a6632724.htm

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

FORM 10-K
 
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010
 
Commission File Number: 0-24649

REPUBLIC BANCORP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Kentucky
61-0862051
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
 
 
601 West Market Street, Louisville, Kentucky
40202
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (502) 584-3600
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
Title of each class
Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock
 NASDAQ Global Select Market
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
o   Yes     þ   No
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
o   Yes     þ   No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
þ   Yes     o   No
                
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
o   Yes     o   No
 
 
Indicate by check mark if the disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s  knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. 
  þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer      o
Accelerated filer      þ
Non-accelerated filer      o
Smaller reporting company      o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
o   Yes     þ   No
 
 
 

 
 
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold as of June 30, 2010 (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter) was approximately $221,995,503 (for purposes of this calculation, the market value of the Class B Common Stock was based on the market value of the Class A Common Stock into which it is convertible).

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, as of February 11, 2011 was 18,630,561 and 2,307,313


 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

List hereunder the following documents if incorporated by reference and the Part of the Form 10-K (e.g., Part I, Part II, etc.) into which the document is incorporated: (1) Any annual report to security holders; (2) Any proxy or information statement; and (3) Any prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) or (c) under the Securities Act of 1933. The listed documents should be clearly described for identification purposes:

Portions of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 21, 2011 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
 
 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
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Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains statements relating to future results of Republic Bancorp, Inc. that are considered “forward-looking” 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 forward-looking statements are principally, but not exclusively, contained in Part I Item 1 “Business,” Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors” and Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

As used in this filing, the terms “Republic,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Republic Bancorp, Inc., and, where the context requires, Republic Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries; and the term the “Bank” refers to the Company’s subsidiary banks: Republic Bank & Trust Company and Republic Bank.

Republic Bancorp and its subsidiaries operate in a heavily regulated industry. These regulatory requirements can and do affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. For an update on regulatory matters affecting the Company and its subsidiaries, see Footnote 23 “Regulatory Matters” in Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, changes in political and economic conditions, interest rate fluctuations, competitive product and pricing pressures, equity and fixed income market fluctuations, personal and corporate customers’ bankruptcies, inflation, recession, acquisitions and integrations of acquired businesses, technological changes, changes in law and regulations or the interpretation and enforcement thereof, changes in fiscal, monetary, regulatory and tax policies, monetary fluctuations, success in gaining regulatory approvals when required, as well as other risks and uncertainties reported from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) including under Part 1 Item 1A “Risk Factors.”

Broadly speaking, forward-looking statements include:
 
·
projections of revenue, expenses, income, losses, earnings per share, capital expenditures, dividends, capital structure or other financial items;
 
·
descriptions of plans or objectives for future operations, products or services;
 
·
forecasts of future economic performance; and
 
·
descriptions of assumptions underlying or relating to any of the foregoing.

The Company may make forward-looking statements discussing management’s expectations about various matters, including:
 
·
delinquencies, future credit losses, non-performing loans and non-performing assets;
 
·
further developments in the Company’s ongoing review of and efforts to resolve possible problem credit relationships, which could result in, among other things, additional provisions for loans losses;
 
·
deteriorating credit quality, including changes in the interest rate environment and reducing interest margins;
 
·
the overall adequacy of the allowance for loans losses;
 
·
future short-term and long-term interest rates and the respective impact on net interest margin, net interest spread, net income, liquidity and capital;
 
·
the future regulatory viability of the Tax Refund Solutions (“TRS”) business operating segment;
 
·
anticipated future funding sources for TRS;
 
·
potential impairment of investment securities;
 
·
the future value of mortgage servicing rights;
 
·
the impact of new accounting pronouncements;
 
·
legal and regulatory matters including results and consequences of regulatory actions and examinations;
 
·
the extent to which regulations written and implemented by the newly created federal Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, and other federal, state, local, and foreign governmental regulation of consumer lending, and related financial products and services may limit or prohibit the operation of the Company’s business;
 
·
future capital expenditures;
 
·
the strength of the U.S. economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which the Company conducts operations; and
 
·
recession, inflation, interest rates, market and monetary fluctuations and the Bank’s ability to maintain current deposit and loan levels at current interest rates.
 
 
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Forward-looking statements discuss matters that are not historical facts. As forward-looking statements discuss future events or conditions, the statements often include words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “target,” “can,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or similar expressions. Do not rely on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements detail management’s expectations regarding the future and are not guarantees. Forward-looking statements are assumptions based on information known to management only as of the date the statements are made and management may not update them to reflect changes that occur subsequent to the date the statements are made. See additional discussion under the sections titled Part I Item 1 “Business,” Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors” and Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

PART I

Item 1 Business.

Republic Bancorp, Inc. (“Republic” or the “Company”) is a bank holding company headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. Republic is the parent company of Republic Bank & Trust Company (“RB&T”) and Republic Bank (collectively referred together with RB&T as the “Bank”), Republic Funding Company and Republic Invest Co. Republic Invest Co. includes its subsidiary, Republic Capital LLC. The consolidated financial statements also include the wholly-owned subsidiaries of RB&T: Republic Financial Services, LLC, TRS RAL Funding, LLC and Republic Insurance Agency, LLC. Republic Bancorp Capital Trust (“RBCT”) is a Delaware statutory business trust that is a wholly-owned, unconsolidated finance subsidiary of Republic Bancorp, Inc. Incorporated in 1974, Republic became a bank holding company when RB&T became authorized to conduct commercial banking business in Kentucky in 1981.

The principal business of Republic is directing, planning and coordinating the business activities of the Bank. The financial condition and results of operations of Republic are primarily dependent upon the results of operations of the Bank. At December 31, 2010, Republic had total assets of $3.6 billion, total deposits of $2.3 billion and total stockholders’ equity of $371 million. Based on total assets as of December 31, 2010, Republic ranked as the largest Kentucky-based bank holding company. The executive offices of Republic are located at 601 West Market Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, telephone number (502) 584-3600. The Company’s website address is www.republicbank.com.

Website Access to Reports

The Company makes its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, available free of charge through its website, www.republicbank.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to, the SEC.
 
 
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General Business Overview

As of December 31, 2010, the Company was divided into three distinct business operating segments: Traditional Banking, Tax Refund Solutions and Mortgage Banking. Net income, total assets and net interest margin by business operating segment for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 are presented below:
 
   
Year Ended December 31, 2010
 
   
Traditional
   
Tax Refund
   
Mortgage
   
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Banking
   
Solutions
   
Banking
   
Company
 
                         
                         
Net income
  $ 17,895     $ 44,240     $ 2,618     $ 64,753  
Total assets
    3,026,628       572,716       23,359       3,622,703  
Net interest margin
    3.57 %  
NM
   
NM
      4.65 %
 
   
Year Ended December 31, 2009
 
   
Traditional
   
Tax Refund
   
Mortgage
   
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Banking
   
Solutions
   
Banking
   
Company
 
                         
                         
Net income
  $ 15,362     $ 19,979     $ 6,790     $ 42,131  
Total assets
    2,976,663       927,929       14,176       3,918,768  
Net interest margin
    3.79 %  
NM
   
NM
      5.04 %
 
   
Year Ended December 31, 2008
 
   
Traditional
   
Tax Refund
   
Mortgage
   
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Banking
   
Solutions
   
Banking
   
Company
 
                         
                         
Net income
  $ 18,432     $ 13,258     $ 1,962     $ 33,652  
Total assets
    2,766,174       1,154,777       18,417       3,939,368  
Net interest margin
    3.96 %  
NM
   
NM
      4.20 %
 

NM – Not Meaningful

For expanded segment financial data see Footnote 22 “Segment Information” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
 
(I)  Traditional Banking

As of December 31, 2010, Republic had 43 full-service banking centers with 35 located in Kentucky, four located in metropolitan Tampa, Florida, three located in southern Indiana and one located in metropolitan Cincinnati, Ohio. RB&T’s primary market areas are located in metropolitan Louisville, Kentucky, central Kentucky, northern Kentucky and southern Indiana. Louisville, the largest city in Kentucky, is the location of Republic’s headquarters, as well as 20 banking centers. RB&T’s central Kentucky market includes 12 banking centers in the following Kentucky cities: Bowling Green (1); Elizabethtown (1); Frankfort (1); Georgetown (1); Lexington, the second largest city in Kentucky (5); Owensboro (2); and Shelbyville (1). RB&T’s northern Kentucky market includes banking centers in Covington, Florence and Independence. RB&T also has banking centers located in Floyds Knobs, Jeffersonville and New Albany, Indiana. Republic Bank has locations in Hudson, Palm Harbor, Port Richey and Temple Terrace, Florida, as well as Cincinnati, Ohio.

Market for Services

Management believes that the Bank’s principal markets are the residential real estate market and small-to-medium sized businesses within its primary market area through the Company’s banking center network. Businesses are solicited through the personal efforts of the officers and directors of both Republic and the Bank. The Company believes that a locally-based bank is perceived by the local small-to-medium sized business community as possessing a clearer understanding of local banking needs, thus providing the Bank with advantages over its non-locally based competition. The Company also believes that it is able to make prudent lending decisions more quickly than its competitors without compromising asset quality or profitability.
 
 
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Lending Activities

The Bank principally markets its lending products and services through the following delivery channels:

Mortgage Lending – A major component of the Bank’s lending activities consists of the origination of single family residential real estate loans collateralized by owner occupied property, predominately located in the Bank’s primary market areas. Additionally, the Bank offers home equity loans and home equity lines of credit. These loans are originated through the Bank’s retail banking center network.

 
·
The Bank generally retains adjustable rate mortgage (“ARM”) single family residential real estate loans with fixed terms up to ten years. All mortgage loans retained on balance sheet are included as a component of the Company’s “Traditional Banking” business operating segment and are discussed below and elsewhere in this filing.

 
·
Single family first lien residential real estate loans with fixed rate terms of 15, 20 and 30 years are generally sold into the secondary market and their accompanying mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”), which may be either sold or retained, are included as a component of the Company’s “Mortgage Banking” business operating segment and are discussed below and elsewhere in this filing. Home equity loans or home equity lines of credit are actively marketed in conjunction with single family first lien residential real estate loans and are not sold into the secondary market. In order to take advantage of the steep yield curve during 2010 and 2009, the Company elected to retain approximately $65 million and $100 million of 15 year fixed rate single family residential real estate loans, funding these loans with excess cash in 2010 and long-term Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances in 2009.

The Bank offers ARMs with rate adjustments tied to various indices with specified minimum and maximum interest rate adjustments. The interest rates on a majority of these loans are adjusted after their fixed rate terms on an annual basis, with most having limitations on upward adjustments over the life of the loan. Some of these loans have fixed rate features for one, three, five, seven or ten years. The Bank generally charges a higher interest rate if the property is not owner occupied. It has been the Bank’s experience that the proportions of fixed rate and ARM originations depend in large part on the interest rate environment. As interest rates decline, there is generally a reduced demand for ARMs and an increased demand for fixed rate secondary market loans. Alternatively, as interest rates rise, there is generally an increased demand for ARMs, as consumer demand shifts away from fixed rate secondary market loans.

Prior to the fourth quarter of 2009, in the Bank’s primary markets of Kentucky and southern Indiana, ARM loans collateralized by first lien, single family residential real estate were generally originated in amounts up to 90% of appraised value; however, the Bank commonly included home equity lines of credit in conjunction with its first liens, often increasing the loan to value of the entire relationship to 100%. Historically, in its Florida market, the Bank typically only loaned funds up to 80% of the appraised value. During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Bank reduced the maximum combined first and second lien position loan-to-value ratio for new ARM originations in all markets to 80%. The Bank requires mortgagee’s title insurance to protect the Bank against defects in its liens on the properties that collateralize the loans. The Bank, in most cases, requires title, fire, and extended casualty insurance to be obtained by the borrower and when required by applicable regulations, flood insurance. The Bank maintains an errors and omissions insurance policy to protect the Bank against loss in the event a borrower fails to maintain proper fire and other hazard insurance policies.

See the section titled “Provision for Loan Losses - Traditional Banking Segment” within “Allowance for Loan Losses and Provision for Loan Losses” of Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for detail regarding the Company’s allowance methodology related to its home equity loan portfolio.

Although the contractual loan payment periods for single family residential real estate ARM loans are generally for a 15 to 30 year period, such loans often remain outstanding for only their fixed rate periods, which is significantly shorter than the contractual terms. The Bank generally charges a penalty for prepayment of first lien mortgage loans if they are refinanced prior to the completion of their fixed rate period.
 
 
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The Bank does on occasion purchase single family residential real estate loans in low to moderate income areas in order to meets its obligations under the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”). The Bank generally applies secondary market underwriting criteria to these purchased loans and generally reserves the right to reject particular loans from a loan package being purchased that do not meet its underwriting criteria. In connection with loan purchases, the Bank receives various representations and warranties from the sellers of the loans regarding the quality and characteristics of the loans.
 
Commercial Lending – Commercial loans are primarily real estate secured and are generated through banking centers located in the Bank’s primary market areas. The Bank’s commercial real estate and multi-family (“commercial real estate”) loans are typically secured by improved property such as office buildings, medical facilities, retail centers, warehouses, apartment buildings, condominiums, hotels and other types of commercial real estate.

In the Bank’s primary market area of Kentucky and southern Indiana, commercial real estate loans are generally made in amounts up to 85% of the lesser of the appraised value or purchase price of the property. In its Florida market, the Bank will typically only originate commercial real estate loans up to 80% of the lesser of the appraised value or the purchase price of the property. Commercial real estate loans generally have fixed or variable interest rates indexed to prime interest rates and have terms of three, five, seven or ten years with amortizing terms up to 20 years. Although the contractual loan payment period for these types of loans is generally a 20 year period, such loans often remain outstanding for only their fixed rate periods, which is significantly shorter than their contractual terms. The Bank generally charges a penalty for prepayment of commercial real estate loans if they are refinanced prior to the completion of their fixed rate period.

Loans secured by commercial real estate generally are larger and involve greater risks than single family residential real estate loans. Because payments on loans secured by commercial real estate properties often are dependent on successful operation or management of the properties or businesses operated from the properties, repayment of such loans may be impacted to a greater extent by adverse conditions in the national and local economies. The Bank seeks to minimize these risks in a variety of ways, including limiting the size of commercial real estate loans and generally restricting such loans to its primary market area. In determining whether to originate commercial real estate loans, the Bank also considers such factors as the financial condition of the borrower and guarantor and the debt service coverage of the property when applicable.

The Bank also offers a variety of commercial loans, including term loans, lines of credit and equipment and receivables financing. A broad range of short-to-medium-term collateralized commercial loans are made available to businesses for working capital, business expansion (including acquisitions of real estate and improvements), and the purchase of equipment or machinery. Equipment loans are typically originated on a fixed-term basis ranging from one to five years.

As mentioned above, the availability of funds for the repayment of commercial loans may be substantially dependent on the success of the business itself. Further, the collateral underlying the loans, which may depreciate over time, usually cannot be appraised with as much precision as residential real estate and may fluctuate in value over the term of the loan.

Construction Lending – The Bank originates residential construction real estate loans to finance the construction of single family dwellings. Most of the Company’s residential construction loans are made to individuals and builders who intend to build owner occupied housing on a parcel of real estate. The Bank’s construction loans to individuals typically range in size from $100,000 to $300,000. Construction loans also are made to contractors to build single family dwellings under contract. Construction loans are generally offered on the same basis as other single family residential real estate loans, except that a larger percentage down payment is typically required.

The Bank also may make residential land development loans to real estate developers for the acquisition, development and construction of residential subdivisions. Such loans may involve additional risk attributable to the fact that funds will be advanced to fund the project under construction, which is of uncertain value prior to completion, and because it is relatively difficult to evaluate completion value accurately, the total amount of funds required to complete a development may be subject to change.
 
 
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The Bank finances the construction of individual owner occupied houses on the basis of written underwriting and construction loan management guidelines. Construction loans are structured either to be converted to permanent loans with the Bank at the end of the construction phase or to be paid off at closing. Construction loans on residential properties in the Bank’s Kentucky and southern Indiana markets are generally made in amounts up to 85% of appraised value at completion. Construction loans on residential properties in the Bank’s Florida market are generally made in amounts up to 80% of appraised value at completion. Construction loans to developers and builders generally have terms of nine to 12 months. Loan proceeds on builders’ projects are disbursed in increments as construction progresses and as property inspections warrant.

Loans collateralized by subdivisions and multi-family residential real estate generally are larger than loans collateralized by single family owner occupied housing and also generally involve a greater degree of risk. Repayments of these loans depend to a large degree on results of operations, management of properties and conditions in the real estate market or the economy.

Consumer Lending – Traditional consumer loans made by the Bank include home improvement and home equity loans, as well as other secured and unsecured personal loans in addition to credit cards. With the exception of home equity loans, which are actively marketed in conjunction with single family residential real estate loans, other traditional consumer loan products, while available, are not and have not been actively promoted in the Bank’s markets.

Loan Origination and Processing – Loan originations are derived primarily from direct solicitation by the Bank’s loan officers, present bank customers, builders, realtors and walk-in customers. Mortgage loan applications are underwritten and closed based on the Bank’s standards, which are generally consistent with the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac” or “FHLMC”) underwriting guidelines. Consumer and commercial real estate loan originations emanate from many of the same sources.

The loan underwriting procedures followed by the Bank conform to regulatory guidelines and are designed to assess the borrower’s ability to make principal and interest payments and to be supported by the value of any assets or property serving as collateral for the loan. Generally, as part of the process, a bank loan officer meets with each applicant to obtain the appropriate employment and financial information, as well as any other required application information. Upon receipt of the borrower’s completed loan application, the Bank obtains reports with respect to the borrower’s credit record, and independent appraisals of any collateral for the loan are ordered. The application information supplied by the borrower is independently verified. Once a loan application has been completed and all information has been obtained and verified, the loan request is submitted for a final review process. As part of the loan approval process, all uncollateralized loans of more than $150,000 and all collateralized loans of more than $1.5 million require approval by the Bank’s Loan Committee. Loans to one borrower are subject to limits depending on the Company’s internal risk ratings and applicable legal lending limitations.

The Bank’s commercial and commercial real estate loans undergo centralized underwriting on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from the cash flow of their business. As a general practice, in addition to personal guarantees, the Bank takes a security interest in real estate, equipment, or other general business assets. Collateralized working capital loans are primarily secured by short-term assets, whereas long-term loans are primarily secured by long-term assets.

Loan applicants are notified promptly of the decision of the Bank by telephone and a letter. If a commercial loan is approved, a commitment letter is generated that specifies the terms and conditions of the proposed loan including the amount of the loan, interest rate, amortization term, a brief description of the required collateral and required insurance coverage. Interest rates on committed loans are normally locked in at the time of application for a 30 to 45 day period.

Private Banking – The Bank provides financial products and services to high net worth individuals through its Private Banking Department. The Company’s Private Banking officers have extensive banking experience and are trained to meet the unique financial needs of high net worth individuals.
 
 
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Treasury Management Services – The Bank provides various deposit products designed for commercial business customers located throughout its market areas. Lockbox processing, remote deposit capture, business online banking, account reconciliation and Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) processing are additional services offered to commercial businesses through the Company’s Treasury Management Department. The “Premier First” product is the Bank’s premium money market sweep account designed for commercial business customers.

Internet Banking – The Bank expands its market penetration and service delivery by offering customers Internet banking services and products through its website, www.republicbank.com.

Other Banking Services – The Bank also provides trust, title insurance and other financial institution related products and services.

(II)  Tax Refund Solutions (“TRS”)

Republic, through its TRS segment, is one of a limited number of financial institutions which facilitates the payment of federal and state tax refunds through third party tax-preparers located throughout the U.S., as well as tax preparation software providers. The Company facilitates the payment of these tax refunds through three primary products: Electronic Refund Checks (“ERCs” or “ARs”), Electronic Refund Deposits (“ERDs” or “ARDs”) and Refund Anticipation Loans (“RALs”). Substantially all of the business generated by TRS occurs in the first quarter of the year.

ERCs/ERDs are products whereby a tax refund is issued to the taxpayer after the Company has received the refund from the federal or state government. There is generally no credit risk or borrowing cost for the Company associated with these products because they are only delivered to the taxpayer upon receipt of the refund directly from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). Fees earned on ERCs/ERDs are reported as non interest income under the line item “Electronic Refund Check fees.”

RALs are short-term consumer loans offered to taxpayers that are secured by the customer’s anticipated tax refund, which represents the source of repayment. The Company has historically underwriten the RAL application utilizing the Debt Indicator (the “DI”) from the IRS in combination with an automated underwriting model utilizing information contained in the taxpayer’s tax return. The DI, which indicates whether an individual taxpayer will have any portion of the refund offset for delinquent tax or other debts such as unpaid child support or federally funded student loans, has historically been a significant underwriting component. On August 5, 2010, the IRS issued a news release stating that it will no longer provide tax preparers and associated financial institutions with the DI beginning with the first quarter 2011 tax season. Without access to the DI, the Company has tightened its underwriting and application requirements criteria for the first quarter 2011 tax season. See the section titled “IRS Decision to Withhold the DI” in this section of the filing.

 If the RAL application is approved, the Company advances the amount of the refund due on the taxpayer’s return up to specified amounts less the loan fee due to the Company and, if requested by the taxpayer, the fees due for preparation of the return to the tax-preparer. As part of the RAL application process, each taxpayer signs an agreement directing the IRS to send the taxpayer’s refund directly to the Company. The refund received from the IRS is used by the Company to pay off the RAL. Any amount due the taxpayer above the amount of the RAL is remitted to the taxpayer once the refund is received by the Company. The funds advanced by the Company are generally repaid by the IRS within two weeks. The fees earned on RALs are reported as interest income under the line item “Loans, including fees.”

The Company has agreements with Jackson Hewitt Inc. (“JHI”), a subsidiary of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (“JH”), and Liberty Tax Service (“Liberty”) to offer RAL and ERC/ERD products. JH and Liberty provide preparation services of federal, state and local individual income tax returns in the U.S. through a nationwide network of franchised and company-owned tax-preparers offices. Approximately 34% and 27% of the Company’s year to date 2010 and 2009 TRS gross revenue was derived from JH with another 29% and 4% from Liberty for the same respective periods. See the section titled “Results of Operations – Tax Refund Solutions” under Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for additional discussion regarding JH and Liberty agreements.
 
 
10

 
 
Substantially all RALs issued by the Company are made during the first quarter, with origination of new RALs ending by the end of April each year. Profitability in the Company’s TRS segment is primarily driven by the volume of RAL transactions processed and the loss rate incurred on RALs, and is particularly sensitive to both measures. Losses associated with RALs result from the IRS not remitting taxpayer refunds to the Company associated with a particular tax return. This occurs for a number of reasons, including errors in the tax return, tax return fraud and tax debts not previously disclosed to the Company during its underwriting process. While the RAL application form is completed by the taxpayer in the tax-preparer’s office, the credit approval criteria is established by TRS and the underwriting decision is made by TRS. TRS reviews and evaluates all tax returns to determine the likelihood of IRS payment. If any attribute of the tax return appears to fall outside of predetermined parameters, TRS will not originate the RAL.

Substantially all RALs are originated by the end of March of each year. At March 31 of each year the Company reserves for its estimated RAL losses for the year based on current year and historical funding patterns and based on information received from the IRS on current year payment processing. RAL funds advanced by the Company are generally repaid by the IRS within two weeks. RALs outstanding 30 days or longer are charged off at the end of each quarter with subsequent collections recorded as recoveries. Since the RAL season is over by the end of April of each year, essentially all uncollected RALs are charged off by June 30th of each year, except for those RALs management deems certain of collection.

Subsequent to the first quarter, the results of operations for the TRS business operating segment consist primarily of fixed overhead expenses and adjustments to the segment’s estimated provision for loan losses, as estimated results became final. However, as was the case in 2010 and 2009, the fourth quarter can be impacted by the funding strategy for the following first quarter’s tax season.

As detailed in the section titled “TRS Funding – First Quarter 2011 Tax Season” below, the TRS business operating segment incurred a fourth quarter 2010 net loss of $2.7 million with approximately $70,000 attributable to the negative spread the segment earned on brokered deposits obtained for the first quarter 2011 tax season.

As detailed in the section titled “TRS Funding – First Quarter 2010 Tax Season” below, the TRS business operating segment incurred a fourth quarter 2009 net loss of $1.5 million with approximately $173,000 attributable to the negative spread the segment earned on brokered deposits obtained for the first quarter 2010 tax season.

IRS Decision to Withhold the DI

On August 5, 2010, the IRS issued a news release stating that it will no longer provide tax preparers and associated financial institutions with the DI beginning with the first quarter 2011 tax season. The DI indicates whether an individual taxpayer will have any portion of the refund offset for delinquent tax or other debts, such as unpaid child support or federally funded student loans.

While underwriting for RALs involves several individual components, the DI has historically represented a significant part of the overall underwriting for the product. Without the DI, RB&T will experience a higher provision for loan losses related to its RAL portfolio during 2011. Management believes that it estimated its RAL loan losses as a percentage of originations within a reasonable degree of certainty entering the 2011 tax season. To mitigate the loss of the DI, RB&T modified its underwriting and application requirements to approve fewer RALs, significantly reduced the maximum RAL amount to $1,500 for individual customers and raised its offering price to the consumer.

RB&T’s revised underwriting standards and application requirements combined with its reduced maximum RAL offering amount are expected to result in a projected 50% or more reduction in the aggregate dollar volume of RALs originated by the Bank during 2011. Based on these factors, the Company believes its funding needs for the first quarter 2011 tax season will be reduced by more than 50% of its first quarter 2010 requirements. Management believes net income within the TRS segment will increase during 2011 if the Company can achieve its projected RAL and ERC/ERD product volumes and provision for loan loss estimates.

Direct IRS Competition for TRS

The IRS has announced plans to explore the possibility of providing a new tool for the first quarter 2012 tax filing season to give taxpayers a mechanism to use a portion of their tax refund to pay for the services of a professional tax preparer. This product would likely present direct competition for RB&T’s ERC products. At this time, the Company is uncertain what impact, if any, this IRS product could have on the Company’s results of operations in 2012.
 
 
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TRS Funding – First Quarter 2011 Tax Season

Due to the on-going excessive costs of securitization structures, the Company elected not to obtain funding from a securitization structure for the first quarter 2011, 2010, and 2009 tax seasons. Instead, the Company utilized brokered certificates of deposits and to a lesser extent its traditional borrowing lines of credit as its primary RAL funding source.

Due to RB&T’s anticipated reduction to its maximum RAL offering amount and tighter underwriting guidelines in response to the elimination of the DI by the IRS, the Company’s funding needs for the first quarter 2011 tax season were significantly reduced. During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company obtained $562 million in brokered certificates of deposits to be utilized to fund the first quarter 2011 RAL program. These brokered certificates of deposits had a weighted average life of three months with a weighted average interest rate of 0.42%.

TRS Funding – First Quarter 2010 Tax Season

During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company obtained $921 million in brokered certificates of deposits to be utilized to fund the first quarter 2010 RAL program. These brokered certificates of deposits had a weighted average life of three months with a weighted average interest rate of 0.51%. Also, during January of 2010, the Company obtained an additional $542 million in brokered certificates of deposits to fund additional RAL demand. These brokered certificates of deposits acquired in January 2010 had a weighted average life of 55 days and a weighted average interest rate of 0.56%.

TRS Rebate Accruals

During September 2009, the Company announced a new pricing model reducing the fees the Company charges consumers for RALs beginning with the first quarter 2010 tax season. With respect to new contracts entered into for the first quarter 2010 tax season, TRS substantially reduced rebates paid to individual technology and tax preparation service providers in connection with the delivery of tax refund products. The Company accrued $13 million in total rebates for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $36 million during the same period in 2009.

As a result of contracts entered into during 2010 for the first quarter 2011 tax season, the Company expects an additional substantial decrease in rebates for the 2011 calendar year. The additional decrease in rebates is not expected to impact the overall financial results of operations for the Company as this decrease will be offset by the elimination of certain fees charged by the Company, which substantially offset the rebates.

TRS Material Contracts

During December and September of 2010, RB&T amended its Program Agreement (the “Program Agreement”) with JHI to, among other things:
 
 
·
incorporate certain terms of the Technology Agreement into the Program Agreement to provide that JHI assumes responsibility for provision of certain technology services, including personnel and support, and training previously provided by Jackson Hewitt Technology Services LLC (“JHTSL”);
 
·
eliminate the fees payable by RB&T to JHI and JHTSL;
 
·
extend the term of the agreement to October 31, 2015, unless terminated earlier;
 
·
name RB&T as the exclusive provider of all RAL and/or AR products for a mutually agreed upon list of locations through the term of the contract;
 
·
give RB&T the right of first refusal to be a financial product provider if a location is not served by another RAL provider;
 
·
provide that in the event RB&T is no longer a RAL provider, RB&T shall remain JHI’s AR provider under the terms of the Sixth Amendment; and
 
·
provide RB&T with the right to terminate the agreement and receive payment of certain monies if RB&T experiences RAL delinquency in excess of a designated level.
 
 
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As a result of this amendment, a greater percentage of RB&T’s tax product volume in 2011 will be originated through JH tax preparation offices; however, the total number of tax preparation offices offering RB&T’s tax products will remain equal to or below the total number of tax preparation offices offering RB&T’s products in 2010.

Notice of Charges for an Order to Cease and Desist and Notice of Hearing

On February 10, 2011, RB&T received a Notice of Charges for an Order to Cease and Desist and Notice of Hearing from the FDIC (the “Notice”) regarding its RAL program. A copy of the Notice is set forth as Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 10, 2011. The Notice contends that RB&T’s practice of originating RALs without the benefit of the DI from the IRS is unsafe and unsound. The Notice does not address RB&T’s ERC and ERD products. The Notice initiated an agency adjudication proceeding, In Republic Bank & Trust Company, to determine whether the FDIC should issue a cease and desist order to restrain RB&T’s RAL program.

As part of the process initiated by the Notice, RB&T is entitled to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) appointed by the FDIC. The Notice set RB&T’s hearing at 60 days from the date of service of the Notice or on such date and at such place as may be set by the ALJ. As part of the hearing process, the ALJ will take evidence on the items specified in the Notice and make a recommendation of findings of fact to the FDIC Board of Directors, which may accept or reject the ALJ’s recommendation. There is no statutory timeline in which the ALJ must make a recommendation to the FDIC, but the recommendation is generally due 45 days after the hearing-related matters are concluded. The FDIC Board of Directors would have 90 days after the date of the ALJ’s recommendation, or argument before the FDIC Board, to render a decision. In the case of an adverse decision, RB&T would have the right to appeal the resulting order to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Filing an appeal would not operate as a stay of the order.

The Board and management believe the charges from the FDIC to be without merit and intend to vigorously defend RB&T’s right to offer a legal product to those who wish to purchase the product.

On February 28, 2011, RB&T filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky against the FDIC and various officers of the FDIC in their official capacities, entitled Republic Bank and Trust Company v. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, et al. The complaint states that the FDIC’s actions to prohibit RB&T from offering RALs constitute a generally applicable change in law that must be administered through the traditional notice and comment rulemaking required by the Administrative Procedure Act (the “APA”) or otherwise in a fashion permitted by law that is separate and apart from the adjudicatory process initiated by the Notice. The complaint also states that the FDIC has unlawfully ignored its procedural rules regarding discovery in the proceedings initiated by the Notice by conducting a series of unscheduled “visitations.” The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief.

See Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 10, 2011 for additional detail regarding the Notice.

For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
 
·
Part I Item 1 “Business”
 
·
Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors”
 
·
Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:”
 
o
“Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates”
 
o
“Recent Developments”
 
o
“Overview”
 
o
“Results of Operations”
 
o
“Financial Condition”
 
·
Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:”
 
o
Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
 
o
Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
 
o
Footnote 4 “Securitization”
 
o
Footnote 9 “Deposits”
 
o
Footnote 22 “Segment Information”
 
o
Footnote 23 “Regulatory Matters”
 
 
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(III)  Mortgage Banking

Mortgage Banking activities primarily include 15, 20 and 30-year fixed-term first lien single family residential rate real estate loans that are sold into the secondary market, primarily to FHLMC. The Bank typically retains servicing on loans sold into the secondary market. Administration of loans with servicing retained by the Bank includes collecting principal and interest payments, escrowing funds for property taxes and insurance and remitting payments to secondary market investors. A fee is received by the Bank for performing these standard servicing functions.

As part of the sale of loans with servicing retained, the Company records an MSR. MSRs represent an estimate of the present value of future cash servicing income, net of estimated costs, which the Bank expects to receive on loans sold with servicing retained by the Company. MSRs are capitalized as separate assets. This transaction is posted to net gain on sale of loans, a component of “Mortgage Banking income” in the income statement. Management considers all relevant factors, in addition to pricing considerations from other servicers, to estimate the fair value of the MSRs to be recorded when the loans are initially sold with servicing retained by the Company. The carrying value of MSRs is initially amortized in proportion to and over the estimated period of net servicing income and subsequently adjusted quarterly based on the weighted average remaining life of the underlying loans. The amortization is recorded as a reduction to Mortgage Banking income.

The carrying value of the MSRs asset is reviewed monthly for impairment based on the fair value of the MSRs, using groupings of the underlying loans by interest rates. Any impairment of a grouping is reported as a valuation allowance. A primary factor influencing the fair value is the estimated life of the underlying loans serviced. The estimated life of the loans serviced is significantly influenced by market interest rates. During a period of declining interest rates, the fair value of the MSRs is expected to decline due to increased anticipated prepayment speed assumptions within the portfolio. Alternatively, during a period of rising interest rates, the fair value of MSRs is expected to increase, as prepayment speed assumptions on the underlying loans would be anticipated to decline. Management utilizes an independent third party on a monthly basis to assist with the fair value estimate of the MSRs.

Due to the significant reduction in long-term interest rates during December of 2008, the fair value of the MSR portfolio declined. As prepayment speed assumptions were adjusted upwards, the Company incurred an impairment charge of $1.3 million for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2008. During the first quarter of 2009, prepayment speed assumptions stabilized to levels similar to those assumed in the third quarter of 2008 and the Company reversed $1.1 million from the valuation allowance. The Company reversed an additional $122,000 during the second quarter of 2009. There were no impairment charges recorded prior to the fourth quarter of 2008 and no MSR valuation allowance existed at December 31, 2009. During the third quarter of 2010, the Company recorded an MSR valuation allowance of $157,000; however, this valuation allowance was reversed in the fourth quarter of 2010 resulting in an end of year valuation allowance of $0.

See additional discussion regarding Mortgage Banking under the sections titled: Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors” and Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Footnote 6 “Mortgage Banking Activities” and Footnote 22 “Segment Information” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Employees

As of December 31, 2010, Republic had 744 full-time equivalent employees. Altogether, Republic had 722 full-time and 44 part-time employees. None of the Company’s employees are subject to a collective bargaining agreement, and Republic has never experienced a work stoppage. The Company believes that its employee relations have been and continue to be good.

Competition

The Company encounters intense competition in its market areas in originating loans, attracting deposits, and selling other banking related financial services. The deregulation of the banking industry, the ability to create financial services holding companies to engage in a wide range of financial services other than banking and the widespread enactment of state laws which permit multi-bank holding companies, as well as the availability of nationwide interstate banking, has created a highly competitive environment for financial institutions. In one or more aspects of the Company’s business, the Company competes with local and regional retail and commercial banks, other savings banks, credit unions, finance companies, mortgage companies and other financial intermediaries operating in Kentucky, Indiana, Florida and Ohio. The Bank also competes with insurance companies, consumer finance companies, investment banking firms and mutual fund managers. Some of the Company’s competitors are not subject to the same degree of regulatory review and restrictions that apply to the Company and the Bank. Many of the Company’s primary competitors, some of which are affiliated with large bank holding companies or other larger financial based institutions, have substantially greater resources, larger established customer bases, higher lending limits, more extensive banking center networks, numerous automatic teller machines, and greater advertising and marketing budgets. They may also offer services that the Company does not currently provide. These competitors attempt to gain market share through their financial product mix, pricing strategies and banking center locations. Legislative developments related to interstate branching and banking in general, by providing large banking institutions easier access to a broader marketplace, can act to create more pressure on smaller financial institutions to consolidate. It is anticipated that competition from both bank and non-bank entities will continue to remain strong in the foreseeable future.
 
 
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The primary factors in competing for bank products are convenient office locations, flexible hours, interest rates, services, internet banking, range of lending services offered and lending fees. Additionally, the Company believes that an emphasis on highly personalized service tailored to individual customer needs, together with the local character of the Bank’s business and its “community bank” management philosophy will continue to enhance the Company’s ability to compete successfully in its market areas.

With regard to the TRS business segment, as of February 2011, RB&T is the last remaining bank in the tax refund industry with plans to offer a RAL product beyond the 2011 calendar year. TRS faces potential direct competition for ERC/ERD market share from independently-owned processing groups partnered with banks. Independent processing groups that are unable to offer RAL products have historically been at a competitive disadvantage to banks who could offer RALs. With the receipt of the Notice from the FDIC, RB&T may not be able to originate RALs beyond the current 2011 calendar year. Without the ability to originate RALs, RB&T would most likely face increased competition in the ERC/ERD marketplace. In addition to a potential loss of volume resulting from additional competitors, RB&T would also likely incur substantial pressure on its profit margin for its ERC/ERD products as well.

Also, with regard to the TRS business segment, the IRS has announced plans to explore the possibility of providing a new tool for the first quarter 2012 tax filing season to give taxpayers a mechanism to use a portion of their tax refund to pay for the services of a professional tax preparer. This product would likely present direct competition for RB&T’s ERC/ERD products. At this time, the Company is uncertain what impact, if any, this IRS product could have on the Company’s results of operations in 2012.

Supervision and Regulation

RB&T is a Kentucky-chartered commercial banking and trust corporation and as such, it is subject to supervision and regulation by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions (“KDFI”). Republic Bank is a federally-chartered savings bank institution and as such, it is subject to the supervision and regulation of the Office of Thrift Supervision (“OTS”) and examination by the OTS pursuant to the Home Owner’s Loan Act (“HOLA”). Republic Bank is also subject to limited regulation by the FDIC which insures the Bank’s deposits.

In July 2010, Congress passed The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), which calls for the elimination of the OTS within 12 to 18 months of enactment. Upon the elimination of the OTS, the OCC will generally have rulemaking, examination, supervision and oversight authority with the FDIC retaining secondary authority over Republic Bank. Prior to the elimination of the OTS, the OCC will provide a list of the current regulations issued by the OTS that it will continue to apply to federal savings institutions. OTS guidance, orders, interpretations, policies and similar items will continue to remain in effect until they are superseded by new guidance and policies from the OCC.

All deposits, subject to regulatory prescribed limitations, held by the Bank are insured by the FDIC. Such supervision and regulation subjects the Bank to restrictions, requirements, potential enforcement actions and examinations by the FDIC, the OTS and Kentucky banking regulators. The Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) regulates the Company with monetary policies and operational rules that directly affect the Bank. The Bank is a member of the FHLB System. As a member of the FHLB system, the Bank must also comply with applicable regulations of the Federal Housing Finance Board. Regulation by these agencies is intended primarily for the protection of the Bank’s depositors and the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) and not for the benefit of the Company’s stockholders. The Bank’s activities are also regulated under consumer protection laws applicable to the Company’s lending, deposit and other activities. An adverse ruling against the Company under these laws could have a material adverse effect on results. See additional discussion in this section of the filing under “Federal Deposit Insurance Assessments.”
 
 
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Republic Bancorp, Inc. is a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank and its principal sources of funds are cash dividends from the Bank and other subsidiaries. The Company files regular routine reports with the FRB, FDIC and OTS concerning business activities and financial condition. In addition, the Bank must obtain regulatory approval prior to entering into certain transactions, such as adding new banking offices and mergers with, or acquisitions of, other financial institutions. These regulatory agencies conduct periodic examinations to review the Company’s safety and soundness and compliance with various compliance and regulatory requirements. This regulation and supervision establishes a comprehensive framework of activities under which a bank or savings bank can engage and is intended primarily to provide protection for the DIF and the Bank’s depositors. Regulators have extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement authority and examination policies, including, but not limited to, policies that can materially impact the classification of assets and the establishment of adequate loan loss reserves. Any change in regulatory requirements and policies, whether by the FRB, the FDIC, the OTS or state or federal legislation, could have a material adverse impact on Company operations.

Enforcement Powers – Regulators have broad enforcement powers over bank holding companies and banks, including, but not limited to, the power to mandate or restrict particular actions, activities, or divestitures, impose monetary fines and other penalties for violations of laws and regulations, issue cease and desist or removal orders, seek injunctions, publicly disclose such actions and prohibit unsafe or unsound practices. This authority includes both informal actions and formal actions to effect corrective actions or sanctions. In addition, Republic is subject to regulation and enforcement actions by other state and federal agencies.

Certain regulatory requirements applicable to the Company are referred to below or elsewhere in this filing. The description of statutory provisions and regulations applicable to banks, savings banks and their holding companies set forth in this filing does not purport to be a complete description of such statutes and regulations and their effect on the Company and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual laws and regulations.

I.           The Company

Acquisitions – Republic is required to obtain the prior approval of the FRB under the Bank Holding Company Act (“BHCA”) before it may, among other things, acquire all or substantially all of the assets of any bank, or ownership or control of any voting shares of any bank, if after such acquisition it would own or control, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of any class of the voting shares of such bank. In approving bank acquisitions by bank holding companies, the FRB is required to consider the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the bank holding company and the bank involved, the convenience and needs of the communities to be served and various competitive factors. Consideration of financial resources generally focuses on capital adequacy, which is discussed below. Consideration of convenience and needs issues includes the parties’ performance under the CRA. Under the CRA, all financial institutions have a continuing and affirmative obligation consistent with safe and sound operation to help meet the credit needs of their entire communities, specifically including low to moderate income persons and neighborhoods.

Under the BHCA, so long as it is at least adequately capitalized, adequately managed and not subject to any regulatory restrictions, Republic may purchase a bank, subject to regulatory approval. Similarly, an adequately capitalized and adequately managed bank holding company located outside of Kentucky or Florida may purchase a bank located inside Kentucky or Florida, subject to appropriate regulatory approvals. In either case, however, state law restrictions may be placed on the acquisition of a state bank that has been in existence for a limited amount of time, or would result in specified concentrations of deposits. For example, Kentucky law prohibits a bank holding company from acquiring control of banks located in Kentucky, if the holding company would then hold more than 15% of the total deposits of all federally insured depository institutions in Kentucky. RB&T is currently prohibited from acquiring a bank based on its CRA rating as discussed at Footnote 23 “Regulatory Matters” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Financial Activities – The activities permissible for bank holding companies and their affiliates were substantially expanded by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (“GLBA”), issued in March of 2000. The GLBA permits bank holding companies that qualify as, and elect to be Financial Holding Company’s (“FHCs”), to engage in a broad range of financial activities, including underwriting securities, dealing in and making a market in securities, insurance underwriting and agency activities without geographic or other limitation, as well as merchant banking. To maintain its status as a FHC, the Company and all of its affiliated depository institutions must be well-capitalized, well-managed, and have at least a “satisfactory” CRA rating. In addition, as a qualified thrift lender, the Company generally has broad authority to engage in various types of business activities, including non-financial activities. This authority could be restricted for savings banks that fail to meet the qualified thrift lender test. The Company does not currently qualify as a FHC based on its CRA rating as discussed at Footnote 23 “Regulatory Matters” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
 
 
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The Company is required to obtain prior FRB approval in order to engage in the financial activities identified in the GLBA or FRB regulations.

Subject to certain exceptions, insured state banks are permitted to control or hold an interest in a financial subsidiary that engages in a broader range of activities than are permissible for national banks to engage in directly, subject to any restrictions imposed on a bank under the laws of the state under which it is organized. Conducting financial activities through a bank subsidiary can impact capital adequacy and regulatory restrictions may apply to affiliate transactions between the bank and its financial subsidiaries.

Safe and Sound Banking Practice – The FRB does not permit bank holding companies to engage in unsafe and unsound banking practices. The FDIC, the KDFI and the OTS have similar restrictions with respect to the Bank.

Pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, the FDIC and OTS have adopted a set of guidelines prescribing safety and soundness standards. These guidelines establish general standards relating to internal controls, information systems, internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate risk exposure, asset growth, asset quality, earnings standards, compensation, fees and benefits. In general, the guidelines require appropriate systems and practices to identify and manage the risks and exposures specified in the guidelines.

Source of Strength Doctrine – Under FRB policy, a bank holding company is expected to act as a source of financial strength to each of its banking subsidiaries and to commit resources for their support. Such support may restrict the Company’s ability to pay dividends, and may be required at times when, absent this FRB policy, a holding company may not be inclined to provide it. A bank holding company may also be required to guarantee the capital restoration plan of an undercapitalized banking subsidiary and cross-guarantee provisions generally apply to the Company. In addition, any capital loans by the Company to its bank subsidiaries are subordinate in right of payment to deposits and to certain other indebtedness of the bank subsidiary. In the event of a bank holding company’s bankruptcy, any commitment by the bank holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of subsidiary banks will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to a priority of payment. The Dodd-Frank Act codifies the Federal Reserve Board’s existing “source of strength” policy that holding companies act as a source of strength to their insured institution subsidiaries by providing capital, liquidity and other support in times of distress.

Office of Foreign Asset Control (“OFAC”) – The Company and the Bank, like all U.S. companies and individuals, are prohibited from transacting business with certain individuals and entities named on the OFAC’s list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons. Failure to comply may result in fines and other penalties. The OFAC issued guidance for financial institutions in which it asserted that it may, in its discretion, examine institutions determined to be high risk or to be lacking in their efforts to comply with these prohibitions.

Code of Ethics – The Company adopted a code of ethics that applies to all employees, including the Company’s principal executive, financial and accounting officers. A copy of the Company’s code of ethics is available on the Company’s website. The Company intends to disclose information about any amendments to, or waivers from, the code of ethics that are required to be disclosed under applicable SEC regulations by providing appropriate information on the Company’s website. If at any time the code of ethics is not available on the Company’s website, the Company will provide a copy of it free of charge upon written request.

II.           The Bank

The Kentucky and federal banking statutes prescribe the permissible activities in which a Kentucky bank or federal savings bank may engage and where those activities may be conducted. Kentucky’s statutes contain a super parity provision that permits a well-rated Kentucky banking corporation to engage in any banking activity in which a national or state bank operating in any other state or a federal savings association meeting the qualified thrift lender test and operating in any state could engage, provided it first obtains a legal opinion from counsel specifying the statutory or regulatory provisions that permit the activity.

Branching – Kentucky law generally permits a Kentucky chartered bank to establish a branch office in any county in Kentucky. A Kentucky bank may also, subject to regulatory approval and certain restrictions, establish a branch office outside of Kentucky. Well-capitalized Kentucky banks that have been in operation at least three years and that satisfy certain criteria relating to, among other things, their composite and management ratings, may establish a branch in Kentucky without the approval of the Executive Director of the KDFI, upon notice to the KDFI and any other state bank with its main office located in the county where the new branch will be located. Branching by all other banks requires the approval of the Executive Director of the KDFI, who must ascertain and determine that the public convenience and advantage will be served and promoted and that there is a reasonable probability of the successful operation of the branch. In any case, the transaction must also be approved by the FDIC, which considers a number of factors, including financial history, capital adequacy, earnings prospects, character of management, needs of the community and consistency with corporate powers. An out of state bank is permitted to establish branch offices in Kentucky only by merging with a Kentucky bank. De novo branching into Kentucky by an out of state bank is not permitted. This difficulty for out of state banks to branch into Kentucky may limit the ability of a Kentucky bank to branch into many states, as several states have reciprocity requirements for interstate branching. RB&T is currently prohibited from branching based on its CRA rating as discussed at Footnote 23 “Regulatory Matters” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
 
 
17

 

Section 613 of the Dodd-Frank Act effectively eliminated the interstate branching restrictions set forth in the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994. Banks located in any state may now de novo branch in any other state, including Kentucky. Such unlimited branching power will likely increase competition within the markets in which the Company and the Bank operate.

Under federal regulations, Republic Bank may establish and operate branches in any state within the U.S. with the prior approval of the OTS. Highly rated federal savings banks that satisfy certain regulatory requirements may establish branches without prior OTS approval, provided the federal savings bank publishes notice of its establishment of a new branch, and notifies the OTS of the establishment of the branch, and no person files a comment with the OTS opposing the proposed branch. OTS and FDIC regulations also restrict the Company’s ability to open new banking offices of RB&T or Republic Bank. In either case, the Company must publish notice of the proposed office in area newspapers and, if objections are made, the new office may be delayed or disapproved.

Affiliate Transaction Restrictions – Transactions between the Bank and its affiliates, including the Company and its subsidiaries, are subject to FDIC and OTS regulations, the FRB’s Regulations O and W, and Sections 23A, 23B, 22(g) and 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act (“FRA”). In general, these transactions must be on terms and conditions that are consistent with safe and sound banking practices and substantially the same, or at least as favorable to the institution or its subsidiary, as those for comparable transactions with non-affiliated parties. In addition, certain types of these transactions referred to as “covered transaction” are subject to quantitative limits based on a percentage of the Bank’s capital, thereby restricting the total dollar amount of transactions the Bank may engage in with each individual affiliate and with all affiliates in the aggregate. Affiliates must pledge qualifying collateral in amounts between 100% and 130% of the covered transaction in order to receive loans from the Bank. In addition, applicable regulations prohibit a savings association from lending to any of its affiliates that engage in activities that are not permissible for bank holding companies and from purchasing low-quality assets from an affiliate or purchasing the securities of any affiliate, other than a subsidiary. Limitations are also imposed on loans and extensions of credit by an institution to its executive officers, directors and principal stockholders and each of their related interests.

The FRB promulgated Regulation W to implement Sections 23A and 23B. That regulation contains many of the foregoing restrictions and also addresses derivative transactions, overdraft facilities and other transactions between a bank and its non-bank affiliates.

Restrictions on Distribution of Subsidiary Bank Dividends and Assets – Banking regulators may declare a dividend payment to be unsafe and unsound even if the Bank continues to meet its capital requirements after the dividend. Dividends paid by RB&T provide substantially all of the Company’s operating funds. Regulatory requirements serve to limit the amount of dividends that may be paid by the Bank. Under federal regulations, the Bank cannot pay a dividend if, after paying the dividend, the Bank would be undercapitalized.

Under Kentucky and federal banking regulations, the dividends the Bank can pay during any calendar year are generally limited to its profits for that year, plus its retained net profits for the two preceding years, less any required transfers to surplus or to fund the retirement of preferred stock or debt, absent approval of the respective state or federal banking regulators. FDIC regulations also require all insured depository institutions to remain in a safe and sound condition, as defined in regulations, as a condition of having federal deposit insurance.
 
 
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Federal Deposit Insurance Assessments – All Bank deposits are insured to the maximum extent permitted by the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”). These bank deposits are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. The DIF is the successor to the Bank Insurance Fund and the Savings Association Insurance Fund, which were merged in 2006. As insurer, the FDIC is authorized to conduct examinations of, and to require reporting by, insured institutions. It also may prohibit any insured institution from engaging in any activity determined by regulation or order to pose a serious threat to the FDIC.
 
The recently enacted Dodd-Frank Act permanently increased deposit insurance on most accounts to $250,000 per depositor, retroactive to January 1, 2009. In addition, pursuant to Section 13(c)(4)(G) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, the FDIC has implemented two temporary programs to provide deposit insurance for the full amount of most noninterest bearing transaction deposit accounts through the end of 2013 and to guarantee certain unsecured debt of financial institutions and their holding companies through December 2012.
 
In 2008, the FDIC adopted an optional Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program (“TLGP”) under which, for a fee, noninterest-bearing transaction accounts receive unlimited insurance coverage. The Bank opted to participate in the unlimited noninterest-bearing transaction account coverage. For noninterest bearing transaction deposit accounts, including accounts swept from a noninterest bearing transaction account into a noninterest bearing savings deposit account, an annual rate surcharge is applied to deposit amounts in excess of $250,000. The TLGP also included a debt component under which certain senior unsecured debt issued by institutions and their holding companies between October 13, 2008 and October 31, 2009 would be guaranteed by the FDIC through June 30, 2012, or in some cases, December 31, 2012. In return for the FDIC’s guarantee, participating institutions will pay the FDIC a fee based on the amount and maturity of the debt. The Company did not opt to participate in this component of the TLGP by opting out of the unsecured debt guarantee program. The Bank paid $174,000 and $72,000 related to TLGP coverage in 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
The FDIC’s risk-based premium system provides for quarterly assessments. Each insured institution is placed in one of four risk categories depending on supervisory and capital considerations. Within its risk category, an institution is assigned to an initial base assessment rate which is then adjusted to determine its final assessment rate based on its brokered deposits, secured liabilities and unsecured debt. Assessment rates range from seven to 77.5 basis points, with less risky institutions paying lower assessments. The FDIC may adjust the scale uniformly from one quarter to the next, except that no adjustment can deviate more than three basis points from the base scale without notice and comment. No institution may pay a dividend if in default of the federal deposit insurance assessment.

On February 7, 2011, the FDIC Board of Directors adopted a final rule (with changes to go into effect beginning with the second quarter 2011), which redefines the deposit insurance assessment base as required by the Dodd-Frank Act; makes changes to assessment rates; implements Dodd-Frank’s DIF dividend provisions; and revises the risk-based assessment system for all large insured depository institutions (“IDIs”), generally, those institutions with at least $10 billion in total assets. Nearly all of the 7,600-plus institutions with assets less than $10 billion will pay smaller assessments as a result of this final rule. The final rule:

 
·
Redefines the deposit insurance assessment base as average consolidated total assets minus average tangible equity (defined as Tier I Capital);
 
·
Makes generally conforming changes to the unsecured debt and brokered deposit adjustments to assessment rates;
 
·
Creates a depository institution debt adjustment;
 
·
Eliminates the secured liability adjustment; and
 
·
Adopts a new assessment rate schedule effective April 1, 2011, and, in lieu of dividends, other rate schedules when the reserve ratio reaches certain levels.

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 Dodd-Frank Act mandates that the statutory minimum reserve ratio of the DIF increase from 1.15% to 1.35% of insured deposits by September 30, 2020. Banks with assets of less than $10 billion are exempt from any additional assessments necessary to increase the reserve fund above 1.15%. As part of a plan to restore the reserve ratio to 1.15%, in 2009, the FDIC imposed a special assessment on all insured institutions equal to five basis points of assets less Tier 1 capital as of June 30, 2009, payable on September 30, 2009, in order to cover losses to the DIF resulting from bank failures. The amount of Republic’s special assessment, which was paid on September 30, 2009, was $1.4 million.

In November 2009, the FDIC adopted the final rule amending the assessment regulations to require insured depository institutions to prepay their quarterly risk-based assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009, and for all of 2010, 2011, and 2012, on December 30, 2009, along with each institution’s risk-based assessment for the third quarter of 2009. Republic prepaid $11.5 million in deposit insurance assessments on December 30, 2009.
 
 
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In addition to the Deposit Insurance Premium, all institutions with deposits insured by the FDIC are required to pay assessments to fund interest payments on bonds issued by the Financing Corporation, a mixed-ownership government corporation established to recapitalize the predecessor to the DIF. These assessments will continue until the Financing Corporation (“FICO”) bonds mature in 2017 through 2019. During 2010, the Bank incurred total FICO assessments of $223,000.

The FDIC may terminate the deposit insurance of any insured depository institution, including Republic, if it determines after a hearing that the institution has engaged or is engaging in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, order or any condition imposed by an agreement with the FDIC. It also may suspend deposit insurance temporarily during the hearing process for the permanent termination of insurance, if the institution has no tangible capital. If insurance of accounts is terminated, the accounts at the institution at the time of the termination, less subsequent withdrawals, shall continue to be insured for a period of six months to two years, as determined by the FDIC. Management is aware of no existing circumstances which would result in termination of Republic’s Federal’s deposit insurance.

Federal savings banks are required to pay assessments to the Office of Thrift Supervision to fund its operations. The general assessments, paid on a semi-annual basis, are based upon the savings institution’s total assets, including consolidated subsidiaries, as reported in the institution’s latest quarterly thrift financial report, the institution’s financial condition and the complexity of its asset portfolio.

Regulation E – In November 2009, the FRB announced its amendment of Regulation E, which implemented the Electronic Funds Transfer Act (“EFTA”). The EFTA prohibits financial institutions from charging consumers fees for paying overdrafts on automated teller machine (“ATM”) and one-time debit card transactions, unless a consumer affirmatively consents, or opts in, to the overdraft service for those types of transactions. Before opting in, the consumer must be provided a notice that explains the financial institution’s overdraft services, including the fees associated with the service, and the consumer’s choices. The final rules, along with a model opt-in notice, are issued under Regulation E, which implements the EFTA. The final rules require institutions to provide consumers who do not opt in with the same account terms, conditions, and features (including pricing) that they provide to consumers who do opt in. For consumers who do not opt in, the institution would be prohibited from charging overdraft fees for any overdrafts it pays on ATM and one-time debit card transactions.

The Company earns a substantial majority of its fee income related to this program from the per item fee it assesses its customers for each insufficient funds check or electronic debit presented for payment. In addition, the Company estimates that it has historically earned more than 60% of its fees on the electronic debits presented for payment. Both the per item fee and the daily fee assessed to the account resulting from its overdraft status, if computed as a percentage of the amount overdrawn, results in a high rate of interest when annualized and are thus considered excessive by some consumer groups.

U.S. Treasury’s Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program – In October, 2008, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 was enacted that provides the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury with broad authority to implement certain actions to help restore stability and liquidity to U.S. markets. One of the provisions resulting from the legislation was the Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program (“CPP”), which provides direct equity investment in perpetual preferred stock by the U.S. Treasury Department in qualified financial institutions. The program is voluntary and requires an institution to comply with a number of restrictions and provisions, including limits on executive compensation, stock redemptions and declaration of dividends. The CPP provides for a minimum investment of one percent of total risk-weighted assets and a maximum investment equal to the lesser of three percent of total risk-weighted assets or $25 billion. Participation in the program is not automatic and is subject to approval by the U.S. Treasury Department. The Company did not participate in the CPP.

Prohibitions Against Tying Arrangements – The Bank is subject to prohibitions on certain tying arrangements. A depository institution is prohibited, subject to certain exceptions, from extending credit to or offering any other service, or fixing or varying the consideration for such extension of credit or service, on the condition that the customer obtain some additional product or service from the institution or its affiliates or not obtain services of a competitor of the institution.
 
 
 
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Consumer Laws and Regulations – In addition to the laws and regulations discussed herein, the Bank is also subject to certain consumer laws and regulations that are designed to protect consumers in their transactions with banks. While the discussion set forth in this filing is not exhaustive, these laws and regulations include the Truth in Savings Act, Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act, the Electronic Funds Transfer Act and Regulation E and the Expedited Funds Availability Act, among others. These federal laws and regulations mandate certain disclosure requirements and regulate the manner in which financial institutions must deal with consumers when accepting deposits. Certain laws also limit the Bank’s ability to share information with affiliated and unaffiliated entities. The Bank is required to comply with all applicable consumer protection laws and regulations as part of its ongoing business operations.
 
The USA Patriot Act (“Patriot Act”), Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”) and Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) – The Patriot Act was enacted after September 11, 2001 to provide the federal government with powers to prevent, detect, and prosecute terrorism and international money laundering, and has resulted in promulgation of several regulations that have a direct impact on financial institutions. There are a number of programs that financial institutions must have in place such as: (i) BSA/AML controls to manage risk; (ii) Customer Identification Programs to determine the true identity of customers, document and verify the information, and determine whether the customer appears on any federal government list of known or suspected terrorists or terrorist organizations; and (iii) monitoring for the timely detection and reporting of suspicious activity and reportable transactions. Title III of the Patriot Act takes measures intended to encourage information sharing among financial institutions, bank regulatory agencies and law enforcement bodies. Further, certain provisions of Title III impose affirmative obligations on a broad range of financial institutions, including banks, savings banks, brokers, dealers, credit unions, money transfer agents and parties registered under the Commodity Exchange Act. Among other requirements, the Patriot Act imposes the following obligations on financial institutions:

 
·
Establishment of enhanced anti-money laundering programs;
 
·
Establishment of a program specifying procedures for obtaining identifying information from customers seeking to open new accounts;
 
·
Establishment of enhanced due diligence policies, procedures and controls designed to detect and report money laundering;
 
·
Prohibitions on correspondent accounts for foreign shell banks; and
 
·
Compliance with record keeping obligations with respect to correspondent accounts of foreign banks.

Depositor Preference – The FDIA provides that, in the event of the “liquidation or other resolution” of an insured depository institution, the claims of depositors of the institution, including the claims of the FDIC as subrogee of insured depositors, and certain claims for administrative expenses of the FDIC as a receiver, will have priority over other general unsecured claims against the institution. If an insured depository institution fails, insured and uninsured depositors, along with the FDIC, will have priority in payment ahead of unsecured, non-deposit creditors, including depositors whose deposits are payable only outside of the U.S. and the parent bank holding company, with respect to any extensions of credit they have made to such insured depository institution.

Liability of Commonly Controlled Institutions – FDIC-insured depository institutions can be held liable for any loss incurred, or reasonably expected to be incurred, by the FDIC due to the default of another FDIC-insured depository institution controlled by the same bank holding company, or for any assistance provided by the FDIC to another FDIC-insured depository institution controlled by the same bank holding company that is in danger of default. “Default” means generally the appointment of a conservator or receiver. “In danger of default” means generally the existence of certain conditions indicating that default is likely to occur in the absence of regulatory assistance. Such a “cross-guarantee” claim against a depository institution is generally superior in right of payment to claims of the holding company and its affiliates against that depository institution. At this time, RB&T and Republic Bank are the only insured depository institutions controlled by the Company for this purpose. However, if the Company were to control other FDIC-insured depository institutions in the future, the cross-guarantee would apply to all such FDIC-insured depository institutions.

Federal Home Loan Bank System – The FHLB provides credit to its members, which include savings banks, commercial banks, insurance companies, credit unions, and other entities. The FHLB system is currently divided into twelve federally chartered regional FHLB’s which are regulated by the Federal Housing Finance Board. The Bank is a member and owns capital stock in FHLB Cincinnati, FHLB Atlanta and FHLB Indianapolis. The amount of capital stock the Bank must own depends on its balance of outstanding advances. It is required to acquire and hold shares in an amount at least equal to 1% of the aggregate principal amount of its unpaid single family residential real estate loans and similar obligations at the beginning of each year or 1/20th of its outstanding advances from the FHLB, whichever is greater. Advances are secured by pledges of loans, mortgage backed securities and capital stock of the FHLB. FHLB’s also purchase mortgages in the secondary market through their Mortgage Purchase Program (“MPP”). The Bank has never sold loans to the MPP.
 
 
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In the event of a default on an advance, the Federal Home Loan Bank Act establishes priority of the FHLB’s claim over various other claims. Regulations provide that each FHLB has joint and several liability for the obligations of the other FHLBs in the system. In the event a FHLB falls below its minimum capital requirements, the FHLB may seek to require its members to purchase additional capital stock of the FHLB. If problems within the FHLB system were to occur, it could adversely affect the pricing or availability of advances, the amount and timing of dividends on capital stock issued by the FHLBs to members, or the ability of members to have their FHLB capital stock redeemed on a timely basis. Congress continues to consider various proposals which could establish a new regulatory structure for the FHLB system, as well as for other government-sponsored entities. The Bank cannot predict at this time, which, if any, of these proposals may be adopted or what effect they would have on the Bank’s business.

Federal Reserve System – Under regulations of the FRB, the Bank is required to maintain noninterest-earning reserves against its transaction accounts (primarily NOW and regular checking accounts). The Bank is in compliance with the foregoing reserve requirements. Required reserves must be maintained in the form of vault cash, a non interest-bearing account at the FRB, or a pass-through account as defined by the FRB. The effect of this reserve requirement is to reduce the Bank’s interest-earning assets. The balances maintained to meet the reserve requirements imposed by the FRB may be used to satisfy liquidity requirements imposed by the FDIC or OTS. The Bank is authorized to borrow from the FRB discount window.

General Lending Regulations

Pursuant to FDIC and OTS regulations, the Bank generally may extend credit as authorized under federal law without regard to state laws purporting to regulate or affect its credit activities, other than state contract and commercial laws, real property laws, homestead laws, tort laws, criminal laws and other state laws designated by the FDIC and OTS. While the discussion set forth in this filing is not exhaustive, these federal laws and regulations include but are not limited to the following:

 
·
Community Reinvestment Act
 
·
Home Mortgage Disclosure Act
 
·
Equal Credit Opportunity Act
 
·
Truth in Lending Act
 
·
Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act
 
·
Fair Credit Reporting Act

Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) – Under the CRA, financial institutions have a continuing and affirmative obligation to help meet the credit needs of their entire community, including low and moderate income neighborhoods, consistent with safe and sound banking practices. The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for the Bank, nor does it limit the Bank’s discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community, consistent with the CRA. In particular, the CRA assessment system focuses on three tests:

 
·
a lending test, to evaluate the institution’s record of making loans in its assessment areas;
 
·
an investment test, to evaluate the institution’s record of investing in community development projects, affordable housing and programs benefiting low or moderate income individuals and businesses in its assessment area or a broader area that includes its assessment area; and
 
·
a service test, to evaluate the institution’s delivery of services through its retail banking channels and the extent and innovativeness of its community development services.

The CRA requires all institutions to make public disclosure of their CRA ratings. In 2010, the Bank received a “Needs to improve” CRA Performance Evaluation. A copy of the public section of that CRA Performance Evaluation is available to the public upon request. See additional discussion at Footnote 23 “Regulatory Matters” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
 
 
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Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (“HMDA”) – The HMDA has grown out of public concern over credit shortages in certain urban neighborhoods. One purpose of HMDA is to provide public information that will help show whether financial institutions are serving the housing credit needs of the neighborhoods and communities in which they are located. HMDA also includes a “fair lending” aspect that requires the collection and disclosure of data about applicant and borrower characteristics, as a way of identifying possible discriminatory lending patterns and enforcing anti-discrimination statutes. The HMDA requires institutions to report data regarding applications for loans for the purchase or improvement of single family and multi-family dwellings, as well as information concerning originations and purchases of such loans. Federal bank regulators rely, in part, upon data provided under HMDA to determine whether depository institutions engage in discriminatory lending practices. The appropriate federal banking agency, or in some cases the Department of Housing and Urban Development, enforces compliance with HMDA and implements its regulations. Administrative sanctions, including civil money penalties, may be imposed by supervisory agencies for violations of the HMDA.

Equal Credit Opportunity Act (“ECOA”) – The ECOA prohibits discrimination against an applicant in any credit transaction, whether for consumer or business purposes, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age (except in limited circumstances), receipt of income from public assistance programs or good faith exercise of any rights under the Consumer Credit Protection Act. Under the Fair Housing Act, it is unlawful for any lender to discriminate in its housing-related lending activities against any person because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap or familial status. Among other things, these laws prohibit a lender from denying or discouraging credit on a discriminatory basis, making excessively low appraisals of property based on racial considerations, or charging excessive rates or imposing more stringent loan terms or conditions on a discriminatory basis. In addition to private actions by aggrieved borrowers or applicants for actual and punitive damages, the U.S. Department of Justice and other regulatory agencies can take enforcement action seeking injunctive and other equitable relief or sanctions for alleged violations.

Truth in Lending Act (“TLA”) – The TLA is designed to ensure that credit terms are disclosed in a meaningful way so that consumers may compare credit terms more readily and knowledgeably. As result of the TLA, all creditors must use the same credit terminology and expressions of rates, and disclose the annual percentage rate, the finance charge, the amount financed, the total of payments and the payment schedule for each proposed loan. Violations of the TLA may result in regulatory sanctions and in the imposition of both civil and, in the case of willful violations, criminal penalties. Under certain circumstances, the TLA also provides a consumer with a right of rescission, which if exercised within three business days would require the creditor to reimburse any amount paid by the consumer to the creditor or to a third party in connection with the loan, including finance charges, application fees, commitment fees, title search fees and appraisal fees. Consumers may also seek actual and punitive damages for violations of the TLA.

Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (“RESPA”) – The RESPA requires lenders to provide borrowers with disclosures regarding the nature and cost of real estate settlements. The RESPA also prohibits certain abusive practices, such as kickbacks, and places limitations on the amount of escrow accounts. Violations of the RESPA may result in imposition of penalties, including: (1) civil liability equal to three times the amount of any charge paid for the settlement services or civil liability of up to $1,000 per claimant, depending on the violation; (2) awards of court costs and attorneys’ fees; and (3) fines of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.

Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FACT”) – The FACT requires the Bank to adopt and implement a written identity theft prevention program, paying particular attention to several identified “red flag” events. The program must assess the validity of address change requests for card issuers and for users of consumer reports to verify the subject of a consumer report in the event of notice of an address discrepancy. The FACT gives consumers the ability to challenge the Bank with respect to credit reporting information provided by the Bank. The FACT also prohibits the Bank from using certain information it may acquire from an affiliate to solicit the consumer for marketing purposes unless the consumer has been given notice and an opportunity to opt out of such solicitation for a period of five years.

Loans to One Borrower – Under current limits, loans and extensions of credit outstanding at one time to a single borrower and not fully secured generally may not exceed 15% of the institution’s unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus. Loans and extensions of credit fully secured by certain readily marketable collateral may represent an additional 10% of unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus.
 
 
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Interagency Guidance on Nontraditional Mortgage Product Risks – In 2006, final guidance was issued to address the risks posed by residential mortgage products that allow borrowers to defer repayment of principal and sometimes interest (such as “interest-only” mortgages and “payment option” ARMs. The guidance discusses the importance of ensuring that loan terms and underwriting standards are consistent with prudent lending practices, including consideration of a borrower’s repayment capacity. The guidance also suggests that banks i) implement strong risk management standards, ii) maintain capital levels commensurate with the risk and iii) establish an allowance for loan and lease losses that reflects the collectability of the portfolio. The guidance urges banks to ensure that consumers have sufficient information to clearly understand loan terms and associated risks prior to making a product or payment choice.

Loans to Insiders – The Bank’s authority to extend credit to its directors, executive officers and principal shareholders, as well as to entities controlled by such persons, is governed by the requirements of Sections 22(g) and 22(h) of the FRA and Regulation O of the Federal Reserve Board. Among other things, these provisions require that extensions of credit to insiders:

 
·
be made on terms that are substantially the same as, and follow credit underwriting procedures that are not less stringent than, those prevailing for comparable transactions with non-insiders and that do not involve more that the normal risk of repayment or present other features that are unfavorable to the Bank; and
 
·
not exceed certain limitations on the amount of credit extended to such persons, individually and in the aggregate, which limits are based, in part, on the amount of the Bank’s capital.

The regulations allow small discounts on fees on residential mortgages for directors, officers and employees. In addition, extensions for credit to insiders in excess of certain limits must be approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors.

Qualified Thrift Lender Test (“QTL”) – Federal law requires savings banks to meet the QTL, as detailed in 12 U.S.C. §1467a(m). The QTL measures the proportion of a federal savings bank institution’s assets invested in loans or securities supporting residential construction and home ownership. Under the QTL, a federal savings bank is required to either qualify as a “domestic building and loan association” under the Internal Revenue Code or maintain at least 65% of its “portfolio assets” (total assets less: (i) specified liquid assets up to 20% of total assets; (ii) intangibles, including goodwill; and (iii) the value of property used to conduct business) in certain “qualified thrift investments” (primarily residential mortgages and related investments, including certain mortgage backed securities) in at least nine months out of each 12-month period. Qualified thrift investments include (i) housing-related loans and investments, (ii) obligations of the FDIC, (iii) loans to purchase or construct churches, schools, nursing homes and hospitals, (iv) consumer loans, (v) shares of stock issued by any FHLB, and (vi) shares of stock issued by the FHLMC or the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”). Legislation has expanded the extent to which education loans, credit card loans and small business loans may be considered “qualified thrift investments.” Portfolio assets consist of total assets minus (a) goodwill and other intangible assets, (b) the value of properties used by the savings bank to conduct its business, and (c) certain liquid assets in an amount not exceeding 20% of total assets. If Republic Bank fails to remain qualified under the QTL, it must either convert to a commercial bank charter or be subject to restrictions specified under OTS regulations. A savings bank may re-qualify under the QTL if it thereafter complies with the QTL. A savings bank also may satisfy the QTL by qualifying as a “domestic building and loan association” as defined in the Internal Revenue Code. At December 31, 2010, Republic Bank met the QTL requirements.
 
 
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Capital Adequacy Requirements

Capital Guidelines – The FRB, FDIC and OTS have substantially similar risk based and leverage ratio guidelines for banking organizations, which are intended to ensure that banking organizations have adequate capital related to the risk levels of assets and off balance sheet instruments. Under the risk based guidelines, specific categories of assets are assigned different risk weights based generally on the perceived credit risk of the asset. These risk weights are multiplied by corresponding asset balances to determine a risk weighted asset base. Under these regulations, a bank will be considered:
 
 
Total Risk Based
Capital Ratio
Tier 1 Risk-Based
Capital Ratio
Leverage Ratio
Other
Well Capitalized:
10% or greater
6% or greater
5% or greater
Not subject to any order or written directive to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure
Adequately Capitalized
8% or greater
4% or greater
4% or greater (3% in the case of a bank with a composite CAMEL rating of 1)
 
Undercapitalized
less than 8%
less than 4%
less than 4% (3% in the case of a bank with a composite CAMEL rating of 1)
 
Significantly
Undercapitalized
less than 6%
less than 3%
less than 3%
 
Critically
Undercapitalized
     
Ratio of tangible equity to total assets is less than or equal to 2%
 
The guidelines require a minimum total risk based capital ratio of 8.0%, of which at least 4.0% is required to consist of Tier I capital elements (generally, common shareholders’ equity, minority interests in the equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, non cumulative perpetual preferred stock, less goodwill and certain other intangible assets). Total capital is the sum of Tier I and Tier II capital. Tier II capital generally may consist of limited amounts of subordinated debt, qualifying hybrid capital instruments, other preferred stock, loan loss reserves and unrealized gains on certain equity investment securities.

In addition to the risk based capital guidelines, the FRB utilizes a leverage ratio as a tool to evaluate the capital adequacy of bank holding companies. The leverage ratio is a company’s Tier I capital divided by its average total consolidated assets (less goodwill and certain other intangible assets). Certain highly rated bank holding companies may maintain a minimum leverage ratio of 3.0%, but other bank holding companies may be required to maintain a leverage ratio of up to 200 basis points above the regulatory minimum.
 
 
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As of December 31, 2010 and 2009 the Company’s capital ratios were as follows:
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
As of December 31, (dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
                         
Total Capital to risk weighted assets
                       
Republic Bancorp, Inc.
  $ 415,992       22.04     $ 360,997       18.37  
Republic Bank & Trust Co.
    385,433       21.18       312,200       16.42  
Republic Bank
    16,160       22.67       19,066       30.94  
                                 
Tier 1 (Core) Capital to risk weighted assets
                               
Republic Bancorp, Inc.
    394,195       20.89       339,030       17.25  
Republic Bank & Trust Co.
    341,077       18.74       267,553       14.07  
Republic Bank
    15,269       21.42       18,296       29.70  
                                 
Tier 1 Leverage Capital to average assets
                               
Republic Bancorp, Inc.
    394,195       12.05       339,030       10.52  
Republic Bank & Trust Co.
    341,077       10.75       267,553       8.55  
Republic Bank
    15,269       14.76       18,296       16.07  
 
The federal banking agencies’ risk based and leverage ratios represent minimum supervisory ratios generally applicable to banking organizations that meet certain specified criteria, assuming that they have the highest regulatory capital rating. Banking organizations not meeting these criteria are required to operate with capital positions above the minimum ratios. FRB guidelines also provide that banking organizations experiencing internal growth or making acquisitions may be expected to maintain strong capital positions above the minimum supervisory levels, without significant reliance on intangible assets. The FDIC and the OTS may establish higher minimum capital adequacy requirements if, for example, a bank or savings bank has previously warranted special regulatory attention, rapid growth presents supervisory concerns, or, among other factors, has a high susceptibility to interest rate and other types of risk. The Bank is not subject to any such individual minimum regulatory capital requirement.

Corrective Measures for Capital Deficiencies – The banking regulators are required to take “prompt corrective action” with respect to capital deficient institutions. As detailed in the table above, agency regulations define, for each capital category, the levels at which institutions are well-capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized. A bank is undercapitalized if it fails to meet any one of the ratios required to be adequately capitalized.

Undercapitalized institutions are required to submit a capital restoration plan, which must be guaranteed by the holding company of the institution. In addition, agency regulations contain broad restrictions on certain activities of undercapitalized institutions including asset growth, acquisitions, branch establishment, and expansion into new lines of business. With certain exceptions, an insured depository institution is prohibited from making capital distributions, including dividends, and is prohibited from paying management fees to control persons if the institution would be undercapitalized after any such distribution or payment. A bank’s capital classification will also affect its ability to accept brokered deposits. Under banking regulations, a bank may not lawfully accept, roll over or renew brokered deposits, unless it is either well-capitalized or it is adequately capitalized and receives a waiver from the regulator.

If a banking institution’s capital decreases below acceptable levels, banking regulatory enforcement powers become more enhanced. A significantly undercapitalized institution is subject to mandated capital raising activities, restrictions on interest rates paid and transactions with affiliates, removal of management and other restrictions. Banking regulators have limited discretion in dealing with a critically undercapitalized institution and are normally required to appoint a receiver or conservator. Banks with risk based capital and leverage ratios below the required minimums may also be subject to certain administrative actions, including the termination of deposit insurance upon notice and hearing, or a temporary suspension of insurance without a hearing in the event the institution has no tangible capital.
 
 
 
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In addition, a bank holding company that elects to be treated as a FHC may face significant consequences if its bank subsidiaries fail to maintain the required capital and management ratings, including entering into an agreement with the FRB which imposes limitations on its operations and may even require divestitures. Such possible ramifications may limit the ability of a bank subsidiary to significantly expand or acquire less than well-capitalized and well-managed institutions. More specifically, the FRB’s regulations require a FHC to notify the FRB within 15 days of becoming aware that any depository institution controlled by the company has ceased to be well-capitalized or well-managed. If the FRB determines that a FHC controls a depository institution that is not well-capitalized or well-managed, the FRB will notify the FHC that it is not in compliance with applicable requirements and may require the FHC to enter into an agreement acceptable to the FRB to correct any deficiencies. Until such deficiencies are corrected, the FRB may impose any limitations or conditions on the conduct or activities of the FHC and its affiliates that the FRB determines are appropriate, and the FHC may not commence any additional activity or acquire control of any company under Section 4(k) of the BHC Act without prior FRB approval. Unless the period of time for compliance is extended by the FRB, if a FHC fails to correct deficiencies in maintaining its qualification for FHC status within 180 days of entering into an agreement with the FRB, the FRB may order divestiture of any depository institution controlled by the company. A company may comply with a divestiture order by ceasing to engage in any financial or other activity that would not be permissible for a bank holding company that has not elected to be treated as a FHC. The Company is currently not classified as a FHC.
 
Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act (“FDICIA”), each federal banking agency has prescribed, by regulation, non-capital safety and soundness standards for institutions under its authority. These standards cover internal controls, information systems and internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, compensation, fees and benefits, such other operational and managerial standards as the agency determines to be appropriate, and standards for asset quality, earnings and stock valuation. An institution which fails to meet these standards must develop a plan acceptable to the agency, specifying the steps that the institution will take to meet the standards. Failure to submit or implement such a plan may subject the institution to regulatory sanctions.

New Capital Requirements – In 2004, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision published a new capital accord (“Basel II”). Basel II provides two approaches for setting capital standards for credit risk – an internal ratings-based approach tailored to individual institutions’ circumstances and a standardized approach that bases risk weightings on external credit assessments to a much greater extent than permitted in existing risk-based capital guidelines. Basel II also would set capital requirements for operational risk and refine the existing capital requirements for market risk exposures.

The U.S. banking and thrift agencies are developing proposed revisions to their existing capital adequacy regulations and standards based on Basel II. A definitive final rule for implementing the advanced approaches of Basel II in the U.S., which applies only to certain large or internationally active banking organizations, or “core banks” – defined as those with consolidated total assets of $250 billion or more or consolidated on-balance sheet foreign exposures of $10 billion or more, became effective as of April 1, 2008. Other U.S. banking organizations may elect to adopt the requirements of this rule (if they meet applicable qualification requirements), but they are not required to apply them. The rule also allows a banking organization's primary Federal supervisor to determine that the application of the rule would not be appropriate in light of the bank's asset size, level of complexity, risk profile, or scope of operations. The Company is not required to comply with the advanced approaches of Basel II.

In July 2008, the agencies issued a proposed rule that would give banking organizations that do not use the advanced approaches the option to implement a new risk-based capital framework. This framework would adopt the standardized approach of Basel II for credit risk, the basic indicator approach of Basel II for operation risk, and related disclosure requirements. While this proposed rule generally parallels the relevant approaches under Basel II, it diverges where U.S markets have unique characteristics and risk profiles, most notably with respect to risk weighting residential mortgage exposures. Comments on the proposed rule were due to the agencies by October 27, 2008, but a definitive final rule has not been issued.

On September 3, 2009, the U.S. Treasury Department issued a policy statement (the “Treasury Policy Statement”) entitled “Principles for Reforming the U.S. and International Regulatory Capital Framework for Banking Firms.” The Treasury Policy Statement was developed in consultation with the U.S. bank regulatory agencies and contemplates changes to the existing regulatory capital regime that would involve substantial revisions to the existing Basel capital frameworks and affect all regulated banking organizations. The Treasury Policy Statement suggested that changes to the regulatory capital framework be phased in over a period of several years. The recommended schedule provided for a comprehensive international agreement by December 31, 2010, with the implementation of reforms by December 31, 2012, although it does remain possible that U.S. bank regulatory agencies could officially adopt, or informally implement, new capital standards at an earlier or later date.
 
 
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On September 12, 2010, the Basel Committee adopted the Basel III capital rules. These rules, which will be phased in over a period of years, set new standards for common equity, Tier 1 and total capital, determined on a risk-weighted basis. The impact on the Bank cannot be determined at this time.

Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act – On July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“the Dodd-Frank Act”) was signed into law. The Dodd-Frank Act is intended to effect a fundamental restructuring of federal banking regulation. Among other things, the Dodd-Frank Act creates a new Financial Stability Oversight Council to identify systemic risks in the financial system and gives federal regulators new authority to take control of and liquidate financial firms. The Dodd-Frank Act additionally creates a new independent federal regulator to administer federal consumer protection laws.

It is difficult to predict at this time what impact the new legislation and implementing regulations will have on community banks like the Bank, including the lending and credit practices of such banks. Moreover, many of the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act will not take effect for several months, and the legislation requires various federal agencies to promulgate numerous and extensive implementing regulations over the next several years. Although the substance and scope of these regulations cannot be determined at this time, it is expected that the legislation and implementing regulations, particularly those provisions relating to the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will increase our operating and compliance costs and restrict our ability to pay dividends.

The Dodd-Frank Act is expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s business operations as its provisions take effect. Among the provisions that are likely to affect the Company are the following:

Corporate Governance – The Dodd-Frank Act will require publicly traded companies to give stockholders a non-binding vote on executive compensation at their first annual meeting taking place six months after the date of enactment and at least every three years thereafter and on so-called “golden parachute” payments in connection with approvals of mergers and acquisitions. The new legislation also authorizes the SEC to promulgate rules that would allow stockholders to nominate their own candidates using a company’s proxy materials. Additionally, the Dodd-Frank Act directs the federal banking regulators to promulgate rules prohibiting excessive compensation paid to executives of depository institutions and their holding companies with assets in excess of $1 billion, regardless of whether the company is publicly traded or not. The Dodd-Frank Act gives the SEC authority to prohibit broker discretionary voting on elections of directors and executive compensation matters.

Transactions with Affiliates and Insiders – The Dodd-Frank Act will apply Section 23A and Section 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act (governing transactions with insiders) to derivative transactions, repurchase agreements and securities lending and borrowing transactions that create credit exposure to an affiliate or an insider. Any such transactions with affiliates must be fully secured. The current exemption from Section 23A for transactions with financial subsidiaries will be eliminated. The Dodd-Frank Act will additionally prohibit an insured depository institution from purchasing an asset from or selling an asset to an insider unless the transaction is on market terms and, if representing more than 10% of capital, is approved in advance by the disinterested directors.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – The Dodd-Frank Act creates a new, independent federal agency called the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”), which is granted broad rulemaking, supervisory and enforcement powers under various federal consumer financial protection laws, including the ECOA, TLA, RESPA, FACT Act, Fair Debt Collection Act, the Consumer Financial Privacy provisions of the GLBA and certain other statutes. The CFPB will have examination and primary enforcement authority with respect to depository institutions with $10 billion or more in assets. Smaller institutions will be subject to rules promulgated by the CFPB, but will continue to be examined and supervised by federal banking regulators for consumer compliance purposes. The CFPB will have authority to prevent unfair, deceptive or abusive practices in connection with the offering of consumer financial products. The Dodd-Frank Act authorizes the CFPB to establish certain minimum standards for the origination of residential mortgages including a determination of the borrower’s ability to repay. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act will allow borrowers to raise certain defenses to foreclosure if they receive any loan other than a “qualified mortgage” as defined by the CFPB. The Dodd-Frank Act permits states to adopt consumer protection laws and standards that are more stringent than those adopted at the federal level and, in certain circumstances, permits state attorneys general to enforce compliance with both the state and federal laws and regulations. Federal preemption of state consumer protection law requirements, traditionally an attribute of the federal savings association charter, has also been modified by the Dodd-Frank Act and now requires a case-by-case determination of preemption by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) and eliminates preemption for subsidiaries of a bank. Depending on the implementation of this revised federal preemption standard, the operations of the Bank could become subject to additional compliance burdens in the states in which it operates.
 
 
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Deposit Insurance – The Dodd-Frank Act permanently increases the maximum deposit insurance amount for banks, savings institutions and credit unions to $250,000 per depositor, retroactive to January 1, 2009, and extends unlimited deposit insurance to non interest-bearing transaction accounts through December 1, 2012. The Dodd-Frank Act also broadens the base for FDIC insurance assessments. Assessments will now be based on the average consolidated total assets less tangible equity capital of a financial institution. The Dodd-Frank Act requires the FDIC to increase the reserve ratio of the Deposit Insurance Fund from 1.15% to 1.35% of insured deposits by 2020 and eliminates the requirement that the FDIC pay dividends to insured depository institutions when the reserve ratio exceeds certain thresholds. The Dodd-Frank Act eliminates the federal statutory prohibition against the payment of interest on business checking accounts.

Elimination of OTS – The Dodd-Frank Act calls for the elimination of the OTS, which is Republic Bank’s primary federal regulator, within 12 to 18 months of enactment. The OCC will generally have rulemaking, examination, supervision and oversight authority and the FDIC will retain secondary authority over Republic Bank. Prior to the elimination of the OTS, the OCC will provide a list of the current regulations issued by the OTS that each will continue to apply to federal savings institutions. OTS guidance, orders, interpretations, policies and similar items will continue to remain in effect until they are superseded by new guidance and policies from the OCC.

Federal Preemption – A major benefit of the federal thrift charter has been the strong preemptive effect of HOLA, under which Republic Bank is chartered. Historically, the courts have interpreted the HOLA to “occupy the field” with respect to the operations of federal thrifts, leaving no room for conflicting state regulation. The Dodd-Frank Act, however, amends the HOLA to specifically provide that it does not occupy the field in any area of state law. Henceforth, any preemption determination must be made in accordance with the standards applicable to national banks, which have themselves been scaled back to require case-by-case determinations of whether state consumer protection laws discriminate against national banks or interfere with the exercise of their powers before these laws may be pre-empted.

Qualified Thrift Lender Test – Under the Dodd-Frank Act, a savings association that fails the qualified thrift lender test will be prohibited from paying dividends, except for dividends that: (i) would be permissible for a national bank; (ii) are necessary to meet obligations of a company that controls the savings association; and (iii) are specifically approved by the OCC and the Federal Reserve. In addition, a savings association that fails the qualified thrift lender test will be deemed to have violated Section 5 of the HOLA and may become subject to enforcement actions there under.

Capital – Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the proceeds of trust preferred securities are excluded from Tier 1 capital unless such securities were issued prior to May 19, 2010 by bank or savings and loan holding companies with less than $15 billion of assets. The legislation also establishes a floor for capital of insured depository institutions that cannot be lower than the standards in effect today, and directs the federal banking regulators to implement new leverage and capital requirements within 18 months that take into account off-balance sheet activities and other risks, including risks relating to securitized products and derivatives.
 
 
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Incentive Compensation – On February 9, 2011, the FDIC Board of Directors approved a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPR”) implementing section 956 of the Dodd-Frank Act, which applies only to financial institutions with total consolidated assets of $1 billion or more. This NPR seeks to strengthen the incentive compensation practices at covered institutions by better aligning employee rewards with longer-term institutional objectives. The NPR:

 
·
prohibits incentive-based compensation arrangements that encourage inappropriate risks by providing covered persons with “excessive” compensation;
 
·
prohibits incentive-based compensation arrangements that encourage inappropriate risk taking by providing covered persons with compensation that “could lead to a material financial loss” to an institution;
 
·
requires disclosures that will enable the appropriate federal regulator to determine compliance with the rule; and
 
·
requires the institution to maintain policies and procedures to ensure compliance with these requirements and prohibitions commensurate with the size and complexity of the organization and the scope of its use of incentive compensation.

The NPR will be published in the Federal Register for a 45-day comment period following approval by all of the other agencies involved in this rulemaking: the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Office of Thrift Supervision, National Credit Union Administration, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and Federal Housing Finance Agency (the Agencies).

The Federal Reserve will review, as part of the regular, risk-focused examination process, the incentive compensation arrangements of banking organizations, such as the Company, that are not “large, complex banking organizations.” These reviews will be tailored to each organization based on the scope and complexity of the organization’s activities and the prevalence of incentive compensation arrangements. The findings of the supervisory initiatives will be included in reports of examination. Deficiencies will be incorporated into the organization’s supervisory ratings, which can affect the organization’s ability to make acquisitions and take other actions. Enforcement actions may be taken against a banking organization if its incentive compensation arrangements, or related risk-management control or governance processes, pose a risk to the organization’s safety and soundness and the organization is not taking prompt and effective measures to correct the deficiencies.

In addition, on January 12, 2010, the FDIC announced that it would seek public comment on whether banks with compensation plans that encourage risky behavior should be charged at higher deposit assessment rates than such banks would otherwise be charged.

The scope and content of the U.S. banking regulators’ policies on executive compensation are continuing to develop and are likely to continue evolving in the near future. It cannot be determined at this time whether compliance with such policies will adversely affect the Company’s ability to hire, retain and motivate its key employees.

Other Legislative Initiatives

The U.S. Congress and state legislative bodies continually consider proposals for altering the structure, regulation and competitive relationships of financial institutions. It cannot be predicted whether, or in what form, any of these potential proposals or regulatory initiatives will be adopted, the impact the proposals will have on the financial institutions industry or the extent to which the business or financial condition and operations of the Company and its subsidiaries may be affected.

Statistical Disclosures

The statistical disclosures required by Part I Item 1 “Business” are located under Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
 
 
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Item 1A.  Risk Factors.

FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS

There are factors, many beyond the Company’s control, which may significantly change the results or expectations of the Company. Some of these factors are described below in the sections titled “Company Factors” and “Industry Factors,” however, many are described in the other sections of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Company Factors

The Company’s accounting policies and estimates are critical components of the Company’s presentation of its financial statements. Management must exercise judgment in selecting and adopting various accounting policies and in applying estimates. Actual outcomes may be materially different than amounts previously estimated. Management has identified several accounting policies and estimates as being critical to the presentation of the Company’s financial statements. The Company’s management must exercise judgment in selecting and applying many accounting policies and methods so they comply with generally accepted accounting principles and reflect management’s judgment of the most appropriate manner to report the Company’s financial condition and results. In some cases, management may select an accounting policy which might be reasonable under the circumstances yet might result in the Company’s reporting different results than would have been reported under a different alternative. Materially different amounts could be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions or estimates. These policies are described under Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under the section titled “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” and relate to the following:

 
·
TRS allowance for loan losses and provision for loan losses
 
·
Banking segment allowance for loan losses and provision for loan losses
 
·
Mortgage servicing rights
 
·
Income tax accounting
 
·
Goodwill and other intangible assets
 
·
Impairment of investment securities

Changes in accounting standards could materially impact the Company’s financial statements. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) may change the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of the Company’s financial statements. These changes can be hard to predict and can materially impact how the Company records and reports its financial condition and results of operations. Recently, FASB has proposed new accounting standards related to fair value accounting and accounting for leases that could materially change the Company’s financial statements in the future. In some cases, the Company could be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively; resulting in the Company’s restating prior period financial statements.

Consumer Financial Protection Agency - In July 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act was signed into law. Among other items, this act created the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, which will have authority to regulate companies that provide consumer financial services. The Company is regularly refining its consumer financial services and developing new products and services or operations to address recent or anticipated legislative and regulatory changes. Some of these anticipated legislative and regulatory changes may result in, among other things, the Company reducing fees to consumers, implementing additional disclosure requirements, or eliminating products such as RALs, altogether.  The Company could incur additional operating costs which could reduce overall product profitability and lead to the Company exiting certain consumer products. The Company generally cannot estimate what effect, if any, operational changes it would make in response to legislative and regulatory changes may have on the Company’s financial results until the Company is able to develop legal and financially viable alternative products and services.
 
 
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The Company’s lines of business and products not typically associated with Traditional Banking expose the Company’s earnings to additional risks and uncertainties. In addition to Traditional Banking and Mortgage Banking products, the Company provides Refund Anticipation Loans (“RALs”). The following details specific risk factors related to these lines of business:

 
·
TRS represents a significant business risk, and if the Company terminated the business, it would materially impact the earnings of the Company. Tax Refund Solutions (“TRS”) offers bank products to facilitate the payment of tax refunds for customers that electronically file their tax returns. The Company is one of only a few financial institutions in the U.S. that provides this service to taxpayers. Under this program, the taxpayer may receive a RAL or an Electronic Refund Check or Electronic Refund Deposit (“ERC/ERD” or “AR/ARD”). In return, the Company charges a fee for the service.

During the year ended December 31, 2010, net income from the Company’s TRS business operating segment accounted for approximately 68% of the Company’s total net income. Various governmental and consumer groups have, from time to time, questioned the fairness of the RAL program and have accused this industry of charging excessive/usurious rates of interest, via the fee, and engaging in predatory lending practices. In addition, with the loss of the DI from the IRS, various governmental regulators are questioning the overall safety and soundness of the RAL program going forward.

Consumer groups have also claimed that customers are not adequately advised that a RAL is a loan product and that alternative, less expensive means of obtaining tax refund proceeds may be available. Actions of these groups and others could result in regulatory, governmental or legislative action or material litigation against the Company. Exiting this line of business by RB&T, either voluntarily or involuntarily, would significantly reduce the Company’s earnings.

 
·
On February 10, 2011, RB&T received a Notice of Charges for an Order to Cease and Desist and Notice of Hearing from the FDIC (the “Notice”). The proceeding commenced by this Notice could result in an order by the FDIC that RB&T immediately cease offering RALS. Such an order, if entered, could become effective before the beginning of the first quarter 2012 tax season. RALs represent a significant business risk, and if the Company terminated this product, it would materially negatively impact the earnings of the Company. Net income associated with RALs represented approximately 45% of the TRS segment’s net income for 2010. The Notice contends that RB&T’s practice of originating RALs without the benefit of the DI from the IRS is unsafe and unsound.

As part of the process initiated by the Notice, RB&T is entitled to a hearing before an ALJ appointed by the FDIC. The Notice set RB&T’s hearing at 60 days from the date of service of the Notice or on such date and at such place as may be set by the ALJ. As part of the hearing process, the ALJ will take evidence on the items specified in the Notice and make a recommendation of findings of fact to the FDIC Board of Directors, which may accept or reject the ALJ’s recommendation. There is no statutory timeline in which the ALJ must make a recommendation to the FDIC, but the recommendation is generally due 45 days after the hearing-related matters are concluded. The FDIC Board of Directors would have 90 days after the date of the ALJ’s recommendation, or argument before the FDIC Board, to render a decision. In the case of an adverse decision, RB&T would have the right to appeal the resulting order to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Filing an appeal would not operate as a stay of the order.

Discontinuation of the RAL product, either voluntarily or involuntarily, would have a material adverse impact to the Company’s overall earnings.

 
·
Republic’s two larger banking competitors in the tax refund industry announced their exit from that line of business during 2010, which could increase public and regulatory pressure for RB&T to exit the business. During 2010, the two larger banking competitors to RB&T within this line of business announced they were exiting the business and would not provide products for the first quarter 2011 tax season. Based on limited information available, management believes that one of the two institutions exited this business line due to the burden of complying with new regulatory product offering guidelines, anticipated changes in consumer protection guidelines and on-going regulatory pressure combined with the immateriality of this line of business to its overall results of operation. According to printed reports, RB&T’s other large competitor, which had previously announced it would voluntarily exit the tax business in 2013, exited this business line in late 2010 due to a regulatory mandate that it could no longer offer RALs. RB&T’s management believes that these chains of events could dramatically increase the level of public and regulatory scrutiny RB&T receives in this line of business.

 
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Exiting this line of business by RB&T, either voluntarily or involuntarily, would significantly reduce the Company’s earnings.

 
·
During February 2011, Republic’s two remaining competitors in the tax business that offered RALs announced that they would not offer RALs beyond the 2011 calendar year. This action left RB&T as the only bank remaining in the tax industry with plans to offer RALs beyond the 2011 calendar year, further increasing public and regulatory pressure for RB&T to discontinue the RAL product. Discontinuation of the RAL product, either voluntarily or involuntarily, would have a material adverse impact to the Company’s overall earnings.

 
·
Republic’s ERC and ERD products represent a significant business risk and if the Company can no longer offer RALs it could have a material adverse effect on its ERC and ERD product volumes and profits. In addition to the reduction in RAL net income resulting from the discontinuation of the RAL product, RB&T faces potential direct competition for ERC/ERD market share from independently-owned processing groups partnered with banks. Independent processing groups that are unable to offer RAL products have historically been at a competitive disadvantage to banks who could offer RALs. With the receipt of the Notice from the FDIC, RB&T may not be able to originate RALs beyond the current 2011 calendar year. Without the ability to originate RALs, RB&T would most likely face increased competition in the ERC/ERD marketplace. In addition to a potential loss of volume resulting from additional competitors, RB&T would also likely incur substantial pressure on its profit margin for its ERC/ERD products as well.

Reduced ERC/ERD volume or a decrease in profitability of the ERC/ERD products would have a material adverse impact to the Company’s overall earnings.

 
·
The TRS business operating segment represents a significant operational risk, and if the Company were unable to properly service the business, or grow the business, it could materially impact the earnings of the Company. Continued growth in this business operating segment requires continued increases in technology and employees to service the new business. In order to process the new business, the Company must implement and test new systems, as well as train new employees. The Company relies heavily on communications and information systems to conduct its TRS business. Any failure, interruption or breach in security of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in customer relationship management and other systems. Significant operational problems could cause the Company to incur higher than normal credit losses. Significant operational problems could also cause a material portion of the Company’s tax-preparer base to switch to a competitor to process their bank product transactions, significantly reducing the Company’s projected revenue without a corresponding decrease in expenses.
 
 
·
RALs represent a significant compliance and regulatory risk, and if the Company fails to comply with all statutory and regulatory requirements, it could have a material negative impact on the Company’s earnings. Federal and state laws and regulations govern numerous matters relating to the offering of RALs. Failure to comply with disclosure requirements such as Regulation B (Fair Lending) and Regulation Z (Truth in Lending) or with laws relating to the permissibility of interest rates and fees charged, could have a material negative impact on the Company’s earnings. In addition, failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could also expose the Company to additional litigation risk and civil monetary penalties.

 
·
RALs represent a significant liquidity, or funding, risk. Significantly overestimating or underestimating the Company’s liquidity or funding needs for the following first quarter’s tax season could have a material negative impact on the Company’s overall earnings. Funding for RAL liquidity requirements may also cost more than the Company’s current estimates and/or historical experience. The Company’s liquidity risk increases significantly during the first quarter of each year due to the RAL program. The Company has committed to its electronic filer and tax-preparer base that it will make RALs available to their customers under the terms of its contracts with them. This requires the Company to estimate liquidity, or funding needs for the RAL program, well in advance of the tax season. If management materially overestimates the need for funding during the tax season, a significant expense could be incurred without an offsetting revenue stream. If management materially underestimates its funding needs during the tax season, the Company could experience a significant shortfall of cash needed to fund RALs and could potentially be required to stop or reduce its RAL originations.
 
 
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RALs represent a significant credit risk, and if the Company is unable to collect a significant portion of its RALs in tax seasons beyond the 2011 calendar year, it would materially, negatively impact the earnings of the Company. There is credit risk associated with a RAL because the funds are disbursed to the customer prior to the Company receiving the customer’s refund from the IRS. During the previous five years at TRS, net credit losses related to RALs originated within a given calendar year have ranged from a low of 0.36% to a high of 1.02% of total RALs originated (including retained and securitized RALs).

The Company collects substantially all of its payments related to RALs from the IRS. Losses generally occur on RALs when the Company does not receive payment from the IRS due to a number of reasons, such as IRS revenue protection strategies including audits of returns, errors in the tax return, tax return fraud and tax debts not previously disclosed to the Company during its underwriting process. Although the Company’s underwriting takes these factors into consideration during the loan approval process, if the IRS significantly alters its revenue protection strategies for a given tax season or the Company is incorrect in its underwriting assumptions, the Company could experience higher loan loss provisions above those from previous tax seasons. The provision for loan losses is a significant component of the TRS segment’s overall earnings.

A lower than acceptable level of profit in the TRS segment could cause the Company to exit this line of business.

 
·
A significant portion of the Company’s RAL, ERC and ERD volume and revenue is derived from two third party relationships. The loss of either of these relationships without replacing their volume, or a significant unplanned reduction in demand for their tax services, would materially, negatively impact the Company’s operations. Approximately 34% of the Company’s 2010 TRS segment revenue was derived from JH with another 29% from Liberty. In December 2009, the Company signed three year agreements with each of these tax service providers.  In December 2010, the Company amended its agreement with JH to, among other things, extend the term of the agreement until October 2015.  Under certain specific circumstances, however, each provider could exit their contract with the Company. In addition, the tax preparation industry is highly competitive and the potential exists that these firms could lose clients to competitors which do not offer TRS products. A loss of business by Republic under either of these circumstances would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s earnings.

 
·
The IRS plans to explore the possibility of providing a new tool for the first quarter 2012 tax filing season to give taxpayers a mechanism to use a portion of their tax refund to pay for the services of a professional tax preparer. This product would likely present direct competition for the Bank’s ERC and ERD products, which could significantly negatively impact the Company’s earnings from these products. Approximately 55% of the TRS segment’s net income is derived from ERC and ERD products. Competition to these products from the IRS could substantially reduce demand for Republic’s product offering resulting in a substantial negative impact to the TRS segment’s earnings.

For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
·     Part I Item 1 “Business”
·     Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:”
o           “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates”
o           “Recent Developments”
o           “Overview”
o           “Results of Operations”
o           “Financial Condition”
·     Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:”
o           Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
o           Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
o           Footnote 4 “Securitization”
o            Footnote 9 “Deposits”
o           Footnote 22 “Segment Information”
o           Footnote 23 “Regulatory Matters”
 
 
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RB&T is subject to a Cease and Desist Order (the “Order”) from the FDIC. The failure to comply with this Order, or additional corrective actions, could result in significant penalties and/or additional sanctions. RB&T and the FDIC agreed to an Order dated February 27, 2009, which cites insufficient oversight of RB&T’s consumer compliance programs, most notably in RB&T’s RAL program. The Order requires increased compliance oversight of the RAL program by RB&T’s management and board of directors that is subject to review and approval by the FDIC. Under the Order, RB&T must increase its training and audits of its electronic refund originator (“ERO”) partners, who make RB&T’s tax products available to taxpayers across the nation. In addition, various components of the Order require RB&T to meet certain implementation, completion and reporting timelines, including the establishment of a compliance management system to appropriately assess, measure, monitor and control third party risk and ensure compliance with consumer laws.

If the FDIC determines that RB&T is not in compliance with the Order, it has the authority to issue more restrictive enforcement actions. These enforcement actions could include significant penalties and/or requirements regarding the tax business which could significantly, negatively impact this segment’s profitability and cause the Company to exit the business altogether.

Deterioration in the quality of the Company’s Traditional Banking loan portfolio may result in additional charge-offs which will adversely impact Republic’s operating results. Over the previous four years, the Company has experienced some deterioration in the quality of its loan portfolio. Traditional banking net charge-offs to average loans outstanding were 0.51% for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to 0.34%, 0.26%, and 0.10% for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Non-performing loans to total loans outstanding were 1.30% at December 31, 2010 compared to 1.90%, 0.58% and 0.40% at December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. Delinquent loans to total loans outstanding were 1.24% at December 31, 2010 compared to 1.98%, 1.07% and 0.69% at December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. Despite the various measures implemented by Republic to address the current economic situation, there may be further deterioration in the Company’s loan portfolio which will require additional charge-offs. Additional charge-offs will adversely affect the Company’s operating results and financial condition.

The Company owns four investment securities which the Company believes have an elevated level of credit risk and are extremely illiquid. Nationally, residential real estate values have declined significantly since 2007. These declines in value, coupled with the reduced ability of certain homeowners to refinance or repay their residential real estate obligations, have led to elevated delinquencies and losses in residential real estate loans. Many of these loans have previously been securitized and sold to investors as private label mortgage backed and other private label mortgage-related securities. The Company owned and continues to own four private label mortgage backed and other private label mortgage-related security with an amortized cost of $6.3 million at December 31, 2010. For one of these securities, the Company has fully reserved for its projected losses through OTTI charges. The Company has partially written off the principal associated with this security, as a portion of its losses were passed through by the servicer/trustee. Further deterioration in economic conditions and/or new or additional downgrades from applicable rating agencies could cause the Company to record additional impairment charges up to $6.3 million in the future. See additional discussion regarding these impairment charges under Footnote 2 “Investment Securities” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statement and Supplementary Data.”

Fluctuations in interest rates could reduce profitability. The Company’s primary source of income is from the difference between interest earned on loans and investments and the interest paid on deposits and borrowings. The Company expects to periodically experience “gaps” in the interest rate sensitivities of its assets and liabilities, meaning that either interest-bearing liabilities will be more sensitive to changes in market interest rates than interest-earning assets, or vice versa. In either event, if market interest rates should move contrary to the Company’s position, earnings may be negatively affected.

The Company’s asset-liability management strategy may not be able to prevent changes in interest rates from having a material adverse effect on results of operations and financial condition. Overall, interest rates generally have decreased since fiscal year 2008. When interest rates begin to rise again, the Company’s interest income could rise at a slower pace than the Company’s interest expense and the fair value of the Company’s assets could decrease at a faster pace than the increase in the fair value of interest-bearing liabilities. These circumstances would cause a decline in the Company’s net interest income and a reduction in the economic value of the Company’s shareholders’ equity.

A continued stable interest rate environment could reduce profitability. From 2007 through early 2009, net interest income within the Traditional Banking segment benefitted from low short-term interest rates in combination with a “steep” yield curve and an increase in average-earning assets. The month-to-month improvement in this benefit when comparing to the same month in the previous year, however, began to decrease in late 2008, as the Company could no longer lower the rate on many of its interest-bearing liabilities, while its higher yielding interest-earning assets continued to paydown and reprice lower. At December 31, 2010, this month to month comparison was in a significant negative position. An on-going stable interest rate environment will cause the Company’s interest earning assets to continue to reprice into lower yielding assets without the ability for the Company to offset the decline in interest income through a reduction in its cost of funds. The continued contraction in the Company’s net interest margin will cause net income to decrease. The overall magnitude of the decrease in net interest income will depend on the period of time that the current interest rate environment remains.
 
 
35

 

Mortgage Banking activities could be adversely impacted by increasing long-term interest rates. The Company is unable to predict changes in market interest rates. Changes in interest rates can impact the gain on sale of loans, loan origination fees and loan servicing fees, which account for a significant portion of Mortgage Banking income. A decline in market interest rates generally results in higher demand for mortgage products, while an increase in rates generally results in reduced demand. Generally, if demand increases, Mortgage Banking income will be positively impacted by more gains on sale; however, the valuation of existing mortgage servicing rights will decrease and may result in a significant impairment. Moreover, a decline in demand for Mortgage Banking products could also adversely impact other programs/products such as home equity lending, title insurance commissions and service charges on deposit accounts.

The Company’s stock generally has a low average daily trading volume, which limits a stockholder’s ability to quickly accumulate or quickly sell large numbers of shares of Republic’s stock without causing wide price fluctuations. Republic’s stock price can fluctuate widely in response to a variety of factors, such as actual or anticipated variations in the Company’s operating results, recommendations by securities analysts, operating and stock price performance of other companies, news reports, results of litigation, regulatory actions or changes in government regulations, among other factors. A low average daily stock trading volume can lead to significant price swings even when a relatively small number of shares are being traded.

The market price for the Company’s common stock may be volatile. The market price of the Company’s common stock could fluctuate substantially in the future in response to a number of factors, including those discussed below. The market price of the Company’s common stock has in the past fluctuated significantly and is likely to continue to fluctuate significantly. Some of the factors that may cause the price of the Company’s common stock to fluctuate include:

 
·
Variations in the Company’s and its competitors’ operating results;
 
·
Changes in earnings estimates or publication of research reports and recommendations by financial analysts or actions taken by rating agencies with respect to us or other financial institutions;
 
·
Announcements by the Company or its competitors of mergers, acquisitions and strategic partnerships;
 
·
Additions or departure of key personnel;
 
·
Actual or anticipated quarterly or annual fluctuations in operating results, cash flows and financial condition;
 
·
The announced exiting of or significant reductions in material lines of business within the Company;
 
·
Changes or proposed changes in banking laws or regulations or enforcement of these laws and regulations
 
·
Events affecting other companies that the market deems comparable to the Company;
 
·
Developments relating to regulatory examinations
 
·
Speculation in the press or investment community generally or relating to the Company’s reputation or the financial services industry;
 
·
Future issuances or re-sales of equity or equity-related securities, or the perception that they may occur
 
·
General conditions in the financial markets and real estate markets in particular, developments related to market conditions for the financial services industry;
 
·
Domestic and international economic factors unrelated to the Company’s performance
 
·
The presence or absence of short selling of the Company’s common stock; and
 
·
Future sales of the Company’s common stock or debt securities.

In addition, in recent years, the stock market, in general, has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. This is due, in part, to investors’ shifting perceptions of the effect of changes and potential changes in the economy on various industry sectors. This volatility has had a significant effect on the market price of securities issued by many companies, including for reasons unrelated to their performance or prospects. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of the Company’s common stock, notwithstanding its actual or anticipated operating results, cash flows and financial condition. The Company expects that the market price of its common stock will continue to fluctuate due to many factors, including prevailing interest rates, other economic conditions, operating performance and investor perceptions of the outlook for the Company specifically and the banking industry in general. There can be no assurance about the level of the market price of the Company’s common stock in the future or that you will be able to resell your shares at times or at prices you find attractive.
 
 
36

 
 
An investment in the Company’s Common Stock is not an insured deposit. The Company’s common stock is not a bank deposit and, therefore, is not insured against loss by the FDIC, any other deposit insurance fund or by any other public or private entity. Investment in the Company’s common stock is inherently risky for the reasons described in this section and elsewhere in this report and is subject to the same market forces that affect the price of common stock in any company. As a result, if you acquire the Company’s common stock, you could lose some or all of your investment.
 
The Company’s insiders hold voting rights that give them significant control over matters requiring stockholder approval. The Company’s Chairman, President, and Vice Chairman hold substantial amounts of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. Each share of Class A Common Stock is entitled to one vote and each share of Class B Common Stock is entitled to ten votes. This group generally votes together on matters presented to stockholders for approval. These actions may include, for example, the election of directors, the adoption of amendments to corporate documents, the approval of mergers, sales of assets and the continuation of the Company as a registered company with obligations to file periodic reports and other filings with the SEC. Consequently, other stockholders’ ability to influence Company actions through their vote may be limited and the non-insider stockholders may not have sufficient voting power to approve a change in control even if a significant premium is being offered for their shares. The Company cannot assure you that the majority stockholders will vote their shares in accordance with minority stockholder interests.

The Company may need additional capital resources in the future and these capital resources may not be available when needed or at all. The Company may need to incur additional debt or equity financing in the future for growth, investment or strategic acquisitions. The Company cannot assure you that such financing will be available on acceptable terms or at all. If the Company is unable to obtain additional financing, it may not be able to grow or make strategic acquisitions or investments.

The Company’s funding sources may prove insufficient to replace deposits and support future growth. The Company relies on customer deposits, brokered deposits and advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) to fund operations. Although the Company has historically been able to replace maturing deposits and advances if desired, no assurance can be given that the Company would be able to replace such funds in the future if the Company’s financial condition or the financial condition of the FHLB or general market conditions were to change. The Company’s financial flexibility will be severely constrained if it is unable to maintain its access to funding or if adequate financing is not available to accommodate future growth at acceptable interest rates. Finally, if the Company is required to rely more heavily on more expensive funding sources to support future growth, revenues may not increase proportionately to cover costs. In this case, profitability would be adversely affected.

Although the Company considers such sources of funds adequate for its liquidity needs, the Company may seek additional debt in the future to achieve long-term business objectives. There can be no assurance additional borrowings, if sought, would be available to the Company or, if available, would be on favorable terms. The sale of equity or equity-related securities in the future may be dilutive to the Company’s shareholders, and debt financing arrangements may require the Company to pledge some of its assets and enter into various affirmative and negative covenants, including limitations on operational activities and financing alternatives. Future financing sources, if sought, might be unavailable to the Company or, if available, could be on terms unfavorable to the Company and may require regulatory approval. If additional financing sources are unavailable or are not available on reasonable terms, growth and future prospects could be adversely affected.

Negative public opinion could damage the Company’s reputation and adversely affect earnings. Reputational risk is the risk to Company operations from negative public opinion. Negative public opinion can result from the actual or perceived manner in which the Company conducts its business activities, including sales practices, practices used in origination and servicing operations, the management of actual or potential conflicts of interest and ethical issues, and the Company’s protection of confidential customer information. Negative public opinion can adversely affect the Company’s ability to keep and attract customers and can expose the Company to litigation.

The Company is dependent upon the services of its management team and qualified personnel. The Company is dependent upon the ability and experience of a number of its key management personnel who have substantial experience with Company operations, the financial services industry and the markets in which the Company offers services. It is possible that the loss of the services of one or more of its senior executives or key managers would have an adverse effect on operations, moreover, the Company depends on its account executives and loan officers to attract bank customers by, among other things, developing relationships with commercial and consumer clients, mortgage companies, real estate agents, brokers and others. The Company believes that these relationships lead to repeat and referral business. The market for skilled account executives and loan officers is highly competitive and historically has experienced a high rate of turnover. In addition, if a manager leaves the Company, other members of the manager’s team may follow. Competition for qualified account executives and loan officers may lead to increased hiring and retention costs. The Company’s success also depends on its ability to continue to attract, manage and retain other qualified personnel as the Company grows. The Company cannot assure you that it will continue to attract or retain such personnel.
 
 
37

 

The Company’s information systems may experience an interruption or breach in security that could impact the Company’s operational capabilities. The Company relies heavily on communications and information systems to conduct its business. Any failure, interruption or breach in security of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in customer relationship management, general ledger, deposit, loan and other systems. While the Company has policies and procedures designed to prevent or limit the impact of the failure, interruption or security breach of information systems, there can be no assurance that any such failures, interruptions or security breaches will not occur or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed. The occurrences of any failures, interruptions or security breaches of the Company’s information systems could damage the Company’s reputation, result in a loss of customer business, subject the Company to additional regulatory scrutiny, or expose the Company to civil litigation and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

The Company may be subject to examinations by taxing authorities which could adversely affect results of operations. In the normal course of business, the Company may be subject to examinations from federal and state taxing authorities regarding the amount of taxes due in connection with investments it has made and the businesses in which the Company is engaged. Recently, federal and state taxing authorities have become increasingly aggressive in challenging tax positions taken by financial institutions. The challenges made by taxing authorities may result in adjustments to the timing or amount of taxable income or deductions or the allocation of income among tax jurisdictions. If any such challenges are made and are not resolved in the Company’s favor, they could have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

If the Company does not maintain strong internal controls and procedures, it may impact profitability. Management diligently reviews and updates its internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures, and corporate governance policies and procedures. This system is designed to provide reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the internal controls comply with appropriate regulatory guidance. Any undetected circumvention of these controls could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Recent health care legislation could increase the Company’s expenses or require it to pass further costs on to its employees, which could adversely affect operations, financial condition and earnings. Legislation enacted in 2010 requires companies to provide expanded health care coverage to their employees, such as affordable coverage to part-time employees and coverage to dependent adult children of employees. Companies will also be required to enroll new employees automatically into one of their health plans. Compliance with these and other new requirements of the health care legislation will increase the Company’s employee benefits expense, and may require the Company to pass these costs on to employees, which could give the Company a competitive disadvantage in hiring and retaining qualified employees.

Clients could pursue alternatives to bank deposits, causing the Company to lose a relatively inexpensive source of funding. Checking and savings account balances and other forms of client deposits could decrease if clients perceive alternative investments, such as the stock market, as providing superior expected returns. If clients move money out of bank deposits in favor of alternative investments, Republic could lose a relatively inexpensive source of funds, increasing its funding costs.

Company expenses will increase as a result of increases in FDIC insurance premiums. As part of a plan to restore the reserve ratio of the Deposit Insurance Fund, the FDIC imposed a special assessment equal to five basis points of assets less Tier 1 capital as of June 30, 2009, which was payable on September 30, 2009. The Company recorded an expense of $1.4 million during the quarter ended June 30, 2009, to reflect the special assessment. The FDIC has also increased its maximum quarterly assessment rates and changed the method by which rates are calculated. The recently enacted Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, broadens the base for FDIC insurance assessments. Effective April 1, 2011, assessments will be based on the average consolidated total assets less tangible equity capital of a financial institution. Any further special assessments or increases to quarterly assessment rates will adversely affect the Company’s earnings. Moreover, under the Dodd-Frank Act, the minimum statutory reserve ratio for the FDIC’s Deposit Insurance Fund will increase from 1.15% to 1.35% of insurable deposits by September 30, 2020, although banks with assets under $10 billion are exempt from any FDIC assessments necessary to increase the Deposit Insurance Fund above 1.15%. There can be no assurance that the FDIC will not impose additional special assessments, or increase the deposit premiums applicable to the Company, in the future.
 
 
38

 
 
Industry Factors

The Company’s “Overdraft Honor” program represents a significant business risk, and if the Company terminated the program it would materially impact the earnings of the Company. There can be no assurance that Congress, the Company’s regulators, or others, will not impose additional limitations on this program or prohibit the Company from offering the program. The Company’s “Overdraft Honor” program permits eligible customers to overdraft their checking accounts up to a predetermined dollar amount for the Bank’s customary overdraft fee(s). Generally, to be eligible for the Overdraft Honor program, customers must qualify for one of the Company’s traditional checking products when the account is opened and remain in that product for 30 days; have deposits of at least $600; and have had no overdrafts or returned deposited items. Once the eligibility requirements have been met, the client is eligible to participate in the Overdraft Honor program. If an overdraft occurs, the Company may pay the overdraft, at its discretion, up to $600 (an account in good standing after two years is eligible for up to $1,000). Under regulatory guidelines, customers utilizing the Overdraft Honor program may remain in overdraft status for no more than 45 days. Generally, an account that is overdrawn for 60 consecutive days is closed and the balance is charged off.

Overdraft balances from deposit accounts, including those overdraft balances resulting from the Company’s Overdraft Honor program, are recorded as a component of loans on the Company’s balance sheet.

The Company assesses two types of fees related to overdrawn accounts, a fixed per item fee and a fixed daily charge for being in overdraft status. The per item fee for this service is not considered an extension of credit, but rather is considered a fee for paying checks when sufficient funds are not otherwise available. As such, it is classified on the income statement in “service charges on deposits” as a component of non interest income along with per item fees assessed to customers not in the Overdraft Honor program. A substantial majority of the per item fees in service charges on deposits relates to customers in the Overdraft Honor program. The daily fee assessed to the client for being in overdraft status is considered a loan fee and is thus included in interest income under the line item “loans, including fees.” The total net per item fees included in service charges on deposits for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were $11.0 million and $12.3 million. The total net daily overdraft charges included in interest income for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were $2.0 million and $2.3 million. Additional limitations or elimination, or adverse modifications to this program, either voluntary or involuntary, would significantly reduce Company earnings.

In November 2010, the FDIC issued its final guidance on Automated Overdraft payment programs which will require FDIC regulated banks to implement and maintain robust oversight of these programs. The new guidance, as interpreted, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s net income. This guidance states, “the FDIC expects institutions to implement effective compliance and risk management systems, policies, and procedures to ensure that institutions manage any overdraft payment programs in accordance with the 2005 Joint Guidance on Overdraft Protection Programs (Joint Guidance)(FIL-11-2005) and the FRB November 12, 2009 amendments to Regulation E, to avoid harming consumers or creating other compliance, operational, financial, reputational or other risks. As changes are made to overdraft payment programs in response to regulatory developments or to implement additional recommendations, institutions are reminded to ensure that customer communications (e.g. agreements, correspondence, marketing materials, etc.) are updated accordingly, present information accurately and are not misleading. In order to allow sufficient time for institutions to review, consider and respond to the expectations in the final guidance, the FDIC expects that any additional efforts to mitigate risk would be in place by July 1, 2011.”

Management believes these guidelines, as interpreted by management, will have a material negative impact on the Company’s net income in 2011 and beyond. Because of the large number of changes required by the guidelines and the lack of interpretive guidance available from the FDIC at this time regarding some of the provisions within the guidelines, management is unable to determine precisely how negative the impact will be. Additional limitations or elimination, or adverse modifications to this program, either voluntary or involuntary, would further significantly reduce the Company’s net income.
 
 
39

 
 
The Company is significantly impacted by the regulatory, fiscal and monetary policies of federal and state governments which could negatively impact the Company’s liquidity position and earnings. These policies can materially affect the value of the Company’s financial instruments and can also adversely affect the Company’s customers and their ability to repay their outstanding loans. Also, failure to comply with laws, regulations or policies, or adverse examination findings, could result in significant penalties, negatively impact operations, or result in other sanctions against the Company.

The Board of Governors of the FRB regulates the supply of money and credit in the U.S. Its policies determine, in large part, the Company’s cost of funds for lending and investing and the return the Company earns on these loans and investments, all of which impact net interest margin.

The Company and the Bank are heavily regulated at both the federal and state levels and are subject to various routine and non-routine examinations by federal and state regulators. This regulatory oversight is primarily intended to protect depositors, the Deposit Insurance Fund and the banking system as a whole, not the stockholders of the Company. Changes in policies, regulations and statutes, or the interpretation thereof, could significantly impact the product offerings of Republic causing the Company to terminate or modify its product offerings in a manner that could materially adversely affect the earnings of the Company.

Federal and state laws and regulations govern numerous matters including changes in the ownership or control of banks and bank holding companies, maintenance of adequate capital and the financial condition of a financial institution, permissible types, amounts and terms of extensions of credit and investments, permissible non-banking activities, the level of reserves against deposits and restrictions on dividend payments. Various federal and state regulatory agencies possess cease and desist powers, and other authority to prevent or remedy unsafe or unsound practices or violations of law by banks subject to their regulations. The FRB possesses similar powers with respect to bank holding companies. These, and other restrictions, can limit in varying degrees, the manner in which Republic conducts its business.
 
The recently enacted Dodd-Frank Act may adversely affect the Company’s business, financial conditions and results of operations. On July 21, 2010, the President of the U.S. signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“the Dodd-Frank Act”). The Dodd-Frank Act imposes various new restrictions and creates an expanded framework of regulatory oversight for financial institutions. Because the Dodd-Frank Act requires various federal agencies to adopt a broad range of regulations with significant discretion, many of the details of the new law and the effects they will have on the Company will not be known for months or even years.
 
Many provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act will not be implemented immediately and will require interpretation and rule making by federal regulators. Republic is monitoring all relevant sections of the Dodd-Frank Act to ensure continued compliance with laws and regulations. While the ultimate effect of the Dodd-Frank on the Company cannot be determined yet, the law is likely to result in increased compliance costs and fees paid to regulators, along with possible restrictions on the Company’s operations.

Government responses to economic conditions may adversely affect the Company’s operations, financial condition and earnings. Newly enacted financial reform legislation will change the bank regulatory framework, create an independent consumer protection bureau that will assume the consumer protection responsibilities of the various federal banking agencies, and establish more stringent capital standards for banks and bank holding companies. The legislation will also result in new regulations affecting the lending, funding, trading and investment activities of banks and bank holding companies. Bank regulatory agencies also have been responding aggressively to concerns and adverse trends identified in examinations. Ongoing uncertainty and adverse developments in the financial services industry and the domestic and international credit markets, and the effect of new legislation and regulatory actions in response to these conditions, may adversely affect Company operations by restricting business activities, including the Company’s ability to originate or sell loans, modify loan terms, or foreclose on property securing loans.  These measures are likely to increase the Company’s costs of doing business and may have a significant adverse effect on the Company’s lending activities, financial performance and operating flexibility. In addition, these risks could affect the performance and value of the Company’s loan and investment securities portfolios, which also would negatively affect financial performance.

Furthermore, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, in an attempt to help the overall economy, has, among other things, kept interest rates low through its targeted federal funds rate and the purchase of mortgage-backed securities. If the Federal Reserve Board increases the federal funds rate, overall interest rates will likely rise, which may negatively impact the housing markets and the U.S. economic recovery. In addition, deflationary pressures, while possibly lowering operating costs, could have a significant negative effect on the Company’s borrowers, especially business borrowers, and the values of underlying collateral securing loans, which could negatively affect the Company’s financial performance.
 
 
40

 
 
Republic is subject to regulatory capital adequacy guidelines, and if the Company fails to meet these guidelines the Company’s financial condition may be adversely affected. Under regulatory capital adequacy guidelines, and other regulatory requirements, Republic and the Bank must meet guidelines that include quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off balance sheet items, subject to qualitative judgments by regulators regarding components, risk weightings and other factors. If Republic fails to meet these minimum capital guidelines and other regulatory requirements, Republic’s financial condition will be materially and adversely affected. If Republic’s fails to maintain well-capitalized status under its regulatory framework, or deemed not well-managed under regulatory exam procedures, or if it should experience certain regulatory violations, Republic’s status as a Financial Holding Company and its related eligibility for a streamlined review process for acquisition proposals, and its ability to offer certain financial products could be compromised.

The Company’s financial condition and earnings could be negatively impacted to the extent the Company relies on information that is false, misleading or inaccurate. The Company relies on the accuracy and completeness of information provided by vendors, customers and other parties. In deciding whether to extend credit, including RALs, or enter into transactions with other parties, the Company relies on information furnished by, or on behalf of, customers or entities related to those customers or other parties.

Defaults in the repayment of loans may negatively impact the Company. When borrowers default on obligations of one or more of their loans, it may result in lost principal and interest income and increased operating expenses, as a result of the increased allocation of management time and resources to the subsequent collection efforts. In certain situations where collection efforts are unsuccessful or acceptable “work out” arrangements cannot be reached or performed, the Company may have to charge off loans, either in part or in whole.

Prepayment of loans may negatively impact Republic’s business. The Company’s customers may prepay the principal amount of their outstanding loans at any time. The speeds at which such prepayments occur, as well as the size of such prepayments, are within the Company’s customers’ discretion. If customers prepay the principal amount of their loans, and the Company is unable to lend those funds to other customers or invest the funds at the same or higher interest rates, Republic’s interest income will be reduced. A significant reduction in interest income would have a negative impact on Republic’s results of operations and financial condition.

Difficult national and local market conditions have adversely affected the financial services industry. Declines in the housing market over the past few years, falling home prices and increasing foreclosures, unemployment and under-employment have negatively impacted the credit performance of real estate related loans and have resulted in significant write-downs of asset values by many financial institutions. These write-downs have caused many financial institutions to seek additional capital, to reduce or eliminate dividends, to merge with larger and stronger institutions and, in some cases, to fail. Reflecting concern about the stability of the financial markets, many lenders and institutional investors have reduced or ceased providing funding to borrowers, including to other financial institutions. This market turmoil and tightening of credit have led to an increased level of commercial and consumer delinquencies, lack of consumer confidence, increased market volatility and widespread reduction of general business activity. If current levels of market disruption and volatility continue or worsen, there can be no assurance that the Company will not experience an adverse effect, which may be material, on the Company’s ability to access capital and on its business, financial condition and results of operations.

There can be no assurance as to the actual impact that the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (“EESA”) and its implementing regulations, the FDIC programs, or any other governmental program will have on the financial markets. The failure of the EESA, the FDIC, or the U.S. government to stabilize the financial markets and a continuation or worsening of current financial market conditions could materially and adversely affect the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or access to credit.

The Company may be adversely affected by the soundness of other financial institutions. Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty, or other relationships. The Company has exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and routinely executes transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including commercial banks, brokers and dealers, investment banks, and other institutional clients. Many of these transactions expose the Company to credit risk in the event of a default by a counterparty or client. In addition, the Company’s credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by the Company cannot be realized upon or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the credit or derivative exposure due to the Company. Any such losses could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
 
 
41

 
 
Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments.

None


Item 2.  Properties.

The Company’s executive offices, principal support and operational functions are located at 601 West Market Street in Louisville, Kentucky. Republic has 35 banking centers located in Kentucky, four banking centers located in Florida, three banking centers in Indiana and one banking center located in Ohio.

The location of Republic’s facilities, their respective approximate square footage and their form of occupancy are as follows:
 
   
Square
   
Owned (O)/
 
Bank Offices
 
Footage
   
Leased (L)
 
             
Kentucky Banking Centers:
           
             
Louisville Metropolitan Area
           
2801 Bardstown Road, Louisville
    5,000       L (1)
601 West Market Street, Louisville
    57,000       L (1)
661 South Hurstbourne Parkway, Louisville
    42,000       L (1)
9600 Brownsboro Road, Louisville
    15,000       L (1)
5250 Dixie Highway, Louisville
    5,000       O/L (2)
10100 Brookridge Village Boulevard, Louisville
    5,000       O/L (2)
9101 U.S. Highway 42, Prospect
    3,000       O/L (2)
11330 Main Street, Middletown
    6,000       O/L (2)
3902 Taylorsville Road, Louisville
    4,000       O/L (2)
3811 Ruckriegel Parkway, Louisville
    4,000       O/L (2)
5125 New Cut Road, Louisville
    4,000       O/L (2)
4808 Outer Loop, Louisville
    4,000       O/L (2)
438 Highway 44 East, Shepherdsville
    4,000       O/L (2)
4921 Brownsboro Road, Louisville
    2,000       L  
3950 Kresge Way, Suite 108, Louisville
    1,000       L  
3726 Lexington Road, Louisville
    4,000       L  
2028 West Broadway, Suite 105, Louisville
    3,000       L  
220 Abraham Flexner Way, Suite 100, Louisville
    1,000       L  
1420 Poplar Level Road, Louisville
    3,000       O  
6401 Claymont Crossing, Crestwood
    4,000       L  
                 
Lexington
               
3098 Helmsdale Place
    5,000       O/L (2)
3608 Walden Drive
    4,000       O/L (2)
651 Perimeter Drive
    4,000       L  
2401 Harrodsburg Road
    6,000       O  
641 East Euclid Avenue
    3,000       O  
                 
Northern Kentucky
               
535 Madison Avenue, Covington
    4,000       L  
8513 U.S. Highway 42, Florence
    4,000       L  
2051 Centennial Boulevard, Independence
    2,000       L  
                 
Owensboro
               
3500 Frederica Street
    5,000       O  
3332 Villa Point Drive, Suite 101
    2,000       L  
 
(continued)
 
 
42

 
 
             
   
Square
   
Owned (O)/
 
Bank Offices
 
Footage
   
Leased (L)
 
             
Bowling Green, 1700 Scottsville Road
    5,000       O  
                 
Elizabethtown, 1690 Ring Road
    6,000       O  
                 
Frankfort, 100 Highway 676
    3,000       O/L (2)
                 
Georgetown, 430 Connector Road
    4,000       O/L (2)
                 
Shelbyville, 1614 Midland Trail
    4,000       O/L (2)
                 
                 
Southern Indiana Banking Centers
               
                 
4571 Duffy Road, Floyds Knobs
    4,000       O/L (2)
3141 Highway 62, Jeffersonville
    4,000       O  
3001 Charlestown Crossing Way, New Albany
    2,000       L  
                 
Florida Banking Centers
               
                 
9100 Hudson Avenue, Hudson
    4,000       O  
34650 U.S. Highway 19, Palm Harbor
    3,000       L  
9037 U.S. Highway 19, Port Richey
    8,000       O  
11502 North 56th Street, Temple Terrace
    3,000       L  
                 
Ohio Banking Center
               
                 
9683 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash
    3,000       L  
                 
Support and Operations
               
                 
200 South Seventh Street, Louisville, KY
    45,000       L (1)
125 South Sixth Street, Louisville, KY
    1,000       L  
401 East Chestnut, Suite 620, Louisville, KY
    500       L  
 
 

(1)
Locations are leased from Bernard M. Trager, Chairman, or from a partnership in which Bernard M. Trager and Steven E. Trager, President and Chief Executive Officer and A. Scott Trager, Vice Chairman, are partners. See additional discussion included under Part III Item 13 “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.”
   
(2)
The banking centers at these locations are owned by Republic; however, the banking center is located on land that is leased through long-term agreements with third parties.
 
 
43

 
 
Item 3.  Legal Proceedings.
 
In the ordinary course of operations, Republic and the Bank are defendants in various legal proceedings. In the opinion of management, except as set forth below, there is no proceeding or litigation pending or, to the knowledge of management, threatened in which an adverse decision could result in a material adverse change in the business or consolidated financial position of Republic or the Bank.

Notice of Charges for an Order to Cease and Desist and Notice of Hearing

On February 10, 2011, RB&T received a Notice of Charges for an Order to Cease and Desist and Notice of Hearing from the FDIC (the “Notice”) regarding its RAL program. A copy of the Notice is set forth as Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 10, 2011. The Notice contends that RB&T’s practice of originating RALs without the benefit of the Debt Indicator (“DI”) from the IRS is unsafe and unsound. The Notice does not address RB&T’s Electronic Refund Check (“ERC”) and Electronic Refund Deposits (“ERD”) products. The Notice initiated an agency adjudication proceeding, In Republic Bank & Trust Company, to determine whether the FDIC should issue a cease and desist order to restrain RB&T’s RAL program.

As part of the process initiated by the Notice, RB&T is entitled to a hearing before an ALJ appointed by the FDIC. The Notice set RB&T’s hearing at 60 days from the date of service of the Notice or on such date and at such place as may be set by the ALJ. As part of the hearing process, the ALJ will take evidence on the items specified in the Notice and make a recommendation of findings of fact to the FDIC Board of Directors, which may accept or reject the ALJ’s recommendation. There is no statutory timeline in which the ALJ must make a recommendation to the FDIC, but the recommendation is generally due 45 days after the hearing-related matters are concluded. The FDIC Board of Directors would have 90 days after the date of the ALJ’s recommendation, or argument before the FDIC Board, to render a decision. In the case of an adverse decision, RB&T would have the right to appeal the resulting order to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Filing an appeal would not operate as a stay of the order.

The Board and management believe the charges from the FDIC to be without merit and intend to vigorously defend RB&T’s right to offer a legal product to those who wish to purchase the product.

On February 28, 2011, RB&T filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky against the FDIC and various officers of the FDIC in their official capacities, entitled Republic Bank and Trust Company v. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, et al. The complaint states that the FDIC’s actions to prohibit RB&T from offering RALs constitute a generally applicable change in law that must be administered through the traditional notice and comment rulemaking required by the APA or otherwise in a fashion permitted by law that is separate and apart from the adjudicatory process initiated by the Notice. The complaint also states that the FDIC has unlawfully ignored its procedural rules regarding discovery in the proceedings initiated by the Notice by conducting a series of unscheduled “visitations.” The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief.

See Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 10, 2011 for additional detail regarding the Notice.

Item 4.  (Removed and Reserved).
 
 
44

 

PART II

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Market and Dividend Information

Republic’s Class A Common Stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Select Market® (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “RBCAA.” The following table sets forth the high and low market value of the Class A Common Stock and the dividends declared on Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock during 2010 and 2009.
 
 2010  
   
Market Value
  Dividend  
Quarter Ended
 
High
   
Low
   
Class A
   
Class B
 
                         
March 31st
  $ 20.60     $ 15.11     $ 0.132     $ 0.120  
June 30th
    25.26       19.06       0.143       0.130  
September 30th
    25.97       18.87       0.143       0.130  
December 31st
    24.37       20.25       0.143       0.130  
                                 
                                 
 2009  
   
Market Value
   
Dividend
 
Quarter Ended
 
High
   
Low
   
Class A
   
Class B
 
                                 
March 31st
  $ 27.20     $ 14.76     $ 0.121     $ 0.110  
June 30th
    26.47       18.34       0.132       0.120  
September 30th
    25.53       19.96       0.132       0.120  
December 31st
    20.60       17.77       0.132       0.120  
 
At February 11, 2011, the Company’s Class A Common Stock was held by 608 shareholders of record and the Class B Common Stock was held by 129 shareholders of record. There is no established public trading market for the Company’s Class B Common Stock. The Company intends to continue its historical practice of paying quarterly cash dividends; however, there is no assurance by the Board of Directors that such dividends will continue to be paid in the future. The payment of dividends in the future is dependent upon future income, financial position, capital requirements, the discretion and judgment of the Board of Directors and other considerations. The payment of dividends is subject to the regulatory restrictions described in Footnote 15 “Stockholders’ Equity and Regulatory Capital Matters” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Republic has made available to its employees participating in its 401(k) plan the opportunity, at the employee’s sole discretion, to invest funds held in their accounts under the plan in shares of Class A Common Stock of Republic. Shares are purchased by the independent trustee administering the plan from time to time in the open market in the form of broker’s transactions. As of December 31, 2010, the trustee held 200,253 shares of Class A Common Stock and 2,648 shares of Class B Common Stock on behalf of the plan.
 
 
45

 
 
Details of Republic’s Class A Common Stock purchases during the fourth quarter of 2010 are included in the following table:
 
               
Total Number of
 Maximum Number
               
Shares Purchased
of Shares that May
               
as Part of Publicly
Yet Be Purchased
   
Total Number of
   
Average Price
   
Announced Plans
Under the Plan
Period
 
Shares Purchased
   
Paid Per Share
   
or Programs
or Programs
                     
October 1 - October 31
    -     $ -       -    
November 1 - November 30
    -       -       -    
December 1 - December 31
    1,114       23.67       -    
Total
    1,114 *   $ 23.67       -  
                 327,093
 
 

* - Represents shares received by the Company in connection with stock option exercises.

During 2010, the Company repurchased approximately 17,000 shares and there were approximately 74,000 shares exchanged for stock option exercises. During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors amended its existing share repurchase program by approving the repurchase of 300,000 shares from time to time, as market conditions are deemed attractive to the Company. The repurchase program will remain effective until the total number of shares authorized is repurchased or until Republic’s Board of Directors terminates the program. As of December 31, 2010, the Company had 327,093 shares which could be repurchased under the current share repurchase programs.

During 2010, there were approximately 2,000 shares of Class A Common Stock issued upon conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock by stockholders of Republic in accordance with the share-for-share conversion provision option of the Class B Common Stock. The exemption from registration of the newly issued Class A Common Stock relied upon was Section (3)(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933.

There were no equity securities of the registrant sold without registration during the quarter covered by this report.
 
 
46

 
 
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The following stock performance graph does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates the performance graph by reference therein.

The following stock performance graph sets forth the cumulative total shareholder return (assuming reinvestment of dividends) on Republic’s Class A Common Stock as compared to the NASDAQ Bank Stocks Index and the Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Index. The graph covers the period beginning December 31, 2005 and ending December 31, 2010. The calculation of cumulative total return assumes an initial investment of $100 in Republic’s Class A Common Stock, the NASDAQ Bank Index and the S&P 500 Index on December 31, 2005. The stock price performance shown on the graph below is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.
 
   
December 31,
2005
   
December 31,
2006
   
December 31,
2007
   
December 31,
2008
   
December 31,
2009
   
December 31,
2010
 
Republic Bancorp Class
                                               
A Common Stock
  $ 100.00     $ 125.13     $ 88.57     $ 148.98     $ 115.50     $ 136.78  
NASDAQ Bank Index
    100.00       113.82       91.16       71.52       59.87       68.34  
S&P 500 Index
    100.00       115.79       122.16       76.96       97.33       111.99  
 
GRAPHIC
 
47

 
 
Item 6.  Selected Financial Data
 
The following table sets forth Republic Bancorp Inc.’s selected financial data from 2006 through 2010. This information should be read in conjunction with Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” Certain amounts presented in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
 
   
As of and for the Years Ended December 31,
 
(in thousands, except per share data, FTEs and # of banking centers)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                               
Income Statement Data:
                             
                               
Total interest income
  $ 193,473     $ 212,605     $ 202,142     $ 199,097     $ 176,540  
Total interest expense
    36,661       48,742       72,418       104,619       88,242  
Net interest income
    156,812       163,863       129,724       94,478       88,298  
Provision for loan losses
    19,714       33,975       16,205       6,820       2,302  
Total non interest income
    87,658       57,621       45,960       37,851       31,700  
Total non interest expenses
    126,323       121,485       107,592       87,315       74,862  
Income from continuing operations before
                                       
    income tax expense
    98,433       66,024       51,887       38,194       42,834  
Income tax expense from continuing operations
    33,680       23,893       18,235       13,281       14,718  
Income from continuing operations before
                                       
    discontinued operations, net of income
                                       
    tax expense (1)
    64,753       42,131       33,652       24,913       28,116  
Income from discontinued operations, net
                                       
    of income tax expense (1)
    -       -       -       -       235  
Net income
    64,753       42,131       33,652       24,913       28,351  
                                         
Balance Sheet Data:
                                       
                                         
Investment securities
  $ 542,694     $ 467,235     $ 904,674     $ 580,636     $ 561,772  
Gross loans
    2,175,240       2,268,232       2,303,857       2,397,073       2,298,888  
Allowance for loan losses
    23,079       22,879       14,832       12,735       11,218  
Total assets
    3,622,703       3,918,768       3,939,368       3,165,359       3,046,787  
Deposits
    2,302,692       2,602,481       2,743,369       1,968,812       1,692,722  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
                                       
    and other short-term borrowings
    319,246       299,580       339,012       398,296       401,886  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    564,877       637,607       515,234       478,550       646,572  
Subordinated note
    41,240       41,240       41,240       41,240       41,240  
Total liabilities
    3,251,327       3,602,748       3,663,446       2,916,499       2,809,439  
Total stockholders' equity
    371,376       316,020       275,922       248,860       237,348  
                                         
Per Share Data:
                                       
                                         
Earnings per share from continuing operations:
                                       
  Basic earnings per Class A Common Stock
  $ 3.11     $ 2.04     $ 1.65     $ 1.22     $ 1.38  
  Basic earnings per Class B Common Stock
    3.06       1.99       1.60       1.18       1.35  
  Diluted earnings per Class A Common Stock
    3.10       2.02       1.62       1.20       1.35  
  Diluted earnings per Class B Common Stock
    3.04       1.98       1.58       1.16       1.32  
                                         
Earnings per share from discontinued operations: (1)
                                       
  Basic earnings per Class A Common Stock
    -       -       -       -       0.01  
  Basic earnings per Class B Common Stock
    -       -       -       -       -  
  Diluted earnings per Class A Common Stock
    -       -       -       -       -  
  Diluted earnings per Class B Common Stock
    -       -       -       -       -  
                                         
Earnings per share:
                                       
  Basic earnings per Class A Common Stock
    3.11       2.04       1.65       1.22       1.38  
  Basic earnings per Class B Common Stock
    3.06       1.99       1.60       1.18       1.35  
  Diluted earnings per Class A Common Stock
    3.10       2.02       1.62       1.20       1.35  
  Diluted earnings per Class B Common Stock
    3.04       1.98       1.58       1.16       1.32  
 
 
48

 
 
Item 6.  Selected Financial Data (continued)
 
   
As of and for the Years Ended December 31,
 
(in thousands, except per share data, FTEs and # of banking centers)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                               
Per Share Data: (continued)
                             
                               
Market value per share at December 31,
  $ 23.75     $ 20.60     $ 27.20     $ 16.53     $ 23.90  
Book value per share at December 31,
    17.74       15.19       13.38       12.26       11.53  
Tangible book value per share (3)
    16.87       14.28       12.59       11.41       11.25  
Cash dividends declared per Class A Common Stock
    0.561       0.517       0.473       0.424       0.363  
Cash dividends declared per Class B Common Stock
    0.510       0.470       0.430       0.386       0.330  
                                         
Performance Ratios:
                                       
                                         
Return on average assets (ROA) from
                                       
    continuing operations
    1.85 %     1.23 %     1.04 %     0.81 %     0.98 %
Return on average assets (ROA)
    1.85 %     1.23 %     1.04 %     0.81 %     0.99 %
Return on average equity (ROE) from
                                       
    continuing operations
    17.92 %     13.77 %     12.58 %     10.25 %     12.46 %
Return on average equity (ROE)
    17.92 %     13.77 %     12.58 %     10.25 %     12.56 %
Efficiency ratio from continuing operations (2)
    52 %     53 %     57 %     66 %     63 %
Yield on average interest-earning assets
    5.74 %     6.54 %     6.54 %     6.69 %     6.43 %
Cost of average interest-bearing liabilities
    1.37 %     1.82 %     2.78 %     4.12 %     3.81 %
Net interest spread
    4.37 %     4.72 %     3.76 %     2.57 %     2.62 %
Net interest margin
    4.65 %     5.04 %     4.20 %     3.17 %     3.22 %
                                         
Asset Quality Ratios - Total Company:
                                       
                                         
Non-performing loans to total loans
    1.30 %     1.90 %     0.58 %     0.40 %     0.28 %
Non-performing assets to total loans (including OREO)
    1.84 %     2.11 %     0.83 %     0.43 %     0.30 %
Allowance for loan losses to total loans
    1.06 %     1.01 %     0.64 %     0.53 %     0.49 %
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans
    82 %     53 %     110 %     132 %     175 %
Net loan charge offs to average loans from
                                       
    continuing operations
    0.83 %     1.09 %     0.60 %     0.22 %     0.10 %
Delinquent loans to total loans
    1.24 %     1.98 %     1.07 %     0.69 %     0.49 %
                                         
Asset Quality Ratios - Traditional Banking Segment:
                                       
                                         
Non-performing loans to total loans
    1.30 %     1.90 %     0.58 %     0.40 %     0.28 %
Non-performing assets to total loans (including OREO)
    1.84 %     2.11 %     0.83 %     0.43 %     0.30 %
Allowance for loan losses to total loans
    1.06 %     1.01 %     0.64 %     0.53 %     0.49 %
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans
    82 %     53 %     110 %     132 %     175 %
Net loan charge offs to average loans
    0.51 %     0.34 %     0.26 %     0.10 %     0.06 %
Delinquent loans to total loans
    1.24 %     1.98 %     1.07 %     0.69 %     0.49 %
                                         
Capital Ratios:
                                       
                                         
Average stockholders' equity to average total assets
    10.31 %     8.95 %     8.28 %     7.86 %     7.91 %
Total risk based capital
    22.04 %     18.37 %     15.43 %     13.90 %     14.30 %
Tier 1 capital
    20.89 %     17.25 %     14.72 %     13.29 %     13.73 %
Tier 1 leverage capital
    12.05 %     10.52 %     8.80 %     8.75 %     8.92 %
Dividend payout ratio
    18 %     25 %     29 %     35 %     26 %
                                         
Other Information:
                                       
                                         
End of period full time equivalent employees
    744       735       724       727       698  
Number of banking centers
    43       44       45       40       38  
 

(1)  –
Represents the Company exiting the payday loan segment of business during 2006.
(2)  –
Equals total non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non interest income. The ratio excludes net loss on sales, calls and impairment of investment securities. Ratio excludes net gain (loss) on sales, calls and impairment of investment securities.
(3)  –
Represents total equity less goodwill, core deposit intangible asset, and mortgage servicing rights asset divided by total shares outstanding.
 
 
49

 
 
Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Republic Bancorp, Inc. (“Republic” or the “Company”) analyzes the major elements of Republic’s consolidated balance sheets and statements of income. Republic, a bank holding company headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is the parent company of Republic Bank & Trust Company, (“RB&T”), Republic Bank (collectively referred together with RB&T as the “Bank”), Republic Funding Company and Republic Invest Co. Republic Invest Co. includes its subsidiary, Republic Capital LLC. The consolidated financial statements also include the wholly-owned subsidiaries of RB&T: Republic Financial Services, LLC, TRS RAL Funding, LLC and Republic Insurance Agency, LLC. Republic Bancorp Capital Trust is a Delaware statutory business trust that is a 100%-owned unconsolidated finance subsidiary of Republic Bancorp, Inc. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Republic should be read in conjunction with Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” as well as other detailed information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

As used in this filing, the terms “Republic,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Republic Bancorp, Inc., and, where the context requires, Republic Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries; and the term the “Bank” refers to the Company’s subsidiary banks: Republic Bank & Trust Company and Republic Bank.

Republic Bancorp and its subsidiaries operate in a heavily regulated industry. These regulatory requirements can and do affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. For an update on regulatory matters affecting the Company and its subsidiaries, see Footnote 23 “Regulatory Matters” in Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, changes in political and economic conditions, interest rate fluctuations, competitive product and pricing pressures, equity and fixed income market fluctuations, personal and corporate customers’ bankruptcies, inflation, recession, acquisitions and integrations of acquired businesses, technological changes, changes in law and regulations or the interpretation and enforcement thereof, changes in fiscal, monetary, regulatory and tax policies, monetary fluctuations, success in gaining regulatory approvals when required, as well as other risks and uncertainties reported from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) including under Part 1 Item 1A “Risk Factors.”

Broadly speaking, forward-looking statements include:
 
·     
projections of revenue, expenses, income, losses, earnings per share, capital expenditures, dividends, capital structure or other financial items;
·     
descriptions of plans or objectives for future operations, products or services;
·     
forecasts of future economic performance; and
·     
descriptions of assumptions underlying or relating to any of the foregoing.

The Company may make forward-looking statements discussing management’s expectations about various matters, including:
 
·     
delinquencies, future credit losses, non-performing loans and non-performing assets;
·     
further developments in the Company’s ongoing review of and efforts to resolve possible problem credit relationships, which could result in, among other things, additional provision for loans losses;
·     
deteriorating credit quality, including changes in the interest rate environment and reducing interest margins;
·     
the overall adequacy of the allowance for loans losses;
·     
future short-term and long-term interest rates and the respective impact on net interest margin, net interest spread, net income, liquidity and capital;
·     
the future regulatory viability of the Tax Refund Solutions (“TRS”) business operating segment;
·     
anticipated future funding sources for TRS;
·     
potential impairment of investment securities;
·     
the future value of mortgage servicing rights;
·     
the impact of new accounting pronouncements;
·     
legal and regulatory matters including results and consequences of regulatory guidance, rule-making, interpretations, actions and examinations;

 
 
 
50

 
 
 
·     
the extent to which regulations written and implemented by the newly created federal Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, and other federal, state, local, and foreign governmental regulation of consumer lending, and related financial products and services may limit or prohibit the operation of the Company’s business;
·     
future capital expenditures;
·     
the strength of the U.S. economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which the Company conducts operations; and
·     
recession, inflation, interest rates, market and monetary fluctuations and the Bank’s ability to maintain current deposit and loan levels at current interest rates.

Forward-looking statements discuss matters that are not historical facts. As forward-looking statements discuss future events or conditions, the statements often include words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “target,” “can,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or similar expressions. Do not rely on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements detail management’s expectations regarding the future and are not guarantees. Forward-looking statements are assumptions based on information known to management only as of the date the statements are made and management may not update them to reflect changes that occur subsequent to the date the statements are made. See additional discussion under the sections titled Part I Item 1 “Business” and Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors.”

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Republic’s consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reported periods.

Management continually evaluates the Company’s accounting policies and estimates that it uses to prepare the consolidated financial statements. In general, management’s estimates are based on historical experience, on information from regulators and independent third party professionals and on various assumptions that are believed to be reasonable. Actual results may differ from those estimates made by management.

Critical accounting policies are those that management believes are the most important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and operating results and require management to make estimates that are difficult, subjective and complex. Most accounting policies are not considered by management to be critical accounting policies. Several factors are considered in determining whether or not a policy is critical in the preparation of the financial statements. These factors include, among other things, whether the estimates have a significant impact on the financial statements, the nature of the estimates, the ability to readily validate the estimates with other information including independent third parties or available pricing, sensitivity of the estimates to changes in economic conditions and whether alternative methods of accounting may be utilized under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Management has discussed each critical accounting policy and the methodology for the identification and determination of critical accounting policies with the Company’s Audit Committee.

Republic believes its critical accounting policies and estimates relate to:

·      
TRS allowance for loan losses and provision for loan losses
·      
Banking segment allowance for loan losses and provision for loan losses
·      
Mortgage servicing rights
·      
Income tax accounting
·      
Goodwill and other intangible assets
·      
Impairment of investment securities

TRS Allowance for Loan Losses and Provision for Loan Losses – Substantially all RALs issued by the Company each year are made during the first quarter. Losses associated with RALs result from the IRS not remitting taxpayer refunds to the Company associated with a particular tax return. This occurs for a number of reasons including IRS audits resulting from its revenue protection strategies, errors in the tax return, tax return fraud and tax debts not previously disclosed to the Company during its underwriting process. Substantially all RALs are originated by the end of March of each year. At March 31st of each year, the Company has historically reserved for its estimated RAL losses for the year based on current and prior-year funding patterns, information received from the IRS on current year payment processing, projections using the Company’s internal RAL underwriting criteria applied against prior years’ customer data, and the subjective experience of Company management.
 
 
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On August 5, 2010, the IRS issued a news release stating that it will no longer provide tax preparers and associated financial institutions with the Debt Indicator (“DI”) beginning with the first quarter 2011 tax season. The DI indicates whether an individual taxpayer will have any portion of the refund offset for delinquent tax or other debts, such as unpaid child support or federally funded student loans.

While underwriting for RALs involves several individual components, the DI has historically represented a significant part of the overall underwriting for the product. Without the DI, RB&T will experience a higher provision for loan losses related to its RAL portfolio during 2011. Due to the elimination of the DI, management believes that the final provision for loan losses related to RALs for 2011 will be much closer to the delinquent RALs as of the end of the first quarter as compared to previous years. If the projected payments received subsequent to the first quarter for delinquent RALs as of March 31st differ significantly from those assumptions used by management in making its determination of its first quarter provision for loan losses related to RALs, an adjustment to the allowance for loan losses and the resulting effect on the income statement could be material.

During 2010, the Company incurred $10.8 million in RAL losses compared to $23.1 million during 2009 for RALs originated during the 2010 and 2009 calendar years, representing 0.36% and 0.93% of total RALs originated during the respective tax years. Historically at TRS, net credit losses within a given calendar year, which includes recoveries of prior year charge offs, have ranged from a low of 0.04% to a high of 1.17% of total RALs originated (including retained and securitized RALs). Including prior year recoveries, the Company incurred $8.1 million and $18.1 million in net credit losses associated with RALs during 2010 and 2009. Included as a reduction to the 2009 TRS provision for loan losses was $2.4 million representing a limited preparer-provided guarantee for RAL product performance.
 
For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
 
 
·
Part I Item 1 “Business”
 
·
Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors”
 
·
Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:”
 
o
“Recent Developments”
 
o
“Overview”
 
o
“Results of Operations”
 
o
“Financial Condition”
 
·
Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:”
 
o
Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
 
o
Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
 
o
Footnote 4 “Securitization”
 
o
Footnote 9 “Deposits”
 
o
Footnote 22 “Segment Information”
 
o
Footnote 23 “Regulatory Matters”
 
Banking Segment Allowance for Loan Losses and Provision for Loan Losses – Republic maintains an allowance for probable incurred credit losses inherent in the Company’s loan portfolio, which includes overdrawn deposit accounts. Management evaluates the adequacy of the allowance for the loan losses on a monthly basis and presents and discusses the analysis with the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis.

The Company maintains a “watch list” of commercial and commercial real estate loans and reviews those loans on a regular basis. Generally, assets are designated as “watch list” loans to ensure more frequent monitoring. Watch list loans are reviewed to ensure proper earning status and management strategy. If it is determined that there is serious doubt as to performance in accordance with original terms of the contract, then the loan is generally downgraded and often placed on non-accrual status.

Management evaluates the loan portfolio by reviewing the historical loss rate for each respective loan type and assigns risk multiples to certain categories to account for qualitative factors including current economic conditions. The average five year, two year and current year loss rates are reviewed in the analysis, as well as comparisons to peer group loss rates. Currently, management has assigned a greater emphasis on the two year and current year loss rates when determining its allowance for loan losses. Management makes allocations within the allowance for loan losses for specifically classified loans regardless of loan amount, collateral or loan type. In addition, historical loss rates for non-accrual loans and loans that are past due 90 days or more and that are not specifically classified are analyzed and applied based on respective balances and loan types.
 
 
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Loan categories are evaluated utilizing subjective factors in addition to the historical loss calculations to determine a loss allocation for each of those types. As this analysis, or any similar analysis, is an imprecise measure of loss, the allowance is subject to ongoing adjustments. Therefore, management will often take into account other significant factors that may be necessary or prudent in order to reflect probable incurred losses in the total loan portfolio.

Loans, including impaired loans under FASB ASC topic 310-10-35, “Receivables,” but excluding consumer loans, are typically placed on non-accrual status when the loans become past due 80 days or more as to principal or interest, unless the loans are adequately secured and in the process of collection. Past due status is based on how recently payments have been received. When loans are placed on non-accrual status, all unpaid interest is reversed from interest income and accrued interest receivable. These loans remain on non-accrual status until the borrower demonstrates the ability to become and remain current or the loan or a portion of the loan is deemed uncollectible and is charged off.

In addition to obtaining appraisals at the time of loan origination, the Company updates appraisals for collateral dependent loans with potential impairment. Updated appraisals for collateral-dependent commercial related loans exhibiting an increased risk of loss are obtained within one year of the last appraisal. Collateral values for past due residential mortgage loans and home equity loans are generally updated prior to a loan becoming 90 days delinquent, but no more than 180 days past due. When determining the allowance amount, to the extent updated collateral values cannot be obtained due to the lack of recent comparable sales or for other reasons, the loan review department discounts the valuation of the collateral primarily based on the age of the appraisal and the real estate market conditions of the location of the underlying collateral.

Consumer loans are reviewed periodically and generally charged off when the loans reach 120 days past due or at any earlier point the loan is deemed uncollectible.

Based on management’s calculation, an allowance of $23 million, or 1.06%, of total loans was an adequate estimate of probable incurred losses within the loan portfolio as of December 31, 2010. This estimate resulted in banking segment provision for loan losses on the income statement of $11.6 million during 2010. If the mix and amount of future charge off percentages differ significantly from those assumptions used by management in making its determination, an adjustment to the allowance for loan losses and the resulting effect on the income statement could be material.

Mortgage Servicing Rights – Mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) represent an estimate of the present value of future cash servicing income, net of estimated costs that Republic expects to receive on loans sold with servicing retained by the Company. MSRs are capitalized as separate assets when loans are sold and servicing is retained. This transaction is posted to net gain on sale of loans, a component of Mortgage Banking income in the income statement. Management considers all relevant factors, in addition to pricing considerations from other servicers, to estimate the fair value of the MSRs to be recorded when the loans are initially sold with servicing retained by the Company. The carrying value of MSRs is initially amortized in proportion to and over the estimated period of net servicing income and subsequently adjusted based on the weighted average remaining life. The amortization is recorded as a reduction to Mortgage Banking income. The MSR asset, net of amortization, recorded at December 31, 2010 was $8 million.

The carrying value of the MSRs asset is reviewed monthly for impairment based on the fair value of the MSRs, using groupings of the underlying loans by interest rates. Any impairment of a grouping would be reported as a valuation allowance. A primary factor influencing the fair value is the estimated life of the underlying loans serviced. The estimated life of the loans serviced is significantly influenced by market interest rates. During a period of declining interest rates, the fair value of the MSRs is expected to decline due to anticipated prepayments within the portfolio. Alternatively, during a period of rising interest rates, the fair value of MSRs is expected to increase as prepayments on the underlying loans would be anticipated to decline. Management utilizes an independent third party on a monthly basis to assist with the fair value estimate of the MSRs.

Income Tax Accounting – Income tax liabilities or assets are established for the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are also established for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or tax returns. A deferred tax liability or asset is recognized for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences and deductions that can be carried forward (used) in future years. The valuation of current and deferred tax liabilities and assets is considered critical as it requires management to make estimates based on provisions of the enacted tax laws. The assessment of tax liabilities and assets involves the use of estimates, assumptions, interpretations, and judgments concerning certain accounting pronouncements and federal and state tax codes. There can be no assurance that future events, such as court decisions or positions of federal and state taxing authorities, will not differ from management’s current assessment, the impact of which could be significant to the consolidated results of operations and reported earnings. The Company believes its tax assets and liabilities are adequate and are properly recorded in the consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2010.
 
 
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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets – Goodwill resulting from business combinations prior to January 1, 2009 represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill resulting from business combinations after January 1, 2009 represents the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired that are individually identified and separately recognized. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually. The Company has selected September 30th as the date to perform the annual impairment test. Intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite life on the Company’s balance sheet.

At a minimum, management is required to assess goodwill and other intangible assets annually for impairment. This assessment involves estimating cash flows for future periods, preparing analyses of market multiples for similar operations, and estimating the fair value of the reporting unit to which the goodwill is allocated. If the future cash flows are materially less than the estimates, the Company would be required to take a charge against earnings to write down the asset to the lower fair value. Based on its assessment, the Company believes its goodwill of $10 million and other identifiable intangibles of $117,000 were not impaired and are properly recorded in the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2010.

Impairment of Investment Securities – Unrealized losses for all investment securities are reviewed to determine whether the losses are “other-than-temporary.” Investment securities are evaluated for OTTI on at least a quarterly basis and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation to determine whether a decline in their value below amortized cost is other-than-temporary. In conducting this assessment, the Company evaluates a number of factors including, but not limited to:

·     The length of time and the extent to which fair value has been less than the amortized cost basis;
·     The Company’s intent to hold until maturity or sell the debt security prior to maturity;
·     An analysis of whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery;
·     Adverse conditions specifically related to the security, an industry, or a geographic area;
·     The historical and implied volatility of the fair value of the security;
·     The payment structure of the security and the likelihood of the issuer being able to make payments;
·     Failure of the issuer to make scheduled interest or principal payments;
·     Any rating changes by a rating agency; and
·     Recoveries or additional decline in fair value subsequent to the balance sheet date.

The term “other-than-temporary” is not intended to indicate that the decline is permanent, but indicates that the prospects for a near-term recovery of value are not necessarily favorable, or that there is a general lack of evidence to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the carrying value of the investment. Once a decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary, the value of the security is reduced and a corresponding charge to earnings is recognized for the anticipated credit losses.

See additional discussion regarding impairment charges that the Company recorded during 2008, 2009 and 2010 under Footnote 2 “Investment Securities” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Regulatory Developments

As disclosed in Footnote 23 “Regulatory Matters,” Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” the FDIC concluded as part of its 2009 CRA Evaluation that RB&T violated Regulation B regarding documentation of spousal obligations on a limited number of loans identified within RB&T’s commercial lending area.

Prior to the FDIC’s notification to RB&T of the 2009 CRA Evaluation results, RB&T changed certain procedures and processes to better document its commercial loan origination process as it relates to the intent of both spouses to apply for and become obligated to repay certain commercial loans. The FDIC has notified RB&T of certain additional corrective actions to be undertaken in response to the alleged Regulation B violations. At this time, management is uncertain if and when the FDIC may issue further corrective actions.
 
 
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On February 10, 2011, RB&T received a Notice of Charges for an Order to Cease and Desist and Notice of Hearing from the FDIC (the “Notice”) regarding its RAL program. A copy of the Notice is set forth as Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 10, 2011. The Notice contends that RB&T’s practice of originating RALs without the benefit of the DI from the IRS is unsafe and unsound. The Notice does not address RB&T’s ERC and ERD products. The Notice initiated an agency adjudication proceeding, In Republic Bank & Trust Company, to determine whether the FDIC should issue a cease and desist order to restrain RB&T’s RAL program.

As part of the process initiated by the Notice, RB&T is entitled to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) appointed by the FDIC. The Notice set RB&T’s hearing at 60 days from the date of service of the Notice or on such date and at such place as may be set by the ALJ. As part of the hearing process, the ALJ will take evidence on the items specified in the Notice and make a recommendation of findings of fact to the FDIC Board of Directors, which may accept or reject the ALJ’s recommendation. There is no statutory timeline in which the ALJ must make a recommendation to the FDIC, but the recommendation is generally due 45 days after the hearing-related matters are concluded. The FDIC Board of Directors would have 90 days after the date of the ALJ’s recommendation, or argument before the FDIC Board, to render a decision. In the case of an adverse decision, RB&T would have the right to appeal the resulting order to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Filing an appeal would not operate as a stay of the order.

The Board and management believe the charges from the FDIC to be without merit and intend to vigorously defend RB&T’s right to offer a legal product to those who wish to purchase the product.

On February 28, 2011, RB&T filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky against the FDIC and various officers of the FDIC in their official capacities, entitled Republic Bank and Trust Company v. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, et al. The complaint states that the FDIC’s actions to prohibit RB&T from offering RALs constitute a generally applicable change in law that must be administered through the traditional notice and comment rulemaking required by the Administrative Procedure Act (the “APA”) or otherwise in a fashion permitted by law that is separate and apart from the adjudicatory process initiated by the Notice. The complaint also states that the FDIC has unlawfully ignored its procedural rules regarding discovery in the proceedings initiated by the Notice by conducting a series of unscheduled “visitations.” The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief.

See Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 10, 2011 for additional detail regarding the Notice.

OVERVIEW

Table 1 – Summary
 
Year Ended December 31, (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Net income
  $ 64,753     $ 42,131     $ 33,652  
Diluted earnings per Class A Common Stock
    3.10       2.02       1.62  
Return on average assets (ROA)
    1.85 %     1.23 %     1.04 %
Return on average equity (ROE)
    17.92 %     13.77 %     12.58 %
 
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $64.8 million, representing an increase of $22.6 million, or 54%, compared to the same period in 2009. Diluted earnings per Class A Common Share increased 53% from $2.02 for the year ended December 31, 2009 to $3.10 for the same period in 2010. Additional discussion follows in this section of the filing under “Results of Operations.”
 
 
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General highlights by segment for the year ended December 31, 2010 consisted of the following:

Traditional Banking

·     
Net income increased $2.5 million, or 16%, for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.
 
·     
Net interest income decreased $4.7 million, or 4%, for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The Traditional Banking segment net interest margin declined 22 basis points for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 to 3.57%.
 
·     
Provision for loan losses was $11.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $15.9 million for the same period in 2009.
 
·     
Non interest income increased $2.0 million, or 10%, for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.
 
·     
Total non interest expense decreased $1.5 million, or 2%, for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.
 
·     
Total non-performing loans to total loans decreased to 1.30% at December 31, 2010, from 1.90% at December 31, 2009, as the total balance of non-performing loans decreased by nearly $15 million for the same period.

Tax Refund Solutions (“TRS”)

·     
Net income increased $24.3 million, or 121%, for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.
 
·     
Net interest income decreased $2.0 million, or 4%, for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.
 
·     
TRS recorded a provision for loan losses of $8.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to $18.1 million for 2009.
 
·     
TRS posted non interest income of $59.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $25.9 million for the same period in 2009.
 
·     
The IRS announced it would no longer provide the DI to banks that participate in the RAL business. See discussion under “Results of Operations” in this section of the filing for further discussion related to the DI and for other matters impacting TRS.
 
·     
Total RAL dollar volume increased 22% from $2.5 billion during the 2009 tax season to $3.0 billion during the 2010 tax season.
 
·     
The Company obtained $562 million in brokered deposits during the fourth quarter of 2010 to fund projected RAL volume during the first quarter 2011 tax season.
 
For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
·    Part I Item 1 “Business”
·    Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors”
·    Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:”
o   “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates”
o   “Recent Developments”
o   “Results of Operations”
o   “Financial Condition”
·    Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:”
o   Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
o   Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
o   Footnote 4 “Securitization”
o   Footnote 9 “Deposits”
o   Footnote 22 “Segment Information”
o   Footnote 23 “Regulatory Matters”
 
 
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Mortgage Banking

·     
Within the Mortgage Banking segment, Mortgage Banking income decreased $5.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.
 
·     
Mortgage banking income was negatively impacted by a decline in secondary market loan volume during 2010. During 2010, Republic originated for sale $289 million of fixed rate residential real estate secondary market loans compared to $556 million originated for sale during 2009.
 
·     
Mortgage banking income during 2009 was positively impacted by the reversal of $1.2 million of the valuation allowance related to the MSR portfolio.
 
·     
Non interest expenses increased $905,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 primarily due to a change in the allocation of certain shared expenses during 2010 between business operating segments.
 
General highlights by segment for the year ended December 31, 2009 consisted of the following:

Traditional Banking

·     
Net income decreased $3.1 million, or 17%, for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.
 
·     
Net interest income decreased $841,000, or 1%, for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.
 
·     
Provision for loan losses was $15.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to $8.2 million for the same period in 2008.
 
·     
Non interest income increased $9.2 million, or 81%, for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.
 
·     
Total non interest expense increased $6.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.
 
·     
Total non-performing loans to total loans increased to 1.90% at December 31, 2009, from 0.58% at December 31, 2008, as the total balance of non-performing loans increased by nearly $30 million for the same period.

Tax Refund Solutions (“TRS”)

·     
Net income increased $6.7 million, or 51%, for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.
 
·     
In addition to the increased RAL dollar volume, ERC dollar volume increased approximately 42% for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
·     
Net interest income increased $34.5 million, or 190%, for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.
 
·     
Non interest income decreased $5.3 million, or 17%, for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.
 
·     
As a result of the increase in volume, the higher current overall RAL delinquency rate and the change in funding strategy for TRS from the prior year, the TRS segment’s provision for loan losses increased from $8.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 to $18.1 million during the same period in 2009.
 
·     
For the year ended December 31, 2009, total non interest expenses within the TRS segment increased $6.4 million, or 30%, compared to the same period in 2008.
 
·     
The Company obtained $921 million in brokered deposits during the fourth quarter of 2009 to be used as funding for expected RAL volume during the first quarter 2010 tax season. The weighted average cost of the brokered deposits obtained during the fourth quarter of 2009 for the first quarter 2010 tax season was 0.51% with a final maturity of three months.
 
 
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Mortgage Banking

·     
Within the Mortgage Banking segment, Mortgage Banking income increased $7.5 million, or 212%, for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. The Company sold $556 million of fixed rate residential real estate loans into the secondary market during 2009 compared to $235 million during 2008.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Tax Refund Solutions (“TRS”)

TRS Material Contracts

During September and December of 2010, RB&T amended its Program Agreement with Jackson Hewitt, Inc. (“JHI”) to, among other things:
 
·     
Incorporate certain terms of the Technology Agreement into the Program Agreement to provide that JHI assumes responsibility for provision of certain technology services, including personnel and support, and training previously provided by Jackson Hewitt Technology Services LLC (“JHTSL”);
·     
Eliminate the fees payable by RB&T to JHI and JHTSL;
·     
Extend the term of the agreement to October 31, 2015, unless terminated earlier;
·     
Name RB&T as the exclusive provider of all RAL and/or AR products for a mutually agreed upon list of locations through the term of the contract;
·     
Give RB&T the right of first refusal to be a financial product provider if a location is not served by another RAL provider;
·     
Provide that in the event RB&T is no longer a RAL provider, RB&T shall remain JHI’s AR provider under the terms of the Sixth Amendment; and
·     
Provide RB&T with the right to terminate the agreement and receive payment of certain monies if RB&T experiences RAL delinquency in excess of a designated level.

As a result of this amendment, a greater percentage of RB&T’s tax product volume will be originated through JH tax preparation offices in 2011; however, the total number of tax preparation offices offering RB&T’s tax products will remain equal to or below the total number of tax preparation offices offering RB&T’s products in 2010.

IRS Decision to Withhold the DI

On August 5, 2010, the IRS issued a news release stating that it will no longer provide tax preparers and associated financial institutions with the DI beginning with the first quarter 2011 tax season. The DI indicates whether an individual taxpayer will have any portion of the refund offset for delinquent tax or other debts, such as unpaid child support or federally funded student loans.

While underwriting for RALs involves several individual components, the DI has historically represented a significant part of the overall underwriting for the product. Without the DI, RB&T will experience a higher provision for loan losses related to its RAL portfolio during 2011. Management believes that it estimated its RAL loan losses as a percentage of originations within a reasonable degree of certainty entering the 2011 tax season. To mitigate the loss of the DI, RB&T modified its underwriting and application requirements to approve fewer RALs, significantly reduced the maximum RAL amount to $1,500 for individual customers and raised its offering price to the consumer.

RB&T’s revised underwriting standards and application requirements combined with its reduced maximum RAL offering amount are expected to result in a projected 50% or more reduction in the aggregate dollar volume of RALs originated by the Bank during 2011. Based on these factors, the Company believes its funding needs for the first quarter 2011 tax season will be reduced by more than 50% of its first quarter 2010 requirements. Management believes net income within the TRS segment will increase during 2011 if the Company can achieve its projected RAL and ERC/ERD product volumes and provision for loan loss estimates.

In addition to the elimination of the DI, the IRS also has announced plans to explore the possibility of providing a new tool for the first quarter 2012 tax filing season to give taxpayers a mechanism to use a portion of their tax refund to pay for the services of a professional tax preparer. This product would likely present direct competition for RB&T’s ERC products. At this time, the Company is uncertain what impact, if any, this IRS product could have on the Company’s results of operations in 2012.
 
 
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For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
·  
Part I Item 1 “Business”
·  
Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors”
·  
Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:”
o  
“Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates”
o  
“Recent Developments”
o  
“Overview”
o  
“Results of Operations”
o  
“Financial Condition”
·  
Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:”
o  
Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
o  
Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
o  
Footnote 4 “Securitization”
o  
Footnote 9 “Deposits”
o  
Footnote 22 “Segment Information”
o  
Footnote 23 “Regulatory Matters”

RB&T’s Two Largest Competitors in the Tax Industry Announced Their Exits from that Business Line

During 2010, the two larger banking competitors to RB&T within the tax refund industry announced they were exiting the business and would not provide products for the first quarter 2011 tax season. Based on limited information available, management believes that one of the two institutions exited this business line due to the burden of complying with new regulatory product offering guidelines, anticipated changes in consumer protection guidelines and on-going regulatory pressure combined with the immateriality of this line of business to its overall results of operation. According to printed reports, RB&T’s other large competitor, which had previously announced it would voluntarily exit the tax business in 2013, exited this business line in late 2010 due to a regulatory mandate that it could no longer offer RALs. RB&T’s management believes that these chains of events could dramatically increase the level of public and regulatory scrutiny RB&T receives in this line of business, as RB&T is now the largest provider of RALs remaining in the banking industry.

In addition, during February 2011, Republic’s two remaining competitors in the tax business that offered RALs announced that they would not offer RALs beyond the 2011 calendar year. This action left RB&T as the only bank remaining in the tax industry with plans to offer RALs beyond the 2011 calendar year, further increasing public and regulatory pressure for RB&T to discontinue the RAL product.

Notice of Charges for an Order to Cease and Desist and Notice of Hearing

On February 10, 2011, RB&T received a Notice of Charges for an Order to Cease and Desist and Notice of Hearing from the FDIC regarding its RAL program. A copy of the Notice is set forth as Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 10, 2011. The Notice contends that RB&T’s practice of originating RALs without the benefit of the Debt Indicator from the IRS is unsafe and unsound. The Notice does not address RB&T’s ERC and ERD products. The Notice initiated an agency adjudication proceeding, In Republic Bank & Trust Company, to determine whether the FDIC should issue a cease and desist order to restrain RB&T’s RAL program.

As part of the process initiated by the Notice, RB&T is entitled to a hearing before an ALJ appointed by the FDIC. The Notice set RB&T’s hearing at 60 days from the date of service of the Notice or on such date and at such place as may be set by the ALJ. As part of the hearing process, the ALJ will take evidence on the items specified in the Notice and make a recommendation of findings of fact to the FDIC Board of Directors, which may accept or reject the ALJ’s recommendation. There is no statutory timeline in which the ALJ must make a recommendation to the FDIC, but the recommendation is generally due 45 days after the hearing-related matters are concluded. The FDIC Board of Directors would have 90 days after the date of the ALJ’s recommendation, or argument before the FDIC Board, to render a decision. In the case of an adverse decision, RB&T would have the right to appeal the resulting order to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Filing an appeal would not operate as a stay of the order.
 
 
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The Board and management believe the charges from the FDIC to be without merit and intend to vigorously defend RB&T’s right to offer a legal product to those who wish to purchase the product.

On February 28, 2011, RB&T filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky against the FDIC and various officers of the FDIC in their official capacities, entitled Republic Bank and Trust Company v. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, et al. The complaint states that the FDIC’s actions to prohibit RB&T from offering RALs constitute a generally applicable change in law that must be administered through the traditional notice and comment rulemaking required by the APA or otherwise in a fashion permitted by law that is separate and apart from the adjudicatory process initiated by the Notice. The complaint also states that the FDIC has unlawfully ignored its procedural rules regarding discovery in the proceedings initiated by the Notice by conducting a series of unscheduled “visitations.” The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief.

See Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 10, 2011 for additional detail regarding the Notice.

Discussion of 2010 vs. 2009

Net interest income within the TRS segment decreased $2.0 million, or 4%, for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The decrease in net interest income within the TRS segment was primarily due to a $5.3 million, or 9%, reduction in RAL fee income resulting from the Company’s revised 2010 pricing model, which substantially lowered RB&T’s RAL fee to its customers. In conjunction with the revised 2010 pricing model, Republic significantly reduced third party rebates to its technology and service providers, partially offsetting the reduction in price. TRS was also able to partially offset the decline in RAL fees through an increase in volume, as the total number of RALs processed increased 15% over 2009 while the dollar volume of RALs processed increased 22%.

TRS net interest income benefited significantly from lower funding costs during 2010 compared to 2009. Average brokered deposits outstanding utilized to fund RALs during year ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were $313 million and $447 million with a weighted average cost of 0.50% and 0.97%, respectively. As a result, interest expense for the TRS segment was $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, a decrease of $3.4 million, or 68%, from the same period in 2009.

Substantially all RALs issued by the Company each year are made during the first quarter. At March 31st of each year the Company reserves for its estimated RAL losses for the year based on current year and historical funding patterns and based on information received from the IRS on current year payment processing. The Company charges off substantially all outstanding RALs by June 30th each year with subsequent collections recorded as recoveries. Losses associated with RALs result from the IRS not remitting taxpayer refunds to the Company associated with a particular tax return. This occurs for a number of reasons including IRS audits resulting from revenue protection strategies, errors in the tax return, tax return fraud and tax debts not previously disclosed to the Company during its underwriting process. While the RAL application form is completed by the taxpayer in the tax-preparer’s office, the credit approval criteria is established by TRS and the underwriting decision is made by TRS. TRS reviews and evaluates all tax returns to determine the likelihood of IRS payment. If any attribute of the tax return appears to fall outside of predetermined parameters, TRS will not originate the RAL.

Within the TRS segment during 2010 (primarily the first quarter), the Company processed 22% more in dollars of RALS compared to the same period in 2009. Despite the increase in dollar volume of RALs processed during the 2010 tax season, the provision for loan losses associated with RALs decreased from $18.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2009 (with $22.0 million related to the first quarter of 2009) to $8.1 million during 2010 (with $14.0 million related to the first quarter of 2010). The decrease in the Company’s provision for loan losses was due to improved underwriting criteria developed from the Company’s 2009 tax season funding history from the IRS.

TRS non interest income increased $33.3 million, or 129%, for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. Net ERC/ERD fees increased $33.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 primarily attributable to the overall increase in volume at TRS during the tax season. ERC/ERD fee income was positively impacted by a 24% increase in the number of ERCs/ERDs processed. In addition, the Company increased ERC/ERD fee income significantly by reducing third party rebates to its technology and service providers.

TRS non interest expenses increased $5.5 million, or 20%, for 2010 compared to 2009. Salaries and employee benefits at TRS increased $1.9 million, or 23%, during 2010 compared to 2009. Approximately $865,000 of this increase related to higher bonus accruals, as TRS achieved its maximum tier for its 2010 profitability goal. The remaining increase in salaries and benefits was due to annual merit increases, additional staffing and increased employee benefits expense. Marketing and development expense decreased $2.5 million, or 25%, during the year ended December 31, 2010 due to a reduction in the fixed-payment portion of expenses associated with the Program and Technology Agreements with JH. The decrease was the result of amended contract terms reached for the 2010 tax season. Charitable contribution expense totaled $4.7 million at TRS for the year ended December 31, 2010. Due to the financial success the Company achieved in the first quarter of 2010, Republic made a $5 million contribution to the new Republic Bank Foundation, which was formed to support charitable, educational, scientific and religious organizations throughout communities in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Florida. The Company allocated the cost of this contribution to its operating segments using a formula based on gross profits.
 
 
60

 
 
Subsequent to the first quarter of 2010, the results of operations for the TRS business operating segment consist primarily of fixed overhead expenses and adjustments to the segment’s estimated provision for loan losses, as estimated results became final. However, as was the case in 2009 and 2010, the fourth quarter was impacted by the funding strategy for the following first quarter’s tax season. As detailed in the section titled “TRS Funding – First Quarter 2011 Tax Season” above under Item 1 “Business,” the TRS business operating segment incurred a fourth quarter net loss of $2.7 million with approximately $70,000 attributable to the negative spread the segment earned on brokered deposits obtained for the first quarter 2011 tax season. For the fourth quarter of 2009, the TRS segment reported a net loss of $1.4 million with approximately $173,000 attributable to the negative spread the segment earned on brokered deposits obtained for the first quarter 2010 tax season.

Discussion of 2009 vs. 2008

Net interest income within the TRS segment increased $34.5 million, or 190%, for 2009 compared to 2008. The increase in net interest income within the TRS segment was due to a 39% growth in the dollar volume of RALs originated combined with the change in funding strategy for TRS from the prior year. During the 2009 tax season, all $57.0 million in net RAL fee income was included in interest income on loans, while only $19.7 million in net RAL fee income during the 2008 tax season was included in interest income on loans with $21.6 million in net RAL fees recorded as a component of net RAL securitization income.

Within the TRS segment during 2009 (primarily the first quarter), the Company processed 39% more in dollars of RALs compared to the same period in 2008. The TRS segment’s provision for loan losses increased from $8.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 (with $7.5 million related to the first quarter of 2008) to $18.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2009 (with $22.0 million related to the first quarter of 2009). Included as a reduction to the 2009 TRS provision for loan losses was $2.4 million representing a limited preparer-provided guarantee for RAL product performance. Substantially all of this credit was recorded during the first quarter of 2009. Not included in the 2008 net provision for loan losses was $6.4 million for losses associated with securitized RALs which were recorded as a reduction to net RAL securitization income because these losses represented a decrease in the net present value of the future estimated cash flows of the residual interest. The increase in losses associated with RALs during 2009 was primarily due to the increased overall volume, coupled with higher estimated RAL losses as a percent of total originations related to an increase in the amount of refunds held by the IRS for reasons such as errors in the tax return, tax return fraud and tax debts not previously disclosed to the Company. As of December 31, 2009, $18.1 million of RALs originated during 2009 were charged off compared to $15.3 million (includes $6.4 million of securitized RALs) at December 31, 2008 for RALs originated during 2008.

TRS non interest income decreased $5.3 million, or 170%, for 2009 compared to 2008. Approximately $12.8 million of the net change in non interest income was due to the change in the Company’s funding strategy for the tax business during the first quarter 2009 tax season. The securitization utilized during 2008 had the effect of reclassifying the fee income earned, interest expense paid for securitized RALs and provision expense for securitized RALs into “Net RAL securitization income,” which is a component of non interest income. During 2009, these items were classified in interest income on loans, interest expense on deposits and provision for loan losses, respectively. The Company recognized net RAL securitization income of $13.3 million (with $12.6 million associated with the first quarter) and sold $1.1 billion RALs into the securitization during 2008.

Net ERC fees increased $7.5 million, or 42%, for 2009 compared to 2008 attributable to the overall increase in volume at TRS during the tax season. The increase in ERC fees was consistent with the growth in the overall tax program, which resulted from additional business obtained through the Company’s Jackson Hewitt relationship and through the Company’s independent tax-preparer customer base.

As detailed in the section titled “TRS Funding – First Quarter 2010 Tax Season” above under Item 1 “Business,” the TRS business operating segment incurred a fourth quarter net loss of $1.4 million with approximately $173,000 attributable to the negative spread the segment earned on brokered deposits obtained for the first quarter 2010 tax season. For the fourth quarter of 2008, the TRS segment reported a net loss of $3.0 million with approximately $2.2 million attributable to the negative spread the segment earned on brokered deposits obtained for the first quarter 2009 tax season. The improvement from the fourth quarter of 2008 was due to the more favorable interest rate environment during the fourth quarter of 2009.
 
 
61

 
 
For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
·     
Part I Item 1 “Business”
·     
Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors”
·     
Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:”
o     
“Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates”
o     
“Recent Developments”
o     
“Overview”
o     
“Results of Operations”
o     
“Financial Condition”
·     
Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:”
o     
Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
o     
Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
o     
Footnote 4 “Securitization”
o     
Footnote 9 “Deposits”
o     
Footnote 22 “Segment Information”
o     
Footnote 23 “Regulatory Matters”

Table 2 – Net RAL Securitization Income

Detail of Net RAL securitization income follows:
 
                   
Year Ended December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Net gain on sale of RALs
  $ -     $ -     $ 8,307  
Increase in securitization residual
    265       514       5,040  
                         
Net RAL securitization income
  $ 265     $ 514     $ 13,347  
                         
 
For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
·     
Part I Item 1 “Business”
·     
Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors”
·     
Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:”
o     
“Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates”
o     
“Recent Developments”
o     
“Overview”
o     
“Results of Operations”
o     
“Financial Condition”
·     
Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:”
o     
Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
o     
Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
o     
Footnote 4 “Securitization”
o     
Footnote 9 “Deposits”
o     
Footnote 22 “Segment Information”
o     
Footnote 23 “Regulatory Matters”
 
 
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Net Interest Income
 
The largest source of Republic’s revenue is net interest income. Net interest income is the difference between interest income on interest-earning assets, such as loans and investment securities and the interest expense on liabilities used to fund those assets, such as interest-bearing deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances. Net interest income is impacted by both changes in the amount and composition of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as market interest rates.
 
Discussion of 2010 vs. 2009
 
Total Company net interest income decreased $7.1 million, or 4%, for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The total Company net interest margin decreased 39 basis points to 4.65% for the same period. The significant components comprising the total Company increase in net interest income were as follows:

Traditional Banking segment
 
Net interest income decreased $4.7 million, or 4%, for 2010 compared to 2009. The Traditional Bank’s net interest margin declined 22 basis points for the same period to 3.57%. The decrease in net interest income was due primarily to a decline in interest income resulting from the continued paydowns and downward repricing of loans and investments. Generally, the Company’s strategy has largely been not to reinvest the cash it has been receiving from its loan and investment paydowns and pay-offs into assets with longer-term repricing horizons due to market projections of interest rate increases in the future. As a result, much of the cash the Company received from paydowns over the past several quarters has been reinvested into short-term, lower yielding investments, which has greatly improved the Company’s risk position from future interest rate increases, while negatively impacting current earnings.
 
The Company was able to partially offset the downward pressure on interest income during 2010 by utilizing the following liability strategies:
 
·     
Continued lowering cost of funds by reducing rates on deposit products;
 
·     
Exited a higher costing brokered money market relationship during September 2010. This relationship maintained average balances with Republic of approximately $47 million during 2010 and was paid a rate equivalent to three month LIBOR plus 0.25 basis points, which equated to an average interest rate of 0.65%. The withdrawal of funds was facilitated by Republic through a reduction in cash at the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) which was earning 0.25% for the Company.
 
·     
Paid off FHLB advances prior to their scheduled maturity dates. In total, the Company prepaid $87 million in FHLB advances with a weighted average cost of 3.48% during the first quarter of 2010. This strategy positively impacted net interest income for 2010 by an estimated $1.2 million.
 
As a result of the above strategies, the Banking segment lowered its cost of interest bearing liabilities by 6 basis points during 2010, to 1.49%.
 
In addition to the above liability strategies, the Company also retained in its portfolio during 2010 approximately $65 million of 15-year fixed rate residential real estate loans that it has traditionally sold into the secondary market. The weighted average rate of these loans was 3.96% with approximately $57 million of these loans retained during the fourth quarter of the year.

As previously stated, during 2009 and 2010 the Company employed a conservative investment strategy, which involved minimal credit risk and minimal interest rate risk, leading the Company to hold a significant sum of cash at the Federal Reserve for much of the previous two years. In February 2011, the Company modified this conservative investment strategy, taking on more interest rate risk by reinvesting a portion of its excess cash into longer-term investment securities, thus increasing its projected net interest income and net interest margin in the near term. The Company made this revision to its conservative strategy, in large part, due to the on-going contraction of its net interest margin resulting from continued paydowns in its loan portfolio and the large amount of cash on hand earning 0.25%. Altogether, the Company purchased approximately $150 million of agency notes and mortgage-backed securities with an initial average yield of 3.61% and an average duration of 6.5 years. While this strategy will improve the Company’s near-term outlook for its net interest margin and net interest income, it will also negatively impact the Company’s interest rate risk position in a rising rate environment.

The Company expects to continue to receive paydowns in its loan and investment portfolios. These paydowns will continue to cause compression in Republic’s net interest income and net interest margin, as the cash received from these paydowns is reinvested at lower yields. Additionally, because the Federal Funds Target rate (“FFTR”) (the index which many of the Company’s short-term deposit rates track) has remained at a target range between 0.00% and 0.25%, no future FFTR decreases from the Federal Open Markets Committee (“FOMC”) of the FRB are possible, exacerbating the compression to the Company’s net interest income and net interest margin caused by its repricing loans and investments. The Company is unable to precisely determine the ultimate negative impact to the Company’s net interest spread and margin in the future because several factors remain unknown at this time, such as future demand for financial products and the overall future need for liquidity, among many other factors.
 
 
63

 
 
For additional information on the potential future effect of changes in short-term interest rates on Republic’s net interest income, see the table titled “Interest Rate Sensitivity for 2010” in this section of the filing.
 
TRS segment

Net interest income within the TRS segment decreased $2.0 million, or 4%, for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The decrease in net interest income within the TRS segment was primarily due to a $5.4 million, or 9%, reduction in RAL fee income resulting from the Company’s revised 2010 pricing model, which substantially lowered RB&T’s RAL fee to its customers. In conjunction with the revised 2010 pricing model, Republic significantly reduced third party rebates to its technology and service providers, partially offsetting the reduction in price. TRS was also able to partially offset the decline in RAL fees through an increase in volume, as the total number of RALs processed increased 15% over 2009 while the dollar volume of RALs processed increased 22%.

TRS net interest income benefited significantly from lower funding costs during 2010 compared to 2009. Average brokered deposits outstanding utilized to fund RALs during 2010 and 2009 were $313 million and $447 million with a weighted average cost of 0.50% and 0.97%, respectively. As a result, interest expense for the TRS segment was $1.6 million for 2010, a decrease of $3.4 million, or 68%, from 2009.

For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
·    Part I Item 1 “Business”
·    Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors”
·    Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:”
o    “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates”
o    “Recent Developments”
o    “Overview”
o    “Results of Operations”
o    “Financial Condition”
·    Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:”
o    Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
o    Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
o    Footnote 4 “Securitization”
o    Footnote 9 “Deposits”
o    Footnote 22 “Segment Information”
o    Footnote 23 “Regulatory Matters”
 
Discussion of 2009 vs. 2008
 
Total Company net interest income increased $34.1 million, or 26%, for 2009 compared to 2008. The total Company net interest margin increased 84 basis points to 5.04% for the same period. The most significant components comprising the total Company increase in net interest income were as follows:

Traditional Banking segment

Net interest income decreased $841,000, or 1%, for 2009 compared to 2008. The traditional Bank’s net interest margin for the year ended December 31, 2009 declined 17 basis points compared to 2008, to 3.79%. From 2007 through early 2009, net interest income within the Traditional Banking segment benefitted from low short-term interest rates in combination with a “steep” yield curve and an increase in average-earning assets. The month-to-month improvement in this benefit when comparing to the same month in the previous year, however, began to decrease in late 2008, as the Company could no longer lower the rate on many of its interest-bearing liabilities, while its higher yielding interest-earning assets continued to paydown and reprice lower. A significant cause of the decline in the yield on interest-earning assets was the large amount of excess cash the Bank had on hand during 2009 earning a maximum of 0.25% at the FRB. In addition, on the liability side of the balance sheet, the Bank extended maturities on $185 million of its FHLB advances during the first and second quarters of 2009 in order to mitigate its risk position from a future rise in short-term interest rates. The weighted average cost of these advances went from 0.25% on an overnight basis to 2.99% after their maturities were extended.
 
 
64

 

As a result of the factors above, the comparison of the net interest income each month to same month in the prior year became negative during the second quarter of 2009. While the Bank was able to offset this monthly decline somewhat during the third quarter of 2009, this negative trend continued to a larger extent in the fourth quarter of 2009. To reduce the negative impact of its declining net interest margin during 2009, the Bank chose to lower its offering rates for new and renewing certificates of deposits, and in particular, to those clients who only held only certificates of deposit at the Bank. As a result of this strategy, the Bank was able to reduce much of its excess, low-yielding cash balances on hand during the year, as well as further reduce its cost of interest-bearing liabilities.

Within its interest-earning assets, in order to take advantage of the steep yield curve, the Bank initiated two separate programs in 2009 to retain pools of 15-year fixed rate residential real estate loans, which the Company has traditionally sold into the secondary market. The Bank initiated these programs to offset the reduction in its traditional loan portfolio, which resulted from a tightening of the Bank’s credit standards and a shift in consumer demand to fixed rate secondary market loan products. These retained pools reached approximately $95 million in outstanding balances at December 31, 2009. The Bank funded these loans with an equal amount of fixed rate advances from the FHLB with an average life of approximately five years. The overall yield on these loans was approximately 4.70% with an overall funding cost associated with the corresponding FHLB advances of 2.90%.

TRS segment

Net interest income within the TRS segment increased $34.5 million, or 190%, for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. The increase in net interest income within the TRS segment was due to a 39% growth in the dollar volume of RALs originated combined with the change in funding strategy for TRS from the prior year. During the 2009 tax season, all $57.0 million in net RAL fee income was included in interest income on loans, while only $19.7 million in net RAL fee income during the 2008 tax season was included in interest income on loans with $21.6 million in net RAL fees recorded as a component of net RAL securitization income.

For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
·     Part I Item 1 “Business”
·     Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors”
·     Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:”
o     “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates”
o     “Recent Developments”
o     “Overview”
o     “Results of Operations”
o     “Financial Condition”
·     Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:”
o     Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
o     Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
o     Footnote 4 “Securitization”
o     Footnote 9 “Deposits”
o     Footnote 22 “Segment Information”
o     Footnote 23 “Regulatory Matters”
 
Table 3 provides detailed information as to average balances, interest income/expense and rates by major balance sheet category for 2010, 2009 and 2008. Table 4 provides an analysis of the changes in net interest income attributable to changes in rates and changes in volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the same periods.
 
 
65

 
 
Table 3 – Average Balance Sheets and Interest Rates for Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Average
Balance
   
Interest
   
Average
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
   
Average
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
   
Average
Rate
 
                                                       
ASSETS
                                                     
                                                       
Interest-earning assets:
                                                     
Taxable investment securities,
                                                     
    including FHLB stock(1)
  $ 561,113     $ 15,799       2.82 %   $ 536,612     $ 19,535       3.64 %   $ 627,922     $ 30,145       4.80 %
Tax exempt investment securities(1)(4)
    160       11       10.58 %     384       23       9.08 %     1,704       57       5.15 %
Federal funds sold and other interest-
                                                                       
    earning deposits
    473,137       1,200       0.25 %     341,126       1,024       0.30 %     92,978       1,375       1.48 %
Refund Anticipation Loans and fees
    99,629       51,556       51.75 %     73,594       56,922       77.35 %     18,121       19,713       108.79 %
Traditional Bank loans and fees(2)(3)
    2,239,361       124,907       5.58 %     2,298,414       135,101       5.88 %     2,351,570       150,852       6.41 %
                                                                         
Total interest-earning assets
    3,373,400       193,473       5.74 %     3,250,130       212,605       6.54 %     3,092,295       202,142       6.54 %
                                                                         
Less: Allowance for loan losses
    27,755                       22,005                       15,556                  
                                                                         
Non interest-earning assets:
                                                                       
Non interest-earning cash and cash
                                                                       
    equivalents
    57,790                       99,461                       74,036                  
Premises and equipment, net
    38,458                       40,990                       40,969                  
Other assets(1)
    61,993                       47,149                       40,691                  
Total assets
  $ 3,503,886                     $ 3,415,725                     $ 3,232,435                  
                                                                         
LIABILITIES AND STOCK-
                                                                       
    HOLDERS' EQUITY
                                                                       
                                                                         
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                                                       
Transaction accounts
  $ 302,958     $ 561       0.19 %   $ 253,433     $ 245       0.10 %   $ 230,144     $ 775       0.34 %
Money market accounts
    636,963       2,845       0.45 %     581,220       3,172       0.55 %     594,272       10,538       1.77 %
Time deposits
    329,970       5,775       1.75 %     389,635       10,319       2.65 %     448,548       17,179       3.83 %
Brokered money market and
                                                                       
    brokered certificates of deposit
    456,000       3,948       0.87 %     459,989       8,151       1.77 %     326,316       11,989       3.67 %
                                                                         
Total deposits
    1,725,891       13,129       0.76 %     1,684,277       21,887       1.30 %     1,599,280       40,481       2.53 %
                                                                         
Securities sold under agreements
                                                                       
    to repurchase and other short-
                                                                       
    term borrowings
    330,154       1,026       0.31 %     323,688       1,063       0.33 %     375,676       6,200       1.65 %
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    574,181       19,991       3.48 %     630,294       23,277       3.69 %     588,381       23,215       3.95 %
Subordinated note
    41,240       2,515       6.10 %     41,240       2,515       6.10 %     41,240       2,522       6.12 %
                                                                         
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    2,671,466       36,661       1.37 %     2,679,499       48,742       1.82 %     2,604,577       72,418       2.78 %
                                                                         
Non interest-bearing liabilities
                                                                       
    and Stockholders' equity:
                                                                       
Non interest-bearing deposits
    421,162                       381,665                       321,308                  
Other liabilities
    49,901                       48,697                       38,972                  
Stockholders' equity
    361,357                       305,864                       267,578                  
Total liabilities and stock-
                                                                       
    holders' equity
  $ 3,503,886                     $ 3,415,725                     $ 3,232,435                  
                                                                         
Net interest income
          $ 156,812                     $ 163,863                     $ 129,724          
                                                                         
Net interest spread
                    4.36 %                     4.72 %                     3.76 %
                                                                         
Net interest margin
                    4.65 %                     5.04 %                     4.20 %
 
(continued)
 
 
66

 
 
Table 3 – Average Balance Sheets and Interest Rates for Years Ended December 31, (continued)
 
(1)
For the purpose of this calculation, the fair market value adjustment on investment securities resulting from FASB ASC topic 320 “Investments – Debt and Equity Securities” is included as a component of other assets.
(2)
The amount of loan fee income included in total interest income was $54.9 million, $60.7 million and $24.4 Million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.
(3)
Average balances for loans include the principal balance of non-accrual loans and loans held for sale.
(4)
Yields on tax exempt investment securities have been computed based on a fully tax-equivalent basis using the federal income tax rate of 35%.
 
Table 4 illustrates the extent to which changes in interest rates and changes in the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities impacted Republic’s interest income and interest expense during the periods indicated. Information is provided in each category with respect to (i) changes attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate), (ii) changes attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume) and (iii) net change. The changes attributable to the combined impact of volume and rate have been allocated proportionately to the changes due to volume and the changes due to rate.
 
Table 4 – Volume/Rate Variance Analysis
 
         
Year Ended December 31, 2010
         
Year Ended December 31, 2009
 
         
Compared to
         
Compared to
 
         
Year Ended December 31, 2009
         
Year Ended December 31, 2008
 
         
Increase / (Decrease) Due to
         
Increase / (Decrease) Due to
 
(in thousands)
 
Total Net
Change
   
Volume
   
Rate
   
Total Net
Change
   
Volume
   
Rate
 
                                     
Interest income:
                                   
                                     
Taxable investment securities,
                                   
    including FHLB stock
  $ (3,736 )   $ 909     $ (4,645 )   $ (10,610 )   $ (3,986 )   $ (6,624 )
Tax exempt investment securities
    (12 )     (37 )     25       (34 )     (61 )     27  
Federal funds sold and other
                                               
    interest-earning deposits
    176       352       (176 )     (351 )     1,417       (1,768 )
Traditional bank loans and fees
    (10,194 )     (3,412 )     (6,782 )     (15,751 )     (3,349 )     (12,402 )
Refund Anticipation Loans and  fees
    (5,366 )     16,694       (22,060 )     37,209       44,411       (7,202 )
                                                 
Net change in interest income
    (19,132 )     14,506       (33,638 )     10,463       38,432       (27,969 )
                                                 
Interest expense:
                                               
                                                 
Transaction accounts
    316       56       260       (530 )     71       (601 )
Money market accounts
    (327 )     285       (612 )     (7,366 )     (227 )     (7,139 )
Time deposits
    (4,544 )     (1,413 )     (3,131 )     (6,860 )     (2,048 )     (4,812 )
Brokered money market and
                                               
    brokered certificates of deposit
    (4,203 )     (70 )     (4,133 )     (3,838 )     3,788       (7,626 )
Securities sold under agreements
                                               
to repurchase and other short-term
                                         
    borrowings
    (37 )     21       (58 )     (5,137 )     (757 )     (4,380 )
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    (3,286 )     (2,000 )     (1,286 )     62       1,598       (1,536 )
Subordinated note
    -       -       -       (7 )     -       (7 )
                                                 
Net change in interest expense
    (12,081 )     (3,121 )     (8,960 )     (23,676 )     2,425       (26,101 )
                                                 
Net change in net interest income
  $ (7,051 )   $ 17,627     $ (24,678 )   $ 34,139     $ 36,007     $ (1,868 )
 
 
67

 
 
Provision for Loan Losses
 
Discussion of 2010 vs. 2009
 
The Company recorded a provision for loan losses of $19.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to $34.0 million for the same period in 2009. The significant components comprising the total Company decline in provision for loan losses follows:

Traditional Banking segment

The provision for loan losses within the Traditional Banking segment decreased by $4.3 million to $11.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to $15.9 million during 2009. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans within the Traditional Banking segment were 0.51% for 2010 compared to 0.34% during 2009. Net charge offs as a percent of average loans were significantly impacted by $5.0 million in charge-offs associated with ten commercial real estate relationships, which had been fully reserved for earlier in 2009 and early 2010. These commercial charge-offs increased the Traditional Bank’s net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans by 22 basis points during 2010.

Approximately $1.6 million of the decline in Traditional Banking segment provision for loan losses related to specific loss allocations associated with its large classified commercial loan relationships. Large commercial relationships are individually reviewed for classification and loan loss allocations when they have displayed an identified credit weakness. With improvement in the economy and the Company’s loan portfolio delinquency trends during 2010, management’s individual evaluation of these large credits produced a lower required loan loss provision as compared to 2009.

Approximately $1.4 million of the decline in Traditional Banking segment provision for loan losses related to stabilization of the Company’s 90-day delinquent and non-accrual “retail” and “small-dollar commercial” relationships not specifically evaluated as part of the Company’s large-dollar commercial classified asset review process. Loans falling into this category totaled $12 million at December 31, 2010 compared to $14 million at December 31, 2009. The increase in these balances during 2010 required an additional net loan loss provision of $488,000 during the year. Conversely, the substantial increase in these balances during 2009 required an additional loan loss provision of $1.9 million during 2009. The formula which determines the required loan loss reserves for loans falling into this category is calculated using migration analysis by loan type of prior year loss results.

Home equity loans are one of the Company’s largest homogenous pools of loans and are evaluated collectively in determining the allocated allowance. In determining the allocated allowance, management analyzes the average annual loss rates for the previous 5-year and 2-year periods, along with the current year loss rate, as well as comparisons to peer group corresponding loss rates. In addition, when qualitative factors, such as a general decline in home values, indicate an elevated risk of loss, management performs additional analysis on the home equity portfolio such as updating collateral values on a test basis.

Due to the steep decline in residential real estate values in Florida during 2009 and 2010, the Company expanded the analysis of its home equity portfolio in the Florida market. During the second quarter of 2010, the Company’s credit administration department obtained third party updated collateral values on home equity loans of $50,000 or greater in our Florida market, representing a substantial majority of the Florida home equity portfolio. In addition to obtaining a third party updated collateral value for each loan selected, the credit scores for the borrowers and the delinquent property tax statuses were also updated. As a result of the Company’s review of year to date actual net charge offs and additional analysis, Republic increased its consolidated home equity allocated allowance as a percentage of home equity loans outstanding to 0.85% in June 2010. The Company will continue to perform additional analyses in the future as warranted by the economic conditions.

TRS segment

Despite the increase in dollar volume of RALs processed during the 2010 tax season, the provision for loan losses associated with RALs decreased from $18.1 million during 2009 to $8.1 million during 2010. The decrease in the Company’s provision for loan losses was due to improved underwriting criteria developed from the Company’s 2009 tax season funding history from the IRS. RALs outstanding past their expected due date as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 were $10.8 million compared to $23.1 million during the 2009. Substantially all of these RALs were charged off prior to June 30, 2010 and 2009.
 
 
68

 
 
On August 5, 2010, the IRS issued a news release stating that it will no longer provide tax preparers and associated financial institutions with the DI beginning with the first quarter 2011 tax season. The DI indicates whether an individual taxpayer will have any portion of the refund offset for delinquent tax or other debts, such as unpaid child support or federally funded student loans.

While underwriting for RALs involves several individual components, the DI has historically represented a significant part of the overall underwriting for the product. Without the DI, the Company will experience a higher provision for loan losses related to its RAL portfolio during 2011.  As a result of the elimination of the DI, the Company modified its underwriting and application requirements to approve fewer RALs, and significantly reduced the maximum individual RAL amount to $1,500 in order to partially mitigate the anticipated increase in its provision for loan losses expected from the loss of the DI. These changes are expected to result in a projected 50% or more reduction in the aggregate dollar volume of RALs originated by the Bank during 2011.

See the section titled “Allowance for Loan Losses and Provision for Loan Losses” in this section of the filing under “Financial Condition” for additional discussion regarding the provision for loan losses.
 
Discussion of 2009 vs. 2008

The Company recorded a provision for loan losses of $34.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to $16.2 million for the same period in 2008. The significant components comprising the increase in the provision for loan losses were as follows:

Traditional Banking segment

The provision for loan losses within the Traditional Banking segment increased by $7.7 million to $15.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to $8.2 million during 2008. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans within the Traditional Banking segment were 0.34% for 2009 compared to 0.26% during 2008.

Approximately $3.0 million of the increase related to the identification of specific loss allocations associated with its large classified loan relationships. Approximately $4.3 million of the net $3.0 million increase related to new or increased reserve allocations, with $427,000 removed due to charge off and $864,000 removed due to reserve allocation reductions. Additionally, during 2009, the Company recorded a net provision expense of $1.9 million for its 90-day delinquent and non-accrual retail and small dollar commercial relationships not specifically evaluated as part of the Company’s large-dollar commercial classified asset review process. Finally, the Company increased its Traditional Banking segment’s provision for loan losses during 2009 by approximately $2.7 million related to quantitative and qualitative adjustments to its historical loss percentages for its general reserves across substantially all loan categories.

TRS segment

Within the TRS segment during 2009 (primarily the first quarter), the Company processed 39% more in dollars of RALs compared to the same period in 2008. The TRS segment’s provision for loan losses increased from $8.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 (with $7.5 million related to the first quarter of 2008) to $18.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2009 (with $22.0 million related to the first quarter of 2009). Included as a reduction to the 2009 TRS provision for loan losses was $2.4 million representing a limited preparer-provided guarantee for RAL product performance. Substantially all of this credit was recorded during the first quarter of 2009. Not included in the 2008 net provision for loan losses was $6.4 million for losses associated with securitized RALs which were recorded as a reduction to Net RAL securitization income because these losses represented a decrease in the net present value of the future estimated cash flows of the residual interest. The increase in losses associated with RALs during 2009 was primarily due to the increased overall volume coupled with higher estimated RAL losses as a percent of total originations related to an increase in the amount of refunds held by the IRS for reasons such as errors in the tax return, tax return fraud and tax debts not previously disclosed to the Company.

As of December 31, 2009, $23.1 million of RALs originated during 2009 were charged off compared to $15.3 million (includes $6.4 million of securitized RALs) at December 31, 2008 for RALs originated during 2008, representing 0.93% and 0.86% of total gross RALs originated during the respective tax years by the Company.
 
 
69

 
 
For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
 
·
Part I Item 1 “Business”
 
·
Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors”
 
·
Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:”
 
o
“Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates”
 
o
“Recent Developments”
 
o
“Overview”
 
o
“Results of Operations”
 
o
“Financial Condition”
 
·
Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:”
 
o
Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
 
o
Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
 
o
Footnote 4 “Securitization”
 
o
Footnote 9 “Deposits”
 
o
Footnote 22 “Segment Information”
 
o
Footnote 23 “Regulatory Matters”
 
Non Interest Income

Table 5 – Analysis of Non Interest Income
 
                     
Percent Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31, (dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
      2010/2009       2009/2008  
                                   
Service charges on deposit accounts
  $ 15,562     $ 19,156     $ 19,404       -19 %     -1 %
Electronic refund check fees
    58,789       25,289       17,756       132 %     42 %
Net RAL securitization income
    265       514       13,347       -48 %     -96 %
Mortgage banking income
    5,797       11,021       3,536       -47 %     212 %
Debit card interchange fee income
    5,067       5,114       4,776       -1 %     7 %
Net gain on sales and calls of investment securities
    -       -       1,917       0 %     -100 %
Net impairment loss on investment securities
    (221 )     (5,822 )     (16,281 )     -96 %     -64 %
Other
    2,399       2,349       1,505       2 %     56 %
                                         
Total non interest income
  $ 87,658     $ 57,621     $ 45,960       52 %     25 %
                                         

Discussion of 2010 vs. 2009

Non interest income increased $30.0 million, or 52%, for 2010 compared to 2009. The most significant components comprising the total Company increase in non interest income were as follows:

Traditional Banking segment

Traditional Banking segment non interest income increased $2.0 million, or 10%, for 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The increase in non interest income was primarily the result of a decrease in OTTI charges that the Company incurred for its private-label mortgage backed security portfolio. During 2009, the Company recorded $5.8 million in OTTI charges while recording only $221,000 during 2010. See Footnote 2 “Investment Securities” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional discussion.

Service charges on deposit accounts decreased $3.6 million, or 19%, during 2010 compared to 2009. Approximately $2.3 million of the decrease was due to the discontinuation of the Company’s Currency Connection checking product, which was marketed to clients on a national basis through various third parties. The Company discontinued the product because management did not believe that it would be able to grow revenue to a level which would achieve an acceptable profitability within the program, given a substantial anticipated increase in cost of future product delivery.
 
 
70

 
 
In November 2009, the FRB announced its amendment of Regulation E, which implemented the Electronic Funds Transfer Act (“EFTA”) effective for the third quarter of 2010. The EFTA prohibits financial institutions from charging consumers fees for paying overdrafts on automated teller machine (“ATM”) and one-time debit card transactions, unless a consumer affirmatively consents, or opts in, to the overdraft service for those types of transactions. Before opting in, the consumer must be provided a notice that explains the financial institution’s overdraft services, including the fees associated with the service, and the consumer’s choices. The final rules, along with a model opt-in notice, were issued under Regulation E, which implements the EFTA. The final rules required institutions to provide consumers who do not opt in with the same account terms, conditions, and features (including pricing) that they provide to consumers who do opt in. For consumers who do not opt in, the institution is prohibited from charging overdraft fees for any overdrafts it pays on ATM and one-time debit card transactions.

Approximately 13% of the Company’s overdraft fee related income for 2010 was generated by commercial type clients not subject to the new EFTA rules with another 10% of the Company’s income generated from accounts closed throughout the year. The Company implemented a program during the second quarter of 2010 to notify all eligible clients of the new “opt in” requirements of the EFTA rules. Through December 31, 2010, those clients who “opted in” generated approximately 65% of the Company’s overdraft fee income for the 2010. Approximately 2% of the Company’s overdraft related fee income during the 2010 was generated by clients who responded that they did not wish to “opt in” to the program. The remaining 10% of the Company’s overdraft related fee income for 2010 was generated by clients who did not respond to Republic’s notifications. These accounts were automatically removed or opted out of the Regulation E portion of the Company’s Overdraft Honor program. Management believes the EFTA did have a negative impact on the Company’s overdraft related fee income beginning in the third quarter of 2010 and will continue to do so in the future. A decrease in future overdraft fee related income resulting from the new Regulation E requirements may be partially offset by growth in the Company’s checking account base and potential fee increases for its overdraft related charges or other deposit related activities.

The Company earns a substantial majority of its fee income related to its overdraft service program from the per item fee it assesses its customers for each insufficient funds check or electronic debit presented for payment. In addition, the Company estimates that it has historically earned more than 60% of its overdraft related fees on the electronic debits presented for payment. Both the per item fee and the daily fee assessed to the account resulting from its overdraft status, if computed as a percentage of the amount overdrawn, results in a high rate of interest when annualized and are thus considered excessive by some consumer groups. The total net per item fees included in service charges on deposits for 2010 and 2009 were $11.0 million and $12.3 million. The total net daily overdraft charges included in interest income for 2010 and 2009 was $2.0 million and $2.3 million, respectively.

In November 2010, the FDIC issued its final guidance on Automated Overdraft payment programs which will require FDIC regulated banks to implement and maintain robust oversight of these programs. The new guidance, as interpreted, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s net income. This guidance states, “the FDIC expects institutions to implement effective compliance and risk management systems, policies, and procedures to ensure that institutions manage any overdraft payment programs in accordance with the 2005 Joint Guidance on Overdraft Protection Programs (Joint Guidance) (FIL-11-2005) and the FRB November 12, 2009 amendments to Regulation E, to avoid harming consumers or creating other compliance, operational, financial, reputational or other risks. As changes are made to overdraft payment programs in response to regulatory developments or to implement additional recommendations, institutions are reminded to ensure that customer communications (e.g. agreements, correspondence, marketing materials, etc.) are updated accordingly, present information accurately and are not misleading.”

Highlights of the guidance are as follows:

“The FDIC expects financial institutions boards of directors and management to ensure that the institution mitigates the risks associated with offering automated overdraft payment programs and complies with all consumer protection laws and regulations, including providing clear and meaningful disclosures and other communications about overdraft payment programs, fees, and other features and options, and demonstrating compliance with new opt-in requirements for automated teller machine (ATM) withdrawals and one-time point-of-sale debit card transactions. In addition, the FDIC expects financial institutions to:

·    
Promptly honor customers’ requests to decline coverage of overdrafts (i.e., opt-out) resulting from non-electronic transactions;
·    
Give consumers the opportunity to affirmatively choose the overdraft payment product that overall best meets their needs;
 
 
71

 
 
·    
Monitor accounts and take meaningful and effective action to limit use by customers as a form of short-term, high-cost credit, including, for example, giving customers who overdraw their accounts on more than six occasions where a fee is charged in a rolling twelve-month period a reasonable opportunity to choose a less costly alternative and decide whether to continue with fee-based overdraft coverage;
·    
Institute appropriate daily limits on overdraft fees; and consider eliminating overdraft fees for transactions that overdraw an account by a de minimis amount; and
·    
Not process transactions in a manner designed to maximize the cost to consumers.
 
Institutions using a third-party vendor for their overdraft payment programs must exercise careful oversight, as discussed in the FDIC’s 2008 Guidance for Managing Third-Party Risk. The FDIC will take supervisory action where overdraft payment programs pose unacceptable safety and soundness or compliance management system risks or result in violations of laws or regulations, including unfair or deceptive acts or practices and fair lending laws.

Positive CRA consideration will continue to be provided for responsible transaction accounts, and affordable small-dollar loan programs or other lower cost credit alternatives, particularly for low- and moderate-income consumers.

In order to allow sufficient time for institutions to review, consider and respond to the expectations in the final guidance, the FDIC expects that any additional efforts to mitigate risk would be in place by July 1, 2011.”

Management believes these guidelines, as interpreted by management, will have a material negative impact on the Company’s net income in 2011 and beyond. Because of the large number of changes required by the guidelines and the lack of interpretive guidance available from the FDIC at this time regarding some of the provisions within the guidelines, management is unable to determine precisely how negative the impact will be. The Company is evaluating all of the fees it charges for its deposit products to determine if and when it will revise those fees in an effort to partially mitigate the expected loss of overdraft related income.

TRS segment

TRS non interest income increased $33.3 million, or 129%, during 2010 compared to 2009. Net ERC/ERD fees increased $33.5 million for 2010 compared to 2009 primarily attributable to the overall increase in volume at TRS during the tax season. ERC/ERD fee income was positively impacted by a 24% increase in the number of ERCs/ERDs processed primarily due to growth it obtained through its revised contracts with JHI and Liberty Tax Services. In addition, the Company increased ERC/ERD fee income significantly by reducing third party rebates to its technology and service providers.
 
For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
 
·
Part I Item 1 “Business”
 
·
Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors”
 
·
Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:”
 
o
“Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates”
 
o
“Recent Developments”
 
o
“Overview”
 
o
“Results of Operations”
 
o
“Financial Condition”
 
·
Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:”
 
o
Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
 
o
Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
 
o
Footnote 4 “Securitization”
 
o
Footnote 9 “Deposits”
 
o
Footnote 22 “Segment Information”
 
o
Footnote 23 “Regulatory Matters”

 
 
72

 
 
Mortgage Banking segment

Within the Mortgage Banking segment, mortgage banking income decreased $5.2 million for 2010 compared to 2009. The majority of this decrease was in the “gain on sale of loan” category, as a meaningful decline in short-term interest rates through the end of May 2009 caused a significant increase in demand for 15 and 30 year fixed rate loans, which the Company sold into the secondary market. Despite similarly low interest rates, beginning in the second quarter and continuing through the end of 2010, demand did not return to prior year levels as many qualified homeowners had already taken advantage of historical low interest rates by refinancing in 2009. As a result, the Company sold $556 million in fixed rate loans into the secondary market during 2009 compared to $289 million during 2010. During the third quarter of 2010, the Company recorded an MSR valuation allowance of $157,000, however, this valuation allowance was reversed in the fourth quarter of 2010 resulting in an end of year valuation allowance of $0.

As of December 31, 2010, the Company had $15 million in loans held for sale with $9 million in fixed rate loan commitments to its customers and $26 million in mandatory forward sales contracts primarily to Freddie Mac. At December 31, 2009, the Company had $5 million in loans held for sale with $29 million in fixed rate loan commitments to its customers and $32 million in mandatory forward sales contracts primarily to Freddie Mac. The Company does not anticipate 2011 mortgage banking volume to reach the volume attained in 2010.

Discussion of 2009 vs. 2008

Non interest income increased $11.7 million, or 25%, for 2009 compared to 2008. The most significant components comprising the total Company increase in non interest income were as follows:

Traditional Banking segment

Traditional Banking segment non interest income increased $9.2 million, or 81%, for 2009 compared to 2008, primarily because the net impairment loss on investment securities recorded during 2009 was less than the net loss recorded during 2008. The Company recognized a net impairment loss on investment securities of $5.8 million during 2009 compared to $16.3 million during the same period in 2008. The majority of the net impairment loss recognized in 2009 and 2008 related to non cash OTTI charges associated with the Company’s private label mortgage backed securities and other private label mortgage-related securities and the Company’s. See Footnote 2 “Investment Securities” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional discussion.

TRS segment

TRS non interest income decreased $5.3 million, or 17%, during 2009 compared to 2008. Approximately $12.8 million of the net change in non interest income was due to the change in the Company’s funding strategy for the tax business during the first quarter 2009 tax season. The securitization utilized during 2008 had the effect of reclassifying the fee income earned, interest expense paid for securitized RALs and provision expense for securitized RALS into “Net RAL securitization income,” which is a component of non interest income. During 2009, these items were classified in interest income on loans, interest expense on deposits and provision for loan losses, respectively, as all RALs were retained on balance sheet. The Company recognized net RAL securitization income of $13.3 million and sold $1.1 billion of RALs into the securitization during 2008, with $12.6 million associated with the first quarter of 2008.

See the section titled “Tax Refund Solutions” and Table 2, “Net RAL Securitization Income” in this section of the filing for additional discussion regarding the 2008 TRS RAL securitization.

Net ERC fees increased $7.5 million, or 42%, for 2009 compared to 2008 attributable to the overall increase in volume at TRS during the tax season. The increase in ERC fees was consistent with the growth in the overall tax program, which resulted from additional business obtained through the Company’s JH relationship and through the Company’s independent tax-preparer customer base.
 
 
73

 
 
Mortgage Banking segment

Within the Mortgage Banking segment, Mortgage Banking income increased $7.5 million, or 212%, during 2009 compared to 2008. The majority of this increase was in the “gain on sale of loan” category, as historically low long-term interest rates during the first half of 2009 caused a significant increase in demand for 15 and 30-year fixed rate loans, which the Company primarily sold into the secondary market. The Company sold $556 million in fixed rate loans into the secondary market during 2009 compared to $235 million during 2008.

Due to the significant reduction in long-term interest rates during December of 2008, the fair value of the MSR portfolio declined as prepayment speed assumptions were adjusted upwards resulting in an impairment charge of $1.3 million for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2008. During the first quarter of 2009, prepayment speed assumptions stabilized to levels similar to those assumed in the third quarter of 2008 and the Company reversed $1.1 million from the valuation allowance. During the second quarter of 2009, the Company reversed the remaining impairment charge of $122,000. There were no impairment charges recorded prior to the fourth quarter of 2008 and no MSR valuation allowance existed at December 31, 2009.

Non Interest Expenses

Table 6 – Analysis of Non Interest Expenses
 
                     
Percent Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31, (dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
      2010/2009       2009/2008  
                                   
Salaries and employee benefits
  $ 55,246     $ 51,173     $ 52,118       8 %     -2 %
Occupancy and equipment, net
    21,958       22,370       19,760       -2 %     13 %
Communication and transportation
    5,418       5,354       4,672       1 %     15 %
Marketing and development
    10,813       13,146       9,208       -18 %     43 %
FDIC insurance expense
    3,155       4,993       1,152       -37 %     333 %
Bank franchise tax expense
    3,187       2,643       2,598       21 %     2 %
Data processing
    2,697       3,017       2,771       -11 %     9 %
Debit card interchange expense
    1,741       3,096       2,402       -44 %     29 %
Supplies
    2,359       2,398       1,649       -2 %     45 %
Other real estate owned expense
    1,829       2,253       238       -19 %     847 %
Charitable contributions
    6,232       1,494       1,632       317 %     -8 %
FHLB advance prepayment penalty
    1,531       -       -       100 %     0 %
Other
    10,157       9,548       9,392       6 %     2 %
                                         
Total non interest expenses
  $ 126,323     $ 121,485     $ 107,592       4 %     13 %

Discussion of 2010 vs. 2009

Non interest expenses increased $4.8 million, or 4%, during 2010 compared to 2009. Approximately $5.5 million of the increase related to TRS and was driven by the significant year-over-year growth in the program. Within the Company’s other operating segments, non interest expenses declined $700,000 for the year. The most significant components comprising the increase in non interest expense were as follows:

Traditional Banking segment

Salaries and employee benefits increased $2.2 million for 2010 compared to 2009 due to annual merit increases, additional staffing and increased employee benefits expense. In addition, the Company experienced a $716,000 decrease in its ASC 310-20 “Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs” salary expense deferral for 2010 as a result of a reduction in new loan originations.

FDIC insurance assessment expense decreased $1.8 million during 2010 compared to 2009. During the second quarter of 2009, the Company incurred a $1.4 million special assessment which the FDIC implemented to all banks nationally in order to replenish the Deposit Insurance Fund.
 
 
74

 

Debit card interchange expense decreased $1.4 million during 2010 compared to 2009, as the Company entered into a new contract with a third party provider at significantly reduced rates. In addition, this expense item incurred a benefit of $530,000 during 2010 due to a non-recurring credit from the third party provider as compensation for a processing error.

Other real estate owned (“OREO”) expense decreased $424,000 during 2010 compared to 2009, primarily due to the significant prior period write downs related to two properties held in Florida.

During the first quarter of 2010, the Company prepaid $87 million in FHLB advances that were originally scheduled to mature between April 2010 and January 2011. These advances had a weighted average cost of 3.48%. The Company incurred $1.5 million in early termination penalties in connection with this transaction but saved approximately $1.6 million in interest expense on its FHLB borrowings during 2010 and the first quarter of 2011, netting the Company a combined overall savings of approximately $91,000 as a result of the transaction with a net $46,000 of that savings occurring during 2010.

TRS segment

Salaries and employee benefits at TRS increased $1.9 million during 2010 compared to 2009. Approximately $865,000 of this increase related to higher bonus accruals, as TRS achieved its maximum tier for its 2010 profitability goal. The remaining increase in salaries and benefits is due to annual merit increases, additional staffing and increased employee benefits expense.

Occupancy and equipment expense increased $415,000 during 2010 compared to 2009, primarily due to expanded infrastructure and technology costs to accommodate the increased volume of the business.

Marketing and development expense decreased $2.5 million during 2010 compared to 2009, due to a reduction in the fixed-payment portion of expenses associated with the Program and Technology Agreements with JH. The decrease was the result of amended contract terms reached for the 2010 tax season.

Charitable contribution expense totaled $4.7 million at TRS for 2010. Due to the financial success the Company achieved in the first quarter of 2010, Republic made a $5 million contribution to the new Republic Bank Foundation, which was formed to support charitable, educational, scientific and religious organizations throughout communities in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Florida. The Company allocated the cost of this contribution to its operating segments using a formula based on gross profits.
 
For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
·     Part I Item 1 “Business”
·     Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors”
·     Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:”
o     “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates”
o     “Recent Developments”
o     “Overview”
o     “Results of Operations”
o     “Financial Condition”
·     Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:”
o     Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
o     Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
o     Footnote 4 “Securitization”
o     Footnote 9 “Deposits”
o     Footnote 22 “Segment Information”
o     Footnote 23 “Regulatory Matters”

 
 
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Mortgage Banking segment

Non interest expenses increased $905,000 for 2010 compared to 2009 primarily due to a change in the allocation of certain shared expenses during 2010 between business operating segments.

Discussion of 2009 vs. 2008

Non interest expenses increased $13.9 million, or 13%, during 2009 compared to 2008. Approximately $6.4 million of the increase related to TRS and was driven by the significant year-over-year growth in the program. Within the Company’s other operating segments, non interest expenses increased $7.5 million for the year. The most significant components comprising the increase in non interest expense were as follows:

Traditional Banking segment

Occupancy and equipment increased $1.6 million during 2009 primarily due to growth in the Company’s infrastructure and banking center network, as well as increased leasing costs and service agreements for the Company’s technology and operating systems. In addition, during 2009, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge in occupancy and equipment of approximately $300,000 associated with remaining scheduled lease payments and acceleration of depreciation of fixed assets for one banking center that was closed and one card-based line of business that was exited.

FDIC insurance expense increased $3.3 million during 2009 to $4.4 million. The increase related primarily to higher recurring premium assessments, as well as a $1.4 million special assessment from the FDIC related to the second quarter of 2009. The FDIC implemented the special assessment to all banks nationally in order to replenish the Deposit Insurance Fund.

Other real estate owned (“OREO”) expense increased $2.0 million during 2009 compared to 2008 primarily due to write downs related to two properties held in Florida. One of the properties was sold during the second quarter of 2009.

TRS segment

Occupancy and equipment expense increased $980,000 during 2009 compared to 2008 primarily due to higher leased and rented equipment and facility rent expense, as the Company continued to expand its infrastructure to accommodate the increased volume of the TRS segment.

Marketing and development expense increased $4.0 million during 2009 compared to 2008 due to expenses associated with the Program and Technology Agreements related to the JH relationship. The increase in 2009 was the result of additional transaction volume in conjunction with the amended agreements signed during the fourth quarter of 2008.

Communication and transportation expense increased $750,000 during 2009 compared to 2008 consistent with the overall growth in the program.

FDIC insurance expense increased $550,000 during 2009 compared to 2008 related primarily to higher premium assessments on brokered certificates of deposits acquired by the Company to fund the first quarter 2009 tax business.
 
 
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FINANCIAL CONDITION

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash, deposits with other financial institutions with original maturities less than 90 days and federal funds sold. Republic had $786 million in cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2010 compared to $1.1 billion at December 31, 2009. During the fourth quarters of 2010 and 2009, the Company accumulated cash via brokered certificates of deposits totaling $562 million and $921 million in preparation for the following first quarters’ tax seasons. During 2010, the Company elected to remain conservative with its investing and lending strategies for interest rate risk and credit risk reasons, maintaining a substantial portion of these funds in cash held at the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”). This cash earned a maximum of 0.25% in a variable interest rate account.

As previously stated, during 2009 and 2010 the Company employed a conservative investment strategy, which involved minimal credit risk and minimal interest rate risk, leading the Company to hold a significant sum of cash at the Federal Reserve for much of the previous two years. In February 2011, the Company modified this conservative investment strategy, taking on more interest rate risk by reinvesting a portion of its excess cash into longer-term investment securities, thus increasing its projected net interest income and net interest margin in the near term. The Company made this revision to its conservative strategy, in large part, due to the on-going contraction of its net interest margin resulting from continued paydowns in its loan portfolio and the large amount of cash on hand earning 0.25%. Altogether, the Company purchased approximately $150 million of agency notes and mortgage-backed securities with an initial average yield of 3.61% and an average duration of 6.5 years. While this strategy will improve the Company’s near-term outlook for its net interest margin and net interest income, it will also negatively impact the Company’s interest rate risk position in a rising rate environment.

Investment Securities

Table 7 – Investment Securities Portfolio
 
December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Securities available for sale (fair value)
                 
                   
U.S. Treasury securities and
                 
    U.S. Government agencies
  $ 120,297     $ 48,082     $ 458,840  
Private label mortgage backed and other
                       
    private label mortgage-related securities
    5,124       5,901       14,678  
Mortgage backed securities - residential
    158,677       238,154       308,235  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    225,657       124,174       72,156  
Total securities available for sale
    509,755       416,311       853,909  
                         
                         
Securities to be held to maturity (carrying value)
                       
                         
U.S. Treasury securities and
                       
    U.S. Government agencies
    4,191       9,187       4,670  
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
    -       384       384  
Mortgage backed securities - residential
    1,930       2,748       3,527  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    26,818       38,605       42,184  
Total securities to be held to maturity
    32,939       50,924       50,765  
                         
Total investment securities
  $ 542,694     $ 467,235     $ 904,674  
 
 
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Investment securities available for sale primarily consists of U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government agency obligations, including agency mortgage backed securities (“MBSs”), agency collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) and private label mortgage backed and other private label mortgage-related investment securities. The agency MBSs primarily consist of hybrid mortgage investment securities, as well as other adjustable rate mortgage investment securities, underwritten and guaranteed by Ginnie Mae (“GNMA”), Freddie Mac (“FHLMC”) and Fannie Mae (“FNMA”). Agency CMOs held in the investment portfolio are substantially all floating rate investment securities that adjust monthly. The Company primarily uses the investment securities portfolio as collateral for securities sold under agreements to repurchase (“repurchase agreements”). Strategies for the investment securities portfolio may be influenced by economic and market conditions, loan demand, deposit mix and liquidity needs. As it has in prior years, the Company continued during 2010 to invest in investment securities with shorter-term repricing features in order to mitigate its risk position from rising interest rates.

For discussion of the Company’s private label mortgage backed and mortgage related securities, see “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in this section of the filing and Footnote 2 “Investment Securities” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Detail of the Company’s mortgage backed investment securities follows:

Table 8 – Mortgage Backed Investment Securities
 
December 31, 2010 (in thousands)
 
Fair Value
 
       
Private label mortgage backed and other
     
    private label mortgage-related of securities
  $ 5,124  
Mortgage backed securities - residential
    160,716  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    253,245  
Total mortgage backed securities
  $ 419,085  

For discussion of the Company’s private label mortgage backed and mortgage related securities, see “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in this section of the filing and Footnote 2 “Investment Securities” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

In addition, the Company holds agency structured notes in the investment portfolio which consist of step up bonds. A step up bond pays an initial coupon rate for the first period, and then a higher coupon rate for the following periods. These investments are predominantly classified as available for sale. The amortized cost and fair value of the structured note investment portfolio follows:

Table 9 – Structured Notes
 
December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
             
Amortized cost
  $ 97,504     $ 15,002  
Fair value
    97,511       15,022  
 
 
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Table 10 – Securities Available for Sale
 
               
Weighted
   
Average
 
   
Amortized
   
Fair
   
Average
   
Maturity in
 
December 31, 2010 (dollars in thousands)
 
Cost
   
Value
   
Yield
   
Years
 
                         
U.S. Treasury securities and
                       
    U.S. Government agencies:
                       
         Due from one year to five years
  $ 113,900     $ 114,351       1.70 %     0.87  
         Due from five years to ten years
    5,994       5,946       2.02 %     9.74  
    Total U.S. Treasury securites and
                               
       U.S. Government agencies
    119,894       120,297       1.71 %     1.31  
Total private label mortgage backed and other
                         
    private label mortgage-related securities
    6,323       5,124       4.20 %     4.80  
Total mortgage backed securities - residential (1)
    150,460       158,677       4.60 %     3.42  
Total collateralized mortgage obligations (1)
    223,665       225,657       1.29 %     3.69  
Total securities available for sale
  $ 500,342     $ 509,755       2.42 %     3.05  

Table 11 – Securities to be Held to Maturity
 
               
Weighted
   
Average
 
   
Carrying
   
Fair
   
Average
   
Maturity in
 
December 31, 2010 (dollars in thousands)
 
Value
   
Value
   
Yield
   
Years
 
                         
U.S. Treasury securities and
                       
    U.S. Government agencies:
                       
         Due in one year or less
  $ 495     $ 502       3.48 %     0.44  
         Due from one year to five years
    3,196       3,199       1.96 %     4.62  
         Due from five years to ten years
    500       496       2.50 %     5.06  
            Total U.S. Treasury securities and
                               
               U.S. Government agencies:
    4,191       4,197       2.21 %     4.18  
Total mortgage backed securities - residential (1)
    1,930       2,039       4.95 %     3.77  
Total collateralized mortgage obligations (1)
    26,818       27,588       1.60 %     2.75  
Total securities to be held to maturity
  $ 32,939     $ 33,824       1.67 %     2.66  
 
 
________________________________
 (1) – Average maturity is calculated based on contractual maturity.
 
 
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Loan Portfolio

Net loans, primarily consisting of secured real estate loans, decreased by $93 million during the year to $2.2 billion at December 31, 2010. The Company continued to experience a decline in most loan categories during 2010 due to several factors, including the current economic environment, stricter underwriting guidelines, decreased borrower demand for adjustable rate loan products and higher pricing requirements for portfolio level loans. The Company currently expects to maintain these pricing and underwriting strategies until it sees further improvement in economic conditions. In addition, the Company continues to experience more borrowers opting for its long-term fixed rate secondary market loan over its portfolio adjustable rate mortgage products due to the historically low fixed rate environment.

In order to partially offset the decline in its loan portfolio and to take advantage of the current steepness in the yield curve, the Company initiated programs to retain 15-year fixed rate residential real estate loans on its balance sheet during 2010 and 2009. The Company funded these loans with excess cash in 2010 and through the use of long-term, fixed rate advances from the FHLB for interest rate risk mitigation during 2009. During 2010, the Company retained $65 million in 15-year fixed rate loans with a weighted average yield of 3.96%. During 2009, the Company retained $95 million in 15-year fixed rate loans with a weighted average yield of 4.70%. By retaining these loans, the Company elected to forego the immediate gain on sale of approximately $1.3 million in 2010 and $1.9 million in 2009 that it typically recognized on these transactions within the Mortgage Banking segment, and in the alternative, will recognize future net interest income. The Company anticipates a continued decline in its loan balances throughout 2011, whether it elects to retain or sell its 15-year fixed rate loans in the future.

At December 31, 2010, commercial real estate loans comprised 30% of the total gross loan portfolio and were concentrated primarily within the Bank’s existing markets. These loans are principally secured by multi-family investment properties, single family residential developments, medical facilities, small business owner occupied offices, retail properties, hotels and other commercial real estate. These loans typically have interest rates that are initially fixed for one to ten years with the remainder of the loan term subject to repricing based on various market indices. In order to reduce the negative effect of refinance activity within the portfolio during a declining interest rate environment, the Company requires an early termination penalty on substantially all commercial real estate loans for a portion of the fixed term period. The Bank’s underwriting standards typically include personal guarantees on most commercial real estate loans. Overall, commercial real estate loans increased $5 million, or 1%, from December 31, 2009.

The table below illustrates Republic’s loan portfolio composition for the past five years:

Table 12 – Loan Portfolio Composition
 
December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                               
Residential real estate
  $ 1,040,260     $ 1,097,311     $ 1,095,540     $ 1,168,591     $ 1,173,813  
Commercial real estate
    646,417       641,451       653,048       658,987       652,773  
Real estate construction
    69,068       83,090       99,395       163,700       105,318  
Commercial
    107,647       104,274       111,604       90,741       66,559  
Consumer
    20,455       21,651       28,056       33,310       40,408  
Overdrafts
    901       2,006       2,796       1,238       1,377  
Home equity
    290,492       318,449       313,418       280,506       258,640  
                                         
Total gross loans
  $ 2,175,240     $ 2,268,232     $ 2,303,857     $ 2,397,073     $ 2,298,888  
 
 
80

 
 
The table below illustrates Republic’s maturities and repricing frequency for the loan portfolio:

Table 13 – Selected Loan Distribution
 
               
Over One
       
         
One Year
   
Through
   
Over
 
December 31, 2010 (in thousands)
 
Total
   
Or Less
   
Five Years
   
Five Years
 
                         
Fixed rate maturities:
                       
                         
Real estate:
                       
    Residential
  $ 513,466     $ 70,214     $ 139,406     $ 303,846  
    Commercial
    220,749       64,309       127,030       29,410  
    Construction
    13,041       12,151       555       335  
Commercial
    49,914       18,055       28,216       3,643  
Consumer, including overdrafts
    11,454       5,482       2,280       3,692  
Home equity
    759       709       6       44  
Total fixed
  $ 809,383     $ 170,920     $ 297,493     $ 340,970  
                                 
                                 
Variable rate repricing:
                               
                                 
Real estate:
                               
    Residential
  $ 526,794     $ 272,205     $ 219,572     $ 35,017  
    Commercial
    425,668       301,538       120,379       3,751  
    Construction
    56,027       55,474       524       29  
Commercial
    57,733       57,733       -       -  
Consumer, including overdrafts
    9,902       9,902       -       -  
Home equity
    289,733       287,906       918       909  
Total variable
  $ 1,365,857     $ 984,758     $ 341,393     $ 39,706  
 
Allowance for Loan Losses and Provision for Loan Losses

The Company’s allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans increased to 1.06% at December 31, 2010 compared to 1.01% at December 31, 2009. In general, the fluctuation in the allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans was due primarily to the following:

A greater emphasis on qualitative factors, such as a general decline in home values, utilized by the Company in recognition of the current economic environment.
 
The Company decreased its loan loss allowance by a net $1.6 million during the year for specific loss allocations related to large commercial credits. The $1.6 million reduction occurred primarily from the charging off of the loans that the allocations were attributable to and from the reduction of specific allocations due to an improvement and/or workout of the underlying credits. During the third quarter, the Company charged off and foreclosed on one large impaired relationship for which the Company had a specifically allocated allowance of $1.9 million.

The Company increased its loan loss allowance by a net $488,000 during the year for 90-day delinquent and/or non-accrual retail and small dollar commercial relationships not specifically evaluated as part of the Company’s large-dollar commercial classified asset review process.

  
The Company increased its overall allowance by a net $1.1 million during 2010 related to quantitative and qualitative adjustments to its historical loss percentages for its general reserves across all loan categories with the largest percentage increase in the home equity portfolio.

Home equity loans are one of the Company’s largest homogenous pools of loans and are evaluated collectively in determining the allocated allowance. In determining the allocated allowance, management analyzes the average annual loss rates for the previous 5-year and 2-year periods, along with the current year loss rate, as well as comparisons to peer group corresponding loss rates. In addition, when qualitative factors, such as a general decline in home values, indicate an elevated risk of loss, management performs additional analysis on the home equity portfolio such as updating collateral values on a test basis.
 
 
81

 
 
Due to the steep decline in residential real estate values in Florida during 2009 and 2010, the Company expanded the analysis of its home equity portfolio in the Florida market. During the second quarter of 2010, the Company’s credit administration department obtained third party updated collateral values on home equity loans of $50,000 or greater in our Florida market, representing a substantial majority of the Florida home equity portfolio. In addition to obtaining a third party updated collateral value for each loan selected, the credit scores for the borrowers and the delinquent property tax statuses were also updated. As a result of the Company’s additional analysis, Republic increased its consolidated home equity allocated allowance as a percentage of home equity loans outstanding to 0.85% at June 30, 2010 compared to the annualized net charge off rate of 0.81% for the six months ended June 30, 2010. The Company will continue to perform additional analyses in the future as warranted by the economic conditions.

The Company believes, based on information presently available, that it has adequately provided for loan losses at December 31, 2010. For additional discussion regarding Republic’s methodology for determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, see the section titled “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in this section of the filing.
 
 
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Table 14 – Summary of Loan Loss Experience
 
Year Ended December 31, (dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Allowance for loan losses at beginning of year
  $ 22,879     $ 14,832     $ 12,735     $ 11,218     $ 11,009  
                                         
Addition resulting from acquisition of GulfStream
    -       -       -       -       387  
                                         
Charge offs:
                                       
                                         
  Real Estate:
                                       
      Residential
    (3,012 )     (2,439 )     (1,356 )     (553 )     (601 )
      Commercial
    (4,846 )     (956 )     (257 )     (493 )     (270 )
      Construction
    (1,261 )     (1,196 )     (2,970 )     (158 )     (72 )
  Commercial
    (207 )     (372 )     (98 )     (132 )     (215 )
  Consumer
    (1,368 )     (1,784 )     (1,752 )     (1,531 )     (1,117 )
  Home Equity
    (1,811 )     (1,915 )     (507 )     (397 )     (264 )
  Tax Refund Solutions
    (14,584 )     (31,180 )     (9,206 )     (4,246 )     (1,358 )
  Discontinued operations
    -       -       -       -       (409 )
      Total charge offs
    (27,089 )     (39,842 )     (16,146 )     (7,510 )     (4,306 )
                                         
Recoveries:
                                       
                                         
  Real Estate:
                                       
      Residential
    70       84       153       102       138  
      Commercial
    48       120       215       213       65  
      Construction
    248       102       -       1       86  
  Commercial
    49       16       34       59       13  
  Consumer
    696       479       432       446       425  
  Home Equity
    23       23       48       37       49  
  Tax Refund Solutions
    6,441       13,090       1,156       1,349       1,323  
  Discontinued operations
    -       -       -       -       82  
      Total recoveries
    7,575       13,914       2,038       2,207       2,181  
                                         
Net loan charge offs
    (19,514 )     (25,928 )     (14,108 )     (5,303 )     (2,125 )
                                         
Provision for loan losses - Traditional Banking Segment
    11,571       15,885       8,154       3,923       2,268  
Provision for loan losses - Tax Refund Solutions
    8,143       18,090       8,051       2,897       34  
Provision for loan losses from discontinued operations
    -       -       -       -       (355 )
      Total provision for loan losses
    19,714       33,975       16,205       6,820       1,947  
                                         
Allowance for loan losses at end of year
  $ 23,079     $ 22,879     $ 14,832     $ 12,735     $ 11,218  
                                         
                                         
Ratios:
                                       
Allowance for loan losses to total loans - Total Company
    1.06 %     1.01 %     0.64 %     0.53 %     0.49 %
Allowance for loan losses to total loans -
                                       
      Traditional Banking Segment
    1.06 %     1.01 %     0.64 %     0.53 %     0.49 %
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans
    82 %     53 %     110 %     132 %     175 %
Net loan charge offs to average loans
                                       
      outstanding - Total Company
    0.83 %     1.09 %     0.60 %     0.22 %     0.10 %
Net loan charge offs to average loans
                                       
      outstanding - Traditional Banking Segment
    0.51 %     0.34 %     0.26 %     0.10 %     0.06 %
 
 
83

 
 
The table below depicts management’s allocation of the allowance for loan losses by loan type. The allowance allocation is based on management’s assessment of economic conditions, historical loss experience, loan volume, past due and non-accrual loans and other factors. Since these factors and management’s assumptions are subject to change, the allocation is not necessarily indicative of future loan portfolio performance or future allowance allocation.

Table 15 – Management’s Allocation of the Allowance for Loan Losses
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
 
Allowance
   
Percent
of Loans
to Total Loans
   
Allowance
   
Percent
of Loans
to Total Loans
   
Allowance
   
Percent
of Loans
to Total Loans
   
Allowance
   
Percent
of Loans
to Total Loans
   
Allowance
   
Percent
of Loans
to Total Loans
 
                                                             
Residential real estate
  $ 5,282       48 %   $ 4,949       48 %   $ 2,562       47 %   $ 1,762       49 %   $ 1,555       51 %
Commercial real estate
    7,220       30 %     9,149       28 %     6,554       29 %     6,316       27 %     5,724       28 %
Real estate construction
    2,605       3 %     2,464       4 %     1,508       4 %     1,012       7 %     910       5 %
Commercial
    1,347       5 %     1,473       5 %     1,086       5 %     931       4 %     498       3 %
Consumer
    1,079       1 %     1,056       1 %     479       1 %     378       1 %     378       2 %
Home equity
    3,581       13 %     1,823       14 %     678       14 %     371       12 %     188       11 %
Unallocated
    1,965       -       1,965       -       1,965       -       1,965       -       1,965       -  
Total
  $ 23,079       100 %   $ 22,879       100 %   $ 14,832       100 %   $ 12,735       100 %   $ 11,218       100 %
                                                                                 

The following table sets forth the Company’s classified assets in accordance with its classification system for the previous five year end periods:

Table 16 – Classified Assets
 
December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                               
Loss
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Doubtful
    -       -       -       -       -  
Substandard
    38,245       46,335       17,128       13,683       14,732  
Special mention
    54,254       57,036       43,614       26,292       37,565  
                                         
Total
  $ 92,499     $ 103,371     $ 60,742     $ 39,975     $ 52,297  
 
Asset Quality

The Company maintains a “watch list” of commercial and commercial real estate loans and reviews those loans on a regular basis. Generally, assets are designated as “watch list” loans to ensure more frequent monitoring. Watch list loans are reviewed to ensure proper earning status and management strategy. If it is determined that there is serious doubt as to performance in accordance with original terms of the contract, then the loan is generally downgraded and often placed on non-accrual status.

Management evaluates the loan portfolio by reviewing the historical loss rate for each respective loan type and assigns risk multiples to certain categories to account for qualitative factors including current economic conditions. The average five year, two year and current year loss rates are reviewed in the analysis, as well as comparisons to peer group loss rates. Currently, management has assigned a greater emphasis on the two year and current year loss rates when determining its allowance for loan losses. Management makes allocations within the allowance for loan losses for specifically classified loans regardless of loan amount, collateral or loan type. In addition, historical loss rates for non-accrual loans and loans that are past due 90 days or more and that are not specifically classified are analyzed and applied based on respective balances and loan types.

Loan categories are evaluated utilizing subjective factors in addition to the historical loss calculations to determine a loss allocation for each of those types. As this analysis, or any similar analysis, is an imprecise measure of loss, the allowance is subject to ongoing adjustments. Therefore, management will often take into account other significant factors that may be necessary or prudent in order to reflect probable incurred losses in the total loan portfolio.
 
 
84

 
 
Loans, including impaired loans under FASB ASC topic 310-10-35, “Receivables,” but excluding consumer loans, are typically placed on non-accrual status when the loans become past due 80 days or more as to principal or interest, unless the loans are adequately secured and in the process of collection. Past due status is based on how recently payments have been received. When loans are placed on non-accrual status, all unpaid interest is reversed from interest income and accrued interest receivable. These loans remain on non-accrual status until the borrower demonstrates the ability to become and remain current or the loan or a portion of the loan is deemed uncollectible and is charged off.

Consumer loans are reviewed periodically and generally charged off when the loans reach 120 days past due or at any earlier point the loan is deemed uncollectible. RALs made by the Company are generally repaid by the IRS within two weeks. RALs outstanding 30 days or longer are charged off at the end of the first quarter each year with substantially all other RALs, except for those RALs management deems certain of collection, charged off by June 30th of each year. Subsequent collections of RALs are recorded as recoveries.

Non-performing Loans

Non-performing loans include loans on non-accrual status and loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing. Impaired loans that are not placed on non-accrual status are not included in non-performing loans. The non-performing loan category includes impaired loans totaling approximately $12 million at December 31, 2010.

Non-performing loans to total loans decreased to 1.30% at December 31, 2010, from 1.90% at December 31, 2009, as the total balance of non-performing loans decreased by $15 million for the period. The following table details the Company’s non-performing assets and select non-performing ratios:

Table 17 – Non-performing Loans and Non-performing Assets
 
December 31, (dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                               
Loans on non-accrual status (1)
  $ 28,317     $ 43,136     $ 11,324     $ 8,303     $ 5,980  
Loans past due 90 days or more and still on accrual
    -       8       2,133       1,318       413  
                                         
Total non-performing loans
    28,317       43,144       13,457       9,621       6,393  
Other real estate owned
    11,969       4,772       5,737       795       547  
Total non-performing assets
  $ 40,286     $ 47,916     $ 19,194     $ 10,416     $ 6,940  
                                         
Non-performing loans to total loans
    1.30 %     1.90 %     0.58 %     0.40 %     0.28 %
Non-performing loans to total loans - Traditional
                                       
      Banking Segment
    1.30 %     1.90 %     0.58 %     0.40 %     0.28 %
Non-performing assets to total loans (including OREO)
    1.84 %     2.11 %     0.83 %     0.43 %     0.30 %
 
(1)    Loans on non-accrual status include impaired loans. See Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional discussion regarding impaired loans.
 
Approximately $15 million of Republic’s total non-performing loans are in the residential real estate category with the underlying collateral located in the Company’s primary market area of Kentucky. The Company does not consider any of these loans to be “sub-prime.” Residential real estate values in Kentucky have generally performed better than the national average, and as a result, losses from these loans have been minimal in relation to the size of the Company’s residential real estate portfolio.

Approximately $10 million of Republic’s total non-performing loans are in the commercial real estate and real estate construction loan portfolio as of December 31, 2010. These loans are secured primarily by commercial properties. In addition to the primary collateral, the Company also obtained in many cases, at the time of origination, personal guarantees from the principal borrowers and secured liens on the guarantors’ primary residences.
 
 
85

 
 
The composition of non-performing loans follows:

Table 18 – Non-performing Loan Composition
 
December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                               
Residential real estate
  $ 15,236     $ 14,832     $ 7,147     $ 6,644     $ 3,804  
Commercial real estate
    6,265       16,850       2,665       1,750       2,092  
Real estate construction
    3,682       9,500       2,749       882       233  
Commercial
    323       647       243       113       66  
Consumer
    77       71       86       109       62  
Home equity
    2,734       1,244       567       123       136  
                                         
Total non-performing loans
  $ 28,317     $ 43,144     $ 13,457     $ 9,621     $ 6,393  
 
Based on the Company’s review of the large individual non-performing commercial credits, as well as its migration analysis for its single 1-4 family residential real estate non-performing portfolio, management believes that its reserves as of December 31, 2010, are adequate to absorb probable losses on these loans.

Approximately $32 million in relationships classified as non-performing at December 31, 2009, were removed from the non-performing loan classification during 2010, as the Company increased resources to execute work out solutions. Approximately $6 million, or 19%, of these loans were removed from the non-performing category because they were charged-off. Approximately $15 million, or 46%, in loan balances were transferred to other real estate owned (“OREO”) with $5 million refinanced at other financial institutions. The remaining $6 million was returned to accrual status for performance reasons.

Interest income that would have been recorded if non-accrual loans were on a current basis in accordance with their original terms was $1.3 million, $2.2 million and $705,000 in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

The following table details the activity of the Company’s non-performing loans:

Table 19 – Rollforward of Non-performing Loan Activity
 
(in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
             
Non-performing loans at beginning of year
  $ 43,144     $ 13,457  
Loans added to non-performing status
    18,524       39,280  
Loans removed from non-performing status
    (31,751 )     (8,814 )
Principal paydowns
    (1,600 )     (779 )
                 
Non-performing loans at end of year
  $ 28,317     $ 43,144  

 
86

 
 
Delinquent Loans

As detailed in the table below, at December 31, 2010 the heaviest concentration of past due loans was in the real estate construction category which was primarily comprised of four commercial land development relationships.

Table 20 – Past Due Loans to Total Loans by Loan Type (1)
 
December 31,
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                               
Residential real estate
    1.54 %     2.06 %     1.07 %     0.68 %     0.42 %
Commercial real estate
    0.88 %     2.19 %     0.68 %     0.52 %     0.64 %
Real estate construction
    3.36 %     4.91 %     5.22 %     1.36 %     0.58 %
Commercial
    0.06 %     0.43 %     0.45 %     0.28 %     0.49 %
Consumer
    1.70 %     2.17 %     1.96 %     2.72 %     1.49 %
Home equity
    0.84 %     0.99 %     0.73 %     0.60 %     0.25 %
                                         
Total portfolio
    1.24 %     1.98 %     1.07 %     0.69 %     0.49 %

________________________
(1) – Represents total loans over 30 days past due divided by total loans.

Impaired Loans and TDRs

Republic’s policy is to charge off all or that portion of its investment in an impaired loan upon a determination that it is probable the full amount will not be collected. Impaired loans totaled $32 million at December 31, 2010 compared to $49 million at December 31, 2009.

A TDR is the situation where, due to a borrower’s financial difficulties, the Bank grants a concession to the borrower that the Bank would not otherwise have considered. The majority of the Bank’s TDRs involve a restructuring of loan terms such as a temporary reduction in the payment amount to require only interest and escrow (if required) and/or extending the maturity date of the loan. Non-accrual loans modified as TDRs remain on non-accrual status and continue to be reported as non-performing loans. Accruing loans modified as TDRs are evaluated for non-accrual status based on a current evaluation of the borrower’s financial condition and ability and willingness to service the modified debt. As of December 31, 2010, the Company had $32 million in TDRs, of which $5 million were on nonaccrual status.

See Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses” of Part I Item 1 “Financial Statements” for additional discussion regarding impaired loans and TDRs.

OREO

Table 21 – Rollforward of OREO Activity
 
(in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
             
OREO at beginning of year
  $ 4,772     $ 5,737  
Transfer from loans to OREO
    17,798       7,332  
OREO sold
    (9,474 )     (6,286 )
Writedowns
    (1,127 )     (2,011 )
                 
OREO at end of year
  $ 11,969     $ 4,772  

At December 31, 2010 approximately $3.9 million of the OREO balance was concentrated in residential real estate, with $3.7 million and $4.3 million related to commercial real estate and real estate construction, respectively. Approximately $4.2 million of the ending OREO balance was concentrated in one commercial relationship located in Kentucky.
 
 
87

 
 
Deposits

Total deposits decreased $300 million from December 31, 2009 to $2.3 billion at December 31, 2010. Interest-bearing deposits decreased $307 million, or 13%, while non-interest bearing deposits increased $7 million, or 2%, from December 31, 2009 to December 31, 2010.

The increase in non-interest bearing deposits was substantially related to an increase in escrow balances and non interest bearing funds from the Company’s large Treasury Management clients. The Company still has a relatively large amount of non interest-bearing deposits related to its large commercial Treasury Management accounts, which shifted their funds into non interest-bearing products for the unlimited FDIC insurance currently available on those accounts.

The decline in interest-bearing accounts was heavily concentrated in the brokered certificates deposit category. Brokered certificates of deposit decreased $317 million during 2010 to $688 million at December 31, 2010. During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company acquired approximately $562 million in brokered certificates of deposits to be utilized in the first quarter of 2011 to fund RALs. These deposits had a weighted average cost of 0.42% with an average life of three months. During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company acquired approximately $921 million in brokered certificates of deposits to be utilized in the first quarter of 2010 to fund RALs. These deposits had a weighted average cost of 0.51% with an average life of three months. Also, during January of 2010, the Company obtained an additional $542 million in brokered certificates of deposits to fund additional RAL demand. These brokered certificates of deposits acquired in January had a weighted average life of 55 days and a weighted average interest rate of 0.56%.

During 2010, the Company obtained $34 million in brokered deposits to be utilized by the Traditional Bank for on-going funding needs. These deposits had a weighted average maturity of five years and a weighted average cost of 2.86%. Management chose to utilize long-term brokered deposits for Traditional Bank funding needs for interest rate risk mitigation and because the cost of these deposits was cheaper than equivalent term FHLB borrowings and retail certificates of deposit.

As discussed in the net interest income sections of this filing, the Company exited a brokered money market relationship during September 2010. This relationship had a period end balance of $65 million at December 31, 2009. The withdrawal of funds was facilitated by Republic through a reduction in cash at the Federal Reserve which was earning 0.25% for the Company.

See section titled “TRS Funding – First Quarter 2011 Tax Season” under Part I Item 1 “Business” for additional discussion of the Company’s funding plans for the first quarter 2011 tax season.

Ending balances of all deposit categories follows:

Table 22 – Deposits
 
December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                               
Demand (NOW and SuperNOW)
  $ 298,452     $ 245,502     $ 202,607     $ 197,949     $ 197,225  
Money market accounts
    637,557       596,370       561,599       646,111       517,078  
Brokered money market accounts
    513       64,608       163,965       -       -  
Savings
    38,661       33,691       32,599       30,362       37,690  
Individual retirement accounts*
    34,129       34,651       38,142       37,865       40,820  
Time deposits, $100,000 and over*
    152,891       169,548       202,058       188,011       185,066  
Other certificates of deposit*
    127,156       135,171       221,179       217,670       269,828  
Brokered certificates of deposit*
    687,958       1,004,665       1,048,017       371,387       165,989  
                                         
Total interest-bearing deposits
    1,977,317       2,284,206       2,470,166       1,689,355       1,413,696  
Total non interest-bearing deposits
    325,375       318,275       273,203       279,457       279,026  
                                         
Total
  $ 2,302,692     $ 2,602,481     2,743,369     1,968,812     1,692,722  
                                         
* - Represents time deposits
                                       
 
 
88

 
 
Ending average balances of all deposits and the average rates paid on such deposits for the years indicated follows:

Table 23 – Average Deposits
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
Average
   
Average
   
Average
   
Average
   
Average
   
Average
 
December 31,  (dollars in thousands)
 
Balance
   
Rate
   
Balance
   
Rate
   
Balance
   
Rate
 
                                     
Transaction accounts
  $ 302,958       0.19 %   $ 253,433       0.10 %   $ 230,144       0.34 %
Money market accounts
    636,963       0.45 %     581,220       0.55 %     594,272       1.77 %
Time deposits
    329,970       1.75 %     389,635       2.65 %     448,548       3.83 %
Brokered money market
    46,582       0.61 %     115,637       1.14 %     58,867       2.72 %
Brokered certificates of deposit
    409,418       0.90 %     344,352       1.99 %     267,449       3.88 %
Total interest-bearing deposits
    1,725,891       0.76 %     1,684,277       1.30 %     1,599,280       2.53 %
Total non interest-bearing deposits
    421,162       -       381,655       -       321,308       -  
Total  average deposits
  $ 2,147,053             $ 2,065,932             $ 1,920,588          

Maturities of time deposits of $100,000 or more outstanding, including brokered deposits, at December 31, 2010 follows:

Table 24 – Time Deposit Maturities Greater than $100,000
 
Maturity
 
(in thousands)
 
       
Three months or less
  $ 676,180  
Over three months through six months
    50,791  
Over six months through 12 months
    44,677  
Over 12 months
    47,237  
         
   Total
  $ 818,885  

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase and Other Short-term Borrowings

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other short-term borrowings increased $20 million, or 7%, during 2010. The majority of the repurchase accounts are large treasury management transaction relationships with normal recurring large fluctuations in account balances. All of these accounts require security collateral on behalf of Republic. The substantial majority of these accounts are indexed to immediately repricing indices such as the FFTR. Based on the transactional nature of the Company’s treasury management accounts, repurchase agreement balances are subject to large fluctuations on a daily basis.

Information regarding Securities sold under agreements to repurchase follows:

Table 25 – Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
 
December 31, (dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Outstanding balance at end of year
  $ 319,246     $ 299,580     $ 339,012  
Weighted average interest rate at year end
    0.31 %     0.30 %     0.36 %
Average outstanding balance during the year
  $ 330,154     $ 323,688     $ 375,676  
Average interest rate during the year
    0.31 %     0.33 %     1.65 %
Maximum outstanding at any month end
  $ 329,383     $ 318,769     $ 415,058  
 
 
89

 
 
Federal Home Loan Bank Advances

FHLB advances decreased $73 million during 2010 to $565 million. As discussed in the non interest expense section of this filing, during the first quarter of 2010, the Company prepaid $87 million in FHLB advances that were originally scheduled to mature between April 2010 and January 2011 and had a weighted average rate of 3.48%.

Approximately $150 million of the FHLB advances at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were putable advances with original fixed rate periods ranging from one to five years and original maturities ranging from three to ten years if not put back to the Company earlier by the FHLB. At the end of their respective fixed rate periods and on a quarterly basis thereafter, the FHLB has the right to require payoff of the advances by the Company at no penalty. The weighted average coupon on all of the Company’s putable advances at December 31, 2010 was 4.51%. Based on market conditions at this time, the Company does not believe that any of its putable advances are likely to be “put back” to the Company in the short-term by the FHLB.

Liquidity

The Company is significantly leveraged with a loan to deposit ratio (excluding brokered deposits) of 134% at December 31, 2010 and 148% at December 31, 2009. Historically, the Company has utilized secured and unsecured borrowing lines to supplement its funding requirements. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, Republic had available collateral to borrow an additional $192 million and $215 million, respectively from the FHLB. In addition to its borrowing line with the FHLB, Republic also had unsecured lines of credit totaling $216 million available through various other financial institutions as of December 31, 2010. If the Company were to lose a significant funding source, such as a few major depositors, or if any of its lines of credit were canceled, or if the Company cannot obtain brokered deposits, the Company would be forced to offer market leading deposit interest rates to meet its funding and liquidity needs.

Republic maintains sufficient liquidity to fund routine loan demand and routine deposit withdrawal activity. Liquidity is managed by maintaining sufficient liquid assets in the form of investment securities. Funding and cash flows can also be realized by the sale of securities available for sale, principal paydowns on loans and MBSs and proceeds realized from loans held for sale. The Company’s liquidity is impacted by its ability to sell certain investment securities, which is limited due to the level of investment securities that are needed to secure public deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and for other purposes, as required by law. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, these pledged investment securities had a fair value of $431 million and $427 million, respectively. Republic’s banking centers and its website, www.republicbank.com, provide access to retail deposit markets. These retail deposit products, if offered at attractive rates, have historically been a source of additional funding when needed.

At December 31, 2010, the Company had approximately $400 million in large non-sweep deposit relationships. These accounts do not require collateral; therefore, cash from these accounts can generally be utilized to fund the loan portfolio. The ten largest non sweep deposit relationships represent approximately $189 million of the total balance. If any of these balances are moved from the Bank, the Company would likely utilize overnight FHLB advances in the short-term to replace the balances. On a longer-term basis, the Company would likely utilize brokered deposits to replace withdrawn balances. Based on past experience utilizing brokered deposits, the Company believes it can quickly obtain brokered deposits if needed. The overall cost of gathering brokered deposits, however, could be substantially higher than the Traditional Bank deposits they replace, potentially decreasing the Company’s earnings.

The Company’s liquidity risk increases significantly during the first quarter of each year due to the RAL program. The Company has committed to its electronic filer and tax-preparer base that it will make RALs available to their customers under the terms of its contracts with them. This requires the Company to estimate liquidity, or funding needs for the RAL program, well in advance of the tax season. If management materially overestimates the need for funding during the tax season, a significant expense could be incurred without an offsetting revenue stream. If management materially underestimates its funding needs during the tax season, the Company could experience a significant shortfall of cash needed to fund RALs and could potentially be required to stop or reduce its RAL originations.
 
 
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For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
·  
Part I Item 1 “Business”
·  
Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors”
·  
Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:”
o  
“Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates”
o  
“Recent Developments”
o  
“Overview”
o  
“Results of Operations”
o  
“Financial Condition”
·  
Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:”
o  
Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
o  
Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
o  
Footnote 4 “Securitization”
o  
Footnote 9 “Deposits”
o  
Footnote 22 “Segment Information”
o  
Footnote 23 “Regulatory Matters”

The Parent Company’s principal source of funds for dividend payments are dividends received from RB&T. Federal and state regulations limit the amount of dividends that may be paid to the Parent Company by the Bank without prior approval of the respective banking regulators. Under these regulations, the amount of dividends that may be paid in any calendar year is limited to the current year’s net profits, combined with the retained net profits of the preceding two years. At December 31, 2010, RB&T could, without prior approval, declare dividends of approximately $79 million.

Capital

Table 26 – Capital

Information pertaining to the Company’s capital balances and ratios follows:
 
December 31, (dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Stockholders' equity
  $ 371,376     $ 316,020     $ 275,922  
Book value per share at December 31,
    17.74       15.19       13.38  
Tangible book value per share at December 31,
    16.87       14.28       12.59  
Dividends declared per share - Class A Common Stock
    0.561       0.517       0.473  
Dividends declared per share - Class B Common Stock
    0.510       0.470       0.430  
Total risk based capital
    22.04 %     18.37 %     15.43 %
Tier 1 capital
    20.89 %     17.25 %     14.72 %
Tier 1 leverage capital
    12.05 %     10.52 %     8.80 %
Dividend payout ratio
    18 %     25 %     29 %
Average stockholders' equity to average total assets
    10.31 %     8.95 %     8.28 %
 
Total stockholders’ equity increased from $316 million at December 31, 2009 to $371 million at December 31, 2010. The increase in stockholders’ equity was primarily attributable to net income earned during 2010 reduced by cash dividends declared. In addition, stockholders’ equity also increased to a lesser extent from stock option exercises during the period ended December 31, 2010.

During 2010, the Company purchased approximately 17,000 shares of common stock for $388,000, an average of $22.60 per share. During November of 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the repurchase of 300,000 shares from time-to-time if market conditions were deemed favorable to the Company. The repurchase program will remain effective until the number of shares authorized is repurchased or until Republic’s Board of Directors terminates the program. As of December 31, 2010, the Company had 327,000 shares which could be repurchased under the current stock repurchase program.

See Part III, Item 12 “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters” for additional detail regarding stock repurchases and buy back programs.
 
 
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Regulatory Capital Requirements – The Parent Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by banking regulators. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on Republic’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Parent Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s assets, liabilities and certain off balance sheet items, as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

Banking regulators have categorized the Bank as well-capitalized. To be categorized as well-capitalized, the Bank must maintain minimum Total Risk Based, Tier I Capital and Tier I Leverage Capital ratios. Regulatory agencies measure capital adequacy within a framework that makes capital requirements, in part, dependent on the individual risk profiles of financial institutions. Republic continues to exceed the regulatory requirements for Total Risk Based Capital, Tier I Capital and Tier I Leverage Capital. Republic and the Bank intend to maintain a capital position that meets or exceeds the “well-capitalized” requirements as defined by the FRB, FDIC and the OTS. Republic’s average capital to average assets ratio was 10.31% at December 31, 2010 compared to 8.95% at December 31, 2009. Formal measurements of the capital ratios for Republic and the Bank are performed by the Company at each quarter end.

In 2004, the Company executed an intragroup trust preferred transaction, with the purpose of providing RB&T access to additional capital markets, if needed, in the future. On a consolidated basis, this transaction has had no impact on the capital levels and ratios of the Company. The subordinated debentures held by RB&T, as a result of this transaction, however, are treated as Tier 2 Capital based on requirements administered by the Bank’s federal banking agency. If RB&T’s Tier I Capital ratios should not meet the minimum requirement to be well-capitalized, the Company could immediately modify the transaction in order to maintain its well-capitalized status.

In 2005, Republic Bancorp Capital Trust (“RBCT”), an unconsolidated trust subsidiary of Republic Bancorp, Inc., was formed and issued $40 million in Trust Preferred Securities (“TPS”). The TPS pay a fixed interest rate for ten years and adjust with LIBOR + 1.42% thereafter. The TPS mature on September 30, 2035 and are redeemable at the Company’s option after ten years. The subordinated debentures are treated as Tier I Capital for regulatory purposes. The sole asset of RBCT represents the proceeds of the offering loaned to Republic Bancorp, Inc. in exchange for subordinated debentures which have terms that are similar to the TPS. The subordinated debentures and the related interest expense, which are payable quarterly at the annual rate of 6.015%, are included in the consolidated financial statements. The proceeds obtained from the TPS offering have been utilized to fund loan growth (in prior years), support an existing stock repurchase program and for other general business purposes such as the acquisition of GulfStream Community Bank in 2006.

Off Balance Sheet Items

Summarized credit-related financial instruments, including both commitments to extend credit and letters of credit follows:

Table 27 – Off Balance Sheet Items
 
   
Maturity by Period
 
         
Greater
   
Greater
             
         
than one
   
than three
   
Greater
       
   
Less than
   
year to
   
years to
   
than five
       
December 31, 2010 (in thousands)
 
one year
   
three years
   
five years
   
years
   
Total
 
                               
Unused loan commitments
  $ 174,415     $ 8,568     $ 7,352     $ 242,212     $ 432,547  
Standby letters of credit
    2,700       8,107       -       -       10,807  
FHLB letters of credit
    -       9,698       -       -       9,698  

A portion of the unused commitments above are expected to expire or may not be fully used, therefore the total amount of commitments above does not necessarily indicate future cash requirements.
 
 
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Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by Republic to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The terms and risk of loss involved in issuing standby letters of credit are similar to those involved in issuing loan commitments and extending credit. Commitments outstanding under standby letters of credit totaled $11 million and $12 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009. In addition to credit risk, the Company also has liquidity risk associated with standby letters of credit because funding for these obligations could be required immediately. The Company does not deem this risk to be material.

At December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, Republic had a $10 million letter of credit from the FHLB issued on behalf of one RB&T client. This letter of credit was used as a credit enhancement for a client bond offering and reduced RB&T’s available borrowing line at the FHLB. The Company uses a blanket pledge of eligible real estate loans to secure the letter of credit.

Commitments to extend credit generally consist of unfunded lines of credit. These commitments generally have variable rates of interest.

Aggregate Contractual Obligations

In addition to owned banking facilities, the Bank has entered into long-term leasing arrangements to support the ongoing activities of the Company. The Bank also has required future payments for long-term and short-term debt as well as the maturity of time deposits. The required payments under such commitments follows:

Table 28 – Aggregate Contractual Obligations
 
   
Maturity by Period
 
         
Greater
   
Greater
             
         
than one
   
than three
   
Greater
       
   
Less than
   
year to
   
years to
   
than five
       
December 31, 2010 (in thousands)
 
one year
   
three years
   
five years
   
years
   
Total
 
                               
Time deposits (including brokered
                             
    certificates of deposit)
  $ 899,996     $ 88,290     $ 13,663     $ 185     $ 1,002,134  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    75,000       176,000       188,000       125,877       564,877  
Subordinated note
    -       -       -       41,240       41,240  
Securities sold under agreements to
                                 
    repurchase
    319,246       -       -       -       319,246  
Lease commitments
    6,154       10,518       7,805       13,760       38,237  
Total contractual obligations
  $ 1,300,396     $ 274,808     $ 209,468     $ 181,062     $ 1,965,734  

FHLB advances represent the amounts that are due to the FHLB. Approximately $150 million of the advances, although fixed, are subject to conversion provisions at the option of the FHLB and can be prepaid without a penalty. Management believes these advances will not likely be converted in the short-term, and therefore has included the advances in their original maturity categories for purposes of this table.

See Footnote 12 “Subordinated Note” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for further information regarding the Company’s subordinated note.

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase generally have indeterminate maturity periods and are predominantly included in the less than one year category above.

Lease commitments represent the total minimum lease payments under non cancelable operating leases.
 
 
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Asset/Liability Management and Market Risk

Asset/liability management control is designed to ensure safety and soundness, maintain liquidity and regulatory capital standards and achieve acceptable net interest income. Interest rate risk is the exposure to adverse changes in net interest income as a result of market fluctuations in interest rates. The Company, on an ongoing basis, monitors interest rate and liquidity risk in order to implement appropriate funding and balance sheet strategies. The Company considers interest rate risk to be Republic’s most significant market risk.

The interest sensitivity profile of Republic at any point in time will be impacted by a number of factors. These factors include the mix of interest sensitive assets and liabilities, as well as their relative pricing schedules. It is also influenced by market interest rates, deposit growth, loan growth and other factors.

Republic utilized an earnings simulation model to analyze net interest income sensitivity. Potential changes in market interest rates and their subsequent effects on net interest income were evaluated with the model. The model projects the effect of instantaneous movements in interest rates of both 100 and 200 basis point increments equally across all points on the yield curve. These projections are computed based on various assumptions, which are used to determine the 100 and 200 basis point increments, as well as the base case (which is a twelve month projected amount) scenario. Assumptions based on growth expectations and on the historical behavior of Republic’s deposit and loan rates and their related balances in relation to changes in interest rates are also incorporated into the model. These assumptions are inherently uncertain and, as a result, the model cannot precisely measure future net interest income or precisely predict the impact of fluctuations in market interest rates on net interest income. Actual results will differ from the model’s simulated results due to timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes, as well as changes in market conditions and the application and timing of various management strategies. Additionally, actual results could differ materially from the model if interest rates do not move equally across all points on the yield curve.

The Company did not run a model simulation for declining interest rates as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, because the FOMC effectively lowered the FFTR between 0.00% to 0.25% in December 2008 and therefore, no further short-term rate reductions can occur. Overall, the indicated change in net interest income as of December 31, 2010 was substantially comparable to indicated change as of December 31, 2009 in an “up” interest rate scenario.
 
 
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The following tables illustrate Republic’s projected net interest income sensitivity profile based on the asset/liability model as of December 31, 2010 and 2009. The Company’s interest rate sensitivity model does not include loan fees within interest income. During 2010 and 2009, loan fees included in interest income were $54.9 million and $60.7 million, respectively.

Table 29 – Interest Rate Sensitivity for 2010
 
             
Increase in Rates
       
          100     200     300  
(dollars in thousands)
 
Base
   
Basis Points
   
Basis Points
   
Basis Points
 
                               
Projected interest income:
                             
Short-term investments
  $ 684     $ 3,395     $ 5,815     $ 5,566  
Investment securities
    11,844       15,197       18,029       20,798  
Loans, excluding loan fees(1)
    114,485       118,868       124,644       131,610  
Total interest income, excluding loan fees
    127,013       137,460       148,488       157,974  
                                 
Projected interest expense:
                               
Deposits
    10,078       18,817       26,395       35,340  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    778       3,887       6,997       10,115  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other
                               
    long-term borrowings
    19,799       19,799       19,248       15,490  
Total interest expense
    30,655       42,503       52,640       60,945  
                                 
Net interest income, excluding loan fees
  $ 96,358     $ 94,957     $ 95,848     $ 97,029  
Change from base
          $ (1,401 )   $ (510 )   $ 671  
% Change from base
            -1.45 %     -0.53 %     0.70 %

Table 30 – Interest Rate Sensitivity for 2009
 
             
Increase in Rates
       
          100     200     300  
(dollars in thousands)
 
Base
   
Basis Points
   
Basis Points
   
Basis Points
 
                               
Projected interest income:
                             
Short-term investments
  $ 771     $ 3,809     $ 6,806     $ 9,786  
Investment securities
    17,663       20,682       23,639       26,522  
Loans, excluding loan fees(1)
    121,585       127,319       134,635       143,206  
Total interest income, excluding loan fees
    140,019       151,810       165,080       179,514  
                                 
Projected interest expense:
                               
Deposits
    13,032       21,820       29,650       37,324  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    793       3,797       6,801       9,805  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other
                               
    long-term borrowings
    24,198       24,901       26,489       41,762  
Total interest expense
    38,023       50,518       62,940       88,891  
                                 
Net interest income, excluding loan fees
  $ 101,996     $ 101,292     $ 102,140     $ 90,623  
Change from base
          $ (704 )   $ 144     $ (11,373 )
% Change from base
            -0.69 %     0.14 %     -11.15 %
 
____________________
(1) – Consideration was not given to the impact of increasing and decreasing interest rates on RALs, which are fee based and occur substantially all in the first quarter of the year.
 
 
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Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

ASC Topic 810, “Consolidation.” New authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 810, “Consolidation,” amended prior guidance to establish accounting and reporting standards for the non-controlling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. Under ASC Topic 810, a non-controlling interest in a subsidiary, which is sometimes referred to as minority interest, is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as a component of equity in the consolidated financial statements. Among other requirements, ASC Topic 810 requires consolidated net income to be reported at amounts that include the amounts attributable to both the parent and the non-controlling interest. It also requires disclosure, on the face of the consolidated income statement, of the amounts of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the non-controlling interest. The new authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 810 became effective for the Company on January 1, 2009, and did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements. Further new authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 810 amends prior guidance to change how a company determines when an entity that is insufficiently capitalized or is not controlled through voting (or similar rights) should be consolidated. The determination of whether a company is required to consolidate an entity is based on, among other things, an entity’s purpose and design and a company’s ability to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. The new authoritative accounting guidance requires additional disclosures about the reporting entity’s involvement with variable-interest entities and any significant changes in risk exposure due to that involvement as well as its affect on the entity’s financial statements. The Company adopted the provisions of the new authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 810 on January 1, 2010. Adoption of the new guidance did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements

ASC Topic 860, “Transfers and Servicing.” New authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 860, “Transfers and Servicing,” amends prior accounting guidance to enhance reporting about transfers of financial assets, including securitizations, and where companies have continuing exposure to the risks related to transferred financial assets. The new authoritative accounting guidance eliminates the concept of a “qualifying special-purpose entity” and changes the requirements for derecognizing financial assets. The new authoritative accounting guidance also requires additional disclosures about all continuing involvements with transferred financial assets including information about gains and losses resulting from transfers during the period. The Company adopted the provisions of the new authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 860 on January 1, 2010. Adoption of the new guidance did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ASC Topic 310 “Receivables.” New authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 310, “Receivables,” amended prior guidance to provide a greater level of disaggregated information about the credit quality of loans and leases and the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (the “Allowance”). The new authoritative guidance also requires additional disclosures related to credit quality indicators, past due information, and information related to loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring. The new authoritative guidance amends only the disclosure requirements for loans and leases and the allowance. The Company adopted the period end disclosures provisions of the new authoritative guidance under ASC Topic 310 in the reporting period ending December 31, 2010. Adoption of the new guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s statements of income and financial condition. The disclosures about activity that occurs will be effective for reporting periods after January 1, 2011, and will have no impact on the Company’s statements of income and financial condition.

FASB ASC 310 Receivables, Sub-Topic 310-30 Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality (“Subtopic 310-30”) was amended to clarify that modifications of loans that are accounted for within a pool under Subtopic 310-30 do not result in the removal of those loans from the pool even if the modification would otherwise be considered a troubled debt restructuring. The amendments do not affect the accounting for loans under the scope of Subtopic 310-30 that are not accounted for within pools. Loans accounted for individually under Subtopic 310-30 continue to be subject to the troubled debt restructuring accounting provisions within ASC 310 Subtopic 310-40 Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors. The new authoritative accounting guidance under Subtopic 310-30 became effective in the third quarter of 2010 and did not have an impact on the Company’s financial statements.
 
 
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Newly Issued Not Yet Effective Standards

FASB ASU 2010-28, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts affects all entities that have recognized goodwill and have one or more reporting units whose carrying amount for purposes of performing Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test is zero or negative. ASU 2010-28 modifies Step 1 so that for those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. In determining whether it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists, an entity should consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that an impairment may exist. The qualitative factors are consistent with existing guidance, which requires that goodwill of a reporting unit be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. For public entities, this guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2010. Adoption of ASU 2010-28 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

See the section titled “Asset/Liability Management and Market Risk” included under Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
 
Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

The following are included in this section:

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated balance sheets – December 31, 2010 and 2009
Consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income – years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
Consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity – years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
Consolidated statements of cash flows – years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
Footnotes to consolidated financial statements
 
 
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LOGO
 

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The Management of Republic Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) is responsible for the preparation, integrity, and fair presentation of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements. All information has been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and, as such, includes certain amounts that are based on Management’s best estimates and judgments.

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting presented in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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 U.S. 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.

Two of the objectives of internal control are to provide reasonable assurance to Management and the Board of Directors that transactions are properly authorized and recorded in the Company’s financial records, and that the preparation of the Company’s financial statements and other financial reporting is done in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of internal control, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even effective internal control can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to reliability of financial statements. Furthermore, internal control can vary with changes in circumstances.

Management has made its own assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, in relation to the criteria described in the report, Internal Control — Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Based on its assessment, Management concludes that as of December 31, 2010, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.

Based on its assessment, Management believes that as of December 31, 2010, the Company’s internal control was effective in achieving the objectives stated above. Crowe Horwath LLP has provided its report on the effectiveness of internal control in their report dated March 2, 2011.

 
signature  signature  signature 
 
Bernard M. Trager
Chairman of the Board
 
 
 
 
 
March 2, 2011
Steven E. Trager
President and
Chief Executive Officer
Kevin Sipes
Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and
Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
98

 
 
LOGO
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors and Stockholders
of Republic Bancorp, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Republic Bancorp, Inc. as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010. We also have audited Republic Bancorp, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Republic Bancorp, Inc.’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, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated 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 Republic Bancorp, Inc. as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, Republic Bancorp, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
 
 
SIGNATURE

Louisville, Kentucky
March 2, 2011
 
 
99

 
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, (in thousands, except share data)

 
   
2010
   
2009
 
ASSETS:
           
             
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 786,371     $ 1,068,179  
Securities available for sale
    509,755       416,311  
Securities to be held to maturity (fair value of $33,824 in 2010 and $51,135 in 2009)
    32,939       50,924  
Mortgage loans held for sale
    15,228       5,445  
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $23,079 and $22,879 (2010 and 2009)
    2,152,161       2,245,353  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost
    26,212       26,248  
Premises and equipment, net
    37,770       39,380  
Goodwill
    10,168       10,168  
Other assets and accrued interest receivable
    52,099       56,760  
                 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 3,622,703     $ 3,918,768  
                 
LIABILITIES
               
                 
Deposits
               
    Non interest-bearing
  $ 325,375     $ 318,275  
    Interest-bearing
    1,977,317       2,284,206  
Total deposits
    2,302,692       2,602,481  
                 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other short-term borrowings
    319,246       299,580  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    564,877       637,607  
Subordinated note
    41,240       41,240  
Other liabilities and accrued interest payable
    23,272       21,840  
                 
Total liabilities
    3,251,327       3,602,748  
                 
Commitments and contingencies (Footnote 19)
    -       -  
                 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
                 
Preferred stock, no par value, 100,000 shares authorized
               
    Series A 8.5% non cumulative convertible, none issued
    -       -  
Class A Common Stock, no par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized,
               
    18,628,051 shares (2010) and 18,498,867 shares (2009) issued and
               
    outstanding; Class B Common Stock, no par value, 5,000,000 shares
               
    authorized, 2,307,313 shares (2010) and 2,308,974 (2009) issued
               
    and outstanding
    4,944       4,917  
Additional paid in capital
    129,327       126,376  
Retained earnings
    230,987       178,944  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    6,118       5,783  
                 
Total stockholders' equity
    371,376       316,020  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  $ 3,622,703     $ 3,918,768  
 
 
See accompanying footnotes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
100

 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, (in thousands, except per share data)


   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
INTEREST INCOME:
                 
                   
Loans, including fees
  $ 176,463     $ 192,023     $ 170,565  
Taxable investment securities
    14,590       18,362       27,126  
Tax exempt investment securities
    11       23       57  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock and other
    2,409       2,197       4,394  
Total interest income
    193,473       212,605       202,142  
                         
INTEREST EXPENSE:
                       
                         
Deposits
    13,129       21,887       40,481  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other short-term borrowings
    1,026       1,063       6,200  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    19,991       23,277       23,215  
Subordinated note
    2,515       2,515       2,522  
Total interest expense
    36,661       48,742       72,418  
                         
NET INTEREST INCOME
    156,812       163,863       129,724  
                         
Provision for loan losses
    19,714       33,975       16,205  
                         
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
    137,098       129,888       113,519  
                         
NON INTEREST INCOME:
                       
                         
Service charges on deposit accounts
    15,562       19,156       19,404  
Electronic refund check fees
    58,789       25,289       17,756  
Net RAL securitization income
    265       514       13,347  
Mortgage banking income
    5,797       11,021       3,536  
Debit card interchange fee income
    5,067       5,114       4,776  
Net gain on sales and calls of investment securities
    -       -       1,917  
                      -  
Total impairment losses on investment securities
    (221 )     (5,822 )     (16,281 )
Loss recognized in other comprehensive income
    -       -       -  
   Net impairment loss recognized in earnings
    (221 )     (5,822 )     (16,281 )
                         
Other
    2,399       2,349       1,505  
Total non interest income
    87,658       57,621       45,960  
                         
NON INTEREST EXPENSES:
                       
                         
Salaries and employee benefits
    55,246       51,173       52,118  
Occupancy and equipment, net
    21,958       22,370       19,760  
Communication and transportation
    5,418       5,354       4,672  
Marketing and development
    10,813       13,146       9,208  
FDIC insurance expense
    3,155       4,993       1,152  
Bank franchise tax expense
    3,187       2,643       2,598  
Data processing
    2,697       3,017       2,771  
Debit card interchange expense
    1,741       3,096       2,402  
Supplies
    2,359       2,398       1,649  
Other real estate owned expense
    1,829       2,253       238  
Charitable contributions
    6,232       1,494       1,632  
FHLB advance prepayment penalty
    1,531       -       -  
Other
    10,157       9,548       9,392  
Total non interest expenses
    126,323       121,485       107,592  
                         
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE
    98,433       66,024       51,887  
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
    33,680       23,893       18,235  
NET INCOME
  $ 64,753     $ 42,131     $ 33,652  

 
(continued)
 
 
101

 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, (in thousands, except per share data)


   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX
                 
                   
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale, net
  $ (161 )   $ 2,799     $ (8,898 )
Other-than-temporary-impairment on available for sale
                       
    securities recorded in other comprehensive income, net
    -       1,800       -  
Change in unrealized losses on securities available for sale for
                       
    which a portion of an other-than-temporary impairment has
                       
    been recognized in earnings, net
    640       380       -  
Realized amount on securities sold, net
    -       -       (1,246 )
Reclassification adjustment for losses realized in income
    (144 )     1,984       10,583  
Other comprehensive income
    335       6,963       439  
                         
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
  $ 65,088     $ 49,094     $ 34,091  
                         
                         
                         
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE:
                       
                         
Class A Common Stock
  $ 3.11     $ 2.04     $ 1.65  
Class B Common Stock
    3.06       1.99       1.60  
                         
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE:
                       
                         
Class A Common Stock
  $ 3.10     $ 2.02     $ 1.62  
Class B Common Stock
    3.04       1.98       1.58  
                         
                         
 
                       
 
See accompanying footnotes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
102

 
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008


                                 
Unearned
             
   
Common Stock
               
Shares in
   
Accumulated
       
   
Class A
   
Class B
         
Additional
         
Empl. Stock
   
Other
   
Total
 
   
Shares
   
Shares
         
Paid In
   
Retained
   
Ownership
   
Comprehensive
   
Stockholders'
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Outstanding
   
Outstanding
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Plan
   
Income
   
Equity
 
                                                 
Balance, January 1, 2008
    17,958       2,344     $ 4,821     $ 119,761     $ 124,616     $ (519 )   $ 181     $ 248,860  
                                                                 
Net income
    -       -       -       -       33,652       -       -       33,652  
                                                                 
Net change in accumulated other
                                                               
   comprehensive income
    -       -       -       -       -       -       439       439  
                                                                 
Dividend declared Common Stock:
                                                               
         Class A ($0.473 per share)
    -       -       -       -       (8,620 )     -       -       (8,620 )
         Class B ($0.430 per share)
    -       -       -       -       (1,001 )     -       -       (1,001 )
                                                                 
Stock options exercised, net of
                                                               
   shares redeemed
    299       -       62       2,844       (1,280 )     -       -       1,626  
                                                                 
Repurchase of Class A Common Stock
    (23 )     -       (5 )     (134 )     (384 )     -       -       (523 )
                                                                 
Conversion of Class B Common Stock
                                                               
    to Class A Common Stock
    34       (34 )     -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                                 
Shares committed to be released under
                                                               
    the Employee Stock Ownership Plan
    49       -       -       612       -       519       -       1,131  
                                                                 
Notes receivable on Common Stock, net
                                                         
   of cash payments
    -       -       -       (407 )     -       -       -       (407 )
                                                                 
Deferred director compensation expense -
                                                         
   Company Stock
    1       -       -       139       -       -       -       139  
                                                                 
Stock based compensation expense
    -       -       -       626       -       -       -       626  
                                                                 
Balance, December 31, 2008
    18,318       2,310     $ 4,878     $ 123,441     $ 146,983     $ -     $ 620     $ 275,922  
                                                                 

(continued)

 
103

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)

 
   
Common Stock
               
Accumulated
       
   
Class A
   
Class B
         
Additional
         
Other
   
Total
 
   
Shares
   
Shares
         
Paid In
   
Retained
   
Comprehensive
   
Stockholders'
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Outstanding
   
Outstanding
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Income
   
Equity
 
                                           
Balance, January 1, 2009
    18,318       2,310     $ 4,878     $ 123,441     $ 146,983     $ 620     $ 275,922  
                                                         
Cumulative effect of change in accounting
                                                       
    principle, adoption of FASB ASC 320
    -       -       -       -       1,800       (1,800 )     -  
                                                         
Net income
    -       -       -       -       42,131       -       42,131  
                                                         
Change in unrealized losses on available for
                                                       
    sale securities for which a portion of an
                                                       
    other-than-temporary impairment has been
                                                       
    recognized in earnings, net
    -       -       -       -       -       380       380  
                                                         
Net change in accumulated other
                                                       
   comprehensive income
    -       -       -       -       -       6,583       6,583  
                                                         
Dividend declared Common Stock:
                                                       
         Class A ($0.517 per share)
    -       -       -       -       (9,543 )     -       (9,543 )
         Class B ($0.470 per share)
    -       -       -       -       (1,086 )     -       (1,086 )
                                                         
Stock options exercised, net of shares redeemed
    215       -       46       2,530       (701 )     -       1,875  
                                                         
Repurchase of Class A Common Stock
    (35 )     -       (7 )     (221 )     (640 )     -       (868 )
                                                         
Conversion of Class B Common Stock
                                                       
    to Class A Common Stock
    1       (1 )     -       -       -       -       -  
                                                         
Notes receivable on Common Stock, net
                                                       
   of cash payments
    -       -       -       (249 )     -       -       (249 )
                                                         
Deferred director compensation expense -
                                                       
   Company Stock
    -       -       -       152       -       -       152  
                                                         
Stock based compensation expense
    -       -       -       723       -       -       723  
                                                         
Balance, December 31, 2009
    18,499       2,309     $ 4,917     $ 126,376     $ 178,944     $ 5,783     $ 316,020  

 
(continued)

 
104

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)


                                           
   
Common Stock
               
Accumulated
       
   
Class A
   
Class B
         
Additional
         
Other
   
Total
 
   
Shares
   
Shares
         
Paid In
   
Retained
   
Comprehensive
   
Stockholders'
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Outstanding
   
Outstanding
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Income
   
Equity
 
                                           
Balance, January 1, 2010
    18,499       2,309     $ 4,917     $ 126,376     $ 178,944     $ 5,783     $ 316,020  
                                                         
Net income
    -       -       -       -       64,753       -       64,753  
                                                         
Net change in accumulated other
                                                       
   comprehensive income
    -       -       -       -       -       335       335  
                                                         
Dividend declared Common Stock:
                                                       
         Class A ($0.561 per share)
    -       -       -       -       (10,422 )     -       (10,422 )
         Class B ($0.510 per share)
    -       -       -       -       (1,177 )     -       (1,177 )
                                                         
Stock options exercised, net of shares redeemed
    138       -       31       2,684       (831 )     -       1,884  
                                                         
Repurchase of Class A Common Stock
    (11 )     -       (4 )     (106 )     (280 )     -       (390 )
                                                         
Conversion of Class B Common Stock
                                                       
    to Class A Common Stock
    2       (2 )     -       -       -       -       -  
                                                         
Notes receivable on Common Stock, net
                                                       
   of cash payments
    -       -       -       (345 )     -       -       (345 )
                                                         
Deferred director compensation expense -
                                                       
   Company Stock
    -       -       -       151       -       -       151  
                                                         
Stock based compensation expense
    -       -       -       567       -       -       567  
                                                         
Balance, December 31, 2010
    18,628       2,307     $ 4,944     $ 129,327     $ 230,987     $ 6,118     $ 371,376  
                                                         

See accompanying footnotes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
105

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, (in thousands) 

 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                 
Net income
  $ 64,753     $ 42,131     $ 33,652  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
                       
    by operating activities:
                       
      Depreciation, amortization and accretion, net
    10,683       10,542       7,509  
      Federal Home Loan Bank stock dividends
            -       (956 )
      Provision for loan losses
    19,714       33,975       16,205  
      Net gain on sale of mortgage loans held for sale
    (5,989 )     (11,332 )     (4,453 )
      Origination of mortgage loans held for sale
    (288,893 )     (556,685 )     (234,759 )
      Proceeds from sale of mortgage loans held for sale
    285,099       573,870       232,192  
      Net realized impairment (recovery) of mortgage servicing rights
    -       (1,255 )     1,255  
      Net gain on sale of RALs
    -       -       (8,307 )
      Increase in RAL securitization residual
    (265 )     (514 )     (5,040 )
      Origination of RALs held for sale
    -       -       (1,098,717 )
      Proceeds from sale of RALs
    -       -       1,009,698  
      Paydown of trading securities
    265       514       107,099  
      Net realized loss on sales, calls and impairment of securities
    221       5,822       14,364  
      Net gain on sale of other real estate owned
    (203 )     (20 )     (67 )
      Writedowns of other real estate owned
    1,127       2,011       106  
      Net gain on sale of premises and equipment
    -       -       (43 )
      Deferred director compensation expense - Company Stock
    151       152       139  
      Employee Stock Ownership Plan compensation expense
    -       -       1,131  
      Stock based compensation expense
    567       723       626  
      Net change in other assets and liabilities:
                       
         Accrued interest receivable
    577       3,203       (3,932 )
         Accrued interest payable
    (511 )     (3,704 )     (815 )
         Other assets
    7,926       (24,309 )     (3,330 )
         Other liabilities
    (5,988 )     (3,046 )     (4,694 )
              Net cash provided by operating activities
    89,234       72,078       58,863  
                         
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
                       
Purchases of securities available for sale
    (611,521 )     (616,047 )     (2,349,633 )
Purchases of securities to be held to maturity
    (685 )     (18,525 )     -  
Purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    (26 )     (1,166 )     (531 )
Proceeds from calls, maturities and paydowns of securities available for sale
    524,423       1,057,950       1,929,882  
Proceeds from calls, maturities and paydowns of securities to be held to maturity
    18,669       18,373       1,067  
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale
    -       -       81,066  
Proceeds from sales of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    62       -       360  
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned
    9,684       8,402       4,138  
Net change in loans
    55,335       2,116       69,701  
Purchases of premises and equipment
    (4,268 )     (3,986 )     (9,333 )
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment
    -       -       848  
              Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities
    (8,327 )     447,117       (272,435 )
                         
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                       
Net change in deposits
    (299,789 )     (140,888 )     774,554  
Net change in securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other short-term borrowings
    19,666       (39,432 )     (59,284 )
Payments on Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    (117,730 )     (107,627 )     (174,316 )
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    45,000       230,000       211,000  
Repurchase of Common Stock
    (390 )     (868 )     (523 )
Net proceeds from Common Stock options exercised
    1,884       1,875       1,626  
Cash dividends paid
    (11,356 )     (10,379 )     (9,359 )
              Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities
    (362,715 )     (67,319 )     743,698  
                         
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    (281,808 )     451,876       530,126  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD
    1,068,179       616,303       86,177  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
  $ 786,371     $ 1,068,179     $ 616,303  
                         
 
(continued)
 
 
106

 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, (in thousands)


   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASHFLOW INFORMATION:
                 
                   
Cash paid during the year for:
                 
      Interest
  $ 37,172     $ 52,446     $ 73,233  
      Income taxes
    28,674       28,737       25,360  
                         
                         
SUPPLEMENTAL NONCASH DISCLOSURES:
                       
                         
Transfers from loans to real estate acquired in settlement of loans
  $ 17,798     $ 7,332     $ 9,119  
Retained securitization residual
    -       -       102,059  
                         

See accompanying footnotes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
107

 
 
FOOTNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.           SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations and Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Republic Bancorp, Inc. (the “Parent Company”) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries: Republic Bank & Trust Company (“RB&T”) and Republic Bank (collectively referred together with RB&T as the “Bank”), Republic Funding Company and Republic Invest Co. Republic Invest Co. includes its subsidiary, Republic Capital LLC. The consolidated financial statements also include the wholly-owned subsidiaries of RB&T: Republic Financial Services, LLC, TRS RAL Funding, LLC and Republic Insurance Agency, LLC. Republic Bancorp Capital Trust (“RBCT”) is a Delaware statutory business trust that is a wholly-owned unconsolidated finance subsidiary of Republic Bancorp, Inc. All companies are collectively referred to as “Republic” or the “Company.” All significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Republic operates 43 banking centers, primarily in the retail banking industry, and conducts its operations predominately in metropolitan Louisville, Kentucky, central Kentucky, northern Kentucky, southern Indiana, metropolitan Tampa, Florida, metropolitan Cincinnati, Ohio and through an Internet banking delivery channel. Republic’s consolidated results of operations are primarily dependent upon net interest income, which represents the difference between the interest income and fees on interest-earning assets and the interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities. Principal interest-earning assets represent investment securities and real estate mortgage, commercial and consumer loans. Interest-bearing liabilities primarily consist of interest-bearing deposit accounts, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, as well as short-term and long-term borrowing sources.

Other sources of Traditional Banking income include service charges on deposit accounts, debit card interchange fee income, title insurance commissions, fees charged to customers for trust services and revenue generated from Mortgage Banking activities. Mortgage Banking activities represent both the origination and sale of loans in the secondary market and the servicing of loans for others.

Republic’s operating expenses consist primarily of salaries and employee benefits, occupancy and equipment expenses, communication and transportation costs, marketing and development expenses, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance expense, bank franchise tax expense, data processing, debit card interchange expense and other general and administrative costs. Republic’s results of operations are significantly impacted by general economic and competitive conditions, particularly changes in market interest rates, government laws and policies and actions of regulatory agencies.

Republic, through its Tax Refund Solutions (“TRS”) segment, is one of a limited number of financial institutions which facilitates the payment of federal and state tax refunds through third party tax-preparers located throughout the U.S., as well as tax-preparation software providers. The Company facilitates the payment of these tax refunds through three primary products: Electronic Refund Checks (“ERCs” or “ARs”), Electronic Refund Deposits (“ERDs” or “ARDs”) and Refund Anticipation Loans (“RALs”). Substantially all of the business generated by TRS occurs in the first quarter of the year. TRS traditionally operates at a loss during the second half of the year, during which the segment incurs costs preparing for the following first quarter’s tax season.

ERCs/ERDs are products whereby a tax refund is issued to the taxpayer after the Company has received the refund from the federal or state government. There is no credit risk or borrowing cost for the Company associated with these products because they are only delivered to the taxpayer upon receipt of the refund directly from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). Fees earned on ERCs/ERDs are reported as non interest income under the line item “Electronic Refund Check fees.”

RALs are short-term consumer loans offered to taxpayers that are secured by the customer’s anticipated tax refund, which represents the source of repayment. The Company has historically underwriten the RAL application utilizing the Debt Indicator (the “DI”) from the IRS in combination with an automated underwriting model utilizing information contained in the taxpayer’s tax return. The DI, which indicates whether an individual taxpayer will have any portion of the refund offset for delinquent tax or other debts such as unpaid child support or federally funded student loans, has historically been a significant underwriting component. On August 5, 2010, the IRS issued a news release stating that it will no longer provide tax preparers and associated financial institutions with the DI beginning with the first quarter 2011 tax season. Without access to the DI, the Company has tightened its underwriting and application requirements criteria for the first quarter 2011 tax season. See the section titled “IRS Decision to Withhold Debt Indicator” in this section of the filing.
 
 
108

 
 
1.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

If the RAL application is approved, the Company advances the amount of the refund due on the taxpayer’s return up to specified amounts less the loan fee due to the Company and, if requested by the taxpayer, the fees due for preparation of the return to the tax-preparer. As part of the RAL application process, each taxpayer signs an agreement directing the IRS to send the taxpayer’s refund directly to the Company. The refund received from the IRS is used by the Company to pay off the RAL. Any amount due the taxpayer above the amount of the RAL is remitted to the taxpayer once the refund is received by the Company. The funds advanced by the Company are generally repaid by the IRS within two weeks. The fees earned on RALs are reported as interest income under the line item “Loans, including fees.”
 
For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
·           Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors”
·           Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:”
o      Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
o      Footnote 4 “Securitization”
o      Footnote 9 “Deposits”
o      Footnote 22 “Segment Information”
o      Footnote 23 “Regulatory Matters”
 
Subsequent Events –The Company has evaluated subsequent events for recognition or disclosure.

Use of Estimates – Financial statements prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Material estimates relate to:

·      TRS allowance for loan losses and provision for loan losses
·      Banking segment allowance for loan losses and provision for loan losses
·      Mortgage servicing rights
·      Income tax accounting
·      Goodwill and other intangible assets
·      Impairment of investment securities

These estimates are particularly subject to change and actual results could differ from these estimates.

Significant Group Concentrations of Credit Risk – The Company does not have any significant concentrations of credit risk to any one industry or relationship. The Company’s customers’ ability to repay their loans is generally dependent on the real estate and general economic conditions within the Company’s footprint.

Earnings Concentration – For 2010, 2009 and 2008, approximately 68%, 47% and 39% of total Company net income was derived from the TRS segment, which if terminated, could have a materially adverse impact on net income. Within the TRS segment, the Company generated 63%, 31% and 23% during 2010, 2009 and 2008 of its TRS gross revenue from its agreements with Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (“JH”) and Liberty Tax Service (“Liberty”).

Cash Flows – Cash and cash equivalents include cash, deposits with other financial institutions with original maturities less than 90 days and federal funds sold. Net cash flows are reported for customer loan and deposit transactions, interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions, repurchase agreements and income taxes.

Interest-Bearing Deposits in Other Financial Institutions – Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions mature within one year and are carried at cost.

Trust Assets – Property held for customers in fiduciary or agency capacities, other than trust cash on deposit at Republic, is not included in the consolidated financial statements since such items are not assets of Republic.
 
 
109

 
 
1.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
 
Securities – Debt securities are classified as held to maturity and carried at amortized cost when management has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity. Debt securities are classified as available for sale when they might be sold before maturity. Securities available for sale are carried at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income, net of tax.

Interest income includes amortization of purchase premium or discount. Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized on the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments, except for mortgage backed securities where prepayments are anticipated. Gains and losses on sales are recorded on the trade date and determined using the specific identification method.

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation. For securities in an unrealized loss position, management considers the extent and duration of the unrealized loss, and the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer. Management also assesses whether it intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell, a security in an unrealized loss position before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the entire difference between amortized cost and fair value is recognized as impairment through earnings. For debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the amount of impairment is split into two components as follows: 1) OTTI related to credit loss, which must be recognized in the income statement and 2) OTTI related to other factors, which is recognized in other comprehensive income. The credit loss is defined as the difference between the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis. For equity securities, the entire amount of impairment is recognized through earnings.

In order to determine OTTI for purchased beneficial interests that, on the purchase date, were not highly rated, the Company compares the present value of the remaining cash flows as estimated at the preceding evaluation date to the current expected remaining cash flows. OTTI is deemed to have occurred if there has been an adverse change in the remaining expected future cash flows.

Mortgage Banking Activities – Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at fair value, as determined by outstanding commitments from investors. Net gains and losses are recorded as component of mortgage banking income. Gains and losses on sales of mortgage loans are based on the difference between the selling price and the carrying value of the related loan sold. Substantially all of the gain on sale of loans are reported in earnings when loans are locked.

Commitments to fund mortgage loans (“interest rate lock commitments”) to be sold into the secondary market and non-exchange traded mandatory forward sales contracts (“forward contracts”) for the future delivery of these mortgage loans are accounted for as free standing derivatives. Fair values of these mortgage derivatives are estimated based on changes in mortgage interest rates from the date the Company enters in to the derivative. Generally, the Company enters into forward commitments for the future delivery of mortgage loans when interest rate lock commitments are entered into, in order to hedge the change in interest rates resulting from its commitments to fund the loans. Changes in the fair values of these mortgage derivatives are included in net gains on sales of loans, which is a component of Mortgage Banking income on the income statement.

Mortgage loans held for sale are generally sold with the mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”) retained. When mortgage loans are sold with servicing retained, servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value with the income statement effect recorded in gains on sales of loans. Fair value is based on market prices for comparable mortgage servicing contracts, when available or alternatively, is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income. All classes of servicing assets are subsequently measured using the amortization method which requires servicing rights to be amortized into non-interest income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying loans. Amortization of MSRs are initially set at seven years and subsequently adjusted on a quarterly basis based on the weighted average remaining life of the underlying loans.

 
110

 
 
1.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
 
Servicing rights are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to carrying amount. Impairment is determined by stratifying rights into groupings based on predominant risk characteristics, such as interest rate, loan type and investor type. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for an individual grouping, to the extent that fair value is less than the carrying amount. If the Company later determines that all or a portion of the impairment no longer exists for a particular grouping, a reduction of the allowance may be recorded as an increase to income. Changes in valuation allowances are reported within Mortgage Banking income on the income statement. The fair values of servicing rights are subject to significant fluctuations as a result of changes in estimated and actual prepayment speeds and default rates and losses.

The carrying value of the MSR asset is evaluated monthly for impairment based on the fair value of the MSR, using groupings of the underlying loans grouped by interest rates. Any impairment of a grouping would be reported as a valuation allowance. If the Company later determines that all or a portion of the impairment no longer exists for a particular grouping, a reduction of the allowance may be recorded as an increase to income. Changes in valuation allowances are reported within Mortgage Banking income on the income statement.

A primary factor influencing the fair value is the estimated life of the underlying loans serviced. The estimated life of the loans serviced is significantly influenced by market interest rates. During a period of declining interest rates, the fair value of the MSRs generally will decline due to higher expected prepayments within the portfolio. Alternatively, during a period of rising interest rates the fair value of MSRs generally will increase as prepayments on the underlying loans would be expected to decline. No impairment of the MSR asset existed at December 31, 2010 or 2009. However, based on the estimated fair value at December 31, 2008, management determined six of the 24 tranches within the MSR portfolio were impaired and booked impairment expense of $1.3 million during the fourth quarter of 2008. The majority of this valuation allowance was reversed during the first quarter of 2009.

Loan servicing income is reported on the income statement as a component of Mortgage banking income. Loan servicing income is recorded as loan payments are collected and includes servicing fees from investors and certain charges collected from borrowers. The fees are based on a contractual percentage of the outstanding principal; or a fixed amount per loan and are recorded as income when earned. The amortization of MSRs is netted against loan servicing fee income. Loan servicing income totaled $3.1 million, $2.9 million and $2.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. Late fees and ancillary fees related to loan servicing are not material.

LoansLoans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at the principal balance outstanding less deferred loan fees and costs and an allowance for loan losses. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized in interest income using the level yield method without anticipating prepayments.

Interest income on mortgage and commercial loans is typically discontinued at the time the loan is 80 days delinquent unless the loan is well-secured and in process of collection. Past due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan. In all cases, loans are placed on non-accrual or charged-off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful. Non-accrual loans and loans past due 80 days still on accrual include both smaller balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment and individually classified impaired loans.

All interest accrued but not received for loans placed on non-accrual is reversed against interest income. Interest received on such loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured, typically a minimum of six months of performance. Consumer and credit card loans, exclusive of RALs, are not placed on non-accrual status, but are reviewed periodically and charged off when the loans reach 120 days past due or at any point the loan is deemed uncollectible. RALs undergo a review in March and those delinquent RALs deemed uncollectible are charged off against the allowance for loan losses. All remaining RALs are charged off at June 30th each year. Collections subsequent to June 30th each year are recorded as recoveries.

 
111

 
 
1.           SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Securitization – During 2008, the Company utilized a securitization structure to fund a portion of the RALs originated during the respective tax seasons. From mid January to the end of February 2008, RALs which, upon origination, met certain underwriting criteria related to refund amount and Earned Income Tax Credit amount, were classified as loans held for sale and sold into the securitization. All other RALs originated were retained by the Company. There were no RALs held for sale as of any quarter end. The Company retained a related residual value in the securitization, which was classified on the balance sheet as a trading security. The initial residual interest had a weighted average life of approximately one month, and as such, substantially all of its cash flows were received by the end of the first quarter. The disposition of the remaining anticipated cash flows occurred within the remainder of the calendar year. At its initial valuation, and on a quarterly basis thereafter, the Company adjusted the carrying amount of the residual value to its fair value, which was determined based on expected future cash flows and was significantly influenced by the anticipated credit losses of the underlying RALs. The Company’s continuing involvement in RALs sold into the securitization was limited to only servicing of the RALs. Compensation for servicing of the securitized RALs was not contingent upon performance of the securitized RALs.

The Company concluded that the securitization was a sale as defined in FASB ASC topic 860 Transfers and Servicing.” This conclusion was based on, among other things, legal isolation of assets, the ability of the purchaser to pledge or sell the assets and the absence of a right or obligation of the Company to repurchase the financial assets.

The Company chose not to utilize a securitization structure to fund its RAL portfolio during the first quarter 2009 and 2010 tax seasons.
 
For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
·              Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors”
·              Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:”
o      Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
o      Footnote 4 “Securitization”
o      Footnote 9 “Deposits”
o      Footnote 22 “Segment Information”
o      Footnote 23 “Regulatory Matters”
 
Allowance for Loan Losses The allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance for probable incurred credit losses. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Management estimates the allowance balance required using past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions and other factors. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off.

The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific components relate to loans that are individually classified as impaired or loans otherwise classified as special mention, substandard or doubtful. The general component covers non-classified loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for current factors.

Republic defines impaired loans as follows:

·        
All commercial or commercial real estate loans classified internally as “doubtful” or “loss;”
·        
All commercial or commercial real estate loan relationships on accrual status classified internally as “substandard” exceeding $499,999 in aggregate;
·        
All commercial or commercial real estate loans classified internally as “substandard” or “special mention” on nonaccrual status, regardless of the size of the credit;
·        
All retail and commercial loans classified as troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”); and
·        
Any other situation where the collection of total amount due for a loan is improbable or otherwise meet the definition of impaired.
 
 
112

 
 
1.           SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis for commercial and construction loans over $1 million by evaluating either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans, such as consumer and residential real estate loans, are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, the Company does not separately identify individual consumer and residential loans for impairment disclosures, unless such loans are the subject of a restructuring agreement. Troubled debt restructurings are measured at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s effective rate at inception, or using the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

The general component of the allowance for loan losses covers non impaired loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for current factors. The historical loss experience is determined by portfolio segment and is based on the actual loss history experienced by the Company. The average five year, two year and current year loss rates are reviewed in the analysis, as well as comparisons to peer group loss rates. This actual loss experience is supplemented with other economic factors based on the risks present for each portfolio segment. These economic factors include consideration of the following: levels of and trends in delinquencies and impaired loans; levels of and trends in charge-offs and recoveries; trends in volume and terms of loans; effects of any changes in risk selection and underwriting standards; other changes in lending policies, procedures, and practices; experience, ability, and depth of lending management and other relevant staff; national and local economic trends and conditions such as changed in real estate value; industry conditions; and effects of changes in credit concentrations.

A “portfolio segment” is defined as the level at which an entity develops and documents a systematic methodology to determine its allowance for loan losses. A “class” of loans represents further disaggregation of a portfolio segment based on risk characteristics and the entity’s method for monitoring and assessing credit risk. The Company has identified the following portfolio segments and classes: Residential real estate (owner occupied and non owner occupied), Commercial real estate, Real estate construction, Commercial Home Equity and Consumer (Tax Refund Solutions, Credit cards, Overdrafts and Other consumer).

The Company analyzes all relevant risk characteristics for each portfolio segment and class of loans. Each of the Traditional Banking portfolio segments and classes possess similar general risk characteristics that are analyzed by the Company in connection with its loan underwriting procedures. In determining the allocated allowance, management analyzes the average annual loss rates for the previous 5-year and 2-year periods, along with the current year loss rate, as well as comparisons to peer group corresponding loss rates. In addition, when qualitative factors, such as a general decline in home values, indicate an elevated risk of loss, management performs additional analysis on the portfolio segment, such as updating collateral values on a test basis.

Due to the overall high level of real estate loans within the loan portfolio as a whole, as compared to other portfolio segments, for risk assessment and allowance purposes this segment was segregated into more granular pools by collateral property type. Construction and land loans have the highest qualitative adjustments for economic and other credit risk factors, such as the incomplete status of the collateral and deleterious effect of the recent economic downturn on these types of properties during, but total balances in these portfolio segments are not a concentration in the overall portfolio. The commercial real estate loan portfolio segment as a whole had the next highest level of qualitative adjustments due to the effects of local markets and economies on the underlying collateral property values, as well as for industry concentrations and risks related to the commercial business tenants. Within the commercial portfolio, risk analysis is performed based on concentrations within industries, as well as by individual loan type. Commercial business loans granted under various SBA-guaranteed programs show higher historical risks as these loans are made to small businesses which were more negatively impacted by the economic issues of past few years.

 
113

 
 
1.           SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

With regard to Tax Refund Solutions, substantially all RALs issued by the Company each year are made during the first quarter. Losses associated with RALs result from the IRS not remitting taxpayer refunds to the Company associated with a particular tax return. This occurs for a number of reasons including IRS audits resulting from revenue protection strategies, errors in the tax return, tax return fraud and tax debts not previously disclosed to the Company during its underwriting process. At March 31st of each year, the Company has historically reserved for its estimated RAL losses for the year based on current and prior-year funding patterns, information received from the IRS on current year payment processing, projections using the Company’s internal RAL underwriting criteria applied against prior years’ customer data, and the subjective experience of Company management.

See Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses” for additional discussion regarding the Company’s Allowance for Loan Losses.

Real Estate Owned – Assets acquired through or instead of loan foreclosure are initially recorded at fair value less costs to sell when acquired, establishing a new cost basis. These assets are subsequently accounted for at lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell. If fair value declines subsequent to foreclosure, a valuation allowance is recorded through expense. Operating costs after acquisition are expensed.

Premises and Equipment, NetLand is carried at cost. Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is computed over the estimated useful lives of the related assets on the straight-line method. Estimated lives typically range from 25 to 39 years for buildings and improvements, three to ten years for furniture, fixtures and equipment and three to five years for leasehold improvements.

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock – The Company is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“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 recorded as interest income.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets – Goodwill resulting from business combinations prior to January 1, 2009 represent the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill resulting from business combinations after January 1, 2009 represents the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired that are individually identified and separately recognized. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually.

The Company has selected September 30th as the date to perform its annual goodwill impairment test. Intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite life on the Company’s balance sheet.

Other intangible assets consist of core deposit and acquired customer relationship intangible assets arising from whole bank and branch acquisitions. They are initially measured at fair value and then are amortized on an accelerated method over their estimated useful lives, which range from 7 to 10 years.

Off Balance Sheet Financial Instruments – Financial instruments include off balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to fund loans and standby letters of credit. The face amount for these items represents the exposure to loss, before considering customer collateral or ability to repay. Such financial instruments are recorded upon funding. Instruments such as standby letters of credit are considered financial guarantees and are recorded at fair value.

Derivatives – Republic only utilizes derivative instruments as described in Footnote 6 “Mortgage Banking Activities” in this section of the filing.

Stock Based Compensation – Compensation cost is recognized for stock options and restricted stock awards issued to employees, based on the fair value of these awards at the date of grant. A Black-Scholes model is utilized to estimate the fair value of stock options, while the market price of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant is used for restricted stock awards. Compensation expense is recognized over the required service period, generally defined as the vesting period. For awards with graded vesting, compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award.
 
 
114

 
 
1.           SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Income Taxes – Income tax expense is the total of the current year income tax due or refundable and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are the expected future tax amounts for the temporary differences between carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized

A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded.

Retirement Plans – 401(k) plan expense is recorded as a component of salaries and employee benefits and represents the amount of Company matching contributions.

Earnings Per Common Share – Basic earnings per share is based on net income (in the case of Class B Common Stock, less the dividend preference on Class A Common Stock), divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share includes the dilutive effect of additional potential common shares issuable under stock options. Earnings and dividends per share are restated for all stock dividends through the date of issuance of the financial statements.

Comprehensive Income – Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income includes unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale which are also recognized as a separate component of equity, net of tax.

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 there now are such matters that will have a material effect on the financial statements.

Restrictions on Cash and Cash Equivalents – Republic is required by the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) to maintain average reserve balances. Cash and due from banks on the consolidated balance sheet includes $52 million and $3 million of required reserve balances at December 31, 2010 and 2009. The Company does not earn interest on these cash balances.

Equity – Stock dividends in excess of 20% are reported by transferring the par value of the stock issued from retained earnings to common stock. Stock dividends for 20% or less are reported by transferring the fair value, as of the ex-dividend date, of the stock issued from retained earnings to common stock and additional paid in capital. Fractional share amounts are paid in cash with a reduction in retained earnings.

Dividend Restrictions – Banking regulations require maintaining certain capital levels and may limit the dividends paid by the bank to the holding company or by the holding company to shareholders.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments – Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions, as more fully disclosed in a separate note. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment regarding interest rates, credit risk, prepayments, and other factors, especially in the absence of broad markets for particular items. Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could significantly affect the estimates.

Segment Information – Segments represent parts of the Company evaluated by management with separate financial information. Republic’s internal information is primarily reported and evaluated in three lines of business – Traditional Banking, TRS and Mortgage Banking.

Reclassifications – Certain amounts presented in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

 
115

 

2.   INVESTMENT SECURITIES

Securities available for sale:

The gross amortized cost and fair value of securities available for sale and the related gross unrealized gains and losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows:

   
Gross
   
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
December 31, 2010 (in thousands)
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
                         
U.S. Treasury securities and
                       
    U.S. Government agencies
  $ 119,894     $ 668     $ (265 )   $ 120,297  
Private label mortgage backed and other
                         
    private label mortgage-related securities
    6,323       211       (1,410 )     5,124  
Mortgage backed securities - residential
    150,460       8,217       -       158,677  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    223,665       2,144       (152 )     225,657  
Total securities available for sale
  $ 500,342     $ 11,240     $ (1,827 )   $ 509,755  
                                 
                                 
   
Gross
   
Gross
   
Gross
         
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
December 31, 2009 (in thousands)
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
                                 
U.S. Treasury securities and
                               
    U.S. Government agencies
  $ 48,000     $ 82     $ -     $ 48,082  
Private label mortgage backed and other
                               
    private label mortgage-related securities
    8,085       -       (2,184 )     5,901  
Mortgage backed securities - residential
    227,792       10,362       -       238,154  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    123,536       765       (127 )     124,174  
Total securities available for sale
  $ 407,413     $ 11,209     $ (2,311 )   $ 416,311  
 
Mortgage backed Securities

At December 31, 2010, with the exception of the $5.1 million private label mortgage backed and other private label mortgage-related securities, all other mortgage backed securities held by the Company were issued by U.S. government-sponsored entities and agencies, primarily Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac” or “FHLMC”) and Fannie Mae (“FNMA”), institutions which the government has affirmed its commitment to support. At December 31, 2010, there were gross unrealized losses of $417,000 related to available for sale and held to maturity mortgage backed securities other than the private label mortgage backed and other private label mortgage-related securities. Because the decline in fair value of these mortgage backed securities is attributable to changes in interest rates and illiquidity, and not credit quality, and because the Company does not have the intent to sell these mortgage backed securities and it is likely that it will not be required to sell the securities before their anticipated recovery, the Company does not consider these securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2010.

As mentioned throughout this filing, the Company’s mortgage backed securities portfolio includes private label mortgage backed and other private label mortgage-related securities with a fair value of $5.1 million which had gross unrealized losses of approximately $1.4 million at December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2010, the Company believes there is no further material credit loss component of OTTI in addition to that which has already been recorded. Additionally, the Company does not have the intent to sell these securities and it is likely that it will not be required to sell the securities before their anticipated recovery.
 
 
116

 
 
2.
INVESTMENT SECURITIES (continued)

Securities to be held to maturity:

The carrying value, gross unrecognized gains and losses, and fair value of securities to be held to maturity were as follows:
 
         
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Carrying
   
Unrecognized
   
Unrecognized
   
Fair
 
December 31, 2010 (in thousands)
 
Value
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
                         
U.S. Treasury securities and
                       
    U.S. Government agencies
  $ 4,191     $ 10     $ (4 )   $ 4,197  
Mortgage backed securities - residential
    1,930       109       -       2,039  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    26,818       770       -       27,588  
Total securities to be held to maturity
  $ 32,939     $ 889     $ (4 )   $ 33,824  
                                 
                                 
           
Gross
   
Gross
         
   
Carrying
   
Unrecognized
   
Unrecognized
   
Fair
 
December 31, 2009 (in thousands)
 
Value
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
                                 
U.S. Treasury securities and
                               
    U.S. Government agencies
  $ 9,187     $ 90     $ -     $ 9,277  
Obligations of states and political
                               
    subdivisions
    384       38       -       422  
Mortgage backed securities - residential
    2,748       108       (1 )     2,855  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    38,605       84       (108 )     38,581  
Total securities to be held to maturity
  $ 50,924     $ 320     $ (109 )   $ 51,135  

Sales of Securities Available for Sale

During 2010 and 2009, there were no sales of securities available for sale.

During 2008, the Company realized securities gains as follows:
 
·     
A gain of $311,000 was realized related to the mandatory partial redemption of the Company’s Visa, Inc. Class B Common Stock holdings associated with Visa’s initial public offering;
 
·     
The Company realized $150,000 in gains related to unamortized discount accretion on a portion of callable U.S. Government agencies that were called before their maturity; and
 
·     
The Company sold a total of nine U.S. Government agency and mortgage backed securities totaling $81 million resulting in a gain of $1.6 million. As interest rates fell in December 2008 and underlying prepayment speeds increased, the Company made the strategic decision to sell these securities and realize additional gains related to the unamortized discounts for these securities.

The tax provision related to the Company’s realized gains totaled $0, $0 and $721,000 for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
 
117

 
 
2.          INVESTMENT SECURITIES (continued)

The amortized cost and fair value of the investment securities portfolio by contractual maturity at December 31, 2010 follows. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities if borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single maturity date are detailed separately.
 
   
Securities
   
Securities to be
 
   
available for sale
   
held to maturity
 
   
Amortized
   
Fair
   
Carrying
   
Fair
 
December 31 2010, (in thousands)
 
Cost
   
Value
   
Value
   
Value
 
                         
Due in one year or less
  $ -     $ -     $ 495     $ 502  
Due from one year to five years
    113,900       114,351       3,196       3,199  
Due from five years to ten years
    5,994       5,946       500       496  
Private label mortgage backed and other
                               
    private label mortgage-related securities
    6,323       5,124       -       -  
Mortgage backed securities - residential
    150,460       158,677       1,930       2,039  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    223,665       225,657       26,818       27,588  
Total
  $ 500,342     $ 509,755     $ 32,939     $ 33,824  
 
At December 31, 2010 and 2009, there were no holdings of securities of any one issuer, other than the U.S. Government and its agencies, in an amount greater than 10% of stockholders’ equity.

Market Loss Analysis

Securities with unrealized losses at December 31, 2010 and 2009, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, are as follows:
 
   
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or more
   
Total
 
December 31, 2010 (in thousands)
 
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
   
Unrealized Losses
 
                                     
U.S. Treasury securities and
                                   
    U.S. Government agencies
  $ 23,235     $ (269 )   $ -     $ -     $ 23,235     $ (269 )
Private label mortgage backed and other
                                               
    private label mortgage-related securities
    -       -       4,409       (1,410 )     4,409       (1,410 )
Mortgage backed securities - residential,
                                               
   including Collateralized mortgage obligations
    49,477       (152 )     -       -       49,477       (152 )
                                                 
Total
  $ 72,712     $ (421 )   $ 4,409     $ (1,410 )   $ 77,121     $ (1,831 )
                                                 
   
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or more
   
Total
 
December 31, 2009 (in thousands)
 
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
   
Unrealized Losses
 
                                                 
U.S. Treasury securities and
                                               
    U.S. Government agencies
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Private label mortgage backed and other
                                               
    private label mortgage-related securities
    5,901       (2,184 )     -       -       5,901       (2,184 )
Mortgage backed securities - residential,
                                               
   including Collateralized mortgage obligations
    19,738       (64 )     12,093       (172 )     31,831       (236 )
                                                 
Total
  $ 25,639     $ (2,248 )   $ 12,093     $ (172 )   $ 37,732     $ (2,420 )
                                                 
 
 
118

 

2.          INVESTMENT SECURITIES (continued)

As of December 31, 2010, the Company’s security portfolio consisted of 150 securities, 12 of which were in an unrealized loss position. The majority of unrealized losses are related to the Company’s mortgage-backed and other securities, as discussed below.

Other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”)

Unrealized losses for all investment securities are reviewed to determine whether the losses are “other-than-temporary.” Investment securities are evaluated for OTTI on at least a quarterly basis and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation to determine whether a decline in their value below amortized cost is other-than-temporary. In conducting this assessment, the Company evaluates a number of factors including, but not limited to:
 
·      
The length of time and the extent to which fair value has been less than the amortized cost basis;
·      
The Company’s intent to hold until maturity or sell the debt security prior to maturity;
·      
An analysis of whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery;
·      
Adverse conditions specifically related to the security, an industry, or a geographic area;
·      
The historical and implied volatility of the fair value of the security;
·      
The payment structure of the security and the likelihood of the issuer being able to make payments;
·      
Failure of the issuer to make scheduled interest or principal payments;
·      
Any rating changes by a rating agency; and
·      
Recoveries or additional decline in fair value subsequent to the balance sheet date.

The term “other-than-temporary” is not intended to indicate that the decline is permanent, but indicates that the prospects for a near-term recovery of value are not necessarily favorable, or that there is a general lack of evidence to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the carrying value of the investment. Once a decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary, the value of the security is reduced and a corresponding charge to earnings is recognized for the anticipated credit losses.

Nationally, residential real estate values have declined significantly since 2007. These declines in value, coupled with the reduced ability of certain homeowners to refinance or repay their residential real estate obligations, have led to elevated delinquencies and losses in residential real estate loans. Many of these loans have previously been securitized and sold to investors as private label mortgage backed and other private label mortgage-related securities. The Company owned and continues to own four private label mortgage backed and other private label mortgage-related securities with an amortized cost of $6.3 million at December 31, 2010. For one of these securities, the Company has recorded all projected losses through OTTI charges. The Company has partially written off the principal associated with this security, as a portion of its losses were passed through by the servicer/trustee.

None of these private label securities are guaranteed by government agencies. Approximately $504,000 (Securities 1 through 3 in the table below) of these securities is mostly backed by “Alternative A” first lien mortgage loans. The remaining $5.8 million (Security 4 in the table below) represents an asset backed security with an insurance “wrap” or guarantee. The average life of securities 1 through 3 is currently estimated to be 7 months. The average life of security 4 is currently estimated to be 5 years. Due to current market conditions, all of these assets remain extremely illiquid, and as such, the Company determined that these securities are Level 3 securities in accordance with FASB ASC topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” Based on this determination, the Company utilized an income valuation model (present value model) approach, in determining the fair value of these securities. This approach is beneficial for positions that are not traded in active markets or are subject to transfer restrictions, and/or where valuations are adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability. Such adjustments are generally based on available market evidence. In the absence of such evidence, management’s best estimate is used. Management’s best estimate consists of both internal and external support for these investments. See Footnote 5, “Fair Value” for additional discussion.
 
 
119

 
 
2.          INVESTMENT SECURITIES (continued)

The following table presents a rollforward of the credit losses recognized in earnings:
 
Year ended December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 17,266     $ 14,213     $ -  
Realized pass through of actual losses
    (7,730 )     -       -  
Amounts related to credit loss for which an other-than-
                       
    temporary impairment was not previously recognized
    221       5,822       14,213  
Additions/Subtractions:
                       
    Increases to the amount related to the credit loss for
                       
    which other-than-temporary impairment was
                       
    previously recognized
    -       (2,769 )     -  
Balance, end of year
  $ 9,757     $ 17,266     $ 14,213  
 
Further deterioration in economic conditions could cause the Company to record additional impairment charges related to credit losses of up to $6.3 million, which is the current gross amortized cost of the Company’s private label mortgage backed securities and other private label mortgage-related securities.

The following table details the total impairment loss related to “all other factors” recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income for the Company’s private label mortgage backed and other private label mortgage-related securities as of December 31, 2010:
 
               
Gross
   
Cumulative
 
               
Unrealized
   
Credit
 
   
Amortized
   
Fair
   
Gains /
   
OTTI
 
 (in thousands)
 
Cost
   
Value
   
(Losses)
   
Losses
 
                         
Security 1
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ (2,552 )
Security 2
    432       603       171       (3,329 )
Security 3
    72       112       40       (1,861 )
Security 4
    5,819       4,409       (1,410 )     (2,015 )
Total
  $ 6,323     $ 5,124     $ (1,199 )   $ (9,757 )
 
The credit ratings for the Company’s private label mortgage backed and other private label mortgage-related securities range from “imminent default” to “speculative” at December 31, 2010.

During the first quarter of 2008, the Company determined that its FHLMC preferred stock investment, with an aggregate carrying value at the time of $2 million, was other-than-temporarily impaired and recorded an impairment charge of $680,000. During September 2008, the U.S. Treasury, the FRB, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) announced that the FHFA was placing FHLMC under conservatorship, giving management control to the FHFA. As a result, during the third quarter of 2008, the fair market value of the security declined significantly and the Company recorded another impairment charge of $1.4 million. With the third quarter impairment charge, the Company completely wrote down the value of the investment to $0.

As a result of the impairment charges noted above, all respective unrealized losses were transferred from accumulated other comprehensive loss to an immediate reduction of earnings classified as net impairment losses on investment securities in the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income.

 
120

 

2.          INVESTMENT SECURITIES (continued)

Pledged Investment Securities

Investment securities pledged to secure public deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and securities held for other purposes, as required or permitted by law are as follows:
 
December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
             
Carrying amount
  $ 430,445     $ 427,444  
Fair value
    431,223       427,444  
 
3.          LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

The composition of the loan portfolio follows:

December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
             
Residential real estate:
           
  Owner Occupied
  $ 913,856     $ 976,348  
  Non Owner Occupied
    126,404       120,963  
Commercial real estate
    646,417       641,451  
Real estate construction
    69,068       83,090  
Commercial
    107,647       104,274  
Home equity
    290,492       318,449  
Consumer:
               
  Credit Cards
    8,206       8,052  
  Overdrafts
    901       2,006  
  Other Consumer
    12,249       13,599  
                 
Total loans
    2,175,240       2,268,232  
Less: Allowance for loan losses
    23,079       22,879  
                 
Loans, net
  $ 2,152,161     $ 2,245,353  
                 
 
 
121

 
3.  
LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (continued)

Activity in the allowance for loan losses follows:

December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Allowance for loan losses at beginning year
  $ 22,879     $ 14,832     $ 12,735  
                         
Charge offs - Traditional Banking
    (12,505 )     (8,662 )     (6,940 )
Charge offs - Tax Refund Solutions
    (14,584 )     (31,180 )     (9,206 )
  Total charge offs
    (27,089 )     (39,842 )     (16,146 )
                         
Recoveries - Traditional Banking
    1,134       824       882  
Recoveries - Tax Refund Solutions
    6,441       13,090       1,156  
  Total recoveries
    7,575       13,914       2,038  
                         
Net loan charge offs - Traditional Banking
    (11,371 )     (7,838 )     (6,058 )
Net loan charge offs - Tax Refund Solutions
    (8,143 )     (18,090 )     (8,050 )
  Net loan charge offs
    (19,514 )     (25,928 )     (14,108 )
                         
Provision for loan losses - Traditional Banking
    11,571       15,885       8,154  
Provision for loan losses - Tax Refund Solutions
    8,143       18,090       8,051  
  Total provision for loan losses
    19,714       33,975       16,205  
                         
Allowance for loan losses at end of year
  $ 23,079     $ 22,879     $ 14,832  

Republic defines impaired loans as follows:
·      
All commercial or commercial real estate loans classified internally as “doubtful” or “loss;”
·      
All commercial or commercial real estate loan relationships on accrual status classified internally as “substandard” exceeding $499,999 in aggregate;
·      
All commercial or commercial real estate loans classified internally as “substandard” or “special mention” on nonaccrual status, regardless of the size of the credit;
·      
All retail and commercial loans classified as troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”); and
·      
Any other situation where the collection of total amount due for a loan is improbable or otherwise meet the definition of impaired.
 
 
122

 
 
3. 
LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (continued)

Information regarding Republic’s impaired loans follows:
 
As of and for the years ended December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Loans with no allocated allowance for loan losses
  $ 14,141     $ 10,995     $ -  
Loans with allocated allowance for loan losses
    30,945       37,851       12,108  
                         
Total impaired loans
  $ 45,086     $ 48,846     $ 12,108  
                         
Amount of the allowance for loan losses allocated
  $ 4,284     $ 4,718     $ 1,998  
Average of individually impaired loans during the year
    46,787       35,930       13,355  
Interest income recognized during impairment
    1,635       1,013       617  
Cash basis interest income recognized
    52       267       25  

A TDR is the situation where the Bank grants a concession to the borrower that the Bank would not otherwise have considered due to a borrower’s financial difficulties. All TDRs are considered “Impaired.” The substantial majority of the Company’s residential real estate TDRs involve reducing the client’s loan payment through a rate reduction for a set period of time based on the borrower’s ability to service the modified loan payment. The majority of the Company’s commercial related and construction TDRs involve a restructuring of loan terms such as a temporary forbearance or reduction in the payment amount to require only interest and escrow (if required) and/or extending the maturity date of the loan.

Detail of TDRs differentiated by loan type and accrual or nonaccrual classification follows:
 
   
TDRs on
   
TDRs on
       
   
Non-Accrual
   
Accrual
   
Total
 
December 31, 2010  (in thousands)
 
Status
   
Status
   
TDRs
 
                   
Residential real estate
  $ 1,272     $ 9,191     $ 10,463  
Commercial real estate
    2,703       11,425       14,128  
Real estate construction
    640       2,719       3,359  
Commercial
    -       4,281       4,281  
                         
Total TDRs
  $ 4,615     $ 27,616     $ 32,231  
 
 
123

 
 
3.           LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (continued)

The following table presents loans individually evaluated for impairment by class of loans as of December 31, 2010:
 
   
Unpaid
         
Allowance
 
   
Principal
   
Recorded
   
for Loan Losses
 
December 31, 2010  (in thousands)
 
Balance
   
Investment
   
Allocated
 
                   
Impaired loans with no related allowance recorded:
             
  Residential Real Estate:
                 
    Owner Occupied
  $ 8,739     $ 8,739     $ -  
    Non Owner Occupied
    396       396       -  
  Commercial Real Estate
    1,611       1,574       -  
  Real Estate Construction
    2,878       2,219       -  
  Commercial
    1,213       1,213       -  
  Home Equity
    -       -       -  
  Consumer:
    -       -       -  
    Credit Cards
    -       -       -  
    Overdrafts
    -       -       -  
    Other Consumer
    -       -       -  
                         
Impaired loans with an allowance recorded:
                 
  Residential Real Estate:
                       
    Owner Occupied
    145       145       27  
    Non Owner Occupied
    2,496       2,366       520  
  Commercial Real Estate
    21,038       20,468       1,979  
  Real Estate Construction
    5,115       4,192       1,311  
  Commercial
    3,774       3,774       447  
  Home Equity
    -       -       -  
  Consumer:
    -       -       -  
    Credit Cards
    -       -       -  
    Overdrafts
    -       -       -  
    Other Consumer
    -       -       -  
Total impaired loans
    47,405       45,086       4,284  
                         
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment:
                 
  Residential Real Estate:
                       
    Owner Occupied
    904,972       904,972       4,724  
    Non Owner Occupied
    123,512       123,642       11  
  Commercial Real Estate
    623,768       624,375       5,241  
  Real Estate Construction
    61,075       62,657       1,294  
  Commercial
    102,660       102,660       900  
  Home Equity
    290,492       290,492       3,581  
  Consumer:
    -       -       -  
    Credit Cards
    8,206       8,206       492  
    Overdrafts
    901       901       126  
    Other Consumer
    12,249       12,249       461  
   Unallocated allowance for loan losses
    -       -       1,965  
Total non impaired loans
    2,127,835       2,130,154       18,795  
Grand total
  $ 2,175,240     $ 2,175,240     $ 23,079  

The difference between the unpaid principal balance and recorded investment represents partial write downs/charge offs taken on individual impaired credits.

 
124

 

3.
LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (continued)

A summary of the types of TDR loan modifications outstanding follows:
 
   
TDRs Performing
   
TDRs Not
       
   
to Modified
   
Perfoming to
   
Total
 
December 31, 2010  (in thousands)
 
Terms
   
Modified Terms
   
TDRs
 
                   
Residential real estate loans:
                 
   Rate reduction
  $ 6,568     $ 549     $ 7,117  
   Interest only payments for 6-12 months
    2,783       -       2,783  
   Forbearance for 3-6 months
    458       -       458  
   Extension or other modification
    105       -       105  
       Total residential TDRs
    9,914       549       10,463  
                         
Commerical related and construction loans:
                 
   Interest only payments for 6 - 12 months
    5,876       310       6,186  
   Interest only payments for 36 months
    4,208       -       4,208  
   Rate reduction
    3,028       -       3,028  
   Forbearance for 3-6 months
    3,813       855       4,668  
   Extension or other modification
    3,678       -       3,678  
       Total commercial TDRs
    20,603       1,165       21,768  
Total TDRs
  $ 30,517     $ 1,714     $ 32,231  

As of December 31, 2010, 95% of the TDRs were performing according to their modified terms. The Company allocated $1.5 million and $3.1 million of specific reserves to customers whose loan terms have been modified in TDRs as of December 31, 2010 and 2009. Specific reserves are generally assessed prior to loans being modified as a TDR, as most of these loans migrate from Republic’s internal watch list and have been specifically reserved for as part of the Company’s normal reserving methodology.
 
Management determines whether to classify a TDR as non-performing based on its accrual status prior to modification. Non-accrual loans modified as TDRs remain on non-accrual status and continue to be reported as non-performing loans. Accruing loans modified as TDRs are evaluated for non-accrual status based on a current evaluation of the borrower’s financial condition and ability and willingness to service the modified debt. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, $5 million and $19 million of TDRs were classified as non-performing loans.

Detail of non-performing loans and non-performing assets follows:
 
December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Loans on non-accrual status
  $ 28,317     $ 43,136     $ 11,324  
Loans past due 90 days or more and still on accrual
    -       8       2,133  
                         
Total non-performing loans
    28,317       43,144       13,457  
Other real estate owned
    11,969       4,772       5,737  
Total non-performing assets
  $ 40,286     $ 47,916     $ 19,194  
                         
Non-performing loans to total loans - Total Company
    1.30 %     1.90 %     0.58 %
Non-performing loans to total loans - Traditional Banking
    1.30 %     1.90 %     0.58 %
Non-performing assets to total loans (including OREO)
    1.84 %     2.11 %     0.83 %
 
 
125

 
 
3.           LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (continued)

The following table presents non accrual loans and loans past due over 90 days still on accrual by class of loans:
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
         
Loans Past
         
Loans Past
         
Loans Past
 
         
Due 90 Days
         
Due 90 Days
         
Due 90 Days
 
         
Still
         
Still
         
Still
 
December 31, (in thousands)
 
Non accrual
   
Accruing
   
Non accrual
   
Accruing
   
Non accrual
   
Accruing
 
                                     
Residential real estate
  $ 15,236     $ -     $ 14,832     $ -     $ 6,471     $ 676  
Commercial real estate
    6,265       -       16,850       -       1,752       913  
Real estate construction
    3,682       -       9,500       -       2,482       267  
Commercial
    323       -       647       -       212       31  
Home equity
    2,734       -       1,244       -       372       195  
Consumer:
                                               
    Credit Cards
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
    Overdrafts
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
    Other Consumer
    77       -       63       8       35       51  
                                                 
Total
  $ 28,317     $ -     $ 43,136     $ 8     $ 11,324     $ 2,133  

Non-accrual loans and loans past due 90 days or more and still on accrual include both smaller balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment and individually classified impaired loans. Non-accrual loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and held current for six consecutive months and future payments are reasonably assured. Non-accrual TDRs are reviewed for return to accrual status on an individual basis, with additional consideration given to the modification terms.

The following table presents the aging of the recorded investment in past due loans as of December 31, 2010 by class of loans:
 
    30 - 59     60 - 89    
Greater than
   
Total
 
   
Days
   
Days
   
90 Days
   
Loans
 
December 31, 2010 (in thousands)
 
Past Due
   
Past Due
   
Past Due
   
Past Due
 
                             
Residential real estate:
                           
  Owner Occupied
  $ 4,540     $ 1,049     $ 9,425     $ 15,014  
  Non Owner Occupied
    185       95       737       1,017  
Commercial real estate
    1,323       -       4,377       5,700  
Real estate construction
    71       333       1,918       2,322  
Commercial
    3       26       38       67  
Home equity
    1,097       518       829       2,444  
Consumer:
                               
    Credit Cards
    57       4       -       61  
    Overdrafts
    158       -       -       158  
    Other Consumer
    108       32       4       144  
                                 
Total
  $ 7,542     $ 2,057     $ 17,328     $ 26,927  
 
 
126

 

3.              LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (continued)

Credit Quality Indicators:

The Company categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt such as: current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information, and current economic trends, among other factors such as the fair value of collateral. The Company analyzes loans individually by classifying the loans as to credit risk. This analysis includes aggregate lending relationships with an outstanding balance greater than $4 million and non-homogeneous loans, such as commercial and commercial real estate loans. This analysis is performed on an annual basis. The Company uses the following definitions for risk ratings:

Special Mention: Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management's close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the Company’s credit position at some future date.

Substandard: Loans classified as substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

Doubtful: Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.

Loans not meeting the criteria above that are analyzed individually as part of the above described process are considered to be pass rated loans.

As of December 31, 2010, and based on the Company’s most recent analysis performed, the risk category of loans by class of loans is as follows:
 
         
Special
               
Not
   
Total
 
December 31, 2010 (in thousands)
 
Pass
   
Mention
   
Substandard
   
Doubtful
   
Rated
   
Loans
 
                                     
Residential real estate:
                                   
  Owner Occupied
  $ -     $ 1,017     $ 11,925     $ -     $ 900,914     $ 913,856  
  Non Owner Occupied
    -       3,288       1,095       -       122,021       126,404  
Commercial real estate
    628,502       33,802       14,113       -       -       676,417  
Real estate construction
    51,540       11,340       6,188       -       -       69,068  
Commercial
    102,416       4,807       424       -       -       107,647  
Home equity
    -       -       4,495       -       285,997       290,492  
Consumer:
                                            -  
    Credit Cards
    -       -       -       -       8,206       8,206  
    Overdrafts
    -       -       -       -       901       901  
    Other Consumer
    -       -       5       -       12,244       12,249  
                                                 
Total
  $ 782,458     $ 54,254     $ 38,245     $ -     $ 1,330,283     $ 2,205,240  
 
 
127

 
 
3.           LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (continued)

The Company considers the performance of the loan portfolio and its impact on the allowance for loan losses. For residential and consumer loan classes, the Company also evaluates credit quality based on the aging status of the loan, which was previously presented, and by payment activity. The following table presents the recorded investment in residential and consumer loans based on payment activity as of December 31, 2010:
 
   
Residential Real Estate
         
Consumer
 
   
Owner
   
Non Owner
   
Home
   
Credit
         
Other
 
December 31, 2010 (in thousands)
 
Occupied
   
Occupied
   
Equity
   
Cards
   
Overdrafts
   
Consumer
 
                                     
Performing
  $ 900,914     $ 122,021     $ 285,997     $ 8,206     $ 901     $ 12,244  
Non performing
    11,925       1,095       2,478       -       -       5  
                                                 
Total
  $ 912,839     $ 123,116     $ 288,475     $ 8,206     $ 901     $ 12,249  
 
The following table details RAL originations and loss reserves for 2010, 2009 and 2008:
 
Year Ended December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
RAL Originations:
                 
                   
RALs originated and retained on balance sheet
  $ 3,011,607     $ 2,472,708     $ 683,073  
RALS originated and securitized
    -       -       1,098,717  
                         
Total RALs originated
  $ 3,011,607     $ 2,472,708     $ 1,781,790  
                         
RAL Losses:
                       
                         
Losses for RALs retained, net
  $ 8,143     $ 18,090     $ 8,051  
Net reduction to estimated future cash flows for securitized RALs
    -       -       6,350  
                         
Total RAL losses, net
  $ 8,143     $ 18,090     $ 14,401  
 
RAL Loss Reserves and Provision for Loan Losses:

Substantially all RALs issued by the Company are made during the first quarter, with RAL originations ending by the end of April each year. Losses associated with RALs result from the IRS not remitting taxpayer refunds to the Company associated with a particular tax return. This occurs for a number of reasons including IRS audits resulting from revenue protection strategies, errors in the tax return, tax return fraud and tax debts not previously disclosed to the Company during its underwriting process.  While the RAL application form is completed by the taxpayer in the tax-preparer’s office, the credit approval criteria is established by TRS and the underwriting decision is made by TRS. TRS reviews and evaluates all tax returns to determine the likelihood of IRS payment. If any attribute of the tax return appears to fall outside of predetermined parameters, TRS will not originate the RAL.

At March 31st of each year, the Company has historically reserved for its estimated RAL losses for the year based on current and prior-year funding patterns, information received from the IRS on current year payment processing, projections using the Company’s internal RAL underwriting criteria applied against prior years’ customer data, and the subjective experience of Company management.  RAL funds advanced by the Company are generally repaid by the IRS within two weeks. RALs outstanding 30 days or longer are charged off at the end of each quarter with subsequent collections recorded as recoveries. Since the RAL season is over by the end of April of each year, essentially all uncollected RALs are charged off by June 30th of each year, except for those RALs management deems certain of collection.

 
128

 

3.           LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (continued)

Profitability in the Company’s TRS segment is primarily driven by the volume of RAL transactions processed and the loss rate incurred on RALs, and is particularly sensitive to both measures. During 2010 (primarily the first quarter), the Company processed 22% more in dollars of RALs compared to the same period in 2009. The TRS segment’s provision for loan losses decreased from $18.1 million during 2009 to $8.1 million during 2010.  Included as a reduction to the first quarter 2009 TRS provision for loan losses was $2.4 million representing a limited preparer-provided guarantee for RAL product performance. Despite the increase in origination volume over 2009, the Company’s provision for loan losses decreased primarily due to improved underwriting criteria developed from the Company’s 2009 tax season funding history from the IRS.

As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, $10.8 million and $23.1 million of total RALs originated remained uncollected, representing 0.36% and 0.93% of total gross RALs originated during the respective tax years by the Company. All of these loans were charged off prior to December 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
·       Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”
 
o
Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
 
o
Footnote 4 “Securitization”
 
o
Footnote 9 “Deposits”
 
o
Footnote 22 “Segment Information”
 
o
Footnote 23 “Regulatory Matters”

4.           SECURITIZATION

During 2008, the Company utilized a securitization structure to fund a portion of the RALs originated during the respective tax seasons. From mid January to the end of February of 2008, RALs which, upon origination, met certain underwriting criteria related to refund amount and Earned Income Tax Credit amount, were classified as loans held for sale and sold into the securitization. All other RALs originated were retained by the Company. There were no RALs held for sale as of any quarter end. The Company retained a related residual value in the securitization, which was classified on the balance sheet as a trading security. The initial residual interest had a weighted average life of approximately one month, and as such, substantially all of its cash flows were received by the end of the first quarter. The disposition of the remaining anticipated cash flows occurred within the remainder of the calendar year. At its initial valuation, and on a quarterly basis thereafter, the Company adjusted the carrying amount of the residual value to its fair value, which was determined based on expected future cash flows and was significantly influenced by the anticipated credit losses of the underlying RALs.

During the first quarter of 2008 the securitization consisted of a total of $1.1 billion of RALs originated and sold. The Company’s continuing involvement in RALs sold into the securitization was limited to only servicing of the RALs. Compensation for servicing of the securitized RALs was not contingent upon performance of the securitized RALs.

The Company concluded that the securitization was a sale as defined in FASB ASC topic 860 “Transfers and Servicing.” This conclusion was based on, among other things, legal isolation of assets, the ability of the purchaser to pledge or sell the assets, and the absence of a right or obligation of the Company to repurchase the financial assets.

Due to the excessive costs of securitization structures, which resulted from a significant lack of liquidity in the credit markets beginning during the latter half of 2008 and continuing through 2010, the Company elected not to obtain funding from a securitization structure for the first quarter 2009 and 2010 tax seasons. Instead, the Company utilized brokered certificates of deposits and its traditional borrowing lines of credit as its primary RAL funding source for the first quarter 2009 and 2010 tax seasons. The corresponding accounting for this change in funding strategy has caused differences among some income and expense items when comparing income statement results for 2009 to results in 2008. The securitization had the effect during 2008 of reclassifying for securitized RALs the fee income earned, interest expense paid and provision expense into “Net RAL securitization income,” which is a component of non interest income. During 2009, these items were classified in interest income on loans, interest expense on deposits and provision for loan losses, respectively. For 2008, the Company recognized net RAL securitization income of $13.3 million ($12.6 million related to the quarter ended March 31, 2008).

 
129

 
 
4.           SECURITIZATION (continued)

Detail of Net RAL securitization income follows:
 
Year Ended December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Net gain on sale of RALs
  $ -     $ -     $ 8,307  
Increase in securitization residual
    265       514       5,040  
                         
Net RAL securitization income
  $ 265     $ 514     $ 13,347  
 
For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
·       Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”
 
o
Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
 
o
Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
 
o
Footnote 9 “Deposits”
 
o
Footnote 22 “Segment Information”
 
o
Footnote 23 “Regulatory Matters”
 
5.           FAIR VALUE

Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

The Company used the following methods and significant assumptions to estimate the fair value of each type of financial instrument:

Securities available for sale: For all securities available for sale, excluding private label mortgage backed and other private label mortgage-related securities, fair value is typically determined by matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities, but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities (Level 2 inputs). With the exception of private label mortgage backed and other private label mortgage-related securities, all securities available for sale are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

With regards to the Company’s private label mortgage backed and other private label mortgage-related securities, the Company recognized a $1.8 million cumulative effect of initially applying FASB ASC topic 320 “Investments – Debt and Equity Securities,” as an adjustment to retained earnings at April 1, 2009, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income. Due to current market conditions, all of these assets remain extremely illiquid, and as such, the Company determined that these securities are Level 3 securities in accordance with FASB ASC topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” Based on this determination, the Company utilized an income valuation model (present value model) approach, in determining the fair value of these securities.

See Footnote 2 “Investment Securities” for additional discussion regarding the Company’s private label mortgage backed and other private label mortgage-related securities.
 
 
130

 
 
5.           FAIR VALUE (continued)

Derivative instruments: Mortgage Banking derivatives used in the ordinary course of business consist of mandatory forward sales contracts (“forward contracts”) and rate lock loan commitments. The fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments is primarily measured by obtaining pricing from broker-dealers recognized to be market participants. The pricing is derived from market observable inputs that can generally be verified and do not typically involve significant judgment by the Company. Forward contracts and rate lock loan commitments are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Mortgage loans held for sale: The fair value of mortgage loans held for sale is determined using quoted secondary market prices. Mortgage loans held for sale are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Impaired Loans: The fair value of impaired loans with specific allocations of the allowance for loan losses is generally based on recent real estate appraisals. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments are typically significant and result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value.

Other Real Estate Owned: Nonrecurring adjustments to certain commercial and residential real estate properties classified as other real estate owned are measured at the lower of carrying amount or fair value, less costs to sell. Fair values are generally based on third party appraisals of the property, resulting in a Level 3 classification. In cases where the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, less costs to sell, an impairment loss is recognized.

Mortgage Servicing Rights: The fair value of mortgage servicing rights is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated net servicing income. The valuation model incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income. The Company is able to compare the valuation model inputs and results to widely available published industry data for reasonableness. Mortgage servicing rights are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value under on a recurring basis, including financial assets and liabilities for which the Company has elected the fair value option, are summarized below:
 
         
Fair Value Measurements at
       
         
December 31, 2010 Using:
       
         
Quoted Prices in
   
Significant
             
         
Active Markets
   
Other
   
Significant
       
         
for Identical
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
   
Total
 
   
Carrying
   
Assets
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
   
Fair
 
(in thousands)
 
Value
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
   
Value
 
                               
Securities available for sale:
                             
U.S. Treasury securities and
                             
    U.S. Government agencies
  $ 119,894     $ -     $ 120,297     $ -     $ 120,297  
Private label mortgage backed and other
                                 
    private label mortgage-related securities
    6,323       -       -       5,124       5,124  
Mortgage backed securities - residential
    150,460       -       158,677       -       158,677  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    223,665       -       225,657       -       225,657  
Total securities available for sale
  $ 500,342     $ -     $ 504,631     $ 5,124     $ 509,755  
                                         
Mandatory forward contracts
  $ -     $ -     $ 277     $ -     $ 277  
                                         
Rate lock loan commitments
    -       -       108       -       108  
                                         
Mortgage loans held for sale
    15,228       -       15,228       -       15,228  
 
 
131

 

5.           FAIR VALUE (continued)
 
         
Fair Value Measurements at
       
         
December 31, 2009 Using:
       
         
Quoted Prices in
   
Significant
             
         
Active Markets
   
Other
   
Significant
       
         
for Identical
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
   
Total
 
   
Carrying
   
Assets
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
   
Fair
 
(in thousands)
 
Value
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
   
Value
 
                               
Securities available for sale:
                             
U.S. Treasury securities and
                             
    U.S. Government agencies
  $ 48,000     $ -     $ 48,082     $ -     $ 48,082  
Private label mortgage backed and other
                                       
    private label mortgage-related securities
    8,085       -       -       5,901       5,901  
Mortgage backed securities - residential
    227,792       -       238,154       -       238,154  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    123,536       -       124,174       -       124,174  
Total securities available for sale
  $ 407,413     $ -     $ 410,410     $ 5,901     $ 416,311  
                                         
Mandatory forward contracts
  $ -     $ -     $ 616     $ -     $ 616  
                                         
Rate lock loan commitments
    -       -       53       -       53  
                                         
Mortgage loans held for sale
    5,445       -       5,445       -       5,445  

The tables below presents a reconciliation of all assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the periods ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008:

Securities available for Sale - Private label mortgage backed and other private label mortgage-related securities

Years Ended December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 5,901     $ 14,678     $ -  
                         
Transfer into Level 3
    -       -       22,085  
Total gains or losses included in earnings:
                       
   Net impairment loss recognized in earnings
    (221 )     (5,822 )     -  
   Net change in unrealized gain/(loss)
    8,470       584       (3,364 )
   Realized pass through of actual losses
    (7,730 )     -       -  
   Premium amortization
    -       -       (47 )
   Principal paydowns
    (1,296 )     (3,539 )     (3,996 )
Balance, end of year
  $ 5,124     $ 5,901     $ 14,678  

There were no transfers into or out of Level 3 assets during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.

The change in unrealized losses on securities available for sale for which a portion of an other-than-temporary impairment has been recognized in earnings totaled $985,000 and $385,000 at December 31, 2010 and 2009.

 
132

 

5.           FAIR VALUE (continued)

Trading securities - Residual interest in the RAL securitization

As detailed above in Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses,” the Company elected not to obtain funding from a securitization structure for the first quarter 2009 and 2010 tax seasons.
 
Year Ended December 31, (in thousands)
 
2008
 
       
Balance, January 1, 2008
  $ -  
Increase in RAL securitization residual
    5,040  
Retained securitization residual
    102,059  
Paydown of trading securities
    (107,099 )
Balance, December 31, 2008
  $ -  

The Company recorded a net gain on sale of sale of RALs of $8.3 million during 2008.

Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis are summarized below:

         
Fair Value Measurements at
       
         
December 31, 2010 Using:
       
         
Quoted Prices in
   
Significant
             
         
Active Markets
   
Other
   
Significant
       
         
for Identical
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
   
Total
 
   
Carrying
   
Assets
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
   
Fair
 
(in thousands)
 
Value
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
   
Value
 
                               
Impaired loans:
                             
  Residential Real Estate:
                             
      Owner Occupied
  $ 25     $ -     $ -     $ 25     $ 25  
      Non Owner Occupied
    941       -       -       941       941  
  Commercial Real Estate
    7,533       -       -       7,533       7,533  
  Real Estate Construction
    2,767       -       -       2,767       2,767  
  Commercial
    82       -       -       82       82  
Total impaired loans
  $ 11,348     $ -     $ -     $ 11,348     $ 11,348  
                                         
Other real estate owned:
                                       
  Residential Real Estate:
                                       
      Owner Occupied
  $ 2,832     $ -     $ -     $ 2,832     $ 2,832  
      Non Owner Occupied
    1,101       -       -       1,101       1,101  
  Commercial Real Estate
    3,735       -       -       3,735       3,735  
  Real Estate Construction
    4,301       -       -       4,301       4,301  
Total other real estate owned
  $ 11,969     $ -     $ -     $ 11,969     $ 11,969  
 
133

 

5.           FAIR VALUE (continued)

         
Fair Value Measurements at
       
         
December 31, 2009 Using:
       
         
Quoted Prices in
   
Significant
             
         
Active Markets
   
Other
   
Significant
       
         
for Identical
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
   
Total
 
   
Carrying
   
Assets
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
   
Fair
 
(in thousands)
 
Value
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
   
Value
 
                               
Impaired loans
  $ 9,963     $ -     $ -     $ 9,963     $ 9,963  
Other real estate owned
    4,772       -       -       4,772       4,772  
 
The following section details impairment charges recognized during the period:

The Company recorded realized impairment losses related to its Level 3 private label mortgage backed and other private label mortgage-related securities as follows:
 
Years Ended December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Net impairment loss recognized in earnings
  $ 221     $ 5,822     $ 16,281  

See Footnote 2 “Investment Securities” for additional detail.

Impaired loans, which are measured for impairment using the fair value of the collateral for collateral dependent loans, had a carrying amount and valuation allowance as follows:
 
December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
             
Carrying amount of loans with a valuation allowance
  $ 9,472     $ 11,469  
Valuation allowance
    1,506       1,506  

Other real estate owned, which is carried at the lower of cost or fair value, is periodically assessed for impairment based on fair value at the reporting date. Fair value is determined from external appraisals using judgments and estimates of external professionals. Many of these inputs are not observable and, accordingly, these measurements are classified as Level 3. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the carrying value of other real estate owned was $12 million and $5 million, respectively. The fair value of the Company’s other real estate owned properties exceeded their carrying value at December 31, 2010 and 2009.

Detail of other real estate owned write downs follows:
 
Years Ended December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Other real estate owned write-downs
  $ 1,127     $ 2,011     $ 106  

Mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”s), which are carried at lower of cost or fair value, were written down $1.3 million during the fourth quarter of 2008 related to the impairment of six of the 24 tranches within the portfolio. Due primarily to a decline in the expected prepayment speed of the Company’s sold loan portfolio with servicing retained, the fair value of the Company’s MSRs increased during 2009. As a result of this increase, the Company reduced its corresponding valuation allowance by $1.1 million during the first quarter of 2009 and an additional $122,000 during the second quarter of 2009. No MSR valuation allowance existed at December 31, 2009 and 2010.

 
134

 

5.           FAIR VALUE (continued)

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments, at December 31, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
Carrying
   
Fair
   
Carrying
   
Fair
 
December 31, (in thousands)
 
Amount
   
Value
   
Amount
   
Value
 
                         
Assets:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 786,371     $ 786,371     $ 1,068,179     $ 1,068,179  
Securities available for sale
    509,755       509,755       416,311       416,311  
Securities to be held to maturity
    32,939       33,824       50,924       51,135  
Mortgage loans held for sale
    15,228       15,228       5,445       5,445  
Loans, net
    2,152,161       2,209,717       2,245,353       2,259,654  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    26,212       26,212       26,248       26,248  
Accrued interest receivable
    9,472       9,472       10,049       10,049  
                                 
Liabilities:
                               
Deposits:
                               
Non interest-bearing accounts
    325,375       325,375       318,275       318,275  
Interest-bearing transaction accounts
    975,183       975,183       940,171       940,171  
Time deposits
    1,002,134       1,004,511       1,344,035       1,349,268  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
                               
    and other short-term borrowings
    319,246       319,246       299,580       299,580  
Subordinated note
    41,240       41,150       41,240       41,148  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    564,877       586,737       637,607       636,600  
Accrued interest payable
    2,377       2,377       2,888       2,888  

The methods and assumptions used to estimate fair value are described as follows:

Carrying amount is the estimated fair value for cash and cash equivalents, accrued interest receivable and payable, demand deposits, short-term debt, and variable rate loans or deposits that reprice frequently and fully. The methods for determining the fair values for securities and mortgage loans held for sale were described previously. For fixed rate loans or deposits and for variable rate loans or deposits with infrequent repricing or repricing limits, fair value is based on discounted cash flows using current market rates applied to the estimated life and credit risk. Fair value of debt is based on current rates for similar financing. It was not practicable to determine the fair value of FHLB stock due to restrictions placed on its transferability. The fair value of off balance sheet items is not considered material.

The fair value estimates presented herein are based on pertinent information available to management as of December 31, 2010 and 2009. Although management is not aware of any factors that would dramatically affect the estimated fair value amounts, such amounts have not been comprehensively revalued for purposes of these financial statements since that date and, therefore, estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the amounts presented.
 
 
135

 
 
6.           MORTGAGE BANKING ACTIVITIES

Activity for mortgage loans held for sale was as follows:
 
December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
             
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 5,445     $ 11,298  
  Origination of mortgage loans held for sale
    288,893       556,685  
  Proceeds from the sale of mortgage loans held for sale
    (285,099 )     (573,870 )
  Net gain in sale of mortgage loans held for sale
    5,989       11,332  
                 
Balance, end of year
  $ 15,228     $ 5,445  

Mortgage loans serviced for others are not reported as assets. Republic serviced loans for others (primarily FHLMC) totaling $1.2 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009. Servicing loans for others generally consists of collecting mortgage payments, maintaining escrow accounts, disbursing payments to investors and processing foreclosures. Custodial escrow account balances maintained in connection with serviced loans were approximately $14 million and $16 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009.

Mortgage banking activities primarily include residential mortgage originations and servicing. The following table presents the components of Mortgage Banking income:

December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Net gain on sale of mortgage loans held for sale
  $ 5,989     $ 11,332     $ 4,453  
Change in mortgage servicing rights valuation allowance
    -       1,255       (1,255 )
Loan servicing income, net of amortization
    (192 )     (1,566 )     338  
                         
Mortgage banking income
  $ 5,797     $ 11,021     $ 3,536  
 
Net loan servicing income above consists of loan servicing income of $3,076,000, $2,900,000 and $2,600,000 for the years ended 2010, 2009 and 2008 net of amortization of $3,268,000, $4,466,000 and $2,262,000 for the same periods, respectively.

Activity for capitalized mortgage servicing rights was as follows:
 
December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 8,430     $ 5,809     $ 6,706  
  Additions
    2,639       5,833       2,620  
  Amortized to expense
    (3,269 )     (4,467 )     (2,262 )
  Change in valuation allowance
    -       1,255       (1,255 )
                         
Balance, end of year
  $ 7,800     $ 8,430     $ 5,809  

Activity for the valuation allowance for capitalized mortgage servicing rights was as follows:

December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Balance, beginning of year
  $ -     $ (1,255 )   $ -  
  Additions to expense
    -       -       (1,255 )
  Reductions credited to operations
    -       1,255       -  
  Direct write downs
    -       -       -  
                         
Balance, end of year
  $ -     $ -     $ (1,255 )

 
136

 
 
6.           MORTGAGE BANKING ACTIVITIES (continued)

Other information relating to mortgage servicing rights follows:

December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
             
Fair value of mortgage servicing rights portfolio
  $ 9,967     $ 10,475  
Discount rate
    9 %     9 %
Prepayment speed range
    137% - 550 %     191% - 374 %
Weighted average default rate
    1.50 %     1.50 %

The weighted average estimated remaining life of the MSR portfolio is approximately 5 years. Estimated future amortization expense of the MSR portfolio follows; however, actual amortization expense will be impacted by loan payoffs and changes in estimated lives that occur during each respective year:
 
Year
 
(in thousands)
 
       
2011
  $ 2,041  
2012
    2,038  
2013
    1,870  
2014
    1,120  
2015
    536  
2016
    105  
2017
    90  
         
   Total
  $ 7,800  
 
Mortgage Banking derivatives used in the ordinary course of business consist of mandatory forward sales contracts and rate lock loan commitments. Mandatory forward contracts represent future commitments to deliver loans at a specified price and date and are used to manage interest rate risk on loan commitments and mortgage loans held for sale. Rate lock loan commitments represent commitments to fund loans at a specific rate. These derivatives involve underlying items, such as interest rates, and are designed to transfer risk. Substantially all of these instruments expire within 90 days from the date of issuance. Notional amounts are amounts on which calculations and payments are based, but which do not represent credit exposure, as credit exposure is limited to the amounts required to be received or paid.

The Company adopted FASB ASC topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” at the beginning of the first quarter of 2009, and has included the expanded disclosures required by that statement.

The following tables include the notional amounts and realized gain (loss) for Mortgage Banking derivatives recognized in Mortgage Banking income as of December 31, 2010 and 2009:

December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
             
Mandatory forward contracts:
           
Notional amount
  $ 25,591     $ 32,270  
Change in fair value of mandatory forward contracts
    277       616  
                 
Rate lock loan commitments:
               
Notional amount
  $ 8,699     $ 28,734  
Change in fair value of rate lock loan commitments
    (197 )     (338 )

 
137

 
 
6.           MORTGAGE BANKING ACTIVITIES (continued)

Mandatory forward contracts also contain an element of risk in that the counterparties may be unable to meet the terms of such agreements. In the event the counterparties fail to deliver commitments or are unable to fulfill their obligations, the Company could potentially incur significant additional costs by replacing the positions at then current market rates. The Company manages its risk of exposure by limiting counterparties to those banks and institutions deemed appropriate by management and the Board of Directors. The Company does not expect any counterparty to default on their obligations and therefore, the Company does not expect to incur any cost related to counterparty default.

The Company is exposed to interest rate risk on loans held for sale and rate lock loan commitments. As market interest rates fluctuate, the fair value of mortgage loans held for sale and rate lock commitments will decline or increase. To offset this interest rate risk, the Company enters into derivatives such as mandatory forward contracts to sell loans. The fair value of these mandatory forward contracts will fluctuate as market interest rates fluctuate, and the change in the value of these instruments is expected to largely, though not entirely, offset the change in fair value of loans held for sale and rate lock commitments. The objective of this activity is to minimize the exposure to losses on rate loan lock commitments and loans held for sale due to market interest rate fluctuations. The net effect of derivatives on earnings will depend on risk management activities and a variety of other factors, including market interest rate volatility, the amount of rate lock commitments that close, the ability to fill the forward contracts before expiration, and the time period required to close and sell loans.

7.           PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

A summary of the cost and accumulated depreciation of premises and equipment follows:
 
December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
             
Land
  $ 4,841     $ 4,841  
Buildings and improvements
    27,384       27,220  
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
    38,838       33,328  
Leasehold improvements
    11,738       11,740  
Construction in progress
    -       1,405  
                 
Total premises and equipment
    82,801       78,534  
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization
    45,031       39,154  
                 
Premises and equipment, net
  $ 37,770     $ 39,380  

During 2009, the Company transferred $2.1 million from land to OREO, as management modified its intent to develop a banking center on land acquired during the GulfStream Community Bank purchase. The Company recorded OREO writedowns of $373,000 and $1.3 million related to this property during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.

Depreciation expense related to premises and equipment follows:
 
December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Depreciation expense
  $ 5,877     $ 5,395     $ 5,349  
 
 
138

 
 
8.           GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The change in balance for goodwill follows:

December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
             
Beginning of year
  $ 10,168     $ 10,168  
Acquired goodwill
    -       -  
Impairment
    -       -  
                 
End of year
  $ 10,168     $ 10,168  
 
The Goodwill balance relates entirely to the Traditional Banking segment.

Impairment exists when a reporting unit’s carrying value of goodwill exceeds its fair value, which is determined through a two-step impairment test. Step 1 includes the determination of the carrying value of the Company’s single reporting unit, including the existing goodwill and intangible assets and estimating the fair value of the reporting unit. The Company determined the fair value of its reporting unit and compared it to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company is required to perform a second step to the impairment test.

The Company’s annual impairment analysis, which was conducted as of September 30, 2010, indicated that the Step 2 analysis was not necessary. Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test would be performed to measure the impairment loss. Step 2 requires that the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill be compared to the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss shall be recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

Detail of acquired intangible assets follows:
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Years ended December 31, (in thousands)
 
Gross Carrying
Amount
   
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Gross Carrying
Amount
   
Accumulated
Amortization
 
                         
Core deposit intangibles
  $ 601     $ 484     $ 601     $ 405  

Aggregate core deposit intangible amortization expense follows:
 
December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Aggregate core deposit intangible amortization expense
  $ 79     $ 101     $ 122  
 
Estimated future core deposit amortization expense is as follows:
 
Year
 
(in thousands)
 
       
2011
  $ 59  
2012
    37  
2013
    21  
 
 
139

 
 
9.           DEPOSITS

Time deposits of $100,000 or more, including brokered certificates of deposit, were $819 million and $1.1 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009.

At December 31, 2010, the scheduled maturities of all time deposits, including brokered certificates of deposit were as follows:

Year
 
(in thousands)
 
       
2011
  $ 899,996  
2012
    66,582  
2013
    21,708  
2014
    11,551  
2014
    2,112  
Thereafter
    185  
         
   Total
  $ 1,002,134  
 
During September 2010, the Company exited a brokered money market relationship. This relationship maintained average balances with Republic of approximately $47 million during 2010 and was paid a rate equivalent to three month LIBOR plus 0.25 basis points, which equated to an average rate of 0.65%. The withdrawal of funds was facilitated by Republic through a reduction in cash at the Federal Reserve, which earned 0.25% for the Company.

During 2010, the Company obtained $34 million in brokered deposits to be utilized by the Traditional Bank for on-going funding needs. These deposits had a weighted average maturity of five years and a weighted average cost of 2.86%.

During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company obtained $562 million in brokered certificates of deposits to be utilized to fund the first quarter 2011 RAL program. These brokered certificates of deposits had a weighted average life of three months with a weighted average interest rate of 0.42%.

During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company obtained $921 million in brokered certificates of deposits to be utilized to fund the first quarter 2010 RAL program. These brokered certificates of deposits had a weighted average life of three months with a weighted average interest rate of 0.51%. Also, during January of 2010, the Company obtained an additional $542 million in brokered certificates of deposits to fund additional RAL demand. These brokered certificates of deposits acquired in January had a weighted average life of 55 days and a weighted average interest rate of 0.56%. There were no brokered certificates outstanding at September 30, 2010 related to the RAL program.
 
For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
·       Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”
 
o
Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
 
o
Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
 
o
Footnote 4 “Securitization”
 
o
Footnote 22 “Segment Information”
 
o
Footnote 23 “Regulatory Matters”
 
 
 
140

 
 
10.           SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase consist of short-term excess funds from correspondent banks, repurchase agreements and overnight liabilities to deposit customers arising from Republic’s treasury management program. While comparable to deposits in their transactional nature, these overnight liabilities to customers are in the form of repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements collateralized by securities are treated as financings; accordingly, the securities involved with the agreements are recorded as assets and are held by a safekeeping agent and the obligations to repurchase the securities are reflected as liabilities. All securities underlying the agreements are under Republic’s control. Information regarding securities sold under agreements to repurchase follows:
 
December 31, (dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Outstanding balance at end of year
  $ 319,246     $ 299,580     $ 339,012  
Weighted average interest rate at year end
    0.31 %     0.30 %     0.36 %
Average outstanding balance during the year
  $ 330,154     $ 323,688     $ 375,676  
Average interest rate during the year
    0.31 %     0.33 %     1.65 %
Maximum outstanding at any month end
  $ 329,383     $ 318,769     $ 415,058  

At December 31, 2010, all securities sold under agreements to repurchase had overnight maturities.
 
11.           FHLB ADVANCES

At December 31, 2010 and 2009, FHLB advances were as follows:
 
December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
             
Putable fixed interest rate advances with a
           
    weighted average interest rate of 4.51%(1)
  $ 150,000     $ 150,000  
                 
Fixed interest rate advances with a weighted average
               
    interest rate of 3.13% due through 2018
    414,877       487,607  
                 
Total FHLB advances
  $ 564,877     $ 637,607  

__________________________
(1) Represents putable advances with the FHLB. These advances have original fixed rate periods ranging from one to five years with original maturities ranging from three to ten years if not put back to the Company earlier by the FHLB. At the end of their respective fixed rate periods and on a quarterly basis thereafter, the FHLB has the right to require payoff of the advances by the Company at no penalty. During the first quarter of 2007, the Company entered into $100 million of putable advances with a final maturity of 10 years and a fixed rate period of 3 years. Based on market conditions at this time, the Company does not believe that any of its putable advances are likely to be “put back” to the Company in the short-term by the FHLB.
 
During the first quarter of 2010, the Company prepaid $87 million in FHLB advances. These advances had a weighted average cost of 3.48% and were all scheduled to mature between April 2010 and January 2011. The Company incurred a $1.5 million prepayment penalty in connection with this transaction.

Each FHLB advance is payable at its maturity date, with a prepayment penalty for fixed rate advances that are paid off earlier than maturity. FHLB advances are collateralized by a blanket pledge of eligible real estate loans. At December 31, 2010, Republic had available collateral to borrow an additional $193 million from the FHLB. In addition to its borrowing line with the FHLB, Republic also had unsecured lines of credit totaling $216 million available through various other financial institutions.
 
 
141

 
 
11.      FHLB ADVANCES (continued)

Aggregate future principal payments on FHLB advances, based on contractual maturity dates are detailed below:
 
Year
 
(in thousands)
 
       
2011
  $ 75,000  
2012
    85,000  
2013
    91,000  
2014
    178,000  
2015
    10,000  
Thereafter
    125,877  
         
   Total
  $ 564,877  

The following table illustrates real estate loans pledged to collateralize advances and letters of credit with the FHLB:

December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
             
First lien, single family residential real estate
  $ 697,535     $ 733,511  
Home equity lines of credit
    36,106       91,014  
Multi-family commercial real estate
    14,332       38,526  

12.             SUBORDINATED NOTE

In 2005, Republic Bancorp Capital Trust (“RBCT”), an unconsolidated trust subsidiary of Republic Bancorp, Inc., issued $40 million in Trust Preferred Securities (“TPS”). The Company is not considered the primary beneficiary of this Trust (variable interest entity), therefore the trust is not consolidated in the Company’s financial statements, but rather the subordinated debentures are shown as a liability. The TPS mature in September, 2035 and are redeemable at the Company’s option after ten years. The TPS pay a fixed interest rate for ten years and adjust with LIBOR + 1.42% thereafter. RBCT used the proceeds from the sale of the TPS to purchase $41.2 million of unsecured fixed/floating rate subordinated debentures. The subordinated debentures mature in whole in September, 2035 and are redeemable at the Company’s option after ten years. The subordinated debentures are currently treated as Tier 1 Capital for regulatory purposes and the related interest expense, currently payable quarterly at the annual rate of 6.015%, is included in the consolidated financial statements.

In 2004, the Company executed an intragroup trust preferred transaction through its subsidiary Republic Invest Co., with the purpose of providing RB&T access to additional capital markets, if needed. On a consolidated basis, this transaction had no impact to the capital levels and ratios of the Company. The subordinated debentures held by RB&T, as a result of this transaction, however, are treated as Tier 2 Capital based on requirements administered by RB&T’s federal banking agency. The Company could immediately modify the transaction to provide up to $24 million to RB&T in additional capital to assist in maintaining minimum well-capitalized regulatory ratios. These subordinated debentures mature in whole in March, 2034.
 
 
142

 
 
13.           INCOME TAXES
 
Allocation of federal income tax between current and deferred portion is as follows:
 
Years Ended December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Current expense:
                 
    Federal
  $ 27,702     $ 27,045     $ 23,902  
    State
    642       1,197       1,126  
                         
Deferred expense:
                       
    Federal
    5,167       (4,424 )     (6,503 )
    State
    169       75       (290 )
                         
Total
  $ 33,680     $ 23,893     $ 18,235  
 
Effective tax rates differ from federal statutory rate of 35% applied to income before income taxes due to the following:
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Federal statutory rate times financial statement income
    35.00 %     35.00 %     35.00 %
Effect of:
                       
    State taxes, net of federal benefit
    0.54 %     1.24 %     1.08 %
    General business tax credits
    -1.09 %     -1.34 %     -1.63 %
    Other, net
    -0.23 %     1.29 %     0.69 %
                         
Effective tax rate
    34.22 %     36.19 %     35.14 %
 
Year-end deferred tax assets and liabilities were due to the following:
 
Years Ended December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
             
Deferred tax assets:
           
    Allowance for loan losses
  $ 7,480     $ 7,344  
    Accrued expenses
    3,401       3,218  
    Net operating loss carryforward (1)
    758       677  
    Other-than-temporary impairment
    735       5,822  
Total deferred tax assets
    12,374       17,061  
                 
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
    Unrealized investment securities gains
  $ (3,294 )   $ (3,114 )
    Federal Home Loan Bank dividends
    (4,230 )     (4,243 )
    Stock options
    -       (3 )
    Depreciation
    (117 )     115  
    Deferred loan fees
    (446 )     (495 )
    Mortgage servicing rights
    (2,772 )     (3,006 )
    Other
    (1,532 )     (1,104 )
Total deferred tax liabilities
    (12,391 )     (11,850 )
                 
Less: Valuation allowance
    (965 )     (677 )
                 
Net deferred tax asset
  $ (982 )   $ 4,534  
 
(1) The Company has a Kentucky net operating loss carry forward of $9.4 million which begins to expire in 2012 and a Florida net operating loss carryforward which begins to expire in 2030. The company maintains a valuation allowance as it does not anticipate generating taxable income in Kentucky or Florida to utilize these carry forwards prior to expiration.
 
 
143

 
 
13.           INCOME TAXES (continued)
 
Unrecognized Tax Benefits

The Company has not filed tax returns in certain jurisdictions where it has conducted limited lending activity but had no offices; therefore, the Company is open to examination for all years in which the lending activity has occurred. The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007 and recognized a liability for the amount of tax which would be due to those jurisdictions should it be determined that income tax filings were required. It is the Company’s policy to recognize interest and penalties as a component of income tax expense related to its unrecognized tax benefits.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
 
December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
             
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 377     $ 535  
Additions based on tax related to the current year
    124       93  
Additions for tax positions of prior years
    3       8  
Reductions for tax positions of prior years
    (44 )     (259 )
Reductions due to the statute of limitations
    -       -  
Settlements
    -       -  
                 
Balance, end of year
  $ 460     $ 377  

Of the 2010 total, $303,000 represents the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in future periods. The Company does not expect the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits to significantly increase or decrease in the next twelve months.

The total amount of interest and penalties recorded in the income statement was an expense of $20,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010 and a benefit of $42,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009. The Company had accrued approximately $179,000 and $159,000 for the payment of interest and penalties at December 31, 2010 and 2009.

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations by tax authorities for all years prior to and including 2006.
 
 
144

 
 
14.           EARNINGS PER SHARE

Class A and Class B shares participate equally in undistributed earnings. The difference in earnings per share between the two classes of common stock results solely from the 10% per share cash dividend premium paid on Class A Common Stock over that paid on Class B Common Stock. See Footnote 15, “Stockholders’ Equity” of this section of the filing.

A reconciliation of the combined Class A and Class B Common Stock numerators and denominators of the earnings per share and diluted earnings per share computations is presented below:
 
Years Ended December 31, (in thousands, except per share data)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Net income
  $ 64,753     $ 42,131     $ 33,652  
                         
Weighted average shares outstanding
    20,877       20,749       20,518  
Effect of dilutive securities
    83       135       306  
Average shares outstanding including
                       
     dilutive securities
    20,960       20,884       20,824  
                         
Basic earnings per share:
                       
      Class A Common Stock
  $ 3.11     $ 2.04     $ 1.65  
      Class B Common Stock
    3.06       1.99       1.60  
                         
Diluted earnings per share:
                       
      Class A Common Stock
  $ 3.10     $ 2.02     $ 1.62  
      Class B Common Stock
    3.04       1.98       1.58  
 
Stock options excluded from the detailed earnings per share calculation because their impact was antidilutive are as follows:
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Antidilutive stock options
    623,140       650,553       649,197  
Average antidilutive stock options
    621,699       644,980       332,076  
 
145

 

15.           STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND REGULATORY CAPITAL MATTERS

Common Stock The Class A Common shares are entitled to cash dividends equal to 110% of the cash dividend paid per share on Class B Common Stock. Class A Common shares have one vote per share and Class B Common shares have ten votes per share. Class B Common shares may be converted, at the option of the holder, to Class A Common shares on a share for share basis. The Class A Common shares are not convertible into any other class of Republic’s capital stock.

Dividend Restrictions – The Parent Company’s principal source of funds for dividend payments are dividends received from RB&T. Banking regulations limit the amount of dividends that may be paid to the Parent Company by the Bank without prior approval of the respective states’ banking regulators. Under these regulations, the amount of dividends that may be paid in any calendar year is limited to the current year’s net profits, combined with the retained net profits of the preceding two years. At December 31, 2010 RB&T could, without prior approval, declare dividends of approximately $79 million. The Company does not plan to pay dividends from its Florida subsidiary, Republic Bank, in the foreseeable future.

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

Prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications: well-capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition. If adequately capitalized, regulatory approval is required to accept brokered deposits. If undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as is asset growth and expansion, and capital restoration plans are required. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the most recent regulatory notifications categorized the Bank as well-capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the institution’s category.

With regard to Republic Bank, the Qualified Thrift Lender (“QTL”) test requires at least 65% of assets be maintained in housing-related loans and investments and other specified areas for nine out of the twelve calendar months each year. If this test is not met for at least nine out of twelve months, limits are placed on growth, branching, new investments, FHLB advances and dividends, or Republic Bank must convert to a commercial bank charter. Republic Bank met the requirements of the QTL test for at least nine out of twelve calendar months for 2010.
 
 
146

 

15.           STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND REGULATORY CAPITAL MATTERS (continued)

   
Actual
   
Minimum
Requirement for
Capital Adequacy
Purposes
   
Minimum Requirement
to be Well Capitalized
Under Prompt
Corrective Action
Provisions
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
                                     
As of December 31, 2010
                                   
                                     
Total Capital to risk weighted assets
                                   
   Republic Bancorp, Inc.
  $ 415,992       22.04 %   $ 150,966       8 %     N/A       N/A  
   Republic Bank & Trust Co.
    385,433       21.18       145,598       8     $ 181,998       10 %
   Republic Bank
    16,160       22.67       5,703       8       7,129       10  
                                                 
Tier 1 (Core) Capital to risk weighted assets
                                               
   Republic Bancorp, Inc.
    394,195       20.89       75,483       4       N/A       N/A  
   Republic Bank & Trust Co.
    341,077       18.74       72,799       4       109,199       6  
   Republic Bank
    15,269       21.42       2,851       4       4,277       6  
                                                 
Tier 1 Leverage Capital to average assets
                                               
   Republic Bancorp, Inc.
    394,195       12.05       131,328       4       N/A       N/A  
   Republic Bank & Trust Co.
    341,077       10.75       126,906       4       158,633       5  
   Republic Bank
    15,269       14.76       4,548       4       5,685       5  
                                                 
Tangible Capital (to adjusted assets)
                                               
   Republic Bank
    15,269       13.43       -       -       -       -  
 
 
 
   
Actual
   
Minimum Requirement
for Capital Adequacy
Purposes
   
Minimum Requirement to
be Well Capitalized
Under Prompt Corrective
Action Provisions
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
                                     
As of December 31, 2009
                                   
                                     
Total Capital to risk weighted assets
                                   
   Republic Bancorp, Inc.
  $ 360,997       18.37 %   $ 157,226       8 %     N/A       N/A  
   Republic Bank & Trust Co.
    312,200       16.42       152,123       8     $ 190,154       10 %
   Republic Bank
    19,066       30.94       4,929       8       6,161       10  
                                                 
Tier 1 (Core) Capital to risk weighted assets
                                               
   Republic Bancorp, Inc.
    339,030       17.25       78,613       4       N/A       N/A  
   Republic Bank & Trust Co.
    267,553       14.07       76,062       4       114,092       6  
   Republic Bank
    18,296       29.70       2,465       4       3,697       6  
                                                 
Tier 1 Leverage Capital to average assets
                                               
   Republic Bancorp, Inc.
    339,030       10.52       129,312       4       N/A       N/A  
   Republic Bank & Trust Co.
    267,553       8.55       125,206       4       156,508       5  
   Republic Bank
    18,296       16.07       4,970       4       6,212       5  
                                                 
Tangible Capital (to adjusted assets)
                                               
   Republic Bank
    18,296       16.22       -       -       -       -  

 
147

 

16.           STOCK PLANS AND STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

At December 31, 2010, the Company had a stock option plan and a director deferred compensation plan. The stock option plan consists of the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (“2005 Plan”).

The Company recorded stock option compensation expense as follows:
 
December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Stock option compensation expense
  $ 567     $ 723     $ 626  

Since the stock options are incentive stock options and there were no disqualifying dispositions, no tax benefit related to this expense was recognized. No stock options were modified during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

The 2005 Plan permits the grant of stock options and stock awards for up to 3,307,500 shares of common stock. The Company believes that such awards better align the interests of its employees with those of its shareholders. Options awards generally become fully exercisable at the end of five to six years of continued employment and must be exercised within one year from the date the options become exercisable. There were no Class B stock options outstanding during each of the periods presented. All stock options have an exercise price that is at least equal to the fair market value of the Company’s stock on the date the options were granted. All shares issued under the above mentioned plans came from authorized and unissued shares. Currently, the Company has a sufficient number of shares to satisfy expected share option exercises.

The fair value of each stock option granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes based stock option valuation model. This model requires the input of subjective assumptions that will usually have a significant impact on the fair value estimate. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of Republic’s stock and other factors. Expected dividends are based on dividend trends and the market price of Republic’s stock price at grant. Republic uses historical data to estimate option exercises and employee terminations within the valuation model. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve at the time of grant.

The fair value of options granted was determined using the following weighted average assumptions as of grant date:

   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Risk-free interest rate
    2.66 %     1.80 %     2.07 %
Expected dividend yield
    2.65 %     2.56 %     2.41 %
Expected stock price volatility
    30.40 %     28.57 %     26.00 %
Expected life of options (in years)
    6       6       6  
Estimated fair value per share
  $ 5.20     $ 4.17     $ 4.25  
 
A summary of the activity in the stock option plan for 2010 follows:
 
               
Weighted
       
         
Weighted
   
Average
       
   
Options
   
Average
   
Remaining
   
Aggregate
 
   
Class A
   
Exercise
   
Contractual
   
Intrinsic
 
   
Shares
   
Price
   
Term
   
Value
 
                         
Outstanding, beginning of year
    990,375     $ 19.50              
Granted
    8,000       20.77              
Exercised
    (192,231 )     15.77              
Forfeited or expired
    (70,920 )     17.79              
Outstanding, end of year
    735,224     $ 20.65       3.13     $ 2,316,192  
Fully vested and expected to vest
    647,724     $ 20.40       3.14     $ 2,197,035  
Exercisable (vested) at end of year
    104,148     $ 16.25       0.53     $ 780,965  
 
148

 
 
16.           STOCK PLANS AND STOCK BASED COMPENSATION (continued)

Information related to the stock option plan during each year follows:
 
December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Intrinsic value of options exercised
  $ 1,455     $ 2,420     $ 4,480  
Cash received from options exercised, net of shares redeemed
    1,884       1,875       1,626  
Weighted average fair value of options granted
    42       75       1,648  

Non executive officer employees had total loans outstanding of $1.6 million and $1.5 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009 that were originated to fund stock option exercises.

Unrecognized stock option compensation expense related to unvested awards (net of estimated forfeitures) is estimated as follows:
 
Year
 
(in thousands)
 
       
2011
  $ 564  
2012
    414  
2013
    268  
2014
    116  
2015
    4  
         
   Total
  $ 1,366  
         

In November 2004, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a Non Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan governs the deferral of board and committee fees of non-employee members of the Board of Directors. Members of the Board of Directors may defer up to 100% of their board and committee fees for a specified period ranging from two to five years. The value of the deferred director compensation account is deemed “invested” in Company stock and is immediately vested. On a quarterly basis, the Company reserves shares of Republic’s stock within the Company’s stock option plan for ultimate distribution to Directors at the end of the deferral period. The Plan has not and will not materially impact the Company, as director compensation expense has been and will continue to be recorded when incurred.

The following table presents information on director deferred compensation shares reserved for the periods shown:

   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Years ended December 31,
 
Shares
Deferred
   
Weighted Average Market Price at
Date of Deferral
   
Shares
Deferred
   
Weighted Average
Market Price at Date
of Deferral
 
                         
Balance, beginning of period
    32,004     $ 20.19       24,603     $ 20.27  
   Awarded
    7,298       21.05       7,657       19.89  
   Released
    (1,460 )     21.73       (256 )     17.36  
Balance, end of period
    37,842     $ 20.30       32,004     $ 20.19  
 
Director deferred compensation has been expensed as follows:

Years Ended December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Director deferred compensation expense
  $ 151     $ 152     $ 139  

 
149

 

17.           BENEFIT PLANS

Republic maintains a 401(k) plan for eligible employees who have been employed for at least 30-days and have reached the age of 21. Participants in the plan have the option to contribute from 1% to 100% of their annual eligible compensation up to the maximum allowed by the IRS. Effective January 1, 2009, the Company increased the Company match to 100% of participant contributions up to 1% and an additional 75% for participant contributions between 2% and 5% of each participant’s annual eligible compensation. In addition, vesting in Company contributions were changed from a period of six years of employment to two years of employment. In 2008, Republic matched 50% of participant contributions up to 5% of each participant's annual eligible compensation for the same respective periods.

Republic’s normal 401(k) matching contributions were $1.3 million, $1.3 million and $692,000 for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. Republic's contribution may increase if the Company achieves certain operating goals. The Company contributed a “bonus” 401(k) match payment of $406,000 in 2011, related to fiscal year 2010 based on attainment of income goals. There was no “bonus” 401(k) match payment in 2010 related to fiscal year 2009, as the Company failed to achieve its required income goals to pay the match during this period. The Company contributed a “bonus” 401(k) match payment of $343,000 in 2009, related to fiscal year 2008 based on attainment of income goals.

Republic also maintains an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”). Shares in the ESOP are allocated to eligible employees based on the principal payments of the associated loan over the term of the loan, which is ten years. Participants become fully vested in allocated shares after five years of credited service and may receive their distributions in the form of cash or stock. In 2008, the loan was paid off and at December 31, 2008, there were no remaining unallocated shares. Effective July 1, 2007, the Company ceased accepting new participants into the ESOP plan. In 2008, the Company declared that all active unvested participants that had not completed five years of service as of December 31, 2008 would become 100% vested effective January 1, 2009 provided they were actively employed on January 1, 2009. Additional details regarding the ESOP plan follows:
 
Years Ended December 31, ($ in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Shares allocated to participants in the plan
    296,533       312,776       329,826  
Unearned shares allocated to participants in the plan
    -       -       48,883  
Fair value of shares
  $ 7,043     $ 6,443     $ 8,971  
Compensation expense
    -       -       1,131  
 
The Company maintains a death benefit for the Chairman of the Company equal to three times the average compensation paid for the two years proceeding death. Upon a change in control, defined as a sale or assignment of more than 55% of the outstanding stock of the Company, the death benefit is canceled.
 
 
150

 

18.           TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES AND THEIR AFFILIATES

Republic leases office facilities under operating leases from Republic’s Chairman of the Executive Committee and from limited liability companies in which Republic’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman are partners. Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 under these leases was $3,136,000, $3,132,000 and $2,506,000. Total rent expense on all operating leases was $5.4 million, $5.6 million and $4.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

Total minimum lease commitments under non cancelable operating leases are as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
Affiliate
   
Other
   
Total
 
                   
2011
  $ 2,851     $ 3,303     $ 6,154  
2012
    2,131       3,177       5,308  
2013
    2,203       3,007       5,210  
2014
    2,249       2,483       4,732  
2015
    1,987       1,086       3,073  
Thereafter
    4,623       9,137       13,760  
                         
   Total
  $ 16,044     $ 22,193     $ 38,237  
                         

 
A director of Republic Bancorp, Inc. is the President and Chief Executive Officer of a company that leases space to Republic. Fees paid to the Company totaled $13,000 for each of the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

A director of Republic Bancorp, Inc. is “of counsel” to a local law firm. Fees paid by Republic to this firm totaled $193,000, $178,000 and $269,000 in 2010, 2009 and 2008.

A director of Republic Bank & Trust Company is an executive manager of a public relations firm. Fees paid by Republic to this firm totaled $173,000, $204,000 and $120,000 in 2010, 2009 and 2008.

Loans made to executive officers and directors of Republic and their related interests during 2010 were as follows:
 
   
(in thousands)
 
       
Beginning balance
  $ 27,348  
Effect of changes in composition of related parties
    2,168  
New loans
    6,837  
Repayments
    (7,095 )
         
Ending balance
  $ 29,258  
         

Deposits from executive officers, directors, and their affiliates totaled $30 million and $25 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009.

 
 
 
151

 

 
19.           OFF BALANCE SHEET RISKS, COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Republic, in the normal course of business, is party to financial instruments with off balance sheet risk. These financial instruments primarily include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. The contract or notional amounts of these instruments reflect the potential future obligations of Republic pursuant to those financial instruments. Creditworthiness for all instruments is evaluated on a case by case basis in accordance with Republic’s credit policies. Collateral from the customer may be required based on the Company’s credit evaluation of the customer and may include business assets of commercial customers, as well as personal property and real estate of individual customers or guarantors.

Republic also extends binding commitments to customers and prospective customers. Such commitments assure the borrower of financing for a specified period of time at a specified rate. The risk to Republic under such loan commitments is limited by the terms of the contracts. For example, Republic may not be obligated to advance funds if the customer’s financial condition deteriorates or if the customer fails to meet specific covenants. An approved but unfunded loan commitment represents a potential credit risk once the funds are advanced to the customer. Unfunded loan commitments also represent liquidity risk since the customer may demand immediate cash that would require funding and interest rate risk as market interest rates may rise above the rate committed. In addition, since a portion of these loan commitments normally expire unused, the total amount of outstanding commitments at any point in time may not require future funding.

As of December 31, 2010, exclusive of Mortgage Banking loan commitments, Republic had outstanding loan commitments of $453 million, which included unfunded home equity lines of credit totaling $254 million. As of December 31, 2009, exclusive of Mortgage Banking loan commitments, Republic had outstanding loan commitments of $479 million, which included unfunded home equity lines of credit totaling $301 million. These commitments generally have open ended maturities and variable rates.

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by Republic to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The terms and risk of loss involved in issuing standby letters of credit are similar to those involved in issuing loan commitments and extending credit. Commitments outstanding under standby letters of credit totaled $11 million and $12 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009. In addition to credit risk, the Company also has liquidity risk associated with standby letters of credit because funding for these obligations could be required immediately. The Company does not deem this risk to be material.

At December 31, 2010 and 2009, Republic had a $10 million letter of credit from the FHLB issued on behalf of one RB&T client. This letter of credit was used as a credit enhancement for a client bond offering and reduced RB&T’s available borrowing line at the FHLB. The Company uses a blanket pledge of eligible real estate loans to secure the letter of credit.
 
 
 
152

 
 
20.           PARENT COMPANY CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION


BALANCE SHEETS

December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
             
Assets:
           
             
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 18,789     $ 32,881  
Investment in subsidiaries
    398,384       327,685  
Other assets
    1,947       3,214  
                 
Total assets
  $ 419,120     $ 363,780  
                 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
               
                 
Subordinated note
  $ 41,240     $ 41,240  
Other liabilities
    6,504       6,520  
Stockholders' equity
    371,376       316,020  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 419,120     $ 363,780  
                 

 
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
Years Ended December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Income and expenses:
                 
                   
Dividends from subsidiary
  $ 15,825     $ 55,856     $ 12,286  
Interest income
    12       7       103  
Other income
    39       39       36  
Less: Interest expense
    2,515       2,578       2,522  
Less: Other expenses
    373       391       395  
                         
Income before income tax benefit
    12,988       52,933       9,508  
Income tax benefit
    971       1,022       858  
                         
Income before equity in undistributed net income
                       
     of subsidiaries
    13,959       53,955       10,366  
Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries
    50,794       (11,824 )     23,286  
                         
Net income
  $ 64,753     $ 42,131     $ 33,652  
                         



 
153

 


20.           PARENT COMPANY CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
 
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
Years Ended December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Operating activities:
                 
                   
Net income
  $ 64,753     $ 42,131     $ 33,652  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
                       
  provided by operating activities:
                       
       Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries
    (50,794 )     11,824       (23,286 )
       Director deferred compensation - Parent Company
    90       86       71  
       Change in due from subsidiary
    -       -       519  
       Change in other assets
    1,267       667       (468 )
       Change in other liabilities
    (19,546 )     (20,880 )     459  
                         
Net cash provided by operating activities
    (4,230 )     33,828       10,947  
                         
Investing activities:
                       
                         
Dividends on unallocated ESOP shares
    -       -       (6 )
                         
Net cash used in investing activities
    -       -       (6 )
                         
Financing activities:
                       
                         
Commons Stock repurchases
    (390 )     (868 )     (523 )
Net proceeds from Common Stock options exercised
    1,884       1,875       1,626  
Cash dividends paid
    (11,356 )     (10,379 )     (9,359 )
                         
Net cash used in financing activities
    (9,862 )     (9,372 )     (8,256 )
                         
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    (14,092 )     24,456       2,685  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    32,881       8,425       5,740  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ 18,789     $ 32,881     $ 8,425  
                         

 
21.           OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
December 31, (in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale
  $ (249 )   $ 4,306     $ (13,689 )
Other-than-temporary impairment on available for sale
                       
    securities recorded in other comprehensive income
    -       2,769       -  
Change in unrealized losses on securities available for sale
                       
for which a portion of an other-than-temporary impairment
                 
   has been recognized in earnings
    985       585       -  
Reclassification amount on securities sold
    -       -       (1,917 )
Reclassification adjustment for losses realized in income
    (221 )     3,052       16,281  
                         
Net unrealized gains
    515       10,712       675  
Tax effect
    (180 )     (3,749 )     (236 )
                         
Net of tax amount
  $ 335     $ 6,963     $ 439  
                         
 
 
 
154

 

 
22.           SEGMENT INFORMATION

The reportable segments are determined by the type of products and services offered, distinguished between Traditional Banking, Mortgage Banking and Tax Refund Solutions (“TRS”). They are also distinguished by the level of information provided to the chief operating decision maker, who uses such information to review performance of various components of the business (such as branches and subsidiary banks), which are then aggregated if operating performance, products/services, and customers are similar. Loans, investments and deposits provide the majority of the net revenue from Traditional Banking operations; servicing fees and loan sales provide the majority of revenue from Mortgage Banking operations; RAL fees and ERC/ERD fees provide the majority of the revenue from TRS. All Company operations are domestic.

The accounting policies used for Republic’s reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Segment performance is evaluated using operating income. Goodwill is not allocated. Income taxes which are not segment specific are allocated based on income before income tax expense. Transactions among reportable segments are made at fair value.
 
For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
·       Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”
 
o
Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
 
o
Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
 
o
Footnote 4 “Securitization”
 
o
Footnote 9 “Deposits”
 
o
Footnote 23 “Regulatory Matters”
 
Segment information for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 is as follows:
 
 
   
Year Ended December 31, 2010
 
   
Traditional
   
Tax Refund
   
Mortgage
   
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Banking
   
Solutions
   
Banking
   
Company
 
                         
Net interest income
  $ 105,685     $ 50,659     $ 468     $ 156,812  
Provision for loan losses
    11,571       8,143       -       19,714  
                                 
Electronic Refund Check fees
    -       58,789       -       58,789  
Net RAL securitization income
    -       265       -       265  
Mortgage banking income
    -       -       5,797       5,797  
Net loss on sales, calls and
                            -  
    impairment of securities
    (221 )     -       -       (221 )
Other non interest income
    22,899       56       73       23,028  
Total non interest income
    22,678       59,110       5,870       87,658  
                                 
Total non interest expenses
    90,968       32,796       2,559       126,323  
                                 
Income before income tax expense
    25,824       68,830       3,779       98,433  
Income tax expense
    7,929       24,590       1,161       33,680  
Net income
  $ 17,895     $ 44,240     $ 2,618     $ 64,753  
                                 
Total assets
  $ 3,026,628     $ 572,716     $ 23,359     $ 3,622,703  
Net interest margin
    3.57 %  
NM
   
NM
      4.65 %
                                 
 

 
 
155

 

22.           SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued) 
 
   
Year Ended December 31, 2009
 
   
Traditional
   
Tax Refund
   
Mortgage
   
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Banking
   
Solutions
   
Banking
   
Company
 
                         
Net interest income
  $ 110,352     $ 52,707     $ 804     $ 163,863  
Provision for loan losses
    15,885       18,090       -       33,975  
                                 
Electronic Refund Check fees
    -       25,289       -       25,289  
Net RAL securitization income
    -       514       -       514  
Mortgage banking income
    -       -       11,021       11,021  
Net loss on sales, calls and
                            -  
    impairment of securities
    (5,822 )     -       -       (5,822 )
Other non interest income
    26,467       52       100       26,619  
Total non interest income
    20,645       25,855       11,121       57,621  
                                 
Total non interest expenses
    92,513       27,318       1,654       121,485  
                                 
Income before income tax expense
    22,599       33,154       10,271       66,024  
Income tax expense
    7,237       13,175       3,481       23,893  
Net income
  $ 15,362     $ 19,979     $ 6,790     $ 42,131  
                                 
Total assets
  $ 2,976,663     $ 927,929     $ 14,176     $ 3,918,768  
Net interest margin
    3.79 %  
NM
   
NM
      5.04 %
                                 
 
 
 
   
Year Ended December 31, 2008
 
   
Traditional
   
Tax Refund
   
Mortgage
   
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Banking
   
Solutions
   
Banking
   
Company
 
                         
Net interest income
  $ 111,193     $ 18,166     $ 365     $ 129,724  
Provision for loan losses
    8,154       8,051       -       16,205  
                                 
Electronic Refund Check fees
    -       17,756       -       17,756  
Net RAL securitization income
    -       13,347       -       13,347  
Mortgage banking income
    -       -       3,536       3,536  
Net loss on sales, calls and
                            -  
    impairment of securities
    (14,364 )     -       -       (14,364 )
Other non interest income
    25,766       31       (112 )     25,685  
Total non interest income
    11,402       31,134       3,424       45,960  
                                 
Total non interest expenses
    85,829       20,942       821       107,592  
                                 
Income before income tax expense
    28,612       20,307       2,968       51,887  
Income tax expense
    10,180       7,049       1,006       18,235  
Net income
  $ 18,432     $ 13,258     $ 1,962     $ 33,652  
                                 
Total assets
  $ 2,766,174     $ 1,154,777     $ 18,417     $ 3,939,368  
Net interest margin
    3.96 %  
NM
   
NM
      4.20 %
                                 
_________________________________
NM – Not Meaningful
 
 
156

 
 
23.           REGULATORY MATTERS

On a recurring basis, the FDIC performs a Community Reinvestment Act Performance Evaluation of RB&T. Among other things, the purpose of this evaluation is to assess RB&T’s performance and initiatives that are designed to help meet the credit needs of the areas it serves, including low and moderate-income individuals, neighborhoods and businesses. The evaluation also includes a review of RB&T’s community development services and investments in RB&T’s assessment areas.

During the first quarter of 2009, the FDIC made public RB&T’s 2008 Community Reinvestment Act Performance Evaluation (the “2008 CRA Evaluation”). RB&T received “High Satisfactory” ratings on the Investment Test component and the Service Test component evaluated as part of the 2008 CRA Evaluation. Based on issues identified within RB&T’s Refund Anticipation Loan (“RAL”) program, RB&T received a “Needs to Improve” rating on the Lending Test component, and as a result, a “Needs to Improve” rating on its overall rating. By statute, a bank such as RB&T with a “Needs to Improve” CRA rating has limitations on certain future business activities, including the ability to branch and to make acquisitions, until its CRA rating improves.

As stated in the 2008 CRA Evaluation, the FDIC concluded that RB&T violated Regulation B (“Reg B”), which implements the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (“ECOA”), specifically related to RB&T’s tax refund business and its RAL program. The Reg B issues involved RB&T’s requirement that both spouses who file a joint tax return sign a RAL proceeds check, even if one spouse opted out of the RAL transaction. The RAL is ultimately repaid to RB&T by the IRS with funds made payable to both spouses. The Reg B issues also involved a claim that in 2008 one electronic return originator (“ERO”) out of a total of more than 8,000 EROs did not allow spouses to opt out of RAL transactions. In response to the 2008 CRA Evaluation, RB&T changed certain procedures and processes to address the Reg B issues raised by the FDIC as it relates to RB&T’s RAL program.

As required by statute, the FDIC referred their conclusions regarding the alleged Reg B violations to the Department of Justice (“DOJ”). During the second quarter of 2009, the Company was notified that the DOJ had referred the Reg B issue back to the FDIC for administrative handling with no further corrective action required by the DOJ.

Effective February 25, 2009, RB&T entered into a Stipulation and Consent Agreement with the FDIC agreeing to the issuance of a Cease and Desist Order (the “Order”) predominately related to required improvements and increased oversight of RB&T’s compliance management system. The Company filed the final Order as Exhibit 10.62 of its 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The Order cited insufficient oversight of RB&T’s consumer compliance programs, most notably in RB&T’s RAL program. The Order required increased compliance oversight of the RAL program by RB&T’s management and board of directors, subject to review and approval by the FDIC. Under the Order, RB&T increased its training and audits of its ERO partners, who make RB&T’s tax products available to taxpayers across the nation. In addition, various components of the Order required RB&T to meet certain implementation, completion and reporting timelines, including the establishment of a compliance management system to appropriately assess, measure, monitor and control third party risk and ensure compliance with consumer laws.

In addition to the compliance issues cited in regard to the RAL program, the Order also required RB&T to correct Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (“HMDA”) reporting errors. As part of the Order, RB&T made corrections to its 2007 and 2006 HMDA reporting. As a result of the errors in its 2007 and 2006 HMDA reporting, RB&T paid a $22,000 civil money penalty during the first quarter of 2009.

During the fourth quarter of 2009, the FDIC began the process for the 2009 Community Reinvestment Act Performance Evaluation (the “2009 CRA Evaluation”). During the third quarter of 2010, the FDIC notified RB&T of its 2009 CRA Evaluation performance rating. RB&T received “High Satisfactory” ratings on the Investment Test component and the Service Test component evaluated as part of the 2009 CRA Evaluation. Based on alleged Reg B violations regarding documentation of spousal obligations on a limited number of loans identified within RB&T’s commercial lending area, RB&T received a “Needs to Improve” rating on the Lending Test component, and as a result, a “Needs to Improve” rating on its overall rating. By statute, the FDIC referred these alleged Reg B violations to the DOJ. The FDIC subsequently notified RB&T that the DOJ had referred this matter back to the FDIC for administrative handling.


 
157

 

23.           REGULATORY MATTERS (continued)

Prior to the FDIC’s notification to RB&T of the 2009 CRA Evaluation results, RB&T changed certain procedures and processes to better document its commercial loan origination process as it relates to the intent of both spouses to apply for and become obligated to repay certain commercial loans. The FDIC did notify RB&T of certain additional corrective actions to be undertaken in response to the alleged Reg B violations. At this time, management is uncertain if and when the FDIC may issue further corrective actions.

On February 10, 2011, RB&T received a Notice of Charges for an Order to Cease and Desist and Notice of Hearing from the FDIC (the “Notice”) regarding its RAL program. A copy of the Notice is set forth as Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 10, 2011. The Notice contends that RB&T’s practice of originating RALs without the benefit of the DI from the IRS is unsafe and unsound. The Notice does not address RB&T’s ERC and ERD products. The Notice initiated an agency adjudication proceeding, In Republic Bank & Trust Company, to determine whether the FDIC should issue a cease and desist order to restrain RB&T’s RAL program.

As part of the process initiated by the Notice, RB&T is entitled to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) appointed by the FDIC. The Notice set RB&T’s hearing at 60 days from the date of service of the Notice or on such date and at such place as may be set by the ALJ. As part of the hearing process, the ALJ will take evidence on the items specified in the Notice and make a recommendation of findings of fact to the FDIC Board of Directors, which may accept or reject the ALJ’s recommendation. There is no statutory timeline in which the ALJ must make a recommendation to the FDIC, but the recommendation is generally due 45 days after the hearing-related matters are concluded. The FDIC Board of Directors would have 90 days after the date of the ALJ’s recommendation, or argument before the FDIC Board, to render a decision. In the case of an adverse decision, RB&T would have the right to appeal the resulting order to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Filing an appeal would not operate as a stay of the order.

The Board and management believe the charges from the FDIC to be without merit and intend to vigorously defend RB&T’s right to offer a legal product to those who wish to purchase the product.

On February 28, 2011, RB&T filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky against the FDIC and various officers of the FDIC in their official capacities, entitled Republic Bank and Trust Company v. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, et al. The complaint states that the FDIC’s actions to prohibit RB&T from offering RALs constitute a generally applicable change in law that must be administered through the traditional notice and comment rulemaking required by the Administrative Procedure Act (the “APA”) or otherwise in a fashion permitted by law that is separate and apart from the adjudicatory process initiated by the Notice. The complaint also states that the FDIC has unlawfully ignored its procedural rules regarding discovery in the proceedings initiated by the Notice by conducting a series of unscheduled “visitations.” The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief.

See Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 10, 2011 for additional detail regarding the Notice.
 
For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
·       Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”
 
o
Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
 
o
Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
 
o
Footnote 4 “Securitization”
 
o
Footnote 9 “Deposits”
 
o
Footnote 22 “Segment Information”
 
 
 
158

 
 
24.           SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

Presented below is a summary of the consolidated quarterly financial data for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
   
Fourth
   
Third
   
Second
   
First
 
($ in thousands, except per share data )
 
Quarter
   
Quarter
   
Quarter
   
Quarter(3)
 
                         
2010:
                       
                         
Interest income
  $ 34,087     $ 35,270     $ 36,887     $ 87,229  
Interest expense
    8,652       8,818       8,834       10,357  
Net interest income
    25,435       26,452       28,053       76,872  
Provision for loan losses
    1,748       (1,804 )     2,980       16,790  
Net interest income after provision
    23,687       28,256       25,073       60,082  
Non interest income (1)
    7,654       7,823       12,304       59,877  
Non interest expenses
    25,417       25,122       24,645       51,139  
Income before income tax expense
    5,924       10,957       12,732       68,820  
Income tax expense
    1,506       3,647       4,335       24,192  
Net income
    4,418       7,310       8,397       44,628  
                                 
Basic earnings per share:
                               
    Class A Common Stock
    0.21       0.35       0.40       2.15  
    Class B Common Stock
    0.20       0.34       0.39       2.13  
                                 
Diluted earnings per share:
                               
    Class A Common Stock
    0.21       0.35       0.40       2.14  
    Class B Common Stock
    0.20       0.34       0.39       2.13  
 
 
   
Fourth
   
Third
   
Second
   
First
 
($ in thousands, except per share data )
 
Quarter
   
Quarter
   
Quarter
   
Quarter(3)
 
                         
2009:
                       
                         
Interest income
  $ 37,477     $ 38,265     $ 39,506     $ 97,357  
Interest expense
    10,087       10,529       11,585       16,541  
Net interest income
    27,390       27,736       27,921       80,816  
Provision for loan losses
    5,197       1,427       1,686       25,665  
Net interest income after provision
    22,193       26,309       26,235       55,151  
Non interest income (1)(2)
    8,324       7,888       10,907       30,502  
Non interest expenses
    25,550       25,739       26,554       43,642  
Income before income tax expense
    4,967       8,458       10,588       42,011  
Income tax expense
    1,123       2,797       3,721       16,252  
Net income
    3,844       5,661       6,867       25,759  
                                 
Basic earnings per share:
                               
    Class A Common Stock
    0.19       0.27       0.33       1.25  
    Class B Common Stock
    0.17       0.26       0.32       1.24  
                                 
Diluted earnings per share:
                               
    Class A Common Stock
    0.19       0.27       0.33       1.24  
    Class B Common Stock
    0.17       0.26       0.32       1.23  
___________________________
(1) - The Company recorded a net loss on sales, calls and impairment of securities of $221,000 and $5.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
(2) - The Company recorded a $1.3 million impairment charge related to its mortgage servicing rights portfolio during the fourth quarter of 2008. The majority of this impairment charge was reversed during the first quarter of 2009.
(3) - The first quarter of each year is significantly impacted by the TRS operating segment.
 
 
 
159

 
 
Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

None
 
Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures.

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was carried out by Republic Bancorp, Inc.’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. In addition, no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) occurred during the fourth quarter of the Company’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and on the Financial Statements, thereon are set forth under Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
 
Item 9B.  Other Information.

On March 1, 2011, the Company filed a current report on Form 8-K, which included the results through February 28, 2011 for the first quarter 2011 tax season.
 
PART III
 
Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

The information required by this Item appears under the headings “PROPOSAL ONE: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS,” “SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE” and “THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES” of the Proxy Statement of Republic Bancorp, Inc. for the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“Proxy Statement”) to be held April 21, 2011, all of which is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Item 11.  Executive Compensation.

The information required by this Item appears under the sub-heading “Director Compensation” and under the headings “CERTAIN INFORMATION AS TO MANAGEMENT” and “COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION” of the Proxy Statement all of which is incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
 
160

 
 
Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
The following table sets forth information regarding Republic’s Common Stock that may be issued upon exercise of options, warrants and rights under all equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2010. There were no equity compensation plans not approved by security holders at December 31, 2010.
 
 
(a)
(b)
(c)
 
 
 
 
 
Plan Category
 
 
Number of Securities to
be Issued Upon
Exercise of Outstanding
Options, Warrants and
Rights
 
Weighted-
Average Exercise
Price of
Outstanding
Options, Warrants
and Rights
Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans (Excluding
Securities Reflected in
Column (a))
2005 Stock Incentive Plan
                    735,244 (1)
$  20.65
2,572,256
_______________
(1)
Represents options issued for Class A Common Stock only. Options for Class B Common Stock have been authorized but are not issued.

Additional information required by this Item appears under the heading “SHARE OWNERSHIP” of the Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

Information required by this Item is under the headings “COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION” and “CERTAIN OTHER RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS” of the Proxy Statement, all of which is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Item 14.  Principal Accounting Fees and Services.

Information required by this Item appears under the heading “INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM” of the Proxy Statement which is incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
 
161

 
 
PART IV

Item 15.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.

(a)(1) Financial Statements:

The following are included under Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:”

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated balance sheets – December 31, 2010 and 2009
Consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income – years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
Consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity – years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
Consolidated statements of cash flows – years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
Notes to consolidated financial statements

(a)(2) Financial Statements Schedules:

Financial statement schedules are omitted because the information is not applicable.

(a)(3) Exhibits:

The Exhibit Index of this report is incorporated herein by reference. The management contracts and compensatory plans or arrangements required to be filed as exhibits to this Form 10-K pursuant to Item 15(b) are noted in the Exhibit Index.
 
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 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 
  REPUBLIC BANCORP, INC.
March 3, 2011
 
 
signature
By: Steven E. Trager
       President & Chief Executive Officer
 

 
162

 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following  persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated.
 
/s/ Bernard M. Trager              
Chairman of the Board and Director
March 3, 2011
Bernard M. Trager
   
     
     
/s/ Steven E. Trager                 
President, Chief Executive
March 3, 2011
Steven E. Trager
Officer & Director
 
     
     
/s/ A. Scott Trager                   
Vice Chairman and Director
March 3, 2011
A. Scott Trager
   
     
     
/s/ Kevin Sipes                         
Chief Financial Officer and
March 3, 2011
Kevin Sipes
Chief Accounting Officer
 
     
     
/s/ Craig A. Greenberg            
Director
March 3, 2011
Craig Greenberg
   
     
     
/s/ Michael T. Rust                  
Director
March 3, 2011
Michael T. Rust
   
     
     
/s/ Sandra Metts Snowden     
Director
March 3, 2011
Sandra Metts Snowden
   
     
     
/s/ R. Wayne Stratton             
Director
March 3, 2011
R. Wayne Stratton
   
     
     
/s/ Susan Stout Tamme           
Director
March 3, 2011
Susan Stout Tamme
   


 
163

 
 
 

No.
Description
   
3(i)
Articles of Incorporation of Registrant, as amended (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i) to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Registrant (Registration No. 333-56583))
   
3(ii)
Amended Bylaws (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
4.1
Provisions of Articles of Incorporation of Registrant defining rights of security holders (see Articles of Incorporation, as amended, of Registrant incorporated as Exhibit 3(i) herein)
   
4.2
Agreement Pursuant to Item 601 (b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Registrant for the year ended December 31, 1997 (Commission File Number: 33-77324))
   
10.01*
Officer Compensation Continuation Agreement with Steven E. Trager, dated January 12, 1995 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995 (Commission File Number: 33-77324))
   
10.02*
Officer Compensation Continuation Agreement, as amended and restated, with Steven E. Trager effective January 1, 2006 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 of Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.03*
Officer Compensation Continuation Agreement, as amended, with Steven E. Trager effective February 15, 2006 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed February 21, 2006 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.04*
Officer Compensation Continuation Agreement, as amended and restated, with Steven E. Trager effective April 30, 2008 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.05*
Officer Compensation Continuation Agreement with A. Scott Trager, dated January 12, 1995 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995 (Commission File Number: 33-77324))
   
10.06*
Officer Compensation Continuation Agreement, as amended and restated, with A. Scott Trager effective January 1, 2006 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 of Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.07*
Officer Compensation Continuation Agreement, as amended, with A. Scott. Trager effective February 15, 2006 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed February 21, 2006 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.08*
Officer Compensation Continuation Agreement, as amended and restated, with A. Scott Trager effective April 30, 2008 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.09*
Officer Compensation Continuation Agreement with Kevin Sipes, dated June 15, 2001 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 of Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2001 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.10*
Officer Compensation Continuation Agreement, as amended and restated, with Kevin Sipes effective January 1, 2006 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 of Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
 
 
 
 
164

 
 
 
No.
Description
   
10.11*
Officer Compensation Continuation Agreement, as amended, with Kevin Sipes effective February 15, 2006 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed February 21, 2006 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.12*
Officer Compensation Continuation Agreement, as amended and restated, with Kevin Sipes effective April 30, 2008 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.13*
Death Benefit Agreement with Bernard M. Trager dated September 10, 1996 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996 (Commission File Number: 33-77324))
   
10.14
Right of First Offer Agreement by and among Republic Bancorp, Inc., Teebank Family Limited Partnership, Bernard M. Trager and Jean S. Trager. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed September 19, 2007 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.15
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated August 1, 1982, relating to 2801 Bardstown Road, Louisville (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.16
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated August 1, 2008, relating to 2801 Bardstown Road, Louisville (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed June 9, 2008 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.17
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Teeco Properties, dated April 1, 1995, relating to property at 601 West Market Street (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.10 of Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.18
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Teeco Properties, dated October 1, 1996, relating to property at 601 West Market Street (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.10 of Registrant’s Form S-1 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.19
Lease extension between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Teeco Properties, dated September 25, 2001, relating to property at 601 West Market Street (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.25 of Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2001 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.20
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Teeco Properties, dated May 1, 2002, relating to property at 601 West Market Street (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2002 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.21
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Teeco Properties, dated October 1, 2005, relating to property at 601 West Market Street, Louisville, KY (Floor 4), amending and modifying previously filed exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2002 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.22
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Teeco Properties, as of October 1, 2006, relating to property at 601 West Market Street, Louisville, KY. (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed September 25, 2006 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
 
 
 
165

 
 
 
No.
Description
   
10.23
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Teeco Properties, as of July 8, 2008, as amended, relating to property at 601 West Market Street (Floors 1,2,3,5 and 6), Louisville, KY. (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.24
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Teeco Properties, as of July 8, 2008, as amended, relating to property at 601 West Market Street (Floor 4), Louisville, KY. (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 of Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.25
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated February 3, 1993, as amended, relating to 661 South Hurstbourne Parkway, Louisville (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.26
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated February 1, 1999, as amended, relating to 661 South Hurstbourne Parkway (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 of Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1999 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.27
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated February 1, 2000, as amended, relating to 661 South Hurstbourne Parkway (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 of Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.28
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated July 1, 2003, as amended, relating to 661 South Hurstbourne Parkway, Louisville (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.29
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated August 2, 1993, as amended, relating to 661 South Hurstbourne Parkway, Louisville (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.30
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated September 1, 1995, as amended, relating to 661 South Hurstbourne Parkway, Louisville (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.31
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated February 16, 1996, as amended, relating to 661 South Hurstbourne Parkway, Louisville (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 of Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.32
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated January 21, 1998, as amended, relating to 661 South Hurstbourne Parkway, Louisville (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 of Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.33
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated September 11, 1998, as amended, relating to 661 South Hurstbourne Parkway, Louisville (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 of Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
 
 
 
 
166

 
 
No.
Description
   
10.34
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated February 1, 2004, as amended, relating to 661 South Hurstbourne Parkway, Louisville (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.35
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated September 1, 2005, as amended, relating to 661 South Hurstbourne Parkway, Louisville, KY, amending and modifying previously filed exhibit 10.12 of Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.36
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated July 1, 2008, as amended, relating to 661 South Hurstbourne Parkway, Louisville (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed June 9, 2008 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.37
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated November 17, 1997, as amended, relating to 9600 Brownsboro Road (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.38
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated August 1, 1999, as amended, relating to 9600 Brownsboro Road (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1999 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.39
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated October 30, 1999, as amended, relating to 9600 Brownsboro Road (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 of Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.40
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated May 1, 2003, as amended, relating to 9600 Brownsboro Road (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.41
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated November 1, 2005, as amended, relating to 9600 Brownsboro Road (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 of Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.42
Lease between Jaytee Properties and InsBanc, Inc., dated February 3, 2003, as amended by Republic Bank & Trust Company relating to 9600 Brownsboro Road, Louisville, KY. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.43
Assignment and Assumption of Lease by Republic Bank & Trust Company with the consent of Jaytee Properties, dated May 1, 2006, relating to 9600 Brownsboro Road, Louisville, KY. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.44
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, dated January 17, 2008, as amended, relating to 9600 Brownsboro Road, Louisville, KY (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 of Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
 
 
 
 
167

 
 
No.
Description
   
10.45
Ground lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties, relating to 9600 Brownsboro Road, dated January 17, 2008, as amended, relating to 9600 Brownsboro Road, Louisville, KY (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 of Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.46
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties II SPE, LLC, dated June 27, 2008, relating to 200 South Seventh Street, Louisville, KY. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed July 1, 2008 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.47*
1995 Stock Option Plan (as amended to date) (Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Form S-8 filed November 30, 2004 (Commission File Number: 333-120856))
   
10.48*
Form of Stock Option Agreement for Directors and Executive Officers (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.49*
2005 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed March 18, 2005 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.50*
Republic Bancorp, Inc. 401(k)/Profit Sharing Plan and Trust (Incorporated by reference to Form S-8 filed December 28, 2005 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.51*
Republic Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries Non-Employee Director and Key Employee Deferred Compensation and the Republic Bank & Trust Company Non-Employee Director and Key Employee Deferred Compensation Plan (as adopted November 18, 2004) (Incorporated by reference to Form S-8 filed November 30, 2004 (Commission File Number: 333-120857))
   
10.52*
Republic Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries Non-Employee Director and Key Employee Deferred Compensation Plan Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 (Incorporated by reference to Form S-8 filed April 13, 2005 (Commission File Number: 333-120857))
   
10.53*
Republic Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries Non-Employee Director and Key Employee Deferred Compensation, as amended and restated as of March 16, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed March 18 2005 (Commission File Number: 333-120857))
   
10.54*
Republic Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries Non-Employee Director and Key Employee Deferred Compensation as amended and restated as of March 19, 2008 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.55
Junior Subordinated Indenture, Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, and Guarantee Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed August 19, 2005 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.56*
2005 Stock Incentive Plan Amendment Number 1 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.61 of Registrant’s Form 10-K filed March 6, 2009 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.57**
Amendment to Marketing and Servicing Agreement dated December 27, 2009, between Republic Bank & Trust Company and JTH Tax, Inc. d/b/a Liberty Tax Service. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.60 of Registrant’s Form 10-K filed March 11, 2010 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
 
 
 
168

 
 
 
No.
Description
   
10.58**
Program Agreement dated September 19, 2007, between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jackson Hewitt Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed November 9, 2007 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.59**
Program Agreement First Amendment dated December 2, 2008, between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jackson Hewitt Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.59 of Registrant’s Form 10-K filed March 6, 2009 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.60**
Program Agreement Second Amendment dated November 23, 2009, between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jackson Hewitt Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.60 of Registrant’s Form 10-K filed March 11, 2010 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.61**
Program Agreement Third Amendment dated December 29, 2009, between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jackson Hewitt Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.60 of Registrant’s Form 10-K filed March 11, 2010 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.62**
Program Agreement Fourth Amendment dated June 30, 2010, between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jackson Hewitt Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed July 2, 2010 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.63**
Program Agreement Fifth Amendment dated September 30, 2010, between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jackson Hewitt Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed October 27, 2010 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.64**
Program Agreement Sixth Amendment dated December 14, 2010, between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jackson Hewitt Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed December 17, 2010 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.65
Order to Cease and Desist dated February 27, 2009 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.62 of Registrant’s Form 10-K filed March 6, 2009 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
   
10.66
Lease between Republic Bank & Trust Company and Jaytee Properties II SPE, LLC, dated January 31, 2011, relating to 200 South Seventh Street, Louisville, KY (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
 
 
 
169

 
 
 
No.
Description
   
21
Subsidiaries of Republic Bancorp, Inc.
   
23
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
   
31.1
Certification of Principal Executive Officer, pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
   
31.2
Certification of Principal Financial Officer, pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
   
32***
Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2003
   
99.1
Notice of Charges for an Order to Cease and Desist and Notice of Hearing dated February 9, 2011 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed February 10, 2011 (Commission File Number: 0-24649))
  
_______________________
*       Denotes management contracts and compensatory plans or arrangements required to be filed as exhibits to this Form 10-K pursuant to Item 15(b).
 
**     Confidential treatment has been requested for the redacted portions of this agreement. A complete copy of the agreement, including the redacted portions, has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
***   This certification shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 
170