form10-q.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-Q


(Mark One)
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009.
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 0-14703


NBT BANCORP INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

DELAWARE
16-1268674
(State of Incorporation)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

52 SOUTH BROAD STREET, NORWICH, NEW YORK 13815
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (607) 337-2265

None
(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o No o

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

Large accelerated filer x Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company o

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

As of October 31, 2009, there were 34,338,364 shares outstanding of the Registrant's common stock, $0.01 par value per share.
 
1
 
NBT BANCORP INC.
FORM 10-Q--Quarter Ended September 30, 2009


TABLE OF CONTENTS


PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
   
Item 1
Interim Financial Statements (Unaudited)
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Item 2
   
Item 3
   
Item 4
   
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
   
Item 1
Item 1A
Item 2
Item 3
Item 4
Item 5
Item 6
   
   

 
NBT Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
  
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
  
September 30,
2009
    
December 31,
2008
  
Assets
            
Cash and due from banks
   $ 127,001     $ 107,409  
Short-term interest bearing accounts
     118,224       2,987  
Securities available for sale, at fair value
     1,132,423       1,119,665  
Securities held to maturity (fair value $170,851 and $141,308, respectively)
     168,658       140,209  
Trading securities
     2,263       1,407  
Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank stock
     37,103       39,045  
Loans and leases
     3,615,890       3,651,911  
Less allowance for loan and lease losses
     64,650       58,564  
Net loans and leases
     3,551,240       3,593,347  
Premises and equipment, net
     65,652       65,241  
Goodwill
     114,942       114,838  
Intangible assets, net
     21,371       23,367  
Bank owned life insurance
     73,430       72,276  
Other assets
     72,080       56,297  
Total assets
   $ 5,484,387     $ 5,336,088  
Liabilities
                
Demand (noninterest bearing)
   $ 744,383     $ 685,495  
Savings, NOW, and money market
     2,204,456       1,885,551  
Time
     1,155,634       1,352,212  
Total deposits
     4,104,473       3,923,258  
Short-term borrowings
     147,792       206,492  
Long-term debt
     579,712       632,209  
Trust preferred debentures
     75,422       75,422  
Other liabilities
     79,446       66,862  
Total liabilities
     4,986,845       4,904,243  
Stockholders’ equity
                
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 2,500,000 shares at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008
     -       -  
Common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 50,000,000 shares at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008; issued 38,035,574 and 36,459,344 at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively
     380       365  
Additional paid-in-capital
     310,435       276,418  
Retained earnings
     263,300       245,340  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
     2,335       (8,204 )
Common stock in treasury, at cost, 3,701,456 and 3,853,548 shares at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively
     (78,908 )     (82,074 )
Total stockholders’ equity
     497,542       431,845  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
   $ 5,484,387     $ 5,336,088  

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

 
NBT Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
  
Three months ended September 30,
    
Nine months ended September 30,
  
Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
  
2009
    
2008
    
2009
    
2008
  
(In thousands, except per share data)
                        
Interest, fee, and dividend income
                        
Interest and fees on loans and leases
   $ 54,666     $ 58,154     $ 164,963     $ 173,991  
Securities available for sale
     11,116       13,451       35,162       40,614  
Securities held to maturity
     1,239       1,343       3,682       4,335  
Other
     615       673       1,582       2,187  
Total interest, fee, and dividend income
     67,636       73,621       205,389       221,127  
Interest expense
                                
Deposits
     12,002       18,351       38,964       59,761  
Short-term borrowings
     142       763       413       4,465  
Long-term debt
     5,761       6,310       17,956       16,241  
Trust preferred debentures
     1,049       1,154       3,211       3,547  
Total interest expense
     18,954       26,578       60,544       84,014  
Net interest income
     48,682       47,043       144,845       137,113  
Provision for loan and lease losses
     9,101       7,179       24,751       19,460  
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses
     39,581       39,864       120,094       117,653  
Noninterest income
                                
Service charges on deposit accounts
     7,110       7,414       20,357       20,877  
Insurance and broker/ dealer revenue
     4,368       2,338       13,926       4,811  
Trust
     1,668       1,720       4,838       5,593  
Net securities gains
     129       1,510       146       1,543  
Bank owned life insurance
     683       923       2,225       2,438  
ATM fees
     2,443       2,334       6,993       6,656  
Retirement plan administration fees
     2,412       1,461       6,347       4,840  
Other
     2,037       1,262       5,453       4,718  
Total noninterest income
     20,850       18,962       60,285       51,476  
Noninterest expense
                                
Salaries and employee benefits
     21,272       16,850       62,646       50,526  
Occupancy
     3,481       3,359       11,256       10,396  
Equipment
     1,997       1,908       6,024       5,595  
Data processing and communications
     3,305       3,155       9,924       9,440  
Professional fees and outside services
     2,691       2,205       7,820       7,825  
Office supplies and postage
     1,426       1,322       4,385       3,992  
Amortization of intangible assets
     827       462       2,465       1,231  
Loan collection and other real estate owned
     755       505       2,177       1,802  
Impairment on lease residual assets
     -       2,000       -       2,000  
FDIC insurance
     1,535       614       7,096       986  
Other
     3,743       4,678       11,483       12,722  
Total noninterest expense
     41,032       37,058       125,276       106,515  
Income before income tax expense
     19,399       21,768       55,103       62,614  
Income tax expense
     5,821       6,685       16,893       19,158  
Net income
   $ 13,578     $ 15,083     $ 38,210     $ 43,456  
Earnings per share
                                
Basic
   $ 0.40     $ 0.47     $ 1.14     $ 1.36  
Diluted
   $ 0.40     $ 0.46     $ 1.13     $ 1.34  

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

 
NBT Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited)
  
   
Common
Stock
    
Additional
Paid-in-
Capital
    
Retained
Earnings
    
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
    
Common
Stock
in Treasury
    
Total
  
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
                                    
                                     
Balance at December 31, 2007
   $ 365     $ 273,275     $ 215,031     $ (3,575 )   $ (87,796 )   $ 397,300  
Cumulative effect adjustment to record liability for split-dollar life insurance policies
                     (1,518 )                     (1,518 )
Net income
                     43,456                       43,456  
Cash dividends - $0.60 per share
                     (19,314 )                     (19,314 )
Purchase of 272,840 treasury shares
                                     (5,939 )     (5,939 )
Net issuance of 461,219 shares to employee benefit plans and other stock plans, including tax benefit
             845       (502 )             9,768       10,111  
Stock-based compensation
             1,540                               1,540  
Net issuance of 25,200 shares of restricted stock awards
             (557 )                     526       (31 )
Forfeiture of 8,567 shares of restricted stock
             193                       (193 )     -  
Other comprehensive loss
                             (4,477 )             (4,477 )
Balance at September 30, 2008
   $ 365     $ 275,296     $ 237,153     $ (8,052 )   $ (83,634 )   $ 421,128  
                                                 
Balance at December 31, 2008
   $ 365     $ 276,418     $ 245,340     $ (8,204 )   $ (82,074 )   $ 431,845  
Net income
                     38,210                       38,210  
Cash dividends - $0.60 per share
                     (20,250 )                     (20,250 )
Net issuance of 1,576,230 common shares
     15       33,522                       -       33,537  
Net issuance of 96,225 shares to employee benefit plans and other stock plans, including tax benefit
             (546 )                     2,025       1,479  
Stock-based compensation
             2,359                               2,359  
Net issuance of 59,717 shares of restricted stock awards
             (1,406 )                     1,229       (177 )
Forfeiture of 3,850 shares of restricted stock
             88                       (88 )     -  
Other comprehensive income
                             10,539               10,539  
Balance at September 30, 2009
   $ 380     $ 310,435     $ 263,300     $ 2,335     $ (78,908 )   $ 497,542  

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

 
NBT Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
  
Nine Months Ended September 30,
  
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
  
2009
    
2008
  
(In thousands, except per share data)
            
Operating activities
            
Net income
   $ 38,210     $ 43,456  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
                
Provision for loan and lease losses
     24,751       19,460  
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment
     4,016       3,886  
Net amortization on securities
     363       317  
Amortization of intangible assets
     2,465       1,231  
Stock based compensation
     2,359       1,540  
Bank owned life insurance income
     (2,225 )     (2,438 )
Purchases of trading securities
     (497 )     (266 )
Unrealized (gains) losses in trading securities
     (359 )     242  
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale
     111,042       20,992  
Originations of loans held for sale
     (113,493 )     (20,608 )
Net gains on sales of loans held for sale
     (764 )     (125 )
Net security gains
     (146 )     (1,543 )
Net gain on sales of other real estate owned
     (138 )     (214 )
Impairment on lease residual assets
     -       2,000  
Net increase in other assets
     (13,685 )     (1,341 )
Net increase (decrease) in other liabilities
     7,629       (1,240 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
     59,528       65,349  
Investing activities
                
Securities available for sale:
                
Proceeds from maturities, calls, and principal paydowns
     343,117       312,286  
Proceeds from sales
     2,753       1,140  
Purchases
     (343,276 )     (288,104 )
Securities held to maturity:
                
Proceeds from maturities, calls, and principal paydowns
     69,240       64,117  
Purchases
     (97,764 )     (65,046 )
Net decrease (increase) in loans
     17,438       (172,374 )
Net decrease (increase) in Federal Reserve and FHLB stock
     1,942       (1,020 )
Net cash used in Mang Insurance Agency, LLC acquisition
     -       (25,873 )
Cash received from death benefit
     1,054       -  
Purchases of premises and equipment
     (4,427 )     (4,665 )
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned
     617       724  
Net cash used in investing activities
     (9,306 )     (178,815 )
Financing activities
                
Net increase in deposits
     181,215       118,701  
Net decrease in short-term borrowings
     (58,700 )     (217,990 )
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
     -       340,021  
Repayments of long-term debt
     (52,497 )     (131,446 )
Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options
     144       800  
Proceeds from the issuance of shares to employee benefit plans and other stock plans
     1,158       9,280  
Issuance of common stock
     33,537       -  
Purchases of treasury stock
     -       (5,939 )
Cash dividends and payment for fractional shares
     (20,250 )     (19,314 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
     84,607       94,113  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
     134,829       (19,353 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
     110,396       162,946  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
   $ 245,225     $ 143,593  
                 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
                
Cash paid during the period for:
                
Interest
   $ 62,269     $ 87,534  
Income taxes paid
     10,521       11,463  
Noncash investing activities:
                
Loans transferred to OREO
   $ 3,133     $ 805  
Acquisitions:
                
Fair value of assets acquired
   $ -     $ 28,875  
Fair value of liabilities assumed
     -       3,002  

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

 
   
Three months ended
September 30,
    
Nine months ended
September 30,
  
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited)
  
2009
    
2008
    
2009
    
2008
  
(In thousands)
                        
Net income
   $ 13,578     $ 15,083     $ 38,210     $ 43,456  
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
                                
Unrealized net holding gains (losses) arising during the period (pre-tax amounts of $11,390, $802, $15,640, and ($5,576))
     6,875       480       9,442       (3,711 )
Reclassification adjustment for net gains related to securities available for sale included in net income (pre-tax amounts of ($129), ($1,510), ($146), and ($1,543))
     (77 )     (908 )     (88 )     (928 )
Pension and other benefits:
                                
Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial gains (pre-tax amounts of $658, $90, $1,974, and $270)
     395       54       1,185       162  
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
     7,193       (374 )     10,539       (4,477 )
Comprehensive income
   $ 20,771     $ 14,709     $ 48,749     $ 38,979  

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements

 
NBT BANCORP INC. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2009

Note 1.
Description of Business

NBT Bancorp Inc. (the “Registrant”) is a registered financial holding company incorporated in the State of Delaware in 1986, with its principal headquarters located in Norwich, New York. The Registrant is the parent holding company of NBT Bank, N.A. (the “Bank”), NBT Financial Services, Inc. (“NBT Financial”), NBT Holdings, Inc. (“NBT Holdings”), CNBF Capital Trust I, NBT Statutory Trust I and NBT Statutory Trust II (the “Trusts”). Through the Bank and NBT Financial, the Company is focused on community banking operations and other financial services. Through NBT Holdings, the Company operates Mang Insurance Agency, LLC (“Mang”), a full-service insurance agency. The Trusts were organized to raise additional regulatory capital and to provide funding for certain acquisitions. The Registrant’s primary business consists of providing commercial banking and financial services to customers in its market area. The principal assets of the Registrant are all of the outstanding shares of common stock of its direct subsidiaries, and its principal sources of revenue are the management fees and dividends it receives from the Bank, NBT Financial, and NBT Holdings.

The Bank is a full service commercial bank formed in 1856, which provides a broad range of financial products to individuals, corporations and municipalities throughout upstate New York, northeastern Pennsylvania, and northwestern Vermont market areas.

Note 2.
Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Registrant and its wholly owned subsidiaries, the Bank, NBT Financial and NBT Holdings. Collectively, the Registrant and its subsidiaries are referred to herein as “the Company.” All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Amounts in the prior period financial statements are reclassified whenever necessary to conform to current period presentation. The Company has evaluated subsequent events for potential recognition and/or disclosure through November 9, 2009, the date the condensed consolidated financial statements included in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q were issued.

Note 3.
New Accounting Pronouncements
 
In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 166, "Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets," or SFAS No. 166. This Statement removes the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity, creates more stringent conditions for reporting a transfer of a portion of financial assets as a sale, clarifies other sale-accounting criteria and changes the initial measurement of a transferor and interest in transferred financial assets.
 
Enhanced disclosures are required to provide financial statement users with greater transparency about transfers of financial assets and a transferor’s continuing involvement with transferred financial assets for interim and annual reporting periods. This Statement is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2009 and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. Earlier application is prohibited. Adoption of SFAS No. 166 is not expected to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
 
In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, "Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)," or SFAS No. 167. This Statement changes the approach to determining a variable interest entity’s (“VIE”) primary beneficiary (the reporting entity that must consolidate the VIE) and requires companies to more frequently reassess whether they must consolidate VIE’s. Enhanced disclosures are required for any enterprise that holds a variable interest in a variable interest entity. It is possible that application of this revised guidance will change an enterprise’s assessment of which entities with which it is involved are variable interest entities. This Statement is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2009 and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. Earlier application is prohibited. The Company is assessing if the adoption of SFAS No. 167 will have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.


In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification™ and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”)—a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162”, or SFAS No. 168. On the effective date of this standard, Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) will become the source of authoritative U.S. accounting and reporting standards for nongovernmental entities, in addition to guidance issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). FASB ASC significantly changes the way financial statement preparers, auditors, and academics perform accounting research. This statement is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This new standard flattens the GAAP hierarchy to two levels: one that is authoritative (in FASB ASC) and one that is nonauthoritative (not in FASB ASC). Adoption of SFAS No. 168 did not have an impact on our financial condition or results of operations, however will affect technical accounting references in future filings.

Note 4.
Use of Estimates

Preparing financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period, as well as the disclosures provided. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates associated with the allowance for loan and lease losses, other real estate owned (“OREO”), income taxes, pension expense, fair values of lease residual assets, fair values of financial instruments and status of contingencies are particularly susceptible to material change in the near term.

The allowance for loan and lease losses is the amount which, in the opinion of management, is necessary to absorb probable losses inherent in the loan and lease portfolio. The allowance is determined based upon numerous considerations, including local and national economic conditions, the growth and composition of the loan portfolio with respect to the mix between the various types of loans and their related risk characteristics, a review of the value of collateral supporting the loans, comprehensive reviews of the loan portfolio by the independent loan review staff and management, as well as consideration of volume and trends of delinquencies, nonperforming loans, and loan charge-offs. As a result of the test of adequacy, required additions to the allowance for loan and lease losses are made periodically by charges to the provision for loan and lease losses.

The allowance for loan and lease losses related to impaired loans is based on discounted cash flows using the loan’s initial effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral for certain loans where repayment of the loan is expected to be provided solely by the underlying collateral (collateral dependent loans). The Company’s impaired loans are generally collateral dependent loans. The Company considers the estimated cost to sell, on a discounted basis, when determining the fair value of collateral in the measurement of impairment if those costs are expected to reduce the cash flows available to repay or otherwise satisfy the loans.

Management believes that the allowance for loan and lease losses is adequate. While management uses available information to recognize loan and lease losses, future additions to the allowance for loan and lease losses may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions or changes in the values of properties securing loans in the process of foreclosure. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan and lease losses. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance for loan and lease losses based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination which may not be currently available to management.


OREO consists of properties acquired through foreclosure or by acceptance of a deed in lieu of foreclosure. These assets are recorded at the lower of fair value of the asset acquired less estimated costs to sell or “cost” (defined as the fair value at initial foreclosure). At the time of foreclosure, or when foreclosure occurs in-substance, the excess, if any, of the loan over the fair value of the assets received, less estimated selling costs, is charged to the allowance for loan and lease losses and any subsequent valuation write-downs are charged to other expense. Operating costs associated with the properties are charged to expense as incurred. Gains on the sale of OREO are included in income when title has passed and the sale has met the minimum down payment requirements prescribed by U.S. GAAP.

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. The Company files consolidated tax returns on the accrual basis. Deferred income taxes are recognized for the future tax consequences and benefits attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income or the existence of sufficient taxable income within the available carryback period. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Based on available evidence, gross deferred tax assets will ultimately be realized and a valuation allowance was not deemed necessary at September 30, 2009 or December 31, 2008. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred taxes is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Uncertain tax positions are recognized only when it is more likely than not (likelihood of greater than 50%), based on technical merits, that the position would be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. Tax positions that meet the more than likely than not threshold are measured using a probability-weighted approach as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement.

Management is required to make various assumptions in valuing its pension assets and liabilities. These assumptions include the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, the discount rate, and the rate of increase in future compensation levels. Changes to these assumptions could impact earnings in future periods. The Company takes into account the plan asset mix, funding obligations, and expert opinions in determining the various assumptions used to compute pension expense. The Company also considers relevant indices and market interest rates in selecting an appropriate discount rate. A cash flow analysis for expected benefit payments from the plan is performed each year to also assist in selecting the discount rate. In addition, the Company reviews expected inflationary and merit increases to compensation in determining the expected rate of increase in future compensation levels.

One of the most significant estimates associated with leasing operations is the estimated residual value of leased vehicles expected at the termination of the lease. A lease receivable asset, when established, includes the estimated residual value of the leased vehicle at the termination of the lease. Management is required to make various assumptions to estimate the fair value of the vehicle lease residual assets. If it is determined that there has been a decline in the estimated fair value of the residual that is judged by management to be other-than-temporary, an impairment charge would be recognized and recorded with other noninterest expenses in the consolidated statements of income.

 
Note 5.
Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is a party to financial instruments in the normal course of business to meet financing needs of its customers and to reduce its own exposure to fluctuating interest rates. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, unused lines of credit, and standby letters of credit. Exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to make loans and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policy to make such commitments as it uses for on-balance-sheet items. Commitments to extend credit and unused lines of credit totaled $580.8 million at September 30, 2009 and $537.6 million at December 31, 2008. Since commitments to extend credit and unused lines of credit may expire without being fully drawn upon, this amount does not necessarily represent future cash commitments. Collateral obtained upon exercise of the commitment is determined using management’s credit evaluation of the borrower and may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, land and other items.

The Company guarantees the obligations or performance of customers by issuing stand-by letters of credit to third parties. These stand-by letters of credit are frequently issued in support of third party debt, such as corporate debt issuances, industrial revenue bonds and municipal securities. The credit risk involved in issuing stand-by letters of credit is essentially the same as the credit risk involved in extending loan facilities to customers, and they are subject to the same credit origination guidelines, portfolio maintenance and management procedures as other credit and off-balance sheet products. Typically, these instruments have terms of five years or less and expire unused; therefore, the total amounts do not necessarily represent future cash commitments. Standby letters of credit totaled $33.8 million at September 30, 2009 and $27.6 million at December 31, 2008. As of September 30, 2009, the fair value of standby letters of credit was not significant to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


Note 6.
Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity (such as the Company’s dilutive stock options and restricted stock).

The following is a reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the periods presented in the consolidated statements of income.

Three months ended September 30,
  
2009
    
2008
  
(in thousands, except per share data)
            
Basic EPS:
            
Weighted average common shares outstanding
     34,119       32,137  
Net income available to common shareholders
     13,578       15,083  
Basic EPS
   $ 0.40     $ 0.47  
Diluted EPS:
                
Weighted average common shares outstanding
     34,119       32,137  
Dilutive effect of common stock options and restricted stock
     223       316  
Weighted average common shares and common share equivalents
     34,342       32,453  
Net income available to common shareholders
     13,578       15,083  
Diluted EPS
   $ 0.40     $ 0.46  
                 
Nine months ended September 30,
     2009       2008  
(in thousands, except per share data)
                
Basic EPS:
                
Weighted average common shares outstanding
     33,573       32,060  
Net income available to common shareholders
     38,210       43,456  
Basic EPS
   $ 1.14     $ 1.36  
Diluted EPS:
                
Weighted average common shares outstanding
     33,573       32,060  
Dilutive effect of common stock options and restricted stock
     208       255  
Weighted average common shares and common share equivalents
     33,781       32,315  
Net income available to common shareholders
     38,210       43,456  
Diluted EPS
   $ 1.13     $ 1.34  

There were 863,260 stock options for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 and 228,587 stock options for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 that were not considered in the calculation of diluted earnings per share since the stock options’ exercise price was greater than the average market price during these periods.

There were 897,455 stock options for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 840,882 stock options for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 that were not considered in the calculation of diluted earnings per share since the stock options’ exercise price was greater than the average market price during these periods.

 
Note 7.
Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans

The Company has a qualified, noncontributory, defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all of its employees at September 30, 2009. Benefits paid from the plan are based on age, years of service, compensation and social security benefits, and are determined in accordance with defined formulas. The Company’s policy is to fund the pension plan in accordance with Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) standards. Assets of the plan are invested in publicly traded stocks and bonds. Prior to January 1, 2000, the Company’s plan was a traditional defined benefit plan based on final average compensation. On January 1, 2000, the plan was converted to a cash balance plan with grandfathering provisions for existing participants.

In addition to the pension plan, the Company also provides supplemental employee retirement plans to certain current and former executives. These supplemental employee retirement plans and the defined benefit pension plan are collectively referred to herein as “Pension Benefits.”

Also, the Company provides certain health care benefits for retired employees. Benefits are accrued over the employees’ active service period. Only employees that were employed by the Company on or before January 1, 2000 are eligible to receive postretirement health care benefits. The plan is contributory for participating retirees, requiring participants to absorb certain deductibles and coinsurance amounts with contributions adjusted annually to reflect cost sharing provisions and benefit limitations called for in the plan. Eligibility is contingent upon the direct transition from active employment status to retirement without any break in employment from the Company. Employees also must be participants in the Company’s medical plan prior to their retirement. The Company funds the cost of postretirement health care as benefits are paid. The Company elected to recognize the transition obligation on a delayed basis over twenty years. These postretirement benefits are referred to herein as “Other Benefits.”

The components of expense for pension and other benefits are set forth below (in thousands):

   
Pension Benefits
    
Other Benefits
  
   
Three months ended September 30,
    
Three months ended September 30,
  
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
  
2009
    
2008
    
2009
    
2008
  
Service cost
   $ 587     $ 573     $ 6     $ 6  
Interest cost
     860       804       56       60  
Expected return on plan assets
     (1,401 )     (1,502 )     -       -  
Net amortization
     670       96       (12 )     (6 )
Total cost (benefit)
   $ 716     $ (29 )   $ 50     $ 60  

   
Pension Benefits
    
Other Benefits
  
 
Nine months ended September 30,
    
Nine months ended September 30,
  
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
  
2009
    
2008
    
2009
    
2008
  
Service cost
   $ 1,760     $ 1,718     $ 18     $ 18  
Interest cost
     2,582       2,414       167       180  
Expected return on plan assets
     (4,202 )     (4,507 )     -       -  
Net amortization
     2,011       289       (37 )     (19 )
Total cost (benefit)
   $ 2,151     $ (86 )   $ 148     $ 179  

The Company is not required to make contributions to the plans in 2009. However, the Company made contributions to the plans totaling approximately $12.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The Company recorded approximately $1.2 million, net of tax, as amortization of pension amounts previously recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.


Recent market conditions have resulted in an unusually high degree of volatility and increased the risks and short term liquidity associated with certain investments held by the Company’s defined benefit pension plan (“the Plan”) which could impact the value of these investments.

Note 8.
Trust Preferred Debentures

CNBF Capital Trust I is a Delaware statutory business trust formed in 1999, for the purpose of issuing $18 million in trust preferred securities and lending the proceeds to the Company. NBT Statutory Trust I is a Delaware statutory business trust formed in 2005, for the purpose of issuing $5 million in trust preferred securities and lending the proceeds to the Company. NBT Statutory Trust II is a Delaware statutory business trust formed in 2006, for the purpose of issuing $50 million in trust preferred securities and lending the proceeds to the Company to provide funding for the acquisition of CNB Bancorp, Inc. These three statutory business trusts are collectively referred herein to as “the Trusts.” The Company guarantees, on a limited basis, payments of distributions on the trust preferred securities and payments on redemption of the trust preferred securities. The Trusts are variable interest entities (“VIEs”) for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary, as defined by U.S. GAAP. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the accounts of the Trusts are not included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

As of September 30, 2009, the Trusts had the following issues of trust preferred debentures, all held by the Trusts, outstanding (dollars in thousands):

Description
Issuance Date
  
Trust Preferred Securities Outstanding
  
Interest Rate
  
Trust Preferred Debt Owed To Trust
  
Final Maturity date
CNBF Capital Trust I
August 1999
     18,000  
3-month LIBOR plus 2.75%
   $ 18,720  
August 2029
                       
NBT Statutory Trust I
November 2005
     5,000  
6.30% Fixed *
     5,155  
December 2035
                       
NBT Statutory Trust II
February 2006
     50,000  
6.195% Fixed *
     51,547  
March 2036

* Fixed for 5 years, converts to floating at 3-month LIBOR plus 140 basis points

The Company owns all of the common stock of the Trusts, which have issued trust preferred securities in conjunction with the Company issuing trust preferred debentures to the Trusts. The terms of the trust preferred debentures are substantially the same as the terms of the trust preferred securities.

Note 9.
Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments

U.S. GAAP states that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Fair value measurements are not adjusted for transaction costs. A fair value hierarchy exists within U.S. GAAP that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:


Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;

Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability;

Level 3 - Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The types of instruments valued based on quoted market prices in active markets include most U.S. government and agency securities, many other sovereign government obligations, liquid mortgage products, active listed equities and most money market securities. Such instruments are generally classified within level 1 or level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company does not adjust the quoted price for such instruments.

The types of instruments valued based on quoted prices in markets that are not active, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency include most investment-grade and high-yield corporate bonds, less liquid mortgage products, less liquid agency securities, less liquid listed equities, state, municipal and provincial obligations, and certain physical commodities. Such instruments are generally classified within level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Level 3 is for positions that are not traded in active markets or are subject to transfer restrictions, valuations are adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability, and such adjustments are generally based on available market evidence. In the absence of such evidence, management’s best estimate will be used. Management’s best estimate consists of both internal and external support on certain Level 3 investments. Subsequent to inception, management only changes level 3 inputs and assumptions when corroborated by evidence such as transactions in similar instruments, completed or pending third-party transactions in the underlying investment or comparable entities, subsequent rounds of financing, recapitalizations and other transactions across the capital structure, offerings in the equity or debt markets, and changes in financial ratios or cash flows.


The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis that were accounted for at fair value. Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement (in thousands):

   
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
    
Significant
Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
    
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
    
Balance
as of
September 30, 2009
  
Assets:
                        
Securities Available for Sale:
                        
U.S. Treasury
     64       -       -       64  
Federal Agency
     -       324,618       -       324,618  
State & municipal
             143,265       -       143,265  
Mortgage-backed
     -       301,476       -       301,476  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
     -       328,836       -       328,836  
Corporate
             20,732       -       20,732  
Other securities
     10,417       3,015       -       13,432  
Total Securities Available for Sale
   $ 10,481     $ 1,121,942     $ -     $ 1,132,423  
                                 
Trading Securities
     2,263       -       -       2,263  
Total
   $ 12,744     $ 1,121,942     $ -     $ 1,134,686  

Certain common equity securities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs (exchange quoted prices). The majority of the other investment securities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. The prices for these instruments are obtained through an independent pricing service or dealer market participants with whom the Company has historically transacted both purchases and sales of investment securities. Prices obtained from these sources include prices derived from market quotations and matrix pricing. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond’s terms and conditions, among other things. Management reviews the methodologies used in pricing the securities by its third party providers.

U.S. GAAP require disclosure of assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis such as goodwill, loans held for sale, other real estate owned, lease residuals, collateral-dependent impaired loans, mortgage servicing rights, and held-to-maturity securities. The only nonrecurring fair value measurement recorded during the nine month period ended September 30, 2009 was related to impaired loans. The Company had collateral dependent impaired loans with a carrying value of approximately $13.2 million which had specific reserves included in the allowance for loan and lease losses of $3.8 million at September 30, 2009. During the three month period ended September 30, 2009, the Company established specific reserves of approximately $2.2 million, which were included in the provision for loan and lease losses for the respective period. During the nine month period ended September 30, 2009, the Company established specific reserves of approximately $3.3 million, which were included in the provision for loan and lease losses for the respective period. The Company uses the fair value of underlying collateral to estimate the specific reserves for collateral dependent impaired loans. Based on the valuation techniques used, the fair value measurements for collateral dependent impaired loans are classified as Level 3.


The following table sets forth information with regard to estimated fair values of financial instruments at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

   
September 30, 2009
    
December 31, 2008
  
(In thousands)
  
Carrying amount
    
Estimated fair value
    
Carrying amount
    
Estimated fair value
  
Financial assets
                        
Cash and cash equivalents
   $ 245,225     $ 245,225     $ 110,396     $ 110,396  
Securities available for sale
     1,132,423       1,132,423       1,119,665       1,119,665  
Securities held to maturity
     168,658       170,851       140,209       141,308  
Trading securities
     2,263       2,263       1,407       1,407  
Loans (1)
     3,615,890       3,602,116       3,651,911       3,650,428  
Less allowance for loan losses
     64,650       -       58,564       -  
Net loans
     3,551,240       3,602,116       3,593,347       3,650,428  
Accrued interest receivable
     21,021       21,021       22,746       22,746  
Financial liabilities
                                
Savings, NOW, and money market
   $ 2,204,456     $ 2,204,456     $ 1,885,551     $ 1,885,551  
Time deposits
     1,155,634       1,164,501       1,352,212       1,367,425  
Noninterest bearing
     744,383       744,383       685,495       685,495  
Short-term borrowings
     147,792       147,792       206,492       206,492  
Long-term debt
     579,712       629,220       632,209       660,246  
Accrued interest payable
     6,984       6,984       8,709       8,709  
Trust preferred debentures
     75,422       78,913       75,422       79,411  

(1) Lease receivables are included in the estimated fair value amounts at their carrying amounts.

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

Fair value estimates are based on existing on and off balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. For example, the Company has a substantial trust and investment management operation that contributes net fee income annually. The trust and investment management operation is not considered a financial instrument, and its value has not been incorporated into the fair value estimates. Other significant assets and liabilities include the benefits resulting from the low-cost funding of deposit liabilities as compared to the cost of borrowing funds in the market, and premises and equipment. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in the estimate of fair value.

 
Note 10.
Securities

The amortized cost, estimated fair value, and unrealized gains and losses of securities available for sale are as follows:

(In thousands)
  
Amortized cost
    
Unrealized gains
    
Unrealized losses
    
Estimated fair value
  
September 30, 2009
                        
U.S. Treasury
   $ 59     $ 5     $ -     $ 64  
Federal Agency
     320,015       4,603       -       324,618  
State & municipal
     138,022       5,374       131       143,265  
Mortgage-backed
     287,025       14,451       -       301,476  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
     318,783       10,415       362       328,836  
Corporate
     20,012       720       -       20,732  
Other securities
     12,295       1,595       458       13,432  
Total securities available for sale
   $ 1,096,211     $ 37,163     $ 951     $ 1,132,423  
December 31, 2008
                                
U.S. Treasury
   $ 59     $ 8     $ -     $ 67  
Federal Agency
     213,997       5,211       41       219,167  
State & municipal
     126,369       2,374       770       127,973  
Mortgage-backed
     351,973       8,755       99       360,629  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
     376,058       5,656       1,437       380,277  
Corporate
     20,016       769       -       20,785  
Other securities
     10,475       1,279       987       10,767  
Total securities available for sale
   $ 1,098,947     $ 24,052     $ 3,334     $ 1,119,665  

In the available for sale category at September 30, 2009, federal agency securities were comprised of Government-Sponsored Enterprise (“GSE”) securities; mortgaged-backed securities were comprised of GSE securities with an amortized cost of $254.8 million and a fair value of $267.4 million and US Government Agency securities with an amortized cost of $32.2 million and a fair value of $34.0 million; collateralized mortgage obligations were comprised of GSE securities with an amortized cost of $165.3 million and a fair value of $169.8 million and US Government Agency securities with an amortized cost of $153.4 million and a fair value of $159.1 million.

In the available for sale category at December 31, 2008, federal agency securities were comprised of GSE securities; mortgaged-backed securities were comprised of GSE securities with an amortized cost of $313.7 million and a fair value of $321.0 million and US Government Agency securities with an amortized cost of $38.2 million and a fair value of $39.7 million; collateralized mortgage obligations were comprised of GSE securities with an amortized cost of $204.1 million and a fair value of $205.6 million and US Government Agency securities with an amortized cost of $172.0 million and a fair value of $174.6 million.

Others securities primarily represent marketable equity securities.

 
The following table sets forth information with regard to sales transactions of securities available for sale:

   
Three months ended September 30,
    
Nine months ended September 30,
  
(In thousands)
  
2009
    
2008
    
2009
    
2008
  
Proceeds from sales
   $ 2,753     $ 5,660     $ 2,753     $ 6,800  
Gross realized gains
     154       1,661       154       1,661  
Gross realized losses
     (49 )     -       (49 )     (46 )
Net securities (losses) gains
   $ 105     $ 1,661     $ 105     $ 1,615  

During the periods presented above, the Company also recognized securities gains and losses from calls and maturities.

Securities available for sale with amortized costs totaling $1.1 billion at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, were pledged to secure public deposits and for other purposes required or permitted by law. Additionally, at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, securities available for sale with an amortized cost of $169.4 million and $165.7 million, respectively, were pledged as collateral for securities sold under repurchase agreements.

The amortized cost, estimated fair value, and unrealized gains and losses of securities held to maturity are as follows:

(In thousands)
  
Amortized
cost
    
Unrealized
gains
    
Unrealized
losses
    
Estimated
fair value
  
September 30, 2009
                        
Mortgage-backed
   $ 2,128     $ 168     $ -     $ 2,296  
State & municipal
     166,530       2,030       5       168,555  
Total securities held to maturity
   $ 168,658     $ 2,198     $ 5     $ 170,851  
December 31, 2008
                                
Mortgage-backed
   $ 2,372     $ 95     $ -     $ 2,467  
State & municipal
     136,259       1,048       44       137,263  
Other securities
     1,578       -       -       1,578  
Total securities held to maturity
   $ 140,209     $ 1,143     $ 44     $ 141,308  

At September 30, 2009, all of the mortgaged-backed securities held to maturity were comprised of US Government Agency securities.


The following table sets forth information with regard to investment securities with unrealized losses at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

   
Less than 12 months
    
12 months or longer
    
Total
  
Security Type:
  
Fair
Value
    
Unrealized
losses
    
Number
of
Positions
    
Fair
Value
    
Unrealized
losses
    
Number
of
Positions
    
Fair
Value
    
Unrealized
losses
    
Number
of
Positions
  
                                                       
September 30, 2009
                                                      
U.S. Treasury
   $ -     $ -       -     $ -     $ -       -     $ -     $ -       -  
Federal agency
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
State & municipal
     1,001       (5 )     2       8,641       (126 )     38       9,642       (131 )     40  
Mortgage-backed
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
     -       -       -       41,739       (362 )     3       41,739       (362 )     3  
Corporate
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Other securities
     4,565       (428 )     1       51       (30 )     1       4,616       (458 )     2  
Total securities with unrealized losses
   $ 5,566     $ (433 )     3     $ 50,431     $ (518 )     42     $ 55,997     $ (951 )     45  
                                                                         
December 31, 2008
                                                                        
U.S. Treasury
   $ -     $ -       -     $ -     $ -       -     $ -     $ -       -  
Federal agency
     9,959       (41 )     1       -       -       -       9,959       (41 )     1  
State & municipal
     17,024       (390 )     31       15,112       (380 )     57       32,136       (770 )     88  
Mortgage-backed
     2,105       (28 )     15       7,336       (71 )     5       9,441       (99 )     20  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
     46,865       (1,301 )     5       15,682       (136 )     9       62,547       (1,437 )     14  
Corporate
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Other securities
     5,276       (947 )     5       704       (40 )     1       5,980       (987 )     6  
Total securities with unrealized losses
   $ 81,229     $ (2,707 )     57     $ 38,834     $ (627 )     72     $ 120,063     $ (3,334 )     129  

Declines in the fair value of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses or in other comprehensive income, depending on whether the Company intends to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis less any current-period credit loss. If the Company intends to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis less any current-period credit loss, the other-than-temporary impairment shall be recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the investment’s amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. If the Company does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis less any current-period credit loss, the other-than-temporary impairment shall be separated into (a) the amount representing the credit loss and (b) the amount related to all other factors. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss shall be recognized in earnings. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to other factors shall be recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes.

In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers, among other things, (i) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (ii) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (iii) the historical and implied volatility of the fair value of the security.


Management has the intent to hold the securities classified as held to maturity until they mature, at which time it is believed the Company will receive full value for the securities. Furthermore, as of September 30, 2009, management also had intent to hold, and will not be required to sell, the securities classified as available for sale for a period of time sufficient for a recovery of cost, which may be until maturity. The unrealized losses are due to increases in market interest rates over the yields available at the time the underlying securities were purchased. When necessary, the Company has performed a discounted cash flow analysis to determine whether or not it will receive the contractual principal and interest on certain securities.  The fair value is expected to recover as the bonds approach their maturity date or repricing date or if market yields for such investments decline. As of September 30, 2009, management believes the impairments detailed in the table above are temporary and no other-than-temporary impairment losses have been realized in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.

The following tables set forth information with regard to contractual maturities of debt securities at September 30, 2009:

(In thousands)
  
Amortized
cost
    
Estimated fair
value
  
Debt securities classified as available for sale
            
Within one year
   $ 27,467     $ 28,037  
From one to five years
     318,253       321,542  
From five to ten years
     315,200       330,189  
After ten years
     422,996       439,223  
    $ 1,083,916     $ 1,118,991  
Debt securities classified as held to maturity
                
Within one year
   $ 107,216     $ 107,262  
From one to five years
     37,653       38,852  
From five to ten years
     18,455       19,232  
After ten years
     5,334       5,505  
    $ 168,658     $ 170,851  

Maturities of mortgage-backed, collateralized mortgage obligations and asset-backed securities are stated based on their estimated average lives. Actual maturities may differ from estimated average lives or contractual maturities because, in certain cases, borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

Except for U.S. Government securities, there were no holdings, when taken in the aggregate, of any single issuer that exceeded 10% of consolidated stockholders’ equity at September 30, 2009.


NBT BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 2 -- MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The purpose of this discussion and analysis is to provide a concise description of the financial condition and results of operations of NBT Bancorp Inc. (“the Registrant”) and its wholly owned consolidated subsidiaries, NBT Bank, N.A. (the “Bank”), NBT Financial Services, Inc. (“NBT Financial”), and NBT Holdings, Inc. (“NBT Holdings”) (collectively referred to herein as the “Company”). This discussion will focus on Results of Operations, Financial Position, Capital Resources and Asset/Liability Management. Reference should be made to the Company's consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in this Form 10-Q as well as to the Company's 2008 Form 10-K for an understanding of the following discussion and analysis. Operating results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results of the full year ending December 31, 2009 or any future period.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements in this filing and future filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in the Company’s press releases or other public or shareholder communications, contain forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. These statements may be identified by the use of phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “forecasts,” “projects,” “could,” or other similar terms. There are a number of factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: (1) competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions may increase significantly; (2) revenues may be lower than expected; (3) changes in the interest rate environment may affect interest margins; (4) general economic conditions, either nationally or regionally, may be less favorable than expected, resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality and/or a reduced demand for credit; (5) legislative or regulatory changes, including changes in accounting standards or tax laws, may adversely affect the businesses in which the Company is engaged; (6) competitors may have greater financial resources and develop products that enable such competitors to compete more successfully than the Company; (7) adverse changes may occur in the securities markets or with respect to inflation; (8) acts of war or terrorism; (9) the costs and effects of litigation and of unexpected or adverse outcomes in such litigation; (10) internal control failures; and (11) the Company’s success in managing the risks involved in the foregoing.

The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, and advises readers that various factors, including those described above and other factors discussed in the Company’s annual and quarterly reports previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could affect the Company’s financial performance and could cause the Company’s actual results or circumstances for future periods to differ materially from those anticipated or projected.

Unless required by law, the Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligations to publicly release any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.


Critical Accounting Policies

Management of the Company considers the accounting policy relating to the allowance for loan and lease losses to be a critical accounting policy given the judgment in evaluating the level of the allowance required to cover credit losses inherent in the loan and lease portfolio and the material effect that such judgments can have on the results of operations. While management’s current evaluation of the allowance for loan and lease losses indicates that the allowance is adequate, under adversely different conditions or assumptions, the allowance may need to be increased. For example, if historical loan and lease loss experience significantly worsened or if current economic conditions further deteriorated, particularly in the Company’s primary market area, additional provisions for loan and lease losses may be required to increase the allowance. In addition, the assumptions and estimates used in the internal reviews of the Company’s nonperforming loans and potential problem loans has a significant impact on the overall analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses. While management has concluded that the current evaluation of collateral values is reasonable under the circumstances, if collateral evaluations were significantly lowered, the Company’s allowance for loan and lease policy may require additional provisions for loan and lease losses.

Management of the Company considers the accounting policy relating to pension accounting to be a critical accounting policy. Management is required to make various assumptions in valuing its pension assets and liabilities. These assumptions include the expected rate of return on plan assets, the discount rate, and the rate of increase in future compensation levels. Changes to these assumptions could impact earnings in future periods. The Company takes into account the plan asset mix, funding obligations, and expert opinions in determining the various rates used to estimate pension expense. The Company also considers relevant indices and market interest rates in setting the appropriate discount rate. In addition, the Company reviews expected inflationary and merit increases to compensation in determining the rate of increase in future compensation levels.

Management of the Company considers the accounting policy relating to other-than-temporary impairment to be a critical accounting policy. Management systematically evaluates certain assets for other-than-temporary declines in fair value, primarily investment securities and lease residual assets. Management considers historical values and current market conditions as a part of the assessment. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss is recognized in earnings and the amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes.

Overview

The following information should be considered in connection with the Company's results for the first nine months of 2009:
 
·
Like all FDIC insured financial institutions, the Company has been subjected to substantial increases in FDIC recurring premiums, as well as a special assessment levied by the FDIC in the second quarter of 2009, which had a significant impact on 2009 year to date earnings. For the three months ended September 30, 2009, FDIC expenses increased $0.9 million over the three months ended September 30, 2008. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, FDIC expenses increased $6.1 million over the nine months ended September 30, 2008, including the aforementioned special assessment totaling $2.5 million. The FDIC premium increases and special assessment had a $0.02 and $0.13 effect on diluted earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively.

 
·
Pension expenses increased in 2009 in comparison to 2008 primarily due to the impact of market declines on pension assets. The Company expects pension expense to remain at these increased levels during the remainder of 2009. For the three months ended September 30, 2009, pension expenses increased $0.7 million over the three months ended September 30, 2008. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, pension expenses increased $2.2 million over the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The pension expense increases had a $0.01 and $0.04 effect on diluted earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively.
 
·
The Company's results for the first nine months of 2009, unlike the first nine months of 2008, include the results of Mang for the entire period. Mang was acquired by the Company on September 1, 2008. Mang provides brokered insurance products to individuals and businesses from locations in 19 upstate New York communities.
 
·
In 2009, the Company has strategically expanded into the northwestern Vermont region. A loan production office is currently located in Burlington, Vermont.

 
·
The Company’s results for the first nine months of 2009 include operating costs of new branches from de novo activity for three branches opened in 2007, four branches opened in 2008 and the aforementioned loan production office in Burlington, Vermont, which began operating in 2009. The operating costs for those locations are included in the Company’s noninterest expense for the first nine months of 2009 of approximately $2.3 million, as compared to $2.0 million for the same period in 2008.
 
·
The Company's common stock was added to the Standard & Poor's SmallCap 600 Index during the first quarter of 2009. Simultaneously with being added to the index, the Company launched a public offering of its common stock, which was completed during the second quarter of 2009.
 
·
As a result of the current economic recession, the Company is facing certain challenges in its industry. Given the current low rate environment, the Company’s net interest margin could come under pressure as the cash flows from the loan and securities portfolios are reinvested at lower rates and deposit rates are at or near their lowest level in years. In an effort to mitigate the effect of the recession on its loan portfolio, the Company continues to originate loans using strict underwriting criteria, specifically for consumer lending and has discontinued originating new auto leases since the second quarter of 2009. In addition, the Company has increased sales of newly originated loans to secondary markets to mitigate interest rate risk.

In addition, the Company has not actively pursued the types of loans, such as subprime, alt-A and no-interest loans, that have been the most problematic for many banks. Therefore, the Company has not made substantial changes to its core business of investing deposit funds in loans and leases in its market areas in response to the recent and continuing economic crisis. However, in light of increased margin pressures due in part to the economic crisis, the Company has recently increased its focus on earning noninterest income through organic growth of our retirement plan administration services and the Company’s acquisition of Mang Insurance Agency in September of 2008. The Company has also increased its resources for collecting on past due loans.

Net income per diluted share for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was $0.40 per share, as compared with $0.46 per share for the three months ended September 30, 2008. Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was $13.6 million, down $1.5 million, or 10.0%, from $15.1 million for the third quarter last year. The decrease in net income for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared with the three months ended September 30, 2008 was primarily the result of the aforementioned increase in FDIC expenses, an increase in the provision for loan and lease losses, and an increase in salaries and employee benefits due to increases in full-time-equivalent employees and pension expenses.


Net income per diluted share for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $1.13 per share, as compared with $1.34 per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $38.2 million, down $5.2 million, or 12.1%, from the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease in net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was primarily the result of the aforementioned increase in FDIC expenses including the $2.5 million special assessment, an increase in the provision for loan and lease losses, and an increase in salaries and employee benefits due to increases in full-time-equivalent employees and pension expenses.

Table 1 depicts several annualized measurements of performance using U.S. GAAP net income that management reviews in analyzing the Company’s performance. Returns on average assets and equity measure how effectively an entity utilizes its total resources and capital, respectively. Net interest margin, which is the net federal taxable equivalent (FTE) interest income divided by average earning assets, is a measure of an entity's ability to utilize its earning assets in relation to the cost of funding. Interest income for tax-exempt securities and loans is adjusted to a taxable equivalent basis using the statutory Federal income tax rate of 35%.

Table 1 - Performance Measures

2009
  
First
Quarter
    
Second
Quarter
    
Third
Quarter
    
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2009
  
Return on average assets (ROAA)
     0.99 %     0.85 %     0.99 %     0.95 %
Return on average equity (ROAE)
     12.14 %     9.63 %     11.01 %     10.89 %
Net Interest Margin
     4.09 %     3.95 %     3.98 %     4.00 %
                                 
2008
                                
Return on average assets (ROAA)
     1.07 %     1.12 %     1.13 %     1.11 %
Return on average equity (ROAE)
     13.68 %     14.49 %     14.58 %     14.26 %
Net Interest Margin
     3.84 %     3.94 %     3.94 %     3.91 %

Net Interest Income

Net interest income is the difference between interest income on earning assets, primarily loans and securities, and interest expense on interest bearing liabilities, primarily deposits and borrowings. Net interest income is affected by the interest rate spread, the difference between the yield on earning assets and cost of interest bearing liabilities, as well as the volumes of such assets and liabilities. Net interest income is one of the major determining factors in a financial institution’s performance as it is the principal source of earnings. In response to the financial crisis, the Federal Open Market Committee lowered the target Federal Funds rate 500 bp, from 5.25% to 0.25% between September 2007 and December 2008 resulting in a corresponding drop in the Prime Rate from 8.25% to 3.25%. Since December 2008, there has been no action taken to change the rate. As a result of these changes, the yield curve has steepened, thus far allowing the Company to lower its cost of funds more quickly than the repricing of earning assets, resulting in a higher net interest margin. In addition, the Company has lowered rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The impact of these actions is further explained in Table 2, which represents an analysis of net interest income on a FTE basis.

FTE net interest income increased $1.6 million, or 3.3%, during the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to the same period of 2008. The increase in FTE net interest income resulted primarily from a decrease in the rate paid on interest bearing liabilities of 74 bp to 1.83% for the three months ended September 30, 2009 from 2.57% for the same period in 2008. The interest rate spread increased 12 bp during the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. The net interest margin increased by 4 bp to 3.98% for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared with 3.94% for the same period in 2008. For the three months ended September 30, 2009, total FTE interest income decreased $6.0 million, or 8.0% as compared with the three months ended September 30, 2008. The yield on earning assets for the period decreased 61 bp to 5.48% for the three months ended September 30, 2009 from 6.09% for the same period in 2008. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in average interest earning assets of $94.6 million, or 1.9%, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008, principally from growth in short-term interest bearing accounts. As a result of our excess liquidity, our Federal Funds sold position had a negative impact of 9 bp on our net interest margin for the three months ended September 30, 2009.


For the quarter ended September 30, 2009, total interest expense decreased $7.6 million, or 28.7%, primarily the result of the 175 basis point drop in the target Fed Funds rate from 2.00% at September 30, 2008 to 0.25% at September 30, 2009, which impacts the Company’s short-term borrowing, money market account and time deposit rates. Average interest bearing liabilities decreased nominally for the three months ended September 30, 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008. Total average interest bearing deposits increased $57.7 million, or 1.8%, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008. The rate paid on average interest bearing deposits decreased 80 bp from 2.24% for the three months ended September 30, 2008 to 1.44% for the same period in 2009. For the three months ended September 30, 2009, the Company experienced a shift in its deposit mix from time deposits to money market deposit accounts and NOW accounts. Average time deposit accounts decreased approximately $313.0 million, or 20.7%, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008, while money market accounts and NOW accounts collectively increased approximately $336.0 million, or 26.4%.

Total average borrowings, including trust preferred debentures, decreased $62.4 million, or 7.3%, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared with the same period in 2008. Average short-term borrowings decreased by $22.1 million, or 14.3%, from $154.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 to $132.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The Company has been in a Fed Funds sold position since March 2009 which has decreased reliance on short-term borrowings. Interest expense from short-term borrowings decreased $0.6 million, or 81.4%. The rate paid on short-term borrowings decreased 154 bp from 1.96% for the three months ended September 30, 2008 to 0.42% for the same period in 2009. Average long-term debt decreased $40.3 million, or 6.4%, for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared with the same period in 2008. The rate paid on long-term debt decreased to 3.90% for the three months ended September 30, 2009, from 4.01% for the same period in 2008. As a result of the decrease in the average balance and rate paid on long-term debt, interest paid on long-term debt decreased $0.5 million, or 8.7%, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008.

FTE net interest income increased $7.5 million, or 5.3%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to the same period of 2008. The increase in FTE net interest income resulted primarily from a decrease in the rate paid on interest bearing liabilities of 80 bp, to 1.95% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from 2.75% for the same period in 2008. The interest rate spread increased 20 bp during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. The net interest margin increased by 9 bp to 4.00% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared with 3.91% for the same period in 2008. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, total FTE interest income decreased $15.9 million, or 7.1%. The yield on earning assets for the period decreased 59 bp to 5.63% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from 6.22% for the same period in 2008. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in average interest earning assets of $136.6 million, or 2.8%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008, principally from growth in average loans and leases and average short-term interest bearing accounts. As a result of our excess liquidity, our Federal Funds sold position had a negative impact of 7 bp on our net interest margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.


For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, total interest expense decreased $23.5 million, or 27.9%, primarily the result of the 175 basis point drop in the target Fed Funds rate from 2.00% at September 30, 2008 to 0.25% at September 30, 2009, which impacts the Company’s short-term borrowing, money market account and time deposit rates. Additionally, average interest bearing liabilities increased $71.2 million, or 1.7%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008, principally from growth in money market deposit accounts, NOW deposit accounts, and long-term debt, partially offset by the decrease in time deposit accounts and short-term borrowings. Total average interest bearing deposits increased $107.3 million, or 3.3%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008. The rate paid on average interest bearing deposits decreased 91 bp from 2.47% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 to 1.56% for the same period in 2009. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company experienced a shift in its deposit mix from time deposits to money market deposit accounts and NOW accounts. Average time deposit accounts decreased approximately $286.4 million, or 18.4%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008, while money market accounts and NOW accounts collectively increased approximately $366.0 million, or 30.5%.

Total average borrowings, including trust preferred debentures, decreased $36.1 million, or 4.2%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared with the same period in 2008. Average short-term borrowings decreased by $104.5 million, or 43.9%, from $238.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 to $133.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The Company has been in a Fed Funds sold position since March 2009 which has decreased reliance on short-term borrowings. Interest expense from short-term borrowings decreased $4.1 million, or 90.8%. The rate paid on short-term borrowings decreased 209 bp from 2.50% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 to 0.41% for the same period in 2009. Average long-term debt increased $68.4 million, or 12.7%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared with the same period in 2008. The rate paid on long-term debt decreased to 3.95% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared with 4.02% for the same period in 2008. As a result of the increase in the average balance of long-term debt, interest paid on long-term debt increased $1.7 million, or 10.6%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008.


Table 2
Average Balances and Net Interest Income
The following tables include the condensed consolidated average balance sheet, an analysis of interest income/expense and average yield/rate for each major category of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities on a taxable equivalent basis. Interest income for tax-exempt securities and loans has been adjusted to a taxable-equivalent basis using the statutory Federal income tax rate of 35%.

    Three months ended September 30,
   
2009
    
2008
  
(dollars in thousands)
  
Average
Balance
    
Interest
    
Yield/
Rates
    
Average
Balance
    
Interest
    
Yield/
Rates
  
ASSETS
                                    
Short-term interest bearing accounts
   $ 99,501     $ 74       0.30 %   $ 4,077     $ 20       1.95 %
Securities available for sale (1)(excluding unrealized gains or losses)
     1,082,655       11,859       4.35 %     1,116,089       14,159       5.05 %
Securities held to maturity (1)
     161,915       1,871       4.58 %     148,397       2,026       5.43 %
Investment in FRB and FHLB Banks
     37,372       541       5.74 %     40,401       653       6.43 %
Loans and leases (2)
     3,627,803       54,857       6.00 %     3,605,700       58,371       6.44 %
Total interest earning assets
   $ 5,009,246     $ 69,202       5.48 %   $ 4,914,664     $ 75,229       6.09 %
Trading securities
     2,109                       2,266                  
Other assets
     404,019                       384,710                  
Total assets
   $ 5,415,374                     $ 5,301,640                  
                                                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                                
Money market deposit accounts
   $ 1,025,345     $ 3,317       1.28 %   $ 779,954     $ 3,593       1.83 %
NOW deposit accounts
     582,307       694       0.47 %     491,673       1,060       0.86 %
Savings deposits
     509,258       217       0.17 %     474,602       514       0.43 %
Time deposits
     1,199,101       7,774       2.57 %     1,512,072       13,184       3.47 %
Total interest bearing deposits
   $ 3,316,011     $ 12,002       1.44 %   $ 3,258,301     $ 18,351       2.24 %
Short-term borrowings
     132,459       142       0.42 %     154,567       763       1.96 %
Trust preferred debentures
     75,422       1,049       5.52 %     75,422       1,154       6.09 %
Long-term debt
     585,416       5,761       3.90 %     625,733       6,310       4.01 %
Total interest bearing liabilities
   $ 4,109,308     $ 18,954       1.83 %   $ 4,114,023     $ 26,578       2.57 %
Demand deposits
     737,064                       706,803                  
Other liabilities
     79,862                       69,355                  
Stockholders' equity
     489,140                       411,459                  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
   $ 5,415,374                     $ 5,301,640                  
Net interest income (FTE)
             50,248                       48,651          
Interest rate spread
                     3.64 %                     3.52 %
Net interest margin
                     3.98 %                     3.94 %
Taxable equivalent adjustment
             1,566                       1,608          
Net interest income
           $ 48,682                     $ 47,043          

(1) Securities are shown at average amortized cost
(2) For purposes of these computations, nonaccrual loans are included in the average loan balances outstanding

 
    Nine months ended September 30,
   
2009
    
2008
  
(dollars in thousands)
  
Average
Balance
    
Interest
    
Yield/
Rates
    
Average
Balance
    
Interest
    
Yield/
Rates
  
ASSETS
                                    
Short-term interest bearing accounts
   $ 76,523     $ 150       0.26 %   $ 6,517     $ 145       2.98 %
Securities available for sale (1)(excluding unrealized gains or losses)
     1,085,746       37,399       4.61 %     1,112,582       42,689       5.13 %
Securities held to maturity (1)
     146,350       5,553       5.07 %     153,010       6,544       5.71 %
Investment in FRB and FHLB Banks
     38,143       1,432       5.02 %     39,730       2,042       6.87 %
Loans and leases (2)
     3,646,437       165,578       6.07 %     3,544,787       174,635       6.58 %
Total interest earning assets
   $ 4,993,199     $ 210,112       5.63 %   $ 4,856,626     $ 226,055       6.22 %
Trading securities
     1,801                       2,388                  
Other assets
     410,331                       377,116                  
Total assets
   $ 5,405,331                     $ 5,236,130                  
                                                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                                
Money market deposit accounts
   $ 995,233     $ 9,806       1.32 %   $ 736,313     $ 10,724       1.95 %
NOW deposit accounts
   $ 571,478       2,328       0.54 %     464,396       2,943       0.85 %
Savings deposits
   $ 497,040       631       0.17 %     469,335       1,780       0.51 %
Time deposits
     1,272,893       26,199       2.75 %     1,559,294       44,314       3.80 %
Total interest bearing deposits
   $ 3,336,644     $ 38,964       1.56 %   $ 3,229,338     $ 59,761       2.47 %
Short-term borrowings
     133,668       413       0.41 %     238,200       4,465       2.50 %
Trust preferred debentures
     75,422       3,211       5.69 %     75,422       3,547       6.28 %
Long-term debt
     608,408       17,956       3.95 %     539,961       16,241       4.02 %
Total interest bearing liabilities
   $ 4,154,142     $ 60,544       1.95 %   $ 4,082,921     $ 84,014       2.75 %
Demand deposits
     708,513                       678,277                  
Other liabilities
     73,440                       67,805                  
Stockholders' equity
     469,236                       407,127                  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
   $ 5,405,331                     $ 5,236,130                  
Net interest income (FTE)
             149,568                       142,041          
Interest rate spread
                     3.67 %                     3.47 %
Net interest margin
                     4.00 %                     3.91 %
Taxable equivalent adjustment
             4,723                       4,928          
Net interest income
           $ 144,845                     $ 137,113          

(1) Securities are shown at average amortized cost
(2) For purposes of these computations, nonaccrual loans are included in the average loan balances outstanding


The following table presents changes in interest income and interest expense attributable to changes in volume (change in average balance multiplied by prior year rate), changes in rate (change in rate multiplied by prior year volume), and the net change in net interest income. The net change attributable to the combined impact of volume and rate has been allocated to each in proportion to the absolute dollar amounts of change.

Analysis of Changes in Taxable Equivalent Net Interest Income
 
Three months ended September 30,
  
   
Increase (Decrease)
  
   
2009 over 2008
  
(in thousands)
  
Volume
    
Rate
    
Total
  
                   
Short-term interest bearing accounts
   $ 182     $ (128 )   $ 54  
Securities available for sale
     (408 )     (1,892 )     (2,300 )
Securities held to maturity
     870       (1,025 )     (155 )
Investment in FRB and FHLB Banks
     (46 )     (66 )     (112 )
Loans and leases
     2,324       (5,838 )     (3,514 )
Total interest income
     2,922       (8,949 )     (6,027 )
                         
Money market deposit accounts
     4,246       (4,522 )     (276 )
NOW deposit accounts
     995       (1,361 )     (366 )
Savings deposits
     235       (532 )     (297 )
Time deposits
     (2,406 )     (3,003 )     (5,409 )
Short-term borrowings
     (96 )     (525 )     (621 )
Trust preferred debentures
     -       (105 )     (105 )
Long-term debt
     (388 )     (162 )     (550 )
Total interest expense
     2,586       (10,210 )     (7,624 )
                         
Change in FTE net interest income
   $ 336     $ 1,261     $ 1,597  

Nine months ended September 30,
  
   
Increase (Decrease)
  
   
2009 over 2008
  
(in thousands)
  
Volume
    
Rate
    
Total
  
                   
Short-term interest bearing accounts
   $ 330     $ (325 )   $ 5  
Securities available for sale
     (1,016 )     (4,274 )     (5,290 )
Securities held to maturity
     (277 )     (714 )     (991 )
Investment in FRB and FHLB Banks
     (79 )     (531 )     (610 )
Loans and leases
     7,316       (16,373 )     (9,057 )
Total interest income
     6,274       (22,217 )     (15,943 )
                         
Money market deposit accounts
     4,344       (5,262 )     (918 )
NOW deposit accounts
     859       (1,474 )     (615 )
Savings deposits
     164       (1,313 )     (1,149 )
Time deposits
     (7,253 )     (10,862 )     (18,115 )
Short-term borrowings
     (1,396 )     (2,656 )     (4,052 )
Trust preferred debentures
     -       (336 )     (336 )
Long-term debt
     2,183       (468 )     1,715  
Total interest expense
     (1,099 )     (22,371 )     (23,470 )
                         
Change in FTE net interest income
   $ 7,373     $ 154     $ 7,527  

 
Noninterest Income
Noninterest income is a significant source of revenue for the Company and an important factor in the Company’s results of operations. The following table sets forth information by category of noninterest income for the periods indicated:

   
Three months ended September 30,
    
Nine months ended September 30,
  
   
2009
    
2008
    
2009
    
2008
  
(in thousands)
                        
Service charges on deposit accounts
   $ 7,110     $ 7,414     $ 20,357     $ 20,877  
Insurance and broker/ dealer revenue
     4,368       2,338       13,926       4,811  
Trust
     1,668       1,720       4,838       5,593  
Net securities gains
     129       1,510       146       1,543  
Bank owned life insurance
     683       923       2,225       2,438  
ATM fees
     2,443       2,334       6,993       6,656  
Retirement plan administration fees
     2,412       1,461       6,347       4,840  
Other
     2,037       1,262       5,453       4,718  
Total noninterest income
   $ 20,850     $ 18,962     $ 60,285     $ 51,476  

Noninterest income for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was $20.9 million, up $1.9 million or 10.0% from $19.0 million for the same period in 2008. The increase in noninterest income was due primarily to an increase in insurance and broker/dealer revenue, which increased approximately $2.0 million for the three month period ended September 30, 2009 as compared with the three month period ended September 30, 2008. This increase was due primarily to revenue generated by Mang Insurance Agency, LLC, which was acquired on September 1, 2008. In addition, retirement plan administration fees increased approximately $1.0 million for the three month period ended September 30, 2009 as compared with the three month period ended September 30, 2008 as a result of organic growth from new business. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in net securities gains of approximately $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared with the three months ended September 30, 2008.

Noninterest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $60.3 million, up $8.8 million or 17.1% from $51.5 million for the same period in 2008. The increase in noninterest income was due primarily to an increase in insurance and broker/dealer revenue, which increased approximately $9.1 million for the nine month period ended September 30, 2009 as compared with the nine month period ended September 30, 2008. This increase was due primarily to revenue generated by Mang Insurance Agency, LLC as previously mentioned. In addition, retirement plan administration fees increased approximately $1.5 million for the nine month period ended September 30, 2009 as compared with the nine month period ended September 30, 2008 as a result of organic growth from new business. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in trust administration income of approximately $0.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2008 due primariliy to a decline in the fair value of trust assets under administration. In addition, the Company experienced a decrease in net securities gains of approximately $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2008.


Noninterest Expense
Noninterest expenses are also an important factor in the Company’s results of operations. The following table sets forth the major components of noninterest expense for the periods indicated:

   
Three months ended September 30,
    
Nine months ended September 30,
  
   
2009
    
2008
    
2009
    
2008
  
(in thousands)
                        
Salaries and employee benefits
   $ 21,272     $ 16,850     $ 62,646     $ 50,526  
Occupancy
     3,481       3,359       11,256       10,396  
Equipment
     1,997       1,908       6,024       5,595  
Data processing and communications
     3,305       3,155       9,924       9,440  
Professional fees and outside services
     2,691       2,205       7,820       7,825  
Office supplies and postage
     1,426       1,322       4,385       3,992  
Amortization of intangible assets
     827       462       2,465       1,231  
Loan collection and other real estate owned
     755       505       2,177       1,802  
Impairment on lease residual assets
     -       2,000       -       2,000  
FDIC insurance
     1,535       614       7,096       986  
Other
     3,743       4,678       11,483       12,722  
Total noninterest expense
   $ 41,032     $ 37,058     $ 125,276     $ 106,515  

Noninterest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was $41.0 million, up from $37.1 million for the same period in 2008. FDIC expenses increased approximately $0.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared with the same period in 2008 due to recurring FDIC premiums, which increased to $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared with $0.6 million for the same period last year. Salaries and employee benefits increased $4.4 million, or 26.2%, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared with the same period in 2008. This increase was due primarily to increases in full-time-equivalent employees during 2009, largely due to the Company’s acquisition of Mang in September 2008 and the aforementioned de novo branch activity. In addition, the Company experienced an increase of approximately $0.8 million in pension expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. Amortization of intangible assets was $0.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, up from $0.5 million for same period in 2008 due to the aforementioned acquisition. In addition, professional fees and outside services expenses increased approximately $0.5 million, or 22.0%, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared with the three months ended September 30, 2008. This increase was due primarily to non-recurring systems consulting services. These increases were partially offset by an impairment on lease residual assets incurred during the third quarter of 2008 totaling $2.0 million. The increases were also partially offset by a decrease in other operating expenses. For the three month period ended September 30, 2009, other operating expenses totaled $3.7 million, down $1.0 million or 20.0%, from $4.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008. This decrease resulted primarily from a decrease in losses incurred from sales of certain returned lease vehicles totaling approximately $0.9 million during the third quarter of 2008, due to reduced values of the vehicles.

Noninterest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $125.3 million, up from $106.5 million for the same period in 2008. FDIC expenses increased approximately $6.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared with the same period in 2008. This increase was due to the special assessment imposed by the FDIC totaling approximately $2.5 million during the second quarter of 2009, in addition to increased recurring FDIC premiums. Salaries and employee benefits increased $12.1 million, or 24.0%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared with the same period in 2008. This increase was due primarily to increases in full-time-equivalent employees during 2009, largely due to the Company’s acquisition of Mang in September 2008 and the aforementioned de novo branch activity. In addition, the Company experienced increases of approximately $2.2 million and $0.9 million in pension and medical expenses, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. Amortization of intangible assets was $2.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, up from $1.2 million for same period in 2008 due to the aforementioned acquisition. Occupancy expenses were up approximately $0.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2008. This increase was due primarily to the Company’s acquisition of Mang in September 2008 and the aforementioned de novo branch activity during the period.


Income Taxes

Income tax expense for the three month period ended September 30, 2009 was $5.8 million, down from $6.7 million for the same period in 2008. The effective rates were 30.0% and 30.7% for the three month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Income tax expense for the nine month period ended September 30, 2009 was $16.9 million, down from $19.2 million for the same period in 2008. The effective rates were 30.7% and 30.6% for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

Securities

The Company classifies its securities at date of purchase as available for sale, held to maturity or trading. Held to maturity debt securities are those that the Company has the ability and intent to hold until maturity. Held to maturity securities are recorded at amortized cost. Available for sale securities are recorded at fair value. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related tax effect, on available for sale securities are excluded from earnings and are reported in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. For the securities that the Company does not have the intent to sell and will not be more likely than not forced to sell, the amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss is recognized in earnings and the amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. Securities with an other-than-temporary impairment are generally placed on nonaccrual status. Trading securities are recorded at fair value, with net unrealized gains and losses recognized currently in income. Transfers of securities between categories are recorded at fair value at the date of transfer.

Held to maturity securities increased $28.5 million, or 20.3%, from $140.2 million at December 31, 2008 to $168.7 million at September 30, 2009. This increase is due primarily to an increase in local underwriting activity throughout our municipal banking footprint. At September 30, 2009, the balance of available for sale securities increased by approximately $12.8 million, or 1.1%, from December 31, 2008.

Average total earning securities decreased $19.9 million, or 1.6%, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008. The average balance of securities available for sale decreased $33.4 million, or 3.0%, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008. The average balance of securities held to maturity increased $13.5 million, or 9.1%, for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to the same period in 2008. The average total securities portfolio represents 24.8% of total average earning assets for the three months ended September 30, 2009, down from 25.7% for the same period in 2008.

Average total earning securities decreased $33.5 million, or 2.6%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008. The average balance of securities available for sale decreased $26.8 million, or 2.4%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008. The average balance of securities held to maturity decreased $6.7 million, or 4.4%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to the same period in 2008. The average total securities portfolio represents 24.7% of total average earning assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, down from 26.1% for the same period in 2008.


The following table details the composition of securities available for sale, securities held to maturity and regulatory investments for the periods indicated:

   
September 30,
2009
    
December 31,
2008
  
Mortgage-backed securities:
            
With maturities 15 years or less
     18 %     22 %
With maturities greater than 15 years
     5 %     6 %
Collateral mortgage obligations
     25 %     29 %
Municipal securities
     23 %     20 %
US agency notes
     24 %     17 %
Other
     5 %     6 %
Total
     100 %     100 %

Our mortgage backed securities, U.S. agency notes, and collateralized mortgage obligations are all “prime/conforming” and are guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Federal Home Loan Bank, Federal Farm Credit Banks, or Ginnie Mae (“GNMA”). GNMA securities are considered equivalent to U.S. Treasury securities, as they are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Currently, there are no subprime mortgages in our investment portfolio.

Loans and Leases

A summary of loans and leases, net of deferred fees and origination costs, by category for the periods indicated follows:

(In thousands)
  
September 30,
2009
    
December 31,
2008
  
Residential real estate mortgages
   $ 638,001     $ 722,723  
Commercial
     545,001       572,059  
Commercial real estate mortgages
     683,623       669,720  
Real estate construction and development
     77,391       67,859  
Agricultural and agricultural real estate mortgages
     122,691       113,566  
Consumer
     870,766       795,123  
Home equity
     609,571       627,603  
Lease financing
     68,846       83,258  
Total loans and leases
   $ 3,615,890     $ 3,651,911  

Total loans and leases decreased nominally to $3.6 billion, or 65.9% of assets, at September 30, 2009 compared to $3.7 billion, or 68.4% of assets at December 31, 2008. Residential real estate mortgages decreased by approximately $84.7 million, or 11.7%, from December 31, 2008 to September 30, 2009. This decrease is primarily due to an increase in refinancing activity in the low rate environment and increased sales by the Company of newly originated loans to secondary markets. Home equity loans decreased by approximately $18.0 million, or 2.9%, from December 31, 2008 to September 30, 2009 as the Company decreased home equity loan originations in the first nine months of 2009. Consumer loans increased by approximately $75.6 million, or 9.5%, from December 31, 2008 to September 30, 2009 as the Company continued to grow its indirect installment loan portfolio due to an increase in market share as competitors drop out of the market.


Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Provision for Loan and Lease Losses, and Nonperforming Assets

The allowance for loan and lease losses is maintained at a level estimated by management to provide adequately for risk of probable losses inherent in the current loan and lease portfolio. The adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses is continuously monitored using a methodology designed to ensure the level of the allowance reasonably reflects the loan portfolio’s risk profile. It is evaluated to ensure that it is sufficient to absorb all reasonably estimable credit losses inherent in the current loan and lease portfolio.

Management considers the accounting policy relating to the allowance for loan and lease losses to be a critical accounting policy given the degree of judgment exercised in evaluating the level of the allowance required to cover credit losses in the portfolio and the material effect that such judgments can have on the consolidated results of operations.

For purposes of evaluating the adequacy of the allowance, the Company considers a number of significant factors that affect the collectibility of the portfolio. For individually analyzed loans, these factors include estimates of loss exposure, which reflect the facts and circumstances that affect the likelihood of repayment of such loans as of the evaluation date. For homogeneous pools of loans and leases, estimates of the Company’s exposure to credit loss reflect a thorough current assessment of a number of factors, which could affect collectibility. These factors include: past loss experience; the size, trend, composition, and nature of the loans and leases; changes in lending policies and procedures, including underwriting standards and collection, charge-off and recovery practices; trends experienced in nonperforming and delinquent loans and leases; current economic conditions in the Company’s market; portfolio concentrations that may affect loss experienced across one or more components of the portfolio; the effect of external factors such as competition, legal and regulatory requirements; and the experience, ability, and depth of lending management and staff. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral component of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan and lease losses. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgment about information available to them at the time of their examination, which may not be currently available to management.

After a thorough consideration and validation of the factors discussed above, required additions to the allowance for loan and lease losses are made periodically by charges to the provision for loan and lease losses. These charges are necessary to maintain the allowance at a level which management believes is reasonably reflective of the overall inherent risk of probable loss in the portfolio. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans and leases, additions to the allowance may fluctuate from one reporting period to another. These fluctuations are reflective of changes in risk associated with portfolio content and/or changes in management’s assessment of any or all of the determining factors discussed above. The allowance for loan and lease losses to outstanding loans and leases at September 30, 2009 was 1.79% compared with 1.60% at December 31, 2008. Management considers the allowance for loan losses to be adequate based on evaluation and analysis of the loan portfolio.


Table 3 reflects changes to the allowance for loan and lease losses for the periods presented. The allowance is increased by provisions for losses charged to operations and is reduced by net charge-offs. Charge-offs are made when the ability to collect loan principal within a reasonable time becomes unlikely. Any recoveries of previously charged-off loans are credited directly to the allowance for loan and lease losses.

Table 3
Allowance For Loan and Lease Losses
  
   
Three months ended
  
(dollars in thousands)
  
September 30,
2009
          
September 30,
2008
        
Balance, beginning of period
   $ 62,734           $ 54,510        
Recoveries
     1,253             807        
Chargeoffs
     (8,438 )           (6,693 )      
Net chargeoffs
     (7,185 )           (5,886 )      
Provision for loan losses
     9,101             7,179        
Balance, end of period
   $ 64,650           $ 55,803        
Composition of Net Chargeoffs
                            
Commercial and agricultural
   $ (2,837 )     39 %   $ (3,414 )     58 %
Real estate mortgage
     (64 )     1 %     (31 )     1 %
Consumer
     (4,284 )     60 %     (2,441 )     41 %
Net chargeoffs
   $ (7,185 )     100 %   $ (5,886 )     100 %
Annualized net chargeoffs to average loans and leases
     0.79 %             0.65 %        

Allowance For Loan and Lease Losses
  
   
Nine months ended
  
(dollars in thousands)
  
September 30,
2009
          
September 30,
2008
        
Balance, beginning of period
   $ 58,564           $ 54,183        
Recoveries
     3,310             2,867        
Chargeoffs
     (21,975 )           (20,707 )      
Net chargeoffs
     (18,665 )           (17,840 )      
Provision for loan losses
     24,751             19,460        
Balance, end of period
   $ 64,650           $ 55,803        
Composition of Net Chargeoffs
                            
Commercial and agricultural
   $ (7,255 )     39 %   $ (11,865 )     67 %
Real estate mortgage
     (399 )     2 %     (183 )     1 %
Consumer
     (11,011 )     59 %     (5,792 )     32 %
Net chargeoffs
   $ (18,665 )     100 %   $ (17,840 )     100 %
Annualized net chargeoffs to average loans and leases
     0.68 %             0.67 %        

Nonperforming assets consist of nonaccrual loans, loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing, restructured loans, OREO, and nonperforming securities. Loans are generally placed on nonaccrual when principal or interest payments become ninety days past due, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. Loans may also be placed on nonaccrual when circumstances indicate that the borrower may be unable to meet the contractual principal or interest payments. OREO represents property acquired through foreclosure and is valued at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value, less any estimated disposal costs. Nonperforming securities include securities which management believes are other-than-temporarily impaired, carried at their estimated fair value and are not accruing interest.

 
Nonperforming Assets
  
(Dollars in thousands)
  
September 30,
2009
    
December 31,
2008
  
Nonaccrual loans
  
Amount
    
%
    
Amount
    
%
  
Commercial and agricultural loans and real estate
   $ 24,692       68 %   $ 15,891       66 %
Real estate mortgages
     4,463       13 %     3,803       16 %
Consumer
     5,560       16 %     3,468       14 %
Troubled debt restructured loans
     899       3 %     1,029       4 %
Total nonaccrual loans
     35,614       100 %     24,191       100 %
Loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing
                                
Commercial and agricultural loans and real estate
     794       22 %     12       1 %
Real estate mortgages
     1,229       35 %     770       33 %
Consumer
     1,520       42 %     1,523       66 %
Total loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing
     3,543       100 %     2,305       100 %
                                 
Total nonperforming loans
     39,157               26,496          
Other real estate owned (OREO)
     3,319               665          
Total nonperforming assets
     42,476               27,161          
Total nonperforming loans to total loans and leases
     1.08 %             0.73 %        
Total nonperforming assets to total assets
     0.77 %             0.51 %        
Total allowance for loan and lease losses to nonperforming loans
     165.10 %             221.03 %        

Loans over 60 days past due but not over 90 days past due were 0.18% of total loans as of September 30, 2009, compared to 0.15% of total loans as of December 31, 2008. In addition to nonperforming loans, the Company has also identified approximately $72.9 million in potential problem loans at September 30, 2009 as compared to $95.4 million at December 31, 2008. Potential problem loans are loans that are currently performing, but known information about possible credit problems of the borrowers causes management to have serious doubts as to the ability of such borrowers to comply with the present loan repayment terms and which may result in classification of such loans as nonperforming at some time in the future. At the Company, potential problem loans are typically defined as loans that are performing but are classified by the Company’s loan rating system as “substandard.” At September 30, 2009, potential problem loans primarily consisted of commercial real estate and commercial and agricultural loans. Management cannot predict the extent to which economic conditions may worsen or other factors which may impact borrowers and the potential problem loans. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that other loans will not become 90 days or more past due, be placed on nonaccrual, become restructured, or require increased allowance coverage and provision for loan losses.

The Company recorded a provision for loan and lease losses of $9.1 million during the third quarter of 2009 compared with $7.2 million during the third quarter of 2008. The increase in the provision for loan and lease losses for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was due primarily to an increase in net charge-offs which totaled $7.2 million for the three month period ending September 30, 2009, up from $5.9 million for the three months ending September 30, 2008, due primarily to a charge-off related to one large agricultural loan during the third quarter of 2009, as well as an increase in specific reserves on certain impaired loans and the change in economic conditions.. Net charge-offs to average loans and leases for the three months ended September 30, 2009 were 0.79%, compared with 0.66% for the three months ended September 30, 2008. The Company’s allowance for loan and lease losses increased to 1.79% of loans and leases at September 30, 2009, compared with 1.60% at December 31, 2008, due to an increase in specific reserves on impaired loans. Specific reserves on impaired loans totaled $3.8 million at September 30, 2009 and $0.6 million at December 31, 2008.


The Company recorded a provision for loan and lease losses of $24.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared with $19.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The increase in the provision for loan and lease losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was due primarily to the aforementioned charge-off and an increase in specific reserves on certain impaired loans, along with the change in economic conditions. Net charge-offs totaled $18.7 million for the nine month period ending September 30, 2009, up from $17.8 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2008. Net charge-offs to average loans and leases for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 were 0.68%, compared with 0.67% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Subprime mortgage lending, which has been the riskiest sector of the residential housing market, is not a market that the Company has ever actively pursued. The market does not apply a uniform definition of what constitutes “subprime” lending. Our reference to subprime lending relies upon the “Statement on Subprime Mortgage Lending” issued by the Office of Thrift Supervision and the other federal bank regulatory agencies, or the Agencies, on June 29, 2007, which further referenced the “Expanded Guidance for Subprime Lending Programs,” or the Expanded Guidance, issued by the Agencies by press release dated January 31, 2001. In the Expanded Guidance, the Agencies indicated that subprime lending does not refer to individual subprime loans originated and managed, in the ordinary course of business, as exceptions to prime risk selection standards. The Agencies recognize that many prime loan portfolios will contain such accounts. The Agencies also excluded prime loans that develop credit problems after acquisition and community development loans from the subprime arena. According to the Expanded Guidance, subprime loans are other loans to borrowers which display one or more characteristics of reduced payment capacity. Five specific criteria, which are not intended to be exhaustive and are not meant to define specific parameters for all subprime borrowers and may not match all markets or institutions’ specific subprime definitions, are set forth, including having a FICO score of 660 or below. Based upon the definition and exclusions described above, management believes that the Company is a prime lender. Within the loan portfolio, there are loans that, at the time of origination, had FICO scores of 660 or below. However, since the Company is a portfolio lender, it reviews all data contained in borrower credit reports and does not base underwriting decisions solely on FICO scores. We believe the aforementioned loans, when made, were amply collateralized and otherwise conformed to our prime lending standards. The Company has not originated Alt A loans or no interest loans.

Deposits

Total deposits were $4.1 billion at September 30, 2009, up $181.2 million, or 4.6%, from December 31, 2008. The increase in deposits compared with December 31, 2008 was driven primarily by increases in money market accounts, NOW, and demand deposit accounts, offset by a decrease in time deposits, and reflects the Company’s commitment to increase core deposits in 2009.

Total average deposits for the three months ended September 30, 2009 increased $88.0 million, or 2.2%, from the same period in 2008. The Company experienced an increase in average money market accounts of $245.4 million, or 31.5%, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. Average NOW accounts increased $90.6 million, or 18.4%, to $582.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 from $491.7 million for the same period in 2008. This increase in average money market and NOW accounts was primarily due to a shift from time deposit accounts to money market accounts and NOW accounts due to a decline in interest rates offered on time deposits as a result of the decrease in the Fed Funds rate. Average savings accounts increased $34.7 million, or 7.3%, for the three month period ending September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008. Average time deposits decreased $313.0 million, or 20.7%, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 from the same period in 2008. Average demand deposit accounts increased $30.3 million, or 4.3%, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008. This was due primarily to an increasing customer base, as the Company continues to expand into new markets.


Total average deposits for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 increased $137.5 million, or 3.5%, from the same period in 2008. The Company experienced an increase in average money market accounts of $258.9 million, or 35.2%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. Average NOW accounts increased $107.1 million, or 23.1%, to $571.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from $464.4 million for the same period in 2008. This increase in average money market and NOW accounts was primarily due to a shift from time deposit accounts to money market accounts and NOW accounts due to a decline in interest rates offered on time deposits as a result of the decrease in the Fed Funds rate. Average savings accounts increased $27.7 million, or 5.9%, for the nine month period ending September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008. Average time deposits decreased $286.4 million, or 18.4%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from the same period in 2008. Average demand deposit accounts increased $30.2 million, or 4.5%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008. This was due primarily to an increasing customer base, as the Company continues to expand into new markets.

Borrowed Funds

The Company's borrowed funds consist of short-term borrowings and long-term debt. Short-term borrowings totaled $147.8 million at September 30, 2009 compared to $206.5 million at December 31, 2008. The Company has been in a Fed Funds sold position since March 2009 which has decreased reliance on short-term borrowings. Long-term debt was $579.7 million at September 30, 2009, as compared to $632.2 million at December 31, 2008. This decrease was mainly due to the repayment of a loan. For more information about the Company’s borrowing capacity and liquidity position, see the section with the title caption of “Liquidity Risk” on page 42 of this report.

Capital Resources

Stockholders' equity of $497.5 million represented 9.1% of total assets at September 30, 2009, compared with $431.8 million, or 8.1% as of December 31, 2008. On April 1, 2009, the Company completed a public offering of 1,576,230 shares of its common stock and raised approximately $33.5 million in net proceeds.

The Company did not purchase shares of its common stock during the nine month period ended September 30, 2009. At September 30, 2009, there were 1,000,000 shares available for repurchase under previously announced plans, which expire on December 31, 2009. On October 26, 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a new repurchase program for NBT to repurchase up to an additional 1,000,000 shares (approximately 3%) of its outstanding common stock, effective January 1, 2010, as market conditions warrant in open market and privately negotiated transactions. The new plan expires on December 31, 2011.

The Board of Directors considers the Company's earnings position and earnings potential when making dividend decisions. The Company does not have a target dividend pay out ratio.


As the capital ratios in Table 4 indicate, the Company remains “well capitalized” under applicable bank regulatory requirements. Capital measurements are well in excess of regulatory minimum guidelines and meet the requirements to be considered well capitalized for all periods presented. Tier 1 leverage, Tier 1 capital and Risk-based capital ratios have regulatory minimum guidelines of 3%, 4% and 8% respectively, with requirements to be considered well capitalized of 5%, 6% and 10%, respectively.

Table 4
  
             
Capital Measurements
  
September 30,
2009
    
December 31,
2008
  
Tier 1 leverage ratio
     8.30 %     7.17 %
Tier 1 capital ratio
     11.20 %     9.75 %
Total risk-based capital ratio
     12.46 %     11.00 %
Cash dividends as a percentage of net income
     53.00 %     44.27 %
Per common share:
                
Book value
   $ 14.49     $ 13.24  
Tangible book value
   $ 10.52     $ 9.01  

Table 5 presents the high, low and closing sales price for the common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Stock Market, and cash dividends declared per share of common stock. The Company's price to book value ratio was 1.56 at September 30, 2009 and 2.31 in the comparable period of the prior year. The Company's price was 14.1 times trailing twelve months earnings at September 30, 2009, compared to 18.2 times for the same period last year.

Table 5
  
Quarterly Common Stock and Dividend Information
  
Quarter Endings
  
High
    
Low
    
Close
    
Cash Dividends
Declared
  
2009
                        
March 31
   $ 28.37     $ 15.42     $ 21.64     $ 0.20  
June 30
     25.22       20.49       21.71       0.20  
September 30
     24.16       20.57       22.54       0.20  
2008
                                
March 31
   $ 23.65     $ 17.95     $ 22.20     $ 0.20  
June 30
     25.00       20.33       20.61       0.20  
September 30
     36.47       19.05       29.92       0.20  
December 31
     30.83       21.71       27.96       0.20  

On October 26, 2009, the Company announced the declaration of a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share. The cash dividend will be paid on December 15, 2009 to stockholders of record as of December 1, 2009.

Liquidity and Interest Rate Sensitivity Management

Market Risk

Interest rate risk is the primary market risk affecting the Company. Other types of market risk, such as foreign currency exchange rate risk and commodity price risk, do not arise in the normal course of the Company’s business activities. Interest rate risk is defined as an exposure to a movement in interest rates that could have an adverse effect on the Company’s net interest income. Net interest income is susceptible to interest rate risk to the degree that interest bearing liabilities mature or reprice on a different basis than earning assets. When interest bearing liabilities mature or reprice more quickly than earning assets in a given period, a significant increase in market rates of interest could adversely affect net interest income. Similarly, when earning assets mature or reprice more quickly than interest bearing liabilities, falling interest rates could result in a decrease in net interest income.


In an attempt to manage the Company's exposure to changes in interest rates, management monitors the Company’s interest rate risk. Management’s Asset Liability Committee (“ALCO”) meets monthly to review the Company’s interest rate risk position and profitability, and to recommend strategies for consideration by the Board of Directors. Management also reviews loan and deposit pricing and the Company’s securities portfolio, formulates investment and funding strategies, and oversees the timing and implementation of transactions to assure attainment of the Board’s objectives in the most effective manner. Notwithstanding the Company’s interest rate risk management activities, the potential for changing interest rates is an uncertainty that can have an adverse effect on net income.

In adjusting the Company’s asset/liability position, the Board and management attempt to manage the Company’s interest rate risk while minimizing net interest margin compression. At times, depending on the level of general interest rates, the relationship between long- and short-term interest rates, market conditions and competitive factors, the Board and management may determine to increase the Company’s interest rate risk position somewhat in order to increase its net interest margin. The Company’s results of operations and net portfolio values remain vulnerable to changes in interest rates and fluctuations in the difference between long- and short-term interest rates.

The primary tool utilized by ALCO to manage interest rate risk is a balance sheet/income statement simulation model (interest rate sensitivity analysis). Information such as principal balance, interest rate, maturity date, cash flows, next repricing date (if needed), and current rates is uploaded into the model to create an ending balance sheet. In addition, ALCO makes certain assumptions regarding prepayment speeds for loans and leases and mortgage related investment securities along with any optionality within the deposits and borrowings.

The model is first run under an assumption of a flat rate scenario (i.e. no change in current interest rates) with a static balance sheet over a 12-month period. Two additional models are run with static balance sheets: (1) a gradual increase of 200 bp, (2) and a gradual decrease of 100 bp taking place over a 12-month period with a static balance sheet. Under these scenarios, assets subject to prepayments are adjusted to account for faster or slower prepayment assumptions. Any investment securities or borrowings that have callable options embedded into them are handled accordingly based on the interest rate scenario. The resultant changes in net interest income are then measured against the flat rate scenario.

In the declining rate scenario, net interest income is projected to decrease when compared to the forecasted net interest income in the flat rate scenario through the simulation period. The decrease in net interest income is a result of earning assets repricing downward at a faster rate than interest bearing liabilities. The inability to effectively lower deposit rates will likely reduce or eliminate the benefit of lower interest rates. In the rising rate scenarios, net interest income is projected to experience a decline from the flat rate scenario. Net interest income is projected to remain at lower levels than in a flat rate scenario through the simulation period primarily due to a lag in assets repricing while funding costs increase. The potential impact on earnings is dependent on the ability to lag deposit repricing. If short-term rates continue to increase, the Company expects competitive pressures will likely lead to core deposit pricing increases, which will likely continue compression of the net interest margin.


Net interest income for the next 12 months in the + 200/- 100 bp scenarios, as described above, is within the internal policy risk limits of not more than a 7.5% change in net interest income. The following table summarizes the percentage change in net interest income in the rising and declining rate scenarios over a 12-month period from the forecasted net interest income in the flat rate scenario using the September 30, 2009 balance sheet position:

Table 6
Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis
  
Change in interest rates
(in bp points)
Percent change in
net interest income
+200
(1.46%)
-100
(1.00%)

The Company has taken several measures to mitigate exposure to an upward rate scenario. The Company has extended short term wholesale borrowings (three months or less) into longer term borrowings with maturities of three, four and five years along with purchasing monthly floating rate investments. In addition, the Company will continue to focus on growing noninterest bearing demand deposits and prudently managing deposit costs. Lastly, the Company originates 15-year, 20-year and 30-year residential real estate mortgages with the intent to sell.

Liquidity and Liquidity Risk

Liquidity involves the ability to meet the cash flow requirements of customers who may be depositors wanting to withdraw funds or borrowers needing assurance that sufficient funds will be available to meet their credit needs. The ALCO is responsible for liquidity management and has developed guidelines which cover all assets and liabilities, as well as off balance sheet items that are potential sources or uses of liquidity. Liquidity policies must also provide the flexibility to implement appropriate strategies and tactical actions. Requirements change as loans and leases grow, deposits and securities mature, and payments on borrowings are made. Liquidity management includes a focus on interest rate sensitivity management with a goal of avoiding widely fluctuating net interest margins through periods of changing economic conditions.

The primary liquidity measurement the Company utilizes is called the Basic Surplus, which captures the adequacy of its access to reliable sources of cash relative to the stability of its funding mix of average liabilities. This approach recognizes the importance of balancing levels of cash flow liquidity from short- and long-term securities with the availability of dependable borrowing sources which can be accessed when necessary. At September 30, 2009, the Company’s Basic Surplus measurement was 7.6% of total assets or $419 million as compared to the December 31, 2008 Basic Surplus of 6.6%, and was above the Company’s minimum of 5% or $274 million set forth in its liquidity policies. Since March 2009, the Company has been in a Fed Funds sold position as a result of excess liquidity.

This Basic Surplus approach enables the Company to adequately manage liquidity from both operational and contingency perspectives. By tempering the need for cash flow liquidity with reliable borrowing facilities, the Company is able to operate with a more fully invested and, therefore, higher interest income generating, securities portfolio. The makeup and term structure of the securities portfolio is, in part, impacted by the overall interest rate sensitivity of the balance sheet. Investment decisions and deposit pricing strategies are impacted by the liquidity position.

The Company’s primary source of funds is the Bank. Certain restrictions exist regarding the ability of the Bank to transfer funds to the Company in the form of cash dividends. The approval of the Office of Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is required to pay dividends when a bank fails to meet certain minimum regulatory capital standards or when such dividends are in excess of a subsidiary bank’s earnings retained in the current year plus retained net profits for the preceding two years (as defined in the regulations). At September 30, 2009, approximately $47.7 million of the total stockholders’ equity of the Bank was available for payment of dividends to the Company without approval by the OCC. The Bank’s ability to pay dividends is also subject to the Bank being in compliance with regulatory capital requirements. The Bank is currently in compliance with these requirements. Under the State of Delaware General Corporation Law, the Company may declare and pay dividends either out of accumulated net retained earnings or capital surplus.


At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, FHLB advances outstanding totaled $551 million and $601 million, respectively. The Bank is a member of the FHLB system and had additional borrowing capacity from the FHLB of approximately $198 million at September 30, 2009 and $230 million at December 31, 2008. In addition, unpledged securities could have been used to increase borrowing capacity at the FHLB by an additional $123 million at September 30, 2009 or used to collateralize other borrowings, such as repurchase agreements. At September 30, 2009 the Bank also had additional borrowing capacity from unused collateral at the Federal Reserve of $454 million.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Information called for by Item 3 is contained in the Liquidity and Interest Rate Sensitivity Management section of the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

The Company's management, with the participation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of September 30, 2009. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of September 30, 2009, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

There were no changes made in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company's most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1 – Legal Proceedings

There are no material legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any of their property is subject.

Item 1A – Risk Factors

Management of the Company does not believe there have been any material changes in the risk factors that were disclosed in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 11, 2009, which superseded and replaced the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.

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

None

Item 3 – Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

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

None

Item 5 – Other Information

None
 
Item 5.02(b)

As a result of a special election held on November 3, 2009, director William L. Owens was elected to the United States House of Representatives to represent the 23rd Congressional District of New York.  Mr. Owens was subsequently sworn in as a member of the House of Representatives on November 6, 2009.  As a result of the election, Mr. Owens resigned from his position as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company effective November 5, 2009.
 
Item 5.02(e)

Amended Employment Agreements of Certain Named Executive Officers

On November 5, 2009, the Company entered into amended and restated employment agreements with Martin A. Dietrich, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and NBT Bank, N.A. (the “Bank”), Michael J. Chewens, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank, and David E. Raven, Executive Vice President of the Company and President and Chief Executive Officer of Pennstar Bank, a division of the Bank (the “Amended Employment Agreements”).

The Amended Employment Agreements amend and restate the terms of the previously existing employment agreements, as amended, of each of Messrs. Dietrich, Chewens and Raven, which terms were amended by the Amended Employment Agreements to, among other things:

·
allow the Company to cure an event or condition giving rise the executive’s resignation for “good reason” (as such term is defined in the Amended Employment Agreement);

·
provide that if an executive is terminated “without cause” (as such term is defined in the Amended Employment Agreement) or resigns for good reason, any payments received are conditioned upon the executive executing a separation agreement and release;

 
·
provide that the executive, for a period of one year following the Termination Date (as defined in the Amended Employment Agreement), shall not become an officer, employee, consultant, director or trustee of any saving bank, savings and loan association, savings and loan holding company, bank or bank holding company, where such position entails providing services to such company in any city, town or county where the Company or the Bank or their affiliates has an office, where the executive’s position or service for such company is competitive with or similar to the executive’s position or service with the Company or the Bank (the “Non-Compete Clause”); and

·
require that, if the Company prepares an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance of the Company, as a result of misconduct, with regard to any financial reporting under the securities laws, and the executive is subject to automatic forfeiture under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and he knowingly engaged in misconduct, was grossly negligent in engaging in the misconduct, knowingly failed to prevent the misconduct or was grossly negligent in failing to prevent the misconduct, the executive shall reimburse the Company for the amount of any payment earned or accrued during the 12-month period following the first public issuance or filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the financial document that contained such material noncompliance (the “SOX Clawback Clause”). In addition, if the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement, the executive will forfeit any payments made based on the achievement of pre-established performance goals that are later determined, as a result of the accounting restatement, not to have been achieved (the “Bonus Clawback Clause,” and together with the SOX Clawback Clause, the “Clawback Clause”).

A description of the other material terms of the employment arrangements of each of Messrs. Dietrich, Chewens and Raven, which were restated but not modified by the Amended Employment Agreements, is included in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 2009 annual meeting of stockholders filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 31, 2009.

The foregoing summary of the Amended Employment Agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Amended Employment Agreements of each of Messrs. Dietrich, Chewens and Raven, copies of which are filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.

Jeffrey M. Levy Employment Agreement

On November 5, 2009, the Company entered into an employment agreement (the “Levy Employment Agreement”) with Mr. Jeffrey M. Levy, Executive Vice President of the Company and President of Commercial Banking of the Bank, which replaces a previous employment agreement that Mr. Levy entered into in April 2007.

In addition to an annual base salary of $250,000, the Levy Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Levy will be eligible to be considered for a performance bonus commensurate with Mr. Levy’s title and salary grade in accordance with the compensation policies of the Company, and provides for the ability to participate in stock benefit plans and other fringe benefits applicable to executive personnel. The Levy Employment Agreement will terminate upon the earlier to occur of the executive’s death, disability, discharge for “cause,” resignation, termination “without cause” (as such terms are defined in the Levy Employment Agreement) or January 1, 2012. The Levy Employment Agreement also provides for an automatic one-year extension occurring annually on each January 1.

 
Upon termination of the Levy Employment Agreement, Mr. Levy is entitled to receive accrued and unpaid salary, accrued rights under our employee plans and arrangements, unpaid expense reimbursements and the cash equivalent of accrued annual vacation. Additionally, if Mr. Levy’s employment is terminated by us other than for cause, or by Mr. Levy for “good reason” (as such term is defined in the Levy Employment Agreement), then, upon execution of a separation agreement and release, Mr. Levy will be entitled to receive (i) his base salary in a manner consistent with our normal payroll practices for a period of between two to three years following the termination date, depending on the date Mr. Levy was terminated, and (ii) a relocation payment if he relocates within 18 months after termination of employment from the Albany, New York area, such relocation payment to include a make-whole payment and related gross-up tax payment if he sells his primary residence at a loss. If Mr. Levy is terminated due to a change of control covered by his change in control agreement, as described below, Mr. Levy will be entitled to receive his accrued and unpaid salary, accrued rights under our employee plans and arrangements, unpaid expense reimbursements, the cash equivalent of his accrued annual vacation, a relocation payment and the severance payments determined under his change in control agreement.

Under the Levy Employment Agreement, during the term of his employment, Mr. Levy may not disclose confidential information about the Company or its subsidiaries to any other person or entity. Mr. Levy has also agreed to a Non-Compete Clause and Clawback Clause, each in the form substantially as described above in connection with the Amended Employment Agreements.

The foregoing summary of the Levy Employment Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Levy Employment Agreement, a copy of which is filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as Exhibit 10.4 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Change in Control Agreements of Certain Named Executive Officers

On November 5, 2009, the Company entered into amended and restated change in control agreements with each of Messrs. Dietrich, Chewens, Raven and Levy (the “Amended Change in Control Agreements”).

The Amended Change in Control Agreements amend and restate the terms of the previously existing change in control agreements of each of Messrs. Dietrich, Chewens, Raven and Levy, which terms were amended by the Amended Change in Control Agreements to, among other things:

·
clarify the circumstances under which each executive would receive a gross-up payment to compensate for the imposition of any excise taxes under section 4999 of the Code; and

·
insert a Clawback Clause applicable to any payments received under the Amended Change in Control Agreement, in substantially the same form as described above in connection with the Amended Employment Agreements.

A description of the other material terms of the change in control arrangements of each of Messrs. Dietrich, Chewens, Raven and Levy, which were not modified by the Amended Change in Control Agreements, is included in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 2009 annual meeting of stockholders filed with the SEC on March 31, 2009.

The foregoing summary of the Amended Change in Control Agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of Amended Change in Control Agreement, a copy of which is filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as Exhibit 10.5, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 
Amendment to Split-Dollar Agreement

On November 5, 2009, the Company entered into the First Amendment to Split-Dollar Agreement (the “Split-Dollar Amendment”) with the Bank, and the Bank, in its capacity as corporate trustee for the Martin A. Dietrich Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust No. 1 (the “Trust”), which amended the Split Dollar Agreement by and among the Company, the Bank, and the Bank, as corporate trustee for the Trust. The Split-Dollar Amendment clarifies when the Bank may terminate the Split-Dollar Agreement. The foregoing summary of the Split-Dollar Amendment does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Split-Dollar Amendment, a copy of which is filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as Exhibit 10.6, and is incorporated herein by reference.

Supplemental Retirement Benefit

On November 5, 2009, the Company amended and restated its Supplemental Retirement Agreements (the “Amended SERPs”) with each of Messrs. Dietrich, Chewens and Raven to comply with Section 409A of the Code. A description of the other material terms of the SERPs of each of Messrs. Dietrich, Chewens and Raven, which were restated but not modified by the Amended SERPs, is included in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 2009 annual meeting of stockholders filed with the SEC on March 31, 2009. The foregoing summary of the Amended SERPs does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of Amended SERP, a copy of which is filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as Exhibit 10.7, and is incorporated herein by reference.


Item 6 – Exhibits

3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of NBT Bancorp Inc. as amended through July 23, 2001 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed on March 2, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).

3.2 By-laws of NBT Bancorp Inc. as amended and restated through July 23, 2001 (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed on March 2, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).

3.3 Certificate of Designation of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (filed as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1 of the Registration's Form 8-K, file Number 0-14703, filed on November 18, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference).

4.1 Specimen common stock certificate for NBT's common stock (filed as exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant's Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on December 27, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).

4.2 Rights Agreement, dated as of November 15, 2004, between NBT Bancorp Inc. and Registrar and Transfer Company, as Rights Agent (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Registrant's Form 8-K, file number 0-14703, filed on November 18, 2004, and incorporated by reference herein).

10.1 Employment Agreement, dated November 5, 2009, by and between Martin A. Dietrich and NBT Bancorp Inc.

10.2 Employment Agreement, dated November 5, 2009, by and between Michael J. Chewens and NBT Bancorp Inc.

10.3 Employment Agreement, dated November 5, 2009, by and between David E. Raven and NBT Bancorp Inc.

10.4 Employment Agreement, dated November 5, 2009, by and between Jeffrey M. Levy and NBT Bancorp Inc.

10.5 Form of Change in Control Agreement, dated November 5, 2009, by and between NBT Bancorp Inc. and certain executive officers.

10.6 First Amendment to Split-Dollar Agreement, dated November 5, 2009, by and between NBT Bancorp Inc. and NBT Bank N.A.

10.7 Form of Amended and Restated NBT Bancorp Inc. Supplemental Retirement Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2009, between NBT Bancorp Inc. and certain executive officers.

31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1 Written Statement of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2 Written Statement of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized, this 9th day of November 2009.

 
NBT BANCORP INC.
     
     
     
By:  
/S/ Michael J. Chewens, CPA
  
Michael J. Chewens, CPA
Senior Executive Vice President
Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary
 
 
EXHIBIT INDEX

3.1   Certificate of Incorporation of NBT Bancorp Inc. as amended through July 23, 2001 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed on March 2, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).

3.2   By-laws of NBT Bancorp Inc. as amended and restated through July 23, 2001 (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed on March 2, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).

3.3   Certificate of Designation of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (filed as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1 of the Registration's Form 8-K, file Number 0-14703, filed on November 18, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference).

4.1  Specimen common stock certificate for NBT's common stock (filed as exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant's Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on December 27, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).

4.2   Rights Agreement, dated as of November 15, 2004, between NBT Bancorp Inc. and Registrar and Transfer Company, as Rights Agent (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Registrant's Form 8-K, file number 0-14703, filed on November 18, 2004, and incorporated by reference herein).

10.1   Employment Agreement, dated November 5, 2009, by and between Martin A. Dietrich and NBT Bancorp Inc.

10.2   Employment Agreement, dated November 5, 2009, by and between Michael J. Chewens and NBT Bancorp Inc.

10.3   Employment Agreement, dated November 5, 2009, by and between David E. Raven and NBT Bancorp Inc.

10.4   Employment Agreement, dated November 5, 2009, by and between Jeffrey M. Levy and NBT Bancorp Inc.

10.5   Form of Change in Control Agreement, dated November 5, 2009, by and between NBT Bancorp Inc. and certain executive officers.

10.6   First Amendment to Split-Dollar Agreement, dated November 5, 2009, by and between NBT Bancorp Inc. and NBT Bank N.A.

10.7   Form of Amended and Restated NBT Bancorp Inc. Supplemental Retirement Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2009, between NBT Bancorp Inc. and certain executive officers.

31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1 Written Statement of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2 Written Statement of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
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