Edgar Filing: HERITAGE COMMERCE CORP

Unassociated Document

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(MARK ONE)

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008

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

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ___________ TO _____________

Commission file number 000-23877

Heritage Commerce Corp

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

California	77-0469558
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

150 Almaden Boulevard

San Jose, California 95113

(Address of Principal Executive Offices including Zip Code)

(408) 947-6900

(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class	Name of Each Exchange on which Registered
Common Stock, no par value	The NASDAQ Stock Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes o No x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.

Yes o No x

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

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K, or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer" and "small reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. x

Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer x Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a smaller

reporting company)

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

The aggregate market value of the stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, based upon the closing price of its common stock as of June 30, 2008 ($9.90 per share), as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, was approximately $99 million.

As of February 17, 2009, there were 11,820,509 shares of the Registrant’s common stock (no par value) outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A in connection with the 2009 Annual Meeting to be held on May 28, 2009 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report. The proxy statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the Registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.

HERITAGE COMMERCE CORP

INDEX TO

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

FOR YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008

Part I.		Page
Item 1.	Business	4
Item 1A	Risk Factors	14
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments	19
Item 2.	Properties	19
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings	20
Item 4.	Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders	20
Part II.
Item 5.	Market for the Registrant's Commom Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	21
Item 6.	Selected Financial Data	23
Item 7.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	25
Item 7A.	Quantiative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	44
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	44
Item 9.	Changes in Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures	44
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures	44
Item 9B.	Other Information	45
Part III.
Item 10.	Directors and Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	45
Item 11.	Executive Compensation	45
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	45
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	45
Item 14.	Principal Accountant Fees and Services	45
Part IV.
Item 15.	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules	45
Signatures		46
Financial Statements		48
Exhibit Index		77

PART I

ITEM 1 - BUSINESS

Discussions of certain matters in this Report on Form 10-K may constitute forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and as such, may involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies, and expectations, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as “believe”, “expect”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “project”, “assume,” “plan,” “predict,” “forecast” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, expectations of the business environment in which the Company operates, projections of future performance, potential future performance, potential future credit experience, perceived opportunities in the market, and statements regarding the Company’s mission and vision. The Company’s actual results, performance, and achievements may differ materially from the results, performance, and achievements expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements due to a wide range of factors. The factors include, but are not limited to changes in interest rates, reducing interest margins or increasing interest rate risk, general economic conditions nationally or in the State of California, legislative and regulatory changes adversely affecting the business in which the Company operates, monetary and fiscal policies of the US Government, real estate valuations, the availability of sources of liquidity at a reasonable cost, access to capital on terms that are not materially adverse to our shareholders, the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses, delinquencies and non-performing assets in our loan portfolios, competition in the financial services industry, the occurrence of events such as the terrorist acts of September 11, 2001, and other risks. All of the Company’s operations and most of its customers are located in California. In addition, acts and threats of terrorism or the impact of military conflicts have increased the uncertainty related to the national and California economic outlook and could have an effect on the future operations of the Company or its customers, including borrowers. See Item 1A – Risk Factors for further discussion of factors that could cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

General

Heritage Commerce Corp (the “Company”) is registered with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve Board”) as a Bank Holding Company under the Bank Holding Company Act (“BHCA”). The Company was organized in 1997 to be the holding company for Heritage Bank of Commerce. Subsequent to 1997, the Company became the holding company for Heritage Bank East Bay (“HBEB”), Heritage Bank South Valley (“HBSV”), and Bank of Los Altos (“BLA”). On January 1, 2003, HBEB, HBSV, and BLA were merged into Heritage Bank of Commerce (“HBC”). The former HBEB, HBSV, and BLA now operate as branch offices of HBC and continue to serve their local markets. In June 2007, the Company acquired Diablo Valley Bank (“DVB”), and DVB merged into HBC.

The Company’s only other direct subsidiaries are Heritage Capital Trust I (formed 2000), Heritage Statutory Trust I (formed 2000), Heritage Statutory Trust II (formed 2001) and Heritage Statutory Trust III (formed 2002) (collectively, “Subsidiary Trusts”), which were formed solely to facilitate the issuance of capital trust pass-through securities to enhance regulatory capital and liquidity. Pursuant to FASB Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (FIN 46), the Subsidiary Trusts are not reflected on a consolidated basis in the financial statements of the Company.

The Company’s principal source of income is dividends from HBC. The expenditures of the Company, including (but not limited to) the payment of dividends to shareholders, if and when declared by the Board of Directors, the cost of servicing debt, legal fees, audit fees, and shareholder costs will generally be paid from dividends paid to the Company by HBC.

At December 31, 2008, the Company had consolidated assets of $1.5 billion, deposits of $1.2 billion and shareholders’ equity of $184.3 million. The Company’s liabilities include $23.7 million in debt obligations due to the Subsidiary Trusts related to capital trust pass-through securities issued by those entities.

The Internet address of the Company’s website is “http://www.heritagecommercecorp.com.” The Company makes available free of charge through the Company’s website, the Company’s annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports. The Company makes these reports available on its website on the same day they appear on the SEC’s website.

References herein to the “Company” include the Company and its consolidated subsidiary, unless the context indicates otherwise.

Heritage Bank of Commerce

Heritage Bank of Commerce (“HBC”) is a California state-chartered bank headquartered in San Jose, California. It was incorporated in November 1993 and opened for business in January 1994. HBC is a multi-community independent bank that offers a full range of banking services to small to medium sized businesses and their owners, managers and employees residing in Santa Clara, Alameda, San Mateo, and Contra Costa counties in California. We operate ten full service branch offices throughout this geographic footprint. The locations of HBC’s current offices are:

San Jose:	Administrative Office Main Branch 150 Almaden Boulevard

Fremont:	Branch Office 3077 Stevenson Boulevard

Danville:	Branch Office 387 Diablo Road

Gilroy:	Branch Office 7598 Monterey Street Ste #110

Los Altos:	Branch Office 419 South San Antonio Road

Los Gatos:	Branch Office 15575 Los Gatos Boulevard

Morgan Hill:	Branch Office 18625 Sutter Boulevard

Mountain View:	Branch Office 175 E. El Camino Real

Pleasanton:	Branch Office 300 Main Street

Walnut Creek:	Branch Office 101 Ygnacio Valley Road Ste #100

HBC’s gross loan balances at the end of 2008 totaled $1.25 billion. HBC’s lending activities are diversified and include commercial, real estate, construction loans, and consumer loans. HBC’s commercial loans are made for working capital, financing the purchase of equipment or for other business purposes. Such loans include loans with maturities ranging from thirty days to one year and “term loans,” with maturities normally ranging from one to five years. Short-term business loans are generally intended to finance current transactions and typically provide for periodic principal payments, with interest payable monthly. Term loans normally provide for floating or fixed interest rates, with monthly payments of both principal and interest. HBC’s commercial loans are centered in locally-oriented commercial activities in markets where HBC has a physical presence through its branch offices and loan production offices.

HBC’s real estate term loans consist primarily of loans made based on the borrower’s cash flow and are secured by deeds of trust on commercial and residential property to provide a secondary source of repayment. HBC generally restricts real estate term loans to no more than 80% of the property’s appraised value or the purchase price of the property, depending on the type of property and its utilization. HBC offers both fixed and floating rate loans. Maturities on such loans are generally restricted to between five and ten years (with amortization ranging from fifteen to twenty-five years and a balloon payment due at maturity); however, SBA and certain real estate loans that can be sold in the secondary market may be granted for longer maturities.

HBC’s real estate land and construction loans are primarily short term interim loans to finance the construction of commercial and single family residential properties. HBC utilizes underwriting guidelines to assess the likelihood of repayment from sources such as sale of the property or permanent mortgage financing prior to making the construction loan.

HBC makes consumer loans for the purpose of financing automobiles, various types of consumer goods, and other personal purposes. Additionally, HBC makes home equity lines of credit available to its clientele. Consumer loans generally provide for the monthly payment of principal and interest. Most of HBC’s consumer loans are secured by the personal property being purchased or, in the instances of home equity loans or lines, real property.

We also actively engage in Small Business Administration (“SBA”) lending. We have been designated as an SBA Preferred Lender since 1999. As of December 31, 2008, 72% of the weighted average balance of our total SBA loans were guaranteed by the SBA.

As of December 31, 2008, the percentage of our total loans for each of the principal areas in which we directed our lending activities were as follows: (i) commercial 42% (including SBA loans), (ii) real estate secured loans 33%, (iii) construction loans 21%, and (iv) consumer (including home equity) 4%. While no specific industry concentration is considered significant, our lending operations are located in market areas dependent on technology and real estate industries and their supporting companies.

In addition to loans, we offer a wide range of deposit products for retail and business banking markets including checking accounts, interest-bearing transaction accounts, savings accounts, time deposits and retirement accounts. We attract deposits from throughout our market area with a customer-oriented product mix, competitive pricing, and convenient locations. At December 31, 2008, we had approximately 17,200 deposit accounts totaling $1.15 billion, including brokered deposits, compared to 15,800 deposit accounts totaling approximately $1.06 billion as of December 31, 2007.

We offer a multitude of other products and services to complement our lending and deposit services. These include cashier’s checks, traveler’s checks, bank-by-mail, ATM, night depository, safe deposit boxes, direct deposit, automated payroll services, electronic funds transfers, on-line banking, and other customary banking services. We currently operate ATMs at six different locations. In addition, we have established a convenient customer service group accessible by toll-free telephone to answer questions and promote a high level of customer service. HBC does not have a trust department. In addition to the traditional financial services offered, HBC offers remote deposit capture, automated clearing house origination; electronic data interchange and check imaging. HBC continues to investigate products and services that it believes address the growing needs of its customers and to analyze other markets for potential expansion opportunities.

Correspondent Banks

Correspondent bank deposit accounts are maintained to enable the Company to transact types of activity that it would otherwise be unable to perform or would not be cost effective due to the size of the Company or volume of activity. The Company has utilized several correspondent banks to process a variety of transactions.

Acquisition of Diablo Valley Bank

In June 2007, the Company acquired Diablo Valley Bank. The transaction was valued at approximately $65 million, including payments for cancellation of options for Diablo Valley Bank common stock. Diablo Valley Bank shareholders received a per share consideration of $23.00. Accordingly, the Company paid approximately $24 million in cash and issued 1,732,298 shares of the Company’s common stock in exchange for all outstanding Diablo Valley Bank shares and stock options. Prior to closing, Diablo Valley Bank redeemed all of its outstanding Series A Preferred Stock for an aggregate of approximately $6.7 million in cash (including dividend payments).

U.S. Treasury Troubled Asset Relief Program

On October 3, 2008, the Troubled Asset Relief Program (“TARP”) was signed into law. TARP gave the United States Treasury (U.S. Treasury) authority to deploy up to $750 billion into the financial system with an objective of improving liquidity in capital markets. On October 24, 2008, the U.S. Treasury announced plans to direct $250 billion of this authority into preferred stock investments in banks. On November 21, 2008, the Company entered into a Letter Agreement and Securities Purchase Agreement - Standard Terms (the “Purchase Agreement”) with the U.S. Treasury, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold (i) 40,000 shares of the Company’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) and (ii) a warrant (the “Warrant” or “TARP Warrant”) to purchase 462,963 shares of the Company’s common stock, no par value (“Warrant Shares”), for an aggregate purchase price of $40 million.

The Series A Preferred Stock pays cumulative dividends at a rate of 5% per year for the first five years and at a rate of 9% per year thereafter, but will be paid only if and when declared by the Company’s board of directors. The Series A Preferred Stock has no maturity date and ranks senior to the common stock with respect to the payment of dividends and distributions and amounts payable upon liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the Company. The Series A Preferred Stock is generally non-voting, other than class voting on certain matters that could adversely affect the Series A Preferred Stock. In the event that dividends payable on the Series A Preferred Stock have not been paid for the equivalent of six or more quarters, whether or not consecutive, the Company’s authorized number of directors will be increased by two and the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, voting together with holders of any then outstanding voting parity stock, will have the right to elect those directors at the Company’s next annual meeting of shareholders or at a special meeting of shareholders called for that purpose. These directors will be elected annually and will serve until all accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock have been paid.

The Company may redeem the Series A Preferred Stock after February 15, 2012 for $1,000 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends. Prior to this date, the Company may redeem, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, the Series A Preferred Stock for $1,000 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends if: (i) the Company has raised aggregate gross proceeds in one or more “qualified equity offerings” (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) of not less than 25% of the aggregate purchase price for the Series A Preferred Stock and Warrant paid by the Treasury ($10 million), and (ii) the aggregate redemption price does not exceed the aggregate net cash proceeds from such qualified equity offerings. Any redemption is subject to the prior approval of the Company’s primary federal banking regulator.

Prior to November 21, 2011, unless the Company has redeemed the Series A Preferred Stock or the U.S. Treasury has transferred the Series A Preferred Stock to a third party, the consent of the U.S. Treasury will be required for the Company to: (i) declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on the common stock (other than regular quarterly cash dividends of not more than the amount of the last quarterly cash dividend per share declared or, if lower, publicly announced an intention to declare, on the common stock prior to October 14, 2008, as adjusted for any stock split, stock dividend, reverse stock split, reclassification or similar transaction) or (ii) redeem, purchase or acquire any shares of common stock or other equity or capital securities, other than in connection with benefit plans consistent with past practice and certain other circumstances specified in the Purchase Agreement. In addition, the Company’s ability to declare or pay dividends or repurchase common stock or other equity or capital securities will be subject to restrictions in the event that the Company fails to declare or pay (or set aside for payment) full dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock.

The Warrant is immediately exercisable and has a 10-year term with an initial exercise price of $12.96. The exercise price and the ultimate number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the Warrant are subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments, such as upon stock splits or distributions of securities or other assets to holders of the common stock, and upon certain issuances of the common stock at or below a specified price relative to the then current market price of the common stock. If, on or prior to December 31, 2009, the Company receives aggregate gross cash proceeds of not less than $40 million from “qualified equity offerings”, the number of shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the Treasury’s exercise of the Warrant (the “Warrant Shares”) will be reduced by one-half of the original number of Warrant Shares, taking into account all adjustments, underlying the Warrant. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Treasury has agreed not to exercise voting power with respect to any Warrant Shares.

The Series A Preferred Stock will qualify as a component of Tier 1 capital.

The Series A Preferred Stock and the Warrant were issued in a private placement exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. Upon the request of the U.S. Treasury at any time, the Company has agreed to promptly enter into a deposit arrangement pursuant to which the Series A Preferred Stock may be deposited and depositary shares may be issued. The Company has filed a registration statement to register for resale the Series A Preferred Stock, the Warrant and the Warrant Shares. Neither the Series A Preferred Stock nor the Warrant will be subject to any contractual restrictions on transfer, except that the U.S. Treasury may only transfer or exercise an aggregate of one-half of the Warrant Shares prior to the earlier of the redemption of 100% of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock or December 31, 2009.

Competition

The banking and financial services business in California generally, and in the Company’s market areas specifically, is highly competitive. The industry continues to consolidate and unregulated competitors have entered banking markets with products targeted at highly profitable customer segments. Many larger unregulated competitors are able to compete across geographic boundaries, and provide customers with meaningful alternatives to most significant banking services and products. These consolidation trends are likely to continue. The increasingly competitive environment is a result primarily of changes in regulation, changes in technology and product delivery systems, and the consolidation among financial service providers.

With respect to commercial bank competitors, the business is dominated by a relatively small number of major banks that operate a large number of offices within our geographic footprint. For the combined Santa Clara, Alameda and Contra Costa county region, the three counties within which the Company operates, the top three institutions are all multi-billion dollar entities with an aggregate of 378 offices that control a combined 51.21% of deposit market share based on June 30, 2008 FDIC market share data. HBC ranks fourteenth with 1.09% share of total deposits. These banks have, among other advantages, the ability to finance wide-ranging advertising campaigns and to allocate their resources to regions of highest yield and demand. They can also offer certain services that we do not offer directly, but may offer indirectly through correspondent institutions. By virtue of their greater total capitalization, these banks also have substantially higher lending limits than we do. For customers whose needs exceed our legal lending limit, we arrange for the sale, or “participation,” of some of the balances to financial institutions that are not within our geographic footprint.

In addition to other large regional banks and local community banks, our competitors include savings institutions, securities and brokerage companies, mortgage companies, credit unions, finance companies and money market funds. In recent years, we have also witnessed increased competition from specialized companies that offer wholesale finance, credit card, and other consumer finance services, as well as services that circumvent the banking system by facilitating payments via the internet, wireless devices, prepaid cards, or other means. Technological innovations have lowered traditional barriers of entry and enabled many of these companies to compete in financial services markets. Such innovation has, for example, made it possible for non-depository institutions to offer customers automated transfer payment services that previously were considered traditional banking products. In addition, many customers now expect a choice of delivery channels, including telephone, mail, personal computer, ATMs, self-service branches, and/or in-store branches. Competitors offering such products include traditional banks and savings associations, credit unions, brokerage firms, asset management groups, finance and insurance companies, internet-based companies, and mortgage banking firms.

Strong competition for deposits and loans among financial institutions and non-banks alike affects interest rates and other terms on which financial products are offered to customers. Mergers between financial institutions have placed additional pressure on other banks within the industry to remain competitive by streamlining operations, reducing expenses, and increasing revenues. Competition has also intensified due to federal and state interstate banking laws enacted in the mid 1990’s, which permit banking organizations to expand into other states. The relatively large and expanding California market has been particularly attractive to out of state institutions. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, has made it possible for full affiliations to occur between banks and securities firms, insurance companies, and other financial companies, and has also intensified competitive conditions. (See Item 1 - Business - Supervision and Regulation - The Company - The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999.)

In order to compete with the other financial service providers, the Company principally relies upon community-oriented, personalized service, local promotional activities, personal relationships established by officers, directors, and employees with its customers, and specialized services tailored to meet its customers’ needs. Our “preferred lender” status with the Small Business Administration allows us to approve SBA loans faster than many of our competitors. In those instances where the Company is unable to accommodate a customer’s needs, the Company seeks to arrange for such loans on a participation basis with other financial institutions or to have those services provided in whole or in part by its correspondent banks. See Item 1 - “Business - Correspondent Banks.”

Economic Conditions, Government Policies, Legislation, and Regulation

The Company’s profitability, like most financial institutions, is primarily dependent on interest rate differentials. In general, the difference between the interest rates paid by the HBC on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and other borrowings, and the interest rates received by HBC on interest-earning assets, such as loans extended to customers and securities held in the investment portfolio, will comprise the major portion of the Company’s earnings. These rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond the control of the Company and HBC, such as inflation, recession and unemployment, and the impact which future changes in domestic and foreign economic conditions might have on the Company and HBC cannot be predicted.

The Company’s business is also influenced by the monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government and the policies of regulatory agencies, particularly the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve Board”). The Federal Reserve Board implements national monetary policies (with objectives such as curbing inflation and combating recession) through its open-market operations in U.S. Government securities by adjusting the required level of reserves for depository institutions subject to its reserve requirements, and by varying the target federal funds and discount rates applicable to borrowings by depository institutions. The actions of the Federal Reserve Board in these areas influence the growth of bank loans, investments, and deposits and also affect interest earned on interest-earning assets and paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The nature and impact of any future changes in monetary and fiscal policies on the Company cannot be predicted.

From time to time, federal and state legislation is enacted which may have the effect of materially increasing the cost of doing business, limiting or expanding permissible activities, or affecting the competitive balance between banks and other financial services providers. The Company cannot predict whether or when potential legislation will be enacted and, if enacted, the effect that it, or any implemented regulations and supervisory policies, would have on our financial condition or results of operations. In addition, the outcome of examinations, any litigation or any investigations initiated by state or federal authorities may result in necessary changes in our operations and increased compliance costs.

The significant negative economic and financial developments and disruption of the financial markets throughout 2008 and the expectation that the general economic downturn that began in 2008 will continue into and possibly throughout 2009 has resulted in uncertainty in the domestic and global financial markets. Commercial as well as consumer loan portfolio performances have deteriorated at many institutions and the competition for deposits and quality loans has increased significantly. The values of real estate collateral supporting many commercial loans and home mortgages have declined and may continue to decline through 2009. Bank and bank holding company stock prices have been negatively affected as has the ability of banks and bank holding companies to raise capital or borrow in the debt markets compared to recent years.

On October 3, 2008, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 was enacted ("EESA") to restore confidence and stabilize the volatility in the U.S. banking system and to encourage financial institutions to increase their lending to customers and to each other. Initially introduced as the Troubled Asset Relief Program ("TARP"), the EESA authorized the U.S. Treasury to purchase from financial institutions and their holding companies up to $700 billion in mortgage loans, mortgage-related securities and certain other financial instruments, including debt and equity securities issued by financial institutions and their holding companies in a troubled asset relief program. Initially, $350 billion or half of the $700 billion was made immediately available to the U.S. Treasury. On January 15, 2009, the remaining $350 billion was released to the U.S. Treasury.

On October 14, 2008, the U.S. Treasury announced its intention to inject capital into nine large U.S. financial institutions under the TARP Capital Purchase Program, and since has injected capital into many other financial institutions, including the Company. On November 21, 2008, the Company entered into a Letter Agreement and Securities Purchase Agreement - Standard Terms, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold preferred stock and common stock warrants for $40 million. See Item 1 – “Business – U.S. Treasury Troubled Asset Relief Program.”

The bank regulatory agencies, U.S. Treasury and the Office of Special Inspector General, also created by the EESA, have issued guidance and requests to the financial institutions that participate in the TARP Capital Purchase Program to document their plans and use of TARP Capital Purchase Program funds and their plans for addressing the executive compensation requirements associated with the TARP Capital Purchase Program.

On February 10, 2009, the U.S. Treasury and the federal bank regulatory agencies announced in a Joint Statement a new Financial Stability Plan which would include additional capital support for banks under a Capital Assistance Program, a public-private investment fund to address existing bank loan portfolios and expanded funding for the Federal Reserve Board's pending Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility to restart lending and the securitization markets.

On February 17, 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ("ARRA") was signed into law. The ARRA includes various programs intended to stimulate the economy. In addition, the ARRA imposes certain new executive compensation and corporate expenditure limits on all current and future TARP recipients, including the Company, until the institution has repaid the U.S. Treasury, which is now permitted under the ARRA without penalty and without the need to raise new capital, subject to the U.S. Treasury's consultation with the recipient's appropriate regulatory agency.

On February 23, 2009, the U.S. Treasury and the federal bank regulatory agencies issued a Joint Statement providing further guidance with respect to the Capital Assistance Program announced February 10, 2009, including: (i) that the Program will be initiated on February 25, 2009 and will include "stress test" assessments of major banks and that should the "stress test" indicate that an additional capital buffer is warranted, institutions will have an opportunity to turn first to private sources of capital; otherwise the temporary capital buffer will be made available from the government; (ii) such additional government capital will be in the form of mandatory convertible preferred shares, which would be converted into common equity shares only as needed over time to keep banks in a well-capitalized position and can be retired under improved financial conditions before the conversion becomes mandatory; and (iii) previous capital injections under the TARP Capital Purchase Program will also be eligible to be exchanged for the mandatory convertible preferred shares. The conversion of preferred shares to common equity shares would enable institutions to maintain or enhance the quality of their capital by increasing their tangible common equity capital ratios; however, such conversions would necessarily dilute the interests of existing shareholders.

The EESA also increased Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") deposit insurance on most accounts from $100,000 to $250,000. This increase is currently in place until the end of 2009 and is not covered by deposit insurance premiums paid by the banking industry. The FDIC has recently proposed that Congress extend the $250,000 limit to 2016. In addition, the FDIC has implemented two temporary programs to provide deposit insurance for the full amount of most noninterest bearing transaction accounts (the “Transactions Account Guarantee”) through the end of 2009 and to guarantee certain unsecured debt of financial institutions and their holding companies through June 2012 under a temporary liquidity guarantee program (the “Debt Guarantee Program” and together the “TLGP”). Financial institutions had until December 5, 2008 to opt out of these two programs The Company and HBC have elected to participate in these programs, but have not issued any debt under the Debt Guarantee Program. The FDIC charges "systemic risk special assessments" to depository institutions that participate in the TLGP. The FDIC has recently proposed that Congress give the FDIC expanded authority to charge fees to the holding companies which benefit directly and indirectly from the FDIC guarantees.

Supervision and Regulation

Introduction

Banking is a complex, highly regulated industry. The primary goals of the regulatory scheme are to maintain a safe and sound banking system, protect depositors and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s insurance fund, and facilitate the conduct of sound monetary policy. In furtherance of these goals, Congress and the states have created several largely autonomous regulatory agencies and enacted numerous laws that govern banks, bank holding companies and the financial services industry. Consequently, the growth and earnings performance of the Company and HBC can be affected not only by management decisions and general economic conditions, but also by the requirements of applicable state and federal statues, regulations and the policies of various governmental regulatory authorities, including the Federal Reserve Board, FDIC, and the California Department of Financial Institutions (“DFI”).

The system of supervision and regulation applicable to financial services businesses governs most aspects of the business of the Company and HBC, including: (i) the scope of permissible business; (ii) investments; (iii) reserves that must be maintained against deposits; (iv) capital levels that must be maintained; (v) the nature and amount of collateral that may be taken to secure loans; (vi) the establishment of new branches; (vii) mergers and consolidations with other financial institutions; and (viii) the payment of dividends.

From time to time laws or regulations are enacted which have the effect of increasing the cost of doing business, limiting or expanding the scope of permissible activities, or changing the competitive balance between banks and other financial and non-financial institutions. Proposals to change the laws and regulations governing the operations of banks and bank holding companies are frequently made in Congress, in the California legislature and by various bank and other regulatory agencies. Future changes in the laws, regulations or polices that impact the Company and HBC cannot necessarily be predicted, but they may have a material effect on the business and earnings of the Company and HBC.

The Company

General. As a bank holding company, the Company is registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, or the BHCA, and is subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve Board. According to Federal Reserve Board policy, the Company is expected to act as a source of financial strength for HBC, to commit resources to support it in circumstances where the Company might not otherwise do so. Under the BHCA, the Company is subject to periodic examination by the Federal Reserve Board. The Company is also required to file periodic reports of its operations and any additional information regarding its activities and those of its subsidiaries, as may be required by the Federal Reserve Board.

The Company is also a bank holding company within the meaning of Section 3700 of the California Financial Code. Consequently, the Company and HBC are subject to examination by, and may be required to file reports with the DFI. Regulations have not yet been proposed or adopted or steps otherwise taken to implement the DFI’s powers under this statute.

The Federal Reserve Board has a policy that bank holding companies must serve as a source of financial and managerial strength to their subsidiary banks. It is the Federal Reserve Board’s position that bank holding companies should stand ready to use their available resources to provide adequate capital to their subsidiary banks during periods of financial stress or adversity. Bank holding companies must also maintain the financial flexibility and capital raising capacity to obtain additional resources for assisting their subsidiary bank.

The Company’s stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, and as such the Company is subject to NASDAQ rules and regulations including those related to corporate governance. The Company is also subject to the periodic reporting requirements of Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) which requires the Company to file annual, quarterly and other current reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Company is subject to additional regulations including, but not limited to, the proxy and tender offer rules promulgated by the SEC under Sections 13 and 14 of the Exchange Act; the reporting requirements of directors, executive officers and principal shareholders regarding transactions in the Company’s Common Stock and short swing profits rules promulgated by the SEC under Section 16 of the Exchange Act; and certain additional reporting requirements by principal shareholders of the Company promulgated by the SEC under Section 13 of the Exchange Act. As a publicly traded company which had more than $75 million in public float as of June 30, 2008, the Company is classified as an “accelerated filer.” In addition to accelerated time frames for filing SEC periodic reports, this also means that the Company is subject to the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 with regard to documenting, testing, and attesting to internal controls over financial reporting. (See Supervision and Regulation – The Company – The Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.)

Bank Holding Company Liquidity. The Company is a legal entity, separate and distinct from HBC. The Company has the ability to raise capital on its own behalf or borrow from external sources. The Company may also obtain additional funds from dividends paid by, and fees charged for services provided to, HBC. However, regulatory constraints on HBC may restrict or totally preclude the payment of dividends by HBC to the Company.

The Company is entitled to receive dividends, when and as declared by HBC’s Board of Directors. Those dividends may come from funds legally available for those dividends, as specified and limited by the California Financial Code. Under the California Financial Code, funds available for cash dividends by a California-chartered bank are restricted to the lesser of: (i) the bank’s retained earnings; or (ii) the bank’s net income for its last three fiscal years (less any distributions to shareholders made during such period). With the prior approval of the DFI, cash dividends may also be paid out of the greater of: (a) the bank’s retained earnings; (b) net income for the bank’s last preceding fiscal year; or (c) net income of the bank’s current fiscal year.

If the DFI determines that the shareholders’ equity of the bank paying the dividend is not adequate or that the payment of the dividend would be unsafe or unsound for the bank, the DFI may order the bank not to pay the dividend. Since HBC is an FDIC insured institution, it is also possible, depending upon its financial condition and other factors, that the FDIC could assert that the payment of dividends or other payments might, under some circumstances, constitute an unsafe or unsound practice and thereby prohibit such payments.

Transactions With Affiliates. The Company and any subsidiaries it may purchase or organize are deemed to be affiliates of HBC within the meaning of Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and the Federal Reserve Board’s Regulation W. Under Sections 23A and 23B and Regulation W, loans by HBC to affiliates, investments by them in affiliates’ stock, and taking affiliates’ stock as collateral for loans to any borrower is limited to 10% of HBC’s capital, in the case of any one affiliate, and is limited to 20% of HBC’s capital, in the case of all affiliates. In addition, transactions between HBC and other affiliates must be on terms and conditions that are consistent with safe and sound banking practices; in particular, a bank and its subsidiaries generally may not purchase from an affiliate a low-quality asset, as defined in the Federal Reserve Act. These restrictions also prevent a bank holding company and its other affiliates from borrowing from a banking subsidiary of the bank holding company, unless the loans are secured by marketable collateral of designated amounts. The Company and HBC are also subject to certain restrictions with respect to engaging in the underwriting, public sale and distribution of securities.

Limitations on Business and Investment Activities. Under the BHCA, a bank holding company must obtain the Federal Reserve Board’s approval before: (i) directly or indirectly acquiring more than 5% ownership or control of any voting shares of another bank or bank holding company; (ii) acquiring all or substantially all of the assets of another bank; or (iii) merging or consolidating with another bank holding company.

Bank holding companies may own subsidiaries engaged in certain businesses that the Federal Reserve Board has determined to be “so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident thereto.” The Company, therefore, is permitted to engage in a variety of banking-related businesses. Some of the activities that the Federal Reserve Board has determined, pursuant to its Regulation Y, to be related to banking are: (i) making or acquiring loans or other extensions of credit for its own account or for the account of others; (ii) servicing loans and other extensions of credit; (iii) performing functions or activities that may be performed by a trust company in the manner authorized by federal or state law under certain circumstances; (iv) leasing personal and real property or acting as agent, broker, or adviser in leasing such property in accordance with various restrictions imposed by Federal Reserve Board regulations; (v) acting as investment or financial advisor; (vi) providing management consulting advice under certain circumstances; (vii) providing support services, including courier services and printing and selling MICR-encoded items; (viii) acting as a principal, agent, or broker for insurance under certain circumstances; (ix) making equity and debt investments in corporations or projects designed primarily to promote community welfare or jobs for residents; (x) providing financial, banking, or economic data processing and data transmission services; (xi) owning, controlling, or operating a savings association under certain circumstances; (xii) selling money orders, travelers’ checks and U.S. Savings Bonds; (xiii) providing securities brokerage services, related securities credit activities pursuant to Regulation T, and other incidental activities; and (xiv) underwriting dealing in obligations of the U.S., general obligations of states and their political subdivisions, and other obligations authorized for state member banks under federal law.

Additionally, under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 qualifying bank holding companies making an appropriate election to the Federal Reserve Board may engage in a full range of financial activities, including insurance, securities and merchant banking. The Company has not elected to qualify for these financial activities.

Federal law prohibits a bank holding company and any subsidiary banks from engaging in certain tie-in arrangements in connection with the extension of credit. Thus, for example, HBC may not extend credit, lease or sell property, or furnish any services, or fix or vary the consideration for any of the foregoing on the condition that: (i) the customer must obtain or provide some additional credit, property or services from or to HBC other than a loan, discount, deposit or trust services; (ii) the customer must obtain or provide some additional credit, property or service from or to the Company or any subsidiaries; or (iii) the customer must not obtain some other credit, property or services from competitors, except reasonable requirements to assure soundness of credit extended.

The Federal Reserve Board also possesses enforcement powers over bank holding companies and their non-bank subsidiaries to prevent or remedy actions that represent unsafe or unsound practices or violations of applicable statutes and regulations.

Interstate Banking and Branching. The Riegle Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 (the “Interstate Banking Act”) regulates the interstate activities of banks and bank holding companies and establishes a framework for nationwide interstate banking and branching. Since June 1, 1997, a bank has generally been permitted to merge with a bank in another state without the need to explicit state law authorization. However, states were given the ability to prohibit interstate mergers with banks in their own state by “opting out” (enacting state legislation applying equality to all out of state banks prohibiting such mergers) prior to June 1, 1997.

Since 1995, adequately capitalized and managed bank holding companies have been permitted to acquire banks located in any state, subject to two exceptions: first, any state may still prohibit bank holding companies from acquiring a bank which is less than five years old; and second, no interstate acquisition can be consummated by a bank holding companies if the acquirer would control more than 10% of the deposits held by insured depository institutions nationwide or 30% percent or more of the deposits held by insured depository institutions in any state in which the target bank has branches. A bank may establish and operate de novo branches in any state in which the bank does not already maintain a branch if that state has enacted legislation to expressly permit all out of state banks to establish branches in that state.

In 1995, California enacted legislation to implement important provisions of the Interstate Banking Act discussed above and to repeal California’s previous interstate banking laws, which were largely preempted by the Interstate Banking Act.

The changes effected by Interstate Banking Act and California laws have increased competition in the environment in which the Company operates to the extent that out of state financial institutions directly or indirectly enter the Company’s market areas. It appears that the Interstate Banking Act has contributed to accelerated consolidation within the banking industry.

Capital Adequacy. Bank holding companies must maintain minimum levels of capital under the Federal Reserve Board’s risk-based capital adequacy guidelines. If capital falls below minimum guideline levels, a bank holding company, among other things, may be denied approval to acquire or establish additional banks or non-bank businesses.

The Federal Reserve Board’s risk-based capital adequacy guidelines, discussed in more detail below in the section entitled “Supervision and Regulation — Heritage Bank of Commerce — Regulatory Capital Guidelines,” assign various risk percentages to different categories of assets, and capital is measured as a percentage of risk-weighted assets. Under the terms of the guidelines, bank holding companies are expected to meet capital adequacy guidelines based both on total risk-weighted assets and on total assets, without regard to risk weights.

The risk-based guidelines are minimum requirements. Higher capital levels will be required if warranted by the particular circumstances or risk profiles of individual organizations. For example, the Federal Reserve Board’s capital guidelines contemplate that additional capital may be required to take adequate account of, among other things, interest rate risk, or the risks posed by concentrations of credit, nontraditional activities or securities trading activities. Moreover, any banking organization experiencing or anticipating significant growth or expansion into new activities, particularly under the expanded powers under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, would be expected to maintain capital ratios, including tangible capital positions, well above the minimum levels.

Limitations on Dividend Payments. The California General Corporation Law prohibits the Company from paying dividends on the common stock unless: (i) its retained earnings, immediately prior to the dividend payment, equals or exceeds the amount of the dividend or (ii) immediately after giving effect to the dividend the sum of the Company’s assets (exclusive of goodwill and deferred charges) would be at least equal to 125% of its liabilities (not including deferred taxes, deferred income and other deferred credits) and the current assets of the Company would be at least equal to its current liabilities, or, if the average of its earnings before taxes on income and before interest expense for the two preceding fiscal years was less than the average of its interest expense for the two preceding fiscal years, at least equal to 125% of its current liabilities. Additionally, the Federal Reserve Board’s policy regarding dividends provides that a bank holding company should not pay cash dividends exceeding its net income or which can only be funded in ways that weaken the bank holding company’s financial health, such as by borrowing.

The Gramm Leach Bliley Act of 1999. On November 12, 1999, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (the “Financial Services Modernization Act”) was signed into law. The Financial Services Modernization Act is intended to modernize the banking industry by removing barriers to affiliation among banks, insurance companies, the securities industry and other financial service providers. It provides financial organizations with the flexibility to structure such affiliations through a holding company structure or through a financial subsidiary of a bank, subject to certain limitations. The Financial Services Modernization Act establishes a new type of bank holding company, known as a financial holding company, that may engage in an expanded list of activities that are “financial in nature,” which include securities and insurance brokerage, securities underwriting, insurance underwriting and merchant banking.

The Company currently meets all the requirements for financial holding company status. However, the Company does not expect to elect financial holding company status unless and until it intends to engage in any of the expanded activities under the Financial Services Modernization Act which require such status. Unless and until it elects such status, the Company will only be permitted to engage in non-banking activities that were permissible for bank holding companies as of the date of the enactment of the Financial Services Modernization Act.

The Financial Services Modernization Act also sets forth a system of functional regulation that makes the Federal Reserve Board the “umbrella supervisor” for holding companies, while providing for the supervision of the holding company’s subsidiaries by other federal and state agencies. A bank holding company may not become a financial holding company if any of its subsidiary financial institutions are not “well-capitalized,” “well-managed.” Further, each bank subsidiary of the holding company must have received at least a satisfactory Community Reinvestment Financial Services Modernization Act (CRA) rating. The Financial Services Modernization Act also expands the types of financial activities a national bank may conduct through a financial subsidiary, addresses state regulation of insurance, generally prohibits unitary thrift holding companies organized after May 4, 1999 from participating in new financial activities, provides privacy protection for nonpublic customer information of financial institutions, modernizes the Federal Home Loan Bank system and makes miscellaneous regulatory improvements. The Federal Reserve Board and the Secretary of the Treasury must coordinate their supervision regarding approval of new financial activities to be conducted through a financial holding company or through a financial subsidiary of a bank. While the provisions of the Financial Services Modernization Act regarding activities that may be conducted through a financial subsidiary directly apply only to national banks, those provisions indirectly apply to state-chartered banks.

In addition, HBC is subject to other provisions of the Financial Services Modernization Act, including those relating to CRA, privacy and safe-guarding confidential customer information, regardless of whether the Company elects to become a financial holding company or to conduct activities through a financial subsidiary of HBC.

The Company and HBC do not believe that the Financial Services Modernization Act has had thus far, or will have in the near term, a material adverse effect on their operations. However, to the extent that it permits banks, securities firms, and insurance companies to affiliate, the financial services industry may experience further consolidation. The Financial Services Modernization Act is intended to grant to community banks certain powers as a matter of right that larger institutions have accumulated on an ad hoc basis. Nevertheless, this act may have the result of increasing the amount of competition that the Company and HBC face from larger institutions and other types of companies offering financial products, many of which may have substantially more financial resources than the Company and HBC.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“SOX”), became effective on July 30, 2002, and represents the most far reaching corporate and accounting reform legislation since the enactment of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Exchange Act of 1934. SOX is intended to provide a permanent framework that improves the quality of independent audits and accounting services, improves the quality of financial reporting, strengthens the independence of accounting firms and increases the responsibility of management for corporate disclosures and financial statements.

SOX’s provisions are significant to all companies that have a class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, or are otherwise reporting to the SEC (or the appropriate federal banking agency) pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, including the Company (collectively, “public companies”). In addition to SEC rulemaking to implement SOX, The Nasdaq Stock Market has adopted corporate governance rules intended to allow shareholders to more easily and effectively monitor the performance of companies and directors. The principal provisions of SOX, provide for and include, among other things: (i) the creation of an independent accounting oversight board; (ii) auditor independence provisions that restrict non-audit services that accountants may provide to their audit clients; (iii) additional corporate governance and responsibility measures, including the requirement that the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of a public company certify financial statements; (iv) the forfeiture of bonuses or other incentive-based compensation and profits from the sale of a public company’s securities by directors and senior officers in the twelve month period following initial publication of any financial statements that later require restatement; (v) an increase in the oversight of, and enhancement of certain requirements relating to, audit committees of public companies and how they interact with the Company’s independent auditors; (vi) requirements that audit committee members must be independent and are barred from accepting consulting, advisory or other compensatory fees from the issuer; (vii) requirements that companies disclose whether at least one member of the audit committee is a “financial expert’ (as such term is defined by the SEC) and if not discuss, why the audit committee does not have a financial expert; (viii) expanded disclosure requirements for corporate insiders, including accelerated reporting of stock transactions by insiders and a prohibition on insider trading during pension blackout periods; (ix) a prohibition on personal loans to directors and officers, except certain loans made by insured financial institutions on non-preferential terms and in compliance with other bank regulatory requirements; (x) disclosure of a code of ethics and filing a Form 8-K for a change or waiver of such code; (xi) a range of enhanced penalties for fraud and other violations; and (xii) expanded disclosure and certification relating to a public company’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting.

The Company has not experienced any significant difficulties in complying with SOX. However, the Company has incurred, and expects to continue to incur, significant time and expense in connection with its compliance with Section 404 of SOX, which requires management to undertake an annual assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting and requires the Company’s auditors to express an opinion on the effectiveness of these controls.

Heritage Bank of Commerce

General. As a California chartered bank, HBC is subject to supervision, periodic examination, and regulation by the DFI and by the Federal Reserve Board, as HBC’s primary federal regulator. As a member bank, HBC is a stockholder of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. If, as a result of an examination, the DFI or the Federal Reserve Board should determine that the financial condition, capital resources, asset quality, earnings prospects, management, liquidity, or other aspects of HBC’s operations are unsatisfactory or that HBC or its management is violating or has violated any law or regulation, the DFI and the Federal Reserve Board, and separately the FDIC as insurer of HBC’s deposits, have residual authority to: (i) require affirmative action to correct any conditions resulting from any violation or practice; (ii) direct an increase in capital; (iii) restrict HBC’s growth geographically, by products and services or by mergers and acquisitions; enter into informal nonpublic or formal public memoranda of understanding or written agreements; enjoin unsafe and unsound practices and issue cease and desist orders to take corrective action; (iv) remove officers and directors and assess civil monetary penalties; and (v) take possession and close and liquidate HBC.

California law permits state chartered commercial banks to engage in any activity permissible for national banks. Therefore, HBC may form subsidiaries to engage in the many so-called “closely related to banking” or “nonbanking” activities commonly conducted by national banks in operating subsidiaries, and further, pursuant to the Financial Services Modernization Act, HBC may conduct certain “financial” activities in a subsidiary to the same extent as may a national bank, provided HBC is and remains “well-capitalized,” “well-managed” and in satisfactory compliance with the CRA.

Regulatory Capital Guidelines. The federal banking agencies have established minimum capital standards known as risk-based capital guidelines. These guidelines are intended to provide a measure of capital that reflects the degree of risk associated with a bank’s operations. The risk-based capital guidelines include both a definition of capital and a framework for calculating the amount of capital that must be maintained against a bank’s assets and off-balance sheet items. The amount of capital required to be maintained is based upon the credit risks associated with the various types of a bank’s assets and off-balance sheet items. A bank’s assets and off-balance sheet items are classified under several risk categories, with each category assigned a particular risk weighting from 0% to 100%. The following table sets forth the regulatory capital guidelines and the actual capitalization levels for HBC and the Company as of December 31, 2008:

	Adequately Capitalized	Well Capitalized	HBC	Company (consolidated)
	(greater than or equal to)
Total risked-based capital	8.00%	10.00%	12.34%		13.11%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio	4.00%	6.00%	11.08%		11.86%
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio	4.00%	5.00%	10.32%		11.05%

As of December 31, 2008, management believes that the Company’s capital levels met all minimum regulatory requirements and that HBC was considered “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

To enhance regulatory capital and to provide liquidity, the Company, through unconsolidated subsidiary grantor trusts, issued $23.7 million of trust preferred securities. These securities are currently included in our Tier 1 capital for purposes of determining the Company’s Tier 1 and total risk-based capital ratios. The Federal Reserve Board has promulgated a modification of the capital regulations affecting trust preferred securities. Under this modification, effective March 31, 2009, the Company will be required to use a more restrictive formula to determine the amount of trust preferred securities that can be included in regulatory Tier 1 capital. At that time, the Company will be allowed to include in Tier 1 capital an amount of trust preferred securities equal to no more than 25% of the sum of all core capital elements, which is generally defined as shareholders’ equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive income/loss, less goodwill and other intangible assets and any related deferred income tax liability. The regulations currently in effect through December 31, 2008, limit the amount of trust preferred securities that can be included in Tier 1 capital to 25% of the sum of core capital elements without a deduction for goodwill. Management has determined that the Company’s Tier 1 capital ratios would remain above the “well-capitalized” level had the modification of the capital regulations been in effect at December 31, 2008. Management expects that the Company’s Tier I capital ratios will be at or above the existing well capitalized levels on March 31, 2009, the first date on which the modified capital regulations must be applied.

Prompt Corrective Action. The federal banking agencies possess broad powers to take prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of insured banks. Each federal banking agency has issued regulations defining five capital categories: “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized,” and “critically undercapitalized.” Under the regulations, a bank shall be deemed to be:

·	“well capitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% or more, has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.0% or more, has a leverage capital ratio of 5.0% or more, and is not subject to specified requirements to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure;

·	“adequately capitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or more, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4.0% or more, and a leverage capital ratio of 4.0% or more (3.0% under certain circumstances) and does not meet the definition of “well capitalized”;

·	“undercapitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio that is less than 8.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio that is less than 4.0%, or a leverage capital ratio that is less than 4.0% (3.0% under certain circumstances);

·	“significantly undercapitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio that is less than 6.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio that is less than 3.0% or a leverage capital ratio that is less than 3.0%; and

·	“critically undercapitalized” if it has a ratio of tangible equity to total assets that is equal to or less than 2.0%.

Banks are prohibited from paying dividends or management fees to controlling persons or entities if, after making the payment the bank would be “undercapitalized,” that is, the bank fails to meet the required minimum level for any relevant capital measure. Asset growth and branching restrictions apply to “undercapitalized” banks. Banks classified as “undercapitalized” are required to submit acceptable capital plans guaranteed by its holding company, if any. Broad regulatory authority was granted with respect to “significantly undercapitalized” banks, including forced mergers, growth restrictions, ordering new elections for directors, forcing divestiture by its holding company, if any, requiring management changes, and prohibiting the payment of bonuses to senior management. Even more severe restrictions are applicable to “critically undercapitalized” banks, those with capital at or less than 2%. Restrictions for these banks include the appointment of a receiver or conservator. All of the federal banking agencies have promulgated substantially similar regulations to implement this system of prompt corrective action.

A bank, based upon its capital levels, that is classified as “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized” or “undercapitalized” may be treated as though it were in the next lower capital category if the appropriate federal banking agency, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, determines that an unsafe or unsound condition, or an unsafe or unsound practice, warrants such treatment. At each successive lower capital category, an insured bank is subject to more restrictions. The federal banking agencies, however, may not treat an institution as “critically undercapitalized” unless its capital ratios actually warrant such treatment.

In addition to measures taken under the prompt corrective action provisions, insured banks may be subject to potential enforcement actions by the federal banking agencies for unsafe or unsound practices in conducting their businesses or for violations of any law, rule, regulation or any condition imposed in writing by the agency or any written agreement with the agency. Enforcement actions may include the imposition of a conservator or receiver, the issuance of a cease-and-desist order that can be judicially enforced, the termination of insurance of deposits (in the case of a depository institution), the imposition of civil money penalties, the issuance of directives to increase capital, the issuance of formal and informal agreements, and the issuance of removal and prohibition orders against “institution affiliated” parties. The enforcement of such actions through injunctions or restraining orders may be based upon a judicial determination that the agency would be harmed if such equitable relief was not granted.

Safety and Soundness Standards. The federal banking agencies have also adopted guidelines establishing safety and soundness standards for all insured depository institutions. Those guidelines relate to internal controls, information systems, internal audit systems, loan underwriting and documentation, compensation and interest rate exposure. In general, the standards are designated to assist the federal banking agencies in identifying and addressing problems at insured depository institutions before capital becomes impaired. If an institution fails to meet these standards, the appropriate federal banking agency may require the institution to submit a compliance plan and institute enforcement proceedings if an acceptable compliance plan is not submitted.

FDIC Insurance and Insurance Assessments. The FDIC is an independent federal agency that insures deposits, up to prescribed statutory limits, of federally insured banks and savings institutions and safeguards the safety and soundness of the banking and savings industries. The FDIC insures HBC’s customer deposits through the Deposit Insurance Fund ("DIF") up to prescribed limits for each depositor. Pursuant to the EESA, the maximum deposit insurance amount has been increased from $100,000 to $250,000. The amount of FDIC assessments paid by each DIF member institution is based on its relative risk of default as measured by regulatory capital ratios and other supervisory factors. Pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005, the FDIC is authorized to set the reserve ratio for the DIF annually at between 1.15% and 1.50% of estimated insured deposits. The FDIC may increase or decrease the assessment rate schedule on a semi-annual basis. In an effort to restore capitalization levels and to ensure the DIF will adequately cover projected losses from future bank failures, the FDIC, in October 2008, proposed a rule to alter the way in which it differentiates for risk in the risk-based assessment system and to revise deposit insurance assessment rates, including base assessment rates. First quarter 2009 assessment rates were increased to between 12 and 50 cents for every $100 of domestic deposits, with most banks paying between 12 and 14 cents.

On February 27, 2009, the FDIC approved an interim rule to institute a one-time special assessment of 20 cents per $100 in domestic deposits on June 30, 2009, to be collected by September 30, 2009, to restore the DIF reserves depleted by recent bank failures. The interim rule additionally permits the FDIC to charge a special premium up to 10 basis points after June 30, 2009 at a later time if the DIF reserves continue to fall. The FDIC also approved an increase in regular annual premium rates beginning on April 1, 2009. For most banks, this will be between 12 to 16 basis points per $100 in domestic deposits.

If the DIF's reserves exceed the designated reserve ratio, the FDIC is required to pay out all or, if the reserve ratio is less than 1.5%, a portion of the excess as a dividend to insured depository institutions based on the percentage of insured deposits held on December 31, 1996 adjusted for subsequently paid premiums. Insured depository institutions that were in existence on December 31, 1996 and paid assessments prior to that date (or their successors) were entitled to a one-time credit against future assessments based on their past contributions to the predecessor to the DIF.

Additionally, by participating in the FDIC’s Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program, banks temporarily become subject to an additional assessment on deposits in excess of $250,000 in certain transaction accounts and additionally for assessments from 50 basis points to 100 basis points per annum depending on the initial maturity of the debt. Further, all FDIC-insured institutions are required to pay assessments to the FDIC to fund interest payments on bonds issued by the Financing Corporation ("FICO"), an agency of the Federal government established to recapitalize the predecessor to the DIF. The FICO assessment rates, which are determined quarterly, averaged 0.0113% of insured deposits in fiscal 2008. These assessments will continue until the FICO bonds mature in 2017.

The FDIC may terminate a depository institution's deposit insurance upon a finding that the institution's financial condition is unsafe or unsound or that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices that pose a risk to the DIF or that may prejudice the interest of depositors.

Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”). The CRA is intended to encourage insured depository institutions, while operating safely and soundly, to help meet the credit needs of their communities. The CRA specifically directs the federal bank regulatory agencies, in examining insured depository institutions, to assess their record of helping to meet the credit needs of their entire community, including low-and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with safe and sound banking practices. The CRA further requires the agencies to take a financial institution’s record of meeting its community credit needs into account when evaluating applications for, among other things, domestic branches, consummating mergers or acquisitions, or holding company formations.

The federal banking agencies have adopted regulations which measure a bank’s compliance with its CRA obligations on a performance-based evaluation system. This system bases CRA ratings on an institution’s actual lending service and investment performance rather than the extent to which the institution conducts needs assessments, documents community outreach or complies with other procedural requirements. The ratings range from “outstanding” to a low of “substantial noncompliance.” HBC had a CRA rating of “satisfactory” as of its most recent regulatory examination.

Other Consumer Protection Laws and Regulations. The bank regulatory agencies are increasingly focusing attention on compliance with consumer protection laws and regulations. Banks have been advised to carefully monitor compliance with various consumer protection laws and regulations. The federal Interagency Task Force on Fair Lending issued a policy statement on discrimination in home mortgage lending describing three methods that federal agencies will use to prove discrimination: overt evidence of discrimination, evidence of disparate treatment, and evidence of disparate impact. In addition to CRA and fair lending requirements, HBC is subject to numerous other federal consumer protection statutes and regulations. Due to heightened regulatory concern related to compliance with consumer protection laws and regulations generally, HBC may incur additional compliance costs or be required to expend additional funds for investments in the local communities it serves.

Environmental Regulation. Federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding the discharge of harmful materials into the environment may have an impact on HBC. Since HBC is not involved in any business that manufactures, uses or transports chemicals, waste, pollutants or toxins that might have a material adverse effect on the environment, HBC’s primary exposure to environmental laws is through its lending activities and through properties or businesses HBC may own, lease or acquire. Based on a general survey of HBC’s loan portfolio, conversations with local appraisers and the type of lending currently and historically done by HBC, management is not aware of any potential liability for hazardous waste contamination that would be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company as of December 31, 2008.

Safeguarding of Customer Information and Privacy. The Federal Reserve Board and other bank regulatory agencies have adopted guidelines for safeguarding confidential, personal customer information. These guidelines require financial institutions to create, implement and maintain a comprehensive written information security program designed to ensure the security and confidentiality of customer information, protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such information and protect against unauthorized access to or use of such information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any customer. HBC has adopted a customer information security program to comply with such requirements.

Financial institutions are also required to implement policies and procedures regarding the disclosure of nonpublic personal information about consumers to non-affiliated third parties. In general, financial institutions must provide explanations to consumers on policies and procedures regarding the disclosure of such nonpublic personal information, and, except as otherwise required by law, prohibits disclosing such information except as provided in HBC’s policies and procedures. HBC has implemented privacy policies addressing these restrictions which are distributed regularly to all existing and new customers of HBC.

USA Patriot Act of 2001. On October 26, 2001, President Bush signed the USA Patriot Act of 2001 (the “Patriot Act”). Enacted in response to the terrorist attacks in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. on September 11, 2001, the Patriot Act is intended to strengthen the ability of U.S. law enforcement agencies and intelligence communities to work cohesively to combat terrorism on a variety of fronts. The impact of the Patriot Act on financial institutions of all kinds has been significant and wide ranging. The Patriot Act substantially enhanced existing anti-money laundering and financial transparency laws, and required appropriate regulatory authorities to adopt rules to promote cooperation among financial institutions, regulators, and law enforcement entities in identifying parties that may be involved in terrorism or money laundering. Under the Patriot Act, financial institutions are subject to prohibitions regarding specified financial transactions and account relationships, as well as enhanced due diligence and “know your customer” standards in their dealings with foreign financial institutions and foreign customers. For example, the enhanced due diligence policies, procedures, and controls generally require financial institutions to take reasonable steps:

·	to conduct enhanced scrutiny of account relationships to guard against money laundering and report any suspicious transactions;

·	to ascertain the identity of the nominal and beneficial owners of, and the source of funds deposited into, each account as needed to guard against money laundering and report any suspicious transactions;

·	to ascertain for any foreign bank, the shares of which are not publicly traded, the identity of the owners of the foreign bank, and the nature and extent of the ownership interest of each such owner; and

·	to ascertain whether any foreign bank provides correspondent accounts to other foreign banks and, if so, the identity of those foreign banks and related due diligence information.

The Patriot Act also requires all financial institutions to establish anti-money laundering programs, which must include, at a minimum:

·	the development of internal policies, procedures, and controls;

·	the designation of a compliance officer;

·	an ongoing employee training program; and

·	an independent audit function to test the programs.

Material deficiencies in anti-money laundering compliance can result in public enforcement actions by the banking agencies, including the imposition of civil money penalties and supervisory restrictions on growth and expansion. Such enforcement actions could also have serious reputation consequences for the Company and HBC.

HBC has incorporated the requirements of the Patriot Act into its operating procedures, and while these requirements have resulted in an additional time burden the financial impact on HBC is difficult to quantify.

Other Aspects of Banking Law. HBC is also subject to federal statutory and regulatory provisions covering, among other things, security procedures, insider and affiliated party transactions, management interlocks, electronic funds transfers, funds availability, and truth-in-savings.

Other Pending and Proposed Legislation

Other legislative and regulatory initiatives which could affect the Company, HBC and the banking industry in general are pending, and additional initiatives may be proposed or introduced before the United States Congress, the California legislature and other governmental bodies in the future. Such proposals, if enacted, may further alter the structure, regulation and competitive relationship among financial institutions, and may subject the Company or HBC to increase regulation, disclosure and reporting requirements. In addition, the various banking regulatory agencies often adopt new rules and regulations to implement and enforce existing legislation. It cannot be predicted whether, or in what form, any such legislation or regulations may be enacted or the extent to which the business of the Company or HBC would be affected thereby.

EMPLOYEES

At December 31, 2008, the Company had 225 full-time equivalent employees. The Company’s employees are not represented by any union or collective bargaining agreement and the Company believes its employee relations are satisfactory.

ITEM 1A – RISK FACTORS

Risk Factors That May Affect Future Results

In addition to the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the following significant risks may affect the Company. Events or circumstances arising from one or more of these risks may adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, operating results, and common stock value. The risks identified below are not intended to be a comprehensive list of all risks that may impact the Company.

Developments in domestic and foreign financial markets and changes in economic conditions could have a material impact on our business. Throughout 2008, the domestic and foreign financial markets, securities trading markets and economies generally have experienced significant turmoil including, without limitation, government takeovers of troubled institutions, government brokered mergers of such firms to avoid bankruptcy or failures, bankruptcies of securities trading firms and insurance companies, failures of financial institutions, and declines in real property values and increases in energy prices all of which have contributed to reduced availability of credit for businesses and consumers, elevated foreclosures on residential and commercial properties, falling home prices, reduced liquidity and a lack of stability across the entire financial sector. These recent events and the corresponding uncertainty and decline in financial markets are likely to continue possibly throughout 2009 and the full extent of the repercussions to our nation’s economy in general and our business in particular are not fully known at this time. Such developments have had and may continue to have an adverse impact on our results of operations and conditions. These events have impacted the economy in many ways including:

·	rising unemployment and slowdown in job growth;

·	tightening of credit markets;

·	lowering of consumer confidence and spending;

·	increase in problem loans and foreclosures;

·	slowdown in construction, both residential and commercial, including construction lending; and

·	and slowdown in general business expansion.

Financial institutions have been directly impacted by:

·	slowdown in overall economic growth;

·	deterioration of commercial as well as consumer loan performances;

·	tightening of credit standards for business and consumers;

·	tightening of available credit for bank holding companies and banks and other financial institutions for financing growth;

·	significant increased competition for deposits and quality loans;

·	inability to raise capital or borrow in the debt markets;

·	write-offs of mortgage backed securities; and

·	declining bank and bank holding company stock prices.

As a result of the challenges presented by economic conditions, the Company may face the following risks in connections with these events:

·	the inability of borrowers to make timely repayment of loans, or decreases in value of real estate collateral securing the payment of such loans resulting in significant credit losses;

·	inability to borrow or raise capital on favorable terms or at all if further disruptions in the credit markets occur;

·	increased regulation of the financial services industry, including expanding legal standards and regulatory requirements or expectations imposed in connection with EESA and ARRA.

Recent legislative and regulatory initiatives to address difficult market and economic conditions may not stabilize the U.S. banking system. If current levels of market disruption and volatility continue or worsen, there can be no assurance that we will not experience an adverse effect, which may be material, on our ability to access capital and on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. The EESA, which established TARP, was signed into law on October 3, 2008. As part of TARP, the U.S. Treasury established the TARP Capital Purchase Program to provide up to $700 billion of funding to eligible financial institutions through the purchase of capital stock and other financial instruments for the purpose of stabilizing and providing liquidity to the U.S. financial markets. Then, on February 17, 2009, the ARRA was signed into law as a sweeping economic recovery package intended to stimulate the economy. There can be no assurance as to the actual impact that EESA or its programs, including the TARP Capital Purchase Program, and ARRA or its programs, will have on the national economy or financial markets. The failure of these significant legislative measures to help stabilize the financial markets and a continuation or worsening of current financial market conditions could materially and adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations, access to credit or the trading price of its common shares.

There have been numerous actions undertaken in connection with or following the EESA and ARRA by the Federal Reserve Board, Congress, U.S. Treasury, the SEC and the federal bank regulatory agencies in efforts to address the current liquidity and credit crisis in the financial industry that followed the sub-prime mortgage market meltdown which began in late 2007. These measures include homeowner relief that encourages loan restructuring and modification; the temporary increase in FDIC deposit insurance from $100,000 to $250,000, the establishment of significant liquidity and credit facilities for financial institutions and investment banks; the lowering of the federal funds rate; emergency action against short selling practices; a temporary guaranty program for money market funds; the establishment of a commercial paper funding facility to provide back-stop liquidity to commercial paper issuers; and coordinated international efforts to address illiquidity and other weaknesses in the banking sector. The purpose of these legislative and regulatory actions is to help stabilize the U.S. banking system. The EESA, ARRA and the other regulatory initiatives described above may not have their desired effects. If the volatility in the markets continues and economic conditions fail to improve or worsen, the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Liquidity risk could impair our ability to fund operations and jeopardize our financial condition. Liquidity is essential to our business. An inability to raise funds through deposits, borrowings, the sale of loans and other sources could have a substantial negative effect on our liquidity. Our access to funding sources in amounts adequate to finance our activities could be impaired by factors that affect us specifically or the financial services industry in general. Our ability to borrow could also be impaired by factors that are not specific to us, such as a severe disruption of the financial markets or negative views and expectations about the prospects for the financial services industry as a whole as the recent turmoil faced by banking organizations in the domestic and worldwide credit markets continues or deteriorates.

Fluctuations in interest rates may reduce profitability. Changes in interest rates affect interest income, the primary component of the Company’s gross revenue, as well as interest expense. The Company’s earnings depend largely on the relationship between the cost of funds, primarily deposits and borrowings, and the yield on earning assets, primarily loans and investment securities. This relationship, known as the interest rate spread, is subject to fluctuation and is affected by the monetary policies of the Federal Reserve Board, the shape of the yield curve, and the international interest rate environment, as well as by economic, regulatory and competitive factors which influence interest rates, the volume and mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, and the level of nonperforming assets. Many of these factors are beyond the Company’s control. Fluctuations in interest rates may affect the demand of customers for products and services.

Responding to challenging economic conditions and recession concerns, the Federal Reserve Board, through its Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), cut the target Federal funds rate beginning in September 2007. As of December 31, 2008, the Federal Reserve Board has lowered the Federal funds rate by a total of 500 basis points since September 18, 2007. The actions of the Federal Reserve Board, while designed to help the economy overall, may negatively impact the short term earnings of the Company. Potentially lower earnings, combined with continued uncertainty in the credit markets, may also impact the Company’s ability to raise capital and maintain required capital and liquidity ratios.

Given the current volume, mix, and re-pricing characteristics of our interest-bearing liabilities and interest-earning assets, our interest rate spread is expected to increase in a rising rate environment, and decrease in a declining interest rate scenario. However, there are scenarios where fluctuations in interest rates in either direction could have a negative effect on our net income. For example, if funding rates rise faster than asset yields in a rising rate environment (i.e., if basis compression occurs), or if we do not actively manage certain loan index rates in a declining rate environment, we would be negatively impacted.

If we cannot attract deposits, our growth may be inhibited. Our ability to increase our asset base depends in large part on our ability to attract additional deposits at favorable rates. We seek additional deposits by offering deposit products that are competitive with those offered by other financial institutions in our markets.

We must effectively manage our credit risk. There are risks inherent in making any loan, including risks inherent in dealing with individual borrowers, risks of nonpayment, risks resulting from uncertainties as to the future value of collateral and risks resulting from changes in economic and industry conditions. We attempt to minimize our credit risk through prudent loan application approval procedures, careful monitoring of the concentration of our loans within specific industries and periodic independent reviews of outstanding loans by external parties. However, we cannot assure such approval and monitoring procedures will eliminate these credit risks.

Our allowance for loan losses must be managed to provide a sufficient amount to absorb probable incurred losses in our loan portfolio. We maintain our allowance for loan losses at a level considered adequate by management to absorb probable incurred loan losses. The amount of future loan losses is susceptible to changes in economic, operating and other conditions within our market, which may be beyond our control, and such losses may exceed current estimates. At December 31, 2008, our allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans was 2%. Although management believes that the allowance for loan losses is adequate to absorb probable incurred losses existing loans, we cannot predict loan losses with certainty, and we cannot assure that our allowance for loan losses will prove sufficient to cover actual loan losses in the future. Loan losses in excess of our allowance may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. For additional information regarding our allowance for loan losses and the methodology we use to determine an appropriate level of the allowance. See Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Our profitability is dependent upon the economic conditions of the markets in which we operate. We operate primarily in Santa Clara County, Contra Costa County and Alameda County and, as a result, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows are subject to changes in the economic conditions in those areas. Our success depends upon the business activity, population, income levels, deposits and real estate activity in these markets. Although our customers’ business and financial interests may extend well beyond these market areas, adverse economic conditions that affect these market areas could reduce our growth rate, affect the ability of our customers to repay their loans to us and generally affect our financial condition and results of operations. While no specific industry concentration is considered significant, our lending operations are located in market areas dependent on technology and real estate industries and their supporting companies. Thus, the Company’s borrowers could be adversely impacted by a downturn in these sectors of the economy which could reduce the demand for loans and adversely impact the borrower’s ability to repay their loans. Because of our geographic concentration, we are less able than other regional or national financial institutions to diversify our credit risks across multiple markets.

Our loan portfolio has a large concentration of real estate loans in California, which involve risks specific to real estate value. Real estate lending (including commercial and construction) is a large portion of our loan portfolio; however, it is within recently established regulatory guidelines based on a percentage of Tier 2 Capital. As of December 31, 2008, approximately $718 million, or 58% of our loan portfolio was secured by various forms of real estate, including residential and commercial real estate. The market value of real estate can fluctuate significantly in a short period of time as a result of market conditions in the geographic area in which the real estate is located. The real estate securing our loan portfolio is concentrated in California. Real estate values have declined significantly in California and the United States in general. Although a significant portion of such loans is secured by real estate as a secondary form of collateral, adverse developments affecting real estate values in one or more of our markets could increase the credit risk associated with our loan portfolio. Additionally, commercial real estate lending typically involves larger loan principal amounts and the repayment of the loans generally is dependent, in large part, on sufficient income from the properties securing the loans to cover operating expenses and debt service. Economic events or governmental regulations outside of the control of the borrower or lender could negatively impact the future cash flow and market values of the affected properties. If the loans that are collateralized by real estate become troubled during a time when market conditions are declining or have declined, we may not be able to realize the amount of security that we anticipated at the time of originating the loan, which could cause us to increase our provision for loan losses and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

Our construction and development loans are based upon estimates of costs and value associated with the complete project. These estimates may be inaccurate and we may be exposed to more losses on these projects than on other loans. At December 31, 2008, land and construction loans, including land acquisition and development, totaled $257 million, or 21% of our total loan portfolio. This was comprised of 7% owner-occupied and 93% speculative construction and land loans. Construction, land acquisition and development lending involve additional risks because funds are advanced upon the security of the project, which is of uncertain value prior to its completion. Because of the uncertainties inherent in estimating construction costs, as well as the market value of the completed project and the effects of governmental regulation on real property, it is relatively difficult to evaluate accurately the total funds required to complete a project and the related loan-to-value ratio. As a result, speculative construction loans often involve the disbursement of substantial funds with repayment dependent, in part, on the completion of the project and the ability of the borrower to sell the property, rather than the ability of the borrower or guarantor to repay principal and interest. If our appraisal of the value of the completed project proves to be overstated, we may have inadequate security for the repayment of the loan upon completion of construction of the project. If we are forced to foreclose on a project prior to or at completion due to a default, there can be no assurance that we will be able to recover all of the unpaid balance of, and accrued interest on, the loan as well as related foreclosure and holding costs. In addition, we may be required to fund additional amounts to complete the project and may have to hold the property for an unspecified period of time.

Our growth must be effectively managed and our growth strategy involves risks that may impact our net income. As part of our general growth strategy, we may expand into additional communities or attempt to strengthen our position in our current markets to take advantage of expanding market share by opening new offices. To the extent that we undertake additional office openings, we are likely to experience the effects of higher operating expenses relative to operating income from the new operations for a period of time, which may have an adverse effect on our levels of reported net income, return on average equity and return on average assets. Our current growth strategies involve internal growth from our current offices and the addition of new branch offices over time, so that the additional overhead expenses associated with these openings is absorbed prior to opening other new offices.

We must compete with other banks and financial institutions in all lines of business. The banking and financial services business in our market is highly competitive. Our competitors include large regional banks, local community banks, savings institutions, securities and brokerage companies, mortgage companies, finance companies, money market mutual funds, credit unions and other non-bank financial service providers. Many of these competitors are not subject to the same regulatory restrictions we are and are able to provide customers with an alternative to traditional banking services. Many of our competitors have greater resources to afford them a marketplace advantage by enabling them to maintain numerous locations and maintain extensive promotional and advertising campaigns. Areas of competition include interest rates for loans and deposits, efforts to obtain loan and deposit customers and a range in quality of products and services provided. In addition, there is an increased importance on remaining current on technological changes because such technological advances may diminish the importance of depository institutions and financial intermediaries in the transfer of funds between parties. Increased competition in our market and market changes, such as interest rate changes, force management to better control costs in order to absorb any resultant narrowing of our net interest spread, i.e., the spread between the interest rates earned on investments and loans and the interest rates paid on deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities. Increased competition can result in downward pressure on the Company’s interest margins and reduce profitability and make it more difficult to increase the size of the loan portfolio and deposit base.

Government regulation can result in limitations on our operations. We operate in a highly regulated environment and are subject to supervision and regulation by a number of governmental regulatory agencies, including the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the California Department of Financial Institutions and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Regulations adopted by these agencies, which are generally intended to provide protection for depositors and customers rather than for the benefit of shareholders, govern a comprehensive range of matters relating to ownership and control of our shares, our acquisition of other companies and businesses, permissible activities for us to engage in, maintenance of adequate capital levels and other aspects of our operations. These bank regulators possess broad authority to prevent or remedy unsafe or unsound practices or violations of law. The laws and regulations applicable to the banking industry could change at any time and we cannot predict the effects of these changes on our business and profitability. Increased regulation could increase our cost of compliance and adversely affect profitability. Moreover, certain of these regulations contain significant punitive sanctions for violations, including monetary penalties and limitations on a bank’s ability to implement components of its business plan, such as expansion through mergers and acquisitions. In addition, changes in regulatory requirements may act to add costs associated with compliance efforts. Furthermore, government policy and regulation, particularly as implemented through the Federal Reserve System, significantly affect credit conditions. As a result of the negative developments in the latter half of 2007 and throughout 2008 in the financial markets, there is a potential for new federal or state laws and regulation regarding lending and funding practices and liquidity standards, and bank regulatory agencies have been and are expected to be aggressive in responding to concerns and trends identified in examinations, including the expected issuance of many formal enforcement orders. The Company is now also subject to supervision, regulation and investigation by the U.S. Treasury and the Office of the Special Inspector General for the TARP under the EESA by virtue of its participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program. Negative developments in the financial industry and the impact of new legislation and regulation in response to those developments could negatively impact our operations by restricting our business operations and adversely impact our financial performance.

Bank regulations could discourage changes in the Company’s ownership. Bank regulations could delay or discourage a potential acquirer who might have been willing to pay a premium price to acquire a large block of common stock. That possibility might decrease the value of the Company’s common stock and the price that a stockholder will receive if shares are sold in the future. Before anyone can buy enough voting stock to exercise control over a bank holding company like the Company, bank regulators must approve the acquisition. A stockholder must apply for regulatory approval to own 10 percent or more of the Company’s common stock, unless the stockholder can show that they will not actually exert control over the Company. No single stockholder can own more than 25 percent of the Company’s common stock without applying for regulatory approval.

Curtailment of government guaranteed loan programs could affect a segment of the Company's business. A major segment of the Company's business consists of originating loans guaranteed by the SBA and U.S. Department of Agriculture. From time to time, the government agencies that guarantee these loans reach their internal limits and cease to guarantee loans. In addition, these agencies may change their rules for loans or Congress may adopt legislation that would have the effect of discontinuing or changing the loan programs. Therefore, if these changes occur, the volume of loans to small business, industrial and agricultural borrowers of the types that now qualify for government guaranteed loans could decline. Also, the profitability of these loans could decline.

Technology is continually changing and we must effectively implement new technologies. The financial services industry is undergoing rapid technological changes with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. In addition to better serving customers, the effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables us to reduce costs. Our future success will depend in part upon our ability to address the needs of our customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands for convenience as well as to create additional efficiencies in our operations as we continue to grow and expand our market areas. In order to anticipate and develop new technology, we employ a qualified staff of internal information system specialists and consider this area a core part of our business. We do not develop our own software products, but have been able to respond to technological changes in a timely manner through association with leading technology vendors. We must continue to make substantial investments in technology which may affect our net income.

System failure or breaches of our network security could subject us to increased operating costs as well as litigation and other liabilities. The computer systems and network infrastructure we use could be vulnerable to unforeseen problems. Our operations are dependent upon our ability to protect our computer equipment against damage from physical theft, fire, power loss, telecommunications failure or a similar catastrophic event, as well as from security breaches, denial of service attacks, viruses, worms and other disruptive problems caused by hackers. Any damage or failure that causes an interruption in our operations could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Computer break-ins and other disruptions could also jeopardize the security of information stored in and transmitted through our computer systems and network infrastructure, which may result in significant liability to us and may cause existing and potential customers to refrain from doing business with us. We employ external auditors to conduct auditing and testing for weaknesses in our systems, controls, firewalls and encryption to reduce the likelihood of any security failures or breaches. Although we, with the help of third-party service providers and auditors, intend to continue to implement security technology and establish operational procedures to prevent such damage, there can be no assurance that these security measures will be successful. In addition, advances in computer capabilities, new discoveries in the field of cryptography or other developments could result in a compromise or breach of the algorithms we and our third-party service providers use to encrypt and protect customer transaction data. A failure of such security measures could have a material adverse affect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Environmental laws could force the Company to pay for environmental problems. When a borrower defaults on a loan secured by real property, the Company generally purchases the property in foreclosure or accepts a deed to the property surrendered by the borrower. The Company may also take over the management of commercial properties when owners have defaulted on loans. While HBC has guidelines intended to exclude properties with an unreasonable risk of contamination, hazardous substances may exist on some of the properties that it owns, manages or occupies and unknown hazardous risks could impact the value of real estate collateral. The Company faces the risk that environmental laws could force it to clean up the properties at the Company's expense. It may cost much more to clean a property than the property is worth. The Company could also be liable for pollution generated by a borrower's operations if the Company took a role in managing those operations after default. Resale of contaminated properties may also be difficult.

Managing operational risk is important to attracting and maintaining customers, investors and employers. Operational risk represents the risk of loss resulting from the Company’s operations, including but not limited to, the risk of fraud by employees or persons outside the Company, the execution of unauthorized transactions by employees, transaction processing errors and breaches of the internal control system and compliance requirements. This risk of loss also includes the potential legal actions that could arise as a result of an operational deficiency or as a result of noncompliance with applicable regulatory standards, adverse business decisions or their implementation and customer attrition due to potential negative publicity. Operational risk is inherent in all business activities and the management of this risk is important to the achievement of the Company’s objectives. In the event of a breakdown in the internal control system, improper operation of systems or improper employee actions, the Company could suffer financial loss, face regulatory action and suffer damage to its reputation. The Company manages operational risk through a risk management framework and its internal control processes. Negative publicity regarding our business, employees, or customers, with or without merit, may result in the loss of customers, investors and employees, costly litigation, a decline in revenues and increased governmental regulation.

Acquisition risks. We have in the past and may in the future seek to grow our business by acquiring other businesses. We cannot predict the frequency, size or timing of our acquisitions, and we typically do not comment publicly on a possible acquisition until we have signed a definitive agreement. There can be no assurance that our acquisitions will have the anticipated positive results, including results related to: the total cost of integration; the time required to complete the integration; the amount of longer-term cost savings; continued growth; or the overall performance of the acquired company or combined entity. Integration of an acquired business can be complex and costly. If we are not able to integrate successfully past or future acquisitions, there is a risk that results of operations could be adversely affected.

Impairment of goodwill or amortizable intangible assets would result in a charge to earnings. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment at least annually, and amortizable intangible assets are evaluated for impairment annually or when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of those assets may not be recoverable. We may be required to record a charge to the earnings during the period in which any impairment of goodwill or intangibles is determined.

Because of our participation in the Troubled Asset Relief Program, we are subject to restrictions on compensation paid to our executives. Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, we adopted certain standards for executive compensation and corporate governance for the period during which the U.S. Treasury holds the equity issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, including the common stock which may be issued pursuant to the TARP Warrant. These standards generally apply to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and the three next most highly compensated senior executive officers. The standards include (1) ensuring that incentive compensation for senior executives does not encourage unnecessary and excessive risks that threaten the value of the financial institution; (2) required clawback of any bonus or incentive compensation paid to a senior executive based on statements of earnings, gains or other criteria that are later proven to be materially inaccurate; (3) prohibition on making golden parachute payments to senior executives; and (4) agreement not to deduct for tax purposes executive compensation in excess of $500,000 for each senior executive.

The adoption of the ARRA on February 17, 2009 imposed certain new executive compensation and corporate expenditure limits on all current and future TARP recipients, including the Company, until the institution has repaid the U.S. Treasury, which is now permitted under the ARRA without penalty and without the need to raise new capital, subject to the U.S. Treasury's consultation with the recipient's appropriate regulatory agency. The executive compensation standards are more stringent than those currently in effect under the TARP Capital Purchase Program or those previously proposed by the U.S. Treasury. The new standards include (but are not limited to) (i) prohibitions on bonuses, retention awards and other incentive compensation, other than restricted stock grants which do not fully vest during the TARP period up to one-third of an employee's total annual compensation, (ii) prohibitions on golden parachute payments for departure from a company, (iii) an expanded clawback of bonuses, retention awards, and incentive compensation if payment is based on materially inaccurate statements of earnings, revenues, gains or other criteria, (iv) prohibitions on compensation plans that encourage manipulation of reported earnings, (v) retroactive review of bonuses, retention awards and other compensation previously provided by TARP recipients if found by the Treasury to be inconsistent with the purposes of TARP or otherwise contrary to public interest, (vi) required establishment of a company-wide policy regarding "excessive or luxury expenditures," and (vii) inclusion in a participant's proxy statements for annual shareholder meetings of a nonbinding "Say on Pay" shareholder vote on the compensation of executives.

Our outstanding Series A Preferred Stock impacts net income available to our common stockholders and earnings per common share, and the TARP Warrant as well as other potential issuances of equity securities may be dilutive to holders of our common stock. The dividends declared on our outstanding Series A Preferred Stock will reduce the net income available to common stockholders and our earnings per common share. Our outstanding Series A Preferred Stock will also receive preferential treatment in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. Additionally, the ownership interest of the existing holders of our common stock will be diluted to the extent the TARP Warrant is exercised. The shares of common stock underlying the TARP Warrant represent approximately 4% of the shares of our common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2008 (including the shares issuable upon exercise of the TARP Warrant in total shares outstanding). Although the U.S. Treasury has agreed not to vote any of the shares of common stock it receives upon exercise of the TARP Warrant, a transferee of any portion of the TARP Warrant or of any shares of common stock acquired upon exercise of the TARP Warrant is not bound by this restriction.

The market price of our common stock may be volatile. The market price of our common stock will continue to fluctuate in response to a number of factors:

·	short-term or long-term operating results;

·	perceived strength of the banking industry in general;

·	perceived value of the Company’s loan portfolio;

·	trends in the Company’s nonperforming assets;

·	legislative/regulatory action or adverse publicity;

·	announcements by competitors; and

·	economic changes and general market conditions.

The market price of our common stock may also be affected by general stock market conditions, including price and trading fluctuations on the NASDAQ Stock Market, the NYSE, AMEX or other exchanges, or by conditions influencing financial institutions generally. These conditions may result in (i) volatility in the level of, and fluctuations in, the market prices of stocks generally and, in turn, our common stock and (ii) sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the market, in each case that could be unrelated or disproportionate to changes in our operating performance. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market prices of our common stock.

There may be future sales or other dilution of our equity, which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. We are not restricted from issuing additional common stock or preferred stock, including any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, common stock or preferred stock or any substantially similar securities. Our board of directors is authorized to issue additional shares of common stock and additional classes or series of preferred stock without any action on the part of the stockholders. The board of directors also has the power, without stockholder approval, to set the terms of any such classes or series of preferred stock that may be issued, including voting rights, dividend rights and preferences over the common stock with respect to dividends or upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our business and other terms. If we issue preferred shares in the future that have a preference over the common stock with respect to the payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or if we issue preferred shares with voting rights that dilute the voting power of the common stock, the rights of holders of the common stock or the market price of the common stock could be adversely affected.

ITEM 1B – UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None

ITEM 2 – PROPERTIES

The main and executive offices of the Company and Heritage Bank of Commerce are located at 150 Almaden Boulevard in San Jose, California 95113, with branch offices located at 15575 Los Gatos Boulevard in Los Gatos, California 95032, at 387 Diablo Road in Danville, California 94526, at 3077 Stevenson Boulevard in Fremont, California 94538, at 300 Main Street in Pleasanton, California 94566, at 101 Ygnacio Valley Road in Walnut Creek, California 94596, at 18625 Sutter Boulevard in Morgan Hill, California 95037, at 7598 Monterey Street in Gilroy, California 95020, at 419 S. San Antonio Road in Los Altos, California 94022, and at 175 E. El Camino Real in Mountain View, California 94040.

Main Offices

The main offices of Heritage Bank of Commerce are located at 150 Almaden Boulevard in San Jose, California on the first three floors in a fifteen-story Class-A type office building. The first two floors, which consist of approximately 22,417 square feet, were subleased from a non-affiliated third party under a sublease agreement dated February 12, 1996, as amended. The third floor, which consists of approximately 12,824 square feet, was acquired directly under a lease dated April 13, 2000, as amended. The current monthly rent payment for the third floor is $29,367, until August 1, 2009 when the monthly rent payment will then become fixed at $53,861 until the lease expires on May 31, 2015. The current monthly rent payment for the first two floors is $42,592 until the sublease expires on February 28, 2010; however, after the sublease expires, the first two floors will become part of the direct lease for the third floor, subject to all of the terms and conditions therein, except that the monthly rent will be based on the then prevailing market rate to be determined no later than January 15, 2010. The Company has reserved the right to extend the term of the direct lease for two additional periods of five years each.

In January of 1997, the Company leased approximately 1,255 square feet (referred to as the “Kiosk”) located next to the primary operating area at 150 Almaden Boulevard in San Jose, California to be used for meetings, staff training and marketing events. The current monthly rent payment is $2,874 until August 1, 2009 when the monthly rent payment will then become fixed at $5,271 until the lease expires on May 31, 2015. The Company has reserved the right to extend the term of the lease for two additional periods of five years each.

Branch Offices

In March of 1999, the Company leased approximately 7,260 square feet in a one-story multi-tenant office building located at 18625 Sutter Boulevard in Morgan Hill, California. The current monthly rent payment is $12,183 and is subject to adjustment every 36 months, based on the Consumer Price Index of the Labor of Statistics as defined in the lease agreement, until the lease expires on October 31, 2014.

In May of 2006, the Company leased approximately 2,505 square feet on the first floor in a three-story multi-tenant multi-use building located at 7598 Monterey Street in Gilroy, California. The current monthly rent payment is $4,691 and is subject to annual increases of 2% until the lease expires on September 30, 2016. The Company has reserved the right to extend the term of the lease for two additional periods of five years each.

In April of 2007, the Company leased approximately 3,850 square feet on the first floor in a four-story multi-tenant office building located at 101 Ygnacio Valley Road in Walnut Creek, California. The current monthly rent payment is $13,086 and is subject to annual increases of 3% until the lease expires on August 15, 2014. The Company has reserved the right to extend the term of the lease for one additional period of five years.

In June of 2007, as part of the acquisition of Diablo Valley Bank the Company took ownership of an 8,300 square foot one-story commercial building, including the land, located at 387 Diablo Road in Danville, California. The Company also assumed a lease for approximately 4,096 square feet in a one-story stand-alone office building located at 300 Main Street in Pleasanton, California. The current monthly rent payment is $15,432 and is subject to annual increases of 3% until the lease expires on October 31, 2010. The Company has reserved the right to extend the term of the lease for one additional period of seven years.

In August of 2007, the Company extended its lease for approximately 6,590 square feet in a one-story stand-alone office building located at 3077 Stevenson Boulevard in Fremont, California. The current monthly rent payment is $13,575 and is subject to annual increases of 3% until the lease expires on February 28, 2013. The Company has reserved the right to extend the term of the lease for one additional period of five years.

In February 2008, the Company extended its lease for approximately 4,840 square feet in a one-story multi-tenant shopping center located at 175 E. El Camino Real in Mountain View, California. The current monthly rent payment is $13,986 and is subject to annual increases, based on the Consumer Price Index of the Bureau of Labor Statistics as defined in the lease agreement. The lease expires on May 30, 2013; however, the Company has reserved the right to extend the term of the lease for one additional period of five years.

In June of 2008, the Company entered into a sublease agreement for approximately 5,213 square feet on the first floor in a two-story multi-tenant office building located at 419 S. San Antonio Road in Los Altos, California. The current monthly rent payment is $16,682 and is subject to annual increases of 3% until the sublease expires on April 30, 2012. After the sublease has expired, occupancy will continue under a direct lease, also entered into in June of 2008. The monthly rent payment beginning on May 1, 2012 will be $24,501 and is subject to annual increases of 3% until the lease expires on April 30, 2018. The Company has reserved the right to extend the term of the lease for two additional periods of five years each.

In September 2008, the Company consolidated its two branch locations located at 4546 El Camino Real and 369 S. San Antonio Road in Los Altos into one new branch located at 419 S. San Antonio Road in Los Altos, California.

In December of 2008, the Company extended its lease for approximately 1,920 square feet in a one-story stand-alone building located in an office complex at 15575 Los Gatos Boulevard in Los Gatos, California. The current monthly rent payment is $5,280 and is subject to annual increases of 3% until the lease expires on November 30, 2013. The Company has reserved the right to extend the term of the lease for one additional period of five years.

Loan Production Offices

In March of 2008, the Company renewed its lease for approximately 140 square feet of office space located at 264 Clovis Avenue in Clovis, California. The current monthly rent payment is $500 until the lease expires on March 31, 2009.

In October of 2008, the Company renewed its lease for approximately 250 square feet of office space located at 740 Fourth Street in Santa Rosa, California. The current monthly rent payment is $1,287 until the lease expires on October 7, 2009.

In November of 2008, the Company extended its lease on a month-to-month basis for approximately 243 square feet of office space located at 1440 Broadway in Oakland, California 94612. The current monthly rent payment is $535.

In January of 2009, the Company extended its lease on a month-to-month basis for approximately 225 square feet of office space located at 8788 Elk Grove Boulevard in Elk Grove, California. The current monthly rent payment is $675.

For additional information on operating leases and rent expense, refer to Footnote 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements following “Item 15 – Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.”

ITEM 3 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is involved in certain legal actions arising from normal business activities. Management, based upon the advice of legal counsel, believes the ultimate resolution of all pending legal actions will not have a material effect on the financial statements of the Company.

ITEM 4 - SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

There was no submission of matters to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of the year ended December 31, 2008.

PART II

ITEM 5 - MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information

The Company’s common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “HTBK.” Management is aware of the following securities dealers which make a market in the Company’s common stock: Credit Suisse Securities, UBS Securities, Goldman Sachs & Company, Citadel Derivatives Group, Morgan Stanley & Company, Knight Equity Markets, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Barclays Capital Inc., Howes Barnes Investments, Timber Hill, Susquehanna Capital Group, Merrill Lynch, Cantor Fitzgerald & Company, Fig Partners, D.A. Davidson, and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company. These market makers have committed to make a market for the Company’s common stock, although they may discontinue making a market at any time. No assurance can be given that an active trading market will be sustained for the common stock at any time in the future.

The information in the following table for 2008 and 2007 indicates the high and low closing prices for the common stock, based upon information provided by the NASDAQ Global Select Market and cash dividend payment for each quarter presented.

	Stock Price				Dividend
Quarter	High		Low		Per Share
Year ended December 31, 2008:
Fourth quarter	$	15.83	$	9.61	$	0.08
Third quarter	$	16.43	$	8.48	$	0.08
Second quarter	$	18.78	$	9.90	$	0.08
First quarter	$	18.93	$	15.23	$	0.08

Year ended December 31, 2007:
Fourth quarter	$	21.97	$	15.45	$	0.08
Third quarter	$	24.47	$	18.55	$	0.06
Second quarter	$	25.54	$	21.72	$	0.06
First quarter	$	27.34	$	24.68	$	0.06

The closing price of our common stock on February 17, 2009 was $6.48 per share as reported by the Nasdaq Global Select Market.

As of February 17, 2009, there were approximately 700 holders of record of common stock. There are no other classes of common equity outstanding.

Dividends

As a bank holding company that currently has no significant assets other than cash and its equity interest in HBC, the Company’s ability to declare dividends depends primarily upon dividends it receives from HBC. HBC’s dividend practices in turn depend upon legal restrictions, HBC’s earnings, financial position, current and anticipated capital requirements, and other factors deemed relevant by HBC’s Board of Directors at that time.

On January 29, 2009, the Company announced it will pay a $0.02 per share quarterly cash dividend on its common stock. The dividend will be paid on March 10, 2009, to shareholders of record on February 27, 2009. The Company reduced its quarterly dividend from $0.08 paid in previous quarters in an effort to maintain its strong capital position for future growth.

The Company paid cash dividends on its common stock totaling $3.82 million, or $0.32 per share in 2008 representing 253% of 2008 net income available to common shareholders. The Company’s general dividend policy is to pay cash dividends, provided that such payments do not adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and are not overly restrictive to our growth capacity. However, no assurance can be given that earnings and/or growth expectations in any given year will justify the payment of such a dividend.

During any period in which the Company has deferred payment of interest otherwise due and payable on its subordinated debt securities, it may not make any dividends or distributions with respect to its capital stock (see “Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Capital Resources”).

Prior to November 21, 2011, unless the Company has redeemed its Series A Preferred Stock or the U.S. Treasury has transferred the Series A Preferred Stock to a third party, the consent of the U.S. Treasury will be required for the Company to: (i) declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on the common stock (other than regular quarterly cash dividends of not more than $0.08 per share, as adjusted for any stock split, stock dividend, reverse stock split, reclassification or similar transaction). In addition, the Company’s ability to declare or pay dividends on its common stock will be subject to restrictions in the event that the Company fails to declare or pay (or set aside for payment) the full dividends when due on the Series A Preferred Stock.

The ability of HBC’s board of directors to declare cash dividends is subject to statutory and regulatory restrictions which limit the amount available for cash dividends depending upon the earnings, financial condition and cash needs of HBC, as well as general business conditions. Under California banking law, HBC may declare dividends in an amount not exceeding the lesser of its retained earnings or its net income for the last three years (reduced by dividends paid during such period) or, with the prior approval of the California Commissioner of Financial Institutions, in an amount not exceeding the greatest of (i) the retained earnings of HBC, (ii) the net income of HBC for its last fiscal year, or (iii) the net income of HBC for its current fiscal year. The payment of any cash dividends by HBC will depend not only upon HBC’s earnings during a specified period, but also on HBC meeting certain regulatory capital requirements.

The Company’s ability to pay dividends is also limited by state corporation law. The California General Corporation Law prohibits the Company from paying dividends on its capital stock unless: (i) its retained earnings, immediately prior to the dividend payment, equals or exceeds the amount of the dividend or (ii) immediately after giving effect to the dividend the sum of the Company’s assets (exclusive of goodwill and deferred charges) would be at least equal to 125% of its liabilities (not including deferred taxes, deferred income and other deferred credits) and the current assets of the Company would be at least equal to its current liabilities, or, if the average of its earnings before taxes on income and before interest expense for the two preceding fiscal years was less than the average of its interest expense for the two preceding fiscal years, at least equal to 125% of its current liabilities.

Additionally, the Federal Reserve Board’s policy regarding dividends provides that a bank holding company should not pay cash dividends exceeding its net income or which can only be funded in ways that weaken the bank holding company’s financial health, such as by borrowing.

The FDIC and the DFI have authority to prohibit a bank from engaging in business practices that are considered to be unsafe or unsound. Depending upon the financial condition of a bank and upon other factors, the FDIC or DFI could assert that payments of dividends or other payments by a bank might be such an unsafe or unsound practice. The Federal Reserve Board has similar authority with respect to a bank holding company.

For regulatory restrictions on payment of dividends by the Company, see Item 1- “BUSINESS - Regulation and Supervision – The Company - Limitations on Dividends Payments.”

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2008 regarding equity compensation plans under which equity securities of the Company were authorized for issuance:

Plan Category	Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (a)	Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b)	Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders	1,044,737 (1)	$18.89	869,527
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders	38,250 (2)	$18.15	N/A

(1)	Consists of 176,669 options to acquire shares of common stock issued under the Company’s 1994 stock options plan, and 868,068 options to acquire shares under the Company’s 2004 stock option plan.

(2)	Consists of restricted stock issued to the Company’s chief executive officer pursuant to a restricted stock agreement dated March 17, 2005.

Performance Graph

The following graph compares the stock performance of the Company from December 31, 2003 to December 31, 2008, to the performance of several specific industry indices. The performance of the S&P 500 index, Nasdaq Stock Index and Nasdaq Bank Stocks were used as comparisons to the Company’s stock performance. Management believes that a performance comparison to these indices provides meaningful information and has therefore included those comparisons in the following graph.

The following chart compares the stock performance of the Company from December 31, 2003 to December 31, 2008, to the performance of several specific industry indices. The performance of the S&P 500 index, Nasdaq Stock Index and Nasdaq Bank Stocks were used as comparisons to the Company’s stock performance.

		Period Ending
Index	12/31/03	12/31/04	12/31/05	12/31/06	12/31/07	12/31/08
Heritage Commerce Corp *	100	155	175	217	150	40
S&P 500 *	100	109	112	128	132	81
NASDAQ - Total US*	100	109	110	121	132	79
NASDAQ Bank Index*	100	111	106	118	92	70

* Source: SNL Financial Bank Information Group – (434) 977-1600

Stock Repurchase Program

In July 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to an additional $30 million of its common stock, which represented approximately 1.48 million shares, or 11%, of its outstanding shares at the current market price on the date of authorization. From August 2007 through May 2008, the Company repurchased 1,645,607 shares of common stock for a total of $29.9 million completing the repurchase program. The Company financed the repurchase of shares from its available cash.

ITEM 6 - SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table presents a summary of selected financial information that should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included under Item 8 - “FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.”

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

	AT OR FOR YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
	2008			2007			2006			2005			2004
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts and ratios)
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Interest income	$	75,957		$	78,712		$	72,957		$	63,756		$	50,685
Interest expense		24,444			27,012			22,525			15,907			9,648
Net interest income before provision for loan losses		51,513			51,700			50,432			47,849			41,037
Provision for loan losses		15,537			(11)			(503)			313			666
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		35,976			51,711			50,935			47,536			40,371
Noninterest income		6,791			8,052			9,840			9,423			10,544
Noninterest expense		42,392			37,530			34,268			35,233			39,238
Income before income taxes		375			22,233			26,507			21,726			11,677
Income tax expense (benefit)		(1,387)			8,137			9,237			7,280			3,199
Net income		1,762			14,096			17,270			14,446			8,478
Dividends and discount accretion on preferred stock		(255)			-			-			-			-
Net income available to common shareholders	$	1,507		$	14,096		$	17,270		$	14,446		$	8,478

PER COMMON SHARE DATA:
Basic net income (1)	$	0.13		$	1.14		$	1.47		$	1.22		$	0.73
Diluted net income (2)	$	0.13		$	1.12		$	1.44		$	1.19		$	0.71
Book value per common share (3)	$	12.38		$	12.90		$	10.54		$	9.45		$	8.45
Tangible book value per common share	$	8.37		$	9.20		$	10.54		$	9.45		$	8.45
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic		11,962,012			12,398,270			11,725,671			11,795,635			11,559,155
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - diluted		12,015,519			12,536,740			11,956,433			12,107,230			11,986,856
Shares outstanding at period end		11,820,509			12,774,926			11,656,943			11,807,649			11,669,837

BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Securities	$	104,475		$	135,402		$	172,298		$	198,495		$	232,809
Net loans	$	1,223,624		$	1,024,247		$	699,957		$	669,901		$	708,611
Allowance for loan losses	$	25,007		$	12,218		$	9,279		$	10,224		$	12,497
Goodwill and other intangible assets	$	47,412		$	48,153		$	-		$	-		$	-
Total assets	$	1,499,227		$	1,347,472		$	1,037,138		$	1,130,509		$	1,108,173
Total deposits	$	1,154,050		$	1,064,226		$	846,593		$	939,759		$	918,535
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase	$	35,000		$	10,900		$	21,800		$	32,700		$	47,800
Note payable	$	15,000		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-
Short-term borrowings	$	55,000		$	60,000		$	-		$	-		$	-
Notes payable to subsidiary grantor trusts	$	23,702		$	23,702		$	23,702		$	23,702		$	23,702
Total shareholders' equity	$	184,267		$	164,824		$	122,820		$	111,617		$	98,579

SELECTED PERFORMANCE RATIOS: (4)
Return on average assets		0.12	%		1.18	%		1.57	%		1.27	%		0.80	%
Return on average tangible assets		0.13	%		1.21	%		1.57	%		1.27	%		0.80	%
Return on average equity		1.15	%		9.47	%		14.62	%		13.73	%		9.04	%
Return on average tangible equity		1.67	%		11.43	%		14.62	%		13.73	%		9.04	%
Net interest margin		3.94	%		4.86	%		5.06	%		4.58	%		4.22	%
Efficiency ratio		72.71	%		62.81	%		56.86	%		61.52	%		76.07	%
Average net loans (excludes loans held for sale)
as a percentage of average deposits		100.01	%		84.06	%		77.61	%		73.55	%		77.11	%
Average total shareholders' equity as a
percenatge of average total assets		10.52	%		12.47	%		10.75	%		9.25	%		8.80	%

SELECTED ASSET QUALITY RATIOS:
Net loan charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans		0.23	%		(0.10)	%		0.06	%		0.28	%		0.19	%
Allowance for loan losses to total loans		2.00	%		1.18	%		1.31	%		1.51	%		1.73	%

CAPITAL RATIOS:
Tier 1 risk-based		11.9	%		11.5	%		17.3	%		14.2	%		13.0	%
Total risk-based		13.1	%		12.5	%		18.4	%		15.3	%		14.3	%
Leverage		11.0	%		11.1	%		13.6	%		11.6	%		10.9	%

Notes:

1)	Represents net income available to common shareholders divided by the average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the respective period.

2)	Represents net income available to common shareholders divided by the average number of shares of common stock and common stock-equivalents outstanding for the respective period.

3)	Represents shareholders’ equity minus preferred stock divided by the number of shares of common stock outstanding at the end of the period indicated.

4)	Average balances used in this table and throughout this Annual Report are based on daily averages.

ITEM 7 - MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion provides information about the results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, and capital resources of Heritage Commerce Corp and its subsidiaries. This information is intended to facilitate the understanding and assessment of significant changes and trends related to our financial condition and the results of our operations. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes presented elsewhere in this report.

Executive Summary

This summary is intended to identify the most important matters on which management focuses when it evaluates the financial condition and performance of the Company. When evaluating financial condition and performance, management looks at certain key metrics and measures. The Company’s evaluation includes an analysis including comparisons with peer group financial institutions and with its own performance objectives established in the internal planning process.

The primary activity of the Company is commercial banking. The Company’s operations are located entirely in the southern and eastern regions of the general San Francisco Bay area of California in the counties of Santa Clara, Alameda and Contra Costa. The largest city in this area is San Jose and the Company’s market includes the headquarters of a number of technology based companies in the region known commonly as Silicon Valley. The Company’s customers are primarily closely held businesses and professionals.

Performance Overview

Comparison of 2008 operating results to 2007 and 2006 includes the effects of acquiring Diablo Valley Bank (“DVB”) on June 20, 2007. In the DVB transaction, the Company acquired $269.0 million of tangible assets, including $203.8 million of net loans, and assumed $249.0 million of deposits.

Net income in 2008 was $1.8 million, a decrease of $12.3 million, or 87%, compared to $14.1 million in 2007. Net income in 2007 was $3.2 million lower than 2006 net income of $17.3 million. Net income per diluted common share was $0.13 for 2008, as compared to $1.12 during 2007 and $1.44 in 2006. The Company’s return on average assets was 0.12% and its return on average equity was 1.15% in 2008, as compared to 1.18% and 9.47%, respectively for 2007, and 1.57% and 14.62%, respectively in 2006. The Company’s return on average tangible assets and return on average tangible equity were 0.13% and 1.67%, respectively, for 2008, compared to 1.21% and 11.43%, respectively, for 2007, and 1.57% and 14.62%, respectively, for 2006.

The following are major factors impacting the Company’s results of operations in recent years:

·	Net income for 2008 was $1.8 million compared to $14.1 million in 2007, an 87% decrease. The decrease in net income is primarily related to the Company’s significant increase in its provision for loan losses in 2008 compared to 2007.

Net interest income was relatively flat in 2008 compared to 2007 decreasing by $187,000, and increased by $1.3 million, or 3%, in 2007 from 2006. Changes in 2008 net interest income were primarily due to a lower net interest margin, partially offset by an increase in the volume of average interest-earning assets as a result of the merger with DVB and significant new loan production. The growth in 2007 was largely driven by an increase in average interest-earning assets.

The net interest margin for 2008 was 3.94%, a decrease of 92 basis points from 4.86% for 2007. The net interest margin for 2006 was 5.06%. Decreases in the net interest margin are primarily the result of the 500 basis points decline in the Federal funds rate from September 18, 2007 through December 31, 2008, which caused interest earning assets to reprice lower at a quicker rate than interest bearing liabilities.

The Company’s provision for loan losses in 2008 was $15.5 million, compared to a credit provision for loan losses of $11,000 in 2007, and a credit provision for loan losses of $503,000 in 2006. The significant increase in the provision for loan losses was primarily due to the $212 million in loan growth for 2008, and deterioration in the loan portfolio reflected in the increase in nonperforming loans primarily caused by the negative impacts of the current economic and real estate downturn.

As previously disclosed, during the second quarter of 2008, the Company fully provided for estimated losses of $5.1 million on loans to one borrower and his related entities. All of these loans were in default under their respective loan terms and have been placed on nonaccrual status. Of these loans, $1.1 million was charged-off in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Noninterest income decreased by 16% in 2008 to $6.8 million, compared to $8.1 million in 2007. Noninterest income decreased by 18% in 2007 to $8.1 million compared to $9.8 million in 2006. The decrease in noninterest income was primarily due to the Company’s strategic shift to retain, rather than sell, SBA loan production, beginning in the third quarter of 2007, which provides the Company with higher interest income over time.

Noninterest expense increased to $42.4 million in 2008, compared to $37.5 million in 2007 and $34.3 million in 2006. Operating expenses increased in 2008 due to the full year impact of the acquisition of Diablo Valley Bank on June 20, 2007, including an increase in amortization of intangible assets, the new office in Walnut Creek, the addition of experienced banking professionals, the write-off of leasehold improvements in the third quarter of 2008 due to the consolidation of our two offices in Los Altos, higher regulatory assessments, and an increase in legal fees and OREO expense.

·	The efficiency ratio was 72.71% in 2008, compared to 62.81% in 2007, and 56.86% in 2006. The efficiency ratio increased in 2008 primarily due to compression of the net interest margin, no SBA loan sale gains, and higher noninterest expense.

The income tax benefit for 2008 was $1.4 million, as compared to income tax expense of $8.1 million and $9.2 million in 2007 and 2006, respectively. The negative effective income tax rate for 2008 was due to reduced pre-tax earnings. The effective income tax rates for 2007 and 2006 were 36.6% and 34.8%, respectively. The difference in the effective tax rate compared to the combined federal and state statutory tax rate of 42% is primarily the result of the Company’s investment in life insurance policies whose earnings are not subject to taxes, tax credits related to investments in low income housing limited partnerships and investments in tax-free municipal securities and loans. The effective tax rates in 2008 are lower compared to 2007 and 2006 because pre-tax income decreased substantially while benefits from tax advantaged investments did not.

The following are important factors in understanding our current financial condition and liquidity position:

·	Total assets increased $152 million, or 11%, to $1.5 billion at the end of 2008 from $1.3 billion at the end of 2007, primarily due to increased loan production generated by additional relationship managers hired in 2007 and 2008, as well as the opening of a new office in Walnut Creek, California.

·	Total loans increased $212 million, or 20%, to $1.2 billion at the end of 2008 compared to $1.0 billion at the end of 2007.

Total deposits increased $90 million, or 8%, to $1.2 billion at the end of 2008 from $1.1 billion at the end of 2007. This increase was primarily due to a $157 million increase in brokered deposits and a $32 million increase in time deposits of $100,000 and over, partially offset by a $98 million decrease in core deposits.

·	The Company’s noncore funding (which consists of time deposits $100,000 and over, brokered deposits, securities under agreement to repurchase, notes payable, and other short-term borrowings) to total assets ratio was 32% at December 31, 2008, compared to 19% a year ago.

·	The Company’s loans to total deposits ratio was 108% at December 31, 2008, compared to 97% a year ago. This increase was due in part to the increase in brokered deposits during 2008.

·	Primarily due to softening in the real estate market in the Company’s market area, which is expected to continue through 2009, nonperforming assets increased by $36.6 million in 2008.

·	The Company issued $40 million in preferred stock and a common stock warrant to the U.S. Treasury as a participant in the TARP Capital Purchase Program.

·	The consolidated Company and Heritage Bank of Commerce meet the regulatory definition of “well-capitalized” at December 31, 2008.

Deposits

The compositions and cost of the Company’s deposit base are important in analyzing the Company’s net interest margin and balance sheet liquidity characteristics. The Company’s depositors are generally located in its primary market area. Depending on loan demand and other funding requirements, the Company also obtains deposits from wholesale sources including deposit brokers. The Company had $196.2 million in brokered deposits at December 31, 2008. The increase in brokered deposits of $156.5 million from December 31, 2007 was primarily to fund increasing loan growth. The Company also seeks deposits from title insurance companies, escrow accounts and real estate exchange facilitators, which were $56.6 million at December 31, 2008. The Company has a policy to monitor all deposits that may be sensitive to interest rate changes to help assure that liquidity risk does not become excessive due to concentrations. Deposits at December 31, 2008 were $1.2 billion compared to $1.1 billion at December 31, 2007, an increase of 8%. The Company has not experienced any increased demand outside its ordinary course of business from its customers to withdraw the deposits as a result of recent developments in the financial institution industry.

Liquidity

Our liquidity position refers to our ability to maintain cash flows sufficient to fund operations and to meet obligations and other commitments in a timely fashion. We believe that our liquidity position is more than sufficient to meet our operating expenses, borrowing needs and other obligations for 2009. As of December 31, 2008, we had $30 million in cash and cash equivalents and approximately $132 million in available borrowing capacity from various sources including the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), and Federal funds facilities with several financial institutions.

Lending

Our lending business originates primarily through our branch offices located in our primary market. While the economy in our primary service area weakened in late 2007 and throughout 2008, the Company has experienced strong loan growth for most of 2008. During the last quarter of 2008 we experienced a modest slowing in loan growth on a relative basis. Commercial and commercial real estate loans increased from December 31, 2007, as a result of relationship manager additions over the past year, a new office in Walnut Creek, California, and opportunities created by recent consolidation in the local banking industry. We will continue to use and improve existing products to expand market share in current locations. Total loans increased to $1.2 billion for 2008 compared to $1.0 billion at December 31, 2007.

Net Interest Income

The management of interest income and expense is fundamental to the performance of the Company. Net interest income, the difference between interest income and interest expense, is the largest component of the Company’s total revenue. Management closely monitors both total net interest income and the net interest margin (net interest income divided by average earning assets).

Because of our focus on commercial lending to closely held businesses, the Company will continue to have a high percentage of floating rate loans and other assets. Given the current volume, mix and repricing characteristics of our interest-bearing liabilities and interest-earning assets, we believe our interest rate spread is expected to increase in a rising rate environment, and decrease in a declining interest rate scenario.

The Company, through its asset and liability policies and practices, seeks to maximize net interest income without exposing the Company to an excessive level of interest rate risk. Interest rate risk is managed by monitoring the pricing, maturity and repricing options of all classes of interest bearing assets and liabilities. This is discussed in more detail under Liquidity and Asset/Liability Management.

From September 18, 2007 through December 31, 2008, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System reduced short-term interest rates by 500 basis points. This decrease in short-term rates immediately affected the rates applicable to the majority of the Company’s loans. While the decrease in interest rates also lowered the cost of interest bearing deposits, which represents the Company’s primary funding source, these deposits tend to reprice more slowly than floating rate loans. The average monthly prime rate during 2008 was 5.09%, compared to 8.05% in 2007.

Management of Credit Risk

Because of our focus on business banking, loans to single borrowing entities are often larger than would be found in a more consumer oriented bank with many smaller, more homogeneous loans. The average size of our loan relationships makes the Company more susceptible to larger losses. As a result of this concentration of larger risks, the Company has maintained an allowance for loan losses which is higher than might be indicated by its actual historic loss experience. In setting the loan loss allowance, management takes into consideration many factors including loan growth, changes in the composition of the loan portfolio, the general economic condition in the Company’s market area, and the impact on the industrial sectors the Company services, as well as management’s overall assessment of the quality of the loan portfolio and the lending staff and managers who service the portfolio. A complete discussion of the management of credit risk appears under Provision for Loan Losses and Allowance for Loan Losses.

Noninterest Income

While net interest income remains the largest single component of total revenues, noninterest income is an important component. Prior to the third quarter of 2007, a significant percentage of the Company’s noninterest income was associated with its SBA lending activity, consisting of gains on the sale of loans sold in the secondary market and servicing income from loans sold with servicing retained. However, beginning in the third quarter of 2007, the Company decided to change its strategy regarding its SBA loan business. The Company now retains most of its SBA production, which allows us to generate more interest income rather than noninterest income. Other sources of noninterest income include the increase in cash surrender value of life insurance and service charges on deposits. Noninterest income will continue to be affected by the Company’s strategic decision to retain rather than sell its loans.

Noninterest Expense

Management considers the control of operating expenses to be a critical element of the Company’s performance. Over the last three years, the Company has undertaken several initiatives to reduce its noninterest expense and improve efficiency. Nonetheless, operating expenses increased in 2008 due to the full year impact of the acquisition of Diablo Valley Bank on June 20, 2007, the new office in Walnut Creek, the addition of experienced banking professionals, the write-off of leasehold improvements in the third quarter of 2008 due to the consolidation of our two offices in Los Altos, higher regulatory assessments, and an increase in legal fees and OREO expense. Management monitors progress in reducing noninterest expense through review of the Company’s efficiency ratio. The efficiency ratio increased in 2008 primarily due to compression of the Company’s net interest margin, a decrease in noninterest income, the increase in nonperforming assets and the increase in expenses.

Capital Management

Heritage Commerce Corp and Heritage Bank of Commerce meet the regulatory definition of “well-capitalized” at December 31, 2008. As part of its asset and liability process, the Company continually assesses its capital position to take into consideration growth, expected earnings, risk profile and potential corporate activities that it may choose to pursue.

Our capital position has been considerably strengthened. As of December 31, 2008, our total risk-based capital ratio was 13.1%, or $177.1 million, more than the 10.00% regulatory requirement for well-capitalized banks. Our Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 11.9% and our Tier 1 leverage ratio of 11.0% as of December 31, 2008 also significantly exceeded regulatory guidelines for well-capitalized banks. On November 21, 2008, the Company issued 40,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock and warrants to purchase 462,963 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $12.96 for $40 million. See Item 1 – “Business - U.S. Treasury Troubled Asset Relief Program.” The terms of the U.S. Treasury TARP Capital Purchase Program could reduce investment returns to our shareholders by restricting dividends to common shareholders, diluting existing shareholders’ interests, and restricting capital management practices.

In July, 2007, the board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $30 million of common stock through July, 2009. From August 13, 2007 through May 27, 2008, the Company purchased 1,645,607 shares for a total of $29.9 million to complete the repurchase plan.

Starting in 2006, the Company initiated the payment of quarterly cash dividends. The Company paid cash dividends of $3.8 million or $0.32 per common share in 2008 representing 217% of 2008 earnings. On January 29, 2009, the Company announced it will pay a $0.02 per share quarterly cash dividend. The dividend will be paid on March 10, 2009, to shareholders of record on February 27, 2009. The Company reduced its quarterly dividend from $0.08 paid in previous quarters in an effort to maintain its strong capital position for future growth. The Company also accrued $222,000 of dividends in 2008 on the preferred stock issued to the U.S. Treasury under the TARP Capital Purchase Program.

Results of Operations

The Company earns income from two primary sources. The first is net interest income, which is interest income generated by earning assets less interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities. The second is noninterest income, which primarily consists of loan servicing fees, customer service charges and fees, and the increase in cash surrender value of life insurance. The majority of the Company’s noninterest expenses are operating costs that relate to providing a full range of banking services to our customers.

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

The level of net interest income depends on several factors in combination, including growth in earning assets, yields on earning assets, the cost of interest-bearing liabilities, the relative volumes of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, and the mix of products that comprise the Company’s earning assets, deposits, and other interest-bearing liabilities. To maintain its net interest margin, the Company must manage the relationship between interest earned and paid.

The following Distribution, Rate and Yield table presents for each of the past three years, the average amounts outstanding for the major categories of the Company’s balance sheet, the average interest rates earned or paid thereon, and the resulting net interest margin on average interest earning assets for the periods indicated. Average balances are based on daily averages.

Distribution, Rate and Yield

	Year Ended December 31,
	2008						2007						2006
			Interest		Average				Interest		Average				Interest		Average
	Average		Income /		Yield /		Average		Income /		Yield /		Average		Income /		Yield /
	Balance		Expense		Rate		Balance		Expense		Rate		Balance		Expense		Rate
Assets:	(Dollars in thousands)
Loans, gross (1)	$	1,178,194	$	70,488		5.98%	$	844,928	$	68,405		8.10%	$	738,297	$	61,859		8.38	%
Securities		126,223		5,395		4.27%		165,884		7,636		4.60%		191,220		7,796		4.08	%
Interest bearing deposits in other financial institutions		881		16		1.82%		3,132		141		4.50%		2,826		132		4.67	%
Federal funds sold		3,060		58		1.90%		49,118		2,530		5.15%		63,739		3,170		4.97	%
Total interest earning assets		1,308,358		75,957		5.81%		1,063,062		78,712		7.40%		996,082		72,957		7.32	%
Cash and due from banks		34,339						37,435						34,810
Premises and equipment, net		9,273						6,218						2,482
Goodwill and other intangible assets		47,788						25,331						-
Other assets		56,603						61,844						64,904
Total assets	$	1,456,361					$	1,193,890					$	1,098,278

Liabilities and shareholders' equity:
Deposits:
Demand, interest bearing	$	145,785	$	1,513		1.04%	$	143,801	$	3,154		2.19%	$	145,471	$	3,220		2.21	%
Savings and money market		433,839		7,679		1.77%		393,750		12,368		3.14%		358,846		10,274		2.86	%
Time deposits, under $100		36,301		1,101		3.03%		32,196		1,243		3.86%		31,967		1,037		3.24	%
Time deposits, $100 and over		162,298		4,853		2.99%		119,812		5,151		4.30%		107,387		3,762		3.50	%
Brokered time deposits, $100 and over		124,079		4,889		3.94%		49,846		2,295		4.60%		34,234		1,295		3.78	%
Notes payable to subsidiary grantor trusts		23,702		2,148		9.06%		23,702		2,329		9.83%		23,702		2,310		9.75	%
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase		32,030		937		2.93%		14,504		387		2.67%		25,429		627		2.47	%
Note payable		10,243		292		2.85%		-		-		N/A		-		-		N/	A
Other short-term borrowings		48,238		1,032		2.14%		1,751		85		4.85%		-		-		N/	A
Total interest bearing liabilities		1,016,515		24,444		2.40%		779,362		27,012		3.47%		727,036		22,525		3.10	%
Demand, noninterest bearing		258,624						242,308						229,190
Other liabilities		28,006						23,385						23,957
Total liabilities		1,303,145						1,045,055						980,183
Shareholders' equity		153,216						148,835						118,095
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	1,456,361					$	1,193,890					$	1,098,278

Net interest income / margin			$	51,513		3.94%			$	51,700		4.86%			$	50,432		5.06	%

(1) Yields and amounts earned on loans include loan fees and costs. Nonaccrual loans are included in the average balance calculations above.

The Volume and Rate Variances table below sets forth the dollar difference in interest earned and paid for each major category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the noted periods, and the amount of such change attributable to changes in average balances (volume) or changes in average interest rates. Volume variances are equal to the increase or decrease in the average balance times the prior period rate and rate variances are equal to the increase or decrease in the average rate times the prior period average balance. Variances attributable to both rate and volume changes are equal to the change in rate times the change in average balance and are included below in the average volume column.

Volume and Rate Variances

	2008 vs. 2007						2007 vs. 2006
	Increase (Decrease) Due to Change in:						Increase (Decrease) Due to Change in:
	Average		Average		Net		Average		Average		Net
	Volume		Rate		Change		Volume		Rate		Change
Income from the interest earning assets:	(Dollars in thousands)
Loans, gross	$	19,961	$	(17,878)	$	2,083	$	8,633	$	(2,087)	$	6,546
Securities		(1,688)		(553)		(2,241)		(1,160		1,000		(160)
Interest bearing deposits in other financial institutions		(41)		(84)		(125)		14		(5)		9
Federal funds sold		(875)		(1,597)		(2,472)		(753)		113		(640)
Total interest income on interest earning assets	$	17,357	$	(20,112)	$	(2,755)	$	6,734	$	(979)	$	5,755

Expense from the interest bearing liabilities:
Demand, interest bearing	$	17	$	(1,658)	$	(1,641)	$	(38)	$	(28)	$	(66)
Savings and money market		710		(5,399)		(4,689)		1,100		994		2,094
Time deposits, under $100		125		(267)		(142)		9		197		206
Time deposits, $100 and over		1,271		(1,569)		(298)		533		856		1,389
Brokered time deposits		2,925		(331)		2,594		720		280		1,000
Notes payable to subsidiary grantor trusts		-		(181)		(181)		-		19		19
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase		512		38		550		(350)		110		(240)
Notes payable - other		292		-		292		-		-		-
Other short-term borrowings		995		(48)		947		85		-		85
Total interest expense on interest bearing liabilities	$	6,847	$	(9,415)	$	(2,568)	$	2,059	$	2,428	$	4,487
Net interest income	$	10,510	$	(10,697)	$	(187)	$	4,675	$	(3,407)	$	1,268

Net interest income for 2008 decreased $187,000 from 2007. The decrease in 2008 was primarily due to the 500 basis points decline in short-term interest rates from September 18, 2007 through December 31, 2008, partially offset by a 23% increase in average interest-earning assets in 2008 from 2007. The Company’s net interest margin, expressed as a percentage of average earning assets, was 3.94% in 2008 compared to 4.86% in 2007, a decrease of 92 basis points.

A substantial portion of the Company’s earning assets are variable-rate loans that re-price when the Company’s prime lending rate is changed, in contrast to a large base of core deposits that are generally slower to re-price. This causes the Company’s balance sheet to be asset-sensitive which means that, all else being equal, the Company’s net interest margin will be lower during periods when short-term interest rates are falling and higher when rates are rising. Management anticipates that the Company’s net interest margin could experience some compression if short-term interest rates continue to fall in 2009.

The net interest margin decreased 20 basis points to 4.86% in 2007 from 5.06% in 2006. Net interest income increased $1.3 million, or 3%, for 2007 to $51.7 million from $50.4 million for 2006, primarily due to higher loan volume in 2007.

Provision for Loan Losses

Credit risk is inherent in the business of making loans. The Company sets aside an allowance for loan losses through charges to earnings, which are shown in the income statement as the provision for loan losses. Specifically identifiable and quantifiable losses are immediately charged off against the allowance. The loan loss provision is determined by conducting a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the Company’s allowance for loan losses and charging the shortfall, if any, to the current quarter’s expense. This has the effect of creating variability in the amount and frequency of charges to the Company’s earnings. The loan loss provision and level of allowance for each period are dependent upon many factors, including loan growth, net charge-offs, changes in the composition of the loan portfolio, delinquencies, management’s assessment of the quality of the loan portfolio, the valuation of problem loans and the general economic conditions in the Company’s market area.

For 2008, the Company had a provision for loan losses of $15.5 million, compared to a credit provision for loan losses of $11,000 for 2007 and credit provision for loan losses of $503,000 for 2006. The significant increase in the provision for loan losses for 2008 was primarily due to $5.1 million of estimated losses on loans to one borrower and his related entities in the second quarter, $212 million in loan growth, and increasing risk in the loan portfolio reflected by an increase of $37.0 million in nonperforming loans. The Company anticipates that it will continue to make significant provisions for loan losses over the next several quarters if the economy continues to weaken. The Company has filed a lawsuit to recover the $5.1 million loan amount, accrued interest and costs from one borrower and his related entities. The complaint also alleges that the securities in the account collateralizing a $4 million secured loan may not be recoverable, and the Company has named as an additional defendant, the securities firm that held the securities collateral account. Due to a substantial problem with the validity of the collateral for the majority of the debt and the bankruptcy filing of the borrower, the Company does not expect a quick resolution to this issue.

The allowance for loan losses represented 2.00%, 1.18% and 1.31% of total loans at December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. See “Allowance for Loan Losses” for additional information.

Noninterest Income

The following table sets forth the various components of the Company’s noninterest income:

Noninterest Income

							Increase (decrease)			Increase (decrease)
	Year Ended December 31,						2008 versus 2007			2007 versus 2006
	2008		2007		2006		Amount		Percent	Amount		Percent
	(Dollars in thousands)
Service charges and fees on deposit accounts	$	2,007	$	1,284	$	1,335	$	723	56%	$	(51)	-4%
Servicing income		1,790		2,181		1,860		(391)	-18%		321	17%
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance		1,645		1,443		1,439		202	14%		4	0%
Gain on sale of SBA loans		-		1,766		3,337		(1,766)	-100%		(1,571)	-47%
Gain on sale Capital Group loan portfolio		-		-		671		-	N/A		(671)	-100%
Other		1,349		1,378		1,198		(29)	-2%		180	15%
Total	$	6,791	$	8,052	$	9,840	$	(1,261)	-16%	$	(1,788)	-18%

Historically, a significant percentage of the Company’s noninterest income has been associated with its SBA lending activity, as gain on the sale of loans sold in the secondary market and servicing income from loans sold with servicing rights retained. However, beginning in the third quarter of 2007, the Company changed its strategy regarding its SBA loan business by retaining new SBA production in lieu of selling the loans. Reflecting the strategic shift to retain SBA loan production, there were no gains from sale of loans in 2008 and servicing income will continue to decline on a comparative basis. The reduction in noninterest income should be offset in future years with higher interest income, as a result of retaining SBA loan production.

Service charges and fees on deposit accounts were higher during 2008 compared to 2007, due to higher fees from accounts on analysis as a result of lower interest rates and fewer waived fees. Lower interest rates generally result in lower earnings credits and higher net fees for services provided to clients.

The decrease in noninterest income in 2007 compared to 2006 was primarily attributable to a $2.2 million decrease in gain on sale of loans (including SBA and Capital Group loans). The net gain on sale of SBA loans was $1.8 million for 2007, compared to $3.3 million for 2006.

When the Company sold its SBA loan production in 2007 and 2006, gains or losses on SBA loans held for sale were recognized upon completion of the sale, based on the difference between the net sales proceeds and the relative fair value of the guaranteed portion of the loan sold compared to the relative fair value of the unguaranteed portion. The servicing assets that resulted from the sale of SBA loans, with servicing rights retained, are amortized over the expected term of the loans using a method approximating the interest method.

Noninterest Expense

The following table sets forth the various components of the Company’s noninterest expense:

Noninterest Expense

							Increase (decrease)					Increase (decrease)
	Year Ended December 31,						2008 versus 2007					2007 versus 2006
	2008		2007		2006		Amount		Percent			Amount		Percent
	(Dollars in thousands)
Salaries and employee benefits	$	22,624	$	21,160	$	19,414	$	1,464		7	%	$	1,746		9%
Occupancy		3,808		3,557		3,110		251		7	%		447		14%
Professional fees		2,954		2,342		1,688		612		26	%		654		39%
Data processing		1,021		867		806		154		18	%		61		8%
Software subscription		940		831		699		109		13	%		132		19%
Advertising and promotion		882		1,092		1,064		(210)		-19	%		28		3%
Low income housing investment losses		865		828		995		37		4	%		(167)		-17%
Furniture and equipment		815		638		517		177		28	%		121		23%
Client services		802		820		1,000		(18)		-2	%		(180)		-18%
Amortization of intangible assets		741		352		-		389		111	%		352		N/A
Retirement plan expense		225		274		352		(49)		-18	%		(78)		-22%
Other		6,715		4,769		4,623		1,946		41	%		146		3%
Total	$	42,392	$	37,530	$	34,268	$	4,862		13	%	$	3,262		10%

The following table indicates the percentage of noninterest expense in each category:

Noninterest Expense by Category

	2008				2007				2006
			Percent				Percent				Percent
	Amount		of Total		Amount		of Total		Amount		of Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Salaries and employee benefits	$	22,624		53%	$	21,160		56%	$	19,414		57	%
Occupancy		3,808		9%		3,557		10%		3,110		9	%
Professional fees		2,954		7%		2,342		6%		1,688		5	%
Data processing		1,021		2%		867		2%		806		2	%
Software subscription		940		2%		831		2%		699		2	%
Advertising and promotion		882		2%		1,092		3%		1,064		3	%
Low income housing investment losses		865		2%		828		2%		995		3	%
Furniture and equipment		815		2%		638		2%		517		1	%
Client services		802		2%		820		2%		1,000		3	%
Amortization of intangible assets		741		2%		352		1%		-		0	%
Retirement plan expense		225		1%		274		1%		352		1	%
Other		6,715		16%		4,769		13%		4,623		14	%
Total	$	42,392		100%	$	37,530		100%	$	34,268		100	%

Salaries and employee benefits is the single largest component of noninterest expenses. Salaries and employee benefits increased $1.5 million for 2008, compared to 2007, primarily due to the full year impact from the acquisition of DVB, opening a new branch in Walnut Creek, and the Company hiring a number of experienced bankers. Full-time equivalent employees were 225 at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 and 196 at December 31, 2006.

Occupancy, furniture and equipment increased $428,000 in 2008 compared to 2007. The increase in 2008 was a result of the write-off of leasehold improvements in the third quarter of 2008 due to the consolidation of our two offices in Los Altos and the full year impact of the acquisition of DVB and the opening of our Walnut Creek office in August 2007.

Professional fees increased $612,000 for 2008, compared to 2007, primarily due to the full year impact of the acquisition of DVB, and legal services related to our recovery efforts of $5.1 million of defaulted loans from one borrower and his related entities.

Amortization of intangible assets and other expense increased in 2008 primarily due to the full year impact of the acquisition of DVB.

Other operating expenses increased in 2008 due to the full year impact of the acquisition of DVB, higher regulatory assessments, and an increase in OREO expense. The FDIC insurance assessment increased $562,000 in 2008.

Noninterest expense increased $3.3 million, or 10%, in 2007 compared to 2006. The increase in compensation expense was primarily due to the acquisition of Diablo Valley Bank and the Company hiring a number of experienced bankers during 2007. Salary and severance benefits for former Diablo Valley Bank employees totaled $461,000. Up-front costs associated with the hiring of new bankers for the East Bay expansion and SBA teams totaled $970,000 in 2007.

Income Tax Expense

The Company computes its provision for income taxes on a monthly basis. As indicated in Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the effective tax rate is determined by applying the Company’s statutory income tax rates to pre-tax book income as adjusted for permanent differences between pre-tax book income and actual taxable income. These permanent differences include, but are not limited to, tax-exempt interest income, increases in the cash surrender value of life insurance policies, California Enterprise Zone deductions, certain expenses that are not allowed as tax deductions, and tax credits.

The Company’s federal and state income tax benefit in 2008 was $1.4 million, as compared to income tax expense of $8.1 million and $9.2 million in 2007 and 2006, respectively. The negative effective income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2008 was due to reduced pre-tax earnings. The effective income tax rates for the years ended 2007 and 2006 were 36.6% and 34.8%, respectively. The difference in the effective tax rate compared to the combined federal and state statutory tax rate of 42% is primarily the result of the Company’s investment in life insurance policies whose earnings are not subject to taxes, tax credits related to investments in low income housing limited partnerships and investments in tax-free municipal securities. The effective tax rates in 2008 are lower compared to 2007 and 2006 because pre-tax income decreased substantially while benefits from tax advantaged investments did not.

Tax-exempt interest income is generated primarily by the Company’s investments in state, county and municipal loans and securities, which provided $263,000 in federal tax-exempt income in 2008 and $181,000 in 2007 and $182,000 in 2006. Although not reflected in the investment portfolio, the Company also has total investments of $6.4 million in low-income housing limited partnerships as of December 31, 2008. These investments have generated annual tax credits of approximately $1.1 million in 2008 and 2007 and $1.0 million in 2006. The investments are expected to generate an additional $5.2 million in aggregate tax credits from 2009 through 2016; however, the amount of the credits are dependent upon the occupancy level of the housing projects and income of the tenants and cannot be projected with certainty.

Some items of income and expense are recognized in different years for tax purposes than when applying generally accepted accounting principles, leading to timing differences between the Company’s actual tax liability and the amount accrued for this liability based on book income. These temporary differences comprise the “deferred” portion of the Company’s tax expense, which is accumulated on the Company’s books as a deferred tax asset or deferred tax liability until such time as they reverse. At the end of 2008, the Company had a net deferred tax asset of $17.3 million.

Financial Condition

As of December 31, 2008, total assets were $1.5 billion, an increase of 11% from $1.3 billion at year-end 2007. Total securities available-for-sale (at fair value) were $104.5 million, a decrease of 23% from $135.4 million at year-end 2007. The total loan portfolio was $1.2 billion, an increase of 20% from $1.0 billion at year-end 2007. Total deposits were $1.2 billion, an increase of 8% from $1.1 billion at year-end 2007. Securities sold under agreement to repurchase increased $24.1 million, or 221%, to $35.0 million at December 31, 2008, from $10.9 million at year-end 2007.

Securities Portfolio

The following table reflects the estimated fair value for each category of securities for the past three years.

Investment Portfolio

	December 31,
	2008		2007		2006
Securities available-for-sale (at fair value)	(Dollars in thousands)
U.S. Treasury	$	19,496	$	4,991	$	5,963
U.S. Government Sponsored Entities		8,696		35,803		59,396
Municipals - Tax Exempt		701		4,114		8,142
Mortgage-Backed Securities		69,036		83,046		90,186
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations		6,546		7,448		8,611
Total	$	104,475	$	135,402	$	172,298

The following table summarizes the maturities and weighted average yields of securities as of December 31, 2008:

	December 31, 2008
	Maturity
					After One and				After Five and
	Within One Year				Within Five Years				Within Ten Years				After Ten Years				Total
	Amount		Yield		Amount		Yield		Amount		Yield		Amount		Yield		Amount		Yield
Securities available-for-sale (at fair value):	(Dollars in thousands)
U.S. Treasury	$	19,496		1.68%	$	-		-	$	-		-	$	-		-	$	19,496		1.68%
U.S. Government Sponsored Entities		8,696		4.99%		-		-		-		-		-		-		8,696		4.99%
Municipals - Tax Exempt		701		3.88%		-		-		-		-		-		-		701		3.88%
Mortgage Backed Securities		1,390		2.90%		44,663		4.22%		16,193		5.10%		6,790		5.29%		69,036		4.50%
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations		-		-		6,546		4.81%		-		-		-		-		6,546		4.81%
Total	$	30,283		2.74%	$	51,209		4.29%	$	16,193		5.10%	$	6,790		5.29%	$	104,475		4.03%

The securities portfolio is the second largest component of the Company’s interest earning assets, and the structure and composition of this portfolio is important to any analysis of the financial condition of the Company. The portfolio serves the following purposes: (i) it can be readily reduced in size to provide liquidity for loan balance increases or deposit decreases; (ii) it provides a source of pledged assets for securing certain deposits and borrowed funds, as may be required by law or by specific agreement with a depositor or lender; (iii) it can be used as an interest rate risk management tool, since it provides a large base of assets, the maturity and interest rate characteristics of which can be changed more readily than the loan portfolio to better match changes in the deposit base and other funding sources of the Company; (iv) it is an alternative interest-earning use of funds when loan demand is weak or when deposits grow more rapidly than loans; and (v) it can enhance the Company’s tax position by providing partially tax exempt income.

The Company’s securities are all currently classified under existing accounting rules as “available-for-sale” to allow flexibility for the management of the portfolio. FASB Statement 115 requires available-for-sale securities to be marked to fair value with an offset to accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of shareholders’ equity. Monthly adjustments are made to reflect changes in the fair value of the Company’s available-for-sale securities.

The Company’s portfolio is currently composed primarily of: (i) U.S. Treasury securities and Government sponsored entities’ debt securities for liquidity and pledging; (ii) mortgage-backed securities, which in many instances can also be used for pledging, and which generally enhance the yield of the portfolio; (iii) municipal obligations, which provide tax free income and limited pledging potential; and (iv) collateralized mortgage obligations, which generally enhance the yield of the portfolio.

Except for U.S. Treasury securities and debt obligations of U.S. Government sponsored entities, no securities of a single issuer exceeded 10% of shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2008. The Company has no direct exposure to so-called subprime loans or securities, nor does it own any Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac equity securities. The Company has not used interest rate swaps or other derivative instruments to hedge fixed rate loans or securities to otherwise mitigate interest rate risk.

Compared to December 31, 2007, the securities portfolio declined by $30.9 million, or 23%, and decreased to 7% of total assets at December 31, 2008, from 10% at December 31, 2007. U.S. Treasury securities and Government sponsored entities’ debt securities decreased to 27% of the portfolio at December 31, 2008, from 30% at December 31, 2007. The decrease was primarily to fund loan growth. The Company’s mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations are issued by U.S. Government sponsored entities. These securities were determined not to be “other than temporarily impaired” as of December 31, 2008. The Company invests in securities with the available cash based on market conditions and the Company’s cash flow.

Loans

The Company’s loans represent the largest portion of earning assets, substantially greater than the securities portfolio or any other asset category, and the quality and diversification of the loan portfolio is an important consideration when reviewing the Company’s financial condition.

Gross loans represented 83% of total assets at December 31, 2008, as compared to 77% of at December 31, 2007. The ratio of loans to deposits increased to 108% at the end of 2008 from 97% at the end of 2007.

The Selected Financial Data table in Item 6 reflects the amount of loans outstanding at December 31st for each year from 2004 through 2008, net of deferred fees and origination costs and the allowance for loan losses. The Loan Distribution table that follows sets forth the Company’s gross loans outstanding and the percentage distribution in each category at the dates indicated.

Loan Distribution

	December 31,
	2008		% to Total			2007		% to Total			2006		% to Total			2005		% to Total			2004		% to Total
	%(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial	$	525,080		42	%	$	411,251		40	%	$	284,093		40	%	$	248,060		37	%	$	296,030		41%
Real estate - mortgage		405,530		33	%		361,211		35	%		239,041		34	%		237,566		35	%		250,984		35%
Real estate - land and construction		256,567		21	%		215,597		21	%		143,834		20	%		149,851		22	%		118,290		17%
Home equity		55,490		4	%		44,187		4	%		38,976		6	%		41,772		6	%		52,170		7%
Consumer		4,310		0	%		3,044		0	%		2,422		0	%		1,721		0	%		2,908		0%
Loans		1,246,977		100	%		1,035,290		100	%		708,366		100	%		678,970		100	%		720,382		100%
Deferred loan costs, net		1,654		-			1,175		-			870		-			1,155		-			726		-
Total loans, net of deferred costs		1,248,631		100	%		1,036,465		100	%		709,236		100	%		680,125		100	%		721,108		100%
Allowance for loan losses		(25,007)					(12,218)					(9,279)					(10,224)					(12,497)
Loans, net	$	1,223,624				$	1,024,247				$	699,957				$	669,901				$	708,611

The Company’s loan portfolio is concentrated in commercial, primarily manufacturing, wholesale, and services and real estate, with the balance in land development and construction and home equity and consumer loans. The loan portfolio mix over the past five years has remained relatively the same.

The Company’s commercial loans are made for working capital, financing the purchase of equipment or for other business purposes. Such loans include loans with maturities ranging from thirty days to one year and “term loans,” with maturities normally ranging from one to five years. Short-term business loans are generally intended to finance current transactions and typically provide for periodic principal payments, with interest payable monthly. Term loans normally provide for floating interest rates, with monthly payments of both principal and interest. The Company’s commercial loans are centered in locally-oriented commercial activities in markets where the Company has a physical presence, and these markets have become more competitive as business activity has moderated.

The Company is an active participant in the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) and U.S. Department of Agriculture guaranteed lending programs, and has been approved by the SBA as a lender under the Preferred Lender Program. The Company regularly makes SBA-guaranteed loans. Prior to third quarter of 2007, the guaranteed portion of these loans were sold in the secondary market depending on market conditions. Once it was determined that these loans would be sold, the loans were classified as held for sale and carried at the lower of cost or market. When the guaranteed portion of an SBA loan was sold, the Company retained the servicing rights for the sold portion. As of December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, $150 million, $177 million and $189 million, respectively, in SBA and U.S. Department of Agriculture loans were serviced by the Company for others. As previously discussed, beginning in the third quarter of 2007, the Company changed its strategy regarding its SBA loan business by retaining new SBA production in lieu of selling the loans.

As of December 31, 2008, real estate mortgage loans of $406 million consist primarily of adjustable and fixed rate loans secured by deeds of trust on commercial property. Properties securing the commercial real estate mortgage loans are primarily located in the Company’s market, which is the Greater San Francisco Bay Area. Real estate values in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area have declined significantly in the residential market in 2008, compared to 2007. Other areas in California and the U.S. have experienced even greater declines. While the commercial real estate market has not seen the same level of declines as the residential market in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, it has started to decline. The Company’s borrowers will be impacted by a further downturn in these sectors of the economy, which could adversely impact the borrowers’ ability to repay their loans and reduce demand for loans. Based on the general economic conditions, we anticipate our borrowers will continue to be affected in 2009.

The Company’s real estate term loans consist primarily of loans made based on the borrower’s cash flow and are secured by deeds of trust on commercial and residential property to provide a secondary source of repayment. The Company generally restricts real estate term loans to no more than 80% of the property’s appraised value or the purchase price of the property during the initial underwriting of the credit, depending on the type of property and its utilization. The Company offers both fixed and floating rate loans. Maturities on such loans are generally between five and ten years (with amortization ranging from fifteen to twenty-five years and a balloon payment due at maturity); however, SBA and certain other real estate loans that can be sold in the secondary market may be granted for longer maturities.

The Company’s land and construction loans are primarily short term interim loans to finance the development/construction of commercial and single family residential properties. The Company utilizes underwriting guidelines to assess the likelihood of repayment from sources such as sale of the property or permanent mortgage financing prior to making the construction loan.

The Company makes consumer loans for the purpose of financing automobiles, various types of consumer goods, and other personal purposes. Additionally, the Company makes home equity lines of credit available to its clientele. Consumer loans generally provide for the monthly payment of principal and interest. Most of the Company’s consumer loans are secured by the personal property being purchased or, in the instances of home equity loans or lines, real property.

With certain exceptions, state chartered banks are permitted to make extensions of credit to any one borrowing entity up to 15% of the bank’s capital and reserves for unsecured loans and up to 25% of the bank’s capital and reserves for secured loans. For HBC, these lending limits were $33.2 million and $55.4 million at December 31, 2008, respectively.

Loan Maturities

The following table presents the maturity distribution of the Company’s loans as of December 31, 2008. The table shows the distribution of such loans between those loans with predetermined (fixed) interest rates and those with variable (floating) interest rates. Floating rates generally fluctuate with changes in the prime rate as reflected in the western edition of The Wall Street Journal. As of December 31, 2008, approximately 74% of the Company’s loan portfolio consisted of floating interest rate loans.

Loan Maturities

			Over One
	Due in		Year But
	One Year		Less than		Over
	or Less		Five Years		Five Years		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial	$	475,953	$	36,684	$	12,443	$	525,080
Real estate - mortgage		145,509		189,748		70,273		405,530
Real estate - land and construction		239,038		17,529		-		256,567
Home equity		51,077		220		4,193		55,490
Consumer		3,770		540		-		4,310
Loans	$	915,347	$	244,721	$	86,909	$	1,246,977

Loans with variable interest rates	$	837,013	$	73,535	$	6,401	$	916,949
Loans with fixed interest rates		78,334		171,186		80,508		330,028
Loans	$	915,347	$	244,721	$	86,909	$	1,246,977

Nonperforming Assets

Financial institutions generally have a certain level of exposure to credit quality risk, and could potentially receive less than a full return of principal and interest if a debtor becomes unable or unwilling to repay. Since loans are the most significant assets of the Company and generate the largest portion of its revenues, the Company’s management of credit quality risk is focused primarily on loan quality. Banks have generally suffered their most severe earnings declines as a result of customers’ inability to generate sufficient cash flow to service their debts, and/or as a result of the downturns in national and regional economies which have brought about declines in overall property values. In addition, certain debt securities that the Company may purchase have the potential of declining in value if the obligor’s financial capacity to repay deteriorates.

To help minimize credit quality concerns, we have established a sound approach to credit that includes well-defined goals and objectives and well-documented credit policies and procedures. The policies and procedures identify market segments, set goals for portfolio growth or contraction, and establish limits on industry and geographic credit concentrations. In addition, these policies establish the Company’s underwriting standards and the methods of monitoring ongoing credit quality. The Company’s internal credit risk controls are centered in underwriting practices, credit granting procedures, training, risk management techniques, and familiarity with loan customers as well as the relative diversity and geographic concentration of our loan portfolio.

The Company’s credit risk may also be affected by external factors such as the level of interest rates, employment, general economic conditions, real estate values, and trends in particular industries or geographic markets. As a multi-community independent bank serving a specific geographic area, the Company must contend with the unpredictable changes of both the general California and, particularly, primary local markets. The Company’s asset quality has suffered in the past from the impact of national and regional economic recessions, consumer bankruptcies, and depressed real estate values.

Nonperforming assets are comprised of the following: Loans for which the Company is no longer accruing interest; loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing interest (although they are generally placed on non-accrual when they become 90 days past due, unless they are both well secured and in the process of collection); loans restructured where the terms of repayment have been renegotiated, resulting in a deferral of interest or principal; and other real estate owned (“OREO”) from foreclosures. Management’s classification of a loan as “non-accrual” is an indication that there is reasonable doubt as to the full recovery of principal or interest on the loan. At that point, the Company stops accruing interest income, reverses any uncollected interest that had been accrued as income, and begins recognizing interest income only as cash interest payments are received as long as the collection of all outstanding principal is not in doubt. The loans may or may not be collateralized, and collection efforts are continuously pursued. Loans may be restructured by management when a borrower has experienced some change in financial status causing an inability to meet the original repayment terms and where the Company believes the borrower will eventually overcome those circumstances and make full restitution. OREO consists of properties acquired by foreclosure or similar means that management is offering or will offer for sale.

The following table provides information with respect to components of the Company’s nonperforming assets at the dates indicated.

Nonperforming Assets

	December 31,
	2008		2007		2006		2005		2004
	(Dollars in thousands)
Nonaccrual loans	$	39,981	$	3,363	$	3,866	$	3,672	$	1,028
Loans 90 days past due and still accruing		460		101		451		-		302
Total nonperforming loans		40,441		3,464		4,317		3,672		1,330
Other real estate owned		660		1,062		-		-		-
Total nonperforming assets	$	41,101	$	4,526	$	4,317	$	3,672	$	1,330

Nonperforming assets as a percentage of
loans plus other real estate owned		3.30%		0.44%		0.61%		0.54%		0.18%

Primarily due to the general economic slowdown and a softening in the real estate market, which is expected to continue well into 2009, nonperforming assets at December 31, 2008 increased $36.6 million from December 31, 2007 levels. The increase in nonperforming assets in 2008 was primarily in land and construction loans and commercial loans.

Nonperforming assets increased by $0.2 million, or 5%, in 2007 as compared to 2006.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is an estimate of the losses in our loan portfolio. The allowance is based on two basic principles of accounting: (1) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“Statement”) No. 5 “Accounting for Contingencies,” which requires that losses be accrued when they are probable of occurring and estimable and (2) Statement No. 114, “Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan,” which requires that losses be accrued based on the differences between the impaired loan balance and value of collateral, if the loan is collateral dependent, or present value of future cash flows or values that are observable in the secondary market.

Management conducts a critical evaluation of the loan portfolio at least quarterly. This evaluation includes periodic loan by loan review for certain loans to evaluate the level of impairment, as well as reviews of other loans (either individually or in pools) based on an assessment of the following factors: past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, collateral values, loan volumes and concentrations, size and complexity of the loans, recent loss experience in particular segments of the portfolio, bank regulatory examination and independent loan review results, and current economic conditions in the Company’s marketplace, in particular the state of the technology industry and the real estate market. This process attempts to assess the risk of loss inherent in the portfolio by segregating loans into the following categories for purposes of determining an appropriate level of the allowance: loans graded “Pass through Special Mention,” “Substandard,” and “Substandard Non-Accrual”, “Doubtful” and “Loss”.

Loans are charged against the allowance when management believes that the uncollectibility of the loan balance is confirmed. The Company’s methodology for assessing the appropriateness of the allowance consists of several key elements, which include the formula allowance and specific allowances.

Specific allowances are established for impaired loans. Management considers a loan to be impaired when it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the original contractual terms of the note agreement. When a loan is considered to be impaired, the amount of impairment is measured based on the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent, less costs to sell, or on the present value of expected future cash flows.

The formula portion of the allowance is calculated by applying loss factors to pools of outstanding loans. Loss factors are based on the Company's historical loss experience, adjusted for significant factors that, in management's judgment, affect the collectability of the portfolio as of the evaluation date. The adjustment factors for the formula allowance may include existing general economic and business conditions affecting the key lending areas of the Company, in particular the real estate market, credit quality trends, collateral values, loan volumes and concentrations, the technology industry and specific industry conditions within portfolio segments, recent loss experience in particular segments of the portfolio, duration of the current business cycle, and bank regulatory examination results. The evaluation of the inherent loss with respect to these conditions is subject to a higher degree of uncertainty.

Loans that demonstrate a weakness, for which there is a possibility of loss if the weakness is not corrected, are categorized as “classified.” Classified loans include all loans considered as substandard, substandard non-accrual, doubtful, and loss and may result from problems specific to a borrower’s business or from economic downturns that affect the borrower’s ability to repay or that cause a decline in the value of the underlying collateral (particularly real estate). The principal balance of classified loans was $134.7 million, $25.2 million, and $24.5 million, at December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. Ninety-six percent of the classified loans at December 31, 2008 were internally graded as substandard or substandard non-accrual. All classified loans at year-end 2007 and 2006 were graded substandard or substandard non-accrual. The $109.5 million increase in classified loans during 2008 consists of $64.8 million in land and construction loans, $33.1 million in commercial loans, $6.8 million in commercial real estate loans, $4.0 million loans to one borrower and his related entities, and $0.8 million in other loans. With a continuing downturn in the economic environment, the level of classified loans will continue to feel pressure.

In adjusting the historical loss factors applied to the respective segments of the loan portfolio, management considered the following factors:

·	Levels and trends in delinquencies, non-accruals, charge offs and recoveries

·	Trends in volume and loan terms

·	Lending policy or procedural changes

·	Experience, ability, and depth of lending management and staff

·	National and local economic trends and conditions

·	Concentrations of Credit

There can be no assurance that the adverse impact of any of these conditions on HBC will not be in excess of the current level of estimated losses.

It is the policy of management to maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level adequate for risks inherent in the loan portfolio. On an ongoing basis, we have engaged outside firms to independently assess our methodology and perform independent credit reviews of our loan portfolio. The Company’s credit review consultants, the FRB, FDIC and the DFI also review the allowance for loan losses as an integral part of the examination process. Based on information currently available to analyze loan loss delinquency and a history of actual charge-offs, management believes that the loan loss allowance is adequate. However, the loan portfolio can be adversely affected if California economic conditions and the real estate market in the Company’s market area were to continue to weaken. Also, any weakness of a prolonged nature in the technology industry would have a negative impact on the local market. The effect of such events, although uncertain at this time, could result in an increase in the level of nonperforming loans and increased loan losses, which could adversely affect the Company’s future growth and profitability. No assurance of the ultimate level of credit losses can be given with any certainty.

The following table summarizes the Company’s loan loss experience, as well as provisions and charges to the allowance for loan losses and certain pertinent ratios for the periods indicated:

Allowance for Loan Losses

	2008		2007		2006		2005			2004
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, beginning of year	$	12,218	$	9,279	$	10,224	$	12,497		$	13,451
Charge-offs:
Commercial		(2,731)		(84)		(291)		(3,273)			(2,901)
Real estate - mortgage		-		-		-		-			-
Real estate - land and construction		(75)		-		-		-			-
Home equity		-		(20)		(540)		-			-
Consumer		-		-		-		-			-
Total charge-offs		(2,806)		(104)		(831)		(3,273)			(2,901)

Recoveries:
Commercial		49		929		389		1,358			1,562
Real estate - mortgage		-		-		-		-			-
Real estate - land and construction		9		-		-		-			-
Home equity		-		-		-		-			-
Consumer		-		-		-		-			-
Total recoveries		58		929		389		1,358			1,562
Net recoveries (charge-offs)		(2,748)		825		(442)		(1,915)			(1,339)
Provision for loan losses		15,537		(11)		(503)		313			666
Reclassification of allowance for loan losses		-		-		-		(671)	(1)		-
Reclassification to other liabilities		-		-		-		-	(1)		(281)	(2)
Allowance acquired in bank acquisition		-		2,125		-		-			-
Balance, end of year	$	25,007	$	12,218	$	9,279	$	10,224		$	12,497

RATIOS:
Net charge-offs to average loans *		0.23%		-0.10%		0.06%		0.28%			0.19%
Allowance for loan losses to total loans *		2.00%		1.18%		1.31%		1.51%			1.73%
Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans		62%		353%		215%		278%			940%

* Average loans and total loans exclude loans held for sale

(1)	The Company reclassified $0.7 million of the allowance allocated to $32 million of commercial asset based loans that were reclassified to loans held-for-sale as of December 31, 2005. Thus, the carrying value of these loans held-for-sale includes an allowance for loan losses of $0.7 million.

(2)	The Company reclassified estimated losses on unused commitments of $0.3 million to other liabilities as of December 31, 2004.

The Company’s allowance for loan losses increased $12.8 million in 2008. The increase in the provision for loan losses in 2008 was primarily due to $5.1 million of estimated losses on loans to one borrower and his related entities in the second quarter, $212 million in loan growth, and additional risk in the loan portfolio reflected in an increase of $37.0 million in nonperforming loans from 2007. The Company had $2.8 million in charge-offs in 2008, which were nominally offset by loan by recoveries of $58,000.

Net loans charged-off reflects the realization of losses in the portfolio that were recognized previously through provisions for loan losses. Net charge-offs were $2.7 million in 2008, compared to net recoveries of $0.8 million in 2007, and net charge-off of $0.4 million in 2006. Historical net loan charge-offs are not necessarily indicative of the amount of net charge-offs that the Company will realize in the future.

The Company’s unallocated allowance was $1.4 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007. The unallocated component of the allowance is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management's estimate of probable losses.

The following table provides a summary of the allocation of the allowance for loan losses for specific categories at the dates indicated. The allocation presented should not be interpreted as an indication that charges to the allowance for loan losses will be incurred in these amounts or proportions, or that the portion of the allowance allocated to each category represents the total amount available for charge-offs that may occur within these categories.

Allocation of Loan Loss Allowance

	December 31,
	2008			2007			2006			2005			2004
			Percent			Percent			Percent			Percent			Percent
			of Loans			of Loans			of Loans			of Loans			of Loans
			in each			in each			in each			in each			in each
			category			category			category			category			category
			to total			to total			to total			to total			to total
	Allowance		loans	Allowance		loans	Allowance		loans	Allowance		loans	Allowance		loans
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial	$	13,913	42%	$	6,067	40%	$	4,872	40%	$	4,199	37%	$	8,691	41%
Real estate - mortgage		4,261	33%		2,416	35%		1,507	34%		2,631	35%		1,498	35%
Real estate - land and construction		5,014	21%		1,923	21%		1,243	20%		1,914	22%		1,711	17%
Home equity		367	4%		335	4%		244	6%		300	6%		173	7%
Consumer		47	0%		88	0%		24	0%		33	0%		38	0%
Unallocated		1,405	N/A		1,389	N/A		1,389	N/A		1,147	N/A		386	N/A
Total	$	25,007	100%	$	12,218	100%	$	9,279	100%	$	10,224	100%	$	12,497	100%

Deposits

The composition and cost of the Company’s deposit base are important components in analyzing the Company’s net interest margin and balance sheet liquidity characteristics, both of which are discussed in greater detail in other sections herein. Our net interest margin is improved to the extent that growth in deposits can be concentrated in historically lower-cost deposits such as non-interest-bearing demand accounts, NOW accounts, savings accounts and money market deposit accounts. The Company’s liquidity is impacted by the volatility of deposits or other funding instruments or, in other words, by the propensity of that money to leave the institution for rate-related or other reasons. Deposits can be adversely affected if economic conditions in California, and the Company’s market area in particular, continue to weaken. Potentially, the most volatile deposits in a financial institution are jumbo certificates of deposit, meaning time deposits with balances that equal or exceed $100,000, as customers with balances of that magnitude are typically more rate-sensitive than customers with smaller balances.

The following table summarizes the distribution of deposits and the percentage of distribution in each category of deposits for the periods indicated:

Deposits

	Years Ended December 31,
	2008			2007			2006
	Balance		% to Total	Balance		% to Total	Balance		% to Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Demand, noninterest bearing	$	261,337	22%	$	268,005	25%	$	231,841	27%
Demand, interest bearing		134,814	12%		150,527	14%		133,413	16%
Savings and money market		344,767	30%		432,293	41%		307,266	36%
Time deposits, under $100		45,615	4%		34,092	3%		31,097	4%
Time deposits, $100 and over		171,269	15%		139,562	13%		111,017	13%
Brokered deposits		196,248	17%		39,747	4%		31,959	4%
Total deposits	$	1,154,050	100%	$	1,064,226	100%	$	846,593	100%

The Company obtains deposits from a cross-section of the communities it serves. The Company’s business is not generally seasonal in nature. The Company is not dependent upon funds from sources outside the United States. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, less than 4% and 1% of deposits were from public sources, respectively.

The decreases in savings and money market deposits were primarily due to lower balances in title insurance company, escrow, and real estate exchange facilitators’ accounts. At December 31, 2008, title insurance company, escrow, and real estate exchange facilitators’ accounts decreased $51.6 million, or 48% compared to December 31, 2007.

The following table indicates the maturity schedule of the Company’s time deposits of $100,000 or more as of December 31, 2008:

Deposit Maturity Distribution

	Balance		% of Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Three months or less	$	130,132	36%
Over three months through six months		62,544	17%
Over six months through twelve months		86,745	25%
Over twelve months		79,155	22%
Total	$	358,576	100%

The Company focuses primarily on providing and servicing business deposit accounts that are frequently over $100,000 in average balance per account. As a result, certain types of business clients that the Company serves typically carry average deposits in excess of $100,000. The account activity for some account types and client types necessitates appropriate liquidity management practices by the Company to ensure its ability to fund deposit withdrawals.

Return on Equity and Assets

The following table indicates the ratios for return on average assets and average equity, dividend payout, and average equity to average assets for 2008 2007 and 2006:

	2008		2007	2006
Return on average assets		0.12%	1.18%	1.57%
Return on average tangible assets		0.13%	1.21%	1.57%
Return on average equity		1.15%	9.47%	14.62%
Return on average tangible equity		1.67%	11.43%	14.62%
Dividend payout ratio (1)		253.42%	23.06%	13.65%
Average equity to average assets ratio		10.52%	12.47%	10.75%

(1) Percentage is calculated based on dividends paid divided by net income available to common shareholders.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In the normal course of business, the Company makes commitments to extend credit to its customers as long as there are no violations of any conditions established in contractual arrangements. These commitments are obligations that represent a potential credit risk to the Company, yet are not reflected in any form within the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Total unused commitments to extend credit were $436.6 million at December 31, 2008, as compared to $465.3 million at December 31, 2007. Unused commitments represented 35% and 45% of outstanding gross loans at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

The effect on the Company’s revenues, expenses, cash flows and liquidity from the unused portion of the commitments to provide credit cannot be reasonably predicted, because there is no certainty that the lines of credit will ever be fully utilized. For more information regarding the Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements, see Note 14 to the financial statements located elsewhere herein.

The following table presents the Company’s commitments to extend credit as of December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006:

	December 31,
	2008		2007		2006
		(Dollars in thousands)
Commitments to extend credit	$	414,312	$	444,172	$	310,200
Standby letters of credit		22,260		21,143		12,020
	$	436,572	$	465,315	$	322,220

Contractual Obligations

The contractual obligations of the Company, summarized by type of obligation and contractual maturity, at December 31, 2008 are as follows:

	Less Than		One to		Three to		After
	One Year		Three Years		Five Years		Five Years		Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase	$	20,000	$	15,000	$	-	$	-	$	35,000
Notes payable to subsidiary grantor trusts		-		-		-		23,702		23,702
Other short-term borrowings		55,000		-		-		-		55,000
Note payable		15,000		-		-		-		15,000
Operating leases		2,237		4,633		4,427		3,589		14,886
Time deposits of $100 or more		279,421		79,155		-		-		358,576
Total debt and operating leases	$	371,658	$	98,788	$	4,427	$	27,291	$	502,164

In addition to those obligations listed above, in the normal course of business, the Company will make cash distributions for the payment of interest on interest bearing deposit accounts and debt obligations, payments for quarterly income tax estimates and contributions to certain employee benefit plans.

Liquidity and Asset/Liability Management

Liquidity refers to the Company’s ability to maintain cash flows sufficient to fund operations and to meet obligations and other commitments in a timely and cost-effective fashion. At various times the Company requires funds to meet short-term cash requirements brought about by loan growth or deposit outflows, the purchase of assets, or liability repayments. An integral part of the Company’s ability to manage its liquidity position appropriately is the Company’s large base of core deposits, which are generated by offering traditional banking services in its service area and which have, historically, been a stable source of funds. To manage liquidity needs properly, cash inflows must be timed to coincide with anticipated outflows or sufficient liquidity resources must be available to meet varying demands. The Company manages liquidity to be able to meet unexpected sudden changes in levels of its assets or deposit liabilities without maintaining excessive amounts of balance sheet liquidity. Excess balance sheet liquidity can negatively impact the Company’s interest margin. In order to meet short-term liquidity needs, the Company utilizes overnight Federal funds purchase arrangements with correspondent banks, borrowing arrangements with correspondent banks, solicits brokered deposits if cost effective deposits are not available from local sources and maintains a collateralized line of credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank (the “FHLB”) of San Francisco. In addition, the Company can raise cash for temporary needs by selling securities under agreements to repurchase and selling securities available-for-sale.

During 2008, the Company experienced a tightening in its liquidity position as a result of the significant loan growth. In order to partially fund the loan growth, the Company added brokered deposits of $157 million during 2008.

FHLB Borrowings & Available Lines of Credit

The Company has off-balance sheet liquidity in the form of Federal funds purchase arrangements with correspondent banks, including the FHLB. The Company can borrow from the FHLB on a short-term (typically overnight) or long-term (over one year) basis. At December 31, 2008, the Company had $55 million of overnight borrowings from the FHLB, bearing interest at 0.05%. There were $60 million in FHLB advances at December 31, 2007, bearing interest at 4.05%. The Company had $289 million of loans pledged to the FHLB as collateral on an available line of credit of $122 million at December 31, 2008. At December 31, 2008, HBC had Federal funds purchase arrangements available of $65 million. There were no Federal funds purchased at December 31, 2008 or 2007.

The Company also had a $15 million line of credit with a correspondent bank, all of which was outstanding as of December 31, 2008. The Company repaid the line of credit in March 2009.

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are secured by mortgage-backed securities carried at approximately $40 million at December 31, 2008. The repurchase agreements were $35.0 million at December 31, 2008.

The following table summarizes the Company’s borrowings under its Federal funds purchased, security repurchase arrangements and lines of credit for the periods indicated:

	December 31,
	2008		2007		2006
		(Dollars in thousands)
Average balance during the year	$	90,511	$	16,255	$	25,429
Average interest rate during the year		2.50%		2.90%		2.46%
Maximum month-end balance	$	105,000	$	70,900	$	32,700
Average rate at December 31,		2.27%		2.83%		2.56%

Because most of the growth in loans in 2008 was funded with deposits, other liquidity ratios tracked by the Company, such as unfunded loan commitments to secondary reserves ratio, have been slightly outside of policy guidelines for several months. We continue to watch these ratios closely, and expect that these ratios will revert back within guidelines.

Capital Resources

At December 31, 2008, the Company had total shareholders’ equity of $184.3 million, including $37.9 million in preferred stock, and $0.3 million of accumulated other comprehensive loss.

The Company paid cash dividends totaling $3.8 million, or $0.32 per common share in 2008. On January 29, 2009, the Company announced it will pay a $0.02 per share quarterly cash dividend. The dividend will be paid on March 10, 2009, to shareholders of record on February 27, 2009. The Company reduced its quarterly dividend from $0.08 in an effort to maintain its strong capital position for future growth.

The Company uses a variety of measures to evaluate capital adequacy. Management reviews various capital measurements on a regular basis and takes appropriate action to help ensure that such measurements are within established internal and external guidelines. The external guidelines, which are issued by the Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC, establish a risk-adjusted ratio relating capital to different categories of assets and off-balance sheet exposures. There are two categories of capital under the Federal Reserve Board and FDIC guidelines: Tier 1 and Tier 2 Capital. Our Tier 1 Capital consists of shareholders’ equity (excluding accumulated other comprehensive income/loss) and the proceeds from the issuance of trust preferred securities, less goodwill and other intangible assets. Our Tier 2 Capital includes the allowances for loan losses and off balance sheet credit losses, subject to certain limits.

The following table summarizes risk-based capital, risk-weighted assets, and risk-based capital ratios of the Company:

	December 31,
	2008		2007		2006
	(Dollars in thousands)
Capital components:
Tier 1 Capital	$	160,146	$	141,227	$	147,600
Tier 2 Capital		16,989		12,461		9,756
Total risk-based capital	$	177,135	$	153,688	$	157,356

Risk-weighted assets	$	1,350,823	$	1,227,628	$	855,715
Average assets (regulatory purposes)	$	1,449,380	$	1,278,207	$	1,087,502
							Minimum
							Regulatory
Capital ratios:							Requirements
Total risk-based capital		13.1%		12.5%		18.4%	8.00%
Tier 1 risk-based capital		11.9%		11.5%		17.3%	4.00%
Leverage (1)		11.0%		11.1%		13.6%	4.00%

(1) Tier 1 capital divided by average assets (excluding goodwill).

The table above presents the capital ratios of the Company computed in accordance with applicable regulatory guidelines and compared to the standards for minimum capital adequacy requirements. The risk-based and leverage capital ratios are defined in Item 1 - “Business - Supervision and Regulation – Heritage Bank of Commerce.”

The following table summarizes risk-based capital, risk-weighted assets, and risk-based capital ratios of HBC:

	December 31,
	2008		2007		2006
	(Dollars in thousands)
Capital components:
Tier 1 Capital	$	149,493	$	131,693	$	144,955
Tier 2 Capital		16,973		12,461		9,756
Total risk-based capital	$	166,466	$	144,154	$	154,711

Risk-weighted assets	$	1,349,471	$	1,226,202	$	853,882
Average assets for capital purposes	$	1,449,158	$	1,270,224	$	1,085,734
							Well-Capitalized	Minimum
							Regulatory	Regulatory
Capital ratios							Requirements	Requirements
Total risk-based capital		12.3%		11.8%		18.1%	10.00%	8.00%
Tier 1 risk-based capital		11.1%		10.7%		17.0%	6.00%	4.00%
Leverage (1)		10.3%		10.4%		13.4%	5.00%	4.00%

(1) Tier 1 capital divided by average assets (excluding goodwill).

The table above presents the capital ratios of the Bank computed in accordance with applicable regulatory guidelines and compared to the standards for minimum capital adequacy requirements under the FDIC's prompt corrective action authority.

At December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company’s and HBC’s capital met all minimum regulatory requirements. As of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, management believes that HBC was considered “well-capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

Mandatory Redeemable Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities.

To enhance regulatory capital and to provide liquidity, the Company, through unconsolidated subsidiary grantor trusts, issued the following mandatory redeemable cumulative trust preferred securities of subsidiary grantor trusts: In the first quarter of 2000, the Company issued $7.2 million aggregate principal amount of 10.875% subordinated debentures due on March 8, 2030 to a subsidiary trust, which in turn issued a similar amount of trust preferred securities. In the third quarter of 2000, the Company issued $7.2 million aggregate principal amount of 10.60% subordinated debentures due on September 7, 2030 to a subsidiary trust, which in turn issued a similar amount of trust preferred securities. In the third quarter of 2001, the Company issued $5.2 million aggregate principal amount of Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due on July 31, 2031 to a subsidiary trust, which in turn issued a similar amount of trust preferred securities. In the third quarter of 2002, the Company issued $4.1 million of aggregate principal amount of Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due on September 26, 2032 to a subsidiary trust, which in turn issued a similar amount of trust preferred securities. Under applicable regulatory guidelines, the trust preferred securities currently qualify as Tier 1 capital. The subsidiary trusts are not consolidated in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the subordinated debt payable to the subsidiary grantor trusts is recorded as debt of the Company to the related trusts. See Footnote 8 the Consolidated Financial Statements.

U.S. Treasury TARP Capital Purchase Program

The Company received $40 million in November 2008 through the issuance of its Series A Preferred Stock and a warrant to purchase 462,963 shares of its common stock to the Treasury through the TARP Capital Purchase Program. The Series A Preferred qualifies as a component of Tier 1 capital.

Market Risk

Market risk is the risk of loss of future earnings, fair values, or future cash flows that may result from changes in the price of a financial instrument. The value of a financial instrument may change as a result of changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices, equity prices and other market changes that affect market risk sensitive instruments. Market risk is attributed to all market risk sensitive financial instruments, including securities, loans, deposits and borrowings, as well as the Company’s role as a financial intermediary in customer-related transactions. The objective of market risk management is to avoid excessive exposure of the Company’s earnings and equity to loss and to reduce the volatility inherent in certain financial instruments.

Interest Rate Management

Market risk arises from changes in interest rates, exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices. The Company’s market risk exposure is primarily that of interest rate risk, and it has established policies and procedures to monitor and limit earnings and balance sheet exposure to changes in interest rates. The Company does not engage in the trading of financial instruments, nor does the Company have exposure to currency exchange rates.

The principal objective of interest rate risk management (often referred to as “asset/liability management”) is to manage the financial components of the Company in a manner that will optimize the risk/reward equation for earnings and capital in relation to changing interest rates. The Company’s exposure to market risk is reviewed on a regular basis by the Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”). Interest rate risk is the potential of economic losses due to future interest rate changes. These economic losses can be reflected as a loss of future net interest income and/or a loss of current fair market values. The objective is to measure the effect on net interest income and to adjust the balance sheet to minimize the inherent risk while at the same time maximizing income. Management realizes certain risks are inherent, and that the goal is to identify and manage the risks. Management uses two methodologies to manage interest rate risk: (i) a standard GAP analysis; and (ii) an interest rate shock simulation model.

The planning of asset and liability maturities is an integral part of the management of an institution’s net interest margin. To the extent maturities of assets and liabilities do not match in a changing interest rate environment, the net interest margin may change over time. Even with perfectly matched repricing of assets and liabilities, risks remain in the form of prepayment of loans or securities or in the form of delays in the adjustment of rates of interest applying to either earning assets with floating rates or to interest bearing liabilities. The Company has generally been able to control its exposure to changing interest rates by maintaining primarily floating interest rate loans and a majority of its time certificates with relatively short maturities.

Interest rate changes do not affect all categories of assets and liabilities equally or at the same time. Varying interest rate environments can create unexpected changes in prepayment levels of assets and liabilities, which may have a significant effect on the net interest margin and are not reflected in the interest sensitivity analysis table. Because of these factors, an interest sensitivity gap report may not provide a complete assessment of the exposure to changes in interest rates.

The Company uses modeling software for asset/liability management in order to simulate the effects of potential interest rate changes on the Company’s net interest margin, and to calculate the estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments under different interest rate scenarios. The program imports current balances, interest rates, maturity dates and repricing information for individual financial instruments, and incorporates assumptions on the characteristics of embedded options along with pricing and duration for new volumes to project the effects of a given interest rate change on the Company’s interest income and interest expense. Rate scenarios consisting of key rate and yield curve projections are run against the Company’s investment, loan, deposit and borrowed funds portfolios. These rate projections can be shocked (an immediate and parallel change in all base rates, up or down), ramped (an incremental increase or decrease in rates over a specified time period), based on current trends and econometric models or economic conditions stable (unchanged from current actual levels).

The Company applies a market value (“MV”) methodology to gauge its interest rate risk exposure as derived from its simulation model. Generally, MV is the discounted present value of the difference between incoming cash flows on interest earning assets and other investments and outgoing cash flows on interest bearing liabilities and other liabilities. The application of the methodology attempts to quantify interest rate risk as the change in the MV which would result from a theoretical 200 basis point (1 basis point equals 0.01%) change in market interest rates. Both a 200 basis point increase and a 200 basis point decrease in market rates are considered.

At December 31, 2008, it was estimated that the Company’s MV would increase 20.39% in the event of a 200 basis point increase in market interest rates. The Company’s MV at the same date would decrease 33.94% in the event of a 200 basis point decrease in applicable interest rates.

Presented below, as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, is an analysis of the Company’s interest rate risk as measured by changes in MV for instantaneous and sustained parallel shifts of 200 basis points in market interest rates:

	2008								2007
	$ Change		% Change		Market Value as a % of				$ Change		% Change		Market Value as a % of
	in Market		in Market		Present Value of Assets				in Market		in Market		Present Value of Assets
	Value		Value		MV Ratio		Change (bp)		Value		Value		MV Ratio		Change (bp)
		(Dollars in thousands)
Change in rates
+ 200 bp	$	42,272		20.39%		16.7%		282	$	38,716		18.54%		18.5%		290
0 bp	$	-		-%		13.8%		-	$	-		-%		15.6%		-
- 200 bp	$	(70,361)		-33.94%		9.1%		(469)	$	(55,007)		-26.35%		11.5%		(412)

Management believes that the MV methodology overcomes three shortcomings of the typical maturity gap methodology. First, it does not use arbitrary repricing intervals and accounts for all expected future cash flows. Second, because the MV method projects cash flows of each financial instrument under different interest rate environments, it can incorporate the effect of embedded options on an institution’s interest rate risk exposure. Third, it allows interest rates on different instruments to change by varying amounts in response to a change in market interest rates, resulting in more accurate estimates of cash flows.

However, as with any method of gauging interest rate risk, there are certain shortcomings inherent to the MV methodology. The model assumes interest rate changes are instantaneous parallel shifts in the yield curve. In reality, rate changes are rarely instantaneous. The use of the simplifying assumption that short-term and long-term rates change by the same degree may also misstate historic rate patterns, which rarely show parallel yield curve shifts. Further, the model assumes that certain assets and liabilities of similar maturity or period to repricing will react in the same way to changes in rates. In reality, certain types of financial instruments may react in advance of changes in market rates, while the reaction of other types of financial instruments may lag behind the change in general market rates. Additionally, the MV methodology does not reflect the full impact of annual and lifetime restrictions on changes in rates for certain assets, such as adjustable rate loans. When interest rates change, actual loan prepayments and actual early withdrawals from certificates may deviate significantly from the assumptions used in the model. Finally, this methodology does not measure or reflect the impact that higher rates may have on adjustable-rate loan clients’ ability to service their debt. All of these factors are considered in monitoring the Company’s exposure to interest rate risk.

Critical Accounting Policies

General

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The financial information contained within our consolidated financial statements is, to a significant extent, based on approximate measures of the financial effects of transactions and events that have already occurred. A variety of factors could affect the ultimate value that is obtained either when earning income, recognizing an expense, recovering an asset or relieving a liability. In certain instances, we use a discount factor and prepayment assumptions to determine the present value of assets and liabilities. A change in the discount factor or prepayment speeds could increase or decrease the values of those assets and liabilities which would result in either a beneficial or adverse impact to our financial results. We use historical loss factors as one factor in determining the inherent loss that may be present in our loan portfolio. Actual losses could differ significantly from the historical factors that we use. The Company adopted FASB Statement 123(Revised) on January 1, 2006, and elected the modified prospective method, under which prior periods are not revised for comparative purposes. Other estimates that we use are related to the expected useful lives of our depreciable assets. In addition, GAAP itself may change from one previously acceptable method to another method, although the economics of our transactions would be the same.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is an estimate of the losses in our loan portfolio. Our accounting for estimated loan losses was previously discussed under the heading “Allowance for Loan Losses.”

Loan Sales and Servicing

The amounts of gains recorded on sales of loans and the initial recording of servicing assets and I/O strips are based on the estimated fair values of the respective components. In recording the initial value of the servicing assets and the fair value of the I/O strips receivable, the Company uses estimates which are made on management’s expectations of future prepayment and discount rates as discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.

Stock Based Compensation

We grant stock options to purchase our common stock to our employees and directors under the 2004 Plan. We also granted our chief executive officer restricted stock when he joined the Company. Additionally, we have outstanding options that were granted under an option plan from which we no longer make grants. The benefits provided under all of these plans are subject to the provisions of FASB Statement 123(Revised), “Share-Based Payments.” Our results of operations for fiscal 2008, 2007, and 2006 were impacted by the recognition of non cash expense related to the fair value of our share-based compensation awards as discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.

The determination of fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model is affected by our stock price, as well as the input of other subjective assumptions. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, the expected term of stock options and our expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards. Our stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and changes in the assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimates.

Statement 123R requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. If actual forfeitures vary from our estimates, we will recognize the difference in compensation expense in the period the actual forfeitures occur.

Our accounting for stock options is disclosed primarily in Notes 1 and 10 to the consolidated financial statements.

Accounting for Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The Company accounts for acquisitions of businesses using the purchase method of accounting. Under the purchase method, assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. Management utilizes various valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analyses to determine these fair values. Any excess of the purchase price over amounts allocated to the acquired assets, including identifiable intangible assets, and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill.

Goodwill and intangible assets are evaluated at least annually for impairment or more frequently if events or circumstances, such as changes in economic or market conditions, indicate that impairment may exist. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment for which discrete financial information is available and regularly reviewed by management. If the fair value of the reporting unit including goodwill is determined to be less than the carrying amount of the reporting unit, a further test is required to measure the amount of impairment. If an impairment loss exists, the carrying amount of the goodwill is adjusted to a new cost basis. For purposes of the goodwill impairment test, the valuation of the Company is based on a weighted blend of the income method (discounted cash flows), market approach considering key pricing multiples of similar control transactions, and market price analysis of the Company’s stock. Management believes the multiples and other assumptions used in these calculations are consistent with current industry practice for valuing similar types of companies. Goodwill was tested for impairment as of November 30, 2008 and 2007 with the assistance of a valuation firm.

Intangible assets consist of core deposit and customer relationship intangible assets arising from the acquisition of Diablo Valley Bank in 2007. These assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Impairment testing of these assets is performed at the individual asset level. Impairment exists if the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value at the date of the impairment test. For intangible assets, estimates of expected future cash flows (cash inflows less cash outflows) that are directly associated with an intangible asset are used to determine the fair value of that asset. Management makes certain estimates and assumptions in determining the expected future cash flows from core deposit and customer relationship intangibles including account attrition, expected lives, discount rates, interest rates, servicing costs and other factors. Significant changes in these estimates and assumptions could adversely impact the valuation of these intangible assets. If an impairment loss exists, the carrying amount of the intangible asset is adjusted to a new cost basis. The new cost basis is then amortized over the remaining useful life of the asset.

ITEM 7A - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

As a financial institution, the Company’s primary component of market risk is interest rate volatility. Fluctuations in interest rates will ultimately impact both the level of income and expense recorded on most of the Company’s assets and liabilities, and the market value of all interest-earning assets, other than those which have a short term to maturity. Based upon the nature of the Company’s operations, the Company is not subject to foreign exchange or commodity price risk. The Company has no market risk sensitive instruments held for trading purposes. As of December 31, 2008, the Company does not use interest rate derivatives to hedge its interest rate risk.

The information concerning quantitative and qualitative disclosure or market risk called for by Item 305 of Regulation S K is included as part of Item 7 of this report.

ITEM 8 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The financial statements and report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm are set forth on pages 48 through 76.

ITEM 9 – CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES

None

ITEM 9A – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Control and Procedures

The Company has carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2008. As defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), disclosure controls and procedures are controls and procedures designed to reasonably assure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis. Disclosure controls are also designed to reasonably assure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based upon their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded the Company’s disclosure controls were effective as of December 31, 2008, the period covered by this report.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. As defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act, internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, a company’s principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by a company’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. It includes those policies and procedures that:

·	Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of a company;

Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of a company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and the board of directors of the company; and

·	Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of a company’s assets that could have a material effect on its financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

The Company’s management has used the criteria established in “Internal Control-Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) to evaluate the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Management has selected the COSO framework for its evaluation as it is a control framework recognized by the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, that is free from bias, permits reasonably consistent qualitative and quantitative measurement of the Company’s internal controls, is sufficiently complete so that relevant controls are not omitted and is relevant to an evaluation of internal controls over financial reporting.

Based on our assessment, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting, based on criteria established in “Internal Control-Integrated Framework” issued by COSO was effective as of December 31, 2008.

The independent registered public accounting firm of Crowe Horwath LLP, as auditors of our consolidated financial statements, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of management’s internal control over financial reporting based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework, issued by COSO.

Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls

The Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, does not expect that our disclosure controls or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. The design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Projections of any evaluation of controls effectiveness to future periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2008 that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B – OTHER INFORMATION

None

PART III

ITEM 10 – DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNACE

Information required by this item will be contained in our Definitive Proxy Statement for our 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of December 31, 2008. Such Information is incorporated herein by reference.

We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and to our other principal financial officers. The code of ethics is available at the Governance Documents section of our website at www.heritagecommercecorp.com. We intend to disclose future amendments to, or waivers from, certain provisions of our code of ethics on the above website within four business days following the date of such amendment or waiver.

ITEM 11 - EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information required by this item will be contained in our Definitive Proxy Statement for our 2009Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of December 31, 2008. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12 - SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

ITEM 13 - CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Information required by this item will be contained in our Definitive Proxy Statement for our 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A, with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of December 31, 2008. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14 – PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

PART IV

ITEM 15– EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)(1) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Financial Statements of the Company and the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm are set forth on pages 48 through 76.

(a)(2) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

All schedules to the Financial Statements are omitted because of the absence of the conditions under which they are required or because the required information is included in the Financial Statements or accompanying notes.

(a)(3) EXHIBITS

The exhibit list required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the Exhibit Index included in this report.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	Heritage Commerce Corp
DATE: March 16, 2009	BY: /s/ Walter T. Kaczmarek Walter T. Kaczmarek Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated:

Signature	Title	Date
/s/ FRANK BISCEGLIA Frank Bisceglia	Director	March 16, 2009
/s/ JAMES BLAIR James Blair	Director	March 16, 2009
/s/ JACK CONNER Jack Conner	Director and Chairman of the Board	March 16, 2009
/s/ WALTER T. KACZMAREK Walter T. Kaczmarek	Director and Chief Executive Officer and President (Principle Executive Officer)	March 16, 2009
/s/ LAWRENCE D. MCGOVERN Lawrence D. McGovern	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)	March 16, 2009
/s/ ROBERT MOLES Robert Moles	Director	March 16, 2009
/s/ LON NORMANDIN Lon Normandin	Director	March 16, 2009
/s/ JACK PECKHAM Jack Peckham	Director	March 16, 2009
/s/ HUMPHREY POLANEN Humphrey Polanen	Director	March 16, 2009
/s/ CHARLES TOENISKOETTER Charles Toeniskoetter	Director	March 16, 2009
/s/ RANSON WEBSTER Ranson Webster	Director	March 16, 2009
/s/ JOHN J. HOUNSLOW John J. Hounslow	Director	March 16, 20089
/s/ MARK LEFANOWICZ Mark Lefanowicz	Director	March 16, 2009

HERITAGE COMMERCE CORP

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2008

	Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	49
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2008 and 2007	50
Consolidated Income Statements for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006	51
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006	52
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006	53
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	55

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors

Heritage Commerce Corp

San Jose, California

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Heritage Commerce Corp as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated income statements, statements of changes in shareholders’ equity and statements of cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2008. We also have audited Heritage Commerce Corp’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Heritage Commerce Corp’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting included in Item 9A in Form 10-K. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Heritage Commerce Corp as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2008 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, Heritage Commerce Corp maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

/s/ Crowe Horwath LLP

Oak Brook, Illinois

March 13, 2009

Heritage Commerce Corp
Consolidated Balance Sheets
	December 31,			December 31,
	2008			2007
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	29,996		$	39,793
Federal funds sold		100			9,300
Total cash and cash equivalents		30,096			49,093
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value		104,475			135,402
Loans, net of deferred costs		1,248,631			1,036,465
Allowance for loan losses		(25,007	)		(12,218)
Loans, net		1,223,624			1,024,247

Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock, at cost		7,816			7,002
Company owned life insurance		40,649			38,643
Premises and equipment, net		9,517			9,308
Goodwill		43,181			43,181
Intangible assets		4,231			4,972
Accrued interest receivable and other assets		35,638			35,624
Total assets	$	1,499,227		$	1,347,472

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Liabilities:
Deposits
Demand, noninterest bearing	$	261,337		$	268,005
Demand, interest bearing		134,814			150,527
Savings and money market		344,767			432,293
Time deposits, under $100		45,615			34,092
Time deposits, $100 and over		171,269			139,562
Brokered time deposits		196,248			39,747
Total deposits		1,154,050			1,064,226
Notes payable to subsidiary grantor trusts		23,702			23,702
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase		35,000			10,900
Note payable		15,000			-
Other short-term borrowings		55,000			60,000
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities		32,208			23,820
Total liabilities		1,314,960			1,182,648

Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)

Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $1,000 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; shares outstanding: 40,000		39,846			-
in 2008 and none outstanding in 2007 (liquidation preference of $1,000 per share plus
accrued dividends)
Discount on preferred stock		(1,946)			-
Common stock, no par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized;
shares outstanding: 11,820,509 in 2008 and 12,774,926 in 2007		78,854			92,414
Retained earnings		67,804			73,298
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(291)			(888)
Total shareholders' equity		184,267			164,824
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	1,499,227		$	1,347,472


See notes to consolidated financial statements

HERITAGE COMMERCE CORP
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
	Years Ended December 31,
	2008		2007		2006
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Interest income:
Loans, including fees	$	70,488	$	68,405	$	61,859
Securities, taxable		5,321		7,481		7,614
Securities, non-taxable		74		155		182
Interest bearing deposits in other financial institutions		16		141		132
Federal funds sold		58		2,530		3,170
Total interest income		75,957		78,712		72,957

Interest expense:
Deposits		20,035		24,211		19,588
Notes payable to subsidiary grantor trusts		2,148		2,329		2,310
Note payable		292		-		-
Repurchase agreements		937		387		627
Other short-term borrowings		1,032		85		-
Total interest expense		24,444		27,012		22,525

Net interest income before provision for loan losses		51,513		51,700		50,432
Provision for loan losses		15,537		(11)		(503)
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		35,976		51,711		50,935

Noninterest income:
Service charges and fees on deposit accounts		2,007		1,284		1,335
Servicing income		1,790		2,181		1,860
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance		1,645		1,443		1,439
Gain on sale of SBA loans		-		1,766		3,337
Gain on sale of Capital Group loan portfolio		-		-		671
Other		1,349		1,378		1,198
Total noninterest income		6,791		8,052		9,840

Noninterest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits		22,624		21,160		19,414
Occupancy		3,808		3,557		3,110
Professional fees		2,954		2,342		1,688
Data processing		1,021		867		806
Software subscription		940		831		699
Advertising and promotion		882		1,092		1,064
Low income housing investment losses		865		828		995
Furniture and equipment		815		638		517
Client services		802		820		1,000
Amortization of intangible assets		741		352		-
Retirement plan expense		225		274		352
Other		6,715		4,769		4,623
Total noninterest expense		42,392		37,530		34,268

Income before income taxes		375		22,233		26,507
Income tax expense (benefit)		(1,387)		8,137		9,237
Net income	$	1,762	$	14,096	$	17,270
Dividends and discount accretion on preferred stock		(255)		-		-
Net income available to common shareholders	$	1,507	$	14,096	$	17,270

Earnings per common share:
Basic	$	0.13	$	1.14	$	1.47
Diluted	$	0.13	$	1.12	$	1.44

See notes to consolidated financial statements

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2007, AND 2006
										Accumulated
										Other		Total
	Preferred Stock				Common Stock			Retained		Comprehensive		Shareholders'		Comprehensive
	Amount			Discount	Shares	Amount		Earnings		Loss		Equity		Income
	(Dollars in thousands, except shares)
Balance, January 1, 2006	$	-		-	11,807,649	$	66,799	$	47,539	$	(2,721)	$	111,617
Net Income		-		-	-		-		17,270		-		17,270	$	17,270
Net change in unrealized gain/loss on securities
available-for-sale and interest-only strips, net
of reclassification adjustment and deferred income taxes		-		-	-		-		-		377		377		377
Decrease in pension liability, net of deferred income taxes		-		-	-		-		-		349		349		349
Total comprehensive income														$	17,996
Amortization of restricted stock award		-		-	-		154		-		-		154
Cash dividend declared on common stock, $0.20 per share		-		-	-		-		(2,357)		-		(2,357)
Common stock repurchased		-		-	(330,300)		(7,888)		-		-		(7,888)
Stock option expense		-		-	-		780		-		-		780
Stock options exercised, including related tax benefits		-		-	179,594		2,518		-		-		2,518
Balance, December 31, 2006		-		-	11,656,943		62,363		62,452		(1,995)		122,820
Net Income		-		-	-		-		14,096		-		14,096	$	14,096
Net change in unrealized gain/loss on securities
available-for-sale and interest-only strips, net
of reclassification adjustment and deferred income taxes		-		-	-		-		-		1,028		1,028		1,028
Decrease in pension liability, net of deferred income taxes		-		-	-		-		-		79		79		79
Total comprehensive income														$	15,203
Issuance of 1,732,298 common shares to acquire Diablo Valley Bank, net
of offering costs of $214		-		-	1,732,298		41,183		-		-		41,183
Amortization of restricted stock award		-		-	-		154		-		-		154
Cash dividend declared on common stock, $0.26 per share		-		-					(3,250)				(3,250)
Common stock repurchased		-		-	(698,190)		(13,653)		-		-		(13,653)
Stock option expense		-		-	-		1,159		-		-		1,159
Stock options exercised, including related tax benefits		-		-	83,875		1,208		-		-		1,208
Balance, December 31, 2007		-		-	12,774,926		92,414		73,298		(888)		164,824
Cumulative effect adjustment upon adoption of EITF 06-4,
net of deferred income taxes		-		-	-		-		(3,182)		-		(3,182)
Net Income		-		-	-		-		1,762		-		1,762	$	1,762
Net change in unrealized gain/loss on securities
available-for-sale and interest-only strips, net of
reclassification adjustment and deferred income taxes		-		-	-		-		-		1,532		1,532		1,532
Net increase in pension and other postretirement obligations, net of deferred income taxes		-		-	-		-		-		(935)		(935)		(935)
Total comprehensive income														$	2,359
Amortization of restricted stock award		-		-	-		155		-		-		155
Issuance of 40,000 preferred shares and a warrant to purchase 462,963
common shares net of issuance costs of $154		39,846		(1,979)	-		1,979		-		-		39,846
Cash dividends accrued on preferred stock		-		-	-		-		(222)		-		(222)
Accretion of unearned discount on preferred stock		-		33	-		-		(33)		-		-
Cash dividend declared on common stock, $0.32 per share		-		-	-		-		(3,819)		-		(3,819)
Common stock repurchased		-		-	(1,007,749)		(17,655)		-		-		(17,655)
Stock option expense		-		-	-		1,381		-		-		1,381
Stock options exercised, including related tax benefits		-		-	53,332		580		-		-		580
Balance, December 31, 2008	$	39,846	$	(1,946)	11,820,509	$	78,854	$	67,804	$	(291)	$	184,267

See notes to consolidated financial statements

HERITAGE COMMERCE CORP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
	Years ended December 31,
	2008		2007		2006
	(Dollars in thousands)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$	1,762	$	14,096	$	17,270
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		1,022		776		662
Provision for loan losses		15,537		(11)		(503)
Deferred income tax benefit		(6,006)		(225)		(319)
Stock option expense		1,381		1,159		780
Amortization of other intangible assets		741		352		-
Amortization of restricted stock award		155		154		154
Amortization (accretion) of discounts and premiums on securities		245		95		(1,087)
Gain on sale of Capital Group loan portfolio		-		-		(671)
Gain on sale of SBA loans		-		(1,766)		(3,337)
Loss on sale of foreclosed assets		92		-		-
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale		-		35,529		65,466
Change in SBA loans held for sale		-		(17,469)		(51,100)
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance		(1,645)		(1,443)		(1,439)
Federal Home Loan Bank stock dividends		(211)		(230)		(208)
Effect of changes in:
Accrued interest receivable and other assets		8,266		3,162		4,270
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities		(855)		352		1,562
Net cash provided by operating activities		20,484		34,531		31,500

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Net change in loans		(216,012)		(104,078)		(27,591)
Proceeds from sale of Capital Group loan portfolio		-		-		30,047
Net decrease in Capital Group loan portfolio prior to sale		-		-		2,681
Purchase of securities available-for-sale		(25,415)		(9,322)		(64,018)
Maturities/Paydowns/Calls of securities available-for-sale		57,936		61,344		92,274
Purchase of company owned life insurance		(361)		-		-
Purchase of premises and equipment		(1,231)		(704)		(660
Redemption (Purchase) of restricted stock and other investments		(603)		58		(46)
Proceeds from sale of forcelosed assets		1,409		-		-
Cash received in bank acquisition, net of cash paid		-		16,407		-
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(184,277)		(36,295)		32,687

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net change in deposits		89,824		(31,390)		(93,166)
Exercise of stock options		580		1,208		2,518
Common stock offering cost		-		(214)		-
Common stock repurchased		(17,655)		(13,653)		(7,888)
Issuance of preferred stock, net of offering costs		39,846		-		-
Payment of cash dividend - common stock		(3,819)		(3,250)		(2,357)
Net change in other short-term borrowings		(5,000)		60,000		-
Net change in note payable		15,000		-		-
Net change in securities sold under agreement to repurchase		24,100		(10,900)		(10,900)
Other financing activities		1,920		(329)		(1,469)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		144,796		1,472		(113,262)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(18,997)		(292)		(49,075)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year		49,093		49,385		98,460
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$	30,096	$	49,093	$	49,385

HERITAGE COMMERCE CORP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
	Years ended December 31,
	2008		2007			2006
	(Dollars in thousands)
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

Interest	$	24,778	$	27,216		$	22,285
Income taxes		1,199		6,319			4,781

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing activity:
Transfer of portfolio loans to loans held for sale	$	-	$	972		$	-
Transfer of loans held for sale to loan portfolio		-		18,430			1,962
Loans transferred to foreclosed assets		1,098		1,062			-
Summary of assets acquired and liabilities assumed through acquisition:
Cash and cash equivalents		-		41,807			-
Securities available-for-sale		-		12,214			-
Net loans		-		203,805			-
Goodwill and other intangible assets		-		48,506			-
Premises and equipment		-		6,841			-
Company owned life insurance		-		1,026			-
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock		-		717			-
Other assets, net		-		2,615			-
Deposits		-		(249,023	)		-
Other liabilities		-		(1,711	)		-
Common stock issued to acquire Diablo Valley Bank		-		41,397			-

See notes to consolidated financial statements

HERITAGE COMMERCE CORP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

Heritage Commerce Corp (the “Company”) operates as a bank holding company for its wholly owned subsidiary Heritage Bank of Commerce (“HBC” or “the Bank”). HBC is a California state chartered bank which offers a full range of commercial and personal banking services to residents and the business/professional community in Santa Clara, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties, California. As discussed in Note 6, the Company acquired Diablo Valley Bank (“DVB”) on June 20, 2007 and merged DVB into HBC. HBC was incorporated on November 23, 1993 and commenced operations on June 8, 1994.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiary bank. All inter- company accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

The Company also has four other subsidiaries, Heritage Capital Trust I and Heritage Statutory Trust I, formed in 2000, Heritage Statutory Trust II, formed in 2001, and Heritage Statutory Trust III, formed in 2002, which are Delaware statutory business trusts formed for the exclusive purpose of issuing trust preferred securities. These subsidiary trusts are not consolidated in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the subordinated debt payable to subsidiary grantor trusts is recorded as debt of the Company to the related trusts.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The allowance for loan losses, goodwill and other intangible assets, loan servicing rights, interest-only strip receivables, defined benefit pension and other post-retirement obligations, purchase accounting adjustments, and the fair values of financial instruments are particularly subject to change.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks, and Federal funds sold. Generally, Federal funds are sold and purchased for one-day periods.

Cash Flows

Net cash flows are reported for customer loan and deposit transactions, Federal funds purchased, notes payable, repurchase agreements and other short-term borrowings.

Securities

The Company classifies its securities as either available-for-sale or held-to-maturity at the time of purchase. Securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value with a corresponding recognition of the net unrealized holding gain or loss, net of deferred income taxes, as a net amount within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), which is a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Securities held-to-maturity are recorded at amortized cost, based on the Company’s positive intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, all of the Company’s securities were classified as available-for-sale.

A decline in the fair value of any available-for-sale or held-to-maturity security below amortized cost that is deemed other than temporary results in a charge to earnings and the corresponding establishment of a new cost basis for the security. In estimating other-than-temporary losses, management considers (1) the length of time and extent that fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) the Company’s ability and intent to hold the security for a period sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.

Interest income includes amortization of purchase premiums or discount. Premiums and discounts are amortized, or accreted, over the life of the related security as an adjustment to income using a method that approximates the interest method. Realized gains and losses are recorded on the trade date and determined using the specific identification method for the cost of securities sold.

Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) and Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) Stock

The Bank is a member of the FHLB system. Members are required to own a certain amount of stock based on the level of borrowings and other factors, and may invest in additional amounts. FHLB stock is carried at cost, classified as a restricted security, and periodically evaluated for impairment. Because this stock is viewed as a long term investment, impairment is based on ultimate recovery of par value. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income. The FHLB announced that it will not pay any dividends for the fourth quarter of 2008. It is uncertain when or if the FHLB will resume paying dividends.

The Bank is also member of the FRB. FRB stock is classified as a restricted security, and cash dividends are reported as income.

Loans Held for Sale

The Company held for sale the guaranteed portion of certain loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration or the U.S. Department of Agriculture (collectively referred to as “SBA loans”). These loans were carried at the lower of aggregate cost or market. Net unrealized losses, if any, were recorded as a valuation allowance and charged to earnings. The Company has not sold any SBA loans since the third quarter of 2007.

Gains or losses on SBA loans held for sale were recognized upon completion of the sale, based on the difference between the net sales proceeds and the relative fair value of the guaranteed portion of the loan sold compared to the relative fair value of the unguaranteed portion.

SBA loans were sold with servicing retained. The servicing assets that result from the sale of SBA loans consist of servicing rights and interest-only strip receivables (“I/O strips”).

The Company accounts for the sale and servicing of SBA loans based on the financial and servicing assets it controls and liabilities it has incurred, derecognizing financial assets when control has been surrendered, and derecognizing liabilities when extinguished. Servicing rights are measured at their fair value and are amortized in proportion to and over the period of net servicing income and are assessed for impairment on an ongoing basis. Impairment is determined by stratifying the servicing rights based on interest rates and terms. Any servicing assets in excess of the contractually specified servicing fees are reclassified at fair value as an I/O strip receivable and treated like an available for sale security. Fair value is determined using prices for similar assets with similar characteristics, when available, or based upon discounted cash flows using market-based assumptions. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance. The servicing rights, net of any required valuation allowance, and I/O strip receivable are included in other assets.

In March, 2006, FASB issued Statement 156, Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets - An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 140. This standard amends the guidance in Statement 140, with respect to the accounting for separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities. Among other requirements, Statement 156 requires an entity to recognize a servicing asset or servicing liability each time it undertakes an obligation to service a financial asset by entering into a servicing contract in certain situations, including a transfer of loans with servicing retained that meets the requirements for sale accounting. Statement 156 is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Loans

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are stated at the principal amount outstanding, net of deferred loan origination fees and costs and an allowance for loan losses. The majority of the Company’s loans have variable interest rates. Interest on loans is accrued on the unpaid principal balance and is credited to income using the effective yield interest method.

Generally, if a loan is classified as non-accrual, the accrual of interest is discontinued, any accrued and unpaid interest is reversed, and the amortization of deferred loan fees and costs is discontinued. Loans are classified as non-accrual when the payment of principal or interest is 90 days past due, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. Any interest or principal payments received on nonaccrual loans are applied toward reduction of principal. Nonaccrual loans generally are not returned to performing status until the obligation is brought current, the loan has performed in accordance with the contract terms for a reasonable period of time, and the ultimate collectability of the contractual principal and interest is no longer in doubt.

Non-refundable loan fees and direct origination costs are deferred and recognized over the expected lives of the related loans using the effective yield interest method.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses to absorb probable losses incurred in the loan portfolio. The allowance is based on ongoing, quarterly assessments of probable estimated losses. Loans are charged against the allowance when management believes that the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. The allowance is increased by the provision for loan losses, which is charged against current period operating results, and decreased by loan charge-offs, net of recoveries. The Company’s methodology for assessing the adequacy of the allowance consists of several key elements, which include the formula allowance and specific allowances.

The formula allowance is calculated by applying loss factors to pools of outstanding loans. Loss factors are based on the Company’s historical loss experience, adjusted for significant factors that, in management’s judgment, affect the collectability of the portfolio as of the evaluation date. The adjustment factors for the formula allowance may include current economic and business conditions affecting the key lending areas of the Company, in particular the technology industry and the real estate market, credit quality trends, collateral values, loan volumes and concentrations, specific industry conditions within portfolio segments, recent loss experience in particular segments of the portfolio, duration of the current business cycle, and bank regulatory examination results. The evaluation of the inherent loss with respect to these conditions is subject to a higher degree of uncertainty.

Specific allowances are established for impaired loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off. Management considers a loan to be impaired when it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the original contractual terms of the loan agreement. When a loan is considered to be impaired, the amount of impairment is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Commercial, land and construction and commercial real estate loans are individually evaluated for impairment. Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans, such as consumer and residential real estate loans, are collectively evaluated for impairment and, accordingly, they are not separately identified for impairment disclosures.

Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments

Financial instruments include off-balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to make loans and commercial letters of credit, issued to meet customer financing needs. The face amount for these items represents the exposure to loss, before considering customer collateral or ability to repay. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.

Loss Contingencies

Loss contingencies, including claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. Management does not believe that the ultimate loss from such matters, if any, will have a material effect on the financial statements.

Company Owned Life Insurance

The Company has purchased life insurance policies on certain directors and officers. Company owned life insurance is recorded at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or other amounts due that are probable at settlement.

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) finalized Issue No. 06-4, Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements. This issue requires that a liability be recorded during the service period when a split-dollar life insurance agreement continues after a participant’s employment or retirement. The required accrued liability is based on either the post-employment benefit cost for the continuing life insurance or the future death benefit depending on the contractual terms of the underlying agreement. The Company adopted EITF 06-4 on January 1, 2008. The adoption of EITF 06-4 resulted in a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings of $3.2 million, net of deferred income taxes, at January 1, 2008. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the adoption of EITF 06-4 resulted in noninterest expense of $196,000. Under the prior accounting method used by management, the Company recorded noninterest expense of $194,000 and $171,000 in 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill results from the acquisition of Diablo Valley Bank and represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of acquired tangible assets and liabilities and identifiable intangible assets. Goodwill is assessed at least annually for impairment and any such impairment is recognized in the period identified.

Other intangible assets consist of core deposit and customer relationship intangible assets arising from the Diablo Valley Bank acquisition. They are initially measured at fair value and then are amortized on an accelerated method over their estimated useful lives. The core deposits and customer relationship intangible assets are being amortized over ten and seven years, respectively.

Retirement Plans

Pension expense is the net of service and interest cost, return on plan assets and amortization of gains and losses not immediately recognized. Employee 401(k) and profit sharing plan expense is the amount of matching contributions. Deferred compensation and supplemental retirement plan expense allocates the benefits over years of service.

	Year ended December 31,
	2008		2007		2006
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale of securities and I/O strips	$	2,641	$	1,766	$	650
Less: Deferred income tax		(1,109)		(738)		(273)
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale
securities and I/O strips, net of deferred income tax		1,532		1,028		377
Net pension and other post retirement plan liability adjustment		(1,615)		137		601
Less: Deferred income tax		680		(58)		(252)
Net pension and other post retirement plan liability adjustment, net of deferred income tax		(935)		79		349
Other comprehensive income	$	597	$	1,107	$	726

	Less Than 12 Months				12 Months or More				Total
2008	Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized
	Value		Losses		Value		Losses		Value		Losses
	(Dollars in thousands)
Mortgage-Backed Securities	$	4,727	$	(27)	$	14,327	$	(358)	$	19,054	$	(385)
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations		-		-		1,872		(22)		1,872		(22)
Total	$	4,727	$	(27)	$	16,199	$	(380)	$	20,926	$	(407)

	Less Than 12 Months				12 Months or More				Total
2007	Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized
	Value		Losses		Value		Losses		Value		Losses
	(Dollars in thousands)
U.S. Government Agencies		1,251		(1)		2,969		(30)		4,220		(31)
Mortgage-Backed Securities		2,132		(7)		55,817		(1,080)		57,949		(1,087)
Municipals - Tax Exempt		-		-		4,117		(25)		4,117		(25)
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations		-		-		2,447		(83)		2,447		(83)
Total	$	3,383	$	(8)	$	65,350	$	(1,218)	$	68,733	$	(1,226)

	Available-for-sale
	Amortized Cost		Estimated Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
Due within one year	$	28,544	$	28,913
Due after one through five years		2,632		2,636
Due after five through ten years		29,414		30,197
Due after ten years		42,483		42,729
Total	$	103,073	$	104,475

	2008		2007
		(Dollars in thousands)
Year-end loans with no allocated allowance for loan losses	$	10,745	$	439
Year-end loans with allocated allowance for loan losses		50,805		6,620
Total	$	61,550	$	7,059

			Gross		Gross		Estimated
2008	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
Securities available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury	$	19,370	$	126	$	-	$	19,496
U.S. Government Sponsored Entities		8,457		239		-		8,696
Municipals - Tax Exempt		696		5		-		701
Mortgage-Backed Securities		68,180		1,241		(385)		69,036
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations		6,370		198		(22)		6,546
Total securities available-for-sale	$	103,073	$	1,809	$	(407)	$	104,475

(Dollars in thousands)
Carrying amount/fair value of Interest-Only (I/O) strip	$	2,248
Weighted average life (in years)		3.3
Prepayment speed assumption (annual rate)		22.6%
Impact on fair value of 10% adverse change in prepayment speed (CPR 24.9%)	$	(138)
Impact on fair value of 20% adverse change in prepayment speed (CPR 27.1%)	$	(261)
Residual cash flow discount rate assumption (annual)		14.0%
Impact on fair value of 1% adverse change in discount rate (15.0% discount rate)	$	(57)
Impact on fair value of 2% adverse change in discount rate (16.0% discount rate)	$	(111)

		(Dollars in thousands)
Cash paid to Diablo Valley Bank common shareholders and stock option holders	$	24,002
Common stock issued to Diablo Valley Bank shareholders		41,397
Total consideration		65,399
Professional fees and other acquisition costs		1,398
Net assets acquired	$	66,797

		Unaudited
		2007
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Net interest income		$	56,805
Net income		$	15,193
Net income per common share - basic		$	1.15
Net income per common share - diluted		$	1.14

		December 31, 2008
	(Dollars in thousands)
2009		$	325,598
2010			66,631
2011			17,890
2012			-
2013			13
Total		$	413,132

					Weighted Average
			Weighted		Remaining		Aggregate
	Number		Average		Contractual		Intrinsic
Total Stock Options	of Shares		Exercise Price		Life (Years)		Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2008		1,010,662	$	19.02
Granted		158,000	$	15.23
Exercised		(53,332)	$	9.54
Forfeited or expired		(70,593)	$	19.59
Outstanding at December 31, 2008		1,044,737	$	18.89		7.3	$	189,000
Vested or expected to vest		1,022,948	$	18.89		7.3	$	182,000
Exercisable at December 31, 2008		621,286	$	18.19		6.4	$	187,000

Year ending December 31,	(Dollars in thousands)
2009	$	2,237
2010		2,383
2011		2,250
2012		2,320
2013		2,107
Thereafter		3,589
Total	$	14,886

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation as of December 31:
	2008	2007
Discount rate	5.85%	6.45%
Rate of compensation increase	N/A	N/A

	Estimated
Year	Benefit Payments
	(Dollars in thousands)
2009	$	520
2010		658
2011		743
2012		814
2013		863
2014 to 2018		6,321

	2008		2007
Components of net periodic benefits cost	(Dollars in thousands)
Service cost	$	811	$	734
Interest cost		727		619
Amortization of prior service cost		36		36
Amortization of net actuarial loss		58		70

	2008
	(Dollars in thousands)
Change in projected benefit obligation
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	6,901
Service cost		-
Interest cost		196
Actuarial loss		506
Benefits paid		(156)
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	$	7,447

Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis
				Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2008 Using
						Significant
				Quoted Prices in		Other		Significant
				Active Markets for		Obeservable		Unobservable
		December 31, 2008		Identical Assets		Inputs		Inputs
		Balance		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
		(Dollars in thousands)
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	$	104,475	$	19,496	$	84,979	$	-
I/O strip receivables	$	2,248	$	-	$	2,248	$	-

				Required For
	Actual			Capital Adequacy Purposes
	Amount		Ratio	Amount		Ratio
	(Dollars in thousands)
As of December 31, 2008
Total Capital	$	177,135	13.1%	$	108,092	8.0%
(to risk-weighted assets)
Tier 1 Capital	$	160,146	11.9%	$	54,012	4.0%
(to risk-weighted assets)
Tier 1 Capital	$	160,146	11.0%	$	58,024	4.0%
(to average assets)

As of December 31, 2007
Total Capital	$	153,687	12.5%	$	98,203	8.0%
(to risk-weighted assets)
Tier 1 Capital	$	141,226	11.5%	$	49,122	4.0%
(to risk-weighted assets)
Tier 1 Capital	$	141,226	11.1%	$	51,123	4.0%
(to average assets)

				Required For Capital Adequacy			To Be Well-Capitalized Under Prompt
	Actual			Purposes			Corrective Action Provisions
(Dollars in thousands)	Amount		Ratio	Amount		Ratio	Amount		Ratio
As of December 31, 2008
Total Capital	$	166,466	12.3%	$	107,920	8.0%	$	134,900	10.0%
(to risk-weighted assets)
Tier 1 Capital	$	149,493	11.1%	$	53,969	4.0%	$	80,953	6.0%
(to risk-weighted assets)
Tier 1 Capital	$	149,493	10.3%	$	57,943	4.0%	$	72,429	5.0%
(to average assets)

As of December 31, 2007
Total Capital	$	144,154	11.8%	$	98,064	8.0%	$	122,580	10.0%
(to risk-weighted assets)
Tier 1 Capital	$	131,693	10.7%	$	49,048	4.0%	$	73,572	6.0%
(to risk-weighted assets)
Tier 1 Capital	$	131,693	10.4%	$	50,798	4.0%	$	63,497	5.0%
(to average assets)

Condensed Balance Sheets
	December 31,
	2008		2007
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	25,809	$	9,391
Investment in subsidiary bank		196,614		178,290
Investment in subsidiary trusts		702		702
Other assets		633		723
Total assets	$	223,758	$	189,106

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Notes payable to subsidiary trusts	$	23,702	$	23,702
Note payable		15,000		-
Other liabilities		789		580
Shareholders' equity		184,267		164,824
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	223,758	$	189,106

Condensed Statements of Income
	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2008		2007		2006
	(Dollars in thousands)
Interest income	$	50	$	24	$	27
Dividend from subsidiary bank		-		25,699		10,000
Interest expense		(2,440)		(2,331)		(2,310)
Other expenses		(2,109)		(2,156)		(1,431)
Income (loss) before equity in undistributed net income of subsidiary bank		(4,499)		21,236		6,286
Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiary bank		4,456		(8,739)		9,666
Income tax benefit		1,805		1,599		1,318
Net income	$	1,762	$	14,096	$	17,270
Dividends and discount accretion on preferred stock		(255)		-		-
Net income available to common shareholders	$	1,507	$	14,096	$	17,270

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2008		2007		2006
	(Dollars in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net Income	$	1,762	$	14,096	$	17,270
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operations:
Amortization of restricted stock award		155		154		154
Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiary bank		(4,456)		8,739		(9,666)
Net change in other assets and liabilities		76		399		3
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		(2,463)		23,388		7,761

Cash flows from investing activities:
Equity investment in subsidiary bank		(15,000)		-		-
						.
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in note payable		15,000		-		-
Exercise of stock options		509		802		1,812
Common stock repurchased		(17,655)		(13,653)		(7,888)
Dividends paid		(3,819)		(3,250)		(2,357)
Issuance of preferred stock, net of issuance costs of $154		39,846		-		-
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		33,881		(16,101)		(8,433)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		16,418		7,287		(672)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year		9,391		2,104		2,776
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$	25,809	$	9,391	$	2,104

	For the Quarters Ended
	12/31/08		09/30/08		06/30/08		03/31/08
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Interest income	$	18,166	$	19,197	$	18,699	$	19,895
Interest expense		5,771		6,151		5,731		6,791
Net interest income		12,395		13,046		12,968		13,104
Provision for loan losses (1)		4,500		1,587		7,800		1,650
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		7,895		11,459		5,168		11,454
Noninterest income		1,797		1,688		1,792		1,514
Noninterest expense		10,417		10,397		10,998		10,580
Income before income taxes		(725)		2,750		(4,038)		2,388
Income tax expense (benefit)		(1,425)		309		(955)		684
Net income		700		2,441		(3,083)		1,704
Dividends and discount accretion on preferred stock		(255)		-		-		-
Net income available to common shareholders	$	445	$	2,441	$	(3,083)	$	1,704

Earnings per common share
Basic	$	0.04	$	0.21	$	(0.26)	$	0.14
Diluted	$	0.04	$	0.21	$	(0.26)	$	0.14

	For the Quarters Ended
	12/31/2007 (1)		9/30/2007 (1)		06/30/07		03/31/07
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Interest income	$	21,056	$	22,105	$	18,317	$	17,234
Interest expense		7,261		8,324		5,924		5,503
Net interest income		13,795		13,781		12,393		11,731
Provision for loan losses		725		(500)		-		(236)
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		13,070		14,281		12,393		11,967
Noninterest income (2)		1,636		1,639		2,262		2,515
Noninterest expense		10,212		10,518		8,500		8,300
Income before income taxes		4,494		5,402		6,155		6,182
Income tax expense		1,686		2,162		2,140		2,149
Net income	$	2,808	$	3,240	$	4,015	$	4,033

Earnings per common share
Basic	$	0.22	$	0.24	$	0.34	$	0.35
Diluted	$	0.21	$	0.24	$	0.33	$	0.34

			Incorporated by Reference to Form
		Filed Herewith		Form S-8	8-K Filed	10-Q Filed	10-K Filed	Exhibit No.
2.1	Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated February 8, 2007, by and between Heritage Commerce Corp, Heritage Bank of Commerce and Diablo Valley Bank						3/16/07	2.1
3.1	Heritage Commerce Corp Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended	X
3.2	Heritage Commerce Corp Bylaws, as amended	X
4.1	Indenture, dated as of March 23, 2000, between Heritage Commerce Corp, as Issuer, and the Bank of New York, as Trustee						4/6/01	4.1
4.2	Amended and restated Declaration of Trust, Heritage Capital Trust I, dated as of March 23, 2000						4/6/01	4.2
4.3	Indenture, dated as of September 7, 2000, between Heritage Commerce Corp, as Issuer, and State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, as Trustee						4/6/01	4.3
4.4	Amended and restated Declaration of Trust, by and among State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, as Institutional Trustee, and Heritage Commerce Corp, as Sponsor						4/6/01	4.4
4.5	Indenture, dated as of July 31, 2001, between Heritage Commerce Corp, as Issuer, and State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, as Trustee						3/29/02	4.6
4.6	Amended and restated Declaration of Trust by and among State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association as Institutional Trustee, and Heritage Commerce Corp, as Sponsor, as of July 31, 2001						3/29/02	4.7
4.7	Indenture, dated as of September 26, 2002, between Heritage Commerce Corp, as Issuer, and State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, as Trustee						3/29/03	4.8
4.8	Amended and restated Declaration of Trust by and among State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, as Institutional Trustee, and Heritage Commerce Corp, as Sponsor, dated as of September 26, 2002						3/29/03	4.9
4.9	Certificate of Determination for Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A.			77	11/26/08			3.1



4.10	Warrant To Purchase Common Stock dated November 21, 2008				11/26/08			4.2
10.1	Real Property Leases for Registrant's Principal Office				3/5/98			10.1
10.2	Third Amendment to Lease for Registrant's Principal Office				8/17/05			10.1
10.3	Fourth Amendment to Lease for Registrant's Principal Office				8/17/05			10.2
10.4	Fourth Amendment to Sublease for Registrant's Principal Office				6/22/05			99.1
10.5	Heritage Commerce Corp Management Incentive Plan*				5/3/05			99.1
10.6	1994 Stock Option Plan and Form of Agreement*			7/17/98				4.2
10.7	2004 Stock Option Plan and Form of Agreement*	X
10.8	Modification to Employment agreement of James Mayer dated December 11, 2008*				12/17/08			10.1
10.9	Amendment No. 2 to 2004 Stock Option Plan*			7/30/08				99.4
10.10	Restricetd stock agreement with Walter Kaczmarek dated March 17, 2005*				3/22/05			10.2
10.11	2004 stock option agreement with Walter Kaczmarek dated March 17, 2005*				3/22/05			10.3
10.12	Non-qualified Deferred Compensaton Plan*						3/31/05	10.11
10.13	Amended and Restated Employment agreement with Walter Kaczmarek dated October 17, 2007 *				10/22/07			10.1
10.14	Amended and Restated Employment agreement with Lawrence McGovern dated October 17, 2007 *				10/22/07			10.2
10.15	Amended and Restated Employment agreement with Raymond Parker, dated October 17, 2007 *				10/22/07			10.3
10.16	Amended and Restated Employment agreement with Richard Hagarty, dated October 17, 2007 *				10/22/07			10.4
10.17	Employment agreement with Michael R. Ong, dated August 12, 2008 *			78	8/13/08			10.1



10.18	Employment agreement with Janet Walworth, dated December 15, 2008 *				12/22/08			10.1
10.19	Severance Agreement with Richard Hagarty, dated September 5, 2008*				9/10/08			99.1
10.20	Consulting Agreement dated of February 8, 2007 between Heritage Bank of Commerce and John Hounslow*				6/22/07			10.1
10.21	Non-Compete, Non-Solicitation and Confidentiality Agreement dated as of February 8, 2007 by and among Heritage Commerce Corp and Heritage Bank of Commerce and John J. Hounslow				6/22/07			10.2
10.22	Letter Agreement between John J. Hounslow and Heritage Commerce Corp dated June 20, 2007*				6/22/07			10.3
10.23	Employment agreement dated as of February 8, 2007 between James Mayer and Heritage Bank of Commerce*				6/22/07			10.4
10.24	Non-Compete, Non-Solicitation and Confidentiality Agreement dated as of February 8, 2007 by and among James Mayer, Heritage Commerce Corp and Heritage Bank of Commerce				6/22/07			10.5
10.25	2005 Amended and Restated Heritage Commerce Corp Supplemental Retirement Plan*				9/30/08			99.1
10.26	Form of Endorsement Method Split Dollar Plan Agreement for Executive Officers*						3/17/08	10.20
10.27	Form of Endorsement Method Split Dollar Plan Agreement for Directors*						3/17/08	10.21
10.28	Amendment No.1 to Employment dated December 29, 2008 between the Company and Walter T. Kaczmarek*				1/2/09			10.1
10.29	Amendment No.1 to Employment dated December 29, 2008 between the Company and Lawrence D. McGovern*				1/2/09			10.2
10.30	Amendment No.1 to Employment dated December 29, 2008 between the Company and Raymond Parker*				1/2/09			10.3
10.31	Amendment No.1 to Employment dated December 29, 2008 between the Company and Michael Ong*				1/2/09			10.4
10.32	Amendment No.1 to Employment dated December 29, 2008 between the Company and James Mayer*				1/2/09			10.5
10.33	First Amended and Restated Deferred Agreement dated December 29, 2008 between Jack Peckham and the Company*			79	1/2/09			10.6
10.34	First Amended and Restated Deferred Agreement dated December 29, 2008 between James Blair and the Company*				1/2/09			10.7
10.35	First Amended and Restated Director Compensation Benefits Agreement dated December 29, 2008 between Jack Conner and the Company*				1/2/09			10.8
10.36	First Amended and Restated Director Compensation Benefits Agreement dated December 29, 2008 between Frank Bisceglia and the Company*				1/2/09			10.9
10.37	First Amended and Restated Director Compensation Benefits Agreement dated December 29, 2008 between James Blair and the Company*				1/2/09			10.10
10.38	First Amended and Restated Director Compensation Benefits Agreement dated December 29, 2008 between Robert Moles and the Company*				1/2/09			10.11
10.39	First Amended and Restated Director Compensation Benefits Agreement dated December 29, 2008 between Louis Normandin and the Company*				1/2/09			10.12
10.40	First Amended and Restated Director Compensation Benefits Agreement dated December 29, 2008 between Jack Peckham and the Company*				1/2/09			10.13
10.41	First Amended and Restated Director Compensation Benefits Agreement dated December 29, 2008 between Humphery Polanen and the Company*				1/2/09			10.14
10.42	First Amended and Restated Director Compensation Benefits Agreement dated December 29, 2008 between Charles Toeniskoetter and the Company*				1/2/09			10.15
10.43	First Amended and Restated Director Compensation Benefits Agreement dated December 29, 2008 between Ranson Webster and the Company*				1/2/09			10.16
10.44	First Amended and Restated Director Compensation Benefits Agreement dated December 29, 2008 between William Del Biaggio, Jr. and the Company*				1/2/09			10.17
10.45	Letter Agreement dated November 21, 2008 between the Company and United States Treasury for Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A and Warrant for Common Stock				11/26/08			10.1
21.1	Subsidiaries of the registrant						3/16/07	21.1
23.1	Consent of Crowe Horwath LLP	X		80








31.1	Certification of Registrant’s Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	X
31.2	Certification of Registrant’s Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	X
32.1	Certification of Registrant’s Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350	X
32.2	Certification of Registrant’s Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350	X