firstcal-10q_1102.htm



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
___________________
 
FORM 10-Q
___________________
 
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010
 
OR
 
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from __________ to __________
 
Commission file number 000-52498
___________________
 
FIRST CALIFORNIA FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
___________________
 
Delaware
38-3737811
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)


3027 Townsgate Road, Suite 300
Westlake Village, California
91361
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (805) 322-9655
___________________
 
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 has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   Yes  ¨    No  ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): 

Large accelerated filer  
¨
Accelerated filer
¨
       
Non-accelerated filer
¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  
Smaller reporting company  
x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).   Yes  ¨    No  x
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
 
28,170,760 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value, as of November 5, 2010

 
 
 
1

 
 
 
FIRST CALIFORNIA FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON
FORM 10-Q
 
For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2010
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
Page
     
     
     
     
   
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
 
 
 
 
2

 
 

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.     Financial Statements
 
FIRST CALIFORNIA FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
 
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
Cash and due from banks
 
$
73,028
   
$
26,757
 
Interest bearing deposits with other banks
   
92,874
     
19,737
 
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value
   
272,381
     
349,645
 
Loans, net
   
902,208
     
922,741
 
Premises and equipment, net
   
19,973
     
20,286
 
Goodwill
   
60,720
     
60,720
 
Other intangibles, net
   
10,332
     
11,581
 
Deferred tax assets, net
   
3,520
     
6,046
 
Cash surrender value of life insurance
   
12,122
     
11,791
 
Foreclosed property
   
27,906
     
4,893
 
Accrued interest receivable and other assets
   
23,868
     
25,624
 
                 
Total assets
 
$
1,498,932
   
$
1,459,821
 
                 
Non-interest checking
 
$
308,964
   
$
317,610
 
Interest checking
   
71,224
     
82,806
 
Money market and savings
   
382,482
     
339,750
 
Certificates of deposit, under $100,000
   
72,596
     
116,012
 
Certificates of deposit, $100,000 and over
   
254,100
     
268,537
 
                 
Total deposits
   
1,089,366
     
1,124,715
 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
   
45,000
     
45,000
 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings
   
133,000
     
98,500
 
Junior subordinated debentures
   
26,792
     
26,753
 
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities
   
6,490
     
7,627
 
                 
Total liabilities
   
1,300,648
     
1,302,595
 
                 
Perpetual preferred stock; authorized 2,500,000 shares
               
Series A - $0.01 par value, 1,000 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009
   
1,000
     
1,000
 
Series B - $0.01 par value, 25,000 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009
   
23,514
     
23,170
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 100,000,000 shares; 28,520,477 shares issued at September 30, 2010 and 11,969,294 shares issued at December 31, 2009; 28,174,076 and 11,622,893 shares outstanding at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009
   
283
     
118
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
175,027
     
136,635
 
Treasury stock, 346,401 shares at cost at September 30, 2010 and at December 31, 2009
   
(3,061
)
   
(3,061
)
Retained earnings
   
4,356
     
5,309
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
(2,835
)
   
(5,945
)
                 
Total shareholders’ equity
   
198,284
     
157,226
 
                 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 
$
1,498,932
   
$
1,459,821
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
 
 
3

 
 

FIRST CALIFORNIA FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)

   
Three months ended Sept. 30,
   
Nine months ended Sept. 30,
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Interest and fees on loans
  $ 13,075     $ 13,331     $ 38,881     $ 39,144  
Interest on securities
    1,529       2,819       4,626       9,847  
Interest on federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits
    70       78       149       368  
                                 
Total interest income
    14,674       16,228       43,656       49,359  
                                 
Interest on deposits
    1,897       2,938       5,953       9,519  
Interest on borrowings
    1,231       1,455       3,801       4,512  
Interest on junior subordinated debentures
    439       439       1,316       1,365  
                                 
Total interest expense
    3,567       4,832       11,070       15,396  
                                 
                                 
Net interest income before provision for loan losses
    11,107       11,396       32,586       33,963  
Provision for loan losses
    3,618       4,117       7,138       10,296  
                                 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    7,489       7,279       25,448       23,667  
                                 
Service charges on deposit accounts and other banking-related fees
    932       1,111       2,835       3,199  
Loan sales and commissions
    10       22       26       76  
Net gain on sale of securities
    1,204       1,639       1,466       4,310  
Impairment loss on securities
    (23 )           (41 )     (565 )
Gain on transfer of foreclosed property
                691        
Earnings on cash surrender value of life insurance
    111       110       331       327  
Other income
    63       48       136       238  
                                 
Total noninterest income
    2,297       2,930       5,444       7,585  
                                 
Salaries and employee benefits
    4,420       5,011       14,279       16,032  
Premises and equipment
    1,576       1,558       4,630       4,871  
Data processing
    607       862       1,800       1,812  
Legal, audit and other professional services
    445       541       1,216       1,758  
Printing, stationery and supplies
    69       197       194       600  
Telephone
    193       237       630       764  
Directors’ expense
    101       142       335       398  
Advertising, marketing and business development
    194       245       706       1,144  
Postage
    55       39       158       190  
Insurance and regulatory assessments
    797       849       2,377       2,504  
Loss on and expense of foreclosed property
    185       193       731       442  
Amortization of intangible assets
    416       417       1,249       1,210  
Market loss on loans held-for-sale
                      709  
Other expenses
    626       1,003       2,046       2,513  
                                 
Total noninterest expense
    9,684       11,294       30,351       34,947  
                                 
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes
    102       (1,085 )     541       (3,695 )
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    38       (949 )     213       (1,898 )
                                 
Net income (loss)
    64       (136 )     328       (1,797 )
Preferred stock dividends
    (313 )     (313 )     (938 )     (819 )
Net loss available to common shareholders
  $ (249 )   $ (449 )   $ (610 )   $ (2,616 )
                                 
Loss per common share:
                               
Basic
  $ (0.01 )   $ (0.04 )   $ (0.03 )   $ (0.23 )
Diluted
  $ (0.01 )   $ (0.04 )   $ (0.03 )   $ (0.23 )

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
 
 
4

 
 
 
FIRST CALIFORNIA FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
 
   
Nine Months Ended Sept. 30,
 
(in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
328
   
$
(1,797
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from operating activities:
               
Provision for loan losses
   
7,138
     
10,296
 
Stock-based compensation costs
   
467
     
774
 
Gain on sales of securities
   
(1,466
)
   
(4,310
)
Loss (gain) on sale and transfer of foreclosed property
   
(695
)
   
72
 
Market loss on loans held-for-sale
   
     
709
 
Impairment loss on securities
   
41
     
565
 
Amortization of net premiums on securities available-for-sale
   
2,569
     
578
 
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment
   
1,421
     
1,194
 
Amortization of core deposit and trade name intangibles
   
1,249
     
1,210
 
Loss on disposal of premises and equipment
   
50
     
 
Proceeds from sale of, and payments received from, loans held-for-sale
   
     
181
 
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance
   
(331
)
   
(327
)
Decrease in deferred tax assets
   
2,526
     
2,058
 
(Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable and other assets, net of effects of acquisition
   
    1,145
     
(446
)
Decrease in accrued interest payable and other liabilities, net of effects of acquisition
   
(1,137
)
   
(427
)
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
13,305
     
10,330
 
                 
Purchases of securities available-for-sale, net of effects of acquisition
   
(222,933
)
   
(171,273
)
Proceeds from repayments and maturities of securities available-for-sale
   
118,437
     
48,567
 
Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale
   
184,892
     
120,483
 
Purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank and other stock
   
(55
)
   
(54)
 
Redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
   
624
     
 
Net change in federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits, net of effects from acquisition
   
(73,137
)
   
87,110
 
Loan originations, purchases and principal collections, net of effects of acquisition
   
(12,994
)
   
(35,082
)
Purchases of premises and equipment, net of effects of acquisition
   
(1,206
)
   
(1,039
)
Proceeds from sale of foreclosed property
   
2,170
     
949
 
Net cash paid in acquisition
   
     
(48,790
)
                 
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities
   
(4,202
)
   
871
 
                 
Net increase (decrease) in noninterest-bearing deposits, net of effects of acquisition
   
(8,645
)
   
14,737
 
Net increase (decrease) in interest-bearing deposits, net of effects of acquisition
   
(26,704
)
   
21,885
 
Net increase (decrease) in FHLB advances and other borrowings
   
34,539
     
(17,961
)
Dividends paid on preferred stock
   
(938
)
   
(819
)
Purchases of treasury stock
   
     
(11)
 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
   
38,916
     
 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
   
     
9
 
                 
Net cash provided by financing activities
   
37,168
     
17,840
 
                 
Change in cash and due from banks
   
46,271
     
29,041
 
Cash and due from banks, beginning of period
   
26,757
     
13,712
 
                 
Cash and due from banks, end of period
 
$
73,028
   
$
42,753
 
                 
                 
Supplemental cash flow information:
               
Cash paid for interest
 
$
10,803
   
$
13,953
 
Cash paid for income taxes
 
$
1,000
   
$
950
 
Supplemental disclosure of noncash items:
               
Net change in fair value of securities available-for-sale, net of tax
 
$
3,233
   
$
5,520
 
Net change in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax
 
$
(123
 
$
 
Loans transferred to foreclosed property
 
$
25,414
   
$
6,893
 
Transfer of loans held-for-sale to loans
 
$
   
$
31,221
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
 
 
5

 
 
 
NOTE 1 – NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
Organization and nature of operations – First California Financial Group, Inc., or First California, or the Company, is a bank holding company incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware and headquartered in Westlake Village, California. The principal asset of the Company is the capital stock of First California Bank, or the Bank. The Bank is a full-service commercial bank headquartered in Westlake Village, California, chartered under the laws of the State of California and subject to supervision by the California Department of Financial Institutions and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or the FDIC. The FDIC insures the Bank’s deposits up to the maximum legal limit.
 
On January 23, 2009, the Bank assumed the insured, non-brokered deposits of 1st Centennial Bank, totaling approximately $270 million from the FDIC. The Bank also purchased from the FDIC approximately $178 million in cash and cash equivalents, $89 million in securities and $101 million in loans related to 1st Centennial Bank. The assumption of deposits and purchase of assets from the FDIC, or the FDIC-assisted 1st Centennial Bank transaction, was an all-cash transaction with an aggregate transaction value of $48.8 million. The Bank recorded $10.6 million in goodwill in connection with this transaction. All six of the former 1st Centennial Bank branches have been fully integrated into the Bank’s full-service branch network.
 
The Bank serves the comprehensive financial needs of businesses and consumers in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino and Ventura counties through 17 full-service branch locations.
 
Consolidation – The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, the accounts of the Company, the Bank, Wendy Road Office Development LLC, a subsidiary of the Bank which manages and disposes of real estate, and SC Financial, an inactive subsidiary of First California. The Company does not consolidate the accounts of FCB Statutory Trust I and First California Statutory Trust I, or the Trusts, in the consolidated financial statements. The Company does include however the junior subordinated debentures issued by the Company to the Trusts on the consolidated balance sheets. Results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 include the effects of the FDIC-assisted 1st Centennial Bank transaction from the date of the acquisition. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
 
Basis of presentation – The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8-03 of Regulation S-X as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnote disclosures normally required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In our opinion, all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation are reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Operating results for the period ended September 30, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for any other interim period or for the year ending December 31, 2010. We have evaluated events that have occurred subsequent to September 30, 2010 and have concluded there are no subsequent events that would require recognition in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, except as disclosed in footnote 11. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Reclassifications – Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2009 consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year presentation.
 
Management’s estimates and assumptions – The preparation of the consolidated financial statements, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported revenues and expenses for the reporting periods. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Significant estimations made by management primarily involve the calculation of the allowance for loan losses, the carrying amount of deferred tax assets, the assessments for impairment related to goodwill and securities, the estimated fair value of financial instruments and the effectiveness of derivative instruments in offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows of hedged items.
 
Allowance for loan losses – The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision charged to expense. Loans are charged against the allowance when management believes that the collectability of principal is unlikely. The allowance is an amount that management believes will be adequate to absorb estimated probable losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible, based on evaluations of the collectability of loans and prior loan loss experience. The evaluation includes an assessment of the following factors: any external loan review and any regulatory examination, estimated probable loss exposure on each pool of loans, concentrations of credit, value of collateral, the level of delinquent and nonaccrual loans, trends in the portfolio volume, effects of any changes in the lending policies and procedures, changes in lending personnel, present economic conditions at the local, state and national levels, the amount of undisbursed off-balance sheet commitments, and a migration analysis of historical losses and recoveries for the prior sixteen quarters. Individual loans are also evaluated for impairment and if a portion of a loan is impaired, the impaired amount is charged-off or a specific reserve is allocated for that loan. Various regulatory agencies, as a regular part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgment of information available to them at the time of their examinations. The allowance for loan losses was $16.5 million at both September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

 
 
 
6

 
 
 
Deferred income taxes – Deferred income tax assets and liabilities represent the tax effects of the differences between the book and tax basis of the various balance sheet assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are reflected at currently enacted income tax rates applicable to the period in which the deferred tax assets or liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. As changes in tax laws or rates are enacted, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted through the provision for income taxes. An estimate of probable income tax benefits that will not be realized in future years is required in determining the necessity for a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. There was no valuation allowance at September 30, 2010 or December 31, 2009. There were net deferred tax assets of $3.5 million at September 30, 2010 and $6.0 million at December 31, 2009.
 
Derivative instruments and hedging – In December 2009, the Company purchased a $10.3 million notional forward-starting interest rate cap to limit the variable interest rate payments on the Company’s $10.3 million junior subordinated debentures. In September 2010, the Company purchased a $16.5 million notional forward-setting interest rate cap to limit the variable interest rate payments on the Company’s $16.5 million junior subordinated debentures. The Company assesses the effectiveness of derivative instruments designated in cash flow hedging relationships in off-setting changes in the overall cash flows of designated hedged transactions on a quarterly basis. To the extent these instruments are not effective, the unrealized gains or losses on these instruments are reflected directly in current period earnings. Management determined that the financial instruments are highly effective since inception and for each period and including the quarter ended September 30, 2010.
 
Assessments of impairment – Goodwill is assessed for impairment on an annual basis or at interim periods if an event occurs or circumstances change which may indicate a change in the implied fair value of the goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is estimated by comparing the estimated fair value of the Company to the estimated fair value of the Company’s individual assets, liabilities, and identifiable intangible assets. Impairment exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds this implied fair value. First California uses independent data where possible in determining the fair value of the Company and in determining appropriate market factors used in the fair value calculations. At December 31, 2009, the annual assessment resulted in the conclusion that goodwill was not impaired. At September 30, 2010, an interim assessment was not performed as 2010 year-to-date results were not materially different than the estimates used in the year-end assessment.
 
An impairment assessment is performed quarterly on the securities available-for-sale portfolio in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, accounting standards codification guidance related to the consideration of impairment related to certain debt and equity securities. All of the securities classified as available-for-sale are debt securities.
 
If the Company does not intend to sell, and it is more likely than not that the Company is not required to sell, a debt security before recovery of its cost basis, other-than-temporary impairment is separated into (a) the amount representing credit loss and (b) the amount related to other factors. The amount of the other-than-temporary impairment related to credit loss is recognized in earnings and other-than-temporary impairment related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). Other-than-temporary declines in fair value are assessed based on the duration the security has been in a continuous unrealized loss position, the severity of the decline in value, the rating of the security, the long-term financial outlook of the issuer, the expected future cash flows from the security and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the security until the fair value recovers. Please see the “Securities” section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis in this document for a detailed explanation of the impairment analysis process. The Company will continue to evaluate the securities portfolio for other-than-temporary impairment at each reporting date and can provide no assurance there will not be an other-than-temporary impairment in future periods.
 
For 2009, other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss on three debt securities and recognized in earnings was $1.1 million. In addition, an impairment of $0.4 million on a $1.0 million community development-related equity investment was recognized in earnings in 2009. There was an additional impairment of $41,000 recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 related to the community development-related equity investment.
 
NOTE 2 – RECENTLY ISSUED AND ADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Improving Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses. In July 2010, the FASB issued guidance requiring more robust and disaggregated disclosures about the credit quality of an entity’s financing receivables and its allowance for credit losses. As a result of this guidance, an entity is required to disaggregate, by portfolio segment or class of financing receivable, certain existing disclosures and provide certain new disclosures about its financing receivables and related allowance for credit losses. The objective of enhancing these disclosures is to improve financial statement users’ understanding of (1) the nature of an entity’s credit risk associated with its financing receivables and (2) the entity’s assessment of that risk in estimating its allowance for credit losses as well as changes in the allowance and the reasons for those changes. For public entities, the disclosures as of the end of a reporting period are effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending on or after December 15, 2010. The disclosures about activity that occurs during a reporting period are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010. This guidance will only result in increased financial statement disclosures and will not have an impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows.

 
 
 
7

 
 

Effect of a Loan Modification When the Loan is part of a Pool that is Accounted for as a Single Asset. In April 2010, the FASB issued guidance to account for the modification of a loan which is part of an acquired pool that is accounted for as a single asset. This new guidance clarifies that modifications of acquired loans do not result in the removal of those loans from the pool even if the modification would otherwise be considered a troubled debt restructuring. An entity will continue to be required to consider whether the pool of assets in which the loan is included is impaired if expected cash flows for the pool change. The guidance also allows an entity to make a one-time election to prospectively terminate accounting for loans as a pool. An entity shall apply this election on a pool-by-pool basis. In addition, this election does not preclude an entity from accounting for future loan acquisitions as a pooled unit. The new guidance is to be applied prospectively for any modification of a loan (or loans) accounted for within a pool occurring in the first interim or annual period ending on or after July 15, 2010. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows.
 
Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures – Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. In January 2010, the FASB issued amended guidance for fair value measurement disclosures. The update requires a reporting entity to disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and describe the reasons for the transfers. Furthermore, this update requires a reporting entity to present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs; clarifies existing fair value disclosures about the level of disaggregation and about inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value; and amends guidance on employers’ disclosures about postretirement benefit plan assets to require that disclosures be provided by classes of assets instead of by major categories of assets. The new guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. In the period of initial adoption, entities will not be required to provide the amended disclosures for any previous periods presented for comparative purposes. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2010, which resulted in increased financial statement disclosures and did not have any impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
 
NOTE 3 – ACQUISITION
 
On January 23, 2009, or the Transaction Date, the Bank assumed the insured, non-brokered deposits of 1st Centennial Bank from the FDIC, acting in its capacity as receiver of 1st Centennial Bank. Under the terms of the purchase and assumption agreement between the Bank and the FDIC, the Bank also purchased certain assets from the FDIC at the close of the transaction. The Bank paid cash consideration of $48.8 million to the FDIC for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Bank continues to operate the former 1st Centennial Bank’s six branch locations as part of the Bank’s seventeen branch locations. The Company desired this transaction to enter into new markets and to assume a diversified deposit portfolio with a large percentage of stable core deposits.
 
Under the acquisition method of accounting, the Bank recorded the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values as of the Transaction Date. Results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 include the effects of the assumption of deposits and purchase of assets from the FDIC from the Transaction Date. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the underlying assets acquired, the identified intangible assets, and liabilities assumed was allocated to goodwill. Goodwill represents intangible assets that do not qualify for separate recognition.
 
The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the Transaction Date.
 
(Dollars in thousands)
     
Assets Acquired:
     
Federal Funds sold
  $ 113,090  
Securities
    88,969  
Loans
    101,217  
Goodwill
    10,606  
Core deposit intangible
    4,755  
Other assets
    1,365  
         
Total assets acquired
    320,002  
         
         
Liabilities Assumed:
       
Deposits
    269,688  
Other liabilities
    1,524  
         
Total liabilities assumed
    271,212  
         
Total cash consideration paid to FDIC
  $ 48,790  
 
 
 
 
8

 
 

The Bank based the allocation of the purchase price above on the fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. All of the resulting goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
 
The following information presents the pro forma results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, as though the transaction had occurred on January 1, 2009. The pro forma data was derived by combining the historical consolidated financial information of First California and the results of operations from the assets purchased and liabilities assumed from the FDIC using the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. The pro forma results do not necessarily indicate results that would have been obtained had the transaction actually occurred on January 1, 2009 or the results that may be achieved in the future.
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Pro forma
Nine months ended
Sept. 30, 2009
 
Net interest income
 
$
34,569
 
Noninterest income
   
7,672
 
Noninterest expense
   
35,169
 
Provision for loan losses
   
10,296
 
         
Loss before provision for income taxes
   
(3,224
)
Income tax benefit
   
(1,656
         
Net loss
 
$
(1,568
)
         
Pro forma loss per common share:
       
Basic
 
$
(0.14
)
Diluted
 
$
(0.14
)
Pro forma weighted average shares:
       
Basic
   
11,598
 
Diluted
   
11,598
 

NOTE 4 – SECURITIES
 
The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and estimated fair values of securities available-for-sale at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are summarized as follows:
 
   
September 30, 2010
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
Estimated
Fair
Value
   
(in thousands)
U.S. Treasury notes/bills
 
$
43,178
   
$
68
   
$
   
$
43,246
U.S. government agency notes
   
37,557
     
46
     
(15
)
   
37,588
U.S. government agency mortgage-backed securities
   
58,086
     
1,179
     
(64
)
   
59,201
U.S. government agency collateralized mortgage obligations 
   
98,764
     
573
     
(255
)
   
99,082
Private label collateralized mortgage obligations
   
28,446
     
74
     
(4,153
)
   
24,367
Municipal securities
   
3,448
     
50
     
(2
)
   
3,496
Other domestic debt securities
   
7,272
     
     
(1,871
)
   
5,401
                               
Securities available-for-sale
 
$
276,751
   
$
1,990
   
$
(6,360
)
 
$
272,381
     
     
   
December 31, 2009
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
Estimated
Fair
Value
   
(in thousands)
U.S. Treasury notes/bills
 
$
142,617
   
$
114
   
$
(71
)
 
$
142,660
U.S. government agency notes
   
77,097
     
170
     
(102
)
   
77,165
U.S. government agency mortgage-backed securities
   
47,034
     
280
     
(467
)
   
46,847
U.S. government agency collateralized mortgage obligations 
   
47,028
     
68
     
(156
)
   
46,940
Private label collateralized mortgage obligations
   
32,984
     
17
     
(7,456
)
   
25,545
Municipal securities
   
7,985
     
98
     
(55
)
   
8,028
Other domestic debt securities
   
4,848
     
     
(2,388
)
   
2,460
                               
Securities available-for-sale
 
$
359,593
   
$
747
   
$
(10,695
)
 
$
349,645

 
 
 
9

 
 

As of September 30, 2010, securities available-for-sale with a fair value of $70.9 million were pledged as collateral for borrowings, public deposits and other purposes as required by various statutes and agreements.
 
The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and amortized cost of the Company’s securities with unrealized losses that are not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. This table excludes the three securities with other-than-temporary impairments at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
 
   
At September 30, 2010
 
   
Less Than 12 Months
   
Greater Than 12 Months
   
Total
 
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
   
(in thousands)
 
U.S. Treasury notes/bills
 
$
   
$
   
$
   
$
   
$
   
$
 
U.S. government agency notes
   
5,000
     
(15
)
   
     
     
5,000
     
(15
)
U.S. government agency mortgage-backed securities
   
20,678
     
(64
)
   
     
     
20,678
     
(64
)
U.S. government agency collateralized mortgage obligations 
   
43,409
     
(255
)
   
     
     
43,409
     
(255
)
Private-label collateralized mortgage obligations
   
     
     
13,440
     
(2,072
)
   
13,440
     
(2,072
)
Municipal securities
   
1,167
     
(2
)
   
     
     
1,167
     
(2
)
Other domestic debt securities
   
2,500
     
(19
)
   
4,772
     
(1,852
)
   
7,272
     
(1,871
)
                                                 
   
$
72,754
   
$
(355
)
 
$
18,212
   
$
(3,924
)
 
$
90,966
   
$
(4,279
)
 
 
   
At December 31, 2009
 
   
Less Than 12 Months
   
Greater Than 12 Months
   
Total
 
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
   
(in thousands)
 
U.S. Treasury notes/bills
 
$
55,962
   
$
(71
)
 
$
   
$
   
$
55,962
   
$
(71
)
U.S. government agency notes
   
17,613
     
(102
)
   
     
     
17,613
     
(102
)
U.S. government agency mortgage-backed securities
   
38,349
     
(467
)
   
     
     
38,349
     
(467
)
U.S. government agency collateralized mortgage obligations 
   
19,113
     
(156
)
   
     
     
19,113
     
(156
)
Private-label collateralized mortgage obligations
   
     
     
17,424
     
(4,147
)
   
17,424
     
(4,147
)
Municipal securities
   
4,399
     
(53
)
   
172
     
(2
)
   
4,571
     
(55
)
Other domestic debt securities
   
     
     
4,848
     
(2,388
)
   
4,848
     
(2,388
)
                                                 
   
$
135,436
   
$
(849
)
 
$
22,444
   
$
(6,537
)
 
$
157,880
   
$
(7,386
)
 
An impairment analysis on our debt and equity securities is performed each quarter by the Company. When the Company does not intend to sell, and it is more-likely-than-not that the Company is not required to sell, a debt security before recovery of its cost basis, the Company separates other-than-temporary impairment into (a) the amount representing credit loss and (b) the amount related to other factors. The Company recognizes in earnings the amount of other-than-temporary impairment related to credit loss. The Company recognizes in other comprehensive income the amount of other-than-temporary impairment related to other factors. The Company’s assessment of other-than-temporary declines in fair value considers the duration the debt security has been in a continuous unrealized loss position, the severity of the decline in value, the rating of the debt security, and the long-term financial outlook of the issuer. In addition, the Company considers the expected future cash flows of the debt security and our ability and intent on holding the debt security until the fair values recover. For 2009, other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss on three debt securities with an amortized cost basis totaling $15.1 million and recognized in earnings was $1.1 million. In addition, the Company recognized an impairment of $0.4 million on a $1.0 million community development-related equity investment. There was an additional impairment of $41,000 recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 related to the community development-related equity investment.

 
 
 
10

 
 

The Company will continue to evaluate the securities portfolio for other-than-temporary impairment at each reporting date and can provide no assurance there will not be further other-than-temporary impairments in future periods.
 
The following table presents the other-than-temporary impairment activity related to credit loss, which is recognized in earnings, and the other-than-temporary impairment activity related to all other factors, which are recognized in other comprehensive income.

 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
(in thousands)
 
Impairment
Related to
Credit Loss
   
Impairment
Related to
Other Factors
 
Total
Impairment
Recognized as of beginning of period
 
$
1,115
   
$
 
$
1,115
Charges on securities for which OTTI was previously recognized
   
     
   
                     
Recognized as of end of period
 
$
1,115
   
$
 
$
1,115

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities by contractual maturities are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 
   
At September 30, 2010
   
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair Value
   
(in thousands)
Due in one year or less
 
$
51,484
 
$
51,545
Due after one year through five years
   
30,827
   
30,841
Due after five years through ten years
   
9,709
   
9,762
Due after ten years
   
184,731
   
180,233
             
Total
 
$
276,751
 
$
272,381
 
NOTE 5 – LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
 
The loan portfolio by type consists of the following:
 
(in thousands)
 
At
September 30,
2010
   
At
December 31,
2009
 
Commercial mortgage
 
$
388,786
   
$
381,334
 
Commercial loans and lines of credit
   
218,108
     
235,849
 
Multifamily mortgage
   
135,544
     
138,548
 
Home mortgage
   
76,190
     
51,036
 
Construction and land development
   
58,055
     
86,609
 
Home equity loans and lines of credit
   
36,806
     
40,122
 
Installment and credit card
   
5,219
     
5,748
 
                 
Total loans
   
918,708
     
939,246
 
Allowance for loan losses
   
(16,500
)
   
(16,505
)
                 
Loans, net
 
$
902,208
   
$
922,741
 
                 
 
At September 30, 2010, loans with a balance of $516.8 million were pledged as security for Federal Home Loan Bank, or FHLB, advances. Loan balances include net deferred fees of $0.1 million and $1.5 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

 
 
 
11

 
 

Most of the Company’s lending activity is with customers located in the six Southern California counties where our branches are located. The Company has no significant credit exposure to any individual customer; however, the economic condition in Southern California could adversely affect customers. A significant portion of our loans are collateralized by real estate. Changes in the economic condition in Southern California could adversely affect the value of real estate.
 
Changes in the allowance for loan losses were as follows:
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Beginning balance
  $ 16,452     $ 11,955     $ 16,505     $ 8,048  
Provision for loan losses
    3,618       4,117       7,138       10,296  
Loans charged-off
    (3,891 )     (4,079 )     (7,735 )     (6,590 )
Recoveries on loans charged-off
    321       144       592       383  
                                 
Ending balance
  $ 16,500     $ 12,137     $ 16,500     $ 12,137  
                                 
                                 
Allowance to gross loans
    1.80 %     1.29 %     1.80 %     1.29 %
 
Past due loans and foreclosed assets consist of the following:
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
At
September 30,
2010
   
At
December 31,
2009
 
Accruing loans past due 30 - 89 days
 
$
2,003
   
$
14,592
 
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more
 
$
   
$
200
 
Nonaccrual loans
 
$
22,398
   
$
39,958
 
Foreclosed assets
 
$
27,906
   
$
4,893
 
 
There were $22.4 million and $39.3 million of nonaccrual loans at September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009, respectively. Had these loans performed according to their original terms, additional interest income of approximately $124,000 and $676,000 would have been recognized in the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Had these loans performed according to their original terms, additional interest income of approximately $1,230,000 and $1,317,000 would have been recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
We had twelve restructured loans for $4.3 million at September 30, 2010; four loans for $2.0 million were current at September 30, 2010. Eight loans for $2.3 million are reported as nonaccrual loans at September 30, 2010. We had one $0.6 million restructured loan which was reported as a nonaccrual loan at December 31, 2009.

The Company considers a loan to be impaired when, based on current information and events, the Company does not expect to be able to collect all amounts due according to the loan contract, including scheduled interest payments. Due to the size and nature of the loan portfolio, impaired loans are determined by periodic evaluation on an individual loan basis. The average balance of impaired loans was $27.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and $32.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Impaired loans were $21.1 million at September 30, 2010 and $40.0 million at December 31, 2009. Loan loss allowances for individually impaired loans are computed in accordance with FASB accounting standards related to accounting by creditors for impairment of a loan and are based on either the estimated collateral value less estimated selling costs (if the loan is a collateral-dependent loan), or the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. Of the $21.1 million of impaired loans at September 30, 2010, $10.7 million had specific allowances of $1.9 million. Of the $40.0 million of impaired loans at December 31, 2009, $3.5 million had specific allowances of $2.7 million.
 
NOTE 6 – GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
 
Goodwill was $60.7 million at September 30, 2010 and at December 31, 2009.  No impairment loss was recognized for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009.
 
Core deposit intangibles, net of accumulated amortization, were $7.8 million at September 30, 2010 and $8.7 million at December 31, 2009.  Amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was $316,000 in each period. Amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was $949,000 and $910,000, respectively.

 
 
 
12

 
 
 
Trade name intangible, net of accumulated amortization, was $2.6 million at September 30, 2010 and $2.9 million at December 31, 2009. Amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was $100,000 in each period. Amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was $300,000 in each period.
 
NOTE 7 — DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITY
 
Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives
 
The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity, and credit risk, primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its assets and liabilities through the use of derivative financial instruments. Specifically, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. The Company’s derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of the Company’s known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments principally related to certain variable-rate loan assets and borrowings. The Company does not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes and currently does not have any derivatives that are not designated in qualifying hedging relationships.
 
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments on the Balance Sheet
 
The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the balance sheets as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
 
 
Tabular Disclosure of Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
 
As of September 30,
2010
 
As of December 31,
2009
 
As of September 30,
2010
 
As of December 31,
2009
 
Balance
Sheet
Location
 
Fair
Value
 
Balance
Sheet
Location
 
Fair
Value
 
Balance
Sheet
Location
 
Fair
Value
 
Balance
Sheet
Location
Fair
Value
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
                           
Interest Rate Products
Other
Assets
 
$
403,980
 
Other
Assets
 
$
194,680
 
Other
Liabilities
 
$
 
Other
Liabilities
$
                                     
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments
   
$
403,980
     
$
194,680
     
$
   
$
 
Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk
 
The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest income and expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps and caps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. For hedges of the Company’s variable-rate loan assets, interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of fixed amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making variable payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. For hedges of the Company’s variable-rate borrowings, interest rate caps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty if interest rates rise above the strike rate on the contract in exchange for an up-front premium. As of September 30, 2010, the Company had two interest rate caps with notional amounts of $10.3 million and $16.5 million that were designated as cash flow hedges associated with the Company’s variable-rate borrowings. The $10.3 million notional amount cap is forward-starting and will become effective December 15, 2010. The $16.5 million notional amount cap is forward-starting and will become effective March 15, 2012. At December 31, 2009, the Company had one interest rate cap with a notional amount of $10.3 million.
 
The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in Other Comprehensive Income and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in earnings. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, such derivatives were used to hedge the forecasted variable cash outflows associated with subordinated debt related to trust preferred securities.  No hedge ineffectiveness was recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010. The Company did not have any outstanding derivatives during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009.

 
 
 
13

 
 
 
Amounts reported in Other Comprehensive Income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable-rate liabilities. During the next twelve months, the Company estimates that an additional $15,140 will be reclassified as an addition to interest expense.
 
Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Income Statement
 
The tables below present the effect of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010.
 
   
Amount of Gain or (Loss)
Recognized in OCI on Derivative
(Effective Portion)
 
Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from
 
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)
 
Location of
Gain or (Loss) Recognized in
 
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in
Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)
 
Derivatives in Cash
Flow Hedging Relationships
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30, 2010
   
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2010
 
Accumulated OCI into Income
(Effective Portion)
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
   
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
 
Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
   
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
 
                                         
Interest Rate Products
  $ (37,214 )   $ (122,764 )
 Interest income
  $ -     $ -  
 Other non-interest income
  $ -     $ -  
                                                     
                                                     
Total
  $ (37,214 )   $ (122,764 )     $ -     $ -       $ -     $ -  

Credit-risk-related Contingent Features
 
The terms of the outstanding interest rate caps at September 30, 2010 do not contain any credit-risk-related contingent features. Therefore, consideration of the counterparty’s credit risk is not applicable.
 
The Company has no derivatives payable, so consideration of the Company’s own credit risk is not applicable.
 
NOTE 8 – EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
 
Basic earnings (loss) per share, or EPS, excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if common shares were issued pursuant to the exercise of common stock options under the Company’s stock option plans and if common shares were issued from the conversion of the convertible preferred stock.
 
The following table illustrates the computations of basic and diluted EPS for the periods indicated:
 
   
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Diluted
   
Basic
   
Diluted
   
Basic
   
Diluted
   
Basic
   
Diluted
   
Basic
 
Net income (loss) as
reported
  $ 64     $ 64     $ (136 )   $ (136 )   $ 328     $ 328     $ (1,797 )   $ (1,797 )
Less preferred stock dividend declared
    (313 )     (313 )     (313 )     (313 )     (938 )     (938 )     (819 )     (819 )
                                                                 
Loss available to common shareholders
  $ (249 )   $ (249 )   $ (449 )   $ (449 )   $ (610 )   $ (610 )   $ (2,616 )   $ (2,616 )
                                                                 
                                                                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding (1)
    28,174       28,174       11,631       11,631       23,144       23,144       11,598       11,598  
                                                                 
                                                                 
Earnings (loss) per common share
  $ (0.01 )   $ (0.01 )   $ (0.04 )   $ (0.04 )   $ (0.03 )   $ (0.03 )   $ (0.23 )   $ (0.23 )
__________________
(1)
In accordance with FASB accounting codification standards related to earnings per share, due to the net loss for the periods presented, the impact of securities convertible to common stock is not included as its effect would be anti-dilutive. These securities include convertible preferred stock, restricted stock and warrants to acquire common stock. The dilutive calculation excludes 304,870 and 348,922 weighted average shares for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The dilutive calculation excludes 301,214 and 349,373 weighted average shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. 

 
 
 
14

 
 

The increase in weighted average common shares outstanding for the 2010 periods compared to prior periods was the result of the Company’s consummation of an underwritten public offering of common stock at a price of $2.50 per share in March 2010.  The Company sold 16,560,000 common shares, which include the exercise by the underwriter of its over-allotment option, for gross proceeds of $41.4 million. The Company contributed $36.0 million to our bank subsidiary. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of this public offering for general corporate purposes, including funding working capital requirements, supporting the growth of our business from internal efforts and from whole bank or failed bank acquisitions, and regulatory capital needs related to any such growth and acquisitions.
 
NOTE 9 – COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
Other comprehensive income is the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Total comprehensive income was as follows:
 
   
Three months ended Sept. 30,
   
Nine months ended Sept. 30,
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Other comprehensive income:
                       
Unrealized loss on interest rate cap
  $ (64 )   $     $ (212 )   $  
Unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale
    1,320       5,271       7,044       9,830  
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income (loss)
    (1,204 )     (1,639 )     (1,466 )     (4,310 )
                                 
Other comprehensive income, before tax
    52       3,632       5,366       5,520  
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income
    (22 )     (1,479 )     (2,256 )     (1,544 )
                                 
Other comprehensive income
    30       2,153       3,110       3,976  
Net income (loss)
    64       (136 )     328       (1,797 )
                                 
Comprehensive income
  $ 94     $ 2,017     $ 3,438     $ 2,179  

NOTE 10 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
 
The FASB accounting standards codification related to fair value measurements defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value including a three-level valuation hierarchy, and expands disclosures about fair value measurement. This standard applies to all financial assets and liabilities that are being measured and reported at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis.
 
As defined in the FASB accounting standards codification, fair value is the exchange price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date reflecting assumptions that a market participant would use when pricing an asset or liability. The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis as of September 30, 2010.The hierarchy uses three levels of inputs to measure the fair value of assets and liabilities as follows:
 
 
Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
 
 
Level 2: Observable inputs other than Level 1, including quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices in less active markets, or other observable inputs that can be corroborated by observable market data, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. This category generally includes available-for-sale securities which are regularly priced in an active market.
 
 
Level 3: Inputs to a valuation methodology that are unobservable, supported by little or no market activity, and significant to the fair value measurement. These valuation methodologies generally include pricing models, discounted cash flow models, or a determination of fair value that requires significant management judgment or estimation. This category also includes observable inputs from a pricing service not corroborated by observable market data.
 
The Company uses fair value to measure certain assets, primarily securities available-for-sale, on a recurring basis when fair value is the primary measure for accounting. Fair value is used on a nonrecurring basis to measure certain assets when applying lower of cost or market accounting or when adjusting carrying values, such as for loans held-for-sale, collateral dependent impaired loans, and foreclosed property. Fair value is also used when evaluating impairment on certain assets, including securities, goodwill, core deposit and other intangibles, for valuing assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination and for disclosures of financial instruments as required by the FASB accounting standards codification related to fair value disclosure reporting.

 
 
 
15

 
 
 
The following tables present information on the assets measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis at September 30, 2010.
 
         
Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value on a
Recurring Basis at
September 30, 2010, Using
   
Fair value at
September 30, 2010
   
Quoted prices in
active markets
for identical
assets
(Level 1)
   
Other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
   
(in thousands)
Available-for-sale securities
 
$
272,381
   
$
   
$
272,381
 
$
                             
Total assets measured at fair value 
 
$
272,381
   
$
   
$
272,381
 
$
 
 
         
Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value on a
Non-Recurring Basis at
September 30, 2010, Using
       
   
Fair value at
September 30, 2010
   
Quoted prices in
active markets
for identical
assets
(Level 1)
   
Other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
   
Total
gains
(losses)
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Impaired loans
 
$
8,874
   
$
   
$
   
$
8,874
   
$
(4,456
)
Foreclosed property
   
27,906
     
     
     
27,906
     
869
 
                                         
Total assets measured at fair value
 
$
36,780
   
$
   
$
   
$
36,780
   
$
(3,587)
 
 
There were no significant transfers of assets into or out of Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy during the quarter ended September 30, 2010. There have been no changes in valuation techniques for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 and such techniques are consistent with techniques used in prior periods.

The following methods were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument above:
 
Available-for-sale securities – Fair values for securities are based on quoted market prices of identical securities, where available (Level 1). When quoted prices of identical securities are not available, the fair value estimate is based on quoted market prices of similar securities, adjusted for differences between the securities (Level 2). Adjustments may include amounts to reflect differences in underlying collateral, interest rates, estimated prepayment speeds, and counterparty credit quality. In determining the fair value of the securities categorized as Level 2, the Company obtains a report from a nationally recognized broker-dealer detailing the fairvalue of each security in our portfolio as of each reporting date. The broker-dealer uses observable market information to value our securities, with the primary source being a nationally recognized pricing service. The Company reviews the market prices provided by the broker-dealer for our securities for reasonableness based upon our understanding of the marketplace and we consider any credit issues related to the bonds. As the Company has not made any adjustments to the market quotes provided to us and they are based on observable market data, they have been categorized as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
 
Impaired loans – Impaired loans are measured and recorded at the fair value of the loan’s collateral on a nonrecurring basis as the impaired loans shown are collateral dependent. The fair value of each loan’s collateral is generally based on estimated market prices from an independently prepared appraisal, which is then adjusted for the estimated cost related to liquidating such collateral; such valuation inputs result in a nonrecurring fair value measurement that is categorized as a Level 3 measurement.
 
Foreclosed property – Foreclosed property is initially measured at fair value at acquisition and carried at the lower of this new cost or fair value on a nonrecurring basis. The foreclosed property shown is collateral dependent and, accordingly, is measured based on the fair value of such collateral. The fair value of collateral is generally based on estimated market prices from an independently prepared appraisal, which is then adjusted for the estimated cost related to liquidating such collateral; such valuation inputs result in a nonrecurring fair value measurement that is categorized as a Level 3 measurement. 

 
 
 
16

 
 

The FASB accounting standards codification requires that the Company disclose estimated fair values for its financial instruments during annual and interim reporting periods. Fair value estimates, methods and assumptions, set forth below for our financial instruments, are made solely to comply with the requirements of the disclosures regarding fair value of financial instruments. The following describes the methods and assumptions used in estimating the fair values of financial instruments, excluding financial instruments already recorded at fair value as described above.
 
Cash and cash equivalents – The carrying amounts of cash and interest bearing deposits at other banks is assumed to be the fair value given the liquidity and short-term nature of these deposits.
 
Loans – Loans are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Therefore, the following valuation discussion relates to estimating the fair value to be disclosed under fair value disclosure requirements.  Loans were divided into three major groups. The loan groups included (1) loans that mature or re-price in three months or less, (2) loans that amortize or mature in more than three months, and (3) impaired loans. We estimated the fair value of impaired loans and loans that mature or re-price within three months at their carrying value. We used discounted cash flow methodology to estimate the fair value of loans that amortize or mature in more than three months. We developed pools of these loans based on similar characteristics such as underlying type of collateral, fixed or adjustable rate of interest, payment or amortization method, credit risk categories and other factors. We projected monthly principal and interest cash flows based on the contractual terms of the loan, adjusted for assumed prepayments and defaults, and discounted these at a rate that considered funding costs, a market participant’s required rate of return and adjusted for servicing costs and a liquidity discount. Loans are not normally purchased and sold by the Company, and there are no active trading markets for much of this portfolio.
 
Deposits – The fair values disclosed for demand deposits are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (that is, their carrying amounts). The carrying amounts of variable-rate money market accounts and fixed-term certificates of deposit (CDs) approximate their fair values at the reporting date. Fair values for fixed-rate CDs are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered on certificates to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits.
 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings – The fair value of the FHLB advances and other borrowings is estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis based on the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.
 
Junior subordinated debentures – The fair value of the debentures is estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis based on current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.
 
Off-balance sheet instruments – Off-balance sheet instruments include unfunded commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. The fair value of these instruments is not considered practicable to estimate because of the lack of quoted market prices and the inability to estimate fair value without incurring excessive costs.
 
The following table estimates fair values and the related carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments:
 
   
At September 30, 2010
 
(in thousands)
 
Carrying
Amount
   
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Financial assets:
           
Cash, due from banks and interest bearing deposits with other banks
 
$
165,902
   
$
165,902
 
Securities available-for-sale
   
272,381
     
272,381
 
FHLB and other stock
   
8,892
     
8,892
 
Loans
   
918,708
     
776,667
 
Interest rate cap
   
404
     
404
 
Financial liabilities:
               
Demand deposits, money market and savings
 
$
762,670
   
$
762,670
 
Time certificates of deposit
   
326,696
     
327,278
 
FHLB advances and other borrowings
   
178,000
     
182,242
 
Junior subordinated debentures
   
26,792
     
16,493
 
 
These fair value disclosures represent the Company’s best estimates based on relevant market information and information about the financial instruments. Fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of the various instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in the above methodologies and assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.
 
NOTE 11 – SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
On November 5, 2010, the Bank assumed all of the deposits and purchased substantially all of the assets of Western Commercial Bank from the FDIC acting in its capacity as receiver of Western Commercial Bank. The Bank purchased approximately $102 million of total assets and assumed approximately $101 million of deposits. The addition of Western Commercial Bank's one branch expanded First California Bank's operations to 18 full-service branches throughout Southern California and increased total assets to greater than $1.5 billion.

 
 
 
17

 
 
 
Item 2.     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
This discussion contains certain forward-looking statements about us; we intend these statements to fall under the safe harbor for “forward-looking statements” provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Such statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond our control. We caution readers that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, implied or projected by, such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:
 
 
revenues are lower than expected;
 
 
credit quality deterioration, which could cause an increase in the provision for loan losses;
 
 
competitive pressure among depository institutions increases significantly;
 
 
changes in consumer spending, borrowings and savings habits;
 
 
our ability to successfully integrate acquired entities or to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies within expected time-frames or at all;
 
 
technological changes;
 
 
the cost of additional capital is more than expected;
 
 
a change in the interest rate environment reduces interest margins;
 
 
asset/liability repricing risks and liquidity risks;
 
 
general economic conditions, particularly those affecting real estate values, either nationally or in the market areas in which we do or anticipate doing business are less favorable than expected;
 
 
legislative, accounting or regulatory requirements or changes adversely affecting our business;
 
 
the effects of and changes in monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including the interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve, or the Federal Reserve Board;
 
 
recent volatility in the credit or equity markets and its effect on the general economy;
 
 
regulatory approvals for acquisitions cannot be obtained on the terms expected or on the anticipated schedule; and
 
 
demand for the products or services of First California and the Bank, as well as their ability to attract and retain qualified people.
 
 
 
 
18

 
 
 
If any of these risks or uncertainties materializes, or if any of the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements proves to be incorrect, our results could differ materially from those expressed in, implied or projected by, such forward-looking statements. For information with respect to factors that could cause actual results to differ from the expectations stated in the forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” under Part I, Item 1A in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K and under Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We urge investors to consider all of these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We make these forward-looking statements as of the date of this document and we do not intend, and assume no obligation, to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements contained in this document and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any other person acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements.
 
Overview
 
First California Financial Group, Inc., or First California, or the Company, is a bank holding company which serves the comprehensive banking needs of businesses and consumers in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties through our wholly-owned subsidiary, First California Bank, or the Bank. The Bank is a state chartered commercial bank that provides traditional business and consumer banking products through 17 full-service branch locations. The Company also has two unconsolidated statutory business trust subsidiaries, First California Capital Trust I and FCB Statutory Trust I, which raised capital through the issuance of trust preferred securities.
 
At September 30, 2010, we had consolidated total assets of $1.5 billion, total loans of $918.7 million, deposits of $1.1 billion and shareholders’ equity of $198.3 million. At December 31, 2009, we had consolidated total assets of $1.5 billion, total loans of $939.2 million, deposits of $1.1 billion and shareholders’ equity of $157.2 million.
 
For the third quarter of 2010, we had net income of $64,000, compared with a net loss of $136,000 for the third quarter of 2009.  Our net income for the first nine months of 2010 was $328,000, compared with a loss of $1.8 million for the first nine months of 2009. The net loss for the first nine months of 2009 was due largely to the $10.3 million provision for loan losses.
 
After dividend payments on our Series B preferred shares of $312,500 in the third quarter of 2010 and 2009, we incurred a loss per diluted common share of $0.01 for the 2010 third quarter and $0.04 for the 2009 third quarter. Our net loss for the first nine months of 2010, after Series B preferred share dividends of $937,500, was $0.03 per diluted common share. Our net loss for the first nine months of 2009, after Series B preferred dividends of $819,500, was $0.23 per diluted common share.
 
On November 5, 2010, the Bank assumed all of the deposits and purchased substantially all of the assets of Western Commercial Bank from the FDIC acting in its capacity as receiver of Western Commercial Bank. The Bank purchased approximately $102 million of total assets and assumed approximately $101 million of deposits. The addition of Western Commercial Bank's one branch expanded First California Bank's operations to 18 full-service branches throughout Southern California and increased total assets to greater than $1.5 billion.
 
Critical accounting policies
 
We base our discussion and analysis of our consolidated results of operations and financial condition on our unaudited consolidated interim financial statements and our audited consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expense, and the related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of these consolidated financial statements. We believe these estimates and assumptions to be reasonably accurate; however, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or circumstances. The following are our critical accounting policies and estimates.

Allowance for loan losses
 
We establish the allowance for loan losses through a provision charged to expense. We charge-off loan losses against the allowance when we believe that the collectability of the loan is unlikely. We perform periodic and systematic detailed reviews of the loan portfolio to identify trends and to assess the overall collectability of the loan portfolio. The allowance is an amount that we believe will be adequate to absorb estimated probable losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible, based on evaluations of the collectability of loans and prior loan loss experience. We believe the accounting estimate related to the allowance for loan losses is a “critical accounting estimate” because: changes in it can materially affect the provision for loan losses and net income, it requires management to predict borrowers’ likelihood or capacity to repay, and it requires management to distinguish between losses incurred as of a balance sheet date and losses expected to be incurred in the future. Accordingly, this is a highly subjective process and requires significant judgment since it is often difficult to determine when specific loss events may actually occur. Our evaluation includes an assessment of the following factors: any external loan review and any regulatory examination, estimated probable loss exposure on each pool of loans, concentrations of credit, value of collateral, the level of delinquent and nonaccrual loans, trends in the portfolio volume, effects of any changes in the lending policies and procedures, changes in lending personnel, present economic conditions at the local, state and national levels, the amount of undisbursed off-balance sheet commitments, and a migration analysis of historical losses and recoveries for the prior sixteen quarters. We also evaluate individual loans for impairment and if a portion of a loan is impaired, we charge-off the impaired amount or allocate a specific reserve for that loan. Various regulatory agencies, as a regular part of their examination process, periodically review our allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require us to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgment of information available to them at the time of their examinations. The allowance for loan losses was $16.5 million at both September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

 
19

 
 

Deferred income taxes
 
We recognize deferred tax assets subject to our judgment that realization of the assets are more-likely-than-not. We establish a valuation allowance when we determine that realization of income tax benefits may not occur in future years. There were net deferred tax assets of $3.5 million at September 30, 2010 and $6.0 million at December 31, 2009. There was no valuation allowance at either period end.
 
Derivative instruments and hedging
 
We record all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. In December 2009, we purchased a $10.3 million notional forward-starting interest rate cap to limit the variable interest rate payments on our $10.3 million junior subordinated debentures.  In September 2010, we purchased a $16.5 million notional forward-stating interest rate cap to limit the variable interest rate payments on our $16.5 million junior subordinated debentures. The Company assesses the effectiveness of derivative instruments designated in cash flow hedging relationships in off-setting changes in the overall cash flows of designated hedged transactions on a quarterly basis. To the extent these instruments are not effective, the unrealized gains or losses on these instruments are reflected directly in current period earnings. Management determined that the financial instruments are highly effective since inception and for each period and including the quarter ended September 30, 2010.
 
Assessments of impairment
 
We assess goodwill for impairment on an annual basis as of December 31, or at interim periods if an event occurs or circumstances change which may indicate a change in the implied fair value of the goodwill. We estimate the implied fair value of goodwill by comparing the estimated fair value of the Company to the estimated fair value of the Company’s individual assets, liabilities, and identifiable intangible assets. Impairment exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds this implied fair value.  Based on the results of our assessment, we concluded that the fair value of goodwill was greater than our carrying value and that no goodwill impairment existed at December 31, 2009.  At September 30, 2010, we did not perform an interim assessment because results for the first three quarters of 2010 were not materially different from the estimates used in our year-end assessment.
 
We also undertake an impairment analysis on our debt and equity securities each quarter. When we do not intend to sell, and it is more likely than not that we are not required to sell, a debt security before recovery of its cost basis, we separate other-than-temporary impairment into (a) the amount representing credit loss and (b) the amount related to other factors. We recognize in earnings the amount of the other-than-temporary impairment related to credit loss. We recognize in other comprehensive income the amount of other-than-temporary impairment related to other factors. Our assessment of other-than-temporary declines in fair value considers the duration the security has been in a continuous unrealized loss position, the severity of the decline in value, the rating of the security, and the long-term financial outlook of the issuer. In addition, we consider the expected future cash flows from the security and our ability and intent to hold the security until the fair value recovers.
 
For 2009, other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss on three debt securities and recognized in earnings was $1.1 million. In addition, we recognized an impairment loss of $0.4 million on a $1.0 million community development-related equity investment in our 2009 earnings. We recognized an additional impairment loss of $18,000 on this community development-related equity investment in the first quarter of 2010 and an additional impairment loss of $23,000 in the third quarter of 2010.
 
Results of operations – for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009
 
Net interest income
 
Our earnings are derived predominantly from net interest income, which is the difference between interest and fees earned on loans, securities and federal funds sold (these asset classes are commonly referred to as interest-earning assets) and the interest paid on deposits, borrowings and debentures (these liability classes are commonly referred to as interest-bearing funds). The net interest margin is net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
 
Our net interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2010 declined to $11.1 million from $11.4 million for the same period last year. For the first nine months of 2010, our net interest income declined to $32.6 million from $34.0 million for the same period a year ago. The decline in net interest income for both periods principally reflects the decline in interest income from securities. Interest income for the 2010 third quarter was $14.7 million, down $1.6 million from the 2009 third quarter. The decline in interest income was due to lower yielding securities. Interest expense for the 2010 third quarter was $3.6 million, down $1.3 million from the 2009 third quarter. The decrease in interest expense was due to lower rates paid on interest-bearing deposits. For the first nine months of 2010, interest income was $43.7 million, down $5.7 million from the same period last year. The decline in interest income was again due to lower yielding securities. Interest expense for the first nine months of 2010 was $11.1 million, down $4.3 million from the same period a year ago. The decline in interest expense was again due to lower rates paid on interest-bearing deposits.

 
20

 
 
 
Our net interest margin (tax equivalent) for the third quarter of 2010 was 3.46 percent compared with 3.50 percent for the same quarter last year. For the first nine months of 2010, our net interest margin was 3.42 percent compared with 3.60 percent for the first nine months of 2009. The decline in our net interest margin was primarily due to lower yields on our securities and reflects the shift in the composition of our securities to lower yielding, shorter-term securities. The yield on interest-earning assets for the third quarter of 2010 was 4.57 percent, down 40 basis points from 4.97 percent for the third quarter a year ago. The reduction in the cost of our interest-bearing liabilities, which equaled 1.54 percent for the 2010 third quarter, down 39 basis points from 1.93 percent for the third quarter a year ago, partially offset that decline. The yield on interest-earning assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was 4.57 percent compared with 5.21 percent for the same period last year. Partially offsetting that decline was the decline in the cost of our interest-bearing liabilities. The rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities fell to 1.58 percent for the first nine months of 2010 compared with 2.10 percent for the same period last year.
 
The following table presents the distribution of our average assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity in combination with the total dollar amounts of interest income from average interest earning assets and the resultant yields, and the dollar amounts of interest expense and average interest bearing liabilities, expressed in both dollars and rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.
 
Average Balance Sheet and Analysis of Net Interest Income

   
Three months ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Average
Balance
   
Interest
Income/
Expense
   
Weighted
Average
Yield/Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
Income/
Expense
   
Weighted
Average
Yield/Rate
 
Loans(1)
 
$
890,221
   
$
13,075
     
       5.83
%
 
$
935,848
   
$
13,331
     
5.65
%
Securities
   
287,370
     
1,529
     
2.15
%
   
262,664
     
2,819
     
4.49
%
Federal funds sold and deposits with banks
   
97,405
     
70
     
0.28
%
   
108,165
     
78
     
0.29
%
                                                 
Total earning assets
   
1,274,996
   
$
14,674
     
4.57
%
   
1,306,677
   
$
16,228
     
4.97
%
                                                 
Non-earning assets
   
174,941
                     
152,404
                 
                                                 
Total average assets
 
$
1,449,937
                   
$
1,459,081
                 
                                                 
                                                 
Interest bearing checking
 
$
82,656
   
$
71
     
0.34
%
 
$
80,514
   
$
65
     
0.32
%
Savings and money market
   
374,842
     
895
     
0.95
%
   
290,894
     
839
     
1.14
%
Certificates of deposit
   
303,606
     
931
     
1.22
%
   
441,737
     
2,034
     
1.83
%
                                                 
Total interest bearing deposits
   
761,104
     
1,897
     
0.99
%
   
813,145
     
2,938
     
1.43
%
                                                 
Borrowings
   
131,492
     
1,231
     
3.72
%
   
151,930
     
1,455
     
3.80
%
Junior subordinated debentures
   
26,785
     
439
     
6.55
%
   
26,733
     
439
     
6.57
%
                                                 
Total borrowed funds
   
158,277
     
1,670
     
4.19
%
   
178,663
     
1,894
     
4.21
%
                                                 
Total interest bearing funds
   
919,381
   
$
3,567
     
1.54
%
   
991,808
   
$
4,832
     
1.93
%
                                                 
Noninterest checking
   
323,886
                     
295,444
                 
Other liabilities
   
7,967
                     
11,554
                 
Shareholders’ equity
   
198,703
                     
160,275
                 
                                                 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 
$
1,449,937
                   
$
1,459,081
                 
                                                 
Net interest income
         
$
11,107
                   
$
11,396
         
Net interest margin (tax equivalent)(2)
                   
3.46
%
                   
3.50
%

 
21

 
 

   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Average
Balance
   
Interest
Income/
Expense
   
Weighted
Average
Yield/Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
Income/
Expense
   
Weighted
Average
Yield/Rate
 
Loans(1)
 
$
910,898
   
$
38,881
     
5.71
%
 
$
913,256
   
$
39,144
     
5.73
%
Securities
   
302,352
     
4,626
     
2.08
%
   
272,706
     
9,847
     
5.08
%
Federal funds sold and deposits with banks
   
65,296
     
149
     
0.30
%
   
90,467
     
368
     
0.54
%
                                                 
Total earning assets
   
1,278,546
   
$
43,656
     
4.57
%
   
1,276,429
   
$
49,359
     
5.21
%
                                                 
Non-earning assets
   
161,463
                     
155,190
                 
                                                 
Total average assets
 
$
1,440,009
                   
$
1,431,619
                 
                                                 
                                                 
Interest bearing checking
 
$
81,465
   
$
201
     
0.33
%
 
$
77,096
   
$
168
     
0.29
%
Savings and money market
   
361,205
     
2,678
     
0.99
%
   
256,122
     
2,077
     
1.08
%
Certificates of deposit
   
327,453
     
3,074
     
1.26
%
   
460,044
     
7,274
     
2.11
%
                                                 
Total interest bearing deposits
   
770,123
     
5,953
     
1.03
%
   
793,262
     
9,519
     
1.60
%
                                                 
Borrowings
   
135,131
     
3,801
     
3.76
%
   
158,466
     
4,512
     
3.81
%
Junior subordinated debentures
   
26,772
     
1,316
     
6.56
%
   
26,720
     
1,365
     
6.81
%
                                                 
Total borrowed funds
   
161,903
     
5,117
     
4.21
%
   
185,186
     
5,877
     
4.24
%
                                                 
Total interest bearing funds
   
932,026
   
$
11,070
     
1.58
%
   
978,448
   
$
15,396
     
2.10
%
                                                 
Noninterest checking
   
313,363
                     
280,036
                 
Other liabilities
   
8,429
                     
12,808
                 
Shareholders’ equity
   
186,191
                     
160,327
                 
                                                 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 
$
1,440,009
                   
$
1,431,619
                 
                                                 
Net interest income
         
$
32,586
                   
$
33,963
         
Net interest margin (tax equivalent)(2)
                   
3.42
%
                   
3.60
%
______________________
(1)
Yields and amounts earned on loans include loan fees of -$0.2 million and -$0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and -$0.6 million and zero for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The average loan balance includes loans held-for-sale and nonaccrual loans; however, there is no interest income related to nonaccrual loans in the amount earned on loans.
(2)
Includes tax equivalent adjustments primarily related to tax-exempt income on securities.
 
Our net interest income changes with the level and mix of average interest-earning assets and average interest-bearing funds. We call the changes between periods in interest-earning assets and interest-bearing funds balance changes. We measure the effect on our net interest income from balance changes by multiplying the change in the average balance between the current period and the prior period by the prior period average rate.
 
Our net interest income also changes with the average rate earned or paid on interest-earning assets and interest-bearing funds. We call the changes between periods in average rates earned and paid rate changes. We measure the effect on our net interest income from rate changes by multiplying the change in average rates earned or paid between the current period and the prior period by the prior period average balance.

 
22

 

We allocate the change in our net interest income attributable to both balance and rate on a pro rata basis to the change in average balance and the change in average rate. The following table presents the change in our interest income and interest expense.
 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Interest Income/Expense Due to Change in Average Volume and Average Rate (1)
 
   
Three months ended September 30,
2010 to 2009 due to:
 
(in thousands)
 
Rate
   
Volume
   
Total
 
Interest income
                 
Interest on loans
  $ 394     $ (650 )   $ (256 )
Interest on securities
    (1,555 )     265       (1,290 )
Interest on Federal funds sold and deposits with banks
    (1 )     (7 )     (8 )
                         
Total interest income
    (1,162 )     (392 )     (1,554 )
                         
Interest expense
                       
Interest on deposits
    853       188       1,041  
Interest on borrowings
    62       161       223  
Interest on junior subordinated debentures
    2       (1 )     1  
                         
Total interest expense
    917       348       1,265  
                         
Net interest income
  $ (245 )   $ (44 )   $ (289 )


   
Nine months ended September 30,
2010 to 2009 due to:
 
(in thousands)
 
Rate
   
Volume
   
Total
 
Interest income
                 
Interest on loans
  $ (162 )   $ (101 )   $ (263 )
Interest on securities
    (6,291 )     1,070       (5,221 )
Interest on Federal funds sold and deposits with banks
    (117 )     (102 )     (219 )
                         
Total interest income
    (6,570 )     867       (5,703 )
                         
Interest expense
                       
Interest on deposits
    3,288       278       3,566  
Interest on borrowings
    47       664       711  
Interest on junior subordinated debentures
    52       (3 )     49  
                         
Total interest expense
    3,387       939       4,326  
                         
Net interest income
  $ (3,183 )   $ 1,806     $ (1,377 )
______________________
(1)
The change in interest income or interest expense that is attributable to both changes in average balance and average rate has been allocated to the changes due to (i) average balance and (ii) average rate in proportion to the relationship of the absolute amounts of changes in each.
(2)
Tables do not include interest income that would have been earned on nonaccrual loans.
 
Provision for loan losses
 
The provision for loan losses was $3.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared with $4.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. For the first nine months of 2010, the provision for loan losses was $7.1 million compared with $10.3 million for the same period last year. We revised upward in the second quarter of 2010 and in the first quarter of 2009, our estimated loss factors for the qualitative considerations used in the determination of the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses. The change in our estimated loss factors for the 2010 period was less than the change for the 2009 period; however, the changes resulted in a higher ratio of the allowance for loan losses to loans. At September 30, 2010, the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to loans was 1.80 percent compared with 1.76 percent at December 31, 2009. The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to loans was 1.29 percent at September 30, 2009 compared with 1.02 percent at December 31, 2008.


 
 
 
23

 
 

Noninterest income

Noninterest income was $2.3 million for the 2010 third quarter compared with $2.9 million for the same period a year ago. Noninterest income was $5.4 million for the first nine months of 2010 compared with $7.6 million for the same period last year. The decline in each instance reflects principally a smaller amount of securities gains period to period.

The following table presents a summary of noninterest income:
 
   
Three months ended Sept. 30,
   
Nine months ended Sept. 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Service charges on deposit accounts and other banking-related fees
  $ 932     $ 1,111     $ 2,835     $ 3,199  
Earnings on cash surrender value of life insurance
    111       110       331       327  
Commissions on brokered loans
    10       22       26       76  
Net gain on sale of securities
    1,204       1,639       1,466       4,310  
Impairment loss on securities
    (23 )           (41 )     (565 )
Gain on transfer of foreclosed assets
                691        
Other income
    63       48       136       238  
                                 
Total noninterest income
  $ 2,297     $ 2,930     $ 5,444     $ 7,585  
 
Our service charges on deposit accounts for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were $0.9 million and $1.1 million, respectively. Service charges on deposit accounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 were $2.8 million, down from the $3.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease reflects a lower incidence of customers drawing checks against their deposit account when insufficient funds are on deposit.
 
During the first nine months of 2010 and 2009, we did not sell any loans.  However, we brokered loans for commissions of $26,000 for the first nine months of 2010 compared with $76,000 for the first nine months of 2009.
 
We also recognized in noninterest income an impairment loss of $41,000 on a $1.0 million community development-related equity investment in the first nine months of 2010. A year ago, we recognized other-than-temporary impairment losses on securities of $565,000 in the first nine months of 2009. We will continue to evaluate our securities portfolio for other-than-temporary impairment at each reporting date and we can provide no assurance there will not be other impairment losses in future periods.

In the 2010 second quarter we completed the foreclosure on a $21.0 million completed office construction project. This project consisted of 20 completed units ranging from approximately 1,650 square feet to 14,600 square feet in size. We obtained a current appraisal, evaluated the estimated retail sales prices as well as the estimated costs to sell and determined the fair value of this project to be $21.7 million. Accordingly, for the 2010 second quarter, we recognized a market value gain of $691,000. Subsequent to June 30, 2010, we sold one unit of approximately 4,100 square feet resulting in net proceeds of approximately $1.0 million.
 
In the third quarter of 2010, we sold $105.0 million of securities and realized net gains of $1.2 million. For the third quarter of 2009 we sold $47.8 million of securities and realized net gains of $1.6 million. In the first nine months of 2010, we sold $184.9 million of securities and realized net gains of $1.5 million. For the first nine months of 2009, we sold $116.2 million of securities and realized net gains of $4.3 million.
 
Noninterest expense
 
Our noninterest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was $9.7 million, down 14 percent from $11.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. For the first nine months of 2010, noninterest expense was $30.4 million, down 13 percent from $34.9 million for the same period last year. The decline in noninterest expense reflects the workforce reductions effected in the 2009 and 2010 third quarters. In addition, in the first nine months of 2009, we incurred costs associated with the FDIC-assisted 1st Centennial Bank transaction. Noninterest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 included integration and conversion expenses related to the FDIC-assisted 1st Centennial Bank transaction of approximately $51,000 and $774,000, respectively.

 
 
 
24

 
 

The following table presents a summary of noninterest expense: 

   
Three months ended Sept. 30,
   
Nine months ended Sept. 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Salaries and employee benefits
  $ 4,420     $ 5,011     $ 14,279     $ 16,032  
Premises and equipment
    1,576       1,558       4,630       4,871  
Data processing
    607       862       1,800       1,812  
Legal, audit, and other professional services
    445       541       1,216       1,758  
Printing, stationery, and supplies
    69       197       194       600  
Telephone
    193       237       630       764  
Directors' expense
    101       142       335       398  
Advertising, marketing and business development
    194       245       706       1,144  
Postage
    55       39       158       190  
Insurance and regulatory assessments
    797       849       2,377       2,504  
Loss on and expense of foreclosed property
    185       193       731       442  
Amortization of intangible assets
    416       417       1,249       1,210  
Market loss on loans held-for-sale
                      709  
Other expenses
    626       1,003       2,046       2,513  
                                 
Total noninterest expense
  $ 9,684     $ 11,294     $ 30,351     $ 34,947  

Salaries and benefits fell 12 percent to $4.4 million for the 2010 third quarter from $5.0 million for the same period last year. For the first nine months of 2010, salaries and benefits declined 11 percent to $14.3 million from $16.0 million. The decline reflects the 2009 and 2010 third quarter workforce reductions and the completion of the integration and conversion effort related to the FDIC-assisted 1st Centennial Bank transaction. Our workforce declined approximately 5 percent to 235 full-time equivalent employees at September 30, 2010 from 248 a year ago.

The FDIC assesses all financial institutions for deposit insurance. The 2009 second quarter included a $675,000 special assessment the FDIC charged all institutions. In addition, the FDIC increased the regular insurance assessments. With the increased assessment, our regular FDIC insurance expense for the first nine months of 2010 was $1.9 million compared with $1.5 million for the same period last year.

In the second quarter of 2009, we determined not to pursue the sale of $31.2 million of loans previously classified held-for-sale and returned these performing, multi-family loans to our regular portfolio. As such, we recognized a market loss of $709,000 to write down these loans to the lower of cost or market value.
 
We acquired through foreclosure eight real estate properties and sold two previously foreclosed upon real estate properties in the nine months ended September 30, 2010. The expenses of and the loss on sale of foreclosed properties was $731,000 for the first nine months of 2010 compared with $442,000 for the same period last year.
 
Our efficiency ratio was 76 percent for the third quarter of 2010 compared with 86 percent for the third quarter of 2009. Our efficiency ratio for the first nine months of 2010 was 80 percent compared with 91 percent for the same period last year. The efficiency ratio is the percentage relationship of noninterest expense, excluding amortization of intangibles, to the sum of net interest income and noninterest income, excluding gains or losses on security sales. The improvement in the efficiency ratio for the third quarter of 2010 as compared to the third quarter of 2009 was due primarily to lower noninterest expense.
 
Income taxes
 
The income tax provision was $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared with an income tax benefit of $1.9 million for the same period in 2009. The combined federal and state effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was 39.4 percent compared with 51.4 percent for the same period in 2009.
 
Financial position – September 30, 2010 compared with December 31, 2009
 
Lending and credit risk
 
We provide a variety of loan and credit-related products and services to meet the needs of borrowers primarily located in the six Southern California counties where our branches are located. Business loans, represented by commercial real estate loans, commercial loans and construction loans comprise the largest portion of the loan portfolio. Consumer or personal loans, represented by home mortgage, home equity and installment loans, comprise a smaller portion of the loan portfolio. We attempt to avoid the risk of an undue concentration of credits in a particular property type or with an individual customer.

 
 
 
25

 
 
 
Credit risk is the risk to earnings or capital arising from an obligor’s failure to meet the terms of any contract with us or otherwise to perform as agreed. All activities in which success depends on counterparty, issuer, or borrower performance have credit risk. Credit risk is present any time we extend, commit or invest funds; whenever we enter into actual or implied contractual agreements for funds, whether on or off the balance sheet, credit risk is present.
 
All categories of loans present credit risk. Major risk factors applicable to all loan categories include changes in international, national and local economic conditions such as interest rates, inflation, unemployment levels, consumer and business confidence and the supply and demand for goods and services.
 
Commercial real estate loans rely upon the cash flow originating from the underlying real property. Commercial real estate is a cyclical industry; general economic conditions and local supply and demand affect the commercial real estate industry. In the office sector, the demand for office space is highly dependent on employment levels. Consumer spending and confidence affect the demand for retail space and the levels of retail rents in the retail sector. The industrial sector has exposure to the level of exports, defense spending and inventory levels. Vacancy rates, location and other factors affect the amount of rental income for commercial property. Tenants may relocate, fail to honor their lease or go out of business. In the multifamily residential sector, the affordability of ownership housing, employment conditions and the vacancy of existing inventory heavily influences the demand for apartments. Population growth or decline and changing demographics, such as increases in the level of immigrants or retirees, are also factors influencing the multifamily residential sector.
 
Construction loans provide developers or owners with funds to build or improve properties; developers ultimately sell or lease these properties. Generally, construction loans involve a higher degree of risk than other loan categories because they rely upon the developer’s or owner’s ability to complete the project within specified cost and time limits. Cost overruns can cause the project cost to exceed the project sales price or exceed the amount of the committed permanent funding. Any number of reasons, such as poor weather, material or labor shortages, labor difficulties, or redoing substandard work to pass inspection, can delay construction projects. Furthermore, changes in market conditions or credit markets may affect a project’s viability once completed.
 
Commercial loans rely upon the cash flow originating from the underlying business activity of the enterprise. The manufacture, distribution or sale of goods or sale of services are not only affected by general economic conditions but also by the ability of the enterprise’s management to adjust to local supply and demand conditions, maintain good labor, vendor and customer relationships, as well as market, price and sell their goods or services for a profit. Customer demand for goods and services of the enterprise may change because of competition or obsolescence.
 
Home mortgages and home equity loans and lines of credit use first or second trust deeds on a borrower’s real estate property, typically their principal residence, as collateral. These loans depend on a person’s ability to regularly pay the principal and interest due on the loan and, secondarily, on the value of real estate property that serves as collateral for the loan. Generally, home mortgages involve a lower degree of risk than other loan categories because of the relationship of the loan amount to the value of the residential real estate and a person’s reluctance to forego their principal place of residence. General economic conditions and local supply and demand, however, affect home real estate values. Installment loans and credit card lines also depend on a person’s ability to pay principal and interest on a loan; however, generally these are unsecured loans or, if secured, the collateral value can rapidly decline, as is the case for automobiles. A person’s ability to service debt is highly dependent upon their continued employment or financial stability. Job loss, divorce, illness and bankruptcy are just a few of the risks that may affect a person’s ability to service their debt.
 
We obtain appraisals when extending credit for real estate secured loans as follows:
 
 
1.
All business loans in excess of $1,000,000 where real estate was taken as collateral but where the sale or rental of the real estate is not the primary source of repayment;
 
 
2.
All business loans in excess of $250,000 where real estate was taken as collateral and where the sale or rental of the real estate is the primary source of repayment; and
 
 
3.
All other real estate secured loans in excess of $250,000.
 
All real estate secured loans, at the time of origination, renewal or extension, require a current appraisal. A current appraisal is an appraisal with an “as of” date not more than six months before the date of funding or renewal or extension. We also obtain updated appraisals when the useful life of the appraisal ceases. Under the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice guidelines, the useful life of an appraisal, regardless of the dollar amount, is the life of the loan. However, useful life ends when (a) there has been a deterioration in the borrower’s performance and there is an increasing likelihood of a forced liquidation of the property and the existing appraisal is older than two years old, or (b) there has been deterioration in the property’s value due to a significant depreciation in local real estate values, lack of maintenance, change in zoning, environmental contamination or other circumstances.
 

 
 
 
26

 
 

Since the risks in each category of loan changes based on a number of factors, it is not possible to state whether a particular type of lending carries with it a greater or lesser degree of risk at any specific time in the economic cycle. Generally, in a stabilized economic environment, home mortgage loans have the least risk, followed by home equity loans, multifamily property loans, commercial property loans, commercial loans and lines and finally construction loans. However, this ordering may vary from time to time and the degree of risk from the credits with the least risk to those with the highest risk profile may expand or contract with the general economy.
 
We manage credit risk through Board-approved policies and procedures. At least annually, the Board of Directors reviews and approves these policies. Lending policies provide us with a framework for consistent loan underwriting and a basis for sound credit decisions. Lending policies specify, among other things, the parameters for the type or purpose of the loan, the required debt service coverage and the required collateral requirements. Credit limits are also established and certain loans require approval by the Directors’ Loan Committee. In addition, we have a well-defined set of standards for evaluating the loan portfolio, and management utilizes a comprehensive loan grading system to determine the risk potential in the portfolio. The Directors’ Audit Committee also engages a third party to perform an independent review of the loan portfolio to review credit quality, adequacy of documentation, appropriate loan grading administration, compliance with lending policies and assist in the evaluation of the credit risk inherent in the loan portfolio.
 
Loans
 
Loans decreased $20.5 million, or 2 percent, to $918.7 million at September 30, 2010 from $939.2 million at December 31, 2009. The $28.6 million decline in construction and land development loans principally reflects the transfer of the $21.0 million completed office construction loan to foreclosed assets. The $17.7 million decline in commercial loans and lines reflects slow loan demand in our market area resulting in lower line usage in 2010 compared to 2009. The increase in home mortgages was primarily due to the purchase near the end of the 2010 third quarter of a $25.1 million portfolio of recently originated conforming loans.
 
(in thousands)
 
At
September 30,
2010
   
At
December 31,
2009
 
Commercial mortgage
 
$
388,786
   
$
381,334
 
Commercial loans and lines of credit
   
218,108
     
235,849
 
Multifamily mortgage
   
135,544
     
138,548
 
Home mortgage
   
76,190
     
51,036
 
Construction and land development
   
58,055
     
86,609
 
Home equity loans and lines of credit
   
36,806
     
40,122
 
Installment and credit card
   
5,219
     
5,748
 
                 
Total loans
   
918,708
     
939,246
 
Allowance for loan losses
   
(16,500
)
   
(16,505
)
                 
Loans, net
 
$
902,208
   
$
922,741
 
 
The loan categories above are derived from bank regulatory reporting standards for loans secured by real estate; however, a portion of the mortgage loans above are loans that we consider to be a commercial loan for which we have taken real estate collateral as additional support or from an abundance of caution. In these instances, we are not looking to the real property as its primary source of repayment, but rather as a secondary or tertiary source of repayment.
 
Commercial mortgage loans, the largest segment of our portfolio, were 42 percent of total loans at September 30, 2010 compared with 41 percent at December 31, 2009. We had 367 commercial mortgage loans with an average balance of $1,061,000 at September 30, 2010.  Many different commercial property types collateralize our commercial mortgage loans. Our top three categories have been industrial, office, and retail, representing approximately 69 percent of commercial mortgage loans. In addition, most of our commercial property lending is in the six Southern California counties where our branches are located. The following is a table of our commercial mortgage lending by county.
 
 
27

 
 
Commercial mortgage loans by region/county
(in thousands)
 
At
September 30,
2010
   
At
December 31,
2009
 
Southern California
           
Los Angeles
  $ 198,113     $ 195,306  
Orange
    30,840       30,954  
Ventura
    99,522       93,899  
Riverside
    19,926       21,148  
San Bernardino
    16,217       17,518  
San Diego
    14,970       15,555  
Santa Barbara
    231       236  
                 
Total Southern California
    379,819       374,616  
                 
Northern California
               
Alameda
    344       319  
Contra Costa
    390       408  
Fresno
    2,452       2,479  
Imperial
    357       369  
Kern
    944       1,037  
Madera
    540       550  
Placer
    618       625  
Sacramento
    347       358  
San Mateo
    2,410        
Solano
    273       278  
Tulare
    292       295  
                 
Total Northern California
    8,967       6,718  
                 
Total commercial mortgage loans
  $ 388,786     $ 381,334  

The following table shows the distribution of our commercial mortgage loans by property type.
 
Commercial mortgage loans by property type
(in thousands)
 
At
September 30,
2010
   
At
December 31,
2009
 
Industrial/warehouse
  $ 102,450     $ 90,379  
Office
    97,969       87,923  
Retail
    65,914       70,140  
Self storage
    19,250       20,024  
Hotel
    13,594       13,955  
Medical
    13,578       11,469  
Assisted living
    12,119       11,332  
Mixed Use
    10,673       18,292  
Restaurant
    9,844       9,584  
All other
    43,395       48,236  
                 
Total commercial mortgage loans
  $ 388,786     $ 381,334  
 
The following table shows the maturity of our commercial mortgage loans by origination year.

Commercial mortgage loans by origination year/maturity year
                   
(in thousands)
                                   
   
Year of maturity
       
Origination
                         
2014 and
       
Year
 
2010
   
2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
Thereafter
   
Total
 
                                     
2005 and earlier
  $ 182     $ 4,015     $ 2,142     $ 4,398     $ 99,846     $ 110,583  
2006
    941       4,377       6,321       7,066       40,533       59,238  
2007
    7,736       6,891       16,506       755       38,618       70,506  
2008
    8,239       4,148       10,594       1,940       56,894       81,815  
2009
    10,032       674       1,057       -       35,426       47,189  
2010
    -       4,177       -       714       14,564       19,455  
Total
  $ 27,130     $ 24,282     $ 36,620     $ 14,873     $ 285,881     $ 388,786  
 
 
28

 
 
We generally underwrote commercial mortgage loans with a maximum loan-to-value of 70 percent and a minimum debt service coverage ratio of 1.25. Beginning in the third quarter of 2009 we changed the maximum loan-to-value to 60 percent and the minimum debt service coverage ratio to 1.35. We believe these changes to our loan origination policies were prudent given the current economic environment. The weighted average loan-to-value percentage of our commercial real estate portfolio was 58.2 percent and the weighted average debt service coverage ratio was 1.72 at September 30, 2010. These criteria may become more conservative depending on the type of property. We focus on cash flow; consequently, regardless of the value of the collateral, the commercial real estate project must provide sufficient cash flow, or alternatively the principals must supplement the project with other cash flow, to service the debt. We generally require the principals to guarantee the loan. We also “stress-test” commercial mortgage loans to determine the potential effect changes in interest rates, vacancy rates, and lease or rent rates would have on the cash flow of the project. Additionally, at least on an annual basis, we require updates on the cash flow of the project and, where practicable, we visit the properties.
 
Commercial loans represent the next largest category of loans. These loans were 24 percent of total loans at September 30, 2010, down from 25 percent at December 31, 2009. We had 846 commercial loans with an average balance of $257,000 at September 30, 2010. Working capital, equipment purchases or business expansion are the typical purposes for commercial loans. Commercial loans may be unsecured or secured by assets such as equipment, inventory, accounts receivables, and real property. Personal guarantees of the business owner may also be present. These loans may also have partial guarantees from the U.S. Small Business Administration, or SBA, or other federal or state agencies. Broadly diversified business sectors with the largest sectors in real estate/construction, finance and insurance, healthcare, manufacturing and professional services comprise the commercial loan portfolio. We also participate in larger credit facilities known as shared national credits. At September 30, 2010, eleven loans under these facilities had outstanding balances of $28.2 million. One facility represents a $4.8 million completed multifamily construction loan participation recently placed on nonaccrual status. The remainder represent nine motion picture and video production loan participations and a $0.9 million healthcare facility loan participation. At September 30, 2010, we also have commitments of $25.0 million for three other motion picture and video production loans with no outstanding balances. Below is a table of our loans by business sector.
 
Commercial loans by industry/sector
(in thousands)
 
At September 30, 2010
   
At December 31, 2009
 
Real estate
  $ 55,951     $ 51,714  
Services
    55,676       61,629  
Information
    49,283       62,086  
Trade
    21,848       26,119  
Manufacturing
    17,339       16,141  
Healthcare
    15,386       12,566  
Transportation and warehouse
    2,625       5,562  
Other
          32  
                 
Total commercial loans
  $ 218,108     $ 235,849  
 
We underwrite commercial loans with maturities not to exceed seven years and we generally require full amortization of the loan within the term of the loan. We underwrite traditional working capital lines for a 12 month period and have a 30-day out-of-debt requirement. Accounts receivable and inventory financing revolving lines of credit have an annual maturity date, a maximum advance rate, and an annual field audit for lines of $200,000 or more. Third-party vendors perform field audits for our accounts receivable and inventory financing revolving lines of credit. The maximum advance rate for accounts receivable is 80 percent and the maximum advance rate for eligible inventory is 25 percent.
 
Construction and land loans represent 6 percent of total loans at September 30, 2010, down from 9 percent at December 31, 2009. At September 30, 2010, we had 24 projects with an average commitment of $2,635,000 compared with 30 projects with an average commitment of $2,967,000 at December 31, 2009. Construction loans represent single-family, multifamily and commercial building projects as well as land development loans. At September 30, 2010, 15 percent of these loans, or $8.6 million, represented single-family residential construction projects; 8 percent, or $4.8 million, were multi-family residential construction projects; 38 percent, or $21.9 million, were commercial projects; and, 39 percent, or $22.8 million, were land development projects.
 
Construction loans are typically short term, with maturities ranging from 12 to 18 months. For commercial projects, we have had a maximum loan-to-value requirement of 75 percent of the appraised value.  For residential projects, the maximum loan-to-value has been 80 percent. Beginning in the third quarter of 2009 we changed the maximum loan-to-value to 70 percent for both commercial and residential projects. The weighted average loan-to-value ratio for our construction and land portfolio was 64.7 percent at September 30, 2010. At September 30, 2010, we had only five projects for which we capitalize interest income. Capitalized interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $1,187,000 for these five projects. At the borrower’s expense, we use a third party vendor for funds control, lien releases and inspections. In addition, we regularly monitor the marketplace and the economy for evidence of deterioration in real estate values. 

 
 
 
29

 
 
 
Below is a table of our construction and land loans by county.
 
   
At September 30, 2010
   
At December 31, 2009
Construction and land loans by county
(in thousands)
 
Commitment
   
Outstanding
   
Commitment
   
Outstanding
Los Angeles
 
$
25,858
   
$
23,380
   
$
42,657
   
$
35,272
Orange
   
8,813
     
8,220
     
7,157
     
6,894
Ventura
   
22,574
     
20,531
     
55,896
     
40,459
Riverside
   
3,983
     
3,929
     
4,054
     
3,984
Santa Barbara
   
2,015
     
1,995
     
     
                               
Total construction and land loans
 
$
63,243
   
$
58,055
   
$
109,764
   
$
86,609
 
We are mindful of the recent developments in our marketplace and have supplemented our regular monitoring practices by updating project appraisals, re-evaluating estimated project marketing time and re-evaluating the sufficiency of the original loan commitment to absorb interest charges (i.e., interest reserves). We are also re-evaluating the ability of the project sponsor, where applicable, to successfully complete other projects funded by other institutions. In circumstances where the interest reserve was not sufficient, the project sponsor has made payments to us from their general resources or the project sponsor placed with us the proceeds from a portion of the project sales. While we believe that our monitoring practices are adequate, we cannot assure you that there will not be further delinquencies, lengthened project marketing time or declines in real estate values.
 
Multifamily residential mortgage loans were 15 percent of total loans at September 30, 2010, the same as at December 31, 2009. We had approximately 163 multifamily loans with an average balance of $833,000 at September 30, 2010.  Apartments mostly located in our six-county market area serve as collateral for our multifamily mortgage loans. We underwrite multifamily mortgage loans in a fashion similar to commercial mortgage loans previously described. The weighted average loan-to-value percentage was 60.4 percent and the weighted average debt service coverage ratio was 1.32 for our multifamily portfolio at September 30, 2010. Below is a table of our multifamily mortgage loans by county.
 
Multifamily mortgage loans by region/county
(in thousands)
 
At
September 30,
2010
   
At
December 31,
2009
 
Southern California
           
Los Angeles
 
$
92,921
   
$
93,433
 
Orange
   
16,004
     
17,236
 
Ventura
   
7,518
     
7,590
 
Riverside
   
503
     
 
San Bernardino
   
3,991
     
4,030
 
San Diego
   
5,015
     
5,065
 
Santa Barbara
   
1,122
     
1,131
 
                 
Total Southern California
   
127,074
     
128,485
 
 
Northern California
           
Alameda
    790       797  
Calaveras
    1,361       1,373  
Fresno
    246       251  
Kern
    2,627       2,679  
Merced
    664       671  
Monterey
    380       384  
Mono
    229       231  
San Francisco
    1,333       1,346  
San Luis Obispo
    494       499  
Santa Clara
          702  
Santa Cruz
    346       1,130  
                 
Total Northern California
    8,470       10,063  
                 
Total multifamily mortgage
  $ 135,544     $ 138,548  
 

 
 
 
30

 
 
 
The following table shows the maturity of our multifamily mortgage loans by origination year.

Multifamily mortgage loans by origination year/maturity year
                   
(in thousands)
                                   
   
Year of maturity
       
Origination
                         
2014 and
       
Year
 
2010
   
2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
Thereafter
   
Total
 
                                     
2005 and earlier
  $ -     $ 46     $ 973     $ 1,095     $ 13,551     $ 15,665  
2006
    -       -       -       -       1,361       1,361  
2007
    -       -       -       -       9,843       9,843  
2008
    -       -       -       -       50,951       50,951  
2009
    -       212       -       -       50,890       51,102  
2010
    -       -       -       -       6,622       6,622  
Total
  $ -     $ 258     $ 973     $ 1,095     $ 133,218     $ 135,544  
 
We deployed our excess liquidity through a purchase of a $25.1 million portfolio of recently originated conforming home mortgages at the end of the third quarter. In addition, subsequent to the end of the third quarter, we purchased a $28.3 million portfolio of recently originated nonconforming home mortgages. All of the loans purchased are on the borrower’s primary residence and have a weighted average loan-to-value of 50 percent and a weighted average FICO of 773. We expect our net interest income will increase in future periods because of these purchases and we believe these loans diversify the credit risk concentrations in our loan portfolio.

The table below illustrates the distribution of our loan portfolio by loan size at September 30, 2010. We distributed all loans by loan balance outstanding except for construction loans, which we distributed by loan commitment. At September 30, 2010, 35 percent of our loans were less than $1 million and 76 percent of our loans were less than $5 million. We believe the high number of smaller-balance loans aids in the mitigation of credit risk; however, a prolonged and deep recession can affect a greater number of borrowers.
 
   
September 30, 2010
 
   
Less
than
$500,000
    $
500,000
to
$999,999
    $
1,000,000
to
$2,999,999
    $
3,000,000
to
$4,999,999
    $
5,000,000
to
$9,999,999
    $
10,000,000
to
$12,600,000
 
Commercial mortgage
   
10
%
   
14
%
   
32
%
   
10
%
   
25
%
   
9
%
Commercial loans and lines of credit
   
28
%
   
11
%
   
33
%
   
11
%
   
12
%
   
5
%
Construction and land development
   
4
%
   
4
%
   
26
%
   
25
%
   
23
%
   
18
%
Multifamily mortgage
   
14
%
   
30
%
   
41
%
   
0
%
   
15
%
   
0
%
Home mortgage
   
34
%
   
32
%
   
16
%
   
0
%
   
18
%
   
0
%
Home equity loans and lines of credit
   
40
%
   
19
%
   
7
%
   
34
%
   
0
%
   
0
%
Installment and credit card
   
87
%
   
13
%
   
0
%
   
0
%
   
0
%
   
0
%
                                                 
Totals
   
18
%
   
17
%
   
31
%
   
10
%
   
18
%
   
6
%
Number
   
1,573
     
224
     
181
     
25
     
25
     
5
 


 
 
 
31

 
 

Allowance for loan losses
 
We maintain an allowance for loan losses to provide for inherent losses in the loan portfolio. We establish the allowance through a provision charged to expense. We charge-off all loans judged uncollectible against the allowance while we credit any recoveries on loans to the allowance. We charge-off commercial and real estate loans – construction, commercial mortgage, and home mortgage – by the time principal or interest becomes 120 days delinquent unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. We charge-off consumer loans by the time principal or interest becomes 90 days delinquent unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. We also charge-off deposit overdrafts when they become more than 60 days old. We evaluate impaired loans on a case-by-case basis to determine the ultimate loss potential to us after considering the proceeds realizable from a sale of the collateral, less cost to sell. In those cases where the net realizable value is less than the loan, we charge-off the loan to reduce the balance to a level equal to the net realizable value of the collateral. We consider a loan impaired when, based on current information and events, we do not expect to be able to collect all amounts due according to the loan contract, including scheduled interest payments.
 
Our loan policy provides procedures designed to evaluate and assess the risk factors associated with our loan portfolio, to enable us to assess such risk factors prior to granting new loans and to evaluate the sufficiency of the allowance for loan losses. We assess the allowance on a monthly basis and undertake a more critical evaluation quarterly. At the time of the monthly review, the Board of Directors examines and formally approves the adequacy of the allowance. The quarterly evaluation includes an assessment of the following factors: any external loan review and any regulatory examination, estimated probable loss exposure on each pool of loans, concentrations of credit, value of collateral, the level of delinquency and nonaccruals, trends in the portfolio volume, effects of any changes in the lending policies and procedures, changes in lending personnel, present economic conditions at the local, state and national level, the amount of undisbursed off-balance sheet commitments, and a migration analysis of historical losses and recoveries for the prior sixteen quarters.
 
Our evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses includes a review of individual loans to identify specific probable losses and assigns estimated loss factors to specific groups or types of loans to calculate possible losses. In addition, we estimate the probable loss on previously accrued but unpaid interest. We refer to these as quantitative considerations. Our evaluation also considers subjective factors such as changes in local and regional economic and business conditions, financial improvement or deterioration in business sectors and industries, changes in lending practices, changes in personnel, changes in the volume and level of past due and nonaccrual loans and concentrations of credit. We refer to these as qualitative considerations.
 
Our 2010 third quarter evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses considered, among other things, estimated loss factors assigned to specific types of loans, changes and trends in the level of delinquencies, nonaccrual loans and loan charge-offs, changes in the value of collateral, changes in the local and regional economic and business conditions, and the judgment of the bank regulatory agencies at the conclusion of their examination process with respect to information available to them during such examination process.

In our evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, we considered the trend in the level of delinquencies, nonaccrual loans and loan charge-offs. Total past due and nonaccrual loans declined to $24.4 million at September 30, 2010 from $54.8 million at December 31, 2009. The $30.4 million decline since year-end was in both loans past due 30 to 89 days and nonaccrual loans. Nonaccrual loans at September 30, 2010 were $22.4 million, down from $40.0 million as loan payments, payoffs, transfers to foreclosed property and returns to accruing status outpaced additions. We believe that the slowing of delinquencies and nonaccrual loans are early signs that the credit cycle may be peaking. However, we also considered the length and depth of the economic recession, the possibility that the economic recovery may stall, the outlook for unemployment for the U.S. and California and the continuing affect these adverse conditions might have on our borrowers. We also considered the 2010 second quarter increase in our loss factors for qualitative considerations. Based on these considerations, we concluded that no further changes to our loss factors were necessary at this time.
 
The allowance for loan losses was $16.5 million or 1.80 percent of loans at September 30, 2010 compared with $16.5 million or 1.76 percent of loans at December 31, 2009. We believe that our allowance for loan losses was adequate at September 30, 2010; however, the determination of the allowance for loan losses is a highly judgmental process and we cannot assure you that we will not further increase or decrease the allowance in future periods.
 

 
 
 
32

 
 

The following table presents activity in the allowance for loan losses:
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Beginning balance
  $ 16,452     $ 11,955     $ 16,505     $ 8,048  
Provision for loan losses
    3,618       4,117       7,138       10,296  
Loans charged-off
    (3,891 )     (4,079 )     (7,735 )     (6,590 )
Recoveries on loans charged-off
    321       144       592       383  
Ending balance
  $ 16,500     $ 12,137     $ 16,500     $ 12,137  
                                 
Allowance to gross loans
    1.80 %     1.29 %     1.80 %     1.29 %
Net loans charged-off to average loans, annualized
    1.60 %     1.68 %     1.05 %     0.91 %

The following table presents the net loan charge-offs by loan type and the percentage of net loans charged-off to average loans by type for the periods indicated.

   
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
   
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
 
(in thousands)
 
Net Charge-offs
   
Net Charge-offs to average loans, for period
   
Net Charge-offs to Average loans, annualized
   
Net Charge-offs
   
Net Charge-offs to average loans, for period
   
Net Charge-offs to Average loans, annualized
 
Construction and land development
 
$
233
     
0.34
%
   
0.46
%
 
$
853
     
0.76
%
   
1.01
%
Home mortgage
   
207
     
0.28
%
   
0.37
%
   
736
     
1.06
%
   
1.42
%
Commercial loans & lines
   
4,735
     
2.28
%
   
3.05
%
   
3,364
     
1.51
%
   
2.01
%
Commercial real estate
   
1,721
     
0.32
%
   
0.42
%
   
1,269
     
0.26
%
   
0.35
%
Home equity loans & lines
   
199
     
1.46
%
   
1.95
%
   
     
     
 
Installment
   
48
     
1.30
%
   
1.74
%
   
(15)
     
(0.35)
%
   
(0.46)
%
                                                 
Total
 
$
7,143
     
0.78
%
   
1.05
%
 
$
6,207
     
0.68
%
   
0.91
%
 
Net loan charge-offs for the three months ended September 30, 2010 were $3.6 million compared with $3.9 million for the same period last year. Net loan charge-offs for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 were $7.1 million compared with $6.2 million for the same period last year. In the first nine months of 2010, significant charge-offs consisted of a $1.2 million charge-off on a $1.7 million nonaccrual multifamily loan for which we had a specific loss allowance of $1.7 million at December 31, 2009. We collected the remaining balance in the 2010 second quarter. Also, in the 2010 third quarter, we had a $3.5 million charge-off on a $15.0 million revolving credit facility to purchase and develop a film library. Net annualized loan charge-offs to average loans for the 2010 third quarter were 1.60 percent compared with 1.68 percent for the 2009 third quarter. For the 2009 year, net loan charge-offs to average loans was 0.89 percent. Net annualized loan charge-offs to average loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 were 1.05 percent compared with 0.91 percent for the first nine months of 2009.


 
 
 
33

 
 

The following table illustrates the significant net loan charge-offs for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Description  
Construction
   
Home
   
Commercial
   
Commercial
             
(in millions)
 
and Land
   
Mortgage
   
Loans
   
Mortgage
   
Equity/Installment
   
Total
 
$15.0 MM motion picture and video production loan
  $ -     $ -     $ 3.5     $ -     $ -     $ 3.5  
$1.7 MM multifamily loan
    -       -       -       1.2       -       1.2  
$7.4 MM business loan relationship
    -       -       0.4       -       -       0.4  
$1.3 MM office building loan
    -       -       -       0.4       -       0.4  
All other loan charge-offs and recoveries, net
    0.2       0.2       0.8       0.1       0.3       1.6  
Net loan charge-offs 2010-nine month period
  $ 0.2     $ 0.2     $ 4.7     $ 1.7     $ 0.3     $ 7.1  
                                                 
Average loan balance for 2010-nine month period
  $ 68.3     $ 49.9     $ 207.3     $ 541.4     $ 44.0     $ 910.9  
                                                 
Net loan charge-offs (annualized) to average loans
    0.46 %     0.37 %     3.05 %     0.42 %     1.90 %     1.05 %
 
The following table illustrates the significant net charge-offs for the nine months ended September 30, 2009:
 
   
Construction
   
Home
   
Commercial
   
Commercial
             
Description
 
and Land
   
Mortgage
   
Loans
   
Mortgage
   
Equity/Installment
   
Total
 
$7.4 MM business loan relationship
  $ -     $ -     $ 2.6     $ 0.5     $ -     $ 3.1  
$1.8 MM office building
    -       -       -       0.5       -       0.5  
$55.7 MM purchased home mortgage portfolio
    -       0.7       -       -       -       0.7  
$0.6 MM construction loan
    0.6       -       -       -       -       0.6  
$0.6 MM consumer loan
    -       -       -       -       (0.2 )     (0.2 )
All other loan charge-offs and recoveries, net
    0.3       -       0.8       0.3       -       1.4  
Net loan charge-offs 2009-nine month period
  $ 0.9     $ 0.7     $ 3.4     $ 1.3     $ (0.2 )   $ 6.2  
                                                 
Average loan balance for 2009-nine month period
  $ 112.7     $ 81.0     $ 226.1     $ 489.2     $ 4.3     $ 913.3  
                                                 
Net loan charge-offs (annualized) to average loans
    1.06 %     1.15 %     2.01 %     0.35 %     -4.65 %     0.91 %
 
The following table presents the allocation of the allowance for loan losses to each loan category and the percentage relationship of loans in each category to total loans:

   
September 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
(in thousands)
 
Allocation of
the allowance
by loan
category
   
Percent of Loans in
Category to Total
loans
   
Allocation of
the allowance
by loan
category
   
Percent of Loans in
Category to Total
loans
 
Commercial mortgage
 
$
5,586
     
42
%
 
$
4,850
     
41
%
Commercial loans
   
5,365
     
24
%
   
4,796
     
25
%
Multifamily mortgage
   
2,133
     
15
%
   
3,277
     
15
%
Construction loans
   
1,789
     
6
%
   
2,460
     
9
%
Home mortgage
   
1,081
     
8
%
   
605
     
5
%
Home mortgage
   
475
     
4
%
   
453
     
4
%
Installment and credit card
   
71
     
1
%
   
64
     
1
%
                                 
Total
 
$
16,500
     
100
%
 
$
16,505
     
100
%
 
The amounts or proportions displayed above do not imply that charges to the allowance will occur in those amounts or proportions.

 
 
 
34

 
 

The following table presents past due loans, nonaccrual loans and foreclosed assets. We had twelve restructured loans for $4.3 million at September 30, 2010; four loans for $2.0 million were current at September 30, 2010. Eight loans for $2.3 million are included in the $22.4 million nonaccrual loan total shown below. We had one $0.6 million restructured loan at December 31, 2009. The $0.6 million restructured loan at December 31, 2009 is included in the $40.0 million nonaccrual loan total shown below.
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
At
September 30,
2010
   
At
December 31,
2009
 
Accruing loans past due 30 - 89 days
 
$
2,003
   
$
14,592
 
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more
 
$
   
$
200
 
Nonaccrual loans
 
$
22,398
   
$
39,958
 
Foreclosed assets
 
$
27,906
   
$
4,893
 
Ratios:
               
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more to average loans
   
     
0.02%
 
Nonaccrual loans to average loans
   
2.46%
     
4.35%
 
 
Accruing loans past due 30 to 89 days decreased to $2.0 million at September 30, 2010 from $14.6 million at December 31, 2009. This category of loans historically has had the most fluctuation from period to period.
 
Nonaccrual loans and loans past due 90 days or more and accruing decreased to $22.4 million at September 30, 2010 from $40.2 million at December 31, 2009. These non-performing loans, as a percentage of total loans, were 2.4 percent at the end of the third quarter compared with 4.3 percent at December 31, 2009.
 
Our largest nonaccrual loan was a revolving credit facility to purchase and develop a film library with a balance of $8.5 million at September 30, 2010. This amount is after charge-offs of $3.5 million. The charge-off represented the estimated excess of the loan advances over the value of the film library. We believe a default has occurred and we are no longer required to make advances. This loan is a participation in a credit facility also known as a shared national credit. We estimated at September 30, 2010 a specific loss allowance of $0.8 million for this loan.
 
Our next largest nonaccrual loan was a $4.8 million completed 250-unit apartment complex in Anaheim, California. Although all principal and interest is current, we placed $3.6 million of the loan, representing the estimated excess of the loan balance over the cash collateral, on nonaccrual status given the uncertainty of the housing market. We did not have a charge-off on this loan. This loan is a participation in a credit facility also known as a shared national credit. We have no specific loss allowance for this loan at September 30, 2010.

Our third largest nonaccrual loan was a $1.5 million office building in Costa Mesa, California. The loan was over 90 days delinquent at September 30, 2010. Our most current appraisal indicates a loan-to-value ratio of 68 percent. We have no specific loss allowance for this loan at September 30, 2010.

Our fourth largest nonaccrual loan was a $1.2 million entertainment-related commercial loan. A legal dispute regarding royalty payments has affected our borrower’s ability to pay. We are receiving interest-only payments and interest was current as of September 30, 2010. Our most current appraisal indicates a loan-to-value ratio of 47 percent. We have no specific loss allowance for this loan at September 30, 2010.

We have one other nonaccrual loan, a $1.1 million business loan to a borrower who abruptly discontinued business in the 2009 third quarter. This amount is after charge-offs of $3.4 million. Since the end of 2009, we received proceeds of approximately $50,000 from the collection of accounts receivable. We estimated at September 30, 2010 a specific loss allowance of $0.5 million for this loan.
 
All other nonaccrual loans were individually under $1 million at September 30, 2010.

 
 
 
35

 
 
 
The following table presents the activity in our nonaccrual loan category for the periods indicated.
 
   
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
# of Loans
   
$ Amount
   
# of Loans
   
$ Amount
   
# of Loans
   
$ Amount
   
# of Loans
   
$ Amount
 
Beginning balance
    23     $ 13,192       11     $ 26,957       21     $ 39,958       7     $ 8,475  
New loans added
    22       20,268       12       15,280       39       26,778       21       41,253  
Advances on existing loans
                                  317             136  
Loans transferred to foreclosed property
    (3 )     (884 )     (1 )     (119 )     (7 )     (24,560 )     (3 )     (6,612 )
Loans returned to accrual status
    (5 )     (1,976 )                 (8 )     (4,015 )            
Payoffs of existing loans
    (1 )     (4,482 )     (2 )     (2,729 )     (4 )     (8,098 )     (3 )     (2,938 )
Loans sold
                            (1 )     (490 )            
Payments on existing loans
          (24 )           (59 )           (1,186 )           (101 )
Charge offs of existing loans
                            (4 )     (375 )     (2 )     (560 )
Partial charge-offs on existing loans
          (3,696 )                       (5,931 )           (323 )
                                                                 
Ending balance
    36     $ 22,398       20     $ 39,330       36     $ 22,398       20     $ 39,330  
 
Foreclosed property at September 30, 2010 consists of a $20.7 million office complex project consisting of 19 buildings in Ventura County, a $4.9 million unimproved land property of 161 acres located in an unincorporated section of western Los Angeles County known as Liberty Canyon, a $1.0 million industrial property in Santa Clara County and four single-family residences in Southern California which total $1.3 million.

The following table presents the activity of our foreclosed property for the periods indicated.
 
   
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
(dollars in thousands)
  # of
Properties
    $ Amount     # of
Properties
    $ Amount     # of
Properties
    $ Amount     # of
Properties
    $ Amount   
Beginning balance
    4     $ 27,850       3     $ 6,828       1     $ 4,893       2     $ 327  
New properties added
    3       1,016       1       126       8       25,414       3       6,893  
Writedowns of existing properties
                (1 )     (136 )           (230 )     (1 )     (151 )
Sales proceeds received
          (960 )     (1 )     (698 )     (2 )     (2,171 )     (2 )     (949 )
                                                                 
Ending balance
    7     $ 27,906       2     $ 6,120       7     $ 27,906       2     $ 6,120  

The allowance for losses on undisbursed commitments was $91,000 and $97,000 at September 30, 2010, and December 31, 2009, respectively. The allowance for losses on undisbursed commitments is included in “accrued interest payable and other liabilities” on the consolidated balance sheets.
 
We consider a loan impaired when, based on current information and events, we do not expect to be able to collect all amounts due according to the loan contract, including scheduled interest payments. Due to the size and nature of the loan portfolio, we determine impaired loans by periodic evaluation on an individual loan basis. The average investment in impaired loans was $27.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and $32.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Impaired loans were $21.1 million at September 30, 2010 and $40.0 million at December 31, 2009. Allowances for losses for individually impaired loans are computed in accordance with accounting standards related to accounting by creditors for impairment of a loan and are based on either the estimated collateral value less estimated selling costs (if the loan is a collateral-dependent loan), or the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. Of the $21.1 million of impaired loans at September 30, 2010, $10.7 million had specific allowances of $1.9 million. Of the $40.0 million of impaired loans at December 31, 2009, $3.5 million had specific allowances of $2.7 million.
 
Investing, funding and liquidity risk
 
Liquidity risk is the risk to earnings or capital arising from the inability to meet obligations when they come due without incurring unacceptable losses. Liquidity risk includes the inability to manage unplanned decreases or changes in funding sources as well as the failure to recognize or address changes in market conditions that affect the ability to liquidate assets quickly and with minimal loss in value.

 
 
 
36

 
 

We manage bank liquidity risk through Board-approved policies and procedures. The Board of Directors reviews and approves these policies at least annually. Liquidity risk policies provide us with a framework for consistent evaluation of risk and establish risk tolerance parameters. Management’s Asset and Liability Committee meets regularly to evaluate liquidity risk, review and establish deposit interest rates, review loan and deposit in-flows and out-flows and reports quarterly to the Directors’ Balance Sheet Management Committee on compliance with policies. The Directors’ Audit Committee also engages a third party to perform a review of management’s asset and liability practices to ensure compliance with policies.
 
We enjoy a large base of core deposits (representing checking, savings and small balance retail certificates of deposit). At September 30, 2010, core deposits were $834.8 million. At December 31, 2009, core deposits were $830.4 million. Core deposits represent a significant low-cost source of funds that support our lending activities and represent a key part of our funding strategy. We seek and stress the importance of both loan and deposit relationships with customers in our business plans.
 
Alternative funding sources include large balance certificates of deposits, brokered deposits, federal funds purchased from other institutions, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and borrowings. Total alternative funds used at September 30, 2010 declined to $432.6 million from $437.8 million at December 31, 2009. The increasing balance of core deposits and the slow loan demand allowed us to reduce these funds.
 
In addition, we have lines of credit with other financial institutions providing for federal funds facilities up to a maximum of $27.0 million. The lines of credit support short-term liquidity needs and we cannot use them for more than 30 consecutive days. These lines are unsecured, have no formal maturity date and can be revoked at any time by the granting institutions. There was $15.0 million outstanding on these lines of credit at September 30, 2010 compared to zero outstanding at December 31, 2009. We also have a $15.7 million secured borrowing facility with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, or the Reserve Bank, which had no balance outstanding at September 30, 2010 or December 31, 2009. In addition, we had approximately $96.0 million of available borrowing capacity on the Bank’s secured FHLB borrowing facility at September 30, 2010.
 
The primary sources of liquidity for the Company, on a stand-alone basis, include the dividends from the Bank and, historically, our ability to issue trust preferred securities and secure outside borrowings. The ability of the Company to obtain funds for its cash requirements, including payments on the junior subordinated debentures underlying our outstanding trust preferred securities and the dividend on our series B preferred stock, is largely dependent upon the Bank’s earnings. The Bank is subject to restrictions under certain federal and state laws and regulations which limit its ability to transfer funds to the Company through intercompany loans, advances or cash dividends. The California Department of Financial Institutions, or DFI, under its general supervisory authority as it relates to a bank’s capital requirements regulates dividends paid by state banks, such as the Bank. A state bank may declare a dividend without the approval of the DFI as long as the total dividends declared in a calendar year do not exceed either the retained earnings or the total of net profits for three previous fiscal years less any dividends paid during such period. At September 30, 2010, there were $10 million of dividends available for payment under the method described; however, as previously disclosed, the Company cannot receive dividends from the Bank without the prior written approval of the Reserve Bank. During 2009 we received no dividends from the Bank.  The Company has $5.3 million in cash on deposit with the Bank at September 30, 2010.
 
In order to meet our deposit, borrowing and loan obligations when they come due, we maintain a portion of our funds in liquid assets. Liquid assets include cash balances at the Reserve Bank, interest bearing deposits with other financial institutions, and federal funds sold to other financial institutions. We also manage liquidity risk with readily saleable debt securities and debt securities that serve as collateral for borrowings.
 
At September 30, 2010, we had cash balances at the Reserve Bank of $27.6 million compared with $20.5 million at December 31, 2009. Interest bearing deposits with other financial institutions increased to $92.9 million at September 30, 2010 from $19.7 million at December 31, 2009. The $73.2 million increase reflects the decrease in securities from sales, pay downs and maturities as well as slow loan demand.
 
Securities
 
We classify securities as “available-for-sale” for accounting purposes and, as such, report them at their fair, or market, values in our balance sheets. We use quoted market prices for fair values. We report as “other comprehensive income or loss”, net of tax changes in the fair value of our securities (that is, unrealized holding gains or losses) and carry these cumulative changes as accumulated comprehensive income or loss within shareholders’ equity until realized.
 
Securities, at amortized cost, decreased by $82.8 million, or 23 percent, from $359.6 million at December 31, 2009 to $276.8 million at September 30, 2010. The decrease is primarily due to the $184.9 million of securities sold in the first nine months of 2010, partially offset by securities purchased.
 
Net unrealized holding losses were $4.4 million at September 30, 2010 and were $9.9 million at December 31, 2009. As a percentage of securities, at amortized cost, unrealized holding losses were 1.58 percent and 2.77 percent at the end of each respective period. Securities are comprised largely of U.S. Treasury notes and bills and U.S. government agency notes, mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations, or CMOs. On a quarterly basis, we evaluate our individual available-for-sale

 
 
 
37

 
 

securities in an unrealized loss position for other-than-temporary impairment. As part of this evaluation, we consider whether we intend to sell each security and whether it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before the anticipated recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis. Should a security meet either of these conditions, we recognize an impairment charge to earnings equal to the entire difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. For securities in an unrealized loss position that meet neither of these conditions, we consider whether we expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security by comparing our best estimate, on a present value basis, of the expected future cash flows from the security with the amortized cost basis of the security. If our best estimate of expected future cash flows is less than the amortized cost basis of the security, we recognize an impairment charge to earnings for this estimated credit loss.
 
The following table presents, at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the gross unrealized losses and amortized cost of securities and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. This table excludes the three securities with other-than-temporary impairments at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
 
   
At September 30, 2010
 
   
Less Than 12 Months
   
Greater Than 12 Months
   
Total
 
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
   
(in thousands)
 
U.S. Treasury notes/bills
 
$
   
$
   
$
   
$
   
$
   
$
 
U.S. government agency notes
   
5,000
     
(15
)
   
     
     
5,000
     
(15
)
U.S. government agency mortgage-backed securities
   
20,678
     
(64
)
   
     
     
20,678
     
(64
)
U.S. government agency collateralized mortgage obligations 
   
43,409
     
(255
)
   
     
     
43,409
     
(255
)
Private-label collateralized mortgage obligations
   
     
     
13,440
     
(2,072
)
   
13,440
     
(2,072
)
Municipal securities
   
1,167
     
(2
)
   
     
     
1,167
     
(2
)
Other domestic debt securities
   
2,500
     
(19
)
   
4,772
     
(1,852
)
   
7,272
     
(1,871
)
                                                 
   
$
72,754
   
$
(355
)
 
$
18,212
   
$
(3,924
)
 
$
90,966
   
$
(4,279
)
 
   
At December 31, 2009
 
   
Less Than 12 Months
   
Greater Than 12 Months
   
Total
 
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
   
(in thousands)
 
U.S. Treasury notes/bills
 
$
55,962
   
$
(71
)
 
$
   
$
   
$
55,962
   
$
(71
)
U.S. government agency notes
   
17,613
     
(102
)
   
     
     
17,613
     
(102
)
U.S. government agency mortgage-backed securities
   
38,349
     
(467
)
   
     
     
38,349
     
(467
)
U.S. government agency collateralized mortgage obligations 
   
19,113
     
(156
)
   
     
     
19,113
     
(156
)
Private-label collateralized mortgage obligations
   
     
     
17,424
     
(4,147
)
   
17,424
     
(4,147
)
Municipal securities
   
4,399
     
(53
)
   
172
     
(2
)
   
4,571
     
(55
)
Other domestic debt securities
   
     
     
4,848
     
(2,388
)
   
4,848
     
(2,388
)
                                                 
   
$
135,436
   
$
(849
)
 
$
22,444
   
$
(6,537
)
 
$
157,880
   
$
(7,386
)
 
We determined that, as of September 30, 2010, our U.S. government agency notes, mortgage-backed securities and CMOs were temporarily impaired because these securities were in a continuous loss position for less than 12 months. We believe the cause of the gross unrealized losses was movements in interest rates and not the deterioration of the issuers’ creditworthiness.
 
We own one pooled trust preferred security, rated triple-A at purchase, with an amortized cost basis of $4.8 million and an unrealized loss of $1.9 million at September 30, 2010. At December 31, 2009, the unrealized loss was $2.4 million. The gross unrealized loss is mainly due to extraordinarily high investor yield requirements resulting from an illiquid market, causing this security to be valued at a discount to its acquisition cost. One credit rating agency has now rated the security A3 while another has rated the security triple-C. The senior tranche owned by us has a collateral balance well in excess of the amortized cost basis of the tranche at September 30, 2010. Fifteen of the fifty-six issuers in the security have deferred or defaulted on their interest payments as

 
 
 
38

 
 

of September 30, 2010. Our analysis determined that approximately half of the issuers would need to default on their interest payments before the senior tranche owned by us would be at risk of loss. As our estimated present value of expected cash flows to be collected was in excess of our amortized cost basis and we have the intent and ability to hold this security until the anticipated recovery of the remaining amortized cost basis, we concluded that the gross unrealized loss on this security was temporary.
 
The majority of unrealized losses at September 30, 2010 relate to a type of mortgage-backed security also known as private-label CMOs. As of September 30, 2010, the fair value of these securities was $24.4 million, representing 9 percent of our securities portfolio. Gross unrealized losses related to these securities were $4.2 million, or 15 percent of the aggregate cost basis of these securities as of September 30, 2010. At December 31, 2009, the gross unrealized losses were $7.5 million, or 23 percent of the amortized cost basis of these securities. The gross unrealized losses associated with these securities were primarily due to extraordinarily high investor yield requirements resulting from an extremely illiquid market, significant uncertainty about the future condition of the mortgage market and the economy, and continued deterioration in the credit performance of loan collateral underlying these securities, causing these securities to be valued at significant discounts to their acquisition cost. Six of our private-label CMOs, approximately 83 percent of amortized cost, had credit agency ratings of less than investment grade at September 30, 2010.  We performed discounted cash flow analyses for these securities using the current month, last three month and last twelve month historical prepayment speed, the cumulative default rate and the loss severity rate to determine if there was other-than-temporary impairment as of September 30, 2010.  Based upon this analysis, we determined there was no additional other-than-temporary impairment at September 30, 2010. For the year ended December 31, 2009, we identified three private-label CMOs and charged to earnings other-than-temporary impairment losses of $1,115,000. We do not intend to sell these securities and we do not believe it likely that we will be required to sell these securities before the anticipated recovery of the remaining amortized cost basis. If current conditions in the mortgage markets and general business conditions continue to deteriorate, the fair value of our private-label CMOs may decline further and we may experience further impairment losses.
 
Deposits
 
Deposits represent our primary source of funds for our lending activities. The following table presents the balance of each deposit category for the periods indicated:
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
(in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
             
Non-maturity core deposits:
           
Non-interest checking
  $ 308,964     $ 317,610  
Interest checking
    71,224       82,806  
Money market and savings
    382,482       339,750  
Total non-maturity core deposits
    762,670       740,166  
Maturity core deposits:
               
Retail time deposits under $100,000
    72,114       90,279  
Total core deposits
    834,784       830,445  
                 
Non-core deposits:
               
Retail time deposits $100,000 and over
    154,582       158,536  
Brokered time deposits
          25,734  
State of California time deposits
    100,000       110,000  
Total non-core deposits
    254,582       294,270  
Total deposits
  $ 1,089,366     $ 1,124,715  
 
The $35.3 million decline in deposits from the 2009 year-end was due principally to the $35.7 million reduction in our brokered and State of California time deposits. Core deposits have increased and loan demand has slowed allowing these deposits to mature and not be renewed. Core non-maturity deposits increased $22.5 million since year-end 2009. Core deposits represent 77 percent of deposits at September 30, 2010, up from 74 percent at December 31, 2009.
 
Large balance certificates of deposit (that is, balances of $100,000 or more) were $254.1 million at September 30, 2010. Large balance certificates of deposit were $268.5 million at December 31, 2009. A portion of these large balance time deposits represent time deposits placed by the State Treasurer of California with the Bank. The time deposit program is one element of a pooled investment account managed by the State Treasurer for the benefit of the State of California and all participating local agencies. The pooled investment account has approximately $69.0 billion of investments, of which approximately $4.2 billion represent time deposits placed at various financial institutions. At September 30, 2010, and December 31, 2009, State of California time deposits placed with us, with original maturities of three months, were $100.0 million and $110.0 million, respectively. We believe that the State Treasurer will continue this program; we also believe, if it becomes necessary to replace these deposits, that we have sufficient alternative funding capacity or the ability to establish large balance certificates of deposit rates that will enable us to attract deposits in sufficient amounts. The remainder of time deposits represents time deposits accepted from customers in our market area.

 
 
 
39

 
 
 
We use brokered time deposits to supplement our liquidity and achieve other asset liability management objectives. We include these deposits in the balance sheet line “Certificates of deposit, under $100,000”. Brokered deposits are wholesale time deposits in denominations less $100,000 placed by rate sensitive customers that do not have any other significant relationship with us. Professionals operating under established investment criteria manage most wholesale funds and the brokered deposits are typically in amounts that are within the FDIC deposit insurance limit. As a result, these funds are generally very sensitive to credit risk and interest rates, and pose greater liquidity risk to a bank. They may refuse to renew the time deposits at maturity if higher rates are available elsewhere or if they perceive that creditworthiness is deteriorating. At September 30, 2010, we had no brokered deposits. At December 31, 2009, we had brokered deposits of $25.7 million, all of which had maturities within 12 months.  We also use the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry System, or CDARS, for our deposit customers who wish to obtain FDIC insurance on their deposits beyond that available from a single institution. We place these deposits into the CDARS network and accept in return other customers’ certificates of deposits in the same amount and at the same interest rate. We had $8.7 million of these reciprocal deposits, included in time deposits of $100,000 or more, at September 30, 2010.
 
At September 30, 2010, the scheduled maturities of time certificates of deposit in denominations of $100,000 or more were as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
     
Three months or less
  $ 74,907  
Over three months to twelve months
    116,153  
Over twelve months
    63,040  
         
    $ 254,100  
 
Borrowings
 
Borrowings are comprised of federal funds purchased from other financial institutions, FHLB advances and securities sold under agreements to repurchase. At September 30, 2010, we had $178.0 million of borrowings outstanding, of which $45.0 million was comprised of securities sold under agreements to repurchase, $83.8 million of FHLB advances and $15.0 million of overnight federal funds purchased. For our FHLB advances, the following table presents the amounts and weighted average interest rates outstanding.
 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
   
Year Ended December 31, 2009
 
(in thousands)
 
Federal Home
Loan Bank
Advances
   
Weighted
average
interest rate
   
Federal Home
Loan Bank
Advances
   
Weighted
average
Interest rate
 
Amount outstanding at end of period
 
$
118,000
     
2.53
%
 
$
98,500
     
3.82
%
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the period
 
$
118,000
     
2.53
%
 
$
122,000
     
3.88
%
Average amount outstanding during the period
 
$
90,050
     
3.80
%
 
$
110,252
     
3.86
%
 
The higher level of FHLB borrowings at period end was to provide liquidity for loans purchased in early October.
 
The following table presents the maturities of FHLB term advances:
 
   
At September 30, 2010
   
At December 31, 2009
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
   
Maturity
Year
   
Weighted
Average
Interest Rate
   
Amount
   
Maturity
Year
   
Weighted
Average
Interest Rate
 
   
$
46,500
     
2010
     
1.10%
   
$
42,000
     
2010
     
3.70%
 
     
13,000
     
2011
     
3.21%
     
13,000
     
2011
     
3.21%
 
     
18,500
     
2012
     
4.03%
     
18,500
     
2012
     
4.03%
 
     
17,500
     
2014
     
4.24%
     
17,500
     
2014
     
4.24%
 
     
15,000
     
2015
     
1.76%
     
     
2015
     
 —
 
     
7,500
     
2017
     
4.07%
     
7,500
     
2017
     
4.07%
 
                                                 
   
$
118,000
                   
$
98,500
                 


 
 
 
40

 
 
 
The following table presents maturities of securities sold under agreements to repurchase:
 
   
At September 30, 2010
   
At December 31, 2009
(dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
   
Maturity
Year
   
Weighted
Average
Interest Rate
   
Amount
   
Maturity
Year
 
Weighted
Average
Interest Rate
   
$
15,000
     
2011
     
3.64%
   
$
15,000
     
2011
 
3.64%
     
20,000
     
2013
     
3.60%
     
20,000
     
2013
 
3.60%
     
10,000
     
2014
     
3.72%
     
10,000
     
2014
 
3.72%
                                           
   
$
45,000
                   
$
45,000
           
 
Junior Subordinated Debentures
 
As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, we had $26.8 million of junior subordinated debentures outstanding from two issuances of trust preferred securities. First California Capital Trust I’s capital securities have an outstanding balance of $16.5 million, mature on March 15, 2037, and are redeemable, at par, at the Company’s option at any time on or after March 15, 2012. The securities have a fixed annual rate of 6.80% until March 15, 2012, and a variable annual rate thereafter, which resets quarterly, equal to the 3-month LIBOR rate plus 1.60% per annum. FCB Statutory Trust I’s capital securities have an outstanding balance of $10.3 million, mature on December 15, 2035, and are redeemable, at par, at the Company’s option at any time on or after December 15, 2010. The securities have a fixed annual rate of 6.145% until December 15, 2010, and a variable annual rate thereafter, which resets quarterly, equal to the 3-month LIBOR rate plus 1.55% per annum.

In December 2009, we purchased a $10.3 million notional forward-starting interest rate cap to limit the variable interest rate payments on our $10.3 million junior subordinated debentures. This interest rate cap will become effective on December 15, 2010, has a rate cap of 4.00 percent and will expire on December 15, 2015. In September 2010, we purchased a $16.5 million notional forward-starting interest rate cap to limit the variable interest rate payments on our $16.5 million junior subordinated debentures. This interest rate cap will become effective March 15, 2012, has a rate cap of 4.00 percent and will expire on March 15, 2017. 

Capital resources
 
We have 1,000 issued shares of preferred stock series A, $0.01 par value, with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. Redemption of the preferred stock series A is at our option subject to certain restrictions imposed by our preferred stock series B. The redemption amount is computed at the per-share liquidation preference plus unpaid dividends at a rate of 8.5%. Each holder of preferred stock series A has the right, exercisable at the option of the holder, to convert all or some of such holder’s series A shares into common stock. The sum of each share’s liquidation preference plus unpaid dividends divided by the conversion factor of $5.63 per share represents the number of common shares issuable upon the conversion of each share of preferred stock series A. As of September 30, 2010, we reserved 310,535 of common shares for the conversion of the preferred stock series A.
 
On December 19, 2008, we participated in the U.S. Treasury Capital Purchase Program, or the CPP, under which we received $25 million in exchange for issuing 25,000 preferred stock series B shares and a warrant to purchase common stock to the Treasury. As a participant in the CPP, we are subject to various restrictions and requirements, such as restrictions on our stock repurchases and payment of dividends, and other requirements relating to our executive compensation and corporate governance practices. Moreover, under legislation such as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, we may early redeem the shares issued to the Treasury under the CPP without any early penalty or requirement to raise new capital, as previously required under the original terms of the CPP. The preferred stock series B qualifies as Tier 1 capital, and holders are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends at a rate of 5 percent per year for the first five years and 9 percent per year thereafter, on a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears on each of February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15, if, as and when declared by our Board of Directors, out of assets legally available for payment. The common stock warrant entitles the Treasury to purchase 599,042 shares of our common stock at an initial exercise price of $6.26 for a term of ten years.

The Company is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal and state banking agencies. In addition, the federal banking agencies will likely change existing capital guidelines or adopt new capital guidelines in the future pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the implementation of Basel III or other regulatory or supervisory changes. Failure to meet minimum requirements can initiate certain mandatory — and possibly additional discretionary — actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on a company’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines, bank holding companies must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the company’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

 
 
 
41

 
 


In February 2010, the Board of Directors of First California Financial Group, Inc. and the Reserve Bank entered into an informal agreement. The informal agreement requires the Board to take all appropriate steps to utilize fully its financial and managerial resources to assist the Company and the Bank in functioning in a safe and sound manner pursuant to Regulation Y of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The informal agreement restricts the ability of the Company to (a) receive dividends or another form of payment or distribution representing a reduction of capital from the Bank without the prior written approval from the Reserve Bank, (b) declare or pay dividends, make any payments on trust preferred securities, or make any other capital distributions, without the prior written approval of the Reserve Bank, (c) directly or indirectly incur, renew, increase or guarantee any debt, without the prior written approval of the Reserve Bank, (d) directly or indirectly issue any trust preferred securities without the prior written approval of the Reserve Bank, and (e) purchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of its stock without the prior written approval of the Reserve Bank.
 
The Reserve Bank has approved all dividend payments due to the holders of our preferred stock series B and all interest payments due to the holders of our junior subordinated debentures, also known as trust preferred securities, since the effective date of the informal agreement.
 
On March 3, 2010, the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, from 25,000,000 shares to 100,000,000 shares, and to increase the number of authorized shares of all classes of the Company’s stock from 27,500,000 shares to 102,500,000 shares.
 
In March 2010, we consummated an underwritten public offering of common stock at a price of $2.50 per share. We sold 16,560,000 common shares, which include the exercise by the underwriter of its over-allotment option, for gross proceeds of $41.4 million. We contributed $36.0 million to our bank subsidiary. We intend to use the net proceeds of this public offering for general corporate purposes, including funding working capital requirements, supporting the growth of our business from internal efforts and from whole bank or failed bank acquisitions, and regulatory capital needs related to any such growth and acquisitions.
 
The following tables present the capital amounts and ratios of the Company with a comparison to the minimum ratios for the periods indicated:
 
   
Actual
   
For Capital
Adequacy Purposes
 
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
   
(in thousands)
 
September 30, 2010
                       
Total capital
 
$
171,468
     
16.91
%
 
$
81,111
     
8.00
%
(to risk weighted assets)
                               
Tier I capital
 
$
158,746
     
15.66
%
 
$
40,555
     
4.00
%
(to risk weighted assets)
                               
Tier I capital
 
$
158,746
     
11.49
%
 
$
55,263
     
4.00
%
(to average assets)
                               
             
             
   
Actual
   
For Capital
Adequacy Purposes
 
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
   
(in thousands)
 
December 31, 2009
                               
Total capital
 
$
133,078
     
12.69
%
 
$
83,926
     
8.00
%
(to risk weighted assets)
                               
Tier I capital
 
$
119,924
     
11.43
%
 
$
41,963
     
4.00
%
(to risk weighted assets)
                               
Tier I capital
 
$
119,924
     
8.52
%
 
$
56,324
     
4.00
%
(to average assets)
                               
 
The Bank is also subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal and state banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum requirements can initiate certain mandatory — and possibly additional discretionary — actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on a company’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, banks must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the bank’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.
 

 
 
 
42

 
 

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the following table) of Total and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier 1 capital to average assets (as defined). Management believes, as of September 30, 2010, that the Bank meets all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.
 
As of September 30, 2010, the Bank exceeded the minimum ratios to be well-capitalized under the prompt corrective action provisions. There are no conditions or events since September 30, 2010 that we believe would change the Bank’s category.

The following tables present the capital amounts and ratios of the Bank with a comparison to the minimum ratios for the periods indicated:
 
   
Actual
   
For Capital
Adequacy Purposes
   
To be Well
Capitalized Under
Prompt Corrective
Action Provision
 
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
   
(in thousands)
 
September 30, 2010
                                   
Total capital
 
$
165,268
     
16.34
%
 
$
80,914
     
8.00
%
 
$
101,143
     
10.00
%
(to risk weighted assets)
                                               
Tier I capital
 
$
152,575
     
15.09
%
 
$
40,457
     
4.00
%
 
$
60,686
     
6.00
%
(to risk weighted assets)
                                               
Tier I capital
 
$
152,575
     
11.03
%
 
$
55,311
     
4.00
%
 
$
69,138
     
5.00
%
(to average assets)
                                               
 
   
Actual
   
For Capital
Adequacy Purposes
   
To be Well
Capitalized Under
Prompt Corrective
Action Provision
 
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
   
(in thousands)
 
December 31, 2009
                                   
Total capital
 
$
127,315
     
12.17
%
 
$
83,669
     
8.00
%
 
$
104,587
     
10.00
%
(to risk weighted assets)
                                               
Tier I capital
 
$
114,198
     
10.92
%
 
$
41,835
     
4.00
%
 
$
62,752
     
6.00
%
(to risk weighted assets)
                                               
Tier I capital
 
$
114,198
     
8.08
%
 
$
56,507
     
4.00
%
 
$
70,633
     
5.00
%
(to average assets)
                                               
 
We recognize that a strong capital position is vital to growth, continued profitability, and depositor and investor confidence. Our policy is to maintain sufficient capital at not less than the well-capitalized thresholds established by banking regulators.
 
Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk
 
In the normal course of business, we make commitments to extend credit or issue letters of credit to customers. We generally do not recognize these commitments in our balance sheet. These commitments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk; however, we use the same credit policies and procedures as we do for on-balance sheet credit facilities.
 
The following summarizes our outstanding commitments at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
 
(in thousands)
 
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
Financial instruments whose contract amounts contain credit risk:
           
Commitments to extend credit
 
$
179,785
   
$
162,842
 
Commercial and standby letters of credit
   
1,615
     
1,439
 
                 
   
$
181,400
   
$
164,281
 
 
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements because many expire without

 
 
 
43

 
 

use. We may obtain collateral for the commitment based on our credit evaluation of the counterparty. Collateral held varies but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property and equipment, and income-producing properties.
 
Letters of credit written are conditional commitments issued by us to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. These guarantees support public and private borrowing arrangements, including commercial paper, bond financing, and similar transactions. Credit risk for letters of credit is essentially the same as that for loan facilities to customers. When we deem collateral necessary, we will hold cash, marketable securities, or real estate as collateral supporting those commitments.
 
The allowance for losses on undisbursed commitments was $91,000 and $97,000 at September 30, 2010, and December 31, 2009, respectively. The allowance for losses on undisbursed commitments is included in “accrued interest payable and other liabilities” on the consolidated balance sheets.
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
Interest rate risk is the risk to earnings or capital arising from movements in interest rates. Interest rate risk arises from differences between the timing of rate changes and the timing of cash flows (re-pricing risk), from changing rate relationships among different yield curves affecting bank activities (basis risk), from changing rate relationships across the spectrum of maturities (yield curve risk), and from interest-related options embedded in loans and products (options risk).
 
We manage bank interest risk through Board-approved policies and procedures. The Board of Directors reviews and approves these policies at least annually. Interest rate risk policies provide management with a framework for consistent evaluation of risk and establish risk tolerance parameters. Management’s Asset and Liability Committee meets regularly to evaluate interest rate risk, engages a third party to assist in the measurement and evaluation of risk and reports quarterly to the Directors’ Balance Sheet Management Committee on compliance with policies. The Directors’ Audit Committee also engages a third party to perform a review of management’s asset and liability practices to ensure compliance with policies.
 
We use simulation-modeling techniques that apply alternative interest rate scenarios to periodic forecasts of future business activity and assess the potential changes to net interest income. Our base scenario examines our balance sheet where we assume rate changes occur ratably over an initial 12-month horizon based upon a parallel shift in the yield curve and then is maintained at that level over the remainder of the simulation horizon. We also create alternative scenarios where we assume different types of yield curve movements. In our most recent base simulation, we estimated that net interest income would increase approximately 0.75% within a 12-month time horizon for an assumed 100 basis point decrease in prevailing interest rates or decrease approximately 1.37% for an assumed 100 basis point increase in prevailing interest rates. In addition, we estimated that net interest income would decrease approximately 2.00% within a 12-month time horizon for an assumed 200 basis point increase in prevailing rates. These estimated changes were within the policy limits established by the Board. The table below illustrates the estimated percentage change in our net interest income in our base scenario over hypothetical 1, 2 and 3 year horizons.
 
   
Time Horizon
 
Percentage Change
 
1 Year
   
2 Years
   
3 Years
 
-100 bps
   
0.75
%
   
4.32
%
   
5.53
%
+100 bps
   
-1.37
%
   
-0.28
%
   
3.28
%
+200 bps
   
-2.00
%
   
-1.15
%
   
3.12
%
+400 bps
   
-2.00
%
   
0.63
%
   
9.77
%
 
Our simulation model includes assumptions about anticipated prepayments on mortgage-related instruments, the estimated cash flow on loans and deposits, and our future business activity. These assumptions are inherently uncertain and, as a result, our modeling techniques cannot precisely estimate the effect of changes in net interest income. Actual results will differ from simulated results due to the timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes, cash flow and business activity.
  
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
Please see the section above titled “Interest Rate Risk” in “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” which provides an update to our quantitative and qualitative disclosure about market risk. Our analysis of market risk and market-sensitive financial information contains forward-looking statements and is subject to the disclosure above under “Forward Looking Statements” in Item 2 regarding such forward-looking information.
  
Item 4T.
Controls and Procedures
 
As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was carried out by management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
 

 
 
 
44

 
 

There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during our most recent fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
  
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
 
The nature of our business causes us to be involved in routine legal proceedings from time to time. We are not aware of any pending or threatened legal proceedings expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow that arose during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2010 or any material developments in our legal proceedings previously reported in Item 3 to Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
  
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
 
       There have been no material changes from risk factors as previously disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2009, filed with the SEC on March 5, 2010 and of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2010, filed with the SEC on August 6, 2010.
  
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
None.
  
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
None.
  
Item 4.
Other Information
 
None.
  
Item 5.
Exhibits
 
The following Exhibits are filed as a part of this report:
  
Exhibit
Number
 
Description
 
     
 
     
 


 
 
 
45

 
 

 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
       
   
First California Financial Group, Inc.
       
Date: November 8, 2010
 
By:   
/s/    Romolo Santarosa
     
Romolo Santarosa
(Principal Financial Officer and Duly Authorized Officer)
 
 
 
 
46