Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 10-Q

 


 

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2007

OR

 

¨ 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 – 51044

 


COMMUNITY BANCORP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Nevada   01-0668846

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

400 South 4th Street, Suite 215, Las Vegas, NV   89101
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(702) 878 – 0700

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


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

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

Large accelerated filer  ¨    Accelerated filer  x    Non-accelerated filer  ¨

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Title of Class

  

Outstanding as of October 31, 2007

Common Stock, $0.001 par value

   10,498,219 shares

 



Table of Contents

COMMUNITY BANCORP

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page
   PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION   
ITEM 1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    3
ITEM 2.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS    18-34
ITEM 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK    34
ITEM 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES    35
   PART II – OTHER INFORMATION   
ITEM 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS    36
ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS    36
ITEM 2.    UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS    36
ITEM 3.    DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES    36
ITEM 4.    SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS    36
ITEM 5.    OTHER INFORMATION    36
ITEM 6.    EXHIBITS    36
   SIGNATURES    37
   CERTIFICATIONS   

 

2


Table of Contents

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

     Page

Consolidated Balance Sheets

   4

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income

   5

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

   6

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   7-17

 

3


Table of Contents

COMMUNITY BANCORP OF SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 (Unaudited)

 

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

ASSETS

    

Cash and due from banks

   $ 32,897     $ 28,694  

Interest bearing deposits in other banks

     4,186       8,501  

Federal funds sold

     9,155       8,921  
                

Cash and cash equivalents

     46,238       46,116  

Securities available for sale, at fair value

     90,938       107,849  

Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of $878 as of September 30, 2007 and

    

$1,334 as of December 31, 2006)

     865       1,309  

Required equity investments, at cost

     13,720       6,589  

Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $16,184 as of September 30, 2007 and $14,973 as of

    

December 31, 2006

     1,352,171       1,234,841  

Premises and equipment, net

     25,390       24,133  

Accrued interest and dividends receivable

     8,645       7,668  

Deferred income taxes, net

     —         875  

Bank owned life insurance

     10,410       10,071  

Goodwill

     115,143       115,865  

Core deposit intangible, net of accumulated amortization of $2,143 as of September 30, 2007 and $1,138 as of December 31, 2006

     7,816       8,821  

Other assets

     6,523       6,242  
                

Total assets

   $ 1,677,859     $ 1,570,379  
                

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Liabilities

    

Deposits:

    

Non-interest bearing

   $ 211,547     $ 205,115  

Interest bearing:

    

Demand

     606,942       510,454  

Savings

     32,979       60,480  

Time, $100,000 or more

     200,994       164,954  

Other time

     206,441       235,273  
                

Total deposits

     1,258,903       1,176,276  

Borrowings

     101,267       77,695  

Accrued interest payable and other liabilities

     9,240       9,907  

Deferred income taxes, net

     522       —    

Junior subordinated debt

     72,166       87,630  
                

Total liabilities

     1,442,098       1,351,508  
                

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11)

    

Stockholders’ equity

    

Common stock, par value: $0.001; shares authorized: 30,000,000; shares issued: 10,617,794 as of September 30, 2007 (included 163,195 shares of unvested restricted stock) and 10,423,188 as of December 31, 2006

     11       10  

Additional paid-in capital

     168,416       167,359  

Retained earnings

     69,024       52,402  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

     (420 )     (615 )
                
     237,031       219,156  

Less cost of treasury stock, 77,175 shares as of September 30, 2007 and 34,375 as of December 31, 2006

     (1,270 )     (285 )
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     235,761       218,871  
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,677,859     $ 1,570,379  
                

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

 

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COMMUNITY BANCORP OF SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 (Unaudited)

 

     For the three months ended    For the nine months ended  
    

September 30,

2007

  

September 30,

2006

  

September 30,

2007

  

September 30,

2006

 
             
     (In thousands, except per share data)  

Interest and dividend income:

           

Loans, including fees

   $ 31,613    $ 19,269    $ 90,986    $ 52,176  

Securities and investments

     1,345      1,039      4,229      3,038  

Federal funds sold

     301      370      1,348      1,370  
                             

Total interest and dividend income

     33,259      20,678      96,563      56,584  
                             

Interest expense on:

           

Deposits

     12,279      6,798      34,902      16,712  

Borrowings

     1,209      846      3,510      1,969  

Junior subordinated debt

     1,543      744      4,616      1,992  
                             

Total interest expense

     15,031      8,388      43,028      20,673  
                             

Net interest income before provision for loan losses

     18,228      12,290      53,535      35,911  

Provision for loan losses

     533      1,517      1,501      3,124  
                             

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

     17,695      10,773      52,034      32,787  

Non-interest income:

           

Service charges and other income

     621      460      1,806      1,343  

Bank owned life insurance

     111      123      340      249  

Net swap settlements

     52      49      144      102  

Rental income

     38      35      114      108  

Gain on sale of securities

     —        —        4      —    

Net gain on sale of loans

     —        —        285      —    
                             

Total non-interest income

     822      667      2,693      1,802  
                             

Non-interest expense:

           

Salaries, wages and employee benefits

     5,337      3,623      16,638      10,028  

Occupancy, equipment and depreciation

     1,351      895      3,774      2,451  

Core deposit intangible amortization

     335      190      1,005      571  

Data processing

     246      192      829      648  

Advertising and public relations

     651      330      1,388      821  

Professional fees

     486      242      1,186      877  

Telephone and postage

     214      82      608      246  

Stationery and supplies

     189      112      547      315  

Directors fees

     71      50      249      737  

Insurance

     170      99      429      263  

Software maintenance

     106      68      327      161  

Loan related

     74      48      251      158  

Other operating expenses

     813      450      1,893      1,403  
                             

Total non-interest expense

     10,043      6,381      29,124      18,679  
                             

Income before income tax provision

     8,474      5,059      25,603      15,910  

Income tax provision

     2,943      2,002      8,980      5,665  
                             

Net income

     5,531      3,057      16,623      10,245  

Other comprehensive income—unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $(351), $(289), $(89) and $57, respectively

     640      561      195      (110 )
                             

Comprehensive income

   $ 6,171    $ 3,618    $ 16,818    $ 10,135  
                             

EARNINGS PER SHARE:

           

Basic

   $ 0.53    $ 0.41    $ 1.59    $ 1.39  
                             

Diluted

   $ 0.53    $ 0.41    $ 1.59    $ 1.37  
                             

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

 

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COMMUNITY BANCORP OF SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 (Unaudited)

 

    

September 30,

2007

   

September 30,

2006

 
     (In thousands)  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 16,623     $ 10,245  

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

    

Depreciation of premises and equipment

     1,441       984  

Gain on sales of fixed assets

     (20 )     (18 )

Amortization of core deposit intangible

     1,005       571  

Income from bank owned life insurance

     (340 )     (249 )

Gain on sales of loans

     (285 )     —    

Gain on sale of securities

     (4 )     —    

Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale

     3,559       —    

Originations of loans held for sale

     (2,458 )     —    

Deferred taxes, net

     1,308       (894 )

Provision for loan losses

     1,501       3,124  

Stock-based compensation expense

     740       936  

Net amortization (accretion) of investment premium and discount

     (100 )     130  

Increase in accrued interest receivable

     (977 )     (1,495 )

(Increase) decrease in other assets

     441       (878 )

Increase in accrued interest payable and other liabilities

     (667 )     1,088  

Income from required equity investments—stock dividends

     (183 )     (67 )
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     21,584       13,477  
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Net increase in loans

     (119,791 )     (218,133 )

Payments received from net swap settlements

     144       —    

Proceeds from maturities of and principal paydowns on securities held to maturity

     444       217  

Purchase of securities available for sale

     (4,685 )     (2,770 )

Proceeds from maturities of and principal paydowns on securities available for sale

     18,714       19,714  

Proceeds from sale of securities available for sale

     3,272       —    

Net investment in required equity investments

     (6,948 )     (2,138 )

Purchase of premises and equipment

     (2,698 )     (563 )

Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment

     20       6  

Cash paid for acquisitions, net

     —         (9,245 )
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (111,528 )     (212,912 )
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Net increase in borrowings

     23,572       39,000  

Net increase in deposits

     82,627       87,193  

Proceeds from issuance of long-term subordinated debentures

     —         50,000  

Redemption of long-term subordinated debentures

     (15,464 )     —    

Purchase of treasury stock

     (985 )     —    

Excess tax benefit related to exercise of stock options

     51       128  

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     265       227  
                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     90,066       176,548  
                

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     122       (22,887 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year

     46,116       86,904  
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period

   $ 46,238     $ 64,017  
                

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

    

Interest paid

   $ 42,512     $ 20,152  
                

Income taxes paid

   $ 9,904     $ 9,645  
                

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

 

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COMMUNITY BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1. Nature of Business

Community Bancorp is a bank holding company headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada with four wholly-owned subsidiaries: 1) Community Bank of Nevada, 2) Community Bank of Arizona, 3) Community Bancorp (NV) Statutory Trust II and 4) Community Bancorp (NV) Statutory Trust III. Community Bancorp exists primarily for the purpose of holding the stock of its wholly-owned subsidiaries and facilitating their activities. Community Bancorp and its consolidated subsidiaries discussed below are collectively referred to herein as the “Company.”

Community Bank of Nevada is a Nevada state chartered bank providing a full range of commercial and consumer bank products through thirteen branches located in the greater Las Vegas area and two loan production offices in southern California and Arizona.

Community Bank of Arizona (formerly Cactus Commerce Bank), is an Arizona state chartered bank providing a full range of commercial and consumer bank products through three branches and one administrative office located in the greater Phoenix, Arizona area. Community Bank of Arizona was acquired in September 2006.

The statutory trusts were formed for the exclusive purpose of issuing and selling trust preferred securities (see Note 2 and Note 8). The trust preferred securities issued through Community Bancorp (NV) Statutory Trust I were redeemed in September 2007 and management has substantially dissolved this entity.

Community Bancorp’s principal source of income is currently dividends from its two bank subsidiaries, Community Bank of Nevada and Community Bank of Arizona. The expenses of Community Bancorp, including interest from junior subordinated debt, legal, accounting and NASDAQ listing fees, have been and will generally be paid from dividends paid to Community Bancorp by its bank subsidiaries.

Note 2. Basis of Presentation

The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Community Bancorp, Community Bank of Nevada and Community Bank of Arizona. Significant intercompany items and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The statutory trusts are not consolidated, as disclosed in Note 8.

The interim consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for unaudited financial statements. The information furnished in these interim statements reflects all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair statement of results for the periods presented. All adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. Results for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the year as a whole. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted. The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes included in the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

A consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity is not included as part of these interim financial statements since there have been no material changes, other than net income, stock buy-backs and the issuance of restricted common stock (see Notes 9 and 15), during the nine months ended September 30, 2007.

Certain amounts in the 2006 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2007 presentation, with no effect on previously reported net income or stockholders’ equity.

Note 3. Significant Accounting Policies

Accounting policies are fully described in Note 1 of the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and there have been no material changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2007.

 

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Note 4. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 155, Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments, an Amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140. SFAS No. 155 also resolves issues addressed in Statement 133 Implementation Issue No. D1, Recognition and Measurement of Derivatives: Application of Statement 133 to Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets. SFAS No. 155 eliminates the exemption from applying SFAS No. 133 to interests in securitized financial assets so that similar instruments are accounted for similarly, regardless of the form of the instruments. SFAS No. 155 also allows a preparer to elect fair value measurement at acquisition, at issuance, or when a previously recognized financial instrument is subject to a remeasurement, or new basis, event, on an instrument-by-instrument basis, in the case in which a derivative would otherwise have to be bifurcated. SFAS No. 155 is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. The Company adopted SFAS No. 155 effective January 1, 2007. The adoption of SFAS No. 155 had no effect on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet or Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income.

In March 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156, Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets—an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 140. SFAS No.156 requires an entity to recognize a servicing asset or liability each time it undertakes an obligation to service a financial asset by entering into a servicing contract if a) a transfer of the servicer’s assets meets the requirements for sale accounting; b) a transfer of the servicer’s financial assets to a qualifying special-purpose entity in a guaranteed mortgage securitization in which the transferor retains all of the resulting securities; and c) an acquisition or assumption of an obligation to service a financial asset does not relate to financial assets of the servicer or its consolidated affiliates. Further, SFAS No. 156 requires all separately recognized servicing assets and liabilities to be initially measured at fair value, if practicable. The Company adopted SFAS No. 156 effective January 1, 2007. The adoption of SFAS No. 156 did not have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet or Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income.

In September 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, or FIN 48, to clarify the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN 48 defines the threshold for recognizing the benefits of tax return positions in the financial statements as “more likely than not” to be sustained by the taxing authority. The literature also provides guidance on de-recognition, measurement and classification of income tax uncertainties, along with any related interest and penalties. FIN 48 also includes guidance concerning accounting for income tax uncertainties in interim periods and increases the level of disclosures associated with any recorded income tax uncertainties. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. Any differences between the amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets prior to the adoption of FIN 48 will be accounted for as a cumulative effect adjustment recorded to the beginning balance of retained earnings. In addition, in May 2007, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) FIN 48-1, Definition of “Settlement” in FASB Interpretation No. 48. This FSP provides guidance on how a company should determine whether a tax position is effectively settled for the purpose of recognizing previously unrecognized tax benefits. The FASB clarifies that a tax position could be effectively settled upon examination by a taxing authority. The Company adopted FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007. As of the date of adoption, there was no historical tax position taken that would result in a reasonably possible change in the next twelve months from previously reported amounts and accordingly, there was no material impact with the adoption of FIN 48 on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet or Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income. Further, the Company’s policy is to record interest and penalties from underpayment of taxes when it is reasonably probable that the amounts will be incurred. The Company is subject to federal, state, and local income tax examinations for years beginning in 2003 and thereafter. There are no federal or state income tax examinations in process.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, which addresses how companies should measure fair value when they are required to use a fair value measure for recognition or disclosure purposes under GAAP. SFAS No. 157 provides a common definition of fair value to be used throughout GAAP. The FASB believes that the new standard will make the measurement of fair value more consistent and comparable and improve disclosures about those measures. SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company does not believe the adoption of SFAS No. 157 will have a material impact on its Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.

In September 2006, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) reached a consensus on EITF Issue No. 06-4 (“EITF 06-4”), Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance

 

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Arrangements, which requires the application of the provisions of SFAS No. 106, Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions, to endorsement split-dollar life insurance arrangements. EITF 06-4 would require the Company to accrue a liability for the postretirement death benefits associated with split-dollar life insurance agreements. An endorsement-type arrangement generally exists when a company owns and controls all incidents of ownership of the underlying policies. In March 2007, the EITF reached a consensus on EITF issue No. 06-10 (“EITF 06-10”), Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Collateral Assignment Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangement, which requires the applicant to measure and recognize an asset and a liability for the postretirement benefit related to a collateral assignment split-dollar life insurance arrangement in accordance with either SFAS No. 106 (if, in substance, a postretirement benefit plan exists) or Accounting Principals Board’s Opinion No. 12 (if the arrangement is, in substance, an individual deferred compensation contract). EITF 06-4 and EITF 06-10 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007. The Company maintains endorsement split-dollar life arrangements (bank owned life insurance) for certain key officers and executives; however none of the Company’s policies are subject to the provisions of these new pronouncements.

In September 2006, the FASB ratified the consensus reached by the EITF on Issue 06-5, Accounting for Purchases of Life Insurance-Determining the Amount That Could Be Realized in Accordance with FASB Technical Bulletin No. 85-4, Accounting for Purchases of Life Insurance (“EITF 06-5”). The effective date of EITF 06-5 is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The EITF concluded that a policyholder should consider any additional amounts included in the contractual terms of the policy in determining the amount that could be realized under the insurance contract. Amounts that are recoverable by the policyholder at the discretion of the insurance company should be excluded from the amount that could be realized. The Company adopted EITF 06-5 effective January 1, 2007. The adoption of EITF 06-5 had no effect on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet or Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities-Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115. SFAS No. 159 permits an entity to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. Most of the provisions of SFAS No. 159 are elective; however, the amendment of SFAS No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, applies to all entities with available for sale or trading securities. For financial instruments elected to be accounted for at fair value, an entity will report the unrealized gains and losses in earnings. SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently assessing the financial impact SFAS No. 159 will have on its Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.

Note 5. Acquisition Activity

During 2006, the Company completed the following two acquisitions using the purchase method of accounting and accordingly, the operating results of the acquired entities have been included in the consolidated financial statements from their respective dates of acquisition. The following table summarizes these transactions as of the date of acquisition.

 

    

Community
Bank of

Arizona

    Valley
Bancorp
 
     September 30,
2006
   

October 13,

2006

 
     (In thousands)  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 4,188     $ 27,379  

Securities

     6,079       30,632  

Loans, net of allowance

     31,170       332,571  

Goodwill and core deposit intangible

     9,887       91,738  

Other assets

     879       12,376  

Deposits

     (37,245 )     (338,727 )

Borrowings

     (1,000 )     (15,114 )

Deferred income taxes, net

     —         (1,003 )

Other liabilities

     (358 )     (1,067 )
                

Net assets acquired

   $ 13,600     $ 138,785  
                

Value of transaction

    

Fair value of common stock issued Cash

   $ —       $ 94,837  

Cash

     13,326       42,680  
                

Total consideration paid by the Company

     13,326       137,517  

Direct costs of acquisition

     274       1,268  
                

Total cost of acquisition

     13,600       138,785  

Less fair value of net tangible assets acquired

     (3,713 )     (47,047 )

Less estimated fair value of core deposit intangible

     (415 )     (4,213 )
                

Estimated goodwill resulting from the transaction

   $ 9,472     $ 87,525  
                
 

 

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As of September 30, 2007, estimated goodwill resulting from these transactions had been reduced by approximately $722,000 from December 31, 2006 due primarily to deferred tax and income taxes receivable adjustments from the Valley Bancorp acquisition.

Community Bank of Arizona (formerly Cactus Commerce Bank)

On September 30, 2006, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding common stock of Community Bank of Arizona, headquartered in Glendale, Arizona. Under the terms of the Agreement, Community Bank of Arizona’s shareholders received $256.59 in cash for each share of common stock for a total purchase price of approximately $13.6 million. At the date of acquisition, Cactus Commerce Bank became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and was subsequently renamed Community Bank of Arizona in February 2007. The acquisition was consistent with the strategic goals of the Company to expand beyond the southern Nevada geographic region.

Valley Bancorp

On October 13, 2006, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding common stock of Valley Bancorp, headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. Under the terms of the Agreement, the Company paid approximately $42.7 million in cash and issued approximately 3.0 million shares for a total purchase price of $138.8 million. Immediately after the acquisition, Valley Bank was merged into Community Bank of Nevada. The acquisition was consistent with the strategic goals of the Company to expand its presence in the southern Nevada geographic region with the anticipation of providing the combined company with financial benefits that include reduced operating expenses.

Unaudited Pro Forma Information for Acquisitions

The following table presents the unaudited actual and pro forma results of operations for the periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 shown below, respectively, as if the Community Bank of Arizona and Valley Bancorp acquisitions described above had been completed as of January 1, 2006. The unaudited pro forma results of operations include: (1) the historical accounts of the Company, Community Bank of Arizona and Valley Bancorp; and (2) pro forma adjustments, as may be required, including the amortization of intangibles with definite lives and the amortization or accretion of any premiums or discounts arising from fair value adjustments for assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The unaudited pro forma information is intended for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of future operating results or operating results that might have occurred had these acquisitions been completed at the beginning of 2006. No assumptions have been applied to the pro forma results of operations regarding possible revenue enhancements, expense efficiencies or asset dispositions.

 

     For the three months ended    For the nine months ended
     September 30,
2007 (1)
   September 30,
2006 (2)
   September 30,
2007 (1)
   September 30,
2006 (2)
          (In thousands, except per share data)     

Net interest income

   $ 18,228    $ 17,246    $ 53,535    $ 51,514

Provision for loan losses

     533      1,579      1,501      3,540
                           

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

     17,695      15,667      52,034      47,974

Non-interest income

     822      810      2,693      2,148

Non-interest expense

     10,043      10,586      29,124      28,675
                           

Income before income tax provision

     8,474      5,891      25,603      21,447

Income tax provision

     2,943      2,455      8,980      7,709
                           

Net income

   $ 5,531    $ 3,436    $ 16,623    $ 13,738
                           

Basic earnings per share

   $ 0.53    $ 0.31    $ 1.59    $ 1.32
                           

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.53    $ 0.32    $ 1.59    $ 1.31
                           

(1) Actual
(2) Pro forma

 

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Goodwill

As a result of the acquisitions noted above and the Bank of Commerce acquisition in 2005, the Company’s recorded goodwill at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 was $115.1 million and $115.9 million, respectively. Core deposit intangibles, net of accumulated amortization, resulting from these acquisitions amounted to $7.8 million and $8.8 million at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. Core deposit intangibles are being amortized over 7 to 8 years. Amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 amounted to $335,000 and $190,000, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 amounted to $1.0 million and $571,000, respectively.

Note 6. Loans

The composition of the Company’s loan portfolio as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 is as follows:

 

     September 30,
2007
   December 31,
2006
     (In thousands)

Commercial and industrial

   $ 181,064    $ 177,583

Real estate:

     

Commercial (1)

     370,658      347,072

Residential (2)

     39,312      35,150

Construction and land development (3)(4)

     777,258      686,267

Consumer and other

     5,369      7,139
             

Total gross loans

     1,373,661      1,253,211

Less:

     

Allowance for loan losses

     16,184      14,973

Net unearned loan fees and discounts

     5,306      3,397
             

Total net loans

   $ 1,352,171    $ 1,234,841
             

(1) Owner-occupied commercial real estate loans were approximately 49.7% and 48.1% of the Company’s commercial real estate loan portfolio as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.
(2) Includes loans for custom homes to high net worth customers and home equity lines of credit. This category does not contain conventional residential mortgages.
(3) Includes loans for undeveloped land of approximately $165.1 million and $223.1 million as September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.
(4) Includes loans for property zoned for 1-4 family residential real estate, which amounted to $227.8 million and $189.3 million as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.

Changes in the allowance for loan losses for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 are as follow:

 

     For the three months ended
September 30,
    For the nine months ended
September 30,
 
     2007     2006     2007     2006  
           (In thousands)        

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 15,985     $ 9,730     $ 14,973     $ 8,117  

Provision for loan losses

     533       1,517       1,501       3,124  

Allowance resulting from acquisition

     —         491       —         491  

Less amounts charged off

     (349 )     (607 )     (577 )     (633 )

Recoveries of amounts charged off

     15       19       287       51  
                                

Balance at end of period

   $ 16,184     $ 11,150     $ 16,184     $ 11,150  
                                

 

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At September 30, 2007, total impaired and non-accrual loans were $17.0 million and $7.7 million, respectively, and there were no loans past due 90 days or more still accruing interest. At December 31, 2006, total impaired and non-accrual loans were $6.1 million and $647,000, respectively, and there were no loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest.

Note 7. Borrowings

The Company regularly uses the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (“FHLB”) for short term and long term borrowings. FHLB term debt, which matures from February 2008 through March 2009, amounted to $70.9 million at September 30, 2007. Interest on all FHLB borrowings accrued at an average rate of 5.18% and 5.12% for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007. Remaining available debt financing through the FHLB amounted to $85.1 million at September 30, 2007.

The Company also has agreements with other lending institutions under which it can purchase up to $91.5 million of federal funds (increased by $11.5 million in October 2007). The interest rate charged on borrowings is determined by the lending institutions at the time of borrowings. Each line is unsecured. Federal funds purchased as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 amounted to $14.9 million and $3.4 million, respectively.

On September 26, 2007, the Company borrowed $15.5 million and used the proceeds to redeem junior subordinated debt owed to Community Bancorp (NV) Statutory Trust I which used the proceeds to redeem its trust preferred issuances. The borrowing is unsecured, bears interest at the rate of the one month LIBOR plus 1.50% and is payable in the amount of $478,000 monthly (commencing in October 2007) with all unpaid interest and principal due on September 26, 2010. The one month LIBOR rate at September 30, 2007 was 5.13%. Additionally, the loan agreement includes certain dividend restrictions.

The Company has a promissory note agreement with a correspondent bank for a $10.0 million revolving line of credit. The line is unsecured. The initial interest rate is 6.30%, subject to adjustment based on the 30-day LIBOR, and expires on December 19, 2007. A fee based on the unused portion of the line of credit will be paid quarterly in arrears, at an annual rate of 1/8% and calculated based on the average unused portion of the line of credit for the previous quarter. As of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, there were no outstanding borrowings under this agreement.

Note 8. Junior Subordinated Debt

As of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the Company had outstanding junior subordinated debt of approximately $72.2 million and $87.6 million, respectively, consisting of trust preferred securities (collectively, the “Securities”) issuances. The securities issued through Community Bancorp (NV) Statutory Trust I ($15.5 million) bore interest at the three month LIBOR rate plus 3.40%. In September 2007 the Company redeemed these securities at par value, utilizing the proceeds from the September 26, 2007 loan (see Note 7) to effectuate the redemption. Securities issued through Community Bancorp Statutory Trust II ($25.0 million) bear interest at LIBOR plus 1.60%. Community Bancorp (NV) Statutory Trust III is composed of fixed and variable issuances. The Community Bancorp (NV) Statutory Trust III issuances bear interest at a fixed rate of 5.94% ($20.6 million) and 6.78% ($26.5 million) for the first seven and five years, respectively, and convert to the three-month LIBOR rate plus 1.37% and 1.60%, respectively, through maturity. The three month LIBOR rate at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 was 5.49% and 5.36%, respectively.

The Company has the option to defer payments of interest on the securities for a period of up to five years, as long as the Company is not in default on the payment of interest on the junior subordinated debt. If the Company elects to defer payments of interest on the Securities by extending the interest distribution period, then the Company may not declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to any of the Company’s common stock, until such time as all deferred interest is paid.

In the event of certain changes or amendments to regulatory requirements or federal tax rules, the debt is redeemable in whole. Certain obligations under these instruments are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company and rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all other liabilities of the Company.

In March 2005, the Federal Reserve Bank adopted a final rule that allows the continued inclusion of trust preferred securities in the Tier I capital of bank holding companies, subject to stricter quantitative limits and qualitative standards. Under the final ruling, qualifying mandatory preferred securities may be included in Tier I capital, subject to a limit of 25% of all core capital. Amounts of restricted core capital elements in excess of this limit generally may be included in Tier II capital. The qualitative limits become effective on March 31, 2009. As of September 30, 2007, the junior subordinated debentures have been included in Tier I capital for regulatory capital purposes up to the specified limit ($70.0 million).

 

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In accordance with FIN 46 (revised December 2004), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities-an interpretation of ARB No. 51, statutory trusts are not reported on a consolidated basis. Therefore, the trust preferred debt securities of $70.0 million do not appear on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Instead, the junior subordinated debentures of $72.2 million payable by Community Bancorp to the statutory trusts and the investment in the statutory trusts common stock of $2.2 million (included in other assets) are reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Note 9. Share-Based Compensation

Stock options

As of September 30, 2007, the Company has outstanding options under two share-based compensation plans. The related compensation cost was approximately $198,000 and $219,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and $615,000 and $936,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. No share-based compensation was capitalized. No stock options were granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2007. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, 301,000 stock options were granted at a weighted average exercise price of $30.59.

Restricted stock

In August and September 2007, the Company issued a total of approximately 163,000 shares of restricted common stock to certain employees and directors. Restricted common stock issued to employees is subject to a three year cliff vesting and the directors restricted common stock vest annually over a three year period. Share-based compensation costs associated with the issuance of the restricted common stock is recognized on a straight-line basis over three years and amounted to approximately $125,000 for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007. As of September 30, 2007, the Company had approximately $2.9 million of unrecognized costs related to unvested restricted stock. The Company expects to recognize these costs over the next three years.

Stock appreciation rights

In July 2000, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the 2000 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan. The Company accounts for the Stock Appreciation Rights (“SAR”) using liability accounting which requires the Company to record the liability of the SAR at fair value, rather than intrinsic value. The total accrued liability, included in accrued interest payable and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, was approximately $429,000 at December 31, 2006. All outstanding SAR were settled, with cash payments made in April 2007 and, accordingly, there was no accrued liability for SAR at September 30, 2007. SAR expense for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 was $0 and $14,000, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 was $32,000 and $56,000, respectively.

The compensation cost related to share-based compensation plans was included in salaries, wages and employee benefits expense for grants to employees and directors fees for grants to board members in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.

Note 10. Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) represents income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (excluding non-vested restricted stock) during the period. Diluted EPS reflects additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares had been issued. Potential common shares that may be issued by the Company relate to outstanding options and non-vested restricted stock, and are determined using the treasury stock method.

 

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EPS has been computed based on the following:

 

     For the Three Months Ended September 30,    For the Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2007    2006    2007    2006  
     (In thousands, except earnings per share)    (In thousands, except earnings per share)  
     Net
Income
   Average
Number
of Shares
   Per Share
Amounts
   Net
Income
   Average
Number
of Shares
   Per Share
Amounts
   Net
Income
   Average
Number
of Shares
   Per Share
Amounts
   Net
Income
   Average
Number
of Shares
   Per Share
Amounts
 

Basic EPS

   $ 5,531      10,395    $ 0.53    $ 3,057    7,392    $ 0.41    $ 16,623    10,410    $ 1.59    $ 10,245    7,387    $ 1.39  

Effect of dilutive securities:

                                   

Stock options

      $ 58      —         109      —         68      —         101      (0.02 )

Restricted stock

     —        44      —        —      —        —        —      15      —        —      —        —    
                                                                               

Diluted EPS

   $ 5,531      10,497    $ 0.53    $ 3,057    7,501    $ 0.41    $ 16,623    10,493    $ 1.59    $ 10,245    7,488    $ 1.37  
                                                                               

Options not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they would have had an anti-dilutive effect amounted to 435,000 shares and 368,000 shares at September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Note 11. Commitments and Contingencies

Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk

The Company is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business in order to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. They involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company’s exposure to credit loss for these commitments, in the event of nonperformance, is represented by the contractual amounts of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.

A summary of the contract amount of the Company’s exposure to off-balance sheet risk as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 is as follows:

Outstanding commitments

 

     September 30,
2007
   December 31,
2006
     (In thousands)

Commitments to extend credit, including unsecured commitments of approximately $23,989 for 2007 and $26,925 for 2006

   $ 399,366    $ 351,236

Credit card commitments, including unsecured amounts of approximately $839 for 2007 and $2,047 for 2006

     839      2,064

Standby letters of credit, including unsecured commitments of approximately $2,420 for 2007 and $ 480 for 2006

     6,565      5,673
             
   $ 406,770    $ 358,973
             

 

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Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there are no violations of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained is based on management’s credit evaluation of the party. Collateral held varies, but may include accounts receivable; inventory; property and equipment; residential real estate; income-producing commercial properties; and owner-occupied commercial properties. The Company had approximately $800,000 reflected in other liabilities for off-balance sheet risk associated with commitments to extend credit at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006.

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Those guarantees are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. Collateral held varies as specified above and is required as the Company deems necessary. Essentially all letters of credit issued have expiration dates within one year. Upon entering into letters of credit, the Company records the related liability at fair value pursuant to FASB Interpretation No. 45 (“FIN 45”). Thereafter, the liability is evaluated pursuant to FASB Statement No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies. As of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the amount of the liability related to guarantees was approximately $16,000 and $14,000, respectively.

In connection with standby letters of credit, the Company recognizes the related commitment fee received from the third party as a liability at the inception of the guarantee arrangement pursuant to FIN 45. Commitment fees, where the likelihood of exercise of the commitment is remote, are generally recognized as service fee income on a straight line basis over the commitment period. All other commitment fees are deferred over the entire commitment period and are not recognized as service fee income until the expiration of the commitment period.

Financial Instruments with Concentrations of Credit Risk

The Company makes commercial, commercial real estate, residential real estate and consumer loans to customers primarily in southern Nevada and Arizona. At September 30, 2007, real estate loans accounted for approximately 86% of total loans. Substantially all of these loans are secured by first liens with an initial loan-to-value ratio of generally less than 75%. At September 30, 2007 approximately 2.12% of gross loans were unsecured.

A substantial portion of the Company’s customers’ ability to honor their contracts is dependent on the economies in Southern Nevada and Arizona. The Company’s goal is to maintain a diversified loan portfolio that is well collateralized and supported by the underlying cash flows of the properties and/or business activities.

Lease Commitments

The Company leases certain branches and office facilities under operating leases. The Company has lease obligations for ten of its branch locations, two loan production offices, and its corporate offices under various non-cancelable agreements with expiration dates through March 2018, which require various minimum annual rentals.

Contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Company is involved in various legal proceedings. In the opinion of management, any liability resulting from such proceedings would not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Note 12. Derivative Financial Instruments

During 2006, the Company originated two fixed rate loans with an aggregate principal balance of approximately $20.0 million. The Company also entered into two interest rate swap agreements with notional values equal to the principal balance of the two fixed rate loans. The interest rate swap agreements are LIBOR-based where the Company’s interest payments are based on a fixed interest rate and the Company’s receipt of interest payments are based on a variable interest rate. The Company retains any net swap settlement income and pays any net swap settlement expense. As the Company has not elected hedge accounting the net swap settlement income has been recorded in noninterest income.

Each of the loan agreements contain contractual provisions that pass through to the borrower any gain or loss resulting from the termination of the swap agreements. The interest rate swap agreements are recorded at fair value as required by SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, and amended by SFAS No. 155, Accounting

 

15


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for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments. However, the accounting for the liability due to or receivable due from the borrower resulting from the termination of the swap is governed by SFAS No. 5. This pronouncement requires the recognition of a liability when amounts are due to the borrower but precludes the recording of a receivable when amounts are due from the borrower. The fair values of the swap agreements are reflected in other assets or other liabilities, as applicable, and amounts, if any, owed to the borrower are recorded in other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Fair values for the swap agreements are based upon quoted market prices where available, except in the case of certain options and swaps where pricing models are used.

Note 13. Segments

Prior to the acquisition of Community Bank of Arizona in September 2006, the Company operated as one segment. The Company currently manages its business with a primary focus on each bank subsidiary (Community Bank of Nevada and Community Bank of Arizona). Accordingly, the Company has two reportable segments. Community Bancorp’s financial information is included in the “Other” category, as it represents overhead and funding costs.

 

     For the three months ended and as of September 30, 2007    For the nine months ended and as of September 30, 2007
     Community
Bank of
Nevada
   Community
Bank of
Arizona
    Other (3)     Total    Community
Bank of
Nevada
   Community
Bank of
Arizona
   Other (3)     Total
     (In thousands)    (In thousands)

Interest and dividend income

   $ 31,590    $ 1,613     $ 56     $ 33,259    $ 91,890    $ 4,507    $ 166     $ 96,563

Interest expense

     12,855      618       1,558       15,031      36,762      1,635      4,631       43,028
                                                          

Net interest income before provision for loan losses

     18,735      995       (1,502 )     18,228      55,128      2,872      (4,465 )     53,535

Provision for loan losses

     357      176       —         533      1,125      376      —         1,501
                                                          

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

     18,378      819       (1,502 )     17,695      54,003      2,496      (4,465 )     52,034

Non-interest income

     770      52       —         822      2,388      230      75       2,693

Non-interest expenses

     8,275      909       859       10,043      24,762      2,656      1,706       29,124
                                                          

Segment pretax income (loss)

   $ 10,873    $ (38 )   $ (2,361 )   $ 8,474    $ 31,629    $ 70    $ (6,096 )   $ 25,603
                                                          

Segment assets (1)

             $ 1,582,481    $ 92,326    $ 3,052     $ 1,677,859
                                      
     For the three months ended and as of September 30, 2006    For the nine months ended and as of September 30, 2006
     Community
Bank of
Nevada
   Community
Bank of
Arizona
    Other (3)     Total    Community
Bank of
Nevada
   Community
Bank of
Arizona
   Other (3)     Total
     (In thousands)    (In thousands)

Interest and dividend income

   $ 19,885    $ —       $ 793     $ 20,678    $ 54,518    $ —      $ 2,066     $ 56,584

Interest expense

     7,501      —         887       8,388      18,537      —        2,136       20,673
                                                          

Net interest income before provision for loan losses

     12,384      —         (94 )     12,290      35,981      —        (70 )     35,911

Provision for loan losses

     1,806      —         (289 )     1,517      3,316      —        (192 )     3,124
                                                          

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

     10,578      —         195       10,773      32,665      —        122       32,787

Non-interest income

     660      —         7       667      1,795      —        7       1,802

Non-interest expenses

     6,151      —         230       6,381      17,044      —        1,635       18,679
                                                          

Segment pretax income (loss)

   $ 5,087    $ —       $ (28 )   $ 5,059    $ 17,416    $ —      $ (1,506 )   $ 15,910
                                                          

Segment assets (2)

             $ 1,017,939    $ 72,036    $ 31,590     $ 1,121,565
                                      

(1) Goodwill included in Community Bank of Nevada’s and Community Bank of Arizona’s segment assets amounted to $105.2 million and $9.9 million, respectively.
(2) Goodwill included in Community Bank of Nevada’s and Community Bank of Arizona’s segment assets amounted to $18.9 million and $9.3 million, respectively.
(3) Includes intersegment eliminations and reclassifications.

 

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Table of Contents

Note 14. Quarterly Data

 

     For the three months ended    For the three months ended
     September 30,
2007
   June 30,
2007
   March 31,
2007
   September 30,
2006
   June 30,
2006
   March 31,
2006
     (In thousands, except per share data)

Interest and dividend income

   $ 33,259    $ 32,416    $ 30,888    $ 20,678    $ 19,225    $ 16,681

Interest expense

     15,031      14,618      13,379      8,388      6,866      5,419
                                         

Net interest income before provision for loan losses

     18,228      17,798      17,509      12,290      12,359      11,262

Provision for loan losses

     533      486      482      1,517      625      982
                                         

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

     17,695      17,312      17,027      10,773      11,734      10,280

Non-interest income

     822      1,004      867      667      592      543

Non-interest expense

     10,043      9,623      9,458      6,381      6,623      5,675
                                         

Income before income tax provision

     8,474      8,693      8,436      5,059      5,703      5,148

Income tax provision

     2,943      3,050      2,987      2,002      1,940      1,723
                                         

Net income

   $ 5,531    $ 5,643    $ 5,449    $ 3,057    $ 3,763    $ 3,425
                                         

Basic earnings per share

   $ 0.53    $ 0.54    $ 0.52    $ 0.41    $ 0.51    $ 0.46
                                         

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.53    $ 0.54    $ 0.52    $ 0.41    $ 0.50    $ 0.46
                                         

Note 15. Stock Buyback

In July 2007 the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 5%, or approximately 521,000 shares, of its outstanding stock over the following twelve months. During the quarter ended September 30, 2007 the Company repurchased 42,800 shares at a cost of $985,000.

 

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

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements concerning future performance, developments or events, expectations for growth and income forecasts, and any other guidance on future periods constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from stated expectations. Specific factors include, but are not limited to, the recent fluctuation in the U.S. markets resulting, in part, from problems relating to sub prime lending, loan production, balance sheet management, the economic condition of the Las Vegas, Nevada and Phoenix, Arizona markets, net interest margin, loan quality, the ability to control costs and expenses, interest rate changes and financial policies of the United States government, and general economic conditions. Additional information on these and other factors that could affect financial results are included in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended December 31, 2006, and our other Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

When used in this document, the words or phrases such as “will likely result in,” “management expects that,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” “projected,” or similar expressions are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”). Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s view only as of the date hereof. Community Bancorp undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. This statement is included for the express purpose of protecting Community Bancorp under PSLRA’s safe harbor provisions.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Community Bancorp is a bank holding company headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, with four wholly-owned subsidiaries: 1) Community Bank of Nevada, 2) Community Bank of Arizona, 3) Community Bancorp (NV) Statutory Trust II and 4) Community Bancorp (NV) Statutory Trust III. Community Bancorp exists primarily for the purpose of holding the stock of its wholly-owned subsidiaries and facilitating their activities. In accordance with FIN 46 (revised December 2004), the statutory trusts are not reported on a consolidated basis. Community Bancorp and its consolidated subsidiaries are collectively referred to herein as the “Company.” Community Bank of Nevada and Community Bank of Arizona are collectively referred to herein as the “Banks.”

While the Company continued to experience organic growth during 2006 and through the nine months ended September 30, 2007, two acquisitions during 2006 (September and October) resulted in substantial changes to its earning assets and funding liabilities.

Primarily as a result of our organic growth and 2006 acquisitions:

 

   

Net income for the third quarter of 2007 increased 80.9% to $5.5 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, compared to $3.1 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2006. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 increased to $16.6 million, or $1.59 per diluted share, compared to $10.2 million, or $1.37 per diluted share in same period of 2006.

 

   

Net interest income before provision for loan losses for the third quarter of 2007 increased 48.3% to $18.2 million compared to $12.3 million in the third quarter of 2006 and increased 49.1% to $53.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to $35.9 million for the same period of 2006.

 

   

Non-interest income for the third quarter of 2007 increased 23.2% to $822,000 compared to $667,000 in the same quarter of 2006. Non-interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 increased to $2.7 million compared to $1.8 million for the same period of 2006.

The following are significant factors in understanding the Company’s financial condition and results of operations:

 

   

Gross loans increased to $1.4 billion, or 9.6%, at September 30, 2007 compared to $1.3 billion at December 31, 2006, primarily in real estate—construction and land development loans.

 

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Total deposits increased to $1.3 billion, or 7.0%, at September 30, 2007 compared to $1.2 billion at December 31, 2006.

 

   

Non-performing loans totaled $7.7 million, or 0.56% of total loans, at September 30, 2007 compared to $647,000, or 0.05% of total loans, and $1.2 million, or 0.13% of total loans, at December 31, 2006 and September 30, 2006, respectively.

 

   

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company’s net interest margin decreased to 4.90% and 4.95%, respectively, compared to 5.23% and 5.39%, respectively, in the same periods in 2006. The decrease in net interest margin was primarily attributable to continued upward pricing pressures for deposits and other funding liabilities over the first nine months of 2007 in a fairly stable prime rate environment.

SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA AND OTHER DATA

(Unaudited)

 

    

3rd

Quarter

2007

   

3rd

Quarter
2006

    Percentage
Change
   

Nine

Months

2007

   

Nine

Months

2006

    Percentage
Change
 
     (In thousands, except share and percentage data)     (In thousands, except share and percentage data)  

SHARE DATA

            

Earnings per share—basic

   $ 0.53     $ 0.41     29.3 %   $ 1.59     $ 1.39     14.4 %

Earnings per share—diluted

   $ 0.53     $ 0.41     29.3 %   $ 1.59     $ 1.37     16.1 %

Book value per share

   $ 22.37     $ 15.98     40.0 %   $ 22.37     $ 15.98     40.0 %

Shares outstanding at period end

     10,540,619       7,396,109     42.5 %     10,540,619       7,396,109     42.5 %

Weighted average shares outstanding—basic

     10,395,240       7,392,407     40.6 %     10,410,277       7,386,835     40.9 %

Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted

     10,497,060       7,500,794     39.9 %     10,492,685       7,488,329     40.1 %

SELECTED OTHER BALANCE SHEET DATA

            

Average assets

   $ 1,663,541     $ 1,017,997     63.4 %   $ 1,635,260     $ 969,822     68.6 %

Average earning assets

   $ 1,484,626     $ 940,748     57.8 %   $ 1,454,622     $ 899,024     61.8 %

Average stockholders’ equity

   $ 234,234     $ 117,262     99.8 %   $ 228,645     $ 113,079     102.2 %

Gross loans

   $ 1,373,661     $ 912,805     50.5 %   $ 1,373,661     $ 912,805     50.5 %

SELECTED FINANCIAL RATIOS

            

Return on average assets

     1.32 %     1.19 %   10.9 %     1.36 %     1.41 %   -3.5 %

Return on average stockholders' equity

     9.37 %     10.34 %   -9.4 %     9.72 %     12.11 %   -19.7 %

Net interest margin (1)

     4.90 %     5.23 %   -6.3 %     4.95 %     5.39 %   -8.2 %

Efficiency ratio (2)

     52.72 %     49.25 %   7.0 %     51.80 %     49.53 %   4.6 %

Capital Ratios

            

Average stockholders’ equity to average assets

     14.08 %     11.52 %   22.2 %     13.98 %     11.66 %   19.9 %

Tier 1 leverage capital ratio

            

Consolidated Company

           11.89 %     12.76 %   -6.8 %

Community Bank of Nevada

           11.74 %     11.10 %   5.8 %

Community Bank of Arizona

           28.42 %     72.47 %   -60.8 %

Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio

            

Consolidated Company

           11.73 %     12.22 %   -4.0 %

Community Bank of Nevada

           11.44 %     11.01 %   3.9 %

Community Bank of Arizona

           34.54 %     64.42 %   -46.4 %

Total risk-based capital ratio

            

Consolidated Company

           12.77 %     17.71 %   -27.9 %

Community Bank of Nevada

           12.47 %     12.09 %   3.1 %

Community Bank of Arizona

           35.76 %     65.67 %   -45.5 %

Asset Quality Ratios

            

Non-performing loans (3)

         $ 7,714     $ 1,165     562.1 %

Non-performing assets (4)

         $ 7,714     $ 1,165     562.1 %

Non-performing loans to total loans

           0.56 %     0.13 %   330.8 %

Non-performing assets to total assets

           0.46 %     0.10 %   360.0 %

Allowance for loan losses to total loans

           1.18 %     1.22 %   -3.3 %

Allowance for loan losses to non-performing assets

           210 %     957 %   -78.1 %

Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans

           210 %     957 %   -78.1 %

Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans (5)

     0.10 %     0.28 %   -64.3 %     0.03 %     0.10 %   -70.0 %

(1) Net interest margin represents net interest income on a tax equivalent basis as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.
(2) Efficiency ratio represents non-interest expenses, excluding provision for loan losses, as a percentage of the aggregate of net interest income and non-interest income.
(3) Non-performing loans are defined as loans that are past due 90 days or more plus loans placed in non-accrual status.
(4) Non-performing assets are defined as assets that are past due 90 days or more plus assets placed in non-accrual status plus other real estate owned.
(5) Annualized.

 

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KEY FACTORS IN EVALUATING FINANCIAL CONDITION AND OPERATING PERFORMANCE

Return on average shareholders’ equity. For the third quarter of 2007, the Company’s return on average shareholders’ equity (“ROAE”) was 9.4% compared to 10.3% for the third quarter of 2006 and 9.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to 12.1% for the same period in 2006. The decrease in ROAE was primarily due to the issuance of approximately 3.0 million shares of Community Bancorp common stock, or $94.7 million at issuance in October 2006, as part of the acquisition of Valley Bancorp. The acquisition of Valley Bancorp combined with the acquisition of Community Bank of Arizona, which was a cash transaction, resulted in approximately $96.2 million and $4.4 million of average goodwill and core deposit intangibles respectively (assets that produce no measurable income) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007.

Diluted earnings per share grew to $0.53 and $1.59 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, compared to $0.41 and $1.37 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively. The moderate growth in the Company’s diluted earnings per share, compared to the increases in net income during the same periods, reflects the issuance of approximately 3.0 million shares in the fourth quarter 2006 as part of the acquisition of Valley Bancorp.

Return on average assets. Return on average assets (“ROAA”) was 1.3% and 1.4% for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, compared to 1.2% and 1.4% for the same periods in 2006. The relatively stable ROAA from period to period reflects the Company’s increase in average earning assets and elimination of excess liquidity which off-set the negative impact of the increase in goodwill and core deposit intangibles (see return on average shareholders’ equity above) resulting from the Company’s 2006 acquisitions.

Asset growth. Total assets increased by 6.8% to $1.7 billion as of September 30, 2007, from $1.6 billion as of December 31, 2006. The increase in total assets was driven primarily by a $120.5 million increase in gross loans off-set in part by a reduction in securities available for sale of $16.9 million from December 31, 2006 to September 30, 2007. Asset growth during the first nine months of 2007 was funded primarily through increases in deposits of $82.6 million, borrowings of $8.1 million (excluding new borrowings for trust preferred redemption of $15.5 million) and current year income of $16.6 million.

Asset quality. Non-performing loans as of September 30, 2007 increased by $7.1 million compared to December 31, 2006. The increase in non-performing loans from December 31, 2006 is composed primarily of $5.3 million in construction and land development loans and $1.4 million in commercial and industrial loans. At September 30, 2007 non-accrual construction and land development loans included $2.9 million in participation loans due from one customer. Commercial and industrial non-accrual loans at September 30, 2007 amounted to $2.0 million and generally consist of individual balances that range from $50,000 to $200,000.

Operating efficiency. The Company’s efficiency ratio increased to 52.7% and 51.8% for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to 49.3% and 49.5% for the same periods in 2006. The Company’s increased efficiency ratio was in part the result of the loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $377,000 associated with the $15.5 million redemption of trust preferred securities in September 2007. The increases in the efficiency ratio (after excluding the third quarter loss on extinguishment of debt) were anticipated by management as increased operational costs due to branch expansion in Nevada and Arizona exceeded cost efficiencies resulting from the 2006 acquisitions.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Company’s accounting policies are integral to understanding the financial results reported. The most complex accounting policies require management’s judgment to ascertain the valuation of assets, liabilities, commitments and contingencies. The Company has established policies and procedures that are intended to ensure that the valuation methods are well-controlled and applied consistently from period to period. In addition, the policies and procedures are intended to ensure that the process for changing methodologies occurs in an appropriate manner. The following is a brief description of our current accounting policies involving significant management valuation judgments.

Allowance for loan losses. The allowance for loan losses represents the Company’s best estimate of the probable losses inherent in the existing loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses is increased by the provision for loan losses charged to expense and reduced when loans charged-off exceed loan recoveries. The allowance for loan losses is evaluated quarterly. The quarterly evaluation includes management’s assessment of various factors affecting the collectibility of loans, including current economic conditions, past credit experience, delinquency status, the value of the underlying collateral, if any, and a continuing review of the portfolio of loans. In addition to assessing these various factors, management considers a number of

 

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quantitative and qualitative factors, including levels and trends of past due and non-accrual loans, asset classifications, loan grades, changes in the volume of loans, collateral value, historical loss experiences, peer group loss experiences, size and complexity of individual credits and economic conditions. The provision for loan losses contains a general and specific component. The general component is based on a portfolio segmentation based on risk grading, with a further evaluation of the various quantitative and qualitative factors noted above. The specific component is for impaired loans, where the expected or anticipated loss is measurable (e.g., impairment).

To assist in the analysis of collateral risk (e.g., type of collateral securing each loan), management reviews: 1) financial data provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) of national banks (within the Company’s peer group); 2) an internal five-year loss history; and 3) financial data of local banks (within the Company’s peer group) to determine the nature and scope of their losses to date.

Available-for-sale securities. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, requires that available-for-sale securities be carried at fair value. The Company believes this to be a “critical accounting estimate” in that the fair value of a security is based on quoted market prices or, if quoted market prices are not available, fair values are extrapolated from the quoted prices of similar instruments.

Goodwill and other intangibles. Net assets of entities acquired in purchase transactions are recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition. Identified intangibles are amortized on a straight-line basis over the period benefited. Goodwill is not amortized, although it is reviewed for impairment on an annual basis or if events or circumstances indicate a potential impairment. The impairment test is performed in two phases. The first step of the goodwill impairment test compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired; however, if the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an additional procedure must be performed. That additional procedure compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill (as defined in SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets) with the carrying amount of that goodwill. An impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.

Other intangible assets subject to amortization are evaluated for impairment in accordance with SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. An impairment loss will be recognized if the carrying amount of the intangible asset is not recoverable and exceeds fair value. The carrying amount of the intangible is considered “not recoverable” if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset.

Share-based compensation. Effective January 1, 2006 (the “adoption date”), the Company adopted the provisions of the FASB issued Statement No. 123 (revised 2004) (“SFAS No. 123R”), Share-Based Payment, and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 (“SAB 107”), requiring the measurement and recognition of all share-based compensation under the fair value method. Prior to the Company’s initial public offering (“IPO”), it used the minimum value method to calculate the fair value of stock options. Subsequent to the IPO, the Black-Scholes option pricing model has been used to calculate the fair value of stock options. The Company adopted SFAS No. 123R using the prospective method for options granted prior to the IPO and the modified prospective method for options granted subsequent to the IPO. Under the Company’s transition method, SFAS No. 123R applies to new awards and to awards that were outstanding on the adoption date that are subsequently modified, repurchased or cancelled. In addition, the expense recognition provision of SFAS No. 123R applies to options granted prior to the adoption date but subsequent to the IPO that were unvested at the adoption date. In determining the fair value of stock options, the Company employs the following assumptions:

 

   

Expected volatility – based on the historical volatility of similar entities’ stock price that have been public for a period of time at least equal to the expected life of the option.

 

   

Expected term of the option – based on the simple average of the vesting term and the original contract term.

 

   

Risk-free rate – based upon the rate on a zero coupon U.S. Treasury bill, for periods within the expected term of the option.

 

   

Dividend yield – the Company currently has a no dividend policy and accordingly, no dividend yield is utilized.

Segment reporting. With the acquisition of Community Bank of Arizona in September 2006, the Company expanded to the greater Phoenix, Arizona market. During the quarter ended December 31, 2006, certain changes were implemented in the management and reporting of the Company’s business units, resulting in two reportable operating segments: Community Bank of Nevada and Community Bank of Arizona.

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

As previously noted, the Company recorded net income of $5.5 million for the third quarter of 2007 compared to $3.1 million for the third quarter of 2006 and $16.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to $10.2 million for the same period in 2006. The Company earns income from two primary sources: net interest income, which is the difference between interest income generated from interest earning assets and interest expense created by interest bearing liabilities; and non-interest income, of which a majority is fees and charges earned from customer services. Income from these sources is offset by the provision for loan losses, non-interest expense and income taxes.

While the Company continued to experience positive organic growth, the increase in net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 compared to September 30, 2006 was due primarily to the acquisition of two banks during 2006 (September and October 2006). Diluted earnings per share grew at a more moderate pace to $0.53 per share for the third quarter of 2007 compared to $0.41 per share for the second quarter of 2006 and $1.59 per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to $1.37 for the same period in 2006. The Company’s diluted earnings per share reflect the issuance of approximately 3.0 million shares in the fourth quarter of 2006 as part of the acquisition of Valley Bancorp.

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

The following table presents the net interest spread, net interest margin, average balances, interest income and expense, and average yields and rates by asset and liability components for the periods indicated.

 

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Table of Contents

Distribution, Rate and Yield Analysis of Net Income

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,  
     2007     2006  
     Average
Balance
   Interest
Income/
Expense
   Annualized
Average
Rate/Yield (7)(8)
    Average
Balance (9)
   Interest
Income/
Expense (9)
   Annualized
Average
Rate/Yield (7)(8)
 
     (In thousands, except percentage data)  

Assets:

  

Interest earning assets:

                

Loans (1)(2)

   $ 1,351,327    $ 31,613    9.28 %   $ 826,613    $ 19,269    9.25 %

Investment securities (3)(4)

     109,663      1,345    5.26 %     85,472      1,039    5.35 %

Federal funds sold

     23,636      301    5.05 %     28,663      370    5.12 %
                                

Total interest earning assets (3)

     1,484,626      33,259    8.92 %     940,748      20,678    8.77 %
                        

Non-interest earning assets:

                

Cash and due from banks

     21,421           18,606      

Goodwill and intangibles

     122,996           23,599      

Other assets

     34,498           35,044      
                        

Total assets

   $ 1,663,541         $ 1,017,997      
                        

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity:

                

Interest bearing liabilities:

                

Deposits:

                

Interest bearing demand

   $ 73,048      524    2.85 %   $ 39,928      277    2.75 %

Money market

     505,620      5,885    4.62 %     337,284      3,846    4.52 %

Savings

     35,820      306    3.39 %     5,677      10    0.70 %

Time

     423,741      5,564    5.21 %     232,827      2,665    4.54 %
                                

Total interest bearing deposits

     1,038,229      12,279    4.69 %     615,716      6,798    4.38 %

Borrowings

     93,052      1,209    5.16 %     68,130      846    4.93 %

Junior subordinated debt

     86,790      1,543    7.05 %     41,686      744    7.08 %
                                

Total interest bearing liabilities

     1,218,071      15,031    4.90 %     725,532      8,388    4.59 %
                        

Non-interest bearing liabilities:

                

Demand deposits

     200,972           167,491      

Other liabilities

     10,264           7,712      
                        

Total liabilities

     1,429,307           900,735      

Stockholders' equity

     234,234           117,262      
                        

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,663,541         $ 1,017,997      
                        

Net interest income

      $ 18,228         $ 12,290   
                        

Net interest spread (3)(5)

         4.02 %         4.18 %
                        

Net interest margin (3)(6)

         4.90 %         5.23 %
                        

(1) Includes average non-accrual loans of $3.7 million and $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
(2) Net loan fees of $2.2 million and $1.2 million are included in the yield computations for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
(3) Yields on securities, total interest-earning assets, net interest spread and net interest margin have been adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis.
(4) Includes securities available for sale, securities held to maturity, interest bearing deposits in other banks and required equity investments.
(5) Net interest spread represents the average yield earned on interest earning assets less the average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities.
(6) Net interest margin is computed by dividing net interest income, on a tax equivalent basis, by total average earning-assets.
(7) Average rates/yields for these periods have been annualized.
(8) Yields are computed based on actual number of days during the period.
(9) Certain average balances and income in prior periods have been reclassified to conform with current presentation.

 

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     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2007     2006  
     Average
Balance
   Interest
Income/
Expense
   Annualized
Average
Rate/Yield (7)(8)
    Average
Balance (9)
   Interest
Income/
Expense (9)
   Annualized
Average
Rate/Yield (7)(8)
 
     (In thousands, except percentage data)  

Assets:

  

Interest earning assets:

                

Loans (1)(2)

   $ 1,305,660    $ 90,986    9.32 %   $ 769,160    $ 52,176    9.07 %

Investment securities (3)(4)

     114,505      4,229    5.32 %     91,872      3,038    4.91 %

Federal funds sold

     34,457      1,348    5.23 %     37,992      1,370    4.82 %
                                

Total interest earning assets (3)

     1,454,622      96,563    8.91 %     899,024      56,584    8.47 %
                        

Non-interest earning assets:

                

Cash and due from banks

     23,227           19,452      

Goodwill and intangibles

     123,359           23,815      

Other assets

     34,052           27,531      
                        

Total assets

   $ 1,635,260         $ 969,822      
                        

Liabilities and stockholders' equity:

                

Interest bearing liabilities:

                

Deposits:

                

Interest bearing demand

   $ 68,539      1,389    2.71 %   $ 43,520      766    2.35 %

Money market

     495,324      17,152    4.63 %     312,741      8,966    3.83 %

Savings

     43,752      954    2.92 %     6,291      34    0.72 %

Time

     413,213      15,407    4.99 %     217,904      6,946    4.26 %
                                

Total interest bearing deposits

     1,020,828      34,902    4.57 %     580,456      16,712    3.85 %

Borrowings

     91,077      3,510    5.15 %     56,118      1,969    4.69 %

Junior subordinated debt

     87,347      4,616    7.07 %     37,971      1,992    7.01 %
                                

Total interest bearing liabilities

     1,199,252      43,028    4.80 %     674,545      20,673    4.10 %
                        

Non-interest bearing liabilities:

                

Demand deposits

     197,086           175,474      

Other liabilities

     10,277           6,724      
                        

Total liabilities

     1,406,615           856,743      

Stockholders' equity

     228,645           113,079      
                        

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

   $ 1,635,260         $ 969,822      
                        

Net interest income

      $ 53,535         $ 35,911   
                        

Net interest spread (3)(5)

         4.11 %         4.37 %
                        

Net interest margin (3)(6)

         4.95 %         5.39 %
                        

(1) Includes average non-accrual loans of $2.2 million and $1.0 million for the six months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
(2) Net loan fees of $5.9 million and $3.7 million are included in the yield computations for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
(3) Yields on securities, total interest-earning assets, net interest spread and net interest margin have been adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis.
(4) Includes securities available for sale, securities held to maturity, interest bearing deposits in other banks and required equity investments.
(5) Net interest spread represents the average yield earned on interest earning assets less the average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities.
(6) Net interest margin is computed by dividing net interest income, on a tax equivalent basis, by total average earning-assets.
(7) Average rates/yields for these periods have been annualized.
(8) Yields are computed based on actual number of days during the period.
(9) Certain average balances and income in prior periods have been reclassified to conform with current presentation.

 

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The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the dollar amount of changes in interest earned for interest earning assets and paid for interest bearing liabilities and the amount of change attributable to (i) average daily balances (“volume”) and (ii) interest rates (“rate”):

 

     Three months ended September 30, 2007
vs. 2006 increase (decrease) due to change
    Nine months ended September 30, 2007
vs. 2006 increase (decrease) due to change
 
     (In thousands)  
     Volume     Rate     Total     Volume     Rate     Total  

Interest and dividend income:

            

Loans

   $ 12,279     $ 65     $ 12,344     $ 37,349     $ 1,461     $ 38,810  

Investments securities

     298       8       306       808       383       1,191  

Federal funds sold

     (67 )     (2 )     (69 )     (254 )     232       (22 )
                                                

Total interest income

     12,510       71       12,581       37,903       2,076       39,979  
                                                

Interest expense:

            

Interest bearing demand

     238       9       247       493       130       623  

Money market

     1,958       81       2,039       6,036       2,150       8,186  

Savings

     172       124       296       610       310       920  

Time

     2,457       442       2,899       7,113       1,348       8,461  

Borrowings

     322       41       363       1,331       210       1,541  

Junior subordinated debt

     803       (4 )     799       2,609       15       2,624  
                                                

Total interest expense

     5,950       693       6,643       18,192       4,163       22,355  
                                                

Net interest income

   $ 6,560     $ (622 )   $ 5,938     $ 19,711     $ (2,087 )   $ 17,624  
                                                

Net interest income is derived from interest and dividends received on interest earning assets, less interest expense incurred on interest bearing liabilities. The most significant impact on the Company’s net interest income between periods is derived from the interaction of changes in volumes and rates. The volume of loans, investment securities and other interest earning assets, compared to the volume of interest bearing deposits and indebtedness, combined with the rate relationships, produces changes in the net interest income between periods.

While the Company continued to grow its loan portfolio and deposit base, interest income, interest expense and the resulting net interest income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 increased substantially from the same periods in 2006 due primarily to the acquisition of Community Bank of Arizona (September 2006) and Valley Bancorp (October 2006). These acquisitions resulted in the addition of $367.6 million of gross loans (at acquisition) and a corresponding increase in deposits of $376.0 million (at acquisition).

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, interest and dividend income increased to $33.3 million and $96.6 million, respectively, compared to $20.7 million and $56.6 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2006. The primary driver of these increases was the increase in average loans outstanding due to both organic and merger related loan growth. Also impacting interest income was loan yields for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 which increased to 9.28% and 9.32%, respectively, compared to 9.25% and 9.07%, respectively, for the same periods in 2006. The increase in the loan yields in 2007 as compared to 2006 was due primarily to upward repricing of the Company’s rate sensitive loans and higher loans fees charged on construction and land development loans.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, interest expense increased to $15.0 million and $43.0 million, respectively, compared to the $8.4 million and $20.7 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2006. The primary cause of these increases was the increase in average interest-bearing liabilities due to both organic and merger-related growth. Impacting the increase in average interest bearing liabilities (in addition to the mergers noted above) was the issuance of $51.5 million in trust preferred debt in the third quarter of 2006. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, the average cost of interest bearing liabilities increased to 4.90% and 4.80%, respectively, compared to 4.59% and 4.10% for the same periods in 2006, respectively, reflecting continued competitive pricing pressures on deposits, changes in market rates and usage of other instruments (e.g., trust preferred debt, wholesale deposits and other borrowings) to fund the Company’s growth.

 

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For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company’s net interest margin decreased to 4.90% and 4.95%, respectively, compared to 5.23% and 5.39%, respectively, in the same period in 2006. The decrease in net interest margin was primarily attributable to continued upward pricing pressures for deposits and other funding liabilities over the first nine months of 2007 in a fairly stable prime rate environment.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, net interest income before provision for loan losses increased 48.3% and 49.1%, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2006, as interest earned on higher loan volumes and increased yields outweighed the effect of increased funding liabilities and higher cost of funds. Impacting net interest income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 was the addition of $367.6 million in gross loans (at acquisition) and a corresponding increase in deposits of $376.0 million (at acquisition) from the Community Bank of Arizona and Valley Bancorp mergers in the last half of 2006 and the Company’s issuance of $51.5 million in trust preferred debt in the third quarter of 2006.

Provision for Loan Losses

The Company has established an allowance for loan losses through charges to earnings that are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income as “provision for loan losses.” Specifically, the provision for loan losses represents the amount charged against current period earnings to achieve an allowance for loan losses that, in management’s judgment, is adequate to address the risks in the Company’s loan portfolio. To quantify these risks, the Company performs a quarterly assessment of the risks inherent in its loan portfolio, as well as a detailed review of each significant loan with identified weaknesses.

A provision for loan losses of $533,000 was recorded for the third quarter of 2007 compared to $1.5 million for the third quarter of 2006 and $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to $3.1 million for the same period in 2006. The allowance for loan losses was $16.2 million, or 1.18% of total loans, as of September 30, 2007 compared to $15.0 million, or 1.19% of total loans, at December 31, 2006. While management believes that the allowance for loan losses was adequate at September 30, 2007, future additions to the allowance will be subject to continuing evaluation of estimated, known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio.

Non-Interest Income

The following table sets forth the various components of the Company’s non-interest income for the periods indicated:

 

     Three months ended
September 30,
         Nine months ended
September 30,
    
     2007    2006    Increase     2007    2006    Increase
     Amount    (decrease)     Amount    (decrease)
     (In thousands)

Service charges and other income

   $ 621    $ 460    $ 161     $ 1,806    $ 1,343    $ 463

Income from bank owned life insurance

     111      123      (12 )     340      249      91

Net swap settlements

     52      49      3       144      102      42

Rental income

     38      35      3       114      108      6

Gain on sale of securities

     —        —        —         4      —        4

Net gain on sales of loans

     —        —        —         285      —        285
                                          

Total non-interest income

   $ 822    $ 667    $ 155     $ 2,693    $ 1,802    $ 891
                                          

Non-interest income increased 23.2%, or $155,000, to $822,000 for the third quarter of 2007 compared to $667,000 for the third quarter of 2006 and increased 49.4%, or $891,000, to $2.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to $1.8 million for the same period in 2006. While the Company continued to experience organic growth throughout 2006 and the first nine months of 2007, the increase in non-interest income was due primarily to the acquisition of Community Bank of Arizona (September 2006) and Valley Bancorp (October 2006) (e.g., acquisition of additional customer accounts from which customer service fees are earned) and the increase in gain on sale of loans that included a gain of approximately $285,000 related to the sale of the Company’s credit card portfolio during the second quarter of 2007.

 

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Non-Interest Expense

The following table sets forth the components of non-interest expense for the periods indicated:

 

     Three months ended
September 30,
        Nine months ended
September 30,
      
     2007    2006    Increase    2007    2006    Increase  
     Amount    (decrease)    Amount    (decrease)  
     (In thousands)  

Salaries, wages and employee benefits

   $ 5,337    $ 3,623    $ 1,714    $ 16,638    $ 10,028    $ 6,610  

Occupancy, equipment and depreciation

     1,351      895      456      3,774      2,451      1,323  

Core deposit intangible amortization

     335      190      145      1,005      571      434  

Data processing

     246      192      54      829      648      181  

Advertising and public relations

     651      330      321      1,388      821      567  

Professional fees

     486      242      244      1,186      877      309  

Telephone and postage

     214      82      132      608      246      362  

Stationery and supplies

     189      112      77      547      315      232  

Directors fees

     71      50      21      249      737      (488 )

Insurance

     170      99      71      429      263      166  

Software maintenance

     106      68      38      327      161      166  

Loan related

     74      48      26      251      158      93  

Other operating expenses

     813      450      363      1,893      1,403      490  
                                           

Total non-interest expense

   $ 10,043    $ 6,381    $ 3,662    $ 29,124    $ 18,679    $ 10,445  
                                           

As a result of the acquisitions of Community Bank of Arizona and Valley Bancorp, the Company increased its branch network by six and added approximately eighty full time equivalent employees. In addition to this expansion through acquisitions, the Company added three new branches, closed two branches and added one administrative office during the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The expansion of facilities, human resources and loss on extinguishment of debt (see below) were the primary drivers to the Company’s increased non-interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the same periods in 2006.

For the three months ended September 30, 2007, directors’ fees increased by $21,000, but decreased $488,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, as compared to the same periods in 2006, primarily, due to the cost of issuing non-qualified stock options to directors, with immediate vesting, during the second quarter of 2006. In accordance with SFAS No. 123R the Company recognized an expense for the fair value of the options on the grant date since the options vested immediately. No such options were granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2007.

In addition to the increases resulting from the Company’s merger activities in 2006, other operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 includes a loss on extinguishment of debt of $377,000 related to the $15.5 million redemption of trust preferred securities in September 2007.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense is the sum of two components, current tax expense and deferred tax expense. Current tax expense is the result of applying the current tax rate to taxable income. Deferred tax expense reflects the income on which taxes are paid versus financial statement pre-tax income, as some items of income and expense are recognized differently for income tax purposes than for the financial statements.

For the third quarter of 2007 and 2006, the provisions for income taxes were $2.9 million and $2.0 million, representing effective tax rates of 34.7% and 39.6%, respectively, and $9.0 million and $5.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, representing effective tax rates of 35.1% and 35.6%, respectively. The primary reason for the difference from the federal statutory tax rate of 35% are the inclusion of state taxes and reductions related to tax-advantaged investments in municipal obligations and bank owned life insurance.

 

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Table of Contents

Deferred income tax assets or liabilities reflect the estimated future tax effects attributable to differences as to when certain items of income or expense are reported in the financial statements versus when they are reported in the tax return. The Company had a deferred tax liability of $522,000 as of September 30, 2007 and a deferred tax asset of $875,000 as of December 31, 2006. The change in deferred taxes was primarily attributable to the tax effect of the fair market value change in available-for-sale securities and purchase adjustments of goodwill and taxes receivable associated with the Valley Bancorp acquisition.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Investment Securities

The following table summarizes the amortized cost, fair value and distribution of the Company’s investment securities as of the dates indicated:

 

     As of September 30,
2007
   As of December 31,
2006
     Amortized
Cost
   Fair
Value
   Amortized
Cost
  

Fair

Value

     (In thousands)

Available for sale:

           

U.S. Government-sponsored agencies

   $ 28,979    $ 29,138    $ 37,963    $ 37,957

Municipal bonds

     20,773      20,869      21,312      21,426

SBA loan pools

     526      523      576      573

Mortgage-backed securities

     41,303      40,403      47,727      46,689

Mutual funds

     5      5      1,204      1,204
                           

Total available for sale

   $ 91,586    $ 90,938    $ 108,782    $ 107,849
                           

Held to maturity:

           

Municipal bonds

   $ 690    $ 703    $ 1,070    $ 1,093

SBA loan pools

     175      175      239      241
                           

Total held to maturity

   $ 865    $ 878    $ 1,309    $ 1,334
                           

Total investment securities

   $ 92,451    $ 91,816    $ 110,091    $ 109,183
                           

As of September 30, 2007, investment securities totaled $91.8 million, or 5.5% of total assets, compared to $109.2 million, or 7.0% of total assets, as of December 31, 2006. The decrease in the investment portfolio was due primarily to normal maturities. The proceeds from these maturities were used in part to fund the Company’s loan growth and reduce funding liabilities.

Available-for-sale securities totaled $90.9 million as of September 30, 2007, as compared to $107.8 million at December 31, 2006. Available-for-sale securities as a percentage of total assets decreased to 5.4% as of September 30, 2007 compared to 6.9% at December 31, 2006. Securities held to maturity decreased to $865,000 at September 30, 2007 from $1.3 million at December 31, 2006. For the first nine months of 2007, the tax equivalent yield on the average investment portfolio was 5.32%, representing an increase of 41 basis points compared to 4.91% for the same period in 2006.

 

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Table of Contents

Loans

The following table sets forth the composition of the Company’s loan portfolio as of the dates indicated:

 

     September 30,
2007
   December 31,
2006
     (In thousands)

Commercial and industrial

   $ 181,064    $ 177,583

Real estate:

     

Commercial (1)

     370,658      347,072

Residential (2)

     39,312      35,150

Construction and land development (3)(4)

     777,258      686,267

Consumer and other

     5,369      7,139
             

Total gross loans

     1,373,661      1,253,211

Less:

     

Allowance for Losses

     16,184      14,973

Net unearned loan fees and discounts

     5,306      3,397
             

Total net loans

   $ 1,352,171    $ 1,234,841
             

(1) Owner-occupied commercial real estate loans were approximately 49.7% and 48.1% of the Company’s commercial real estate loan portfolio as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.
(2) Includes loans for custom homes to high net worth customers and home equity lines of credit. This category does not contain conventional residential mortgages.
(3) Includes loans for undeveloped land of approximately $165.1 million and $223.1 million as September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.
(4) Includes loans for property zoned for 1-4 family residential real estate, which amounted to $227.8 million and $189.3 million as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.

The Company’s loan portfolio represents the largest single portion of earning assets. The quality and diversification of the Company’s loans are important considerations when reviewing the Company’s results of operations. The Company’s lending activities consist of commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, residential real estate, construction and land development and consumer and other. None of these categories of the loan portfolio contain sub-prime mortgages. For the first nine months of 2007, the largest increase in the loan portfolio was real estate – construction and land development, which increased 13.3%, indicating a continued demand for this product in the Company’s primary markets.

As of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, gross loans represented 81.9% and 79.8%, respectively of total assets.

 

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Table of Contents

Non-performing Assets

Non-performing assets include nonaccrual loans, loans past due 90 days or more still accruing interest, loans renegotiated in troubled debt restructurings and other real estate owned (“OREO”). The following table sets forth information regarding non-performing assets as of the dates indicated:

 

     September 30,
2007
    December 31,
2006
    September 30,
2006
 
     (In thousands)  

Non-accrual loans, not restructured

   $ 7,714     $ 647     $ 1,118  

Accruing loans past due 90 days or more

     —         —         47  

Restructured loans

     —         —         —    
                        

Total non-performing loans (“NPLs”)

     7,714       647       1,165  

OREO

     —         —         —    
                        

Total non-performing assets (“NPAs”)

   $ 7,714     $ 647     $ 1,165  
                        

Selected ratios

      

NPLs to total loans

     0.56 %     0.05 %     0.13 %

NPAs to total loans and OREO

     0.56 %     0.05 %     0.13 %

NPAs to total assets

     0.46 %     0.04 %     0.10 %

The composite of non-accrual loans as of September 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 was as follows:

 

     September 30, 2007     December 31, 2006  
     Non-Accrual
Balance
   %     Percent of
Total Loans
    Non-Accrual
Balance
   %     Percent of
Total Loans
 
     (In thousands, except percentage data)  

Commercial and industrial

   $ 2,036    26.4 %   0.15 %   $ 595    92.0 %   0.05 %

Real Estate:

              

Commercial

     351    4.6 %   0.03 %     —      0.0 %   0.00 %

Residential

     25    0.3 %   0.00 %     52    8.0 %   0.00 %

Construction and land development (1)

     5,297    68.6 %   0.38 %     —      0.0 %   0.00 %

Consumer and Other

     5    0.1 %   0.00 %     —      0.0 %   0.00 %
                                      

Total Loans

   $ 7,714    100.0 %   0.56 %   $ 647    100.0 %   0.05 %
                                      

(1) Includes participations loans of $2.9 million with one customer in which we are not the lead bank.

Non-performing loans as of September 30, 2007 increased by $7.1 million compared to December 31, 2006. The increase is composed primarily of $5.3 million in construction and land development loans and $1.4 million in commercial and industrial loans. The majority (59.1%) of the increase in construction and land development is due to two real estate loans relationships: one participation in which we are not the lead lender and the other is anticipated to be paid in full by another lender during the fourth quarter of 2007. The increase in commercial and industrial loans generally consists of individual loans with balances that range from $50,000 to $200,000.

 

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Table of Contents

Impaired Loans

Impaired loans are loans for which it is probable that we will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original contractual terms of the loan agreement. The category of “impaired loans” is larger in scope than the category of “nonaccrual loans,” although the two categories overlap. All loans on nonaccrual, regardless of size, are considered impaired.

The following table sets forth information regarding impaired loans as of the dates indicated:

 

     September 30,
2007
   December 31,
2006
     (In thousands)

Impaired loans with a valuation allowance

   $ 5,557    $ 811

Impaired loans without a valuation allowance

     11,452      5,239
             

Total impaired loans

   $ 17,009    $ 6,050
             

Average balance of impaired loans (1)

   $ 10,409    $ 5,889
             

Related valuation allowance

   $ 1,653    $ 232
             

Interest income recognized on impaired loans (1)

   $ 878    $ 491
             

Interest income recognized on a cash basis on impaired loans (1)

   $ 584    $ 398
             

(1) For the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and twelve months ended December 31, 2006.

The increase in impaired loans, exclusive of the increase in non-accrual loans, from $6.1 million at December 31, 2006 to $17.0 million at September 30, 2007, is impacted by six loans that are well secured and management believes the valuation allowance of $1.7 million is adequate for any potential losses from these loans.

 

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Table of Contents

Allowance for Loan Losses

The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s allowance for loan losses for the dates indicated:

 

     Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2007
    Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2007
    Year Ended
December 31,
2006
    Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2006
    Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2006
 
                 (In thousands)              

Allowance for Loan Losses:

          

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 15,985     $ 14,973     $ 8,117     $ 9,730     $ 8,117  
                                        

Charge-offs:

          

Commercial

     67       224       656       603       628  

Construction

     —         —         —         —         —    

Commercial real estate

     —         —         —         —         —    

Residential real estate

     211       227       —         —         —    

Consumer and other

     71       126       5       4       5  
                                        

Total charge-offs

     349       577       661       607       633  
                                        

Recoveries

          

Commercial

     14       286       180       7       39  

Construction

     —         —         —         —         —    

Commercial real estate

     —         —         —         —         —    

Residential real estate

     —         —         —         —         —    

Consumer and other

     1       1       12       12       12  
                                        

Total recoveries

     15       287       192       19       51  
                                        

Net loans charge-offs (recoveries)

     334       290       469       588       582  
                                        

Provision for loan losses

     533       1,501       3,509       1,517       3,124  
                                        

Allowance resulting from acquisitions

     —         —         3,816       491       491  
                                        

Balance at end of period

   $ 16,184     $ 16,184     $ 14,973     $ 11,150     $ 11,150  
                                        

Gross loans

   $ 1,373,661     $ 1,373,661     $ 1,253,211     $ 912,805     $ 912,805  

Average gross loans (net of deferred fees)

     1,351,327       1,305,660       878,862       826,613       769,160  

Non-performing loans

     7,714       7,714       647       1,165       1,165  

Selected ratios:

          

Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans (annualized)

     0.10 %     0.03 %     0.05 %     0.28 %     0.10 %

Provision for loan losses to average loans (annualized)

     0.16 %     0.15 %     0.40 %     0.73 %     0.54 %

Allowance for loan losses to gross loans outstanding at end of period

     1.18 %     1.18 %     1.19 %     1.22 %     1.22 %

Allowance for loan losses to total nonperforming loans

     210 %     210 %     2314 %     957 %     957 %

Due primarily to loan growth with an offset in part by net recoveries, the allowance for loan losses increased to $16.2 million as of September 30, 2007 compared to $15.0 million at December 31, 2006. The Company recorded a provision of $533,000 for third quarter of 2007 compared to $1.5 million for the third quarter of 2006 and $1.5 million and $3.1 million for the first nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The allowance for loan losses was 1.18% of gross loans at September 30, 2007 and 1.19% at December 31, 2006.

Management believes the level of allowance as of September 30, 2007 is adequate to absorb the estimated losses from any known or inherent risks in the loan portfolio and the loan growth during the period. However, no assurance can be given that economic conditions which adversely affect our service areas or other circumstances may not require increased provisions for loan losses in the future.

Management is committed to maintaining the allowance for loan losses at a level that is considered commensurate with estimated and known risks in the portfolio. Although the adequacy of the allowance is reviewed quarterly, management performs an ongoing assessment of the risks inherent in the portfolio. Real estate is the principal collateral for the Company’s loans.

 

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Deposits

Total deposits increased by $82.6 million, or 7.0%, to $1.3 billion as of September 30, 2007, from $1.2 billion as of December 31, 2006. The increase in deposits is directly attributed to an increase in interest bearing demand deposits and time deposits, driven in part by the Company’s participation in wholesale deposit programs.

Borrowings and Junior Subordinated Debt

The Company regularly uses Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (“FHLB”) for short term and long term borrowings. FHLB term debt, which matures from February 2008 through March 2009, amounted to $70.9 million at September 30, 2007. Interest on all FHLB borrowings accrued at an average rate of 5.18% and 5.12% for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007. Remaining available debt financing through the FHLB amounted to $85.1 million at September 30, 2007.

The Company has agreements with other lending institutions under which it can purchase up to $91.5 million of federal funds (increased by $11.5 million in October 2007). The interest rate charged on these borrowings is determined by the lending institutions at the time of borrowings. Each line is unsecured. The Company had federal funds purchased of $14.9 million as of September 30, 2007 and $3.4 million as of December 31, 2006.

On September 26, 2007, the Company borrowed $15.5 million and used the proceeds to redeem junior subordinated debt owed to Community Bancorp (NV) Statutory Trust I which used the proceeds to redeem its trust preferred issuances. The borrowing is unsecured, bears interest at the one month LIBOR plus 1.50% and is payable in the amount of $478,000 monthly (commencing in October 2007) with all unpaid interest and principal due on September 26. 2010. The one month LIBOR rate at September 30, 2007 was 5.13%. Additionally, the loan agreement includes certain dividend restrictions.

The Company has a promissory note agreement with a correspondent bank for a $10.0 million revolving line of credit. The line is unsecured. The initial interest rate is 6.30%, subject to adjustment based on the 30-day LIBOR, and expires on December 19, 2007. A fee based on the unused portion of the line of credit will be paid quarterly in arrears, at an annual rate of  1/8% and calculated based on the average unused portion of the line of credit for the previous quarter. As of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, there were no outstanding borrowings under this agreement.

As of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the Company had outstanding junior subordinated debt of approximately $72.2 million and $87.6 million, respectively, consisting of trust preferred securities (collectively, the “Securities”) issuances. The securities issued through Community Bancorp (NV) Statutory Trust I ($15.5 million) bore interest at the three month LIBOR rate plus 3.40%. In September 2007 the Company redeemed these securities at par value, utilizing the proceeds from the September 26, 2007 loan (see Note 7) to effectuate the redemption. Securities issued through Community Bancorp Statutory Trust II ($25.0 million) bear interest at LIBOR plus 1.60%. Community Bancorp (NV) Statutory Trust III is composed of fixed and variable issuances. The Community Bancorp (NV) Statutory Trust III issuances bear interest at a fixed rate of 5.94% ($20.6 million) and 6.78% ($26.5 million) for the first seven and five years, respectively, and convert to the three-month LIBOR rate plus 1.37% and 1.60%, respectively, through maturity. The three month LIBOR rate at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 was 5.49% and 5.36%, respectively.

In accordance with FIN 46 (revised December 2004), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities-an interpretation of ARB No. 51, statutory trusts are not reported on a consolidated basis. Therefore, the trust preferred debt securities of $70.0 million do not appear on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Instead, the junior subordinated debentures of $72.2 million payable by Community Bancorp to the statutory trusts and the investment in the statutory trusts common stock of $2.2 million (included in other assets) are reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

REGULATORY MATTERS

The regulatory capital guidelines as well as the actual capital ratios for Community Bank of Nevada, Community Bank of Arizona and the Company as of September 30, 2007 are as follows:

 

                

Actual

 
     Minimum
Regulatory
    Well
Capitalized
    Community
Bank of
Nevada
    Community
Bank of
Arizona
    Community
Bancorp
 

Tier 1 leverage capital

   4.00 %   5.00 %   11.74 %   28.42 %   11.89 %

Tier 1 risk-based capital

   4.00 %   6.00 %   11.44 %   34.54 %   11.73 %

Total risk-based capital

   8.00 %   10.00 %   12.47 %   35.76 %   12.77 %

 

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In March 2005, the Federal Reserve Bank adopted a final rule that allows the continued inclusion of trust preferred securities in the Tier I capital of bank holding companies, subject to stricter quantitative limits and qualitative standards. Under the final ruling, qualifying mandatory preferred securities may be included in Tier I capital, subject to a limit of 25% of all core capital. Amounts of restricted core capital elements in excess of this limit generally may be included in Tier II capital. The qualitative limits become effective on March 31, 2009, after a four-year transition period. As of September 30, 2007, the junior subordinated debentures have been included in Tier I capital for regulatory capital purposes up to the specified limit ($70.0 million).

LIQUIDITY MANAGEMENT

The Company’s liquidity represented by cash and due from banks, federal funds sold and available-for-sale securities, is a result of its operating, investing and financing activities and related cash flows. In order to ensure funds are available at all times, the Company devotes resources to projecting the amount of funds that will be required and maintains relationships with a diversified customer base so that funds are accessible. The Company has the ability to increase liquidity by soliciting higher levels of deposit accounts through promotional activities, wholesale funding, borrowing from its correspondent banks, and the FHLB.

Management believes the Company’s liquid assets are adequate to meet its cash flow needs for loan funding and deposit withdrawals. At September 30, 2007, the Company had $137.1 million in liquid assets comprised of $46.2 million in cash and cash equivalents and $90.9 million in available-for-sale securities. The $16.8 million decrease in liquidity since December 31, 2006 was primarily a result of lower available-for-sale securities resulting from scheduled maturities which were used in part to fund the Company’s 2007 loan growth.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk is the risk of loss in a financial instrument arising from adverse changes in market prices, interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices. The Company’s market risk arises primarily from interest rate risk inherent in its lending and deposit taking activities. Management uses various asset/liability strategies to manage the re-pricing characteristics of the Company’s earning assets and funding liabilities to ensure that exposure to interest rate fluctuations is within its guidelines of acceptable risk-taking. Hedging strategies, including the terms and pricing of loans and deposits, and managing the deployment of the Company’s securities are used to reduce mismatches in interest rate re-pricing opportunities of portfolio assets and their funding sources.

Interest rate risk is addressed by our Asset Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”) which is comprised of executive officers of the Company. The ALCO monitors interest rate risk by analyzing the potential impact on the net equity value and net interest income from potential changes in interest rates, and considers the impact of alternative strategies or changes in balance sheet structure. The ALCO manages the Company’s balance sheet in part to maintain, within acceptable ranges, the potential impact on net equity value and net interest income despite fluctuations in market interest rates.

Exposure to interest rate risk is reviewed on at least a quarterly basis by the ALCO and the Board of Directors. Interest rate risk exposure is measured using interest rate sensitivity analysis to determine the change in net portfolio value in the event of hypothetical changes in interest rates. If potential changes to net equity value and net interest income resulting from hypothetical interest rate changes are not within the limits established by the Board of Directors, management may adjust the asset and liability mix to bring interest rate risk within approved limits.

 

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Controls and Procedures

With the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) were evaluated as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that:

 

(a) information required to be disclosed by the Company in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the other reports which the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act would be accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure;

 

(b) information required to be disclosed by the Company in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the other reports which the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act would be recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms; and

 

(c) the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to ensure that material information relating to the Company and its consolidated subsidiary is made known to them, particularly during the period for which periodic reports, including this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, are being prepared.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

There have been no material changes in legal proceedings as described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in the discussion pertaining to risk factors that was provided in the December 31, 2006 Form 10-K.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Stock Repurchase Program

The Board of Directors at its regular meeting of July 25, 2007, authorized the purchase of up to 5% of the Company’s outstanding shares as of June 30, 2007, or 520,996 shares, over the next twelve months. The repurchase program seeks to reduce the number of outstanding shares resulting in an improvement to the Company’s earnings per share and to its return on equity. All shares were purchased at current market prices on the date of transaction in compliance with the SEC rules. During the quarter ended September 30, 2007, the total number of shares repurchased was 42,800 at an average weighted average price of $23.01. As of September 30, 2007, the Company could repurchase up to an additional 478,196 shares under the July 2007 authorization.

During the third quarter of 2007, share repurchase activity was as follows:

 

     Total number
of shares
   Average price
paid per share
   Remaining shares that may
be purchased under the
authorization

Period

        

July 2007

   —        —      520,996

August 2007

   42,800    $ 23.01    478,196

September 2007

   —        —      478,196
              

Third quarter 2007 totals

   42,800    $ 23.01    478,196
              

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None.

 

Item 5. Other Information

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

31.1    Rule 13a-14(a) Certification by Chief Executive Officer
31.2    Rule 13a-14(a) Certification by Chief Financial Officer
32.1    Section 1350 Certifications

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

COMMUNITY BANCORP
By:  

/s/ EDWARD M. JAMISON

   

Edward M. Jamison

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

Dated: November 6, 2007
COMMUNITY BANCORP
By:  

/s/ PATRICK HARTMAN

 

Patrick Hartman

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

(Chief Accounting Officer)

Dated: November 6, 2007

 

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