b111210010q.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, 2010
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:   000-32891

        1ST CONSTITUTION BANCORP       
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

New Jersey
 
22-3665653
(State of Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation or Organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

2650 Route 130, P.O. Box 634, Cranbury, NJ
 
08512
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)

                       
   (609) 655-4500  
 
(Issuer’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
 
 
 
(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 (§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
o
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
o
Smaller reporting company
x

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 November 12, 2010, there were 4,572,593 shares of the registrant’s common stock, no par value, outstanding.
 


 
 

 
 
1ST CONSTITUTION BANCORP
 
 FORM 10-Q
 
INDEX

       
Page
 PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
         
  Financial Statements
1
         
     
     
   
1
         
     
     
   
2
         
     
     
   
3
         
     
     
   
4
         
   
5
         
   
   
19
         
 
39
         
 
39
         
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION  
         
 
39
         
 
40
         
SIGNATURES
41
 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.                    Financial Statements.
1st Constitution Bancorp and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
 
   
September 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
ASSETS
           
CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS
  $ 13,970,407     $ 25,842,901  
                 
FEDERAL FUNDS SOLD / SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
    11,394       11,384  
                 
Total cash and cash equivalents
    13,981,801       25,854,285  
                 
INVESTMENT SECURITIES:
               
Available for sale, at fair value
    110,151,679       204,118,850  
Held to maturity (fair value of $86,815,455 and $24,215,530 at
        September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively)
    85,835,513       23,608,980  
                 
Total investment securities
    195,987,192       227,727,830  
                 
LOANS HELD FOR SALE
    17,681,284       21,514,785  
                 
LOANS
    442,118,479       379,945,735  
Less- Allowance for loan losses
    (5,726,132 )     (4,505,387 )
                 
Net loans
    436,392,347       375,440,348  
PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT, net
    6,158,328       4,899,091  
ACCRUED INTEREST RECEIVABLE
    2,338,878       2,274,087  
BANK-OWNED LIFE INSURANCE
    11,373,540       10,319,055  
OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED
    1,730,331       1,362,621  
OTHER ASSETS
    6,872,014       8,604,378  
                 
Total assets
  $ 692,515,715     $ 677,996,480  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
LIABILITIES:
               
Deposits
               
Non-interest bearing
  $ 91,605,239     $ 82,473,328  
Interest bearing
    446,247,990       489,682,026  
                 
Total deposits
    537,853,229       572,155,354  
                 
BORROWINGS
    70,100,000       22,500,000  
REDEEMABLE SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
    18,557,000       18,557,000  
ACCRUED INTEREST PAYABLE
    1,265,447       1,757,151  
ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER LIABILITIES
    3,827,241       5,625,922  
                 
Total liabilities
    631,602,917       620,595,427  
                 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
               
                 
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
               
                 
Preferred Stock, no par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized, of which 12,000
shares of Series B, $1,000 liquidation preference, 5% cumulative
increasing to 9% cumulative on February 15, 2014, were issued and
outstanding
          11,554,213            11,473,262  
                 
Common stock, no par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 4,583,185 and
4,526,827 shares issued and 4,572,593 and 4,515,924 shares
outstanding at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively
        36,969,610          36,774,621  
Retained earnings
    12,152,796       10,307,331  
                 
Treasury Stock, at cost, 10,592 shares and 10,903 shares at September 30, 2010
and December 31, 2009, respectively
    (71,396 )     (73,492 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    307,575       (1,080,669 )
                 
Total shareholders’ equity
    60,912,798       57,401,053  
                 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 692,515,715     $ 677,996,480  
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
1st Constitution Bancorp and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited)

   
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
             
INTEREST INCOME
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Loans, including fees
  $ 6,349,180     $ 6,094,031     $ 17,414,422     $ 18,395,282  
Securities
                               
Taxable
    1,229,394       1,211,220       3,843,035       3,630,530  
Tax-exempt
    106,841       120,790       321,012       373,308  
Federal funds sold and short-term investments
    4,659       41,134       37,278       73,799  
Total interest income
    7,690,074       7,467,175       21,615,747       22,472,919  
                                 
INTEREST EXPENSE
                               
Deposits
    1,567,786       2,511,377       5,129,799       7,539,760  
Borrowings
    309,476       335,789       853,898       1,060,986  
Redeemable subordinated debentures
    269,565       270,480       801,255       803,455  
Total interest expense
    2,146,827       3,117,646       6,784,952       9,404,201  
Net interest income
    5,543,247       4,349,529       14,830,795       13,068,718  
Provision for loan losses
    875,000       505,000       1,725,000       1,293,000  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    4,668,247       3,844,529       13,105,795       11,775,718  
                                 
NON-INTEREST INCOME
                               
Service charges on deposit accounts
    185,242       225,772       550,270       680,526  
Gain on sales of loans
    416,754       339,887       1,129,875       953,073  
Income on bank-owned life insurance
    102,791       98,886       304,486       292,213  
Other income
    291,910       311,548       967,932       840,134  
Total non-interest income
    996,697       976,093       2,952,563       2,765,946  
                                 
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
                               
Salaries and employee benefits
    2,532,427       2,338,830       7,326,361       6,860,225  
Occupancy expense
    499,745       464,799       1,398,510       1,360,471  
Data processing expenses
    284,554       281,177       815,752       817,057  
FDIC insurance expenses
    94,034       183,386       589,285       987,169  
Other operating expenses
    961,537       824,810       2,655,425       2,880,259  
Total non-interest expense
    4,372,297       4,093,002       12,785,333       12,905,181  
       Income before income taxes
    1,292,647       727,620       3,273,025       1,636,483  
                                 
INCOME TAXES
    411,048       106,386       896,609       3,949  
Net income
    881,599       621,234       2,376,416       1,632,534  
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock
    176,984       176,983       530,952       542,618  
Net income available to common shareholders
    704,615     $ 444,251       1,845,464     $ 1,089,916  
                                 
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
                               
Basic
  $ 0.15     $ 0.10     $ 0.41     $ 0.24  
Diluted
  $ 0.15     $ 0.10     $ 0.40     $ 0.24  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
1st Constitution Bancorp and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009
(unaudited)
 
   
 
 
Preferred
Stock
   
 
 
Common
Stock
   
 
 
Retained
Earnings
   
 
 
Treasury
Stock
   
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss) Income
   
 
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
                                                 
BALANCE, January 1, 2009
  $ 11,387,828     $ 35,180,433     $ 9,653,923     $ (53,331 )   $ (549,201 )   $ 55,619,652  
                                                 
Share-based compensation
            64,517                               64,517  
                                                 
Treasury stock purchased (11,295 shares)
                            (70,478 )             (70,478 )
                                                 
Exercise of stock options and issuance
     of vested shares under benefit program (83,857 shares)
            295,320               58,305               353,625  
                                                 
Dividends on preferred stock
                    (461,667 )                     (461,667 )
                                                 
Preferred stock issuance costs
    (22,500 )                                     (22,500 )
                                                 
Accretion of discount on preferred stock
    80,951               (80,951 )                     --  
                                                 
Comprehensive Income:
    Net Income for the nine months
   ended September 30, 2009
                    1,632,534                       1,632,534  
                                                 
    Minimum pension liability, net of tax
                                    51,436       51,436  
                                                 
    Unrealized gain on securities available for sale,
net of tax
                                    643,735       643,735  
                                                 
       Unrealized gain on interest rate swap contract,
            net of tax
                                    92,106       92,106  
                                                 
Comprehensive Income
                                            2,419,811  
                                                 
Balance, September 30, 2009
  $ 11,446,279     $ 35,540,270     $ 10,743,839     $ (65,504 )   $ (238,076 )   $ 57,902,960  
                                                 
Balance, January 1, 2010
  $ 11,473,262     $ 36,774,621     $ 10,307,331     $ (73,492 )   $ (1,080,669 )   $ 57,401,053  
                                                 
Exercise of stock options and issuance of vested shares
       under employee benefit program (56,669 shares)
            148,660               2,096               150,756  
                                                 
Share-based compensation
            46,329                               46,329  
                                                 
Dividends on preferred stock
                    (450,000 )                     (450,000 )
                                                 
Accretion of discount on preferred stock
    80,951               (80,951 )                     0  
                                                 
Comprehensive Income:
    Net Income for the nine months
   ended September 30, 2010
                    2,376,416                       2,376,416  
                                                 
   Minimum pension liability, net of tax
                                    205,532       205,532  
                                                 
    Unrealized gain on securities available for
sale, net of tax
                                    971,120       971,120  
                                                 
   Unrealized gain on interest rate swap contract,
net of tax
                                    211,592       211,592  
                                                 
Comprehensive Income
                                            3,764,660  
                                                 
Balance, September 30, 2010
  $ 11,554,213     $ 36,969,610     $ 12,152,796     $ (71,396 )   $ 307,575     $ 60,912,798  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
1st Constitution Bancorp and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)

     
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
     
2010
     
2009
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES: 
               
     Net income 
  $
2,376,416
    $
1,632,534
 
           Adjustments to reconcile net income 
               
                to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities- 
               
           Provision for loan losses 
   
1,725,000
     
1,293,000
 
           Depreciation and amortization 
   
454,760
     
480,488
 
           Net amortization of premiums and discounts on securities 
   
733,173
     
24,780
 
           Gains on sales of other real estate owned
   
(62,584)
     
(27,776)
 
           Gains on sales of loans held for sale
   
(1,129,875)
     
(953,073)
 
           Originations of loans held for sale 
   
(99,507,515)
     
(121,999,780)
 
           Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale 
   
104,470,891
     
111,868,218
 
           Income on Bank – owned life insurance 
   
(304,486)
     
(292,213)
 
           Share-based compensation expense
   
171,329
     
176,517
 
          (Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable
   
(64,791)
     
69,063
 
          (Increase) decrease in other assets 
   
922,877
     
(2,145,550)
 
          (Decrease) in accrued interest payable 
   
(491,704)
     
(122,195)
 
          (Decrease) increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities 
   
(1,201,221)
     
1,757,356
 
                 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 
   
8,092,270
     
(8,238,631)
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
     Purchases of securities - 
               
           Available for sale 
   
(35,226,910)
     
(78,656,269)
 
           Held to maturity 
   
(85,955,664)
     
(1,619,834)
 
     Proceeds from maturities and prepayments of securities - 
               
           Available for sale 
   
129,995,205
     
40,082,916
 
           Held to maturity 
   
23,666,230
     
1,950,349
 
     Net increase in loans 
   
(64,624,145)
     
(1,069,417)
 
     Purchase of bank-owned life insurance
   
(750,000)
     
0
 
     Capital expenditures 
   
(1,686,463)
     
(247,369)
 
     Additional investment in other real estate owned
   
(107,395)
     
(400,991)
 
     Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned
   
1,725,757
     
3,842,947
 
                 
Net cash used in investing activities 
   
(32,963,385)
     
(36,117,668)
 
                 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES: 
               
     Exercise of stock options and issuance of vested shares
   
150,756
     
353,625
 
     Purchase of Treasury Stock
   
0
     
(70,478)
 
     Dividend paid on preferred stock
   
(450,000)
     
(386,667)
 
     Preferred stock issuance costs paid
   
0
     
(22,500)
 
    Net increase (decrease) in demand, savings and time deposits 
   
(34,302,125)
     
141,487,850
 
     Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings
   
47,600,000
     
(24,000,000)
 
 
Net cash provided by financing activities 
   
12,998,631
     
117,361,830
 
 
Increase (decrease)  in cash and cash equivalents 
   
(11,872,484)
     
73,005,531
 
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 
               
     AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD
   
25,854,285
     
14,333,119
 
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 
               
     AT END OF PERIOD
  $
13,981,801
    $
87,338,650
 
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES 
               
     OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: 
               
           Cash paid during the period for - 
               
Interest 
  $
7,276,656
    $
9,526,396
 
Income taxes 
   
1,660,000
     
329,160
 
Non-cash investing activities
               
Real estate acquired in full satisfaction of loans in foreclosure
  $
1,947,146
    $
1,828,687
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
1st Constitution Bancorp and Subsidiaries
Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
(1)  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements include 1st Constitution Bancorp (the “Company”), its wholly-owned subsidiary, 1st Constitution Bank (the “Bank”), and the Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, 1st Constitution Investment Company of Delaware, Inc., 1st Constitution Investment Company of New Jersey, Inc., FCB Assets Holdings, Inc. and 1st Constitution Title Agency, LLC.  1st Constitution Capital Trust II, a subsidiary of the Company, is not included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, as it is a variable interest entity and the Company is not the primary beneficiary.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation and certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.  The accounting and reporting policies of the Company and its subsidiaries conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) including the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulation S-X.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.  These Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, filed with the SEC on March 26, 2010.
 
Subsequent to the filing of Form 10-Q for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, an error was noted in the consolidated statement of income whereby a reclassification of $257,104 of mortgage commissions was not made that would have decreased both noninterest income and noninterest expense.  This reclassification entry had no effect on net income, net income per share, total equity or total assets.  The reclassification has been reported correctly in this document and was reported correctly in the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
In the opinion of the Company, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) which are necessary for a fair presentation of the operating results for the interim periods have been included. The results of operations for periods of less than a year are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.
 
The Company has evaluated events and transactions occurring subsequent to the balance sheet date of September 30, 2010 for items that should potentially be recognized or disclosed in these financial statements.  The evaluation was conducted through the date these financial statements were issued.
 
(2)  Net Income Per Common Share
 
Basic net income per common share is calculated by dividing net income less dividends and discount accretion on preferred stock by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period.
 
Diluted net income per common share is calculated by dividing net income less dividends and discount accretion on preferred stock by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, as adjusted for the assumed exercise of potential common stock options and unvested restricted stock awards (as defined below), using the treasury stock method. All share information has been adjusted for the effect of a 5% stock dividend declared December 17, 2009 and paid on February 3, 2010 to shareholders of record on January 19, 2010.
 
The following tables illustrate the reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per common share (EPS) calculations.  Dilutive securities in the tables below exclude common stock options and warrants with exercise prices that exceed the average market price of the Company’s common stock during the periods presented.  Inclusion of these common stock options and warrants would be anti-dilutive to the diluted earnings per common share calculation.
 
 
   
Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
 
   
 
 
Income
   
Weighted-
average
Shares
   
 
Per Share
Amount
 
Basic Earnings Per Common Share
                 
Net income
  $ 881,599              
Preferred stock dividends and accretion
    (176,984 )            
Income available to common shareholders
    704,615       4,569,401     $ 0.15  
                         
Effect of dilutive securities
                       
Stock options and unvested stock awards
            26,723          
                         
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
                       
Income available to common shareholders
      plus assumed conversion
  $ 704,615       4,596,124     $ 0.15  
 
 
   
Three Months Ended September 30, 2009
 
   
 
 
Income
   
Weighted-
average
Shares
   
 
Per Share
Amount
 
Basic Earnings Per Common Share
                 
Net income
  $ 621,234              
Preferred stock dividends and accretion
    (176,983 )            
Income available to common shareholders
    444,251       4,480,994     $ 0.10  
                         
Effect of dilutive securities
                       
Stock options and unvested stock awards
            22,130          
                         
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
                       
Net income available to common shareholders
      plus assumed conversion
  $ 444,251       4,503,124     $ 0.10  

 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
 
   
 
 
Income
   
Weighted-
average
Shares
   
 
Per Share
Amount
 
Basic Earnings Per Common Share
                 
Net income
  $ 2,376,416              
Preferred stock dividends and accretion
    (530,952 )            
Income available to common shareholders
    1,845,464       4,541,164     $ 0.41  
                         
Effect of dilutive securities
                       
Stock options and unvested stock awards
            29,862          
                         
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
                       
Income available to common shareholders
      plus assumed conversion
  $ 1,845,464       4,571,026     $ 0.40  
   

 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
 
   
 
 
Income
   
Weighted-
average
Shares
   
 
Per Share
Amount
 
Basic Earnings Per Common Share
                 
Net income
  $ 1,632,534              
Preferred stock dividends and accretion
    (542,618 )            
Income available to common shareholders
    1,089,916       4,459,308     $ 0.24  
                         
Effect of dilutive securities
                       
Stock options and unvested stock awards
            12,117          
                         
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
                       
Net income available to common shareholders
      plus assumed conversion
  $ 1,089,916       4,471,425     $ 0.24  
 
 
(3)           Investment Securities
 
Amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and the estimated fair value by security type are as follows:

         
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
September 30, 2010 
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
                         
Available for sale-
                       
U. S. Treasury securities and
                       
obligations of U.S. Government
                       
   sponsored corporations (“GSE”) and
        agencies
  $ 51,478,181     $ 142,145       0     $ 51,620,326  
   Residential collateralized
        mortgage obligations – GSE
    27,087,179       793,704       (15,993 )     27,864,890  
Residential mortgage
     backed securities – GSE
    18,974,750       1,392,481       0       20,367,231  
Obligations of State and
                               
Political subdivisions
    3,262,254       61,330       (34,427 )     3,289,157  
    Trust preferred debt securities – single issuer
    2,459,732       0       (612,259 )     1,847,473  
    Corporate Debt Securities
    1,508,344       1,756       (1,598 )     1,508,502  
    Restricted stock
    3,629,100       0       0       3,629,100  
    Mutual fund
    25,000       0       0       25,000  
                                 
    $ 108,424,540     $ 2,391,416     $ (664,277 )   $ 110,151,679  


 
             September 30, 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortized
Cost
   
Other-Than-
Temporary
Impairment
Recognized In
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
   
 
 
 
 
 
Carrying
Value
   
 
 
 
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   
 
 
 
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
 
 
 
 
 
Fair
Value
 
Held to maturity-
                                   
    U. S. Treasury securities and
                                   
         obligations of U.S. Government
                                   
         sponsored corporations (“GSE”) and
              agencies
  $ 60,157,804     $ -     $ 60,157,804     $ 248,072     $ (3,120 )   $ 60,402,756  
    Residential collateralized
        mortgage obligations – GSE
    2,957,348       -       2,957,348       111,490       0       3,068,838  
    Residential mortgage backed
        securities - GSE
    6,624,796       -       6,624,796       229,913       (2,526 )     6,852,183  
Obligations of State and
                                               
      Political subdivisions
    8,066,837       -       8,066,837       384,675       (452 )     8,451,060  
Trust preferred debt securities - pooled
    637,812       (500,944 )     136,868       0       (44,723 )     92,145  
Corporate debt securities
    7,891,860       -       7,891,860       81,107       (24,494 )     7,948,473  
                                                 
    $ 86,336,457     $ (500,944 )   $ 85,835,513     $ 1,055,257     $ (75,315 )   $ 86,815,455  


         
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
December 31, 2009
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
                         
Available for sale-
                       
U. S. Treasury securities and
                       
obligations of U.S. Government
                       
sponsored corporations (“GSE”)
      and agencies
  $ 138,351,028     $ 291,906     $ (673,252 )   $ 137,969,682  
       Residential collateralized mortgage
            obligations – GSE
    34,749,123       172,698       (252,023 )     34,669,798  
Residential mortgage backed
     securities – GSE
    24,182,584       1,449,071       0       25,631,655  
Obligations of State and
                               
Political subdivisions
    2,633,210       45,644       (91,212 )     2,587,642  
        Trust preferred debt securities
          – single issuer
    2,457,262       0       (687,089 )     1,770,173  
        Restricted Stock
    1,464,900       0       0       1,464,900  
        Mutual Fund
    25,000       0       0       25,000  
                                 
    $ 203,863,107     $ 1,959,319     $ (1,703,576 )   $ 204,118,850  

 
December 31, 2009
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortized
Cost
   
Other-Than-
Temporary
Impairment
Recognized In
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
   
 
 
 
 
 
Carrying
Value
   
 
 
 
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   
 
 
 
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
 
 
 
 
 
Fair
Value
 
Held to maturity-
                                   
    Residential collateralized
        mortgage obligations – GSE
  $ 4,881,475     $ -     $ 4,881,475     $ 150,055     $ 0     $ 5,031,530  
    Residential mortgage backed
          securities - GSE
    6,111,131       -       6,111,131       97,782       (29,521 )     6,179,392  
Obligations of State and
                                               
      Political subdivisions
    8,600,596       -       8,600,596       270,947       0       8,871,543  
Trust preferred debt securities - pooled
    633,998       (500,944 )     133,054       0       0       133,054  
Corporate debt securities
    3,882,724       -       3,882,724       117,287       0       4,000,011  
                                                 
    $ 24,109,924     $ (500,944 )   $ 23,608,980     $ 636,071     $ (29,521 )   $ 24,215,530  

 
Restricted stock at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 consists of $3,614,100 and $1,449,900, respectively, of Federal Home Loan Bank of New York stock and $15,000 of Atlantic Central Bankers Bank stock.
 
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities at September 30, 2010, by contractual maturity, are shown below.  Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.  Restricted stock is included in “Available for sale - Due in one year or less.”
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Fair
Value
 
Available for sale-
     
     Due in one year or less
  $ 43,293,923     $ 43,395,065  
     Due after one year through five years
    12,220,865       12,309,179  
     Due after five years through ten years
    7,567,192       7,976,701  
     Due after ten years
    45,342,560       46,470,734  
Total
  $ 108,424,540     $ 110,151,679  
                 
Held to maturity-
               
     Due in one year or less
  $ 1,752,162     $ 1,758,030  
     Due after one year through five years
    47,823,280       48,132,857  
     Due after five years through ten years
    28,409,840       28,800,416  
     Due after ten years
    8,351,175       8,124,152  
Total
  $ 86,336,457     $ 86,815,455  

Gross unrealized losses on securities and the estimated fair value of the related securities aggregated by security category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are as follows:

September 30, 2010
       
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or longer
   
Total
 
   
Number
of
Securities
   
 
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
 
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
 
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations
      of U.S. Government sponsored
          corporations and agencies
    2     $ 1,996,880     $ (3,120 )   $ -     $ -     $ 1,996,880     $ (3,120 )
                                                         
Residential collateralized mortgage
     obligations - GSE
    1                       418,777       (15,993 )     418,777       (15,993 )
                                                         
Residential mortgage backed securities – GSE
    1       1,033,889       (2,526 )                     1,033,889       (2,526 )
                                                         
Obligations of State and Political
    Subdivisions
    3       583,105       (1,008 )     980,311       (33,871 )     1,563,416       (34,879 )
                                                         
Trust preferred debt securities – single issuer
    4       0       0       1,847,473       (612,259 )     1,847,473       (612,259 )
                                                         
Trust preferred debt securities – pooled
    1       0       0       92,145       (545,667 )     92,145       (545,667 )
                                                         
Corporate Debt Securities
    7       5,303,538       (26,092 )     0       0       5,303,538       (26,092 )
                                                         
  Total temporarily impaired securities
    19     $ 8,917,412     $ (32,746 )   $ 3,338,706     $ (1,207,790 )   $ 12,256,118     $ (1,240,536 )
                                                         

December 31, 2009
       
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or longer
   
Total
 
   
Number of
Securities
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
U.S. Government sponsored
     corporations and agencies
    33     $ 73,177,106     $ (673,252 )   $ -     $ -     $ 73,177,106     $ (673,252 )
                                                         
Residential collateralized mortgage
      Obligations – GSE
    5       9,399,574       (158,696 )     428,264       (93,327 )     9,827,838       (252,023 )
                                                         
Residential mortgage backed securities - GSE
    1       2,885,660       (29,521 )     -       -       2,885,660       (29,521 )
                                                         
Obligations of State and Political
     Subdivisions
    1       924,549       (91,212 )     -       -       924,549       (91,212 )
                                                         
Trust preferred debt securities – single issuer
    4       -       -       1,770,172       (687,089 )     1,770,172       (687,089 )
                                                         
Trust preferred debt securities – pooled
    1       -       -       133,054       (500,944 )     133,054       (500,944 )
                                                         
  Total temporarily impaired securities
    45     $ 86,386,889     $ (952,681 )   $ 2,331,490     $ (1,281,360 )   $ 88,718,379     $ (2,234,041 )
                                                         

 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government sponsored corporations and agencies:  The unrealized losses on investments in these securities were caused by interest rate increases.  The contractual terms of these investments do not permit the issuer to settle the securities at a price less than the amortized cost of the investment.  Because the Company does not intend to sell these investments and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell these investments before a market price recovery or maturity, these investments are not considered other-than temporarily impaired.

               Residential collateralized mortgage obligations and residential mortgaged-backed securities: The unrealized losses on investments in residential collateralized residential mortgage obligations and mortgage-backed securities were caused by interest rate increases. The contractual cash flows of these securities are guaranteed by the issuers, which are either government or government sponsored agencies. It is expected that the securities would not be settled at a price less than the amortized cost of the investment. Because the decline in fair value is attributable to changes in interest rates and not credit quality, and because the Company does not intend to sell these investments and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell these investments before a market price recovery or maturity, these investments are not considered other-than-temporarily impaired.

Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions:  The unrealized losses on investments in these securities were caused by interest rate increases.  It is expected that the securities would not be settled at a price less than the amortized cost of the investment.  Because the decline in fair value is attributable to changes in interest rates and not credit quality, and because the Company does not intend to sell these investments and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell these investments before a market price recovery or maturity, these investments are not considered other-than-temporarily impaired.

Corporate debt securities:   The unrealized losses on investments in corporate debt securities were caused by interest rate increases.  None of the corporate issuers have defaulted on interest payments.  Because the decline in fair value is attributable to changes in interest rates and not credit quality, and because the Company does not intend to sell these investments and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell these investments before a market price recovery or maturity, these investments are not considered other-than-temporarily impaired.

Trust preferred debt securities – single issuer:  The investments in these securities with unrealized losses are comprised of four corporate trust preferred securities that mature in 2027, all of which were single-issuer securities.   The contractual terms of the trust preferred securities do not allow the issuer to settle the securities at a price less than the face value of the trust preferred securities, which is greater than the amortized cost of the trust preferred securities.  None of the corporate issuers have defaulted on interest payments.  Because the decline in fair value is attributable to widening of interest rate spreads and the lack of an active trading market for these securities and to a lesser degree market concerns on the issuers’ credit quality, and because the Company does not intend to sell these investments and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell these investments before a market price recovery or maturity, these investments are not considered other-than-temporarily impaired.

Trust preferred debt security – pooled:  This trust preferred debt security was issued by a two issuer pool (Preferred Term Securities XXV, Ltd. co-issued by Keefe, Bruyette and Woods, Inc. and First Tennessee (“PreTSL XXV”)), consisting primarily of financial institution holding companies.  During 2009, the Company recognized an other-than-temporary impairment charge of $864,727 of which $363,783 was determined to be a credit loss and charged to operations and $500,944 was recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) component of shareholders’ equity.
 

A number of factors or combinations of factors could cause management to conclude in one or more future reporting periods that an unrealized loss that exists with respect to PreTSL XXV constitutes an additional credit impairment.  These factors include, but are not limited to, failure to make interest payments, an increase in the severity of the unrealized loss, an increase in the continuous duration of the unrealized loss without an impairment in value or changes in market conditions and/or industry or issuer specific factors that would render management unable to forecast a full recovery in value.  In addition, the fair value of trust preferred securities could decline if the overall economy and the financial condition of the issuers continue to deteriorate and there remains limited liquidity for this security.
 
The following table presents a cumulative roll forward of the amount of other-than-temporary impairment related to credit losses, all of which relate to PreTSL XXV, which have been recognized in earnings for debt securities held to maturity and not intended to be sold.
 
(in thousands)
 
Three and nine months ended
September 30, 2010
 
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 364  
Change during the period
    -  
Balance at end of period
  $ 364  

(4)  Share-Based Compensation

The Company establishes fair value for its equity awards to determine its cost and recognizes the related expense for stock options over the vesting period using the straight-line method.  The grant date fair value for stock options is calculated using the Black-Scholes option valuation model.
 
The Company’s stock-based incentive plans (the “Stock Plans”) authorize the issuance of an aggregate of 1,177,500 shares of common stock pursuant to awards that may be granted in the form of stock options to purchase common stock (“Options”) and awards of shares of common stock (“Stock Awards”).  The purpose of the Company’s Stock Plans is to attract and retain personnel for positions of substantial responsibility and to provide additional incentive to certain officers, directors, employees and other persons to promote the success of the Company.  Under the Company’s Stock Plans, Options expire ten years after the date of grant.  Options are granted with an exercise price at the then fair market value of the Company’s common stock.  As of September 30, 2010, there were 219,788 shares of common stock (as adjusted for the 5% stock dividend declared December 17, 2009 and paid February 3, 2010 to shareholders of record on January 19, 2010) available for future grants under the Company’s Stock Plans.
 
Stock-based compensation expense related to Options was $46,329 and $64,517 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Options transactions under the Stock Plans during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 are summarized as follows:
Stock Options
 
Number of
Shares
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (years)
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2010
    154,710     $ 11.04              
     Options Granted
    --       --              
     Options Exercised
    (311 )     3.58              
     Options Forfeited
    (2,293 )     9.47              
     Options Expired
    --       --              
Outstanding at September 30, 2010
    152,106     $ 11.07       5.4     $ 42,163  
                                 
Exercisable at September 30, 2010
    110,613     $ 11.53       4.4     $ 42,163  

The total intrinsic value (market value on date of exercise less grant price) of options exercised during the nine month period ended September 30, 2010 was $1,297.
 

As of September 30, 2010, there was approximately $103,682 of unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested option-based compensation arrangements granted under the Company’s Stock Plan.  That cost is expected to be recognized over the next four years.
 
Stock Awards generally vest over a four-year service period on the anniversary of the grant date, except in the case of the Company’s highest compensated employee (currently its chief executive officer) for Stock Awards granted on or after June 15, 2009 which related to long term restricted stock awards.  Such long-term restricted Stock Awards granted to the highest compensated employee vest 50% immediately following the second anniversary of the Award and 25% immediately following each of the next two anniversaries.  In that instance, transferability of the stock received pursuant to a Stock Award is generally tied to repayment of funds received by the Company from the United States Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”) in exchange for preferred stock of the Company and warrants to acquire common stock of the Company.  Also, such Stock Awards granted to the Company’s highest compensated employee which are long term are subject to forfeiture unless such person performs substantial services for the Company for two years after the date of grant of the Stock Award, except in certain circumstances and even if vested, the Stock Award is not transferable until the Company has repaid the Treasury the funds received with respect to the preferred stock and warrants sold to the Treasury.  The release of the transferability restriction is 25% of the Stock Award for each repayment of 25% of the funds originally received by the Company from the Treasury, with an exception from the transferability restriction for the number of shares sufficient to pay taxes arising from the vesting of the Stock Award. Once vested, Stock Awards are irrevocable, except that such Stock Awards are subject to clawback in certain circumstances pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and pursuant to Section 111 of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 as amended by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  The product of the number of shares granted and the grant date market price of the Company’s common stock determine the fair value of shares covered by the Stock Award under the Company’s Stock Plans.  Management recognizes compensation expense for the fair value of the shares covered by the Stock Award on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.  Stock-based compensation expense related to Stock Awards was $125,000 and $112,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.
 
The following table summarized nonvested restricted shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 (as adjusted to reflect the 5% stock dividend declared in December 2009):
 
Nonvested shares
 
Number of
Shares
   
Average Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Non-vested stock awards at January 1, 2010
    75,769     $ 9.53  
Shares granted
    53,675       7.19  
Shares vested
    (13,316 )     12.16  
Shares forfeited
    (2,928 )     10.11  
Non-vested stock awards at September 30, 2010
    113,200     $ 8.09  

As of September 30, 2010, there was approximately $746,120 of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Company’s Stock Plan.  That cost is expected to be recognized over the four years following September 30, 2010.
 
(5)  Benefit Plans
 
The Company has a 401(k) plan which covers substantially all employees with six months or more of service to the Company.  The Company’s contributions to the 401(k) plan are expensed as incurred.
 
The Company also provides retirement benefits to certain employees under a supplemental executive retirement plan.  The supplemental executive retirement plan is unfunded and the Company accrues actuarial determined benefit costs over the estimated service period of the employees in the plan.  The Company recognizes the over funded or under funded status of a defined benefit post-retirement plan (other than a multiemployer plan) as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position and to recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur, through comprehensive income.
 
 
The components of net periodic expense for the Company’s supplemental executive retirement plan for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:
 
   
Three months ended
September 30
   
Nine month ended
September 30
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Service cost
  $ 56,514     $ 79,544     $ 169,542     $ 220,182  
Interest cost
    48,435       45,630       145,305       136,890  
Actuarial loss recognized
    38,517       21,744       115,551       65,232  
Prior service cost recognized
    24,858       24,750       74,574       74,358  
    $ 168,324     $ 171,668     $ 504,972     $ 496,662  
                                 
 (6)  Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and their related income tax effects are as follows:
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Unrealized holding gains on
           
securities available for sale
  $ 1,727,139     $ 255,744  
Related income tax effect
    (587,228 )     (86,953 )
      1,139,911       168,791  
                 
Unrealized impairment loss
      on held to maturity security
    (500,944 )     (500,944 )
Related income tax effect
    170,321       170,321  
      (330,623 )     (330,623 )
                 
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap contract
    (526,771 )     (883,806 )
Related income tax effect
    208,329       353,772  
      (318,442 )     (530,034 )
                 
Pension liability
    (305,461 )     (647,228 )
Related income tax effect
    122,190       258,425  
      (183,271 )     (388,803 )
                 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 307,575     $ (1,080,669 )
                 
The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, which is a component of shareholders’ equity, were as follows:
 
   
Net Unrealized
 Gains on
Available for
Sale Securities
   
Net Unrealized
 Impairment Loss
 On Held to
Maturity Security
   
Net Change in
Fair Value of
Interest Rate
Swap Contract
   
Net Change
Related to Defined
Benefit Pension
Plans
   
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Balances, December 31, 2009
  $ 168,791     $ (330,623 )   $ (530,034 )   $ (388,803 )   $ (1,080,669 )
                                         
Net change
    971,120       0       211,592       205,532       1,388,244  
                                         
Balance, September 30, 2010
  $ 1,139,911     $ (330,623 )   $ (318,442 )   $ (188,271 )   $ 307,575  

 (7)  Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-16, Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860) – Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets.  ASU 2009-16 provides guidance regarding the accounting for transfers of financial assets that prescribes the information that a reporting entity must provide in its financial reports about a transfer of financial assets; the effects of a transfer on its financial position, financial performance and cash flows; and a transferor’s continuing involvement in transferred financial assets.  This guidance specifically removes the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity and the exception from applying otherwise applicable consolidation requirements to variable interest entities that are qualifying special-purpose entities.  It also modifies the financial-components approach used in accounting for transfers. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009.  Adoption of the new guidance did not significantly impact the Company’s financial statements.
 
 
In June 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-17, Consolidations (TOPIC 810) – Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities.  ASU 2009-17 amended previously existing guidance to require that an enterprise determine whether its variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity.  The primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity is the enterprise that has both (1) the power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the variable interest entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the variable interest entity.  This guidance requires ongoing reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009.  Adoption of the new guidance did not significantly impact the Company’s financial statements.
 
The FASB has issued ASU 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. This ASU requires some new disclosures and clarifies some existing disclosure requirements about fair value measurement as set forth in Codification Subtopic 820-10. The FASB’s objective is to improve these disclosures and thus, increase the transparency in financial reporting. Specifically, ASU 2010-06 amends Codification Subtopic 820-10 to now require: (1) A reporting entity to disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and describe the reasons for the transfers; and (2) In the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs, a reporting entity should present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements. In addition, ASU 2010-06 clarifies the requirements of the following existing disclosures: (1) For purposes of reporting fair value measurement for each class of assets and liabilities, a reporting entity needs to use judgment in determining the appropriate classes of assets and liabilities; and (2) A reporting entity should provide disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. ASU 2010-06 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The implementation of the effective portions of this ASU, effective January 1, 2010, did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
The FASB issued ASU 2010-11, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Scope Exception Related to Embedded Credit Derivatives.  The FASB believes this ASU clarifies the type of embedded credit derivative that is exempt from embedded derivative bifurcation requirements.  Specifically, only one form of embedded credit derivative qualifies for the exemption – one that is related only to the subordination of one financial instrument to another.  As a result, entities that have contracts containing an embedded credit derivative feature in a form other than such subordination may need to separately account for the embedded credit derivative feature.  The amendments in the ASU are effective for each reporting entity at the beginning of its first fiscal quarter beginning after June 15, 2010.  Early adoption is permitted at the beginning of each entity’s first fiscal quarter beginning after March 5, 2010.  We have not early adopted this guidance and have determined that the adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
The FASB issued ASU 2010-18, Receivables (Topic 310): Effect of a Loan Modification When the Loan Is Part of a Pool That Is Accounted for as a Single Asset, codifies the consensus reached in EITF Issue No. 09-I, “Effect of a Loan Modification When the Loan Is Part of a Pool That Is Accounted for as a Single Asset.” The amendments to the Codification provide that modifications of loans that are accounted for within a pool under Subtopic 310-30 do not result in the removal of those loans from the pool even if the modification of those loans would otherwise be considered a troubled debt restructuring. An entity will continue to be required to consider whether the pool of assets in which the loan is included is impaired if expected cash flows for the pool change. ASU 2010-18 does not affect the accounting for loans under the scope of Subtopic 310-30 that are not accounted for within pools. Loans accounted for individually under Subtopic 310-30 continue to be subject to the troubled debt restructuring accounting provisions within Subtopic 310-40.
 
 
ASU 2010-18 is effective prospectively for modifications of loans accounted for within pools under Subtopic 310-30 occurring in the first interim or annual period ending on or after July 15, 2010. Early application is permitted. Upon initial adoption of ASU 2010-18, an entity may make a one-time election to terminate accounting for loans as a pool under Subtopic 310-30. This election may be applied on a pool-by-pool basis and does not preclude an entity from applying pool accounting to subsequent acquisitions of loans with credit deterioration.  The adoption of ASU 2010-18 is not expected to have a significant impact to the Company’s consolidated financial position or result of operations.
 
The FASB issued ASU 2010-20, Receivables (Topic 310): Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses, will help investors assess the credit risk of a company’s receivables portfolio and the adequacy of its allowance for credit losses held against the portfolios by expanding credit risk disclosures.  This ASU requires more information about the credit quality of financing receivables in the disclosures to financial statements, such as aging information and credit quality indicators.  Both new and existing disclosures must be disaggregated by portfolio segment or class.  The disaggregation of information is based on how a company develops its allowance for credit losses and how it manages its credit exposure. The amendments in this Update apply to all public and nonpublic entities with financing receivables.  Financing receivables include loans and trade accounts receivable.  However, short-term trade accounts receivable, receivables measured at fair value or lower of cost or fair value, and debt securities are exempt from these disclosure amendments.  The effective date of ASU 2010-20 differs for public and nonpublic companies.  For public companies, the amendments that require disclosures as of the end of a reporting period are effective for periods ending on or after December 15, 2010.  The amendments that require disclosures about activity that occurs during a reporting period are effective for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010.  For nonpublic companies, the amendments are effective for annual reporting periods ending on or after December 15, 2011.  The adoption of ASU 2010-20 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
(8)  Fair Value Disclosures
 
U.S. GAAP has established a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation methods 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 as follows:
 
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 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 with little or no market activity).
 
An asset’s or liability’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
 
A description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below.  These valuation methodologies were applied to all of the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities carried at fair value.
 
In general, fair value is based upon quoted market prices, where available.  If such quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed models that primarily use, as inputs, observable market-based parameters.  Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair value.  These adjustments may include amounts to reflect counterparty credit quality and counterparty creditworthiness, among other things, as well as unobservable parameters.  Any such valuation adjustments are applied consistently over time.  The Company’s valuation methodologies may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective value or reflective of future values.  While management believes the Company’s valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.
 
 
Securities Available for Sale.  Securities classified as available for sale are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 Inputs.  For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service.  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 prepayments speeds, credit information and the security’s terms and conditions, among other things.
 
Impaired loans.  Loans included in the following table are those which the Company has measured and recognized impairment generally based on the fair value of the loan’s collateral.  Fair value is generally determined based upon independent third party appraisals of the properties, or discounted cash flows based on the expected proceeds.  These assets are included as Level 3 fair values, based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements.  The fair value consists of the loan balances less specific valuation allowances.

Other Real Estate Owned.  Foreclosed properties are adjusted to fair value less estimated selling costs at the time of foreclosure in preparation for transfer from portfolio loans to other real estate owned (“OREO”), establishing a new accounting basis.  The Company subsequently adjusts the fair value on the OREO utilizing Level 3 inputs on a non-recurring basis to reflect partial write-downs based on the observable market price, current appraised value of the asset or other estimates of fair value.

Derivatives – Interest Rate Swap.  Derivatives are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 Inputs.  The Company obtains dealer quotations to value its interest rate swap.
 
The following table summarizes financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value:
 
   
Level 1
Inputs
   
Level 2
Inputs
   
Level 3
Inputs
   
Total Fair
Value
 
September 30, 2010:
                       
  Securities available for sale
  $ -     $ 110,151,679     $ -     $ 110,151,679  
  Derivative liabilities
    -       (526,771 )     -       (526,771 )
                                 
December 31, 2009:
                               
  Securities available for sale
  $ -     $ 204,118,850     $ -     $ 204,118,850  
  Derivative liabilities
    -       (883,806 )     -       (883,806 )

Certain financial assets and financial liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment).  Financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are as follows:

   
Level 1
Inputs
   
Level 2
Inputs
   
Level 3
Inputs
   
Total Fair
Value
 
September 30, 2010:
                       
Impaired loans
  $ -     $ -     $ 2,935,836     $ 2,935,836  
Other real estate owned
    -       -       1,048,000       1,048,000  
                                 
December 31, 2009:
                               
Impaired loans
  $ -     $ -     $ 1,116,129     $ 1,116,129  
Other real estate owned
    -       -       1,362,621       1,362,621  
Security held to maturity
    -       133,054       -       133,054  

Impaired loans measured at fair value and included in the above table, consisted of eight loans having an aggregate principal balance of $3,547,815 and specific loan loss allowances of $611,979 at September 30, 2010 and twelve loans at December 31, 2009, having an aggregate principal balance of $1,292,910 and specific loan loss allowances of $176,781.
 
 
The fair value of OREO was determined using appraisals, which may be discounted based on management’s review and changes in market conditions.
 
The following is a summary of fair value versus the carrying value of all the Company’s financial instruments.  For the Company and the Bank, as for most financial institutions, the bulk of its assets and liabilities are considered financial instruments.  Many of the financial instruments lack an available trading market as characterized by a willing buyer and willing seller engaging in an exchange transaction.  Therefore, significant estimations and present value calculations were used for the purpose of this note.  Changes in assumptions could significantly affect these estimates.
 
Estimated fair values have been determined by using the best available data and an estimation methodology suitable for each category of financial instruments as follows:
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Accrued Interest Receivable and Accrued Interest Payable (Carried at Cost). The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents, accrued interest receivable and accrued interest payable approximate fair value.
 
Securities Held to Maturity (Carried at Amortized Cost). The fair values of securities held to maturity are determined in the same manner as for securities available for sale.
 
Loans Held For Sale (Carried at Lower of Aggregated Cost or Fair Value). The fair values of loans held for sale are determined, when possible, using quoted secondary market prices. If no such quoted market prices exist, fair values are determined using quoted prices for similar loans, adjusted for the specific attributes of the loans.
 
Gross Loans Receivable (Carried at Cost). The fair values of loans, excluding impaired loans subject to specific loss reserves, are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, using market rates at the balance sheet date that reflect the credit and interest rate-risk inherent in the loans.  Projected future cash flows are calculated based upon contractual maturity or call dates, projected repayments and prepayments of principal.  Generally, for variable rate loans that re-price frequently and with no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying values.
 
Deposit Liabilities (Carried at Cost). The fair values disclosed for demand deposits (e.g., interest and non-interest demand and savings accounts) are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amounts).  Fair values for fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered in the market on certificates to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits.
 
Borrowings and Subordinated Debentures (Carried at Cost). The carrying amounts of short-term borrowings approximate their fair values. The fair values of long-term Federal Home Loan Bank advances and subordinated debentures are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, based on quoted or estimated interest rates for new borrowings with similar credit risk characteristics, terms and remaining maturity. 
 
The estimated fair values, and the recorded book balances, were as follows:
 
   
September 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
   
Carrying
   
Estimated
   
Carrying
   
Estimated
 
   
Value
   
Fair Value
   
Value
   
Fair Value
 
                         
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 13,981,801     $ 13,981,801     $ 25,854,285     $ 25,854,285  
Securities available for sale 
    110,151,679       110,151,679       204,118,850       204,118,850  
Securities held to maturity 
    85,835,513       86,815,455       23,608,980       24,215,530  
Loans held for sale 
    17,681,284       17,681,284       21,514,785       21,514,785  
Gross loans 
    442,118,479       440,523,000       379,945,735       379,617,000  
Accrued interest receivable
    2,338,878       2,338,878       2,274,087       2,274,087  
Deposits 
    (537,853,229 )     (539,923,000 )     (572,155,354 )     (573,596,000 )
Other borrowings 
    (70,100,000 )     (72,336,000 )     (22,500,000 )     (25,321,000 )
Redeemable subordinated debentures 
    (18,557,000 )     (18,557,000 )     (18,557,000 )     (18,557,000 )
Accrued interest payable
    (1,265,447 )     (1,265,447 )     (1,757,151 )     (1,757,151 )
Interest rate swap contract 
    (526,771 )     (526,771 )     (883,806 )     (883,806 )

 
Loan commitments and standby letters of credit as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are based on fees charged for similar agreements; accordingly, the estimated fair value of loan commitments and standby letters of credit is nominal.
 
(9)           Derivative Financial Instruments
 
The use of derivative financial instruments creates exposure to credit risk.  This credit risk relates to losses that would be recognized if the counterparts fail to perform their obligations under the contracts.  As part of the Company’s interest rate risk management process, the Company entered into an interest rate derivative contract effective November 27, 2007.  Interest rate derivative contracts are typically used to limit the variability of the Company’s net interest income that could result due to shifts in interest rates.  This derivative interest rate contract was an interest rate swap used to modify the repricing characteristics of a specific liability.  At September 30, 2010, the Company’s position in derivative contracts consisted entirely of this interest rate swap.  
 
 
Maturity
 
Hedged Liability
Notional
Amounts
Swap Fixed
Interest Rates
Swap Variable
Interest Rates
         
June 15, 2011
Subordinated Debenture
$18,000,000
5.87%
3 month LIBOR plus
165 basis points
 
During 2006, the Company issued trust preferred securities to fund loan growth and generate liquidity.  In conjunction with the trust preferred securities issuance, the Company entered into a $18.0 million pay fixed swap designated as fair value hedges that was used to convert floating rate quarterly interest payments indexed to three month LIBOR, based on common notional amounts and maturity dates.  The pay fixed swap changed the repricing characteristics of the quarterly interest payments from floating rate to fixed rate.   The fair value of the pay fixed swap outstanding at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 was ($526,771) and ($883,806), respectively, and was recorded in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets, with the change in fair value, net of deferred taxes, recorded through Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).  
 
 (10)           Shareholders’ Equity
 
As a result of its participation in the Troubled Asset Relief Program (“TARP”) Capital Purchase Program (the “CPP”) under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (“EESA”) through the sale by the Company of its Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B (“Preferred Stock Series B”) to the Treasury, the Company was subject to restrictions contained in the agreement between the Treasury and the Company related to the sale of the Preferred Stock Series B during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010.  These restrictions include restrictions on the repurchase of shares of common stock or other capital stock or other equity securities of any kind of the Company or any of its or its affiliates’ trust preferred securities during such time as the Preferred Stock Series B remains outstanding until the third anniversary of the purchase of the Preferred Stock Series B by the Treasury, with certain exceptions, without approval of the Treasury.
 
(11)           Subsequent Events
 
On October 27, 2010, the Company repaid the Treasury for the Treasury’s investment in the Company made under the TARP program.  On that date, the Company paid $12,120,000 (including accrued and unpaid dividends) to the Treasury to redeem all 12,000 outstanding shares of Preferred Stock Series B that were issued to the Treasury under the TARP program.
 
 
In connection with the issuance of the Preferred Stock Series B in December 2008, the Company issued to the Treasury a warrant to purchase approximately 200,222 shares of common stock at an initial exercise price of $8.99 per share.  As a result of the 5% stock dividends paid on February 3, 2010 and February 2, 2009, respectively, the shares of common stock underlying the warrant were adjusted to 220,744.76 shares and the exercise price of the warrant was adjusted to $8.154 per share.  This warrant remains outstanding and is still held by the Treasury.  The Company has 15 days following the date of the redemption of the preferred stock to determine whether to repurchase the warrant from the Treasury at fair market value.  The Company is currently in discussions with the Treasury regarding the potential repurchase of the warrant.
 
Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
The purpose of this discussion and analysis of the operating results and financial condition at September 30, 2010 is intended to help readers analyze the accompanying financial statements, notes and other supplemental information contained in this document. Results of operations for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of results to be attained for any other period.
 
This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements, notes and tables included elsewhere in this report and Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Form 10-K (Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations) for the year ended December 31, 2009, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 26, 2010.
 
General
 
Throughout the following sections, the “Company” refers to 1st Constitution Bancorp and, as the context requires, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, 1st Constitution Bank and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and 1st Constitution Capital Trust II; the “Bank” refers to 1st Constitution Bank; and “Trust II” refers to 1st Constitution Capital Trust II.  Trust II is not included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as it is a variable interest entity and the Company is not the primary beneficiary.  Trust II was created in May 2006 to issue trust preferred securities to assist the Company to raise additional regulatory capital.
 
The Company is a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. The Company was organized under the laws of the State of New Jersey in February 1999 for the purpose of acquiring all of the issued and outstanding stock of the Bank, a full service commercial bank which began operations in August 1989, and thereby enabling the Bank to operate within a bank holding company structure. The Company became an active bank holding company on July 1, 1999. The Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Other than its ownership interest in the Bank, the Company currently conducts no other significant business activities.
 
The Bank operates twelve branches, and manages an investment portfolio through 1st Constitution Investment Company of Delaware, Inc., and 1st Constitution Investment Company of New Jersey, Inc., its subsidiaries.  FCB Assets Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of the Bank, is used by the Bank to manage and dispose of repossessed real estate.
 
 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).  The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward looking statements.  When used in this and in future filings by the Company with the SEC, in the Company’s press releases and in oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer of the Company, the words or phrases “will,” “will likely result,” “could,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “continues,” “expects,” “plans,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimated,” “project” or “outlook” or similar expressions (including confirmations by an authorized executive officer of the Company of any such expressions made by a third party with respect to the Company) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The Company wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, each of which speak only as of the date made.  Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical earnings and those presently anticipated or projected.
 
Factors that may cause actual results to differ from those results expressed or implied, include, but are not limited to, those listed under “Business”, “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 26, 2010, such as the overall economy and the interest rate environment; the ability of customers to repay their obligations; the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses; competition; significant changes in accounting, tax or regulatory practices and requirements; certain interest rate risks; risks associated with investments in mortgage-backed securities; and risks associated with speculative construction lending. Although management has taken certain steps to mitigate any negative effect of the aforementioned items, significant unfavorable changes could severely impact the assumptions used and could have an adverse effect on profitability. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statements to reflect anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances occurring after the date of such statements, except as required by law.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2009
 
Summary
 
The Company realized net income of $881,599 for the three months ended September 30, 2010, an increase of $260,365, or 41.9%, from the $621,234 reported for the three months ended September 30, 2009.  The increase is due primarily to an increase in net interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2010.  Net income per diluted common share was $0.15 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to net income per diluted common share of $0.10 for the three months ended September 30, 2009.  Net income available to common shareholders increased from $444,251 for the three months ended September 30, 2009 to $704,615 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 principally for the reason indicated above.  Net income available to common shareholders in the 2010 and 2009 periods reflected an aggregate of $176,984 and $176,983, respectively, attributable to dividends and discount accretion related to the Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B (“Preferred Stock Series B”) issued to the United States Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”).  All prior year share information has been adjusted for the effect of a 5% stock dividend declared on December 17, 2009 and paid on February 3, 2010 to shareholders of record on January 19, 2010.
 
Key performance ratios improved for the three months ended September 30, 2010 due to higher net income for that period compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009.  Return on average assets and return on average equity were 0.51% and 5.82% for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to 0.38% and 4.34%, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2009.
 
The Bank’s results of operations depend primarily on net interest income, which is primarily affected by the market interest rate environment, the shape of the U.S. Treasury yield curve, and the difference between the yield on interest-earning assets and the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities.  Other factors that may affect the Bank’s operating results are general and local economic and competitive conditions, government policies and actions of regulatory authorities.  The net interest margin for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was 3.42% as compared to the 2.87% net interest margin recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2009, an increase of 55 basis points.  The Company will continue to closely monitor the mix of earning assets and funding sources to maximize net interest income during this challenging interest rate environment.
 
 
Earnings Analysis
 
Net Interest Income
 
Net interest income, the Company’s largest and most significant component of operating income, is the difference between interest and fees earned on loans and other earning assets, and interest paid on deposits and borrowed funds. This component represented 84.8% of the Company’s net revenues for the three month period ended September 30, 2010 and 81.7% of net revenues for the three-month period ended September 30, 2009. Net interest income also depends upon the relative amount of average interest-earning assets, average interest-bearing liabilities, and the interest rate earned or paid on them, respectively.
 
The Company’s net interest income increased by $1,193,718, or 27.4%, to $5,543,247 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from the $4,349,529 reported for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The increase in net interest income was principally attributable to the increase in average earning assets and lower rates paid on interest-bearing deposits, which was more than sufficient to offset the reduced yields earned on interest-earning assets.
 
Average interest earning assets increased by $54,592,058, or 9.2%, to $649,496,027 for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 from $594,903,969 for the quarter ended September 30, 2009.  Overall, the yield on interest earning assets, on a tax-equivalent basis, decreased 29 basis points to 4.73% for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 when compared to 5.02% for the quarter ended September 30, 2009.
 
Average interest bearing liabilities increased by $13,569,756, or 2.6%, to $526,001,295 for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 from $512,431,539 for the quarter ended September 30, 2009.  Overall, the cost of total interest bearing liabilities decreased 79 basis points to 1.62% for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to 2.41% for the three months ended September 30, 2009.
 
The net interest margin (on a tax-equivalent basis), which is net interest income divided by average interest earning assets, was 3.42% for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to 2.87% the three months ended September 30, 2009.
 
Provision for Loan Losses
 
Management considers a complete review of the following specific factors in determining the provisions for loan losses: historical losses by loan category, non-accrual loans, problem loans as identified through internal classifications, collateral values, and the growth and size of the loan portfolio.  In addition to these factors, management takes into consideration current economic conditions and local real estate market conditions.  Using this evaluation process, the Company’s provision for loan losses was $875,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and $505,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009.  While the risk profile of the loan portfolio was reduced by a change in its composition via a $9,482,563 reduction in higher risk construction loans, non-performing loans increased to $8,884,827 at September 30, 2010, as compared to $5,221,174 at September 30, 2009. This change in the overall risk profile of the loan portfolio necessitated the increased provision for loan losses.

Non-Interest Income
 
Total non-interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was $996,697, an increase of $20,604, or 2.1%, from non-interest income of $976,093 for the three months ended September 30, 2009.
 
Service charges on deposit accounts represent a significant source of non-interest income. Service charges on deposit accounts revenues decreased by $40,530, or 18.0%, to $185,242 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $225,772 for the three months ended September 30, 2009. This decrease primarily resulted from a lower volume of uncollected funds and overdraft fees collected on deposit accounts during the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009.
 
 
Gain on sales of loans increased by $76,867, or 22.6%, to $416,754 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 when compared to $339,887 for the three months ended September 30, 2009.  The Bank sells both residential mortgage loans and small business administration (“SBA”) loans in the secondary market.  The volume of mortgage loan sales decreased 7.0% from prior period levels; however, due to market conditions, the margin earned as a result of these sales in the third quarter of 2010 increased to 1.01% of sales from 0.76% in the third quarter of 2009. Management anticipates mortgage loan sales volume to increase moderately during the remainder of 2010, as lower market interest rates (which are anticipated to continue through year end 2010) generally result in an increase in loan refinance activity.
 
Non-interest income also includes income from bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”), which amounted to $102,791 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $98,886 for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The Bank purchased tax-free BOLI assets to partially offset the cost of employee benefit plans and reduced the Company’s overall effective tax rate.
 
The Bank also generates non-interest income from a variety of fee-based services. These include safe deposit box rental, wire transfer service fees and Automated Teller Machine fees for non-Bank customers. A lower level of customer demand for these services contributed to the Other Income component of non-interest income amounting to $291,910 for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $311,548 for the three months ended September 30, 2009.
 
Non-Interest Expense
 
Non-interest expenses increased by $279,295, or 6.8%, to $4,372,297 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $4,093,002 for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The following table presents the major components of non-interest expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.
 
 Non-interest Expenses
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Salaries and employee benefits
  $ 2,532,427     $ 2,338,830  
Occupancy expenses
    499,745       464,799  
Data processing services
    284,554       281,177  
Equipment expense
    176,262       151,080  
Marketing
    31,791       22,937  
Regulatory, professional and other fees
    300,316       209,963  
Office expense
    153,159       134,516  
FDIC insurance expense
    94,034       183,386  
Directors’ fees
    21,500       20,000  
Other real estate owned expenses
    56,279       1,579  
Other expenses
    222,237       284,735  
    $ 4,372,297     $ 4,093,002  

 
Salaries and employee benefits, which represent the largest portion of non-interest expenses, increased by $193,597, or 8.3%, to $2,532,427 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $2,338,830 for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The increase in salaries and employee benefits for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was a result of an increase in the number of employees and increased health care costs. Staffing levels overall increased to 134 full-time equivalent employees at September 30, 2010 as compared to 122 full-time equivalent employees at September 30, 2009.
 
Regulatory, professional and other fees increased by $90,353, or 43.0%, to $300,316 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $209,963 for the three months ended September 30, 2009.  During the third quarter of 2010, the Company incurred additional legal fees primarily in connection with the recovery of non-performing asset balances.  The Bank also incurred additional fees in connection with examinations performed by independent consultants during the third quarter of 2010 to assess the effectiveness of internal controls over its data processing systems.
 
 
All other expenses categories, in the aggregate decreased by $4,655, or 0.3%, to $1,539,554 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $1,544,209 for the three months ended September 30, 2009.  Other expenses are comprised of a variety of operating expenses and fees as well as expenses associated with lending activities.
 
An important financial services industry productivity measure is the efficiency ratio. The efficiency ratio is calculated by dividing total operating expenses by net interest income plus non-interest income. An increase in the efficiency ratio indicates that more resources are being utilized to generate the same or greater volume of income, while a decrease would indicate a more efficient allocation of resources.  The Company’s efficiency ratio decreased to 66.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to 81.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2009.  The decrease in the efficiency ratio is due to the above-noted decreases in non-interest expenses as well as increased aggregate net interest and non-interest income.
 
Income Taxes
 
Pre-tax income increased to $1,292,647 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $727,620 for the three months ended September 30, 2009.  
 
Income tax expense was $411,048 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $106,386 for the three months ended September 30, 2009.  The increase was primarily due to the reversal of a prior year over-accrual of income taxes in the 2009 quarter that coincided with the completion of an Internal Revenue Service examination of the Company’s 2007 and 2006 Federal income tax returns.
 
During 2009, the Internal Revenue Service completed an examination of the Company’s 2007 and 2006 Federal tax returns and issued its Revenue Agent Report.  The Company had deferred the annual process of adjusting the recorded Federal and State liability balances pending the completion of the examination, which began in September 2008.  The examination adjustments were included in this annual process of adjusting recorded liabilities with balances per the tax returns and resulted in over-accrued Federal and State liabilities being reversed via a current period credit to income tax expense during 2009.
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
 
Summary
 
The Company realized net income of $2,376,416 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, an increase of 45.6% from the $1,632,534 reported for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  The increase is due primarily to an increase in net interest income, the continued generation of non-interest income and stability in non-interest expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2009.  Net income available to common shareholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased to $1,845,464 from $1,089,916 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 principally for the reasons indicated above.  Net income available to common shareholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 reflected an aggregate of $530,952 and $542,618, respectively, attributable to dividends and discount accretion related to the Preferred Stock Series B issued to the Treasury.
 
Diluted net income per common share was $0.40 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to diluted net income per common share of $0.24 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  All prior year share information has been adjusted for the effect of a 5% stock dividend declared on December 17, 2009, and paid on February 3, 2010 to shareholders of record on January 19, 2010.
 
Key performance ratios improved for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009 due to higher net income for the 2010 period.  Return on average assets and return on average equity were 0.48% and 5.40%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to 0.36% and 3.89%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
 
 
The Bank’s results of operations depend primarily on net interest income, which is primarily affected by the market interest rate environment, the shape of the U.S. Treasury yield curve, and the difference between the yield on interest-earning assets and the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities.  Other factors that may affect the Bank’s operating results are general and local economic and competitive conditions, government policies and actions of regulatory authorities.  The net interest margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was 3.18% as compared to the 3.08% net interest margin recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, an increase of 10 basis points.  The Company will continue to closely monitor the mix of earning assets and funding sources to maximize net interest income during this challenging interest rate environment.
 
Earnings Analysis
 
Net Interest Income
 
Net interest income, the Company’s largest and most significant component of operating income, is the difference between interest and fees earned on loans and other earning assets, and interest paid on deposits and borrowed funds. This component represented 83.4% of the Company’s net revenues for the nine month period ended September 30, 2010 and 82.5% of net revenues for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009. Net interest income also depends upon the relative amount of interest-earning assets, interest-bearing liabilities, and the interest rate earned or paid on them.
 
The following table sets forth the Company’s consolidated average balances of assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity as well as interest income and expense on related items, and the Company’s average yield or rate for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The average rates are derived by dividing interest income and expense by the average balance of assets and liabilities, respectively.
 
 
 
 
 
Average Balance Sheets with Resultant Interest and Rates
 
(interest and yields on a tax-equivalent basis)
 
Nine months ended
September 30, 2010
   
Nine months ended
September 30, 2009
 
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
   
Average
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
   
Average
Rate
 
Assets:
                                   
Federal Funds Sold/Short-Term Investments
  $ 20,372,193     $ 37,278       0.24 %   $ 37,265,145     $ 73,799       0.26 %
 Investment Securities:
                                               
Taxable
    208,285,561       3,843,035       2.47 %     115,326,937       3,630,530       4.21 %
Tax-exempt
    11,067,976       475,098       5.74 %     12,767,138       552,495       5.79 %
Total
    219,353,537       4,318,133       2.63 %     128,094,075       4,183,025       4.37 %
                                                 
Loan Portfolio:
                                               
Construction
    72,139,313       3,151,328       5.84 %     90,940,471       4,114,914       6.05 %
Residential real estate
    11,041,367       483,930       5.86 %     10,974,870       502,757       6.12 %
Home Equity
    13,688,792       598,498       5.85 %     14,738,216       641,614       5.91 %
Commercial and commercial real estate
    139,894,364       7,068,973       6.76 %     140,412,371       7,302,907       6.95 %
Mortgage warehouse lines
    123,355,017       4,358,522       4.72 %     118,247,907       4,061,095       4.59 %
Installment
    550,213       31,148       7.57 %     792,600       47,187       7.96 %
All Other Loans
    29,064,357       1,722,022       7.92 %     32,750,134       1,714,808       7.00 %
Total
    389,733,423       17,414,421       5.97 %     408,856,569       18,395,282       6.02 %
                                                 
Total Interest-Earning Assets
    629,459,153       21,769,832       4.62 %     574,215,789       22,652,106       5.27 %
                                                 
Allowance for Loan Losses
    (4,972,160 )                     (4,079,414 )                
Cash and Due From Bank
    9,135,919                       19,400,021                  
Other Assets
    29,175,788                       20,705,358                  
Total Assets
  $ 662,798,700                     $ 610,241,754                  
 
Interest-Bearing Liabilities:
                                               
Money Market and NOW Accounts
  $ 117,938,902     $ 1,287,427       1.46 %   $ 101,004,129     $ 1,482,720       2.59 %
Savings Accounts
    177,675,049       1,501,080       1.13 %     138,934,533       2,104,568       2.03 %
Certificates of Deposit
    162,795,637       2,341,292       1.92 %     180,057,804       3,952,472       2.93 %
Other Borrowed Funds
    35,397,949       853,898       3.23 %     31,161,905       1,060,986       4.55 %
Trust Preferred Securities
    18,557,000       801,255       5.77 %     18,557,000       803,455       5.71 %
                                                 
Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities
    512,364,537       6,784,952       1.77 %     469,715,371       9,404,201       2.68 %
                                                 
Net Interest Spread
                    2.85 %                     2.59 %
                                                 
Demand Deposits
    84,035,263                       77,988,666                  
Other Liabilities
    7,546,612                       6,379,044                  
Total Liabilities
    603,946,412                       554,083,081                  
Shareholders’ Equity
    58,852,288                       56,158,673                  
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’
       Equity
  $ 662,798,700                     $ 610,241,754                  
                                                 
Net Interest Margin
          $ 14,984,880       3.18 %           $ 13,247,905       3.08 %
                                                 
 
The Company’s net interest income increased by $1,762,077, or 13.5%, to $14,830,795 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from the $13,068,718 reported for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The increase in net interest income was primarily attributable to the increase in average earning assets and lower rates paid on interest-bearing deposits, which was more than sufficient to offset the reduced yields earned on interest-earning assets.
 
 
Average interest earning assets increased by $55,243,364, or 9.6%, to $629,459,153 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2010 from $574,215,789 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2009.  The average investment securities portfolio increased by $91,259,462, or 71.2%, to $219,353,537 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2010 compared to $128,094,075 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2009, as funds were invested during the 2010 period in low risk U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Government sponsored agency bonds rather than being invested in the relatively higher risk loan portfolio.  The average loan portfolio decreased by $19,123,146, or 4.7%, to $389,733,423 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2010 compared to $408,856,569 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2009.  The overall risk profile of the loan portfolio was reduced by a change in its composition via a reduction in average construction loans of $18,801,158, or 20.7%, to $72,139,313 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2010 compared to $90,940,471 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2009, principally due to the current adverse economic conditions that have resulted in the depreciation of collateral values securing these loans.  Overall, the yield on interest earning assets, on a tax-equivalent basis, decreased 65 basis points to 4.62% for the nine month period ended September 30, 2010 when compared to 5.27% for the nine month period ended September 30, 2009.
 
Average interest bearing liabilities increased by $42,649,166, or 9.1%, to $512,364,537 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2010 from $469,715,371 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2009.  Overall, the cost of total interest bearing liabilities decreased 91 basis points to 1.77% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to 2.68% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
 
The net interest margin (on a tax-equivalent basis), which is net interest income divided by average interest earning assets, was 3.18% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to 3.08% the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
 
Provision for Loan Losses
 
Management considers a complete review of the following specific factors in determining the provisions for loan losses: historical losses by loan category, non-accrual loans, problem loans as identified through internal classifications, collateral values, and the growth and size of the loan portfolio.  In addition to these factors, management takes into consideration current economic conditions and local real estate market conditions.  Using this evaluation process, the Company’s provision for loan losses was $1,725,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and $1,293,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  While the risk profile of the loan portfolio was reduced by a change in its composition via a $18,801,158 reduction in higher risk construction loans, non-performing loans increased to $8,884,827 at September 30, 2010, as compared to $5,221,174 at September 30, 2009. This change in the overall risk profile necessitated the increased provision for loan losses.

Non-Interest Income
 
Total non-interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $2,952,563, an increase of $186,617, or 6.7%, over non-interest income of $2,765,946 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
 
Service charges on deposit accounts represents a significant source of non-interest income. Service charges on deposit accounts revenues decreased by $130,256, or 19.1%, to $550,270 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from the $680,526 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. This decrease was the result of a lower volume of uncollected funds and overdraft fees collected on deposit accounts during the first nine months of 2010 compared to the first nine months of 2009.
 
Gain on sales of loans increased by $176,802, or 18.6%, to $1,129,875 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 when compared to $953,073 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  The Bank sells both residential mortgage loans and SBA loans in the secondary market.  The volume of loan sales decreased 6.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009; however, the margin earned as a result of these sales during 2010 increased to 1.09% of sales compared with 0.86% earned during 2009.  Management anticipates mortgage loan sales volume to increase moderately during the remainder of 2010 as the lower market interest rates generally results in an increase in loan refinance activity.
 
Non-interest income also includes income from BOLI, which amounted to $304,486 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $292,213 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The Bank purchased tax-free BOLI assets to partially offset the cost of employee benefit plans and reduced the Company’s overall effective tax rate.
 
 
The Bank also generates non-interest income from a variety of fee-based services. These include safe deposit box rental, wire transfer service fees and Automated Teller Machine fees for non-Bank customers. Increased customer demand for these services contributed to the other income component of non-interest income amounting to $967,932 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $840,134 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
 
Non-Interest Expense
 
Non-interest expenses decreased by $119,848, or 0.9%, to $12,785,333 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $12,905,181 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The following table presents the major components of non-interest expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.
 
Non-interest Expenses
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Salaries and employee benefits
  $ 7,326,361     $ 6,860,225  
Occupancy expenses
    1,398,510       1,360,471  
Data processing services
    815,752       817,057  
Equipment expense
    496,143       473,518  
Marketing
    97,914       105,152  
Regulatory, professional and other fees
    741,456       856,566  
Office expense
    502,942       405,552  
FDIC insurance expense
    589,285       987,169  
Directors’ fees
    75,000       77,000  
Other real estate owned expenses
    102,516       102,427  
Other expenses
    639,454       860,044  
    $ 12,785,333     $ 12,905,181  

 
Salaries and employee benefits, which represent the largest portion of non-interest expenses, increased by $466,136, or 6.8%, to $7,326,361 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $6,860,225 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The increase in salaries and employee benefits for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was a result of an increase in the number of employees, regular merit increases and increased health care costs.  Staffing levels overall increased to 134 full-time equivalent employees at September 30, 2010 as compared to 122 full-time equivalent employees at September 30, 2009.
 
Regulatory, professional and other fees decreased by $115,110, or 13.4%, to $741,456 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $856,566 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  During the first nine of 2009, the Company incurred additional legal fees primarily in connection with the recovery of non-performing asset balances.  The Bank also incurred additional fees in connection with examinations performed by independent consultants during the second quarter of 2009 to assess the effectiveness of internal controls as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
 
Office expenses increased by $97,390, or 24.0%, to $502,942 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $405,552 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  The increase in expense was primarily attributable to increased costs in enhancing the Bank’s telephone and data transmission systems.
 
The cost of FDIC deposit insurance has decreased to $589,285 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $987,169 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  During the second quarter of 2009, the FDIC announced a special assessment on all insured financial institutions to replenish the deposit insurance fund.  Included in the expense for the 2009 period was a one-time $272,518 accrual for this special assessment.
 
 
All other expense categories, in the aggregate, decreased by $170,380, or 4.5%, to $3,625,289 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $3,795,669 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  Current year decreases of significance occurred in correspondent bank fees, maintenance agreements and ATM operating expenses.  Other expenses are comprised of a variety of operating expenses and fees as well as expenses associated with lending activities.
 
An important financial services industry productivity measure is the efficiency ratio. The efficiency ratio is calculated by dividing total operating expenses by net interest income plus non-interest income. An increase in the efficiency ratio indicates that more resources are being utilized to generate the same or greater volume of income, while a decrease would indicate a more efficient allocation of resources.  The Company’s efficiency ratio decreased to 71.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to 83.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  
 
Income Taxes
 
Pre-tax income increased to $3,273,025 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $1,636,483 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
 
The Company had income tax expense of $896,609 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $3,949 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  The increase in the income tax expense for the 2010 period was primarily due to the reversal of an over-accrual of income taxes in 2009 that coincided with the completion of an Internal Revenue Service examination of the Company’s 2007 and 2006 Federal income tax returns.
 
During 2009, the Internal Revenue Service completed an examination of the Company’s 2007 and 2006 Federal tax returns and issued its Revenue Agent Report.  The Company had deferred the annual process of adjusting the recorded Federal and State liability balances pending the completion of the examination which began in September 2008.  The examination adjustments were included in this annual process of adjusting recorded liabilities with balances per the tax returns and resulted in over-accrued Federal and State liabilities being reversed via a current period credit to income tax expense during the second and third quarters of 2009.
 
Financial Condition
 
September 30, 2010 Compared with December 31, 2009
 
Total consolidated assets at September 30, 2010 were $692,515,715, representing an increase of $14,519,235, or 2.1%, from total consolidated assets of $677,996,480 at December 31, 2009.  The increase in assets was primarily attributable to increases in our loan portfolio during the first nine months of 2010 funded by borrowings.  Although the Bank’s non-interest bearing demand deposits increased by $9,131,911, or 11.1%, during the first nine months of 2010, the strategy to guard against the potential ill-effects of rising market rates resulted in the managed outflow of higher rate savings accounts and certificate of deposit accounts rather than the use of cash inflows to invest in long-term investment securities.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2010 totaled $13,981,801 compared to $25,854,285 at December 31, 2009. Cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2010 consisted of cash and due from banks of $13,970,407 and Federal funds sold/short term investments of $11,394. The corresponding balances at December 31, 2009 were $25,842,901 and $11,384, respectively.  The decrease was due primarily to timing of cash flows related to the Bank’s business activities.  To the extent that the Bank did not utilize the funds for loan originations or securities purchases, the cash inflows accumulated in cash and cash equivalents.
 
Loans Held for Sale
 
Loans held for sale at September 30, 2010 amounted to $17,681,284 compared to $21,514,785 at December 31, 2009. The primary cause for this decrease was a lower volume of mortgage loan refinance activity during the first nine months of 2010 compared with the level of activity during the first nine months of 2009. The amount of loans originated for sale was $99,507,515 for the first nine months of 2010 compared with 121,742,676 for the first nine months of 2009.
 
 
Investment Securities
 
Investment securities represented 28.3% of total assets at September 30, 2010 and 33.6% at December 31, 2009. Total investment securities decreased $31,740,638, or 13.9%, to $195,987,192 at September 30, 2010 from $227,727,830 at December 31, 2009.  Proceeds from investment calls and principal repayments totaled $153,661,435 during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, which exceeded purchases totaling $121,182,574 during the period.
 
Securities available for sale are investments that may be sold in response to changing market and interest rate conditions or for other business purposes.  Activity in this portfolio is undertaken primarily to manage liquidity and interest rate risk and to take advantage of market conditions that create more economically attractive returns.  At September 30, 2010, securities available for sale totaled $110,151,679, which is a decrease of $93,967,171, or 46.0%, from securities available for sale totaling $204,118,850 at December 31, 2009.
 
At September 30, 2010, the securities available for sale portfolio had net unrealized gains of $1,727,139, compared to net unrealized gains of $255,743 at December 31, 2009.  These unrealized gains are reflected, net of tax, in shareholders’ equity as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
 
Securities held to maturity, which are carried at amortized historical cost, are investments for which there is the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity.  At September 30, 2010, securities held to maturity were $85,835,513, an increase of $62,226,533, or 263.6%, from $23,608,980 at December 31, 2009.  The fair value of the held to maturity portfolio at September 30, 2010 was $86,815,455.
 
Due to the continued uncertain economic environment that includes historically low levels of market interest rates, proceeds from maturities and prepayments of securities during the first nine months of 2010 were reinvested primarily in the low risk U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government sponsored corporations and agencies component of the Bank’s held to maturity portfolio.  It is management’s intention to hold these short-term securities to their maturity and have the proceeds available for reinvestment in a more favorable interest rate environment.
 
Loans
 
The loan portfolio, which represents our largest asset, is a significant source of both interest and fee income. Elements of the loan portfolio are subject to differing levels of credit and interest rate risk. The Bank’s primary lending focus continues to be mortgage warehouse lines, construction loans, commercial loans, owner-occupied commercial mortgage loans and tenanted commercial real estate loans.
 
 
 
 
The following table sets forth the classification of loans by major category at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. 
 
Loan Portfolio Composition
 
September 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
Component
 
Amount
   
%
of total
   
Amount
   
%
of total
 
Construction loans
  $ 70,322,715       16%     $ 79,805,278       21%  
Residential real estate loans
    10,483,163       2%       10,253,895       3%  
Commercial business
    57,416,452       13%       57,925,392       15%  
Commercial real estate
    94,373,908       21%       96,306,097       25%  
Mortgage warehouse lines
    194,791,190       44%       119,382,078       32%  
Loans to individuals
    13,970.887       3%       15,554,027       4%  
Deferred loan fees and costs
    547,940       0%       489,809       0%  
All other loans
    212,224       0%       229,159       0%  
    $ 442,118,479       100%     $ 379,945,735       100%  

The loan portfolio increased by $62,172,744, or 16.4%, to $442,118,479 at September 30, 2010, compared to $379,945,735 at December 31, 2009.  The construction loan portfolio decreased by $9,482,563, or 11.9%, to $70,322,715 at September 30, 2010 compared to $79,805,278 at December 31, 2009.  The decrease at September 30, 2010 compared to December 31, 2009 was principally the result of the current uncertain New Jersey economic conditions and management’s actions to allow the higher risk construction loan portfolio to run off.
 
The Bank’s Mortgage Warehouse Funding Group offers a revolving line of credit that is available to licensed mortgage banking companies (the “Warehouse Line of Credit”) and that we believe has been successful from inception in 2008. The Warehouse Line of Credit is used by mortgage bankers to originate one-to-four family residential mortgage loans that are pre-sold to the secondary mortgage market, which includes state and national banks, national mortgage banking firms, insurance companies and government-sponsored enterprises, including the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and others.  On average, an advance under the Warehouse Line of Credit remains outstanding for a period of less than 30 days, with repayment coming directly from the sale of the loan into the secondary mortgage market.  Interest (the spread between our borrowing cost and the rate charged to the client) and a transaction fee are collected by the Bank at the time of repayment.  Additionally, customers of the Warehouse Line of Credit are required to maintain deposit relationships with the Bank that, on average, represent 10% to 15% of the loan balances.  The balance of outstanding Mortgage Warehouse Line of Credit advances increased to $194,791,190 at September 30, 2010, an increase of $75,409,112, or 63.2%, compared to $119,382,078 at December 31, 2009.  During the first nine months of 2010, the number of active mortgage banking customers increased from 35 to 39, plus average usage across all active lines increased due to purchase and refinance activity attributed to historically low mortgage interest rates.
 
The ability of the Company to enter into larger loan relationships and management’s philosophy of relationship banking are key factors in the Company’s strategy for loan growth.  The ultimate collectability of the loan portfolio and recovery of the carrying amount of real estate are subject to changes in the Company’s market region’s economic environment and real estate market.
 
Non-Performing Assets
 
Non-performing assets consist of non-performing loans and other real estate owned. Non-performing loans are composed of (1) loans on a non-accrual basis, (2) loans which are contractually past due 90 days or more as to interest and principal payments but have not been classified as non-accrual, and (3) loans whose terms have been restructured to provide a reduction or deferral of interest and/or principal because of a deterioration in the financial position of the borrower.
 
The Bank’s policy with regard to non-accrual loans is that generally, loans are placed on a non-accrual status when they are 90 days past due, unless these loans are well secured and in the process of collection or, regardless of the past due status of the loan, when management determines that the complete recovery of principal or interest is in doubt.  Consumer loans are generally charged off after they become 120 days past due.  Subsequent payments on loans in non-accrual status are credited to income only if collection of principal is not in doubt.
 
 
Non-performing loans increased by $4,577,301 to $8,884,827 at September 30, 2010 from $4,307,526 at December 31, 2009, as the disruptions in the financial system and the real estate market during the past two years have negatively affected certain of the Bank’s construction borrowers.  The major segments of non-accrual loans consist of commercial loans, commercial real estate loans and SBA loan, which are in the process of collection and residential real estate which is either in foreclosure or under contract to close after September 30, 2010.  The table below sets forth non-performing assets and risk elements in the Bank’s portfolio for the periods indicated.

As the table demonstrates, non-performing loans to total loans increased to 2.01% at September 30, 2010 from 1.13% at December 31, 2009.  Loan quality is still considered to be sound. This was accomplished through quality loan underwriting, a proactive approach to loan monitoring and aggressive workout strategies.

  
           
Non-Performing Assets and Loans
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Non-Performing loans:
           
Loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing
  $ 3,969     $ 145,898  
Non-accrual loans
    8,880,858       4,161,628  
Total non-performing loans
    8,884,827       4,307,526  
Other real estate owned
    1,730,331       1,362,621  
Total non-performing assets
  $ 10,615,158     $ 5,670,147  
                 
Non-performing loans to total loans
    2.01%       1.13%  
Non-performing assets to total assets
    1.53%       0.84%  
 
Non-performing assets increased by $4,945,011 to $10,615,158 at September 30, 2010 from $5,670,147 at December 31, 2009.  Other real estate owned increased by $367,710 to $1,730,331 at September 30, 2010 from $1,362,621 at December 31, 2009.  Since December 31, 2009, the Bank has added approximately $2,054,541 to other real estate owned and sold and transferred out of other real estate owned properties totaling approximately $1,663,173 without loss of principal to the Bank.  In addition, since December 31, 2009, various loans approximating $6,613,656 were transferred to non-accrual loans, and loans of approximately $1,894,426, which were previously non-accrual loans during this period, were repaid by the specific borrowers.
 
Non-performing assets represented 1.53% of total assets at September 30, 2010 and 0.84% at December 31, 2009.
 
The Bank had no loans classified as restructured loans at September 30, 2010 or December 31, 2009.
 
Management takes a proactive approach in addressing delinquent loans. The Company’s President meets weekly with all loan officers to review the status of credits past-due ten days or more. An action plan is discussed for delinquent loans to determine the steps necessary to induce the borrower to cure the delinquency and restore the loan to a current status. Also, delinquency notices are system generated when loans are five days past-due and again at 15 days past-due.
 
In most cases, the Company’s collateral is real estate and when the collateral is foreclosed upon, the real estate is carried at the lower of fair market value less the estimated selling costs or the initially recorded amount. The amount, if any, by which the recorded amount of the loan exceeds the fair market value of the collateral is a loss which is charged to the allowance for loan losses at the time of foreclosure or repossession. Resolution of a past-due loan can be delayed if the borrower files a bankruptcy petition because a collection action cannot be continued unless the Company first obtains relief from the automatic stay provided by the bankruptcy code.
 
Allowance for Loan Losses and Related Provision
 
The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level sufficient to absorb estimated credit losses in the loan portfolio as of the date of the financial statements.  The allowance for loan losses is a valuation reserve available for losses incurred or inherent in the loan portfolio and other extensions of credit.  The determination of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is a critical accounting policy of the Company.
 
 
The Company’s primary lending emphasis is the origination of commercial and commercial real estate loans.  Based on the composition of the loan portfolio, the inherent primary risks are deteriorating credit quality, a decline in the economy, and a decline in New Jersey real estate market values.  Any one, or a combination, of these events may adversely affect the loan portfolio and may result in increased delinquencies, loan losses and increased future provision levels.
 
All, or part, of the principal balance of commercial and commercial real estate loans and construction loans are charged off to the allowance as soon as it is determined that the repayment of all, or part, of the principal balance is highly unlikely.  Consumer loans are generally charged off no later than 120 days past due on a contractual basis, earlier in the event of bankruptcy, or if there is an amount deemed uncollectible.  Because all identified losses are immediately charged off, no portion of the allowance for loan losses is restricted to any individual loan or groups of loans, and the entire allowance is available to absorb any and all loan losses.
 
Management reviews the adequacy of the allowance on at least a quarterly basis to ensure that the provision for loan losses has been charged against earnings in an amount necessary to maintain the allowance at a level that is adequate based on management’s assessment of probable estimated losses.  The Company’s methodology for assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses consists of several key elements.  These elements may include a specific reserve for doubtful or high risk loans, an allocated reserve, and an unallocated portion.  
 
The Company consistently applies the following comprehensive methodology.  During the quarterly review of the allowance for loan losses, the Company considers a variety of factors that include:
 
 
·
General economic conditions.
 
·
Trends in charge-offs.
 
·
Trends and levels of delinquent loans.
 
·
Trends and levels of non-performing loans, including loans over 90 days delinquent.
 
·
Trends in volume and terms of loans.
 
·
Levels of allowance for specific classified loans.
 
·
Credit concentrations.

A specific reserve for high risk loans is established for commercial loans, commercial real estate loans, and construction loans which have been identified by management as being high risk or impaired loans.  A high risk or impaired loan is assigned a doubtful risk rating grade because the loan has not performed according to payment terms and there is reason to believe that repayment of the loan principal in whole, or in part, is unlikely.  The specific portion of the allowance is the total amount of potential unconfirmed losses for such individual doubtful loans.  To assist in determining the fair value of loan collateral, the Company often utilizes independent third party qualified appraisal firms which, in turn, employ their own criteria and assumptions that may include occupancy rates, rental rates, and property expenses, among others.
 
The second category of reserves consists of the allocated portion of the allowance.  The allocated portion of the allowance is determined by taking pools of loans outstanding that have similar characteristics and applying historical loss experience for each pool.  This estimate represents the potential unconfirmed losses within the portfolio. Individual loan pools are created for commercial and commercial real estate loans, construction loans, and the various types of loans to individuals.  The historical estimation for each loan pool is then adjusted to account for current conditions, current loan portfolio performance, loan policy or management changes, or any other factor which may cause future losses to deviate from historical levels.
 
 
During the quarterly reviews, the Company may determine that an unallocated allowance is appropriate.  The unallocated allowance is used to cover any factors or conditions which may cause a potential loan loss but are not specifically identifiable.  It is prudent to maintain an unallocated portion of the allowance because no matter how detailed an analysis of potential loan losses is performed, these estimates inherently lack precision.  Management must make estimates using assumptions and information which is often subjective and changing rapidly.  At September 30, 2010, management believed that the allowance for loan losses was adequate.
 
While management uses the best information available to make such evaluations, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions.  In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Bank’s allowance for loan losses.  Such agencies may require the Bank to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments of information available to them at the time of their examination.
 
The following table presents, for the periods indicated, an analysis of the allowance for loan losses and other related data.
 
Allowance for Loan Losses
 
Nine Months
Ended
Sept. 30, 2010
   
Year Ended
December 31,
2009
   
Nine Months
 Ended
Sept. 30, 2009
 
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 4,505,387     $ 3,684,764     $ 3,684,764  
Provision charged to operating expenses
    1,725,000       2,553,000       1,293,000  
                         
Loans charged off:
                       
Construction loans
    -       (1,226,754 )     (536,000 )
Residential real estate loans
    -       -       -  
Commercial and commercial real estate
    (497,259 )     (511,791 )     (334,636 )
Loans to individuals
    (18,671 )     (1,973 )     (1,973 )
Lease financing
    (792 )     -       -  
All other loans
    -       -       -  
      (516,722 )     (1,740,518 )     (872,609 )
Recoveries:
                       
Construction loans
    -       -       -  
Residential real estate loans
    -       -       -  
Commercial and commercial real estate
    12,467       2,575       1,559  
Loans to individuals
    -       5,566       5,200  
Lease financing
    -       -       -  
All other loans
    -       -       -  
      12,467       8,141       6,759  
                         
Net charge offs
    (504,255 )     (1,732,377 )     (865,850 )
Balance, end of period
  $ 5,726,132     $ 4,505,387     $ 4,111,914  
                         
Loans:
                       
At period end
  $ 442,118,479     $ 379,945,735     $ 375,723,296  
Average during the period
    376,195,664       384,314,052       389,937,715  
Net annualized charge offs to average loans outstanding
    (0.18% )     (0.45% )     (0.30% )
Allowance for loan losses to:
                       
Total loans at period end
    1.30%       1.19%       1.09%  
Non-performing loans
    64.45%       104.59%       81.90%  
                         
 
Management considers a complete review of the following specific factors in determining the provisions for loan losses: historical losses by loan category, non-accrual loans, problem loans as identified through internal classifications, collateral values, and the growth and size of the loan portfolio.  In addition to these factors, management takes into consideration current economic conditions and local real estate market conditions.  Using this evaluation process, the Company’s provision for loan losses was $1,725,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and $1,293,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  While the risk profile of the loan portfolio was reduced by a change in its composition via a $9,482,563 reduction in higher risk construction loans, non-performing loans increased by $4,577,301. This change in the overall risk profile necessitated the increased provision for loan losses.  Net charge-offs/recoveries amounted to a net charge-off of $504,255 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
 
 
At September 30, 2010, the allowance for loan losses was $5,726,132 compared to $4,505,387 at December 31, 2009, an increase of $1,220,745 or 27.1%.  The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 was 1.30% and 1.19%, respectively.  The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of non-performing loans was 64.45% at September 30, 2010, compared to 104.59% at December 31, 2009. Management believes the quality of the loan portfolio remains sound considering the economic climate and economy in the State of New Jersey and that the allowance for loan losses is adequate in relation to credit risk exposure levels.
 
Deposits
 
Deposits, which include demand deposits (interest bearing and non-interest bearing), savings deposits and time deposits, are a fundamental and cost-effective source of funding.  The flow of deposits is influenced significantly by general economic conditions, changes in market interest rates and competition.  The Bank offers a variety of products designed to attract and retain customers, with the Bank’s primary focus being on building and expanding long-term relationships.
 
The following table summarizes deposits at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

   
September 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
Demand
           
    Non-interest bearing
  $ 91,605,239     $ 82,473,328  
    Interest bearing
    114,214,170       125,529,223  
Savings
    171,415,821       193,369,640  
Time
    160,617,999       170,783,163  
    $ 537,853,229     $ 572,155,354  
                 

At September 30, 2010, total deposits were $537,853,229, a decrease of $34,302,125, or 6.0%, from $572,155,354 at December 31, 2009.  Although the Bank’s non-interest bearing demand deposits increased by $9,132,911, or 11.1%, at September 30, 2010 compared to December 31, 2009, the Company’s strategy to remain more liquid and guard against the potential ill-effects of rising market rates included the managed outflow of higher rate interest bearing demand accounts, savings accounts and time accounts.  Management believes this strategy will improve the net interest margin in future quarters.

Borrowings
 
Borrowings are mainly comprised of Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) borrowings and overnight funds purchased.  These borrowings are primarily used to fund asset growth not supported by deposit generation.  The balance of borrowings was $70,100,000 at September 30, 2010 and consisted of overnight funds purchased of $47,600,000 and long-term FHLB borrowings of $22,500,000.  The balance of borrowings at December 31, 2009 was $22,500,000, consisting entirely of long-term FHLB borrowings.
 
The Bank has four ten-year fixed rate convertible advances from the FHLB that total $22,500,000 in the aggregate.  These advances, in the amounts of $2,500,000, $5,000,000, $5,000,000 and $10,000,000 bear interest at the rates of 5.50%, 5.34%, 5.06%, and 4.08%, respectively.  These advances may be called by the FHLB quarterly at the option of the FHLB if rates rise and the rate earned by the FHLB is no longer a “market” rate.  These advances are fully secured by marketable securities.
 
Shareholders’ Equity and Dividends
 
Shareholders’ equity increased by $3,511,745, or 6.1%, to $60,912,798 at September 30, 2010, from $57,401,053 at December 31, 2009.  Tangible book value per common share increased by $0.63, or 6.3%, to $10.66 at September 30, 2010 from $10.03 at December 31, 2009.  The ratio of shareholders’ equity to total assets was 8.80% and 8.47% at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.  The increase in shareholders’ equity was primarily the result of net income of $2,376,415 and $1,388,244 in other comprehensive income, partially offset by, among other items, the $450,000 in dividends recorded on the Company’s Preferred Stock Series B.
 
 
On December 23, 2008, pursuant to the TARP CPP under the EESA, the Company entered into a Letter Agreement, including the Securities Purchase Agreement – Standard Terms, with the Treasury pursuant to which the Company issued and sold, and the Treasury purchased (i) 12,000 shares of the Company’s Preferred Stock Series B and (ii) a ten-year warrant to purchase up to 200,222 shares of the Company’s common stock, no par value, at an initial exercise price of $8.99 per share, for aggregate cash consideration of $12,000,000.  As a result of the 5% stock dividends paid on February 3, 2010 and February 2, 2009, the shares of common stock underlying the warrant were adjusted to 220,744.76 shares and the exercise price was adjusted to $8.154 per share.
 
On October 27, 2010, the Company repaid the Treasury for the Treasury’s investment in the Company made under the TARP CPP.  The Company paid $12,120,000 (including accrued and unpaid dividends) to the Treasury to redeem all 12,000 outstanding shares of the Company’s Preferred Stock Series B that were issued to the Treasury under the TARP program.
 
In connection with the issuance of the Preferred Stock Series B in December 2008, the Company issued to the Treasury a warrant to purchase approximately 200,222 shares of common stock at an initial exercise price of $8.99 per share.  As a result of the 5% stock dividends paid on February 3, 2010 and February 2, 2009, respectively, the shares of common stock underlying the warrant were adjusted to 220,744.76 shares and the exercise price was adjusted to $8.154 per share.
 
The warrant provides for the adjustment of the exercise price and the number of shares of the Company’s common stock issuable upon exercise pursuant to customary anti-dilution provisions, such as upon stock splits or distributions of securities or other assets to holders of the Company’s common stock, and upon certain issuances of the Company’s common stock at or below a specified price relative to the initial exercise price.  The warrant is immediately exercisable and expires 10 years from the issuance date.  In addition, the Treasury has agreed not to exercise voting power with respect to any shares of common stock issued upon exercise of the warrant. This warrant remains outstanding and is still held by the Treasury.  The Company has 15 days following the date of the redemption of the Preferred Stock Series B to determine whether to repurchase the warrant from the Treasury at fair market value. The Company is currently in discussions with the Treasury regarding the potential repurchase of the warrant.
 
The terms of the Preferred Stock Series B provided for quarterly cumulative dividends at a rate of 5% per year for the first five years and thereafter at a rate of 9% per year, and a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. For so long as the Preferred Stock Series B was outstanding, the Company was subject to restrictions contained in the agreement between the Treasury and the Company related to the sale of the Preferred Stock Series B, which among other things, restricted the payment of cash dividends or the making of other distributions by the Company on its common stock or the repurchase of its shares of common stock or other capital stock or other equity securities of any kind of the Company or any of its or its affiliates’ trust preferred securities until the third anniversary of the purchase of the Preferred Stock Series B by the Treasury, with certain exceptions, without approval of the Treasury. Additionally, the Company was prohibited by the terms of the Preferred Stock Series B from paying dividends on the common stock of the Company or redeeming or otherwise acquiring its common stock or certain other of its equity securities unless all dividends on the Preferred Stock Series B were declared and either paid in full or set aside, with certain limited exceptions.
 
In addition, EESA, as amended by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “Stimulus Package Act”), and guidance issued by the Treasury with respect to this legislation, placed limitations on executive compensation, required the reporting of information to the Treasury and others, limited the deductibility for Federal income tax purposes of compensation paid to certain executives in excess of $500,000 per year, limited the payment of certain severance and change in control payments to certain executives, limited the type and amount of compensation paid to our highest paid executive (our chief executive officer) of the Company or the Bank, imposed a clawback of certain compensation paid to certain executives of the Company or the Bank and imposed new corporate governance requirements on the Company, including the inclusion of a non-binding “say to pay” proposal in the Company’s annual proxy statement.
 
 
The Federal Reserve Board issued a supervisory letter to bank holding companies that contains guidance on when the board of directors of a bank holding company should eliminate or defer or severely limit dividends, including, for example, when net income available for shareholders for the past four quarters net of previously paid dividends paid during that period is not sufficient to fully fund the dividends. The letter also contains guidance on the redemption of stock by bank holding companies which urges bank holding companies to advise the Federal Reserve of any such redemption or repurchase of common stock for cash or other value which results in the net reduction of a bank holding company’s capital at the beginning of the quarter below the capital outstanding at the end of the quarter.
 
In lieu of cash dividends to common shareholders, the Company (and its predecessor the Bank) has declared a stock dividend every year since 1992 and has paid such dividends every year since 1993.  5% stock dividends were declared in 2009 and 2008 and paid in 2010 and 2009, respectively.  A 6% stock dividend was declared in 2007 and paid in 2008.  
 
The Company’s common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “FCCY”.
 
In 2005, the Company’s board of directors authorized a common stock repurchase program that allows for the repurchase of a limited number of the Company’s shares at management’s discretion on the open market. The Company undertook this repurchase program in order to increase shareholder value. A table disclosing repurchases of Company shares, if any, made during the quarter ended September 30, 2010 is set forth under Part II, Item 2 of this report, Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
 
Actual capital amounts and ratios for the Company and the Bank as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are as follows:
 
   
Actual
   
For Capital
Adequacy Purposes
   
To Be Well Capitalized
Under Prompt
Corrective Action
Provision
 
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
As of September 30, 2010
                                   
Company
                                   
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
  $ 83,712,516       15.92%     $ 42,057,404    
>8%
      N/A     N/A  
Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
    77,986,384       14.83%       21,028,702    
>4%
      N/A     N/A  
Tier 1 Capital to Average Assets
    77,986,384       11.40%       27,359,792    
>4%
      N/A     N/A  
Bank
                                           
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
  $ 81,159,290       15.46%     $ 41,989,200    
>8%
    $ 52,486,500    
>10%
 
Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
    75,433,158       14.37%       20,994,600    
>4%
      31,491,900    
>6%
 
Tier 1 Capital to Average Assets
    75,433,158       11.10%       27,185,406    
>4%
      33,981,758    
>5%
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2009
                                           
Company
                                           
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
  $ 79,091,277       17.23%     $ 36,713,599    
>8%
      N/A     N/A  
Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
    74,585,890       16.25%       18,356,800    
>4%
      N/A     N/A  
Tier 1 Capital to Average Assets
    74,585,890       10.99%       27,143,523    
>4%
      N/A     N/A  
Bank
                                           
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
  $ 77,370,821       16.90%     $ 36,633,760    
>8%
    $ 45,792,200    
>10%
 
Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
    72,865,434       15.91%       18,316,040    
>4%
      27,475,320    
>6%
 
Tier 1 Capital to Average Assets
    72,865,434       10.78%       27,043,305    
>4%
      33,804,131    
>5%
 
                                             
 
The minimum regulatory capital requirements for financial institutions require institutions to have a Tier 1 capital to average assets ratio of 4.0%, a Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets ratio of 4.0% and a total capital to risk weighted assets ratio of 8.0%.  The regulatory requirements to be considered “well capitalized” for total risk-based capital, Tier I capital, and leverage capital are 10 percent, 6 percent, and 5 percent, respectively. At September 30, 2010, the ratios of the Company exceeded the ratios required to be considered well capitalized.  The Company’s October 27, 2010 redemption of its Preferred Stock Series B that it had issued to the Treasury in December, 2008 under the TARP program was funded by the Bank, which reduced its capital by $12,000,000.   If the redemption had occurred on September 30, 2010, the Bank’s capital ratios would have still exceeded the ratios required to be considered “well capitalized.” It is management’s goal to monitor and maintain adequate capital levels to continue to support asset growth and continue its status as a well capitalized institution.
 
 
Liquidity
 
At September 30, 2010, the amount of liquid assets remained at a level management deemed adequate to ensure that contractual liabilities, depositors’ withdrawal requirements, and other operational and customer credit needs could be satisfied.
 
Liquidity management refers to the Company’s ability to support asset growth while satisfying the borrowing needs and deposit withdrawal requirements of customers. In addition to maintaining liquid assets, factors such as capital position, profitability, asset quality and availability of funding affect a bank’s ability to meet its liquidity needs. On the asset side, liquid funds are maintained in the form of cash and cash equivalents, Federal funds sold, investment securities held to maturity maturing within one year, securities available for sale and loans held for sale. Additional asset-based liquidity is derived from scheduled loan repayments as well as investment repayments of principal and interest from mortgage-backed securities. On the liability side, the primary source of liquidity is the ability to generate core deposits. Short-term borrowings are used as supplemental funding sources when growth in the core deposit base does not keep pace with that of earnings assets.
 
The Bank has established a borrowing relationship with the FHLB and a correspondent bank which further supports and enhances liquidity. At September 30, 2010, the Bank maintained an Overnight Line of Credit at the FHLB in the amount of $58,584,800 plus a One-Month Overnight Repricing Line of Credit of $58,584,800. Advances issued under these programs are subject to FHLB stock level and collateral requirements. Pricing of these advances may fluctuate based on existing market conditions. The Bank also maintains an unsecured Federal funds line of $20,000,000 with a correspondent bank.
 
The Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows present the changes in cash from operating, investing and financing activities. At September 30, 2010, the balance of cash and cash equivalents was $13,981,801.
 
Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $8,092,270 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to net cash used in operating activities of $8,238,631 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The primary sources of funds are net income from operations adjusted for provision for loan losses, depreciation and amortization expenses, and net proceeds from sales of loans held for sale.  The primary use of funds was origination of loans held for sale.
 
Net cash used in investing activities totaled $32,963,385 in the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $36,117,668 used in investing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The current period amount was primarily the result of an increase in the loan portfolio and securities purchases partially offset by the proceeds from maturities and repayments of securities.
 
Net cash provided by financing activities amounted to $12,998,631 in the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $117,361,830 provided by financing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  The current period amount resulted primarily from an increase in borrowings less a decrease in deposits.
 
The securities portfolio is also a source of liquidity, providing cash flows from maturities and periodic repayments of principal. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, maturities and prepayments of investment securities totaled $153,661,435.  Another source of liquidity is the loan portfolio, which provides a flow of payments and maturities.
 
The Company anticipates that cash and cash equivalents on hand, the cash flow from assets as well as other sources of funds will provide adequate liquidity for the Company’s future operating, investing and financing needs.  Management will continue to monitor the Company’s liquidity and maintain it at a level that it deems adequate and not excessive.
 
 
Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis
 
The largest component of the Company’s total income is net interest income, and the majority of the Company’s financial instruments are composed of interest rate-sensitive assets and liabilities with various terms and maturities. The primary objective of management is to maximize net interest income while minimizing interest rate risk. Interest rate risk is derived from timing differences in the repricing of assets and liabilities, loan prepayments, deposit withdrawals, and differences in lending and funding rates. Management actively seeks to monitor and control the mix of interest rate-sensitive assets and interest rate-sensitive liabilities.
 
The Company continually evaluates interest rate risk management opportunities, including the use of derivative financial instruments. Management believes that hedging instruments currently available are not cost-effective, and therefore, has focused its efforts on increasing the Bank’s spread by attracting lower-cost retail deposits.
 
Recent Legislation
 
On July 21, 2010, the President signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). This new law will significantly change the current bank regulatory structure and affect the lending, deposit, investment, trading and operating activities of financial institutions and their holding companies.
 
The Dodd-Frank Act requires various federal agencies to adopt a broad range of new rules and regulations, and to prepare various studies and reports for Congress. The federal agencies are given significant discretion in drafting such rules and regulations, and consequently, many of the details and much of the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act may not be known for months or years.
 
Certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act are expected to have a near term impact on the Company. For example, effective July 21, 2011, is a provision of the Dodd-Frank Act that eliminates the federal prohibitions on paying interest on demand deposits, thus allowing businesses to have interest bearing checking accounts. Depending on competitive responses, this significant change to existing law could have an adverse impact on the Company’s interest expense.
 
The Dodd-Frank Act also broadens the base for Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance assessments. Assessments will now be based on the average consolidated total assets less tangible equity capital of a financial institution. The Dodd-Frank Act also permanently increases the maximum amount of deposit insurance for banks, savings institutions and credit unions to $250,000 per depositor, retroactive to January 1, 2008, and non-interest bearing transaction accounts have unlimited deposit insurance through December 31, 2013.
 
Bank and thrift holding companies with assets of less than $15 billion as of December 31, 2009, such as the Company, will be permitted to include trust preferred securities that were issued before May 19, 2010, as Tier 1 capital; however, trust preferred securities issued by a bank or thrift holding company (other than those with assets of less than $500 million) after May 19, 2010, will no longer count as Tier 1 capital.  Trust preferred securities still will be entitled to be treated as Tier 2 capital.
 
The Dodd-Frank Act will require publicly traded companies to give stockholders a non-binding vote on executive compensation and so-called “golden parachute” payments, and allow greater access by shareholders to the company’s proxy material by authorizing the SEC to promulgate rules that would allow stockholders to nominate their own candidates using a company’s proxy materials. The legislation also directs the Federal Reserve Board to promulgate rules prohibiting excessive compensation paid to bank holding company executives, regardless of whether the company is publicly traded.
 
 
The Dodd-Frank Act creates a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with broad powers to supervise and enforce consumer protection laws. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has broad rule-making authority for a wide range of consumer protection laws that apply to all banks and savings institutions, including the authority to prohibit “unfair, deceptive or abusive” acts and practices. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has examination and enforcement authority over all banks and savings institutions with more than $10 billion in assets.  Banks and savings institutions with $10 billion or less in assets such as the Bank will continue to be examined for compliance with the consumer laws by their primary bank regulators. The Dodd-Frank Act also weakens the federal preemption rules that have been applicable for national banks and federal savings associations, and gives state attorneys general the ability to enforce federal consumer protection laws.
 
It is difficult to predict at this time what specific impact the Dodd-Frank Act and the yet to be written implementing rules and regulations will have on community banks. However, it is expected that at a minimum they will increase our operating and compliance costs and could increase our interest expense.
 
In July 2010, final rules implemented by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve took effect which impose overdraft and interchange fee restrictions and may reduce our non-interest income. The new rules prohibit financial institutions from charging consumers fees for paying overdrafts on automated teller machine and one-time debit card transactions, unless a consumer consents to the overdraft service for those types of transactions.
 
Item 3.     Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
 
Not required. 
 
Item 4.     Controls and Procedures.
 
The Company has established disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
The Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, with the assistance of other members of the Company’s management, have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report.  Based upon such evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report.
 
The Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have also concluded that there was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2010 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 2.     Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
 
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
On July 21, 2005, the board of directors authorized a stock repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase in open market or privately negotiated transactions up to 5% of its common shares outstanding at that date.  The Company undertook this repurchase program in order to increase shareholder value. The following table provides common stock repurchases made by or on behalf of the Company during the three months ended September 30, 2010.
 
 
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Period
 
 
 
Total
Number
of Shares
Purchased
   
 
 
 
Average
Price Paid
Per Share
   
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased As
Part of Publicly
Announced Plan or
Program
   
Maximum Number of
Shares That May Yet
be Purchased Under
the Plan or Program
 
 
Beginning
 
Ending
                       
July 1, 2010
July 31, 2010
    -       -       -       163,233  
August 1, 2010
August 31, 2010
    -       -       -       163,233  
September 1, 2010
September 30, 2010
    -       -       -       163,233  
 
Total
    -       -       -       163,233  
_________________
(1)
The Company’s common stock repurchase program covers a maximum of 195,076 shares of common stock of the Company, representing 5% of the outstanding common stock of the Company on July 21, 2005, as adjusted for the subsequent stock dividends.
 
As a result of the Company’s issuance on December 23, 2008 of Preferred Stock Series B to the Treasury as part of its TARP CPP, during the three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company was restricted from repurchasing its common stock or other equity securities, except under certain limited circumstances.
 
Item 6.     Exhibits.
 
 
10
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Robert F. Mangano, entered into on July 12, 2010, dated as of July 1, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 14, 2010)
       
 
31.1
*
Certification of Robert F. Mangano, principal executive officer of the Company, pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)
       
 
31.2
*
Certification of Joseph M. Reardon, principal financial officer of the Company, pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)
       
 
32
*
Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, signed by Robert F. Mangano, principal executive officer of the Company, and Joseph M. Reardon, principal financial officer of the Company
 
_____________________
*           Filed herewith.
 

 
 
 
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.
 

 
  1ST CONSTITUTION BANCORP  
       
       
Date: November 15, 2010     
By:
/s/ ROBERT F. MANGANO   
    Robert F. Mangano  
    President and Chief Executive Officer  
    (Principal Executive Officer)  
       
       
Date: November 15, 2010       
By:
/s/ JOSEPH M. REARDON   
    Joseph M. Reardon  
    Senior Vice President and Treasurer  
    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
41