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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
     
þ   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009
OR
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
For the transition period from                     to                    
Commission File Number: 0-18415
Isabella Bank Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Michigan   38-2830092
     
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   identification No.)
401 N. Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan 48858
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (989) 772-9471
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
     
Title of each class   Name of each exchange on which registered
     
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock — No Par Value
 
(Title of Class)
Indicated by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
o Yes þ No
Indicated by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
o Yes þ No
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.
þ Yes o No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
o Yes o No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.
þ
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 definition of “accelerated filer”, “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check One).
             
o Large accelerated filer   þ  Accelerated filer     o Non-accelerated filer
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  o Smaller reporting company
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
o Yes þ No
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $142,705,542 as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock (no par value) was 7,540,301 as of February 19, 2010.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
(Such documents are incorporated herein only to the extent specifically set forth in response to an item herein.)
     
Documents
  Part of Form 10-K Incorporated into
 
   
Isabella Bank Corporation Proxy Statement
   
for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders
  Part III
to be held May 4, 2010
   
 
 

 


 

ISABELLA BANK CORPORATION
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
Table of Contents
             
        3  
 
           
  Business     3  
 
           
  Risk Factors     8  
 
           
  Unresolved Staff Comments     10  
 
           
  Properties     10  
 
           
  Legal Proceedings     10  
 
           
        10  
 
           
  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholders’ Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities     10  
 
           
  Selected Financial Data     13  
 
           
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     14  
 
           
  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk     33  
 
           
  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data     35  
 
           
  Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants and Accounting and Financial Disclosure     80  
 
           
  Controls and Procedures     80  
 
           
  Other Information     81  
 
           
        81  
 
           
  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance     81  
 
           
  Executive Compensation     81  
 
           
  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters     81  
 
           
  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence     82  
 
           
  Principal Accountant Fees and Service     82  
 
           
        83  
 
           
  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules     83  
 
           
SIGNATURES     85  
 EX-21
 EX-23
 EX-31.A
 EX-31.B
 EX-32

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Part I
Item 1. Business (All dollars in thousands)
General
Isabella Bank Corporation (the “Corporation”) is a registered financial services holding company incorporated in September 1988 under Michigan law. The Corporation has three subsidiaries: Isabella Bank (the “Bank”), IB&T Employee Leasing, LLC, and Financial Group Information Services. Isabella Bank has twenty four banking offices located throughout Clare, Gratiot, Isabella, Mecosta, Montcalm, and Saginaw Counties. IB & T Employee Leasing, LLC, is an employee leasing company. Financial Group Information Services renders computer services to the Corporation and its subsidiaries. All employees of the Corporation are employed by IB&T Employee Leasing and are leased to each individual subsidiary. The principal city in which the Corporation operates is Mount Pleasant, Michigan which has a population of approximately 26,000. Markets served include Isabella, Gratiot, Mecosta, southwestern Midland, western Saginaw, Montcalm, and southern Clare counties of Michigan. The area includes significant agricultural production, light manufacturing, retail, gaming and tourism, and five universities.
On January 1, 2008, the Corporation acquired Greenville Community Financial Corporation (GCFC). This acquisition helped the Corporation expand its market area. For further discussion, see “Note 2 — Business Combinations and Joint Venture Formation” of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
On March 1, 2008, IBT Title and Insurance Agency, Inc. (IBT Title), a wholly owned subsidiary of Isabella Bank Corporation, merged its assets and liabilities with those of Corporate Title Agency, LLC (“Corporate Title”), a third-party title business based in Traverse City, Michigan, to form CT/IBT Title Agency, LLC. As a result of this transaction, the Corporation became a 50 percent joint venture owner in CT/IBT Title Agency, LLC. The purpose of this joint venture was to help IBT Title and Insurance Agency, Inc. expand its service area and to take advantage of economies of scale. For further discussion, see “Note 2 — Business Combinations and Joint Venture Formation” of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Bank sponsors the IBT Foundation (the “Foundation”), which is a nonprofit entity formed for the purpose of distributing charitable donations to recipient organizations generally located in the communities serviced by the Bank. The Bank periodically makes charitable contributions in the form of cash transfers to the Foundation. The Foundation is administered by members of the Bank’s Board of Directors. The assets and transactions of the Foundation are not included in the consolidated financial statements of Isabella Bank Corporation. The assets of the Foundation as of December 31, 2009 were $985.
The Corporation’s reportable segments are based on legal entities that account for at least 10 percent of net operating results. Retail banking operations for 2009, 2008, and 2007 represent approximately 90% or greater of the Corporation’s total assets and operating results. As such, the Corporation has only one reportable segment.
Competition
The Corporation competes with other commercial banks, many of which are subsidiaries of other bank holding companies, savings and loan associations, mortgage brokers, finance companies, credit unions, and retail brokerage firms. The Bank is a community bank with a focus on providing high-quality, personalized service at a fair price. The Bank offers a broad array of banking services to businesses, institutions, and individuals. Deposit services offered include checking accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit, direct deposits, cash management services, mobile and internet banking, electronic bill pay services, and automated teller machines. Lending activity includes loans made pursuant to lines of credit, real estate loans, agricultural loans, consumer loans, and credit card loans. Other financial related products include trust services, stocks, investment securities, bonds and mutual fund sales.
Lending
The Bank limits lending activities primarily to local markets and has not purchased any loans from the secondary market. The Bank does not make loans to fund leveraged buyouts, has no foreign corporate or government loans, and has limited holdings of corporate debt securities. The general lending philosophy is to avoid concentrations to individuals and business segments. The following table sets forth the composition of the Corporation’s loan portfolio as of December 31, 2009:

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LOANS BY MAJOR LENDING CATEGORY            
     (in thousands)   Amount     %  
Residential real estate
               
1 to 4 family residential
  $ 272,570       37.69 %
Construction and land development
    13,268       1.83 %
 
           
Total
    285,838       39.52 %
Commercial
               
Real estate
    224,176       30.99 %
Farmland
    38,236       5.29 %
Agricultural production
    26,609       3.68 %
Commercial operating and other
    116,098       16.05 %
 
           
Total
    405,119       56.01 %
 
               
Other consumer installment
    32,359       4.47 %
 
           
 
               
TOTAL
  $ 723,316       100.00 %
 
           
There were no significant changes in loan concentrations or underwriting standards in 2009.
First and second residential real estate mortgages are the single largest category of loans. The Corporation, through its Bank, offers adjustable rate mortgages, 3 and 5 year fixed rate balloon mortgages, and fixed rate mortgage loans which typically have amortization periods up to a maximum of 30 years. Fixed rate loans with an amortization of greater than 15 years are generally sold upon origination to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Association. Fixed rate residential mortgage loans with an amortization of 15 years or less may be held in the Bank’s portfolio, held for future sale, or sold upon origination. Factors used in determining when to sell these mortgages include management’s judgment about the direction of interest rates, the Corporation’s need for fixed rate assets in the management of its interest rate sensitivity, and overall loan demand.
Lending policies generally limit the maximum loan-to-value ratio on residential mortgages to 95% of the lower of the appraised value of the property or the purchase price, with the condition that private mortgage insurance is required on loans with loan-to-value ratios in excess of 80%. Substantially all loans upon origination have a loan-to-value ratio of less than 80%. Underwriting criteria for residential real estate loans include: evaluation of the borrower’s ability to make monthly payments, the value of the property securing the loan, ensuring the payment of principal, interest, taxes, and hazard insurance does not exceed 28% of a borrower’s gross income, all debt servicing does not exceed 36% of income, acceptable credit reports, verification of employment, income, and financial information. Appraisals are performed by independent appraisers. Escrow accounts for taxes and insurance are required on all loans with loan-to-value ratio in excess of 80%. All mortgage loan requests are reviewed by a mortgage loan committee; loans in excess of $400 require the approval of the Bank’s Internal Loan Committee, Board of Directors, or its loan committee.
Construction and land development loans consist primarily of 1 to 4 family residential properties. These loans primarily have a 6 to 9 month maturity and are made using the same underwriting criteria as residential mortgages. Loan proceeds are disbursed in increments as construction progresses and inspections warrant. Construction loans are typically converted to permanent loans at the completion of construction.
Commercial loans include loans for commercial real estate, farmland and agricultural production, state and political subdivisions, and commercial operating loans. The largest concentration of commercial loans is commercial real estate, which represented 30.99% of total loans as of December 31, 2009. Repayment of commercial loans is often dependent upon the successful operation and management of a business; thus, these loans generally involve greater risk than other types of lending. The Corporation minimizes its risk by limiting the amount of loans to any one borrower to $12,500. Borrowers with credit needs of more than $12,500 are serviced through the use of loan participations with other commercial banks. All commercial real estate loans require loan-to-value limits of less than 80%. Depending upon the type of loan, past credit history, and current operating results, the Corporation may require the borrower to pledge accounts receivable, inventory, and fixed assets. Personal guarantees are generally required from the owners of closely held corporations, partnerships, and proprietorships. In addition, the Corporation requires annual financial statements, prepares cash flow analyses, and reviews credit reports as deemed necessary.
Consumer loans granted include automobile loans, secured and unsecured personal loans, credit cards, student loans, and overdraft protection related loans. Loans are amortized generally for a period of up to 6 years. The underwriting emphasis is on a borrower’s ability to pay rather than collateral value. No consumer loans are sold to the secondary market.

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Supervision and Regulation
The Corporation is subject to supervision and regulation by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and by the Federal Reserve Board under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 as amended (“BHC Act”) and Financial Services Holding Company Act of 2000. A bank holding company and its subsidiaries are able to conduct only the business of commercial banking and activities closely related or incidental to commercial banking. (See “Regulation” below)
Isabella Bank is chartered by the State of Michigan and is a member of the Federal Reserve System. The Bank’s deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to the extent provided by law. The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis. The Bank is supervised and regulated by the Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) and the Federal Reserve Board. (See “Regulation” below)
Personnel
As of December 31, 2009, the Corporation and its subsidiaries had 335 full-time equivalent leased employees. The Corporation provides group life, health, accident, disability and other insurance programs for employees and a number of other employee benefit programs. The Corporation believes its relationship with its employees to be good.
Legal Proceedings
There are various claims and lawsuits in which the Corporation and its subsidiaries are periodically involved, such as claims to enforce liens, condemnation proceedings on making and servicing of real property loans and other issues incidental to the Corporation’s business. However, the Corporation and its subsidiaries are not involved in any material pending litigation.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Corporation’s SEC filings (including the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Definitive Proxy Statements, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports) are available through Isabella Bank’s website (www.isabellabank.com). The Corporation will provide paper copies of its SEC reports free of charge upon request of a shareholder.
The SEC maintains an internet site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding the Corporation (CIK #0000842517) and other issuers.
REGULATION
The earnings and growth of the banking industry and therefore the earnings of the Corporation and of the Bank are affected by the credit policies of monetary authorities, including the Federal Reserve System. An important function of the Federal Reserve System is to regulate the national supply of bank credit in order to combat recession and curb inflationary pressures. Among the instruments of monetary policy used by the Federal Reserve System to implement these objectives are open market operations in U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government Agency securities, changes in the discount rate on member bank borrowings, and changes in reserve requirements against member bank deposits. These methods are used in varying combinations to influence overall growth of bank loans, investments and deposits and may also affect interest rates charged on loans or paid for deposits. The monetary policies of the Federal Reserve System have had a significant effect on the operating results of commercial banks and related financial service providers in the past and are expected to continue to do so in the future. The effect of such policies upon the future business and earnings of the Corporation and the Bank cannot be predicted.
The Corporation
The Corporation, as a financial services holding company, is regulated under the BHC Act, and is subject to the supervision of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve Board”). The Corporation is registered as a financial services holding company with the Federal Reserve Board and is required to file with the Federal Reserve Board an annual report and such additional information as the Federal Reserve Board requires. The Federal Reserve Board may also make inspections and examinations of the Corporation and its subsidiaries.
Prior to March 13, 2000, a bank holding company generally was prohibited under the BHC Act from acquiring the beneficial ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting shares or substantially all the assets of any company, including a bank, without the Federal Reserve

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Board’s prior approval. Also, prior to March 13, 2000, a bank holding company generally was limited to engaging in banking and such other activities as determined by the Federal Reserve Board to be closely related to banking.
Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (“GLB Act”), beginning March 13, 2000, an eligible bank holding company was able to elect to become a financial holding company and thereafter affiliate with securities firms and insurance companies and engage in other activities that are financial in nature. The GLB Act defines “financial in nature” to include securities underwriting, dealing and market making; sponsoring mutual funds and investment companies; insurance underwriting and agency; merchant banking activities; activities that the Federal Reserve Board has determined to be closely related to banking; and other activities that the Federal Reserve Board, after consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, determines by regulation or order to be financial in nature or incidental to a financial activity. No Federal Reserve Board approval is required for a financial holding company to acquire a company, other than a bank holding company, bank or savings association, engaged in activities that are financial in nature or incidental to activities that are financial in nature, as defined in the GLB Act or as determined by the Federal Reserve Board.
A bank holding company is eligible to become a financial holding company if each of its subsidiary banks and savings associations is well capitalized under the prompt corrective action provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (“FDI Act”), is well managed and has a rating under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) of satisfactory or better. If any bank or savings association subsidiary of a financial holding company ceases to be well capitalized or well managed, the Federal Reserve Board may require the financial holding company to divest the subsidiary. Alternatively, the financial holding company may elect to conform its activities to those permissible for bank holding companies that do not elect to become financial holding companies. If any bank or savings association subsidiary of a financial holding company receives a CRA rating of less than satisfactory, the financial holding company will be prohibited from engaging in new activities or acquiring companies other than bank holding companies, banks or savings associations.
The Corporation became a financial holding company effective March 13, 2000. It continues to maintain its status as a bank holding company for purposes of other Federal Reserve Board regulations.
Under Federal Reserve Board policy, the Corporation is expected to act as a source of financial strength to its subsidiary Bank and to commit resources to support its subsidiaries. This support may be required at times when, in the absence of such Federal Reserve Board policy, the Corporation would not otherwise be required to provide it.
Under Michigan law, if the capital of a Michigan state chartered bank (such as the Bank) has become impaired by losses or otherwise, the Commissioner of the OFIR may require that the deficiency in capital be met by assessment upon the bank’s shareholders pro rata on the amount of capital stock held by each, and if any such assessment is not paid by any shareholder within 30 days of the date of mailing of notice thereof to such shareholder, cause the sale of the stock of such shareholder to pay such assessment and the costs of sale of such stock.
Any capital loans by a bank holding company to any of its subsidiary banks are subordinate in right of payment to deposits and to certain other indebtedness of such subsidiary bank. In the event of a bank holding company’s bankruptcy, any commitment by the bank holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to a priority of payment. This priority would apply to guarantees of capital plans under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“SOX”) contains important requirements for public companies in the area of financial disclosure and corporate governance. In accordance with Section 302(a) of SOX, a written certification by the Corporation’s principal executive and financial officer is required. This certification attests that the Corporation’s quarterly and annual reports filed with the SEC do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact. See the Certifications filed as Exhibits 31 (a) and (b) to this Form 10-K for such certification of the financial statements and other information for this 2009 Form 10-K. The Corporation has also implemented a program designed to comply with Section 404 of SOX, which included the identification of significant processes and accounts, documentation of the design of control effectiveness over process and entity level controls, and testing of the operating effectiveness of key controls. See Item 8A, “Controls and Procedures” for the Corporation’s evaluation of its disclosure controls and procedures.
The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (“EESA”) was enacted in October, 2008. Pursuant to authority under EESA, the U.S. Treasury created the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) Capital Purchase Program. After carefully reviewing the Corporation’s capital position, the cost of the federal government’s capital, the terms and conditions of participating in the TARP Capital Purchase Program, and the consequences of having the U.S. Treasury as a preferred stock shareholder, management and the Corporation’s Board of Directors decided it would not be in the best interests of the Corporation’s shareholders to participate in the program.
Certain additional information concerning regulatory guidelines for capital adequacy and other regulatory matters is presented herein under the caption “Capital” on page 29 and in the notes to the consolidated financial statements “Note 15 — Commitments and Other Matters” and “Note 16 — Minimum Regulatory Capital Requirements”.

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Subsidiary Bank
The Bank is subject to regulation and examination primarily by OFIR and is also subject to regulation and examination by the Federal Reserve Board.
The agencies and federal and state laws extensively regulate various aspects of the banking business including, among other things, permissible types and amounts of loans, investments and other activities, capital adequacy, branching, interest rates on loans and on deposits and the safety and soundness of banking practices.
The deposits of the Bank are insured up to applicable limits by the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and are subject to deposit insurance assessments to maintain the DIF. The FDIC utilizes a risk-based assessment system that assesses insurance premiums based upon a risk matrix that takes into account a bank’s capital level and supervisory rating.
During 2009, the FDIC assessed a 10 basis point surcharge on covered liabilities that was payable as of June 30, 2009, required the prepayment of the estimated 2010, 2011 and 2012 premiums and raised the base assessment rate by 3 basis points, effective for 2010.
The enactment of EESA temporarily raised the basic limit on federal deposit insurance coverage from $100 to $250 per depositor. The temporary increase in deposit insurance coverage became effective on October 3, 2008. EESA provides that the basic deposit insurance limit will return to $100 on January 1, 2014, except for Individual Retirement Accounts and certain other retirement accounts, which will remain at $250 per depositor.
Banking laws and regulations also restrict transactions by insured banks owned by a bank holding company, including loans to and certain purchases from the parent holding company, non-bank and bank subsidiaries of the parent holding company, principal shareholders, officers, directors and their affiliates, and investments by the subsidiary bank in the shares or securities of the parent holding company (or any of the other non-bank or bank affiliates), or acceptance of such shares or securities as collateral security for loans to any borrower.
The Bank is also subject to legal limitations on the frequency and amount of dividends that can be paid to the Corporation. For example, a Michigan state chartered bank may not declare a cash dividend or a dividend in kind except out of net profits then on hand after deducting all losses and bad debts, and then only if it will have a surplus amounting to not less than 20% of its capital after the payment of the dividend. Moreover, a Michigan state chartered bank may not declare or pay any cash dividend or dividend in kind until the cumulative dividends on its preferred stock, if any, have been paid in full. Further, if the surplus of a Michigan state chartered bank is at any time less than the amount of its capital, before the declaration of a cash dividend or dividend in kind, it must transfer to surplus not less than 10% of its net profits for the preceding half-year (in the case of quarterly or semi-annual dividends) or the preceding two consecutive half-year periods (in the case of annual dividends).
The payment of dividends by the Corporation and the Bank is also affected by various regulatory requirements and policies, such as the requirement to maintain adequate capital above regulatory guidelines. Federal laws impose further restrictions on the payment of dividends by insured banks that fail to meet specified capital levels. The FDIC may prevent an insured bank from paying dividends if the bank is in default of payment of any assessment due to the FDIC. In addition, payment of dividends by a bank may be prevented by the applicable federal regulatory authority if such payment is determined, by reason of the financial condition of such bank, to be an unsafe and unsound banking practice. The Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC have issued policy statements providing that bank holding companies and insured banks should generally pay dividends only out of current operating earnings. Additionally in 2009, the FRB Board of Governors required the Corporation to notify the FRB prior to increasing its cash dividend by more than 10% over the prior year.
The aforementioned regulations and restrictions may limit the Corporation’s ability to obtain funds from its subsidiary bank for its cash needs, including payment of dividends and operating expenses.
The activities and operations of the Bank are also subject to other federal and state laws and regulations, including usury and consumer credit laws, the Federal Truth-in-Lending Act, Truth-in-Saving and Regulation Z of the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Bank Merger Act, and the Bank Secrecy Act.

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Item 1A. Risk Factors
In the normal course of business the Corporation is exposed to various risks. These risks include credit risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk, operational risk, compliance risk, economic risk, accounting risk, disruption of infrastructure, and increases in FDIC insurance premiums. These risks, if not managed correctly, could have a significant impact on earnings and capital of the Corporation. Management balances the Corporation’s strategic goals, including revenue and profitability objectives, with associated risks through the use of policies, systems, and procedures which have been adopted to identify, assess, control, monitor, and manage each risk area. Senior management continually reviews the adequacy and effectiveness of these policies, systems, and procedures.
Credit Risk
Credit risk is defined as the risk impacting earnings or capital due to an obligor’s failure to meet the terms of a loan or an investment, or otherwise failing to perform as agreed. Credit risk occurs any time an institution relies on another party, issuer, or borrower’s performance.
A volatile, illiquid market could require the Corporation to recognize an “other-than-temporary” impairment loss related to the investment securities held in the portfolio. Management considers many factors in determining whether other-than-temporary impairment exists including the length of time and extent to which fair value has been less than cost, the investment credit rating, the probability the issuer will be unable to pay the amount when due and the fact that the Corporation asserts that it does not intend to sell the security in an unrealized loss position and it is more likely than not it will not have to sell the securities before recovery of its cost basis. The presence of these factors could lead to impairment charges that could have a material adverse effect on net income and capital levels.
To manage the credit risk arising from lending activities, the Corporation’s most significant source of credit risk, management maintains what it believes are sound underwriting policies and procedures. Management continuously monitors asset quality in order to manage the Corporation’s credit risk to determine the appropriateness of valuation allowances. These valuation allowances take into consideration various factors including, but not limited to, local, regional, and national economic conditions.
The Corporation maintains an allowance for probable loan losses, which is a reserve established through a provision for probable loan losses charged to expense, that represents management’s best estimate of probable losses that may be incurred within the existing portfolio of loans. The allowance, in the judgment of management, is necessary to reserve for estimated loan losses and risks inherent in the loan portfolio. The level of the allowance reflects management’s continuing evaluation of industry concentrations; specific credit risks; loan loss experience; current loan portfolio quality; present economic, political and regulatory conditions and unidentified losses inherent in the current loan portfolio. The determination of the appropriate level of the allowance for possible loan losses inherently involves a high degree of subjectivity and requires the Corporation to make significant estimates of current credit risks and future trends, all of which may undergo material changes. Changes in economic conditions affecting borrowers, new information regarding existing loans, identification of additional problem loans and other factors, both within and outside of the Corporation’s control, may require an increase in the allowance for possible loan losses. In addition, bank regulatory agencies periodically review the Corporation’s allowance for loan losses and may require an increase in the provision for possible loan losses or the recognition of further loan charge-offs, based on judgments different than those of management. Any increases in the allowance for possible loan losses will result in a decrease in net income and, possibly, capital, and may have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s financial condition and results of operations.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is the timing differences in the maturity or repricing frequency of a financial institution’s interest earning assets and its interest bearing liabilities. Management monitors the potential effects of changes in interest rates through rate shock and gap analyses. To help mitigate the effects of interest rate risk, management makes significant efforts to stagger projected cash flows and maturities of interest sensitive assets and liabilities.
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk to earnings or capital arising from the Bank’s inability to meet its obligations when they come due without incurring unacceptable losses. Liquidity risk includes the inability to manage unplanned decreases or changes in funding sources, or failure to recognize or address changes in market conditions that affect the ability to liquidate assets quickly and with minimal loss in value. The Corporation has significant borrowing capacity through correspondent banks as well as the ability to sell investments to fund potential cash shortages.
Operational Risk
Operational risk is the risk of loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people, and systems, or external events. The Corporation is exposed to operational risk which includes reputation risk and transaction risk. Reputation risk is developing and retaining marketplace confidence in handling customers’ financial transactions in an appropriate manner as well as protecting the safety and soundness of the institution. Transaction risk includes losses from fraud, error, the inability to deliver products or services, and loss or theft of information. Transaction risk also encompasses product development and delivery, transaction processing, information technology systems, and the internal control environment.

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To help minimize the potential losses due to operational risks, management has established an internal audit department and has retained the services of a certified public accounting firm to assist in performing such internal audit work. The focus of these internal audit procedures is to verify the validity and appropriateness of various transactions and processes. The results of these procedures are reported to the Corporation’s Audit Committee.
Compliance Risk
Compliance risk is the risk of loss from violations of, or nonconformance with laws, rules, regulations, prescribed practices, or ethical standards. This includes new or revised tax, accounting, and other laws, regulations, rules and standards that could significantly impact strategic initiatives, results of operations, and financial condition. The financial services industry is extensively regulated and must meet regulatory standards set by the FDIC, OFIR, the Federal Reserve Board, FASB, SEC, PCAOB and other regulatory bodies. Federal and state laws and regulations are designed primarily to protect the deposit insurance funds and consumers, and not necessarily to benefit the Corporation’s shareholders. The nature, extent, and timing of the adoption of significant new laws, changes in existing laws, or repeal of existing laws may have a material impact on the Corporation’s business, results of operations, and financial condition, the effect of which is impossible to predict at this time.
The Corporation’s compliance department annually assesses the adequacy and effectiveness of the Corporation’s processes for controlling and managing its principal compliance risks.
Economic Conditions
An economic downturn within the Corporation’s local markets, as well as downturns in the state or national markets, could negatively impact household and corporate incomes. This could lead to decreased demand for both loan and deposit products and lead to an increase of customers who fail to pay interest or principal on their loans. Management continually monitors key economic indicators in an effort to anticipate the possible effects of downturns in the local, regional, and national economies.
The Corporation’s success depends primarily on the general economic conditions of the State of Michigan and the specific local markets in which the Corporation operates. Unlike larger national or other regional banks that are more geographically diversified, the Corporation provides banking and financial services to customers located primarily in the Clare, Gratiot, Isabella, Mecosta, Montcalm, and Saginaw Counties in Michigan. The local economic conditions in these areas have a significant impact on the demand for the Corporation’s products and services as well as the ability of the Corporation’s customers to repay loans, the value of the collateral securing loans and the stability of the Corporation’s deposit funding sources. A significant decline in general economic conditions, caused by inflation, recession, acts of terrorism, outbreak of hostilities or other international or domestic occurrences, unemployment, changes in securities markets or other factors could impact these local economic conditions and, in turn, have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s financial condition and results of operations.
Accounting Risk
The Corporation’s consolidated financial statements conform with generally accepted accounting principles, which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements. These estimates are based on information available to management at the time the estimates are made. Actual results could differ from those estimates. For further discussion regarding significant accounting estimates, see “Note 1- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Disruption of Infrastructure
The Corporation’s operations depend upon its technological and physical infrastructure, including its equipment and facilities. Extended disruption of its vital infrastructure by fire, power loss, natural disaster, telecommunications failure, computer hacking and viruses, or other events outside of the Corporation’s control, could affect the financial outcome of the Corporation or the financial services industry as a whole. The Corporation has developed disaster recovery plans, which provide detailed instructions covering all significant aspects of the Corporation’s operations.
Increases in FDIC Insurance Premiums
The Corporation is unable to control the amount of premiums that it is required to pay for FDIC insurance. If there are additional bank or financial institution failures, the Corporation may be required to pay even higher FDIC premiums than the recently increased levels. These announced increases have, and any future increases in FDIC insurance premiums will, materially adversely affect the Corporation’s results of operations, financial condition and ability to continue to pay dividends on its common shares at the current rate.

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Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2. Properties
The Corporation’s executive offices are located at 401 N. Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan 48858. Isabella Bank owns 24 branches and an operations center. The Corporation’s facilities current, planned, and best use is for conducting its current activities with the exception of approximately 75% of the Corporation’s previous main office location and 25% of the building that houses the Lake Isabella office which are leased to non-related parties. Management continually monitors and assesses the need for expansion and / or improvement for all facilities. In management’s opinion, each facility has sufficient capacity and is in good condition.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
The Corporation and its subsidiaries are not involved in any material pending legal proceedings. The Corporation, because of the nature of its business, is at times subject to numerous pending and threatened legal actions that arise out of the normal course of operating their business.
Part II
Item 4. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholders’ Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Common Stock and Dividend Information
The Corporation’s common stock is traded in the over-the-counter market. The common stock has been quoted on the Pink Sheets Electronic Quotation Service (“Pink Sheets”) under the symbol “ISBA” since August of 2008 and under the symbol “IBTM” prior to August of 2008. Other trades in the common stock occur in privately negotiated transactions from time to time of which the Corporation may have little or no information.
Management has reviewed the information available as to the range of reported high and low bid quotations, including high and low bid information as reported by Pink Sheets and closing price information as reported by the parties to privately negotiated transactions. The following table sets forth management’s compilation of that information for the periods indicated. Price information obtained from Pink Sheets reflects inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commissions and may not necessarily represent actual transactions. Price information obtained from parties to privately negotiated transactions reflects actual closing prices that were disclosed to the Corporation, which management has not independently verified. The following compiled data is provided for information purposes only and should not be viewed as indicative of the actual or market value of the Corporation’s common stock. All of the information has been adjusted to reflect the 10% stock dividend, paid February 29, 2008.
                         
    Number of   Sale Price
        Period   Shares   Low   High
2009
                       
First Quarter
    61,987     $ 14.99     $ 25.51  
Second Quarter
    91,184       15.85       20.75  
Third Quarter
    66,399       17.50       19.50  
Fourth Quarter
    76,985       14.00       19.25  
 
                       
 
    296,555                  
 
                       
2008
                       
First Quarter
    107,920       32.73       44.00  
Second Quarter
    50,600       39.00       44.00  
Third Quarter
    29,303       33.00       40.00  
Fourth Quarter
    71,855       22.50       36.50  
 
                       
 
    259,678                  
 
                       

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The following table sets forth the cash dividends paid for the following quarters, adjusted for the 10% stock dividend paid on February 29, 2008.
                 
    Per Share  
    2009     2008  
First Quarter
  $ 0.12     $ 0.12  
Second Quarter
    0.13       0.12  
Third Quarter
    0.13       0.12  
Fourth Quarter
    0.32       0.29  
 
           
Total
  $ 0.70     $ 0.65  
 
           
Isabella Bank Corporation’s authorized common stock consists of 15,000,000 shares, of which 7,535,193 shares are issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2009. As of that date, there were 3,004 shareholders of record.
The Board of Directors has adopted a common stock repurchase plan. On October 29, 2009, the Board of Directors amended the plan to allow for the repurchase of an additional 100,000 shares of the Corporation’s common stock. The maximum number of shares which may be repurchased pursuant to this plan was 78,432 shares as of December 31, 2009. These authorizations do not have expiration dates. As shares are repurchased under this plan, they are retired and revert back to the status of authorized, but unissued shares. The following table provides information for the three month period ended December 31, 2009, with respect to this plan:
                                 
                    Total Number of    
                    Shares Purchased   Maximum Number of
    Shares Repurchased   as Part of Publicly   Shares That May Yet Be
            Average Price   Announced Plan   Purchased Under the
    Number   Per Share   or Program   Plans or Programs
 
Balance, September 30, 2009
                            6,636  
October 1 - 28, 2009
    3,689     $ 17.45       3,689       2,947  
Additional authorization
                      102,947  
October 29 - 31, 2009
                      102,947  
November 1 - 30, 2009
    11,152       17.06       11,152       91,795  
December 1 - 31, 2009
    13,363       18.12       13,363       78,432  
     
Balance, December 31, 2009
    28,204     $ 17.61       28,204       78,432  
     
Information concerning Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans appears under “Item 11. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters” included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K.

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Stock Performance
The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on Corporation common stock for the last five years with the cumulative total return on (1) the NASDAQ Stock Market Index, which is comprised of all United States common shares traded on the NASDAQ and (2) the NASDAQ Bank Stock Index, which is comprised of bank and bank holding company common shares traded on the NASDAQ over the same period. The graph assumes the value of an investment in the Corporation and each index was $100 at December 31, 2004 and all dividends are reinvested.
(LINE GRAPH)
The dollar values for total shareholder return plotted in the graph above are shown in the table below:
Comparison of Five Year Cumulative
Among Isabella Bank Corporation, NASDAQ Stock Market,
and NASDAQ Bank Stock
                         
    Isabella            
    Bank           NASDAQ
Year   Corporation   NASDAQ   Banks
12/31/2004
    100.0       100.0       100.0  
12/31/2005
    106.4       102.1       98.0  
12/31/2006
    118.7       112.6       111.4  
12/31/2007
    120.6       124.6       89.5  
12/31/2008
    78.5       75.0       70.5  
12/31/2009
    60.5       108.8       59.0  

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Item 5. Selected Financial Data
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Two key measures of earnings performance commonly used in the banking industry are return on average assets and return on average shareholders’ equity. Return on average assets measures the ability of a corporation to profitably and efficiently employ its resources. Return on average equity indicates how effectively the Corporation is able to generate earnings on shareholder invested capital.
SUMMARY OF SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
                                         
    2009   2008   2007   2006   2005
INCOME STATEMENT DATA
                                       
Total interest income
  $ 58,105     $ 61,385     $ 53,972     $ 44,709     $ 36,882  
Net interest income
    38,266       35,779       28,013       24,977       23,909  
Provision for loan losses
    6,093       9,500       1,211       682       777  
Net income
    7,800       4,101       7,930       7,001       6,776  
BALANCE SHEET DATA
                                       
End of year assets
  $ 1,143,944     $ 1,139,263     $ 957,282     $ 910,127     $ 741,654  
Daily average assets
    1,127,634       1,113,102       925,631       800,174       700,624  
Daily average deposits
    786,714       817,041       727,762       639,046       576,091  
Daily average loans/net
    712,965       708,434       596,739       515,539       459,310  
Daily average equity
    139,810       143,626       119,246       91,964       74,682  
PER SHARE DATA (1)
                                       
Earnings per share
                                       
Basic
  $ 1.04     $ 0.55     $ 1.14     $ 1.12     $ 1.14  
Diluted
    1.01       0.53       1.11       1.09       1.14  
Cash dividends
    0.70       0.65       0.62       0.58       0.55  
Book value (at year end)
    18.69       17.89       17.58       16.61       13.44  
FINANCIAL RATIOS
                                       
Shareholders’ equity to assets (at year end)
    12.31 %     11.80 %     12.86 %     12.72 %     10.91 %
Return on average equity
    5.58       2.86       6.65       7.61       9.07  
Return on average tangible equity
    8.54       4.41       8.54       8.31       9.12  
Cash dividend payout to net income
    67.40       118.82       54.27       53.92       48.02  
Return on average assets
    0.69       0.37       0.86       0.87       0.97  
                                                                 
    2009     2008  
    4th     3rd     2nd     1st     4th     3rd     2nd     1st  
Quarterly Operating Results:
                                                               
Total interest income
  $ 14,411     $ 14,516     $ 14,505     $ 14,673     $ 15,099     $ 15,401     $ 15,359     $ 15,526  
Interest expense
    4,657       4,928       5,026       5,228       5,836       6,309       6,379       7,082  
 
                                               
Net interest income
    9,754       9,588       9,479       9,445       9,263       9,092       8,980       8,444  
Provision for loan losses
    1,544       1,542       1,535       1,472       5,725       975       1,593       1,207  
Noninterest income
    2,102       2,566       3,131       2,357       1,130       2,377       1,778       2,517  
Noninterest expenses
    8,176       7,995       8,468       9,044       8,377       7,430       7,341       7,556  
Net income (loss)
    2,073       2,197       2,201       1,329       (2,041 )     2,524       1,691       1,927  
Per Share of Common Stock: (1)
                                                               
Earnings (loss) per share
                                                               
Basic
  $ 0.28     $ 0.29     $ 0.29     $ 0.18     $ (0.28 )   $ 0.34     $ 0.23     $ 0.26  
Diluted
    0.27       0.28       0.29       0.17       (0.27 )     0.33       0.22       0.25  
Cash dividends
    0.32       0.13       0.13       0.12       0.29       0.12       0.12       0.12  
Book value (at quarter end)
    18.69       18.97       18.06       18.01       17.89       18.78       18.75       19.07  
 
(1)   Retroactively restated for the 10% stock dividend, paid on February 29, 2008.

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Item 6. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
ISABELLA BANK CORPORATION FINANCIAL REVIEW
(All dollars in thousands)
The following is management’s discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations for Isabella Bank Corporation (the “Corporation”). This discussion and analysis is intended to provide a better understanding of the consolidated financial statements and statistical data included elsewhere in the Annual Report. The Corporation’s acquisition of Greenville Community Financial Corporation in January 2008 was accounted for as a purchase transaction, and as such, the related results of operations are included from the date of acquisition. See “Note 2 — Business Combinations and Joint Venture Formation” in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in the report.
The current recession, which began in 2008, continued to negatively impact the Corporation’s overall profitability throughout 2009 as historically high delinquencies and nonaccrual loans have translated into high levels of net loans charged off and foreclosed asset and collection related expenses. Although nonperforming loans remain at historically high levels, they have declined $3,136 from last year. This improvement, coupled with a decline in net loans charged off, enabled the Corporation to reduce its provision for loan losses in 2009. The reduction in the provision for loan losses along with an increased net yield on interest earning assets (on a fully tax equivalent basis) resulted in net income of $7,800 for 2009, as compared to $4,101 for 2008. For further detailed discussion and analysis, see below.
The Corporation has not received any notices of regulatory actions as of December 31, 2009.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES: The Corporation’s significant accounting policies are set forth in Note 1 of the Consolidated Financial Statements. Of these significant accounting policies, the Corporation considers its policies regarding the allowance for loan losses, acquisition intangibles, and the determination of the fair value of investment securities to be its most critical accounting policies.
The allowance for loan losses requires management’s most subjective and complex judgment. Changes in economic conditions can have a significant impact on the allowance for loan losses and, therefore, the provision for loan losses and results of operations. The Corporation has developed appropriate policies and procedures for assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, recognizing that this process requires a number of assumptions and estimates with respect to its loan portfolio. The Corporation’s assessments may be impacted in future periods by changes in economic conditions, and the discovery of information with respect to borrowers which is not known to management at the time of the issuance of the consolidated financial statements. For additional discussion concerning the Corporation’s allowance for loan losses and related matters, see the Provision for Loan Losses discussion below.
United States generally accepted accounting principles require that the Corporation determine the fair value of the assets and liabilities of an acquired entity, and record their fair value on the date of acquisition. The Corporation employs a variety of measures in the determination of the fair value, including the use of discounted cash flow analysis, market appraisals, and projected future revenue streams. For certain items that management believes it has the appropriate expertise to determine the fair value, management may choose to use its own calculations of the value. In other cases, where the value is not easily determined, the Corporation consults with outside parties to determine the fair value of the identified asset or liability. Once valuations have been adjusted, the net difference between the price paid for the acquired entity and the value of its balance sheet, including identifiable intangibles, is recorded as goodwill. This goodwill is not amortized, but is tested for impairment on at least an annual basis.
The Corporation currently has both available-for-sale and trading investment securities that are carried at fair value. Changes in the fair value of available-for-sale investment securities are included as a component of other comprehensive income, while declines in the fair value of these securities below their cost that are other than temporary are reflected as realized losses. The change in value of trading investment securities is included in current earnings. Management evaluates securities for indications of losses that are considered other-than-temporary, if any, on a regular basis.
The market values for available-for-sale and trading investment securities are typically obtained from outside sources and applied to individual securities within the portfolio. The fair values of investment securities with illiquid markets are estimated by management utilizing a discounted cash flow analysis or other type of valuation adjustment methodology. These securities are also compared, when possible, to other securities with similar characteristics.

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DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES, AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
INTEREST RATE AND INTEREST DIFFERENTIAL
The following schedules present the daily average amount outstanding for each major category of interest earning assets, nonearning assets, interest bearing liabilities, and noninterest bearing liabilities for the last three years. This schedule also presents an analysis of interest income and interest expense for the periods indicated. All interest income is reported on a fully taxable equivalent (FTE) basis using a 34% federal income tax rate. Nonaccruing loans, for the purpose of the following computations, are included in the average loan amounts outstanding. Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank Equity holdings which are restricted are included in Other Assets.
                                                                         
                            Year Ended        
    December 31, 2009     December 31, 2008     December 31, 2007  
            Tax     Average             Tax     Average             Tax     Average  
    Average     Equivalent     Yield /     Average     Equivalent     Yield /     Average     Equivalent     Yield /  
    Balance     Interest     Rate     Balance     Interest     Rate     Balance     Interest     Rate  
INTEREST EARNING ASSETS:
                                                                       
Loans
  $ 725,299     $ 47,706       6.58 %   $ 717,040     $ 49,674       6.93 %   $ 604,342     $ 43,808       7.25 %
Taxable investment securities
    119,063       4,712       3.96 %     108,919       5,433       4.99 %     68,398       3,751       5.48 %
Nontaxable investment securities
    121,676       7,217       5.93 %     121,220       7,218       5.95 %     96,789       5,726       5.92 %
Trading account securities
    17,279       856       4.95 %     26,618       1,305       4.90 %     50,904       2,298       4.51 %
Federal funds sold
    842       1       0.12 %     5,198       110       2.12 %     6,758       342       5.06 %
Other
    27,433       376       1.37 %     17,600       433       2.46 %     7,143       317       4.44 %
 
                                                     
 
                                                                       
Total earning assets
    1,011,592       60,868       6.02 %     996,595       64,173       6.44 %     834,334       56,242       6.74 %
NON EARNING ASSETS:
                                                                       
Allowance for loan losses
    (12,334 )                     (8,606 )                     (7,603 )                
Cash and due from banks
    18,190                       18,582                       20,588                  
Premises and equipment
    23,810                       22,905                       21,507                  
Accrued income and other assets
    86,376                       83,626                       56,805                  
 
                                                                 
Total assets
  $ 1,127,634                     $ 1,113,102                     $ 925,631                  
 
                                                                 
 
                                                                       
INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES:
                                                                       
Interest bearing demand deposits
  $ 116,412       146       0.13 %   $ 114,889       813       0.71 %   $ 109,370       1,880       1.72 %
Savings deposits
    177,538       399       0.22 %     213,410       2,439       1.14 %     188,323       4,232       2.25 %
Time deposits
    398,356       13,043       3.27 %     393,190       16,621       4.23 %     349,941       16,493       4.71 %
Borrowed funds
    193,922       6,251       3.22 %     145,802       5,733       3.93 %     68,586       3,354       4.89 %
 
                                                     
 
                                                                       
Total interest bearing liabilities
    886,228       19,839       2.24 %     867,291       25,606       2.95 %     716,220       25,959       3.62 %
NONINTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES:
                                                                       
Demand deposits
    94,408                       95,552                       80,128                  
Other
    7,188                       6,633                       10,037                  
Shareholders’ equity
    139,810                       143,626                       119,246                  
 
                                                                 
Total liabilities and equity
  $ 1,127,634                     $ 1,113,102                     $ 925,631                  
 
                                                                 
Net interest income (FTE)
          $ 41,029                     $ 38,567                     $ 30,283          
 
                                                                 
 
                                                                       
 
                                                                 
Net yield on interest earning assets (FTE)
                    4.06 %                     3.87 %                     3.63 %
 
                                                                 

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Net Interest Income
The Corporation derives the majority of its gross income from interest earned on loans and investments, while its most significant expense is the interest cost incurred for funds used. Net interest income is the amount by which interest income on earning assets exceeds the interest cost of deposits and borrowings. Net interest income is influenced by changes in the balance and mix of assets and liabilities and market interest rates. Management exerts some control over these factors; however, Federal Reserve monetary policy and competition have a significant impact. Interest income includes loan fees of $1,963, in 2009, $1,808 in 2008, and $1,330 in 2007. For analytical purposes, net interest income is adjusted to a “taxable equivalent” basis by adding the income tax savings from interest on tax-exempt loans and securities, thus making year-to-year comparisons more meaningful.
VOLUME AND RATE VARIANCE ANALYSIS
The following table details the dollar amount of changes in FTE net interest income for each major category of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities and the amount of change attributable to changes in average balances (volume) or average rates. The change in interest due to both volume and rate has been allocated to volume and rate changes in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each.
                                                 
    2009 Compared to 2008     2008 Compared to 2007  
    Increase (Decrease) Due to     Increase (Decrease) Due to  
    Volume     Rate     Net     Volume     Rate     Net  
CHANGES IN INTEREST INCOME:
                                               
Loans
  $ 567     $ (2,535 )   $ (1,968 )   $ 7,877     $ (2,011 )   $ 5,866  
Taxable investment securities
    474       (1,195 )     (721 )     2,048       (366 )     1,682  
Nontaxable investment securities
    27       (28 )     (1 )     1,454       38       1,492  
Trading account securities
    (463 )     14       (449 )     (1,176 )     183       (993 )
Federal funds sold
    (51 )     (58 )     (109 )     (66 )     (166 )     (232 )
Other
    182       (239 )     (57 )     306       (190 )     116  
 
                                   
Total changes in interest income
    736       (4,041 )     (3,305 )     10,443       (2,512 )     7,931  
 
                                               
CHANGES IN INTEREST EXPENSE:
                                               
Interest bearing demand deposits
    11       (678 )     (667 )     90       (1,157 )     (1,067 )
Savings deposits
    (353 )     (1,687 )     (2,040 )     505       (2,298 )     (1,793 )
Time deposits
    216       (3,794 )     (3,578 )     1,924       (1,796 )     128  
Borrowed funds
    1,672       (1,154 )     518       3,146       (767 )     2,379  
 
                                   
Total changes in interest expense
    1,546       (7,313 )     (5,767 )     5,665       (6,018 )     (353 )
 
                                   
Net change in interest margin (FTE)
  $ (810 )   $ 3,272     $ 2,462     $ 4,778     $ 3,506     $ 8,284  
 
                                   

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The Corporation, as well as all other financial institutions, has experienced dramatic changes in interest rates in the last three years. The Federal Reserve Bank (“The Fed”) lowered its target Fed Funds rate to 0.00% — 0.25% in December 2008. The Fed’s actions were the result of a significant weakening of the Nation’s economy to an extent not seen since the Great Depression. As the Corporation’s balance sheet is liability sensitive, net interest margins increased as the interest rates paid on interest bearing liabilities decreased faster than those earned on interest earning assets.
Management does anticipate, however, that net interest margins will decline throughout 2010 due to the following factors:
    Based on the current economic conditions, management does not anticipate any changes in the target Fed funds rate during much of 2010. As such, the Corporation does not anticipate significant, if any, changes in market rates. However, there is the potential for declines in rates earned on interest earning assets. Most of the potential declines would arise out of the Corporation’s investment portfolio, as securities with call dates will most likely be called and the Corporation will be reinvesting those proceeds at significantly lower rates.
 
    Long term residential mortgage rates continue to be at historically low levels. This rate environment has led to strong consumer demand for fixed rate mortgage products which are sold to the secondary market. As a result of the majority of loans being sold to the secondary market, there has been a significant decline in balloon mortgages, which are held on the Corporation’s balance sheet. As these balloon mortgages have been paid off, the proceeds from these loans have been reinvested at lower interest rates, which has, and will continue to, adversely impact interest income.
 
    While the Corporation’s liability sensitive balance sheet has allowed it to benefit from decreases in interest rates, it also makes the Corporation extremely sensitive to increases in deposit and borrowing rates. As part of the Corporation’s goal to minimize the potential negative impacts of possible increases in future interest rates, management will actively work to lengthen its interest bearing liabilities. This lengthening will increase the Corporation’s cost of funding, potentially reducing net interest income in the short term.
 
    In an effort to reduce the potential long term negative impact of increases in rates paid on interest bearing liabilities, the Corporation anticipates growing the balance sheet through the acquisition of investment securities in 2010. These investments will be funded through deposit growth and wholesale borrowings. The net interest margin generated by the purchase of these investments is anticipated to be less than 2.0%, but will provide additional net interest income.
LOAN QUALITY
Provision for Loan Losses
The provision for loan losses represents the current period loan cost associated with maintaining an appropriate allowance for loan losses as determined by management. Periodic fluctuations in the provision for loan losses result from management’s best estimates as to the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses to absorb probable losses within the existing loan portfolio. The provision for loan losses for each period is further dependent upon many factors, including loan growth, net charge-offs, changes in the composition of the loan portfolio, delinquencies, assessment by management, third parties and banking regulators of the quality of the loan portfolio, the value of the underlying collateral on problem loans and the general economic conditions in the market areas.
In the past two years, residential real estate values in the Bank’s market areas have declined 20% to 40%. These declines are the result of increases in the inventory of unsold homes. This increased inventory is partially the result of the inability of potential home buyers to obtain financing due to the tightening of loan underwriting criteria by many of the financial institutions, brokers and government sponsored agencies. While Isabella Bank has maintained traditional lending standards, the decline in real estate values has had an adverse impact on customers who are experiencing financial difficulties. Historically, customers who experienced difficulties were able to sell their properties for more than the loan balance owed. The steep decline in real estate values has diminished homeowner equity and led borrowers who are experiencing financial difficulties to default on their mortgage loans.
While the Bank has elected not to participate in the U.S. Treasury’s “Making Home Affordable Program”, it has taken aggressive actions to avoid foreclosures on borrowers who are willing to work with the Bank in modifying their loans, thus making them more affordable. Actions taken include extensions of amortizations, temporary reductions in interest rates and, when necessary, a reduction in the principal balance owed. To date, the Bank has modified 94 loans with outstanding balances totaling $7,562.

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The following schedule shows the composition of the provision for loan losses and the allowance for loan losses.
                                         
    Year Ended December 31  
    2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
Allowance for loan losses — January 1
  $ 11,982     $ 7,301     $ 7,605     $ 6,899     $ 6,444  
Allowance of acquired bank
          822             726        
Loans charged off
                                       
Commercial and agricultural
    3,081       2,137       905       368       101  
Real estate mortgage
    2,627       3,334       659       252       166  
Consumer
    934       854       582       529       376  
 
                             
Total loans charged off
    6,642       6,325       2,146       1,149       643  
Recoveries
                                       
Commercial and agricultural
    623       160       297       136       105  
Real estate mortgage
    546       240       49       53        
Consumer
    377       284       285       258       216  
 
                             
Total recoveries
    1,546       684       631       447       321  
 
                             
Net loans charged off
    5,096       5,641       1,515       702       322  
Provision charged to income
    6,093       9,500       1,211       682       777  
 
                             
Allowance for loan losses — December 31
  $ 12,979     $ 11,982     $ 7,301     $ 7,605     $ 6,899  
 
                             
 
                                       
Year to date average loans
  $ 725,299     $ 717,040     $ 604,342     $ 522,726     $ 466,001  
 
                             
Net loans charged off to average loans outstanding
    0.70 %     0.79 %     0.25 %     0.13 %     0.07 %
 
                             
 
                                       
Total amount of loans outstanding
  $ 723,316     $ 735,385     $ 612,687     $ 591,042     $ 483,242  
 
                             
Allowance for loan losses as a % of loans
    1.79 %     1.63 %     1.19 %     1.29 %     1.43 %
 
                             
As shown in the preceding table, the Corporation’s gross chargeoffs increased $317 to $6,642 in 2009, while recoveries increased by $862 resulting in a $545 reduction in net chargeoffs compared with 2008. Management believes the increase in recoveries, in both dollars and as a percentage of chargeoffs, is a direct result of management conservatively valuing collateral that it has repossessed from defaulted credits.
As discussed above, the Corporation experienced a decline in credit quality in 2008 resulting in a dramatic increase in total loans charged off. These chargeoffs were a direct result of the significant downturn in the national and local economy which has led to increases in unemployment coupled with significant property devaluation. As a result of the significant increases in loans charged off, local and regional economic uncertainties of the Corporation’s loan portfolio and increases in foreclosed loans during 2008 and 2009, the Corporation significantly increased its provision for loan losses in these years. This increased provision has resulted in an allowance for loan losses as a percentage of gross loans of 1.79% as of December 31, 2009.
The Corporation has also experienced an increase in foreclosed loans and an increase in loans charged off due mainly to the downturn in the commercial real estate mortgage market. Of the $3,081 commercial and agricultural loans charged off in 2009, $1,325 was related to one loan, for which a $1,000 specific allocation was recorded as of December 31, 2008.
The nationwide increase in residential mortgage loans past due and in foreclosures has received considerable attention by the Federal Government, the media, banking regulators, and industry trade groups. Based on information provided by The Mortgage Bankers Association, a substantial portion of the nationwide increase in both past dues and foreclosures are related to option adjustable rate mortgages and Alternative-A sub-prime mortgage products. While the Corporation has not originated or held alternative mortgage loan products, the difficulties experienced in these markets have adversely impacted the entire market, and thus the overall credit quality of the Corporation’s residential mortgage portfolio. The increase in troubled residential mortgage loans and a tightening of underwriting standards will most likely result in an increase in residential mortgage loans in foreclosure and possibly the inventory of unsold homes. The combination of all of these factors is expected to further reduce average home values and thus homeowner’s equity on a national level.
The Corporation originates and sells fixed rate residential real estate mortgages to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. The Corporation has not originated loans for either trading or its own portfolio that would be classified as sub prime, nor has it originated adjustable rate mortgages or financed loans for more than 80% of market value unless insured by private third party insurance.

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Based on management’s analysis, the allowance for loan losses of $12,979 is considered adequate as of December 31, 2009.
Allocation of the Allowance for Loan Losses
The allowance for loan losses has been allocated according to the amount deemed to be reasonably necessary to reflect for the probability of losses being incurred within the following categories as of December 31:
                                                                                 
    2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
            % of Each             % of Each             % of Each             % of Each             % of Each  
            Category             Category             Category             Category             Category  
    Allowance     to Total     Allowance     to Total     Allowance     to Total     Allowance     to Total     Allowance     to Total  
    Amount     Loans     Amount     Loans     Amount     Loans     Amount     Loans     Amount     Loans  
Commercial and agricultural
  $ 3,565       53.1 %   $ 3,632       50.7 %   $ 2,458       46.0 %   $ 2,687       43.3 %   $ 2,771       46.9 %
Real estate mortgage
    3,809       39.5 %     3,832       43.4 %     1,341       48.6 %     1,367       50.9 %     1,192       46.8 %
Consumer installment
    1,308       4.5 %     1,736       4.5 %     2,195       4.8 %     2,434       5.1 %     2,286       5.8 %
Specific allocations
    3,572       2.9 %     2,065       1.4 %     703       0.6 %     594       0.7 %     184       0.5 %
Unallocated
    725       N/A       717       N/A       604       N/A       523       N/A       466       N/A  
 
                                                           
Total
  $ 12,979       100.0 %   $ 11,982       100.0 %   $ 7,301       100.0 %   $ 7,605       100.0 %   $ 6,899       100.0 %
 
                                                           
Management has evaluated all specific allocations and believes the valuation allowance related to these loans to be adequate.
Nonperforming Assets
Loans are generally placed on nonaccrual status when they become 90 days past due, unless they are well secured and in the process of collection. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, any interest previously accrued and not collected is reversed from income or charged off against the allowance for loan losses. Loans are charged off when management determines that collection has become unlikely. Restructured loans are those where a concession has been granted on either principal or interest paid due to financial difficulties of the borrower. Other real estate owned consists of real property acquired through foreclosure on the related collateral underlying defaulted loans.

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The following table presents nonperforming assets for the past five years:
NONPERFORMING ASSETS
                                         
    Year Ended December 31  
    2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
Nonaccrual loans
  $ 8,522     $ 11,175     $ 4,156     $ 3,444     $ 1,375  
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more
    768       1,251       1,727       1,185       1,058  
 
                             
Total nonperforming loans
    9,290       12,426       5,883       4,629       2,433  
Other real estate owned
    1,141       2,770       1,376       562       122  
Repossessed assets
    16       153                    
 
                             
Total nonperforming assets
  $ 10,447     $ 15,349     $ 7,259     $ 5,191     $ 2,555  
 
                             
 
                                       
Nonperforming loans as a % of total loans
    1.28 %     1.69 %     0.96 %     0.78 %     0.50 %
 
                             
Nonperforming assets as a % of total assets
    0.91 %     1.35 %     0.76 %     0.57 %     0.34 %
 
                             
RESTRUCTURED LOANS
                                         
    December 31  
    2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
Complying with modified terms
  $ 2,754     $ 2,565     $ 517     $ 640     $ 62  
Past due 30-89 days
    107             115       57       663  
Past due 90 days or more
                53              
Nonaccrual
    2,116       1,985                    
 
                             
Total restructured loans
  $ 4,977     $ 4,550     $ 685     $ 697     $ 725  
 
                             
Since December 31, 2008, the Corporation’s nonperforming loans have declined $3,136. Of this decline, $1,325 is related to the charge off of one specific loan as noted previously. The remainder of the decline is related to loans being removed from nonaccrual status as a result of improvements in creditworthiness, loans being paid off, loans being charged off, or transfers to other real estate owned. The majority of the restructured loans are the result of the Corporation working with borrowers to develop a payment structure that will allow them to continue making payments in lieu of foreclosure or repossession of collateral.
Of the $1,629 decline in other real estate owned, $670 related to the sale of one property. Management has evaluated the properties held as other real estate owned and has adjusted the carrying value of each property to the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, as necessary. Management anticipates the balance of other real estate owned to remain at historically high levels throughout 2010.
Management established a credit risk management committee in 2008. This committee consists of management from lending, accounting, collection and auditing. This committee reviews various reports covering credit quality to help identify potential problem credits and their potential impact on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements. Management believes that as of December 31, 2009 all significant loans for which inherent losses are probable have been identified and that the carrying amounts of the loans have been adjusted to reflect the collateral’s net realizable values. To management’s knowledge, there are no other loans which cause management to have serious doubts as to the ability of a borrower to comply with their loan repayment terms. A continued decline in real estate values may require further write downs of loans in foreclosure and other real estate owned and could potentially have an adverse impact on the Corporation’s financial performance.
As of December 31, 2009, there were no other interest bearing assets which required classification. Management is not aware of any recommendations by regulatory agencies that, if implemented, would have a material impact on the Corporation’s liquidity, capital, or operations.
As a result of the new State of Michigan foreclosure laws, which went into effect on July 5, 2009, the time required to complete a residential mortgage foreclosure has increased. Despite the increased timeline to complete the foreclosure process, the new law did not have a significant impact on the Corporation’s ability to initiate and complete foreclosure proceedings.

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Noninterest Income
The following table shows the changes in noninterest income between the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 respectively.
                                                         
    Year Ended December 31  
                    Change             Change  
    2009     2008     $     %     2007     $     %  
Service charges and fee income
                                                       
NSF and overdraft fees
  $ 3,187     $ 3,413     $ (226 )     -6.6 %   $ 2,961     $ 452       15.3 %
Trust fees
    814       886       (72 )     -8.1 %     1,035       (149 )     -14.4 %
Freddie Mac servicing fee
    724       627       97       15.5 %     635       (8 )     -1.3 %
ATM and debit card fees
    1,218       1,029       189       18.4 %     737       292       39.6 %
Service charges on deposit accounts
    344       372       (28 )     -7.5 %     328       44       13.4 %
Net originated mortgage servicing rights income (loss)
    514       (92 )     606       N/M       43       (135 )     N/M  
All other
    112       135       (23 )     -17.0 %     155       (20 )     -12.9 %
 
                                         
Total service charges and fees
    6,913       6,370       543       8.5 %     5,894       476       8.1 %
Gain on sale of mortgage loans
    886       249       637       N/M       209       40       19.1 %
Net gain (loss) on trading securities
    80       245       (165 )     -67.3 %     460       (215 )     -46.7 %
Net gain (loss) on borrowings measured at fair value
    289       (641 )     930       N/M       (66 )     (575 )     N/M  
Gain (loss) on sale of investment securities
    648       24       624       N/M       (19 )     43       N/M  
Title insurance revenue
          234       (234 )     -100.0 %     2,192       (1,958 )     -89.3 %
Other
                                                       
Increase in cash value of corporate owned life insurance policies
    641       616       25       4.1 %     432       184       42.6 %
Brokerage and advisory fees
    521       480       41       8.5 %     276       204       73.9 %
All other
    178       225       (47 )     -20.9 %     584       (359 )     -61.5 %
 
                                         
Total other
    1,340       1,321       19       1.4 %     1,292       29       2.2 %
 
                                         
Total noninterest income
  $ 10,156     $ 7,802     $ 2,354       30.2 %   $ 9,962     $ (2,160 )     -21.7 %
 
                                         

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Significant changes in noninterest income are detailed below:
    Management continuously analyzes various fees related to deposit accounts, including service charges, NSF and overdraft fees, and ATM and debit card fees. Based on these analyses, the Corporation makes any necessary adjustments to ensure that its fee structure is within the range of its competitors, while at the same time making sure that the fees remain fair to deposit customers. NSF and overdraft fees have been declining over the past two years. This decline is a result of customers more closely managing their deposit accounts to avoid paying overdraft fees. Management does not expect significant changes to its deposit fee structure throughout 2010.
 
    Trust fees fluctuate from period to period based on various factors including changes in the market value of assets held, the mix of their customers’ portfolios and the closing of client estates (as much of their estate fees are non-recurring in nature and are based on the assets of the estate).
 
    The increases in ATM and debit card fees during 2009 and 2008 are primarily the result of the increased usage of debit cards by the Bank’s customers. As management does not anticipate any significant changes to the ATM and debit card fee structures, these fees are expected to continue to increase as the usage of debit cards increases.
 
    As a result of lower than normal residential mortgage rates, the Corporation has experienced increases in Federal Home Loan Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) servicing fees, net originated mortgage servicing rights (OMSR), and gains from the sale of mortgage loans to the secondary market in 2009. The Corporation’s servicing portfolio has increased $53,161 since December 31, 2008. The increase in Freddie Mac servicing fees is a direct result of the increase in the volume of loans the Corporation services as the Corporation is paid 0.25% per year for each dollar of loans serviced. The increase in loans serviced, as well as recent increases in residential mortgage rates, has led to the increase in net OMSR income. As refinancing activity is expected to decline, the Corporation anticipates net OMSR income and the gains from the sale of mortgage loans to decline in 2010.
 
    Title insurance revenue decreased as a result of a joint venture between IBT Title and Insurance Agency and Corporate Title on March 1, 2008 (see Note 2 – “Business Combinations and Joint Venture Formation” of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). The Corporation’s portion of income or loss from the joint venture is now included in all other income. This new venture was the primary reason for the decline in all other income when the year ended December 31, 2008 is compared to the same period in 2007 as the Corporation’s share of the entity’s losses were $268.
 
    Net gains and losses related to trading securities and borrowings carried at fair market value fluctuate based on interest rate variances. During 2008, the Corporation recorded $641 in net losses related to borrowings carried at fair market value. These losses were the result of a dramatic decline in offering rates on borrowed funds. Management does not anticipate any significant fluctuations in net trading activities for 2010 as significant interest rate changes are not expected.
 
    Income related to the value of Corporate owned life insurance increased in 2008 when compared to 2007 as a result of the purchase of additional policies as well as transferring the management of the policies to a new investment advisor.
 
    The years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009 were excellent years for brokerage and advisory services income. These results are due to an increase in customer base, a conscious effort by management to expand the Bank’s presence in the local market, and a result of the addition of another broker in the fourth quarter of 2008. The Corporation anticipates this trend to continue in 2010.

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Noninterest Expenses
The following table shows the changes in noninterest expenses between the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 respectively.
                                                         
    Year Ended December 31  
                    Change             Change  
    2009     2008     $     %     2007     $     %  
Compensation
                                                       
Leased employee salaries
  $ 13,494     $ 12,465     $ 1,029       8.3 %   $ 11,507     $ 958       8.3 %
Leased employee benefits
    4,745       4,502       243       5.4 %     4,096       406       9.9 %
All other
    19       25       (6 )     -24.0 %     15       10       66.7 %
 
                                         
Total compensation
    18,258       16,992       1,266       7.5 %     15,618       1,374       8.8 %
 
                                         
Occupancy
                                                       
Depreciation
    546       508       38       7.5 %     448       60       13.4 %
Outside services
    433       492       (59 )     -12.0 %     332       160       48.2 %
Property taxes
    439       411       28       6.8 %     384       27       7.0 %
Utilities
    393       366       27       7.4 %     344       22       6.4 %
Building rent
    2       3       (1 )     -33.3 %     72       (69 )     -95.8 %
Building repairs
    288       202       86       42.6 %     147       55       37.4 %
All other
    69       53       16       30.2 %     39       14       35.9 %
 
                                         
Total occupancy
    2,170       2,035       135       6.6 %     1,766       269       15.2 %
 
                                         
Furniture and equipment
                                                       
Depreciation
    1,803       1,663       140       8.4 %     1,512       151       10.0 %
Computer / service contracts
    1,676       1,565       111       7.1 %     1,289       276       21.4 %
ATM and debit card fees
    621       570       51       8.9 %     433       137       31.6 %
All other
    46       51       (5 )     -9.8 %     63       (12 )     -19.0 %
 
                                         
Total furniture and equipment
    4,146       3,849       297       7.7 %     3,297       552       16.7 %
 
                                         
FDIC insurance premiums
    1,730       313       1,417       N/M       95       218       N/M  
 
                                         
Other
                                                       
Audit and SOX compliance fees
    546       565       (19 )     -3.4 %     583       (18 )     -3.1 %
Marketing and community relations
    833       844       (11 )     -1.3 %     670       174       26.0 %
Directors fees
    923       867       56       6.5 %     796       71       8.9 %
Printing and supplies
    529       508       21       4.1 %     462       46       10.0 %
Education and travel
    395       491       (96 )     -19.6 %     505       (14 )     -2.8 %
Postage and freight
    472       523       (51 )     -9.8 %     459       64       13.9 %
Legal
    415       419       (4 )     -1.0 %     296       123       41.6 %
Amortization of deposit premium
    375       415       (40 )     -9.6 %     278       137       49.3 %
Foreclosed asset and collection
    831       698       133       19.1 %     269       429       159.5 %
Brokerage and advisory
    191       205       (14 )     -6.8 %     92       113       122.8 %
Consulting
    201       298       (97 )     -32.6 %     176       122       69.3 %
All other
    1,668       1,682       (14 )     -0.8 %     1,867       (185 )     -9.9 %
 
                                         
Total other
    7,379       7,515       (136 )     -1.8 %     6,453       1,062       16.5 %
 
                                         
Total noninterest expenses
  $ 33,683     $ 30,704     $ 2,979       9.7 %   $ 27,229     $ 3,475       12.8 %
 
                                         

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Significant changes in noninterest expenses are detailed below:
    Leased employee salaries expenses have increased due to annual merit increases and the continued growth of the Corporation as well as overtime due to the increased volume of mortgage refinancing noted earlier. The increases in leased employee benefits expenses are principally the result of continued increases in health care costs.
 
    The increase in building repairs for 2009 can be attributed to standard upkeep done to various branches throughout the year, while the decline in building rent in 2008 was a result of the new joint venture (see “Note 2 – Business Combinations and Joint Venture Formation” of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).
 
    FDIC insurance premium expense has increased primarily as a result of significant increases in the premium rates charged by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. This expense also includes a one time assessment of $479, which was paid in September 2009.
 
    In April 2008, the Corporation unveiled a new brand for both Isabella Bank (the “Bank”) and Isabella Bank Corporation. As a result of the development of this brand and the corresponding marketing campaign, the Corporation incurred significant nonrecurring marketing expenses during 2008. During 2009, the Corporation contributed $140 to the IBT Foundation as compared to $0 in 2008.
 
    The increase in the amortization of deposit premium in 2008 was related to the January 2008 acquisition of Greenville Community Financial Corporation (GCFC). This expense declined in 2009, and is expected to decline again in 2010, as the deposit premium is being amortized using an accelerated amortization method.
 
    As a result of the recent increases in delinquencies and foreclosures, the Corporation has incurred historically high legal, foreclosed asset, and collection expenses since 2007. These expenses are expected to remain above historical levels in 2010 as management anticipates that delinquency rates and foreclosures will remain high.
 
    Consulting fees were elevated in 2008 primarily as a result of a potential new branch location study that was performed.
 
    All other expenses include title insurance expenses as well as other miscellaneous expenses. All other expenses decreased by $222 in 2008 as a result of the new joint venture (see “Note 2 – Business Combinations and Joint Venture Formation” of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). The remaining changes in other expenses are individually not significant.
 
    The increase in total noninterest expenses from 2007 to 2008 was partially the result of the acquisition of GCFC in January 2008. Exclusive of the effects of the acquisition, total noninterest expenses increased 2.3%, with no individually significant changes other than those noted above.
Federal Income Taxes
Federal income tax (benefit) expense for 2009 was $846 or 9.8% of pre-tax income compared to ($724) or (21.4%) of pre-tax income in 2008 and $1,605 or 16.8% in 2007. The primary factor behind the reduction in the effective rate in 2008 is related to the increase in tax exempt income as a percentage of net income. A reconcilement of actual federal income tax expense reported and the amount computed at the federal statutory rate of 34% is found in Note 12, “Federal Income Taxes” of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN FINANCIAL CONDITION
                                 
    December 31              
    2009     2008     $ Change     % Change  
ASSETS
                               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 22,706     $ 22,979     $ (273 )     -1.19 %
Interest bearing balances in other financial institutions
    7,156       575       6,581       N/M  
Trading account securities
    13,563       21,775       (8,212 )     -37.71 %
Available-for-sale investment securities
    259,066       246,455       12,611       5.12 %
Mortgage loans available for sale
    2,281       898       1,383       154.01 %
Loans
    723,316       735,385       (12,069 )     -1.64 %
Allowance for loan losses
    (12,979 )     (11,982 )     (997 )     8.32 %
Premises and equipment
    23,917       23,231       686       2.95 %
Acquisition intangibles and goodwill, net
    47,429       47,804       (375 )     -0.78 %
Equity securities without readily determinable fair values
    17,921       17,345       576       3.32 %
Other assets
    39,568       34,798       4,770       13.71 %
 
                       
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 1,143,944     $ 1,139,263     $ 4,681       0.41 %
 
                       
 
                               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                               
Liabilities
                               
Deposits
  $ 802,652     $ 775,630     $ 27,022       3.48 %
Other borrowed funds
    193,101       222,350       (29,249 )     -13.15 %
Accrued interest and other liabilities
    7,388       6,807       581       8.54 %
 
                       
Total liabilities
    1,003,141       1,004,787       (1,646 )     -0.16 %
Shareholders’ equity
    140,803       134,476       6,327       4.70 %
 
                       
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 1,143,944     $ 1,139,263     $ 4,681       0.41 %
 
                       
A discussion of changes in balance sheet amounts by major categories follows:
Interest bearing balances in other financial institutions
The increase in interest bearing balances in other financial institutions is primarily the result of the Corporation increasing its holdings in certificates of deposits due to the relative competitiveness of the interest rates as well as the temporary increase in FDIC insurance limits.
Trading account securities
Trading securities are carried at fair value. The Corporation’s overall intent is to maintain a trading portfolio to enhance the ongoing restructuring of assets and liabilities as part of our interest rate risk management objectives (See Note 3 of the Consolidated Financial Statements). Due to the current interest rate environment, the Corporation has allowed this balance to decline.
Available-for-sale Investment Securities
The primary objective of the Corporation’s investing activities is to provide for safety of the principal invested. Secondary considerations include the need for earnings, liquidity, and the Corporation’s overall exposure to changes in interest rates. Securities currently classified as available-for-sale are stated at fair value.

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The following is a schedule of the carrying value of investment securities available-for-sale as of December 31:
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
U.S. Government and federal agencies
  $     $ 4,083     $ 4,058  
Government-sponsored enterprises
    19,471       62,988       50,181  
States and political subdivisions
    151,730       149,323       130,956  
Corporate
          7,145       12,000  
Auction rate money market preferred
    2,973       5,979       12,300  
Preferred stocks
    7,054              
Mortgage-backed
    67,734       16,937       3,632  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    10,104              
 
                 
Total
  $ 259,066     $ 246,455     $ 213,127  
 
                 
The following is a schedule of the carrying value of trading securities as of December 31:
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
Government-sponsored enterprises
  $     $ 4,014     $ 4,024  
States and political subdivisions
    9,962       11,556       10,324  
Corporate
          160       1,004  
Mortgage-backed
    3,601       6,045       9,712  
 
                 
Total
  $ 13,563     $ 21,775     $ 25,064  
 
                 
Excluding those holdings of the investment portfolio in government-sponsored enterprises and municipalities within the states of Michigan and Pennsylvania, there were no investments in securities of any one issuer that exceeded 10% of shareholders’ equity. The Corporation has a policy prohibiting investments in securities that it deems are unsuitable due to their inherent credit or market risks. Prohibited investments include stripped mortgage backed securities, zero coupon bonds, nongovernment agency asset backed securities, and structured notes. The Corporation’s holdings in mortgage-backed securities include only government agencies and government sponsored agencies as the Corporation holds no investments in private label mortgage-backed securities.
The Corporation invested $11,000 in auction rate money market preferred security instruments, which are classified as available-for-sale securities and reflected at fair value. As a result of the illiquidity of the markets for these securities, $7,800 converted during 2009 to preferred stock with debt like characteristics. Due to the continuing uncertainty in credit markets, these investments are considered illiquid. Due to their illiquidity, the fair values of these securities were estimated utilizing a discounted cash flow analysis or other type of valuation adjustment methodology as of December 31, 2009 and 2008. This analysis considers, among other factors, the collateral underlying the security investments, the creditworthiness of the counterparty, the timing of expected future cash flows, estimates of the next time the security is expected to have a successful auction, and the Corporation’s ability to hold such securities until credit markets improve.
The following is a schedule of maturities of available for sale investment securities (at carrying value) and their weighted average yield as of December 31, 2009. Weighted average yields have been computed on a fully taxable-equivalent basis using a tax rate of 34%. Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations are included in maturity categories based on their stated maturity date. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations. Trading securities have been excluded as they are not expected to be held to maturity. Included in the contractual maturity distribution in the following table are auction rate money market preferred securities and preferred stock. Auction rate debt and auction rate preferred securities are long-term floating rate instruments for which interest rates are set at periodic auctions. At each successful auction, the Corporation has the option to sell the security at par value. Additionally, the issuers of auction rate securities generally have the right to redeem or refinance the debt. As a result, the expected life of auction rate securities may differ significantly from the contractual term.

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    Maturing  
                    After One     After Five        
                    Year But     Years But        
    Within     Within     Within     After  
    One Year     Five Years     Ten Years     Ten Years  
    Amount     Yield (%)     Amount     Yield (%)     Amount     Yield (%)     Amount     Yield (%)  
Government-sponsored enterprises
  $           $ 18,570       2.32     $ 901       7.91     $        
States and political subdivisions
    7,922       4.41       44,844       4.22       65,882       3.99       33,082       3.30  
Mortgage-backed
                449       5.31       38,790       3.45       28,495       3.74  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
                                        10,104       2.97  
Auction rate money market preferred
                                        2,973       4.86  
Preferred stocks
                                        7,054       4.60  
 
                                               
Total
  $ 7,922       4.41     $ 63,863       3.68     $ 105,573       3.83     $ 81,708       3.58  
 
                                               
Loans
The largest component of earning assets is loans. The proper management of credit and market risk inherent in the loan portfolio is critical to the financial well-being of the Corporation. To control these risks, the Corporation has adopted strict underwriting standards. The standards include specific criteria against lending outside the Corporation’s defined market areas, lending limits to a single borrower, and strict loan to collateral value limits. The Corporation also monitors and limits loan concentrations extended to volatile industries. The Corporation has no foreign loans and there were no concentrations greater than 10% of total loans that are not disclosed as a separate category in the following table.
The following table presents the composition of the loan portfolio for the years ended December 31:
                                         
    2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
Commercial
  $ 340,274     $ 324,806     $ 238,306     $ 212,701     $ 179,541  
Agricultural
    64,845       58,003       47,407       47,302       49,424  
Residential real estate mortgage
    285,838       319,397       297,937       300,650       226,251  
Installment
    32,359       33,179       29,037       30,389       28,026  
 
                             
 
  $ 723,316     $ 735,385     $ 612,687     $ 591,042     $ 483,242  
 
                             
The following table presents the change in the loan categories for the years ended December 31:
                                                 
    2009     2008     2007  
    $ Change     % Change     $ Change     % Change     $ Change     % Change  
Commercial
  $ 15,468       4.8 %   $ 86,500       36.3 %   $ 25,605       12.0 %
Agricultural
    6,842       11.8 %     10,596       22.4 %     105       0.2 %
Residential real estate mortgage
    (33,559 )     -10.5 %     21,460       7.2 %     (2,713 )     -0.9 %
Installment
    (820 )     -2.5 %     4,142       14.3 %     (1,352 )     -4.4 %
 
                                   
 
  $ (12,069 )     -1.6 %   $ 122,698       20.0 %   $ 21,645       3.7 %
 
                                   

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The growth in commercial and agricultural loans is a result of the Corporation’s efforts to increase the commercial loan portfolio as a percentage of total loans. A significant portion of this growth has been driven by the Corporation’s new business development team.
The current rate environment has increased residential mortgage refinancing activity, which has led to increases in loans sold to the secondary market. This refinancing activity has, however, led to a decline in the residential real estate portfolio as customers who have traditionally utilized 3 and 5 year balloon products are refinancing into 15 and 30 year fixed rate loans, which the Corporation typically sells on the secondary market. This activity resulted in a net increase of $53,161 in the balance of residential mortgage loans sold to the secondary market since December 31, 2008.
A substantial portion of the increase in total loans as of December 31, 2008 compared to December 31, 2007 was a result of the acquisition of Greenville Financial Corporation in January 2008. Pursuant to the acquisition, the Corporation purchased gross loans totaling $88,613.
Equity securities without readily determinable fair values
Included in equity securities without readily determinable fair values are restricted securities, which are carried at cost, and investments in nonconsolidated entities accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
Equity securities without readily determinable fair values consist of the following as of December 31:
                 
    2009     2008  
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock
  $ 7,960     $ 7,460  
Investment in CT/IBT Title Agency, LLC
    6,782       6,905  
Federal Reserve Bank Stock
    1,879       1,879  
Investment in Valley Financial Corporation
    1,000       1,000  
Other
    300       101  
 
           
Total
  $ 17,921     $ 17,345  
 
           
Other Assets
Other assets increased in 2009 primarily due to the required prepayment of $4,737 in estimated FDIC insurance premiums for 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Deposits
The main source of funds for the Corporation is deposits. The deposit portfolio represents various types of non transaction accounts as well as savings accounts and time deposits.
The following table presents the composition of the deposit portfolio as of December 31:
                                         
    2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
Noninterest bearing demand deposits
  $ 96,875     $ 97,546     $ 84,846     $ 83,902     $ 73,839  
Interest bearing demand deposits
    128,111       113,973       105,526       111,406       104,251  
Savings deposits
    157,020       182,523       196,682       178,001       153,397  
Certificates of deposit
    356,594       340,976       311,976       320,226       250,246  
Brokered certificates of deposit
    50,933       28,185       28,197       27,446       7,076  
Internet certificates of deposit
    13,119       12,427       6,246       4,859       3,669  
 
                             
Total
  $ 802,652     $ 775,630     $ 733,473     $ 725,840     $ 592,478  
 
                             

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The following table presents the change in the deposit categories for the years ended December 31:
                                                 
    2009     2008     2007  
    $ Change     % Change     $ Change     % Change     $ Change     % Change  
Noninterest bearing demand deposits
  $ (671 )     -0.7 %   $ 12,700       15.0 %   $ 944       1.1 %
Interest bearing demand deposits
    14,138       12.4 %     8,447       8.0 %     (5,880 )     -5.3 %
Savings deposits
    (25,503 )     -14.0 %     (14,159 )     -7.2 %     18,681       10.5 %
Certificates of deposit
    15,618       4.6 %     29,000       9.3 %     (8,250 )     -2.6 %
Brokered certificates of deposit
    22,748       80.7 %     (12 )     0.0 %     751       2.7 %
Internet certificates of deposit
    692       5.6 %     6,181       99.0 %     1,387       28.5 %
 
                                   
Total
  $ 27,022       3.5 %   $ 42,157       5.7 %   $ 7,633       1.1 %
 
                                   
As shown in the preceding table, total deposits have grown conservatively since December 31, 2008. This growth has primarily come in the form of interest bearing demand deposits, certificates of deposits, and brokered certificates of deposits. The growth in interest bearing demand deposits and certificates of deposits, as well as the declines in savings deposits is the results of a change in customers’ preferences as much of the variances represent transfers between different types of accounts and the current economics within the market. The increase in brokered certificates of deposit is the result of the Corporation purchasing CD’s through the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (CDARS).
A substantial portion of the increase in total deposits as of December 31, 2008 compared to December 31, 2007 was a result of the acquisition of Greenville Community Financial Corporation (GCFC) in January 2008. Pursuant to the acquisition, the Corporation purchased deposits totaling $90,151. Exclusive of the GCFC acquisition, deposits decreased $47,994 when December 31, 2008 is compared to December 31, 2007. This decline was the result of increased competition with other depository institutions as well as declines in brokered certificates of deposit and internet certificates of deposit.
The following table shows the average balances and corresponding interest rates paid on deposit accounts as of December 31:
                                                 
    2009     2008     2007  
    Amount     Rate     Amount     Rate     Amount     Rate  
Noninterest bearing demand deposits
  $ 94,408           $ 95,552           $ 80,128        
Interest bearing demand deposits
    116,412       0.13 %     114,889       0.71 %     109,370       1.72 %
Savings deposits
    177,538       0.22 %     213,410       1.14 %     188,323       2.25 %
Time deposits
    398,356       3.27 %     393,190       4.23 %     349,941       4.71 %
 
                                         
Total
  $ 786,714             $ 817,041             $ 727,762          
 
                                         
The remaining maturity of time certificates and other time deposits of $100 or more at December 31, 2009 was as follows:
         
Maturity
       
Within 3 months
  $ 45,849  
Within 3 to 6 months
    23,223  
Within 6 to 12 months
    56,669  
Over 12 months
    62,281  
 
     
Total
  $ 188,022  
 
     
Borrowed Funds
As a result of the decrease in loans, coupled with the increase in deposits, the Corporation was able to reduce other borrowed funds.
Capital
The capital of the Corporation consists solely of common stock, retained earnings, and accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The Corporation offers dividend reinvestment and employee and director stock purchase plans. Under the provisions of these Plans, the Corporation issued 126,874 shares of common stock generating $2,396 of capital during 2009, and 78,994 shares of common stock generating $2,879 of capital in 2008. The Corporation also offers share-based payment awards through its equity compensation plan (See Note 17 of

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). Pursuant to this plan, the Corporation generated $677 and $603 of capital in 2009 and 2008, respectively.
The Board of Directors has adopted a common stock repurchase plan. This plan was approved to enable the Corporation to repurchase the Corporation’s common stock for reissuance to the dividend reinvestment plan, the employee stock purchase plan and for distributions of share-based payment awards. During 2009 and 2008 the Corporation repurchased 122,612 shares of common stock at an average price of $19.47 and 148,336 shares of common stock at an average price of $43.41, respectively.
Accumulated other comprehensive loss decreased $3,450 in 2009 and consists of $3,203 of unrealized gains on available-for-sale investment securities and a $247 reduction of unrecognized pension cost. These amounts are net of tax.
The Federal Reserve Board’s current recommended minimum primary capital to assets requirement is 6.0%. The Corporation’s primary capital to average assets ratio, which consists of shareholders’ equity plus the allowance for loan losses less acquisition intangibles, was 8.60% at year end 2009. There are no commitments for significant capital expenditures.
The Federal Reserve Board has established a minimum risk based capital standard. Under this standard, a framework has been established that assigns risk weights to each category of on and off-balance-sheet items to arrive at risk adjusted total assets. Regulatory capital is divided by the risk adjusted assets with the resulting ratio compared to the minimum standard to determine whether a corporation has adequate capital. The minimum standard is 8%, of which at least 4% must consist of equity capital net of goodwill. The following table sets forth the percentages required under the Risk Based Capital guidelines and the Corporation’s values at December 31, 2009:
Percentage of Capital to Risk Adjusted Assets:
                 
    Isabella Bank Corporation
    December 31, 2009
    Required   Actual
Equity Capital
    4.00 %     12.80 %
Secondary Capital
    4.00 %     1.25 %
 
               
Total Capital
    8.00 %     14.05 %
 
               
Isabella Bank Corporation’s secondary capital includes only the allowance for loan losses. The percentage for the secondary capital under the required column is the maximum amount allowed from all sources.
The Federal Reserve also prescribes minimum capital requirements for the Corporation’s subsidiary Bank. At December 31, 2009, the Bank exceeded these minimums. For further information regarding the Bank’s capital requirements, refer to Note 16 of the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Minimum Regulatory Capital Requirements”.
Fair Value
The Corporation utilizes fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. Securities available-for-sale, trading securities and certain liabilities are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, the Corporation may be required to record at fair value other assets on a nonrecurring basis, such as loans held-for-sale, loans held for investment in foreclosed assets, mortgage servicing rights and certain other assets and liabilities. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve the application of lower of cost or market accounting or write-downs of individual assets.
Due to the illiquidity of certain investment securities, these assets were classified as having significant non observable inputs (Level 3) during 2008. The fair values of these securities are estimated utilizing a discounted cash flow analysis or other type of valuation adjustment methodology as of December 31, 2009 and 2008. These analyses consider, among other factors, the collateral underlying the security investments, the creditworthiness of the counterparty, the timing of expected future cash flows, estimates of the next time the security is expected to have a successful auction, and the fact that the management asserts that it does not intend to sell the security in an unrealized loss position and it is more likely than not it will not have to sell the securities before recovery of its cost basis, as further described in Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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The table below represents the activity in Level 3 inputs measured on a recurring basis for the year ended December 31:
                 
    2009     2008  
Level 3 inputs — January 1
  $ 5,021     $  
Transfers of securities into level 3 due to changes in the observability of significant inputs (illiquid markets)
          11,000  
Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investment securities
    5,006       (5,979 )
 
           
Level 3 inputs — December 31
  $ 10,027     $ 5,021  
 
           
For further information regarding fair value measurements see Note 20 of the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Financial Instruments Recorded at Fair Value” and Note 21 of the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Fair Values of Financial Instruments”.
Interest Rate Sensitivity
Interest rate sensitivity is determined by the amount of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities repricing within a specific time period, and their relative sensitivity to a change in interest rates. Management also strives to achieve reasonable stability in the net interest margin through periods of changing interest rates. One tool used by management to measure interest rate sensitivity is gap analysis. As shown in the following table, the gap analysis depicts the Corporation’s position for specific time periods and the cumulative gap as a percentage of total assets.
Trading securities are included in the 0 to 3 month time frame due to their repricing characteristics. Fixed interest rate investment securities are scheduled according to their contractual maturity. Fixed rate loans are included in the appropriate time frame based on their scheduled amortization. Variable rate loans are included in the time frame of their earliest repricing. Of the $723,316 in total loans, $138,085 are variable rate loans. Time deposit liabilities are scheduled based on their contractual maturity except for variable rate time deposits in the amount of $1,821 that are included in the 0 to 3 month time frame.
Savings, NOW accounts, and money market accounts have no contractual maturity date and are believed to be predominantly noninterest rate sensitive by management. These accounts have been classified in the gap table according to their estimated withdrawal rates based upon management’s analysis of deposit runoff over the past five years. Management believes this runoff experience is consistent with its expectation for the future. As of December 31, 2009, the Corporation had $88,403 more liabilities than assets maturing within one year. A negative gap position results when more liabilities, within a specified time frame, mature or reprice than assets.
The following table shows the time periods and the amount of assets and liabilities available for interest rate repricing as of December 31, 2009. The interest rate sensitivity information for investment securities is based on the expected prepayments and call dates versus stated maturities. For purposes of this analysis, nonaccrual loans and the allowance for loan losses are excluded.
                                 
    0 to 3     4 to 12     1 to 5     Over 5  
    Months     Months     Years     Years  
Interest Sensitive Assets
                               
Trading securities
  $ 13,563     $     $     $  
Investment securities
    23,430       44,648       97,741       93,247  
Loans
    173,302       89,964       402,764       48,764  
 
                       
Total
  $ 210,295     $ 134,612     $ 500,505     $ 142,011  
 
                       
 
                               
Interest Sensitive Liabilities
                               
Borrowed funds
  $ 56,947     $ 28,154     $ 63,000     $ 45,000  
Time deposits
    91,078       178,748       148,770       2,050  
Savings
    9,622       35,247       88,645       23,506  
Interest bearing demand
    8,070       25,444       71,605       22,992  
 
                       
Total
  $ 165,717     $ 267,593     $ 372,020     $ 93,548  
 
                       
 
                               
Cumulative gap (deficiency)
  $ 44,578     $ (88,403 )   $ 40,082     $ 88,545  
Cumulative gap (deficiency) as a % of assets
    3.90 %     (7.73 )%     3.50 %     7.74 %

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The following table shows the maturity of commercial and agricultural loans outstanding at December 31, 2009. Also provided are the amounts due after one year, classified according to the sensitivity to changes in interest rates.
                                 
    1 Year     1 to 5     Over 5        
    or Less     Years     Years     Total  
Commercial and agricultural
  $ 96,488     $ 291,650     $ 16,981     $ 405,119  
 
                       
Interest Sensitivity
                               
Loans maturing after one year that have:
                               
Fixed interest rates
          $ 246,145     $ 15,922          
Variable interest rates
            45,505       1,059          
 
                           
Total
          $ 291,650     $ 16,981          
 
                           
Liquidity
Liquidity is monitored regularly by the Corporation’s Market Risk Committee, which consists of members of senior management. The committee reviews projected cash flows, key ratios and liquidity available from both primary and secondary sources.
The primary sources of the Corporation’s liquidity are cash and cash equivalents, trading securities, and available-for-sale investment securities, excluding auction rate money market preferred securities and preferred stock due to their illiquidity. These categories totaled $292,464 or 25.6% of assets as of December 31, 2009 as compared to $285,805 or 25.0% in 2008. Liquidity is important for financial institutions because of their need to meet loan funding commitments, depositor withdrawal requests and various other commitments discussed in the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. Liquidity varies significantly daily, based on customer activity.
Operating activities provided $18,225 of cash in 2009 as compared to $20,661 in 2008. Net financing activities used $7,538 of cash in 2009 as compared to providing $66,038 in 2008, with the fluctuation being primarily the result of increases in other borrowed funds during 2008. The Corporation’s investing activities used cash amounting to $10,960 in 2009 and $87,846 in 2008. The accumulated effect of the Corporation’s operating, investing, and financing activities used $273 of cash in 2009 and $1,147 in 2008.
The primary source of funds for the Bank is deposits. The Bank emphasizes interest-bearing time deposits as part of its funding strategy. The Bank also seeks noninterest bearing deposits, or checking accounts, to expand its customer base, while reducing cost of funds.
In recent periods, the Corporation has experienced some competitive challenges in obtaining additional deposits to fuel growth. As depositors continue to have wider access to the Internet and other real-time interest rate monitoring resources, deposit sourcing and pricing has become more competitive. Deposit growth is achievable, but generally at a higher cost. As a result of this increased competition, the Corporation (as discussed above) has begun to rely more and more on brokered, internet deposits, and other borrowed funds as a key funding source.
In addition to these primary sources of liquidity, the Corporation has the ability to borrow from the Federal Home Loan Bank, the Federal Reserve Bank, and through various correspondent banks as federal funds. As of December 31, 2009, the Corporation had the capacity to borrow up to an additional $13,849 from the Federal Home Loan Bank based upon the assets currently pledged as collateral. The Corporation’s liquidity is considered adequate by the management of the Corporation.

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Item 6 A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The Corporation’s primary market risks are interest rate risk and liquidity risk. The Corporation has no significant foreign exchange risk, holds limited loans outstanding to oil and gas concerns, and does not utilize interest rate swaps or derivatives, except for interest rate locks, in the management of its interest rate risk. Any changes in foreign exchange rates or commodity prices would have an insignificant impact, if any, on the Corporation’s interest income and cash flows. The Corporation does have a significant amount of loans extended to borrowers in agricultural production. The cash flow of such borrowers and ability to service debt is largely dependent on the commodity prices for corn, soybeans, sugar beets, milk, beef, and a variety of dry beans. The Corporation mitigates these risks by using conservative price and production yields when calculating a borrower’s available cash flow to service their debt.
Interest rate risk (“IRR”) is the exposure of the Corporation’s net interest income, its primary source of income, to changes in interest rates. IRR results from the difference in the maturity or repricing frequency of a financial institution’s interest earning assets and its interest bearing liabilities. IRR is the fundamental method in which financial institutions earn income and create shareholder value. Excessive exposure to IRR could pose a significant risk to the Corporation’s earnings and capital.
The Federal Reserve Board, the Corporation’s primary Federal regulator, has adopted a policy requiring the Board of Directors and senior management to effectively manage the various risks that can have a material impact on the safety and soundness of the Corporation. The risks include credit, interest rate, liquidity, operational, and reputational. The Corporation has policies, procedures and internal controls for measuring and managing these risks. Specifically, the IRR policy and procedures include defining acceptable types and terms of investments and funding sources, liquidity requirements, limits on investments in long term assets, limiting the mismatch in repricing opportunity of assets and liabilities, and the frequency of measuring and reporting to the Board of Directors.
The Corporation uses several techniques to manage IRR. The first method is gap analysis. Gap analysis measures the cash flows and/or the earliest repricing of the Corporation’s interest bearing assets and liabilities. This analysis is useful for measuring trends in the repricing characteristics of the balance sheet. Significant assumptions are required in this process because of the imbedded repricing options contained in assets and liabilities. A substantial portion of the Corporation’s assets are invested in loans and investment securities with issuer call options. Loans have imbedded options that allow the borrower to repay the balance prior to maturity without penalty. The amount of prepayments is dependent upon many factors, including the interest rate of a given loan in comparison to the current interest rate for residential mortgages, the level of sales of used homes, and the overall availability of credit in the market place. Generally, a decrease in interest rates will result in an increase in the Corporation’s cash flows from these assets. A significant portion of the Corporation’s securities are callable. The call option is more likely to be exercised in a period of decreasing interest rates. Investment securities, other than those that are callable, do not have any significant imbedded options. Savings and checking deposits may generally be withdrawn on request without prior notice. The timing of cash flows from these deposits is estimated based on historical experience. Time deposits have penalties that discourage early withdrawals.
The second technique used in the management of IRR is to combine the projected cash flows and repricing characteristics generated by the gap analysis and the interest rates associated with those cash flows to project future interest income. By changing the amount and timing of the cash flows and the repricing interest rates of those cash flows, the Corporation can project the effect of changing interest rates on its interest income. Based on the projections prepared for the year ended December 31, 2009, the Corporation’s net interest income would increase during a period of decreasing interest rates.
The following tables provide information about the Corporation’s assets and liabilities that are sensitive to changes in interest rates as of December 31, 2009 and 2008. The Corporation has no interest rate swaps, futures contracts, or other derivative financial options. The principal amounts of assets and time deposits maturing were calculated based on the contractual maturity dates. Savings and NOW accounts are based on management’s estimate of their future cash flows.

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(dollars in thousands)   December 31, 2009   Fair Value
    2010   2011   2012   2013   2014   Thereafter   Total   12/31/09
Rate sensitive assets
                                                               
Other interest bearing assets
  $ 4,996     $ 960     $ 1,200     $     $     $     $ 7,156     $ 7,156  
Average interest rates
    1.13 %     2.29 %     2.64 %                       1.54 %        
Trading securities
  $ 7,139     $ 2,043     $ 2,546     $ 1,094     $ 570     $ 171     $ 13,563     $ 13,563  
Average interest rates
    2.84 %     2.42 %     2.28 %     2.53 %     2.66 %     4.86 %     2.66 %        
Fixed interest rate securities
  $ 68,078     $ 35,401     $ 21,540     $ 20,369     $ 20,431     $ 93,247     $ 259,066     $ 259,066  
Average interest rates
    3.53 %     3.51 %     3.59 %     3.65 %     3.63 %     3.58 %     3.57 %        
Fixed interest rate loans
  $ 133,703     $ 111,981     $ 118,749     $ 109,754     $ 62,280     $ 48,764     $ 585,231     $ 594,498  
Average interest rates
    6.64 %     6.85 %     6.72 %     6.50 %     6.61 %     6.01 %     6.61 %        
Variable interest rate loans
  $ 60,727     $ 17,695     $ 13,799     $ 16,357     $ 16,940     $ 12,567     $ 138,085     $ 138,085  
Average interest rates
    5.00 %     4.69 %     4.79 %     3.83 %     3.74 %     5.35 %     4.68 %        
 
                                                               
Rate sensitive liabilities
                                                               
Borrowed funds
  $ 85,101     $ 11,000     $ 32,000     $ 15,000     $ 5,000     $ 45,000     $ 193,101     $ 195,179  
Average interest rates
    2.28 %     4.04 %     3.50 %     3.93 %     4.38 %     4.01 %     3.17 %        
Savings and NOW accounts
  $ 78,383     $ 65,107     $ 44,439     $ 30,095     $ 20,609     $ 46,498     $ 285,131     $ 285,131  
Average interest rates
    0.15 %     0.15 %     0.15 %     0.14 %     0.15 %     0.13 %     0.15 %        
Fixed interest rate time deposits
  $ 268,005     $ 46,484     $ 53,054     $ 32,959     $ 16,273     $ 2,050     $ 418,825     $ 422,227  
Average interest rates
    2.26 %     3.59 %     3.47 %     3.83 %     3.09 %     3.35 %     2.72 %        
Variable interest rate time deposits
  $ 1,252     $ 569     $     $     $     $     $ 1,821     $ 1,821  
Average interest rates
    1.56 %     1.40 %                             1.51 %        
                                                                 
    December 31, 2008   Fair Value
    2009   2010   2011   2012   2013   Thereafter   Total   12/31/08
Rate sensitive assets
                                                               
Other interest bearing assets
  $ 575     $     $     $     $     $     $ 575     $ 575  
Average interest rates
    0.21 %                                   0.21 %        
Trading securities
  $ 7,867     $ 4,902     $ 3,181     $ 2,937     $ 1,089     $ 1,799     $ 21,775     $ 21,775  
Average interest rates
    3.89 %     3.57 %     3.47 %     2.74 %     2.90 %     3.11 %     3.49 %        
Fixed interest rate securities
  $ 82,852     $ 13,043     $ 12,494     $ 11,247     $ 20,291     $ 106,528     $ 246,455     $ 246,455  
Average interest rates
    4.68 %     4.78 %     4.25 %     4.20 %     3.74 %     3.69 %     4.15 %        
Fixed interest rate loans
  $ 136,854     $ 105,529     $ 110,218     $ 80,163     $ 88,540     $ 57,692     $ 578,996     $ 598,703  
Average interest rates
    6.73 %     6.78 %     6.90 %     7.20 %     6.86 %     6.34 %     6.82 %        
Variable interest rate loans
  $ 61,795     $ 25,166     $ 16,524     $ 8,049     $ 27,505     $ 17,350     $ 156,389     $ 156,389  
Average interest rates
    5.32 %     4.75 %     5.27 %     5.34 %     4.45 %     5.90 %     5.14 %        
 
                                                               
Rate sensitive liabilities
                                                               
Borrowed funds
  $ 95,159     $ 39,191     $ 21,000     $ 22,000     $ 15,000     $ 30,000     $ 222,350     $ 230,130  
Average interest rates
    1.11 %     4.57 %     3.63 %     4.17 %     3.93 %     4.59 %     2.95 %        
Savings and NOW accounts
  $ 119,801     $ 79,465     $ 63,274     $ 25,140     $ 8,816     $     $ 296,496     $ 296,496  
Average interest rates
    0.12 %     0.27 %     0.26 %     0.20 %     0.34 %           0.20 %        
Fixed interest rate time deposits
  $ 239,152     $ 62,838     $ 29,771     $ 21,565     $ 24,860     $ 1,589     $ 379,775     $ 385,478  
Average interest rates
    3.47 %     4.29 %     4.55 %     4.61 %     4.18 %     4.57 %     3.81 %        
Variable interest rate time deposits
  $ 1,187     $ 626     $     $     $     $     $ 1,813     $ 1,813  
Average interest rates
    1.90 %     1.67 %                             1.82 %        

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Forward Looking Statements
This report contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Corporation intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995, and is including this statement for purposes of these safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of the Corporation, are generally identifiable by use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” or similar expressions. The Corporation’s ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on the operations and future prospects of the Corporation and the subsidiaries include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates, general economic conditions, legislative/regulatory changes, monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government including policies of the U.S. Treasury, the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the quality or composition of the loan or investment portfolios, demand for loan products, deposit flows, competition, demand for financial services in the Corporation’s market area, and accounting principles, policies and guidelines. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Further information concerning the Corporation and its business, including additional factors that could materially affect the Corporation’s financial results, is included in the Corporation’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The following consolidated financial statements of the Corporation accompanied by the report of our independent registered public accounting firm are set forth on pages 36 through 79 of this report:
 
The supplementary data regarding quarterly results of operations are set forth under the table headed “Summary of Selected Financial Data” under Item 5 on page 13 of this report.

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Shareholders and Board of Directors
Isabella Bank Corporation
Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Isabella Bank Corporation as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity, income, comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009. We also have audited Isabella Bank Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in the Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Isabella Bank Corporation’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Isabella Bank Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting, based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material misstatement exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A corporation’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A corporation’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the corporation; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the corporation are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the corporation; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the corporation’s assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
As described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2008 the Corporation adopted ASC Topic 715, Compensation – Retirement Benefits. Also, as described in Notes 17 and 20 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2007 the Corporation elected the early adoption of ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments and ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, and effective December 31, 2006 changed its method of accounting for defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans in accordance with ASC Topic 715, Compensation – Retirement Benefits.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Isabella Bank Corporation as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion Isabella Bank Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on the criteria established in the Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) of the Treadway Commission.
Rehmann Robson, P.C.
Saginaw, Michigan
March 11, 2010

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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
                 
    December 31  
    2009     2008  
ASSETS
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 22,706     $ 22,979  
Interest bearing balances held in other financial institutions
    7,156       575  
Trading securities
    13,563       21,775  
Investment securities available for sale (amortized cost of $258,585 in 2009 and $248,741 in 2008)
    259,066       246,455  
Mortgage loans available for sale
    2,281       898  
Net loans
               
Loans
    723,316       735,385  
Less allowance for loan losses
    12,979       11,982  
 
           
Total net loans
    710,337       723,403  
Premises and equipment
    23,917       23,231  
Corporate-owned life insurance policies
    16,782       16,152  
Accrued interest receivable
    5,832       6,322  
Acquisition intangibles and goodwill, net
    47,429       47,804  
Equity securities without readily determinable fair values
    17,921       17,345  
Other assets
    16,954       12,324  
 
           
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 1,143,944     $ 1,139,263  
 
           
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Deposits
               
Noninterest bearing
  $ 96,875     $ 97,546  
NOW accounts
    128,111       113,973  
Certificates of deposit and other savings
    389,644       422,689  
Certificates of deposit over $100,000
    188,022       141,422  
 
           
Total deposits
    802,652       775,630  
Borrowed funds ($17,804 in 2009 and $23,130 in 2008 at fair value)
    193,101       222,350  
Accrued interest and other liabilities
    7,388       6,807  
 
           
Total liabilities
    1,003,141       1,004,787  
 
           
Shareholders’ Equity
               
Common stock — no par value 15,000,000 shares authorized; outstanding —7,535,193 (including 30,626 shares to be issued) in 2009 and 7,518,856 (including 5,248 shares to be issued) in 2008
    133,443       133,602  
Shares to be issued for deferred compensation obligations
    4,507       4,015  
Retained earnings
    4,972       2,428  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (2,119 )     (5,569 )
 
           
Total shareholders’ equity
    140,803       134,476  
 
           
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 1,143,944     $ 1,139,263  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
                                                 
                    Shares to be                      
                  issued for             Accumulated        
    Common Stock             deferred             Other        
    Shares     Common     compensation     Retained     Comprehensive        
    Outstanding     Stock     obligations     Earnings     Loss     Totals  
Balance, January 1, 2007
    6,335,861     $ 111,648     $ 3,137     $ 4,451     $ (3,487 )   $ 115,749  
Cumulative effect to apply ASC Topic 825, net of tax
                      (1,050 )     897       (153 )
Comprehensive income
                      7,930       2,324       10,254  
Issuance of common stock
    63,233       2,657                         2,657  
Common stock issued for deferred compensation obligations
    8,246       123       (123 )                  
Share-based payment awards under equity compensation plan
                758                   758  
Common stock repurchased pursuant to publicly announced repurchase plan
    (43,220 )     (1,881 )                       (1,881 )
Cash dividends ($0.62 per share)
                      (4,304 )           (4,304 )
 
 
                                   
Balance, December 31, 2007
    6,364,120       112,547       3,772       7,027       (266 )     123,080  
Cumulative effect to apply ASC Topic 715, net of tax
                      (1,571 )           (1,571 )
Comprehensive loss
                      4,101       (5,303 )     (1,202 )
Common stock dividends (10%)
    687,599       30,256             (30,256 )            
Regulatory capital transfer
          (28,000 )           28,000              
Bank acquisition
    514,809       22,652                         22,652  
Issuance of common stock
    73,660       2,476                         2,476  
Common stock issued for deferred compensation obligations
    27,004       360       (360 )                  
Share-based payment awards under equity compensation plan
                603                   603  
Common stock purchased for deferred compensation obligations
          (249 )                           (249 )
Common stock repurchased pursuant to publicly announced repurchase plan
    (148,336 )     (6,440 )                       (6,440 )
Cash dividends ($0.65 per share)
                      (4,873 )           (4,873 )
 
 
                                   
Balance, December 31, 2008
    7,518,856       133,602       4,015       2,428       (5,569 )     134,476  
Comprehensive income
                      7,800       3,450       11,250  
Issuance of common stock
    126,059       2,664                         2,664  
Common stock issued for deferred compensation obligations
    12,890       331       (185 )                 146  
Share-based payment awards under equity compensation plan
                677                   677  
Common stock purchased for deferred compensation obligations
          (767 )                       (767 )
Common stock repurchased pursuant to publicly announced repurchase plan
    (122,612 )     (2,387 )                         (2,387 )
Cash dividends ($0.70 per share)
                      (5,256 )           (5,256 )
 
                                   
 
                                               
Balance, December 31, 2009
    7,535,193       133,443       4,507       4,972       (2,119 )     140,803  
 
                                   
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
                         
    Year Ended December 31  
    2009     2008     2007  
Interest Income
                       
Loans, including fees
  $ 47,706     $ 49,674     $ 43,808  
Investment securities
                       
Taxable
    4,712       5,433       3,751  
Nontaxable
    4,623       4,642       3,657  
Trading account securities
    687       1,093       2,097  
Federal funds sold and other
    377       543       659  
 
                 
Total interest income
    58,105       61,385       53,972  
Interest Expense
                       
Deposits
    13,588       19,873       22,605  
Borrowings
    6,251       5,733       3,354  
 
                 
Total interest expense
    19,839       25,606       25,959  
 
                 
Net interest income
    38,266       35,779       28,013  
Provision for loan losses
    6,093       9,500       1,211  
 
                 
 
                       
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    32,173       26,279       26,802  
 
                       
Noninterest Income
                       
Service charges and fees
    6,913       6,370       5,894  
Gain on sale of mortgage loans
    886       249       209  
Net gain on trading securities
    80       245       460  
Net gain (loss) on borrowings measured at fair value
    289       (641 )     (66 )
Gain (loss) on sale of investment securities
    648       24       (19 )
Title insurance revenue (Note 2)
          234       2,192  
Other
    1,340       1,321       1,292  
 
                 
Total noninterest income
    10,156       7,802       9,962  
Noninterest Expenses
                       
Compensation and benefits
    18,258       16,992       15,618  
Occupancy
    2,170       2,035       1,766  
Furniture and equipment
    4,146       3,849       3,297  
FDIC insurance premiums
    1,730       313       95  
Other
    7,379       7,515       6,453  
 
                 
Total noninterest expenses
    33,683       30,704       27,229  
Income before federal income tax expense (benefit)
    8,646       3,377       9,535  
Federal income tax expense (benefit)
    846       (724 )     1,605  
 
                 
NET INCOME
  $ 7,800     $ 4,101     $ 7,930  
 
                 
Earnings per share
                       
Basic
  $ 1.04     $ 0.55     $ 1.14  
 
                 
Diluted
  $ 1.01     $ 0.53     $ 1.11  
 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars in thousands)
                         
    Year Ended December 31  
    2009     2008     2007  
Net Income
  $ 7,800     $ 4,101     $ 7,930  
 
                 
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities:
                       
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the year
    3,415       (3,104 )     614  
Reclassification adjustment for net realized (gains) losses included in net income
    (648 )     (24 )     19  
 
                 
Net unrealized gains (losses)
    2,767       (3,128 )     633  
Tax effect
    436       (643 )     (216 )
 
                 
Unrealized gains (losses), net of tax
    3,203       (3,771 )     417  
 
                 
 
                       
Reduction (increase) of unrecognized pension cost
    374       (2,320 )     2,890  
Tax effect
    (127 )     788       (983 )
 
                 
Net unrealized gain (loss) on defined benefit pension plan
    247       (1,532 )     1,907  
 
                 
 
                       
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
    3,450       (5,303 )     2,324  
 
                 
Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 11,250     $ (1,202 )   $ 10,254  
 
                 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
                         
    Year Ended December 31  
    2009     2008     2007  
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
                       
Net income
  $ 7,800     $ 4,101     $ 7,930  
Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operations:
                       
Provision for loan losses
    6,093       9,500       1,211  
Provision for foreclosed asset losses
    157       231       109  
Depreciation
    2,349       2,171       1,960  
Amortization and impairment of mortgage servicing rights
    683       346       201  
Amortization of acquisition intangibles
    375       415       278  
Net amortization of available-for-sale investment securities
    741       356       216  
Realized (gain) loss on sale of available-for-sale investment securities
    (648 )     (24 )     19  
Unrealized gains on trading securities
    (80 )     (245 )     (460 )
Unrealized (gains) losses on borrowings measured at fair value
    (289 )     641       66  
Increase in cash value of corporate owned life insurance policies
    (641 )     (616 )     (432 )
Share-based payment awards under equity compensation plan
    677       603       758  
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense
    (641 )     (1,812 )     301  
Net changes in operating assets and liabilities which provided (used) cash, net in 2008 of bank acquisition and joint venture formation:
                       
Trading securities
    8,292       8,513       53,235  
Mortgage loans available for sale
    (1,383 )     1,316       520  
Accrued interest receivable
    490       226       (183 )
Other assets
    (6,331 )     (3,565 )     (4,667 )
Escrow funds payable
          (46 )     (504 )
Accrued interest and other liabilities
    581       (1,450 )     (171 )
 
                 
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities
    18,225       20,661       60,387  
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
                       
Net change in interest-bearing balances held in other financial institutions
    (6,581 )     882       1,535  
Activity in available-for-sale securities
                       
Maturities, calls, and sales
    130,580       66,387       54,997  
Purchases
    (140,517 )     (96,168 )     (132,115 )
Loan principal collections (originations), net
    4,437       (42,700 )     (24,455 )
Proceeds from sales of foreclosed assets
    4,145       2,310       662  
Purchases of premises and equipment
    (3,035 )     (2,990 )     (3,722 )
Bank acquisition, net of cash acquired
          (9,465 )      
Cash contributed to title company joint venture formation
          (4,542 )      
Redemption (purchase) of corporate owned life insurance policies
    11       (1,560 )      
 
                 
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities
    (10,960 )     (87,846 )     (103,098 )
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                       
Net increase (decrease) in deposits
    27,022       (47,892 )     7,633  
Net (decrease) increase in other borrowed funds
    (28,960 )     123,016       34,365  
Cash dividends paid on common stock
    (5,256 )     (4,873 )     (4,304 )
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
    2,479       2,476       2,657  
Common stock repurchased
    (2,056 )     (6,440 )     (1,881 )
Common stock purchased for deferred compensation obligations
    (767 )     (249 )      
 
                 
Net Cash (Used In) Provided By Financing Activities
    (7,538 )     66,038       38,470  
 
                 
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    (273 )     (1,147 )     (4,241 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    22,979       24,126       28,367  
 
                   
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR
  $ 22,706     $ 22,979     $ 24,126  
 
                 
Supplemental cash flows information:
                       
Interest paid
  $ 20,030     $ 25,556     $ 25,872  
Federal income taxes paid
    2,237       1,155       1,776  
Transfer of loans to foreclosed assets
    2,536       3,398       1,295  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
NOTE 1 — NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND CONSOLIDATION: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Isabella Bank Corporation (the “Corporation”), a financial services holding company, and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Isabella Bank (the “Bank”), Financial Group Information Services, and IB&T Employee Leasing, LLC. All intercompany balances and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.
NATURE OF OPERATIONS: Isabella Bank Corporation is a financial services holding company offering a wide array of financial products and services in mid-Michigan. Its banking subsidiary, Isabella Bank, offers banking services through 24 locations, 24-hour banking services locally and nationally through shared automatic teller machines, 24 hour online banking, and direct deposits to businesses, institutions, and individuals. Lending services offered include commercial loans, agricultural loans, residential real estate loans, consumer loans, student loans, and credit cards. Deposit services include interest and noninterest bearing checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit. Other related financial products include trust and investment services, safe deposit box rentals, and credit life insurance. Active competition, principally from other commercial banks, savings banks and credit unions, exists in all of the Bank’s principal markets. The Corporation’s results of operations can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates or changes in the local economic environment.
On January 1, 2008, the Corporation acquired 100 percent of Greenville Community Financial Corporation (GCFC). As a result of this acquisition, Greenville Community Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GCFC, merged with and into the Bank (see Note 2 — “Business Combinations and Joint Venture Formation”).
On March 1, 2008, IBT Title and Insurance Agency, Inc. (IBT Title), a wholly owned subsidiary of Isabella Bank Corporation, merged its assets and liabilities with Corporate Title Agency, LLC (“Corporate Title”), a third-party title business based in Traverse City, Michigan, to form CT/IBT Title Agency, LLC. As a result of this transaction, the Corporation became a 50 percent joint venture owner in CT/IBT Title Agency, LLC. The joint venture is accounted for as an equity investment. The purpose of this joint venture was to help IBT Title and Insurance Agency, Inc. expand its service area and to take advantage of economies of scale (see Note 2 — “Business Combinations and Joint Venture Formation”).
Financial Group Information Services provides information technology services to Isabella Bank Corporation and its subsidiaries.
IB&T Employee Leasing provides payroll services, benefit administration, and other human resource services to Isabella Bank Corporation and its subsidiaries.
USE OF ESTIMATES: In preparing consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated balance sheet and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting year. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the fair value of investment securities, the valuation of real estate acquired in connection with foreclosures or in satisfaction of loans, valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, determinations of assumptions in accounting for the defined benefit pension plan, and other post-retirement liabilities. In connection with the determination of the allowance for loan losses and the carrying value of foreclosed real estate, management obtains independent appraisals for significant properties.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS: Fair value refers to the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants in the market in which the reporting entity transacts such sales or transfers based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability. Assumptions are developed based on prioritizing information within a fair value hierarchy that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable data, such as the reporting entity’s own data. The Corporation may choose to measure eligible items at fair value at specified election dates. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value measurement option has been elected are reported in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. The fair value option (i) may be applied instrument by instrument, with certain exceptions, allowing the Corporation to record identical financial assets and liabilities at fair value or by another measurement basis permitted under generally

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accepted accounting principles, (ii) is irrevocable (unless a new election date occurs) and (iii) is applied only to entire instruments and not to portions of instruments.
For assets and liabilities recorded at fair value, it is the Corporation’s policy to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when developing fair value measurements for those financial instruments for which there is an active market. In cases where the market for a financial asset or liability is not active, the Corporation includes appropriate risk adjustments that market participants would make for nonperformance and liquidity risks when developing fair value measurements. Fair value measurements for assets and liabilities for which limited or no observable market data exists are accordingly based primarily upon estimates, are often calculated based on the economic and competitive environment, the characteristics of the asset or liability and other factors. Therefore, the results cannot be determined with precision and may not be realized in an actual sale or immediate settlement of the asset or liability. Additionally, there may be inherent weaknesses in any calculation technique, and changes in the underlying assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows, could significantly affect the results of current or future values. For a further discussion of Fair Value Measurement, refer to Notes 20 and 21 to the consolidated financial statements.
SIGNIFICANT GROUP CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK: Most of the Corporation’s activities conducted are with customers located within the central Michigan area. A significant amount of its outstanding loans are secured by commercial and residential real estate. Other than these types of loans, there is no significant concentration to any other industry or customer.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS: For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash and balances due from banks, federal funds sold, and other deposit accounts, all of which have original maturity dates within ninety days. Generally, federal funds sold are for a one day period. The Corporation maintains deposit accounts in various financial institutions which generally exceed federally insured limits or are not insured.
INTEREST BEARING BALANCES HELD IN OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS: Interest bearing balances held in other financial institutions consist primarily of certificates of deposit that mature within 3 years and are carried at cost.
TRADING SECURITIES: Securities that are held principally for resale in the near term are recorded in the trading assets account at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in noninterest income. Interest and dividends are included in net interest income.
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE INVESTMENT SECURITIES: Securities classified as “available-for-sale”, other than auction rate money market preferred securities and preferred stock, are recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of the effect of deferred income taxes, excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income. Auction rate money market preferred securities and preferred stock are recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, considered not other-than-temporary, excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income. Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities.
Investment securities are reviewed quarterly for possible other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI). In determining whether an other than temporary impairment exists for debt securities, management must assert that: (a) it does not have the intent to sell the security; and (b) it is more likely than not it will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis. Declines in the fair value of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale debt securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses to the extent the impairment is related to credit losses. The amount of the impairment related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income.
LOANS: Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at their outstanding principal balance adjusted for any charge offs, the allowance for loans losses, and any deferred fees or costs on originated loans. Interest income on loans is accrued over the term of the loan based on the principal amount outstanding. Loan origination fees and certain direct loan origination costs are capitalized and recognized as a component of interest income over the term of the loan using the constant yield method.
The accrual of interest on mortgage and commercial loans is discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days or more past due unless the credit is well-secured and in the process of collection. Credit card loans and other personal loans are typically charged off no later than 180 days past due. Past due status is based on contractual terms of the loan. In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual or charged off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful.

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For loans that are placed on non-accrual status or charged-off, all interest accrued in the current calendar year, but not collected, is reversed against interest income while interest accrued in prior calendar years, but not collected is charged against the allowance for loan losses. The interest on these loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual status. Loans are returned to accrual status when all principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. For impaired loans not classified as nonaccrual, interest income continues to be accrued over the term of the loan based on the principal amount outstanding.
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES: The allowance for loan losses is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for loan losses charged to earnings. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of the loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.
The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon management’s periodic review of the collectibility of the loans in light of historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.
The allowance consists of specific, general and unallocated components. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as either doubtful, substandard or special mention. For such loans that are also analyzed for specific allowance allocations, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows or collateral value or observable market price of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers non-classified loans and is based on historical loss experience. An unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that management believes affect its estimate of probable losses based on qualitative factors. The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio.
A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstance surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reason for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis for commercial and commercial real estate loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.
Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, the Corporation does not separately identify individual consumer and residential loans for impairment disclosures.
LOANS HELD FOR SALE: Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of cost or fair value as determined by aggregating outstanding commitments from investors or current investor yield requirements. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recognized through a valuation allowance by charges to income.
Mortgage loans held for sale are sold with the mortgage servicing rights retained by the Bank. The carrying value of mortgage loans sold is reduced by the cost allocated to the associated mortgage servicing rights. Gains or losses on sales of mortgage loans are recognized based on the difference between the selling price and the carrying value of the related mortgage loans sold.
TRANSFERS OF FINANCIAL ASSETS: Transfers of financial assets, including sold mortgage loans and mortgage loans held for sale, as described above, and participation loans are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is determined to be surrendered when 1) the assets have been legally isolated from the Bank, 2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of the right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets and 3) the Bank does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.
SERVICING: Servicing assets are recognized as separate assets when rights are acquired through purchase or through sale of financial assets. The Corporation has no purchased servicing rights. For sales of mortgage loans, a portion of the cost of originating the loan is allocated to the servicing right based on relative fair value. Fair value is based on market prices for comparable mortgage servicing contracts, when available, or alternatively, is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing

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income. The valuation model incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income, such as the cost to service, the discount rate, the custodial earnings rate, an inflation rate, ancillary income, prepayment speeds and default rates and losses.
Servicing assets are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to amortized cost. Impairment is determined by stratifying rights into tranches based on predominant risk characteristics, such as interest rate, loan type, and investor type. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for an individual tranche, to the extent that fair value is less than the capitalized amount for the tranche. If the Corporation later determines that all or a portion of the impairment no longer exists for a particular tranche, a reduction of the allowance may be recorded as an increase to income. Capitalized servicing rights are reported in other assets and are amortized into non-interest income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying financial assets.
Servicing fee income is recorded for fees earned for servicing loans for others. The fees are based on a contractual percentage of the outstanding principal; or a fixed amount per loan and are recorded as income when earned. The amortization of mortgage servicing rights is netted against loan servicing fee income, a component of noninterest income.
LOANS ACQUIRED THROUGH TRANSFER: Authoritative accounting guidance related to acquired loans requires that a valuation allowance for loans acquired in a transfer, including in a business combination, reflect only losses incurred after acquisition, and should not be recorded at acquisition. This standard applies to any loan acquired in a transfer that shows evidence of credit quality deterioration since it was originated. Included in the fair value adjustments of nonintangible net assets acquired from Greenville Community Financial Corporation (GCFC), was a reduction in the allowance for loan losses of $437. The $437 represented the identified impairments in GCFC’s loan portfolio as of December 31, 2007 (see Note 2).
FORECLOSED ASSETS: Assets acquired through, or in lieu, of loan foreclosure are initially recorded at the lower of the Bank’s carrying amount or fair value less estimated selling costs at the date of transfer, establishing a new cost basis. Any write-downs based on the asset’s fair value at the date of acquisition are charged to the allowance for loan losses. After foreclosure, property held for sale is carried at the lower of the new cost basis or fair value less costs to sell. Impairment losses on property to be held and used are measured at the amount by which the carrying amount of property exceeds its fair value. Costs relating to holding these assets are expensed as incurred. Valuations are periodically performed by management, and any subsequent write-downs are recorded as a charge to operations, if necessary, to reduce the carrying value of a property to the lower of the Bank’s carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. Foreclosed assets of $1,157 and $2,923 are included in Other Assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
OFF-BALANCE-SHEET CREDIT RELATED FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS: In the ordinary course of business, the Corporation has entered into commitments to extend credit, including commitments under credit card arrangements, home equity lines of credit, commercial letters of credit, and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded only when funded.
PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT: Land is carried at cost. Buildings and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation which is computed principally by the straight-line method based upon the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which range from 5 to 30 years. Major improvements are capitalized and appropriately amortized based upon the useful lives of the related assets or the expected terms of the leases, if shorter, using the straight-line method. Maintenance, repairs and minor alterations are charged to current operations as expenditures occur. Management annually reviews these assets to determine whether carrying values have been impaired.
FDIC INSURANCE PREMIUM: In 2009, the Bank was required to prepay quarterly FDIC risk-based assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009 and each of the quarters in the years ending December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012. The assessments for 2010 through 2012, which had a carrying balance of $4,737 as of December 31, 2009, have been recorded as a prepaid asset in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet in Other Assets, and will be expensed on a ratable basis quarterly through December 31, 2012.

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EQUITY SECURITIES WITHOUT READILY DETERMINABLE FAIR VALUES:
Included in equity securities without readily determinable fair values are restricted securities, which are carried at cost, and investments in nonconsolidated entities accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
Equity securities without readily determinable fair values consist of the following as of December 31:
                 
    2009     2008  
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock
  $ 7,960     $ 7,460  
Investment in CT/IBT Title Agency, LLC
    6,782       6,905  
Federal Reserve Bank Stock
    1,879       1,879  
Investment in Valley Financial Corporation
    1,000       1,000  
Other
    300       101  
 
           
Total
  $ 17,921     $ 17,345  
 
           
STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS: The Corporation’s Deferred Compensation Plan has 216,905 shares to be issued to participants, for which an associated grantor trust (Rabbi Trust) held 30,626 shares. Compensation costs relating to share-based payment transactions are recognized in the consolidated financial statements and the cost is measured based on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. The Corporation has no other share based compensation plans.
CORPORATE OWNED LIFE INSURANCE: The Corporation has purchased life insurance policies on key members of management. In the event of death of one of these individuals, the Corporation would receive a specified cash payment equal to the face value of the policy. Such policies are recorded at their cash surrender value, or the amount that can be realized on the balance sheet dates. Increases in cash surrender value in excess of single premiums paid are reported as Other Noninterest Income.
As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the present value of the post retirement benefits promised by the Corporation to the covered employees was estimated to be $2,505 and $2,460, respectively. The periodic policy maintenance costs were $45 and $85 for 2009 and 2008, respectively.
ACQUISITION INTANGIBLES AND GOODWILL: Isabella Bank previously acquired branch facilities and related deposits in business combinations accounted for as a purchase. On January 1, 2008, the Corporation acquired Greenville Community Financial Corporation (“GCFC”) resulting in identified core deposit intangibles and goodwill (see Note 2). The acquisition of the branches included amounts related to the valuation of customer deposit relationships (core deposit intangibles). Such core deposit intangibles are included in Other Assets and are being amortized on the straight line basis over nine years. Core deposit intangibles arising from the acquisition of GCFC are being amortized on a 15 year sum-of-year’s digits amortization schedule. Goodwill, which represents the excess of purchase price over identifiable assets, is included in Other Assets and is not amortized but is evaluated for impairment at least annually, or on an interim basis if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below the carrying value.
FEDERAL INCOME TAXES: Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined using the liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax assets or liability is determined based on the tax effects of the temporary differences between the book and tax bases on the various balance sheet assets and liabilities and gives current recognition to changes in tax rates and laws. Valuations allowances are established, where necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
ADVERTISING COSTS: Advertising costs are expensed as incurred (see Note 11).

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COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE: Basic earnings per share represents income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares issued during the period, which includes shares held in the Rabbi Trust controlled by the Corporation (see Note 17). Diluted earnings per share reflects additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares had been issued, as well as any adjustments to income that would result from the assumed issuance. Potential common shares that may be issued by the Corporation relate solely to outstanding shares in the Corporation’s Deferred Director fee plan (see Note 17).
Earnings per common share have been computed based on the following:
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
Average number of common shares outstanding for basic calculation (1)
    7,517,276       7,492,677       6,973,508  
Average potential effect of shares in the Deferred Director fee plan (1) (2)
    181,319       184,473       197,055  
 
                 
Average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate diluted earnings per common share
    7,698,595       7,677,150       7,170,563  
 
                 
Net income
  $ 7,800     $ 4,101     $ 7,930  
 
                 
Earnings per share
                       
Basic
  $ 1.04     $ 0.55     $ 1.14  
 
                 
Diluted
  $ 1.01     $ 0.53     $ 1.11  
 
                 
 
(1)   As adjusted for the 10% stock dividend paid February 29, 2008
 
(2)   Exclusive of shares held in the Rabbi Trust
RECLASSIFICATIONS: Certain amounts reported in the 2008 and 2007 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the 2009 presentation.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS:
On July 1, 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) completed the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, “The FASB Codification"(ASC), as the single source of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), superseding all then existing authoritative accounting and reporting standards, except for rules and interpretive releases for the SEC under authority of federal securities laws, which are sources of authoritative GAAP for Securities and Exchange Commission registrants. ASC Topic 105 reorganized the authoritative literature comprising GAAP into a topical format. ASC is now the source of authoritative GAAP recognized by the FASB to be applied by all nongovernmental entities. ASC was effective for the Corporation’s interim period ending September 30, 2009. The Codification did not change GAAP and, therefore, did not impact the Corporation’s financial statements. However, since it completely supersedes existing standards, it affected the way authoritative accounting pronouncements are referenced in the financial statements and other disclosure documents. Specifically, all references in this report to new or pending financial reporting standards, where deemed necessary, use the ASC Topic number.
FASB ASC Topic 320, “Investments — Debt and Equity Securities.” New authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 320, “Investments — Debt and Equity Securities,” (i) changes existing guidance for determining whether an impairment is other than temporary to debt securities and (ii) replaces the existing requirement that the entity’s management assert it has both the intent and ability to hold an impaired security until recovery with a requirement that management assert: (a) it does not have the intent to sell the security; and (b) it is more likely than not it will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis. Under ASC Topic 320, declines in the fair value of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses to the extent the impairment is related to credit risk. The amount of the impairment related to other risk factors (interest rate and market) is recognized as a component of other comprehensive income. The Corporation adopted the provisions of the new authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 320 during the first quarter of 2009. Adoption of the new guidance did not significantly impact the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.
FASB ASC Topic 715, “Compensation — Retirement Benefits.” In December 2008, new authoritative guidance under ASC Topic 715, “Compensation — Retirement Benefits” was issued. ASC Topic 715 provides guidance related to an employer’s disclosures about plan assets of defined benefit pension or other post retirement benefit plans. Under ASC Topic 715, disclosures should provide users of financial statements with an understanding of how investment allocation decisions are made, the factors that are pertinent to an understanding of

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investment policies and strategies, the major categories of plan assets, the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets, the effect of fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs on changes in plan assets for the period and significant concentrations of risk within plan assets. The disclosures required by ASC Topic 715 are included in the Corporation’s consolidated 2009 financial statements (see Note 17).
FASB ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations.” On January 1, 2009, new authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations,” became applicable to the Corporation’s accounting for business combinations closing on or after January 1, 2009. ASC Topic 805 applies to all transactions and other events in which one entity obtains control over one or more other businesses. ASC Topic 805 requires an acquirer, upon initially obtaining control of another entity, to recognize the assets, liabilities and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree at fair value as of the acquisition date. Contingent consideration is required to be recognized and measured at fair value on the date of acquisition rather than at a later date when the amount of that consideration may be determinable beyond a reasonable doubt. This fair value approach replaces the cost-allocation process required under previous accounting guidance whereby the cost of an acquisition was allocated to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair value. ASC Topic 805 requires acquirers to expense acquisition-related costs as incurred rather than allocating such costs to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as was the case under prior accounting guidance. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that arise from contingencies are to be recognized at fair value if fair value can be reasonably estimated. If fair value of such an asset or liability cannot be reasonably estimated, the asset or liability would generally be recognized in accordance with ASC Topic 450, “Contingencies.” Under ASC Topic 805, the requirements of ASC Topic 420, “Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations,” would have to be met in order to accrue for a restructuring plan in purchase accounting. Pre-acquisition contingencies are to be recognized at fair value, unless it is a non-contractual contingency that is not likely to materialize, in which case, nothing should be recognized in purchase accounting and, instead, that contingency would be subject to the probable and estimable recognition criteria of ASC Topic 450, “Contingencies.” Such guidance could have a material effect on the Corporation’s accounting for any future business combination.
FASB ASC Topic 810, “Consolidation.” New authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 810, “Consolidation,” amended prior guidance to establish accounting and reporting standards for the non-controlling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. Under ASC Topic 810, a non controlling interest in a subsidiary, which is sometimes referred to as minority interest, is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as a component of equity in the consolidated financial statements. Among other requirements, ASC Topic 810 requires consolidated net income to be reported at amounts that include the amounts attributable to both the parent and the non-controlling interest. It also requires disclosure, on the face of the consolidated income statement, of the amounts of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the non controlling interest. The new authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 810 became effective for the Corporation on January 1, 2009 and did not impact the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.
Further new authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 810 amends prior guidance to change how a company determines when an entity that is insufficiently capitalized or is not controlled through voting (or similar rights) should be consolidated. The determination of whether a company is required to consolidate an entity is based on, among other factors, an entity’s purpose and design and a company’s ability to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. The new authoritative accounting guidance requires additional disclosures about the reporting entity’s involvement with variable-interest entities and any significant changes in risk exposure due to that involvement as well as its affect on the entity’s financial statements. The new authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 810 will be effective January 1, 2010 and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Corporation’s financial statements.
FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” New authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 820,“Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” affirms that the objective of fair value when the market for an asset is not active is the price that would be received to sell the asset in an orderly transaction, and clarifies and includes additional factors for determining whether there has been a significant decrease in market activity for an asset when the market for that asset is not active. ASC Topic 820 requires an entity to base its conclusion about whether a transaction was not orderly on the weight of the evidence. The new accounting guidance amended prior guidance to expand certain disclosure requirements. The Corporation adopted the new authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 820 during the first quarter of 2009. Adoption of the new guidance did not significantly impact the Corporation’s financial statements.
Further new authoritative accounting guidance (Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-5) under ASC Topic 820 provides guidance for measuring the fair value of a liability in circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability is not available. In such instances, a reporting entity is required to measure fair value utilizing a valuation technique that uses (i) the quoted price of the identical liability when traded as an asset, (ii) quoted prices for similar liabilities or similar liabilities when traded as assets, or (iii) another valuation technique that is consistent with the existing principles of ASC Topic 820, such as an income approach or market approach. The

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new authoritative accounting guidance also clarifies that when estimating the fair value of a liability, a reporting entity is not required to include a separate input or adjustment to other inputs relating to the existence of a restriction that prevents the transfer of the liability. The forgoing new authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 820 was effective for the Corporation’s financial statements beginning October 1, 2009 and did not have a significant impact on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements (see Note 20- Financial Instruments Recorded at Fair Value).
FASB ASC Topic 825 “Financial Instruments.” New authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 825,“Financial Instruments,” requires an entity to provide disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments in interim financial information and amends prior guidance to require those disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods. The Corporation implemented the required disclosures in its 2009 quarterly filings.
FASB ASC Topic 855, “Subsequent Events.” In March 2010, ASC Topic 855, “Subsequent Events” was amended by Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2010-09 , “Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements”, to exclude entities that file or furnishes financial statements with the SEC from disclosing the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated. The new authoritative guidance is effective immediately. Although the Corporation must continue to evaluate subsequent events through the date on which the consolidated financial statements are issued the Corporation is no longer required to disclose the date on which subsequent events have been evaluated.
FASB ASC Topic 860, “Transfers and Servicing.” New authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 860, “Transfers and Servicing,” amends prior accounting guidance to enhance reporting about transfers of financial assets, including securitizations, and where companies have continuing exposure to the risks related to transferred financial assets. The new authoritative accounting guidance eliminates the concept of a “qualifying special-purpose entity” and changes the requirements for derecognizing financial assets. The new authoritative accounting guidance also requires additional disclosures about all continuing involvements with transferred financial assets including information about gains and losses resulting from transfers during the period. The new authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 860 will be effective January 1, 2010 and management is currently evaluating the effects of the implementation of this standard.

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NOTE 2 — BUSINESS COMBINATIONS AND JOINT VENTURE FORMATION
Greenville Community Financial Corporation
Effective on the opening of business on January 1, 2008, Isabella Bank Corporation acquired 100 percent of Greenville Community Financial Corporation (GCFC). As a result of this acquisition, Greenville Community Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of GCFC, merged with and into the Bank. Under the terms of the merger agreement, each share of GCFC common stock was automatically converted into the right to receive 0.6659 shares of Isabella Bank Corporation common stock and $14.70 per share in cash. Exclusive of the effects of the 10% stock dividend paid February 29, 2008, the Corporation issued 514,809 shares of Isabella Bank Corporation common stock valued at $22,652 and paid a total of $11,365 in cash to GCFC shareholders. The total consideration exchanged including the value of the common stock issued, cash paid to shareholders, plus $564 of cash paid for transaction costs resulted in a total purchase price of $34,581. The purchase price was determined using the latest Isabella Bank Corporation stock transaction price known to management as of November 27, 2007, the date of the merger agreement. The acquisition of Greenville has increased the overall market share for Isabella Bank Corporation in furtherance of the Bank’s strategic plan.
The following table summarizes the total purchase price of the transaction as well as adjustments to allocate the purchase price based on the preliminary estimates of fair values of the assets and liabilities of GCFC.
                         
            Fair Value        
            Adjustments of        
            Nonintangible     Fair Value  
    Greenville     Net Assets     of Net Assets  
    January 1, 2008     Acquired     Acquired  
ASSETS
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 2,339     $     $ 2,339  
Federal funds sold
    125             125  
Trading securities
    4,979             4,979  
Securities available for sale
    7,007             7,007  
Loans, net
    88,613       (398 )     88,215  
Bank premises and equipment
    2,054       194       2,248  
Other assets
    2,870             2,870  
 
                 
Total assets acquired
    107,987       (204 )     107,783  
 
                 
 
                       
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                       
Liabilities
                       
Deposits
    90,151       (102 )     90,049  
Other borrowed funds
    5,625       181       5,806  
Accrued interest and other liabilities
    146             146  
 
                 
Total liabilities assumed
    95,922       79       96,001  
 
                 
Net assets acquired
  $ 12,065     $ (283 )     11,782  
 
                   
Core deposit intangible
                    1,480  
Goodwill
                    21,319  
 
                     
Total consideration paid
                  $ 34,581  
 
                     
The fair value adjustments of tangible net assets acquired are being amortized over two years using the straight line amortization method. The core deposit intangible is being amortized using a 15 year sum-of-the-years’ digits amortization schedule. Goodwill, which is not amortized, is tested for impairment at least annually. As the acquisition was considered a stock transaction, goodwill is not deductible for federal income tax purposes.
The 2009 and 2008 consolidated statements of income include the operating results of GCFC for the entire year.

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The unaudited pro forma information presented in the following table has been prepared based on Isabella Bank Corporation’s historical results combined with GCFC. The information has been combined to present the results of operations as if the acquisition had occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented. The pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of the results which would have actually been attained if the acquisition had been consummated in the past or what may be attained in the future:
         
    Year Ended December 31  
    2007  
Net interest income
  $ 31,579  
 
     
Net income
  $ 8,631  
 
     
Basic earnings per share*
  $ 1.10  
 
     
 
*   As adjusted for the 10% stock dividend paid February 29, 2008.
Title Company Joint Venture Formation
On March 1, 2008, IBT Title and Insurance Agency, Inc. (IBT Title), a wholly owned subsidiary of Isabella Bank Corporation, merged its assets and liabilities with Corporate Title Agency, LLC (“Corporate Title”), a third-party title business based in Traverse City, Michigan, to form CT/IBT Title Agency, LLC. As a result of this transaction, the Corporation became a 50 percent joint venture owner in CT/IBT Title Agency, LLC. The purpose of this joint venture is to help IBT Title and Insurance Agency, Inc. expand its service area and to take advantage of economies of scale. As the Corporation is a 50 percent owner of this new entity, revenues and expenses will now be recorded under the equity method and, as such, the Corporation’s share of the net income or loss from the joint venture included in other noninterest income. As of December 31, 2008, the Corporation had a recorded investment of $6,905 in the new entity. The following table summarizes the condensed balance sheet of IBT Title as of March 1, 2008. These amounts were excluded from the balance sheet detail of the Corporation and are now included in investment in equity securities without readily determinable fair values.
         
    IBT Title  
    March 1, 2008  
ASSETS
       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 4,542  
Premises and equipment
    2,352  
Other assets, including intangibles of $1,590
    2,339  
 
     
Total assets
    9,233  
 
     
 
       
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
       
Liabilities
       
Escrow funds
  $ 1,866  
Other liabilities
    194  
 
     
Total liabilities
    2,060  
Total equity
    7,173  
 
     
Total liabilities & equity
  $ 9,233  
 
     
The Corporation’s share of the joint venture’s operating results for the year ended December 31, 2009 and the ten-months ended December 31, 2008 was not significant.

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NOTE 3 — TRADING SECURITIES
Trading securities, at fair value, consist of the following investments at December 31:
                 
    2009     2008  
Government-sponsored enterprises
  $     $ 4,014  
States and political subdivisions
    9,962       11,556  
Corporate
          160  
Mortgage-backed
    3,601       6,045  
 
           
Total
  $ 13,563     $ 21,775  
 
           
NOTE 4 — INVESTMENT SECURITIES
The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities available for sale, with gross unrealized gains and losses, are as follows as of December 31:
                                 
    2009  
            Gross     Gross        
    Amortized     Unrealized     Unrealized     Fair  
    Cost     Gains     Losses     Value  
Government-sponsored enterprises
  $ 19,386     $ 127     $ 42     $ 19,471  
States and political subdivisions
    150,688       3,632       2,590       151,730  
Auction rate money market preferred
    3,200             227       2,973  
Preferred stocks
    7,800             746       7,054  
Mortgage-backed
    67,215       638       119       67,734  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    10,296             192       10,104  
 
                       
Total
  $ 258,585     $ 4,397     $ 3,916     $ 259,066  
 
                       
                                 
    2008  
            Gross     Gross        
    Amortized     Unrealized     Unrealized     Fair  
    Cost     Gains     Losses     Value  
U.S. Government and federal agencies
  $ 3,999     $ 84     $     $ 4,083  
Government-sponsored enterprises
    61,919       1,070       1       62,988  
States and political subdivisions
    148,186       1,808       671       149,323  
Corporate
    7,145                   7,145  
Auction rate money market preferred
    11,000             5,021       5,979  
Mortgage-backed
    16,492       445             16,937  
 
                       
Total
  $ 248,741     $ 3,407     $ 5,693     $ 246,455  
 
                       

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The Corporation had pledged investments in the following amounts as of December 31:
                 
    2009     2008  
Pledged for public deposits and for other purposes necessary or required by law
  $ 61,666     $ 18,000  
Pledged to secure repurchase agreements
    74,605       64,876  
 
           
Total
  $ 136,271     $ 82,876  
 
           
The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale securities by contractual maturity at December 31, 2009 are as follows:
                 
    Amortized     Fair  
    Cost     Value  
Within 1 year
  $ 7,852     $ 7,922  
Over 1 year through 5 years
    61,992       63,414  
After 5 years through 10 years
    65,292       66,783  
Over 10 years
    45,938       43,109  
 
           
 
    181,074       181,228  
Mortgage-backed securities
    67,215       67,734  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    10,296       10,104  
 
           
 
  $ 258,585     $ 259,066  
 
           
Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers have the right to call or prepay obligations.
Because of their variable payments, mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations are not reported by a specific maturity group.
A summary of the activity related to the sale of available-for-sale debt securities is as follows during the years ended December 31:
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
Proceeds from sales of securities
  $ 32,204     $ 6,096     $ 5,396  
 
                 
 
                       
Gross realized gains
  $ 648     $ 24     $ 12  
Gross realized losses
                (31 )
 
                 
Net realized gains (losses )
  $ 648     $ 24     $ (19 )
 
                 
 
                       
Applicable income tax (expense) benefit
  $ (220 )   $ (8 )   $ 6  
 
                 

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Information pertaining to available-for-sale securities with gross unrealized losses at December 31 aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in continuous loss position, follows:
                                         
    December 31, 2009  
    Less Than Twelve Months     Over Twelve Months        
    Gross             Gross             Total  
    Unrealized     Fair     Unrealized     Fair     Unrealized  
    Losses     Value     Losses     Value     Losses  
Government-sponsored enterprises
  $ 42     $ 7,960     $     $     $ 42  
States and political subdivisions
    2,536       11,459       54       2,267       2,590  
Auction rate money market preferred
                227       2,973       227  
Preferred stocks
                746       3,054       746  
Mortgage-backed
    119       25,395                   119  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    192       10,104                   192  
 
                             
Total
  $ 2,889     $ 54,918     $ 1,027     $ 8,294     $ 3,916  
 
                             
                                         
    December 31, 2008  
    Less Than Twelve Months     Over Twelve Months        
    Gross             Gross             Total  
    Unrealized     Fair     Unrealized     Fair     Unrealized  
    Losses     Value     Losses     Value     Losses  
Government-sponsored enterprises
  $ 1     $ 999     $     $     $ 1  
States and political subdivisions
    620       27,015       51       2,705       671  
Auction rate money market preferred
    5,021       5,979                   5,021  
 
                             
Total
  $ 5,642     $ 33,993     $ 51     $ 2,705     $ 5,693  
 
                             
The Corporation has invested $11,000 in auction rate money market preferred investment security instruments, which are classified as available-for-sale securities and reflected at estimated fair value. Due to market concentrations and general uncertainty in credit markets, these investments have become illiquid. As a result of the illiquidity of the markets for these securities, $7,800 converted to preferred stock with debt like characteristics in 2009.
Due to the illiquidity of these securities, the fair values were estimated utilizing a discounted cash flow analysis or other type of valuation adjustment methodology as of December 31, 2009 and 2008. These analyses consider, among other factors, the collateral underlying the security investments, the creditworthiness of the counterparty, the timing of expected future cash flows, estimates of the next time the security is expected to have a successful auction, and the fact that the management asserts that it does not intend to sell the security in an unrealized loss position and it is more likely than not it will not have to sell the securities before recovery of its cost basis. These securities were also compared, when possible, to other securities with similar characteristics.
Due to the lack of marketability of certain investments, management conducted an analysis to determine whether all securities currently in an unrealized loss position, including auction rate money market preferred securities and preferred stocks, should be considered other-than-temporarily-impaired (OTTI). Such analyses included, among other factors, the following criteria:
    Has the value of the investment declined more than 20% based on a risk and maturity adjusted discount rate?
 
    Is the investment credit rating below investment grade?
 
    Is it probable that the issuer will be unable to pay the amount when due?
 
    Does management assert its ability and intent to hold the security until maturity?
 
    Has the duration of the investment been extended by more than 7 years?
Based on the Corporation’s analysis using the above criteria, and the fact that management has asserted that it does not have the intent to sell these securities in an unrealized loss position and that it is more likely than not the Corporation will not have sell the securities before

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recovery of its loss basis, management does not believe that the values of these or any other securities are other-than-temporarily impaired as of December 31, 2009 or 2008.
NOTE 5 — LOANS
The Bank grants commercial, agricultural, consumer and residential loans to customers situated primarily in Isabella, Gratiot, Mecosta, Southwestern Midland, Western Saginaw, Montcalm and Southern Clare counties in Michigan. The ability of the borrowers to honor their repayment obligations is often dependent upon the real estate, agricultural, and general economic conditions of this region. Substantially all of the consumer and residential mortgage loans are secured by various items of property, while commercial loans are secured primarily by real estate, business assets and personal guarantees; a portion of loans are unsecured.
A summary of the major classifications of loans is as follows as of December 31:
                 
    2009     2008  
Mortgage loans on real estate
               
Residential 1-4 family
  $ 207,560     $ 231,705  
Commercial
    224,176       200,398  
Agricultural
    38,236       31,656  
Construction and land development
    13,268       16,571  
Second mortgages
    34,255       46,103  
Equity lines of credit
    30,755       25,018  
 
           
Total mortgage loans
    548,250       551,451  
 
               
Commercial and agricultural loans
               
Commercial
    116,098       124,408  
Agricultural production
    26,609       26,347  
 
           
Total commercial and agricultural loans
    142,707       150,755  
 
               
Consumer installment loans
    32,359       33,179  
 
           
 
               
Total loans
    723,316       735,385  
Less: allowance for loan losses
    12,979       11,982  
 
           
Loans, net
  $ 710,337     $ 723,403  
 
           

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A summary of changes in the allowance for loan losses follows:
                         
    Year Ended December 31  
    2009     2008     2007  
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 11,982     $ 7,301     $ 7,605  
Allowance of acquired bank
          822        
Loans charged off
    (6,642 )     (6,325 )     (2,146 )
Recoveries
    1,546       684       631  
Provision charged to income
    6,093       9,500       1,211  
 
                 
Balance at end of year
  $ 12,979     $ 11,982     $ 7,301  
 
                 
The following is a summary of information pertaining to impaired loans at December 31:
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
Impaired loans with a valuation allowance
  $ 3,757     $ 7,378     $  
Impaired loans without a valuation allowance
    8,897       6,465       4,841  
 
                 
Total impaired loans
  $ 12,654     $ 13,843     $ 4,841  
 
                 
 
                       
Valuation allowance related to impaired loans
  $ 612     $ 1,413     $  
Total restructured loans
  $ 4,977     $ 4,550     $ 685  
Total nonaccrual loans
  $ 8,522     $ 11,175     $ 4,156  
Average investment in impaired loans
  $ 13,249     $ 9,342     $ 4,491  
Interest income recognized on impaired loans
  $ 340     $ 171     $ 55  
No additional funds are committed to be advanced in connection with impaired loans.
The following is a summary of loans accruing interest past due 90 days or more at December 31:
                         
    2009   2008   2007
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more
  $ 768     $ 1,251     $ 1,185  

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NOTE 6 — SERVICING
Residential mortgage loans serviced for others are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The unpaid principal balance of mortgages serviced for others was $307,656, $254,495, and $255,839 at December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 respectively. The fair value of servicing rights was determined using discount rates ranging from 7.50% to 9.00%, prepayment speeds ranging from 6.00% to 45.72%, depending upon the stratification of the specific right and weighted average default rates ranging from 0.0% to 25.7%. Servicing loans for others generally consists of collecting mortgage payments, maintaining escrow accounts, disbursing payments to investors and taxing authorities, and foreclosure processing.
The following table summarizes the carrying value and changes therein of mortgage servicing rights included in Other Assets as of December 31:
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 2,105     $ 2,198     $ 2,155  
Mortgage servicing rights capitalized
    4,370       3,079       2,869  
Accumulated amortization
    (3,706 )     (3,016 )     (2,785 )
Impairment valuation allowance
    (149 )     (156 )     (41 )
 
                 
Balance at end of year
  $ 2,620     $ 2,105     $ 2,198  
 
                 
 
                       
Impairment losses (reversed) recognized
  $ (7 )   $ 115     $ 5  
 
                 
NOTE 7 — PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
A summary of premises and equipment at December 31 follows:
                 
    2009     2008  
Land
  $ 4,614     $ 4,665  
Buildings and improvements
    20,478       18,653  
Furniture and equipment
    24,284       23,043  
 
           
Total
    49,376       46,361  
Less: Accumulated depreciation
    25,459       23,130  
 
           
Premises and equipment, net
  $ 23,917     $ 23,231  
 
           
Depreciation expense amounted to $2,349, $2,171 and $1,960 in 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.
NOTE 8 — GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The change in the carrying amount of goodwill for the year is as follows:
                 
    2009     2008  
Balance at January 1
  $ 45,618     $ 25,889  
Goodwill identified in GCFC acquisition (See Note 2)
          21,319  
Reclassification for goodwill contributed to CT / IBT Title Agency, LLC joint venture (See Note 2)
          (1,590 )
 
           
Balance at December 31
  $ 45,618     $ 45,618  
 
           

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Identifiable intangible assets at year end were as follows:
                         
    2009  
    Gross             Net  
    Intangible     Accumulated     Intangible  
    Assets     Amortization     Assets  
Core deposit premium resulting from the Greenville acquisition in 2008
  $ 1,480     $ 358     $ 1,122  
Core deposit premium resulting from previous acquisitions
    3,893       3,204       689  
 
                 
Total
  $ 5,373     $ 3,562     $ 1,811  
 
                 
                         
    2008  
    Gross             Net  
    Intangible     Accumulated     Intangible  
    Assets     Amortization     Assets  
Core deposit premium resulting from the Greenville acquisition in 2008
    1,480     $ 185     $ 1,295  
Core deposit premium resulting from previous acquisitions
    3,893       3,002       891  
 
                 
Total
  $ 5,373     $ 3,187     $ 2,186  
 
                 
Amortization expense associated with identifiable intangible assets was $375, $415, and $278 in 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.
Estimated amortization expense associated with identifiable intangibles for each of the next five years and thereafter is as follows:
         
       Year   Amount  
2010
  $ 338  
2011
    299  
2012
    261  
2013
    221  
2014
    183  
Thereafter
    509  
 
     
 
  $ 1,811  
 
     

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NOTE 9 — DEPOSITS
Scheduled maturities of time deposits for the next five years, and thereafter, are as follows:
         
       Year   Amount  
2010
  $ 269,257  
2011
    47,053  
2012
    53,054  
2013
    32,959  
2014
    16,273  
Thereafter
    2,050  
 
     
 
  $ 420,646  
 
     
Interest expense on time deposits greater than $100 was $5,246 in 2009, $6,525 in 2008, and $6,649 in 2007.
NOTE 10 — BORROWED FUNDS
Borrowed funds consist of the following obligations at December 31:
                 
    2009     2008  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
  $ 127,804     $ 150,220  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase without stated maturity dates
    37,797       42,430  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase with stated maturity dates
    20,000       20,000  
Federal Reserve Bank discount window advance
    7,500        
Federal Funds purchased
          9,700  
 
           
 
               
 
  $ 193,101     $ 222,350  
 
           

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The Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings are collateralized by a blanket lien on all qualified 1-to-4 family whole mortgage loans and U.S. government and federal agency securities. Advances are also secured by FHLB stock owned by the Bank.
The maturity and weighted average interest rates of FHLB advances are as follows as of December 31:
                                 
    2009     2008  
    Amount     Rate     Amount     Rate  
Fixed rate advances due 2009
                42,215       1.89 %
Fixed rate advances due 2010
    28,320       4.52 %     29,516       4.58 %
One year putable advances due 2010
    6,000       5.31 %     5,000       5.18 %
Fixed rate advances due 2011
    10,206       3.96 %     10,225       3.96 %
One year putable advances due 2011
    1,000       4.75 %     1,000       4.75 %
Fixed rate advances due 2012
    17,000       2.97 %     17,000       4.19 %
One year putable advances due 2012
    15,000       4.10 %     5,000       4.07 %
Fixed rate advances due 2013
    5,278       4.14 %            
One year putable advances due 2013
    5,000       3.15 %     10,264       3.66 %
Fixed rate advances due 2014
    15,000       3.63 %     5,000       4.38 %
Fixed rate advances due 2015
    25,000       4.63 %     25,000       4.63 %
 
                       
 
  $ 127,804       4.11 %   $ 150,220       3.68 %
 
                       
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are classified as secured borrowings. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase without stated maturity dates generally mature within one to four days from the transaction date. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are reflected at the amount of cash received in connection with the transaction. The U.S. government agency securities underlying the agreements have a carrying value and a fair value of $74,605 and $64,876 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Such securities remain under the control of the Corporation. The Corporation may be required to provide additional collateral based on the fair value of underlying securities.
The maturity and weighted average interest rates of securities sold under agreements to repurchase with stated maturity dates are as follows at December 31:
                                 
    2009     2008  
    Amount     Rate     Amount     Rate  
Repurchase agreements due 2010
  $ 5,000       4.00 %   $ 5,000       4.00 %
Repurchase agreements due 2013
    5,000       4.51 %     5,000       4.51 %
Repurchase agreements due 2014
    10,000       3.19 %     10,000       3.19 %
 
                       
 
  $ 20,000       3.72 %   $ 20,000       3.72 %
 
                       
NOTE 11 — OTHER NONINTEREST EXPENSES
A summary of expenses included in Other Noninterest Expenses are as follows for the year ended December 31:
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
Director fees
  $ 923     $ 867     $ 796  
Marketing and advertising
    833       844       670  
Foreclosed asset and collection
    831       698       269  
Other, not individually significant
    4,792       5,106       4,718  
 
                 
 
  $ 7,379     $ 7,515     $ 6,453  
 
                 
Individual items disclosed represent at least 1% of gross income in any one of the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.

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NOTE 12 — FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
Components of the consolidated provision (benefit) for income taxes are as follows for the year ended December 31:
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
Currently payable
  $ 1,487     $ 1,088     $ 1,304  
Deferred (benefit) expense
    (641 )     (1,812 )     301  
 
                 
Federal income tax expense (benefit)
  $ 846     $ (724 )   $ 1,605  
 
                 
The reconciliation of the provision (benefit) for federal income taxes and the amount computed at the federal statutory tax rate of 34% of income before federal income tax (benefit) expense is as follows for the year ended December 31:
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
Income taxes at 34% statutory rate
  $ 2,940     $ 1,148     $ 3,242  
Effect of nontaxable income
    (2,265 )     (2,088 )     (1,782 )
Effect of nondeductible expenses
    171       216       145  
 
                 
Federal income tax expense (benefit)
  $ 846     $ (724 )   $ 1,605  
 
                 
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for federal income tax purposes. Significant components of the Corporation’s deferred tax assets and liabilities, included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, are as follows as of December 31:
                 
    2009     2008  
Deferred tax assets
               
Allowance for loan losses
  $ 3,482     $ 3,145  
Deferred directors’ fees
    2,251       1,930  
Employee benefit plans
    132       80  
Core deposit premium and acquisition expenses
    310       252  
Net unrealized losses on trading securities
    23       32  
Net unrecognized actuarial loss on pension plan
    1,084       1,211  
Life insurance death benefit payable
    804       804  
Other
    1,123       860  
 
           
Total deferred tax assets
    9,209       8,314  
 
           
 
               
Deferred tax liabilities
               
Prepaid pension cost
    900       951  
Premises and equipment
    665       620  
Accretion on securities
    54       45  
Core deposit premium and acquisition expenses
    642       506  
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities
    494       930  
Other
    435       193  
 
           
Total deferred tax liabilities
    3,190       3,245  
 
           
Net deferred tax assets
  $ 6,019     $ 5,069  
 
           
The Corporation and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax. The Corporation is no longer subject to examination by taxing authorities for years before 2006. There are no material uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Corporation does not expect the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits to significantly increase in the next twelve months.

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The Corporation recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. The Corporation does not have any amounts accrued for interest and penalties at December 31, 2009 and is not aware of any claims for such amounts by federal income tax authorities.
Included in other comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 are unrealized gains of $4,048 and unrealized losses of $5,021, respectively, related to auction rate money market securities and preferred stock. For federal income tax purposes, these securities are considered equity investments for which no federal deferred income taxes are expected or recorded.
NOTE 13 — OFF-BALANCE-SHEET ACTIVITIES
Credit-Related Financial Instruments
The Corporation is party to credit related financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk. These financial instruments are entered into in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments, which include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit, involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. The contract or notional amounts of these instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Corporation has in a particular class of financial instrument.
                 
    Contract Amount
    2009   2008
Unfunded commitments under lines of credit
  $ 111,711     $ 106,861  
Commercial and standby letters of credit
    6,509       6,429  
Commitments to grant loans
    9,645       10,228  
Unfunded commitments under commercial lines of credit, revolving credit home equity lines of credit and overdraft protection agreements are commitments for possible future extensions of credit to existing customers. The commitments for equity lines of credit may expire without being drawn upon. These lines of credit are uncollateralized and usually do not contain a specified maturity date and may not be drawn upon to the total extent to which the Bank is committed. A majority of such commitments are at fixed rates of interest; a portion is unsecured.
Commercial and standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Corporation to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Those guarantees are primarily issued to support private borrowing arrangements, including commercial paper, bond financing, and similar transactions.
These commitments to extend credit and letters of credit mature within one year. The credit risk involved in these transactions is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers. The Corporation evaluates each customer’s credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Corporation upon the extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the borrower. While the Corporation considers standby letters of credit to be guarantees, the amount of the liability related to such guarantees on the commitment date is not significant and a liability related to such guarantees is not recorded on the consolidated balance sheets.
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. The commitments may expire without being drawn upon. Therefore, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The amount of collateral obtained, if it is deemed necessary by the Bank, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the customer.
The Corporation’s exposure to credit-related loss in the event of nonperformance by the counter parties to the financial instruments for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual notional amount of those instruments. The Corporation uses the same credit policies in deciding to make these commitments as it does for extending loans to customers. No significant losses are anticipated as a result of these commitments.

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NOTE 14 — ON-BALANCE SHEET ACTIVITIES
Derivative Loan Commitments
Mortgage loan commitments are referred to as derivative loan commitments if the loan that will result from exercise of the commitment will be held for sale upon funding. The Corporation enters into commitments to fund residential mortgage loans at specific times in the future, with the intention that these loans will subsequently be sold in the secondary market. A mortgage loan commitment binds the Corporation to lend funds to a potential borrower at a specified interest rate within a specified period of time, generally up to 60 days after inception of the rate lock.
Outstanding derivative loan commitments expose the Corporation to the risk that the price of the loans arising from the exercise of the loan commitment might decline from the inception of the rate lock to funding of the loan due to increases in mortgage interest rates. If interest rates increase, the value of these loan commitments decreases. Conversely, if interest rates decrease, the value of these loan commitments increases. The notional amount of undesignated interest rate lock commitments was $760 and $334 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
Forward Loan Sale Commitments
To protect against the price risk inherent in derivative loan commitments, the Corporation utilizes both “mandatory delivery” and “best efforts” forward loan sale commitments to mitigate the risk of potential decreases in the values of loan that would result from the exercise of the derivative loan commitments.
With a “mandatory delivery” contract, the Corporation commits to deliver a certain principal amount of mortgage loans to an investor at a specified price on or before a specified date. If the Corporation fails to deliver the amount of mortgages necessary to fulfill the commitment by the specified date, it is obligated to pay a “pair-off” fee, based on then current market prices, to the investor to compensate the investor for the shortfall.
With a “best efforts” contract, the Corporation commits to deliver an individual mortgage loan of a specified principal amount and quality to an investor if the loan to the underlying borrower closes. Generally, the price the investor will pay the seller for an individual loan is specified prior to the loan being funded (e.g. on the same day the lender commits to lend funds to a potential borrower).
The Corporation expects that these forward loan sale commitments will experience changes in fair value opposite to the change in fair value of derivate loan commitments. The notional amount of undesignated forward loan sale commitments was $3,041 and $1,232 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
The fair values of the rate lock loan commitments related to the origination of mortgage loans that will be held for sale and the forward loan sale commitments are deemed insignificant by management and, accordingly, are not recorded in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 15 — COMMITMENTS AND OTHER MATTERS
Banking regulations require banks to maintain cash reserve balances in currency or as deposits with the Federal Reserve Bank. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the reserve balances amounted to $687 and $700, respectively.
Isabella Bank sponsors the IBT Foundation (the “Foundation”), which is a nonprofit entity formed for the purpose of distributing charitable donations to recipient organizations generally located in the communities serviced by Isabella Bank. The Bank periodically makes charitable contributions in the form of cash transfers to the Foundation. The Foundation is administered by members of the Isabella Bank Board of Directors. The assets and transactions of the Foundation are not included in the consolidated financial statements of Isabella Bank Corporation. During 2009, 2008, and 2007, the Corporation contributed $140, $78, and $0 respectively to the Foundation. The assets of the Foundation as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 were $985 and $953, respectively.
Banking regulations limit the transfer of assets in the form of dividends, loans, or advances from the Bank to the Corporation. At December 31, 2009, substantially all of the Bank’s assets were restricted from transfer to the Corporation in the form of loans or advances. Consequently, bank dividends are the principal source of funds for the Corporation. Payment of dividends without regulatory approval is

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limited to the current years retained net income plus retained net income for the preceding two years, less any required transfers to common stock. At January 1, 2010, the amount available for dividends without regulatory approval was approximately $10,591.
The Bank has obtained approval to borrow up to an additional $13,849 from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Indianapolis, based on the assets currently pledged as collateral. Under the terms of the agreement, the Bank may obtain advances at the stated rate at the time of the borrowings. The Bank has pledged eligible mortgage loans and U.S. Treasury and governmental agencies as collateral for any such borrowings.
NOTE 16 — MINIMUM REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS
The Corporation (on a consolidated basis) and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Federal Reserve Bank and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (The Regulators). Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by The Regulators that if undertaken, could have a material effect on the Corporation’s and Bank’s financial statements. Under regulatory capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Corporation and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that include quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities, capital, and certain off-balance-sheet items, as calculated under regulatory accounting standards. The Bank’s capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by The Regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors. Prompt corrective action provisions are not applicable to bank holding companies.
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Corporation and 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 Tier 1 capital to average assets (as defined). Management believes, as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, that the Corporation and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.
As of December 31, 2009, the most recent notifications from The Regulators categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, an institution must maintain total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the following tables. There are no conditions or events since the notifications that management believes has changed the Bank’s categories. The Corporation’s and the Bank’s actual capital amounts (in thousands) and ratios are also presented in the table.
                                                 
                                    Minimum
                                    To Be Well
                    Minimum   Capitalized Under
                    Capital   Prompt Corrective
    Actual   Requirement   Action Provisions
    Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio
December 31, 2009
                                               
Total capital to risk weighted assets
                                               
Isabella Bank
  $ 93,079       12.9 %   $ 57,713       8.0 %   $ 72,141       10.0 %
Consolidated
    102,285       14.1       58,213       8.0       N/A       N/A  
Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets
                                               
Isabella Bank
    84,012       11.6       28,856       4.0       43,285       6.0  
Consolidated
    93,141       12.8       29,106       4.0       N/A       N/A  
Tier 1 capital to average assets
                                               
Isabella Bank
    84,012       7.8       42,813       4.0       53,516       5.0  
Consolidated
    93,141       8.6       43,326       4.0       N/A       N/A  

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                                    Minimum
                                    To Be Well
                    Minimum   Capitalized Under
                    Capital   Prompt Corrective
    Actual   Requirement   Action Provisions
    Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio
December 31, 2008
                                               
Total capital to risk weighted assets
                                               
Isabella Bank
  $ 89,192       12.4 %   $ 57,666       8.0 %   $ 72,082       10.0 %
Consolidated
    98,867       13.5       58,484       8.0       N/A       N/A  
Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets
                                               
Isabella Bank
    80,145       11.1       28,833       4.0       43,249       6.0  
Consolidated
    89,694       12.3       29,242       4.0       N/A       N/A  
Tier 1 capital to average assets
                                               
Isabella Bank
    80,145       7.4       43,069       4.0       53,836       5.0  
Consolidated
    89,694       8.4       42,603       4.0       N/A       N/A  
NOTE 17 — EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Defined Benefit Pension Plan
The Corporation has a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all of its employees. In December 2006, the Board of Directors voted to curtail the defined benefit plan effective March 1, 2007. The effect of the curtailment, which was recognized in the first quarter of 2007, suspended the current participant’s accrued benefits as of March 1, 2007 and limited participation in the plan to eligible employees as of December 31, 2006. Due to the curtailment, future salary increases will not be considered and the benefits are based on years of service and the employees’ five highest consecutive years of compensation out of the last ten years of service through March 1, 2007.
The curtailment resulted in a reduction in 2007 of $2,939 in the projected benefit obligation, which served to reduce unrecognized net actuarial loss of $2,939, a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss.
Subsequent to the decision to curtail the defined benefit plan, the Corporation decided to increase the contributions to the Corporation’s 401(k) plan effective January 1, 2007 (see “Other Employee Benefit Plans” on page 69).

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Changes in the projected benefit obligation and plan assets during each year, the funded status of the plan, and the net amount recognized on the Corporation’s consolidated balance sheets using an actuarial measurement date of December 31, are summarized as follows during the years ended December 31:
                 
    2009     2008  
Change in benefit obligation
               
Benefit obligation, January 1
  $ 8,436     $ 8,206  
Interest cost
    504       503  
Actuarial loss
    392       356  
Benefits paid, including plan expenses
    (435 )     (629 )
 
           
Benefit obligation, December 31
    8,897       8,436  
 
           
 
               
Change in plan assets
               
Fair value of plan assets, January 1
    7,669       9,607  
Investment return (loss)
    1,121       (1,309 )
Benefits paid, including plan expenses
    (435 )     (629 )
Fair value of plan assets, December 31
    8,355       7,669  
 
           
Deficiency in funded status at December 31, included in other liabilities on the balance sheets
  $ (542 )   $ (767 )
 
           
                 
    2009     2008  
Change in accrued pension benefit costs
               
(Accrued) prepaid benefit cost at January 1
  $ (767 )   $ 1,401  
Net periodic benefit (cost) income for the year
    (149 )     152  
Net change in unrecognized actuarial loss and prior service cost
    374       (2,320 )
 
           
Accrued pension benefit cost at December 31
  $ (542 )   $ (767 )
 
           
Amounts recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss consist of:
                         
    December 31  
    2009     2008     2007  
Unrecognized pension cost
  $ 374     $ (2,320 )   $ 2,890  
Tax effect
    (127 )     788       (983 )
 
                 
Net
  $ 247     $ (1,532 )   $ 1,907  
 
                 
The accumulated benefit obligation was $8,897 and $8,436 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

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The components of net periodic benefit cost and other pension related amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows for the years ended December 31:
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
Net periodic benefit cost (income)
                       
Service cost on benefits earned for services rendered during the year
  $     $     $ 109  
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
    503       503       489  
Expected return on plan assets
    (524 )     (659 )     (628 )
Amortization of unrecognized actuarial net loss
    170       4       32  
 
                 
Net periodic benefit cost (income)
  $ 149     $ (152 )   $ 2  
 
                 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2009 includes net unrecognized actuarial losses of $3,190, of which $153 is expected to be amortized into benefit cost during 2010.
Actuarial assumptions used in determining the projected benefit obligation are as follows for the year ended December 31:
                         
    2009   2008   2007
Weighted average discount rate
    5.87 %     6.10 %     6.44 %
Expected long-term rate of return
    6.00 %     7.00 %     7.00 %
The actual weighted average assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension costs are as follows for the year ended December 31:
                         
    2009   2008   2007
Discount rate
    5.87 %     6.10 %     6.44 %
Expected long-term return on plan assets
    6.00 %     7.00 %     7.00 %
As a result of the curtailment of the Plan, there is no rate of compensation increase considered in the above assumptions.
The expected long term rate of return is an estimate of anticipated future long term rates of return on plan assets as measured on a market value basis. Factors considered in arriving at this assumption include:
    Historical longer term rates of return for broad asset classes.
 
    Actual past rates of return achieved by the plan.
 
    The general mix of assets held by the plan.
 
    The stated investment policy for the plan.
The selected rate of return is net of anticipated investment related expenses.
Plan Assets
The Corporation’s overall investment strategy is to conservatively grow the portfolio by investing 40% of the portfolio in equity securities and 60% in fixed income securities. This strategy is designed to generate a long term rate of return of 6.0%. Equity securities primarily consist of the S&P 500 Index with a smaller allocation to the Small Cap and International Index. Fixed income securities are invested in the Bond Market Index. The Plan has appropriate assets invested in short term investments to meet near-term benefit payments.
The asset mix and the sector weighting of the investments are determined by the pension committee, which is comprised of members of management of the Corporation. Consultations are held with a third party investment advisor retained by the Corporation to manage the Plan. The Corporation reviews the performance of the advisor no less than annually.

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The fair values of the Corporation’s pension plan assets as of December 31, 2009 by asset category are as follows:
                 
    Fair Value Measurements at  
    December 31, 2009  
Description   Total     (Level 2)  
Asset Category
               
Short-term investments
  $ 70     $ 70  
Common collective trusts
               
Fixed income
    4,826       4,826  
Equity investments
    3,459       3,459  
 
           
 
  $ 8,355     $ 8,355  
 
           
The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value. There have been no changes in the methodologies used at December 31, 2009 and 2008:
    Short-term investments: Shares of a money market portfolio, which is valued using amortized cost, which approximates fair value.
 
    Common collective trusts: These investments are public investment securities valued using the net asset value (“NAV”) provided by a third party investment advisor. The NAV is quoted on a private market that is not active; however, the unit price is based on underlying investments which are traded on an active market.
The Corporation expects to contribute $47 to the pension plan in 2010.
Estimated future benefit payments are as follows for the next ten years:
         
             Year   Amount
2010
  $ 389  
2011
    386  
2012
    405  
2013
    404  
2014
    495  
Years 2015 - 2019
    2,908  
The components of projected net periodic benefit cost are as follows for the year ended December 31:
         
    2010  
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
    531  
Expected return on plan assets
    (491 )
Amortization of unrecognized actuarial net loss
    153  
 
     
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 193  
 
     

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Other Employee Benefit Plans
The Corporation maintains a nonqualified supplementary employee retirement plan (SERP) for qualified officers to provide supplemental retirement benefits to each participant. Expenses related to this program for 2009, 2008, and 2007 were $219, $206, and $202, respectively, and are being recognized over the participants’ expected years of service. As a result of curtailing Isabella Bank Corporation’s defined benefit plan in March 2007, the Corporation established an additional SERP to maintain the benefit levels for all employees that were at least forty years old and had at least 15 years of service. The cost to provide this benefit was $124, $128 and $120 for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
The Corporation maintains a non-leveraged employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) and a profit sharing plan which cover substantially all of its employees. Effective December 31, 2006, the ESOP was frozen to new participants. Contributions to the plans are discretionary and are approved by the Board of Directors and recorded as compensation expense. In 2009 the Board approved a contribution to the ESOP of $50. Expenses related to the plans for 2009, 2008, and 2007 were $50, $0, and $115, respectively. Total allocated shares outstanding related to the ESOP at December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 were 271,421, 271,520, and 149,154, respectively, were included in the computation of dividends and earnings per share in each of the respective years and have not been adjusted for the 10% stock dividend paid February 29, 2008.
The Corporation maintains a self-funded medical plan under which the Corporation is responsible for the first $50 per year of claims made by a covered family. Medical claims are subject to a lifetime maximum of $5,000 per covered individual. Expenses are accrued based on estimates of the aggregate liability for claims incurred and the Corporation’s experience. Expenses were $2,155 in 2009, $2,110 in 2008 and $1,804 in 2007.
The Corporation offers dividend reinvestment, and employee and director stock purchase plans. The dividend reinvestment plan allows shareholders to purchase previously unissued Isabella Bank Corporation common shares. The stock purchase plan allows employees and directors to purchase Isabella Bank Corporation common stock through payroll deduction. The number of shares reserved for issuance under these plans are 635,000, with 187,982 shares unissued at December 31, 2009, as adjusted for the 10% stock dividend paid February 29, 2008. During 2009, 2008 and 2007, 126,874 shares were issued for $2,396, 78,994 shares were issued for $2,879 and 63,233 shares were issued for $2,657, respectively, in cash pursuant to these plans, exclusive of the effects of the 10% stock dividend paid February 29, 2008.
401(k) Plan
The Corporation has a 401(k) plan in which substantially all employees are eligible to participate. Employees may contribute up to 50% of their compensation subject to certain limits based on federal tax laws. The Corporation makes a 3.0% safe harbor contribution for all eligible employees and matching contributions equal to 50% of the first 4.0% of an employee’s compensation contributed to the Plan during the year. Employees are 100% vested in the safe harbor contributions and are 0% vested through their first two years of employment and are 100% vested after 6 years of service for matching contributions.
As a result of the curtailment of the defined benefit plan noted above, the Corporation decided to increase the contributions to the Corporation’s 401(k) plan effective January 1, 2007. For the year ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, expenses attributable to the Plan were $617, $543 and $439 respectively.
Equity Compensation Plan
Pursuant to the terms of the Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors (the “Plan”), directors of the Corporation and its subsidiaries are required to defer at least 25% of their earned board fees to the Plan. The fees are converted to stock units based on the fair market value of a share of common stock as of the relevant valuation date. Stock credited to a participant’s account is eligible for stock and cash dividends as declared. Upon retirement from the board or the occurrence of certain other events, the participant is eligible to receive a lump-sum, in-kind, distribution of all of the stock that is then in his or her account, and any unconverted cash will be converted to and rounded up to whole shares of stock and distributed, as well. The Plan as modified does not allow for cash settlement, and therefore, such share-based payment awards qualify for classification as equity. All authorized but unissued shares of common stock are eligible for issuance under this Plan. The Corporation may also purchase shares of common stock from the open market to meet its obligations under the Plan. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Plan had 186,279 unissued shares valued at $3,530 and 186,766 unissued shares valued at $3,766, respectively, as adjusted for the 10% stock dividend paid on February 29, 2008, pursuant to the antidilution provisions required by the Plan.

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On December 17, 2008, the Corporation established a Rabbi Trust effective as of July 1, 2008, to fund the Plan. A Rabbi Trust is an irrevocable grantor trust to which the Corporation may contribute assets for the limited purpose of funding a nonqualified deferred compensation plan. Although the Corporation may not reach the assets of the Rabbi Trust for any purpose other than meeting its obligations under the Plan, the assets of the trust remain subject to the claims of the Corporation’s creditors and are included in the consolidated financial statements. The Corporation may contribute cash or common stock to the trust from time to time for the sole purpose of funding the Plan. The trust will use any cash that the Corporation contributed to purchase shares of the Corporation’s common stock on the open market through the Corporation’s brokerage services department.
As of December 31, 2009, the Trust held 30,626 shares of the Corporation’s common stock for settlement.
NOTE 18 — COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Comprehensive income (loss) includes net income as well as unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, on available-for-sale investment securities owned and changes in the funded status of the Corporation’s defined benefit pension plan, which are excluded from net income. Unrealized investment securities gains and losses and changes in the funded status of the pension plan, net of tax, are excluded from net income, and are reflected as a direct charge or credit to shareholders’ equity. Comprehensive income (loss) and the related components are disclosed in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income for each of the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007.
The following is a summary of the components comprising the balance of accumulated other comprehensive loss reported on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31 (presented net of tax):
                 
    2009     2008  
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale investment securities
  $ (13 )   $ (3,216 )
Unrecognized pension costs
    (2,106 )     (2,353 )
 
           
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
  $ (2,119 )   $ (5,569 )
 
           
NOTE 19 — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In the ordinary course of business, the Bank grants loans to principal officers and directors and their affiliates (including their families and companies in which they have 10% or more ownership). Annual activity consisted of the following:
                 
    2009     2008  
Beginning balance
  $ 4,011     $ 10,461  
New loans
    5,033       3,488  
Repayments
    (4,902 )     (9,938 )
 
           
Ending balance
  $ 4,142     $ 4,011  
 
           
Total deposits of these principal officers and directors and their affiliates amounted to $7,090 and $8,317 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. In addition, Isabella Bank Corporation’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (Note 17) held deposits with the Bank aggregating $219 and $370, respectively, at December 31, 2009 and 2008.
NOTE 20 — FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS RECORDED AT FAIR VALUE
In February 2007, the FASB issued ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments". ASC Topic 825 expands the use of fair value accounting but does not affect existing standards which require assets or liabilities to be carried at fair value. Under ASC Topic 825, the Corporation may elect to measure many financial instruments and certain other assets and liabilities at fair value (“fair value option” — FVO). The fair value measurement option is not allowed for deposit or withdrawable on demand liabilities. If the use of fair value is elected, any upfront costs and fees related to the instrument must be recognized in earnings and cannot be deferred, e.g., debt issue costs. The fair value election is irrevocable and is generally made on an instrument-by-instrument basis, even if the Corporation has similar instruments that it elects not to

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measure based on fair value. At the adoption date, unrealized gains and losses on existing items for which fair value has been elected are reported as a cumulative adjustment to beginning retained earnings as of January 1, 2007. Subsequent to the adoption of ASC Topic 825, changes in fair value are recognized in earnings. Although ASC Topic 825 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and would have been required to be adopted by the Corporation in the first quarter of fiscal 2008, the Corporation elected to early adopt ASC Topic 825 effective January 1, 2007, the impact of which is detailed in the table below.
As shown in the following table, the Corporation elected to transfer $77,839 of its $213,450 available-for-sale securities investment portfolio to trading status to facilitate more active trading of these securities. In determining which available-for-sale securities to transfer, the Corporation considered interest rates, duration, marketability, and balance sheet management strategies. The securities transferred included obligations of US Government Agencies, variable rate Federal National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation mortgage backed securities, taxable municipal bonds, and a limited number of tax exempt bonds.
The Corporation also elected to report $7,256 of long-term, relatively high interest rate, Federal Home Loan Bank advances at their fair value upon the early adoption of ASC Topic 825 to provide a hedge against significant movement in interest rates.
                         
    Balance Sheet     Net Gain / (Loss)     Balance Sheet  
    1/1/2007 Prior to     Upon Adoption of     1/1/2007 After  
    Adoption of FVO     FVO     Adoption of FVO  
Investment securities
  $ 79,198     $ (1,359 )   $ 77,839  
FHLB borrowings included in other borrowed funds
    (7,256 )     (232 )     (7,488 )
 
                     
Pretax cumulative loss effect of adoption of the fair value option
            (1,591 )        
Increase in deferred tax asset
            541          
 
                     
Cumulative loss effect of adoption of the fair value option (charged as a reduction to retained earnings as of January 1, 2007)
          $ (1,050 )        
 
                     
The Corporation utilizes fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. Securities available-for-sale, trading securities and certain liabilities are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, the Corporation may be required to record at fair value other assets on a nonrecurring basis, such as loans held-for-sale, impaired loans, foreclosed assets, mortgage servicing rights and certain other assets and liabilities. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve the application of lower of cost or market accounting or write-downs of individual assets.

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Fair Value Hierarchy
Under fair value measurement and disclosure authoritative guidance, the Corporation groups assets and liabilities at fair value into three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value, based on the prioritization of inputs in the valuation techniques. These levels are:
    Level 1: Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.
    Level 2: Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.
    Level 3: Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use at least one significant assumption not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
The assets or liability’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Valuation techniques used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.
Following is a description of the valuation methodologies and key inputs used to measure financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value, as well as a description of the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate fair value disclosures for financial instruments not recorded at fair value in their entirety on a recurring basis. For financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value, the description includes an indication of the level of the fair value hierarchy in which the assets or liabilities are classified
Investment Securities: Investment securities are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices, if available. If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using independent pricing models or other model-based valuation techniques such as the present value of future cash flows, adjusted for the security’s credit rating, prepayment assumptions and other factors such as credit loss and liquidity assumptions. Level 2 securities include U.S. Treasury securities, mortgage-backed securities issued by government-sponsored entities, municipal bonds and corporate debt securities in active markets. Securities classified as Level 3 include securities in less liquid markets, including illiquid markets in some instances, and include auction rate money market preferred securities and preferred stocks.
The Corporation invested $11,000 in auction rate money market preferred investment security instruments, which are classified as available-for-sale securities and reflected at fair value. Due to continuing uncertainty in credit markets, these investments are illiquid. As a result of the illiquidity of the markets for these securities, $7,800 converted to preferred stock with debt like characteristics in 2009.
Due to the illiquidity of these securities, these assets were classified as Level 3 during 2008. The fair values of these securities are estimated utilizing a discounted cash flow analysis or other type of valuation adjustment methodology as of December 31, 2009 and 2008. These analyses consider, among other factors, the collateral underlying the security investments, the creditworthiness of the counterparty, the timing of expected future cash flows, estimates of the next time the security is expected to have a successful auction, and the fact that the management asserts that it does not intend to sell the security in an unrealized loss position and it is more likely than not it will not have to sell the securities before recovery of its cost basis, as further described in Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Mortgage Loans Available-for-Sale: Loans available for sale are carried at the lower of cost or market value. The fair value of loans held-for-sale is based on what price secondary markets are currently offering for portfolios with similar characteristics. As such, the Corporation classifies loans subjected to nonrecurring fair value adjustments as Level 2 valuation.
Loans: The Corporation does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis. However, from time to time, a loan is considered impaired and a specific allowance for loan losses is established. Loans for which it is probable that payment of interest and principal will not be made in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement are considered impaired. Once a loan is identified as individually impaired, management measures the estimated impairment. The fair value of impaired loans is estimated using one of several methods, including collateral value, market value of similar debt, enterprise value, liquidation value and discounted cash flows. Those impaired loans not requiring an allowance represent loans for which the fair value of the expected repayments or collateral exceed the recorded investments in

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such loans. At December 31, 2009, impaired loans were evaluated based on the fair value of the collateral or based on the net present value of their expected cash flows. Impaired loans where an allowance is established based on the fair value of collateral require classification in the fair value hierarchy. When a current appraised value is not available or management determines the fair value of the collateral is further impaired below the appraised value and there is no observable market price, or the impairment is determined using the net present value of the expected cash flows, the Corporation classifies the impaired loan as nonrecurring Level 3 valuation.
Foreclosed Assets: Upon transfer from the loan portfolio, foreclosed assets are adjusted to and subsequently carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Fair value is based upon independent market prices, appraised values of the collateral or management’s estimation of the value of the collateral and as such, the Corporation classifies foreclosed assets as nonrecurring level 2 valuation. When a current appraisal is not available or management determines the fair value of the collateral is further impaired below the appraised value and there is no observable market price, the Corporation records the foreclosed asset as nonrecurring level 3 valuation.
Equity Securities Without Readily Determinable Fair Values: The Corporation has investments in equity securities without readily determinable fair values as well as an investment in a joint venture. The assets are individually reviewed for impairment on an annual basis by comparing the carrying value to the estimated fair value. The lack of an independent source to validate fair value estimates, including the impact of future capital calls and transfer restrictions, is an inherent limitation in the valuation process. The Corporation classifies nonmarketable equity securities and its investment in a joint venture subjected to nonrecurring fair value adjustments as Level 3 valuation. During 2009 and 2008, there were no impairments recorded on equity securities without readily determinable fair values.
Mortgage Servicing Rights: Loan servicing rights are subject to impairment testing. A valuation model, which utilizes a discounted cash flow analysis using interest rates and prepayment speed assumptions currently quoted for comparable instruments and a discount rate determined by management, is used for impairment testing. If the valuation model reflects a value less than the carrying value, mortgage servicing rights are adjusted to fair value through a valuation allowance as determined by the model. As such, the Corporation classifies loan servicing rights subjected to nonrecurring fair value adjustments as Level 2 valuation.
Acquisition Intangibles and Goodwill: Intangible assets are subject to impairment testing. A projected cash flow valuation method is used in the completion of impairment testing. This valuation method requires a significant degree of management judgment. In the event the projected undiscounted net operating cash flows are less than the carrying value, the asset is recorded at fair value as determined by the valuation model. If the testing resulted in impairment, the Corporation would classify goodwill and other intangible assets subjected to nonrecurring fair value adjustments as Level 3 valuation. During 2009 and 2008, there were no impairments recorded on goodwill and other acquisition intangible assets.
Other Borrowed Funds: The Corporation has elected to measure a portion of other borrowed funds at their fair value. These borrowings are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, with the fair value measurement estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on the Corporation’s current incremental borrowings rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. Changes in the fair value of these borrowings are included in noninterest income. As such, the Corporation classifies other borrowed funds as Level 2 valuation.
The preceding methods described may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, although the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.
The table below represents the activity in Level 3 inputs measured on a recurring basis for the year ended December 31:
                 
    2009     2008  
Level 3 inputs — January 1
  $ 5,021     $  
Transfers of securities into level 3 due to changes in the observability of significant inputs (illiquid markets)
          11,000  
Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investment securities
    5,006       (5,979 )
 
           
Level 3 inputs — December 31
  $ 10,027     $ 5,021  
 
           

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The tables below present the recorded amount of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on December 31:
                                                 
    2009     2008  
Description   Total     (Level 2)     (Level 3)     Total     (Level 2)     (Level 3)  
Recurring Items
                                               
Trading securities
                                               
Government-sponsored enterprises
  $     $     $     $ 4,014     $ 4,014     $  
States and political subdivisions
    9,962       9,962             11,556       11,556        
Corporate
                      160       160        
Mortgage-backed
    3,601       3,601             6,045       6,045        
 
                                   
Total trading securities
    13,563       13,563             21,775       21,775        
 
                                   
Available-for-sale investment securities
                                               
U.S. Government and federal agencies
                      4,083       4,083        
Government-sponsored enterprises
    19,471       19,471             62,988       62,988        
States and political subdivisions
    151,730       151,730             149,323       149,323        
Corporate
                      7,145       7,145        
Auction rate money market preferred
    2,973             2,973       5,979             5,979  
Preferred stock
    7,054             7,054                    
Mortgage-backed
    67,734       67,734             16,937       16,937        
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    10,104       10,104                          
 
                                   
Total available-for-sale investment securities
    259,066       249,039       10,027       246,455       240,476       5,979  
Mortgage loans available for sale
    2,281       2,281             898       898        
Borrowed funds
    17,804       17,804             23,130       23,130        
Nonrecurring Items
                                               
Impaired loans
    12,654             12,654       13,843             13,843  
Mortgage servicing rights
    2,620       2,620             2,105       2,105        
Foreclosed assets
    1,157       1,157             2,923       2,923        
             
 
  $ 309,145     $ 286,464     $ 22,681     $ 311,129     $ 291,307     $ 19,822  
                     
 
                                               
Percent of assets and liabilities measured at fair value
            92.66 %     7.34 %             93.63 %     6.37 %
 
                                       
In certain previous Form 10-Q and Form 10-K filings the Corporation disclosed that a portion of trading securities, available-for-sale investment securities and other borrowed funds were measured at Level 1 and at Level 3. The Corporation recently determined that documentation provided to the Corporation by its third party securities pricing vendor more closely reflects a Level 2 categorization than Level 1 and Level 3 as previously reported. No significant measurement methodology changes have been made by the Corporation’s securities pricing vendor. As a result, $10,175 of trading securities, $89,507 of available-for-sale investment securities and $23,130 of other borrowed funds were reclassified from Level 1 to Level 2 classification as of December 31, 2008. Furthermore, $14,370 of available-for-sale investment securities were reclassified from Level 3 to Level 2 classification as of December 31, 2008
The changes in fair value of assets and liabilities recorded at fair value through earnings on a recurring basis and changes in assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, for which impairment was recognized in the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, are summarized as follows:

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    2009     2008  
    Trading                 Trading              
    Gains and     Other Gains             Gains and     Other Gains        
Description   (Losses)     and (Losses)     Total     (Losses)     and (Losses)     Total  
Recurring Items
                                               
Trading securities
  $ 80     $     $ 80     $ 245     $     $ 245  
Other borrowed funds
          289       289             (641 )     (641 )
Nonrecurring Items
                                               
Impaired loans
                            (71 )     (71 )
Mortgage servicing rights
          7       7             (115 )     (115 )
Foreclosed assets
          (157 )     (157 )           (231 )     (231 )
 
                                           
 
                  $ 219                     $ (813 )
 
                                           
During 2008, primarily as a result of declines in the rates offered on new residential mortgage loans, the Corporation recorded impairment charges of $115 related to the carrying value of its mortgage servicing rights, in accordance with authoritative guidance related to mortgage servicing assets. This decline in offering rates decreased the expected lives of the loans serviced and in turn decreased the value of the serving rights.
The impairment charges to foreclosed assets were the result of the real estate held declining in value subsequent to the properties being transferred to other real estate.
The activity in the trading portfolio of investment securities was as follows for the years ended December 31:
                 
    2009     2008  
Purchases
  $     $ 11,010  
Sales, calls, and maturities
    (8,292 )     (14,544 )
Net change in fair market value
    80       245  
 
           
Total
  $ (8,212 )   $ (3,289 )
 
           
The net gain on trading securities represents mark-to-market adjustments. Included in the net trading gains of $80 during 2009, was $38 of net trading gains on securities that were held in the Corporation’s trading portfolio as of December 31, 2009.
The activity in borrowings carried at fair value was as follows for years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008:
                 
    2009     2008  
Issuances
  $     $ 15,000  
Sales, calls, and maturities
    (5,037 )     (34 )
Net change in fair value
    (289 )     641  
 
           
Total
  $ (5,326 )   $ 15,607  
 
           

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NOTE 21 — FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The fair value of a financial instrument is the current amount that would be exchanged between willing parties, other than in a forced liquidation. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for the Corporation’s various financial instruments. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the estimated amounts provided herein do not necessarily indicate amounts which could be realized in a current exchange. Furthermore, as the Corporation typically holds the majority of its financial instruments until maturity, it does not expect to realize all of the estimated amounts disclosed. The disclosures also do not include estimated fair value amounts for items which are not defined as financial instruments, but which have significant value. These include such items as core deposit intangibles, the future earnings of significant customer relationships and the value of other fee generating businesses. The Corporation believes the imprecision of an estimate could be significant.
The following methods and assumptions were used by the Corporation in estimating fair value disclosures for financial instruments.
Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amounts of cash and short-term instrument, including Federal funds sold, approximate fair values.
Interest bearing balances held in other financial institutions: Interest bearing balances held in other financial institutions include certificates of deposit and other short term interest bearing balances that mature within 3 years. The fair values of these instruments approximate the carrying amounts.
Investment securities: Investment securities are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices, if available. If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using independent pricing models or other model-based valuation techniques such as the present value of future cash flows, adjusted for the security’s credit rating, prepayment assumptions and other factors such as credit loss and liquidity assumptions.
Mortgage loans available for sale: Fair values of mortgage loans available for sale are based on commitments on hand from investors or prevailing market prices.
Loans: For variable-rate loans that reprice frequently and with no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying values. Fair values for other loans (e.g. , real estate mortgage, agricultural, commercial, and installment) are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality. The resulting amounts are adjusted to estimate the effect of declines, if any, in the credit quality of borrowers since the loans were originated. Fair values for non-performing loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses or underlying collateral values, where applicable.
Mortgage servicing rights: The carrying amounts for mortgage servicing rights are reported in the consolidated balance sheets under “Other Assets”. Fair value is determined using prices for similar assets with similar characteristics when applicable, or based upon discounted cash flow analyses.
Deposits: Demand, savings, and money market deposits are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amounts). Fair values for variable rate certificates of deposit approximate their recorded carrying value. Fair values for fixed-rate certificates of deposit 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.
Short-term borrowings: The carrying amounts of federal funds purchased, borrowings under repurchase agreements, and other short-term borrowings maturing within ninety days approximate their fair values. Fair values of other short-term borrowings are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on the Corporation’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowings arrangements.
Borrowings: The carrying amounts of federal funds purchased, borrowings under repurchase agreements, and other short-term borrowings maturing within ninety days approximate their fair values. The fair values of the Corporation’s other borrowings are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on the Corporation’s current incremental borrowing arrangements.
Accrued interest: The carrying amounts of accrued interest approximate fair value.

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Derivative financial instruments: Fair values for derivative loan commitments and forward loan sale commitments are based on fair values of the underlying mortgage loans and the probability of such commitments being exercised.
Commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and undisbursed loans: Fair values for off-balance-sheet lending commitments are based on fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into consideration the remaining terms of the agreements and the counterparties’ credit standings. The Corporation does not charge fees for lending commitments; thus it is not practicable to estimate the fair value of these instruments.
The following sets forth the estimated fair value and recorded carrying values of the Corporation’s financial instruments as of December 31:
                                 
    2009   2008
    Estimated   Carrying   Estimated   Carrying
    Fair Value   Value   Fair Value   Value
ASSETS
                               
Cash and demand deposits due from banks
  $ 22,706     $ 22,706     $ 22,979     $ 22,979  
Interest bearing balances held in other financial institutions
    7,156       7,156       575       575  
Trading securities
    13,563       13,563       21,775       21,775  
Investment securities available for sale
    259,066       259,066       246,455       246,455  
Mortgage loans available for sale
    2,294       2,281       905       898  
Net loans
    719,604       710,337       743,110       723,403  
Accrued interest receivable
    5,832       5,832       6,322       6,322  
Mortgage servicing rights
    2,620       2,620       2,105       2,105  
Foreclosed assets
    1,157       1,157       2,923       2,923  
 
                               
LIABILITIES
                               
Deposits with no stated maturities
    382,006       382,006       394,042       394,042  
Deposits with stated maturities
    424,048       420,646       387,291       381,588  
Borrowed funds
    195,179       193,101       230,130       222,350  
Accrued interest payable
    1,143       1,143       1,334       1,334  

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NOTE 22 — PARENT COMPANY ONLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                 
    December 31  
Condensed Balance Sheets   2009     2008  
ASSETS
               
Cash on deposit at subsidiary Bank
  $ 172     $ 1,144  
Securities available for sale
    2,073       2,140  
Investments in subsidiaries
    89,405       82,673  
Premises and equipment
    2,346       2,043  
Other assets
    53,644       52,096  
 
           
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 147,640     $ 140,096  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Other liabilities
  $ 6,837     $ 5,620  
Shareholders’ equity
    140,803       134,476  
 
           
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 147,640     $ 140,096  
 
           
                         
    Year Ended December 31  
Condensed Statements of Income   2009     2008     2007  
Income
                       
Dividends from subsidiaries
  $ 6,100     $ 5,800     $ 15,975  
Interest income
    77       88       177  
Management fee and other
    993       1,011       1,517  
 
                 
Total income
    7,170       6,899       17,669  
Expenses
    3,907       3,989       3,890  
 
                 
Income before income tax benefit and equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries
    3,263       2,910       13,779  
Federal income tax benefit
    976       905       773  
 
                 
 
    4,239       3,815       14,552  
Undistributed earnings (distributions in excess of earnings) of subsidiaries
    3,561       286       (6,622 )
 
                 
Net income
  $ 7,800     $ 4,101     $ 7,930  
 
                 

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    Year Ended December 31  
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows   2009     2008     2007  
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
                       
Net income
  $ 7,800     $ 4,101     $ 7,930  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operations
                       
Undistributed earnings of subsidiaries
    (3,561 )     (286 )     6,622  
Share based payment awards
    677       603       758  
Depreciation
    163       294       592  
Net amortization of investment securities
    6       5       4  
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense
    (570 )     162       (165 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities which provided (used) cash
                       
Interest receivable
          1       (2 )
Other assets
    (748 )     (817 )     (776 )
Accrued interest and other expenses
    517       583       (389 )
 
                 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
    4,284       4,646       14,574  
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
                       
Activity in available-for-sale securities
                       
Maturities, calls, and sales
    110       110       595  
Purchases
                (266 )
(Purchases) sales of equipment and premises
    (466 )     1,300       (1,135 )
Advances to subsidiaries
          (11,927 )     (50 )
 
                 
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
    (356 )     (10,517 )     (856 )
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                       
Net increase in other borrowed funds
    700       1,836        
Cash dividends paid on common stock
    (5,256 )     (4,873 )     (4,304 )
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock
    2,479       2,476       2,657  
Common stock repurchased
    (2,056 )     (6,440 )     (1,881 )
Common stock purchased for deferred compensation obligations
    (767 )     (249 )      
 
                 
NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES
    (4,900 )     (7,250 )     (3,528 )
 
                 
(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    (972 )     (13,121 )     10,190  
Cash and cash equivelants at beginning of year
    1,144       14,265       4,075  
 
                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR
  $ 172     $ 1,144     $ 14,265  
 
                 
NOTE 23 — OPERATING SEGMENTS
The Corporation’s reportable segments are based on legal entities that account for at least 10 percent of net operating results. Retail banking operations for 2009, 2008, and 2007 represent approximately 90% or greater of the Corporation’s total assets and operating results. As such, no additional segment information is presented.

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Item 8. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures
None
Item 8 A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Corporation’s management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) as of December 31, 2009, pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2009, are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Corporation (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in the Corporation’s periodic filings under the Exchange Act.
Changes in Internal Control
The Corporation also conducted an evaluation of internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2009, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting. Based on this evaluation, management has concluded that there have been no such changes during the quarter ended December 31, 2009.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We are responsible for the preparation and integrity of our published consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and, accordingly, include amounts based on judgments and estimates made by our management. We also prepared the other information included in the annual report and are responsible for its accuracy and consistency with the consolidated financial statements.
We are responsible for establishing and maintaining a system of internal control over financial reporting, which is intended to provide reasonable assurance to our management and Board of Directors regarding the reliability of our consolidated financial statements. The system includes but is not limited to:
    A documented organizational structure and division of responsibility;
    Established policies and procedures, including a code of conduct to foster a strong ethical climate which is communicated throughout the Corporation;
    Internal auditors that monitor the operation of the internal control system and report findings and recommendations to management and the Audit Committee;
    Procedures for taking action in response to an internal audit finding or recommendation;
    Regular reviews of our consolidated financial statements by qualified individuals; and
    The careful selection, training and development of our people.
There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any system of internal control, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of controls. Also, the effectiveness of an internal control system may change over time. We have implemented a system of internal control that was designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
We have assessed our internal control system in relation to criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in “Internal Control-Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) of the Treadway Commission.
Based upon these criteria, we believe that, as of December 31, 2009, our system of internal control over financial reporting was effective.

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Our independent registered public accounting firm, Rehmann Robson, P.C., has audited our 2009 consolidated financial statements. Rehmann Robson, P.C. was given unrestricted access to all financial records and related data, including minutes of all meetings of stockholders, the Board of Directors and committees of the Board. Rehmann Robson, P.C. has issued an unqualified audit opinion on our 2009 consolidated financial statements as a result of the audit and also has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting.
Isabella Bank Corporation
By:
     
/s/ Richard J. Barz
 
Richard J. Barz
   
Chief Executive Officer
   
March 1, 2010
   
 
   
/s/ Dennis P. Angner
 
Dennis P. Angner
   
President and Chief Financial Officer
   
March 1, 2010
   
Item 8 B. Other Information
None
Part III
Item 9. Directors and Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
For information concerning directors and certain executive officers of the Corporation, see “Election of Directors” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Corporation’s 2009 Annual Meeting Proxy Statement (“Proxy Statement”) which is incorporated herein by reference.
For Information concerning the Corporation’s Audit Committee financial experts, see “Committees of the Board of Directors and Meeting Attendance” in the Proxy Statement which is incorporated herein by reference.
The Corporation has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. The Corporation shall provide to any person without charge upon request, a copy of its Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. Written requests should be sent to: Secretary, Isabella Bank Corporation, 401 N. Main Street, Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858.
Item 10. Executive Compensation
For information concerning executive compensation, see “Executive Officers,” “Compensation Committee Report,” “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” and “Remuneration of Directors” in the Proxy Statement which is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 11. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters
For information concerning the security ownership of certain owners and management, see “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the Proxy Statement which is incorporated herein by reference.

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Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2009, with respect to compensation plans under which common shares of the Corporation are authorized for issuance to directors, officers or employees in exchange for consideration in the form of goods or services.
                         
                    Number of Securities  
                    Remaining  
    Number of Securities             Available for Future  
    to be Issued     Weighted Average     Issuance  
    Upon Exercise of     Exercise Price     Under Equity  
    Outstanding     of Outstanding     Compensation Plans  
    Options, Warrants,     Options, Warrants,     (Excluding Securities  
    and Rights     and Rights     Reflected in Column (A))  
Plan Category   (A)     (B)     (C)  
Equity compensation plans approved by Shareholders: None
                 
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders (1) (2):
                       
Deferred director compensation plan*
    186,279       (1) (2)       (1) (2)  
 
                     
Total
    186,279                  
 
                     
 
(1)   Pursuant to the terms of the Deferred Director fee plan, directors of the Corporation and its subsidiaries are required to defer at least 25% of their earned board fees. Deferred fees are converted on a quarterly basis into stock units of the Corporation’s common stock. The fees are converted to stock units based on the fair value purchase price for a share of common stock under the Corporation’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Stock units credited to a participant’s account are eligible for stock and cash dividends as declared. Upon retirement from the board, a participant is eligible to receive one share of common stock for each one stock unit. The Plan as modified does not allow for cash settlement, and therefore such share-based payment awards qualify for classification as equity. All authorized but unissued shares of common stock are eligible for issuance under this Plan. As of December 31, 2009, 186,279 shares were to be issued under the plan, as adjusted for the 10% stock dividend paid on February 29, 2008 pursuant to an existing antidilution provision required by the plan.
 
(2)   30,626 shares are held in a Rabbi Trust to be held for the benefit of participants pursuant to the deferred director compensation plan. Accordingly, such shares are not included in the number of securities issuable in column (A) or the weighted average price calculation in column (B), nor are potential future contributions included in column (C).
 
*   As adjusted for the 10% stock dividend paid February 29, 2008.
Item 12. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
For information, see “Indebtedness of and Transactions with Management” and “Election of Directors” in the Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
For information concerning the principal accountant fees and services see “Fees for Professional Services Provided by Rehmann Robson, P.C.” and “Pre-approval Policies and Procedures” in the Proxy Statement which is incorporated herein by reference.

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Part IV
Item 14. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) 1. Financial Statements:
     The following consolidated financial statements and independent auditors’ report thereon of Isabella Bank Corporation are incorporated by reference in Item 7:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
Consolidated Statements of Income
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
  2.   Financial Statement Schedules:
All schedules are omitted because they are neither applicable nor required, or because the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements or related notes.
  3.   See the exhibits listed below under Item 14(b):
(b) The following exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K are filed as part of this report:
3(a) Amended Articles of Incorporation (1)
3(b) Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation (2)
3(c) Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation (3)
3(d) Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation (4)
3(e) Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation (8)
3(f) Amended Bylaws (6)
3(g) Amendment to Bylaws (7)
3(h) Amendment to Bylaws (10)
3(i) Amendment to Bylaws (11)
10(a)    Isabella Bank Corporation and Related Companies Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors (9)*
10(b)    Isabella Bank Corporation Plan Death Benefit (9)*
10(c)    Isabella Bank Corporation Retirement Bonus Plan (9)*
14         Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (5)
21         Subsidiaries of the Registrant
23         Consent of Rehmann Robson, P.C. Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
31(a)    Certification pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by the Chief Executive Officer
31(b)    Certification pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by the Principal Financial Officer
32         Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer

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(1)   Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Isabella Bank Corporation Form 10-K, dated March 12, 1991, and incorporated herein by reference.
 
(2)   Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Isabella Bank Corporation Form 10-K, dated March 26, 1994, and incorporated herein by reference.
 
(3)   Previously filed as an Exhibit to Isabella Bank Corporation Form 10-K, dated March 22, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference.
 
(4)   Previously filed as an Exhibit to Isabella Bank Corporation Form 10-K, dated March 27, 2001, and incorporated herein by reference.
 
(5)   Previously filed as an Exhibit to Isabella Bank Corporation Form 8-K, dated April 25, 2006, and incorporated herein by reference.
 
(6)   Previously filed as an Exhibit to Isabella Bank Corporation Form 10-K, dated March 16, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.
 
(7)   Previously filed as an Exhibit to Isabella Bank Corporation Form 8-K, dated November 20, 2006, and incorporated herein by reference.
 
(8)   Previously filed as an Exhibit to Isabella Bank Corporation Form 8-K, dated May 14, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.
 
(9)   Previously filed as an Exhibit to Isabella Bank Corporation Form 8-K, dated December 17, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.
 
(10)   Previously filed as an Exhibit to Isabella Bank Corporation Form 8-K, dated August 28, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference.
 
(11)   Previously filed as an Exhibit to Isabella Bank Corporation Form 8-K, dated December 23, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference.
 
*   Management Contract or Compensatory Plan or Arrangement.

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Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
ISABELLA BANK CORPORATION
(Registrant)
                 
by:
  /s/ Richard J. Barz
 
Richard J. Barz
      Date: March 1, 2010     
 
  Chief Executive Officer            
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
         
Signatures   Capacity   Date
 
       
/s/ Dennis P. Angner
 
Dennis P. Angner
  President and Chief Financial Officer and Director   March 1, 2010 
 
       
/s/ Jeffrey Barnes
 
Jeffrey Barnes
  Director    March 1, 2010 
 
       
/s/ Richard J. Barz
 
Richard J. Barz
  Chief Executive Officer and Director   March 1, 2010 
 
       
/s/ Sandra L. Caul
 
Sandra L. Caul
  Director    March 1, 2010 
 
       
/s/ James C. Fabiano
 
James C. Fabiano
  Director    March 1, 2010 
 
       
/s/ G. Charles Hubscher
 
G. Charles Hubscher
  Director    March 1, 2010 
 
       
/s/ Joseph LaFramboise
 
Joseph LaFramboise
  Director    March 1, 2010 
 
       
/s/ Thomas Kleinhardt
 
Thomas Kleinhardt
  Director    March 1, 2010 
 
       
/s/ Theodore W. Kortes
 
Theodore W. Kortes
  Director    March 1, 2010 
 
       
/s/ David J. Maness
 
David J. Maness
  Director    March 1, 2010 

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Signatures   Capacity   Date
 
       
/s/ W. Joseph Manifold
 
W. Joseph Manifold
  Director    March 1, 2010 
 
       
/s/ W. Michael McGuire
 
W. Michael McGuire
  Director    March 1, 2010 
 
       
/s/ Dianne Morey
 
Dianne Morey
  Director    March 1, 2010 
 
       
/s/ William J. Strickler
 
William J. Strickler
  Director    March 1, 2010 
 
       
/s/ Dale Weburg
 
Dale Weburg
  Director    March 1, 2010 

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Isabella Bank Corporation
FORM 10-K
Index to Exhibits
             
Exhibit       Form 10-K
Number   Exhibit   Page Number
 
21
  Subsidiaries of the Registrant     88  
 
           
23
  Consent of Rehmann Robson, P.C. Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm     89  
 
           
31 (a)
  Certification pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a) of the Chief Executive Officer     90  
 
           
31 (b)
  Certification pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a) of the Chief Financial Officer     91  
 
           
32
  Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer     92  

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