a5541026.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549


FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For Quarter Ended September 30, 2007
Commission File Number 0-6253

SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Arkansas
71-0407808
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
501 Main Street, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
71601
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

870-541-1000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable
Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   S Yes   £ No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

£ Large accelerated filer
S Accelerated filer
£ Non-accelerated filer
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act.).   £ Yes  S No
 
The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Common Stock as of October 25, 2007 was 13,928,262.
 

 
Simmons First National Corporation
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
September 30, 2007

INDEX
 
   
Page No.
     
 
     
 
     
   
 
     
   
   
 
     
   
 
     
 
 
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
     
     
     
 
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
 

 
Part I:
Item 1.

Simmons First National Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets
September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006

ASSETS
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
(In thousands, except share data)
 
2007
   
2006
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
Cash and non-interest bearing balances due from banks
  $
85,370
    $
83,452
 
Interest bearing balances due from banks
   
6,557
     
45,829
 
Federal funds sold
   
25,655
     
21,870
 
Cash and cash equivalents
   
117,582
     
151,151
 
                 
Investment securities
   
529,488
     
527,126
 
Mortgage loans held for sale
   
8,244
     
7,091
 
Assets held in trading accounts
   
5,482
     
4,487
 
Loans
   
1,875,235
     
1,783,495
 
Allowance for loan losses
    (25,107 )     (25,385 )
Net loans
   
1,850,128
     
1,758,110
 
                 
Premises and equipment
   
73,088
     
67,926
 
Foreclosed assets held for sale, net
   
1,629
     
1,940
 
Interest receivable
   
25,699
     
21,974
 
Bank owned life insurance
   
37,632
     
36,133
 
Goodwill
   
60,605
     
60,605
 
Core deposit premiums
   
3,583
     
4,199
 
Other assets
   
8,527
     
10,671
 
                 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $
2,721,687
    $
2,651,413
 
 
See Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
3

 
Simmons First National Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets
September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
(In thousands, except share data)
 
2007
   
2006
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
LIABILITIES
           
Non-interest bearing transaction accounts
  $
319,792
    $
305,327
 
Interest bearing transaction accounts and savings deposits
   
730,533
     
738,763
 
Time deposits
   
1,122,994
     
1,131,441
 
Total deposits
   
2,173,319
     
2,175,531
 
Federal funds purchased and securities sold
               
under agreements to repurchase
   
106,984
     
105,036
 
Short-term debt
   
67,595
     
6,114
 
Long-term debt
   
79,655
     
83,311
 
Accrued interest and other liabilities
   
26,533
     
22,405
 
Total liabilities
   
2,454,086
     
2,392,397
 
                 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Capital stock
               
Class A, common, par value $0.01 a share, authorized
               
60,000,000 shares at 2007 and 30,000,000 shares at 2006,
               
13,934,509 issued and outstanding at 2007 and 14,196,855 at 2006
   
139
     
142
 
Surplus
   
41,470
     
48,678
 
Undivided profits
   
225,972
     
212,394
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
               
   Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on available-for-sale securities,
               
net of income taxes of $12 at 2007 and income tax credits of
   
20
      (2,198 )
$1,319 at 2006
               
Total stockholders’ equity
   
267,601
     
259,016
 
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $
2,721,687
    $
2,651,413
 
 
See Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
4

 
Simmons First National Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Income
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
INTEREST INCOME
                       
Loans
  $
36,604
    $
33,924
    $
105,751
    $
95,705
 
Federal funds sold
   
302
     
325
     
1,303
     
692
 
Investment securities
   
6,046
     
5,183
     
17,656
     
14,991
 
Mortgage loans held for sale
   
147
     
141
     
383
     
369
 
Assets held in trading accounts
   
71
     
14
     
124
     
58
 
Interest bearing balances due from banks
   
131
     
229
     
938
     
785
 
TOTAL INTEREST INCOME
   
43,301
     
39,816
     
126,155
     
112,600
 
                                 
INTEREST EXPENSE
                               
Deposits
   
16,635
     
14,404
     
49,299
     
38,313
 
Federal funds purchased and securities sold
                               
under agreements to repurchase
   
1,404
     
1,152
     
4,057
     
3,320
 
Short-term debt
   
519
     
761
     
637
     
1,082
 
Long-term debt
   
1,173
     
1,122
     
3,568
     
3,364
 
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE
   
19,731
     
17,439
     
57,561
     
46,079
 
                                 
NET INTEREST INCOME
   
23,570
     
22,377
     
68,594
     
66,521
 
Provision for loan losses
   
850
     
602
     
2,432
     
3,099
 
                                 
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION
                               
FOR LOAN LOSSES
   
22,720
     
21,775
     
66,162
     
63,422
 
                                 
NON-INTEREST INCOME
                               
Trust income
   
1,528
     
1,435
     
4,639
     
4,095
 
Service charges on deposit accounts
   
3,759
     
3,973
     
10,912
     
11,945
 
Other service charges and fees
   
698
     
596
     
2,198
     
1,846
 
Income on sale of mortgage loans, net of commissions
   
715
     
763
     
2,121
     
2,194
 
Income on investment banking, net of commissions
   
90
     
55
     
393
     
252
 
Credit card fees
   
3,115
     
2,755
     
8,789
     
7,912
 
Premiums on sale of student loans
   
419
     
413
     
2,042
     
1,808
 
Bank owned life insurance income
   
367
     
382
     
1,090
     
1,098
 
Other income
   
682
     
654
     
1,980
     
2,004
 
TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME
   
11,373
     
11,026
     
34,164
     
33,154
 
                                 
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
                               
Salaries and employee benefits
   
13,778
     
13,298
     
41,406
     
40,269
 
Occupancy expense, net
   
1,671
     
1,612
     
4,945
     
4,673
 
Furniture and equipment expense
   
1,455
     
1,407
     
4,428
     
4,281
 
Loss on foreclosed assets
   
77
     
32
     
137
     
105
 
Deposit insurance
   
85
     
64
     
220
     
204
 
Other operating expenses
   
6,157
     
5,722
     
18,312
     
17,029
 
TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
   
23,223
     
22,135
     
69,448
     
66,561
 
                                 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
   
10,870
     
10,666
     
30,878
     
30,015
 
Provision for income taxes
   
3,370
     
3,219
     
9,710
     
9,284
 
                                 
NET INCOME
  $
7,500
    $
7,447
    $
21,168
    $
20,731
 
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
  $
0.53
    $
0.53
    $
1.50
    $
1.46
 
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
  $
0.53
    $
0.51
    $
1.48
    $
1.43
 
 
See Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
5

 
Simmons First National Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
(In thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
 
         
(Unaudited)
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
Net income
  $
21,168
    $
20,731
 
Items not requiring (providing) cash
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
4,161
     
4,104
 
Provision for loan losses
   
2,432
     
3,099
 
Net amortization of investment securities
   
119
     
185
 
Deferred income taxes
   
725
     
864
 
Bank owned life insurance income
    (1,090 )     (1,098 )
Changes in
               
Interest receivable
    (3,725 )     (3,199 )
Mortgage loans held for sale
    (1,153 )    
1,266
 
Assets held in trading accounts
    (995 )    
56
 
Other assets
   
2,140
     
61
 
Accrued interest and other liabilities
   
3,278
     
7,445
 
Income taxes payable
   
123
      (1,444 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
27,183
     
32,070
 
                 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
Net originations of loans
    (96,521 )     (75,408 )
Purchases of premises and equipment, net
    (8,706 )     (6,890 )
Proceeds from sale of foreclosed assets
   
2,382
     
982
 
Proceeds from sale of securities
   
--
     
1,542
 
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale securities
   
72,601
     
78,503
 
Purchases of available-for-sale securities
    (72,614 )     (65,625 )
Proceeds from maturities of held-to-maturity securities
   
20,224
     
18,841
 
Purchases of held-to-maturity securities
    (20,512 )     (41,620 )
Purchases of bank owned life insurance
    (405 )     (1,341 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (103,551 )     (91,016 )
                 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
Net change in deposits
    (2,174 )    
88,518
 
Net change in short-term debt
   
61,481
     
53,819
 
Dividends paid
    (7,590 )     (7,110 )
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
   
6,135
     
6,785
 
Repayment of long-term debt
    (9,791 )     (11,632 )
Net change in Federal funds purchased and
 
securities sold under agreements to repurchase
   
1,948
      (21,688 )
Repurchase of common stock, net
    (7,210 )     (4,656 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
   
42,799
     
104,036
 
                 
(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    (33,569 )    
45,090
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
   
151,151
     
101,573
 
                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
  $
117,582
    $
146,663
 
 
See Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
6

 
Simmons First National Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006
 
               
Accumulated
Other
             
   
Common
         
Comprehensive
   
Undivided
       
(In thousands, except share data)
 
Stock
   
Surplus
   
Income (Loss)
   
Profits
   
Total
 
                               
Balance, December 31, 2005
 
143
   
53,723
    (4,360 )  
194,579
   
244,085
 
Comprehensive income
                                       
Net income
   
--
     
--
     
--
     
20,731
     
20,731
 
Change in unrealized depreciation on
                                       
available-for-sale securities, net of
                                       
income tax credits of $924
   
--
     
--
     
1,542
     
--
     
1,542
 
Comprehensive income
                                   
22,273
 
Stock issued as bonus shares – 10,200 shares
   
--
     
275
     
--
     
--
     
275
 
Exercise of stock options – 67,580 shares
   
1
     
992
     
--
     
--
     
993
 
Securities exchanged under stock option plan
   
--
     
(799
   
--
     
--
      (799 )
Stock granted under
                           
--
     
 
 
Stock-based compensation plans
   
--
     
69
     
--
               69  
Repurchase of common stock – 188,900 shares
    (2 )     (5,192 )    
--
     
--
      (5,194 )
Dividends paid – $0.50 per share
   
--
     
--
     
--
     
(7,110
    (7,110 )
                                         
Balance, September 30, 2006 (Unaudited)
   
142
     
49,068
      (2,818 )    
208,200
     
254,592
 
Comprehensive income
                                       
Net income
   
--
     
--
     
--
     
6,750
     
6,750
 
Change in unrealized depreciation on
                                       
available-for-sale securities, net of
                                       
income taxes of $372
   
--
     
--
     
620
     
--
     
620
 
Comprehensive income
                                   
7,370
 
Exercise of stock options – 39,300 shares
   
1
     
524
     
--
     
--
     
525
 
Stock granted under
                                       
Stock-based compensation plans
   
--
     
19
     
--
     
--
     
19
 
Securities exchanged under stock option plan
   
--
      (492 )    
--
     
--
      (492 )
Repurchase of common stock – 14,200 shares
    (1 )     (441 )    
--
     
--
      (442 )
Dividends paid – $0.18 per share
   
--
     
--
     
--
      (2,556 )     (2,556 )
                                         
Balance, December 31, 2006
   
142
     
48,678
      (2,198 )    
212,394
     
259,016
 
Comprehensive income
                                       
Net income
   
--
     
--
     
--
     
21,168
     
21,168
 
Change in unrealized depreciation on
                                       
available-for-sale securities, net of
                                       
income tax credits of $1,331
   
--
     
--
     
2,218
     
--
     
2,218
 
Comprehensive income
                                   
23,386
 
Stock issued as bonus shares – 8,800 shares
   
--
     
250
     
--
     
--
     
250
 
Exercise of stock options – 30,200 shares
   
--
     
466
     
--
     
--
     
466
 
Stock granted under
                                       
Stock-based compensation plans
   
--
     
143
     
--
     
--
     
143
 
Securities exchanged under stock option plan
   
--
      (187 )    
--
     
--
      (187 )
Repurchase of common stock – 294,831 shares
    (3 )     (7,880 )    
--
     
--
      (7,883 )
Dividends paid – $0.54 per share
   
--
     
--
     
--
      (7,590 )     (7,590 )
                                         
Balance, September 30, 2007 (Unaudited)
 
139
   
41,470
   
20
   
225,972
   
267,601
 
 
See Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
7

SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1:    BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Simmons First National Corporation and its subsidiaries.  Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

All adjustments made to the unaudited financial statements were of a normal recurring nature.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of interim periods have been made. Certain prior year amounts are reclassified to conform to current year classification.  The consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2006 has been derived from the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of that date.  The results of operations for the period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the Company’s annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted.  These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K annual report for 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, on January 1, 2007.  See Note 6 – Income Taxes for additional information.  There have been no other significant changes to the Company’s accounting policies from the 2006 Form 10-K.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements.  Statement No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  The Statement is effective for the Company on January 1, 2008 and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial position, operations or cash flows.

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.  Statement No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure eligible items at fair value at specified election dates.  Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value 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, (ii) is irrevocable (unless a new election date occurs) and (iii) is applied only to entire instruments and not to portions of instruments.  Statement No. 159 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2008 and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial position, operations or cash flows.
 
8

In September 2006, the FASB ratified the consensus reached by the FASB’s Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) relating to EITF 06-4, Accounting for the Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements.  EITF 06-4 requires employers accounting for endorsement split-dollar life insurance arrangements that provide a benefit to an employee that extends to postretirement periods to recognize a liability for future benefits in accordance with FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 106, Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions, or Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 12, Omnibus Opinion – 1967.  Entities should recognize the effects of applying this issue through either (a) a change in accounting principle through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings or to other components of equity or net assets in the statement of financial position as of the beginning of the year of adoption or (b) a change in accounting principle through retrospective application to all prior periods.  EITF 06-4 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2008.  The Company is currently evaluating the effect the implementation of EITF 06-4 will have on its financial position, operations and cash flows.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year.  Diluted earnings per share are computed using the weighted average common shares and all potential dilutive common shares outstanding during the period.

Following is the computation of per share earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006.
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
                                 
Net income
  $
7,500
    $
7,447
    $
21,168
    $
20,731
 
                                 
Average common shares outstanding
   
13,977
     
14,196
     
14,084
     
14,236
 
Average potential dilutive common shares
   
200
     
255
     
200
     
255
 
Average diluted common shares
   
14,177
     
14,451
     
14,284
     
14,491
 
                                 
Basic earnings per share
  $
0.53
    $
0.53
    $
1.50
    $
1.46
 
Diluted earnings per share
  $
0.53
    $
0.51
    $
1.48
    $
1.43
 
 
9

 
NOTE 2:    INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities that are classified as held-to-maturity and available-for-sale are as follows:
 
   
September 30, 2007
   
December 31, 2006
 
         
Gross
   
Gross
   
Estimated
         
Gross
   
Gross
   
Estimated
 
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
(In thousands)
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
(Losses)
   
Value
   
Cost
   
Gains
   
(Losses)
   
Value
 
                                                 
Held-to-Maturity
                                               
U.S. Treasury
  $
1,500
    $
10
    $
--
    $
1,510
    $
--
    $
--
    $
--
    $
--
 
U.S. Government agencies
   
43,000
     
352
      (58 )    
43,294
     
54,998
     
367
     
(272
   
55,093
 
Mortgage-backed securities
   
136
     
3
     
--
     
139
     
155
     
3
      (1 )    
157
 
State and political subdivisions
   
133,196
     
409
      (1,237 )    
132,368
     
122,472
     
667
     
(892
   
122,247
 
Other securities
   
2,374
     
--
     
--
     
2,374
     
2,319
     
--
     
--
     
2,319
 
    $
180,206
    $
774
    $ (1,295 )   $
179,685
    $
179,944
    $
1,037
    $ (1,165 )   $
179,816
 
                                                                 
Available-for-Sale
                                                               
U.S. Treasury
  $
7,492
    $
25
    $
--
    $
7,517
    $
6,970
    $
--
    $ (30 )   $
6,940
 
U.S. Government agencies
   
325,603
     
700
      (889 )    
325,414
     
326,301
     
287
      (4,177 )    
322,411
 
Mortgage-backed securities
   
2,928
     
36
      (195 )    
2,769
     
3,032
     
--
      (76 )    
2,956
 
State and political subdivisions
   
980
     
59
      (55 )    
984
     
1,360
     
10
     
--
     
1,370
 
Other securities
   
12,248
     
350
     
--
     
12,598
     
13,035
     
470
     
--
     
13,505
 
    $
349,251
    $
1,170
    $ (1,139 )   $
349,282
    $
350,698
    $
767
    $ (4,283 )   $
347,182
 
 
The carrying value, which approximates the fair value, of securities pledged as collateral, to secure public deposits and for other purposes, amounted to $401,545,000 at September 30, 2007 and $400,668,000 at December 31, 2006.

The book value of securities sold under agreements to repurchase amounted to $79,994,000 and $80,566,000 for September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.

Income earned on securities for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 is as follows:
 
(In thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
 
             
Taxable
           
Held-to-maturity
  $
1,991
    $
1,321
 
Available-for-sale
   
11,785
     
10,136
 
                 
Non-taxable
               
Held-to-maturity
   
3,837
     
3,454
 
Available-for-sale
   
43
     
80
 
Total
  $
17,656
    $
14,991
 
 
10

Maturities of investment securities at September 30, 2007 are as follows:
 
   
Held-to-Maturity
   
Available-for-Sale
 
   
Amortized
   
Fair
   
Amortized
   
Fair
 
(In thousands)
 
Cost
   
Value
   
Cost
   
Value
 
                         
One year or less
  $
22,914
    $
22,845
    $
96,125
    $
95,815
 
After one through five years
   
48,995
     
48,906
     
76,077
     
75,663
 
After five through ten years
   
84,072
     
84,031
     
162,727
     
163,262
 
After ten years
   
22,781
     
22,459
     
2,074
     
1,944
 
Other securities
   
1,444
     
1,444
     
12,248
     
12,598
 
Total
  $
180,206
    $
179,685
    $
349,251
    $
349,282
 
 
There were no realized gains or losses for the nine-months ended September 30, 2007 or 2006.

The state and political subdivision debt obligations are primarily non-rated bonds and represent small, Arkansas issues, which are evaluated on an ongoing basis.

NOTE 3:    LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

The various categories of loans are summarized as follows:
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
 
             
Consumer
           
Credit cards
  $
149,185
    $
143,359
 
Student loans
   
78,377
     
84,831
 
Other consumer
   
140,771
     
142,596
 
Real Estate
               
Construction
   
259,705
     
277,411
 
Single family residential
   
377,153
     
364,450
 
Other commercial
   
538,924
     
512,404
 
Commercial
               
Commercial
   
201,903
     
178,028
 
Agricultural
   
111,984
     
62,293
 
Financial institutions
   
5,905
     
4,766
 
Other
   
11,328
     
13,357
 
Total loans before allowance for loan losses
  $
1,875,235
    $
1,783,495
 
 
As of September 30, 2007, credit card loans, which are unsecured, were $149,185,000, or 8.0% of total loans, versus $143,359,000, or 8.0% of total loans at December 31, 2006.  The credit card loans are diversified by geographic region to reduce credit risk and minimize any adverse impact on the portfolio.  Credit card loans are regularly reviewed to facilitate the identification and monitoring of creditworthiness.

At September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, impaired loans totaled $11,686,000 and $12,829,000, respectively.  All impaired loans had either specific or general allocations within the allowance for loan losses.  Allocations of the allowance for loan losses relative to impaired loans were $3,597,000 at September 30, 2007 and $3,418,000 at December 31, 2006.  Approximately $161,000 and $297,000 of interest income was recognized on average impaired loans of $11,525,000 and $13,133,000 as of September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  Interest recognized on impaired loans on a cash basis during the first nine months of 2007 and 2006 was immaterial.
 
11

Transactions in the allowance for loan losses are as follows:
 
(In thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
 
             
Balance, beginning of year
  $
25,385
    $
26,923
 
Additions
               
Provision charged to expense
   
2,432
     
3,099
 
     
27,817
     
30,022
 
Deductions
               
Losses charged to allowance, net of recoveries
               
of $2,160 and $2,266 for the first nine months of
               
2007 and 2006, respectively
   
2,710
     
2,618
 
Reclassification of reserve related to unfunded commitments(1)
   
--
     
1,525
 
                 
Balance, September 30
  $
25,107
     
25,879
 
                 
Additions
               
Provision charged to expense
           
663
 
Deductions
               
Losses charged to allowance, net of recoveries
               
of $840 for the last three months of 2006
           
1,157
 
                 
Balance, end of year
          $
25,385
 
    
(1) On March 31, 2006, the reserve for unfunded commitments was reclassified from the allowance for loan losses to other liabilities.    
 
12

NOTE 4:    GOODWILL AND CORE DEPOSIT PREMIUMS

Goodwill is tested annually for impairment.  If the implied fair value of goodwill is lower than its carrying amount, goodwill impairment is indicated and goodwill is written down to its implied fair value.  Subsequent increases in goodwill value are not recognized in the financial statements.

Core deposit premiums are periodically evaluated as to the recoverability of their carrying value.

The carrying basis and accumulated amortization of core deposit premiums (net of core deposit premiums that were fully amortized) at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, were as follows:
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
 
             
Gross carrying amount
  $
6,822
    $
6,822
 
Accumulated amortization
    (3,239 )     (2,623 )
                 
Net core deposit premiums
  $
3,583
    $
4,199
 
 
Core deposit premium amortization expense recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, was $616,000 and $623,000, respectively.  The Company’s estimated amortization expense for the remainder of 2007 is $202,000, and for each of the following four years is:
2008 – $807,000; 2009 – $802,000; 2010 – $699,000; and 2011 – $451,000.

NOTE 5:    TIME DEPOSITS

Time deposits include approximately $442,706,000 and $450,310,000 of certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 respectively.

NOTE 6:            INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes is comprised of the following components:
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
(In thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
 
             
Income taxes currently payable
  $
8,985
    $
8,420
 
Deferred income taxes
   
725
     
864
 
                 
Provision for income taxes
  $
9,710
    $
9,284
 
 
 
13

The tax effects of temporary differences related to deferred taxes shown on the balance sheets were:
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
 
             
Deferred tax assets
           
Allowance for loan losses
  $
8,548
    $
8,543
 
Valuation of foreclosed assets
   
63
     
63
 
Deferred compensation payable
   
1,397
     
1,275
 
FHLB advances
   
34
     
58
 
Vacation compensation
   
800
     
740
 
Loan interest
   
140
     
140
 
Available-for-sale securities
   
--
     
1,319
 
Other
   
334
     
174
 
Total deferred tax assets
   
11,316
     
12,312
 
                 
Deferred tax liabilities
               
Accumulated depreciation
    (592 )     (852 )
Deferred loan fee income and expenses, net
    (921 )     (787 )
FHLB stock dividends
    (956 )     (887 )
Goodwill and core deposit premium amortization
    (6,991 )     (6,051 )
Available-for-sale securities
    (12 )    
--
 
Other
    (1,044 )     (880 )
Total deferred tax liabilities
    (10,516 )     (9,457 )
                 
Net deferred tax assets included in other
               
     assets on balance sheets
  $
800
    $
2,855
 
 
A reconciliation of income tax expense at the statutory rate to the Company's actual income tax expense is shown below:
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
(In thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
 
             
Computed at the statutory rate (35%)
  $
10,807
    $
10,505
 
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
               
Tax exempt income
    (1,490 )     (1,389 )
Other differences, net
   
393
     
168
 
Actual tax provision
  $
9,710
    $
9,284
 
 
The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement 109, effective January 1, 2007.  Interpretation 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  Benefits from tax positions should be recognized in the financial statements only when it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority that would have full knowledge of all relevant information.  A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.  Tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is met.  Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be derecognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is no longer met.  Interpretation 48 also provides guidance on the accounting for and disclosure of unrecognized tax benefits, interest and penalties.  Adoption of Interpretation 48 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial position, operations or cash flows.
 
14

The amount of unrecognized tax benefits may increase or decrease in the future for various reasons including adding amounts for current tax year positions, expiration of open income tax returns due to the statutes of limitation, changes in management’s judgment about the level of uncertainty, status of examinations, litigation and legislative activity and the addition or elimination of uncertain tax positions.

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction.  The Company’s U.S. federal income tax returns are open and subject to examinations from the 2003 tax year and forward.  The Company’s various state income tax returns are generally open from the 2003 and later tax return years based on individual state statute of limitations.

NOTE 7:    SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, consisted of the following components:
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
 
             
Note Payable, due July 2007, at a floating rate of
           
0.90% above the one-month LIBOR rate, reset
           
monthly, unsecured
  $
--
    $
2,000
 
FHLB advances, due 2007 to 2024, 2.58% to 8.41%
               
secured by residential real estate loans
   
48,725
     
50,381
 
Trust preferred securities, due 2033,
               
fixed at 8.25%, callable in 2008 without penalty
   
10,310
     
10,310
 
Trust preferred securities, due 2033,
               
floating rate of 2.80% above the three-month LIBOR rate
               
reset quarterly, callable in 2008 without penalty
   
10,310
     
10,310
 
Trust preferred securities, due 2033,
               
fixed rate of 6.97% through 2010, thereafter,
               
at a floating rate of 2.80% above the three-month
               
LIBOR rate, reset quarterly, callable
               
in 2010 without penalty
   
10,310
     
10,310
 
                 
    $
79,655
    $
83,311
 
 
At September 30, 2007, the Company had Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances with original maturities of one year or less of $66.5 million with a weighted average rate of 5.21% which are not included in the above table.
 
15

The trust preferred securities are tax-advantaged issues that qualify for Tier 1 capital treatment. Distributions on these securities are included in interest expense on long-term debt.  Each of the trusts is a statutory business trust organized for the sole purpose of issuing trust securities and investing the proceeds thereof in junior subordinated debentures of the Company, the sole asset of each trust.  The preferred securities of each trust represent preferred beneficial interests in the assets of the respective trusts and are subject to mandatory redemption upon payment of the junior subordinated debentures held by the trust.  The common securities of each trust are wholly-owned by the Company.  Each trust’s ability to pay amounts due on the trust preferred securities is solely dependent upon the Company making payment on the related junior subordinated debentures.  The Company’s obligations under the junior subordinated securities and other relevant trust agreements, in aggregate, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company of each respective trust’s obligations under the trust securities issued by each respective trust.

Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt at September 30, 2007 are:
 
     
Annual
 
(In thousands)
Year
 
Maturities
 
         
 
2007
  $
2,005
 
 
2008
   
12,891
 
 
2009
   
5,509
 
 
2010
   
5,442
 
 
2011
   
4,254
 
 
Thereafter
   
49,554
 
           
 
Total
  $
79,655
 
 
NOTE 8:    CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

The Company and/or its subsidiaries have various unrelated legal proceedings, most of which involve loan foreclosure activity pending, which, in the aggregate, are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries.  The Company or its subsidiaries remain the subject of one (1) lawsuit asserting claims against the Company or its subsidiaries.

On October 1, 2003, an action in Pulaski County Circuit Court was filed by Thomas F. Carter, Tena P. Carter and certain related entities against Simmons First Bank of South Arkansas and Simmons First National Bank alleging wrongful conduct by the banks in the collection of certain loans.  The Company was later added as a party defendant.  The plaintiffs are seeking $2,000,000 in compensatory damages and $10,000,000 in punitive damages.  The Company and the banks have filed Motions to Dismiss.  The plaintiffs were granted additional time to discover any evidence for litigation, and have submitted such findings.  At the hearing on the Motions for Summary Judgment, the Court dismissed Simmons First National Bank due to lack of venue.  Venue has been changed to Jefferson County for the Company and Simmons First Bank of South Arkansas.  At this time, no basis for any material liability has been identified.  The Company and the bank continue to vigorously defend the claims asserted in the suit.

16

 
NOTE 9:    CAPITAL STOCK

On May 25, 2004, the Company announced the adoption by the Board of Directors of a stock repurchase program.  The program authorizes the repurchase of up to 5% of the then outstanding Common Stock, or 733,485 shares.  Under the repurchase program, there is no time limit for the stock repurchases, nor is there a minimum number of shares the Company intends to repurchase.  The Company may discontinue purchases at any time that management determines additional purchases are not warranted.  The shares are to be purchased from time to time at prevailing market prices, through open market or unsolicited negotiated transactions, depending upon market conditions.  The Company intends to use the repurchased shares to satisfy stock option exercises, payment of future stock dividends and general corporate purposes.

During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007, the Company repurchased 294,831 shares of stock under the repurchase plan with a weighted average repurchase price of $26.79 per share.  Under the current stock repurchase plan, the Company can repurchase an additional 46,136 shares.

NOTE 10:    UNDIVIDED PROFITS

The Company’s subsidiary banks are subject to a legal limitation on dividends that can be paid to the parent company without prior approval of the applicable regulatory agencies.  The approval of the Comptroller of the Currency is required, if the total of all dividends declared by a national bank in any calendar year exceeds the total of its net profits, as defined, for that year combined with its retained net profits of the preceding two years.  Arkansas bank regulators have specified that the maximum dividend limit state banks may pay to the parent company without prior approval is 75% of current year earnings plus 75% of the retained net earnings of the preceding year.  At September 30, 2007, the bank subsidiaries had approximately $10 million available for payment of dividends to the Company, without prior approval of the regulatory agencies.

The Federal Reserve Board's risk-based capital guidelines include the definitions for (1) a well-capitalized institution, (2) an adequately-capitalized institution, and (3) an undercapitalized institution.  The criteria for a well-capitalized institution are: a 5% "Tier l leverage capital" ratio, a 6% "Tier 1 risk-based capital" ratio, and a 10% "total risk-based capital" ratio.  As of September 30, 2007, each of the eight subsidiary banks met the capital standards for a well-capitalized institution.  The Company's “total risk-based capital” ratio was 13.35% at September 30, 2007.

NOTE 11:    STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

The Company’s Board of Directors has adopted various stock compensation plans.  The plans provide for the grant of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, and bonus stock awards.  Pursuant to the plans, shares are reserved for future issuance by the Company, upon exercise of stock options or awarding of bonus shares granted to officers and other key employees.
 
17

The table below summarizes the transactions under the Company's active stock compensation plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2007:
 
   
Stock Options
   
Non-Vested Stock
 
   
Outstanding
   
Awards Outstanding
 
         
Weighted
         
Weighted
 
   
Number
   
Average
   
Number
   
Average
 
   
of
   
Exercise
   
of
   
Grant-Date
 
   
Shares
   
Price
   
Shares
   
Fair-Value
 
                         
Balance, January 1, 2007
   
516,670
    $
16.32
     
22,646
    $
25.69
 
Granted
   
56,500
     
28.42
     
8,800
     
28.42
 
Stock Options Exercised
   
(30,200
   
15.43
     
--
     
--
 
Stock Awards Vested
   
--
     
--
     
(6,314
   
25.31
 
Forfeited/Expired
   
(4,000
   
12.13
     
--
     
--
 
                                 
Balance, September 30, 2007
   
538,970
    $
17.67
     
25,132
    $
26.74
 
Exercisable, September 30, 2007
   
440,484
    $
15.54
                 
 
The following table summarizes information about stock options under the plans outstanding at September 30, 2007:
 
 
Options Outstanding
 
Options Exercisable
   
 
Weighted
       
   
Average
Weighted
   
Weighted
   
Remaining
Average
   
Average
Range of
Options
Contractual
Exercise
 
Options
Exercise
Exercise Prices
Outstanding
Life
Price
 
Exercisable
Price
             
$10.56 to $12.22
310,200
1.4 Years
$12.08
 
310,200
$12.08
$15.35 to $16.32
12,860
1.5 Years
$15.85
 
12,860
$15.85
$23.78 to $24.50
98,210
3.9 Years
$24.06
 
91,184
$24.06
$26.19 to $28.42
117,700
5.9 Years
$27.27
 
26,240
$26.88
 
Stock-based compensation expense totaled $306,611 and $213,341 during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  Stock-based compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for all stock-based awards.  Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options totaled $480,668 at September 30, 2007.  At such date, the weighted-average period over which this unrecognized expense is expected to be recognized was 2.01 years.  Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested stock awards was $671,998 at September 30, 2007.  At such date, the weighted-average period over which this unrecognized expense is expected to be recognized was 1.91 years.

Aggregate intrinsic values of outstanding stock options and exercisable stock options at September 30, 2007 were $4.7 million and $4.8 million, respectively.  Aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the period, which was $26.34 as of September 28, 2007, and the exercise price multiplied by the number of options outstanding.  The total intrinsic values of stock options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, were $329,539 and $913,682, respectively.
 
18

NOTE 12:    ADDITIONAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
(In thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
 
             
Interest paid
  $
57,557
    $
43,552
 
Income taxes paid
  $
8,447
    $
9,865
 
 
NOTE 13:    CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

From time to time the Company and its subsidiaries have made loans and other extensions of credit to directors, officers, their associates and members of their immediate families. From time to time directors, officers and their associates and members of their immediate families have placed deposits with the Company’s subsidiary banks.  Such loans, other extensions of credit and deposits were made in the ordinary course of business, on substantially the same terms (including interest rates and collateral) as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons and did not involve more than normal risk of collectibility or present other unfavorable features.

NOTE 14:    COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT RISK

The Company grants agri-business, commercial and residential loans to customers throughout Arkansas, along with credit card loans to customers throughout the United States.  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.  Since a portion of the commitments may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  Each customer's creditworthiness is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary, is based on management's credit evaluation of the counterparty.  Collateral held varies, but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, commercial real estate and residential real estate.

At September 30, 2007, the Company had outstanding commitments to extend credit aggregating approximately $231,728,000 and $343,635,000 for credit card commitments and other loan commitments, respectively.  At December 31, 2006, the Company had outstanding commitments to extend credit aggregating approximately $202,047,000 and $529,697,000 for credit card commitments and other loan commitments, respectively.

Letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company, to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party.  Those guarantees are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements, including commercial paper, bond financing, and similar transactions.  The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers.  The Company had total outstanding letters of credit amounting to $10,583,000 and $5,477,000 at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively, with terms ranging from ninety days to three years.  At September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 the Company’s deferred revenue under standby letter of credit agreements is approximately $73,000 and $35,000, respectively.
 
19

 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

BKD, LLP

Certified Public Accountants
200 East Eleventh
Pine Bluff, Arkansas


Audit Committee, Board of Directors and Stockholders
Simmons First National Corporation
Pine Bluff, Arkansas

We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION as of September 30, 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006.  These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures to financial data and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters.  It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole.  Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2006, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated February 19, 2007, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.  In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2006, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
  BKD, LLP
   
  /s/ BKD, LLP 
 
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
November 8, 2007
 
20

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

OVERVIEW

Simmons First National Corporation recorded earnings of $7,500,000, or $0.53 diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of 2007, compared to earnings of $7,447,000, or $0.51 diluted earnings per share for same period in 2006.  This represents a $53,000, or 0.7% increase in the third quarter 2007 earnings compared to 2006.  From September 30, 2006 to September 30, 2007, quarterly diluted earnings per share increased by $0.02, or 3.9%.  Annualized return on average assets and annualized return on average stockholders’ equity for the three-month period ended September 30, 2007, were 1.11% and 11.16%, compared to 1.13% and 11.70%, respectively, for the same period in 2006.

Earnings for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007, were $21,168,000, or $1.48 per diluted share.  These earnings reflect an increase of $437,000, or $0.05 per share, when compared to the nine-month period ended September 30, 2006 earnings of $20,731,000, or $1.43 per diluted share.  Annualized return on average assets and annualized return on average stockholders’ equity for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007 were 1.06% and 10.69%, compared to 1.08% and 11.13%, respectively, for the same period in 2006.

The non-performing assets ratio (the sum of non-performing loans and foreclosed assets divided by the sum of total loans and foreclosed assets) was 62 basis points at September 30, 2007, compared to 67 basis points at December 31, 2006.  Non-performing loans to total loans were 53 basis points at the end of the quarter, compared to 56 basis points at December 31, 2006.  The allowance for loan losses equaled 251% of non-performing loans as of September 30, 2007, compared to 252% as of year-end 2006.  The allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans equaled 1.34% and 1.42% as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.

Annualized net charge-offs to total loans for the third quarter of 2007 were 20 basis points.  Excluding credit cards, annualized net charge-offs to total loans were 13 basis points.  The credit card annualized net charge-offs as a percent of the credit card portfolio were 1.02% for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, more than 400 basis points below the most recently published industry average of 5.06%.  For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007, the credit card annualized net charge-offs as a percent of the credit card portfolio were 1.16%.  Credit card charge-offs increased during the fourth quarter of 2005 due to a new bankruptcy law that went into effect in October of 2005.  Bankruptcy filings have declined significantly from the high levels of the fourth quarter of 2005, and the Company’s credit card charge-offs have remained at historically low levels since the first quarter of 2006.  The Company expects credit card charge-offs to gradually return to the Company’s more historical level in excess of 2%, although the trend continues to be slower than previously anticipated.

Total assets for the Company at September 30, 2007, were $2.722 billion, an increase of $70.3 million, or 2.6% from December 31, 2006.  Stockholders’ equity at the end of the third quarter of 2007 was $267.6 million, an $8.6 million, or 3.3% increase from December 31, 2006.

Simmons First National Corporation is an Arkansas based financial holding company with eight community banks in Pine Bluff, Lake Village, Jonesboro, Rogers, Searcy, Russellville, El Dorado and Hot Springs, Arkansas. The Company's eight banks conduct financial operations from 86 offices, of which 83 are financial centers, located in 47 communities.
 
21

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Overview

Management has reviewed its various accounting policies.  Based on this review management believes the policies most critical to the Company are the policies associated with its lending practices including the accounting for the allowance for loan losses, treatment of goodwill, recognition of fee income, estimates of income taxes and employee benefit plans as it relates to stock options.

Loans

Loans which the Company has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off are reported at their outstanding principal balance adjusted for any loans charged-off, any deferred fees or costs on originated loans and unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans.  Interest income is reported on the accrual method and includes amortization of net deferred loan fees and costs over the estimated life of the loan.  Generally, loans are placed on non-accrual status at ninety days past due and interest is considered a loss, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection.

Discounts and premiums on purchased residential real estate loans are amortized to income using the interest method over the remaining period to contractual maturity, adjusted for anticipated prepayments.  Discounts and premiums on purchased consumer loans are recognized over the expected lives of the loans using methods that approximate the interest method.

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 income.  Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed.  Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

The allowance is maintained at a level considered adequate to provide for potential loan losses related to specifically identified loans as well as probable credit losses inherent in the remainder of the loan portfolio that have been incurred as of period end.  This estimate is based on management's evaluation of the loan portfolio, as well as on prevailing and anticipated economic conditions and historical losses by loan category.  General reserves have been established, based upon the aforementioned factors and allocated to the individual loan categories.  Allowances are accrued on specific loans evaluated for impairment for which the basis of each loan, including accrued interest, exceeds the discounted amount of expected future collections of interest and principal or, alternatively, the fair value of loan collateral.  The unallocated reserve generally serves to compensate for the uncertainty in estimating loan losses, including the possibility of changes in risk ratings and specific reserve allocations in the loan portfolio as a result of the Company’s ongoing risk management system.
 
22

A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will not receive all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan.  This includes loans that are delinquent ninety days or more, nonaccrual loans and certain other loans identified by management.  Certain other loans identified by management consist of performing loans with specific allocations of the allowance for loan losses.  Specific allocations are applied when quantifiable factors are present requiring a greater allocation than that established using the classified asset approach, as defined by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.  Accrual of interest is discontinued and interest accrued and unpaid is removed at the time such amounts are delinquent ninety days, unless management is aware of circumstances which warrant continuing the interest accrual.  Interest is recognized for nonaccrual loans only upon receipt and only after all principal amounts are current according to the terms of the contract.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets of acquired subsidiaries and branches.  Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement No. 142 and No. 147 eliminated the amortization for these assets as of January 1, 2002.  While goodwill is not amortized, impairment testing of goodwill is performed annually, or more frequently if certain conditions occur. The Company did not record impairment of goodwill in 2007 or 2006.

Core Deposit Premiums

Core deposit premiums are being amortized using both straight-line and accelerated methods over periods ranging from eight to eleven years.  Such assets are periodically evaluated as to the recoverability of their carrying value.

Fee Income

Periodic credit card fees, net of direct origination costs, are recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the period the fee entitles the cardholder to use the card.  Origination fees and costs for other loans are being amortized over the estimated life of the loan.

Income Taxes

The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, on January 1, 2007.  See Note 6 – Income Taxes in the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for additional information.

Employee Benefit Plans

The Company has stock-based employee compensation plans and recognizes compensation expense for stock options in accordance with FASB Statement No. 123, Share-Based Payment (Revised 2004).
 
23

NET INTEREST INCOME

Overview

Net interest income, the Company's principal source of earnings, is the difference between the interest income generated by earning assets and the total interest cost of the deposits and borrowings obtained to fund those assets.  Factors that determine the level of net interest income include the volume of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, yields earned and rates paid, the level of non-performing loans and the amount of non-interest bearing liabilities supporting earning assets.  Net interest income is analyzed in the discussion and tables below on a fully taxable equivalent basis.  The adjustment to convert certain income to a fully taxable equivalent basis consists of dividing tax-exempt income by one minus the combined federal and state income tax rate of 37.50%.

The Company’s practice is to limit exposure to interest rate movements by maintaining a significant portion of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities in short-term repricing.  Historically, approximately 70% of the Company’s loan portfolio and approximately 80% of the Company’s time deposits have repriced in one year or less.  These historical percentages are consistent with the Company’s current interest rate sensitivity.

Net Interest Income Quarter-to-Date Analysis

For the three-month period ended September 30, 2007, net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis was $24.4million, an increase of $1.3 million, or 5.5%, from the same period in 2006. The increase in net interest income was the result of a $3.6 million increase in interest income offset by a $2.3 million increase in interest expense.

The $3.6 million increase in interest income primarily is the result of a 38 basis point increase in yield on earning assets associated with the repricing to a higher interest rate environment, as well as a $71.3 million increase in average interest earning assets due to internal growth.  The higher interest rates accounted for a $2.0 million increase in interest income.  The most significant component of this increase was the $1.1 million increase associated with the repricing of the Company’s loan portfolio that resulted from loans that matured during the period or were tied to a rate that fluctuated with changes in market rates.  Historically, approximately 70% of the Company’s loan portfolio reprices in one year or less.  As a result, the average rate earned on the loan portfolio increased 24 basis points from 7.63% to 7.87%.  The growth in average interest earning assets resulted in a $1.5 million improvement in interest income, due entirely to growth in average loans.

The $2.3 million increase in interest expense is the result of a 35 basis point increase in cost of funds due to competitive repricing during a higher interest rate environment, coupled with a $54.2 million increase in average interest bearing liabilities generated through internal growth.  The higher interest rates accounted for a $1.7 million increase in interest expense. The most significant component of this increase was the $1.4 million increase associated with the repricing of the Company’s time deposits that resulted from time deposits that matured during the period or were tied to a rate that fluctuated with changes in market rates.  Historically, approximately 80% of the Company’s time deposits reprice in one year or less.  As a result, the average rate paid on time deposits increased 50 basis points from 4.20% to 4.70%.  The higher level of average interest bearing liabilities resulted in a $568,000 increase in interest expense.  More specifically, the higher level of average interest bearing liabilities was the result of an increase of approximately $51.0 million from internal deposit growth and $3.2 million in federal funds purchased and other debt.
 
24

Net Interest Income Year-to-Date Analysis

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007, net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis was $71.1 million, an increase of $2.2 million, or 3.3%, from the same period in 2006.  The increase in net interest income was the result of a $13.7 million increase in interest income offset by an $11.5 million increase in interest expense.

The $13.7 million increase in interest income primarily is the result of a 48 basis point increase in yield on earning assets associated with the repricing to a higher interest rate environment, as well as a $100.6 million increase in average interest earning assets due to internal growth.  The higher interest rates accounted for an $8.1 million increase in interest income.  The most significant component of this increase was the $5.2 million increase associated with the repricing of the Company’s loan portfolio that resulted from loans that matured during the period or were tied to a rate that fluctuated with changes in market rates.  Historically, approximately 70% of the Company’s loan portfolio reprices in one year or less.  As a result, the average rate earned on the loan portfolio increased 39 basis points from 7.43% to 7.82%.  Another $2.6 million of the increase in interest income was due to repricing within the Company’s investment portfolio.  The average rate earned on the investment portfolio increased 72 basis points from 4.33% to 5.05%.  The growth in average interest earning assets resulted in a $5.6 million improvement in interest income.  The growth in average loans accounted for $4.8 million of this increase.

The $11.5 million increase in interest expense is the result of a 61 basis point increase in cost of funds due to competitive repricing during a higher interest rate environment, coupled with an $89.2 million increase in average interest bearing liabilities generated through internal growth.  The higher interest rates accounted for an $8.6 million increase in interest expense. The most significant component of this increase was the $6.6 million increase associated with the repricing of the Company’s time deposits that resulted from time deposits that matured during the period or were tied to a rate that fluctuated with changes in market rates.  Historically, approximately 80% of the Company’s time deposits reprice in one year or less.  As a result, the average rate paid on time deposits increased 81 basis points from 3.87% to 4.68%.  The higher level of average interest bearing liabilities resulted in a $ 2.8 million increase in interest expense.  More specifically, the higher level of average interest bearing liabilities was the result of an increase of approximately $89.7 million from internal deposit growth.

Net Interest Margin

The Company’s net interest margin increased 10 basis points to 4.01% for the three-month period ended September 30, 2007, when compared to 3.91% for the same period in 2006.  Net interest margin increased by 5 basis points from the previous quarter, the third consecutive improvement in net interest margin following seven successive quarterly declines.  The margin improvement was primarily due to the improvement in the yield on securities from maturities and repricing during the quarter, along with reasonable good growth in the loan portfolio.  The rate of increase in the average cost of deposits also continued to slow during the quarter.  The drop in the Federal Funds rate occurred too late in the quarter to have any impact on margin; though the Company’s interest model reflects a slight margin compression for approximately sixty days, then turning positive. Due to the uncertainty of future rate movements and the current yield curve, the Company anticipates a flat to slightly declining margin for the balance of 2007.
 
25

Net Interest Income Tables

Table 1 and 2 reflect an analysis of net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, as well as changes in fully taxable equivalent net interest margin for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 versus September 30, 2006.

Table 1:  Analysis of Net Interest Income
(FTE =Fully Taxable Equivalent)
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
(In thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
                         
Interest income
  $
43,301
    $
39,816
    $
126,155
    $
112,600
 
FTE adjustment
   
871
     
796
     
2,554
     
2,380
 
Interest income - FTE
   
44,172
     
40,612
     
128,709
     
114,980
 
Interest expense
   
19,731
     
17,439
     
57,561
     
46,079
 
                                 
Net interest income – FTE
  $
24,441
    $
23,173
    $
71,148
    $
68,901
 
                                 
Yield on earning assets – FTE
    7.24 %     6.86 %     7.14 %     6.66 %
Cost of interest bearing liabilities
    3.76 %     3.41 %     3.72 %     3.11 %
Net interest spread – FTE
    3.48 %     3.45 %     3.42 %     3.55 %
Net interest margin – FTE
    4.01 %     3.91 %     3.95 %     3.99 %
 
Table 2:  Changes in Fully Taxable Equivalent Net Interest Margin
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
(In thousands)
 
2007 vs. 2006
   
2007 vs. 2006
 
             
Increase due to change in earning assets
  $
1,535
    $
5,632
 
Increase due to change in earning asset yields
   
2,025
     
8,097
 
Decrease due to change in interest
               
       bearing liabilities
    (569 )     (2,835 )
Decrease due to change in interest rates
               
       paid on interest bearing liabilities
    (1,723 )     (8,647 )
Increase in net interest income
  $
1,268
    $
2,247
 
 
 
26

 
Table 3 shows, for each major category of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, the average (computed on a daily basis) amount outstanding, the interest earned or expensed on such amount and the average rate earned or expensed for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006.  The table also shows the average rate earned on all earning assets, the average rate expensed on all interest bearing liabilities, the net interest spread and the net interest margin for the same periods. The analysis is presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis.  Non-accrual loans were included in average loans for the purpose of calculating the rate earned on total loans.

Table 3:  Average Balance Sheets and Net Interest Income Analysis
 
   
Three Months Ended September 30
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
Average
   
Income/
   
Yield/
   
Average
   
Income/
   
Yield/
 
($ in thousands)
 
Balance
   
Expense
   
Rate(%)
   
Balance
   
Expense
   
Rate(%)
 
                                     
ASSETS
                                   
Earning Assets
                                   
Interest bearing balances
                                   
due from banks
  $
9,382
    $
131
     
5.54
    $
16,851
    $
229
     
5.39
 
Federal funds sold
   
21,083
     
302
     
5.68
     
22,966
     
325
     
5.61
 
Investment securities - taxable
   
395,038
     
4,709
     
4.73
     
410,542
     
4,005
     
3.87
 
Investment securities - non-taxable
   
132,663
     
2,139
     
6.40
     
117,224
     
1,885
     
6.38
 
Mortgage loans held for sale
   
8,747
     
147
     
6.67
     
8,368
     
141
     
6.69
 
Assets held in trading accounts
   
4,930
     
71
     
5.71
     
4,598
     
14
     
1.21
 
Loans
   
1,849,091
     
36,673
     
7.87
     
1,769,131
     
34,013
     
7.63
 
Total interest earning assets
   
2,420,934
     
44,172
     
7.24
     
2,349,680
     
40,612
     
6.86
 
Non-earning assets
   
255,655
                     
254,517
                 
Total assets
  $
2,676,589
                    $
2,604,197
                 
                                                 
LIABILITIES AND
                                               
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                                               
Liabilities
                                               
Interest bearing liabilities
                                               
Interest bearing transaction
                                               
and savings accounts
  $
724,782
    $
3,328
     
1.82
    $
722,920
    $
3,023
     
1.66
 
Time deposits
   
1,123,967
     
13,307
     
4.70
     
1,074,875
     
11,381
     
4.20
 
Total interest bearing deposits
   
1,848,749
     
16,635
     
3.57
     
1,797,795
     
14,404
     
3.18
 
Federal funds purchased and
                                               
securities sold under agreement
                                               
to repurchase
   
113,060
     
1,404
     
4.93
     
93,670
     
1,152
     
4.88
 
Other borrowed funds
                   
 
                         
Short-term debt
   
38,710
     
519
     
5.32
     
54,120
     
761
     
5.58
 
Long-term debt
   
80,123
     
1,173
     
5.81
     
80,825
     
1,122
     
5.51
 
Total interest bearing liabilities
   
2,080,642
     
19,731
     
3.76
     
2,026,410
     
17,439
     
3.41
 
Non-interest bearing liabilities
                                               
Non-interest bearing deposits
   
305,453
                     
302,490
                 
Other liabilities
   
23,943
                     
22,804
                 
Total liabilities
   
2,410,038
                     
2,351,704
                 
Stockholders’ equity
   
266,551
                     
252,493
                 
Total liabilities and
                                               
stockholders’ equity
  $
2,676,589
                    $
2,604,197
                 
Net interest spread
                   
3.48
                     
3.45
 
Net interest margin
          $
24,441
     
4.01
            $
23,173
     
3.91
 
 
27

 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
Average
   
Income/
   
Yield/
   
Average
   
Income/
   
Yield/
 
(In thousands)
 
Balance
   
Expense
   
Rate(%)
   
Balance
   
Expense
   
Rate(%)
 
                                     
ASSETS
                                   
Earning Assets
                                   
Interest bearing balances
                                   
due from banks
  $
23,325
    $
938
     
5.38
    $
22,209
    $
785
     
4.73
 
Federal funds sold
   
32,576
     
1,303
     
5.35
     
18,471
     
692
     
5.01
 
Investment securities - taxable
   
401,105
     
13,776
     
4.59
     
410,500
     
11,457
     
3.73
 
Investment securities - non-taxable
   
128,268
     
6,208
     
6.47
     
117,566
     
5,654
     
6.43
 
Mortgage loans held for sale
   
8,116
     
383
     
6.31
     
7,794
     
369
     
6.33
 
Assets held in trading accounts
   
4,748
     
124
     
3.49
     
4,602
     
58
     
1.69
 
Loans
   
1,811,378
     
105,977
     
7.82
     
1,727,725
     
95,965
     
7.43
 
Total interest earning assets
   
2,409,516
     
128,709
     
7.14
     
2,308,867
     
114,980
     
6.66
 
Non-earning assets
   
252,766
                     
249,069
             
 
 
Total assets
  $
2,662,282
                    $
2,557,936
                 
                                                 
LIABILITIES AND
                                               
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                                               
Liabilities
                                               
Interest bearing liabilities
                                               
Interest bearing transaction
                                               
and savings accounts
  $
731,989
    $
9,832
     
1.80
    $
740,321
    $
8,476
     
1.53
 
Time deposits
   
1,128,660
     
39,467
     
4.68
     
1,030,591
     
29,837
     
3.87
 
Total interest bearing deposits
   
1,860,649
     
49,299
     
3.54
     
1,770,912
     
38,313
     
2.89
 
Federal funds purchased and
                                               
securities sold under agreement
                                               
to repurchase
   
110,293
     
4,057
     
4.92
     
99,613
     
3,320
     
4.46
 
Other borrowed funds
                                               
Short-term debt
   
15,276
     
637
     
5.58
     
25,400
     
1,082
     
5.70
 
Long-term debt
   
81,495
     
3,568
     
5.85
     
82,570
     
3,364
     
5.45
 
Total interest bearing liabilities
   
2,067,713
     
57,561
     
3.72
     
1,978,495
     
46,079
     
3.11
 
Non-interest bearing liabilities
                                               
Non-interest bearing deposits
   
307,075
                     
309,873
                 
Other liabilities
   
22,804
                     
20,451
                 
Total liabilities
   
2,397,592
                     
2,308,819
                 
Stockholders’ equity
   
264,690
                     
249,117
                 
Total liabilities and
                                               
stockholders’ equity
  $
2,662,282
                    $
2,557,936
                 
Net interest spread
                   
3.42
                     
3.55
 
Net interest margin
          $
71,148
     
3.95
            $
68,901
     
3.99
 
 
28

Table 4 presents changes in interest income and interest expense, resulting from changes in volume and changes in interest rates for the three-month and nine-month period ended September 30, 2007, as compared to the same period of the prior year.  The changes in interest rate and volume have been allocated to changes in average volume and changes in average rates, in proportion to the relationship of absolute dollar amounts of the changes in rates and volume.

Table 4:  Volume/Rate Analysis
 
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
2007 over 2006   
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2007 over 2006
 
(In thousands, on a fully
 
 
   
Yield/
               
Yield/
       
 taxable equivalent basis)
 
Volume
   
Rate
   
Total
   
Volume
   
Rate
   
Total
 
                                     
Increase (decrease) in
                                   
                                     
Interest income
                                   
Interest bearing balances
                                   
due from banks
  $ (105 )   $
6
    $ (99 )   $
40
    $
112
    $
152
 
Federal funds sold
    (27 )    
4
      (23 )    
561
     
50
     
611
 
Investment securities-taxable
    (156 )    
860
     
704
      (268 )    
2,588
     
2,320
 
Investment securities-non-taxable
   
250
     
5
     
255
     
518
     
36
     
554
 
Mortgage loans held for sale
   
6
     
--
     
6
     
15
      (1 )    
14
 
Assets held in trading accounts
   
1
     
56
     
57
     
2
     
64
     
66
 
Loans
   
1,566
     
1,094
     
2,660
     
4,764
     
5,248
     
10,012
 
                                                 
Total
   
1,535
     
2,025
     
3,560
     
5,632
     
8,097
     
13,729
 
                                                 
Interest expense
                                               
Interest bearing transaction and
                                               
savings accounts
   
8
     
297
     
305
      (96 )    
1,452
     
1,356
 
Time deposits
   
537
     
1,389
     
1,926
     
3,023
     
6,607
     
9,630
 
Federal funds purchased
                                               
and securities sold under
                                               
agreements to repurchase
   
240
     
11
     
251
     
375
     
362
     
737
 
Other borrowed funds
                                               
Short-term debt
    (207 )     (34 )     (241 )     (423 )     (22 )     (445 )
Long-term debt
    (9 )    
60
     
51
      (44 )    
248
     
204
 
Total
   
569
     
1,723
     
2,292
     
2,835
     
8,647
     
11,482
 
Increase (decrease) in net
                                               
interest income
  $
966
    $
302
    $
1,268
    $
2,797
    $ (550 )   $
2,247
 
 
29

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

The provision for loan losses represents management's determination of the amount necessary to be charged against the current period's earnings, in order to maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level, which is considered adequate, in relation to the estimated risk inherent in the loan portfolio.  The level of provision to the allowance is based on management's judgment, with consideration given to the composition, maturity and other qualitative characteristics of the portfolio, historical loan loss experience, assessment of current economic conditions, past due and non-performing loans and net loan loss experience.  It is management's practice to review the allowance on a quarterly basis to determine the level of provision made to the allowance after considering the factors noted above.

The provision for loan losses for the three-month period ended September 30, 2007, was $850,000, compared to $602,000 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2006, an increase of $248,000.  The provision increase was primarily due to an increase in commercial real estate delinquencies in the Northwest Arkansas region.

The provision for loan losses for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007, was $2.4 million, compared to $3.1 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2006, a reduction of $0.7 million.  The provision reduction for the nine-month period was primarily driven by two factors.

First, there was improvement in the credit quality of the loan portfolio in 2006, particularly due to the payoff of two large credit relationships after March 31, 2006.  One was upgraded two levels from substandard to watch, based on improved financial condition of the borrower, and was ultimately paid off.  The other impaired relationship, graded substandard, was refinanced with another financial institution.  A specific reserve was applied to both of these credit relationships.  Additional loans were classified in 2006 and in 2007 as non-performing based upon various criteria; however, there were no specific reserve allocations required for these loans.  Second, the Company continued to see a sustained decrease in credit card charge-offs, recording only 1.16% of credit card net charge-offs as a percent of the credit card portfolio during the nine-months ended September 30, 2007, still well below its historical level in excess of 2%.  The provision for loan losses after the first quarter of 2006 was reduced due to the improvement in credit quality of loans with specific reserves and the continued significant reduction in credit card charge-offs.

NON-INTEREST INCOME

Total non-interest income was $11.4 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2007, compared to $11.0 million for the same period in 2006.  For the nine-months ended September 30, 2007, non-interest income was $34.2 million compared to the $33.2 million reported for the same period ended September 30, 2006.  Non-interest income is principally derived from recurring fee income, which includes service charges, trust fees and credit card fees.  Non-interest income also includes income on the sale of mortgage loans, investment banking income, premiums on sale of student loans, income from the increase in cash surrender values of bank owned life insurance, and gains (losses) from sales of securities.
 
30

Table 5 details non-interest income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, as well as changes in 2007 from 2006.

Table 5:  Non-Interest Income
 
   
Three Months   
   
2007
   
Nine Months
   
2007
 
   
Ended September 30
   
Change from
   
Ended September 30
   
Change from
 
(In thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
   
2006
 
Trust income
  $
1,528
   
1,435
   
93
      6.48 %   $
4,639
   
4,095
   
544
      13.28 %
Service charges on
                                                               
deposit accounts
   
3,759
     
3,973
      (214 )     (5.39 )    
10,912
     
11,945
      (1,033 )     (8.65 )
Other service charges and fees
   
698
     
596
     
102
     
17.11
     
2,198
     
1,846
     
352
     
19.07
 
Income on sale of mortgage loans,
                                                               
net of commissions
   
715
     
763
      (48 )    
(6.29
   
2,121
     
2,194
      (73 )     (3.33 )
Income on investment banking,
                                                               
net of commissions
   
90
     
55
     
35
     
63.64
     
393
     
252
     
141
     
55.95
 
Credit card fees
   
3,115
     
2,755
     
360
     
13.07
     
8,789
     
7,912
     
877
     
11.08
 
Premiums on sale of student loans
   
419
     
413
     
6
     
1.45
     
2,042
     
1,808
     
234
     
12.94
 
Bank owned life insurance income
   
367
     
382
      (15 )     (3.93 )    
1,090
     
1,098
      (8 )     (0.73 )
Other income
   
682
     
654
     
28
     
4.28
     
1,980
     
2,004
      (24 )     (1.20 )
Total non-interest income
  $
11,373
   
11,026
   
347
      3.15 %  
34,164
   
33,154
   
1,010
      3.05 %
 
Recurring fee income for the three-month period ended September 30, 2007, was $9.1 million, an increase of $341,000, or 3.9% from the three-month period ended September 30, 2006.  Trust income increased by $93,000, due mainly to the addition of new customer accounts.  Service charges on deposit accounts decreased by $214,000 due to reduced income on insufficient funds (NSF) charges. The decrease in NSF income is primarily due to the increase in consumer use of debit cards and internet banking, and the associated decrease in paper transactions.  Other service charges and fees increased by $102,000, primarily due to an increase in ATM income, driven by an increase in pin based debit card volume and an improvement in the fee structure.  Credit card fees increased by $360,000 due primarily to a higher volume of credit and debit card transactions.

Recurring fee income for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007, was $26.5 million, an increase of $740,000, or 2.9% from the nine-month period ended September 30, 2006.  Trust income increased by $544,000, due mainly to the addition of new customer accounts and an improvement in fee structure.  Service charges on deposit accounts decreased by $1.0 million due to a reduction in NSF income, primarily resulting from the increase in consumer use of debit cards and internet banking, and the associated decrease in paper transactions. The Company’s debit card transaction volume for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007, increased 27% over the same period of 2006.  Other service charges and fees increased by $352,000, primarily due to an increase in ATM income, driven by an increase in pin based debit card volume and an improvement in the fee structure.  Credit card fees increased by $877,000 due primarily to a higher volume of credit and debit card transactions.

Premiums of sale of student loans increased by $234,000 for the nine-months ended September 30, 2007, compared to the same period in 2006, due primarily to early sales to avoid losing the premium to consolidation lenders.

There were no gains or losses on sale of securities during the three-months or nine-months ended September 30, 2007 or 2006.
 
31

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

Non-interest expense consists of salaries and employee benefits, occupancy, equipment, foreclosure losses and other expenses necessary for the operation of the Company.  Management remains committed to controlling the level of non-interest expense, through the continued use of expense control measures that have been installed.  The Company utilizes an extensive profit planning and reporting system involving all affiliates.  Based on a needs assessment of the business plan for the upcoming year, monthly and annual profit plans are developed, including manpower and capital expenditure budgets.  These profit plans are subject to extensive initial reviews and monitored by management on a monthly basis.  Variances from the plan are reviewed monthly and, when required, management takes corrective action intended to ensure financial goals are met.  Management also regularly monitors staffing levels at each affiliate, to ensure productivity and overhead are in line with existing workload requirements.

Non-interest expense for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007, was $23.2 million and $69.4 million, an increase of $1.1 million, or 4.9%, and $2.9 million, or 4.3%, respectively, from the same periods in 2006.  These increases are primarily the result of an increase in normal ongoing operating expenses and the additional expense associated with the operation of the five new financial centers opened in 2006 and 2007.  Two other items contributed significantly to the increase in non-interest expense.

Credit card expense increased for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007, over the same periods in 2006 by $215,000, or 25.3%, and $642,000, or 27.5%, respectively.  These increases were primarily due to the increased volume in credit card applications, card creation, interchange and other related expense resulting from the previously reported initiatives the Company has taken to stabilize its credit card portfolio.  See Loan Portfolio section for additional information.

Other non-interest expense for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007, was $8.3 million, an increase of $378,000 over the nine-months ended September 30, 2006.  The increase is primarily due to student loan origination fees paid by the Company during 2007.  The Federal Student Loan Program is phasing out origination fees on its loans over the next three years.  Most of the national market began waiving and absorbing the fees themselves during the phase-out period; therefore, as a leader in the Arkansas student loan market, the Company decided to do the same in order to prevent putting itself at a competitive disadvantage.  Proper accounting for these fees requires them to be amortized over the period in which the Company holds the loans.  The Company expensed $413,000 of student loan origination fees during the nine-months ended September 30, 2007, compared to $35,000 in the same period of 2006.  As future loans are originated with waived fees, management anticipates this expense to increase through March 31, 2008, then to gradually decline each quarter through the end of the three year phase-out period, March 31, 2009.  Thereafter, the expense should decline as the remaining fees are amortized over the remaining life of the loans.  The Company believes the full year 2007 impact of this expense will decrease income, net of income taxes, by approximately $375,000, or $.03 diluted earnings per share.
 
32

Table 6 below details non-interest expense for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, as well as changes in 2007 from 2006.

Table 6:  Non-Interest Expense
 
   
Three Months
   
2007
   
Nine Months
   
2007
 
   
Ended September 30
   
Change from
   
Ended September 30
   
Change from
 
(In thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
   
2006
 
                                                 
Salaries and employee benefits
  $
13,778
    $
13,298
    $
480
      3.61 %   $
41,406
    $
40,269
    $
1,137
      2.82 %
Occupancy expense, net
   
1,671
     
1,612
     
59
     
3.66
     
4,945
     
4,673
     
272
     
5.82
 
Furniture and equipment expense
   
1,455
     
1,407
     
48
     
3.41
     
4,428
     
4,281
     
147
     
3.43
 
Loss on foreclosed assets
   
77
     
32
     
45
     
140.63
     
137
     
105
     
32
     
30.48
 
Other operating expenses
                                                               
   Professional services
   
741
     
469
     
272
     
58.00
     
2,032
     
1,770
     
262
     
14.80
 
   Postage
   
597
     
555
     
42
     
7.57
     
1,780
     
1,691
     
89
     
5.26
 
   Telephone
   
462
     
492
      (30 )     (6.10 )    
1,331
     
1,471
      (140 )     (9.52 )
   Credit card expenses
   
1,064
     
849
     
215
     
25.32
     
2,974
     
2,332
     
642
     
27.53
 
   Operating supplies
   
374
     
390
      (16 )     (4.10 )    
1,264
     
1,205
     
59
     
4.90
 
   FDIC insurance
   
85
     
64
     
21
     
32.81
     
220
     
204
     
16
     
7.84
 
   Amortization of intangibles
   
203
     
207
      (4 )     (1.93 )    
616
     
623
      (7 )     (1.12 )
   Other expense
   
2,716
     
2,760
      (44 )     (1.59 )    
8,315
     
7,937
     
378
     
4.76
 
       Total non-interest expense
  $
23,223
    $
22,135
    $
1,088
      4.92 %   $
69,448
    $
66,561
    $
2,887
      4.34 %
 
LOAN PORTFOLIO

The Company's loan portfolio averaged $1.811 billion and $1.727 billion during the first nine months of 2007 and 2006, respectively.  As of September 30, 2007, total loans were $1.875 billion, an increase of $91.7 from December 31, 2006.  The most significant components of the loan portfolio were loans to businesses (commercial loans, commercial real estate loans and agricultural loans) and individuals (consumer loans, credit card loans and single-family residential real estate loans).

The Company seeks to manage its credit risk by diversifying its loan portfolio, determining that borrowers have adequate sources of cash flow for loan repayment without liquidation of collateral, obtaining and monitoring collateral, providing an adequate allowance for loan losses and regularly reviewing loans through the internal loan review process.  The loan portfolio is diversified by borrower, purpose and industry and, in the case of credit card loans, which are unsecured, by geographic region.  The Company seeks to use diversification within the loan portfolio to reduce credit risk, thereby minimizing the adverse impact on the portfolio, if weaknesses develop in either the economy or a particular segment of borrowers.  Collateral requirements are based on credit assessments of borrowers and may be used to recover the debt in case of default.  The Company uses the allowance for loan losses as a method to value the loan portfolio at its estimated collectible amount.  Loans are regularly reviewed to facilitate the identification and monitoring of deteriorating credits.

Consumer loans consist of credit card loans, student loans and other consumer loans.  Consumer loans were $368.3 million at September 30, 2007, or 19.6% of total loans, compared to $370.8 million, or 20.8% of total loans at December 31, 2006.  The consumer loan decrease from December 31, 2006 to September 30, 2007 is the result of the Company’s seasonal decline and early sale of student loans, almost entirely offset by an increase in the Company’s credit card portfolio.
 
33

As a general rule, the Company’s credit card portfolio experiences seasonal fluctuations, reaching its highest level during the fourth quarter and dropping off with paydowns to its lowest level during the first quarter.  The Company continues to experience significant competitive pressure from the credit card industry.  From 2002 through 2005, the credit card portfolio decreased by approximately $10 million to $14 million each year, primarily due to closed accounts.  However, the Company experienced a slow-down in this trend throughout 2006, with the credit card portfolio balance increasing by approximately $300,000 from December 31, 2005 to December 31, 2006.  The credit card portfolio balance has increased by a larger increment each quarter of 2007, compared to the same period in 2006.  The credit card portfolio balance at September 30, 2007, increased by $15.6 million, or 11.7%, compared to the balance at September 30, 2006.

After five consecutive years of net decreases in the number of credit card accounts, the Company experienced an addition of 1,650 net new accounts in 2006.  This year, through September 30, 2007, the Company has added over 11,000 net new accounts.  Management believes the increase in outstanding balances and the addition of new accounts are the result of the introduction of several initiatives over the past two years to make the Company’s credit card products more competitive.  The latest of those initiatives was the introduction of a 7.25% fixed rate card in July 2006, with no fees and no rewards. While these results are positive, because of the significant competitive pressures in the credit card industry, management cannot be assured that a sustained growth trend has yet been established.

Real estate loans consist of construction loans, single-family residential loans and commercial real estate loans. Real estate loans were $1.176 billion at September 30, 2007, or 62.7% of total loans, compared to the $1.154 billion, or 64.7% of total loans at December 31, 2006.  Commercial real estate loans increased by $26.5 million from December 31, 2006 to September 30, 2007, primarily due to increased loan demand in various growth areas of Arkansas.

Commercial loans consist of commercial loans, agricultural loans and loans to financial institutions.  Commercial loans were $319.8 million at September 30, 2007, or 17.1% of total loans, compared to $245.1 million, or 13.7% of total loans at December 31, 2006.  The commercial loan increase is primarily due to seasonal increases in agricultural and commercial loans.
 
34

The amounts of loans outstanding at the indicated dates are reflected in Table 7, according to type of loan.

Table 7:  Loan Portfolio
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
 
Consumer
           
Credit cards
  $
149,185
    $
143,359
 
Student loans
   
78,377
     
84,831
 
Other consumer
   
140,771
     
142,596
 
Real Estate
               
Construction
   
259,705
     
277,411
 
Single family residential
   
377,153
     
364,450
 
Other commercial
   
538,924
     
512,404
 
Commercial
               
Commercial
   
201,903
     
178,028
 
Agricultural
   
111,984
     
62,293
 
Financial institutions
   
5,905
     
4,766
 
Other
   
11,328
     
13,357
 
                 
Total loans before allowance for loan losses
  $
1,875,235
    $
1,783,495
 
 
ASSET QUALITY

A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will not receive all amounts due according to the contracted terms of the loans.  Impaired loans include non-performing loans (loans past due ninety days or more and nonaccrual loans) and certain other loans identified by management that are still performing.

Non-performing loans are comprised of (a) nonaccrual loans, (b) loans that are contractually past due ninety days and (c) other loans for which terms have been restructured to provide a reduction or deferral of interest or principal, because of deterioration in the financial position of the borrower.  The subsidiary banks recognize income principally on the accrual basis of accounting.  When loans are classified as nonaccrual, generally, the accrued interest is charged off and no further interest is accrued.  Loans, excluding credit card loans, are placed on a nonaccrual basis either: (1) when there are serious doubts regarding the collectability of principal or interest, or (2) when payment of interest or principal is ninety days or more past due and either (i) not fully secured or (ii) not in the process of collection.  If a loan is determined by management to be uncollectible, the portion of the loan determined to be uncollectible is then charged to the allowance for loan losses.

Credit card loans are classified as impaired when payment of interest or principal is ninety days past due. Litigation accounts are placed on nonaccrual until such time as deemed uncollectible.  Credit card loans are generally charged off when payment of interest or principal exceeds 180 days past due, but are turned over to the credit card recovery department, to be pursued until such time as they are determined, on a case-by-case basis, to be uncollectible.

At September 30, 2007, impaired loans were $11.7 million compared to $12.8 million at December 31, 2006.
 
35

Table 8 presents information concerning non-performing assets, including nonaccrual and other real estate owned.

Table 8:  Non-performing Assets
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
($ in thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
 
             
Nonaccrual loans
  $
9,065
    $
8,958
 
Loans past due ninety days or more
               
(principal or interest payments)
   
946
     
1,097
 
Total non-performing loans
   
10,011
     
10,055
 
                 
Other non-performing assets
               
Foreclosed assets held for sale
   
1,629
     
1,940
 
Other non-performing assets
   
38
     
52
 
Total other non-performing assets
   
1,667
     
1,992
 
                 
Total non-performing assets
  $
11,678
    $
12,047
 
                 
Allowance for loan losses to
               
non-performing loans
    250.79 %     252.46 %
Non-performing loans to total loans
    0.53 %     0.56 %
Non-performing assets to total assets
    0.43 %     0.45 %
Non-performing assets ratio(1)
    0.62 %     0.67 %
                 
(1) (Non-performing loans + foreclosed assets) / (total loans + foreclosed assets)
 
There was no interest income on the nonaccrual loans recorded for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

Overview

The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses.  This allowance is created through charges to income and maintained at a sufficient level to absorb expected losses in the Company’s loan portfolio.  The allowance for loan losses is determined monthly based on management’s assessment of several factors such as 1) historical loss experience based on volumes and types, 2) reviews or evaluations of the loan portfolio and allowance for loan losses, 3) trends in volume, maturity and composition, 4) off balance sheet credit risk, 5) volume and trends in delinquencies and non-accruals, 6) lending policies and procedures including those for loan losses, collections and recoveries, 7) national, state and local economic trends and conditions, 8) concentrations of credit that might affect loss experience across one or more components of the loan portfolio, 9) the experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff and 10) other factors and trends, which will affect specific loans and categories of loans.

As the Company evaluates the allowance for loan losses, it is categorized as follows:  1) specific allocations, 2) allocations for classified assets with no specific allocation, 3) general allocations for each major loan category and 4) unallocated portion.
 
36

Specific Allocations

Specific allocations are made when factors are present requiring a greater reserve than would be required when using the assigned risk rating allocation.  As a general rule, if a specific allocation is warranted, it is the result of an analysis of a previously classified credit or relationship.  The evaluation process in specific allocations for the Company includes a review of appraisals or other collateral analysis.  These values are compared to the remaining outstanding principal balance.  If a loss is determined to be reasonably possible, the possible loss is identified as a specific allocation.  If the loan is not collateral dependent, the measurement of loss is based on the expected future cash flows of the loan.

Allocations for Classified Assets with no Specific Allocation

The Company establishes allocations for loans rated “watch” through “doubtful” in accordance with the guidelines established by the regulatory agencies.  A percentage rate is applied to each category of these loan categories to determine the level of dollar allocation.

General Allocations

The Company establishes general allocations for each major loan category.  This section also includes allocations to loans which are collectively evaluated for loss such as credit cards, one-to-four family owner occupied residential real estate loans and other consumer loans.  The allocations in this section are based on a historical review of loan loss experience and past due accounts.  The Company gives consideration to trends, changes in loan mix, delinquencies, prior losses, and other related information.

Unallocated Portion

Allowance allocations other than specific, classified and general for the Company are included in unallocated.

Reserve for Unfunded Commitments

Historically, the Company has included reserves for unfunded commitments in the allowance for loan losses.  On March 31, 2006, the reserve for unfunded commitments was reclassified from the allowance for loan losses to other liabilities.  This reserve will be maintained at a level sufficient to absorb losses arising from unfunded loan commitments.  The adequacy of the reserve for unfunded commitments is determined monthly based on methodology similar to the Company’s methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses.  Future net adjustments to the reserve for unfunded commitments will be included in other non-interest expense.
 
37

An analysis of the allowance for loan losses is shown in Table 9.

Table 9:  Allowance for Loan Losses
 
(In thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
 
             
Balance, beginning of year
  $
25,385
    $
26,923
 
                 
Loans charged off
               
Credit card
   
1,993
     
1,854
 
Other consumer
   
1,126
     
847
 
Real estate
   
1,247
     
1,075
 
Commercial
   
504
     
1,108
 
Total loans charged off
   
4,870
     
4,884
 
                 
Recoveries of loans previously charged off
               
                 
Credit card
   
793
     
798
 
Other consumer
   
379
     
456
 
Real estate
   
610
     
498
 
Commercial
   
378
     
514
 
Total recoveries
   
2,160
     
2,266
 
Net loans charged off
   
2,710
     
2,618
 
Reclassification of reserve
               
related to unfunded commitments(1)
   
--
     
(1,525
Provision for loan losses
   
2,432
     
3,099
 
Balance, September 30
  $
25,107
    $
25,879
 
                 
Loans charged off
               
Credit card
           
600
 
Other consumer
           
395
 
Real estate
           
793
 
Commercial
           
209
 
Total loans charged off
           
1,997
 
                 
Recoveries of loans previously charged off
               
Credit card
           
242
 
Other consumer
           
173
 
Real Estate
            403  
Commerical
            22  
Total recoveries
           
840
 
Net loans charged off
           
1,157
 
Provision for loan losses
           
663
 
                 
Balance, end of year
          $
25,385
 
   
(1) On March 31, 2006, the reserve for unfunded commitments was reclassified from the allowance for loan losses to other liabilities. 
 
 

38

Provision for Loan Losses

The amount of provision to the allowance during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, and for the year ended December 31, 2006, was based on management's judgment, with consideration given to the composition of the portfolio, historical loan loss experience, assessment of current economic conditions, past due and non-performing loans and net loan loss experience.  It is management's practice to review the allowance on at least a quarterly basis, but generally on a monthly basis, to determine the level of provision made to the allowance after considering the factors noted above.

Allocated Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company utilizes a consistent methodology in the calculation and application of its allowance for loan losses.  Because there are portions of the portfolio that have not matured to the degree necessary to obtain reliable loss statistics from which to calculate estimated losses, the unallocated portion of the allowance is an integral component of the total allowance.  Although unassigned to a particular credit relationship or product segment, this portion of the allowance is vital to safeguard against the imprecision inherent when estimating credit losses.

Several factors in the national economy, including seventeen successive interest-rate increases by the Federal Reserve from June 2004 through June 2006, the effect of fuel prices on the commercial and consumer market, and certain loan sectors which may be exhibiting weaknesses, further justifies the need for unallocated reserves.

As of September 30, 2007, the allowance for loan losses reflects a decrease of approximately $278,000 from December 31, 2006.  As a general rule, the allocation in each category within the allowance reflects the overall changes in loan portfolio mix.

The Company still has some concerns over the uncertainty of the economy and the impact of pricing in the poultry and timber industries in Arkansas.  The Company is also cautious regarding the softening of the real estate market in Arkansas.  Based on our analysis of loans within these business sectors, the Company believes the allowance for loan losses is adequate for the period ended September 30, 2007.  Management actively monitors the status of these industries as they relate to the Company’s loan portfolio and makes changes to the allowance for loan losses as necessary.
 
39

An analysis of the allocation of allowance for loan losses is presented in Table 10.

Table 10:  Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses
 
   
September 30, 2007
   
December 31, 2006
 
   
Allowance
   
% of
   
Allowance
   
% of
 
($ in thousands)
 
Amount
   
loans(1)
   
Amount
   
loans(1)
 
                         
Credit cards
  $
3,416
      7.9 %   $
3,702
      8.0 %
Other consumer
   
1,489
      11.7 %    
1,402
      12.8 %
Real estate
   
10,504
      62.7 %    
9,835
      64.7 %
Commercial
   
2,587
      17.1 %    
2,856
      13.7 %
Other
   
198
      0.6 %    
--
      0.8 %
Unallocated
   
6,913
             
7,590
         
                                 
Total
  $
25,107
      100.0 %   $
25,385
      100.0 %
                  
(1) Percentage of loans in each category to total loans
 
DEPOSITS

Deposits are the Company’s primary source of funding for earning assets and are primarily developed through the Company’s network of 83 financial centers as of September 30, 2007.  The Company offers a variety of products designed to attract and retain customers with a continuing focus on developing core deposits.  The Company’s core deposits consist of all deposits excluding time deposits of $100,000 or more and brokered deposits.  As of September 30, 2007, core deposits comprised 77.6% of the Company’s total deposits.

The Company continually monitors the funding requirements at each affiliate bank along with competitive interest rates in the markets it serves.  Because the Company has a community banking philosophy, managers in the local markets establish the interest rates being offered on both core and non-core deposits.  This approach ensures that the interest rates being paid are competitively priced for each particular deposit product and structured to meet each affiliate bank’s respective funding requirements.  The Company believes it is paying a competitive rate, when compared with pricing in those markets.  Total deposits as of September 30, 2007, were $2.173 billion versus $2.176 billion on December 31, 2006.

The Company manages its interest expense through deposit pricing and does not anticipate a significant change in total deposits.  The Company believes that additional funds can be attracted and deposit growth can be accelerated through promotion and deposit pricing if it experiences accelerated loan demand or other liquidity needs beyond its current projections.  The Company also utilizes brokered deposits as an additional source of funding to meet liquidity needs.

Total time deposits decreased approximately $8.4 million to $1.123 billion at September 30, 2007, from $1.131 billion at December 31, 2006.  Non-interest bearing transaction accounts increased $14.5 million to $319.8 million at September 30, 2007, compared to $305.3 million at December 31, 2006.  Interest bearing transaction and savings accounts were $730.5 million at September 30, 2007, an $8.2 million decrease compared to $738.8 million on December 31, 2006.  The Company had $44.1 million and $50.0 million of brokered deposits at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.
 
40

LONG-TERM DEBT

During the nine month period ended September 30, 2007, the Company decreased long-term debt by $3.7 million, or 4.4% from December 31, 2006.  This decrease is primarily attributable to the Company’s final $2.0 million annual payment on its note payable along with scheduled principal pay downs on FHLB long-term advances.

CAPITAL

Overview

At September 30, 2007, total capital reached $267.6 million.  Capital represents shareholder ownership in the Company – the book value of assets in excess of liabilities.  At September 30, 2007, the Company’s equity to asset ratio was 9.83% compared to 9.77% at year-end 2006.

Capital Stock

At the Company’s annual shareholder meeting held on April 10, 2007, the shareholders approved an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation increasing the number of authorized shares of Class A, $0.01 par value, Common Stock from 30,000,000 to 60,000,000.  Class A Common Stock is the Company’s only outstanding class of stock.

Stock Repurchase

On May 25, 2004, the Company announced the adoption by the Board of Directors of a stock repurchase program.  The program authorizes the repurchase of up to 5% of the then outstanding Common Stock, or 733,485 shares.  Under the repurchase program, there is no time limit for the stock repurchases, nor is there a minimum number of shares the Company intends to repurchase.  The Company may discontinue purchases at any time that management determines additional purchases are not warranted.  The shares are to be purchased from time to time at prevailing market prices, through open market or unsolicited negotiated transactions, depending upon market conditions.  The Company intends to use the repurchased shares to satisfy stock option exercises, payment of future stock dividends and general corporate purposes.

During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007, the Company repurchased 294,831 shares of stock under the repurchase plan with a weighted average repurchase price of $26.79 per share.  Under the current stock repurchase plan, the Company can repurchase an additional 46,136 shares.

Cash Dividends

The Company declared cash dividends on its common stock of $0.54 per share for the first nine months of 2007 compared to $0.50 per share for the first nine months of 2006.  In recent years, the Company increased dividends no less than annually and presently plans to continue with this practice.
 
41

Parent Company Liquidity

The primary sources for payment of dividends by the Company to its shareholders and the share repurchase plan are the current cash on hand at the parent company plus the future dividends received from the eight affiliate banks.  Payment of dividends by the eight affiliate banks is subject to various regulatory limitations.  Reference is made to the Liquidity and Market Risk Management discussions of Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk for additional information regarding the parent company’s liquidity.

Risk Based Capital

The Company’s subsidiaries are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies.  Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s financial statements.  Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices.  The Company’s capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined) and of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined).  As of September 30, 2007, the Company meets all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.

As of the most recent notification from regulatory agencies, the subsidiaries were well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.  To be categorized as well capitalized, the Company and subsidiaries must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table.  There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the institutions’ categories.
 
42

The Company's risk-based capital ratios at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, are presented in table 11.

Table 11:  Risk-Based Capital
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
($ in thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
 
             
Tier 1 capital
           
Stockholders’ equity
  $
267,601
    $
259,016
 
Trust preferred securities
   
30,000
     
30,000
 
Intangible assets
    (63,924 )     (64,334 )
Unrealized (gain) loss on available-
               
for-sale securities, net of taxes
    (20 )    
2,198
 
                 
Total Tier 1 capital
   
233,657
     
226,880
 
                 
Tier 2 capital
               
Qualifying unrealized gain on
               
available-for-sale equity securities
   
158
     
167
 
Qualifying allowance for loan losses
   
24,188
     
22,953
 
Total Tier 2 capital
   
24,346
     
23,120
 
                 
Total risk-based capital
  $
258,003
    $
250,000
 
                 
Risk weighted assets
  $
1,932,608
    $
1,831,063
 
                 
Assets for leverage ratio
  $
2,615,527
    $
2,568,472
 
                 
Ratios at end of period
               
Leverage ratio
    8.93 %     8.83 %
Tier 1 capital
    12.09 %     12.39 %
Total risk-based capital
    13.35 %     13.65 %
                 
Minimum guidelines
               
Leverage ratio
    4.00 %     4.00 %
Tier 1 capital
    4.00 %     4.00 %
Total risk-based capital
    8.00 %     8.00 %
 
43

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements.  Statement No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  The Statement is effective for the Company on January 1, 2008 and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial position, operations or cash flows.

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.  Statement No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure eligible items at fair value at specified election dates.  Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value 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, (ii) is irrevocable (unless a new election date occurs) and (iii) is applied only to entire instruments and not to portions of instruments.  Statement No. 159 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2008 and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial position, operations or cash flows.

In September 2006, the FASB ratified the consensus reached by the FASB’s Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) relating to EITF 06-4, Accounting for the Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements.  EITF 06-4 requires employers accounting for endorsement split-dollar life insurance arrangements that provide a benefit to an employee that extends to postretirement periods to recognize a liability for future benefits in accordance with FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 106, Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions, or Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 12, Omnibus Opinion – 1967.  Entities should recognize the effects of applying this issue through either (a) a change in accounting principle through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings or to other components of equity or net assets in the statement of financial position as of the beginning of the year of adoption or (b) a change in accounting principle through retrospective application to all prior periods.  EITF 06-4 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2008.  The Company is currently evaluating the effect the implementation of EITF 06-4 will have on its financial position, operations and cash flows.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this quarterly report may not be based on historical facts and are “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.  These forward-looking statements may be identified by reference to a future period(s) or by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “foresee,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “would,” “could” or “intend,” future or conditional verb tenses, and variations or negatives of such terms.  These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, those relating to the Company’s future growth, revenue, assets, asset quality, profitability and customer service, critical accounting policies, net interest margin, non-interest revenue, market conditions related to the Company’s stock repurchase program, allowance for loan losses, the effect of certain new accounting standards on the Company’s financial position, operations, cash flows, income tax deductions, credit quality, the level of credit losses from lending commitments, net interest revenue, interest rate sensitivity, loan loss experience, liquidity, capital resources, market risk, earnings, effect of pending litigation, acquisition strategy, legal and regulatory limitations and compliance and competition.
 
44

We caution the reader not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this report in that actual results could differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements, due to a variety of factors.  These factors include, but are not limited to, changes in the Company’s operating or expansion strategy, availability of and costs associated with obtaining adequate and timely sources of liquidity, the ability to maintain credit quality, possible adverse rulings, judgments, settlements and other outcomes of pending litigation, the ability of the Company to collect amounts due under loan agreements, changes in consumer preferences, effectiveness of the Company’s interest rate risk management strategies, laws and regulations affecting financial institutions in general or relating to taxes, the effect of pending or future legislation, the ability of the Company to repurchase its Common Stock on favorable terms and other risk factors.  Other relevant risk factors may be detailed from time to time in the Company’s press releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  We undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this report.

Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

Parent Company

The Company has leveraged its investment in subsidiary banks and depends upon the dividends paid to it, as the sole shareholder of the subsidiary banks, as a principal source of funds for dividends to shareholders, stock repurchase and debt service requirements.  At September 30, 2007, undivided profits of the Company's subsidiaries were approximately $152.8 million, of which approximately $10 million was available for the payment of dividends to the Company without regulatory approval. In addition to dividends, other sources of liquidity for the Company are the sale of equity securities and the borrowing of funds.

Banking Subsidiaries

Generally speaking, the Company's banking subsidiaries rely upon net inflows of cash from financing activities, supplemented by net inflows of cash from operating activities, to provide cash used in investing activities.  Typical of most banking companies, significant financing activities include: deposit gathering; use of short-term borrowing facilities, such as federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements; and the issuance of long-term debt.  The banks' primary investing activities include loan originations and purchases of investment securities, offset by loan payoffs and investment maturities.

Liquidity represents an institution's ability to provide funds to satisfy demands from depositors and borrowers, by either converting assets into cash or accessing new or existing sources of incremental funds.  A major responsibility of management is to maximize net interest income within prudent liquidity constraints.  Internal corporate guidelines have been established to constantly measure liquid assets, as well as relevant ratios concerning earning asset levels and purchased funds.  The management and board of directors of each bank subsidiary monitor these same indicators and make adjustments as needed.  At September 30, 2007, each subsidiary bank was within established guidelines and total corporate liquidity remains strong.  At September 30, 2007, cash and cash equivalents, trading and available-for-sale securities and mortgage loans held for sale were 17.7% of total assets, as compared to 19.4% at December 31, 2006.
 
45

Liquidity Management

The objective of the Company’s liquidity management is to access adequate sources of funding to ensure that cash flow requirements of depositors and borrowers are met in an orderly and timely manner.  Sources of liquidity are managed so that reliance on any one funding source is kept to a minimum.  The Company’s liquidity sources are prioritized for both availability and time to activation.

The Company’s liquidity is a primary consideration in determining funding needs and is an integral part of asset/liability management.  Pricing of the liability side is a major component of interest margin and spread management.  Adequate liquidity is a necessity in addressing this critical task.  There are six primary and secondary sources of liquidity available to the Company.  The particular liquidity need and timeframe determine the use of these sources.

The first source of liquidity available to the Company is Federal funds.  Federal funds, primarily from downstream correspondent banks, are available on a daily basis and are used to meet the normal fluctuations of a dynamic balance sheet.  In addition, the Company and its affiliates have approximately $106 million in Federal funds lines of credit from upstream correspondent banks that can be accessed, when needed.  In order to ensure availability of these upstream funds, the Company has a plan for rotating the usage of the funds among the upstream correspondent banks, thereby providing approximately $40 million in funds on a given day.  Historical monitoring of these funds has made it possible for the Company to project seasonal fluctuations and structure its funding requirements on month-to-month basis.

A second source of liquidity is the retail deposits available through the Company’s network of affiliate banks throughout Arkansas.  Although this method can be somewhat of a more expensive alternative to supplying liquidity, this source can be used to meet intermediate term liquidity needs.

Third, the Company’s affiliate banks have lines of credits available with the Federal Home Loan Bank.  While the Company uses portions of those lines to match off longer-term mortgage loans, the Company also uses those lines to meet liquidity needs.  Approximately $359 million of these lines of credit are currently available, if needed.

Fourth, the Company uses a laddered investment portfolio that ensures there is a steady source of intermediate term liquidity.  These funds can be used to meet seasonal loan patterns and other intermediate term balance sheet fluctuations.  Approximately 66% of the investment portfolio is classified as available-for-sale. The Company also uses securities held in the securities portfolio to pledge when obtaining public funds.

The fifth source of liquidity is the ability to access large deposits from both the public and private sector to fund short-term liquidity needs.

Finally, the Company has established a $5 million unsecured line of credit with a major commercial bank that could be used to meet unexpected liquidity needs at both the parent company level as well as at any affiliate bank.

The Company believes the various sources available are ample liquidity for short-term, intermediate-term and long-term liquidity.
 
46

Market Risk Management

Market risk arises from changes in interest rates.  The Company has risk management policies to monitor and limit exposure to market risk.  In asset and liability management activities, policies are in place designed to minimize structural interest rate risk.  The measurement of market risk associated with financial instruments is meaningful only when all related and offsetting on- and off-balance-sheet transactions are aggregated, and the resulting net positions are identified.

Interest Rate Sensitivity

Interest rate risk represents the potential impact of interest rate changes on net income and capital resulting from mismatches in repricing opportunities of assets and liabilities over a period of time.  A number of tools are used to monitor and manage interest rate risk, including simulation models and interest sensitivity gap analysis.  Management uses simulation models to estimate the effects of changing interest rates and various balance sheet strategies on the level of the Company’s net income and capital.  As a means of limiting interest rate risk to an acceptable level, management may alter the mix of floating and fixed-rate assets and liabilities, change pricing schedules and manage investment maturities during future security purchases.

The simulation models incorporate management’s assumptions regarding the level of interest rates or balance changes for indeterminate maturity deposits for a given level of market rate changes.  These assumptions have been developed through anticipated pricing behavior.  Key assumptions in the simulation models include the relative timing of prepayments, cash flows and maturities.  In addition, the impact of planned growth and anticipated new business is factored into the simulation models.  These assumptions are inherently uncertain and, as a result, the models cannot precisely estimate net interest income or precisely predict the impact of a change in interest rates on net income or capital.  Actual results will differ from simulated results due to the timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes and changes in market conditions and management strategies, among other factors.
 
47

Table A below presents the Company’s interest rate sensitivity position at September 30, 2007.  This analysis is based on a point in time and may not be meaningful because assets and liabilities are categorized according to contractual maturities, repricing periods and expected cash flows rather than estimating more realistic behaviors, as is done in the simulation models.  Also, this analysis does not consider subsequent changes in interest rate level or spreads between asset and liability categories.

Table A:  Interest Rate Sensitivity
 
   
Interest Rate Sensitivity Period
 
   
0-30
   
31-90
   
91-180
   
181-365
   
1-2
   
2-5
   
Over 5
       
(In thousands, except ratios)
 
Days
   
Days
   
Days
   
Days
   
Years
   
Years
   
Years
   
Total
 
Earning assets
                                                           
Short-term investments
  $
32,212
    $
--
    $
--
    $
--
    $
--
    $
--
    $
--
    $
32,212
 
Assets held in trading
                                                               
accounts
   
5,482
     
--
     
--
     
--
     
--
     
--
     
--
     
5,482
 
Investment securities
   
51,487
     
27,093
     
34,614
     
86,967
     
165,742
     
100,081
     
63,504
     
529,488
 
Mortgage loans held for sale
   
8,244
     
--
     
--
     
--
     
--
     
--
     
--
     
8,244
 
Loans
   
609,224
     
186,293
     
153,644
     
327,319
     
258,423
     
309,848
     
30,484
     
1,875,235
 
                                                                 
Total earning assets
   
706,649
     
213,386
     
188,258
     
414,286
     
424,165
     
409,929
     
93,988
     
2,450,661
 
                                                                 
Interest bearing liabilities
                                                               
Interest bearing transaction
                                                               
and savings deposits
   
407,931
     
--
     
--
     
--
     
64,520
     
193,562
     
64,520
     
730,533
 
Time deposits
   
148,610
     
197,718
     
368,987
     
292,532
     
91,750
     
23,397
     
--
     
1,122,994
 
Short-term debt
   
174,579
     
--
     
--
     
--
     
--
     
--
     
--
     
174,579
 
Long-term debt
   
727
     
11,496
     
6,322
     
3,923
     
6,368
     
26,207
     
24,612
     
79,655
 
Total interest bearing
                                                               
liabilities
   
731,847
     
209,214
     
375,309
     
296,455
     
162,638
     
243,166
     
89,132
     
2,107,761
 
                                                                 
Interest rate sensitivity Gap
  $ (25,198 )   $
4,172
    $ (187,051 )   $
117,831
    $
261,527
    $
166,763
    $
4,856
    $
342,900
 
Cumulative interest rate
                                                               
sensitivity Gap
  $ (25,198 )   $ (21,026 )   $ (208,077 )   $ (90,246 )   $
171,281
    $
338,044
    $
342,900
         
Cumulative rate sensitive asset
                                                               
to rate sensitive liabilities
    96.6 %     97.8 %     84.2 %     94.4 %     109.6 %     116.7 %     116.3 %        
Cumulative Gap as a % of
                                                               
earning assets
    (1.0 )%     (0.9 )%     (8.5 )%     (3.7 )%     7.0 %     13.8 %     14.0 %        
 
Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in 15 C.F.R. 240.13a-15(e) or 15 C.F.R. 240.15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s current disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect those controls subsequent to the date of evaluation.
48

Part II:       Other Information

Item 1A.     Risk Factors

There has been no material change in the risk factors disclosure from that contained in the Company’s 2006 Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.

Item 2.        Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
(c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.  The Company made the following purchases of its common stock during the three months ended September 30, 2007:
 
               
Total Number
   
Maximum
 
               
of Shares
   
Number of
 
   
Total Number
   
Average
   
Purchased as
   
Shares that May
 
   
of Shares
   
Price Paid
   
Part of Publicly
   
Yet be Purchased
 
Period
 
Purchased
   
Per Share
   
Announced Plans
   
Under the Plans
 
                         
July 1 – July 31
   
67,188
    $
25.76
     
67,188
     
113,201
 
August 1 – August 31
   
59,000
     
24.87
     
59,000
     
54,201
 
September 1 – September 30
   
8,065
     
26.70
     
8,065
     
46,136
 
                                 
Total
   
134,253
    $
25.43
     
134,253
         
 
Item 6.        Exhibits
 
Exhibit No.
Description
   
3.1
Restated Articles of Incorporation of Simmons First National Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended June 30, 2007 (File No. 0-6253)).
   
3.2
Amended By-Laws of Simmons First National Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended March 31, 2005 (File No. 0-6253)).
   
10.1
Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2003, among the Company, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Delaware and each of J. Thomas May, Barry L. Crow and Robert A. Fehlman as administrative trustees, with respect to Simmons First Capital Trust II (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)).
   
10.2
Guarantee Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2003, between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as guarantee trustee, with respect to Simmons First Capital Trust II (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)).
 
49

 
10.3
Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of December 16, 2003, among the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, with respect to the junior subordinated note held by Simmons First Capital Trust II (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)).
   
10.4
Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2003, among the Company, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Delaware and each of J. Thomas May, Barry L. Crow and Robert A. Fehlman as administrative trustees, with respect to Simmons First Capital Trust III (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)).
   
10.5
Guarantee Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2003, between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as guarantee trustee, with respect to Simmons First Capital Trust III (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)).
   
10.6
Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of December 16, 2003, among the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, with respect to the junior subordinated note held by Simmons First Capital Trust III (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)).
   
10.7
Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2003, among the Company, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Delaware and each of J. Thomas May, Barry L. Crow and Robert A. Fehlman as administrative trustees, with respect to Simmons First Capital Trust IV (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)).
   
10.8
Guarantee Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2003, between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as guarantee trustee, with respect to Simmons First Capital Trust IV (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)).
   
10.9
Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of December 16, 2003, among the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, with respect to the junior subordinated note held by Simmons First Capital Trust IV (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)).
 
50

 
10.10
Long-Term Executive Incentive Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2005, by and between the Company and J. Thomas May (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2005 (File No. 0-6253)).
   
14
Code of Ethics, dated December 2003, for CEO, CFO, controller and other accounting officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)).
   
31.1
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification – J. Thomas May, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.*
   
31.2
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification – Robert A. Fehlman, Chief Financial Officer.*
   
32.1
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sections 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 – J. Thomas May, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.*
   
32.2
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sections 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 – Robert A. Fehlman, Chief Financial Officer.*
 
* Filed herewith.
51

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION
(Registrant)
 
       
         
Date:
 November 8, 2007  
 
/s/ J. Thomas May
 
     
J. Thomas May
 
     
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 
         
 
 
     
       
Date:
 November 8, 2007  
 
/s/ Robert A. Fehlman
 
   
Robert A. Fehlman
 
   
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
52