GREENE COUNTY BANCSHARES, INC.
 

 
 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K/A

(Amendment No. 1)

FOR ANNUAL AND TRANSITION REPORTS
PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

(Mark One)

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004

OR

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

For the transition period from _____________________ to ________________

Commission file number 0-14289

GREENE COUNTY BANCSHARES, INC.


(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Tennessee   62-1222567

 
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)    
     
100 North Main Street, Greeneville, Tennessee   37743-4992

 
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (423) 639-5111.

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

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

Common Stock — $2.00 par value

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 þ NO o

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2 of the Act.) YES þ NO o

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant on June 30, 2004 was $152.0 million. The market value calculation was determined using the closing sale price of the registrant’s common stock on June 30, 2004, as reported on the Nasdaq National Market. For purposes of this calculation, the term “affiliate” refers to all directors, executive officers and 10% shareholders of the registrant. As of the close of business on March 11, 2005, 7,650,816 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The following lists the documents incorporated by reference and the Part of the Form 10-K into which the document is incorporated:

     1. Portions of Proxy Statement for 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. (Part III)

 
 

 


 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Greene County Bancshares, Inc., a Tennessee corporation (the “Company”), is filing this Amendment No. 1 (the “Amendment No. 1”) to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 11, 2005 (the “Original Form 10-K”), to correct certain typographical errors and reclassify certain amounts in Item 1 of Part I and Items 6 and 7 of Part II of the Original Form 10-K. Except as identified above, no other amendments or changes to the Original Form 10-K are made by this Amendment No. 1 and the remainder of the Original Form 10-K shall remain in effect as of the date of filing of the Original Form 10-K. Additionally, this Amendment No. 1 does not purport to provide an update or discussion of any other developments subsequent to the filing of the Original Form 10-K.


 

PART I

Forward-Looking Statements

     The information contained herein contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. A number of factors, including those discussed herein, could cause results to differ materially from those anticipated by such forward-looking statements which are within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In addition, such forward-looking statements are necessarily dependent upon assumptions, estimates and data that may be incorrect or imprecise. Accordingly, any forward-looking statements included herein do not purport to be predictions of future events or circumstances and may not be realized. Forward-looking statements can be identified by, among other things, the use of forward-looking terminology such as “intends,” “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “pro forma” or “anticipates,” or the negatives thereof, or other variations thereon of comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy or intentions. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, projections of income or loss, expenditures, acquisitions, plans for future operations, financing needs or plans relating to services of the Company, as well as assumptions relating to the foregoing. The Company’s actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, but not limited to (1) unanticipated deterioration in the financial condition of borrowers resulting in significant increases in loan losses and provisions for those losses; (2) lack of sustained growth in the economy in the markets that the Bank serves; (3) increased competition with other financial institutions in the markets that the Bank serves; (4) changes in the legislative and regulatory environment; (5) the Company’s successful implementation of its growth strategy; and (6) the loss of key personnel. All forward-looking statements herein are based on information available to us as of the date the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Presentation of Amounts

     All dollar amounts set forth below, other than per-share amounts, are in thousands unless otherwise noted.

The Company

     Greene County Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) was formed in 1985 and serves as the bank holding company for Greene County Bank (the “Bank”), which is a Tennessee-chartered commercial bank that conducts the principal business of the Company. At December 31, 2004, and based on Federal Reserve Board (“FRB”) data as of September 30, 2004, the Company believes it was the second largest bank holding company headquartered in the state of Tennessee. At December 31, 2004, the Company maintained a main office in Greeneville, Tennessee and 41 full-service bank branches (of which eight are in leased operating premises) and nine separate locations operated by the Bank’s subsidiaries.

     The Company’s assets consist primarily of its investment in the Bank and liquid investments. Its primary activities are conducted through the Bank. At December 31, 2004, the Company’s consolidated total assets were $1,233,403, its consolidated net loans, including loans held for sale, were $1,032,297, its total deposits were $998,022 and its total shareholders’ equity was $108,718.

     The Company’s net income is dependent primarily on its net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income earned on its loans, investment assets and other interest-earning assets and the interest paid on deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities. To a lesser extent, the Company’s net income also is affected by its noninterest income derived principally from service charges and fees as well as the level of noninterest expenses such as salaries and employee benefits.

     The operations of the Company are significantly affected by prevailing economic conditions, competition and the monetary, fiscal and regulatory policies of governmental agencies. Lending activities are

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influenced by the general credit needs of individuals and small and medium-sized businesses in the Company’s market area, competition among lenders, the level of interest rates and the availability of funds. Deposit flows and costs of funds are influenced by prevailing market rates of interest, primarily the rates paid on competing investments, account maturities and the levels of personal income and savings in the Company’s market area.

     The principal executive offices of the Company are located at 100 North Main Street, Greeneville, Tennessee 37743-4992 and its telephone number is (423) 639-5111.

The Bank

     The Bank is a Tennessee-chartered commercial bank established in 1890 which has its principal executive offices in Greeneville, Tennessee. The principal business of the Bank consists of attracting deposits from the general public and investing those funds, together with funds generated from operations and from principal and interest payments on loans, primarily in commercial loans, commercial and residential real estate loans, and installment consumer loans. The Bank also provides collection and other banking services, directly and through its finance, acceptance and title subsidiary corporations. At December 31, 2004, the Bank had 40 full-service banking offices located throughout East Tennessee, including Greene, Washington, Blount, Knox, Hamblen, McMinn, Loudon, Hawkins, Sullivan, Cocke and Monroe Counties, and in Middle Tennessee, Sumner, Rutherford, Davidson and Lawrence Counties. The Bank also operates two other full service branches–one located in nearby Madison County, North Carolina and the other in nearby Bristol, Virginia. Further, the Bank operates a trust and money management function doing business as President’s Trust from offices in Wilson County, Tennessee, and a mortgage banking operation in Knox County, Tennessee.

     The Bank also conducts separate businesses through three wholly owned subsidiaries. Through Superior Financial Services, Inc. (“Superior Financial”), the Bank operates eight consumer finance company offices located in Greene, Blount, Hamblen, Washington, Sullivan, Sevier, Knox and Bradley Counties, Tennessee. Through GCB Acceptance Corporation (“GCB Acceptance”), the Bank operates a sub-prime automobile lending company with a sole office in Johnson City, Tennessee. Through Fairway Title Co., the Bank operates a title company headquartered in its main office in Knox County, Tennessee.

     Deposits of the Bank are insured by the Bank Insurance Fund (“BIF”) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) to a maximum of $100,000 for each insured depositor. The Bank is subject to supervision and regulation by the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions (the “Banking Department”) and the FDIC. See “Regulation, Supervision and Governmental Policy.”

     On November 21, 2003, the Company entered the Middle Tennessee market by completing its acquisition of Gallatin, Tennessee-based Independent Bankshares Corporation (“IBC”). IBC was the bank holding company for First Independent Bank, which had four offices in Gallatin and Hendersonville, Tennessee, and Rutherford Bank and Trust, with three offices in Murfreesboro and Smyrna, Tennessee. First Independent Bank and Rutherford Bank and Trust were subsequently merged with the Bank, with the Bank as the surviving entity. Consideration in the transaction included the issuance of 836,114 shares of the Company’s common stock and payment of approximately $9,060 in cash and $198 in stock options in exchange for all outstanding IBC common stock.

     On November 15, 2004 the Company established banking operations in Nashville, Tennessee, with the opening of its first full-service branch of Middle Tennessee Bank & Trust, which, like all of the Bank’s bank brands, operates within the Bank’s structure. This new branch in Davidson County, Tennessee expands the Company’s presence in the Middle Tennessee market and helps fill in the market between Sumner and Rutherford Counties.

     On December 10, 2004 the Company purchased three full-service branches from National Bank of Commerce located in Lawrence County Tennessee. This purchase (“NBC transaction”) fits strategically with the Bank’s operations in Rutherford and Sumner Counties, as well as the November, 2004 initiative into Davidson County.

Growth and Business Strategy

     The Company expects that, over the intermediate term, its growth from mergers and acquisitions, including acquisitions of both entire financial institutions and selected branches of financial institutions, will

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continue. De novo branching will also be a method of growth, particularly in high-growth and other demographically-desirable markets.

     The Company’s strategic plan outlines a geographic expansion policy within a 300-mile radius of its headquarters in Greene County, Tennessee. This policy could result in the Company expanding westward and eastward up to and including Nashville, Tennessee and Roanoke, Virginia, respectively, east/southeast up to and including the Piedmont area of North Carolina and western North Carolina, southward to northern Georgia and northward into eastern and central Kentucky. In particular, the Company believes the markets in and around Knoxville, Nashville and Chattanooga, Tennessee are highly desirable areas with respect to expansion and growth plans.

     In addition to the Company’s business model, which is summarized in the paragraphs above entitled “The Company” and “The Bank”, the Company is continuously investigating and analyzing other lines and areas of business. These include, but are not limited to, various types of insurance and real estate activities. Conversely, the Company frequently evaluates and analyzes the profitability, risk factors and viability of its various business lines and segments and, depending upon the results of these evaluations and analyses, may conclude to exit certain segments and/or business lines. Further, in conjunction with these ongoing evaluations and analyses, the Company may decide to sell, merge or close certain branch facilities.

Lending Activities

     General. The loan portfolio of the Company is composed of commercial, commercial and residential real estate and installment consumer loans. Such loans are primarily originated within the Company’s market areas of East and Middle Tennessee and are generally secured by residential or commercial real estate or business or personal property located in the counties of Greene, Washington, Hamblen, Sullivan, Hawkins, Blount, Knox, McMinn, Loudon, Monroe, Cocke, Sumner, Rutherford, Davidson and Lawrence Counties, Tennessee.

     Loan Composition. The following table sets forth the composition of the Company’s loans at December 31 for each of the periods indicated.

                                         
    2004     2003     2002     2001     2000  
Commercial
  $ 165,975     $ 134,823     $ 93,836     $ 96,122     $ 87,680  
Commercial real estate
    484,088       445,104       342,407       295,002       288,254  
Residential real estate
    319,713       295,528       233,128       210,489       204,202  
Loans held for sale
    1,151       3,546       6,646       7,945       1,725  
Consumer
    82,532       81,624       77,644       80,314       88,687  
Other
    4,989       6,134       14,938       13,779       12,493  
 
                             
Total
    1,058,448       966,759       768,599       703,651       683,041  
 
                                       
Less:
                                       
Unearned Income
    (10,430 )     (10,988 )     (11,696 )     (13,159 )     (14,248 )
Allowance for loan losses
    (15,721 )     (14,564 )     (12,586 )     (11,221 )     (11,728 )
 
                             
Net loans
  $ 1,032,297     $ 941,207     $ 744,317     $ 679,271     $ 657,065  
 
                             

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     Loan Maturities. The following table reflects at December 31, 2004 the dollar amount of loans maturing based on their contractual terms to maturity. Demand loans, loans having no stated schedule of repayments and loans having no stated maturity are reported as due in one year or less.

                                 
    Due in One     Due After One Year     Due After        
    Year or Less     Through Five Years     Five Years     Total  
Commercial
  $ 101,785     $ 58,541     $ 5,649     $ 165,975  
Commercial real estate
    172,164       273,236       38,688       484,088  
Residential real estate
    41,968       102,082       175,663       319,713  
Loans held-for-sale
    1,151                   1,151  
Consumer
    19,376       61,329       1,827       82,532  
Other
    3,619       1,123       247       4,989  
 
                       
Total
  $ 340,063     $ 496,311     $ 222,074     $ 1,058,448  
 
                       

     The following table sets forth the dollar amount of the loans maturing subsequent to the year ending December 31, 2005 distinguished between those with predetermined interest rates and those with floating, or variable, interest rates.

                         
    Fixed Rate     Variable Rate     Total  
Commercial
  $ 39,554     $ 24,636     $ 64,190  
Commercial real estate
    192,385       119,539       311,924  
Residential real estate
    157,902       119,843       277,745  
Loans held-for-sale
                 
Consumer
    61,784       1,372       63,156  
Other
    1,209       161       1,370  
 
                 
Total
  $ 452,834     $ 265,551     $ 718,385  
 
                 

     Commercial Loans. Commercial loans are made for a variety of business purposes, including working capital, inventory and equipment and capital expansion. At December 31, 2004, commercial loans outstanding totaled $165,975, or 16.08%, of the Company’s net loan portfolio. Such loans are usually amortized over one to seven years and generally mature within five years. Commercial loan applications must be supported by current financial information on the borrower and, where appropriate, by adequate collateral. Commercial loans are generally underwritten by addressing cash flow (debt service coverage), primary and secondary sources of repayment, financial strength of any guarantor, liquidity, leverage, management experience, ownership structure, economic conditions and industry-specific trends and collateral. The loan to value ratio depends on the type of collateral. Generally speaking, accounts receivable are financed between 70% and 80% of accounts receivable less than 90 days past due. If other collateral is taken to support the loan, the loan to value of accounts receivable may approach 85%. Inventory financing will range between 50% and 60% depending on the borrower and nature of inventory. The Company requires a first lien position for such loans. These types of loans are generally considered to be a higher credit risk than other loans originated by the Company.

     Commercial Real Estate Loans. The Company originates commercial loans, generally to existing business customers, secured by real estate located in the Company’s market area. At December 31, 2004, commercial real estate loans totaled $484,088 or 46.89%, of the Company’s net loan portfolio. Such loans are usually amortized over 10 to 20 years, generally mature within five years and are priced based in part upon the prime rate, as reported in The Wall Street Journal. Commercial real estate loans are generally underwritten by addressing cash flow (debt service coverage), primary and secondary source of repayment, financial strength of any guarantor, strength of the tenant (if any), liquidity, leverage, management experience, ownership structure, economic conditions and industry specific trends and collateral. Generally, the Company will loan up to 80-85% of the value of improved property, 65% of the value of raw land and 75% of the value of land to be acquired and developed. A first lien on the property and assignment of lease is required if the collateral is rental property, with second lien positions considered on a case-by-case basis.

     Residential Real Estate. The Company also originates one-to-four family, owner-occupied residential mortgage loans secured by property located in the Company’s primary market area. The majority of the Company’s residential mortgage loans consists of loans secured by owner-occupied, single-family residences.

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At December 31, 2004, the Company had $319,713, or 30.97%, of its net loan portfolio in residential real estate loans. Residential real estate loans generally have a loan-to-value ratio of 85%. These loans are underwritten by giving consideration to the ability to pay, stability of employment or source of income, credit history and loan-to-value ratio. Home equity loans make up approximately 27% of residential real estate loans. Home equity loans may have higher loan-to-value ratios when the borrower’s repayment capacity and credit history conform to underwriting standards. Superior Financial extends sub-prime mortgages to borrowers who generally have a higher risk of default than mortgages extended by the Bank. Sub-prime mortgages totaled $12,314 or 3.85%, of the Company’s residential real estate loans at December 31, 2004.

     The Company sells most of its one-to-four family mortgage loans in the secondary market to Freddie Mac and other mortgage investors through the Bank’s mortgage banking operation. Sales of such loans to Freddie Mac and other mortgage investors totaled $49,892 and $78,478 during 2004 and 2003, respectively, and the related mortgage servicing rights were sold together with the loans.

     Installment Consumer Loans. At December 31, 2004, the Company’s installment consumer loan portfolio totaled $82,532, or 7.99%, of the Company’s total net loan portfolio. The Company’s consumer loan portfolio is composed of secured and unsecured loans originated by the Bank, Superior Financial and GCB Acceptance. The consumer loans of the Bank have a higher risk of default than other loans originated by the Bank. Further, consumer loans originated by Superior Financial and GCB Acceptance, which are finance companies rather than banks, generally have a greater risk of default than such loans originated by commercial banks and, accordingly, carry a higher interest rate. Superior Financial and GCB Acceptance installment consumer loans totaled approximately $29,919, or 36.25%, of the Company’s installment consumer loans at December 31, 2004. The performance of consumer loans will be affected by the local and regional economy as well as the rates of personal bankruptcies, job loss, divorce and other individual-specific characteristics.

     Past Due, Special Mention, Classified and Nonaccrual Loans. The Company classifies its problem loans into three categories: past due loans, special mention loans and classified loans (both accruing and non-accruing interest).

     When management determines that a loan is no longer performing, and that collection of interest appears doubtful, the loan is placed on nonaccrual status. All loans that are 90 days past due are considered nonaccrual unless they are adequately secured and there is reasonable assurance of full collection of principal and interest. Management closely monitors all loans that are contractually 90 days past due, treated as “special mention” or otherwise classified or on nonaccrual status. Nonaccrual loans that are 120 days past due without assurance of repayment are charged off against the allowance for loan losses.

     The following table sets forth information with respect to the Company’s nonperforming assets at the dates indicated. At these dates, the Company did not have any restructured loans within the meaning of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 15.

                                         
    At December, 31  
    2004     2003     2002     2001     2000  
Loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis
  $ 6,242     $ 4,305     $ 7,475     $ 5,857     $ 4,813  
Accruing loans which are contractually past due 90 days or more as to interest or principal payments
    664       224       307       871       475  
 
                             
Total nonperforming loans
    6,906       4,529       7,782       6,728       5,288  
Real estate owned:
                                       
Foreclosures
    1,353       3,599       4,805       2,589       1,937  
Other real estate held and repossessed assets
    213       627       767       623       350  
 
                             
Total nonperforming assets
  $ 8,472     $ 8,755     $ 13,354     $ 9,940     $ 7,575  
 
                             

     The Company’s continuing efforts to resolve nonperforming loans occasionally include foreclosures, which result in the Company’s ownership of the real estate underlying the mortgage. If nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2004 had been current according to their original terms and had been outstanding throughout

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2004, or since origination if originated during the year, interest income on these loans would have been approximately $244. Interest actually recognized on these loans during 2004 was not significant.

     Foreclosed real estate decreased $2,246 or 62.41% to $1,353 at December 31, 2004 from $3,599 at December 31, 2003. The real estate consists of 13 properties, of which three are commercial properties with a carrying value of $703, five are single family residential properties with a carrying value of $383, three are multi-family homes with a carrying value of $257 and two are vacant lots with a carrying value of $10. Management expects to liquidate these properties during 2005. Management has recorded these properties at fair value less estimated selling cost and the subsequent sale of such properties is not expected to result in any adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, subject to business and marketing conditions at the time of sale. Other repossessed assets decreased $414, or 66.03% to $213 at December 31, 2004 from $627 at December 31, 2003. This decrease is primarily due to improved repossession results at Superior Financial and GCB Acceptance.

     Total impaired loans increased by $1,578 or 14.84%, from $10,632 at December 31, 2003 to $12,210 at December 31, 2004. This increase is primarily reflective of additional impaired loans in the Bank resulting from several commercial relationships placed on nonaccrual status and in the process of litigation or foreclosure action.

     At December 31, 2004, the Company had approximately $5,968 in loans that are not currently classified as nonaccrual or 90 days past due or otherwise restructured but which known information about possible credit problems of borrowers caused management to have concerns as to the ability of the borrowers to comply with present loan repayment terms. Such loans were considered classified by the Company and were composed primarily of various commercial, commercial real estate and consumer loans. These loans are adequately secured and management does not expect any material loss.

     Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level which management believes is adequate to absorb all probable losses on loans then present in the loan portfolio. The amount of the allowance is affected by: (1) loan charge-offs, which decrease the allowance; (2) recoveries on loans previously charged-off, which increase the allowance; and (3) the provision of possible loan losses charged to income, which increases the allowance. In determining the provision for possible loan losses, it is necessary for management to monitor fluctuations in the allowance resulting from actual charge-offs and recoveries, and to periodically review the size and composition of the loan portfolio in light of current and anticipated economic conditions in an effort to evaluate portfolio risks. If actual losses exceed the amount of the allowance for loan losses, earnings of the Company could be adversely affected. The amount of the provision is based on management’s judgment of those risks. During the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company’s provision for loan losses increased slightly by $61, or 1.06%, to $5,836 from $5,775 for the year ended December 31, 2003, while the allowance for loan losses increased by $1,157, or 7.94%, to $15,721 at December 31, 2004 from $14,564 at December 31, 2003. Although the increase in provisions from 2003 to 2004 was modest, management nevertheless deemed that provisions in excess of net charge-offs were necessary in order to appropriately maintain the allowance to accommodate loan growth. In addition, the allowance for loan losses was increased by $363 in 2004 by the allowance acquired in the NBC transaction.

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     The following is a summary of activity in the allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated:

                                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2004     2003     2002     2001     2000  
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 14,564     $ 12,586     $ 11,221     $ 11,728     $ 10,332  
Reserve acquired in acquisition
    363       1,340                    
 
                             
Subtotal
    14,927       13,926       11,221       11,728       10,332  
 
                                       
Charge-offs:
                                       
Commercial
    (1,538 )     (1,007 )     (1,216 )     (411 )     (429 )
Commercial real estate
    (1,044 )     (664 )     (956 )     (997 )     (537 )
 
                             
Subtotal
    (2,582 )     (1,671 )     (2,172 )     (1,408 )     (966 )
 
                                       
Residential real estate
    (424 )     (745 )     (740 )     (669 )     (800 )
Consumer
    (3,962 )     (4,381 )     (4,736 )     (5,753 )     (6,022 )
Other
    (12 )                        
 
                             
Total charge-offs
    (6,980 )     (6,797 )     (7,648 )     (7,830 )     (7,788 )
 
                             
 
                                       
Recoveries:
                                       
Commercial
    304       195       239       11       43  
Commercial real estate
    66       92       54       54       137  
 
                             
Subtotal
    370       287       293       65       180  
 
                                       
Residential real estate
    63       92       141       102       69  
Consumer
    1,504       1,281       1,514       1,197       926  
Other
    1                          
 
                             
Total recoveries
    1,938       1,660       1,948       1,364       1,175  
 
                             
Net charge-offs
    (5,042 )     (5,137 )     (5,700 )     (6,466 )     (6,613 )
 
                                       
Provision for loan losses
    5,836       5,775       7,065       5,959       8,009  
 
                             
Balance at end of year
  $ 15,721     $ 14,564     $ 12,586     $ 11,221     $ 11,728  
 
                             
 
                                       
Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans outstanding, net of unearned income, during the period
    0.51 %     0.64 %     0.80 %     0.94 %     1.09 %
 
                             
 
                                       
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans
    227.64 %     321.57 %     161.73 %     166.78 %     221.79 %
 
                             
 
                                       
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to total loans, net of unearned income
    1.50 %     1.53 %     1.68 %     1.64 %     1.76 %
 
                             

7


 

     Breakdown of allowance for loan losses by category. The following table presents an allocation among the listed loan categories of the Company’s allowance for loan losses at the dates indicated and the percentage of loans in each category to the total amount of loans at the respective year-ends.

                                                                                 
    At December 31,  
    2004     2003     2002     2001     2000  
            Percent             Percent             Percent             Percent             Percent  
            of loan             of loan in             of loan in             of loan in             of loan in  
            in each             each             each             each             each  
            category             category             category             category             category  
Balance at end of period           to total             to total             to total             to total             to total  
applicable to   Amount     loans     Amount     loans     Amount     loans     Amount(1)     loans     Amount(1)     loans  
Commercial
  $ 3,666       15.68 %   $ 3,001       13.95 %   $ 1,998       12.21 %   $ 2,072       13.66 %   $ 1,482       12.84 %
Commercial real estate
    5,939       45.73 %     4,737       46.04 %     3,961       44.56 %     3,144       41.93 %     4,443       42.20 %
Residential real estate
    1,922       30.21 %     2,037       30.57 %     2,031       30.33 %     1,951       29.91 %     2,067       29.90 %
Loans held-for-sale
          0.11 %           0.37 %           0.86 %           1.13 %           0.25 %
Consumer
    3,856       7.80 %     4,080       8.44 %     4,153       10.10 %     3,581       11.41 %     3,268       12.98 %
Other
    338       0.47 %     709       0.63 %     443       1.94 %     473       1.96 %     468       1.83 %
 
                                                           
 
                                                                               
Totals
  $ 15,721       100.0 %   $ 14,564       100.0 %   $ 12,586       100.0 %   $ 11,221       100.0 %   $ 11,728       100.0 %
 
                                                           


(1)   Balances related to certain loan categories have been reclassified in prior years to reflect revised allocation methods used in 2002.

Investment Activities

     General. The Company maintains a portfolio of investments to provide liquidity and an additional source of income.

     Securities by Category. The following table sets forth the carrying value of the securities, by major categories, held by the Company at December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002.

                         
    At December 31,  
    2004     2003     2002  
Securities Held to Maturity:
                       
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government, corporations and agencies
  $ 250     $ 748     $  
Obligations of state and political subdivisions
    3,382       4,136       448  
Corporate Securities
    749       748        
 
                 
 
                       
Total
  $ 4,381     $ 5,632     $ 448  
 
                 
 
                       
Securities Available for Sale:
                       
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government, corporations and agencies
  $ 26,989     $ 24,720     $ 25,769  
Obligations of state and political subdivisions
    1,821       1,880       1,053  
Trust Preferred Securities
    6,508       6,599       6,500  
 
                 
 
                       
Total
  $ 35,318     $ 33,199     $ 33,322  
 
                 

8


 

     Maturity Distributions of Securities. The following table sets forth the distributions of maturities of securities at amortized cost as of December 31, 2004.

                                         
            Due After One     Due After Five              
    Due in One Year     Year through     Years through 10     Due After        
    or Less     Five Years     Years     10 Years     Total  
US Treasury securities and Federal agency obligations – available for sale
  $ 5,010     $ 15,522     $ 2,627     $ 3,889     $ 27,048  
Federal agency obligations – held to maturity
    250                         250  
Obligations of state and political subdivisions – available for sale
    100       818       895             1,813  
Obligations of state and political subdivisions – held to maturity
    200       1,460       1,372       350       3,382  
Other securities – available for sale
                      6,500       6,500  
Other securities – held to maturity
          491       258             749  
 
                             
 
                                       
Subtotal
  $ 5,560     $ 18,291     $ 5,152     $ 10,739     $ 39,742  
 
                                       
Market value adjustment on available-for- sale securities
    (24 )     (56 )     (2 )     39       (43 )
 
                             
 
                                       
Total
  $ 5,536     $ 18,235     $ 5,150     $ 10,778     $ 39,699  
 
                             
 
                                       
Weighted average yield (a)
    2.38 %     3.21 %     3.95 %     5.20 %     3.72 %
 
                             


(a)   Actual yields on tax-exempt obligations do not differ materially from yields computed on a tax equivalent basis.

Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

9


 

Deposits

     Deposits are the primary source of funds for the Company. Such deposits consist of checking accounts, regular savings deposits, NOW accounts, Money Market Accounts and market rate Certificates of Deposit. Deposits are attracted from individuals, partnerships and corporations in the Company’s market area. In addition, the Company obtains deposits from state and local entities and, to a lesser extent, U.S. Government and other depository institutions. The Company’s policy permits the acceptance of limited amounts of brokered deposits.

     The following table sets forth the average balances and average interest rates based on daily balances for deposits for the periods indicated.

                                                 
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2004     2003     2002  
    Average     Average     Average     Average     Average     Average  
    Balance     Rate Paid     Balance     Rate Paid     Balance     Rate Paid  
Types of deposits (all in domestic offices):
                                               
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
  $ 105,763           $ 73,432           $ 63,373        
Interest-bearing demand deposits
    272,382       0.59 %     225,508       0.61 %     217,249       1.06 %
Savings deposits
    63,732       0.26 %     54,857       0.36 %     51,854       0.95 %
Time deposits
    466,392       2.24 %     384,836       2.87 %     344,059       3.62 %
 
                                         
Total deposits
  $ 908,269             $ 738,633             $ 676,535          
 
                                         

     The following table indicates the amount of the Company’s certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more by time remaining until maturity as of December 31, 2004.

         
    Certificates of  
Maturity Period   Deposits  
Three months or less
  $ 44,767  
Over three through six months
    22,438  
Over six through twelve months
    35,211  
Over twelve months
    43,809  
 
     
 
       
Total
  $ 146,225  
 
     

10


 

Competition

     To compete effectively, the Company relies substantially on local commercial activity; personal contacts by its directors, officers, other employees and shareholders; personalized services; and its reputation in the communities it serves.

     According to data as of June 30, 2004 published by SNL Financial LC and using information from the FDIC, the Bank ranked as the largest independent commercial bank headquartered in East Tennessee, and its major market areas include Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Sullivan, Washington, Madison, Loudon, Blount, Knox, McMinn, Sumner, Rutherford, Davidson and Lawrence Counties, Tennessee and portions of Cocke, Monroe and Jefferson Counties, Tennessee. In Greene County, in which the Company enjoyed its largest deposit share as of June 30, 2004, there were seven commercial banks and one savings bank, operating 27 branches and holding an aggregate of approximately $840 million in deposits as of June 30, 2004. The following table sets forth the Bank’s deposit share, excluding credit unions, in each county in which it has a full-service branch(s) as of June 30, 2004, according to data published by the FDIC:

         
County3   Deposit Share  
Greene, TN
    33.34 %
Lawrence, TN1
    13.26 %
Hawkins, TN
    13.06 %
Blount, TN
    11.12 %
Sumner, TN
    7.04 %
McMinn, TN
    6.28 %
Hamblen, TN
    5.39 %
Cocke, TN
    4.97 %
Madison, NC
    4.59 %
Washington, TN
    4.35 %
Loudon, TN
    4.17 %
Rutherford, TN
    2.66 %
Sullivan, TN
    2.42 %
Monroe, TN
    1.84 %
Knox, TN
    0.08 %
Bristol, VA
    0.02 %
Davidson, TN 2
    0.00 %


1   The Company acquired three full-service branches in Lawrence County on December 10, 2004.
 
2   The de novo branch in Davidson County began operations on November 15, 2004.
 
3   Bristol, VA is deemed a city.

     Under the federal Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (the “Holding Company Act”), as amended by the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 (the “Riegle-Neal Act”), Tennessee banks and their holding companies may be acquired by out-of-state banks or their holding companies, and Tennessee banks and their holding companies may acquire out-of-state banks without regard to whether the transaction is prohibited by the laws of any state. In addition, the federal banking agencies may approve interstate merger transactions without regard to whether such transactions are prohibited by the law of any state, unless the home state of one of the banks opts out of the Riegle-Neal Act by adopting a law that applies equally to all out-of-state banks and expressly prohibits merger transactions involving out-of-state banks. The effect of the Riegle-Neal Act may be to increase competition within the state of Tennessee among banking institutions located in Tennessee and from banking companies located anywhere in the country.

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Employees

     As of December 31, 2004 the Company employed 474 full-time equivalent employees. None of the Company’s employees are presently represented by a union or covered under a collective bargaining agreement. Management considers relations with employees to be good.

Regulation, Supervision and Governmental Policy

     The following is a brief summary of certain statutes, rules and regulations affecting the Company and the Bank. A number of other statutes and regulations have an impact on their operations. The following summary of applicable statutes and regulations does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such statutes and regulations.

     Bank Holding Company Regulation. The Company is registered as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act (the “Holding Company Act”) and, as such, is subject to supervision, regulation and examination by the Board of Governors of the FRB.

     Acquisitions and Mergers. Under the Holding Company Act, a bank holding company must obtain the prior approval of the FRB before (1) acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of any voting shares of any bank or bank holding company if, after such acquisition, the bank holding company would directly or indirectly own or control more than 5% of such shares; (2) acquiring all or substantially all of the assets of another bank or bank holding company; or (3) merging or consolidating with another bank holding company. Also, any company must obtain approval of the FRB prior to acquiring control of the Company or the Bank. For purposes of the Holding Company Act, “control” is defined as ownership of more than 25% of any class of voting securities of the Company or the Bank, the ability to control the election of a majority of the directors, or the exercise of a controlling influence over management or policies of the Company or the Bank.

     The Holding Company Act, as amended by the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act, generally permits the FRB to approve interstate bank acquisitions by bank holding companies without regard to any prohibitions of state law. See “Competition.”

     The Change in Bank Control Act and the related regulations of the FRB require any person or persons acting in concert (except for companies required to make application under the Holding Company Act), to file a written notice with the FRB before such person or persons may acquire control of the Company or the Bank. The Change in Bank Control Act defines “control” as the power, directly or indirectly, to vote 25% or more of any voting securities or to direct the management or policies of a bank holding company or an insured bank.

     Bank holding companies like the Company are currently prohibited from engaging in activities other than banking and activities so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto. The FRB’s regulations contain a list of permissible nonbanking activities that are closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks. A bank holding company must file an application or notice with the FRB prior to acquiring more than 5% of the voting shares of a company engaged in such activities. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (the “GLB Act”), however, greatly broadened the scope of activities permissible for bank holding companies. The GLB Act permits bank holding companies, upon election and classification as financial holding companies, to engage in a broad variety of activities “financial” in nature. The Company has not filed an election with the FRB to be a financial holding company, but may chose to do so in the future.

     Capital Requirements. The Company is also subject to FRB guidelines that require bank holding companies to maintain specified minimum ratios of capital to total assets and capital to risk-weighted assets. See “Capital Requirements.”

     Dividends. The FRB has the power to prohibit dividends by bank holding companies if their actions constitute unsafe or unsound practices. The FRB has issued a policy statement expressing its view that a bank holding company should pay cash dividends only to the extent that the company’s net income for the past year is sufficient to cover both the cash dividends and a rate of earnings retention that is consistent with the company’s capital needs, asset quality, and overall financial condition. The Company does not believe compliance with this policy statement will limit the Company’s activity to maintain its dividend payment rate.

12


 

     Support of Banking Subsidiaries. Under FRB policy, the Company is expected to act as a source of financial strength to its banking subsidiaries and, where required, to commit resources to support each of such subsidiaries. Further, if the Bank’s capital levels were to fall below minimum regulatory guidelines, the Bank would need to develop a capital plan to increase its capital levels and the Company would be required to guarantee the Bank’s compliance with the capital plan in order for such plan to be accepted by the federal regulatory authority.

     Under the “cross guarantee” provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (the “FDI Act”), any FDIC-insured subsidiary of the Company such as the Bank could be liable for any loss incurred by, or reasonably expected to be incurred by, the FDIC in connection with (i) the default of any other FDIC-insured subsidiary also controlled by the Company or (ii) any assistance provided by the FDIC to any FDIC-insured subsidiary of the Company in danger of default.

     Transactions with Affiliates. The Federal Reserve Act imposes legal restrictions on the quality and amount of credit that a bank holding company or its non-bank subsidiaries (“affiliates”) may obtain from bank subsidiaries of the holding company. For instance, these restrictions generally require that any such extensions of credit by a bank to its affiliates be on nonpreferential terms and be secured by designated amounts of specified collateral. Further, a bank’s ability to lend to its affiliates is limited to 10% per affiliate (20% in the aggregate to all affiliates) of the bank’s capital and surplus.

     Bank Regulation. As a Tennessee banking institution, the Bank is subject to regulation, supervision and regular examination by the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions. Tennessee and federal banking laws and regulations control, among other things, required reserves, investments, loans, mergers and consolidations, issuance of securities, payment of dividends, and establishment of branches and other aspects of the Bank’s operations. Supervision, regulation and examination of the Company and the Bank by the bank regulatory agencies are intended primarily for the protection of depositors rather than for holders of the Common Stock of the Company.

     Extensions of Credit. Under joint regulations of the federal banking agencies, including the FDIC, banks must adopt and maintain written policies that establish appropriate limits and standards for extensions of credit that are secured by liens or interests in real estate or are made for the purpose of financing permanent improvements to real estate. These policies must establish loan portfolio diversification standards, prudent underwriting standards, including loan-to-value limits that are clear and measurable, loan administration procedures and documentation, approval and reporting requirements. A bank’s real estate lending policy must reflect consideration of the Interagency Guidelines for Real Estate Lending Policies (the “Interagency Guidelines”) that have been adopted by the federal banking regulators. The Interagency Guidelines, among other things, call upon depository institutions to establish internal loan-to-value limits for real estate loans that are not in excess of the loan-to-value limits specified in the Guidelines for the various types of real estate loans. The Interagency Guidelines state that it may be appropriate in individual cases to originate or purchase loans with loan-to-value ratios in excess of the supervisory loan-to-value limits. The aggregate amount of loans in excess of the supervisory loan-to-value limits, however, should not exceed 100% of total capital, and the total of such loans secured by commercial, agricultural, multifamily and other non-one-to-four family residential properties should not exceed 30% of total capital.

     Federal Deposit Insurance. The deposits of the Bank are insured by the FDIC to the maximum extent provided by law, and the Bank is subject to FDIC deposit insurance assessments. The FDIC has established a risk-based deposit insurance assessment system for insured depository institutions, under which insured institutions are assigned assessment risk classifications based upon capital levels and supervisory evaluations. Insurance assessment rates for BIF-insured banks such as the Bank depend on the capital category and supervisory category to which a bank is assigned and currently range from $0.00 to $0.27 per $100 of insured deposits.

     Safety and Soundness Standards. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”) required the federal bank regulatory agencies to prescribe, by regulation, non-capital safety and soundness standards for all insured depository institutions and depository institution holding companies. The FDIC and the other federal banking agencies have adopted guidelines prescribing safety and soundness standards pursuant to FDICIA. The safety and soundness guidelines establish general standards relating to internal controls and information systems, internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, and compensation, fees and benefits. Among other things, the guidelines

13


 

require banks to maintain appropriate systems and practices to identify and manage risks and exposures identified in the guidelines.

     Capital Requirements. The FRB has established guidelines with respect to the maintenance of appropriate levels of capital by registered bank holding companies, and the FDIC has established similar guidelines for state-chartered banks, such as the Bank, that are not members of the FRB. The regulations of the FRB and FDIC impose two sets of capital adequacy requirements: minimum leverage rules, which require the maintenance of a specified minimum ratio of capital to total assets, and risk-based capital rules, which require the maintenance of specified minimum ratios of capital to “risk-weighted” assets. At December 31, 2004, the Company and the Bank satisfied the minimum required regulatory capital requirements. See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

     The FDIC has issued final regulations that classify insured depository institutions by capital levels and require the appropriate federal banking regulator to take prompt action to resolve the problems of any insured institution that fails to satisfy the capital standards. Under such regulations, a “well-capitalized” bank is one that is not subject to any regulatory order or directive to meet any specific capital level and that has or exceeds the following capital levels: a total risk-based capital ratio of 10%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6%, and a leverage ratio of 5%. As of December 31, 2004, the Bank was “well-capitalized” as defined by the regulations. See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

     Legislative, Legal and Regulatory Developments: The banking industry is generally subject to extensive regulatory oversight. The Company, as a publicly held bank holding company, and the Bank, as a state-chartered bank with deposits insured by the FDIC, are subject to a number of laws and regulations. Many of these laws and regulations have undergone significant change in recent years. These laws and regulations impose restrictions on activities, minimum capital requirements, lending and deposit restrictions and numerous other requirements. Future changes to these laws and regulations, and other new financial services laws and regulations, are likely and cannot be predicted with certainty. Future legislative or regulatory change, or changes in enforcement practices or court rulings, may have a dramatic and potentially adverse impact on the Company and its bank and other subsidiaries.

     FDIC. The FDIC and members of the United States Congress have recently proposed new legislation that would reform the bank deposit insurance system. This reform could merge BIF and SAIF insurance funds, increase the deposit insurance coverage limits and index future coverage limitations, among other changes. Most significantly, reform proposals could allow the FDIC to raise or lower (within certain limits) the currently mandated designated reserve ratio requiring the FDIC to maintain a 1.25% reserve ratio ($1.25 against $100 of insured deposits), and require certain changes in the calculation methodology. Although it is too early to predict the ultimate impact of such proposals, they could, if adopted, result in the imposition of new deposit insurance premium costs on the Company.

     USA Patriot Act. The President of the United States signed the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act (the “Patriot Act”), into law on October 26, 2001. The Patriot Act establishes a wide variety of new and enhanced ways of combating international terrorism. The provisions that affect banks (and other financial institutions) most directly are contained in Title III of the act. In general, Title III amends current law — primarily the Bank Secrecy Act — to provide the Secretary of Treasury (the “Treasury”) and other departments and agencies of the federal government with enhanced authority to identify, deter, and punish international money laundering and other crimes.

     Among other things, the Patriot Act prohibits financial institutions from doing business with foreign “shell” banks and requires increased due diligence for private banking transactions and correspondent accounts for foreign banks. In addition, financial institutions will have to follow new minimum verification of identity standards for all new accounts and will be permitted to share information with law enforcement authorities under circumstances that were not previously permitted. These and other provisions of the Patriot Act became effective at varying times and the Treasury and various federal banking agencies are responsible for issuing regulations to implement the new law.

14


 

Additional Information

     The Company maintains a website at www.mybankconnection.com and is not including the information contained on this website as a part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company makes available free of charge (other than an investor’s own internet access charges) through its website its Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such material with, or furnishes such material to, the SEC.

15


 

PART II

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

                                         
    2004     2003     2002     2001     2000  
    (Dollars in Thousands)  
Total interest income
  $ 65,076     $ 56,737     $ 59,929     $ 67,964     $ 67,696  
Total interest expense
    16,058       15,914       18,680       28,463       29,143  
 
                             
Net interest income
    49,018       40,823       41,249       39,501       38,553  
Provision for loan losses
    (5,836 )     (5,775 )     (7,065 )     (5,959 )     (8,009 )
 
                             
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    43,182       35,048       34,184       33,542       30,544  
Noninterest income:
                                       
Investment securities gains
                46              
Other income
    13,028       11,588       10,484       9,593       6,568  
Noninterest expense
    (36,983 )     (30,618 )     (29,199 )     (28,665 )     (29,393 )
 
                             
Income before income taxes
    19,227       16,018       15,515       14,470       7,719  
Income tax expense
    (7,219 )     (5,781 )     (5,702 )     (5,047 )     (2,206 )
 
                             
Net income
  $ 12,008     $ 10,237     $ 9,813     $ 9,423     $ 5,513  
 
                             
 
                                       
Per Share Data:1
                                       
Net income, basic
  $ 1.57     $ 1.48     $ 1.44     $ 1.38     $ 0.81  
Net income, assuming dilution
  $ 1.55     $ 1.47     $ 1.43     $ 1.38     $ 0.80  
Dividends declared
  $ 0.61     $ 0.59     $ 0.58     $ 0.56     $ 0.55  
Book value
  $ 14.22     $ 13.31     $ 10.94     $ 10.06     $ 9.24  
Tangible book value2
  $ 11.12     $ 10.57     $ 10.53     $ 9.64     $ 9.01  
 
                                       
Financial Condition Data:
                                       
Assets
  $ 1,233,403     $ 1,108,522     $ 899,396     $ 811,612     $ 789,117  
Loans, net
  $ 1,032,297     $ 941,207     $ 744,317     $ 679,271     $ 657,065  
Cash and investments
  $ 76,637     $ 80,910     $ 61,980     $ 57,470     $ 76,816  
Federal funds sold
  $ 39,921     $ 5,254     $ 39,493     $ 25,621     $ 8,130  
Deposits
  $ 998,022     $ 907,115     $ 719,323     $ 653,913     $ 648,641  
Notes Payable
  $ 85,222     $ 63,030     $ 82,359     $ 67,978     $ 59,949  
Subordinated debentures
  $ 10,310     $ 10,310     $     $     $  
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements
  $ 13,868     $ 12,896     $ 10,038     $ 10,375     $ 4,713  
Shareholders’ equity
  $ 108,718     $ 101,935     $ 74,595     $ 68,627     $ 63,010  
Tangible shareholders’ equity2
  $ 85,023     $ 80,965     $ 71,799     $ 65,721     $ 61,413  
 
                                       
Selected Ratios:
                                       
Interest rate spread
    4.53 %     4.59 %     4.99 %     4.98 %     5.18 %
Net yield on interest-earning assets
    4.75 %     4.83 %     5.29 %     5.41 %     5.67 %
Return on average assets
    1.06 %     1.12 %     1.17 %     1.20 %     0.75 %
Return on average equity
    11.23 %     12.59 %     13.40 %     13.96 %     8.58 %
Return on average tangible equity2
    13.95 %     13.38 %     13.93 %     14.30 %     8.82 %
Average equity to average assets
    9.47 %     8.87 %     8.72 %     8.59 %     8.78 %
Dividend payout ratio
    38.86 %     41.20 %     40.31 %     40.53 %     68.22 %
Ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets
    0.69 %     0.79 %     1.48 %     1.22 %     0.96 %
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to nonperforming assets
    185.56 %     166.35 %     94.24 %     112.89 %     154.83 %
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to total loans, net of unearned income
    1.50 %     1.53 %     1.68 %     1.64 %     1.76 %


1   Amounts have been restated to reflect the effect of the Company’s five-for-one stock split effected May 2001.
 
2   Tangible shareholders’ equity is shareholders’ equity less goodwill and intangible assets.

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

Overview

     The Company’s results of operations for the year 2004 compared to 2003 reflected a 17.30% increase in net income and a 5.44% increase in earnings per share, assuming dilution, resulting primarily from a significant increase in net interest income, offset, in part, by substantial increases in noninterest expense. The increase in net interest income, reflecting primarily higher average loan balances, as well as the increases in noninterest expense, result principally from the Company’s expansion initiatives in late 2003 and throughout 2004.

     The Company’s results of operations for the year 2004 compared to 2003 also indicated further margin compression reflective of competitive loan and deposit pricing, as well as the controlled growth in higher-yielding subprime loans in the Bank’s subsidiaries. This margin compression was offset by the increase in average loan balances and the related increase in interest income resulting principally from the Company’s acquisition of IBC in late-2003.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

     The Company’s consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reported periods.

     Management continually evaluates the Company’s accounting policies and estimates it uses to prepare the consolidated financial statements. In general, management’s estimates are based on historical experience, information from regulators and third party professionals and various assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the facts and circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates made by management.

     The Company believes its critical accounting policies and estimates include the valuation of the allowance for loan losses and the fair value of financial instruments and other accounts. Based on management’s calculation, an allowance of $15,721 or 1.50%, of total loans, net of unearned interest was an adequate estimate of losses within the loan portfolio as of December 31, 2004. This estimate resulted in a provision for loan losses on the income statement of $5,836 during 2004. If the mix and amount of future charge-off percentages differ significantly from those assumptions used by management in making its determination, the allowance for loan losses and provision for loan losses on the income statement could be materially affected. For further discussion of the allowance for loan losses and a detailed description of the methodology management uses in determining the adequacy of the allowance, see “BUSINESS – Lending Activities – Allowance for Loan Losses” located earlier, and “Changes in Results of Operations – Provision for Loan Losses” located below.

     The consolidated financial statements include certain accounting and disclosures that require management to make estimates about fair values. Estimates of fair value are used in the accounting for securities available for sale, loans held for sale, goodwill, other intangible assets, and acquisition purchase accounting adjustments. Estimates of fair values are used in disclosures regarding securities held to maturity, stock compensation, commitments, and the fair values of financial instruments. Fair values are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions such as interest rates, credit risk, prepayments and other factors. The fair values of financial instruments are subject to change as influenced by market conditions.

Changes in Results of Operations

     Net income. Net income for 2004 was $12,008, an increase of $1,771, or 17.30%, as compared to net income of $10,237 for 2003. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in net interest income of $8,195, or 20.07%, to $49,018 in 2004 from $40,823 in 2003 and resulted principally from higher average balances of loans. In addition, total noninterest income increased by $1,440, or 12.43%, to $13,028 in 2004

17


 

from $11,588 in 2003. The increase in noninterest income can be primarily attributed to a significant gain on the sale of OREO property, the gain on the sale of the Company’s credit card portfolio and higher fee income associated with additional volume of deposit-related activity. Offsetting, in part, these positive effects on net income was an increase in noninterest expense of $6,365, or 20.79%, to $36,983 in 2004 from $30,618 in 2003. The increase in noninterest expense resulted principally from the Company’s growth strategy reflected in the first full year of operations in Sumner and Rutherford Counties, Tennessee, resulting from the Company’s acquisition of Gallatin-based IBC in November, 2003, as well as the de novo branching initiative into Davidson County, Tennessee and the NBC transaction in Lawrence County, Tennessee, both of which occurred in the fourth quarter of 2004.

     Net income for 2003 was $10,237 an increase of $424, or 4.32%, as compared to net income of $9,813 for 2002. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in noninterest income of $1,058, or 10.05%, to $11,588 in 2003 from $10,530 in 2002 and a reduction of $1,290, or 18.26%, in the provision for loan losses to $5,775 in 2003 from $7,065 in 2002. Offsetting, in part, these positive effects on net income was an increase in noninterest expense of $1,419, or 4.86%, to $30,618 in 2003 from $29,199 in 2002. The increase in noninterest income resulted primarily from fees related to deposit products, as well as additional income from the Company’s mortgage division. The reduction in the provision for loan losses resulted primarily from the decrease in the Company’s nonperforming assets during and as of the year ended December 31, 2003 as a result of improving credit quality in the Bank and Superior Financial. The increase in noninterest expense resulted principally from increases in communication/data transmission expenses, charges related to credit cards and various expenses related to collections and repossessions. As discussed in “BUSINESS – The Bank” located earlier, the Company completed its acquisition of Gallatin-based IBC in November, 2003. As the acquisition was consummated quite late in the year, it did not have a material effect on the Company’s earnings for the year ended December 31, 2003.

     Net Interest Income. The largest source of earnings for the Company is net interest income, which is the difference between interest income on interest-earning assets and interest paid on deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities. The primary factors that affect net interest income are changes in volume and yields of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, which are affected in part by management’s responses to changes in interest rates through asset/liability management. During 2004, net interest income was $49,018 as compared to $40,823 in 2003, an increase of 20.07%. The Company experienced good growth in average balances of interest-earning assets, with average total interest-earning assets increasing by $186,148, or 22.02%, to $1,031,640 in 2004 from $845,492 in 2003. Most of the growth occurred in loans, with average loan balances increasing by $185,947, or 23.21%, to $986,806 in 2004 from $800,859 in 2003. Average balances of most other interest-earning assets increased slightly. Average balances of total interest-bearing liabilities also increased in 2004 from 2003, with average total deposit balances increasing by $137,305, or 20.64%, to $802,506 in 2004 from $665,201 in 2003, as the Company emphasized various types of deposits as a loan funding source. The NBC transaction, which closed on December 10, 2004 and in which the Company acquired approximately $28,000 in loans and $69,000 in deposits, occurred sufficiently late in the year so that it had an immaterial effect on average balances of loans and deposits. All of the increase in net interest income in 2004 compared to 2003 related to the full-year effect of the late-2003 IBC acquisition, increased loan volume resulting primarily from the Company’s organic loan growth, the Company’s 2004 initiative into Davidson County, Tennessee, as well as the late-2004 NBC transaction.

     Beginning in the second half of 2004, the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) embarked upon a program to increase short-term interest rates at, according to the FOMC’s statements, a “pace that is likely to be measured.” As of December 31, 2004, the FMOC had increased short-term interest rates by 100 basis points. While the Company continues to maintain an interest rate risk position which is asset sensitive, a situation in which rate-sensitive assets reprice quicker than rate-sensitive liabilities, the FOMC’s commencement of increases in short-term interest rates in mid-2004 was not sufficient to compensate the Company for significant and sustained reductions in short-term interest rates beginning in early 2001, and the Company was unable to achieve upward momentum in the repricing of its major interest-earning assets. The Company’s aggressive loan pricing in order to obtain market share in new markets and increase share in existing markets further exacerbated this situation. In addition, management has been controlling the growth of higher-yielding subprime loans in the Bank’s subsidiaries and focusing on increasing the balances of its traditional commercial, commercial real estate and residential real estate loans, thus reducing the percentage of subprime loans in the Company’s portfolio. This trend in the loan portfolio mix also places pressure on loan yields. Consequently, the Company’s yield on average loans declined to 6.44% in 2004 from 6.92% in 2003, and the Company’s net interest margin declined to 4.75% in 2004 from 4.83% in 2003. This decline represents the sixth consecutive

18


 

year of net interest margin declines. The Company’s net interest margin for the fourth quarter of 2004 was 4.81% compared to 4.82% and 4.69% for the third and second quarters of 2004, respectively. While management is cautiously optimistic that the Company’s net interest margin has stabilized and that further increases in short-term interest rates will enhance net interest margin, management notes that recent and intense competitive pressures with respect to deposit pricing have placed significant stress on the Company’s net interest margin. Further, in view of the Company’s asset-sensitive position, management anticipates declines in net interest margin if product mixes remain relatively unchanged and interest rates reverse their upward trend and begin to decline. In addition, even if interest rates remain stable, the Company’s net interest margin could decline slightly due to competitive pressures related to both loan and deposit pricing.

     During 2003, net interest income was $40,823 as compared to $41,249 in 2002, a decrease of 1.03%. The Company experienced good growth in average balances of interest-earning assets, with average total interest-earning assets increasing by $65,514, or 8.40%, to $845,492 in 2003 from $779,978 in 2002. All of the growth occurred in loans, with average loan balances increasing by $85,412, or 11.94%, to $800,859 in 2003 from $715,447 in 2002. Average balances of other interest-earning assets declined, as the Company elected to channel some of its liquidity into higher-yielding loans. Average balances of total interest-bearing liabilities also increased in 2003 from 2002, with average total deposit balances increasing by $52,039, or 8.49%, to $665,201 in 2003 from $613,162 in 2002, as the Company emphasized various types of deposits as a loan funding source. The increase in average balances of interest-earning assets, offset, in part, by such increase in average balances of interest-bearing liabilities, would have increased net interest income significantly had the Company’s net interest margin not continued to decline. However, due to the continued decline in short-term market rates during 2003 and the Company’s aggressive loan pricing in order to obtain market share in new markets and increase share in existing markets, the Company’s yield on average loans declined to 6.92% in 2003 from 8.09% in 2002. Further, due to the Company’s asset sensitivity, a situation in which rate-sensitive assets reprice quicker than rate-sensitive liabilities, resulting in net interest margin compression in a declining rate environment, the Company’s net interest margin declined to 4.83% in 2003 from 5.29% in 2002, representing the fifth consecutive year of net interest margin declines.

     Average Balances, Interest Rates and Yields. Net interest income is affected by (i) the difference between yields earned on interest-earning assets and rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities (“interest rate spread”) and (ii) the relative amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The Company’s interest rate spread is affected by regulatory, economic and competitive factors that influence interest rates, loan demand and deposit flows. When the total of interest-earning assets approximates or exceeds the total of interest-bearing liabilities, any positive interest rate spread will generate net interest income. An indication of the effectiveness of an institution’s net interest income management is its “net yield on interest-earning assets,” which is net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

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     The following table sets forth certain information relating to the Company’s consolidated average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and reflects the average yield on assets and average cost of liabilities for the periods indicated. Such yields and costs are derived by dividing income or expense by the average daily balance of assets or liabilities, respectively, for the periods presented.

                                                                         
    2004     2003     2002  
    Average             Average     Average             Average     Average             Average  
    Balance     Interest     Rate     Balance     Interest     Rate     Balance     Interest     Rate  
Interest-earning assets:
                                                                       
Loans1
                                                                       
Real estate loans
  $ 759,657     $ 44,124       5.81 %   $ 612,528     $ 37,290       6.09 %   $ 535,037     $ 37,139       6.94 %
Commercial loans
    145,870       7,685       5.27 %     105,629       5,532       5.24 %     93,525       5,724       6.12 %
Consumer and other loans- net2
    81,279       9,081       11.17 %     82,702       9,516       11.51 %     86,885       10,233       11.78 %
Fees on loans
          2,690                     3,106                     4,763          
 
                                                           
 
                                                                       
Total loans (including fees)
  $ 986,806     $ 63,580       6.44 %   $ 800,859     $ 55,444       6.92 %   $ 715,447     $ 57,859       8.09 %
 
                                                           
 
                                                                       
Investment securities3
                                                                       
Taxable
  $ 29,382     $ 1,040       3.54 %   $ 28,297     $ 946       3.34 %   $ 37,790     $ 1,490       3.94 %
Tax-exempt4
    4,569       164       3.59 %     1,189       40       3.37 %     787       25       3.18 %
FHLB, Bankers Bank and other stock at cost
    6,073       230       3.79 %     5,378       193       3.59 %     4,615       209       4.53 %
 
                                                           
 
                                                                       
Total investment securities
  $ 40,024     $ 1,434       3.58 %   $ 34,864     $ 1,179       3.38 %   $ 43,192     $ 1,724       3.99 %
 
                                                                       
Other short-term investments
    4,810       62       1.29 %     9,769       114       1.17 %     21,339       346       1.62 %
 
                                                           
 
                                                                       
Total interest- earning assets
  $ 1,031,640     $ 65,076       6.31 %   $ 845,492     $ 56,737       6.71 %   $ 779,978     $ 59,929       7.68 %
 
                                                           
 
                                                                       
Noninterest-earning assets:
                                                                       
Cash and due from banks
  $ 32,430                     $ 26,926                     $ 22,615                  
Premises and equipment
    34,795                       27,879                       25,776                  
Other, less allowance for loan losses
    31,156                       16,190                       11,669                  
 
                                                                 
 
                                                                       
Total noninterest- earning assets
  $ 98,381                     $ 70,995                     $ 60,060                  
 
                                                                 
 
                                                                       
Total assets
  $ 1,130,021                     $ 916,487                     $ 840,038                  
 
                                                                 


1   Average loan balances include nonaccrual loans. Interest income collected on nonaccrual loans has been included.
 
2   Installment loans are stated net of unearned income.
 
3   The average balance of and the related yield associated with securities available for sale are based on the cost of such securities.
 
4   Tax exempt income has not been adjusted to tax-equivalent basis since it is not material.

20


 

                                                                         
    2004     2003     2002  
    Average             Average     Average             Average     Average             Average  
    Balance     Interest     Rate     Balance     Interest     Rate     Balance     Interest     Rate  
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                                                       
Deposits
                                                                       
Savings, NOW accounts and money markets
  $ 336,114     $ 1,762       0.52 %   $ 280,365     $ 1,576       0.56 %   $ 269,103     $ 2,803       1.04 %
Time deposits
    466,392       10,437       2.24 %     384,836       11,055       2.87 %     344,059       12,463       3.62 %
 
                                                           
 
                                                                       
Total deposits
  $ 802,506     $ 12,199       1.52 %   $ 665,201     $ 12,631       1.90 %   $ 613,162     $ 15,266       2.49 %
Securities sold under repurchase agreements and short-term borrowings
    15,903       162       1.02 %     14,055       112       0.80 %     17,133       192       1.12 %
Subordinated debentures
    10,310       466       4.52 %     2,768       111       4.01 %                  
Notes payable
    75,311       3,231       4.29 %     68,735       3,060       4.45 %     63,014       3,222       5.11 %
 
                                                           
 
                                                                       
Total interest-bearing liabilities
  $ 904,030     $ 16,058       1.78 %   $ 750,759     $ 15,914       2.12 %   $ 693,309     $ 18,680       2.69 %
 
                                                                       
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
                                                                       
Demand deposits
  $ 105,763                     $ 73,432                     $ 63,373                  
Other liabilities
    13,271                       10,991                       10,122                  
 
                                                                 
Total non-interesting bearing liabilities
  $ 119,034                     $ 84,423                     $ 73,495                  
 
                                                                       
Shareholders’ equity
    106,957                       81,305                       73,234                  
 
                                                                 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 1,130,021                     $ 916,487                     $ 840,038                  
 
                                                                 
Net interest income
          $ 49,018                     $ 40,823                     $ 41,249          
 
                                                                 
 
                                                                       
Margin analysis:
                                                                       
Interest rate spread
                    4.53 %                     4.59 %                     4.99 %
 
                                                                 
Net yield on interest-earning assets (net interest margin)
                    4.75 %                     4.83 %                     5.29 %
 
                                                                 

21


 

     Rate/Volume Analysis. The following table analyzes net interest income in terms of changes in the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and changes in yields and rates. The table reflects the extent to which changes in the interest income and interest expense are attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior year rate) and changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior year volume). Changes attributable to the combined impact of volume and rate have been separately identified.

                                                                 
    2004        vs.        2003     2003         vs.        2002  
                    Rate/     Total                     Rate/     Total  
    Volume     Rate     Volume     Change     Volume     Rate     Volume     Change  
Interest income:
                                                               
Loans, net of unearned income
  $ 12,873     $ (3,844 )   $ (893 )   $ 8,136     $ 6,907     $ (8,328 )   $ (994 )   $ (2,415 )
Investment securities:
                                                               
Taxable
    36       55       2       93       (374 )     (227 )     57       (544 )
Tax — exempt
    113       3       8       124       13       1       1       15  
FHLB, Bankers Bank and other stock, at cost
    25       12       1       38       23       (29 )     (10 )     (16 )
Other short-term investments
    (58 )     12       (6 )     (52 )     (189 )     (100 )     57       (232 )
 
                                               
 
                                                               
Total interest income
    12,989       (3,762 )     (888 )     8,339       6,380       (8,683 )     (889 )     (3,192 )
 
                                               
 
                                                               
Interest expense:
                                                               
Savings, NOW accounts, and money market accounts
    331       (123 )     (22 )     186       103       (1,276 )     (54 )     (1,227 )
Time deposits
    2,343       (2,443 )     (518 )     (618 )     1,477       (2,579 )     (306 )     (1,408 )
Short-term borrowings
    2       41       7       50       (44 )     (49 )     13       (80 )
Subordinated debentures
    303       14       38       355       111                   111  
Notes payable
    295       (113 )     (11 )     171       298       (417 )     (43 )     (162 )
 
                                               
 
                                                               
Total interest expense
    3,274       (2,624 )     (506 )     144       1,945       (4,321 )     (390 )     (2,766 )
 
                                               
 
                                                               
Net interest income
  $ 9,715     $ (1,138 )   $ (382 )   $ 8,195     $ 4,435     $ (4,362 )   $ (499 )   $ (426 )
 
                                               

     At December 31, 2004, loans outstanding and loans held for sale, net of unearned income and allowance for loan losses, were $1,032,297 compared to $941,207 at 2003 year end. The increase is, in part, due to the approximate $28,000 in loans acquired via the NBC transaction, as well as the combination of increased loan demand, our community-focused banking philosophy and competitive loan rates. Average outstanding loans, net of unearned interest, for 2004 were $986,806, an increase of 23.22% from the 2003 average of $800,859. Average outstanding loans for 2002 were $715,447. The growth in average loans for the past three years can be attributed to the Company’s continuing market expansion through the Company’s branch network, the IBC acquisition, the NBC transaction and aggressive programs with respect to loan production and pricing. The Company continued its branch expansion with the opening of a new full-service branch in Davidson County, Tennessee in November, 2004.

     Average investment securities for 2004 were $40,024 compared to $34,864 in 2003 and $43,192 in 2002. The increase of $5,160, or 14.80%, from 2003 to 2004 resulted primarily from the additional investment securities received via the IBC acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2003. The decrease of $8,328, or 19.28%, from 2002 to 2003 primarily reflects the Company’s channeling of liquidity into higher-yielding loans. In 2004, the average yield on investments was 3.58%, an increase from the 3.38% yield in 2003 and a decrease from the 3.99% yield in 2002. The increase in investment yield in 2004 compared to 2003 primarily reflects the positive effect of higher rates on the Company’s adjustable-rate investment securities, as well as the purchase of investment securities in a rising rate environment. Management believes this trend will continue if short-term interest rates continue to increase. Income provided by the investment portfolio in 2004 was $1,434 as compared to $1,179 in 2003 and $1,724 in 2002.

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      Provision for Loan Losses. Management assesses the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses by considering a combination of regulatory and credit risk criteria. The entire loan portfolio is graded and potential loss factors are assigned accordingly. The potential loss factors for impaired loans are assigned based on regulatory guidelines. The regulatory criteria are set forth in the Interagency Policy Statement on the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses. The potential loss factors associated with unimpaired loans are based on a combination of both internal and industry net loss experience, as well as management’s review of trends within the portfolio and related industries.

     Generally, commercial, commercial real estate and residential real estate loans are assigned a level of risk at inception. Thereafter, these loans are reviewed on an ongoing basis. The review includes loan payment and collateral status, borrowers’ financial data and borrowers’ internal operating factors such as cash flows, operating income, liquidity, leverage and loan documentation, and any significant change can result in an increase or decrease in the loan’s assigned risk grade. Aggregate dollar volume by risk grade is monitored on an ongoing basis. The establishment of and any changes to risk grades for consumer loans are generally based upon payment performance.

     The Bank’s loan loss allowance is primarily a general allowance, which is increased or decreased based on management’s assessment of the overall risk of its loan portfolio. Occasionally, a portion of the allowance may be allocated to a specific loan to reflect unusual circumstances associated with that loan.

     Management reviews certain key loan quality indicators on a monthly basis, including current economic conditions, delinquency trends and ratios, portfolio mix changes and other information management deems necessary. This review process provides a degree of objective measurement that is used in conjunction with periodic internal evaluations. To the extent that this process yields differences between estimated and actual observed losses, adjustments are made to provisions and/or the level of the allowance for loan losses.

     Increases and decreases in the allowance for loan losses due to changes in the measurement of impaired loans are reflected in the provision for loan losses. Loans continue to be classified as impaired unless payments are brought fully current and management also considers the collection of scheduled interest and principal to be probable.

     The Company’s provision for loan losses increased $61, or 1.06%, to $5,836 in 2004 from $5,775 in 2003. In 2004, management determined that loss experience throughout the Company had essentially stabilized and declined slightly from levels experienced in 2003. Accordingly, while management concluded that the level of provisions in 2004 should not materially differ from the amount in 2003, management also deemed that provisions in excess of net charge-offs were necessary in order to appropriately maintain the allowance to accommodate loan growth. In 2004, net charge-offs in the Bank, Superior Financial and GCB Acceptance were $3,418, $524 and $1,100, respectively, totaling $5,042. In 2003, these net charge-offs were $2,652, $1,070 and $1,415, respectively, totaling $5,137. Management attributes the slight decrease in net charge-offs to an increase in loan quality and an improvement in the local and regional economy. Assuming no change in current economic trends, and based on information presently available, management anticipates that net charge-offs within the Company’s overall loan portfolios should continue at approximately the same rate and, in terms of percentages of total loans, may slightly decline.

     The ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets was 0.69% at December 31, 2004 and 0.79% at December 31, 2003. The ratio of the Company’s allowance for loan losses to nonperforming assets increased in 2004 to 185.56% from 166.35% in 2003. Total nonperforming loans increased $2,377, or 52.48%, to $6,906 at December 31, 2004 from $4,529 at December 31, 2003. Nonaccrual loans, which are nonperforming loans as to which the Bank no longer recognizes interest income, increased $1,937, or 44.99%, to $6,242 at December 31, 2004 from $4,305 at December 31, 2003. The increase is primarily due to several commercial relationships placed on nonaccrual status and in the process of litigation or foreclosure action. Management believes that these loans are adequately secured and does not anticipate any material losses. Note, however, that total impaired loans, which include substandard as well as nonaccrual loans, increased by $1,578, or 14.84%, from $10,632 at December 31, 2003 to $12,210 at December 31, 2004. The Company records a risk allocation allowance for loan losses on all loans in this category; further, the Company specifically records additional allowance amounts for individual loans when the circumstances so warrant. For further discussion of nonperforming assets as it relates to foreclosed real estate and impaired loans, see “BUSINESS – Lending Activities – Past Due, Special Mention, Classified and Nonaccrual Loans” located earlier.

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     To further manage its credit risk on loans, the Company maintains a “watch list” of loans that, although currently performing, have characteristics that require closer supervision by management. At December 31, 2004, the Company had identified approximately $37,556 in loans that were placed on its “watch list,” an increase from the approximate $33,870 as of December 31, 2003. During 2002, management revised its policy to increase the number of distinguishing characteristics that causes a loan to be considered a “watch list” loan. Management believes the increased level of “watch list” loans is not an indication of further credit quality deterioration but, rather, is the result of the improved risk management processes.

     Noninterest Income. The generation of noninterest income, which is income that is not related to interest-earning assets and consists primarily of service charges, commissions and fees, has become more important as increases in levels of interest-bearing deposits and other liabilities make it more difficult to maintain interest rate spreads.

     Total noninterest income for 2004 increased to $13,028 as compared to $11,588 in 2003 and $10,530 in 2002. The largest components of noninterest income are service charges, commissions and fees, which totaled $9,074 in 2004, $7,898 in 2003 and $7,343 in 2002. The increase in 2004 primarily reflects additional fees generated from higher volume of deposit-related products. In addition, total noninterest income was further increased in 2004, compared to 2003, by significant net gains on the sale of other real estate owned (“OREO”) property in the amount of $400, and a non-recurring gain on the sale of the Company’s credit card portfolio in the amount $322 which is included in other noninterest income. These increases were offset, in part, by a decline in mortgage banking income in the Company’s mortgage division as a result of slowed refinancing activity, from $1,389 in 2003 to $704 in 2004.

     Noninterest Expense. Control of noninterest expense also is an important aspect in managing net income. Non-interest expense includes, among others, personnel, occupancy, and other expenses such as data processing, printing and supplies, legal and professional fees, postage and FDIC assessments. Total noninterest expense was $36,983 in 2004 compared to $30,618 in 2003 and $29,199 in 2002. The increase of $6,365, or 20.79%, in 2004 as compared to 2003 principally reflects increases in all categories primarily as a result of the late-2003 IBC acquisition, the Company’s Davidson County, Tennessee initiative and the NBC transaction.

     Professional services fees increased by $679, or 70.29%, to $1,645 in 2004 from $966 in 2003. The Company has spent significant time and resources in complying with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“SOX”), and approximately one-half of the $679 increase is attributable to out-of-pocket costs associated with SOX compliance work. The remainder of the $679 increase is primarily attributable to the Company’s expansion strategies executed in 2004 and referenced above.

     Income Taxes. The Company’s effective income tax rate was 37.5% in 2004 compared to 36.1% in 2003 and 36.7% in 2002. The increased 2004 effective income tax rate relates to higher state income tax expense. It is likely that the 2005 effective income tax rate will approximate the 2004 effective rate.

Changes in Financial Condition

     Total assets at December 31, 2004 were $1,233,403, an increase of $124,881, or 11.27%, over total assets of $1,108,522 at December 31, 2003. This increase reflects an increase in loans, net, of $93,485, or 9.97%, to $1,031,146 at December 31, 2004 from $937,661 at December 31, 2003. The increase in loans can be attributed to the Company’s continued focus on generating good credit quality loans, competitive loan pricing and the addition of experienced lenders to the Company’s lending staff, as well as the NBC transaction and the Davidson County, Tennessee branch opening in late 2004. Average assets for 2004 also increased to $1,130,021, an increase of $213,534, or 23.30%, from the average asset balance of $916,487 for 2003. The increase in average assets is due primarily to the effect of the IBC acquisition that occurred late in 2003. Due primarily to the additional noninterest expense incurred as a result of the Company’s expansion strategies carried out during 2004 and the attendant increase in average assets, along with the continued decline in net interest margin, the Company’s return on average assets decreased in 2004 to 1.06% from 1.12% in 2003.

     Total assets at December 31, 2003 were $1,108,522, an increase of $209,126, or 23.25%, over total assets of $899,396 at December 31, 2002. This increase reflects an increase in loans, net, of $199,990, or 27.11%, to $937,661 at December 31, 2003 from $737,671 at December 31, 2002. A primary component of these increases stemmed from the IBC acquisition, which resulted in an increase in total assets and loans, net, in the approximate amounts of $189,000 and $109,000, respectively. Absent the IBC acquisition, total assets and

24


 

loans, net, would have increased approximately $20,126 and $90,990, respectively. Average assets for 2003 also increased to $916,487, an increase of $76,449, or 9.10%, from the average asset balance of $840,038 for 2002. Because the IBC acquisition occurred late in the year, its effect on the increases in average balances for 2003 over 2002 is not considered material. This increase was primarily the result of an 11.94% increase in the average balance of loans to $800,859 in 2003 from $715,447 in 2002. Due primarily to the increase in average assets and the continued decline in net interest margin, the Company’s return on average assets decreased in 2003 to 1.12% from 1.17% in 2002.

     Earning assets consist of loans, investment securities and short-term investments that earn interest. Average earning assets during 2004 were $1,031,640, an increase of 22.02% from an average of $845,492 in 2003. The increase in average earnings assets is due primarily to the effect of the IBC acquisition that occurred late in 2003.

     Nonperforming loans include nonaccrual and classified loans. The Company has a policy of placing loans 90 days delinquent in nonaccrual status and charging them off at 120 days past due. Other loans past due that are well secured and in the process of collection continue to be carried on the Company’s balance sheet. For further information, see Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company has aggressive collection practices in which senior management is significantly and directly involved.

     The Company maintains an investment portfolio to provide liquidity and earnings. Investments at December 31, 2004 had an amortized cost of $39,742 and a market value of $39,824 as compared to an amortized cost of $38,531 and market value of $39,045 at December 31, 2003. The Company invests principally in shorter-term, callable federal agency securities which, while usually generating a higher yield than non-callable securities, are at risk of being called in a declining interest rate environment. If the securities are called, the proceeds are typically invested at lower yields than those existing on the called securities. During 2004, approximately $9,800 of the Company’s securities were called and the proceeds were reinvested at lower yields. There are, however, certain advantages of investing in shorter-term, callable securities, including relative price stability, as compared to non-callable securities, with respect to changes in interest rates. As a consequence and, in combination with the shorter-term and adjustable securities in the remainder of the Company’s investment portfolio, the Company’s investments are less susceptible to significant changes in market value. An effect of this approach is reflected in the absence of any significant difference between the securities’ amortized cost and market value at December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003.

     The Company’s deposits were $998,022 at December 31, 2004 which represents an increase of $90,907, or 10.02%, from the $907,115 of deposits at December 31, 2003. Noninterest bearing demand deposit balances increased 5.04% to $109,956 at December 31, 2004 from $104,683 at December 31, 2003. Average interest-bearing deposits increased $137,305, or 20.64%, to $802,506 in 2004 from $665,201 in 2003. The increase in average deposits is due primarily to the effect of the IBC acquisition that occurred late in 2003. The NBC transaction occurred late in the fourth quarter of 2004 and had an immaterial affect on average deposits for 2004. In 2003, average interest-bearing deposits increased $52,039, or 8.49%, over 2002. In addition to the IBC acquisition, these increases in deposits are also the result of the Company’s expansion into the Knoxville market, active marketing of money market accounts and certificates of deposits with competitive interest rates in order to fund loan growth and targeting the transactional accounts of selected municipalities.

     The Company’s continued ability to fund its loan and overall asset growth remains dependent upon the availability of deposit market share in the Company’s existing markets of East and Middle Tennessee. As of September 30, 2004, the total deposit base of Tennessee commercial banks had a weighted average rate of 1.28%. Management of the Company does not anticipate further significant growth in its deposit base unless it either offers interest rates well above its prevailing rate on average interest-bearing deposits of 1.52% or it acquires deposits from other financial institutions. During 2004, the premiums charged in Tennessee by selling financial institutions for deposit accounts ranged from 2.96% to 6.00%. If the Company takes action to increase its deposit base by offering above-market interest rates or by acquiring deposits from other financial institutions and thereby increases its overall cost of deposits, its net interest income could be adversely affected if it is unable to correspondingly increase the rates it charges on its loans. Should loan demand exceed deposit growth, the Company may increase its borrowings as a funding source. For further information see “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — Liquidity and Capital Resources” located below.

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     Interest paid on deposits in 2004 totaled $12,199, reflecting a 1.52% cost on average interest-bearing deposits of $802,506. In 2003, interest of $12,631 was paid at a cost of 1.90% on average deposits of $665,201. In 2002, interest of $15,266 was paid at a cost of 2.49% on average deposits of $613,162.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     Liquidity. Liquidity refers to the ability or the financial flexibility to manage future cash flows to meet the needs of depositors and borrowers and fund operations. Maintaining appropriate levels of liquidity allows the Company to have sufficient funds available for reserve requirements, customer demand for loans, withdrawal of deposit balances and maturities of deposits and other liabilities. The Company’s primary source of liquidity is dividends paid by the Bank. Applicable Tennessee statutes and regulations impose restrictions on the amount of dividends that may be declared by the Bank. Further, any dividend payments are subject to the continuing ability of the Bank to maintain compliance with minimum federal regulatory capital requirements and to retain its characterization under federal regulations as a “well-capitalized” institution. In addition, the Company maintains borrowing availability with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati (“FHLB”) approximating $35,502 at December 31, 2004. The Company also maintains federal funds lines of credit totaling $106,000 at eight correspondent banks of which $106,000 was available at December 31, 2004. The Company believes it has sufficient liquidity to satisfy its current operating needs.

     In 2004, operating activities of the Company provided $28,432 of cash flows, reflecting net income of $12,008 after taking into account non-cash operating expenses including $5,836 in provision for loan losses and amortization and depreciation of $3,273, and non-cash operating income, including $3,825 in the net change in accrued interest payable and other liabilities. Cash flows from operating activities were increased by the proceeds from the sale of held-for-sale loans of $49,892, offset by cash used to originate held-for-sale loans of $46,982.

     Investing activities, including lending, used $38,284 of the Company’s cash flows in 2004, a decrease of $25,052 from $63,336 in 2003. The NBC transaction provided $38,003 in net cash flows which was a significant factor in reducing the cash used in investing activities in 2004 as compared to 2003. Cash flows from investing activities also increased from the sale of other real estate in the amount of $3,714. These cash inflows were reduced by the cash used in the net increase in loans in the amount of $71,597. This use of cash declined $28,954 from the $100,551 used in 2003, reflecting a slight reduction in organic loan demand in 2004 compared to 2003 as interest rates began to increase in the second half of 2004. Additional uses of cash were the excess of purchases of securities available for sale over the maturities of securities in the amount of $1,365 and investment in premises and equipment of $4,044 reflecting the Company’s expansion initiatives.

     Net additional cash flows of $39,159 were provided by financing activities, an increase of $17,487 from the $21,672 in 2003. The financing cash flow activity in 2004 with respect to notes payable reflected a net source of funds in the amount of $22,192, as compared to a net use of funds in 2003 in the amount of $19,329, reflecting the Company’s election to rely more on FHLB advances to fund lending activity. Cash flows provided by the net change in deposits, excluding deposits totaling approximately $69,000 acquired in the late-2004 NBC transaction was $21,025, a decline of $12,732 from $33,757 in 2003. As in prior years, the Company’s cash flow from financing activities was decreased by the Company’s dividend payments during 2004 of $4,666.

     Capital Resources. The Company’s capital position is reflected in its shareholders’ equity, subject to certain adjustments for regulatory purposes. Shareholders’ equity, or capital, is a measure of the Company’s net worth, soundness and viability. The Company’s capital continued to exceed regulatory requirements at December 31, 2004 and its record of paying dividends to its stockholders continued uninterrupted during 2004. Management believes the capital base of the Company allows it to take advantage of business opportunities while maintaining the level of resources deemed appropriate by management of the Company to address business risks inherent in the Company’s daily operations.

     On September 25, 2003, the Company issued $10,310 of subordinated debentures, as part of a privately placed pool of trust preferred securities. The securities, due in 2033, bear interest at a floating rate of 2.85% above the three-month LIBOR rate, reset quarterly, and are callable in five years without penalty. The Company used the proceeds of the offering to support its acquisition of IBC, and the capital raised from the offering qualifies as Tier I capital for regulatory purposes.

26


 

     The FRB has recently issued regulations which will allow continued inclusion of outstanding and prospective issuances of trust preferred securities as Tier 1 capital subject to stricter quantitative and qualitative limits than allowed under prior regulations. The new limits will phase in over a five-year transition period and would permit the Company’s trust preferred securities to continue to be treated as Tier 1 capital.

     Shareholders’ equity on December 31, 2004 was $108,718, an increase of $6,783, or 6.65%, from $101,935 on December 31, 2003. The increase in shareholders’ equity arises primarily from net income for 2004 of $12,008 ($1.55 per share, assuming dilution). This increase was offset in part by quarterly dividend payments during 2004 that totaled $4,666 ($.61 per share).

     On September 18, 2002 the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of up to $2,000 of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock beginning in October 2002. The repurchase plan was renewed by the Board of Directors in September 2003. On June 4, 2004 the Company announced that its Board of Directors had approved an increase in the amount authorized to be repurchased from $2,000 to $5,000. The repurchase plan is dependent upon market conditions and there is no guarantee as to the exact number of shares to be repurchased by the Company. To date, the Company has purchased 25,700 shares at an aggregate cost of approximately $538 under this program which was renewed by the Company’s Board of Directors on November 15, 2004. The repurchase program will terminate on the earlier to occur of the Company’s repurchase of the total authorized dollar amount of the Company’s common stock or December 1, 2005.

27


 

     Risk-based capital regulations adopted by the FRB and the FDIC require both bank holding companies and banks to achieve and maintain specified ratios of capital to risk-weighted assets. The risk-based capital rules are designed to measure “Tier 1” capital (consisting of stockholders’ equity, less goodwill) and total capital in relation to the credit risk of both on- and off-balance sheet items. Under the guidelines, one of four risk weights is applied to the different on-balance sheet items. Off-balance sheet items, such as loan commitments, are also subject to risk weighting after conversion to balance sheet equivalent amounts. All bank holding companies and banks must maintain a minimum total capital to total risk-weighted assets ratio of 8.00%, at least half of which must be in the form of core, or Tier 1, capital. At December 31, 2004, the Company and the Bank each satisfied their respective minimum regulatory capital requirements, and the Bank was “well-capitalized” within the meaning of federal regulatory requirements. Actual capital levels and minimum levels (in millions) were:

                                                 
                                    Minimum Amounts to  
                                    be Well Capitalized  
                    Minimum Required     Under Prompt  
                    for Capital     Corrective  
    Actual     Adequacy Purposes     Action Provisions  
    Actual     Ratio (%)     Actual     Ratio (%)     Actual     Ratio (%)  
2004
                                               
Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
                                               
Consolidated
  $ 108.4       10.5     $ 83.0       8.0     $ 103.7       10.0  
Bank
    109.5       10.6       83.0       8.0     $ 103.7       10.0  
 
                                               
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
                                               
Consolidated
  $ 95.4       9.2     $ 41.5       4.0     $ 62.2       6.0  
Bank
    96.5       9.3       41.5       4.0       62.2       6.0  
 
                                               
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)
                                               
Consolidated
  $ 95.4       8.5     $ 45.1       4.0     $ 56.4       5.0  
Bank
    96.5       8.6       45.1       4.0       56.4       5.0  
 
                                               
2003
                                               
Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
                                               
Consolidated
  $ 103.0       10.9     $ 75.7       8.0     $ 94.7       10.0  
Bank
    103.8       11.0       75.2       8.0       94.7       10.0  
 
                                               
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
                                               
Consolidated
  $ 91.1       9.6     $ 37.9       4.0     $ 56.8       6.0  
Bank
    91.3       9.7       37.9       4.0       56.8       6.0  
 
                                               
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)
                                               
Consolidated
  $ 91.1       8.4     $ 43.4       4.0     $ 54.2       5.0  
Bank
    91.3       9.4       39.3       4.0       58.9       5.0  

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

     At December 31, 2004, the Company had outstanding unused lines of credit and standby letters of credit totaling $234,358 and unfunded loan commitments outstanding of $96,418. Because these commitments generally have fixed expiration dates and many will expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment level does not necessarily represent future cash requirements. If needed to fund these outstanding commitments, the Company has the ability to liquidate Federal funds sold or securities available-for-sale or, on a short-term basis, to borrow from the FHLB and/or purchase Federal funds from other financial institutions. At December 31, 2004, the Company had accommodations with upstream correspondent banks for unsecured Federal funds lines. These accommodations have various covenants related to their term and availability, and in most cases must be repaid within less than a month. The following table presents additional information about the Company’s commitments as of December 31, 2004, which by their terms have contractual maturity dates subsequent to December 31, 2004:

                                         
    Less than 1                     More than 5        
    Year     1-3 Years     3-5 Years     Years     Total  
Commitments to make loans – fixed
  $ 50,569     $     $     $     $ 50,569  
Commitments to make loans – variable
    45,849                         45,849  
Unused lines of credit
    138,460       29,319       2,012       36,923       206,714  
Letters of credit
    7,725       19,919                   27,644  
 
                             
Total
  $ 242,603     $ 49,238     $ 2,012     $ 36,923     $ 330,776  
 
                             

Asset/Liability Management

     The Company’s Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”) actively measures and manages interest rate risk using a process developed by the Bank. The ALCO is also responsible for approving the Company’s asset/liability management policies, overseeing the formulation and implementation of strategies to improve balance sheet positioning and earnings, and reviewing the Company’s interest rate sensitivity position.

     The primary tool that management uses to measure short-term interest rate risk is a net interest income simulation model prepared by an independent national consulting firm and reviewed by another separate and independent national consulting firm. These simulations estimate the impact that various changes in the overall level of interest rates over one- and two-year time horizons would have on net interest income. The results help the Company develop strategies for managing exposure to interest rate risk.

     Like any forecasting technique, interest rate simulation modeling is based on a large number of assumptions. In this case, the assumptions relate primarily to loan and deposit growth, asset and liability prepayments, interest rates and balance sheet management strategies. Management believes that both individually and in the aggregate the assumptions are reasonable. Nevertheless, the simulation modeling process produces only a sophisticated estimate, not a precise calculation of exposure.

     The Company’s current guidelines for risk management call for preventive measures if a gradual 200 basis point increase or decrease in short-term rates over the next 12 months would affect net interest income over the same period by more than 18.5%. The Company has been operating well within these guidelines. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, based on the results of the independent consulting firm’s simulation model, the Company could expect net interest income to increase by approximately 11.32% and 9.97%, respectively, if short-term interest rates gradually increase by 200 basis points. Conversely, if short-term interest rates gradually decrease by 200 basis points, net interest income could be expected to decrease by approximately 14.26% and 12.73%, respectively.

     The scenario described above, in which net interest income increases when interest rates increase and decreases when interest rates decline, is typically referred to as being “asset sensitive” because interest-earning assets reprice at a faster pace than interest-bearing liabilities. At December 31, 2004, approximately 50% of the Company’s gross loans had adjustable rates. While management believes, based on its asset/liability modeling, that the Company is asset sensitive, it also believes that a rapid, significant and prolonged increase or decrease in rates could have a substantial adverse impact on the Company’s net interest margin.

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     The Company’s net interest income simulation model incorporates certain assumptions with respect to interest rate floors on certain deposits and other liabilities. Further, given the relatively low interest rate environment, a 200 basis point downward shock could very well reduce the costs on some liabilities below zero. In these cases, the Company’s model incorporates constraints which prevent such a shock from simulating liability costs to zero.

     The Company also uses an economic value of equity model, prepared and reviewed by the same independent national consulting firm, to complement its short-term interest rate risk analysis. The benefit of this model is that it measures exposure to interest rate changes over time frames longer than the two-year net interest income simulation. The economic value of the Company’s equity is determined by calculating the net present value of projected future cash flows for current asset and liability positions based on the current yield curve.

     Economic value analysis has several limitations. For example, the economic values of asset and liability balance sheet positions do not represent the true fair values of the positions, since economic values reflect an analysis at one particular point in time and do not consider the value of the Company’s franchise. In addition, we must estimate cash flow for assets and liabilities with indeterminate maturities. Moreover, the model’s present value calculations do not take into consideration future changes in the balance sheet that will likely result from ongoing loan and deposit activities conducted by the Company’s core business. Finally, the analysis requires assumptions about events which span several years. Despite its limitations, the economic value of equity model is a relatively sophisticated tool for evaluating the longer-term effect of possible interest rate movements.

     The Company’s current guidelines for risk management call for preventive measures if an immediate 200 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates would reduce the economic value of equity by more than 23%. The Company has been operating well within these guidelines. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, based on the results of the independent national consulting firm’s simulation model and reviewed by the separate and independent national consulting firm, the Company could expect its economic value of equity to increase by approximately 12.77% and 10.05%, respectively, if short-term interest rates immediately increased by 200 basis points. Conversely, if short-term interest rates immediately decrease by 200 basis points, economic value of equity could be expected to decrease by approximately 17.06% and 14.15%, respectively. The higher percentage changes in economic value of equity as of December 31, 2004, compared to December 31, 2003, are primarily due to a combination of shorter effective asset lives and extended effective liability lives at December 31, 2004, compared to December 31, 2003, resulting in a more asset sensitive position in a rising rate environment.

Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

     In the ordinary course of operations, the Company enters into certain contractual obligations. Such obligations include the funding of operations through debt issuances as well as leases for premises and equipment. The following table summarizes the Company’s significant fixed and determinable contractual obligations as of December 31, 2004:

                                         
    Less than 1                     More than 5        
    Year     1-3 Years     3-5 Years     Years     Total  
Deposits without a stated maturity
  $ 482,480     $     $     $     $ 482,480  
Certificate of deposits
    344,015       125,545       45,344       638       515,542  
Repurchase agreements
    13,868                         13,868  
FHLB advances and notes payable
    20,141       2,099       34,784       28,198       85,222  
Subordinated debentures
                      10,310       10,310  
Operating lease obligations
    555       817       373       265       2,010  
Deferred compensation
                      2,050       2,050  
Purchase obligations
    538                         538  
 
                             
Total
  $ 861,597     $ 128,461     $ 80,501     $ 41,461     $ 1,112,020  
 
                             

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     Additionally, the Company routinely enters into contracts for services. These contracts may require payment for services to be provided in the future and may also contain penalty clauses for early termination of the contract. Management is not aware of any additional commitments or contingent liabilities which may have a material adverse impact on the liquidity or capital resources of the Company.

Inflation

     The effect of inflation on financial institutions differs from its impact on other types of businesses. Since assets and liabilities of banks are primarily monetary in nature, they are more affected by changes in interest rates than by the rate of inflation.

     Inflation generates increased credit demand and fluctuation in interest rates. Although credit demand and interest rates are not directly tied to inflation, each can significantly impact net interest income. As in any business or industry, expenses such as salaries, equipment, occupancy, and other operating expenses also are subject to the upward pressures created by inflation.

     Since the rate of inflation has been stable during the last several years, the impact of inflation on the earnings of the Company has been insignificant.

Effect of New Accounting Standards

     On March 9, 2004, the SEC Staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 105, Application of Accounting Principles to Loan Commitments (“SAB 105”). SAB 105 clarifies existing accounting practices relating to the valuation of issued loan commitments, including interest rate lock commitments (“IRLC”), subject to SFAS No. 149 and Derivative Implementation Group Issue C13, Scope Exceptions: When a Loan Commitment is included in the Scope of Statement 133. Furthermore, SAB 105 disallows the inclusion of the values of a servicing component and other internally developed intangible assets in the initial and subsequent IRLC valuation. The provisions of SAB 105 were effective for loan commitments entered into after March 31, 2004. The adoption of SAB 105 did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

     In March 2004, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) released EITF Issue 03-01, The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and its Application to Certain Investments. The Issue provides guidance for determining whether an investment is other-than-temporarily impaired and requires certain disclosures with respect to these investments. The recognition and measurement guidance for other-than-temporary impairment has been delayed by the issuance of FASB Staff Position EITF 03-1-1 on September 30, 2004. The adoption of Issue 03-1 did not result in any other-than-temporary impairment.

     In December 2003, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) issued Statement of Position (SOP) 03-3, Accounting for Loans or Certain Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer. The SOP addresses accounting for differences between contractual cash flows and cash flows expected to be collected from an investor’s initial investment in loans or debt securities acquired in a transfer if those differences relate to a deterioration of credit quality. The SOP also prohibits companies from “carrying over” or creating a valuation allowance in the initial accounting for loans acquired that meet the scope criteria of the SOP. The SOP is effective for loans acquired in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2004. The adoption of this SOP is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

     In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123(R), Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (SFAS No. 123(R)). SFAS No. 123(R) establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. This Statement focuses primarily on accounting for transactions in which an entity obtains employee services in share-based payment transactions. SFAS No. 123(R) requires that the fair value of such equity instruments be recognized as an expense in the historical financial statements as services are performed. Prior to SFAS No. 123(R), only certain pro forma disclosures of fair value were required. The provisions of this Statement are effective for the first interim reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005. Accordingly, we will adopt SFAS No. 123(R) commencing with the quarter ending September 30, 2005. If we had included the cost of employee stock option compensation in our consolidated financial statements, our net income for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 would have decreased by approximately $148, $106, and $100, respectively.

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PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

       (a) Exhibits. See Index to Exhibits

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SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                     
        GREENE COUNTY BANCSHARES, INC.
 
                   
 
                   
Date: September 12, 2005   By:   /s/ R. Stan Puckett
             
            R. Stan Puckett
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
(Duly Authorized Representative)
 
                   

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EXHIBIT INDEX

3.1 Amended and Restated Charter – incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on August 11, 2003.
 
3.2 Amended and Restated By laws – incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on July 30, 2004.
 
10.1 Employment Agreement and Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and R. Stan Puckett – incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 1995 and December 31, 2003, respectively.*
 
10.2 Employment Agreement between the Company and Kenneth R. Vaught – incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.*
 
10.3 Employment Agreement between the Company and Ronald E. Mayberry – incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.*
 
10.4 Non-competition Agreement between the Company and R. Stan Puckett – incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the ended December 31, 2003.*
 
10.5 Non-competition Agreement between the Company and Kenneth R. Vaught – incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-K for the quarter ended September 30, 2004.*
 
10.6 Greene County Bancshares, Inc. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan – incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on April 30, 2004.*
 
10.7 Greene County Bancshares, Inc. Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-employee Directors - incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 17, 2004.*
 
10.8 Form of Stock Option Award Agreement – incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.*
 
10.9 Deferred Fee Agreement between the Bank and John Tolsma dated December 13, 2004 – incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.*
 
10.10 Amendment and Restatement of the Greene County Bank Deferred Compensation Agreements dated March 11, 1997, March 1, 1999 and November 15, 2004 between the Bank and Phillip M. Bachman dated March 11, 2005 – incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.*
 
10.11 Amendment and Restatement of the Greene County Bank Deferred Compensation Agreement dated March 1, 1999 between the Bank and W.T. Daniels dated March 11, 2005 – incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.*
 
10.12 Amendment and Restatement of the Greene County Bank Deferred Compensation Agreement dated March 1, 1999 between the Bank and Terry Leonard dated March 11, 2005 – incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.*
 
10.13 Amendment and Restatement of the Greene County Bank Deferred Compensation Agreement dated May 1, 1999 between the Bank and Charles S. Brooks dated March 11, 2005 – incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.*
 
10.14 Amendment and Restatement of the Greene County Bank Deferred Compensation Agreement dated May 1, 1999 between the Bank and Jerald K. Jaynes dated March 11, 2005 – incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.*
 
10.15 Amendment and Restatement of the Greene County Bank Deferred Compensation Agreement dated May 1, 2003 between the Bank and Charles H. Whitfield, Jr. dated March 11, 2005 – incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.*
 
10.16 Greene County Bank Executive Deferred Compensation Agreement between the Bank and R. Stan Puckett dated March 11, 2005 – incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.*

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10.17   Greene County Bank Executive Deferred Compensation Agreement between the Bank and Kenneth R. Vaught dated March 11, 2005
– incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.*
 
10.18   Greene County Bank Executive Deferred Compensation Agreement between the Bank and Ronald E. Mayberry dated March 11, 2005
– incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.*
 
10.19   Greene County Bancshares, Inc. Change in Control Protection Plan – incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 26, 2004.*
 
10.20   Greene County Bancshares, Inc. Change in Control Protection Plan Participation Agreement between the Company and Steve L. Droke – incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 26, 2004.*
 
10.21   Greene County Bancshares, Inc. Change in Control Protection Plan Participation Agreement between the Company and Ronald E. Mayberry – incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 26, 2004.*
 
10.22   Greene County Bancshares, Inc. Change in Control Protection Plan Participation Agreement between the Company and William F. Richmond – incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 26, 2004.*
 
11.1   Statement re Computation of Per Share Earnings – incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
 
21.1   Subsidiaries of the Company – incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
 
23.1   Consent of Dixon Hughes PLLC – incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
 
23.2   Consent of Crowe Chizek and Company LLC – incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
 
31.1   Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) – incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
 
31.2   Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) – incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
 
31.3 Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a).
 
31.4 Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a).
 
32.1   Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 – incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
 
32.2   Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 – incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

_______________

* Management contract or compensatory plan.

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