UNITED STATES

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549


FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[X]    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

 SECURITES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2009


OR


[  ]   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

 SECURITES  EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the transition period from _______________ to __________________.


Commission File No.  0-13660


Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)


                    Florida                   

                 59-2260678              

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

  

815 COLORADO AVENUE, STUART FL

    34994    

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)


                     (772) 287-4000                    

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

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


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


Large Accelerated Filer  [  ]

Accelerated Filer  [X]

  

Non-Accelerated Filer    [  ]

Small 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  [X]


Common Stock, $.10 Par Value – 19,157,900 shares as of April 30, 2009


1










INDEX


SEACOAST BANKING CORPORATION OF FLORIDA



Part I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

PAGE #

    

Item 1.

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

  
    
 

Condensed consolidated balance sheets –

September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007

 

3-4

    
 

Condensed consolidated statements of income  –

Three months and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007

 

5

    
 

Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows  –

Nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007

 

6-7

    
 

Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

8-14

    

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

15-41

    

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

41

    

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

41

    

Part II

OTHER INFORMATION

  
    

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

42

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

 

42

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

42

Item 3.

Defaults upon Senior Securities

 

42

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

42

Item 5.

Other Information

 

42

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

43

    

SIGNATURES

  

43




2










Part I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)


Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida and Subsidiaries


(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)

 

March 31,

2009

December 31,

2008

ASSETS

   

Cash and due from banks

 

$39,260

$46,002

Interest bearing deposits with other banks

 

105,312

100,585

Federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits

 

4,919

4,605

Total cash and cash equivalents

 

149,491

151,192

Securities:

   

Available for sale (at fair value)

 

349,181

318,030

Held for investment (fair values: $25,639 at March 31, 2009 and $26,109 at December 31, 2008)

 

26,655

27,871

TOTAL SECURITIES

 

375,836

345,901

Loans held for sale

 

8,196

2,165

Loans

 

1,632,577

1,676,728

Less:  Allowance for loan losses

 

(32,500)

(29,388)

NET LOANS

 

1,600,077

1,647,340

Bank premises and equipment, net

 

43,685

44,122

Other real estate owned

 

12,684

5,035

Goodwill and other intangible assets

 

54,879

55,193

Other assets

 

64,085

63,488

  

$2,308,933

$2,314,436

LIABILITIES

   

Deposits

 

$1,814,308

$1,810,441

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase, maturing within 30 days

 

152,947

157,496

Borrowed funds

 

65,239

65,302

Subordinated debt

 

53,610

53,610

Other liabilities

 

9,123

11,586

  

2,095,227

2,098,435



3











CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued)  (Unaudited)


Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida and Subsidiaries


(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)

 

March 31,

2009

December 31, 2008

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

   

Preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, authorized 4,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 2000 shares of Series A

 

44,100

43,787

Warrant for purchase of shares of common stock at $6.36 per share

 

5,900

0

Common stock, par value $0.10 per share, authorized 35,000,000 shares, issued 19,258,632 and outstanding 19,149,828 shares at March 31, 2009, issued 19,283,841 and outstanding 19,171,779 shares at December 31, 2008

 

1,915

1,928

Other shareholders’ equity

 

161,791

170,286

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

213,706

216,001

  

$2,308,933

$2,314,436



See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.



4










CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)                              

Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida and Subsidiaries


  

Three Months Ended

 
  

March 31,

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

2009

2008

  

Interest and fees on loans

 

$23,160

$31,182

  

Interest and dividends on securities

 

4,004

3,676

  

Interest on federal funds sold and other investments

 

148

297

  

TOTAL INTEREST INCOME

 

27,312

35,155

  

Interest on deposits

 

7,987

12,578

  

Interest on borrowed money

 

1,151

2,092

  

TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE

 

9,138

14,670

  

NET INTEREST INCOME

 

18,174

20,485

  

Provision for loan losses

 

11,652

5,500

  

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

 

6,522

14,985

  

Noninterest income

     

  Other income

 

4,756

6,162

  

TOTAL NONINTEREST INCOME

 

4,756

6,162

  

TOTAL NONINTEREST EXPENSES

 

19,109

18,684

  

(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

(7,831)

2,463

  

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

(3,071)

700

  

   NET (LOSS) INCOME

 

(4,760)

1,763

  

Preferred stock dividends and accretion of

  preferred stock discount

 

937

0

  

NET (LOSS) INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS

 

$ (5,697)

$   1,763

  
      
    

PER SHARE COMMON STOCK:

    

Net (loss) income diluted

$  (0.30)

$  0.09

  

Net (loss) income basic

(0.30)

0.09

  

Cash dividends declared

0.01

0.16

  
     

Average shares outstanding – diluted

19,069,437

19,046,420

  

Average shares outstanding – basic

19,069,437

18,928,375

  


See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


5










CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)


Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida and Subsidiaries

  

Three Months Ended

March 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

2009

2008

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

  

Cash flows from operating activities

  

Interest received

$27,129

$35,076

Fees and commissions received

4,795

6,239

Interest paid

(9,648)

(15,206)

Cash paid to suppliers and employees

(19,542)

(19,113)

Trading securities activity

0

5,000

Origination of loans held for sale

(45,936)

(57,031)

Proceeds of loans held for sale  

39,905

62,002

Net change in other assets

131

(90)

   

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

(3,166)

16,877

   

Cash flows from investing activities

  

Maturities of securities available for sale

9,485

12,267

Maturities of securities held for investment

1,217

838

Proceeds from sale of securities available for sale

250

400

Purchases of securities available for sale

(35,967)

(26)

Net new loans and principal repayments

27,314

10,702

Proceeds from the sale of other real estate owned

603

0

Proceeds from sale of Federal Home Loan Bank Stock and Federal Reserve Bank stock

181

0

Purchase of Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock

0

(155)

Additions to bank premises and equipment

(429)

(2,159)

Net cash provided by investing activities

2,654

21,867

   

Cash flows from financing activities

  

Net increase (decrease) in deposits

3,876

(41,578)

Net (decrease) increase in federal funds purchased and repurchase

  

repurchase agreements

(4,549)

6,796

Stock based employee benefit plans

64

96

Dividends paid

(580)

(3,029)

Net cash used in financing activities

(1,189)

(37,715)

   

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

(1,701)

1,029

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

151,192

98,475

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$149,491       

$ 99,504       


6










CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued) (Unaudited)


Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida and Subsidiaries

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

         2009

       2008

Reconciliation of net (loss) income to cash (used in) provided by  operating activities

  

Net (loss) income

$  (4,760)

$  1,763 

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:

  

Depreciation

886 

811 

Amortization (accretion) of premiums and discounts on securities

(147)

(161)

Other amortization and accretion

265 

96 

Trading securities activity

5,000 

Change in loans held for sale, net

(6,031)

4,971 

Provision for loan losses

11,652 

5,500 

Gain on sale of loans

(153)

(84)

Losses on sale and write-downs of other real estate owned

183 

134 

Loss on disposition of fixed assets

(20)

(89)

Change in interest receivable

15 

301 

Change in interest payable

(510)

(535)

Change in prepaid expenses

193 

35 

Change in accrued taxes

(2,874)

878 

Change in other assets

379 

(90)

Change in other liabilities

(2,079)

(1,653)

   

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

$(3,001)

$16,877

   

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities:

  

Fair value adjustment to available for sale securities

$4,610 

$2,294

Transfer of loans to other real estate owned

8,279 

318

   

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


7










NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) SEACOAST BANKING CORPORATION OF FLORIDA AND SUBSIDIARIES


NOTE A - BASIS OF PRESENTATION


The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U. S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U. S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  Operating results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2009.  For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.


Use of Estimates

The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements required the use of certain estimates by management in determining the Company’s assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.


The accounting policies that are particularly sensitive to judgments and the extent to which significant estimates are used include allowance for loan losses and the reserve for unfunded lending commitments, fair value of certain financial instruments, goodwill impairment, realization of deferred tax assets, and contingent liabilities.


NOTE B – RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS


In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. FAS 107-1 and Accounting Principles Board (APB) 28-1, Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, (FAS 107-1) to amend SFAS No. 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments and APB 28, Interim Financial Reporting. FAS 107-1 changes the reporting requirements on certain fair value disclosures of financial instruments to include interim reporting periods. FAS 107-1 is effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption encouraged. The Company is currently assessing the impact, if any, that the adoption of this pronouncement will have on the Company’s disclosures.


8










In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments, (FAS 115-2) to amend SFAS No 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities and SFAS No. 124, Accounting for Certain Investments Held by Not-for-Profit Organizations. FAS 115-2 expands other-than-temporary impairment guidance for debt securities to enhance the application of the guidance and improve the presentation and disclosure of other-than temporary impairments on debt and equity securities within the financial statements. FAS 115-2 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company is currently assessing the impact, if any, that the adoption of this pronouncement will have on the Company’s disclosures, operating results, financial position or cash flows.


In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 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, (FAS 157-4) to amend SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, (SFAS 157). FAS 157-4 provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with SFAS 157 when the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability has significantly decreased. In addition, FAS 157-4 includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly. FAS 157-4 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company believes that the adoption of FSP No. FAS 157-4 will not have a material effect on its results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (SFAS 161). SFAS 161 requires entities that utilize derivative contracts to provide qualitative disclosures about their objectives and strategies for using such instruments, as well as any details of credit-risk-related contingent features contained within derivatives. SFAS 161 also requires entities to disclose additional information about the amounts and location of derivatives located within the financial statements, how the provisions of SFAS 133 have been applied, and the impact that hedges have on an entity’s operating results, financial position or cash flows. The Company adopted SFAS 161 on January 1, 2009. There was no impact on the Company’s operating results, financial position or cash flows.  

In June 2008, the FASB issued Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) 03-6-1, Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities (EITF 03-6-1). EITF 03-6-1 clarifies that share-based payment awards that entitle their holders to receive non-forfeitable dividends or dividend equivalents before vesting should be considered participation securities. The adoption of EITF 03-6-1 on January 1, 2009 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s operating results, financial position or cash flows.


In December 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), Business Combinations, and No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements. These statements aim to improve, simplify and converge internationally the accounting for business combinations and the reporting of noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements. These statements are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. SFAS No. 141(R) will have an impact on the accounting for future acquisitions beginning in the fiscal year 2009. Significant changes include the capitalization of in process research and development (IPR&D), expensing of acquisition related restructuring actions and transaction related costs and the recognition of contingent purchase price consideration at fair value at the acquisition date. In addition, changes in accounting for deferred tax asset valuation allowances and acquired income tax uncertainties after the measurement period will be recognized in earnings rather than as an adjustment to the cost of acquisition. This accounting treatment for taxes is applicable to acquisitions that occurred both prior and subsequent to the adoption of SFAS No. 141(R). The adoption of SFAS No. 141(R) on January 1, 2009 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s operating results, financial position or cash flows.


9










NOTE C - COMPREHENSIVE INCOME


At March 31, 2009 and 2008, comprehensive income was as follows:


   

Three Months Ended

March 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

    

2009

 

2008

        

Net (loss) income

 

   

$(4,760)

 

$1,763

Unrealized gains on securities available for sale (net of tax)

    

2,826

 

1,419

Comprehensive (loss) income

 

   

$(1,934)  

 

$3,182  

        


NOTE D – BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE


Equivalent shares of 594,000 and 820,000 related to stock options and stock settled appreciation rights for the periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS because they would have been anti-dilutive.


10










   

Three Months Ended

March 31,

(Dollars in thousands,

except per share data)

  

2009

 

2008

Basic:

     

Net (loss) income available

     to common shareholders

 

$

(5,697)

$

1,763

Average shares outstanding

  

19,069,437  

 

18,928,375

Basic EPS

 

$

(0.30)

$

0.09

      

Diluted:

     

Net (loss) income available to common shareholders

 

$

(5,697)

$

1,763

Average shares outstanding

  

19,069,437  

 

18,928,375

Net effect of employee restricted stock, stock options and stock settled appreciation rights

  

0  

 

118,045

      

     TOTAL

  

19,069,437  

 

19,046,420

      

Diluted EPS

 

$

(0.30)

$

0.09


12










NOTE E – FAIR VALUE INSTRUMENTS MEASURED AT FAIR VALUE

 

In certain circumstances, fair value enables the Company to more accurately align its financial performance with the market value of actively traded or hedged assets and liabilities.  Fair values enable a company to mitigate the non-economic earnings volatility caused from financial assets and financial liabilities being carried at different bases of accounting, as well as to more accurately portray the active and dynamic management of a company’s balance sheet.  The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for that Asset is Not Active” on October 10, 2008 to amend and clarify SFAS 157.  Under SFAS 157, “Fair Value Measurements”, and SFAS 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities", fair value measurements for items measured at fair value at March 31, 2009 and 2008 included:

(Dollars in thousands)





Fair Value Measurements

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)





Significant Other

Observable Inputs

(Level 2)





Significant

Unobservable

 Inputs

(Level 3)

March 31, 2009

  

       

       

Available for sale securities

    $349,181

        

  $349,181        

        

Loans held for sale

        8,196

 

          $8,196

 

Loans (2)

42,404

 

11,840

      $30,564    

Derivative product assets

           239

 

    239

   

Other real estate owned (1)

           12,684

 

            12,684

 
     

March 31, 2008

  

       

       

Trading securities

   $   8,994

        $    8,994

  

Available for sale securities

    254,395

          254,395

        

        

Loans held for sale

        3,889

 

          $3,889

 

Loans (2)

23,670

 

843

 $  22,827

Derivative product assets

           307

 

    307

   

Other real estate owned (1)

           940

 

               940

 



(1)       Fair value is measured on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with SFAS No. 144.

(2)        See Note F.  Nonrecurring fair value adjustments to loans identified as impaired reflect full or partial write-downs that are based on the loan’s observable market price or current appraised value of the collateral in accordance with SFAS 114, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan.  When appraisals are used to determine fair value and the appraisals are based on a market approach, the related loan’s fair value is classified as Level 2 input.  The fair value of loans based on appraisals which require significant adjustments to market-based valuation inputs or apply an income approach based on unobservable cash flows, are classified as Level 3 inputs.  


For trading securities, derivative product assets and liabilities, and loans held for sale, the realized and unrealized gains and losses are included in earnings in noninterest income or net interest income, as appropriate, and were not material for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008.


13










NOTE F – IMPAIRED LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES


At March 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company’s recorded investment in impaired loans and related valuation allowance was as follows:


   

2009

   

2008

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Recorded Investment

 

Valuation Allowance

 

Recorded Investment

 

Valuation Allowance

         

Impaired loans without

an allowance

 

$66

 

$0

 

$39,740

 

$0

Impaired loans with an allowance

 


116,706

 


6,632

 


25,266

 


1,596

Impaired loans

 

$116,772

 

$6,632

 

$65,006

 

$1,596


Impaired loans also include loans that have been modified in troubled debt restructurings where concessions to borrowers who experienced financial difficulties have been granted.


The valuation allowance is included in the allowance for loan losses.  The impaired loans were measured for impairment based primarily on the value of underlying collateral.  The majority of impaired loans are to residential real estate developers for construction and land development.  These relationships including the impaired balances have been and continue to be assessed and evaluated to determine the probable loan loss.  This evaluation includes obtaining current appraisal values for the property, assessing the value of personal guarantees and requires significant management judgment.  Depending on changes in circumstances involving each exposure, future assessments of probable losses may yield materially different results, which may result in a material increase or decrease in the allowance for loan losses.    


Interest payments received on impaired loans are recorded as interest income unless collection of the remaining recorded investment is doubtful at which time payments received are recorded as reductions to principal.


Nonaccrual loans and accruing loans past due 90 days or more at March 31, 2009 and 2008 were $109,381,000 and $4,484,000, respectively, for 2009 and $64,730,000 and $276,000, respectively for 2008.

NOTE G: CONTINGENCIES

The Company and its subsidiaries, because of the nature of their businesses, are at all times subject to numerous legal actions, threatened or filed.  Management presently believes that none of the legal proceedings to which it is a party are likely to have a materially adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, operating results or cash flows, although no assurance can be given with respect to the ultimate outcome of any such claim or litigation.

NOTE H:  REGULATORY CAPITAL

The Company is well capitalized.  To be categorized as well capitalized, the Company must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth above.  At December 31, 2008, the Company’s deposit-taking bank subsidiary met the risk-based capital and leverage ratio requirements for well capitalized banks under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

The Bank has agreed to maintain a Tier 1 capital (to adjust average assets) ratio of at least 7.50% and a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 12.00% as of March 31, 2009 with its primary regulator the OCC.  The agreement with the OCC as to minimum capital ratios does not change the Bank’s status as “well-capitalized” for bank regulatory purposes.


14










Item 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FIRST QUARTER 2009


The following discussion and analysis is designed to provide a better understanding of the significant factors related to the Company's results of operations and financial condition.  Such discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes attached thereto included in this report.


NEW OFFICES / CLOSURES


The Company’s banking subsidiary has consolidated, improved and opened a number of branch offices during 2009 and 2008.  Most recently, a new branch office in the same shopping plaza as our existing Wedgewood branch in Martin County but with better ingress and egress on a corner of U.S. Highway One replaced the existing office and opened January 20, 2009.  


During 2008, The Company’s banking subsidiary consolidated three branch locations in the first quarter; the Ft. Pierce Wal-Mart branch office in St. Lucie County was merged with an existing full service branch and closed on February 28, 2008, the Mariner Square branch in Martin County and the Juno Beach branch in Palm Beach County were consolidated with newer branches serving the same markets and were closed on March 31, 2008.  A new branch in western Port St. Lucie, Florida in an area with major retail development on Gatlin Boulevard, was opened in March 2008.  The Company also upgraded its Arcadia branch location in DeSoto County, significantly increasing this location’s size in April 2008.  A second branch in Brevard County on Murrell Road and a new, more accessible office replacing the Rivergate branch in St. Lucie County were constructed and opened on April 28, 2008 and June 9, 2008, respectively.  In addition, a new, more visible Ft. Pierce branch opened on October 22, 2008, replacing our prior location in Ft. Pierce that was sold, and building improvements at the Beachland office in Indian River County began in November 2008, with branch personnel moving to a separate, leased facility in close proximity.  


EARNINGS SUMMARY


Net loss available to common shareholders for the first quarter of 2009 totaled $(5,697,000) or $(0.30) per average common diluted share, compared to $(22,711,000) or $(1.19) per average common diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2008 and net income of $1,763,000 or $0.09 per average common diluted share in the first quarter of 2008.

  

As forecasted at the end of 2008, the net interest margin improved by 12 basis points during the first quarter of 2009 (from fourth quarter 2008) as the Company continued to benefit from lower rates paid for interest bearing liabilities due to the Federal Reserve Bank’s historic effort to rejuvenate the economy and limit the effect of the recession by reducing rates overall by 400 basis points since September 2007.  The average cost of interest bearing liabilities was 47 basis points lower for the first quarter of 2009, compared to fourth quarter 2008.  Results also indicate continued success in retail deposit growth initiatives, signs of stability for residential real estate in our markets with transaction activity improving during the first quarter of 2009, and the successful implementation of reductions in overhead, as predicted.  Noninterest expenses were $1.3 million lower than the fourth quarter of 2008, with legal and professional fees lower by $0.7 million.  Provisioning for loan losses was substantially lower than the fourth quarter of 2008, with the $11.6 million in provisioning for the first quarter of 2009 improving the Company’s allowance for loan losses to loans outstanding ratio to 1.99 percent but also reducing overall earnings for the first quarter of 2009.  


15










CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES


Management, after consultation with the Company’s Audit Committee, believes the most critical accounting estimates and assumptions that may affect the Company’s financial status and that involve the most difficult, subjective and complex assessments are:


the allowance and the provision for loan losses;

the fair value of securities;

realization of deferred tax assets;

goodwill impairment; and

contingent liabilities.


The following is a brief discussion of the critical accounting policies intended to facilitate a reader’s understanding of the judgments, estimates and assumptions underlying these accounting policies and the possible or likely events or uncertainties known to us that could have a material effect on our reported financial information.


Allowance and Provision for Loan Losses


The information contained on pages 20-23 and 29-36 related to the “Provision for Loan Losses”, “Loan Portfolio”, “Allowance for Loan Losses” and “Nonperforming Assets” is intended to describe the known trends, events and uncertainties which could materially impact the Company’s accounting estimates related to the Company’s allowance for loan losses.


Fair Value of Securities Classified as Trading and Available for Sale


The use of fair value accounting for financial instruments enables the Company to better align the financial results of those items with their economic value.   


At March 31, 2009, no trading securities were outstanding and available for sale securities totaled $349,181,000.  The fair value of the available for sale portfolio at March 31, 2009 was more than historical amortized cost, producing net unrealized gains of $7,955,000 that have been included in other comprehensive income as a component of shareholders’ equity.  The Company made no change to the valuation techniques used to determine the fair values during the first quarter of 2009.  The fair value of each security available for sale or trading was obtained from independent pricing sources utilized by many financial institutions.  However, actual values can only be determined in an arms-length transaction between a willing buyer and seller that can, and often do, vary from these reported values.  Furthermore, significant changes in recorded values due to changes in actual and perceived economic conditions can occur rapidly, producing greater unrealized losses or gains in the available for sale portfolio.


The credit quality of the Company’s security holdings is investment grade and higher and are traded in highly liquid markets.  Obligations of U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government agencies total $320 million, or 91.2 percent of the total portfolio.  The remainder of the portfolio consists of super senior AAA private label securities originated in 2005, 2004, and 2003 and obligations of state and political subdivisions.  The AAA private label securities are reviewed quarterly for any indication of other than temporary impairment.  The collateral underlying these investments is comprised of whole loan 30- and 15-year fixed rate and 10/1 adjustable rate mortgages; the mortgages comprising the collateral for these securities have had minimal foreclosures and no losses.  Changes in the fair values, as a result of deteriorating economic conditions and credit spread changes, should only be temporary.  Further, management believes that the Company’s other sources of liquidity, as well as the cash flow from principal and interest payments from the securities portfolio, reduces the risk that losses would be realized as a result of needed liquidity from the securities portfolio.


16










Realization of Deferred Tax Assets   


Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Seacoast National Bank, had a state deferred tax asset (“DTA”) of $5.5 million at December 31, 2008, reflecting the benefit of $101.3 million in net operating loss (“NOL”) carry-forwards, which will expire between 2027 and 2028.  This deferred state tax asset resulted from a large provision for loan losses in 2008 related to Seacoast National Bank’s residential construction and land development loan portfolio.  Early recognition of and aggressive responses to unprecedented economic conditions resulted in dramatically higher loan loss provisions and negative earnings for Seacoast National Bank during 2008.  The realistic and timely recognition of market conditions allowed for realignment of resources early in 2008 and the achievement of rapid reductions in residential construction and land development loan exposures which at March 31, 2009 continue to decline, totaling 7.2 percent of total loans compared to 7.8 percent at December 31, 2008 and 20.2 percent at their peak during 2007.  Management believes that loan loss provisions will likely be much lower in the future over the 20-year carry forward period for state NOLs.  Seacoast National Bank has been through other similar economic cycles in the past where provisioning for loan losses has been elevated followed by periods of lower risk and little to no loan loss provisioning.  It is management’s opinion that Seacoast National Bank’s future taxable income will allow the recovery of the NOL, and the utilization of its deferred tax assets.  


As a result of the losses incurred in 2008, the Company was in a three-year cumulative pretax loss position at December 31, 2008.  A cumulative loss position is considered significant negative evidence in assessing the realizability of a DTA.  The use of the Company’s forecast of future taxable income was not considered positive evidence which could be used to offset the negative evidence at this time given the uncertain economic conditions.  Therefore, a valuation allowance of $5.5 million was recorded related to the Company’s state deferred tax asset at December 31, 2008.  There was no change in the valuation allowance recorded at March 31, 2009.


Goodwill Impairment


The Company’s goodwill is tested periodically for impairment.  The amount of goodwill at March 31, 2009 totaled $49.8 million, and results from the acquisitions of three separate community banks whose operations have been fully integrated into one operating subsidiary bank of the Company.  


The assessment as to the continued value for goodwill involves judgments, assumptions and estimates regarding the future.  At March 31, 2009, the Company’s closing price per share in the open market approximated 34.2 percent of book value per share, which was considered as a possible indication of impairment. The Company enlisted the assistance of an independent third party to assist in determining the Company’s fair value in December, 2008.  In performing the analysis, management considered the make-up of assets and liabilities (loan and deposit composition), scarcity value, capital ratios, market share, credit quality, control premiums, the type of financial institution, its overall size, the various markets in which the institution conducts business, as well as, profitability.  Based upon the results of this analysis, using discounted cash flow as well as change in control valuation methods, management concluded that goodwill had suffered no impairment.  Bank stocks traded in a relatively wide range during 2008 and during the first quarter 2009.  The Company’s stock price has been more volatile, but management believes the decline or rise in its stock price is reflective of general market factors affecting the banking industry as a whole and is unrelated to goodwill impairment.  Management updated its analysis and reaffirmed at March 31, 2009 that goodwill had suffered no impairment.  Management will continue to periodically test goodwill for impairment, and during this period of economic stress and uncertainty, this could result in a future determination that goodwill is impaired.


The Company’s highly visible local market orientation and strong local deposit base, combined with a wide range of products and services and favorable demographics, provides the Company with a wide range of opportunities to increase sales volumes, both to existing and prospective customers, resulting in increasing profitability in these markets over the long term.  


17










Contingent Liabilities


The Company is subject to contingent liabilities, including judicial, regulatory and arbitration proceedings, tax and other claims arising from the conduct of our business activities.  These proceedings include actions brought against the Company and/or our subsidiaries with respect to transactions in which the Company and/or our subsidiaries acted as a lender, a financial advisor, a broker or acted in a related activity.  Accruals are established for legal and other claims when it becomes probable the Company will incur an expense and the amount can be reasonably estimated.  The Company management, together with attorneys, consultants and other professionals, assesses probability and estimates of any amounts involved in a contingency.  Throughout the life of a contingency, the Company or our advisors may learn of additional information that can affect our assessments about probability or about the estimates of amounts involved.  Changes in these assessments can lead to changes in recorded reserves.  In addition, the actual costs of resolving these claims may be substantially higher or lower than the amounts reserved for those claims.  


During the first quarter of 2008, the Company reversed $130,000 of a $275,000 charge it had recorded as of year-end 2007 for its portion of Visa® credit card litigation and settlement costs.  Visa®’s initial public offering was successfully completed during the first quarter of 2008, eliminating the need for this accrual.  


Management is not aware of any other probable losses.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


NET INTEREST INCOME


Net interest income (on a fully taxable equivalent basis) for the first quarter of 2009 totaled $18,241,000, increasing from 2008’s fourth quarter by $706,000 or 4.0 percent, but lower than first quarter 2008’s result by $2,321,000 or 11.3 percent.  The following table details net interest income and margin results (on a tax equivalent basis) for the past five quarters:


(Dollars in thousands)

 

Net Interest Income

 

Net Interest Margin

 

First quarter 2008

 

$20,562

 

3.74

%

Second quarter 2008

 

20,234

 

3.69

 

Third quarter 2008

 

19,186

 

3.57

 

Fourth quarter 2008

 

17,535

 

3.32

 

First quarter 2009

 

18,241

 

3.44

 


Net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis improved 12 basis points to 3.44 percent for first quarter 2009 compared to fourth quarter 2008, but was lower by 30 basis points year over year.  While the Company has operated in a more challenging lending environment with unrecognized interest on loans placed on nonaccrual the primary contributor to weaker net interest income and net interest margin results quarter to quarter during 2008, first quarter 2009’s net interest income and net interest margin were improved.    


The earning asset mix changed year over year.  For 2009, average loans (the highest yielding component of earning assets) as a percentage of average earning assets totaled 77.7 percent, compared to 85.8 percent a year ago.  Average securities as a percent of average earning assets increased from 13.0 percent a year ago to 16.7 during first quarter 2009 and federal funds sold and other investments increased to 5.6 percent from 1.2 percent over the same period in 2008.  In addition to decreasing average total loans as a percentage of earning assets, the mix of loans changed, with commercial and commercial real estate volumes representing 57.6 percent of total loans at March 31, 2009 (compared to 62.1 percent a year ago at March 31, 2008), reflecting efforts to reduce the Company’s exposure to commercial construction and land development loans on residential properties (which declined by $165.2 million year over year at March 31, 2009).  Lower yielding residential loan balances with individuals (including home equity loans and lines, and construction loans) represented 38.0 percent of total loans at March 31, 2009 (versus 33.4 percent a year ago) (see “Loan Portfolio”).


18










The yield on earning assets for first quarter 2009 was 5.16 percent, 124 basis points lower than for first quarter 2008, a reflection of the declining interest rate environment as well as higher nonperforming loans.  The following table details the yield on earning assets (on a tax equivalent basis) for the past five quarters:


 

1st Quarter

4th Quarter

3rd Quarter

2nd Quarter

1st Quarter

 

2009

2008

2008

2008

2008

Yield

5.16%

5.45%

5.78%

5.89%

6.40%


The yield on loans declined 99 basis points to 5.63 percent over the last twelve months.  The yield on investment securities was lower as well, decreasing 64 basis points year over year to 4.51 percent, due primarily to purchases at lower yields diluting the overall portfolio yield year over year.  Federal funds sold and other investments yielded 0.49 percent for the first quarter 2009, lower when compared to 4.54 percent a year ago for the same period.  The dramatic reduction in interest rates during 2008, with the Federal Reserve lowering the target federal funds rate to 0 to 25 basis points and the Treasury yield curve shifting lower, will continue to limit opportunities to invest at higher interest rates prospectively unless demand improves.  As nonaccrual loans totaling $109.4 million or 6.7 percent of total loans at March 31, 2009 (versus $64.7 million or 3.4 percent of total loans a year ago) are resolved, reinvested funds will favorably impact the overall yield on earning assets.


Average earning assets for the first quarter of 2009 increased $50.6 million or 2.4 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2008.  While average loan balances decreased $67.5 million or 3.9 percent to $1,670.4 million, average federal funds sold and other investments increased $66.5 million to $121.6 million and average investment securities were $51.6 million or 16.8 percent higher, totaling $358.9 million.  The Company expects further earning asset mix changes to occur during the remainder of 2009.


Commercial and commercial real estate loan production for the first quarter of 2009 totaled $12 million.  In comparison, commercial and commercial real estate loan production for 2008 totaled $117 million, with $8 million in the fourth quarter, $33 million in the third quarter, $19 million in the second quarter and $57 million for the first quarter a year ago.   Economic conditions in the markets the Company serves are expected to continue to be more challenging in 2009 and the Company expects negative loan growth.  At March 31, 2009 the Company’s total commercial and commercial real estate loan pipeline was $76 million, versus $299 million at March 31, 2008.


Closed residential loan production for the first quarter of 2009 totaled $38 million, of which $20 million was sold servicing released.  In comparison, $23 million in residential loans were produced in the fourth quarter of 2008, with $10 million sold servicing released, and $30 million was produced in the first quarter of 2008, with $14 million sold servicing released.  Applications for residential mortgages totaled $92 million during the first quarter of 2009, an increase of $54 million from the fourth quarter of 2008 indicative of a resurgence in existing home sales and refinancing activity in the Company’s markets.  Demand for new home construction is expected to remain soft in 2009.


During the first quarter of 2009, maturities (principally pay-downs) of securities totaled $10.5 million and security portfolio purchases totaled $36.0 million.  In comparison, during the first quarter of 2008, maturities (principally pay-downs) of securities totaled $18.1 million and security purchases totaled $9.8 million.  Purchases were conducted principally to reinvest funds from loan principal repaid and for pledging requirements.  


19










The cost of average interest-bearing liabilities in the first quarter of 2009 decreased 47 basis points to 2.05 percent from fourth quarter 2008 and was 121 basis points lower than for first quarter 2008, reflecting the lower interest rate environment.  The following table details the cost of average interest bearing liabilities for the past five quarters:


 

1st Quarter

4th Quarter

3rd Quarter

2nd Quarter

1st Quarter

 

2009

2008

2008

2008

2008

Rate

2.05%

2.52%

2.64%

2.68%

3.26%

 

The Company’s retail core deposit focus has produced strong growth in core deposit customer relationships when compared to the prior year’s and last quarter’s results, and resulted in increased balances which offset planned certificate of deposit runoff during the first quarter of 2009.  Total new households were up 5.2 percent during the quarter compared to the fourth quarter of 2008.  The improved deposit mix and lower rates paid on interest bearing deposits during the first quarter of 2009 reduced the overall cost of interest bearing deposits to 2.11 percent, 39 basis points lower than in the fourth quarter of 2008 and 107 basis points lower than the first quarter a year ago.  Still a significant component favorably affecting the Company’s net interest margin, the average balance for lower cost interest bearing deposits (NOW, savings and money market) increased from 52.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008 to 53.3 percent of average total interest bearing deposits during the first quarter of 2009, but was lower than the average of 62.2 percent a year ago.  The average rate for lower cost interest bearing deposits for the first quarter of 2009 was 1.10 percent, down by 43 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2008 and 126 basis points from the first quarter of 2008.  Certificate of deposit (“CD”) rates paid were also lower compared to the fourth and first quarter of 2008, lower by 34 basis points and 128 basis points, respectively, and averaged 3.25 percent for the first quarter of 2009.  Average CDs (the highest cost component of interest bearing deposits) decreased to 46.7 percent of interest bearing deposits from 47.2 percent for fourth quarter 2008, but remained a higher percentage than a year ago.  


Average deposits totaled $1,810.4 million during the first quarter of 2009, and were $29.7 million lower compared to fourth quarter 2008, due primarily to the shifting of public fund customer deposit balances in late December to sweep repurchase agreements.  Total average deposits plus sweep repurchase agreements totaled $1,964.5 million during the first quarter of 2009, up $39.4 million or 2.0 percent from fourth quarter 2008.  Average total deposits declined $102.9 million or 5.4 percent compared to the same period in 2008, principally as a result of deposit declines in the Company’s central Florida region (resulting from slower economic growth affecting the second half of 2008).  The average aggregated balance for NOW, savings and money market balances decreased $171.2 million or 17.3 percent to $818.0 million for first quarter 2009 compared to first quarter 2008, noninterest bearing deposits decreased $49.0 million or 15.2 percent to $274.4 million, and average CDs increased by $117.3 million or 19.5 percent to $718.0 million.  As a result of the low interest rate environment, customers have deposited more funds into CDs, while maintaining lower average balances in savings and other liquid deposit products that pay no interest or a lower interest rate.  In addition, Seacoast National Bank (the Company’s banking subsidiary) joined the Certificate of Deposit Registry program (“CDARs”) on July 1, 2008, whereby our customers can have CDs safely insured beyond the FDIC deposit insurance limits.  This benefited our deposit retention efforts during the recent financial market disruption and provided a new product offering to homeowners’ associations concerned with FDIC insurance coverage.  


The Emergency Economic Stability Act of 2008 (“EESA”) temporarily increases FDIC deposit insurance from $100,000 to $250,000 per depositor from October 14, 2008 through December 31, 2009.  Under the FDIC’s newly established TLG program, the entire amount in any eligible noninterest bearing transaction accounts is guaranteed by the FDIC to the extent such balances are not covered by FDIC insurance.  Seacoast National Bank has chosen to participate in the TLG program to offer the best possible FDIC coverage to its customers.  The TLG noninterest bearing transaction account guarantee is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.   


Average federal funds purchased have been nominal with none outstanding during 2009, compared to an average of $12.6 million for the first quarter of 2008 and $4.0 million for all of 2008.  Average short-term borrowings have been principally comprised of sweep repurchase agreements with customers of the Company’s bank subsidiary, which increased $69.1 million or 81.2 percent from the fourth quarter of 2008 and $63.2 million or 69.5 percent from the first quarter of 2008.  Most of the increase in average sweep repurchase agreement balances was due to efforts to reduce FDIC insurance costs by migrating public fund deposits late in the fourth quarter of 2008.  Other borrowings are comprised of subordinated debt of $53.6 million and advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of $65.2 million that have not changed since year-end 2007.  


Company management believes its market expansion, branding efforts and retail deposit growth strategies are producing new relationships and core deposits.  Reductions in nonperforming assets are expected to favorably affect future net interest margin, and the success over the last 12 months with retail deposit growth is also having a positive impact.


20










PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

Management determines the provision for loan losses charged to operations by continually analyzing and monitoring delinquencies, nonperforming loans and the level of outstanding balances for each loan category, as well as the amount of net charge-offs, and by estimating losses inherent in its portfolio. While the Company's policies and procedures used to estimate the provision for loan losses charged to operations are considered adequate by management there exist factors beyond the control of the Company, such as general economic conditions both locally and nationally, which make management's judgment as to the adequacy of the provision and allowance for loan losses necessarily approximate and imprecise (see “Nonperforming Assets” and “Allowance for Loan Losses”).

The provision for loan losses is the result of a detailed analysis estimating an appropriate and adequate allowance for loan losses. The analysis includes the evaluation of impaired loans as prescribed under SFAS No. 114 “Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan,” and SFAS No. 118 “Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan – Income Recognition and Disclosures,” as well as, an analysis of homogeneous loan pools not individually evaluated as prescribed under SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies.” For the first quarter ended March 31, 2009, the provision for loan losses was $11.7 million, higher than 2008’s first quarter provisioning of $5.5 million but lower than the $30.7 million provision for fourth quarter 2008.

The provision for loan losses was $3.1 million more than net charge-offs of $8.5 million or 2.07 percent of average total loans during the first quarter of 2009.  In comparison, net charge-offs for 2008 were $4.4 million in the first quarter and $81.1 million for the entire year.  Net charge-offs during 2008 and 2009 were primarily due to higher net charge-offs in the residential construction and land development loan portfolio, a reflection of the unprecedented housing market decline.  A downturn in residential real estate prices and sales has negatively affected the entire industry since mid-2006 and the Company began a comprehensive effort to reduce its exposure in early 2007.  With timely and more aggressive collection efforts, loan sales, and charge-offs, residential construction and land development loans declined $165 million from March 31, 2008 and now represent 7.2 percent of total loans at March 31, 2009.  The performing loans in this portfolio total approximately $59 million and are represented by 58 customer relationships and an average loan size of approximately $1.0 million.  We continue to monitor and update regularly our credit evaluations of these borrowers, and the collateral values as sales volumes and prices change in our markets.  The reduction in the Company’s exposure should reduce earnings volatility from this portfolio in the future.


21










The following table details the Company’s exposure to large residential construction and land development loans over the past five quarters, as evidenced by loans in this portfolio with balances of $4 million or more declining by almost 73 percent from $163.7 million, or 71 percent of risk-based capital at March 31, 2008, to $44.6 million, or 20 percent of risk-based capital, at March 31, 2009.  Of the remaining $44.6 million in loans greater than $4 million, $29.6 million or 66.4 percent are classified as nonperforming:


22










 

           

 

                      2009

 

2008

2009

Nonperforming

A   

 

1st Qtr

2nd Qtr

3rd Qtr

4th Qtr

1st Qtr

1st Qtr

Number

Residential Construction and Land Development

        

  

        

     Condominiums

>$4 million

 $ 30.6

 $ 26.3

 $ 19.6

 $  8.6

 $  8.4

       $  -

-

 

<$4 million

      26.6

       21.1

       13.0

       8.8

      7.9

2.4

1

         

     Town homes

>$4 million

      19.4

       17.1

      17.1

      -

      -

-

-

 

<$4 million

         4.4

         2.9

        4.6

        6.1

         4.2

3.9

2

         

     Single Family

       Residences

>$4 million

       20.8

       21.2

      13.5

      11.9

       6.6

-

-

 

<$4 million

       35.9

       28.3

      23.7

      14.9

       13.9

5.7

9

         

     Single Family

       Land & Lots

>$4 million

         85.1

       64.3

      40.3

      22.1

         21.8

21.8

3

 

<$4 million

       27.0

       30.8

      29.9

      30.7

       29.6

12.4

17

         

     Multifamily

>$4 million

         7.8

         7.8

         7.8

         7.8

         7.8

7.8

1

 

<$4 million

       24.8

       26.2

      22.9

      19.0

       17.0

4.1

5

         

TOTAL

>$4 million

       163.7

     136.7

       98.3

       50.4

       44.6

29.6

4

TOTAL

<$4 million

       118.7

     109.3

       94.1

       79.5

       72.6

28.5

34

GRAND TOTAL

 

 $282.4

 $246.0

 $192.4

 $129.9

 $117.2

$ 58.1

38

The Company’s other loan portfolios related to residential real estate have not had significant problems as the Company has never originated any residential subprime, Alt A, option ARMS, or negative amortizing loans.  In addition, the commercial real estate mortgage portfolio not related to residential construction and development has not had significant credit quality deterioration.  


Since year-end 2008, nonaccrual loans increased by $22.4 million to $109.4 million at March 31, 2009, and were $44.7 million higher than at March 31, 2008 (see “Nonperforming Assets”).  Loans declined $221.7 million or 11.7 percent during 2008 and have declined an additional $44.2 million or 2.6 percent since year-end 2008 (see “Loan Portfolio”).  For 2009, the Company’s loan portfolio is expected to experience further declines, however the Company’s loan loss provisions should be less volatile as problem loans related to the slow residential real estate market and valuations are expected to be more limited than realized during 2008, as well as a result of a smaller portfolio and sales of larger commercial real estate loans.  The last time the Company experienced higher net charge-offs and nonperforming loans was during the period 1988-1993 when the real estate markets in Florida experienced deflation and the national economy was in recession.


The Congress and bank regulators are encouraging recipients of TARP capital to use such capital to make loans and the Company has successfully increased its residential mortgage production.  In the last two quarters $58 million in loans were made for the purchase or refinance of a single family residence.  Congressional demands for additional lending by TARP capital recipients and regulatory demands for demonstrating and reporting such lending are increasing.  On November 12, 2008, the bank regulatory agencies issued a statement encouraging banks to, among other things, “lend prudently and responsibly to creditworthy borrowers” and to “work with borrowers to preserve homeownership and avoid preventable foreclosures.”  The Company continues to lend and have expanded our mortgage loan originations.  However, future demands for additional lending are unclear and uncertain.


NONINTEREST INCOME


Noninterest income, excluding gains or losses from securities, totaled $4,756,000 for the first quarter of 2009.  While $269,000 or 6.0 percent higher than the fourth quarter of 2008, first quarter 2009’s result was $1,406,000 or 22.8 percent lower than the first quarter of 2008.  Noninterest income accounted for 20.7 percent of total revenue (net interest income plus noninterest income, excluding securities gains or losses) in the first quarter of 2009 compared to 23.1 percent a year ago.  Noninterest income for the first quarter of 2009, and the fourth and first quarter of 2008 is detailed as follows:


23












  

1st Qtr

2009

4th Qtr

2008

1st Qtr

2008

Service charges on deposits

 

$1,585

$1,833

$1,850

Trust income

 

558

574

582

Mortgage banking fees

 

499

184

368

Brokerage commissions and fees

 

381

447

683

Marine finance fees

 

345

318

685

Debit card income

 

608

574

611

Other deposit based EFT fees

 

94

83

108

Merchant income

 

536

487

735

Other income

 

150

(13)

540

           Total

 

$4,756

$4,487

$6,162


For 2009, first quarter revenues from the Company’s financial services businesses decreased year over year, by $326,000 or 25.8 percent, and were $82,000 or 8.0 percent below fourth quarter 2008’s result.  Of the $326,000 decrease, trust revenue was lower by $24,000 or 4.1 percent and brokerage commissions and fees were lower by $302,000 or 44.2 percent.  Included in the $302,000 decline in brokerage commissions and fees was a decline of $169,000 in revenue from insurance annuity sales year over year reflecting the lower interest rate environment, a $100,000 reduction in mutual fund commissions, and a $28,000 decrease in brokerage commissions and management fees.  Lower intervivos trust and agency fees were the primary cause for the decline in trust income, decreasing by $15,000 and $64,000, respectively, from 2008, as well as lower testamentary and employee benefit revenue, decreasing by $9,000 and $8,000, respectively.  Partially offsetting, a greater number of estate settlements occurred, resulting in a $77,000 increase in fees from 2008.  Economic uncertainty and declines in asset values were the primary issue affecting clients of the Company’s wealth management services during 2008 and likely will continue to affect these services in 2009.  


Service charges on deposits for first quarter 2009 are $265,000 or 14.3 percent lower year over year versus first quarter 2008, and $248,000 or 13.5 percent below fourth quarter 2008’s service charges.  Decreased overdraft income was the primary cause, lower by $263,000 year over year compared to first quarter 2008.  Overdraft fees represented approximately 74 percent of total service charges on deposits for the first quarter of 2009, compared to 78 percent for all of 2008.  Growth rates for remaining service charge fees on deposits have been nominal, as the trend over the past few years is for customers to prefer deposit products which have no fees or where fees can be avoided by maintaining higher deposit balances.  


24










For the first quarter of 2009, fees from the non-recourse sale of marine loans originated by our Seacoast Marine Division decreased $340,000, or 49.6 percent, compared to the first quarter of 2008, but were slightly higher (by $27,000) compared to fourth quarter 2008.  Seacoast Marine Finance originated $20 million in loans during the first quarter of 2009, compared to $44 million in the first quarter of 2008 and $20 million in the fourth quarter of 2008.  As economic conditions deteriorated significantly during 2008, attendance at boat shows by consumers, manufacturers, and marine retailers was lower than in prior years, and as a result loan volumes were lower and are predicted to continue to be lower in 2009.  The boating industry is contracting, with a number of manufacturers consolidating or predicted to consolidate.  Seacoast Marine Finance is headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida with lending professionals in Florida and California.  The production team in California is capable of not only serving California, but Washington and Oregon as well.  


Greater usage of check or debit cards over the past several years by core deposit customers and an increased cardholder base has increased our interchange income.  For first quarter 2009, debit card income decreased $3,000 or 0.5 percent from first quarter a year ago, but was $34,000 or 5.9 percent higher than fourth quarter 2008’s income.  Other deposit-based electronic funds transfer (“EFT”) income decreased $14,000 or 13.0 percent in 2009, compared to first quarter 2008, but increased $11,000 or 13.2 percent from fourth quarter 2008’s revenue.  Debit card and other deposit based


EFT revenue is dependent upon business volumes transacted, as well as the amplitude of fees permitted by VISA® and MasterCard®.  During 2009, fees from non-customers utilizing Seacoast National’s ATMs decreased, likely reflecting the economic recession and fewer visitors to Florida.


Merchant income was $199,000 or 27.1 percent lower for the first quarter of 2009, compared to one year earlier, and $49,000 or 10.1 percent higher than for the fourth quarter of 2008.  Merchant income as a source of revenue is dependent upon the volume of credit card transactions that occur with merchants who have business demand deposits with the Company’s banking subsidiary.   Over the past few years, expansion into new markets favorably impacted merchant income, but continued economic weakness and its impact on customer spending has more than offset the positive impacts of increased account acquisitions.  Merchant income historically has been highest in the first quarter each year, reflecting seasonal sales activity.


A key revenue component for the Company is the production of residential mortgage loans in its markets, with loans processed by commission employees of Seacoast National Bank.  Many of these mortgage loans are referred by the Company’s branch personnel.  Mortgage banking fees increased $131,000 or 35.6 percent from first quarter 2008, and were $315,000 or 171.2 percent higher than fourth quarter 2008.  Mortgage banking revenue as a component of overall noninterest income was diminished during 2008.  We are beginning to see some signs of stability for residential real estate in our markets, with transactions increasing, prices firming and affordability improving.  The Company may have opportunities in markets it serves in 2009 as tighter credit and capital have limited the ability of some competitors to handle transactions, and the Company recently began offering FHA loans, a product previously not offered.  Decreases in market rates for mortgages as a result of declines in interest rates and actions by the Federal Reserve, the Treasury and the mortgage government sponsored enterprises may stimulate greater activity as well.


Other income for the first quarter of 2009 included losses on the sale of other real estate owned and repossessed assets of $183,000 and $43,000, respectively.  Other income for the first quarter of 2008 included $305,000 related to the redemption of Visa®, Inc. shares, as a result of their initial public offering (IPO).  In addition, fair value adjustments on foreclosed properties resulted in write-offs of $134,000 during the first quarter of 2008, partially offsetting the benefit derived from the Visa redemption.  Remaining items in other income increased slightly, by $7,000, year over year when comparing first quarter 2009 to first quarter 2008.  


25










NONINTEREST EXPENSES


When compared to the first quarter of 2008, total noninterest expenses increased by $425,000 or 2.3 percent to $19,109,000, and were $1,281,000 or 6.3 percent lower than fourth quarter 2008’s expenses.  Noninterest expenses in the first quarter of 2009 were in line with management expectations and guidance provided with its fourth quarter earnings release, including reductions totaling $5.0 million implemented and effective as of January 1, 2009, savings that will be partially offset by higher FDIC insurance premiums and TLG assessments during 2009.  Further overhead reductions are projected and should provide an additional benefit to earnings in the range of $1.3 million to $1.5 million during 2009.  


Salaries and wages for the first quarter of 2009 decreased by $1,047,000 or 13.2 percent to $6,888,000 compared to the prior year same period.  Reduced headcount (including the branch consolidations in 2008), lower commissions and limited accruals for incentive payments due to lower revenues generated from wealth management and weak lending production were the primary cause for salaries and wages decreasing in 2009 from 2008.  As noted in prior management discussions, the Company has eliminated incentive payouts for senior officers and limited 401K contributions by the Company, cost savings that will remain in effect until the Company produces meaningful earnings improvements.  Severance payments during the first quarter of 2009 totaled $242,000, above prior year for the same period by $201,000.  Base salaries were $501,000 lower year over year, decreasing 7.2 percent compared to the first quarter of 2008.  Full-time equivalent employees (“FTEs”) totaled 437 at March 31, 2009, compared to 493 at March 31, 2008.  


Employee benefit costs decreased $243,000 or 12.0 percent to $1,782,000 from the first quarter of 2008.  The Company recognized higher claims experience in the first quarter 2009 for its self funded health care plan compared to the first quarter of 2008; however, the Company expects total expense for the entire year for health care claims to be lower than in 2008 due to lower FTE’s resulting in fewer participants in the plan for 2009 and larger discounts on services under a more comprehensive network of doctors, hospitals, etc.  Higher claims experience resulted in an increase of $103,000 year over year in group health insurance.  Unemployment compensation costs were slightly higher, increasing by $16,000 compared to the first quarter of 2008.   More than offsetting, lower salaries provided a $48,000 reduction in payroll taxes year over year and profit sharing accruals for the Company’s 401K plan were lower by $314,000, the primary cause for the overall decrease in benefits costs compared to 2008.

  

Outsourced data processing costs totaled $1,891,000 for the first quarter of 2009, a decrease of $123,000 or 6.1 percent from a year ago.  The Company’s subsidiary bank utilizes third parties for its core data processing systems and merchant services processing.  Outsourced data processing costs are directly related to the number of transactions processed.  Merchant income, as already discussed (see “Noninterest Income”), and merchant services processing costs were lower year over year, with fewer transactions occurring at local businesses reflecting the poorer economy.  Merchant services processing was $171,000 lower than a year ago for the first quarter.  Outsourced data processing costs can be expected to increase as the Company’s business volumes grow and new products such as bill pay, internet banking, etc. become more popular.  


Occupancy expenses and furniture and equipment expenses on an aggregate basis increased $274,000 or 10.8 percent to $2,805,000, versus first quarter results last year.  Reducing expense during the first quarter of 2008 was the sale of certain assets (including leasehold improvements) at closed WalMart locations, netting the Company approximately $90,000 more than carrying value of assets sold.  Lease payments for bank premises increased $47,000 year over year, and utility costs were $41,000 higher.  Also increasing for the first quarter year over year was depreciation, increasing by $75,000 and reflecting the addition of newer offices, as well as furniture and equipment acquired over the past twelve months.


Marketing expenses, including sales promotion costs, ad agency production and printing costs, newspaper and radio advertising, and other public relations costs associated with the Company’s efforts to market products and services, decreased by $110,000 or 18.4 percent to $488,000 when compared to a year ago for the first quarter.  The primary contributor to the decrease, agency production costs were lower by $138,000, mostly one-time costs for television commercial production incurred during 2008’s first quarter.  In addition, direct mail campaign costs, business meals, and donations, were less than prior year by $17,000, $27,000 and $14,000, respectively.  Partially offsetting, print advertising in newspapers was $40,000 more than a year ago and public relations was $41,000 higher (including a one-time cost for the write-off of deposits for wealth management events with prospective clients at offsite locations).


Legal and professional fees totaled $1,392,000 for the first quarter of 2009, an increase of $466,000 or 50.3 percent from the first quarter of 2008.  Legal fees were $391,000 higher year over year, the primary cause being problem asset resolution, but (as expected) were lower than in the fourth quarter of 2008, by $106,000.  Higher accruals for regulatory examination fees, up $61,000 year over year, impacted the comparison to first quarter 2008 as well.


26










The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) one-time credit for insurance premiums issued in 2007 was applied to reduce insurance assessments during the first quarter of 2008.  As a result, FDIC assessments for the first quarter of 2008 totaled only $59,000, whereas FDIC assessments for the first quarter of 2009 totaled $877,000.  FDIC assessments were mitigated to some degree by the Company’s banking subsidiary working with public fund depositors to move assessed deposits into sweep repurchase agreements, lessening the impact of higher FDIC assessment rates recently approved for 2009.  On April 1, 2009, a higher base assessment is going into effect (increasing from 17 basis points to 20 basis points) and the FDIC is implementing a more complex formula to calculate assessments, better defining an institution’s risk characteristics and resultant assessment.  The Company anticipates that the FDIC will likely continue to reformulate assessed rates over time depending on the number of bank closures and associated costs the FDIC may incur in retaining problem assets from closures, as well as changes in coverage, the basis for calculating assessments, and the level of support the FDIC receives from other governmental entities and leaders.


Remaining noninterest expenses increased $390,000 or 15.0 percent to $2,986,000 when comparing the first quarter of 2009 to the same quarter a year ago.  Benefiting 2008’s first quarter was a $130,000 reversal of an accrual for the Company’s portion of Visa® litigation and settlement costs, a result of Visa®’s successful IPO eliminating the need for the accrual.  Increasing year over year for the first quarter of 2009 were costs associated with foreclosed and repossessed asset management (up $223,000, principally related to real estate taxes on foreclosed property), telephone and data lines (up $46,000), insurance costs (up $42,000, including property and casualty as well as other liability coverage), correspondent bank clearing charges (up $53,000, lower analysis credits provided for compensating balances in the lower interest rate environment make the payment of hard charges more sensible), directors fees (up $34,000, reflecting more frequent meetings than a year ago) and higher losses associated with robbery and customer fraud (up 129,000).  Partially offsetting were decreases in expenditures for stationery, printing and supplies (down $38,000), postage and courier costs (down $37,000, primarily overnight services), education (down $39,000, fewer education programs offered internally), employee placement fees ($29,000, principally headhunter fees), travel related costs (down $42,000, including mileage reimbursement, airline and hotel costs), bank paid closing costs (down $43,000, paid equity line costs have been more limited), and origination fees for marine loan production (down $33,000).  


INCOME TAXES


Income tax benefits for 2009 were 39.2 percent of loss before taxes, compared to 32.6 percent for all of 2008.


FINANCIAL CONDITION


CAPITAL RESOURCES


The Company's ratio of shareholders' equity to period end total assets was 9.25 percent at March 31, 2009, compared with 9.33 percent at December 31, 2008, and 8.98 percent one year earlier at March 31, 2008; and its tangible common equity ratio was 5.09 percent at March 31, 2009.  


The Company and its banking subsidiary, Seacoast National Bank, are subject to various general regulatory policies and requirements relating to the payment of dividends, including requirements to maintain adequate capital above regulatory minimums.  The appropriate federal bank regulatory authority may prohibit the payment of dividends where it has determined that the payment of dividends would be an unsafe or unsound practice.  The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from Seacoast National Bank and its other subsidiaries, and the Company’s primary source of cash and liquidity, other than securities offerings and borrowings, is dividends from its bank subsidiary.  Seacoast National Bank did not pay a dividend to the Company for the third and fourth quarter of 2008, and the first quarter of 2009, and the Company reduced its dividend payment to shareholders to a de minimis quarterly amount of $0.01 beginning in the third quarter of 2008.  Prior OCC approval presently is required for any payments of dividends from the bank subsidiary to the Company.  A shelf registration statement filed and declared effective in 2008 increased the Company’s flexibility to access the securities markets quickly with a variety of securities, as needed.


In December 2008, the Company sold $50.0 million in Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock and warrant to the Treasury under the TARP Capital Purchase Program, which further strengthened the Company’s already “well-capitalized” status.  As a result, the Company’s capital position remains strong with a total risk-based capital ratio of 14.00 percent at March 31, 2009, identical to December 31, 2008’s ratio and an improvement from 12.29 percent at March 31, 2008.  Under the terms of the agreement with the Treasury, the Company is unable to declare dividend payments on common, junior preferred or pari passu preferred shares if it has not paid all dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock.  Also, without the Treasury approval, the Company is not permitted to increase dividends on its common stock above the amount of the last quarterly cash dividend per share declared prior to December 19, 2008, or one cent, without the Treasury’s approval until December 19, 2011, the third anniversary of the investment, unless all of the Series A Preferred Stock has been redeemed or transferred by the Treasury.  


27










At March 31, 2009, the capital ratios for the Company and its subsidiary bank were as follows:


 

Seacoast
(Consolidated)

Seacoast 
National Bank

Minimum to be Well Capitalized *

March 31, 2009:

   

Tier 1 capital ratio

12.71 %  

11.31 %  

6 %  

Total risk-based capital ratio

14.00 %  

12.57 %  

10 %  

Tier 1 leverage ratio

9.13 %  

8.11 %  

5 %  


*For subsidiary bank only


The Company’s risk based capital ratios are expected to continue to improve due to a decline in risk based asset levels.  The Company fully expects its stronger capital base will permit Seacoast National Bank to meet its specified regulatory requirements.  The stronger capital base has already allowed the Company to increase its local residential lending in the fourth quarter of 2008 and first quarter of 2009.  In addition, working with distressed borrowers, the Company entered into various loan restructuring arrangements during the past two quarters, impacting both retail and commercial customers.  The Company expects to continue to prudently explore opportunities to work with customers experiencing distress, as well as, increase credit availability to qualified residential homeowners as a result of its improved capital position.


28










LOAN PORTFOLIO


Total loans (net of unearned income) were $1,632,577,000 at March 31, 2009, $245,391,000 or 13.1 percent less than at March 31, 2008, and $44,151,000 or 2.6 percent less than at December 31, 2008.  The following table details loan portfolio composition at March 31, 2009, December 31, 2008 and March 31, 2008:



  

Mar. 31,

 

Dec. 31,

 

Mar. 31,

(In thousands)

 

2009

 

2008

 

2008

Construction and land development

      

       Residential

$

117,247

$

129,899

$

282,401

       Commercial

 

201,352

 

209,297

 

239,768

  

318,599

 

339,196

 

522,169

        Individuals

 

50,233

 

56,047

 

71,823

  

368,832

 

395,243

 

593,992

       

Real estate mortgage

      

Residential real estate

      

Adjustable

 

333,122

 

328,992

 

317,621

Fixed rate

 

90,724

 

95,456

 

89,061

Home equity mortgages

 

85,501

 

84,810

 

91,731

Home equity lines

 

60,316

 

58,502

 

56,340

  

569,663

 

567,760

 

554,753

Commercial real estate

 

546,953

 

557,705

 

549,922

  

1,116,616

 

1,125,465

 

1,104,675

       

Commercial and financial

 

75,448

 

82,765

 

93,933

       

Installment loans to individuals

 

71,440

 

72,908

 

84,926

       

Other loans

 

241

 

347

 

442

Total

$

1,632,577

$

1,676,728

$

1,877,968

 

29










Overall loan growth was negative when comparing outstanding balances at March 31, 2009 to March 31, 2008, impacted by the unprecedented slowing of residential real estate sales activity in all of the Company’s markets, lower demand for commercial loans in the newer metro markets of Orlando, West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, and the Company’s successful divestiture of residential construction and land development loans (including $38 million and $29 million that were sold during the third and fourth quarters of 2008, respectively).  By reducing the Company’s exposure to residential construction and development loans, the overall risk profile has been improved, which should lead to better earnings performance in future quarters.

  

As shown in the table above, commercial real estate mortgages decreased $2,969,000 from March 31, 2008 to $546,953,000 at March 31, 2009 while residential mortgages combined increased $14,910,000 to $569,663,000.  More than offsetting the net increase in real estate mortgages were declines from March 31, 2008 in residential construction and land development loans of $165,154,000 or 58.5 percent to $117,247,000 at March 31, 2009, commercial construction and land development loans of $38,416,000 or 16.0 percent to $201,352,000, residential construction and lot loans to individuals of $21,590,000 or 30.1 percent to $50,233,000, commercial and financial loans of $18,485,000 or 19.7 percent to $75,448,000, and installment loans to individuals of $13,486,000 or 15.9 percent to $71,440,000 at March 31, 2009.


Construction and land development loans, including loans secured by commercial real estate, were comprised of the following types of loans at March 31, 2009 and March 31, 2008:


March 31

  

2009

    

2008

  

(In millions)

Funded

 

Unfunded

Total

 

Funded

Unfunded

Total

      

 

 

 

 

 

Construction and land development*

        

   Residential:

          

     Condominiums

$16.3

 

$0.4

 

$16.7

$57.2

 

$6.8

 

$64.0

     Town homes

4.2

 

--

 

4.2

23.8

 

1.9

 

25.7

Single Family

   Residences


20.5

 


1.2

 


21.7


56.7

 


14.5

 


71.2

Single Family

   Land & Lots


51.4

 


0.4

 


51.8


112.1

 


16.6

 


128.7

     Multifamily

24.8

 

0.5

 

25.3

32.6

 

14.5

 

47.1

     

117.2

 

2.5

 

119.7

282.4

 

54.3

 

336.7

   Commercial:

          

      Office buildings           

17.4

 

0.6

 

18.0

29.1

 

5.3

 

34.4

      Retail trade

70.0

 

4.5

 

74.5

60.4

 

11.5

 

71.9

      Land

60.9

 

0.3

 

61.2

92.5

 

15.5

 

108.0

      Industrial

9.0

 

0.8

 

9.8

16.9

 

5.8

 

22.7

      Healthcare

5.7

 

4.0

 

9.7

1.0

 

--

 

1.0

      Churches &

        educational

        facilities



--

 



--

 



--



--

 



0.5

 



0.5

      Lodging

0.6

 

--

 

0.6

--

 

--

 

--

      Convenience

        Stores


--

 


--

 


--


1.8

 


--

 


1.8

      Marina

31.6

 

2.8

 

34.4

26.8

 

7.6

 

34.4

      Other

6.2

 

--

 

6.2

11.3

 

5.5

 

16.8

 

201.4

 

13.0

 

214.4

239.8

 

51.7

 

291.5

 

318.6

 

15.5

 

334.1

522.2

 

106.0

 

628.2

  Individuals:

          

      Lot loans

34.0

 

--

 

34.0

39.4

 

--

 

39.4

      Construction

16.2

 

7.2

 

23.4

32.4

 

14.5

 

46.9

 

50.2

 

7.2

 

57.4

71.8

 

14.5

 

86.3

            Total

$368.8

 

$22.7

 

$391.5

$594.0

 

$120.5

 

$714.5


*Reassessment of collateral assigned to a particular loan over time may result in amounts being reassigned to a more appropriate loan type representing the loan’s intended purpose, and for comparison purposes prior period amounts deemed significant have been restated to reflect the change.


The following is the geographic location of the Company’s construction and land development loans (excluding loans to individuals) totaling $318,599,000 at March 31, 2009 and $522,169,000 at March 31, 2008:


30










 

Florida County

% of Total Construction and Land Development Loans

    

  

2009

2008

 

St. Lucie

18.5

13.8

 

Palm Beach

14.7

17.8

 

Indian River

11.6

19.0

 

Martin

9.1

13.1

 

Volusia

7.9

3.7

 

Brevard

6.7

7.4

 

Orange

6.6

6.3

 

Highlands

4.9

3.0

 

Osceola

3.5

3.0

 

Miami-Dade

3.0

1.8

 

Dade

2.7

2.1

 

Broward

2.5

1.1

 

Okeechobee

2.1

1.2

 

Lee

1.5

3.1

 

Marion

1.1

0.4

 

Bradford

0.9

0.6

 

Collier

0.9

0.4

 

Charlotte

0.8

0.9

 

Hendry

0.5

0.3

 

Lake

0.2

0.6

 

Hillsborough

0.2

0.2

 

Other

0.1

0.2

 

Total

100.0

100.0


The Company’s ten largest commercial real estate funded and unfunded loan relationships at March 31, 2009 aggregated to $202.9 million (versus $186.7 million a year ago) and for the top 46 commercial real estate relationships in excess of $5 million the aggregate funded and unfunded totaled $498.0 million (compared to 66 relationships aggregating to $607.7 million a year ago).  


Commercial real estate mortgage loans were comprised of the following loan types at March 31, 2009 and 2008:


March 31

  

2009

    

2008

  

(In millions)

Funded

 

Unfunded

 

Total

Funded

 

Unfunded

 

Total

           
           

Office buildings

$140.6

 

$2.8

 

$143.4

$144.3

 

$2.2

 

$146.5

Retail trade

109.1

 

0.8

 

109.9

83.8

 

0.7

 

84.5

Industrial

95.3

 

1.9

 

97.2

104.3

 

1.5

 

105.8

Healthcare

28.3

 

0.6

 

28.9

39.9

 

0.9

 

40.8

Churches and educational facilities

34.8

 

--

 

34.8

40.2

 

0.2

 

40.4

Recreation

1.7

 

0.4

 

2.1

2.8

 

0.4

 

3.2

Multifamily

27.2

 

0.7

 

27.9

20.0

 

1.6

 

21.6

Mobile home parks


3.0

 


--

 


3.0


3.2

 


--

 


3.2

Lodging

26.3

 

0.4

 

26.7

27.9

 

0.2

 

28.1

Restaurant

6.1

 

--

 

6.1

8.0

 

1.2

 

9.2

Agriculture

8.2

 

0.5

 

8.7

12.4

 

1.1

 

13.5

Convenience

     Stores


23.3

 


--

 


23.3


23.1

 


--

 


23.1

Other

43.0

 

0.6

 

43.6

40.1

 

0.9

 

41.0

            Total                     

$546.9

 

$8.7

 

$555.6

$550.0

 

$10.9

 

$560.9


Fixed rate and adjustable rate loans secured by commercial real estate, excluding construction loans, totaled approximately $327 million and $220 million, respectively, at March 31, 2009, compared to $287 million and $263 million, respectively, a year ago.  


31










Residential mortgage lending is an important segment of the Company’s lending activities.  The Company has never originated sub-prime, Alt A, Option ARM or any negative amortizing residential loans.  Substantially all residential originations have been underwritten to conventional loan agency standards including loans having balances that exceed agency value limitations.  The Company selectively adds residential mortgage loans to its portfolio, primarily loans with adjustable rates.  The Company has reduced the relative size of the residential loan portfolio over the period from 2004 to 2007 and increased the size of the commercial and commercial real estate loan portfolios.


Exposure to market interest rate volatility with respect to mortgage loans is managed by attempting to match maturities and re-pricing opportunities for assets against liabilities and through loan sales.  At March 31, 2009, approximately $333 million or 65 percent of the Company's residential mortgage loan balances were adjustable, compared to $318 million or 64 percent a year ago.  Loans secured by residential properties having fixed rates totaled approximately $176 million at March 31, 2009, of which 15- and 30-year mortgages totaled approximately $33 million and $58 million, respectively.  The remaining fixed rate balances were comprised of home improvement loans, most with maturities of 10 years or less.  The Company also has a small home equity line portfolio totaling approximately $60 million at March 31, 2009.  In comparison, loans secured by residential properties having fixed rates totaled approximately $181 million at March 31, 2008, with 15- and 30-year fixed rate residential mortgages totaling approximately $37 million and $52 million, respectively.


Commercial and financial loans decreased and totaled $75,448,000 at March 31, 2009, compared to $93,933,000 a year ago.  Commercial lending activities are directed principally towards businesses whose demand for funds are within the Company’s lending limits, such as small to medium sized professional firms, retail and wholesale outlets, and light industrial and manufacturing concerns. Such businesses are smaller and subject to the risks of lending to small to medium sized businesses including the effects of a sluggish local economy, possible business failure, and insufficient cash flows.


The Company was also a creditor for consumer loans to individual customers (including installment loans, loans for automobiles, boats, and other personal, family and household purposes, and indirect loans through dealers to finance automobiles) totaling $71,440,000 (versus $84,926,000 a year ago), real estate construction loans to individuals secured by residential properties totaling $16,236,000 (versus $32,392,000 a year ago), and residential lot loans to individuals totaling $33,997,000 (versus $39,431,000 a year ago).  


At March 31, 2009, the Company had commitments to make loans (excluding unused home equity lines of credit) of $140,221,000, compared to $247,466,000 at March 31, 2008.  


Supplemental trend schedules with detail regarding line items in the table below have been added to show changes in the composition of loans outstanding by quarter since the end of 2006 (see “Supplemental Tables”).


ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES


Management continuously monitors the quality of the loan portfolio and maintains an allowance for loan losses it believes sufficient to absorb probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio.  The allowance for loan losses totaled $32,500,000 at March 31, 2009, $9,500,000 greater than one year earlier and $3,122,000 more than at December 31, 2008.  The allowance for loan losses framework has three basic elements: specific allowances for loans individually evaluated for impairment, a formula-based component for pools of homogeneous loans within the portfolio that have similar risk characteristics, which are not individually evaluated, and qualitative elements which are subjective and require a high degree of management judgment and are based on our views of other inherent risk factors, models and estimates, including changes in the economy and relevant markets.  Management continually evaluates the allowance for loan losses methodology seeking to refine and enhance this process as appropriate, and it is likely that the methodology will continue to evolve over time.


Our analyses of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses take into account qualitative factors such as credit quality, loan concentrations, internal controls, audit results, staff turnover, local market conditions and loan growth.  In its continuing evaluation of the allowance and its adequacy, management also considers quantitative factors such as, the Company’s loan loss experience, the loss experience of peer banks, the amount of past due and nonperforming loans, and the estimated values of loan collateral.  Commercial and commercial real estate loans are assigned internal risk ratings reflecting our estimate of the probability of the borrower defaulting on any obligation and the estimated probable loss in the event of default.  Retail credit risk is measured from a portfolio view rather than by specific borrower and are assigned internal risk rankings reflecting the combined probability of default and loss.  The Company’s independent Credit Administration Department assigns allowance factors to the individual internal risk ratings based on an estimate of the risk using a variety of tools and information.  Loan Review is an independent unit that performs loan reviews and evaluates a representative sample of credit extensions after the fact for appropriate individual internal risk ratings.  Loan Review has the authority to change internal risk ratings and is responsible for assessing the adequacy of credit underwriting.  This unit reports directly to the Directors Loan Committee of the Board of Directors.


The allowance as a percentage of loans outstanding has increased from 1.22 percent at March 31, 2008, to 1.75 percent at December 31, 2008, and to 1.99 percent at March 31, 2009.  The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of an amount adequate in relation to the risk of losses inherent in the loan portfolio, as well as deterioration in our local economies, especially in the sales volumes and values in our residential real estate markets.    


During the first three months of 2009, net charge-offs totaled $8,540,000, comprised of $4,278,000 in nonperforming construction and land development loans, $1,220,000 in net charge-offs for commercial and commercial real estate loans, $2,466,000 in net charge-offs related to residential real estate, $236,000 for consumer loans, and $340,000 for home equity lines of credit.  In comparison, during the first three months of 2008, net charge-offs totaled $4,401,000.  


32










Concentration of credit risk, discussed under “Loan Portfolio” of this discussion and analysis, can affect the level of the allowance and may involve loans to one borrower, an affiliated group of borrowers, borrowers engaged in or dependent upon the same industry, or a group of borrowers whose loans are predicated on the same type of collateral.  The Company’s significant concentration of credit is a portfolio of loans secured by real estate.  At March 31, 2009, the Company had $1.485 billion in loans secured by real estate, representing 91.0 percent of total loans, up slightly from 90.5 percent at March 31, 2008.  In addition, the Company is subject to a geographic concentration of credit because it only operates in central and southeastern Florida.  The Company has a credit exposure to commercial real estate developers and investors with total commercial real estate construction and land development loans of $319 million or 19.5 percent of total loans at March 31, 2009, down from $522 million or 27.8 percent at March 31, 2008.  The Company’s exposure to these credits is secured by project assets and personal guarantees.  The exposure to this industry group, together with an assessment of current trends and expected future financial performance, are considered in our evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses.  


While it is the Company’s policy to charge off in the current period loans in which a loss is considered probable, there are additional risks of future losses that cannot be quantified precisely or attributed to particular loans or classes of loans.  Because these risks include the state of the economy and local market conditions as well as conditions affecting individual borrowers, management’s judgment of the allowance is necessarily approximate and imprecise.  It is also subject to regulatory examinations and determinations as to adequacy, which may take into account such factors as the methodology used to calculate the allowance for loan losses and the size of the allowance for loan losses in comparison to a group of peer companies identified by the regulatory agencies.


In assessing the adequacy of the allowance, management relies predominantly on its ongoing review of the loan portfolio, which is undertaken both to ascertain whether there are probable losses that must be charged off and to assess the risk characteristics of the portfolio in aggregate.  This review considers the judgments of management, and also those of bank regulatory agencies that review the loan portfolio as part of their regular examination process.  Our bank regulators have generally agreed with our credit assessments, however the regulators could seek additional provisions to our allowance for loan losses and additional capital in light of the risks of our markets and credits.  


The Company entered into a formal agreement with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) on December 16, 2008 to improve the asset quality of our bank subsidiary, Seacoast National Bank.  Under the formal agreement, Seacoast National Bank’s board of directors will appoint a compliance committee to monitor and coordinate Seacoast National Bank’s performance under the formal agreement.  The formal agreement provides for the development and implementation of written programs to reduce Seacoast National Bank’s credit risk, monitor and reduce the level of criticized assets, and manage commercial real estate loan (“CRE”) concentrations in light of current adverse CRE market conditions.  To date the Company has complied with the terms of this agreement.


33










NONPERFORMING ASSETS


Nonperforming assets at March 31, 2009 totaled $122,065,000 and are comprised of $109,381,000 of nonaccrual loans and $12,684,000 of other real estate owned (foreclosed property), compared to $92,005,000 at December 31, 2008 (comprised of $86,970,000 in nonaccrual loans and $5,035,000 of other real estate owned) and $65,670,000 at March 31, 2008 (comprised of $64,730,000 of nonaccrual loans and $940,000 of other real estate owned).  At March 31, 2009, virtually all nonaccrual loans were secured with real estate, including $58.1 million of nonaccrual loans that are land and acquisition and development loans related to the residential market.  


During 2008 and 2007, loan sales totaled $119 million at an average price of approximately 64 percent of outstanding balance sold.  Prospectively, the Company anticipates loan sales will likely play a lesser role in connection with loss mitigation efforts as we shift our focus to other strategies, including troubled debt restructures, where appropriate.  The increase in nonaccrual loans of $22.4 million since year-end 2008 is in part due to stressed market conditions and also a ramping up of efforts to pursue troubled debt restructures with commercial and retail mortgage borrowers during the quarter.  The Company pursues loan restructures in selected cases where it is expected to receive better liquidation values than may be expected through other traditional collection activities.  During the first quarter of 2009, the Company worked with retail mortgage customers, when possible, to achieve lower payment structures in an effort to avoid foreclosure.  A total of 93 applications were received seeking restructured mortgages during the quarter versus 37 in the fourth quarter of 2008.  Troubled debt restructurings are part of the Company’s loss mitigation activities and can include rate reductions, payment extensions and principal deferment.  Company policy requires troubled debt restructures be classified as nonaccrual loans until (under certain circumstances) performance can be verified (typically six months).  Troubled debt restructures included in nonperforming loans totaled $32.9 million at March 31, 2009, of which $24.0 million were in accordance with restructured terms.  Accruing restructured loans totaled $3.3 million at March 31, 2009.


No assurance can be given that nonperforming assets will not in fact increase or otherwise change.  Nonperforming assets are subject to changes in the economy, both nationally and locally, changes in monetary and fiscal policies, and changes in conditions affecting various borrowers from the Company’s subsidiary bank.  


SECURITIES


At March 31, 2009, the Company had no trading securities, $349,181,000 in securities available for sale, and securities held for investment carried at $26,655,000.  The Company's securities portfolio increased $81,386,000 or 27.6 percent from March 31, 2008, and $29,935,000 or 8.7 percent from December 31, 2008.  


The Company manages its interest rate risk by targeting an average duration for the securities portfolio through the acquisition of securities returning principal monthly that can be reinvested.  Mortgage backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations comprise $343,820,000 of total securities, over 91 percent of the portfolio.  Remaining securities are largely comprised of U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government agency securities and tax-exempt bonds issued by states, counties and municipalities.  


Federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits (aggregated) totaled $110,231,000 and $35,217,000 at March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and were slightly higher when compared to $105,190,000 outstanding at December 31, 2008.  


At March 31, 2009, available for sale securities had gross losses of $2,576,000 and gross gains of $10,531,000, compared to gross losses of $1,764,000 and gross gains of $4,558,000 at March 31, 2008.  All of the securities with unrealized losses are reviewed for other-than-temporary impairment at least quarterly. As a result of these reviews in the first quarter of 2009, it was determined that no impairment charges related to securities owned with unrealized losses were deemed other than temporarily impaired since the Company has the present intent and ability to retain these securities until recovery.


Company management considers the overall quality of the securities portfolio to be high.  The Company has no exposure to securities with subprime collateral and had no Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac preferred stock when these entities were placed in conservatorship.  The Company holds no interests in trust preferred securities.


DEPOSITS AND BORROWINGS


Total deposits decreased $131,430,000 or 6.8 percent to $1,814,308,000 at March 31, 2009 compared to one year earlier, reflecting declines in deposits in the Company’s central Florida region during 2008 and public funds migrating to sweep repurchase agreements purposefully, to mitigate higher FDIC insurance costs.  Since March 31, 2008, lower cost interest bearing deposits (NOW, savings and money markets deposits) decreased $159,543,000 or 16.2 percent to $827,251,000 and noninterest bearing demand deposits decreased $47,817,000 or 14.5 percent to $281,809,000.  Certificates of deposit (CDs) increased $75,930,000 or 12.1 percent to $705,248,000 over the past twelve months, including the addition of brokered time deposits totaling $72,872,000 at March 31, 2009.  The Company joined the Certificate of Deposit Registry (“CDARs”) program effective July 1, 2008, to provide large balance depositors access to full insurance coverage for their funds via CDs exchanged between participating FDIC-insured financial institutions.  Funds deposited under the CDARs program are required to be classified as brokered deposits on the Company’s balance sheet.  With interest rates higher on CDs, shifts from lower cost (or no cost) deposit products to CDs occurred during 2008 as local competitors with higher loan to deposit ratios aggressively increased rates seeking needed funding for their institutions.  During this period of time, Seacoast was more cautious with regards to the pricing of CDs and is content to continue to follow this strategy prospectively, even more so with safety a primary factor for depositors versus higher rates at this time.  


34










Although total deposits increased nominally since year-end 2008 (by $3.9 million), the mix of deposits has improved, with CDs declining by $27.7 million, offset by lower cost core interest bearing deposits increasing $25.1 million and noninterest bearing demand deposits increasing $6.5 million.  The Company continues to utilize a focused retail deposit growth strategy that has successfully generated core deposit relationships and increased services per household.  New personal checking household deposit balances for the first quarter of 2009 increased $27 million or 7 percent from fourth quarter 2008 and average services per new household have increased by 14 percent compared to a year ago.


Repurchase agreement balances increased over the past twelve months by $58,052,000 or 61.2 percent to $152,947,000 at March 31, 2009.  Repurchase agreements are offered by the Company’s subsidiary bank to select customers who wish to sweep excess balances on a daily basis for investment purposes.  Public fund depositors switching to sweep repurchase agreements were the primary cause for the increase year over year.  At March 31, 2009, the number of sweep repurchase accounts was 228, compared to 250 a year ago.  While the Company utilizes federal funds purchased from time to time during temporary gaps between funding and payments, and during seasonal months in the summer when deposits tend to decrease, no federal funds purchased were outstanding at March 31, 2009 and 2008.  

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET TRANSACTIONS


In the normal course of business, we engage in a variety of financial transactions that, under generally accepted accounting principles, either are not recorded on the balance sheet or are recorded on the balance sheet in amounts that differ from the full contract or notional amounts.  These transactions involve varying elements of market, credit and liquidity risk.


The two primary off-balance sheet transactions the Company has engaged in are:


·   

to manage exposure to interest rate risk (derivatives); and


·   

to facilitate customers’ funding needs or risk management objectives (commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit).


Derivative transactions are often measured in terms of a notional amount, but this amount is not recorded on the balance sheet and is not, when viewed in isolation, a meaningful measure of the risk profile of the instruments.  The notional amount is not usually exchanged, but is used only as the basis upon which interest or other payments are calculated.


The derivatives the Company uses to manage exposure to interest rate risk are interest rate swaps.  All interest rate swaps are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value with realized and unrealized gains and losses included either in the results of operations or in other comprehensive income, depending on the nature and purpose of the derivative transaction.  


Credit risk of these transactions is managed by establishing a credit limit for counterparties and through collateral agreements.  The fair value of interest rate swaps recorded in the balance sheet at March 31, 2009 included derivative product assets of $239,000.  In comparison, at March 31, 2008 derivative product assets of $307,000 were outstanding.


Lending commitments include unfunded loan commitments and standby and commercial letters of credit.  A large majority of loan commitments and standby letters of credit expire without being funded, and accordingly, total contractual amounts are not representative of our actual future credit exposure or liquidity requirements.  Loan commitments and letters of credit expose the Company to credit risk in the event that the customer draws on the commitment and subsequently fails to perform under the terms of the lending agreement.


Loan commitments to customers are made in the normal course of our commercial and retail lending businesses.  For commercial customers, loan commitments generally take the form of revolving credit arrangements. For retail customers, loan commitments generally are lines of credit secured by residential property.  These instruments are not recorded on the balance sheet until funds are advanced under the commitment.  For loan commitments, the contractual amount of a commitment represents the maximum potential credit risk that could result if the entire commitment had been funded, the borrower had not performed according to the terms of the contract, and no collateral had been provided.  Loan commitments were $194 million at March 31, 2009 and $312 million at March 31, 2008.


INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY


Fluctuations in interest rates may result in changes in the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments, cash flows and net interest income.  This risk is managed using simulation modeling to calculate the most likely interest rate risk utilizing estimated loan and deposit growth.  The objective is to optimize the Company’s financial position, liquidity, and net interest income while limiting their volatility.


Senior management regularly reviews the overall interest rate risk position and evaluates strategies to manage the risk.  The Company has determined that an acceptable level of interest rate risk would be for net interest income to fluctuate no more than 6 percent given a parallel change in interest rates (up or down) of 200 basis points.  The Company’s most recent Asset and Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”) model simulation indicates net interest income would decrease 2.7 percent if interest rates gradually rise 200 basis points over the next 12 months and 1.3 percent if interest rates gradually rise 100 basis points.  


The Company had a negative gap position based on contractual and prepayment assumptions for the next 12 months, with a negative cumulative interest rate sensitivity gap as a percentage of total earning assets of 19 percent at December 31, 2008.  For the first quarter of 2009, the gap remains negative, close to December’s result.

 

35











The computations of interest rate risk do not necessarily include certain actions management may undertake to manage this risk in response to changes in interest rates.  Derivative financial instruments, such as interest rate swaps, options, caps, floors, futures and forward contracts may be utilized as components of the Company’s risk management profile.  


LIQUIDITY MANAGEMENT


Liquidity planning and management are necessary to ensure the ability to fund operation costs effectively and to meet current and future potential obligations such as loan commitments and unexpected deposit outflows.  The Company has the ability to purchase funds on an unsecured basis from correspondent banks and routinely use securities and loans as collateral for secured borrowings.  In the event of severe market disruptions, we have access to secured borrowings through the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) and the Federal Reserve.


Contractual maturities for assets and liabilities are reviewed to adequately maintain current and expected future liquidity requirements.  Sources of liquidity, both anticipated and unanticipated, are maintained through a portfolio of high quality marketable assets, such as residential mortgage loans, securities held for sale and federal funds sold.  The Company also has access to borrowed funds such as federal funds and FHLB lines of credit and during 2008 pledged collateral to the Federal Reserve under its borrower-in-custody program to establish a line of credit through the discount window.  The Company is also able to provide short term financing of its activities by selling, under an agreement to repurchase, United States Treasury and Government agency securities not pledged to secure public deposits or trust funds.  At March 31, 2009, the Company had available lines of credit of $525 million.   The Company had $21 million of United States Treasury and Government agency securities and mortgage backed securities not pledged and available for use under repurchase agreements, and had an additional $162 million in residential and commercial real estate loans available as collateral.  

 

Liquidity, as measured in the form of cash and cash equivalents (including federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits), totaled $149,491,000 at March 31, 2009 as compared to $99,504,000 at March 31, 2008.  The composition of cash and cash equivalents has changed from a year ago.  Over the past twelve months cash and due from banks declined $25,027,000 or 38.9 percent while federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits increased $75,014,000 to $110,231,000.  Cash and cash equivalents vary with seasonal deposit movements and are generally higher in the winter than in the summer, and vary with the level of principal repayments and investment activity occurring in the Company's securities portfolio and loan portfolio.  


EFFECTS OF INFLATION AND CHANGING PRICES


The condensed consolidated financial statements and related financial data presented herein have been prepared in accordance with U. S. generally accepted accounting principles, which require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars, without considering changes in the relative purchasing power of money, over time, due to inflation.


Unlike most industrial companies, virtually all of the assets and liabilities of a financial institution are monetary in nature.  As a result, interest rates have a more significant impact on a financial institution's performance than the general level of inflation.  However, inflation affects financial institutions' increasing cost of goods and services purchased, as well as the cost of salaries and benefits, occupancy expense, and similar items.  Inflation and related increases in interest rates generally decrease the market value of investments and loans held and may adversely affect liquidity, earnings, and shareholders' equity.  Mortgage originations and re-financings tend to slow as interest rates increase, and likely will reduce the Company's earnings from such activities and the income from the sale of residential mortgage loans in the secondary market.


SUPPLEMENTAL TABLES


Tables on the next several pages provide detail on loan portfolio composition and changes by quarter since December 31, 2006:











QUARTERLY TRENDS – LOANS AT END OF PERIOD (Dollars in Millions)

      
 

2006

 

2007

 
 

4th Qtr

 

1st Qtr

2nd Qtr

3rd Qtr

4th Qtr

 

Construction and land development

       

   Residential

       

      Condominiums

$ 94.8

 

 $ 84.4

 $ 74.2

$ 72.5

 $ 60.2

 

      Townhomes

    10.4

 

  9.9

 11.3

   25.0

       25.0

 

      Single family residences

     80.3

 

     100.9

       66.6

63.9

       59.0

 

      Single family land and lots

      106.3

 

    107.7

  129.0

   128.4

     116.4

 

      Multifamily

     48.2

 

      48.7

    46.6

    33.8

       34.5

 
 

     340.0

 

      351.6

   327.7

   323.6

     295.1

 
        

   Commercial

       

      Office buildings

       14.1

 

     17.6

   19.2

     22.4

       30.9

 

      Retail trade

       16.1

 

    12.5

     26.4

     50.2

       69.0

 

      Land

        93.5

 

      93.4

    99.4

      86.2

       82.6

 

      Industrial

          6.3

 

        8.9

       13.1

     16.9

       13.0

 

      Healthcare

         2.0

 

      2.5

    3.0

        1.0

         1.0

 

      Churches and educational facilities  

          2.1

 

      1.8

         1.9

       1.9

           -   

 

      Lodging

          2.1

 

      4.8

       11.2

    11.2

       11.2

 

      Convenience stores

          0.5

 

        0.5

         1.0

      1.4

         1.7

 

      Marina

        2.2

 

     2.2

         2.2

  21.9

       23.1

 

      Other

          0.9

 

         2.8

       12.8

      8.6

         9.9

 
 

    139.8

 

  147.0

 190.2

     221.7

     242.4

 
        

   Individuals

       

      Lot loans

       40.6

 

     40.5

       40.0

   40.7

       39.4

 

      Construction

        50.7

 

     41.7

       43.6

    41.0

       32.7

 
 

       91.3

 

     82.2

       83.6

    81.7

       72.1

 

Total construction and land development

           571.1

 

        580.8

     601.5

       627.0

     609.6

 
        

Real estate mortgages

       

   Residential real estate

       

      Adjustable

     277.7

 

   285.4

 298.4

     313.0

     319.5

 

      Fixed rate

87.9             

 

87.9          

       87.6

88.1         

       87.5

 

      Home equity mortgages

        95.9

 

      97.3

       90.0

    90.8

       91.4

 

      Home equity lines

       50.9

 

     51.4

       56.6

    55.1

       59.1

 
 

      512.4

 

  522.0

     532.6

547.0

     557.5

 
        

   Commercial real estate

       

      Office buildings

      109.2

 

  113.4

     116.1

125.6

     131.7

 

      Retail trade

       50.9

 

     62.0

       62.8

   74.9

       76.2

 

      Land

             -   

 

        -   

           -   

   2.6

         5.3

 

      Industrial

        64.3

 

   66.3

       84.7

  100.2

     105.5

 

      Healthcare

       40.7

 

     40.5

       39.7

    33.2

       32.4

 

      Churches and educational facilities

             32.3

 

          32.9

       32.7

         36.0

       40.2

 

      Recreation

          4.4

 

     4.4

         4.5

     4.7

         3.0

 

      Multifamily

          9.9

 

       8.4

       10.4

  11.3

       13.8

 

      Mobile home parks

          6.0

 

       3.0

         4.0

      4.0

     3.9

 

      Lodging

       19.1

 

    16.9

       16.8

   22.3

       22.7

 

      Restaurant

11.7             

 

11.2          

         9.6

7.2           

         8.2

 

      Agricultural

  26.1

 

  24.5

       23.4

  19.6

       12.9

 

      Convenience stores

     22.0

 

22.2

 23.6

    23.5

       23.2

 

      Other

        40.8

 

     38.8

       30.5

  39.7

       38.3

 
 

     437.4

 

 444.5

     458.8

504.8

     517.3

 

   Total real estate mortgages

      949.8

 

    966.5

991.4

  1,051.8

  1,074.8

 
        

Commercial & financial

      128.1

 

    112.1

     139.0

   135.1

     126.7

 
        

Installment loans to individuals

       

      Automobile and trucks

        22.3

 

     23.3

       23.6

   24.8

       25.0

 

      Marine loans

       32.5

 

    30.1

       26.6

    24.8

       33.2

 

      Other

        28.6

 

    29.8

       29.4

    29.0

       28.2

 
 

        83.4

 

     83.2

       79.6

    78.6

       86.4

 
        

Other

         0.7

 

     0.7

         1.6

     0.6

         0.9

 
 

 $1,733.1

 

 $1,743.3

$1,813.1

$1,893.1

$1,898.4

 


36




















QUARTERLY TRENDS – LOANS AT END OF PERIOD (Continued) (Dollars in Millions)

      
  

2008

 

2009

  

1st Qtr

2nd Qtr

3rd Qtr

4th Qtr

 

1st Qtr

Construction and land development

       

   Residential

       

      Condominiums

 

$ 57.2

$ 47.4

$ 32.6

 $ 17.4

 

 $ 16.3

      Townhomes

 

       23.8

       20.0

        21.7

       6.1

 

       4.2

      Single family residences

 

       56.7

49.5

        37.2

       26.8

 

       20.5

      Single family land and lots

 

     112.1

    95.1

        70.2

     52.8

 

     51.4

      Multifamily

 

       32.6

       34.0

        30.7

       26.8

 

       24.8

  

     282.4

   246.0

      192.4

     129.9

 

     117.2

        

   Commercial

       

      Office buildings

 

       29.1

       31.1

        27.8

       17.3

 

       17.4

      Retail trade

 

       60.4

       63.6

        68.5

       68.7

 

       70.0

      Land

 

       92.5

     75.4

        73.9

       73.3

 

       60.9

      Industrial

 

       16.9

    20.8

        20.7

       13.3

 

       9.0

      Healthcare

 

         1.0

         1.0

            -   

         -

 

         5.7

      Churches and educational facilities  

 

           -   

   0.1

            -   

           -   

 

           -   

      Lodging

 

           -   

             -   

            -   

       -

 

       0.6

      Convenience stores

 

         1.8

             -   

            -   

         -

 

         -

      Marina

 

       26.8

      28.9

        30.5

       30.7

 

       31.6

      Other

 

       11.3

         6.3

          5.4

         6.0

 

         6.2

  

     239.8

  227.2

      226.8

     209.3

 

     201.4

        

   Individuals

       

      Lot loans

 

       39.4

       40.0

        38.4

       35.7

 

       34.0

      Construction

 

       32.4

       27.1

        27.4

       20.3

 

       16.2

  

       71.8

        67.1

        65.8

       56.0

 

       50.2

Total construction and land development

 

     594.0

       540.3

      485.0

     395.2

 

     368.8

        

Real estate mortgages

       

   Residential real estate

       

      Adjustable

 

     317.6

318.8

      316.5

     329.0

 

     333.1

      Fixed rate

 

89.1       

       90.2

        93.4

       95.5

 

       90.8

      Home equity mortgages

 

       91.7

   93.1

        84.3

       84.8

 

       85.5

      Home equity lines

 

       56.3

   59.4

        59.7

       58.5

 

       60.3

  

     554.7

 561.5

      553.9

     567.8

 

     569.7

        

   Commercial real estate

       

      Office buildings

 

     144.3

 142.3

      143.6

     146.4

 

     140.6

      Retail trade

 

       83.8

       93.5

      101.6

       111.9

 

       109.1

      Land

 

           -   

             -   

          0.6

         -

 

         -

      Industrial

 

     104.3

       93.3

        92.2

     94.7

 

     95.3

      Healthcare

 

  39.9

   33.6

        31.6

       29.2

 

       28.3

      Churches and educational facilities

 

       40.2

         36.5

        35.6

       35.2

 

       34.8

      Recreation

 

         2.8

     1.8

          1.8

         1.7

 

         1.7

      Multifamily

 

       20.0

 19.1

        19.2

       27.2

 

       27.2

      Mobile home parks

 

         3.2

     3.1

          3.1

     3.0

 

     3.0

      Lodging

 

       27.9

       28.0

        26.7

       26.6

 

       26.3

      Restaurant

 

         8.0

9.0           

          8.6

         6.2

 

         6.1

      Agricultural

 

       12.4

         9.0

          8.7

       8.5

 

       8.2

      Convenience stores

 

       23.1

       24.9

        23.6

       23.5

 

       23.3

      Other

 

       40.1

   41.6

        42.5

       43.6

 

       43.0

  

     550.0

535.7

      539.4

     557.7

 

     546.9

   Total real estate mortgages

 

  1,104.7

1,097.2

   1,093.3

  1,125.5

 

  1,116.6

        

Commercial & financial

 

       93.9

   94.8

        88.5

     82.8

 

     75.5

        

Installment loans to individuals

       

      Automobile and trucks

 

       24.1

    23.0

        21.9

       20.8

 

       19.4

      Marine loans

 

       33.3

       25.2

        26.0

       26.0

 

       26.3

      Other

 

       27.5

    27.9

        27.4

       26.1

 

       25.7

  

       84.9

 76.1

        75.3

       72.9

 

       71.4

        

Other

 

         0.5

     0.4

          0.5

         0.3

 

         0.3

  

$1,878.0

$1,808.8

 $1,742.6

$1,676.7

 

$1,632.6


37




















 

QUARTERLY TRENDS – INCREASE (DECREASE) IN LOANS BY QUARTER (Dollars in Millions)

  
   

2007

   

1st Qtr

2nd Qtr

3rd Qtr

4th Qtr

Construction and land development

    

   Residential

     

      Condominiums

 $ (10.4)

 $   (10.2)

 $   (1.7)

 $  (12.3)

      Townhomes

 

          (0.5)

          1.4

      13.7

          -   

      Single family residences

          20.6

      (34.3)

      (2.7)

       (4.9)

      Single family land and lots

            1.4

        21.3

      (0.6)

     (12.0)

      Multifamily

 

            0.5

        (2.1)

    (12.8)

        0.7

   

          11.6

      (23.9)

      (4.1)

     (28.5)

   Commercial

     

      Office buildings

            3.5

          1.6

        3.2

        8.5

      Retail trade

 

          (3.6)

        13.9

      23.8

      18.8

      Land

 

          (0.1)

          6.0

    (13.2)

       (3.6)

      Industrial

 

            2.6

          4.2

        3.8

       (3.9)

      Healthcare

 

            0.5

          0.5

      (2.0)

          -   

      Churches and educational facilities

          (0.3)

          0.1

         -   

       (1.9)

      Lodging

 

            2.7

          6.4

         -   

          -   

      Convenience stores

              -   

          0.5

        0.4

        0.3

      Marina

 

              -   

           -   

      19.7

        1.2

      Other

 

            1.9

        10.0

      (4.2)

        1.3

   

            7.2

        43.2

      31.5

      20.7

   Individuals

     

      Lot loans

 

          (0.1)

        (0.5)

        0.7

       (1.3)

      Construction

          (9.0)

          1.9

      (2.6)

       (8.3)

   

          (9.1)

          1.4

      (1.9)

       (9.6)

   Total construction and land development

            9.7

        20.7

      25.5

     (17.4)

       

Real estate mortgages

    

   Residential real estate

    

      Adjustable

 

            7.7

        13.0

      14.6

        6.5

      Fixed rate

 

              -   

        (0.3)

        0.5

       (0.6)

      Home equity mortgages

            1.4

        (7.3)

        0.8

        0.6

      Home equity lines

            0.5

          5.2

      (1.5)

        4.0

   

            9.6

        10.6

      14.4

      10.5

   Commercial real estate

    

      Office buildings

            4.2

          2.7

        9.5

        6.1

      Retail trade

 

          11.1

          0.8

      12.1

        1.3

      Land

 

              -   

           -   

        2.6

        2.7

      Industrial

 

            2.0

        18.4

      15.5

        5.3

      Healthcare

 

          (0.2)

        (0.8)

      (6.5)

       (0.8)

      Churches and educational facilities

            0.6

        (0.2)

        3.3

        4.2

      Recreation

 

              -   

          0.1

        0.2

       (1.7)

      Multifamily

 

          (1.5)

          2.0

        0.9

        2.5

      Mobile home parks

          (3.0)

          1.0

         -   

       (0.1)

      Lodging

 

          (2.2)

        (0.1)

        5.5

        0.4

      Restaurant

 

          (0.5)

        (1.6)

      (2.4)

        1.0

      Agricultural

 

          (1.6)

        (1.1)

      (3.8)

       (6.7)

      Convenience stores

            0.2

          1.4

      (0.1)

       (0.3)

      Other

 

          (2.0)

        (8.3)

        9.2

       (1.4)

   

            7.1

        14.3

      46.0

      12.5

   Total real estate mortgages

          16.7

        24.9

      60.4

      23.0

       

Commercial & financial

        (16.0)

        26.9

      (3.9)

       (8.4)

       

Installment loans to individuals

    

      Automobile and trucks

            1.0

          0.3

        1.2

        0.2

      Marine loans

          (2.4)

        (3.5)

      (1.8)

        8.4

      Other

 

            1.2

        (0.4)

      (0.4)

       (0.8)

   

          (0.2)

        (3.6)

      (1.0)

        7.8

       

Other

  

              -   

          0.9

      (1.0)

        0.3

   

 $       10.2

 $     69.8

 $   80.0

 $     5.3


38




















QUARTERLY TRENDS – INCREASE (DECREASE) IN LOANS BY QUARTER (Continued)

(Dollars in Millions)

      
  

2008

 

2009

  

1st Qtr

2nd Qtr

3rd Qtr

4th Qtr

 

1st Qtr

Construction and land development

       

   Residential

       

      Condominiums

 

$ (3.0)

$ (9.8)

$ (14.8)

$ (15.2)

 

$ (1.1)

      Townhomes

 

(1.2)

(3.8)

1.7

(15.6)

 

(1.9)

      Single family residences

 

(2.3)

(7.2)

(12.3)

(10.4)

 

(6.3)

      Single family land and lots

 

(4.3)

(17.0)

(24.9)

(17.4)

 

(1.4)

      Multifamily

 

(1.9)

1.4

(3.3)

(3.9)

 

(2.0)

  

(12.7)

(36.4)

(53.6)

(62.5)

 

(12.7)

        

   Commercial

       

      Office buildings

 

(1.8)

2.0

(3.3)

(10.5)

 

0.1

      Retail trade

 

(8.6)

3.2

4.9

0.2

 

1.3

      Land

 

9.9

(17.1)

(1.5)

(0.6)

 

(12.4)

      Industrial

 

3.9

3.9

(0.1)

(7.4)

 

(4.3)

      Healthcare

 

-

-

(1.0)

-

 

5.7

      Churches and educational facilities  

 

-

0.1

(0.1)

-

 

-

      Lodging

 

(11.2)

-

-

-

 

0.6

      Convenience stores

 

0.1

(1.8)

-

-

 

-

      Marina

 

3.7

2.1

1.6

0.2

 

0.9

      Other

 

1.4

(5.0)

(0.9)

0.6

 

0.2

  

(2.6)

(12.6)

(0.4)

(17.5)

 

(7.9)

        

   Individuals

       

      Lot loans

 

-

0.6

(1.6)

(2.7)

 

(1.7)

      Construction

 

(0.3)

(5.3)

0.3

(7.1)

 

(4.1)

  

(0.3)

(4.7)

(1.3)

(9.8)

 

(5.8)

Total construction and land development

 

(15.6)

(53.7)

(55.3)

(89.8)

 

(26.4)

        

Real estate mortgages

       

   Residential real estate

       

      Adjustable

 

(1.9)

1.2

(2.3)

12.5

 

4.1

      Fixed rate

 

1.6

1.1

3.2

2.1

 

(4.7)

      Home equity mortgages

 

0.3

1.4

(8.8)

0.5

 

0.7

      Home equity lines

 

(2.8)

3.1

0.3

(1.2)

 

1.8

  

(2.8)

6.8

(7.6)

13.9

 

1.9

        

   Commercial real estate

       

      Office buildings

 

12.6

(2.0)

1.3

2.8

 

(5.8)

      Retail trade

 

7.6

9.7

8.1

10.3

 

(2.8)

      Land

 

(5.3)

-

0.6

(0.6)

 

-

      Industrial

 

(1.2)

(11.0)

(1.1)

2.5

 

0.6

      Healthcare

 

7.5

(6.3)

(2.0)

(2.4)

 

(0.9)

      Churches and educational facilities

 

-

(3.7)

(0.9)

(0.4)

 

(0.4)

      Recreation

 

(0.2)

(1.0)

-

(0.1)

 

-

      Multifamily

 

6.2

(0.9)

0.1

8.0

 

-

      Mobile home parks

 

(0.7)

(0.1)

-

(0.1)

 

-

      Lodging

 

5.2

0.1

(1.3)

(0.1)

 

(0.3)

      Restaurant

 

(0.2)

1.0

(0.4)

(2.4)

 

(0.1)

      Agricultural

 

(0.5)

(3.4)

(0.3)

(0.2)

 

(0.3)

      Convenience stores

 

(0.1)

1.8

(1.3)

(0.1)

 

(0.2)

      Other

 

1.8

1.5

0.9

1.1

 

(0.6)

  

32.7

(14.3)

3.7

18.3

 

(10.8)

   Total real estate mortgages

 

29.9

(7.5)

(3.9)

32.2

 

(8.9)

        

Commercial & financial

 

(32.8)

0.9

(6.3)

(5.7)

 

(7.3)

        

Installment loans to individuals

       

      Automobile and trucks

 

(0.9)

(1.1)

(1.1)

(1.1)

 

(1.4)

      Marine loans

 

0.1

(8.1)

0.8

-

 

0.3

      Other

 

(0.7)

0.4

(0.5)

(1.3)

 

(0.4)

  

(1.5)

(8.8)

(0.8)

(2.4)

 

(1.5)

        

Other

 

(0.4)

(0.1)

0.1

(0.2)

 

-

  

$ (20.4)

$ (69.2)

$ (66.2)

$ (65.9)

 

$ (44.1)


39










SPECIAL CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS


This discussion and analysis contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including, without limitation, statements about future financial and operating results, cost savings, enhanced revenues, economic and seasonal conditions in our markets, and improvements to reported earnings that may be realized from cost controls and for integration of banks that we have acquired, as well as statements with respect to Seacoast’s objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts.  Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.


Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control, and which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Seacoast to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You should not expect us to update any forward-looking statements.  


You can identify these forward-looking statements through our use of words such as “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “should,” “support”, “indicate,” “would,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” “further”, “point to,” “project,” “could,” “intend” or other similar words and expressions of the future.  These forward-looking statements may not be realized due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation: the effects of future economic and market conditions, including seasonality; and sales volumes and volumes of real estate in our local markets, including their effects on our borrowers and the values of collateral securing loans made by us: governmental monetary and fiscal policies, as well as legislative and regulatory changes; the risks of changes in interest rates on the level and composition of deposits, loan demand, and the values of loan collateral, securities, and interest sensitive assets and liabilities; interest rate risks, sensitivities and the shape of the yield curve; the effects of competition from other commercial banks, thrifts, mortgage banking firms, consumer finance companies, credit unions, securities brokerage firms, insurance companies, money market and other mutual funds and other financial institutions operating in our market areas and elsewhere, including institutions operating regionally, nationally and internationally, together with such competitors offering banking products and services by mail, telephone, computer and the Internet; and the failure of assumptions underlying the establishment of reserves for possible loan losses, and the timing and terms of any possible regulatory action that may be taken as a result of our credit quality related declines and in losses realized.  The risks of mergers and acquisitions, include, without limitation: unexpected transaction costs, including the costs of integrating operations; the risks that the businesses will not be integrated successfully or that such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; the potential failure to fully or timely realize expected revenues and revenue synergies, including as the result of revenues following the merger being lower than expected; the risk of deposit and customer attrition; any changes in deposit mix; unexpected operating and other costs, which may differ or change from expectations; the risks of customer and employee loss and business disruption, including, without limitation, as the result of difficulties in maintaining relationships with employees; increased competitive pressures and solicitations of customers by competitors; as well as the difficulties and risks inherent with entering new markets.


All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice, including, without limitation, those risks and uncertainties described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 under “Special Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” and otherwise in our Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reports and filings.  Such reports are available upon request from Seacoast, or from the Securities and Exchange Commission, including through the SEC’s Internet website at http://www.sec.gov.



40










Item 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


See Management’s discussion and analysis “Interest Rate Sensitivity”.


Market risk refers to potential losses arising from changes in interest rates, and other relevant market rates or prices.


Interest rate risk, defined as the exposure of net interest income and Economic Value of Equity (“EVE”) to adverse movements in interest rates, is the Company’s primary market risk, and mainly arises from the structure of the balance sheet (non-trading activities).  The Company is also exposed to market risk in its investing activities.  The ALCO meets regularly and is responsible for reviewing the interest rate sensitivity position of the Company and establishing policies to monitor and limit exposure to interest rate risk.  The policies established by the ALCO are reviewed and approved by the Company’s Board of Directors.  The primary goal of interest rate risk management is to control exposure to interest rate risk, within policy limits approved by the Board.  These limits reflect the Company’s tolerance for interest rate risk over short-term and long-term horizons.


The Company also performs valuation analyses, which are used for evaluating levels of risk present in the balance sheet that might not be taken into account in the net interest income simulation analyses.  Whereas net interest income simulation highlights exposures over a relatively short time horizon, valuation analysis incorporates all cash flows over the estimated remaining life of all balance sheet positions.  The valuation of the balance sheet, at a point in time, is defined as the discounted present value of asset cash flows minus the discounted value of liability cash flows, the net of which is referred to as EVE.  The sensitivity of EVE to changes in the level of interest rates is a measure of the longer-term re-pricing risk and options risk embedded in the balance sheet.  In contrast to the net interest income simulation, which assumes interest rates will change over a period of time, EVE uses instantaneous changes in rates.  EVE values only the current balance sheet, and does not incorporate the growth assumptions that are used in the net interest income simulation model.  As with the net interest income simulation model, assumptions about the timing and variability of balance sheet cash flows are critical in the EVE analysis.  Particularly important are the assumptions driving prepayments and the expected changes in balances and pricing of the indeterminate life deposit portfolios.  Based on our most recent modeling, an instantaneous 100 basis point increase in rates is estimated to increase the EVE 3.4 percent versus the EVE in a stable rate environment.  


While an instantaneous and severe shift in interest rates is used in this analysis to provide an estimate of exposure under an extremely adverse scenario, a gradual shift in interest rates would have a much more modest impact.  Since EVE measures the discounted present value of cash flows over the estimated lives of instruments, the change in EVE does not directly correlate to the degree that earnings would be impacted over a shorter time horizon, i.e., the next fiscal year.  Further, EVE does not take into account factors such as future balance sheet growth, changes in product mix, change in yield curve relationships, and changing product spreads that could mitigate the adverse impact of changes in interest rates.


Item 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


The management of the Company, including Mr. Dennis S. Hudson, III as Chief Executive Officer and Mr. William R. Hahl as Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures.  Under rules promulgated by the SEC, disclosure controls and procedures are defined as those “controls or other procedures of an issuer that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the reports filed or submitted by it under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms.”  


The Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer have evaluated the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of March 31, 2009 and concluded that those disclosure controls and procedures are effective.  There have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors known to the Company that could significantly affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting subsequent to their evaluation.  There have been no changes to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred since the beginning of the Company’s first quarter of 2009 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


While the Company believes that its existing disclosure controls and procedures have been effective to accomplish these objectives, the Company intends to continue to examine, refine and formalize its disclosure controls and procedures and to monitor ongoing developments in this area.


41










Part II   OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.

Legal Proceedings


The Company and its subsidiaries are subject, in the ordinary course, to litigation incident to the business in which they are engaged.  Management presently believes that none of the legal proceedings to which it is a party are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, or operating results or cash flows, although no assurance can be given with respect to the ultimate outcome of any such claim or litigation.


Item 1A.

Risk Factors


In addition to the other information set forth in this Report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part 1 under the caption “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results.  The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing our Company.  Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer purchases of equity securities during the first quarter of 2009 were as follows:

Period