  

Capitalized lease obligations

     3,869      3,937      4,020      (68 )     (83 )   6.25     4.29     4.13  

Junior subordinated debt

     10,310      10,282      10,000      28       282     10.51     12.60     12.83  

Other long-term debt

     —        798      3,369      (798 )     (2,571 )   —       6.27     5.64  
                                           

Total interest-bearing liabilities

   $ 433,826    $ 436,119    $ 452,688    $ (2,293 )   $ (16,569 )   3.21     2.96     3.15  
                                           

Net interest spread

                3.53 %   3.26 %   3.53 %
                               

Net interest margin

                3.84 %   3.56 %   3.76 %
                               

 

                                Variance Attributed to (1)  
     Interest Income/Expense    Variance     2005    

2004

(restated)

 
     2005   

2004

(restated)

   2003    2005-2004    

2004-2003

(restated)

     
                  Volume     Rate     Volume     Rate  
     (dollars in thousands)  
Earning Assets:                      

Loans

   $ 26,201    $ 24,176    $ 26,971    $ 2,025     $ (2,795 )   $ 655     $ 1,370     $ (1,438 )   $ (1,357 )

Investment securities:

                     

Taxable

     5,330      5,374      4,861      (44 )     513       (203 )     159       891       (378 )

Tax-exempt

     70      284      342      (214 )     (58 )     (204 )     (10 )     (57 )     (1 )
                                                                     

Total investment securities

     5,400      5,658      5,203      (258 )     455       (407 )     149       834       (379 )

Other interest-bearing assets

     366      236      198      130       38       (144 )     274       183       (145 )

Federal funds sold

     390      156      255      234       (99 )     (13 )     247       (149 )     50  
                                                                     

Total earning assets

     32,357      30,226      32,627      2,131       (2,401 )     91       2,040       (571 )     (1,830 )
Interest-bearing Liabilities:                      

Deposits:

                     

Demand

     2,223      2,026      1,391      197       635       (68 )     265       369       266  

Savings

     873      997      930      (124 )     67       (89 )     (35 )     112       (45 )

Time

     7,145      6,092      8,017      1,053       (1,925 )     (14 )     1,067       (1,296 )     (629 )
                                                                     

Total interest-bearing deposits

     10,241      9,115      10,338      1,126       (1,223 )     (171 )     1,297       (815 )     (408 )

Short-term borrowings

     9      4      3      5       1       2       3       —         1  

FHLBA long-term debt

     2,356      2,291      2,285      65       6       487       (422 )     —         6  

Capitalized lease obligations

     242      169      166      73       3       (3 )     76       (3 )     6  

Junior subordinated debt

     1,084      1,296      1,283      (212 )     13       2       (214 )     36       (23 )

Other long-term debt

     2      50      190      (48 )     (140 )     (48 )     —         (159 )     19  
                                                                     

Total interest-bearing liabilities

     13,934      12,925      14,265      1,009       (1,340 )     269       740       (941 )     (399 )
                                                                     

Net interest income

   $ 18,423    $ 17,301    $ 18,362    $ 1,122     $ (1,061 )   $ (178 )   $ 1,300     $ 370     $ (1,431 )
                                                                     

(1) The change in interest due to both rate and volume has been allocated to volume and rate changes in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each.

 

44


Index to Financial Statements

Provision for Loan Losses, Net Charge-Offs and Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses to absorb losses inherent in its loan portfolio. The following discussion relates to the Company’s policies as presently in effect:

Interest on loans is accrued from the date an advance is made. The performance of loans is evaluated primarily on the basis of a review of each customer relationship over a period of time and the judgment of lending officers as to the ability of borrowers to meet the repayment terms of loans. If there is reasonable doubt as to the repayment of a loan in accordance with the agreed terms, the loan may be placed on a nonaccrual basis pending the sale of any collateral or a determination as to whether sources of repayment exist. This action may be taken even though the financial condition of the borrower or the collateral may be sufficient ultimately to reduce or satisfy the obligation. Generally, when a loan is placed on a nonaccrual basis, all payments are applied to reduce principal to the extent necessary to eliminate doubt as to the repayment of the loan. Thereafter, any interest income on a nonaccrual loan is recognized only on a cash basis.

The Company’s policy generally is to place a loan on nonaccrual status when it is contractually past due 90 days or more as to payment of principal or interest. A loan may be placed on nonaccrual status at an earlier date when concerns exist as to the ultimate collections of principal or interest. At the time a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, interest previously accrued but not collected is reversed and charged against current earnings. Loans that are contractually past due 90 days or more which are well secured and are in the process of collection generally are not placed on nonaccrual status.

Lending officers are responsible for the ongoing review and administration of loans assigned to them. As such, they make the initial identification of loans which present some difficulty in collection or where circumstances indicate that the possibility of loss exists. The responsibilities of the lending officers include the collection effort on a delinquent loan. To strengthen internal controls in the collection of delinquencies, senior management and the Directors’ Asset Quality Committee are informed of the status of delinquent and “watch” or problem loans on a monthly basis. Senior management reviews the allowance for loan losses and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors as to loan charge-offs on a monthly basis.

The allowance for loan losses represents management’s assessment of the risk associated with extending credit and its evaluation of the quality of the loan portfolio, and is inherently subjective and subject to change. Management analyzes the loan portfolio to determine the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses and the appropriate provision required to maintain a level believed adequate to absorb anticipated loan losses. In assessing the adequacy of the allowance, management reviews the size, quality and risk of loans in the portfolio. Management also considers such factors as the Bank’s loan loss experience, the amount of past due and nonperforming loans, specific known risks, the status and amount of nonperforming assets, underlying collateral values securing loans, current and anticipated economic conditions and other factors which affect the allowance for loan losses. An analysis of the credit quality of the loan portfolio and the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is prepared by the Bank’s Director of Risk Management and presented to the Board of Directors on a monthly basis. In addition, the Bank has a loan review specialist on staff that reviews the quality of the loan portfolio on an ongoing basis.

The Bank’s allowance for loan losses is also subject to regulatory examinations and determinations as to adequacy, which may take into account such factors as the methodology used to calculate the allowance for loan losses and the size of the allowance for loan losses in comparison to a group of peer banks identified by the regulators. During their routine examinations of banks, the FDIC and the Alabama State Banking Department may require a bank to make additional provisions to its allowance for loan losses where, in the opinion of the regulators, credit evaluations and allowance for loan loss methodology differ materially from those of management.

While it is the Bank’s policy to charge off in the current period loans for which a loss is considered probable, there are additional risks of future losses which cannot be quantified precisely or attributed to particular loans or classes of loans. Because these risks include the state of the economy, management’s judgment as to the adequacy of the allowance is necessarily approximate and imprecise.

At December 31, 2005, the Company’s allowance for loan losses was $4.7 million, representing an increase of $0.1 million, or 2.2%, from the allowance at December 31, 2004. At December 31, 2004, the allowance for loan losses was $4.6 million, which represented a decrease of $9.8 million, or 68.1%, from the December 31, 2003 amount of $14.4 million. The Company increased its allowance for loan losses during 2003 primarily due to management’s decision to maintain the allowance at a level it deemed appropriate to cover potential loan losses. This is reflective in the provision for loan losses of $11.4 million made by the Company in 2003 and 2002, respectively. Management continues to make provisions for current losses in the Company’s loan portfolio, as well as for any other deterioration in loans identified. The provision for loan losses in 2005 was $0.8 million. During 2004 and 2005, provisions decreased greatly as losses had previously been reserved for in 2003 and the Company sold most of its poor quality loans, thus eliminating the respective reserve required on those loans. This also decreased the levels of allowance for loan losses to total loans at December 31, 2004 and 2005. As a percentage of total loans, net of unearned income, the allowance for loan losses decreased to 1.41% at December 31, 2005, compared to 1.54% at December 31, 2004, and 4.54% at December 31, 2003. Management believes that the Company’s allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2005 is adequate; however, no assurance can be given that additional losses may not occur or that additional provisions to the allowance for loan losses will not be necessary.

 

45


Index to Financial Statements

A provision for loan losses is charged against current earnings for the Company for any given period. Actual loan losses, net of recoveries, are charged directly to the allowance for loan losses. The amount of the provision for loan losses is based on the growth of the loan portfolio, the amount of net loan losses incurred and management’s estimation of potential future losses based on an evaluation of the risk in the loan portfolio. The provision for loan losses was $0.8 million, $1.0 million and $11.4 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. This represented a decrease of $0.2 million, or 20.0%, in 2005, and a decrease of $10.4 million, or 91.2%, in 2004. The provision for loan loss increased in 2003 as a result of management’s determination that increased levels of provision were necessary based on its assessment of the quality of the loan portfolio and inherent losses within the portfolio.

Loan charge-offs exceeded recoveries for the Company by $0.7 million in 2005, a 93.5% decrease from the excess experienced in 2004. The excess of loan charge-offs over recoveries during 2004 amounted to $10.7 million, which represented an increase of 57.4% from the excess of $6.8 million experienced during 2003. The high levels of loan charge-offs during 2004 occurred for several reasons. First, charge-offs of $4.1 million resulted from loan sales as loans designated to be sold were written down to the bid price received from the purchaser. Second, a charge-off of $2.2 million resulted from the foreclosure of Heritage Valley Farms, the property securing the real estate loan to our former Chairman, Kennon R. Patterson, Sr. The remaining $4.4 million was from normal charge-offs, and was lower than in prior years. Net charge-offs for 2005 were lower since poor quality loans were sold in 2004. We expect this trend to continue; however, we make no assurance that this will be the case.

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the Company’s loans, net of unearned income, and the allowance for loan losses for the five years ended December 31, 2005:

SUMMARY OF LOAN LOSS EXPERIENCE

 

     2005     2004     2003     2002     2001  
     (in thousands)  

Allowance for loan losses at beginning of period

   $ 4,625     $ 14,358     $ 9,784     $ 7,292     $ 7,107  

Loans charged off:

          

Commercial, financial and agricultural

     (78 )     (3,888 )     (1,203 )     (2,033 )     (1,056 )

Real estate - mortgage

     (284 )     (6,046 )     (2,629 )     (1,106 )     (726 )

Consumer

     (1,282 )     (2,226 )     (3,439 )     (4,169 )     (4,785 )
                                        

Total loans charged off

     (1,644 )     (12,160 )     (7,271 )     (7,308 )     (6,567 )
                                        

Recoveries on loans previously charged off:

          

Commercial, financial and agricultural

     20       517       60       44       7  

Real estate - mortgage

     642       272       26       57       40  

Consumer

     297       651       378       343       391  
                                        

Total recoveries

     959       1,440       464       444       438  
                                        

Net loans charged off

     (685 )     (10,720 )     (6,807 )     (6,864 )     (6,129 )

Reserves (sold) acquired through (branch divestitures) acquisitions

     —         —         —         (752 )     —    

Provision for loan losses included in continuing operations

     796       987       11,381       10,033       6,096  

Provision for loan losses included in discontinued operations

     —         —         —         75       218  
                                        

Allowance for loan losses at end of period

   $ 4,736     $ 4,625     $ 14,358     $ 9,784     $ 7,292  
                                        

Loans at end of period

   $ 336,462     $ 300,380     $ 316,207     $ 359,184     $ 501,519  
                                        

Average loans, net of unearned income, outstanding for the period (*)

   $ 321,190     $ 312,876     $ 330,941     $ 419,337     $ 516,954  
                                        
     2005     2004     2003     2002     2001  

Ratios:

          

Allowance for loan losses to loans, net of unearned income, at end of period

     1.41 %     1.54 %     4.54 %     2.72 %     1.45 %

Allowance for loan losses at end of period to average loans, net of unearned income (*)

     1.47       1.48       4.34       2.33       1.41  

Net charge-offs to average loans, net of unearned income (*)

     0.21       3.43       2.06       1.64       1.19  

Net charge-offs to allowance for loan losses, at end of period

     14.46       231.78       47.41       70.16       84.05  

Recoveries to prior year charge-offs

     7.89       19.80       6.35       6.76       8.67  

(*) Average loans, for this purpose, include those associated with discontinued operations.

 

46


Index to Financial Statements

Management allocated the allowance for loan losses to specific loan classes, as of the dates indicated, as follows:

ALLOCATION OF THE ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

 

     December 31,  
     2005     2004     2003     2002     2001  
     (dollars in thousands)  
     Amount    Percent
of
Total
    Amount    Percent
of
Total
    Amount   

Percent
of

Total

    Amount   

Percent
of

Total

    Amount   

Percent
of

Total

 

Domestic loans

                         

Commercial, financial and agricultural (1)

   $ 474    10 %   $ 509    11 %   $ 2,297    16 %   $ 2,678    27 %   $ 802    11 %

Real estate - mortgage

     3,457    73       3,006    65       5,456    38       3,696    38       583    8  

Consumer

     805    17       1,110    24       6,605    46       3,410    35       5,907    81  
                                                                 
   $ 4,736    100 %   $ 4,625    100 %   $ 14,358    100 %   $ 9,784    100 %   $ 7,292    100 %
                                                                 

(1) Includes commercial loans secured by real estate.

Management believes that the $4.7 million allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2005, (representing 1.41% of total outstanding loans), was adequate to absorb known risks in the portfolio at such date. However, no assurance can be given that adverse economic circumstances, generally, including current economic events, or other events, including additional loan review or examination findings or changes in borrowers’ financial conditions, will not result in increased losses in the Bank’s loan portfolio or in additional provisions to the allowance for loan losses.

The ratio of allowance for loan losses to total nonperforming assets decreased slightly to 34.28% at December 31, 2005 from 36.22% of total nonperforming assets, due to a $1.0 million increase in nonperforming assets caused by an increase in nonaccrual loans. This ratio also decreased during 2004, from 59.62% at December 31, 2003. The decrease in this ratio for 2004 resulted from the decrease in the Company’s allowance for loan losses. The ratio of total nonperforming loans to total loans, net of unearned income, was 1.08% at December 31, 2005, an increase from 0.55% at December 31, 2004, due again to an increased level of nonaccrual loans. The Company’s policy is to place a loan on nonaccrual status when bankruptcy is filed and the Company experienced an increase in bankruptcies in the fourth quarter of 2005 after bankruptcy laws changed which incented consumers to accelerate filings for bankruptcy. The ratio of total nonperforming loans to total loans, net of unearned income, was 5.42% at December 31, 2003. The ratio of total nonperforming assets to total assets was 2.41% at December 31, 2005, a slight increase from the ratio at December 31, 2004 of 2.31%, also primarily due to the nonaccrual loan increase. The ratio of total nonperforming assets to total assets was 4.31% at year end 2003. There were no concentrations of loans exceeding 10% of total loans, which are not otherwise disclosed as a category of loans at December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003. See “Financial Condition – Nonperforming Assets and Past Due Loans” above for further discussion and detail.

It is the general policy of Community Bank to stop accruing interest income and place the recognition of interest on a cash basis when any commercial, industrial or real estate loan is past due as to principal or interest and the ultimate collection of either is in doubt. Normally, accrual of interest income on consumer installment loans is suspended when any payment of principal or interest, or both, is more than 90 days delinquent. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, any uncollected interest accrued in a prior year is charged against the allowance for loan losses and any uncollected interest accrued in the current year is reversed against current income unless the collateral for the loan is sufficient to cover the accrued interest or a guarantor assures payment of interest.

Noninterest Income

The Company’s noninterest income is comprised of the following items:

 

    services charges received on deposits;

 

    insurance commissions;

 

    investment securities gains and losses;

 

    bank club dues (representing a deposit account packaged with other financial services);

 

    debt cancellation fees; and

 

    other operating income, made up mostly of other fees charges to customers such as safe deposit fees, ATM fees, check cashing fees, and various other service fees.

 

47


Index to Financial Statements

During 2005, the Company’s noninterest income was $7.0 million, representing an increase of $0.5 million, or 8.8%, from the noninterest income experienced by the Company in 2004. Noninterest income during 2004 decreased $0.3 million, or 3.8%, from 2003. The increase in 2005 primarily resulted from an increase in other operating income which included a $0.6 million payment to the Company as settlement of certain litigation. The decrease in 2004 from 2003 resulted primarily from a decline in net securities gains or losses. Service charges on deposit accounts increased 4.2% in 2005 and 8.7% during 2004. These increases were attributable to insufficient check charges as the Company implemented a courtesy overdraft program in early 2004 and also increased various fees in 2005. The courtesy overdraft program is designed to pay customers’ insufficient funds checks rather than returning them while at the same time collecting a fee for that service. Trading gains or losses and net settlements on economic hedges were ($0.3) million in 2005 and $11,000 in 2004 and were attributable to an interest rate swap on a pool of certificates of deposit that did not qualify for hedge accounting. The Company currently intends to hold the swap until it matures on June 8, 2007 and therefore expects to recoup all losses resulting from the change in fair market value until that date notwithstanding quarterly fluctuations. The swap will mature at a fair market value of zero. Debt cancellation fees remained negative in 2005, as a result of the Company’s no longer selling debt cancellation, but rather credit life insurance. The ($24,000) in 2005 and the ($54,000) in 2004 resulted from refunds of previously collected fees on loans paid off prior to maturity. Other operating income comprised of various other service fees as well as the litigation settlement mentioned above for 2005 increased 67.6% in 2005, and increased 21.4% in 2004. The 2004 other operating income includes a $0.5 million settlement to Community Bank in the fidelity bond litigation. Other operating income for 2003 includes a $0.1 million sign-on bonus from Community Bank’s check order provider that was not reoccurring income.

NONINTEREST INCOME

 

     Years ended December 31,    Percent Change  
     2005    

2004

(restated)

    2003    2005/2004    

2004/2003

(restated)

 
     (in thousands)             

Service charges on deposits

   $ 2,957     $ 2,837     $ 2,611    4.2 %   8.7 %

Insurance commissions

     2,173       2,211       1,765    (1.7 )   25.3  

Securities gains (losses), net

     (41 )     193       1,103    (121.2 )   (82.5 )

Trading gains (losses) and net settlements on economic hedges

     (281 )     11       —      (2,654.6 )   100.0  

Bank club dues

     281       350       409    (19.7 )   (14.4 )

Debt cancellation fees

     (24 )     (54 )     80    55.6     (167.5 )

Gain on sale of branch

     427       —         —      100.0     —    

Other operating income

     1,550       925       762    67.6     21.4  
                           
   $ 7,042     $ 6,473     $ 6,730    8.8     (3.8 )
                           

Noninterest Expenses

Noninterest expenses dropped slightly (1.8%) in 2005 as compared to 2004. Almost every category of noninterest expenses improved during 2005 from 2004 levels. Salaries and benefits expenses are down $0.5 million or 4.0% in 2005 as a result of declines in salary, and in benefit costs. This was achieved even as we expanded our Company into Huntsville, Alabama and purchased a mortgage company. A slight increase of $0.2 million in furniture and equipment expenses was due to the Company’s increased investment in technology during the past year. Foreclosed assets, net, disposal or impairment of assets and litigation expenses have all decreased at levels well above 30% from 2004. In 2005, legal fees declined $0.4 million while other professional service increased by $0.3 million, or 66%. We believe that legal fees should decrease further in the future as the Company experiences reductions in pending litigation. This increase in other professional services during 2005 are nonrecurring expenses where the Company hired consultants to advise on certain operating strategies. Holding cost on foreclosed assets remained level at $0.3 million for both 2005 and 2004. This expense should decrease significantly as the Company was able to sell Heritage Valley Farms early in 2006.

Noninterest expenses in 2004 improved significantly, down $12.4 million, or 35.0% from the high levels experienced in 2003. Salaries and benefits expenses were down $1.6 million or 12.4% in 2004 as a result of slight declines in salary, but significant declines in benefit costs. The Company froze its defined benefit plan on December 31, 2003 and implemented a more cost effective 401(k) plan, saving the Company in excess of $0.6 million annually. Expenses related to the Company’s ESOP were reduced in 2004 by more than $0.4 million from 2003. During 2003, the Company was required to make increased contributions to the ESOP related to the pay-out of benefits to terminated employees. Occupancy and furniture and equipment expenses remained relatively stable from 2003 to 2004 despite the Company’s increased investment in technology during the past year. Foreclosed assets, net, disposal or impairment of assets and litigation expenses have all decreased at levels well above 80% from 2003. During 2003, the Company expensed significant amounts related to writedowns in values of other real estate owned. The Company also recognized impairment losses during 2003 of $1.6 million on three office buildings and outdated equipment as it evaluated its investment in fixed assets. Litigation expenses were high in 2003 as

 

48


Index to Financial Statements

the Company reasonably estimated and recognized expenses on potential settlements that it determined probable to settle. In 2004, legal fees and other professional services declined $1.6 million and $1.2 million, respectively, as the Company incurred significant fees in 2003 due to regulatory orders and pending litigation.

Noninterest expenses and the percent changes therein for 2005, 2004 and 2003 are shown in the following table.

NONINTEREST EXPENSES

 

     Years ended December 31,    Percent Change  
     2005    2004    2003    2005/2004     2004/2003  
     (in thousands)             

Salaries and employee benefits

   $ 10,922    $ 11,378    $ 12,983    (4.0 )%   (12.4 )%

Occupancy

     2,169      2,283      2,350    (5.0 )   (2.9 )

Furniture and equipment

     1,692      1,548      1,542    9.3     0.4  

Director and committee fees

     376      369      468    1.9     (21.2 )

Foreclosed assets, net

     390      590      3,309    (33.9 )   (82.2 )

Disposal or impairment of assets

     149      246      2,051    (39.4 )   (88.0 )

Litigation, fraud, burglary

     242      47      2,537    414.9     (98.1 )

Amortization of intangibles-other

     79      79      79    —       —    

Insurance

     1,070      1,231      1,239    (13.1 )   (0.6 )

Legal fees

     663      1,099      2,687    (39.7 )   (59.1 )

Other professional services

     832      501      1,711    66.1     (70.7 )

Supplies

     522      526      572    (0.8 )   (8.0 )

Postage

     277      307      295    (9.8 )   4.1  

Courier services

     298      304      314    (2.0 )   (3.2 )

Telephone and data communications

     801      853      691    (6.1 )   23.4  

Marketing, public relations, business development

     723      529      564    36.7     (6.2 )

Holding cost on foreclosed assets

     301      328      297    (8.2 )   10.4  

Other

     1,092      803      1,709    36.0     (53.0 )
                         
   $ 22,598    $ 23,021    $ 35,398    (1.8 )   (35.0 )
                         

Effects of Inflation

Inflation generally increases the cost of funds and operating overhead, and, to the extent loans and other assets bear variable rates, the yields on such assets. Unlike most industrial companies, virtually all of the Company’s assets and liabilities, as a financial institution, are monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates generally have a more significant impact on performance than the effects of general levels of inflation. Although interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction, or to the same extent, as the prices of goods and services, low inflation or deflation generally has resulted in decreased interest rates. During 2005, the prime interest rate increased 200 basis points to 7.25% at December 31, 2005 from 5.25% at December 31, 2004.

In addition, inflation results in an increased cost of goods and services purchased, cost of salaries and benefits, occupancy expense and similar items. Inflation and related increases in interest rates generally decrease the market value of investments and loans held and may adversely affect the liquidity and earnings of our commercial banking and mortgage banking businesses, and our stockholders’ equity. Mortgage originations and refinancings tend to slow as interest rates increase, and increased interest rates would likely reduce our earnings from such activities. Although earnings from the sale of residential mortgage loans in the secondary market have been insignificant to the Company’s earnings over the past two years, the income from the sale of residential mortgage loans in the secondary market could be reduced by inflationary effects and we are more susceptible to this since our purchase of American Family Mortgage, LLC.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2005, we had no material unconditional purchase obligations that were not recorded on the balance sheet.

The Company in the normal course of business is party to credit related financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters–of-credit. Such commitments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets.

The Company’s exposure to credit loss is represented by the contractual amount of these commitments. The Company follows the same credit policies in making commitments as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments.

 

49


Index to Financial Statements

At December 31, 2005 and 2004, the following financial instruments were outstanding whose contract amounts represent credit risk:

 

     Contract Amount
     2005    2004
     (in thousands)

Commitments to grant loans

   $ 27,416    $ 24,026

Standby letters of credit

     1,149      465

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. The commitments for equity lines of credit may expire without being drawn upon. Therefore, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The amount of collateral obtained, if it is deemed necessary by the Company, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the customer.

Standby letters-of-credit are conditional lending commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. These letters-of-credit are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements. Almost all letters-of-credit issued by the Company have expiration dates within one year, but the majority are automatically renewable for the beneficiary. The credit risk involved in issuing letters-of-credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. The Company occasionally holds collateral supporting those commitments, and at December 31, 2005 and 2004 such collateral amounted to $0.9 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

Contractual Obligations

The table below shows the Company’s future contractual obligations as of December 31, 2005 (in thousands):

 

     Total   

Less than

1 year

   1-3 years    3-5 years   

More than

5 years

Contractual obligations:

              

FHLBA long-term debt

   $ 67,200    $ —      $ —      $ —      $ 67,200

Junior subordinated debt

     10,310      —        —        —        10,310

Capitalized lease obligations

     8,231      336      672      672      6,551

Operating lease obligations

     1,719      435      622      362      300
                                  

Total

   $ 87,460    $ 771    $ 1,294    $ 1,034    $ 84,361
                                  

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments due to a change in economic conditions, interest rates, regulations and laws. We are inherently affected by different market risks. Our primary risk is interest rate risk. We do not conduct foreign exchange transactions or trading activities, which would produce price risk

Interest Rate Sensitivity

Interest rate risk is the risk to earnings or market value of equity from the potential movement in interest rates. The primary purpose of managing interest rate risk is to reduce interest rate volatility and achieve reasonable stability to earnings from changes in interest rates and preserve the value of the Company’s equity. Changes in interest rates affect, among other things, the Company’s net interest income, volume of loan production and the fair value of financial instruments, as well as of the Company’s loan portfolio.

Community Bank manages its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates through policies established by its Asset/Liability Committee, which is referred to as “ALCO.” The ALCO meets periodically to monitor its interest rate risk exposure and implement strategies that might improve its balance sheet positioning and/or earnings. Management utilizes an Interest Rate Simulation model to estimate the sensitivity of the Bank’s net interest income and net income to changes in interest rates of given magnitudes. Such estimates are based upon a number of assumptions for each scenario, including balance sheet growth, deposit repricing characteristics and prepayment rates. Because this model involves a number of estimates and assumptions, which are inherently uncertain and subject to change, the Company makes no assurance that the model is accurate or reliable, or that the results are meaningful or reflective of any actual results.

The estimated impact on Community Bank’s net interest income sensitivity over a one year time horizon at December 31, 2005 follows. Such analysis assumes an immediate and proportional shift in interest rates and assumes interest-bearing transaction accounts will reprice immediately.

 

50


Index to Financial Statements

INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY

 

    

-100

Basis

Points

    Level    +100
Basis
Points
 
     (dollars in thousands)  

December 31, 2005:

       

Prime rate

     6.25       7.25      8.25  

Interest income

   $ 37,229     $ 39,281    $ 41,153  

Interest expense

     17,808       19,190      20,571  
                       

Net interest income

   $ 19,421     $ 20,091    $ 20,582  
                       

Dollar change from level

   $ (670 )      $ 491  

Percentage change from level

     (3.33 )%        2.44 %

December 31, 2004:

       

Prime rate

     4.25       5.25      6.25  

Interest income

   $ 28,337     $ 29,896    $ 31,294  

Interest expense

     13,562       14,986      16,411  
                       

Net interest income

   $ 14,775     $ 14,910    $ 14,883  
                       

Dollar change from level

   $ (135 )      $ (27 )

Percentage change from level

     (0.90 )%        (0.18 )%

As shown above, in a 100 basis point rising rate environment net interest income is projected to increase $0.5 million or 2.44% and in a 100 basis point falling rate environment, the net interest margin is projected to decrease $0.7 million or 3.33%. These percent changes from a level rate scenario fall comfortably within Community Bank’s ALCO policy limit of 10.00%.

The Company uses additional tools to manage interest rate sensitivity, and continually tries to manage and monitor its interest rate sensitivity. Attempting to manage the Company’s interest rate sensitivity is a constant challenge in a changing interest rate environment and one of the objectives of the Company’s asset/liability management strategy. The Company manages its interest rate sensitivity with monitoring tools such as GAP analysis, interest rate simulation modeling and forecasting, using both interest rate shocks and likely rate scenarios and, finally, analysis of the Company’s economic value of equity.

 

51


Index to Financial Statements

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

The financial statements and supplementary data required by Regulation S-X and by Item 302 of Regulation S-K are set forth in the pages listed below:

 

Financial Statements

   Page(s)

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   53

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2005 and 2004

   54

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003

   55

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003

   56

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003

   58

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   60

 

52


Index to Financial Statements

R EPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors and Stockholders of Community Bancshares, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Community Bancshares, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company), as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Community Bancshares, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

As described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has restated its 2004 consolidated financial statements.

LOGO

Montgomery, Alabama

March 31, 2006

 

53


Index to Financial Statements

C ommunity Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

     December 31,  
     2005     2004 (restated)  
     (in thousands)  

Assets

    

Cash and due from banks

   $ 16,425     $ 33,669  

Interest-bearing deposits in banks

     2,235       5,368  

Federal funds sold

     25,356       13,475  
                

Cash and cash equivalents

     44,016       52,512  

Securities available for sale

     136,405       147,168  

Loans held for sale

     1,005       —    

Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $4,736 and $4,625

     331,726       295,755  

Capitalized lease receivable

     2,765       2,864  

Accrued interest receivable

     3,392       2,766  

Premises and equipment, net

     22,558       21,178  

Goodwill and other intangible assets, net

     2,991       2,366  

Other real estate owned

     10,185       11,126  

Deferred income tax assets

     14,554       14,005  

Other assets

     2,871       3,799  
                

Total assets

   $ 572,468     $ 553,539  
                

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

    

Deposits:

    

Noninterest-bearing

   $ 71,420     $ 70,280  

Interest-bearing

     367,484       378,635  
                

Total deposits

     438,904       448,915  

Other short-term borrowings

     521       621  

FHLBA debt

     67,200       38,000  

Capitalized lease obligations

     3,845       3,893  

Junior subordinated debentures

     10,310       10,310  

Accrued interest payable

     2,166       1,730  

Other liabilities

     5,189       7,366  
                

Total liabilities

     528,135       510,835  

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 15 and 16)

    

Stockholders’ equity

    

Preferred stock (par value $.10 per share; 200,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding)

     —         —    

Common stock (par value $.10 per share; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 8,927,975 and 8,701,162 shares issued as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively; 2,191,897 shares are exchangeable)

     893       870  

Additional paid-in-capital

     50,420       49,162  

Stock options and warrant

     278       243  

Treasury common stock, at cost (104,955 and 99,869 shares, as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively)

     (1,021 )     (981 )

Accumulated deficit

     (423 )     (2,072 )

Unearned ESOP common stock (89,954 and 106,092 shares as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively)

     (1,409 )     (1,571 )

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (4,405 )     (2,947 )
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     44,333       42,704  
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 572,468     $ 553,539  
                

See accompanying summary of accounting policies and notes to consolidated financial statements

 

54


Index to Financial Statements

C ommunity Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2005     2004 (restated)     2003  
     (in thousands, except per share data)  

Interest income:

      

Loans, including fees

   $ 26,201     $ 24,176     $ 26,971  

Interest on investment securities:

      

Taxable securities

     5,330       5,374       4,861  

Tax-exempt securities

     70       284       342  

Federal funds sold

     390       156       255  

Other

     366       236       198  
                        

Total interest income

     32,357       30,226       32,627  
                        

Interest expense:

      

Deposits

     10,241       9,115       10,338  

Short-term borrowings

     9       4       3  

FHLBA debt

     2,356       2,291       2,285  

Capitalized lease obligations

     242       169       166  

Junior subordinated debentures

     1,084       1,296       1,283  

Other long-term debt

     2       50       190  
                        

Total interest expense

     13,934       12,925       14,265  
                        

Net interest income

     18,423       17,301       18,362  

Provision for loan losses

     796       987       11,381  
                        

Net interest income, after provision for loan losses

     17,627       16,314       6,981  

Noninterest income:

      

Service charges on deposits

     2,957       2,837       2,611  

Insurance commissions

     2,173       2,211       1,765  

Bank club dues

     281       350       409  

Debt cancellation fees

     (24 )     (54 )     80  

Securities gains (losses), net

     (41 )     193       1,103  

Trading gains (losses) and net settlements on economic hedges

     (281 )     11       —    

Gain on sale of branch

     427       —         —    

Other

     1,550       925       762  
                        

Total noninterest income

     7,042       6,473       6,730  
                        

Noninterest expense:

      

Salaries and employee benefits

     10,922       11,378       12,983  

Occupancy

     2,169       2,283       2,350  

Furniture and equipment

     1,692       1,548       1,542  

Insurance

     1,070       1,231       1,239  

Director and committee fees

     376       369       468  

Professional services

     1,495       1,600       4,398  

Foreclosed assets, net

     390       590       3,309  

Disposal or impairment of assets, net

     149       246       2,051  

Litigation, fraud or burglary

     242       47       2,537  

Other

     4,093       3,729       4,521  
                        

Total noninterest expense

     22,598       23,021       35,398  
                        

Income (loss) before income taxes

     2,071       (234 )     (21,687 )

Income taxes

     (422 )     238       8,587  
                        

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,649     $ 4     $ (13,100 )
                        

Net income (loss) per share:

      

Basic

   $ 0.19     $ —       $ (2.79 )
                        

Diluted

   $ 0.19     $ —       $ (2.79 )
                        

See accompanying summary of accounting policies and notes to consolidated financial statements

 

55


Index to Financial Statements

C ommunity Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

Years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003

(dollars in thousands)

 

     Shares of
Common
Stock
   Common
Stock
   Additional
Paid-in-Capital
   
Stock
Options
and
Warrant
   Treasury
Common
Stock
    Accumulated
Earnings
(Deficit)
    Unearned
ESOP
Common Stock
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Total  

Balance at December 31, 2002

   4,810,089    $ 481    $ 30,807     $ —      $ (442 )   $ 11,024     $ (2,000 )   $ 441     $ 40,311  

Comprehensive income (loss):

                     

Net loss - 2003

   —        —        —         —          (13,100 )     —           (13,100 )

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale net of reclassification adjustments and tax effect

   —        —        —         —        —         —         —         (2,115 )     (2,115 )

Change in additional pension liability net of tax effect

   —        —        —         —        —         —         —         9       9  
                           

Total comprehensive loss

                        (15,206 )
                           

Issuance of common stock at $5.35 per share

   2,151,552      215      11,296       —        —         —         —         —         11,511  

Common stock issuance costs

   —        —        (1,146 )     —        —         —         —         —         (1,146 )

Common stock issued in lieu of cash paid for directors’ fees at $7.00 per share

   17,030      2      118       —        —         —         —         —         120  

Release of ESOP common stock

   —        —        (78 )     —        —         —         259       —         181  

Treasury common stock acquired

   —        —        —         —        (452 )     —         —         —         (452 )
                                                                   

Balance at December 31, 2003

   6,978,671      698      40,997       —        (894 )     (2,076 )     (1,741 )     (1,665 )     35,319  

Comprehensive income (loss):

                     

Net income – 2004 (restated)

   —        —        —         —        —         4       —         —         4  

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale net of reclassification adjustment and tax effect

   —        —        —         —        —         —         —         (796 )     (796 )

Change in additional pension liability net of tax effect

   —        —        —         —        —         —         —         (486 )     (486 )
                           

Total comprehensive loss (restated)

                        (1,278 )
                           

Issuance of common stock at $5.35 per share

   1,586,771      159      8,331       —        —         —         —         —         8,490  

Common stock issuance costs

   —        —        (826 )     243      —         —         —         —         (583 )

Common stock options exercised

   115,000      11      604       —        —         —         —         —         615  

Common stock issued in lieu of cash paid for directors’ fees at $5.35 per share

   20,720      2      108       —        —         —         —         —         110  

Release of ESOP common stock

   —        —        (52 )     —        —         —         170       —         118  

Treasury common stock acquired

   —        —        —         —        (87 )     —         —         —         (87 )
                                                                   

Balance at December 31, 2004 (restated)

   8,701,162      870      49,162       243      (981 )     (2,072 )     (1,571 )     (2,947 )     42,704  

Comprehensive income (loss):

                     

Net income - 2005

   —        —        —         —        —         1,649       —         —         1,649  

Change in fair value of cash flow hedge, net of tax

                      165       165  

 

56


Index to Financial Statements
     Shares of
Common
Stock
   Common
Stock
   Additional
Paid-in-Capital
    Stock
Options
and
Warrant
   Treasury
Common
Stock
    Accumulated
Earnings (Deficit)
    Unearned
ESOP
Common Stock
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Total  

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale net of reclassification adjustment and tax

   —        —        —         —        —         —         —         (1,131 )     (1,131 )

Change in additional pension liability, net of tax

   —        —        —         —        —         —         —         (492 )     (492 )
                           

Total comprehensive income

                        191  
                           

Modification of stock options

   —        —        —         35      —         —         —         —         35  

Common stock options exercised

   212,425      21      1,195       —        —         —         —         —         1,216  

Common stock issued in lieu of cash paid for directors’ fees at $6.81 per share

   14,388      2      97       —        —         —         —         —         99  

Release of ESOP common stock

   —        —        (34 )     —        —         —         162       —         128  

Treasury common stock acquired

   —        —        —         —        (40 )     —         —         —         (40 )
                                                                   

Balance at December 31, 2005

   8,927,975    $ 893    $ 50,420     $ 278    $ (1,021 )   $ (423 )   $ (1,409 )   $ (4,405 )   $ 44,333  
                                                                   

See accompanying summary of accounting policies and notes to consolidated financial statements

 

57


Index to Financial Statements

C ommunity Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2005     2004 (restated)     2003  
     (in thousands)  

Operating activities:

      

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,649     $ 4     $ (13,100 )

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

      

Loans originated and held for sale

     (30,384 )     —         —    

Loans sold from held for sale

     29,379       —         —    

Provision for loan losses

     796       987       11,381  

Depreciation and amortization

     1,733       1,637       1,761  

Net amortization of securities

     904       890       999  

Deferred tax (benefit) expense

     422       (238 )     (4,122 )

Realized investment security (gains) losses

     41       (193 )     (1,103 )

Fair value loss on economic hedge

     217       288       —    

Loss (gain) on sale or impairment of premises and equipment

     (4 )     (19 )     1,731  

Realized losses on foreclosed assets

     390       590       3,309  

(Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable

     (625 )     495       1,109  

Increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable

     436       (2,519 )     626  

Other

     (1,688 )     (3,901 )     4,123  
                        

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     3,266       (1,979 )     6,714  
                        

Investing activities:

      

Proceeds from sales, calls and pay downs of securities available for sale

     50,813       72,200       113,457  

Proceeds from maturity of securities available for sale

     5,000       —         18,400  

Purchase of securities available for sale

     (47,880 )     (65,120 )     (167,647 )

Loan originations and principal collections, net

     (36,859 )     2,283       28,147  

Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment

     1,041       915       135  

Purchased additions to foreclosed assets

     —         (3,422 )     —    

Additions to premises and equipment

     (4,231 )     (836 )     (1,047 )

Purchase of business

     (704 )     —         —    

Net proceeds from sale of foreclosed assets

     801       3,291       3,323  
                        

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     (32,019 )     9,311       (5,232 )
                        

Financing activities:

      

Net increase (decrease) in demand deposits, NOW accounts, savings and time open deposit accounts

     (19,535 )     15,547       47,201  

Net decrease in certificates of deposit

     9,524       (20,578 )     (52,719 )

Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings

     (100 )     21       (1,125 )

Decrease in capitalized lease obligations

     (48 )     (83 )     (82 )

Increase in/repayment of long-term debt

     29,200       (3,168 )     (409 )

Issuance of common stock, net of transaction costs

     1,216       8,521       10,365  
                        

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     20,257       260       3,231  
                        

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     (8,496 )     7,592       4,713  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

     52,512       44,920       40,207  
                        

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

   $ 44,016     $ 52,512     $ 44,920  
                        

See accompanying summary of accounting policies and notes to consolidated financial statements

 

58


Index to Financial Statements

Community Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – continued

 

     Years ended December 31,
     2005    2004 (restated)    2003

Supplemental cash flow disclosures:

        

Interest paid on deposits and borrowed funds

   $ 13,498    $ 15,444    $ 13,639

Income taxes refunded

     1,136      —        1,377

Schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:

        

Foreclosure of other real estate owned

     1,138      5,027      6,912

Foreclosure of other assets

     1,005      960      2,495

Loan charge-offs, net of recoveries

     685      10,720      6,807

See accompanying summary of accounting policies and notes to consolidated financial statements

 

59


Index to Financial Statements

Co mmunity Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1 – Restatement

Community Bancshares, Inc. has restated its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2004 and for the periods ended March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005 and September 30, 2005. These restatements are to correct errors related to the Company’s derivative accounting under Statement of Financial Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS No. 133”).

These restatements affect the consolidated financial statements and the other financial information for the year ended December 31, 2004 and for each of the quarters in 2005 and 2004 previously reported on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q.

In December 2003, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement relating to a pool of certificates of deposit (CD swap) that was accounted for as a fair value hedge under SFAS No. 133. The Company elected an abbreviated method (the “short-cut” method) of documenting the effectiveness of the swap as a hedge, which allowed the Company to assume no ineffectiveness in the transaction as long as critical terms did not change. The Company recently concluded that the CD swap did not qualify for this method in prior periods. Hedge accounting under SFAS No. 133 for this swap transaction is not allowed retrospectively because the hedge documentation required for the long-haul method was not in place at the inception of the hedge. Eliminating the application of fair value hedge accounting reverses the fair value adjustments that were made to the hedged item, the pool of certificates of deposit. This reversal of fair value hedge accounting also results in reclassification of swap net settlements from interest expense to noninterest income as well as recording of swap mark-to-market adjustments in trading gains (losses) on economic hedges.

The following tables reflect the previously reported amounts and the restated results by financial statement line item for the consolidated balance sheet, the consolidated statement of operations, and the consolidated statement of changes in stockholders’ equity for the year ended December 31, 2004. Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

Consolidated Balance Sheet:

 

     As of December 31, 2004  
     As
Previously
Reported
    As
Restated
 
     (in thousands)  

Deferred income tax assets

   $ 9,843     $ 14,005  

Total assets

     553,424       553,539  

Interest-bearing deposits

     378,347       378,635  

Total deposits

     448,627       448,915  

Total liabilities

     510,547       510,835  

Accumulated deficit

     (1,899 )     (2,072 )

Total stockholders’ equity

     42,877       42,704  

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

     553,424       553,539  

 

60


Index to Financial Statements

Consolidated Statement of Operations:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31, 2004  
    

As

Previously
Reported

  

As

Restated

 
     (in thousands, except per share data)  

Interest expense-deposits

   $ 8,816    $ 9,115  

Total interest expense

     12,626      12,925  

Net interest income (1)

     18,675      17,301  

Net interest income, after provision for loan losses (1)

     17,688      16,314  

Trading gains (losses) and net settlements on economic hedges

     —        11  

Income (loss) before income taxes

     53      (234 )

Income taxes

     123      238  

Net income

   $ 176    $ 4  

Net income (loss) per share:

     

Basic

   $ 0.02    $ 0.00  

Diluted

   $ 0.02    $ 0.00  

(1) Also includes reclassification adjustment for SFAS 91 so that prior years’ amounts conform to current year presentation.

Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31, 2004
(in thousands)
    

As

Previously
Reported

  

As

Restated

Increase attributable to net income

   $ 176    $ 4

Balance, end of period

     42,877      42,704

In addition, the following Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements have been restated: Note 9, 12, 15, 17, 23, and 26.

Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The accounting policies followed by the Company and the methods of applying these policies conform with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and with general practices within the banking industry. Certain policies that significantly affect the determination of financial position, results of operations and cash flows are summarized below.

Nature of Operations: Community Bancshares, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) provide a full range of banking services to individual and corporate customers in eleven counties in Alabama – Blount, Cullman, Dekalb, Etowah, Lauderdale, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, Marion, Walker, Winston, Marengo, Perry, St. Clair and Talladega. Community Bancshares, Inc. conducts its operations through Community Funding Corporation and Community Bank and its subsidiaries, 1st Community Credit Corporation, Community Insurance Corp., Southern Select Insurance, Inc., and Community Appraisals, Inc. collectively (the “Bank”).

Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Community Bancshares, Inc. and its direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates: In preparing consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheets and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the valuation of deferred income tax assets, contingency reserves and asset impairments.

 

61


Index to Financial Statements

Significant Group Concentrations of Credit Risk: Most of the Company’s activities are with customers located within Alabama. Note 4 discusses the types of securities in which the Company invests and Note 6 discusses the types of lending in which the Company engages. The Company does not have any significant concentrations to any one industry or customer.

Cash and Cash Equivalents: For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash and balances due from banks, interest-bearing deposits in banks and federal funds sold all of which are highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less.

Securities: Debt securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as “held to maturity” and recorded at amortized cost. Securities not classified as held to maturity or trading, including equity securities with readily determinable fair values, are classified as “available for sale” and recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income or loss.

Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities. Declines in the fair value of held to maturity and available for sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses. In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method.

Loans Held For Sale: Loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value, as determined by aggregate outstanding commitments from investors or current investor yield requirements. Net unrealized losses are recognized through a valuation allowance by charges to the allowance for loan losses.

Mortgage loans held for sale are generally sold together with the related mortgage servicing rights. Gains or losses on sales of mortgage loans are recognized based on the difference between the selling price and the carrying value of the related mortgage loans sold.

Loans: The Company provides mortgage, commercial and consumer loans to customers. A substantial portion of the loan portfolio is represented by mortgage loans in Alabama. The ability of the Company’s debtors to honor their contracts is dependent upon the real estate and general economic conditions in this area.

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off generally are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances adjusted for charge-offs, the allowance for loan losses, and any deferred fees or costs on originated loans. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the related loan yield using the interest method.

The accrual of interest on mortgage and commercial loans is generally discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days past due unless the credit is well secured and in process of collection. Personal loans are typically charged off no later than 180 days past due. Past due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan. In all cases, loans are placed on non-accrual or charged off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful.

All current year interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual or charged off is reversed against interest income. All prior year interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual or charged off is reversed against the allowance for loan losses. The interest on these loans is accounted for on the cash basis or cost recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

 

62


Index to Financial Statements

Allowance for Loan Losses: The allowance for loan losses is established as losses are estimated to be probable through a provision for loan losses charged to earnings. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

Lending personnel classify all loans into risk grades. These grades are continuously updated and used in the calculation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. Loan grades range between 1 and 8, with 1 being loans with the least credit risk. Loan review personnel validate the grades assigned to loans through periodic examination. Allowance factors established by management are multiplied by loan balances for each grade to determine the amount needed in the allowance for loan losses. The allowance factors are established based on our historical loss experience, adjusted for trends and expectations about losses inherent in our existing portfolios. For impaired loans, a specific reserve is established to adjust the carrying value of the loan to its estimated net realizable value.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis for commercial and construction loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. When the ultimate collectibility of an impaired loan’s principal is in doubt, wholly or partially, all cash receipts are applied to principal. Once the recorded balance has been reduced to zero, future cash receipts are applied to interest income, to the extent any interest has been foregone, and then they are recorded as recoveries of any amounts previously charged-off. Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are evaluated collectively for impairment.

The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level believed adequate by management to absorb estimated credit losses for specifically identified loans as well as probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Management evaluates the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses calculation monthly. The allowance for loan losses is evaluated based on a continuing assessment of problem loans, the types of loans, historical loss experience, new lending products, emerging credit trends, changes in the size and character of loan categories and other factors, including its risk rating system, regulatory guidance and economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

Off-Balance Sheet Credit Related Financial Instruments: In the ordinary course of its business, the Company has entered into commitments to extend credit, including loan commitments, commercial letters of credit, and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities: On January 1, 2001, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 (“SFAS 133”), “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” SFAS 133 requires that all derivatives be recognized as assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and measured at fair value.

For asset/liability management purposes, the Company may use interest rate swap agreements to hedge various exposures or to modify interest rate characteristics of various balance sheet accounts. Such derivatives are used as part of the asset/liability management process and are linked to specific assets or liabilities, and have high correlation between the contract and the underlying item being hedged, both at inception and throughout the hedge period.

From time to time, the Company may utilize interest rate swap agreements to convert a portion of its variable-rate assets or liabilities to a fixed rate, a “cash flow hedge,” and to convert a portion of its fixed rate assets or liabilities to a variable rate, a “fair value hedge.” Interest rate swaps are contracts in which a series of interest rate flows are exchanged over a prescribed period. The notional amount on which the interest payments are based is not exchanged.

Under SFAS 133, the gain or loss on a derivative designated and qualifying as a fair value hedging instrument, as well as the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the risk being hedged, is recognized immediately in earnings in the same accounting period. The effective portion of the gain or loss on a derivative designated and qualifying as a cash flow hedging instrument is initially reported as a component of other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument, if any, is recognized immediately in earnings.

Interest rate derivative financial instruments receive hedge accounting treatment only if they are designated as a hedge and are expected to be, and are, effective in substantially reducing interest rate risk arising from the assets and liabilities identified as exposing the Company to risk. Those derivative financial instruments that do not meet the hedging criteria discussed below would be classified as trading activities and would be recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in income. Derivative hedge contracts must meet specific effectiveness tests (i.e., over time the change in their fair values due to the designated hedge risk must be within 80 to 125 percent of the opposite change in the fair values of the hedged assets or liabilities). Changes in fair value of the derivative financial instruments must be effective at offsetting changes in the fair value of the hedged items due to the designated hedge risk during the term of the hedge. Further, if the underlying financial instrument differs from the hedged asset or

 

63


Index to Financial Statements

liability, there must be a clear economic relationship between the prices of the two financial instruments. If periodic assessment indicates derivatives no longer provide an effective hedge, then the derivatives contracts would be closed out and settled, or classified as a trading activity.

Beginning January 1, 2001, in accordance with SFAS 133, hedges of variable rate debt are accounted for as cash flow hedges, with changes in fair value recorded in derivative assets or liabilities and other comprehensive income. The net settlement (upon close out or termination) that offsets changes in the value of the hedged debt is deferred and amortized into net interest income over the life of the hedges debt. Hedges of fixed rate loans are accounted for as fair value hedges, with changes in fair value recorded in derivative assets or liabilities and loan interest income. The net settlement (upon close out or termination) that offsets changes in the value of the loans adjusts the basis of the loans and is deferred and amortized to loan interest income over the life of the loans. The portion, if any, of the net settlement amount that did not offset changes in the value of the hedged asset or liability is recognized immediately in noninterest income.

Cash flows resulting from the derivative financial instruments that are accounted for as hedges of assets and liabilities are classified in the cash flow statement in the same category as the cash flows of the items being hedged.

The Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when: (1) it is determined that the derivative instrument is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of a hedged item (including firm commitments or forecasted transactions); (2) the derivative instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised; (3) the derivative instrument is dedesignated as a hedge instrument, because it is unlikely that a forecasted transaction will occur; (4) a hedged firm commitment no longer meets the definition of a firm commitment or (5) management determines that designation of the derivative instrument as a hedge instrument is no longer appropriate.

When hedge accounting is discontinued because it is determined that the derivative instrument no longer qualifies as an effective fair-value hedge, the derivative instrument will continue to be carried on the balance sheet at its fair value and the hedged asset or liability will no longer be adjusted for changes in fair value. When hedge accounting is discontinued because the hedged item no longer meets the definition of a firm commitment, the derivative instrument will continue to be carried on the balance sheet at its fair value and any asset or liability that was recorded pursuant to recognition of the firm commitment will be removed from the balance sheet and recognized as a gain or loss in the then-current-period earnings. When hedge accounting is discontinued because it is probable that a forecasted transaction will not occur, the derivative instrument will continue to be carried on the balance sheet at its fair value, and gains and losses that were accumulated in other comprehensive income will be recognized immediately in earnings. When the derivative instrument is dedesignated, terminated or sold, any gain or loss will remain in accumulated other comprehensive income and will be reclassified into earnings over the same period during which the underlying hedged item affects earnings. In all other situations in which hedge accounting is discontinued, the derivative instrument will be carried at its fair value on the balance sheet, with changes in its fair value recognized in the then-current-period earnings.

The Company also uses interest rate swaps as economic hedges. These swaps either do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment or have not currently been qualified by the Company for hedge accounting treatment. These economic hedge swaps convert the fixed interest rate payments on certain of its debt obligations to a floating rate. Interest is exchanged periodically on the notional value, with the Company receiving the fixed rate and paying various LIBOR-based floating rates. Changes in the fair value of these derivatives and the interest exchanged are recognized in earnings in the line item trading gains (losses) on economic hedges. The fair value of these derivatives is included in either trading account assets or accrued expenses and other liabilities.

Other Real Estate Owned: Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management, and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the valuation allowance are included in net expenses from foreclosed assets.

Premises and Equipment: Land is carried at cost. Building, furniture and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation generally computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Transfers of Financial Assets: Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.

Income Taxes: The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded at currently enacted tax rates applicable to the period in which assets or liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted to reflect changes in statutory tax rates resulting in income adjustments in the period such changes are enacted.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Goodwill represents the excess of the costs of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Other intangible assets represent purchased assets that lack physical substance, but can be distinguished from goodwill because of contractual or other legal rights, or because the asset is capable of being sold or exchanged either on its own or in combination with a related contract, asset, or liability. On January 1, 2002, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 142 (“SFAS 142”), “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” Under the provisions of SFAS 142, goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives will no longer be amortized, but instead are tested for impairment as of the date of adoption and at least annually. The standard also requires that intangible assets with finite useful lives be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and be reviewed for impairment if a triggering event occurs, as described by Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 144 (“SFAS 144”), “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets.” Intangible assets that have finite lives continue to be amortized over their estimated useful lives and also continue to be subject to impairment testing. All of the Company’s other intangible assets have finite lives and are amortized on a straight-line basis over a 25 year period.

Stock Compensation Plans: Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (“SFAS 123”), “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” encourages all entities to adopt a fair value based method of accounting for employee stock compensation plans, whereby compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized over the service period, which is usually the vesting period. However, it also allows an entity to continue to measure compensation cost for those plans using the intrinsic value based method of accounting prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (“APB 25”), “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” whereby compensation cost is the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the stock at the grant date (or other measurement date) over the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock. Stock options issued under the Company’s stock option program have no intrinsic value at the grant date, and under APB 25 no compensation cost is recognized for them. However, in the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company accelerated the vesting provisions of certain outstanding stock options of the Company. The purpose of the acceleration was to offer a benefit to those employees as a reward for their service. As a result of this acceleration, the Company recognized approximately $35,000 of expense, which is included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2005. Pro forma disclosures of net income, earnings per share and other disclosures, as if the fair value based method of accounting had been applied utilizing the Black-Scholes valuation method are provided in Note 20. The pro forma disclosures include the effects of all unexpired awards granted. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company plans to adopt the provisions of SFAS 123R, which will require compensation expense to be recognized for share-based payments.

Contingencies: Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 5 (“SFAS 5”), “Accounting for Contingencies,” defines a contingency as an existing condition, situation, or set of circumstances involving uncertainty as to possible gain or loss. It will ultimately be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur. SFAS 5 defines the different levels of probability as to whether or not future events will confirm the existence of a loss as follows:

 

    “probable” – meaning that the future event or events are likely to occur;

 

    “reasonably possible” – meaning that the chance of the future event or events occurring is more than remote but less than likely; or

 

    “remote” – meaning that the chance of the future event or events is slight.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Professional judgment is required to classify the likelihood of the future events occurring. In assessing these levels of probability, we acquire all relevant information concerning the uncertain set of circumstances. An accrual of a loss occurs when it is both probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and when the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share: Basic earnings per share represents income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect additional common shares that would have been outstanding if potentially dilutive common shares and common stock equivalents had been issued, as well as any adjustment to income that would result from assumed issuance. Potential common shares that may be issued by the Company relate to outstanding stock options and warrants, and are determined using the treasury stock method.

Net income (loss) per share has been computed based on the following:

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2005    2004    2003  
     (dollars in thousands)  

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,649    $ 4    $ (13,100 )
                      

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

     8,592,109      8,270,870      4,695,380  

Effect of dilutive common stock options and warrants

     187,680      79,621      —    
                      

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate diluted earnings per common share

     8,779,789      8,350,491      4,695,380  
                      

The Company had 103,000, 874,500 and 932,500 options outstanding at December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 respectively that were not included in the calculation of dilution because the fair market value of the Company’s common stock was lower than the grant price of the option.

Long-Lived Assets: The Company reviews long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. If the future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition are less than the carrying amounts of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized. Long-lived assets and certain intangibles to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell.

Compensated Absences: The Company has accrued a liability for employees’ compensation for future absences under its 2004 vacation policy. This policy only applied to 2004 and obliged the Company to pay accrued vacation for employees attributable to services already rendered. Under the 2004 policy, an employee’s unused vacation accumulated and was paid upon termination and was carried over at year end. At December 31, 2004, the Company accrued $0.2 million of compensation expense. Beginning January 1, 2005, this vacation policy was abandoned so that no future expense would be incurred; therefore, no expense for compensated absences was incurred for the year ended December 31, 2005.

Debt Cancellation Contracts: The Company began issuing debt cancellation contracts on certain loans to customers as of October 1, 1995. The contract represents an agreement by the Company to cancel the debt of the borrower upon said borrower’s death. The Company charges fees equivalent to that authorized by the state banking authorities and establishes a reserve account, from fees collected, to cover potential claims. The reserve for debt cancellation contracts totaled $90,000 and $163,000 at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. As of December 31, 2005, the Company no longer sells debt cancellation contracts and therefore recognizes no associated revenue.

Advertising Costs: Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs were $163,000, $119,000 and $44,000 for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

Comprehensive Income: 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.

 

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The components of other comprehensive income (loss), and related tax effects, are as follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2005     2004     2003  
     (in thousands)  

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available for sale securities

   $ (1,926 )   $ (1,133 )   $ (2,422 )

Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in income

     41       (193 )     (1,103 )
                        

Net unrealized gains (losses)

     (1,885 )     (1,326 )     (3,525 )

Tax effect

     754       530       1,410  
                        

Net of tax amount

     (1,131 )     (796 )     (2,115 )
                        

Additional minimum pension liability

     (820 )     (810 )     76  

Tax effect

     328       324       (67 )
                        

Net of tax amount

     (492 )     (486 )     9  
                        

Change in fair value of cash flow hedge

     275       —         —    

Tax effect

     (110 )     —         —    
                        

Net of tax amount

     165       —         —    
                        
   $ (1,458 )   $ (1,282 )   $ (2,106 )
                        

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), included in stockholders’ equity, are as follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2005     2004     2003  
     (in thousands)  

Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale

   $ (4,215 )   $ (2,330 )   $ (1,003 )

Tax effect

     1,686       932       401  
                        

Net of tax amount

     (2,529 )     (1,398 )     (602 )
                        

Additional pension minimum liability recognition

     (3,402 )     (2,582 )     (1,772 )

Tax effect

     1,361       1,033       709  
                        

Net of tax amount

     (2,041 )     (1,549 )     (1,063 )
                        

Change in fair value of cash flow hedge

     275       —         —    

Tax effect

     (110 )     —         —    
                        

Net of tax amount

     165       —         —    
                        

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (4,405 )   $ (2,947 )   $ (1,665 )
                        

Reclassification: Certain amounts in 2004 and 2003 have been reclassified to conform to the 2005 presentation.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements: In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123R, Share-Based Payment (SFAS 123R), which is a revision of SFAS 123 and supersedes Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion 25. On April 14, 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced the adoption of a new rule that amended the compliance dates for SFAS No. 123R. Under SFAS 123R, registrants would have been required to implement the standard as of the beginning of the first interim or annual period that begins after June 15, 2005. The Commission’s new rule allows issuers to implement SFAS 123R at the beginning of their next fiscal year, instead of the next reporting period, that begins after June 15, 2005. The Commission’s new rule does not change the accounting required by SFAS 123R; it changes only the dates for compliance with the standard. The new standard requires companies to recognize an expense in the statement of operations for the grant-date fair value of stock options and other equity-based compensation issued to employees, but expresses no preference for a type of valuation method. This expense will be recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. SFAS 123R carries forward prior guidance on accounting for awards to non-employees. If an equity award is modified after the grant date, incremental compensation cost will be recognized in an amount equal to the excess of the fair value of the modified award over the fair value of the original award immediately prior to the modification. The Company is evaluating the impact on its results of operations from adopting SFAS 123R, but expects it to be comparable to the pro forma effects of applying the original SFAS 123 on any future stock options granted (see Note 20).

 

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Index to Financial Statements

In December 2004, The FASB issued Statement on Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 153, Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets to amend APB Opinion No. 29. The guidance in APB Opinion No. 29, Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions, is based on the principle that exchanges of nonmonetary assets should be measured based on the fair value of the assets exchanged. The guidance in that Opinion, however, included certain exceptions to that principle. This Statement amends Opinion 29 to eliminate the exception for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a general exception for exchanges of nonmonetary assets that do not have commercial substance. A nonmonetary exchange has commercial substance if the future cash flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange. The provisions of this Statement shall be effective for nonmonetary asset exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005. Earlier application is permitted for nonmonetary asset exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after the date this Statement is issued. The provisions of this Statement shall be applied prospectively. The Company does not believe this Statement will have a material impact on its financial statements.

In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154 Accounting Changes and Error Corrections. This Statement replaces APB Opinion No. 20, Accounting Changes, and FASB Statement No. 3, Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements, and changes the requirements for the accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle. This Statement applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principle. It also applies to changes required by an accounting pronouncement in the unusual instance that the pronouncement does not include specific transition provisions. When a pronouncement includes specific transition provisions, those provisions should be followed.

Opinion 20 previously required that most voluntary changes in accounting principle be recognized by including in net income in the period of the change, the cumulative effect of changing to the new accounting principle. This new Statement requires retrospective application to prior periods’ financial statements of changes in accounting principle, unless it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change. When it is impracticable to determine the period-specific effects of an accounting change on one or more individual prior periods presented, this Statement requires that the new accounting principle be applied to the balances of assets and liabilities as of the beginning of the earliest period for which retrospective application is practicable and that a corresponding adjustment be made to the opening balance of retained earnings (or other appropriate components of equity or net assets in the statement of financial position) for that period rather than being reported in an income statement. When it is impracticable to determine the cumulative effect of applying a change in accounting principle to all prior periods, this Statement requires that the new accounting principle be applied as if it were adopted prospectively from the earliest date practicable.

This Statement carries forward, without change, the guidance contained in Opinion 20 for reporting the correction of an error in previously issued financial statements and a change in accounting estimate. This Statement also carries forward the guidance in Opinion 20 requiring justification of a change in accounting principle on the basis of preferability. This Statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. Early adoption is permitted in certain circumstances. The Company does not believe this Statement will have material effect on its financial position or results of operations.

The FASB issued a FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) on December 15, 2005, “SOP 94-6-1 — Terms of Loan Products That May Give Rise to a Concentration of Credit Risk” which addresses the disclosure requirements for certain nontraditional mortgage and other loan products the aggregation of which may constitute a concentration of credit risk under existing accounting literature. Pursuant to this FSP, the FASB’s intentions were to reemphasize the adequacy of such disclosures and noted that the recent popularity of certain loan products such as negative amortization loans, high loan-to-value loans, interest only loans, teaser rate loans, option adjusted rate mortgage loans and other loan product types may aggregate to the point of being a concentration of credit risk to an issuer and thus may require enhanced disclosures under existing guidance. This FSP was effective immediately. The Company has evaluated the impact of this FSP and has concluded that its disclosures are consistent with the objectives of the FSP.

Note 3 – Cash and Due From Banks

The Bank is required to maintain average balances on hand or with the Federal Reserve Bank. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, these reserve balances amounted to $390,000 and $18,000, respectively. The Bank also maintains deposits with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta of which $2.3 million was pledged as collateral on the Bank’s FHLBA borrowing at December 31, 2004. No cash was pledged as collateral on the FHLBA borrowing at December 31, 2005.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Note 4 –Securities Available For Sale

At December 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company’s investment securities are categorized as available for sale and, as a result, are stated at their fair value based generally on quoted market prices. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of applicable deferred taxes, are included as a component of stockholders’ equity (accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)), until realized.

The amortized cost and fair value of securities available for sale, with gross unrealized gains and losses, are summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

     Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   

Fair

Value

As of December 31, 2005:

          

U. S. Government and agency securities

   $ 51,548    $ —      $ (1,567 )   $ 49,981

State and municipal securities

     1,092      —        —         1,092

Mortgage-backed securities

     82,863      39      (2,657 )     80,245

Corporate bonds

     1,000      —        (30 )     970

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

     4,117      —        —         4,117
                            

Total

   $ 140,620    $ 39    $ (4,254 )   $ 136,405
                            

As of December 31, 2004:

          

U. S. Government and agency securities

   $ 59,589    $ 20    $ (1,080 )   $ 58,529

State and municipal securities

     5,454      —        —         5,454

Mortgage-backed securities

     80,629      147      (1,423 )     79,353

Corporate bonds

     1,000      6      —         1,006

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

     2,826      —        —         2,826
                            

Total

   $ 149,498    $ 173    $ (2,503 )   $ 147,168
                            

The carrying value of securities pledged to secure public funds and other borrowings as required or permitted by law, were $77.3 million and $124.0 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

The amortized cost and fair value of available for sale securities by contractual maturity at December 31, 2005 are as follows:

 

     Amortized
Cost
  

Fair

Value

     (in thousands)

Within one year or less

   $ 13,149    $ 12,867

After one year through five years

     36,561      35,033

After five years through ten years

     26,812      26,006

After ten years

     59,981      58,382

Other securities

     4,117      4,117
             

Total

   $ 140,620    $ 136,405
             

Mortgage-backed securities have been included in the maturity tables based upon the guaranteed payoff date of each security.

For the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003, proceeds from sales of securities available for sale amounted to $26.1 million, $43.4 million and $70.8 million, respectively. Gross realized gains and losses on available for sale securities for each of the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 were as follows:

 

     2005     2004     2003  
     (in thousands)  

Gross realized gains

   $ 59     $ 384     $ 1,214  

Gross realized losses

     (100 )     (191 )     (111 )
                        

Net realized gains (losses)

     (41 )     193       1,103  

Related income taxes

     16       (77 )     (441 )
                        

Net realized gains after related income taxes

   $ (25 )   $ 116     $ 662  
                        

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Information pertaining to debt securities with gross unrealized losses at December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position, follows:

 

     Less than twelve months    Over twelve months    Total
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  

Fair

Value

     (in thousands)

December 31, 2005

                 

U.S. Government and federal agency

   $ 176    $ 12,448    $ 1,391    $ 37,533    $ 1,567    $ 49,981

Mortgage-backed

     392      22,163      2,265      56,807      2,657      78,970

Corporate bonds

     30      970      —        —        30      970
                                         

Total securities available for sale

   $ 598    $ 35,581    $ 3,656    $ 94,340    $ 4,254    $ 129,921
                                         

December 31, 2004

                 

U.S. Government and federal agency

   $ 291    $ 25,737    $ 789    $ 24,803    $ 1,080    $ 50,540

Mortgage-backed

     671      31,101      752      39,985      1,423      71,086
                                         

Total securities available for sale

   $ 962    $ 56,838    $ 1,541    $ 64,788    $ 2,503    $ 121,626
                                         

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation. Consideration is given to (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.

At December 31, 2005, 42 securities in the Company’s portfolio were in a loss position, but only 2 (at 5.32% and 5.13%) had an aggregate depreciation of more than 5% from the Company’s amortized cost basis. No security was in a loss position for more than 14 months. In analyzing an issuer’s financial condition, management considers the issuer of the securities (federal government or any government agency), whether downgrades by bond rating agencies have occurred, and industry analysts’ reports. Because management has the ability to hold debt securities until maturity, or for the foreseeable future if classified as available for sale, no declines in these securities are deemed to be other than temporary.

Note 5 – Loans Held for Sale

The Company originates loans intended for sale in the secondary market. The balance of loans originated but not yet sold are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value as determined by aggregate outstanding commitments from investors and are shown on the balance sheet as loans held for sale. Loans held for sale at December 31, 2004 were zero. Loans originated during 2005 were $30.4 million of which $29.4 million were sold, leaving a balance at December 31, 2005 of $1.0 million.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Note 6 – Loans

A summary of the balances of loans follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2005     2004  
     (in thousands)  

Real estate - commercial

   $ 78,540     $ 55,108  

Real estate - construction

     22,638       4,702  

Real estate - mortgage

     152,453       157,350  

Other commercial and agricultural

     33,038       31,496  

Installment loans to individuals

     49,732       51,603  

Unamortized premiums on loans

     63       122  

Unearned income

     (2 )     (1 )
                

Total loans

     336,462       300,380  

Allowance for loan losses

     (4,736 )     (4,625 )
                

Net loans

   $ 331,726     $ 295,755  
                

An analysis of the allowance for loan losses for each of the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, is as follows:

 

     2005     2004     2003  
     (in thousands)  

Balance at beginning of year

   $ 4,625     $ 14,358     $ 9,784  

Loans charged-off

     (1,644 )     (8,097 )     (5,375 )

Charge-offs arising from transfers of loans to held for sale

     —         (4,063 )     (1,896 )

Recoveries of loans previously charged off

     959       1,440       464  

Provision for loan losses included in continuing operations

     796       987       11,381  
                        

Balance at end of year

   $ 4,736     $ 4,625     $ 14,358  
                        

The Company pledges loans to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLBA”) as collateral on its borrowing. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, the carrying values of loans pledged to the FHLBA were $105.6 million and $39.5 million, respectively.

The following is a summary of information pertaining to impaired and nonaccrual loans:

 

     December 31,
     2005    2004
     (in thousands)

Impaired loans with a valuation allowance

   $ 3,409    $ 1,405
             

Total impaired loans

   $ 3,409    $ 1,405
             

Valuation allowance related to impaired loans

   $ 444    $ 337

Total nonaccrual loans

   $ 3,078    $ 1,115

Total loans past due ninety days or more and still accruing

   $ 318    $ 290

 

     Years ended December 31,
     2005    2004    2003
     (in thousands)

Average investment in impaired loans

   $ 2,133    $ 9,477    $ 14,114
                    

No additional funds are committed to be advanced in connection with impaired loans.

The amount of interest recognized on impaired loans during the portion of the year that they were impaired was not significant for 2005, 2004 or 2003. If nonaccrual loans had performed in accordance with their original contractual terms, gross interest income on these loans would have been an estimated $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, compared to $0.6 million and $0.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

71


Index to Financial Statements

As of December 31, 2005 and 2004, total loans restructured from their original terms in a debt restructuring and in compliance with the terms of the new loan were $235,000 and $238,000, respectively.

Note 7 – Premises and Equipment

A summary of the cost and accumulated depreciation of premises and equipment (includes premises and equipment held for sale) follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2005     2004  
     (in thousands)  

Land

   $ 3,362     $ 2,000  

Bank premises

     20,262       20,071  

Furniture and fixtures

     9,872       9,218  

Automobiles

     509       705  

Leasehold improvements

     289       286  
                
     34,294       32,280  

Accumulated depreciation

     (11,736 )     (11,102 )
                
   $ 22,558     $ 21,178  
                

Depreciation expense included in the consolidated statements of operations caption “occupancy expense” and “furniture and equipment expense” was $1.7 million, $1.6 million and $1.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. These totals included depreciation expense on capitalized lease assets. The Company capitalized no interest costs in 2005, 2004 or 2003.

During 2003, the Company assessed its branch offices and decided to dispose of certain office buildings. At December 31, 2003, three offices were classified as held for sale under SFAS 144 and were recorded at fair value less estimated costs to sell. Depreciation expense is not incurred while assets are classified as held for sale. A loss shall be recognized for subsequent decreases in fair value and a gain shall be recognized for subsequent increases in fair value, but not in excess of the cumulative loss previously recognized. A description of the facts and circumstances as well as the status of each disposal is set forth below.

Community Insurance owned a 12,000 square foot building located in Huntsville, Alabama. Community Insurance required only 6,000 to 7,000 square feet of space to operate and management decided to sell the building and either rent adequate space needed from the new owner or find another suitable space in Huntsville. The property was sold in early 2004 for $900,000, resulting in a gain of $50,000 which is included in disposal or impairment of assets, net on the Company’s 2004 consolidated statement of operations. The Company leases office space from the new owner under an operating type lease.

Community Bank had a branch office in a Wal-Mart Superstore in Hartselle, Alabama. Marginal profitability led to management’s decision to close the facility. Because Community Bank leases this facility, management decided in the fourth quarter of 2003 to abandon the office leaving the leasehold improvements attached to the facility. Management expected to abandon the property by June 30, 2004, but as of December 31, 2004 had not done so. On June 24, 2005, the Bank abandoned this property.

Community Bank also had two branch offices in Demopolis, Alabama that were located within two miles of each other. Because of net losses in the Demopolis market, management decided to sell one location to reduce overhead expense. Management attempted to sell the building throughout 2004 and 2005. Management reevaluated the use of this facility, decided to no longer operate at the location and consolidated the two offices on April 30, 2005. At that time, the carrying value was transferred to other real estate owned and is classified as such as of December 31, 2005. Management still believes the carrying value on the property is appropriate and will continue its efforts to sell the property at or above the carrying value.

 

72


Index to Financial Statements

An activity summary of premises and equipment held for sale and classified as other real estate owned on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2005 follows (in thousands):

 

    

Insurance

Building

   

Hartselle

Wal-Mart

Leasehold

Improvements

   

Demopolis

Building

 

Cost

   $ 1,209     $ 98     $ 825  

Accumulated depreciation

     (67 )     (32 )     (79 )

Loss due to impairment from classification to held for sale, 2003

     (292 )     (66 )     (571 )

Sale of asset, 2004

     (850 )     —         —    
                        

Carrying value, December 31, 2005

   $ —       $ —       $ 175  
                        

The losses due to impairments from classification to held for sale are included in the line item disposal or impairment of assets on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

The Company installed a wide area network in the fourth quarter of 2003 which made a portion of its existing computer equipment unneeded. The Company recognized the remaining book value on this equipment as a loss on disposal or impairment of assets, net of $0.7 million in 2003.

Please see additional information regarding premises and equipment in Notes 24 and 25.

Note 8 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Effective March 1, 2005, Community Bank purchased certain assets from American Family Mortgage, LLC including ownership of the “American Family Mortgage” name. The purchase price was $722,000 and the contract calls for additional payments of $250,000 to be paid over three years contingent upon certain performance criteria. As a result of the asset purchase, the Company recorded $704,000 in goodwill which is included in goodwill and other intangible assets at December 31, 2005 detailed as follows (in thousands):

 

    

Gross

Carrying

Amount

  

Accumulated

Amortization

  

Net

Carrying

Amount

Identifiable amortizing assets – core deposits

   $ 1,985    $ 1,491    $ 494

Nonamortizing goodwill

     3,555      1,058      2,497
                    

Total acquired intangible asset

   $ 5,540    $ 2,549    $ 2,991
                    

The Company has finite-lived intangible assets capitalized on its balance sheet in the form of core deposits. Amortizable intangible assets at December 31, 2005 and 2004 are as follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2005     2004  
     (in thousands)  

Core deposits

    

Gross carrying amount

   $ 1,985     $ 1,985  

Accumulated amortization

     (1,491 )     (1,412 )
                

Net carrying amount

   $ 494     $ 573  
                

Amortization expense on finite-lived intangible assets for each of the periods ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 was $79,000. Aggregate annual amortization expense of currently recorded core deposits and other intangibles is expected to be $79,000 for each year ended December 31, 2006 through 2009.

 

73


Index to Financial Statements

Note 9 – Deposits

The major classifications of deposits as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     December 31,
     2005    2004 (restated)

Noninterest-bearing demand

   $ 71,420    $ 70,280

Interest-bearing demand

     99,833      103,331

Savings

     59,163      76,706

Time deposits

     136,733      134,277

Certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more

     56,370      48,936

Other time deposits

     15,385      15,385
             

Total deposits

   $ 438,904    $ 448,915
             

At December 31, 2005, the scheduled maturities of time deposits were as follows (in thousands):

 

2006

   $ 99,617

2007

     61,005

2008

     16,330

2009

     13,825

2010

     17,619

Thereafter

     117
      

Total

   $ 208,488
      

The Company reclassifies overdrawn demand deposits as loans. The aggregate amount of demand deposits reclassified as loans were $186,000 and $132,000 on December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

Note 10 – Other Short-Term Borrowings

Short-term borrowings at December 31, 2005 and 2004 consisted of the U.S. Treasury Tax and Loan Note Option account of $0.5 million and $0.6 million, respectively. The Company had no federal funds purchased or overnight funds purchased at December 31, 2005 and 2004, but, as of December 31, 2005, had $8.0 million of unsecured available lines from commercial banks to purchase federal funds. The average dollar amount outstanding for short-term borrowings was $0.5 million and $0.4 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, at a weighted average rate of 2.84% and 1.67%, respectively.

Note 11 – Long-Term Debt

FHLBA debt:

Community Bancshares’ wholly owned principal operating subsidiary, Community Bank, is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, or the “FHLBA,” and is approved to borrow up to $84.7 million under the FHLBA’s “Convertible Advance Program.” As of December 31, 2005, Community Bank had borrowed $67.2 million. These borrowings are secured under a blanket lien agreement on qualifying mortgage instruments in Community Bank’s loan portfolio. Under this security agreement, upon an “event of default,” the FHLBA may declare all or any part of the indebtedness and accrued interest, including any prepayment fees, to be immediately due and payable. Included in the list of “events of default” is the situation where the FHLBA reasonably and in good faith determines that a “material adverse change” has occurred in the financial condition of Community Bank from that disclosed at the time of the making of any advance or from the condition of Community Bank as most recently disclosed to the FHLBA.

 

74


Index to Financial Statements

The Company’s borrowings from the FHLBA as of December 31, 2005 are as follows:

 

Principal   

Rate

  

Maturity

  

Options

(in thousands)               
$ 38,000    3-month LIBOR    August 10, 2015    Convertible by the FHLBA on August 10, 2007. If not converted, rate changes to 5.75% and will be fixed until maturity.
$ 9,200    4.02%    August 23, 2010    Convertible by the FHLBA on August 23, 2007.
$ 20,000    3.91%    September 16, 2015    Convertible by the FHLBA on September 16, 2015.

At December 31, 2004, Community Bank had borrowed from the FHLBA $38.0 million at a fixed rate of 5.93% per annum with a final maturity of March 1, 2010. The borrowing was callable by the FHLBA on every quarterly payment date during the life of the obligation. On August 8, 2005, the Bank restructured this borrowing into the $38.0 million listed in the table above. This restructure was considered to be a modification of debt; therefore, no gain or loss was recognized.

Junior subordinated debentures:

The Company currently has one subsidiary statutory trust, Community (AL) Capital Trust I (the “Trust”), which has issued:

 

    $10.0 million of preferred capital securities, or “trust preferred securities,” representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, to a third party special purpose company, which in turn pooled the trust preferred securities together with similar securities of other issuers and sold certificates representing interests in that closed-end, unmanaged pool to investors; and the Trust used the proceeds from the sale of the trust preferred securities to the pool to purchase the debentures from the Company; and

 

    $0.3 million of its common securities to the Company, which represent all of the Trust’s outstanding common securities.

As guarantor, the Company unconditionally guarantees the payments of all amounts due on the trust preferred securities, which guarantee is limited to the extent the Trust has funds available for payment of distributions. The Company issued and sold to the Trust approximately $10.3 million in aggregate principal amount of unsecured junior subordinated debentures, which were issued under an indenture, and which represent the sole assets of the Trust.

Both the debentures and the trust preferred securities accrue and pay interest semiannually at a rate of 10.875% per annum. The junior subordinated debentures have a maturity date of March 8, 2030, at which time the principal amount of the debentures becomes payable together with any accrued but unpaid interest and the trust preferred securities become mandatorily redeemable by the Company. When the Company makes payments to the Trust, as the holder of the debentures, the Trust, in turn, makes payments to the pool and the Company, as the holder of the trust preferred and trust common securities. The debentures represent the sole asset of the Trust.

The Company adopted FASB Interpretation No. 46 as of March 31, 2004. As a result, the Company deconsolidated the Trust, because the Company does not absorb a majority of the expected losses or residual returns of the trusts and is not a variable interest holder. The Trust was previously consolidated because it is controlled by the Company through a majority voting interest. The effect of such deconsolidation, as portrayed in the following table, was (1) to remove the trust preferred securities from the consolidated balance sheet; (2) to recognize the Company’s junior subordinated debt obligation to the Trust; and (3) to recognize the Company’s equity investment in the common stock of the Trust. The junior subordinated debt obligation and equity investment were previously eliminated in consolidation. The equity investment, totaling $0.3 million, represents the Company’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with the Trust. The adoption of FIN 46 had no impact on the Company’s net income, earnings per share, cash flows or stockholders’ equity.

 

75


Index to Financial Statements

The following is a summary of the impact of the adoption of FIN 46 as it related to the Company’s December 31, 2004 restated consolidated balance sheet (in thousands):

 

     Balance Prior
To Adjustment
   Adjustments
for FIN 46
    Adjusted
Balance

Other assets

   $ 3,489    $ 310     $ 3,799

Trust preferred securities

     10,000      (10,000 )     —  

Junior subordinated debt

     —        10,310       10,310

Under the terms of the indenture governing the debentures, the Company may elect to defer payments of interest due on the debentures for up to ten consecutive semiannual payment periods. The Company elected to defer the March 2002, September 2002, March 2003, September 2003 and March 2004 interest payments, but on September 8, 2004, the Company paid all deferred interest plus the accrued interest thereon totaling $3.7 million and has since paid interest on the debentures when due. The accrued interest payable balance on December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 was $0.3 million for both periods.

The trust preferred securities are mandatorily redeemable upon their maturity, or upon their earlier redemption as provided in the indenture. Additionally, the Company has the right to redeem the debentures purchased by the Trust:

 

    in whole or in part, on or after, but not at any time before, March 8, 2010; and

 

    in whole, but not in part, at any time within 90 days following the occurrence and during the continuation of a “tax-event,” “capital treatment event” or “investment company event,” as those terms are defined in the indenture.

As specified in the indenture, if the debentures are redeemed prior to maturity, then the redemption price will be a percentage of the principal amount, ranging from 105.438% during the 12 months following March 8, 2010 to 100.00% following March 8, 2020, plus any accrued but unpaid interest due on the debentures at the time of redemption. If the debentures are redeemed prior to March 8, 2010 following a “tax event,” “capital treatment event” or “investment company event,” the redemption price will be the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of debentures redeemed, and (ii) the present value of the remaining principal and interest payments between the redemption date and March 8, 2010, plus, in either case, any accrued but unpaid interest due on the debentures at the time of redemption.

 

76


Index to Financial Statements

Line of Credit

On May 6, 2004, Community Bancshares, Inc. established a line of credit with a commercial bank in the amount of $3.0 million. Interest accrues on any unpaid balance at a rate equal to the lender’s prime plus 50 basis points. Only interest is payable on the first day of each month through May 1, 2006. On May 1, 2006, any principal balance and accrued interest must be repaid in 35 consecutive monthly installments in the amount necessary to amortize the principal amount of the loan at the rate then in effect over a period of 180 months with such payments commencing on June 1, 2006 and continuing thereafter until May 1, 2009 at which time the entire principal and interest sum of the loan shall be paid, if not paid sooner. The loan is secured by 100% of the common stock of Community Bank, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary. As of December 31, 2005, the Company has not drawn on this line of credit.

Note 12 – Income Taxes

The components of income tax expense (benefit) for each of the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 were:

 

       2005      2004 (restated)     2003  
     (in thousands)  

Current income tax expense (benefit):

       

Federal

   $ —      $ —       $ (3,632 )

State

     —        —         (833 )

Deferred income tax expense (benefit):

       

Federal

     294      (804 )     (3,673 )

State

     128      566       (449 )
                       

Total

   $ 422    $ (238 )   $ (8,587 )
                       

 

77


Index to Financial Statements

Components of the Company’s net deferred income tax assets were as follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2005     2004 (restated)  
     (in thousands)  

Deferred income tax assets

    

Net unrealized losses on securities, available for sale

   $ 1,686     $ 932  

Loss on fair value hedge

     202       115  

Pension expense and benefits

     382       372  

Provision for loan losses

     —         1,009  

Intangibles

     201       336  

Provision for debt cancellation

     27       60  

Construction overcharges

     531       550  

Net operating loss carryforward

     10,444       9,491  

Foreclosed assets

     629       625  

Minimum pension liability

     1,361       1,033  

Litigation reserves

     —         114  

Impaired assets

     209       209  
                

Total deferred income tax assets

     15,672       14,846  
                

Deferred income tax liabilities

    

Provision for loan losses

     (332 )     —    

Net unrealized gains on cash flow hedge

     (110 )     —    

Depreciation

     (676 )     (763 )

Other

     —         (78 )
                

Total deferred income tax liabilities

     (1,118 )     (841 )
                

Net deferred income tax assets

   $ 14,554     $ 14,005  
                

The provision for (benefit from) federal and state income taxes differs from that computed by applying federal statutory rates to income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit), as indicated in the following analysis:

 

     December 31,  
       2005       2004 (restated)  
     (in thousands)  

Federal statutory income tax rate at 34%

   $ 704     $ (80 )

Tax exempt interest

     (52 )     (126 )

Stock options exercised

     (220 )     —    

Effect of state income taxes

     (30 )     (58 )

Non-deductible expenses

     20       26  
                

Total

   $ 422     $ (238 )
                

At December 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company has available $28.3 million and $26.1 million, respectively, in federal net operating loss carryforward, which will expire in various years between 2023 and 2025. The Company also has $29.9 million and $26.5 million for 2005 and 2004, respectively, in state net operating loss carryforwards that will expire in various years between 2019 and 2025.

Note 13 – Leases

The Company has operating lease agreements involving land and buildings. The operating leases are noncancellable and expire on various dates through the year 2018. The leases provide for renewal options and generally require the Company to pay maintenance, insurance and property taxes. Options to purchase are also included in some leases. For the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003, rental expense for operating leases was approximately $494,000, $463,000 and $445,000, respectively.

During 2000, Community Bank entered into sale/leaseback arrangements on its Hamilton, Alabama bank location. Due to the structure of this transaction, the lease qualified and has been accounted for under capitalized lease rules.

 

78


Index to Financial Statements

The following is an analysis of the leased property located in Hamilton, Alabama on which the Company maintains a capital lease:

 

    

Asset balances at

December 31,

 
     2005     2004  
     (in thousands)  

Buildings

   $ 3,728     $ 3,728  

Accumulated depreciation

     (694 )     (570 )
                
   $ 3,034     $ 3,158  
                

The following is a schedule by year of future minimum lease payments under the capital lease and all other operating leases, together with the present value of the net minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2005 (in thousands):

 

Years ending December 31,

   Total Operating    Capitalized  

2006

   $ 435    $ 336  

2007

     345      336  

2008

     277      336  

2009

     207      336  

2010

     155      336  

Thereafter

     300      6,551  
               

Total minimum lease payments

   $ 1,719      8,231  
         

Amount representing interest

        (4,386 )
           

Present value of net minimum lease payments

      $ 3,845  
           

On May 31, 2002, the purchaser of Community Bank’s Marshall County branch offices acquired the land, building and land improvements located in Albertville, Alabama under a sales type lease. The lease agreement calls for 60 payments of $14,000 per month beginning June 1, 2002. The lease ends on May 31, 2007 and is subject to options which give the right for the seller to require the purchaser to purchase the property and gives the right to the purchaser to require the seller to sell the property. The purchase price upon option by either party is $2,621,544. This lease/sale qualifies and is accounted for under capitalized lease rules.

The following is a schedule by year of the future minimum lease payments to be received by Community Bank together with the present value of the net minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2005 (in thousands):

 

Years ending December 31,

      

2006

   $ 168  

2007

     2,691  
        

Total minimum lease payments

     2,859  

Amount representing interest

     (94 )
        

Present value of net minimum lease payments

   $ 2,765  
        

Note 14 – Issuance of Common Stock

During the first quarter of 2004, the Company completed a private placement of its common stock, and upon its completion, the Company had sold 3,738,323 shares of its common stock at a price of $5.35 per share, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $18.3 million of which 1,586,771 shares for net proceeds of $7.9 million were sold during the first quarter of 2004. In addition, the Company granted to those investors who initially purchased shares in the offering prior to December 31, 2003 an option to exchange by December 31, 2008, in whole but not in part, the shares of the Company’s common stock purchased in the offering for shares of the Company’s newly designated Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock.

 

79


Index to Financial Statements

The Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock has a liquidation preference equal to the aggregate purchase price of the 2,191,897 shares of common stock initially purchased in the offering, and each whole share of the Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock will have a liquidation preference of $0.5 million. The Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock has, among other things, the following designations:

 

    The Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock has terms consistent with the Company’s Tier 1 capital treatment for regulatory purposes;

 

    The Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock is noncumulative and is not entitled to the payment of, or otherwise accrue, any dividends;

 

    The Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock is not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund or similar arrangement;

 

    The Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock has no preemptive, preferential or other right to purchase, subscribe for or convert into any other of the Company’s securities;

 

    The Company is not required to purchase the shares of Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock;

 

    Holders of the Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock do not have registration rights requiring the Company to register the shares of the Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock; and

 

    The Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock has no voting power with respect to any Company matters, except in the case of a merger or a significant acquisition or sales transaction, in which case, the Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock will be entitled to one vote per whole share, and will vote together, as one class, with the holders of our common stock.

The complete terms of the Series 2003 noncumulative preferred stock are set forth in the Certificate of Designation of the Series 2003 Noncumulative Preferred Stock of Community Bancshares, Inc., which the Company has filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as part of its Certificate of Incorporation.

Community Bank has advisory boards established in the various markets it serves. These advisory directors are given the option to receive their fees in cash or stock. Common stock issued in lieu of cash advisory directors fees during 2005, 2004, and 2003 were 14,388 shares, 20,720 shares and 17,030 shares, respectively at fair market values of $99,000, $110,000 and $120,000, respectively on the issue date. Directors’ fees are accrued when incurred and the aggregate fair market value of the shares issued is charged to accrued directors’ fees when issued.

During the year ended December 31, 2005, 212,425 stock options were exercised at various grant prices resulting in an increase to total stockholders’ equity of $1.2 million. During the year end December 31, 2004, 115,000 stock options were exercised at various grant prices resulting in an increase to total stockholders’ equity of $0.6 million. No stock options were exercised during 2003.

Note 15 – Off-Balance Sheet Activities, Derivatives and Hedging

Credit-Related Financial Instruments

The Company is a party to credit related financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Such commitments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets.

The Company’s exposure to credit loss is represented by the contractual amount of these commitments. The Company follows the same credit policies in making commitments as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments.

 

80


Index to Financial Statements

At December 31, 2005 and 2004, the following financial instruments, with contract amounts representing credit risk, were outstanding:

 

     Contract Amount
     2005    2004
     (in thousands)

Commitments to grant loans

   $ 27,416    $ 24,026

Standby letters of credit

     1,149      465

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. The commitments for equity lines of credit may expire without being drawn upon. Therefore, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The amount of collateral obtained, if it is deemed necessary by the Company, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the customer.

Standby letters-of-credit are conditional lending commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Those letters-of-credit are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements. Essentially all letters of credit issued have expiration dates within one year, but the majority are automatically renewable for the beneficiary. The credit risk involved in issuing letters-of-credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. The Company occasionally holds collateral supporting those commitments, and at December 31, 2005 and 2004 such collateral amounted to $0.9 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company is a party to derivative instruments in the normal course of business to reduce its own exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. The following table summarizes the contract or notional amount of all derivative instruments as of December 31, 2005 and 2004.

 

     December 31,
     2005    2004
     Trading     Other Than
Trading
   Trading     Other Than
Trading
     (in thousands)

Interest rate swap agreements:

         

Pay fixed versus receive float

   —       38,000    —       —  

Receive fixed versus pay float

   20,000 (1)   —      20,000 (1)   —  

(1) Represents an economic hedge

The Company may enter into interest rate swap contracts, including interest rate swap agreements for economic hedging purposes. The interest rate swap held by the Company as an economic hedge does not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. This economic hedge swap converts the fixed interest rate payment on certain of its debt obligations to a floating rate. Interest is exchanged periodically on the notional value, with the Company receiving the fixed rate and paying a LIBOR-based floating rate. Changes in the fair value of this derivative and the interest exchanged are recognized in earnings in the line item trading gains (losses) and settlement on economic hedge. The fair value of this derivative is included in either trading account assets or accrued expenses and other liabilities. At December 31, 2005, there was one swap held as an economic hedge that was classified as a trading security with a notional amount of $20.0 million.

Entering into interest rate swap agreements involves not only the risk of dealing with counterparties and their ability to meet the terms of the contracts but also the interest rate risk associated unmatched positions. There were no credit losses associated with derivative instruments classified as trading for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 or 2003.

 

81


Index to Financial Statements

The following table presents the notional value amounts at December 31, 2005 and 2004 of the Company’s derivative positions held for hedging purposes. These derivative positions are primarily executed in the over-the-counter market.

 

     December 31,
     2005    2004 (restated)
     Notional
Value
   Carrying
Value
   Notional
Value
   Carrying
Value
     (in thousands)

Cash flow hedges:

           

Interest rate swap agreements

   $ 38,000    $ 275    $ —      $ —  

There were no credit losses associated with derivative instruments classified as hedging for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 or 2003. At both December 31, 2005 and 2004, there were no nonperforming derivative positions classified as nontrading.

Interest Rate Risk

The Company uses derivative instruments to manage the risk of earnings fluctuations caused by interest rate volatility. The effect of interest rate movements on hedged assets or liabilities will generally be offset by the derivative instrument.

Derivative instruments that are used as part of the Company’s interest rate risk management strategy include interest rate swaps and options contracts with indices that relate to the pricing of specific balance sheet assets and liabilities. The Company does not use highly leveraged derivative instruments for interest rate risk management. Interest rate swaps generally involve the exchange of fixed and variable rate interest payments between two parties, based on a common notional principal amount and maturity date. Interest rate options represent contracts that allow the holder of the option to (1) receive cash or (2) purchase, sell or enter into a financial instrument at a specified price within a specified period of time. Certain of these contracts also provide the Company with the right to enter into interest rate swap, cap and floor agreements with the writer of the option.

By using derivative instruments, the Company is exposed to credit and market risk. If the counterparty fails to perform, credit risk is equal to the extent of the Company’s fair value gain in a derivative. When the fair value of a derivative instrument contract is positive, this generally indicates that the counterparty owes the Company and, therefore, creates a credit risk for the Company. When the fair value of a derivative instrument contract is negative, the Company owes the counterparty and, therefore, it has no credit risk. The Company minimizes the credit risk in derivative instruments by entering into transactions with high-quality counterparties that are reviewed periodically by the Company’s credit committee. The Company also maintains a policy of requiring that all derivative instrument contracts be governed by an International Swaps an Derivatives Association Master Agreement, which includes a provision for netting; most of the Company’s agreements with derivative counterparties include bilateral collateral agreements.

Market risk is the adverse effect that a change in interest rates or implied volatility rates has on the value of a financial instrument. The Company manages the market risk associated with interest rate contracts by establishing and monitoring limits as to the types and degree of risk that may be undertaken.

The Company’s derivatives activities are monitored by its Asset/Liability Committee as part of its risk-management oversight of the Company’s treasury functions. The Company’s Asset/Liability Management Committee is responsible for mandating various hedging strategies that are developed through its analysis of data from financial simulation models and other internal and industry sources. The resulting hedging strategies are then incorporated into the Company’s overall interest rate risk management and trading strategies.

Fair Value Hedges (restated)

The Company has no interest rate swaps at December 31, 2005 or 2004 considered to be a fair value hedge.

In 2005, the Company began entering into forward sale commitments, which are commitments for future sales of closed mortgage loans to third parties at a specified price. The change in the value of the forward sales commitment

 

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Index to Financial Statements

is recognized through current period earnings. The recognition of the change in value of the closed mortgage loans depends on the effectiveness of the hedge. When hedge effectiveness is not met, the change in the value of the loans is not recognized, but instead is based on the lower of cost or market guidelines. Therefore, any potential gain will not be recognized until the sale of the loan. Fair value hedged gains or losses were immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2005.

Cash-Flow Hedges

The Company has one interest rate swap implemented in November 2005 used to hedge the repricing characteristics of a floating rate liability. The Company has assumed hedge effectiveness using the short-cut method allowed under SFAS No. 133. There were no cash flow hedging gains or losses, as a result of hedge ineffectiveness, recognized for the year ended December 31, 2005. As of December 31, 2005, there were no gains or losses which were reclassified from other comprehensive income to other income as a result of the discontinuance of cash-flow hedges related to certain forecasted transactions that are probable of not occurring. For the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company recognized a decrease in interest income of $5,000 related to interest rate swaps accounted for as cash-flow hedges. At December 31, 2005, cash-flow hedges not terminated had a deferred net gain of $275,000 included in other comprehensive income, net of tax effect and remaining life of 1.7 years. Based on the current interest rate environment, this gain is expected to be reclassified to interest income as net settlements occur.

Note 16 – Contingencies

Background

At a June 20, 2000, meeting of the board of directors of Community Bank, one of Community Bank’s directors brought to the attention of the board of directors the total amount of money that Community Bank had paid to subcontractors in connection with the construction of a new Community Bank branch office in Guntersville, Alabama. Questions were subsequently raised about a number of Community Bank construction projects. A joint committee of the boards of directors of Community Bancshares and Community Bank conducted an investigation as did law enforcement and bank regulatory authorities. Following these investigations, the boards of directors terminated the employment of Kennon R. Patterson, Sr., former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Community Bancshares and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Community Bank, and Larry Bishop, former Vice President of Community Bank and the FDIC commenced administrative proceedings against Mr. Patterson and Mr. Bishop which are still pending. On March 10, 2005 Mr. Patterson and Mr. Bishop were convicted in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama of conspiracy, bank fraud and causing false entries to be made in bank records. Mr. Patterson was also convicted of filing false income tax returns. On December 13, 2005, Mr. Patterson was sentenced to five years in federal prison, and on January 26, 2006, Mr. Bishop was sentenced to four years in federal prison. On January 30, 2006, Mr. Patterson and Mr. Bishop were ordered, jointly and severally, to pay restitution of approximately $1.8 million, of which approximately $1.3 million is payable to Community Bank.

Patterson Employment Litigation

 

Plaintiffs:   Community Bancshares, Inc. and Community Bank
Defendants:   Kennon R. Patterson, Sr., Community Bancshares’ former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

On September 14, 2004, Community Bancshares and Community Bank filed suit against Mr. Patterson in the Circuit Court of Blount County, Alabama. The complaint alleges that:

 

    Mr. Patterson breached his employment agreement with Community Bancshares by failing to faithfully perform the duties assigned to him;

 

    Mr. Patterson made fraudulent misrepresentations to, or suppressed material information from, Community Bancshares and Community Bank and/or their officers, directors and agents concerning his bankruptcy, the release of mortgages which Community Bank held on his house, and payments made by Community Bancshares and Community Bank to companies owned by Mr. Patterson and members of his family;

 

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Index to Financial Statements
    Mr. Patterson removed property belonging to Community Bancshares and Community Bank following the termination of his employment; and

 

    Mr. Patterson breached a duty of loyalty and other fiduciary duties owed to Community Bancshares and Community Bank.

On October 18, 2004, Mr. Patterson filed an answer and counterclaim against Community Bancshares and Community Bank. Mr. Patterson’s counterclaim alleges that:

 

    Community Bancshares breached its employment agreement with Mr. Patterson by terminating his employment;

 

    Community Bancshares failed to pay to Mr. Patterson compensation and benefits of $2.4 million which had allegedly accrued prior to the termination of his employment;

 

    Community Bank intentionally interfered with the employment contract between Mr. Patterson and Community Bancshares by instigating, promoting, assisting in and participating in the termination of Mr. Patterson’s employment agreement; and

 

    Community Bancshares falsely represented to Mr. Patterson that his employment would not be terminated until Match 31, 2008.

On January 25, 2005, Mr. Patterson filed a third-party complaint in this lawsuit against R.B. Jackson, Jimmie Trotter, Glynn Debter, John J. Lewis, Jr., Patrick M. Frawley and Powell, Goldstein, Frazer & Murphy, LLP. The third-party complaint alleges that Messrs. Jackson, Trotter, Debter and Lewis, as members of Community Bank’s Audit Committee, Powell, Goldstein, Frazier & Murphy, LLP, as the independent counsel for Community Bank’s Audit Committee, and Mr. Frawley, acting individually and in concert with one another, interfered with Mr. Patterson’s employment agreement with Community Bancshares. On April 19, 2005, Powell, Goldstein, Frazier & Murphy, LLP was dismissed from the lawsuit.

Patterson ESOP Litigation

 

Plaintiffs:   Community Bancshares, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “ESOP”) and North Star Trust Company, as Trustee of the ESOP
Defendants:   Kennon R. Patterson, Sr., Community Bancshares’ former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

On March 15, 2004 the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, or “ESOP,” of Community Bancshares, together with the ESOP trustee, North Star Trust Company, filed suit against Mr. Patterson in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. The ESOP’s complaint:

 

    alleges that Mr. Patterson breached his fiduciary duty to the ESOP by engaging in activities which adversely affected the value of the Community Bancshares stock held by the ESOP and concealing information with respect to those activities from other ESOP fiduciaries; and

 

    seeks a declaratory judgment that Mr. Patterson is not entitled to a distribution of his accrued benefits in the ESOP and that such benefits may be held and used to offset the damages which the ESOP suffered as a result of Mr. Patterson’s alleged breach of fiduciary duty.

On July 7, 2004, the Court denied Mr. Patterson’s motion to dismiss the case. On or about July 23, 2004, Mr. Patterson filed a counterclaim seeking a judgment that he is entitled to benefits from the ESOP and declaratory and injunctive relief compelling the payment of such benefits. On July 26, 2004 the Court, at Mr. Patterson’s request, stayed discovery in the case pending the disposition of the criminal charges against Mr. Patterson. On December 14, 2005, the stay was lifted.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Patterson Benefit Restoration Plan Litigation

 

Plaintiff:   Kennon R. Patterson, Sr.
Defendant:   Community Bancshares, Inc. Benefit Restoration Plan

On February 17, 2005, Mr. Patterson filed suit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama to compel payment of his accrued benefits under the Community Bancshares, Inc. Benefit Restoration Plan, a nonqualified supplemental retirement plan. The complaint seeks a judgment against the plan and an order compelling the payment of benefits.

Patterson Pension Plan Litigation

 

Plaintiff:   Kennon R. Patterson, Sr.
Defendant:   Community Bancshares, Inc. Revised Pension Plan

On December 16, 2005, Mr. Patterson filed suit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama to compel payment of his accrued benefits under the Community Bancshares, Inc. Revised Pension Plan. The complaint seeks a judgment against the plan and an order compelling the payment of benefits. On March 23, 2006, the Pension Plan filed a motion for summary judgment seeking dismissal of the lawsuit on the grounds that the retroactive payments sought by Mr. Patterson are not permitted under the terms of the Pension Plan and Mr. Patterson both failed to exhaust his administrative remedies before filing the lawsuit and failed to complete the forms required to receive a distribution.

Employee Litigation

 

Plaintiffs:   Bishop K. Walker, Jr., former Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Community Bancshares, and his wife, Wanda Walker, and Denny G. Kelly, former President of Community Bank, and his wife, Arlene Kelly
Defendants:   Community Bancshares, Community Bank, Kennon R. Patterson, Sr., and a number of unidentified defendants

On May 5, 2003, the plaintiffs filed separate suits in the Circuit Court of Blount County, Alabama, against the defendants alleging that they were induced to retire based upon misrepresentations made by Kennon R. Patterson, Sr., who at the time was Community Bancshares’ Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. The plaintiffs claim that Mr. Patterson’s actions constituted fraud, promissory fraud, fraudulent suppression, fraud in the inducement, deceit, fraudulent deceit, negligence, recklessness, wantonness and breach of contract. The complaints seek an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages.

On October 23, 2003, Community Bancshares and Community Bank filed counterclaims against Mr. Walker and Mr. Kelly seeking repayment of amounts paid to them as part of a severance arrangement and, in the case of Mr. Kelly, amounts owed to Community Bank in connection with the two loans from Community Bank to Mr. Kelly.

Mr. Kelly and Mr. Walker each filed an amended complaint on or about April 20, 2004. The amended complaints add Mrs. Kelly and Mrs. Walker as parties plaintiff and allege that representations were made by the defendants to Mrs. Kelly and Mrs. Walker that the defendants would purchase their personal and jointly owned stock of the Company. The complaints assert that the defendants’ failure to purchase such stock constitutes promissory fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, fraudulent suppression, negligence and/or wantonness. Mr. Walker’s amended complaint also seeks damages based on Community Bank’s refusal to accept a deed in lieu of foreclosure on Mr. Walker’s home. On June 15, 2004, Community Bank amended its counterclaim against Mr. Walker to recover a loan deficiency balance following Community Bank’s foreclosure on Mr. Walker’s home.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Other Litigation

In addition to the foregoing, Community Bancshares and its affiliates also are from time to time parties to other legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of Community Bancshares’ business. We presently believe that, other than the litigation discussed above, there is no other litigation to which Community Bancshares or its affiliates presently are party that, if such litigation were to result in an outcome unfavorable to Community Bancshares, would, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Community Bancshares’ Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that, in certain circumstances, we will indemnify its directors and officers, and, provided such persons acted in accordance with the standards set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law and Community Bancshares’ organizational documents, advance expenses to its directors and officers in connection with investigations and proceedings in connection with their service as officers and directors.

Contingency Losses

In all claims against the Company, management has assessed where losses are both probable and can be reasonably estimated. As of December 31, 2005, management believes there were no losses that were both probable and that could be reasonably estimated; therefore, no accruals were made for contingent liabilities. At December 31, 2004, $0.3 million was accrued for contingency losses and was reported in other liabilities on the Company’s balance sheet.

Note 17 – Regulatory Matters and Restrictions

Dividends paid by Community Bank are the primary source of funds available to the Company for debt repayment, payment of dividends to its stockholders and other needs. Certain restrictions exist regarding the ability of the Bank to transfer funds to the Company in the form of cash dividends, loans or advances. Under Alabama law, the approval of the Alabama Superintendent of Banks is required to pay dividends in excess of Community Bank’s net earnings for the current year plus retained net earnings for the preceding two years less any required transfers to surplus.

No dividends were declared or paid in 2005 or 2004. The payment of dividends on common stock is subject to the prior payment of principal and interest on the Company’s long-term debt, maintenance of sufficient earnings and capital of the subsidiaries, and to regulatory restrictions.

As of December 31, 2005, neither the Company nor its subsidiaries were subject to any regulatory enforcement agreements, memoranda, plans and/or orders governing its operations. As of December 31, 2004, the Company and its subsidiaries were subject to various regulatory enforcement agreements, memoranda, plans and/or orders governing its operations. The Company believes it materially complied with the regulatory orders and restrictions and during March 2005, all such regulatory orders and restrictions were terminated.

The Company (on a consolidated basis) and Community Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s and Community Bank’s financial statements. The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors. Prompt corrective action provisions are not applicable to bank holding companies.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and Community Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the following table) of total and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined) and of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined). Management believes, as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, that the Company and Community Bank have met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

As of December 31, 2005, the most recent notification from the FDIC categorized Community Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, an institution must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the following tables. There are no conditions or events since the notification that management believes have changed the Bank’s category. The Company’s and Community Bank’s actual capital amounts and ratios as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 are also presented in the table.

 

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Index to Financial Statements
     Actual    

Minimum Capital

Requirement

   

Minimum

to be

Well Capitalized

 
     Amount    Ratio     Amount    Ratio     Amount    Ratio  
     (dollars in thousands)  

As of December 31, 2005:

               

Total risk based capital to risk weighted assets:

               

Consolidated

   $ 58,511    15.77 %   $ 29,691    8.00 %   $ 37,114    10.00 %

Community Bank

     51,245    14.06       29,154    8.00       36,442    10.00  

Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets:

               

Consolidated

     53,871    14.52       14,846    4.00       22,268    6.00  

Community Bank

     46,689    12.81       14,577    4.00       21,865    6.00  

Tier 1 capital to average assets:

               

Consolidated

     53,871    9.58       22,504    4.00       28,130    5.00  

Community Bank

     46,689    8.37       22,308    4.00       27,886    5.00  

As of December 31, 2004:

               

Total risk based capital to risk weighted assets:

               

Consolidated

   $ 55,848    17.00 %   $ 26,265    8.00 %   $ 32,831    10.00 %

Community Bank

     49,402    15.36       25,712    8.00       32,141    10.00  

Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets:

               

Consolidated

     51,736    15.81       13,132    4.00       19,699    6.00  

Community Bank

     45,375    14.11       12,856    4.00       19,284    6.00  

Tier 1 capital to average assets:

               

Consolidated

     51,736    9.55       21,674    4.00       27,093    5.00  

Community Bank

     45,375    8.44       21,517    4.00       26,896    5.00  

Note 18 – Pension Plan

The Company has a defined benefit pension plan (the “Pension Plan”) that provides retirement and disability benefits for substantially all employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, and death benefits for their beneficiaries. An employee will become a participant in the Pension Plan on January 1 or July 1 after completing 12 months of employment during which the employee works at least 1,000 hours. All employees are eligible to become participants in the Pension Plan regardless of age on the date they begin employment.

Benefits under the Pension Plan depend upon a participant’s years of credited service with the Company or any of its subsidiaries and his or her average monthly earnings for the highest five consecutive years out of the participants final 10 years of employment. An employee who becomes a participant on or after January 1, 1996 will not be vested in any benefit until he or she completes five years of service, at which time the employee will be 100% vested. An employee who became a participant before January 1, 1996, is 20% vested in his accrued benefits after completion of two years of service, 40% vested after three years of service, 60% vested after four years of service and becomes fully vested upon completion of five years of service. An employee who completes ten years of service and attains age 55 is eligible for early retirement benefits. Plan assets consist primarily of corporate stocks and bonds.

The Company contributes amounts to the Pension Plan sufficient to satisfy funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

Effective January 1, 1995, the Company established a nonqualified benefit plan for certain key executives called the Community Bancshares, Inc. Benefit Restoration Plan, the purpose of which is to provide the amount of the benefit which would otherwise be paid under the Pension Plan, but which cannot be paid under that plan due to the limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Effective December 31, 2003, the Company froze both the Pension Plan and the Benefit Restoration Plan. Benefits accrued as of the date of the freeze will be paid to employees when eligible, but no future benefits will be accrued as long as the plans remain frozen.

 

87


Index to Financial Statements

The following tables set forth the funding status and the amount recognized for both the Pension Plan and the Benefit Restoration Plan in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations.

Pension Plan:

 

     December 31,  
     2005     2004  
     (in thousands)  

Change in benefit obligation:

    

Benefit obligation at beginning of year

   $ 9,616     $ 8,977  

Interest cost

     558       536  

Actuarial (gain) or loss

     439       477  

Benefits paid

     (432 )     (374 )
                

Projected benefit obligation at end of year

   $ 10,181     $ 9,616  
                

Change in plan assets:

    

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

   $ 7,702     $ 6,923  

Actual return on plan assets

     169       370  

Employer contribution

     2,062       783  

Benefits paid from plan assets

     (432 )     (374 )
                

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

   $ 9,501     $ 7,702  
                

Funded status of plan:

    

Funded status of plan – deficit

   $ (680 )   $ (1,914 )

Unrecognized actuarial loss

     2,982       2,195  
                

Net amount recognized at end of year

   $ 2,302     $ 281  
                

Amounts recognized in the balance sheet consists of:

    

Accumulated benefit obligation

   $ 10,181     $ 9,616  

Fair value of assets

     9,501       7,702  

Unfunded accumulated benefit obligation

     680       1,914  

Accrued benefit liability

     (680 )     (1,914 )

Additional liability

     2,982       2,195  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     2,982       2,195  

Other comprehensive income due to change in additional minimum liability recognition

     787       616  

Information for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets:

    

Projected benefit obligation

     10,181       9,616  

Accumulated benefit obligation

     10,181       9,616  

Fair value of plan assets

     9,501       7,702  

Weighted average assumptions used in determining the benefit obligations:

    

Discount rate used to determine present value of projected benefit obligation at end of year

     5.65 %     5.75 %

 

88


Index to Financial Statements

Components of Pension Plan net periodic benefit cost:

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2005     2004     2003  
     (in thousands)  

Service cost

   $ —       $ —       $ 587  

Interest cost on earned benefit obligations

     558       536       591  

Estimated return on plan assets

     (643 )     (547 )     (546 )

Amortization of prior service cost

     —         —         22  

Amortization of net experience loss

     126       38       64  
                        

Net periodic pension cost

     41       27       718  

Curtailment

     —         —         166  

Cost of vesting

     —         —         19  
                        

Total net periodic pension costs

   $ 41     $ 27     $ 903  
                        

Weighted average assumptions used in determining pension costs:

      

Discount rate

     5.75 %     6.00 %     6.75 %

Expected rate of return on plan assets for the year

     7.00       7.00       7.50  

Rate of compensation increase

     N/A       N/A       5.00  

The long-term expected rate of return for determining net periodic Pension Plan cost for the fiscal year ending 2005 (7.00%) was chosen by the Company from a best estimate range based upon the anticipated long-term returns and long-term volatility for asset categories based on the target asset allocation of the Pension Plan.

The Company’s Pension Plan weighted average asset allocations at December 31, 2005 and 2004:

 

     Percentage of
Pension Plan Assets
at December 31,
   

Long-term

target

    Range  
     2005     2004      

Asset Category:

        

Cash and equivalents

   3.6 %   2.6 %   5.0 %   0.15 %

Equity securities

   77.8     59.7     60.0     50-70  

Debt securities

   18.6     37.7     35.0     30-50  
                    

Total

   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %  
                    

The overall investment objective of the Pension Plan is to meet the long-term benefit obligations accrued under the Pension Plan through investment in a diversified mix of equity and fixed income securities. The investment portfolio will be diversified to comply with fiduciary standards set forth under ERISA.

Long-term asset allocation targets and ranges are based on historical risk and return characteristics of the capital markets, plan objective and plan investment time horizon. Shorter term asset allocation strategies, executed within the guidelines of the investment policy take into consideration plan liquidity needs and current and expected market conditions.

The investment portfolio utilizes mutual funds to facilitate investment in each of the asset classes and sectors. The fixed income mutual funds currently utilized in the portfolio have objectives and exhibit characteristics in aggregate of intermediate and short-term maturity/duration securities. Certain individual issues within these funds will have a maturity/duration longer than what is typically considered short-term or intermediate. Over the long-term the fixed income portfolio would be expected to exhibit characteristics of the aggregate bond market.

 

89


Index to Financial Statements

Benefit Restoration Plan:

 

     December 31,  
       2005         2004    
     (in thousands)  

Change in benefit obligation:

    

Benefit obligation at beginning of year

   $ 2,581     $ 2,298  

Interest cost

     147       144  

Actuarial loss

     39       197  

Benefits paid

     (58 )     (58 )
                

Projected benefit obligation at end of year

   $ 2,709     $ 2,581  
                

Change in plan assets:

    

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

   $ —       $ —    

Employer contribution

     58       58  

Benefits paid from plan assets

     (58 )     (58 )
                

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

   $ —       $ —    
                

Funded status of plan:

    

Funded status of plan – surplus (deficit)

   $ (2,709 )   $ (2,581 )

Unrecognized actuarial (gain) or loss

     420       387  
                

Net amount recognized at end of year

   $ (2,289 )   $ (2,194 )
                

Amounts recognized in the balance sheet consists of:

    

Accumulated benefit obligation

   $ 2,709     $ 2,581  

Unfunded accumulated benefit obligation

     2,709       2,581  

Accrued benefit asset (liability)

     (2,709 )     (2,581 )

Additional liability

     420       387  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     420       387  

Other comprehensive income due to change in additional minimum liability recognition

     33       194  

Information for Benefit Restoration Plan with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets:

    

Projected benefit obligation

     2,709       2,581  

Accumulated benefit obligation

     2,709       2,581  

Fair value of plan assets

     —         —    

Weighted average assumptions used in determining the benefit obligations:

    

Discount rate used to determine present value of projected benefit obligation at end of year

     5.65 %     5.75 %

 

90


Index to Financial Statements

Components of Benefit Restoration Plan net periodic benefit cost:

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2005     2004     2003  

Service cost

   $ —       $ —       $ 26  

Interest cost on earned benefit obligations

     147       144       154  

Amortization of prior service cost

     —         —         1  

Amortization of net experience (gain) loss

     6       3       12  
                        

Total net periodic pension costs

   $ 153     $ 147     $ 193  
                        

Weighted average assumptions used in determining pension costs:

      

Discount rate

     5.65 %     6.00 %     6.75 %

Rate of compensation increase

     N/A       N/A       5.00  

Note 19 – Employee Stock Ownership Plan

The Company adopted the ESOP effective as of January 1, 1985, which enables eligible employees of the Company and its subsidiaries to own Company common stock. An employee becomes a participant in the ESOP on June 30 or December 31 after completing 12 months of employment during which the employee is credited with 1,000 or more hours of service. Contributions to the ESOP are made at the discretion of the Company’s board of directors, but may not be less than the amount required to cover the debt service on the ESOP loan. Employer contributions are allocated to eligible participants in proportion to their compensation, which equals W-2 wages plus pre-tax reductions for the Company’s cafeteria plan. The Internal Revenue Code imposes a limit ($210,000 in 2005) on the amount of compensation which may be considered under the ESOP.

On November 3, 1993, the ESOP borrowed $1.2 million from Colonial Bank to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, and the Company guaranteed all obligations of the ESOP under this ESOP loan. The ESOP loan has been amended from time to time, including additional borrowings, but was paid off during the first quarter of 2004 with direct financing from the Company. As the ESOP note is paid, the Company releases shares from the pledge, and these shares are allocated to ESOP participants annually.

The Company’s loan to the ESOP bears interest at a floating rate at the prime rate of interest. As of December 31, 2005, the interest rate on the note was 7.25%. Principal and interest payments on the ESOP loan are due monthly through July 16, 2011, based on the current amortization schedule, with the remaining principal and interest, if any, due upon that date. The ESOP loan may be prepaid in whole or in part without penalty under the loan agreement. The Company makes contributions to the ESOP that enables the ESOP to make payments due under the ESOP loan and to make cash distributions to eligible participants. Under Statement of Position No. 93-6 (“SOP 93-6”), “Employer’s Accounting for Employee Stock Ownership Plans”, employers that sponsor an ESOP with an employer loan should not report the ESOP’s note payable and the employer’s note receivable in the employer’s balance sheet, nor should interest cost or interest income be recognized on the employer loan. The Company has followed SOP 93-6 accordingly. The principal balance of the Company’s loan to the ESOP at December 31, 2005, was $1.3 million.

Dividends paid on released ESOP shares are credited to the accounts of the participants to whom the shares are allocated. Dividends on unreleased shares may be used to repay debt associated with the ESOP or treated as other income of the ESOP and allocated to the participants. No dividends were paid in 2004 or 2005.

At December 31, 2005, the Company’s financial statements reflected a contra-equity account of $1.4 million. At December 31, 2004, the contra-equity account was $1.6 million.

Compensation costs recognized amounted to $128,000, $287,000 and $709,000 for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

Note 20 – Stock Options and Warrant

The Company occasionally grants stock options to purchase the Company’s common stock to officers and directors. The options have been granted at a strike price equivalent to the current fair value of the Company’s common stock on the grant date and have a maximum term of five years. Most options with a per share exercise price at or above $7.00 do not expire following an officer or director’s termination. Options with a per share exercise price below

 

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$7.00 terminate at various times ranging from 60 days to one year following an officer or director’s termination. As of December 31, 2005, the Company had outstanding options held by officers and directors to purchase an aggregate of 1,715,075 shares of the Company’s common stock. All options are vested as of December 31, 2005. During the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company accelerated the vesting on 78,000 options to certain non-senior officers and as a result, recorded a non-recurring compensation expense of $35,000. On February 20, 2004, upon closing of its private placement of common stock, the Company granted to the placement agent in that offering a warrant (“the warrant”) to purchase 140,187 shares of the Company’s common stock at a per share exercise price of $5.89. The warrant expires on February 20, 2008, and until that date, may be exercised either in cash or pursuant to a “cashless exercise.”

The following sets forth certain information regarding stock options for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005:

 

    

Number

of Shares

   

Weighted Average

Exercise Price

Balance, December 31, 2002

   830,538     $ 11.00

Granted, year ended December 31, 2003

   639,000       7.00

Expired, year ended December 31, 2003

   (537,038 )     11.57
        

Balance, December 31, 2003

   932,500       8.12

Granted, year ended December 31, 2004

   902,687       5.51

Exercised year ended December 31, 2004

   (115,000 )     5.35

Expired, year ended December 31, 2004

   (143,000 )     11.47
            

Balance, December 31, 2004

   1,577,187       6.52

Granted, year ended December 31, 2005

   615,000       6.91

Exercised, year ended December 31, 2005

   (212,425 )     5.72

Expired, year ended December 31, 2005

   (124,500 )     6.90
        

Balance, December 31, 2005

   1,855,262       6.71
        

 

Exercise Prices

   Number   

Expiration

Date

  

Options

Exercisable

Options with exercise price of $7.00

   527,000    2008    527,000

Options with exercise price of $7.00

   137,500    2007    137,500

Options with exercise price of $10.00

   88,000    2006    88,000

Options with exercise price of $5.35

   335,500    2009    335,500

Options with exercise price of $5.50

   25,000    2009    25,000

Options with exercise price of $5.89 (warrant)

   140,187    2008    140,187

Options with exercise price of $7.00

   30,000    2009    30,000

Options with exercise price of $7.05

   5,000    2009    5,000

Options with exercise price of $6.81

   502,075    2010    502,075

Options with exercise price of $7.88

   15,000    2010    15,000

Options with exercise price of $7.68

   50,000    2010    50,000
            

Total outstanding, December 31, 2005

   1,855,262       1,855,262
            

The Company permits option holders to tender previously owned shares in lieu of cash to pay the exercise price for shares acquired through option exercise. This technique results in an increase in the number of shares outstanding with little or no increase in capital account balances. No option holders tendered shares during 2005, 2004 or 2003.

The Company accounts for its stock based compensation in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (“APB 25”), “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and related interpretations. Generally, stock based compensation expense is not reflected in net income as all options granted under those plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123 (“SFAS 123”), “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” the Company has recorded the warrant to purchase 140,187 shares of the Company’s common stock, which was issued at the fair

 

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value of the Company’s common stock, using the Black-Scholes model to determine a fair value of $1.73 per share. Since the warrants were issued as compensation for services rendered for the common stock issuance, the charge for the options resulted in a decrease to additional paid in capital of $243,000. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company plans to adopt SFAS 123R, which will require compensation expense to be recognized for all share-based payments.

Since the Company’s options granted in 2005, 2004 and 2003 vest immediately, for purposes of pro forma disclosure, the compensation expense related to these options has been recognized in the year granted. The Company’s pro forma information, after giving effect to the deduction for stock-based employee compensation expenses determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of tax, is as follows:

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2005     2004     2003  
     (in thousands)  

Net income (loss):

      

As reported

   $ 1,649     $ 4     $ (13,100 )

Deducts:

      

Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of tax

     (801 )     (1,018 )     (888 )
                        

Pro forma net income (loss)

   $ 848     $ (1,014 )   $ (13,988 )
                        

Basic net income (loss) per share:

      

As reported

     0.19       —         (2.79 )

Pro forma

     0.10       (0.12 )     (2.98 )

Diluted net income (loss) per share:

      

As reported

     0.19       —         (2.79 )

Pro forma

     0.10       (0.12 )     (2.98 )

The weighted average per share fair values of options granted to employees during 2005, 2004 and 2003 were $2.45, $2.17 and $2.11, respectively. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used:

 

     2005     2004     2003  

Dividend yield

   0 %   0 %   0 %

Expected volatility

   .468     .403     .283  

Risk free interest rate

   2.87 %   3.16 %   3.26 %

Expected life (in years)

   3.2     5     5  

Community Bank has advisory director boards established in the various markets it serves. Prior to January 1, 2006, these advisory directors were given the option to receive their fees in cash or stock. Common stock issued in lieu of cash for advisory directors’ fees is summarized as follows:

 

     2005    2004    2003

Shares issued

     14,388      20,720      17,030
                    

Fair market value on issue date (in thousands)

   $ 99    $ 110    $ 120
                    

The aggregate fair market value of the shares issued was charged to expense in each respective period. Advisory directors will be paid solely in cash for all service after January 1, 2006.

Note 21 – Related Party Transactions

Loans: The Company, through Community Bank, also offers first mortgage real estate loans on the primary residence, at a rate of 5%, to employees who are required to relocate in the course of their employment. As of December 31, 2005 and 2004, executive officers and directors of the Company and executive officers of Community Bank and its subsidiaries, including members of their immediate families and related interests, had relocation loans outstanding with total indebtedness of approximately $482,000 and $490,000, respectively. Other loans to directors and executive officers amounted to $2.2 million and $1.3 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. These loans were originated in the normal course of business.

 

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At December 31, 2003, Community Bank had a real estate loan in the amount of $5.4 million outstanding to Mr. Kennon R. Patterson, Sr., the former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Community Bank. The loan bore interest at rate equal to 4.00% per annum and matured unpaid on January 29, 2003. In connection with Mr. Patterson’s bankruptcy filing during 2003, Community Bank reclassified this loan to nonaccrual status and charged-off all accrued interest totaling $0.2 million on February 4, 2003. The outstanding principal balance of the loan remained at $5.2 million until December 8, 2004 when the Bank foreclosed on the loan and charged off $2.2 million. During 2004, the highest principal balance outstanding for this loan was $5.2 million.

Deposits: The total deposits of our executive officers and directors, including savings, checking and time deposits were $0.8 million and $0.6 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

Note 22 – Other Operating Expenses

Other operating expenses consisted of the following:

 

     Years ended December 31,
     2005     2004     2003
     (in thousands)

Amortization of intangibles, other

   $ 79     $ 79     $ 79

Supplies

     522       526       572

Postage

     277       307       295

Telephone and data communications

     801       853       691

Courier services

     298       304       314

ATM expense

     111       152       124

Holding costs on other real estate owned

     301       328       297

Provision for debt cancellation

     (67 )     (41 )     104

Marketing, public relations, business development

     723       529       564

Other

     1,048       692       1,481
                      
   $ 4,093     $ 3,729     $ 4,521
                      

Note 23 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value:

Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents approximate fair values.

Securities: Fair values for securities, excluding Federal Home Loan Bank stock, are based on quoted market prices. If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on quoted market prices of similar securities.

Loan receivables: For variable-rate loans that reprice frequently and with no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying values. Fair values for other loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality. Fair values for non-performing loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses or underlying collateral values, where applicable.

Deposits: The fair values disclosed for demand deposits (e.g., interest and noninterest checking, passbook savings, and certain types of money market accounts) are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amounts). The carrying amounts of variable-rate, fixed-term money market accounts and certificates of deposit approximate their fair values at the reporting date. Fair values for fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered on certificates to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits.

 

94


Index to Financial Statements

Short-term borrowings: The carrying amounts of federal funds purchased, borrowings under repurchase agreements, and other short-term borrowings maturing within ninety days approximate their fair values. Fair values of other short-term borrowings are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

Long-term borrowings: The fair values of the Company’s long-term borrowings are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

Accrued interest: The carrying amounts of accrued interest approximate fair value.

Derivative financial instruments: Fair values for interest rate swap agreements are based upon the amounts required to settle the contracts. Fair values for on-balance-sheet commitments to originate loans held for sale are based on fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, and for fixed-rate commitments also consider the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed rates.

Commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit: The fair value of commitments and letters of credit is estimated to be approximately the same as the notional amount of the related commitment.

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows:

 

     December 31,
     2005    2004
    

Carrying

Amount

   Fair Value   

Carrying

Amount

(restated)

  

Fair Value

(restated)

     (in thousands)

Financial assets

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 44,016    $ 44,016    $ 52,512    $ 52,512

Securities

     136,405      136,405      147,168      147,168

Loans and capitalized lease receivable, net

     335,496      331,747      298,619      296,498

Accrued interest receivable

     3,392      3,392      2,766      2,766
                           

Total financial assets

   $ 519,309    $ 515,560    $ 501,065    $ 498,944
                           

Financial liabilities

           

Deposits

   $ 438,904    $ 437,316    $ 448,915    $ 450,160

Short-term borrowings

     521      521      621      621

Long-term debt and capitalized lease obligation

     81,355      88,389      52,203      59,629

Accrued interest payable

     2,166      2,166      1,730      1,730
                           

Total financial liabilities

   $ 522,946    $ 528,392    $ 503,469    $ 512,140
                           

Off-balance sheet credit related financial instruments:

           

Commitments to grant loans

   $ 27,416    $ 27,416    $ 24,026    $ 24,026

Standby letters of credit

     1,149      1,149      465      465

Note 24 – Subsequent Events

On January 11, 2006, the Company sold Heritage Valley Farm, its largest piece of other real estate owned for $9.8 million, or $8.7 million net of commissions and other costs. The Company carried the property at $5.8 million. The Company received $0.5 million in cash and a $9.3 million loan receivable. The loan receivable earns interest at an annual rate of 6.5% and matures on December 15, 2006. The Company recorded a gain of $2.3 million and deferred a gain of $0.6 million. The gain on the sale of this property does not recover previous losses related to the Company’s former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

On January 30, 2006, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama ordered Kennon R. Patterson, Sr., former Chairman and CEO of Community Bancshares and Community Bank, and Larry E. Bishop, former Vice President of Community Bank, to pay approximately $1.8 million in restitution in connection with their criminal convictions. Approximately $1.3 million of the restitution award is payable to Community Bank. Both individuals have appealed their convictions. Community Bank does not presently know if it will receive any restitution payments or when any such payments might be made. Consequently, the Bank has not accrued a receivable for the restitution, nor will it record income as a result of this order until payment is actually received.

 

95


Index to Financial Statements

On March 23, 2006, Community Bank entered into an Acquisition Agreement with Robertson Banking Company pursuant to which Robertson will acquire certain assets and assume certain liabilities of Community Bank’s branch office in Demopolis, Alabama. Robertson will acquire substantially all of the deposits, loans and fixed assets of the branch as well as a building currently held by Community Bank as “other real estate” in which Community Bank’s former downtown office was located prior to its consolidation with the Branch. As consideration for the purchase, Robertson will pay the net book value of the loans, equal to approximately $6.6 million, and an agreed upon price of $1.0 million for the fixed assets and deposits which is the equivalent of the net book value of the fixed assets and a premium of approximately 7.4% on the core deposits assumed based on a 30-day average of the account balances. The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval and other conditions, is anticipated to be completed in the second or third quarter of 2006.

Note 25 – Branch Sale

On November 9, 2005, Community Bank consummated the sale of its Double Springs, Alabama branch office. The following outlines the total assets sold and total liabilities transferred on the transaction (in thousands).

 

Loans

   $ 1,678

Premises and equipment, net

     939

Accrued interest receivable

     10

Other assets

     171
      

Total assets

   $ 2,798
      

Deposits

   $ 7,853

Accrued interest payable

     29

Other liabilities

     3
      

Total liabilities

   $ 7,885
      

The Company paid $4.7 million in cash on this transaction. The Company recognized a total gain of $0.4 million representing the premium received on core deposits less discounts on loans and fixed assets.

 

96


Index to Financial Statements

Note 26 – Condensed Parent Company Information

PARENT COMPANY ONLY

BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

     December 31,
     2005    2004
     (in thousands)

Assets:

     

Cash and due from banks

   $ 3,510    $ 3,050

Investment in subsidiaries*

     50,970      49,993

Intangible assets, net

     494      573

Deferred income tax assets

     2,346      950

Refundable income taxes-current

     —        1,072

Other assets

     390      339
             

Total assets

   $ 57,710    $ 55,977
             

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity:

     

Junior subordinated debentures

   $ 10,310    $ 10,310

Other liabilities

     3,067      2,963

Stockholders’ equity

     44,333      42,704
             

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 57,710    $ 55,977
             

* Eliminated in consolidation

PARENT COMPANY ONLY

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2005     2004     2003  
     (in thousands)  

Income:

      

From subsidiaries - eliminated in consolidation:

      

Management fees

   $ —       $ —       $ 25  

Interest

     31       109       40  

Other income

     2       —         1  
                        
     33       109       66  
                        

Expenses:

      

Salaries and employee benefits

     189       147       316  

Interest

     1,084       1,346       1,425  

Other expenses

     235       385       427  
                        
     1,508       1,878       2,168  
                        

Loss before income taxes and equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries

     (1,475 )     (1,769 )     (2,102 )

Income taxes

     809       664       817  
                        

Loss before equity in undistributed earnings (loss) of subsidiaries

     (666 )     (1,105 )     (1,285 )

Equity in undistributed earnings (loss) of subsidiaries

     2,315       1,109       (11,815 )
                        

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,649     $ 4     $ (13,100 )
                        

 

97


Index to Financial Statements

PARENT COMPANY ONLY

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2005     2004     2003  
     (in thousands)  

Operating activities:

      

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,649     $ 4     $ (13,100 )

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

      

Equity in undistributed (income) loss of subsidiaries

     (2,315 )     (1,109 )     11,815  

ESOP change related to shares released

     128       118       181  

Amortization

     79       79       82  

Loss on sale of premises and equipment

     —         —         11  

(Increase) decrease in other assets

     (364 )     (712 )     403  

Increase (decrease) in other liabilities

     72       (2,966 )     2,014  

Other

     135       110       119  
                        

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     (616 )     (4,476 )     1,525  
                        

Investing activities:

      

Capitalization of subsidiaries

     (100 )     (3,814 )     (5,100 )
                        

Net cash used in investing activities

     (100 )     (3,814 )     (5,100 )
                        

Financing activities:

      

Repayment of long-term debt

     —         (3,169 )     (409 )

Issuance of common stock

     1,216       8,521       10,365  

Purchase of treasury stock

     (40 )     (980 )     —    
                        

Net cash provided by financing activities

     1,176       4,372       9,956  
                        

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     460       (3,918 )     6,381  

Cash and due from banks, beginning of year

     3,050       6,968       587  
                        

Cash and due from banks, end of year

   $ 3,510     $ 3,050     $ 6,968  
                        

 

98


Index to Financial Statements

Unaudited Consolidated Quarterly Results

A summary of the unaudited results of operations for each quarter of 2005 and 2004 follows:

 

    

First

Quarter
(restated)

   

Second

Quarter

(restated)

   

Third

Quarter

(restated)

   

Fourth

Quarter

 
     (in thousands except per share data)  

2005:

        

Total interest income

   $ 7,485     $ 8,030     $ 8,357     $ 8,485  

Total interest expense

     3,296       3,383       3,469       3,786  

Provision for loan losses

     258       86       318       134  

Net interest income, after provision for loan losses

     3,931       4,561       4,570       4,565  

Securities gains, net

     (2 )     (36 )     —         (3 )

Trading gains (losses) on economic hedge

     (223 )     135       (144 )     (49 )

Total noninterest income

     1,801       1,572       1,339       2,330  

Total noninterest expense

     5,427       5,828       5,808       5,535  

Income taxes

     (99 )     (125 )     (3 )     (196 )

Net income (loss)

     205       181       98       1,165  

Net income (loss) per share:

        

Basic

   $ 0.02     $ 0.02     $ 0.01     $ 0.14  

Diluted

   $ 0.02     $ 0.02     $ 0.01     $ 0.14  
    

First

Quarter

(restated)

   

Second

Quarter

(restated)

   

Third

Quarter

(restated)

   

Fourth

Quarter

(restated)

 
     (in thousands except per share data)  

2004:

        

Total interest income

   $ 7,653     $ 7,497     $ 7,607     $ 7,469  

Total interest expense

     3,284       3,201       3,183       3,257  

Provision for loan losses

     299       78       345       265  

Net interest income, after provision for loan losses

     4,070       4,218       4,079       3,947  

Securities gains, net

     238       —         (44 )     (1 )

Trading gains (losses) on economic hedge

     388       (620 )     388       (126 )

Total noninterest income

     2,113       818       1,823       1,719  

Total noninterest expense

     5,827       5,476       5,518       6,200  

Income taxes

     (122 )     245       (180 )     295  

Net income (loss)

     234       (195 )     204       (239 )

Net income (loss) per share:

        

Basic

   $ 0.03     $ (0.02 )   $ 0.02     $ (0.03 )

Diluted

   $ 0.03     $ (0.02 )   $ 0.02     $ (0.03 )

As described in Note 1, the Company has restated its previously reported quarterly results for 2004 and the first three quarters of 2005, as listed above.

 

99


Index to Financial Statements

This restatement increased (decreased) income statement captions for the affected periods as follows (unaudited) (in thousands except per share data):

 

     Total     Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2005
    Year Ended
December 31,
2004
 

Interest expense

   $ 288     $ (11 )   $ 299  

Noninterest income

     (222 )     (233 )     11  

Provision for income taxes

     (204 )     (89 )     (115 )
                        

Net income

   $ (306 )   $ (133 )   $ (173 )
                        

Diluted net income per share

   $ (0.04 )   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.02 )
                        

 

     For the Quarters Ended  
     Total     September 30,
2005
    June 30,
2005
   March 31,
2005
 

Interest expense

   $ (11 )   $ (30 )   $ 1    $ 18  

Noninterest income

     (233 )     (144 )     135      (224 )

Provision for income taxes

     (89 )     (46 )     54      (97 )
                               

Net income

   $ (133 )   $ (68 )   $ 80    $ (145 )
                               

Diluted net income per share

   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.01 )   $ 0.01    $ (0.02 )
                               

 

     For the Quarters Ended
     Total    

December 31,

2004

    September 30,
2004
   June 30,
2004
    March 31,
2004

Interest expense

   $ 299     $ 61     $ 61    $ 88     $ 89

Noninterest income

     11       (125 )     369      (620 )     387

Provision for income taxes

     (115 )     (74 )     123      (283 )     119
                                     

Net income

   $ (173 )   $ (112 )   $ 185    $ (425 )   $ 179
                                     

Diluted net income per share

   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.01 )   $ 0.02    $ (0.05 )   $ 0.02
                                     

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

In 2005, there were no changes in or disagreements with our accountants.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Restatement

During the course of our 2005 external audit, our accounting staff along with our external auditors identified an error with respect to our use of hedge accounting for a certain transaction in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, including Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 (“SFAS 133”) and its related interpretations. The error was in accounting for the interest rate swap on a pool of certificates of deposit. Upon initial application, this swap was viewed as eligible for either the “short cut” or abbreviated method of documenting effectiveness of the swap as a hedge. Because this swap was retrospectively determined not to qualify for these abbreviated methods of documentation, we were required to, but did not, test periodically for effectiveness. Adjustments to correct the accounting for this transaction are included in our restated consolidated financial statements.

The accounting staff and the external auditors reported their findings to management and to the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. After initial discussions with the Chairman of the Audit Committee, management determined on February 1, 2006 that previously reported financial results should be restated to reflect correction of this error to eliminate hedge accounting for this swap and, in light of the restatement, that the financial statements and other information referred to above should no longer be relied upon.

 

100


Index to Financial Statements

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

In connection with the restatement, under the direction of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we reevaluated our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2004. We identified the following material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting with respect to accounting for hedge transactions:

a failure to ensure the correct application of generally accepted accounting principles, including SFAS 133 and its related interpretations for certain derivative transactions, as described in (a) above, and failure to correct that error subsequently.

Solely as a result of this material weakness, we concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2005.

Remediation of Material Weakness in Internal Control

We believe that, as of the date of this filing, we have fully remediated the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting with respect to accounting for derivatives transactions. The remedial actions included:

1. improved training, education and accounting reviews designed to ensure that all relevant personnel involved in derivatives transactions understand and apply hedge accounting in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles, including SFAS 133 and its related interpretations;

2. a comprehensive review of our internal financial controls with respect to the types of hedging transactions affected by the restatement to ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles, including SFAS 133 and its related interpretations;

3. a redesignation the swap related to the certificates of deposit during the fourth quarter as trading.

In connection with this Form 10-K, under the direction of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures as currently in effect, including, after giving effect to the remedial actions discussed above, and we have concluded that, as of this date, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.

None.

 

101


Index to Financial Statements

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.

The following provides the names of the Company’s directors, their ages, the positions held by them with the Company and certain of its subsidiaries and their principal occupations for the last five years:

 

Name, Age and Positions Held with the Company and Subsidiaries

   Director of
Company Since
  

Principal Occupation

During Past Five Years

Directors with Terms Expiring in 2006 (Class I)

Roy B. Jackson (71)

Director of Community Bancshares, Community Bank,

1st Community Credit Corporation, Community Appraisals, Inc., Community Insurance Corp. and Southern Select Insurance, Inc.

   1999    (Retired) Owner of Jackson Farm & Garden Center (farm supplies), Minor Hill, Tennessee

Stacey W. Mann (53)

Director of Community Bancshares (1); Director and President of Community Bank; Director of 1st Community Credit Corporation, Community Appraisals, Inc., Community Insurance Corp., Southern Select Insurance Inc., and Community Funding Corporation; Vice President of Community Funding Corporation

   2003    President of Community Bank (2003 – Present); Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Community Bank (2001 – 2003); Area Executive Vice President of Community Bank (1997 – 2001)

Philip J. Timyan (48)

Director of Community Bancshares, Inc.

   2005    Managing Member of Riggs Qualified Partners, LLC (investment partnership), Western Springs, Illinois (1999-present)

Jimmie Trotter (68)

Director of Community Bancshares, Community Bank, 1st Community Credit Corporation, Community Appraisals, Inc., Community Insurance Corp. and Southern Select Insurance, Inc.

   2000    (Retired) Principal of Mortimer Jordan High School, Morris, Alabama

(1) Mr. Mann previously was a director of the Company during 1997 and 1998 and again from June 2001 through February 2002.

 

102


Index to Financial Statements
Directors with Terms Expiring in 2007 (Class II)

Jeffrey K. Cornelius (59)

Director of Community Bancshares, Inc. and Community Bank

   2006    Owner-operator of Cornelius Cattle and Quarter Horses (cattle and horse breeding), Blountsville, Alabama

Glynn Debter (71)

Director of Community Bancshares, Community Bank,

1st Community Credit Corporation, Community Appraisals, Inc., Community Insurance Corp. and Southern Select Insurance, Inc.

   1996   

Owner-operator of Debter Farms (cattle breeding),

Horton, Alabama

John J. Lewis, Jr. (58)

Director of Community Bancshares, Community Bank,

1st Community Credit Corporation, Community Appraisals, Inc., Community Insurance Corp. and Southern Select Insurance, Inc.

   1997   

Production Planning Manager for Tyson Foods, Inc. (food processing),

Blountsville, Alabama

Terry G. Sanderson (46)

Director of Community Bancshares, Community Bank,

1st Community Credit Corporation, Community Appraisals, Inc., Community Insurance Corp. and Southern Select Insurance, Inc.

   2004    Certified Public Accountant d/b/a Terry G. Sanderson, C.P.A. and Sanderson & Associates, C.P.A., Huntsville, Alabama (1994-present); Chief Financial Officer of Bentley Pontiac-Cadillac (automobile sales), Huntsville, Alabama (1994-present)

 

103


Index to Financial Statements

Name, Age and Positions Held with the Company and Subsidiaries

  

Director of

Company Since

  

Principal Occupation

During Past Five Years

Directors with Terms Expiring in 2008 (Class III)

Kenneth K. Campbell (61)

Director of Community Bancshares, Community Bank, 1st Community Credit Corporation, Community Appraisals, Inc., Community Insurance Corp. and Southern Select Insurance, Inc.

   2003    President of K&B Properties, Inc. (real estate rental and development), Locust Fork, Alabama; Partner in Hinds & Campbell Properties (cell tower, communications systems and real estate rental), Birmingham, Alabama; (Retired) President of Birmingham Communications and Electronics, Inc. (wireless telephone), Birmingham, Alabama (1980-1998)

Patrick M. Frawley (54)

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Community Bancshares; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Community Bank; Chairman of 1st Community Credit Corporation, Community Appraisals, Inc., Community Insurance Corp., and Southern Select Insurance, Inc.; Vice President of Community Funding Corporation

   2003    Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Community Bancshares (2003 – Present); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Community Bank (2003 – Present); Senior Vice President of Community Bank (2002 – 2003); Director of Regulatory Relations for Bank of America (1991 – 2002)

Scott Head (43)

Director of Community Bancshares, Inc. and Community Bank

   2006    Benefits Consultant for Weston Agency, Inc. (employee benefits consulting), Huntsville, Alabama (2006 – Present); District Manager of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama (insurance), Huntsville, Alabama (2000-2006)

Michael A. Tarpley (50)

Director of Community Bancshares, Community Bank, 1st Community Credit Corporation, Community Appraisals, Inc., Community Insurance Corp. and Southern Select Insurance, Inc.

   2004    Realtor and real estate developer, Hartselle, Alabama (2004-present); Partner in Faithway Feed Company (farm supplies), Guntersville, Alabama (2003-2004); Territory Manager for Pennington Seed, Inc. (lawn and garden supplies), Cullman, Alabama (1977-2003)

 

104


Index to Financial Statements

The following provides the names of the Company’s other executive officers not already listed above, their ages, the positions held by them with the Company and certain of its subsidiaries and their principal occupations for the last five years:

 

Name, Age and Positions Held with the Company and Subsidiaries

  

Principal Experience During Past Five Years

John W. Brothers (55)

Chief Operating Officer of Community Bank; Director of 1st Community Credit Corporation, Community Insurance Corp. and Southern Select Insurance, Inc.

   Chief Operating Officer of Community Bank (2004 - present); Director of Strategic Planning and Growth of Community Bank (2003 - 2004); Director of Financial Planning, Mergers and Acquisitions of Acosta Marketing, Jacksonville, Florida (2000 - 2003); Chief Financial Officer and Controller of Auto Group of Bank of America, Charlotte, North Carolina (1993 - 2000)

William H. Caughran (49)

General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Community Bancshares and Community Bank

   General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Community Bancshares (2002, 2003 - Present); General Counsel of Community Bank (1998 - 2002, 2003 - Present); Corporate Secretary of Community Bank (2002, 2003 – Present); Associate Counsel of AmSouth Bank, Birmingham, Alabama (1986-1998)

Kerri C. Kinney (36)

Chief Financial Officer of Community

Bancshares and Community Bank

   Chief Financial Officer of Community Bancshares and Community Bank (2001 - Present); Senior Risk Consultant for Compass Bank, Birmingham, Alabama (2001); Chief Accounting Officer of Frontier National Corporation, Sylacauga, Alabama (1998 - 2000); Chief Financial Officer of Frontier National Bank, Lanett, Alabama (1997 - 2000); Vice President and Controller of The County Bank, Greenwood, South Carolina (1993 - 1997)

The Company’s bylaws provide that the term of office of an executive officer of the Company is to be as provided in the officer’s employment agreement or, if the officer is not a party to an employment agreement or if the officer’s employment agreement does not specify a term of office, as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors and until the officer’s successor is elected and qualified or until the officer’s earlier resignation or removal. The Company is a party to one employment agreement with Patrick M. Frawley, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. This agreement, effective March 29, 2005, provides for a three-year term of office for Mr. Frawley. Upon each anniversary date of the agreement, Mr. Frawley’s term of office is extended by one year unless the Company provides notice to Mr. Frawley that such extensions will cease.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the “Exchange Act,” requires the Company’s directors, executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of the Company’s common stock to file with the SEC on a timely basis initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock and other equity securities of the Company. These officers, directors and stockholders are also required by SEC rules to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file. There are specific dates by which these reports are to be filed and the Company is required to disclose any failure to file on a timely basis reports that were required for 2005 or prior fiscal years.

The Company is not aware of any instance during 2005 in which any director or executive officer of the Company or any person who beneficially owned more than ten percent of the Company’s common stock failed to make a timely filing required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, except that Mr. John J. Lewis, Jr. filed a Form 5 on February 9, 2006

 

105


Index to Financial Statements

reporting one transaction which should have been reported on the prior year’s Form 5. The Company has relied on written representations of its directors and executive officers and copies of the reports that have been filed in making required disclosures concerning beneficial ownership reporting.

Audit Committee

The Company established an Audit Committee of its Board of Directors in accordance with section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act for the purpose of overseeing the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Company as well as the audits of the Company’s financial statements. The current members of the Audit Committee are Terry G. Sanderson, who serves as chairman, John J. Lewis, Jr., who serves as vice chairman, Glynn C. Debter, and Jimmie A. Trotter.

Audit Committee Financial Expert

The Company’s Board of Directors has determined that the Company has one Audit Committee financial expert serving on its Audit Committee. Terry G. Sanderson, a certified public accountant, is the Audit Committee financial expert under Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K and is independent of management.

Code of Conduct and Ethics

The Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Conduct applicable to all directors, officers and employees and a Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals applicable to the Company’s Chief Executive and its financial officers, both of which are available on the Company’s website at www.communitybankal.com. These codes comply with NASDAQ and SEC requirements.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

The following table provides information concerning compensation paid or accrued by the Company for services rendered in all capacities during 2005, 2004 and 2003 for the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and each of the next four most highly compensated executive officers of the Company during 2005 (collectively, the “named executive officers”).

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 

      Year   

Annual Compensation

   

Long-Term

Compensation

Awards

  

All Other

Compensation (1)

Name and Principal Position

      Salary     Bonus    

Other

Annual

Compensation

   

Securities

Underlying

Options

  

Patrick M. Frawley

Chairman, Chief Executive

Officer and President

   2005
2004
2003
   $
 
 
324,038
300,000
297,577
 
 
 
  41,250
5,124
—  
(2)
 
 
  75,974
59,905
35,451
(3)
(3)
(3)
  75,000
75,000
150,000
   14,367
15,231
16,993

Stacey W. Mann

President of

Community Bank

   2005
2004
2003
   $
 
 
228,000
220,000
213,386
 
 
 
  24,385
3,757
—  
(2)
 
 
  —  
59,905
35,451
 
(3)
(3)
  40,000
40,000
40,000
   14,367
15,231
18,793

William H. Caughran

General Counsel

   2005
2004
2003
   $
 
 
155,096
155,000
122,212
 
 
 
  18,173
2,647
—  
(2)
 
 
  —  
—  
—  
 
 
 
  20,000
20,000
27,500
   10,702
11,713
10,384

Kerri C. Kinney

Chief Financial Officer

   2005
2004
2003
   $
 
 
150,000
150,000
149,359
 
 
 
  17,885
2,562
—  
(2)
 
 
  —  
—  
—  
 
 
 
  5,000
20,000
27,500
   11,233
11,335
12,691

John W. Brothers

Chief Operating Officer of

Community Bank

   2005
2004
2003
   $
 
 
143,750
134,375
105,813
 
 
(4)
  17,764
2,455
—  
(2)
 
 
  —  
—  
23,407
 
 
(3)
  20,000
20,000
15,000
   9,924
10,166
—  

(1) Amounts shown in this column for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 include contributions by the Company to the Company’s ESOP and 401(k) plan, respectively, as follows: Patrick M. Frawley $5,967 and $8,400; Stacey W. Mann $5,967 and $8,400; William H. Caughran $4,498 and $6,204; Kerri C. Kinney $5,233 and $6,000; and John W. Brothers $4,174 and $5,750. ESOP contributions for 2005 are estimated because the allocations for the 2005 plan year have not been completed by the plan record keeper.

 

106


Index to Financial Statements
(2) These amounts represent (a) payments equivalent to one week of vacation pay made by the Company in recognition of the more than 109 days of unused vacation forfeited by the named executive officers in the aggregate on December 31, 2005 due to a change in the Company’s vacation policy, and (b) bonuses paid in 2006 as a result of improvements in the Company’s performance during 2005 and the sale of the Company’s largest piece of foreclosed property in early 2006.
(3) Includes for 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively, for Patrick M. Frawley $6,045, $3,423 and $3,383 with respect to social club dues, $4,920, $7,359 and $6,821 with respect to usage of a Company-owned automobile, $0, $22,854 and $25,247 with respect to expenses related to temporary housing and $65,009, $26,268 and $0 with respect to relocation expenses. Also includes for 2003 for John W. Brothers $1,938 with respect to usage of a company-owned automobile, $11,103 with respect to expenses related to temporary housing, $10,000 with respect to moving expenses and $366 with respect to discounted interest rates through participation in Community Bank’s employee loan program.
(4) Mr. Brothers worked at Community Bank as an independent contractor from March 3, 2003 until April 28, 2003. The amount shown in the table for 2003 includes $22,836 paid to Mr. Brothers as an independent contractor and $82,977 paid to him as a Community Bank employee.

Stock Options

The following table provides information concerning grants of stock options by the Company to the named executive officers during 2005:

Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year

 

    

Individual

Grants

  

Potential realizable value at

assumed annual rates of stock
price appreciation for option
term (1)

Name

  

Number of

securities

underlying

options granted (2)

  

Percent of

total options

granted to

employees in

fiscal year

   

Exercise

price

  

Expiration

date

   5%    10%

Patrick M. Frawley

   75,000    12.20 %   $ 6.81    1/11/2010    $ 141,000    $ 312,000

Stacey W. Mann

   40,000    6.50       6.81    1/11/2010      75,200      166,400

William H. Caughran

   20,000    3.25       6.81    1/11/2010      37,600      83,200

Kerri C. Kinney

   5,000    0.81       6.81    1/11/2010      9,400      20,800

John W. Brothers

   20,000    3.25       6.81    1/11/2010      37,600      83,200

(1) Amounts represent hypothetical gains that could be achieved for the respective options at the end of the option term. The assumed 5% and 10% rates of annual stock appreciation are mandated by the rules of the SEC and may not accurately reflect the appreciation of the price of the Common Stock from the grant date until the end of the option term. These assumptions are not intended to forecast future price appreciation of the Company’s Common Stock.

 

107


Index to Financial Statements
(2) The options were fully vested on the date of grant.

Option Exercises and Holdings

The following table provides information concerning the exercise of stock options during 2005 by the named executive officers and the number and value of unexercised stock options held by the named executive officers at December 31, 2005.

Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and FY-End Option Values

 

Name

  

Shares Acquired

on Exercise

  

Value

Realized (1)

  

Number of Securities

Underlying Unexercised

Options at FY-End (3)

  

Value of Unexercised

In-the-money

Options at FY-End (2)(3)

Patrick M. Frawley

   —        —      250,000    $ 418,000

Stacey W. Mann

   —        —      142,500    $ 222,000

William H. Caughran

   —        —      67,500    $ 112,400

Kerri C. Kinney

   9,500    $ 30,550    46,000    $ 66,435

John W. Brothers

   —        —      55,000    $ 98,400

(1) “Value Realized” represents the amount equal to the excess of the fair market value (as determined by the board of directors) of the shares at the time of exercise over the exercise price.
(2) Represents the fair market value as of December 31, 2005 ($8.12, as determined by the Board of Directors), of the underlying shares of Common Stock less the exercise price of the options.
(3) All options are fully exercisable on the date of grant.

Retirement Plan

The following table shows the estimated annual benefits payable at normal retirement age (age 65) under Community Bancshares, Inc. Revised Pension Plan, a qualified defined benefit retirement plan, as well as under Community Bancshares Inc. Benefit Restoration Plan, a non-qualified supplemental retirement plan. This supplemental plan provides benefits that would otherwise be denied participants due to the limitations on qualified plan benefits imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. Mr. Mann is the only named executive officer who is a participant in this supplemental plan.

 

108


Index to Financial Statements

Pension Plan Table

 

     Years of Credited Service

Average Annual Compensation

   10    20    30    40
$                              25,000    $ 3,750    $ 7,500    $ 11,250    $ 15,000

50,000

     7,500      15,000      22,500      30,000

75,000

     11,250      22,500      33,750      45,000

100,000

     15,000      30,000      45,000      60,000

250,000

     37,500      75,000      112,500      150,000

500,000

     75,000      150,000      225,000      300,000

750,000

     112,500      225,000      337,500      450,000

1,000,000

     150,000      300,000      450,000      600,000

1,250,000

     187,500      375,000      562,500      750,000

The benefits shown in the table above are not subject to any deduction for Social Security benefits or other offset amounts. Benefits are computed as a straight-line annuity beginning at age 65. Benefits under both plans were frozen as of December 31, 2003.

The amount of compensation covered by the combination of plans covering the named executive officers is total compensation, including bonuses, overtime or other forms of extraordinary compensation, as disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table above for years ending prior to January 1, 2004. The amount of the retirement benefit is determined by the length of the retiree’s credited service under the plans and his average monthly earnings for the five highest compensated, consecutive calendar years of the retiree’s final ten consecutive calendar years of employment with the Company and its subsidiaries. The full years of credited service under the plans for the named executive officers as of December 31, 2003 are as follows: Patrick M. Frawley: 2 years, Stacey W. Mann: 20 years, William H. Caughran: 5 years, Kerri C. Kinney: 2 years and John W. Brothers: 1 year.

Compensation of Directors

During 2005, non-employee directors of the Company were paid a fee of $500 for each quarterly meeting of the Board of Directors. Non-employee members of the Company’s Executive Committee, Nominating Committee, Executive Compensation Committee, Audit Committee and Benefits Administration Committee received a fee of $250 per meeting. Non-employee directors of the Company who are also directors of Community Bank received a monthly fee of $1,500, plus $500 per meeting held in excess of one per month. Non-employee directors of First Community Credit, Community Appraisals and Community Insurance received a quarterly fee of $500. Non-employee members of Community Bank’s Executive Committee, Audit Committee and Asset Quality Committee received $250 per meeting. Non-employee members of Community Bank’s Directors Credit Committee received a monthly fee of $500.

Executive Employment Agreement

On March 29, 2005 Community Bank entered into an Employment Agreement with Patrick M. Frawley, its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The agreement has a term of three years and is automatically renewed on each anniversary of the effective date for an additional one-year period, unless Community Bank or Mr. Frawley gives notice to the other party to terminate the automatic renewals. The employment agreement contains the following material terms: (i) a base salary at least equal to his base salary on March 29, 2005, (ii) the opportunity to earn a

 

109


Index to Financial Statements

bonus under such performance criteria as may be established by the Compensation Committee, (iii) the ability to participate in Community Bank’s employee benefit programs on the same basis as other senior executives, and (iv) certain fringe benefits, including use of a company automobile and country club memberships.

In the event Mr. Frawley’s employment is terminated by Community Bank for any reason other than death, disability, or “for cause,” (as such terms are defined in the employment agreement), Mr. Frawley shall be entitled to receive (i) a lump sum payment equal to the sum of (1) unpaid salary through the date of termination, (2) pro-rata earned or target bonus for the year of termination, (3) any accrued vacation time, and (4) any compensation previously deferred; (ii) a lump sum payment equal to the present value of (1) his monthly salary that would have been payable for the 36 months following his termination of employment but for such termination, and (2) a series of 36 monthly payments, each of which is calculated by taking one-twelfth of the average of the bonuses earned by Mr. Frawley for the two calendar years immediately preceding the year in his termination of employment occurred; (iii) continuation of health and life insurance benefits for 36 months following termination of employment at the same level and on the same terms as provided to him immediately prior to his termination of employment; (iv) full vesting and continued participation for a period of 36 months following termination of employment in certain retirement plans or, if such full vesting and continued participation is not allowed, payment by Community Bank of a lump sum supplemental benefit in lieu of full vesting and continued participation in such plans; and (v) individual career counseling and outplacement services for a reasonable period of time following termination of employment, up to a maximum cost to the Company of $5,000. Mr. Frawley is also entitled to the above severance benefits if he terminates his employment with Community Bank during the 30-day period beginning on the first anniversary of a change in control, or if he terminates his employment pursuant to an involuntary termination (as such term is defined in the employment agreement).

If any payments pursuant to the agreement or otherwise would be subject to any excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, Community Bank will provide an additional payment such that Mr. Frawley retains a net amount equal to the payments he would have retained if such excise tax had not applied.

Change in Control Agreements

The Company or Community Bank entered into Change in Control Agreements with each of the named executive officers on the following dates: Stacey W. Mann and William H. Caughran, December 4, 1999; Kerri C. Kinney, September 18, 2001; and John W. Brothers, November 10, 2005. The change in control agreement with Patrick M. Frawley, dated December 12, 2003, was terminated simultaneously with the execution of Mr. Frawley’s employment agreement.

These agreements have terms of three years and are automatically renewed unless terminated by the Company at the end of any three year term. In the event of a change in control (as defined in the agreements) of the Company, the named executive officer is entitled to receive certain severance benefits, provided the executive officer’s employment is terminated by the Company within 30 months following the change in control, unless the termination is “for cause” or by reason of the officer’s death, disability or retirement on or after age 65. The executive officer is also entitled to severance benefits if the officer terminates his or her employment with the Company within 30 months following a change in control if, among other reasons, the officer’s authority, duties, compensation or benefits have been reduced or if the officer is forced to relocate more than 50 miles from his place of employment immediately prior to the change in control. If, during the term of the agreement, a transaction is proposed which, if consummated, would constitute a change in control and (i) the officer’s employment is thereafter terminated by the Company other than for cause or by reason of the officer’s death, disability or retirement on or after age 65 and (ii) the proposed transaction is consummated within one year following the officer’s termination of employment, the change in control will be deemed to have occurred during the term of the agreement and the officer will be entitled to severance benefits. The officer is also entitled to receive severance benefits if the officer terminates employment for any reason during a 30-day period beginning 12 months after the occurrence of a change in control.

The severance benefits payable under each of these agreements are as follows: (i) a lump sum payment equal to the present value of the officer’s salary that would have been payable by the Company for the 30 months following the officer’s termination of employment but for such termination; (ii) a lump sum payment equal to the present value of a series of 30 monthly payments, which monthly payment is calculated by taking one-twelfth of the average of the bonuses earned by the officer for the two calendar years immediately preceding the year in which the officer’s termination of employment occurs; (iii) continuation of the officer’s health and life insurance benefits for 30 months

 

110


Index to Financial Statements

following the officer’s termination of employment at the same level and on the same terms as provided to the officer immediately prior to his termination of employment; (iv) full vesting and continued participation for a period of 30 months following the officer’s termination of employment in certain retirement plans or, if such full vesting and continued participation is not allowed, payment by the Company of a lump sum supplemental benefit in lieu of full vesting and continued participation in such plans; and (v) individual career counseling and outplacement services for a reasonable period of time following the officer’s termination of employment, up to a maximum cost to the Company of $5,000 per officer.

The change in control agreements also provide that the total benefit payable to the executive officer will be calculated in accordance with one of three formulas set forth in the agreement, so as to provide the greatest total benefit after taxes, including any excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

Glynn C. Debter, who serves as chairman, Roy B. Jackson, who serves as vice Chairman, Kenneth K. Campbell, Scott Head, John J. Lewis, Jr., Terry G. Sanderson, Michael A. Tarpley, Philip J. Timyan and Jimmie A. Trotter currently serve as members of the Executive Compensation/Benefits Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. None of these individuals are, or were previously, officers or employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

Except as disclosed below under Item 13, “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions,” during 2005, none of the members of the Executive Compensation Committee had any relationship with the Company requiring disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K, and none of our executive officers served on the compensation committee (or equivalent) or the board of directors of another entity whose executive officer(s) served on our Board of Directors or our Executive Compensation/Benefits Committee.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.

The following table sets forth certain information, as of March 15, 2006, with respect to ownership of shares of Common Stock by each of the Company’s directors, the Company’s executive officers, and all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group, and each other person or group that is known by the Company, based solely upon a review of filings made with the SEC, to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.

 

     Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned (1)   

Percentage of

Total Shares

Outstanding

 

Person, Group or Entity

   Sole Power (2)     Shared Power (3)    Total   

I. Directors, Nominees and Executive Officers

          

Kenneth K. Campbell

   122,178 (4)   2,700    124,878    1.41 %

Jeffrey K. Cornelius

   200     —      200      *

Glynn Debter

   100,400 (5)   13,361    113,761    1.28 %

Patrick M. Frawley

   255,415 (6)   89,954    345,369    3.89 %

Scott Head

   —       90,254    90,254    1.02 %

Roy B. Jackson

   100,600 (7)   4,500    105,100    1.18 %

John J. Lewis, Jr.

   143,390 (8)   91,654    235,044    2.65 %

Stacey W. Mann

   170,132 (9)   4,155    174,287    1.96 %

Terry G. Sanderson

   28,175 (10)   405    28,580      *

Michael A. Tarpley

   29,024 (11)   90,454    119,478    1.35 %

Philip J. Timyan

   688,755     181,704    870,459    9.80 %

Jimmie Trotter

   102,000 (12)   4,014    106,014    1.19 %

Kerri C. Kinney

   50,549 (13)   —      50,549      *

John W. Brothers

   55,997 (14)   2,000    57,997      *

William H. Caughran

   72,116 (15)   3,274    75,390      *

All Company directors, nominees for directors and executive officers as a group (15 persons)

   1,918,931     218,613    2,137,544    24.07 %

II. Five Percent or Greater Stockholders

          

North Star Trust Corporation, as Trustee of the Community Bancshares, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan (16)

500 West Madison Street, Suite 3800

Chicago, Illinois 60661

   —       491,820    491,820    5.54 %

Riggs Qualified Partners, LLC (17)

4324 Central Avenue

Western Springs, Illinois 60558

   688,755     —      688,755    7.76 %

Spence Limited, L.P.,

Financial Junk, LLC,

John Wilson Spence, III and

Gerald J. Bruner (17)

115 West Liberty Street

Blakely, Georgia 39823

   —       747,570    747,570    8.42 %

Jeffrey A. Miller

and Eric D. Jacobs (17)

P.O. Box 26039

Gallows Bay Station

Christiansted, St. Croix, USVI 00824

   —       647,355    647,355    7.29 %

Stilwell Value Partners IV, L.P.,

Stilwell Associates, L.P.

Stilwell Value LLC and

Joseph Stilwell (17)

26 Broadway Street, 23rd Floor

New York, New York 10004

   —       715,831    715,831    8.06 %

Ewing & Partners (17)

4514 Cole Avenue, Suite 808

Dallas, Texas 75205

   —       764,662    764,662    8.61 %

Timothy G. Ewing (17)

4514 Cole Avenue, Suite 808

Dallas, Texas 75205

   53,372     764,662    818,034    9.21 %

* Less than 1%.
(1) The number of shares reflected includes shares which, under applicable SEC regulations, are deemed to be beneficially owned, including shares as to which, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, either voting power or investment power is held or shared. In addition, in computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of Common Stock subject to options held by that person which are currently exercisable, or which will become exercisable within 60 days following March 15, 2006, are deemed to be outstanding. Such shares, however, are not deemed outstanding for the purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. The total number of shares beneficially owned is divided, where applicable, into two categories: (i) shares as to which voting/investment power is held solely, and (ii) shares as to which voting/investment power is shared.
(2) Unless otherwise specified in the following footnotes, if a beneficial owner is shown as having sole power, the owner has sole voting as well as sole investment power, and if a beneficial owner is shown as having shared

 

112


Index to Financial Statements
   power, the owner has shared voting power as well as shared investment power. Some individuals are shown as beneficial owners of shares held by the Company’s ESOP. The individual has sole power to direct the ESOP trustee as to the manner in which shares allocated to the individual’s account under the ESOP are to be voted. The individual has no direct power of disposition with respect to shares allocated to the individual’s account, except to request a distribution under the terms of the ESOP. The ESOP record keeper has not completed the allocation as of December 31, 2005, so the number of shares shown as allocated to an individual’s account are as of December 31, 2004.
(3) This column may include shares held in the name of, among others, a spouse, minor children or certain other relatives sharing the same home as the director, nominee, executive officer or 5% stockholder. In the cases of Messrs, Frawley, Head, Lewis, Tarpley and Timyan, this column includes 89,954 shares which are held by the ESOP and which have not been allocated to any participant account. These individuals serve as members of the Administrative Committee of the ESOP and have investment authority over the unallocated shares, but each individual disclaims any beneficial ownership with respect to such unallocated shares.
(4) Includes 75,000 shares which could be acquired within 60 days following March 15, 2006 pursuant to stock options.
(5) Includes 100,000 shares which could be acquired within 60 days following March 15, 2006 pursuant to stock options.
(6) Includes 250,000 shares which could be acquired within 60 days following March 15, 2006 pursuant to stock options and 4,415 shares allocated to Mr. Frawley’s ESOP account as of December 31, 2004.
(7) Includes 100,000 shares which could be acquired within 60 days following March 15, 2006 pursuant to stock options.
(8) Includes 100,000 shares which could be acquired within 60 days following March 15, 2006 pursuant to stock options and 19,868 shares held by an estate of which Mr. Lewis is the executor and a beneficiary.
(9) Includes 142,500 shares which could be acquired within 60 days following March 15, 2006 pursuant to stock options and 20,986 shares allocated to Mr. Mann’s ESOP account as of December 31, 2004.
(10) Includes 25,000 shares which could be acquired within 60 days following March 15, 2006 pursuant to stock options.
(11) Includes 25,000 shares which could be acquired within 60 days following March 15, 2006 pursuant to stock options.
(12) Includes 100,000 shares which could be acquired within 60 days following March 15, 2006 pursuant to stock options.
(13) Includes 46,000 shares which could be acquired within 60 days following March 15, 2006 pursuant to stock options and 4,049 shares allocated to Ms. Kinney’s ESOP account as of December 31, 2004.
(14) Includes 55,000 shares which could be acquired within 60 days following March 15, 2006 pursuant to stock options and 997 shares allocated to Mr. Brothers’ ESOP account as of December 31, 2004.
(15) Includes 67,500 shares which could be acquired within 60 days following March 15, 2006 pursuant to stock options and 4,082 shares allocated to Mr. Caughran’s ESOP account as of December 31, 2004.
(16) Participants in the ESOP have the power to direct the ESOP trustee how to vote shares allocated to their individual accounts. Any unallocated shares, and any allocated shares with respect to which voting instructions are not received from a participant, will be voted by the appropriate ESOP fiduciary in its discretion.
(17) Information about this individual or group was obtained from a Schedule 13D or 13G, filed by such individual or group with the SEC.

 

113


Index to Financial Statements

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The Company adopted the Community Bancshares, Inc. 2005 Incentive Plan (the “2005 Incentive Plan”) which was approved by the Company’s stockholders on July 7, 2005. No stock options or other awards were granted pursuant to the 2005 Incentive Plan during 2005. Prior to the adoption of the 2005 Incentive Plan, the Company made individual stock option grants, from time to time, to its employees and directors not pursuant to an equity compensation plan. The following table sets forth information about the common stock that may be issued under all of the Company’s existing equity compensation plans and individual stock option agreements as of December 31, 2005:

 

Plan Category

  

Number of Securities
to be Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding Options,

Warrants and Rights

    Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
   Number of Securities
Remaining Available
For Future Issuance
Under Equity
Compensation Plans
(Excluding Securities
Reflected in
Column a)
 
     (a)     (b)    (c)  

Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders

   —         —      600,000 (1)

Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders

   1,715,075 (2)   $ 6.78    0 (3)

(1) Shares reserved under the 2005 Incentive Plan are available for issuance pursuant to the exercise or grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares or unrestricted stock.
(2) Reflects the sum of individual option grants made by the Company to employees and directors not pursuant to an equity compensation plan. These grants were made pursuant to stock option agreements that provide, among other things, the following terms:

 

    the exercise price of the options is equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant;

 

    the options expire upon the date that is five years after the date of grant;

 

    the options are non-transferable, except upon the death of the holder;

 

    the options contain a covenant not to compete with the Company; and

 

    customary adjustment provisions for stock splits and similar corporate actions by the Company.

 

(3) All future equity awards will be made pursuant to the 2005 Incentive Plan.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.

Community Bank has from time to time made loans to certain of the Company’s and Community Bank’s directors and executive officers, and members of their immediate families. Except as noted below, all such loans are made in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same credit terms, including interest rates, repayment terms and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons, and do not represent more than a normal risk of collection or present other features unfavorable to Community Bank or the Company. In addition, two directors have purchased foreclosed property from Community Bank. In both cases the Bank solicited bids for the properties in the ordinary course of business and the directors’ bids were the highest.

Community Bank maintains a program whereby each of its full-time employees is eligible for a discount of up to 1% in the rate of interest charged on a loan from Community Bank. Federal banking regulations permit executive officers of Community Bank to participate in this program. In addition, Community Bank maintains a program for executive officers and other of its employees who are required by Community Bank to relocate within its market area in connection with their employment with Community Bank. Under this program, each of these employees is eligible for a 5% annual interest rate on first mortgage real estate loans from Community Bank.

 

114


Index to Financial Statements

The largest aggregate amount of loans to directors and executive officers of the Company and members of their immediate families outstanding at any time during 2005 under these two programs was approximately $490,371. As of March 3, 2006, the total outstanding balance of loans by Community Bank to directors and executive officers of the Company and members of their immediate families under these two programs was approximately $479,110.

At December 31, 2005, the total outstanding balance of indebtedness incurred by the Company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan or “ESOP” to purchase shares of common stock was approximately $1,344,505. This indebtedness, which was owed to the Company, and was secured by a pledge of 89,954 shares of Common Stock that have not been allocated by the ESOP, was guaranteed by the Company.

 

115


Index to Financial Statements

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

General

The Company’s independent public accounting firm for the calendar years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 was Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC (“CRI”).

The following table shows the aggregate fees (and reimbursable expenses) billed to the Company for professional services by CRI for fiscal years 2004 and 2005.

 

     Fiscal 2005    Fiscal 2004

Audit Fees (1)

   $ 196,123    $ 286,639

Audit-Related Fees (2)

     48,414      47,480

Tax Fees (3)

     33,347      32,639

All Other Fees (4)

     —        1,400
             

Total

   $ 277,884    $ 366,758
             

(1) Audit Fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s consolidated annual financial statements and review of the quarterly interim consolidated financial statements and services that are normally provided by the independent auditor in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements, as well as consents and assistance with, and review of, documents filed with the SEC.
(2) Audit-Related Fees consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees” and include employee benefit plan audits, internal control reviews and attestation services under professional standards.
(3) Tax Fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for tax preparation and filing, tax compliance, tax advisory services.
(4) All Other Fees consist of fees for products and services other than the services reported above. In 2004, Other Fees related primarily to agreed upon procedures for collateral verification for the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta.

Based upon the Company’s relationship with CRI, including the services and fees set forth above, the Company’s Board of Directors believes that the provision of services by CRI to the Company is compatible with maintaining the independence of CRI from the Company.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

Pursuant to the Audit Committee Charter and Company policy, all audit and permitted non-audit services must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee. All of the services described above for 2004 and 2005 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

 

116


Index to Financial Statements

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

 

(a) List of Financial Statements and Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

     Page(s)

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   53

Consolidated Statements of Condition as of December 31, 2005 and 2004

   54

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003

   55

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003

   56

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003

   58

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   60

 

(b) Exhibits

 

2.1   Purchase and Assumption Agreement by and between Community Bank, American Family Mortgage, LLC, and Ameridocs, LLC (1).
3.1   Certificate of Incorporation, as amended and restated May 2000 (2).
3.2   Bylaws, as amended and restated October 23, 2003 (3).
4.1   Indenture, dated March 23, 2000, by and between Community Bancshares, Inc. and The Bank of New York (4).
4.2   Form of Option Agreement by and between Community Bancshares, Inc. and each of Acadia Fund I, L.P., Riggs Qualified Partners, Endurance Partners (Q.P.), L.P., Endurance Partners, L.P., Spence Limited, L.P., and John D. Norcross (5).
4.3   Warrant Agreement, dated February 20, 2004, by and between Community Bancshares, Inc. and FIG Partners, L.L.C. (6).
10.1   Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated March 23, 2000, by and between The Bank of New York (Delaware), The Bank of New York, Community Bancshares, Inc. and Community (AL) Capital Trust I (7).
10.2   Guarantee Agreement, dated March 23, 2000, by and between Community Bancshares, Inc. and The Bank of New York (8).
10.3   Lease Agreement, dated May 31, 2000, between REM, LLC, as lessor, and Community Bank, as lessee (9).
10.4   Addendum to Lease Agreement and Loan Agreement, dated May 31, 2000, between REM, LLC and Community Bank (10).
10.5   Form of Amendment to Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement between Community Bancshares, Inc. and grantee, dated December 12, 2000 (11) (*).
10.6   Change in Control Agreement, dated September 18, 2001, between Community Bancshares, Inc. and Kerri C. Kinney (12) (*).

 

117


Index to Financial Statements
10.7   Form of Stock Option Agreement between Community Bancshares, Inc. and each of Glynn Debter, Roy B. Jackson, John J. Lewis, Jr., Loy McGruder, Merritt Robbins, Jimmie Trotter and Kerri Newton dated December 18, 2001 (13) (*).
10.8   Stock Purchase Agreement dated January, 2002 between Community Bancshares, Inc. and Denny G. Kelly and Arlene S. Kelly (14) (*).
10.9   Stock Purchase Agreement dated January, 2002 between Community Bancshares, Inc. and Bishop K. Walker and Wanda W. Walker (15) (*).
10.10   Severance Agreement dated the 9th day of January, 2002 by and between Denny G. Kelly and Community Bancshares, Inc. and Community Bank (16) (*).
10.11   Severance Agreement dated the 9th day of January, 2002 by and between Bishop K. Walker and Community Bancshares, Inc. and Community Bank (17) (*).
10.12   Amendment to Subordinated Promissory Note, dated March 26, 2002, between Community Bancshares, Inc. and Jeffrey K. Cornelius (18).
10.13   Form of Stock Option Agreement between Community Bancshares, Inc. and each of Glynn Debter, Roy B. Jackson, John J. Lewis, Merritt Robbins and Jimmie Trotter dated July 19, 2002 (19) (*).
10.14   Form of Stock Option Agreement between Community Bancshares, Inc. and each of Patrick M. Frawley and Kerri C. Kinney dated February 6, 2003 (20) (*).
10.15   Stock Option Agreement between Community Bancshares, Inc. and Patrick M. Frawley dated August 1, 2003 (21) (*).
10.16   Stock Option Agreement between Community Bancshares, Inc. and Stacey W. Mann dated August 1, 2003 (22) (*).
10.17   Stock Option Agreement between Community Bancshares, Inc. and Kerri C. Kinney dated August 1, 2003 (23) (*).
10.18   Form of Stock Option Agreement between Community Bancshares, Inc. and each of Kenneth K. Campbell, Glynn Debter, Roy B. Jackson, John J. Lewis, Jr., Loy D. McGruder, Merritt M. Robbins and Jimmie Trotter dated August 1, 2003 (24) (*).
10.19   Form of Change in Control Agreement between Community Bancshares, Inc. and William H. Caughran, Jr. dated December 4, 1999 (25) (*).
10.20   Employment Agreement, dated March 28, 1996 by and between Kennon R. Patterson, Sr. and Community Bancshares, Inc. (26) (*).
10.21   Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated October 14, 1999, by and between Kennon R. Patterson, Sr. and Community Bancshares, Inc. (27) (*)
10.22   Amendment Number 1 to the Community Bancshares, Inc. Benefit Restoration Plan (28) (*).
10.23   Amendment Number 2 to the Community Bancshares, Inc. Benefit Restoration Plan (29) (*).
10.24   Change in Control Agreement between Community Bancshares, Inc. and Stacey W. Mann (30) (*).
10.25   Change in Control Agreement between Community Bank and Patrick M. Frawley (31) (*).
10.26   Form of Stock Option Agreement between Community Bancshares, Inc. and each of Kenneth K. Campbell, Glynn Debter, Roy B. Jackson, John J. Lewis, Jr., Loy McGruder, Merritt M. Robbins and Jimmie Trotter dated January 27, 2004 (32) (*).

 

118


Index to Financial Statements
10.27   Stock Option Agreement between Community Bancshares, Inc. and Patrick M. Frawley dated January 27, 2004 (33) (*).
10.28   Stock Option Agreement between Community Bancshares, Inc. and Stacey W. Mann dated January 27, 2004 (34) (*).
10.29   Stock Option Agreement between Community Bancshares, Inc. and Kerri C. Kinney dated January 27, 2004 (35) (*).
10.30   Form of Cancellation of Stock Option Agreement dated January 27, 2004 between Community Bancshares, Inc. and each of Merritt M. Robbins and Loy McGruder dated March 11, 2004 (36) (*).
10.31   Form of Stock Option Agreement between Community Bancshares, Inc. and each of Merritt M. Robbins and Loy McGruder dated March 11, 2004 (37) (*).
10.32   Promissory Note and Pledge Agreement, dated February 11, 2004, by and between the Community Bancshares, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Community Bancshares, Inc. (38) (*).
10.33   Form of Amendment to Nonqualified Stock Option Agreements dated April 27, 2004 between Community Bancshares, Inc. and each of Patrick M. Frawley, Kenneth K. Campbell, Glynn Debter, Roy B. Jackson, Kerri C. Kinney, John J. Lewis, Jr., Loy D. McGruder, Stacey W. Mann, Merritt M. Robbins and Jimmie Trotter (39) (*).
10.34   Promissory Note, Loan Agreement and Security Agreement by and between Community Bancshares, Inc. and First Commercial Bank dated May 6, 2004 (40).
10.35   Summary Description of Director Compensation (41) (*).
10.36   Summary Description of Named Executive Officer Compensation (42) (*).
10.37   Amendment Number 3 to the Community Bancshares, Inc. Benefit Restoration Plan (43) (*).
10.38   Employment Agreement, dated March 29, 2005, between Community Bank and Patrick Frawley (44) (*).
10.39   Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement for Directors dated January 12, 2005 (45) (*).
10.40   Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement for Senior Officers dated January 12, 2005 (46) (*).
10.41   Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement for Officers dated January 12, 2005 (47) (*).
10.42   Form of stock option agreement between Community Bancshares, Inc. and each of Glynn Debter, Roy B. Jackson, John J. Lewis, Jimmie Trotter, Kenneth K. Campbell, Terry G. Sanderson and Michael A. Tarpley (48) (*).
10.43   Stock option agreement between Community Bancshares, Inc. and Patrick M. Frawley dated January 12, 2005 (49) (*).
10.44   Stock option agreement between Community Bancshares, Inc. and Stacey W. Mann dated January 12, 2005 (50) (*).
10.45   Stock option agreement between Community Bancshares, Inc. and Kerri C. Kinney dated January 12, 2005 (51) (*).

 

119


Index to Financial Statements
10.46   Community Bancshares, Inc. 2005 Incentive Plan (52) (*).
10.47   Form of Change in Control Agreement, dated November 10, 2005, between Community Bancshares, Inc. and John W. Brothers (53) (*).
10.48   Real Property Sales Contract, dated October 12, 2005, between Community Bancshares, Inc. and Salvatore Cangiano (54).
10.49   Real Property Sales Contract dated November 10, 2005 between Community Bancshares, Inc. and William Carrington and Anne Davenport-Carrington (55).
10.50   Acquisition Agreement between Community Bancshares, Inc. and Robertson Banking Company dated March 23, 2006.
10.51   Acquisition Agreement between Community Bancshares, Inc. and First National Bank, Hamilton, Alabama dated August 4, 2005.
10.52   Stock Option Agreements dated January 12, 2005, January 27, 2004 and August 1, 2003 and Amendment to Stock Option Agreements dated April 27, 2004 between Community Bancshares, Inc. and John W. Brothers (*).
10.53   Stock Option Agreements dated January 12, 2005, January 27, 2004 and August 1, 2003 and April 2, 2003 and Amendment to Stock Option Agreements dated April 27, 2004 between Community Bancshares, Inc. and William H. Caughran (*).
10.54   Plan document for the Community Bancshares, Inc. Benefit Restoration Plan adopted April 12, 1994, effective January 1, 1995 (*).
21.1   Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
23.1   Consent of Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC.
31.1   Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a).
31.2   Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a).
32.1   Certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(*) Management contract or compensation plan or arrangement.

 

(c) Financial Statement Schedules

All financial statement schedules required pursuant to this item were either included in the financial information set forth in (a) above or are inapplicable and therefore not included.

 

(1) Filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K on April 29, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.
(2) Filed as Exhibit 3.2 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference.
(3) Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference.
(4) Filed as Exhibit 4.4 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference.
(5) Filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

120


Index to Financial Statements
(6) Filed as Exhibit 4.3 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.
(7) Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference.
(8) Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference.
(9) Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference.
(10) Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference.
(11) Filed as Exhibit 10.45 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference.
(12) Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2001, and incorporated herein by reference.
(13) Filed as Exhibit 10.22 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, and incorporated herein by reference.
(14) Filed as Exhibit 10.23 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, and incorporated herein by reference.
(15) Filed as Exhibit 10.24 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, and incorporated herein by reference.
(16) Filed as Exhibit 10.25 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, and incorporated herein by reference.
(17) Filed as Exhibit 10.26 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, and incorporated herein by reference.
(18) Filed as Exhibit 10.31 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, and incorporated herein by reference.
(19) Filed as Exhibit 10.31 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, and incorporated herein by reference.
(20) Filed as Exhibit 10.32 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, and incorporated herein by reference.
(21) Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference.
(22) Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference.
(23) Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference.
(24) Filed as Exhibit 10.4 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference.
(25) Filed as Exhibit 10.32 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

121


Index to Financial Statements
(26) Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q/A-2 for the quarter ended September 30, 1998, and incorporated herein by reference.
(27) Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999, and incorporated herein by reference.
(28) Filed as Exhibit 10.26 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference.
(29) Filed as Exhibit 10.27 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference.
(30) Filed as Exhibit 10.28 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference.
(31) Filed as Exhibit 10.29 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference.
(32) Filed as Exhibit 10.30 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.
(33) Filed as Exhibit 10.31 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.
(34) Filed as Exhibit 10.32 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.
(35) Filed as Exhibit 10.33 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.
(36) Filed as Exhibit 10.34 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.
(37) Filed as Exhibit 10.35 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.
(38) Filed as Exhibit 10.36 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.
(39) Filed as Exhibit 10.35 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.
(40) Filed as Exhibit 10.36 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.
(41) Filed as Exhibit 10.37 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.
(42) Filed as Exhibit 10.38 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.
(43) Filed as Exhibit 10.39 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.
(44) Filed as Exhibit 10.40 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

122


Index to Financial Statements
(45) Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K on January 18, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.
(46) Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K on January 18, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.
(47) Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Form 8-K on January 18, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.
(48) Filed as Exhibit 10.41 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.
(49) Filed as Exhibit 10.45 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.
(50) Filed as Exhibit 10.46 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.
(51) Filed as Exhibit 10.47 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.
(52) Filed as Exhibit A and included in Form DEF 14A on June 1, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.
(53) Filed as Exhibit 10.49 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.
(54) Filed as Exhibit 10.50 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.
(55) Filed as Exhibit 10.51 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

123


Index to Financial Statements

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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, on March 31, 2006.

 

COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Patrick M. Frawley

  Patrick M. Frawley
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
By:  

/s/ Kerri C. Kinney

  Kerri C. Kinney
  Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on March 31, 2006.

 

Signature

        

/s/ Patrick M. Frawley

Patrick M. Frawley

  

Chairman of the Board, President,

Chief Executive Officer, Director

(principal executive officer)

 

/s/ Stacey W. Mann

Stacey W. Mann

   Vice Chairman, Executive Vice President, Director  

/s/ Kerri C. Kinney

Kerri C. Kinney

   Chief Financial Officer (principal accounting officer)  

/s/ Kenneth K. Campbell

Kenneth K. Campbell

   Director  

/s/ Jeffrey K. Cornelius

Jeffrey K. Cornelius

   Director  

/s/ Glynn C. Debter

Glynn C. Debter

   Director  

/s/ David Scott Head

David Scott Head

   Director  

/s/ Roy B. Jackson

Roy B. Jackson

   Director  

/s/ John J. Lewis, Jr.

John J. Lewis, Jr.

   Director  

/s/ Terry G. Sanderson

Terry G. Sanderson

   Director  

/s/ Michael A. Tarpley

Michael A. Tarpley

   Director  

Philip J. Timyan

   Director  

/s/ Jimmie A. Trotter

Jimmie A. Trotter

   Director  

 

124