form10q.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
[Mark One]
T
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009

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

For the transition period from ____________ to ____________

Commission File Number 0-32637

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

IOWA
42-1039071
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
(I. R. S. Employer Identification Number)

405 FIFTH STREET
AMES, IOWA 50010
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (515) 232-6251

NOT APPLICABLE
(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  T  No  £

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

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

Large accelerated filer£   Accelerated filer T   Non-accelerated filer £   Smaller reporting company £

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

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

COMMON STOCK, $2.00 PAR VALUE
9,432,915
(Class)
(Shares Outstanding at November 6, 2009)
 


 
 

 

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION

INDEX

   
Page
     
PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1.
3
     
 
3
     
 
4
     
 
5
     
 
7
     
Item 2.
15
     
Item 3.
35
     
Item 4.
35
     
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1.
36
     
Item 1.A.
36
     
Item 2.
36
     
Item 3.
36
     
Item 4.
36
     
Item 5.
37
     
Item 6.
37
     
38

2

 
AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
ASSETS
 
2009
   
2008
 
             
Cash and due from banks
  $ 17,318,877     $ 24,697,591  
Federal funds sold
    -       16,533,000  
Interest bearing deposits in financial institutions
    32,066,038       10,400,761  
Securities available-for-sale
    372,917,003       313,014,375  
Loans receivable, net
    416,149,000       452,880,348  
Loans held for sale
    1,262,070       1,152,020  
Bank premises and equipment, net
    12,013,279       12,570,302  
Accrued income receivable
    6,958,321       6,650,287  
Deferred income taxes
    2,429,874       5,838,044  
Other real estate owned
    12,802,478       13,333,565  
Other assets
    7,287,201       1,070,588  
                 
Total assets
  $ 881,204,141     $ 858,140,881  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
                 
LIABILITIES
               
Deposits
               
Demand, noninterest bearing
  $ 84,766,682     $ 99,830,687  
NOW accounts
    175,036,231       165,422,333  
Savings and money market
    177,281,664       153,771,034  
Time, $100,000 and over
    87,446,696       81,378,796  
Other time
    154,059,331       164,391,860  
Total deposits
    678,590,604       664,794,710  
                 
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    45,268,119       38,509,559  
Other short-term borrowings
    42,471       1,063,806  
Long-term borrowings
    39,500,000       43,500,000  
Dividend payable
    943,292       2,641,216  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    3,935,192       3,794,140  
Total liabilities
    768,279,678       754,303,431  
                 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Common stock, $2 par value, authorized 18,000,000 shares; 9,432,915 shares issued and outstanding
    18,865,830       18,865,830  
Additional paid-in capital
    22,651,222       22,651,222  
Retained earnings
    67,064,818       62,471,081  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)-net unrealized gain (loss) on securities available-for-sale
    4,342,593       (150,683 )
Total stockholders' equity
    112,924,463       103,837,450  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 881,204,141     $ 858,140,881  

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

3

 
AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Month Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
                         
Interest and dividend income:
                       
Loans, including fees
  $ 6,096,002     $ 7,237,129     $ 19,096,804     $ 22,386,655  
Securities:
                               
Taxable
    1,970,528       2,497,103       6,295,875       7,487,230  
Tax-exempt
    1,276,017       1,201,777       3,731,005       3,809,905  
Federal funds sold
    675       15,835       20,003       150,284  
Dividends
    179,694       229,216       322,969       898,953  
                                 
Total interest income
    9,522,916       11,181,060       29,466,656       34,733,027  
                                 
Interest expense:
                               
Deposits
    1,965,914       3,289,349       6,590,594       11,363,993  
Other borrowed funds
    453,667       557,783       1,398,549       1,687,382  
                                 
Total interest expense
    2,419,581       3,847,132       7,989,143       13,051,375  
                                 
Net interest income
    7,103,335       7,333,928       21,477,513       21,681,652  
                                 
Provision for loan losses
    635,171       73,514       1,191,495       1,002,208  
                                 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    6,468,164       7,260,414       20,286,018       20,679,444  
                                 
Noninterest income (loss):
                               
Trust department income
    411,166       391,115       1,184,600       1,222,268  
Service fees
    486,370       451,162       1,357,202       1,332,094  
Securities gains, net
    877,925       3,205,077       782,338       4,346,858  
Other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities
    -       (8,692,327 )     (29,565 )     (11,247,757 )
Loan and secondary market fees
    245,540       217,928       765,222       604,467  
Merchant and ATM fees
    179,765       169,513       478,934       483,515  
Other
    169,662       143,802       566,293       520,704  
                                 
Total noninterest income (loss)
    2,370,428       (4,113,730 )     5,105,024       (2,737,851 )
                                 
Noninterest expense:
                               
Salaries and employee benefits
    2,695,613       2,647,502       7,745,478       7,728,417  
Data processing
    391,185       511,166       1,411,498       1,681,526  
Occupancy expenses
    387,433       397,897       1,082,477       1,203,963  
FDIC insurance assessments
    345,877       51,871       1,382,879       140,777  
Other real estate owned
    1,039,368       -       2,194,005       60,881  
Other operating expenses
    658,928       725,325       2,065,631       2,044,118  
                                 
Total noninterest expense
    5,518,404       4,333,761       15,881,968       12,859,682  
                                 
Income (loss) before income taxes
    3,320,188       (1,187,077 )     9,509,074       5,081,911  
                                 
Income tax expense (credit)
    746,621       (1,193,983 )     2,085,462       307,176  
                                 
Net income
  $ 2,573,567     $ 6,906     $ 7,423,612     $ 4,774,735  
                                 
Basic and diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.27     $ -     $ 0.79     $ 0.51  
                                 
Declared dividends per share
  $ 0.10     $ 0.28     $ 0.30     $ 0.84  
                                 
Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 6,510,214     $ (509,449 )   $ 11,916,888     $ 1,584,313  

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

4

 
AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)

   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
             
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
           
Net income
  $ 7,423,612     $ 4,774,735  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Provision for loan losses
    1,191,495       1,002,208  
Provision for off-balance sheet commitments
    (2,000 )     15,000  
Amortization and accretion
    460,249       (160,936 )
Depreciation
    646,789       832,365  
Provision (credit) for deferred taxes
    769,262       (4,460,270 )
Securities gains, net
    (782,338 )     (4,346,858 )
Other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities
    29,565       11,247,757  
Impairment of other real estate owned
    1,942,901       -  
Gain on sale of other real estate owned
    (39,403 )     (66,219 )
Loss on disposal of equipment
    1,096       -  
Change in assets and liabilities:
               
Increase in loans held for sale
    (110,050 )     (824,114 )
Decrease (increase) in accrued income receivable
    (308,034 )     299,467  
Increase in other assets
    (6,216,613 )     (245,072 )
Increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities
    143,052       817,361  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    5,149,583       8,885,424  
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
               
Purchase of securities available-for-sale
    (175,012,152 )     (122,947,883 )
Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale
    59,359,942       54,824,181  
Proceeds from maturities and calls of securities available-for-sale
    63,174,290       72,845,415  
Net increase in interest bearing deposits in financial institutions
    (21,665,277 )     (6,915,727 )
Net decrease in federal funds sold
    16,533,000       5,500,000  
Net decrease in loans
    33,232,625       5,596,017  
Net proceeds for the sale of other real estate owned
    931,442       1,091,152  
Purchase of bank premises and equipment, net
    (90,862 )     (170,872 )
Improvements in other real estate owned
    3,375       -  
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    (23,533,617 )     9,822,283  
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
               
Increase (decrease) in deposits
    13,795,894       (42,854,735 )
Increase in federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    6,758,560       17,225,389  
Payments (proceeds) on other short-term borrowings, net
    (1,021,335 )     351,641  
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
    2,500,000       15,500,000  
Payments on long-term borrowings
    (6,500,000 )     -  
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock
    -       69,201  
Dividends paid
    (4,527,799 )     (7,827,485 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    11,005,320       (17,535,989 )
                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (7,378,714 )     1,171,718  
                 
CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS
               
Beginning
    24,697,591       26,044,577  
Ending
  $ 17,318,877     $ 27,216,295  

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

5

 
AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)

   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
             
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
           
Cash payments for:
           
Interest
  $ 8,327,269     $ 14,052,327  
Income taxes
    763,043       3,737,210  
                 
SUPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NONCASH
               
INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
               
Transfer of loans to other real estate owned
  $ 2,307,228     $ 10,827,959  

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

6

 
AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1.
Significant Accounting Policies

The consolidated financial statements for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 are unaudited. In the opinion of the management of Ames National Corporation (the "Company"), these financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring accruals, necessary to present fairly these consolidated financial statements. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results which may be expected for an entire year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in complete financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been omitted in accordance with the requirements for interim financial statements. The interim financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the year-end audited financial statements contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (the “Annual Report”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned banking subsidiaries (the “Banks”). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  Certain immaterial reclassifications have been made to previously presented financial statements to conform to the 2009 presentation.

Fair value of financial instruments:  The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating fair value disclosures:

Cash and due from banks, federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits in financial institutions:  The recorded amount of these assets approximates fair value.

Securities available-for-sale:  Fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices, if available.  If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using independent pricing models or other model-based valuation techniques such as the present value of future cash flows, adjusted for the securities credit rating, prepayment assumptions and other factors such as credit loss assumptions.

Loans held for sale:  The fair value of loans held for sale is based on prevailing market prices.

Loans receivable:  The fair value of loans is calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity using estimated market discount rates, which reflect the credit and interest rate risk inherent in the loan.  The estimate of maturity is based on the historical experience, with repayments for each loan classification modified, as required, by an estimate of the effect of current economic and lending conditions.  The effect of nonperforming loans is considered in assessing the credit risk inherent in the fair value estimate.

Deposit liabilities:  Fair values of deposits with no stated maturity, such as noninterest-bearing demand deposits, savings and NOW accounts, and money market accounts, are equal to the amount payable on demand as of the respective balance sheet date.  Fair values of certificates of deposit are based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows.  The discount rate is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.  The fair value estimates do not include the benefit that results from the low-cost funding provided by the deposit liabilities compared to the cost of borrowing funds in the market.

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:  The carrying amounts of federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase approximate fair value because of the generally short-term nature of the instruments.

7

 
Other short-term borrowings:  The carrying amounts of other short-term borrowings approximate fair value because of the generally short-term nature of the instruments.

Long-term borrowings:  Fair values of long-term borrowings are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on interest rates currently being offered with similar terms.

Accrued income receivable and accrued interest payable:  The carrying amounts of accrued income receivable and interest payable approximate fair value.

2.
Dividends

On August 12, 2009, the Company declared a cash dividend on its common stock, payable on November 16, 2009 to stockholders of record as of November 2, 2009, equal to $0.10 per share.

3.
Earnings Per Share

Earnings per share amounts were calculated using the weighted average shares outstanding during the periods presented. The weighted average outstanding shares for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were 9,432,915.  The weighted average outstanding shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were 9,432,915 and 9,430,882, respectively.  The Company had no potentially dilutive securities outstanding during the periods presented.

4.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business.  These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.  These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet.  No material changes in the Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements have occurred since December 31, 2008.

8

 
5.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments (as described in Note 1) were as follows:

   
September 30, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
   
Carrying
   
Fair
   
Carrying
   
Fair
 
   
Amount
   
Value
   
Amount
   
Value
 
                         
Financial assets:
                       
Cash and due from banks
  $ 17,318,877     $ 17,319,000     $ 24,697,591     $ 24,698,000  
Federal funds sold
    -       -       16,533,000       16,533,000  
Interest-bearing deposits
    32,066,038       32,066,000       10,400,761       10,401,000  
Securities available-for-sale
    372,917,003       372,917,000       313,014,375       313,014,000  
Loans receivable, net
    416,149,000       412,662,000       452,880,348       448,238,000  
Loans held for sale
    1,262,070       1,262,000       1,152,020       1,152,000  
Accrued income receivable
    6,958,321       6,958,000       6,650,287       6,650,000  
Financial liabilities:
                               
Deposits
  $ 678,590,604     $ 681,847,000     $ 664,794,710     $ 668,424,000  
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    45,268,119       45,268,000       38,509,559       38,510,000  
Other short-term borrowings
    42,471       42,000       1,063,806       1,064,000  
Long-term borrowings
    39,500,000       44,143,000       43,500,000       46,286,000  
Accrued interest payable
    1,240,175       1,240,000       1,578,301       1,578,000  

The methodology used to determine fair value as of September 30, 2009 did not change from the methodology used in the Annual Report.

6.
Fair Value Measurements

Effective January 1, 2008, assets and liabilities carried at fair value on the balance sheet have certain required disclosures.  These disclosures were delayed for certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities which are recognized at fair value on a nonrecurring basis until 2009.  For the Company, this deferral applied to other real estate owned and effective January 1, 2009, the Company included the required disclosures for nonfinancial assets and liabilities recognized at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

Assets and liabilities carried at fair value are required to be classified and disclosed according to the process for determining fair value.  There are three levels of determining fair value.

 
Level 1:
Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices, unadjusted, for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. A quoted price in an active market provides the most reliable evidence of fair value and shall be used to measure fair value whenever available.

 
Level 2:
Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; or inputs to the valuation methodology that are derived principally from or can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

9

 
 
Level 3:
Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using discounted cash flow methodologies, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.

The following table presents the balances of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

                         
September 30, 2009
       
Quoted Prices in Active markets for Identical Assets
   
Significant Other Observable Inputs
   
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
Description
 
Total
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
                         
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
                               
                                 
Securities available-for-sale
  $ 372,917,000     $ 4,818,000     $ 368,099,000     $ -  


December 31, 2008
       
Quoted Prices in Active markets for Identical Assets
   
Significant Other Observable Inputs
   
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
Description
 
Total
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
                         
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
                               
                                 
Securities available-for-sale
  $ 313,014,000     $ 8,445,000     $ 304,569,000     $ -  

Securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.  Fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices, if available.  If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using independent pricing models or other model-based valuation techniques such as the present value of future cash flows, adjusted for the securities credit rating, prepayment assumptions and other factors such as credit loss assumptions.  Level 1 securities include those traded on an active exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange, as well as U.S. Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets.  Level 2 securities include U.S. government agency securities, mortgage-backed securities (including pools and collateralized mortgage obligations), municipal bonds, and corporate debt securities.

10

 
Certain assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, they are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment).  The following table presents the assets carried on the balance sheet (after specific reserves) by caption and by level with the required valuation hierarchy as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

September 30, 2009
       
Quoted Prices in Active markets for Identical Assets
   
Significant Other Observable Inputs
   
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
Description
 
Total
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
                         
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
                       
                         
Loans
  $ 9,967,000     $ -     $ -     $ 9,967,000  
                                 
Other real estate owned
    12,802,000       -       -       12,802,000  
                                 
Total
  $ 22,769,000     $ -     $ -     $ 22,769,000  


December 31, 2008
       
Quoted Prices in Active markets for Identical Assets
   
Significant Other Observable Inputs
   
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
Description
 
Total
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
                         
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
                               
                                 
Loans
  $ 6,253,000     $ -     $ -     $ 6,253,000  

Loans in the tables above consist of impaired credits held for investment.  Impaired loans are valued by management based on collateral values underlying the loans.  Management uses original appraised values and adjusts for trends observed in the market to determine the value of impaired loans.  Other real estate owned in the table above consists of real estate obtained through foreclosure.  Management uses appraised values and adjusts for trends observed in the market and for disposition costs in determining the value of other real estate owned.

11

 
7.
Debt and Equity Securities

The amortized cost of securities available for sale and their approximate fair values are summarized below:

   
Amortized Cost
   
Gross Unrealized Gains
   
Gross Unrealized Losses
   
Estimated Fair Value
 
September 30, 2009:
                       
U.S. treasury
  $ 498,749     $ 31,389     $ -     $ 530,138  
U.S. government agencies
    88,461,378       1,156,135       (24,114 )     89,593,399  
U.S. government mortgage-backed securities
    79,397,020       2,304,175       (4,368 )     81,696,827  
State and political subdivisions
    163,458,408       3,866,778       (149,429 )     167,175,757  
Corporate bonds
    25,067,712       1,146,011       (97,935 )     26,115,788  
Equity securities, financial industry common stock
    3,402,388       -       (1,074,088 )     2,328,300  
Equity securities, others
    5,738,344       163,900       (425,450 )     5,476,794  
    $ 366,023,999     $ 8,668,388     $ (1,775,384 )   $ 372,917,003  


   
Amortized Cost
   
Gross Unrealized Gains
   
Gross Unrealized Losses
   
Estimated Fair Value
 
December 31, 2008:
                       
U.S. treasury
  $ 498,102     $ 47,445     $ -     $ 545,547  
U.S. government agencies
    48,195,482       1,537,009       (37,748 )     49,694,743  
U.S. government mortgage-backed securities
    66,421,362       1,116,775       (22,258 )     67,515,879  
State and political subdivisions
    127,826,526       1,592,343       (677,869 )     128,741,000  
Corporate bonds
    58,003,206       224,679       (2,990,315 )     55,237,570  
Equity securities, financial industry common stock
    6,251,728       205,593       (842,661 )     5,614,660  
Equity securities, others
    6,057,148       -       (392,172 )     5,664,976  
    $ 313,253,554     $ 4,723,844     $ (4,963,023 )   $ 313,014,375  

Non-interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was impacted by net security gains of approximately $878,000 and $3,205,000, respectively.  For the three months ended September 30, 2008, impairment charges were $8,692,000, related to the Company’s investment in Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC) preferred stock, Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) preferred stock, Lehman Brothers Corporation bonds and MGIC Investment Corporation bonds.

Non-interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was impacted by net security gains of approximately $782,000 and $4,347,000, respectively.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, impairment charges were approximately $30,000, related to the Company’s investment in MGIC Investment Corporation bonds.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, impairment charges were $11,248,000, related to the Company’s investment in FHLMC preferred stock, FNMA preferred stock, Lehman Brothers Corporation bonds and MGIC Investment Corporation bonds.  The Company’s investment in FHLMC and FNMA preferred stock, the Lehman Brothers Corporation bonds and MGIC Corporation bonds are considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired and have been written down to their aggregate estimated fair values.  As of September 30, 2009, these investments have a carrying and fair value of $856,000.   All losses recognized in the statement of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were considered credit losses and thus were recorded in full as impairment losses recognized in earnings.

12

 
Unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, are summarized as follows:

   
Less than 12 Months
   
12 Months or More
   
Total
 
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
 
September 30, 2009:
                                   
                                     
Securities available for sale:
                                   
U.S. government agencies
  $ 3,369,128     $ (10,575 )   $ 516,065     $ (13,539 )   $ 3,885,193     $ (24,114 )
U.S. government mortgage-backed securities
    1,815,643       (4,368 )     -       -       1,815,643       (4,368 )
State and political subsidivisions
    10,630,935       (124,385 )     2,700,984       (25,044 )     13,331,919       (149,429 )
Corporate obligations
    1,237,439       (8,976 )     3,625,297       (88,959 )     4,862,736       (97,935 )
Equity securities, financial industry common stock
    -       -       2,328,300       (1,074,088 )     2,328,300       (1,074,088 )
Equity securities, other
    -       -       1,763,042       (425,450 )     1,763,042       (425,450 )
    $ 17,053,145     $ (148,304 )   $ 10,933,688     $ (1,627,080 )   $ 27,986,833     $ (1,775,384 )


   
Less than 12 Months
   
12 Months or More
   
Total
 
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
 
December 31, 2008:
                                   
                                     
Securities available for sale:
                                   
U.S. government agencies
  $ 1,801,958     $ (17,068 )   $ 629,993     $ (20,680 )   $ 2,431,951     $ (37,748 )
U.S. government mortgage-backed securities
    5,012,003       (18,645 )     100,052       (3,613 )     5,112,055       (22,258 )
State and political subsidivisions
    29,377,281       (594,462 )     1,482,034       (83,407 )     30,859,315       (677,869 )
Corporate obligations
    30,284,263       (1,810,579 )     10,092,995       (1,179,736 )     40,377,258       (2,990,315 )
Equity securities, financial industry common stock
    2,885,600       (842,661 )     -       -       2,885,600       (842,661 )
Equity securities, other
    2,175,237       (392,172 )     -       -       2,175,237       (392,172 )
    $ 71,536,342     $ (3,675,587 )   $ 12,305,074     $ (1,287,436 )   $ 83,841,416     $ (4,963,023 )

At September 30, 2009, 84 debt securities have unrealized losses of $275,846.  These losses are generally due to changes in interest rates or general market conditions.  In analyzing an issuers’ financial condition, management considers whether the securities are issued by the federal government or its agencies, whether downgrades by bond ratings agencies have occurred and industry analysts’ reports.  Unrealized losses on equity securities totaled $1,499,538 as of September 30, 2009.  Management analyzed the financial condition of the equity issuers and considered the general market conditions and other factors in concluding that the unrealized losses on equity securities were not other-than-temporary.  Due to potential changes in conditions, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in fair values and management’s assessments will occur in the near term and that such changes could lead to additional impairment charges, thereby materially affecting the amounts reported in the Company’s financial statements.

13

 
8.
Impaired Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payment of principal and interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due.  The Company will apply its normal loan review procedures to identify loans that should be evaluated for impairment.  Impairment of $973,000 and $257,000 is included in the allowance for loan losses as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  The following is a recap of impaired loans at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

   
2009
   
2008
 
             
Impaired loans without an allowance
  $ 4,974,000     $ 2,679,000  
Impaired loans with an allowance
    5,966,000       3,831,000  
Total impaired loans
    10,940,000       6,510,000  
                 
Allowance for loan losses related to impaired loans
    973,000       257,000  
                 
Net impaired loans
  $ 9,967,000     $ 6,253,000  

Changes in the allowance for loan losses were as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
                         
Balance, beginning
  $ 6,688,000     $ 6,609,000     $ 6,779,000     $ 5,781,000  
Loans charged-off
    (43,000 )     (42,000 )     (722,000 )     (212,000 )
Recoveries of loans charged-off
    20,000       22,000       52,000       92,000  
Net charge offs
    (23,000 )     (20,000 )     (670,000 )     (120,000 )
Provision for loan losses
    635,000       74,000       1,191,000       1,002,000  
Balance, ending
  $ 7,300,000     $ 6,663,000     $ 7,300,000     $ 6,663,000  

9.
Subsequent Events

Management evaluated subsequent events through November 6, 2009, the date the financial statements were available to be issued.  There were no significant events or transactions occurring after September 30, 2009, but prior to November 6, 2009 that provided additional evidence about conditions that existed at September 30, 2009.  There were no events or transactions that provided evidence about conditions that did not exist at September 30, 2009.

14

 
10.
New Accounting Pronouncements

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company has early adopted FASB Staff Position (FSP) FAS No. 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly, now included in the Codification as part of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standard Codification (ASC) 820-10-35.  This provides additional guidance for estimating fair value when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased. This also includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly.  The adoption of ASC 820-10-35 did not materially affect the Company’s 2009 consolidated financial statements.

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company has early adopted FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments – an amendment to FASB Statement No. 107 (FAS 107) and APB Opinion No. 28 (APB 28), now included in the Codification as part of FASB ASC 270-10-05. This standard requires disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements.  The adoption of this standard has been included in the disclosures in this Form 10-Q.

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company has early adopted FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments, now included in the Codification as a part of FASB ASC 320-10-35.  This standard amends the other-than-temporary impairment guidance in U.S. GAAP for debt securities to make the guidance more operational and to improve the presentation and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairments on debt and equity securities in the financial statements. This standard does not amend existing recognition and measurement guidance related to other-than-temporary impairments of equity securities. The Company applied this standard prospectively.  Management believes that the impairment of investment securities as of September 30, 2009, except the amounts recognized in the income statement for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, are temporary under this standard.

In May, 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement 165, Subsequent Events, now included in the Codification as a part of FASB ASC 855-10-55.  This standard incorporates the accounting and disclosure requirements for subsequent events into U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.  Prior to the issuance of this standard, these requirements were included in the auditing standards in AICPA AU section 560, Subsequent Events.  This standard introduces new terminology, defines a date through which management must evaluate subsequent events, and lists the circumstances under which an entity must recognize and disclose events or transactions occurring after the balance-sheet date.  This Statement is effective for the Company for the period ended June 30, 2009.

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

Overview

Ames National Corporation (the “Company”) is a bank holding company established in 1975 that owns and operates five bank subsidiaries in central Iowa (the “Banks”).  The following discussion is provided for the consolidated operations of the Company and its Banks, First National Bank, Ames, Iowa (First National), State Bank & Trust Co. (State Bank), Boone Bank & Trust Co. (Boone Bank), Randall-Story State Bank (Randall-Story Bank) and United Bank & Trust NA (United Bank). The purpose of this discussion is to focus on significant factors affecting the Company's financial condition and results of operations.

15

 
The Company does not engage in any material business activities apart from its ownership of the Banks.  Products and services offered by the Banks are for commercial and consumer purposes including loans, deposits and trust services.  The Banks also offer investment services through a third-party broker dealer.  The Company employs twelve individuals to assist with financial reporting, human resources, audit, compliance, marketing, technology systems and the coordination of management activities, in addition to 180 full-time equivalent individuals employed by the Banks.

The Company’s primary competitive strategy is to utilize seasoned and competent Bank management and local decision making authority to provide customers with faster response times and more flexibility in the products and services offered.  This strategy is viewed as providing an opportunity to increase revenues through creating a competitive advantage over other financial institutions.  The Company also strives to remain operationally efficient to provide better profitability while enabling the Company to offer more competitive loan and deposit rates.

The principal sources of Company revenues and cash flow are: (i) interest and fees earned on loans made by the Banks; (ii) securities gains and dividends on equity investments held by the Company and the Banks; (iii) service charges on deposit accounts maintained at the Banks; (iv) interest on fixed income investments held by the Banks; and (v) fees on trust services provided by those Banks exercising trust powers.  The Company’s principal expenses are: (i) interest expense on deposit accounts and other borrowings; (ii) salaries and employee benefits; (iii) data processing costs associated with maintaining the Banks’ loan and deposit functions; and (iv) occupancy expenses for maintaining the Banks’ facilities.  The largest component contributing to the Company’s net income is net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on earning assets (primarily loans and investments) and interest paid on interest bearing liabilities (primarily deposits and other borrowings).  One of management’s principal functions is to manage the spread between interest earned on earning assets and interest paid on interest bearing liabilities in an effort to maximize net interest income while maintaining an appropriate level of interest rate risk.

The Company had net income of $2,574,000, or $0.27 per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to net income of $7,000, or $0.00 per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2008.  Total equity capital as of September 30, 2009 totaled $112.9 million or 12.8% of total assets.

The Company’s earnings for the third quarter increased $2,567,000 from the $7,000 earned a year ago.  The higher quarterly earnings can be primarily attributed to decreased write downs associated with the other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities.  For the three months ended September 30, 2008, the Company had other-than-temporary impairments of investment securities of $8,692,000 related to FNMA and FHLMC preferred stock and bonds issued by Lehman Brothers and MGIC Investment Corporation.  As of September 30, 2009, the carrying value and fair value of the other-than-temporary impaired securities totaled $856,000.  Partially offsetting these improvements was an increase in other real estate owned costs, a decrease in securities gains, an increase in the provision for loan losses and an increase in FDIC insurance assessments.  The increase in other real estate costs of $1,039,000 is due primarily to write downs on certain other real estate owned.  The increase in the FDIC insurance assessments of $294,000 is due to higher quarterly deposit assessments, which are also expected to negatively impact future operating results if bank failures continue to erode the FDIC insurance fund.  In 2009, 106 banks have failed compared to 25 bank failures in 2008.

Net loan charge-offs for the quarter totaled $23,000, compared to net charge-offs of $20,000 in the third quarter of 2008.  The provision for loan losses for the third quarter of 2009 totaled $635,000 compared to the provision for loan losses of $74,000 for the same period in 2008 due primarily to specific allowance for loan losses on impaired loans and worsening economic conditions primarily associated with the Company’s commercial real estate loans, offset in part by decreases in the outstanding loans.

16

 
The Company had net income of $7,424,000, or $0.79 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to net income of $4,775,000, or $0.51 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

The Company’s earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 increased $2,649,000 from the $4,775,000 earned a year ago.  The higher earnings can be primarily attributed to decreased write downs associated with the other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities.  Impairment of securities for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 of $30,000 related to a corporate bond issue of MGIC Investment Corporation.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company had other-than-temporary impairments of investment securities of $11,248,000 related to FNMA and FHLMC preferred stock and corporate bond issues of Lehman Brothers, American General Finance and MGIC Investment Corporation.  The improvement in this area was partially offset by an increase in other real estate owned costs, a decrease in securities gains and higher FDIC insurance assessments.  The increase in other real estate costs of $2,133,000 is due primarily to write downs on certain other real estate owned.  The increase in the FDIC assessments of $1,242,000 is due primarily to higher quarterly deposit assessment rates and a special assessment for 2009.

Net loan charge-offs for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 totaled $670,000, compared to net charge-offs of $120,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  The increase in the charge-offs was primarily related to a commercial real estate loan.  The provision for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 totaled $1,191,000 compared to the provision for loan losses of $1,002,000 for the same period in 2008 due primarily to specific allowance for loan losses on impaired loans and worsening economic conditions primarily associated with the Company’s commercial real estate loans, offset in part by decreases in the outstanding loans.

The following management discussion and analysis will provide a review of important items relating to:

Challenges
Key Performance Indicators and Industry Results
Income Statement Review
Balance Sheet Review
Asset Quality and Credit Risk Management
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Forward-Looking Statements and Business Risks

Challenges

Management has identified certain challenges that may negatively impact the Company’s revenues in the future and is attempting to position the Company to best respond to those challenges.

           On March 16, 2009, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) informed the Company’s lead bank, First National, of the OCC’s decision to establish individual minimum capital ratios for First National in excess of the capital ratios that would otherwise be imposed under applicable regulatory standards.  The OCC is requiring First National to maintain, on an ongoing basis, Tier 1 Leverage Capital of 9% of Adjusted Total Assets and Total Risk Based Capital of 11% of Risk-Weighted Assets.  As of September 30, 2009, First National exceeded the 9% Tier 1 and 11% Risk Based capital requirements.  Failure to maintain the individual minimum capital ratios established by the OCC could result in additional regulatory action against First National.

17

 
           On July 16, 2008, First National entered into an informal Memorandum of Understanding with the OCC regarding First National’s commercial real estate loan portfolio, including actions to be taken with respect to commercial real estate risk management procedures, credit underwriting and administration, appraisal and evaluation processes, problem loan management, credit risk ratings recognition and loan review procedures.  Since entering into the Memorandum, management has been actively pursuing the corrective actions required by the Memorandum in an effort to address the deficiencies noted in administration of its commercial real estate loan portfolio.

           Commercial real estate in the Company’s market area may experience declines in fair value.  The Company has $12.8 million in other real estate owned as of September 30, 2009.  A decline in the fair value of commercial real estate may adversely affect the fair value of the Bank’s other real estate owned which could adversely affect results of operations through impairments in the carrying value of other real estate owned.

          Banks have historically earned higher levels of net interest income by investing in longer term loans and securities at higher yields and paying lower deposit expense rates on shorter maturity deposits.  If the yield curve was to flatten or invert in 2009, the Company’s net interest margin may compress and net interest income may be negatively impacted.  Historically, management has been able to position the Company’s assets and liabilities to earn a satisfactory net interest margin during periods when the yield curve is flat or inverted by appropriately managing credit spreads on loans and maintaining adequate liquidity to provide flexibility in an effort to hold down funding costs.  Management would seek to follow a similar approach in dealing with this challenge in 2009.

           While short term interest rates remained at relatively low levels in 2008 and 2009 with an increase in longer term interest rates in 2009, interest rates may eventually increase or the yield curve may change and may present a challenge to the Company.  Increases in interest rates may negatively impact the Company’s net interest margin if interest expense increases more quickly than interest income.  The Company’s earning assets (primarily its loan and investment portfolio) have longer maturities than its interest bearing liabilities (primarily deposits and other borrowings); therefore, in a rising interest rate environment, interest expense will increase more quickly than interest income as the interest bearing liabilities reprice more quickly than earning assets.  In response to this challenge, the Banks model quarterly the changes in income that would result from various changes in interest rates.  Management believes Bank earning assets have the appropriate maturity and repricing characteristics to optimize earnings and the Banks’ interest rate risk positions.

           The Company’s market in central Iowa has numerous banks, credit unions, and investment and insurance companies competing for similar business opportunities.  This competitive environment will continue to put downward pressure on the Banks’ net interest margins and thus affect profitability.  Strategic planning efforts at the Company and Banks continue to focus on capitalizing on the Banks’ strengths in local markets while working to identify opportunities for improvement to gain competitive advantages.

           A substandard performance in the Holding Company’s equity portfolio could lead to a reduction in the realized security gains or other-than-temporary impairment, thereby negatively impacting the Holding Company’s earnings.  The Holding Company invests capital that may be utilized for future expansion in a portfolio of common stocks with an estimated fair market value of approximately $4.1 million as of September 30, 2009.  The Holding Company focuses on stocks that have historically paid dividends in an effort to lessen the negative effects of a bear market.  However, this strategy did not prove successful for the first nine months of 2009 or for the year ended December 31, 2008 as problems in the general economy caused a significant decline in the fair value and dividend rates of the Holding Company’s equity portfolio. Unrealized losses in the Holding Company’s equity portfolio totaled $1.5 million as of September 30, 2009.  This compares to unrealized losses in the Holding Company of $1.2 million as of December 31, 2008.

18

 
           The economic conditions for commercial real estate developers in the Des Moines metropolitan area deteriorated in 2008 and 2009.  This deterioration has contributed to the Company’s increased level of non-performing assets.  As of September 30, 2009, the Company has impaired loans totaling $4.9 million with four Des Moines area development companies with specific reserves totaling $460,000.  The Company has additional credit relationships with real estate developers in the Des Moines.  However, these loans may become impaired in the future if economic conditions do not improve or become worse.  As of September 30, 2009, the Company has a limited number of such credits and is actively engaged with the customers to minimize credit risks.

           During 2009, management has focused its efforts, in part, on steps necessary to improve the Company’s capital position given the ongoing negative developments in the national and local economies and the uncertainty of the timing and improvement of economic conditions.  An increased level of capital will enable the Company to better accommodate any impairment losses in the investment portfolio and other real estate owned and any provision for loan losses with respect to the Company’s commercial real estate loan portfolio that may be recorded during the year due to the asset quality of the Company’s investment securities portfolio and commercial real estate loan portfolio.

Key Performance Indicators and Industry Results

Certain key performance indicators for the Company and the industry are presented in the following chart.  The industry figures are compiled by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and are derived from 8,195 commercial banks and savings institutions insured by the FDIC.  Management reviews these indicators on a quarterly basis for purposes of comparing the Company’s performance from quarter to quarter against the industry as a whole.

Selected Indicators for the Company and the Industry

   
September 30, 2009
   
June 30, 2009
   
 
 
   
Three
Months
   
Nine
Months
   
Six
Months
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
Ended
   
Ended
   
Ended
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
Company
   
Company
   
Company
   
Industry *
   
Company
   
Industry
   
Company
   
Industry
 
                                                 
Return on average assets
    1.17 %     1.14 %     1.12 %     0.04 %     0.74 %     0.12 %     1.30 %     0.81 %
                                                                 
Return on average equity
    9.38 %     9.26 %     9.20 %     0.38 %     5.89 %     1.24 %     9.89 %     7.75 %
                                                                 
Net interest margin
    3.75 %     3.80 %     3.83 %     3.43 %     3.94 %     3.18 %     3.39 %     3.29 %
                                                                 
Efficiency ratio
    58.25 %     59.75 %     60.57 %     57.07 %     67.40 %     59.02 %     53.71 %     59.37 %
                                                                 
Capital ratio
    12.47 %     12.26 %     12.15 %     8.25 %     12.57 %     7.49 %     13.20 %     7.97 %

*Latest available data

19

 
Key performances indicators include:

Return on Assets

This ratio is calculated by dividing net income by average assets.  It is used to measure how effectively the assets of the Company are being utilized in generating income.  The Company's annualized return on average assets was 1.17% and 0.003%, respectively, for the three month periods ending September 30, 2009 and 2008.  The increase in this ratio in 2009 from the previous period is the result of lower write offs of other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities, offset in part by increased FDIC insurance assessments, increased other real estate owned costs, lower securities gains and a higher provision for loan losses.

Return on Equity

This ratio is calculated by dividing net income by average equity.  It is used to measure the net income or return the Company generated for the shareholders’ equity investment in the Company. The Company's return on average equity was 9.38% and 0.03%, respectively for the three month periods ending September 30, 2009 and 2008.  The increase in this ratio in 2009 from the previous period is the result of lower write offs of other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities, offset in part by increased FDIC insurance assessments, increased other real estate owned costs, lower securities gains and a higher provision for loan losses.

Net Interest Margin

The net interest margin for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was 3.75% compared to 3.99% for the three months ended September 30, 2008.  The ratio is calculated by dividing net interest income by average earning assets.  Earning assets are primarily made up of loans and investments that earn interest.  This ratio is used to measure how well the Company is able to maintain interest rates on earning assets above those of interest-bearing liabilities, which is the interest expense paid on deposits and other borrowings.  This decrease is primarily the result of lower yields on interest earning assets and a decline in the average loan balances, offset in part by lower cost of funds on deposits and other borrowings.  The lower yields and cost of funds were due primarily to lower market interest rates as interest earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities are repricing.

Efficiency Ratio

This ratio is calculated by dividing noninterest expense by net interest income and noninterest income.  The ratio is a measure of the Company’s ability to manage noninterest expenses.  The Company’s efficiency ratio was 58.25% and 135% for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The improvement in the efficiency ratio in 2009 from the previous period is primarily the  result of lower write offs of other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities, offset in part by increased FDIC insurance assessments, increased other real estate owned costs, lower securities gains and higher provision for loan losses.

Capital Ratio

The average capital ratio is calculated by dividing average total equity capital by average total assets.  It measures the level of average assets that are funded by shareholders’ equity.  Given an equal level of risk in the financial condition of two companies, the higher the capital ratio, generally the more financially sound the company.  The Company’s capital ratio is significantly higher than the industry average.

20

 
Industry Results

The FDIC Quarterly Banking Profile reported the following results for the second quarter of 2009:

The Industry Posts a Net Loss for the Quarter

Burdened by costs associated with rising levels of troubled loans and falling asset values, FDIC-insured commercial banks and savings institutions reported an aggregate net loss of $3.7 billion in the second quarter of 2009. Increased expenses for bad loans were chiefly responsible for the industry’s loss. Insured institutions added $66.9 billion in loan-loss provisions to their reserves during the quarter, an increase of $16.5 billion (32.8%) compared to the second quarter of 2008. Quarterly earnings were also adversely affected by write downs of asset-backed commercial paper, and by higher assessments for deposit insurance. Almost two out of every three institutions (64.4%) reported lower quarterly earnings than a year ago, and more than one in four (28.3%) reported a net loss for the quarter. A year ago, the industry reported a quarterly profit of $4.7 billion, and fewer than one in five institutions (18%) were unprofitable. The average return on assets (ROA) was -0.11%, compared to 0.14% in the second quarter of 2008.

Noninterest Income Grows 10.6% Year-Over-Year

In addition to the $16.5-billion increase in loss provisions, the industry reported a $3.3 billion increase in extraordinary losses and a $1.7 billion (1.7%) year-over-year increase in noninterest expenses. The extraordinary losses stemmed from asset-backed commercial paper write downs, while the increased noninterest expenses primarily reflected higher deposit insurance assessments. These negative factors were partially offset by higher noninterest income (up $6.5 billion, or 10.6%), increased net interest income (up $3.4 billion, or 3.5%), and a $1.5-billion reduction in realized losses on securities and other assets.  Gains on asset sales (up $4.5 billion), increased trading revenue (up $4.5 billion), and higher servicing fees (up $3.6 billion) were the largest contributors to the year-over-year improvement in noninterest income.

Margins Improve at a Majority of Institutions

Average net interest margins (NIMs) improved slightly from first quarter levels, as average funding costs fell more rapidly than average asset yields. The average margin increased to 3.48% from 3.39% in the first quarter and 3.37% in the second quarter of 2008. The consecutive-quarter improvement was relatively broad-based: more than half (56.5%) of all institutions reported higher NIMs than in the first quarter. However, the year-over-year improvement was concentrated among larger institutions. Only 45.3% of insured institutions reported year-over-year NIM improvement. Despite the widening in margins, net interest income growth has been limited by recent shrinkage in earning asset portfolios. Interest-earning assets declined by $149.6 billion during the second quarter, following a $163.7 billion decline in the first quarter. In the 12 months ended June 30, the industry’s earning assets increased by only $18.3 billion (0.2%).

Net Charge-Off Rate Sets a Quarterly Record

Net charge-offs continued to rise, propelling the quarterly net charge-off rate to a record high. Insured institutions charged-off $48.9 billion in the second quarter, compared to $26.4 billion a year earlier. The annualized net charge-off rate in the second quarter was 2.55%, eclipsing the previous quarterly record of 1.95% reached in the fourth quarter of 2008. The $22.5 billion (85.3%) year-over-year increase in net charge-offs was led by loans to commercial and industrial (C&I) borrowers, which increased by $5.3 billion (165.0%). Net charge-offs of credit card loans were $4.6 billion (84.5%) higher than a year earlier, and the annualized net charge-off rate on credit card loans reached a record 9.95% in the second quarter. Net charge-offs of real estate construction and development loans were up by $4.2 billion (117.0%), and charge-offs of loans secured by 1-4 family residential properties were $4.0 billion (41.1%) higher than a year ago.

21

 
Noncurrent Loan Rate Rises to Record Level

The amount of loans and leases that were noncurrent (90 days or more past due or in nonaccrual status) increased for a 13th consecutive quarter, and the percentage of total loans and leases that were noncurrent reached a new record. Noncurrent loans and leases increased by $41.4 billion (14.3%) during the second quarter, led by 1-4 family residential mortgages (up $15.4 billion, or 12.7 %), real estate construction and development loans (up $10.2 billion, or 16.6%), and loans secured by nonfarm nonresidential real estate properties (up $7.1 billion, or 29.2%). Noncurrent home equity loans and junior lien mortgages fell for the first time in three years, declining by $1.7 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively.  Noncurrent levels rose in all other major loan categories. Although the increase in total noncurrent loans was almost one-third smaller than the $59.7 billion increase in the first quarter, the average noncurrent rate on all loans and leases rose from 3.76% to 4.35%. This is the highest level for the noncurrent rate in the 26 years that insured institutions have reported noncurrent loan data. On a more positive note, loans that were 30-89 days past due declined by $16.7 billion (10.6%). This is the largest quarterly decline in dollar terms in the 26 years that these data have been reported, and the largest percentage decline since the first quarter of 2004, when 30-89 day past due loans were one-third the current level. The decline in past due loans occurred across all major loan categories, but real estate loans accounted for 83.5% ($13.9 billion) of the total improvement. Restructured loans and leases that were in compliance with their modified terms increased by $13.7 billion (41.6%) at commercial and savings banks that file Call reports, as restructured 1-4 family residential real estate loans rose by $10.2 billion (55.4%).

Institutions Continue to Add to Reserves

The industry’s reserves for loan losses increased by $16.8 billion (8.6%) during the second quarter, as loss provisions of $66.9 billion exceeded net charge-offs of $48.9 billion. The ratio of reserves to total loans and leases set another new record, rising from 2.51% to 2.77%. However, the pace of reserve building fell short of the rise in noncurrent loans, and the industry’s ratio of reserves to noncurrent loans fell from 66.8% to 63.5%, the lowest level since the third quarter of 1991.

Overall Capital Levels Register Improvement

Equity capital increased by $32.5 billion (2.4%), raising the industry’s equity-to-assets ratio from 10.13% to 10.56%, the highest level since March 31, 2007. Average regulatory capital ratios increased as well. The leverage capital ratio increased from 8.02% to 8.25%, while the total risk-based capital ratio rose from 13.42% to 13.76%. However, fewer than half of all institutions reported increases in their regulatory capital ratios. Only 43.2% reported increased leverage capital ratios, and 47.0% had increased total risk-based capital ratios. Insured institutions paid $6.2 billion in dividends in the quarter, about two-thirds less than the $17.7 billion in dividends paid in the second quarter of 2008.

 “Problem List” Expands to 15-Year High

The number of insured commercial banks and savings institutions reporting financial results fell to 8,195 in the quarter, down from 8,247 reporters in the first quarter. Thirty-nine institutions were merged into other institutions during the quarter, twenty-four institutions failed, and there were twelve new charters added.  During the quarter, the number of institutions on the FDIC’s “Problem List” increased from 305 to 416, and the combined assets of “problem” institutions rose from $220.0 billion to $299.8 billion. This is the largest number of “problem” institutions since June 30, 1994, and the largest amount of assets on the list since December 31, 1993.

22

 
Critical Accounting Policies

The discussion contained in this Item 2 and other disclosures included within this report are based, in part, on the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements.  These statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  The financial information contained in these statements is, for the most part, based on the financial effects of transactions and events that have already occurred. However, the preparation of these statements requires management to make certain estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses.

The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” contained in the Company’s Annual Report.  Based on its consideration of accounting policies that involve the most complex and subjective estimates and judgments, management has identified its most critical accounting policies to be those related to the allowance for loan losses, valuation of other real estate owned and the assessment of other-than-temporary impairment of certain financial instruments.

Allowance for loan losses

The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses that is treated as an expense and charged against earnings.  Loans are charged against the allowance for loan losses when management believes that collectability of the principal is unlikely. The Company has policies and procedures for evaluating the overall credit quality of its loan portfolio, including timely identification of potential problem loans.  On a quarterly basis, management reviews the appropriate level for the allowance for loan losses incorporating a variety of risk considerations, both quantitative and qualitative.  Quantitative factors include the Company’s historical loss experience, delinquency and charge-off trends, collateral values, known information about individual loans and other factors.  Qualitative factors include the general economic environment in the Company’s market area.  To the extent actual results differ from forecasts and management’s judgment, the allowance for loan losses may be greater or lesser than future charge-offs.

Other Real Estate Owned

Real estate properties acquired through or in lieu of foreclosure are initially recorded at the fair value less estimated selling cost at the date of foreclosure.  Any write-downs based on the asset’s fair value at the date of acquisition are charged to the allowance for loan losses.  After foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and property held for sale is carried at the lower of the new cost basis or fair value less cost to sell.  Impairment losses on these properties are measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a property exceeds its fair value.  Costs of significant property improvements are capitalized, whereas costs relating to holding property are expensed.  The portion of interest costs relating to development of real estate is capitalized.  Valuations are periodically performed by management, and any subsequent write-downs are recorded as a charge to operations, if necessary, to reduce the carrying value of a property to the lower of its cost basis or fair value less cost to sell. This evaluation is inherently subjective and requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revisions as more information becomes available.  Due to potential changes in conditions, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in fair values will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the Company’s financial statements.

23

 
Other-Than-Temporary Impairment of Investment Securities

Declines in the fair value of available-for-sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other-than-temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses.  In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers (1) the intent to sell the investment securities and the more likely than not requirement that the Company will be required to sell the investment securities prior to recovery (2) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost and (3) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer.  Due to potential changes in conditions, it is at least reasonably possible that change in management’s assessment of other-than-temporary impairment will occur in the near term and that such changes could be material to the amounts reported in the Company’s financial statements.

24

 
Income Statement Review for the Three Months ended September 30, 2009

The following highlights a comparative discussion of the major components of net income and their impact for the three month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:

AVERAGE BALANCES AND INTEREST RATES

The following two tables are used to calculate the Company’s net interest margin.  The first table includes the Company’s average assets and the related income to determine the average yield on earning assets.  The second table includes the average liabilities and related expense to determine the average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities.  The net interest margin is equal to the interest income less the interest expense divided by average earning assets.

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND INTEREST RATES

   
Three Months ended September 30,
 
                                     
   
2009
   
2008
 
                                     
   
Average
   
Revenue/
   
Yield/
   
Average
   
Revenue/
   
Yield/
 
   
balance
   
expense
   
rate
   
balance
   
expense
   
rate
 
ASSETS
                                   
(dollars in thousands)
                                   
Interest-earning assets
                                   
Loans 1
                                   
Commercial
  $ 64,266     $ 808       5.03 %   $ 85,821     $ 1,230       5.73 %
Agricultural
    35,378       532       6.01 %     30,469       520       6.83 %
Real estate
    299,809       4,409       5.88 %     321,966       5,124       6.37 %
Consumer and other
    25,397       347       5.47 %     24,422       363       5.95 %
                                                 
Total loans (including fees)
    424,850       6,096       5.74 %     462,678       7,237       6.26 %
                                                 
Investment securities
                                               
Taxable
    222,138       2,013       3.63 %     205,033       2,533       4.94 %
Tax-exempt  2
    152,033       1,963       5.16 %     133,365       2,056       6.17 %
Total investment securities
    374,170       3,976       4.25 %     338,398       4,589       5.42 %
                                                 
Interest bearing deposits with banks
    30,188       137       1.81 %     5,224       59       4.52 %
Federal funds sold
    1,170       1       0.23 %     1,687       16       3.79 %
                                                 
Total interest-earning assets
    830,379     $ 10,210       4.92 %     807,987     $ 11,901       5.89 %
                                                 
Noninterest-earning assets
    49,333                       36,964                  
                                                 
                                                 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 879,712                     $ 844,951                  

1 Average loan balance includes nonaccrual loans, if any.  Interest income collected on nonaccrual loans has been included.
2 Tax-exempt income has been adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis using an incremental tax rate of 35%.

25

 
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND INTEREST RATES

   
Three Months ended September 30,
 
                                     
   
2009
   
2008
 
                                     
   
Average
   
Revenue/
   
Yield/
   
Average
   
Revenue/
   
Yield/
 
   
balance
   
expense
   
rate
   
balance
   
expense
   
rate
 
LIABILITIES AND
                                   
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                   
(dollars in thousands)
                                   
Interest-bearing liabilities
                                   
Deposits
                                   
Savings, NOW accounts, and money markets
  $ 348,132     $ 367       0.42 %   $ 311,207     $ 894       1.15 %
Time deposits < $100,000
    155,505       1,055       2.71 %     166,718       1,528       3.67 %
Time deposits > $100,000
    86,516       543       2.51 %     91,710       867       3.78 %
Total deposits
    590,153       1,966       1.33 %     569,635       3,289       2.31 %
Other borrowed funds
    89,899       454       2.02 %     83,495       558       2.67 %
                                                 
Total Interest-bearing liabilities
    680,052       2,420       1.42 %     653,130       3,847       2.36 %
                                                 
Noninterest-bearing liabilities
                                               
Demand deposits
    84,163                       77,776                  
Other liabilities
    5,753                       7,223                  
                                                 
Stockholders' equity
    109,743                       106,822                  
                                                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
                                               
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  $ 879,712                     $ 844,951                  
                                                 
                                                 
Net interest income
          $ 7,790       3.75 %           $ 8,054       3.99 %
                                                 
Spread Analysis
                                               
Interest income/average assets
  $ 10,210       4.64 %           $ 11,901       5.63 %        
Interest expense/average assets
  $ 2,420       1.10 %           $ 3,847       1.82 %        
Net interest income/average assets
  $ 7,790       3.54 %           $ 8,054       3.81 %        

Net Interest Income

For the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company's net interest margin adjusted for tax exempt income was 3.75% and 3.99%, respectively.  Net interest income, prior to the adjustment for tax-exempt income, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 totaled $7,103,000 compared to the $7,334,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008.

For the three months ended September 30, 2009, interest income decreased $1,658,000 or 14.8% when compared to the same period in 2008.  The decrease from 2008 was primarily attributable to lower loan and investment securities average yields and lower average balances of loans in the current period, offset in part by higher average balances of investment securities.

Interest expense decreased $1,428,000 or 37.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008.  The lower interest expense for the period is primarily attributable to lower average time deposit balances and lower average rates paid on deposits in comparison to the same period in 2008.

26

 
Provision for Loan Losses

The Company’s provision for loan losses for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was $635,000 compared to a provision for loan losses of $74,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008.  The increase is primarily attributable to specific allowance for loan losses on impaired loans and worsening economic conditions primarily associated with the Company’s commercial real estate loans, offset in part by decreases in the outstanding loans.  Net charge-offs of $23,000 were realized in the three months ended September 30, 2009 and compare to net charge-offs of $20,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008.

Non-interest Income and Expense

Non-interest income increased $6,484,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 primarily as the result of lower securities transactions losses as previously detailed.  Excluding net security gains and other-than-temporary impairment write downs on certain investment securities for the three months ending September 30, 2009 and 2008, non-interest income increased $119,000, or 8.7%.

Non-interest expense increased $1,185,000 or 27.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 primarily as the result of FDIC insurance assessments due to increasing quarterly deposit assessment rates and write-downs of certain other real estate owned.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes expense (credit) for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was $747,000 and ($1,194,000), representing an effective tax rate (credit) of 22% and (101)%, respectively.  The higher pretax earnings in 2009 and the effect of income from tax exempt securities lead to the higher effective tax rate in comparison to same period in 2008.

27

 
Income Statement Review for the nine months ended September 30, 2009

The following highlights a comparative discussion of the major components of net income and their impact for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:

AVERAGE BALANCES AND INTEREST RATES

The following two tables are used to calculate the Company’s net interest margin.  The first table includes the Company’s average assets and the related income to determine the average yield on earning assets.  The second table includes the average liabilities and related expense to determine the average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities.  The net interest margin is equal to the interest income less the interest expense divided by average earning assets.

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND INTEREST RATES

   
Nine Months ended September 30,
 
                                     
   
2009
   
2008
 
                                     
   
Average
   
Revenue/
   
Yield/
   
Average
   
Revenue/
   
Yield/
 
   
balance
   
expense
   
rate
   
balance
   
expense
   
rate
 
ASSETS
                                   
(dollars in thousands)
                                   
Interest-earning assets
                                   
Loans 1
                                   
Commercial
  $ 69,362     $ 2,650       5.09 %   $ 83,809     $ 3,817       6.07 %
Agricultural
    35,461       1,614       6.07 %     31,218       1,655       7.07 %
Real estate
    308,543       13,768       5.95 %     327,785       15,820       6.44 %
Consumer and other
    25,020       1,064       5.67 %     24,206       1,095       6.03 %
                                                 
Total loans (including fees)
    438,387       19,097       5.81 %     467,018       22,387       6.39 %
                                                 
Investment securities
                                               
Taxable
    207,513       6,296       4.05 %     204,253       7,699       5.03 %
Tax-exempt  2
    140,149       5,740       5.46 %     139,161       6,722       6.44 %
Total investment securities
    347,662       12,036       4.62 %     343,414       14,421       5.60 %
                                                 
Interest bearing deposits with banks
    24,599       323       1.75 %     3,191       128       5.35 %
Federal funds sold
    13,689       20       0.19 %     8,575       150       2.33 %
                                                 
Total interest-earning assets
    824,337     $ 31,476       5.09 %     822,198     $ 37,086       6.01 %
                                                 
Noninterest-earning assets
    47,425                       41,674                  
                                                 
                                                 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 871,762                     $ 863,872                  

1 Average loan balance includes nonaccrual loans, if any.  Interest income collected on nonaccrual loans has been included.
2 Tax-exempt income has been adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis using an incremental tax rate of 35%.

28

 
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND INTEREST RATES

   
Nine Months ended September 30,
 
                                     
   
2009
   
2008
 
                                     
   
Average
   
Revenue/
   
Yield/
   
Average
   
Revenue/
   
Yield/
 
   
balance
   
expense
   
rate
   
balance
   
expense
   
rate
 
LIABILITIES AND
                                   
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                   
(dollars in thousands)
                                   
Interest-bearing liabilities
                                   
Deposits
                                   
Savings, NOW accounts, and money markets
  $ 349,907     $ 1,287       0.49 %   $ 318,577     $ 2,975       1.25 %
Time deposits < $100,000
    159,148       3,523       2.95 %     171,879       5,179       4.02 %
Time deposits > $100,000
    83,257       1,780       2.85 %     101,425       3,210       4.22 %
Total deposits
    592,312       6,591       1.48 %     591,881       11,364       2.56 %
Other borrowed funds
    85,229       1,399       2.19 %     76,992       1,687       2.92 %
                                                 
Total Interest-bearing liabilities
    677,541       7,989       1.57 %     668,873       13,051       2.60 %
                                                 
Noninterest-bearing liabilities
                                               
Demand deposits
    81,870                       76,578                  
Other liabilities
    5,491                       8,404                  
                                                 
Stockholders' equity
    106,861                       110,017                  
                                                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
                                               
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  $ 871,762                     $ 863,872                  
                                                 
                                                 
Net interest income
          $ 23,487       3.80 %           $ 24,035       3.90 %
                                                 
Spread Analysis
                                               
Interest income/average assets
  $ 31,476       4.81 %           $ 37,086       5.72 %        
Interest expense/average assets
  $ 7,989       1.22 %           $ 13,051       2.01 %        
Net interest income/average assets
  $ 23,487       3.59 %           $ 24,035       3.71 %        

Net Interest Income

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company's net interest margin adjusted for tax exempt income was 3.80% and 3.90%, respectively.  Net interest income, prior to the adjustment for tax-exempt income, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 decreased $204,000 and totaled $21,478,000 compared to the $21,682,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, interest income decreased $5,266,000 or 15.2% when compared to the same period in 2008.  The decrease was primarily attributable to lower loan and investment securities average yields and lower average balances of loans in the current period than the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Interest expense decreased $5,062,000 or 38.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008.  The lower interest expense for the period is attributable to lower average time deposit balances and lower average rates paid on deposits and other borrowings in comparison to the same period in 2008.

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Provision for Loan Losses

The Company recorded a provision for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 of $1,191,000 compared to a provision for loan losses of $1,002,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 due primarily to specific allowance for loan losses on impaired loans and worsening economic conditions primarily associated with the Company’s commercial real estate loans, offset in part by decreases in the outstanding loans.  Net charge-offs of $670,000 were recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and compare to net charge-offs of $120,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  The increase in the charge-offs was primarily related to a commercial real estate loan for which collateral was repossessed in the second quarter of 2009.

Non-interest Income and Expense

Non-interest income increased $7,843,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 primarily as the result of securities transactions previously detailed.  Excluding net security gains and other-than-temporary impairment write down on certain investment securities for the nine months ending September 30, 2009 and 2008, non-interest income increased $189,000, or 4.5%.

Non-interest expense increased $3,022,000 or 23.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 primarily as the result of FDIC insurance assessments due to increasing quarterly deposit assessment rates and a special assessment in 2009 and other real estate owned costs, primarily due to write-downs of certain other real estate owned.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was $2,085,000 and $307,000, representing an effective tax rate of 22% and 6%, respectively.  The higher pretax earnings in 2009 and the effect of income from tax exempt securities lead to the higher effective tax rate in comparison to same period in 2008.

Balance Sheet Review

As of September 30, 2009, total assets were $881,204,000, a $23,063,000 increase compared to December 31, 2008.  The increase in deposits and a decrease in the loan portfolio, federal funds sold and cash and due from banks, funded an increase in securities available-for-sale and interest bearing deposits in financial institutions.  The decrease in the loan portfolio is due in part to a decrease in loan demand.

Investment Portfolio

The investment portfolio totaled $372,917,000 as of September 30, 2009, 19.1% higher than the December 31, 2008 balance of $313,014,000.  This increase in the investment portfolio was primarily due to increases of $39.9 million in U.S. government agencies, $14.2 million in U.S. government mortgage-backed securities and $38.4 million in state and political subdivisions, offset in part by a decrease of $29.1 million in corporate bonds.  The Company reduced the corporate bond portfolio in order to lower the credit and market risk exposure in that portfolio.

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On a quarterly basis, the investment securities portfolio is reviewed for other-than-temporary impairment.  As of September 30, 2009, existing gross unrealized losses of $1,775,000 are considered to be temporary in nature due to market interest rate fluctuations and other factors, rather than deteriorations in the credit component of the securities.  As a result of the Company’s favorable liquidity position, the Company does not have the intent to sell impaired securities and management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will hold these securities until recovery of their cost basis to avoid considering an impairment to be other-than-temporary.

Loan Portfolio

The loan portfolio declined $36,731,000, or 8.1%, during the nine months as net loans totaled $416,149,000 as of September 30, 2009 compared to $452,880,000 as of December 31, 2008.  The decrease in loan volume is due to a weakening of loan demand in 2009.

Deposits

Deposits totaled $678,591,000 as of September 30, 2009, an increase of $13,796,000 from December 31, 2008.  The increase is attributed to increases in NOW, savings and money market accounts, offset in part by decreases in demand accounts and time deposits, partly as a result of lower market rates.  The increase in deposits is due to increases in public fund and retail core deposits, offset in part by a decrease in commercial core deposits.

Federal Funds Purchased and Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase totaled $45,268,000 as of September 30, 2009, $6,759,000 higher than December 31, 2008.  The increase is primarily due to an increase in federal funds purchased and an increase in one commercial customer’s securities sold under agreement to repurchase.

Other Borrowed Funds

Long-term borrowings totaled $39,500,000 as of September 30, 2009, $4,000,000 lower than December 31, 2008.  The decrease is attributable to pay downs of Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company is party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business.  These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.  These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet.  No material changes in the Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements have occurred since December 31, 2008.

Asset Quality Review and Credit Risk Management

The Company’s credit risk is historically centered in the loan portfolio, which on September 30, 2009 totaled $416,149,000 compared to $452,880,000 as of December 31, 2008.  Net loans comprise 47% of total assets as of September 30, 2009.  The object in managing loan portfolio risk is to reduce the risk of loss resulting from a customer’s failure to perform according to the terms of a transaction and to quantify and manage credit risk on a portfolio basis.  The Company’s level of problem loans (consisting of non-accrual loans and loans past due 90 days or more) as a percentage of total loans of 2.69%, is lower than the Company’s peer group (453 bank holding companies with assets of $500 million to $1 billion) of 2.86% as of June 30, 2009.

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Impaired loans, net of specific reserves, totaled $9,967,000 as of September 30, 2009 compared to impaired loans of $6,253,000 as of December 31, 2008.  The increase in impaired loans from December 31, 2008 to September 30, 2009, is due primarily to worsening economic conditions in the development and commercial real estate markets.  A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payment of principal and interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due.  The Company applies its normal loan review procedures to identify loans that should be evaluated for impairment.  As of September 30, 2009, non-accrual loans totaled $10,865,000; loans past due 90 days and still accruing totaled $563,000.  This compares to non-accrual loans of $7,384,000 and loans past due 90 days and still accruing of $208,000 on June 30, 2009 and non-accrual loans of $6,339,000 and loans past due 90 days and still accruing of $469,000 on December 31, 2008.  Other real estate owned totaled $12,802,000 as of September 30, 2009 and $13,334,000 as of December 31, 2008.

The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of outstanding loans as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 was 1.72% and 1.47%, respectively. The allowance for loan losses totaled $7,300,000 and $6,779,000 as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  Net charge-offs for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 totaled $670,000 compared to net charge-offs of $120,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

The allowance for loan losses is management’s best estimate of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date.  Factors considered in establishing an appropriate allowance include: an assessment of the financial condition of the borrower, a realistic determination of value and adequacy of underlying collateral, the condition of the local economy and the condition of the specific industry of the borrower, an analysis of the levels and trends of loan categories and a review of delinquent and classified loans.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity management is the process by which the Company, through its Banks’ Asset and Liability Committees (ALCO), ensures that adequate liquid funds are available to meet its financial commitments on a timely basis, at a reasonable cost and within acceptable risk tolerances. These commitments include funding credit obligations to borrowers, funding of mortgage originations pending delivery to the secondary market, withdrawals by depositors, maintaining adequate collateral for pledging for public funds, trust deposits and borrowings, paying dividends to shareholders, payment of operating expenses, funding capital expenditures and maintaining deposit reserve requirements.

Liquidity is derived primarily from core deposit growth and retention; principal and interest payments on loans; principal and interest payments, sale, maturity and prepayment of investment securities; net cash provided from operations; and access to other funding sources. Other funding sources include federal funds purchased lines, Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances and other capital market sources.

As of September 30, 2009, the level of liquidity and capital resources of the Company remain at a satisfactory level and compare favorably to that of other FDIC insured institutions.  Management believes that the Company's liquidity sources will be sufficient to support its existing operations for the foreseeable future.

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The liquidity and capital resources discussion will cover the following topics:

Review the Company’s Current Liquidity Sources
Review of the Statements of Cash Flows
Company Only Cash Flows
Review of Commitments for Capital Expenditures, Cash Flow Uncertainties and Known Trends in Liquidity and Cash Flows Needs
Capital Resources

Review of the Company’s Current Liquidity Sources

Liquid assets of cash and due from banks, federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits in financial institutions as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 totaled $49,385,000 and $51,631,000, respectively.  A lower level of federal funds sold and cash and due from banks, offset in part by a higher level of interest bearing deposits in financial institutions was the primary reason for the decrease.

Other sources of liquidity available to the Banks as of September 30, 2009 include outstanding lines of credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, Iowa of $74,894,000, with $19,500,000 of outstanding FHLB advances at September 30, 2009.  Federal funds borrowing capacity at correspondent banks was $108,331,000, with $3,000,000 of outstanding federal fund balances as of September 30, 2009. The Company had securities sold under agreements to repurchase totaling $42,268,000 and long-term repurchase agreements of $20,000,000 as of September 30, 2009.

Total investments as of September 30, 2009 were $372,917,000 compared to $313,014,000 as of December 31, 2008.   These investments provide the Company with a significant amount of liquidity since all of the investments are classified as available-for-sale as of September 30, 2009.

The investment portfolio serves an important role in the overall context of balance sheet management in terms of balancing capital utilization and liquidity. The decision to purchase or sell securities is based upon the current assessment of economic and financial conditions, including the interest rate environment, liquidity and credit considerations. The portfolio’s scheduled maturities represent a significant source of liquidity.

Review of Statements of Cash Flows

Cash flows provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 totaled $5,150,000 compared to the $8,885,000 provided for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily related to changes in net securities gains, other-than-temporary impairment on investment securities, increases in other assets and impairment of other real estate owned.

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $(23,534,000) and compares to $9,822,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease in cash flows used in investing activities was primarily due to changes in securities available-for-sale and interest bearing deposits in financial institutions, offset by changes in federal funds sold and loans.

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 totaled $11,005,000 compared to $(17,536,000) for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  The increase in net cash provided by financing activities was primarily due to changes in deposits, offset in part by the change in long-term borrowings and federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase.  As of September 30, 2009, the Company did not have any external debt financing, off-balance sheet financing arrangements, or derivative instruments linked to its stock.

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Company Only Cash Flows

The Company’s liquidity on an unconsolidated basis is heavily dependent upon dividends paid to the Company by the Banks. The Company requires adequate liquidity to pay its expenses and pay stockholder dividends. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, dividends paid by the Banks to the Company amounted to $2,760,000 compared to $6,648,000 for the same period in 2008.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company contributed additional capital to First National Bank in the amount of $850,000.  Various federal and state statutory provisions limit the amounts of dividends banking subsidiaries are permitted to pay to their holding companies without regulatory approval.  Federal Reserve policy further limits the circumstances under which bank holding companies may declare dividends. For example, a bank holding company should not continue its existing rate of cash dividends on its common stock unless its net income is sufficient to fully fund each dividend and its prospective rate of earnings retention appears consistent with its capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. In addition, the Federal Reserve and the FDIC have issued policy statements, which provide that insured banks and bank holding companies should generally pay dividends only out of current operating earnings.  Federal and state banking regulators may also restrict the payment of dividends by order.  First National, which paid dividends in 2008 in the amount of $5,184,000, has not paid any dividends to the Company in 2009, thus reducing substantially the dividends the Company will receive from the Banks during 2009.  In response, and in an effort to conserve capital during the current period of economic uncertainty, the board of directors of the Company reduced the quarterly dividend declared by the Company from $0.28 per share in 2008 to $0.10 per share in 2009.

The Company has unconsolidated interest bearing deposits and marketable investment securities totaling $6,603,000 as of September 30, 2009 that are presently available to provide additional liquidity to the Banks.

Review of Commitments for Capital Expenditures, Cash Flow Uncertainties and Known Trends in Liquidity and Cash Flows Needs

No material capital expenditures or material changes in the capital resource mix are anticipated at this time.  The primary cash flow uncertainty would be a sudden decline in deposits causing the Banks to liquidate securities.  Historically, the Banks have maintained an adequate level of short-term marketable investments to fund the temporary declines in deposit balances.  There are no known trends in liquidity and cash flow needs as of September 30, 2009 that are a concern to management.

Capital Resources

The Company’s total stockholders’ equity as of September 30, 2009 totaled $112,924,000 and was higher than the $103,837,000 recorded as of December 31, 2008.  At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, stockholders’ equity as a percentage of total assets was 12.81% and 12.10%, respectively.  The capital levels of the Company currently exceed applicable regulatory guidelines as of September 30, 2009.

34

 
Forward-Looking Statements and Business Risks

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides the Company with the opportunity to make cautionary statements regarding forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report, including forward-looking statements concerning the Company’s future financial performance and asset quality.  Any forward-looking statement contained in this Quarterly Report is based on management’s current beliefs, assumptions and expectations of the Company’s future performance, taking into account all information currently available to management.  These beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to management.  If a change occurs, the Company’s business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, asset quality, plans and objectives may vary materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.  The risks and uncertainties that may affect the actual results of the Company include, but are not limited to, the following:  economic conditions, particularly in the concentrated geographic area in which the Company and its affiliate banks operate; competitive products and pricing available in the marketplace; changes in credit and other risks posed by the Company’s loan and investment portfolios, including declines in commercial or residential real estate values or changes in the allowance for loan losses dictated by new market conditions or regulatory requirements; fiscal and monetary policies of the U.S. government; changes in governmental regulations affecting financial institutions (including regulatory fees and capital requirements); changes in prevailing interest rates; credit risk management and asset/liability management; the financial and securities markets; the availability of and cost associated with sources of liquidity; and other risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company’s business, including those discussed under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements and Business Risks” in the Company’s Annual Report.  Management intends to identify forward-looking statements when using words such as “believe”, “expect”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “should” or similar expressions.  Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements.  The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update such forward-looking statements to reflect current events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company's market risk is comprised primarily of interest rate risk arising from its core banking activities of lending and deposit taking.  Interest rate risk results from the changes in market interest rates which may adversely affect the Company's net interest income.  Management continually develops and applies strategies to mitigate this risk.  Management does not believe that the Company's primary market risk exposure and how it has been managed year-to-date in 2009 changed significantly when compared to 2008.

Item 4.
Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended).  Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

35

 
There was no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company's last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.


PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings

Not applicable

Item 1.A.
Risk Factors

The following paragraphs supplement the discussion under Items 1A “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report:

Regulatory concerns.

On March 16, 2009, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) informed the Company’s lead bank, First National, of the OCC’s decision to establish individual minimum capital ratios for First National in excess of the capital ratios that would otherwise be imposed under applicable regulatory standards.  The OCC is requiring First National to maintain, on an ongoing basis, Tier 1 Leverage Capital of 9% of Adjusted Total Assets and Total Risk Based Capital of 11% of Risk-Weighted Assets.  As of September 30, 2009, First National exceeded the 9% Tier 1 and 11% Risk Based capital requirements.  Failure to maintain the individual minimum capital ratios established by the OCC could result in additional regulatory action against First National.

On July 16, 2008, First National entered into an informal Memorandum of Understanding with the OCC regarding First National’s commercial real estate loan portfolio, including actions to be taken with respect to commercial real estate risk management procedures, credit underwriting and administration, appraisal and evaluation processes, problem loan management, credit risk ratings recognition and loan review procedures.  Since entering into the Memorandum, management has been actively pursuing the corrective actions required by the Memorandum in an effort to address the deficiencies noted in administration of its commercial real estate loan portfolio.  In the event the OCC determines, through future examination of First National, that the specific actions required by the Memorandum have not been successfully implemented, a more formal enforcement action may be initiated by the OCC.

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

Not applicable

Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable

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

Not applicable

36

 
Item 5.
Other Information

Not Applicable

Item 6.
Exhibits

31.1
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
32.2
Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

37

 
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.


 
      AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION
   
DATE: November 6, 2009
By:  /s/ Thomas H. Pohlman
   
 
Thomas H. Pohlman, President
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
   
 
By:  /s/ John P. Nelson
   
 
John P. Nelson, Vice President
 
(Principal Financial Officer)

38

 
EXHIBIT INDEX

The following exhibits are filed herewith:

Exhibit No.
 
Description
     
 
-Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
 
-Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
 
-Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
 
-Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
 
 
39