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

FORM 10-Q

x      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009

OR

¨      TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For transition period from ________ to ________

Commission File Number 0-33203

LANDMARK BANCORP, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
43-1930755
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification
Number)

701 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas    66502
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

(785) 565-2000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its 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).  Yes ¨  No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one):
Large accelerated filer ¨      Accelerated filer ¨      Non-accelerated filer ¨      Smaller reporting company  x
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant's classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date: as of November 10, 2009, the Registrant had outstanding 2,371,450 shares of its common stock, $.01 par value per share.

 
 

 

LANDMARK BANCORP, INC.
Form 10-Q Quarterly Report

Table of Contents
 
   
Page Number
PART I
 
   
Item 1.
Financial Statements and Related Notes
2 - 18
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
19 – 28
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
28 - 29
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
29
   
PART II
 
     
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
30
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
30
     
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
30
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
30
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
30
Item 5.
Other Information
30
Item 6.
Exhibits
30
   
Form 10-Q Signature Page
31
 
 
1

 

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND RELATED NOTES

LANDMARK BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 20,681     $ 13,788  
Investment securities:
               
Available for sale, at fair value
    170,596       162,245  
Other securities
    7,950       9,052  
Loans, net
    348,752       365,772  
Loans held for sale
    3,974       1,487  
Premises and equipment, net
    16,490       13,956  
Goodwill
    12,894       12,894  
Other intangible assets, net
    2,590       2,407  
Bank owned life insurance
    12,368       11,996  
Accrued interest and other assets
    7,626       8,617  
Total assets
  $ 603,921     $ 602,214  
                 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Liabilities:
               
Deposits:
               
Non-interest bearing demand
  $ 48,939     $ 49,823  
Money market and NOW
    158,633       150,116  
Savings
    28,377       26,203  
Time, $100,000 and greater
    61,441       49,965  
Time, other
    153,452       163,439  
Total deposits
    450,842       439,546  
                 
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings
    61,060       77,319  
Other borrowings
    29,664       27,047  
Accrued expenses, taxes and other liabilities
    7,933       6,896  
Total liabilities
    549,499       550,808  
                 
Stockholders' equity:
               
Preferred stock, $0.01 par, 200,000 shares authorized, none issued
    -       -  
Common stock, $0.01 par, 7,500,000 shares authorized, 2,411,412 shares issued, at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008
    24       24  
Additional paid-in capital
    23,991       23,873  
Retained earnings
    28,601       27,819  
Treasury stock, at cost; 39,962 and 39,162 shares at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively
    (947 )     (935 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    2,753       625  
Total stockholders' equity
    54,422       51,406  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 603,921     $ 602,214  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
2

 

LANDMARK BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
Three months ended
September 30,
   
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Interest income:
                       
Loans:
                       
Taxable
  $ 5,062     $ 5,900     $ 15,365     $ 18,626  
Tax-exempt
    55       52       168       152  
Investment securities:
                               
Taxable
    1,045       1,213       3,230       3,634  
Tax-exempt
    637       596       1,867       1,791  
Other
    3       2       10       39  
Total interest income
    6,802       7,763       20,640       24,242  
                                 
Interest expense:
                               
Deposits
    1,401       2,259       4,598       7,996  
Borrowed funds
    793       984       2,483       2,792  
Total interest expense
    2,194       3,243       7,081       10,788  
Net interest income
    4,608       4,520       13,559       13,454  
Provision for loan losses
    1,900       500       3,000       1,400  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    2,708       4,020       10,559       12,054  
                                 
Non-interest income:
                               
Fees and service charges
    1,191       1,093       3,289       3,174  
Gains on sale of loans
    722       398       2,629       1,137  
Gain on prepayment of FHLB borrowings
    -       -       -       246  
Bank owned life insurance
    126       120       373       354  
Other
    71       130       358       408  
Total non-interest income
    2,110       1,741       6,649       5,319  
                                 
Investment securities gains (losses), net:
                               
Impairment losses on investment securities
    (885 )     -       (1,795 )     -  
Less noncredit-related losses
    752       -       1,086       -  
Net impairment losses
    (133 )     -       (709 )     -  
Gains on sales of investment securities
    -       -       -       497  
Investment securities gains (losses), net
    (133 )     -       (709 )     497  
                                 
Non-interest expense:
                               
Compensation and benefits
    2,360       2,214       6,739       6,439  
Occupancy and equipment
    716       687       2,030       2,121  
Federal deposit insurance premiums
    176       32       656       58  
Data processing
    189       183       583       586  
Amortization of intangibles
    196       196       574       605  
Professional fees
    190       109       554       342  
Advertising
    121       88       361       265  
Other
    878       802       2,729       2,447  
Total non-interest expense
    4,826       4,311       14,226       12,863  
Earnings (losses) before income taxes
    (141 )     1,450       2,273       5,007  
Income tax (benefit) expense
    (254 )     300       139       1,214  
Net earnings
  $ 113     $ 1,150     $ 2,134     $ 3,793  
                                 
Earnings per share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.05     $ 0.48     $ 0.90     $ 1.57  
Diluted
  $ 0.05     $ 0.48     $ 0.90     $ 1.57  
Dividends per share
  $ 0.19     $ 0.18     $ 0.57     $ 0.54  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
3

 

 LANDMARK BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 4,089     $ 3,628  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Net decrease in loans
    16,286       383  
Maturities and prepayments of investment securities
    37,167       13,377  
Purchase of investment securities
    (43,133 )     (29,793 )
Proceeds from sales of investment securities
    1,210       10,408  
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment and foreclosed assets
    1,954       1,409  
Purchases of premises and equipment, net
    (676 )     (572 )
Net cash paid in branch acquisition
    (130 )     -  
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    12,678       (4,788 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Net increase (decrease) in deposits
    4,900       (17,289 )
Federal Home Loan Bank advance borrowings
    -       35,000  
Federal Home Loan Bank advance repayments
    (10,027 )     (13,528 )
Federal Home Loan Bank line of credit, net
    (6,000 )     (8,400 )
Other borrowings, net
    2,617       5,742  
Purchase of treasury stock
    (12 )     (3,296 )
Proceeds from issuance of stock under stock option plans
    -       30  
Excess tax benefit related to stock option plans
    -       5  
Payment of dividends
    (1,352 )     (1,318 )
Net cash used in financing activities
    (9,874 )     (3,054 )
                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    6,893       (4,214 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    13,788       14,739  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
    20,681     $ 10,525  
                 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
               
Cash paid during period for interest
  $ 7,210     $ 11,187  
Cash paid during period for taxes, net
    872       578  
                 
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
               
Transfer of loans to real estate owned
  $ 1,827     $ 1,346  
Branch acquisition:
               
Fair value of liabilities assumed
    6,650       -  
Fair value of assets acquired
    6,520       -  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
4

 

LANDMARK BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)

   
Common
   
Additional
paid-in
   
Retained
   
Treasury
   
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
       
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
stock
   
capital
   
earnings
   
stock
   
income
   
Total
 
                                     
Balance at December 31, 2007
  $ 24     $ 24,304     $ 27,493     $ (206 )   $ 681     $ 52,296  
Comprehensive income:
                                            -  
Net earnings
    -       -       3,793       -       -       3,793  
Change in fair value of investment securities available-for-sale, net of tax
    -       -       -       -       (1,275 )     (1,275 )
Total comprehensive income
    -       -       3,793       -       (1,275 )     2,518  
Dividends paid ($0.54 per share)
    -       -       (1,318 )     -       -       (1,318 )
Stock-based compensation
    -       96       -       -       -       96  
Exercise of stock options, 1,882 shares, including tax benefit of $5,010
    -       35       -       -       -       35  
Purchase of 134,385 treasury shares
    -       -       -       (3,296 )     -       (3,296 )
Adoption of EITF 06-4
    -       -       (335 )     -       -       (335 )
Balance September 30, 2008
  $ 24     $ 24,435     $ 29,633     $ (3,502 )   $ (594 )   $ 49,996  
 
                                               
Balance at December 31, 2008
  $ 24     $ 23,873     $ 27,819     $ (935 )   $ 625     $ 51,406  
Comprehensive income:
                                               
Net earnings
    -       -       2,134       -       -       2,134  
Change in fair value of investment securities available-for-sale for which a portion of an other than temporary impairment has been recorded in net earnings, net of tax
    -       -       -       -       233       233  
Change in fair value of all other investment securities available-for-sale, net of tax
    -       -       -       -       1,895       1,895  
Total comprehensive income
    -       -       2,134       -       2,128       4,262  
Dividends paid ($0.57 per share)
    -       -       (1,352 )     -       -       (1,352 )
Stock-based compensation
    -       118       -       -       -       118  
Purchase of 800 treasury shares
    -       -       -       (12 )     -       (12 )
Balance at September 30, 2009
  $ 24     $ 23,991     $ 28,601     $ (947 )   $ 2,753     $ 54,422  
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
5

 

LANDMARK BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.          Interim Financial Statements

The condensed consolidated financial statements of Landmark Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) and subsidiary have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q.  To the extent that information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements are contained in or consistent with the consolidated audited financial statements incorporated by reference in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, such information and footnotes have not been duplicated herein.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation of financial statements have been reflected herein.  The December 31, 2008, condensed consolidated balance sheet has been derived from the audited consolidated balance sheet as of that date.  The results of the interim period ended September 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the year ending December 31, 2009.  Subsequent events have been evaluated for potential recognition or disclosure through the time of the filing on November 12, 2009, which represents the date the consolidated financial statements were issued.

2.  Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently if circumstances warrant.  During the first quarter of 2009, the decline in the Company’s stock price coupled with current market conditions in the financial services industry, constituted a triggering event which required an impairment test to be performed.  The Company performed an impairment test as of March 31, 2009 by comparing the fair value of the Company’s single reporting unit to its carrying value.  Fair value was determined using observable market data including the Company’s market capitalization and valuation multiples compared to recent financial industry acquisition multiples for similar institutions to estimate the fair value of the Company’s single reporting unit.  Based on the results of the March 31, 2009 impairment testing which indicated no impairment, along with the Company’s conclusion that no triggering events occurred during the second or third quarters of 2009, the Company concluded its goodwill was not impaired as of September 30, 2009.

On May 8, 2009, the Company’s subsidiary, Landmark National Bank, assumed approximately $6.4 million in deposits in connection with a branch acquisition.  As part of the transaction, Landmark National Bank agreed to pay a deposit premium of 1.75 percent on the core deposit balance as of 270 days after the close of the transaction.  As of May 8, 2009 the core deposit premium, based on the acquired core deposit balances, was $86,000.  The following is an analysis of changes in the core deposit intangible assets:

   
Three months ended September 30,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
 
   
Fair value at
acquisition
   
Accumulated
Amortization
   
Fair value at
acquisition
   
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 5,482     $ (3,467 )   $ 5,396     $ (2,818 )
Additions
    -       -       -       -  
Amortization
    -       (154 )     -       (174 )
Balance at end of period
  $ 5,482     $ (3,621 )   $ 5,396     $ (2,992 )

   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
 
   
Fair value at
acquisition
   
Accumulated
Amortization
   
Fair value at
acquisition
   
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 5,396     $ (3,159 )   $ 5,396     $ (2,462 )
Additions
    86       -       -       -  
Amortization
    -       (462 )     -       (530 )
Balance at end of period
  $ 5,482     $ (3,621 )   $ 5,396     $ (2,992 )

 
6

 

 Mortgage servicing rights are related to loans serviced by the Company for unrelated third parties.  The outstanding principal balances of such loans was $134.4 million and $82.0 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  Gross service fee income related to such loans was $79,000 and $54,000 for the quarters ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, which is included in fees and service charges in the consolidated statements of earnings.  Gross service fee income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was $194,000 and $167,000, respectively.  The following is an analysis of changes in the mortgage servicing rights:

   
Three months ended September 30,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
 
   
Cost
   
Accumulated
Amortization
   
Cost
   
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 1,211     $ (617 )   $ 771     $ (581 )
Additions
    177       -       22       -  
Prepayments/maturities
    (12 )     12       (22 )     22  
Amortization
    -       (42 )     -       (22 )
Balance at end of period
  $ 1,376     $ (647 )   $ 771     $ (581 )

   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
 
   
Cost
   
Accumulated
Amortization
   
Cost
   
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 772     $ (602 )   $ 770     $ (560 )
Additions
    671       -       45       -  
Prepayments/maturities
    (67 )     67       (43 )     43  
Amortization
    -       (112 )     -       (75 )
Balance at end of period
  $ 1,376     $ (647 )   $ 772     $ (592 )

Aggregate core deposit and mortgage servicing rights amortization expense for the quarters ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, was $196,000 in both quarters and $574,000 and $605,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The following depicts estimated amortization expense for all intangible assets for the remainder of 2009 and in successive years ending December 31:

Year
 
Amount (in thousands)
 
Remainder of 2009
  $ 188  
2010
    683  
2011
    584  
2012
    487  
2013
    402  
Thereafter
    246  

 
7

 

3.  Investments

A summary of investment securities available-for-sale is as follows:

   
As of September 30, 2009
 
         
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
unrealized
   
unrealized
   
Estimated
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
cost
   
gains
   
losses
   
fair value
 
                         
U. S. federal agency obligations
  $ 23,575     $ 509     $ (1 )   $ 24,083  
Municipal obligations
    67,739       3,435       (21 )     71,153  
Mortgage-backed securities
    62,655       1,796       (18 )     64,433  
Pooled trust preferred securities
    1,780       -       (1,516 )     264  
Common stocks
    692       189       (12 )     869  
Certificates of deposit
    9,794       -       -       9,794  
Total
  $ 166,235     $ 5,929     $ (1,568 )   $ 170,596  

   
As of December 31, 2008
 
         
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
unrealized
   
unrealized
   
Estimated
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
cost
   
gains
   
losses
   
fair value
 
                         
U. S. federal agency obligations
  $ 28,566     $ 950     $ (2 )   $ 29,514  
Municipal obligations
    63,711       1,532       (934 )     64,309  
Mortgage-backed securities
    55,752       934       (104 )     56,582  
Pooled trust preferred securities
    2,488             (1,748 )     740  
Common stocks
    693       389       (8 )     1,074  
Certificates of deposit
    10,026                   10,026  
Total
  $ 161,236     $ 3,805     $ (2,796 )   $ 162,245  

Included in the September 30, 2009 gross unrealized losses above, are noncredit-related losses of $1.1 million, recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, related to two $1.0 million par investments in pools of trust preferred securities, which were determined to be other than temporarily impaired.  The amortized cost of the two other than temporarily impaired investments, after recognition of $709,000 of impairment losses, was $1.3 million at September 30, 2009.  The fair value of these two securities totaled $215,000 at September 30, 2009 compared to $554,000 at December 31, 2008, while the unrealized losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income were $1.1 million at September 30, 2009 and $1.4 million at December 31, 2008.

 
8

 

The summary of available-for-sale investment securities shows that some of the securities in the available-for-sale investment portfolio had unrealized losses, or were temporarily impaired, as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.  This temporary impairment represents the estimated amount of loss that would be realized if the securities were sold on the valuation date.  Securities which were temporarily impaired are shown below, along with the length of the impairment period.

(Dollars in thousands)
       
As of September 30, 2009
 
   
Number
   
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or longer
   
Total
 
   
of
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
   
securities
   
value
   
losses
   
value
   
losses
   
value
   
losses
 
U. S. federal agency obligations
    3     $ 149     $ (1 )     -       -     $ 149     $ (1 )
Municipal obligations
    4       611       (11 )     770       (10 )     1,381       (21 )
Mortgage-backed securities
    2       1,949       (18 )     6       -       1,955       (18 )
Pooled trust preferred securities
    3       -       -       264       (1,516 )     264       (1,516 )
Common stocks
    3       54       (12 )     -       -       54       (12 )
Total
    15     $ 2,763     $ (42 )   $ 1,040     $ (1,526 )   $ 3,803     $ (1,568 )

(Dollars in thousands)
       
As of December 31, 2008
 
   
Number
   
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or longer
   
Total
 
   
of
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
   
securities
   
value
   
losses
   
value
   
losses
   
value
   
losses
 
U. S. federal agency obligations
    3     $ 64     $ -     $ 133     $ (2 )   $ 197     $ (2 )
Municipal obligations
    56       13,282       (466 )     8,542       (468 )     21,824       (934 )
Mortgage-backed securities
    80       12,219       (78 )     3,400       (26 )     15,619       (104 )
Pooled trust preferred securities
    3       -       -       740       (1,748 )     740       (1,748 )
Common stocks
    3       13       (2 )     18       (6 )     31       (8 )
  Total
    145     $ 25,578     $ (546 )   $ 12,834     $ (2,250 )   $ 38,412     $ (2,796 )

The Company’s assessment of other than temporary impairment is based on its reasonable judgment of the specific facts and circumstances impacting each individual security at the time such assessments are made.  The Company reviews and considers factual information, including expected cash flows, the structure of the security, the credit quality of the underlying assets and the current and anticipated market conditions.  As of January 1, 2009, the Company early adopted the guidance on other than temporary impairments in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 320 “Investments - Debt and Equity Securities,” which changed the accounting for other than temporary impairments of debt securities and separates the impairment into credit-related and other factors.

The receipt of principal, at par, and interest on mortgage-backed securities is guaranteed by the respective government-sponsored agency guarantor, such that the Company believes that its mortgage-backed securities do not expose the Company to credit related losses.  Based on these factors, along with the Company’s intent to not sell the security and that it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis, the Company believes that the mortgage-backed securities identified in the tables above were temporarily depressed as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.  The Company’s mortgage-backed securities portfolio consisted of securities underwritten to the standards of and guaranteed by the government-sponsored agencies of FHLMC, FNMA and GNMA.

At September 30, 2009, the Company does not intend to sell and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell its municipal obligations in an unrealized loss position until the recovery of its cost.  Due to the issuers’ continued satisfaction of the securities’ obligations in accordance with their contractual terms and the expectation that they will continue to do so, the evaluation of the fundamentals of the issuers’ financial condition and other objective evidence, and management’s intention not to sell and belief that it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell such securities prior to the recovery of the Company’s amortized cost, the Company believes that the municipal obligations identified in the tables above were temporarily depressed as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.

 
9

 

At September 30, 2009, the Company owned three pooled trust preferred securities with an original cost basis of $2.5 million, which represent investments in pools of debt obligations issued by financial institutions and insurance companies.  The market for these securities is considered to be inactive according to the guidance issued in ASC Topic 820-10-15, which the Company early adopted as of January 1, 2009.  The Company used discounted cash flow models to estimate the fair value of its pooled trust preferred securities.  The Company also used discounted cash flow models to assess if the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected was less than the amortized cost, which would result in an other than temporary impairment.  The assumptions used in preparing the discounted cash flow models include the following: estimated discount rates (using yields of comparable traded instruments adjusted for illiquidity and other risk factors), estimated deferral and default rates on collateral, and estimated cash flows.  The discounted cash flow analysis included a review of all issuers within the collateral pool and incorporated higher deferral and default rates, as compared to historical rates, in the cash flow projections through maturity.  The Company also reviewed a stress test of these securities to determine the additional estimated deferrals or defaults in the collateral pool in excess of what the Company believes is likely, before the payments on the individual securities are negatively impacted.

At September 30, 2009, the analysis of the Company’s three investments in pooled trust preferred securities indicated that the unrealized loss was temporary on a $0.5 million investment in a pooled trust preferred security and that it is more likely than not that the Company would be able to recover the cost basis of this security.  At September 30, 2009 83% of the collateral in this pool of trust preferred securities was performing according to the contractual terms of the agreements.  At September 30, 2009 the cash flow model of this investment indicated that the present value of the cash flows that the Company expects to receive was greater than the amortized cost of the investment.  However, the Company determined that a portion of the unrealized loss on the remaining two $1.0 million investments in pooled trust preferred securities was other than temporary.  The amount of actual and projected deferrals and/or defaults by the financial institutions underlying these pooled trust preferred securities increased significantly since the beginning of 2009.  One of the investments experienced an increase in the percentage of the pool that was not performing according to the contractual terms of the agreements from 9% at December 31, 2008 to 43% at September 30, 2009, while the second investment’s nonperforming percentage increased from 6% at December 31, 2008 to 26% at September 30, 2009.  The increase in nonperforming collateral resulted in total other than temporary impairments of $709,000 on these two securities as of September 30, 2009.  The Company follows ASC Topic 320-10-65 in determining the amount of the other than temporary impairment recorded to earnings.  The Company performed a discounted cash flow analysis, using the factors noted above to determine the amount of the other than temporary impairment that was applicable to either credit losses or other factors.  The amount associated with credit losses, $709,000, has  been realized through a charge to earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as an impairment loss, while the $339,000 change in the unrealized loss associated with other factors was recorded in other comprehensive income.  During the three months ended September 30, 2009 the Company realized a net credit loss of $133,000 associated with an other than temporary impairment.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 the Company did not record any impairment losses.

The following table reconciles the changes in the Company’s credit losses recognized in earnings.

   
Three months
ending
   
Nine months
ending
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
September 30,
2009
   
September 30,
2009
 
Beginning balance
  $ 576     $ -  
Additional credit losses:
               
Securities with no previous other than temporary impairment
    133       709  
Securities with previous other than temporary impairments
    -       -  
Ending balance
  $ 709     $ 709  

It is reasonably possible that the fair values of the Company’s investment securities could decline in the future if the overall economy and the financial condition of some of the issuers continue to deteriorate and the liquidity of these securities remains low.  As a result, there is a risk that additional other than temporary impairments may occur in the future and any such amounts could be material to the Company’s consolidated statements of earnings.  The fair value of the Company’s investment securities may also decline from an increase in market interest rates, as the market prices of these investments move inversely to their market yields.

 
10

 

Maturities of investment securities at September 30, 2009 are as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amortized
cost
   
Estimated
fair value
 
Due in less than one year
  $ 27,175     $ 25,616  
Due after one year but within five years
    24,651       25,520  
Due after five years
    51,062       54,158  
Mortgage-backed securities and common stock
    63,347       65,302  
Total
  $ 166,235     $ 170,596  

For mortgage-backed securities, actual maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers have the right to prepay obligations with or without prepayment penalties.

Other investment securities include investments in Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka (“FHLB”) and Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) stock.  The carrying value of the FHLB stock at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 was $6.2 million and $7.3 million, respectively, and the carrying value of the FRB stock at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 was $1.8 million and 1.7 million, respectively.  These securities are not readily marketable and are required for regulatory purposes and borrowing availability.  Since there are no available observable market values, these securities are carried at cost.  Redemption of these investments is at the option of the FHLB or FRB.

4.  Loans

Loans consisted of the following:

(Dollars in thousands)
 
September 30,
 2009
   
Percent of
total
   
December 31,
2008
   
Percent of
total
 
Real estate loans:
                       
One-to-four family residential
  $ 101,131       28.6 %   $ 112,815       30.5 %
Commercial
    127,947       36.1 %     126,977       34.4 %
Construction
    12,399       3.5 %     19,618       5.3 %
Commercial loans
    104,886       29.6 %     101,976       27.6 %
Consumer loans
    7,935       2.2 %     7,937       2.2 %
Total gross loans
    354,298       100.0 %     369,323       100.0 %
                                 
Deferred loan fees/costs and loans in process
    (318 )             320          
Allowance for loan losses
    (5,228 )             (3,871 )        
Total net loans
  $ 348,752             $ 365,772          

A summary of the activity in the allowance for loan losses is as follows:

   
Three months ended
September 30,
   
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Beginning balance
  $ 4,827     $ 3,326     $ 3,871     $ 4,172  
Provision for loan losses
    1,900       500       3,000       1,400  
Charge-offs
    (1,543 )     (60 )     (1,923 )     (1,840 )
Recoveries
    44       22       280       56  
Ending balance
  $ 5,228     $ 3,788     $ 5,228     $ 3,788  

During the three months ended September 30, 2009 we had net loan charge-offs of $1.5 million compared to $38,000 for the comparable period of 2008.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2009 we had net loan charge-offs of $1.6 million compared to $1.8 million for the comparable period of 2008.

 
11

 

A summary of the non-accrual loans is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
 
September 30,
2009
   
December 31,
2008
 
Real estate loans:
           
One-to-four family residential
  $ 963     $ 1,358  
Commercial
    2,887       2,041  
Construction
    4,605       759  
Commercial loans
    3,783       1,537  
Consumer loans
    16       53  
Total non-accrual loans
  $ 12,254     $ 5,748  

A summary of the nonperforming assets is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
 
September 30,
2009
   
December 31,
2008
 
Total non-accrual loans
  $ 12,254     $ 5,748  
Accruing loans over 90 days past due
    -       -  
Other real estate owned
    1,793       1,934  
Total nonperforming assets
  $ 14,047     $ 7,682  
                 
Total nonperforming loans to total net loans
    3.5 %     1.6 %
Total nonperforming assets to total assets
    2.3 %     1.3 %
Allowance for loan losses to gross loans outstanding
    1.5 %     1.0 %
Allowance for loan losses to total nonperforming loans
    42.7 %     67.3 %

Loans past due more than a month totaled $14.5 million at September 30, 2009, compared to $9.4 million at December 31, 2008.  At September 30, 2009, $12.3 million in loans were on non-accrual status, or 3.5% of net loans, compared to a balance of $5.7 million in loans on non-accrual status, or 1.6% of net loans, at December 31, 2008.  Non-accrual loans consist primarily of loans greater than ninety days past due and which are also included in the past due loan balances.  There were no loans 90 days delinquent and still accruing interest at September 30, 2009 or December 31, 2008.  The increase in non-accrual and past due loans was primarily driven by a $4.2 million construction loan relationship and a $2.9 million commercial agriculture loan that were classified as non-accrual and past due during the first nine months of 2009.

A summary of the impaired loans is as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
September 30,
2009
   
December 31,
2008
 
Impaired loans for which an allowance has been provided
  $ 8,954     $ 1,867  
Impaired loans for which no allowance has been provided
    3,260       5,192  
Total impaired loans
    12,214       7,059  
Allowance related to impaired loans
  $ 2,288     $ 705  

Our impaired loans increased primarily because of the same two loans impacting non-accrual and past due loan balances.  Our analysis of these two impaired loans concluded that the potential exists that the updated collateral values or sources of repayment may not be sufficient to fully cover the outstanding loan balances at September 30, 2009.

 
12

 

5.          Fair Value Measurements

The Company follows FASB ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands the disclosures about fair value measurements.  ASC Topic 820-10-55 requires the use of a hierarchy of fair value techniques based upon whether the inputs to those fair values reflect assumptions other market participants would use based upon market data obtained from independent sources or reflect the Company’s own assumptions of market participant valuation.  Effective January 1, 2009, the Company began applying FASB ASC 820 to certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities, which include foreclosed real estate, long-lived assets, goodwill, and core deposit premium, which are recorded at fair value only upon impairment.  The fair value hierarchy is as follows:

• Level 1: 
Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
• Level 2: 
Quoted prices for similar assets in active markets, quoted prices in markets that are not active or quoted prices that contain observable inputs such as yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds and other inputs derived from market data.
• Level 3: 
 Quoted prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

Valuation methods for instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis

The Company’s investment securities classified as available-for-sale include agency securities, municipal obligations, mortgage-backed securities, pooled trust preferred securities, certificates of deposits and common stocks.  Quoted exchange prices are available for the common stock investments, which are classified as Level 1.  Agency securities and mortgage-backed obligations are priced utilizing industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including time value, yield curves, volatility factors, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severity, current market and contractual prices for the underlying financial instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures.  Substantially all of these assumptions are observable in the marketplace, can be derived from observable data, or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace and are classified as Level 2.  Municipal securities are valued using a type of matrix, or grid, pricing in which securities are benchmarked against the treasury rate based on credit rating.  These model and matrix measurements are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.  The Company’s investments in fixed rate certificates of deposits are valued using a net present value model that discounts the future cash flows at the current market rates and are classified as Level 2.

The Company classifies its pooled trust preferred securities as Level 3.  The portfolio consists of three investments in pooled trust preferred securities issued by various financial companies.  The Company has determined that the observable market data associated with these assets do not represent orderly transactions in accordance with FASB ASC 820 and reflect forced liquidations or distressed sales.  Based on the lack of observable market data, the Company estimated fair value based on the observable data available and reasonable unobservable market assumptions.  The Company estimated fair value based on a discounted cash flow model which used appropriately adjusted discount rates reflecting credit and liquidity risks.

The following table represents the Company’s investment securities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 allocated to the appropriate fair value hierarchy:

         
As of September 30, 2009
 
         
Fair value hierarchy
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Total
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Assets:
                       
Available-for-sale securities
  $ 170,596     $ 809     $ 169,523     $ 264  
Derivative financial instruments
    37       -       -       37  

         
As of December 31, 2008
 
         
Fair value hierarchy
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Total
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Assets:
                       
Available-for-sale securities
  $ 162,245     $ 1,014     $ 160,490     $ 740  
Derivative financial instruments
    18       -       -       18  
 
 
13

 

The following table reconciles the changes in the Company’s Level 3 instruments during the first nine months of 2009.

         
Derivative
 
   
Available-for
   
financial
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
sale-securities
   
instruments
 
Level 3 asset fair value at December 31, 2008
  $ 740     $ 18  
Transfers into Level 3
    -          
Total gains (losses)
               
Included in earnings
    (709 )     19  
Included in other comprehensive income
    233       -  
Level 3 asset fair value at September 30, 2009
  $ 264     $ 37  

Changes in the fair value of available-for-sale securities are included in other comprehensive income to the extent the changes are not considered other than temporary impairments.  Other than temporary impairment tests are performed on a quarterly basis and any decline in the fair value of an individual security below its cost that is deemed to be other than temporary results in a write-down of that security’s cost basis.  During the first nine months of 2009 the Company recorded a $709,000 impairment loss on two $1.0 million par investments in pooled trust preferred securities.

The Company’s derivative financial instruments consist solely of interest rate lock commitments and corresponding forward sales contracts on mortgage loans held for sale and are not designated as hedging instruments.  The fair values of these derivatives are based on quoted prices for similar loans in the secondary market.  The market prices are adjusted by a factor, based on the Company’s historical data and its judgment about future economic trends, which considers the likelihood that a commitment will ultimately result in a closed loan.  These instruments are classified as Level 3 based on the unobservable nature of these assumptions.  The amounts are included in other assets or other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets and gains on sale of loans in the consolidated statements of earnings.

Valuation methods for instruments measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis

The Company’s other investment securities include investments in Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka (“FHLB”) and Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) stock, which are held for regulatory purposes.  These investments generally have restrictions on the sale and/or liquidation of stock and the carrying value is approximately equal to fair value.  Fair value measurements for these securities are classified as Level 3 based on the undeliverable nature and related credit risk.

The Company does not value its loan portfolio at fair value, however adjustments are recorded on certain loans to reflect the impaired value on the underlying collateral.  Collateral values are generally reviewed on a loan-by-loan basis through independent appraisals.  Appraised values may be discounted based on management’s historical knowledge, changes in market conditions and/or management’s expertise and knowledge of the client and the client’s business.  Because many of these inputs are unobservable the valuations are classified as Level 3.  The carrying value of the Company’s impaired loans was $12.2 million, before an allocated allowance of $2.3 million at September 30, 2009, compared to a carrying value of $7.1 million and allocated allowance of $705,000 at December 31, 2008.

Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value, determined on an aggregate basis.  The mortgage loan valuations are based on quoted secondary market prices for similar loans and are classified as Level 2.

The Company’s measure of its goodwill is based on market based valuation techniques, including reviewing the Company’s stock price and valuation multiples as compared to recent similar financial industry acquisition multiples to estimate the fair value of the Company’s single reporting unit.  The fair value measurements are classified as Level 3.

Core deposit intangibles are recognized at the time core deposits are acquired, using valuation techniques which calculate the present value of the estimated net cost savings relative to the Company’s alternative costs of funds over the expected remaining economic life of the deposits.  Subsequent evaluations are made when facts or circumstances indicate potential impairment may have occurred.  The models incorporate market discount rates, estimated average core deposit lives and alternative funding rates.  The fair value measurements are classified as Level 3.

 
14

 

The Company measures its mortgage servicing rights at the lower of cost or fair value, and amortizes them over the period equal to estimated net servicing income.  Periodic impairment assessments are performed based on fair value estimates at the reporting date.  The fair value of mortgage servicing rights are estimated based on a valuation model which calculates the present value of estimated future cash flows associated with servicing the underlying loans.  The model incorporates assumptions that market participants use in estimating future net servicing income, including estimated prepayment speeds, market discount rates, cost to service, and other servicing income, including late fees.  The fair value measurements are classified as Level 3.

Other real estate owned include assets acquired through, or in lieu of, foreclosure are initially recorded at the date of foreclosure at the fair value of the collateral less estimates selling costs.  Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are updated periodically and are based upon appraisals, third party price opinions or internal pricing models and are classified as Level 3.
The following table represents the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at September 30, 2009 allocated to the appropriate fair value hierarchy:

(Dollars in thousands)
       
Fair value hierarchy
   
Total gains
 
Assets:
 
Total
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
(losses)
 
Other investment securities
  $ 7,950     $ -     $ -     $ 7,950     $ -  
Impaired loans
    9,926       -       -       9,926       (2,288 )
Loans held for sale
    4,180       -       4,180       -       -  
Mortgage servicing rights
    2,116       -       -       2,116       -  
Other real estate owned
    1,793       -       -       1,793       -  

6.          Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value estimates of the Company’s financial instruments as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, including methods and assumptions utilized, are set forth below:

   
As of September 30, 2009
   
As of December 31, 2008
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
   
Carrying
   
Estimated
   
Carrying
   
Estimated
 
   
amount
   
fair value
   
amount
   
fair value
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 20,681     $ 20,681     $ 13,788     $ 13,788  
Investment securities
    178,546       178,546       171,297       171,297  
Loans, net of unearned fees
                               
and allowance for loan losses
    348,752       351,244       365,772       368,558  
Loans held for sale
    3,974       4,180       1,487       1,749  
Mortgage servicing rights
    729       2,116       170       1,008  
Accrued interest receivable
  $ 3,297     $ 3,297     $ 3,766     $ 3,766  
Non-interest bearing demand deposits
    48,939       48,939       49,823       49,823  
Money market and NOW deposits
    158,633       158,633       150,116       150,116  
Savings deposits
    28,377       28,377       26,203       26,203  
Time deposits
    214,893       216,441       213,404       214,859  
Total deposits
    450,842       463,245       439,546       441,001  
FHLB borrowings
    61,060       64,081       77,319       81,986  
Other borrowings
    29,664       23,465       27,047       23,298  
Accrued interest payable
  $ 1,262     $ 1,262     $ 1,673     $ 1,673  

Methods and Assumptions Utilized

The carrying amount of cash, cash equivalents, repurchase agreements and federal funds sold are considered to approximate fair value and are included in the cash and cash equivalents.  The carrying amounts of accrued interest receivable and payable are also considered to approximate fair value.

A detailed description of the estimated fair value of investment securities, mortgage serving rights and loans held-for-sale is available in Note 5.

 
15

 

The estimated fair value of the Company’s loan portfolio is based on the segregation of loans by collateral type, interest terms, and maturities.  In estimating the fair value of each category of loans, the carrying amount of the loan is reduced by an allocation of the allowance for loan losses.  Such allocation is based on management’s loan classification system, which is designed to measure the credit risk inherent in each classification category.  The estimated fair value of performing variable rate loans is the carrying value of such loans, reduced by an allocation of the allowance for loan losses.  The estimated fair value of performing fixed rate loans is calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity using estimated market discount rates that reflect the interest rate risk inherent in the loan, reduced by an allocation of the allowance for loan losses.  The estimate of maturity is based on the Company’s historical experience with repayments for each loan classification, modified, as required, by an estimate of the effect of current economic and lending conditions.  The fair value for nonperforming loans is the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral based on recent external appraisals or other available information, which generally approximates carrying value, reduced by an allocation of the allowance for loan losses.

The estimated fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as non-interest bearing demand deposits, savings, money market accounts, and NOW accounts, is equal to the amount payable on demand.  The fair value of interest bearing time deposits is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows of such deposits.  The discount rate is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

The fair value of advances from the FHLB is estimated using current market rates offered for similar borrowings.  The fair values of other borrowings are estimated using current market rates offered for similar borrowings.

Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments

The fair value of letters of credit and commitments to extend credit is based on the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements.  The aggregate of these fees is not material.

Limitations

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time based on relevant market information and information about the financial instruments.  These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument.  Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors.  These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment, and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision.  Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.  Fair value estimates are based on existing balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments.

7.          Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share have been computed based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period.  Diluted earnings per share includes the effect of all potential common shares outstanding during each period.  Earnings and dividends per share for prior periods have been adjusted to give effect to the 5% stock dividend paid by the Company in December 2008.

The shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share are shown below:

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
Three months ended
September 30,
   
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Net earnings available to common stockholders
  $ 113     $ 1,150     $ 2,134     $ 3,793  
                                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic
    2,371,450       2,382,302       2,371,620       2,411,714  
Dilutive stock options
    4,844       6,875       4,912       8,156  
Weighted average common shares – diluted
    2,376,294       2,389,177       2,376,532       2,419,870  
                                 
Net earnings per share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.05     $ 0.48     $ 0.90     $ 1.57  
Diluted
  $ 0.05     $ 0.48     $ 0.90     $ 1.57  
 
 
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8.           Comprehensive Income

The Company’s other comprehensive income consists of the unrealized holding gains and losses on available for sale securities as shown below.
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Three months ended
September 30,
   
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Net earnings
  $ 113     $ 1,150     $ 2,134     $ 3,793  
Unrealized holding losses on available for sale securities for which a portion of an other than temporary impairment has been recorded in earnings
    (154 )       -       (339 )       -  
Unrealized holding losses on all other available for sale securities
    3,462       (554 )     2,982       (1,559 )
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) included in earnings
    133       -       709       (497 )
Net unrealized gains (losses)
    3,441       (554 )     3,352       (2,056 )
Income tax expense (benefit)
    1,270       (210 )     1,224       (781 )
Total comprehensive income
  $ 2,284     $ 806     $ 4,262     $ 2,518  

9.          Acquisition                        

The Company completed the acquisition, by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Landmark National Bank, of a branch located at 4621 W. 6th Street, in Lawrence, Kansas from CornerBank, N.A. effective May 8, 2009.  Pursuant to the agreement, Landmark National Bank purchased approximately $4.0 million in loans, assumed approximately $6.4 million in deposits and acquired approximately $2.6 million in related branch premises and equipment.  The transaction expands Landmark National Bank’s banking presence in Lawrence, Kansas and gives the bank a second location in the community.

10.           Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2007, the FASB revised accounting guidance on accounting for business combinations.  GAAP retains the fundamental requirements of the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations, but broadens the scope of and contains improvements to the application of this method.  The new guidance requires an acquirer to recognize the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date, measured at their fair values as of that date.  Costs incurred to effect the acquisition are to be recognized separately from the acquisition.  Assets and liabilities arising from contingent considerations must be measured at fair value as of the acquisition date.  The revisions also change the accounting for negative goodwill arising from a bargain purchase, requiring recognition in earnings instead of allocation to assets acquired.  The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2009.

In March 2008, the FASB required enhanced disclosures about how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for, and how these activities affect its financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2009.  The adoption did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements given the Company’s limited use of derivative instruments.

In April 2009, the FASB issued guidance on the recognition and presentation of other than temporary impairments, which amends guidance for recognizing and reporting other than temporary impairments of debt securities and improves the presentation of other than temporary impairments in financial statements for both debt and equity securities.  Companies are now required to separate an other than temporary impairment of a debt security into credit related losses and other factors when management asserts that it does not have the intent to sell the security and it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis.  The amount of other than temporary impairment related credit losses is recognized in earnings while the amount related to other factors is recorded in other comprehensive income.  The Company adopted the accounting guidance effective January 1, 2009 and applied the principles to its other than temporary impairment analysis during the first nine months of 2009, including its pooled trust preferred investment securities which resulted in the recognition of a credit related impairment of $709,000 in earnings while the noncredit-related loss of $1.1 million is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.

 
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In April 2009, the FASB issued additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance when the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability, in relation to normal market activity, has significantly decreased.  The guidance emphasizes that the objective of fair value measurement remains the same, determining the price that would be received or paid in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions.  The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2009 and has applied the guidance to its pooled trust preferred securities.

In April 2009, the FASB expanded disclosures on the fair value of financial instruments to include interim reporting periods, in addition to annual disclosures.  The Company adopted the guidance on April 1, 2009 and has included the required disclosures in the attached footnotes.

In May 2009, the FASB established general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued.  In particular this statement sets forth the period after the balance sheet date during which management should evaluate events or transactions for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, the circumstances under which an entity should recognize subsequent events or transactions and the disclosures required.  The Company adopted this guidance for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 and has concluded there were no material subsequent events through November 12, 2009, the date that financial statements were issued.

In June 2009, the FASB clarified and improved the reporting requirements of accounting for transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishments of liabilities and eliminated the concept of qualifying special purpose entities for accounting purposes.  For calendar year companies, this guidance is effective for annual periods ending on December 31, 2009 and for all interim and annual periods thereafter.  The Company does not expect that the adoption of this guidance will have a material effect on consolidated financial statements.

In June 2009, the FASB improved the financial reporting of variable interest entities and provided clarification as a result of the elimination of qualifying special purpose entities.  For calendar year companies, this statement is effective for annual periods ending on December 31, 2009 and for all interim and annual periods thereafter.  The Company does not expect that the adoption of this guidance will have a material effect on consolidated financial statements.

In June 2009, the FASB established the Accounting Standards Codification (Codification) as the source of authoritative U.S. GAAP.  Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants.  On the effective date the Codification will supersede all then-existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards.  Going forward the Board will not issue new standards in the form of Statements, FASB Staff Positions, or Emerging Issues Task Force Abstracts.  Instead, it will issue Accounting Standards Updates.  The Board will not consider Accounting Standards Updates as authoritative in their own right.  Accounting Standards Updates will serve only to update the Codification, provide background information about the guidance, and provide the bases for conclusions on the change(s) in the Codification.  The Company applied this guidance beginning with the interim reporting period of September 30, 2009.  The adoption did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
 
 
18

 
ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview.  Landmark Bancorp, Inc. is a bank holding company incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware and is engaged in the banking business through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Landmark National Bank.  Landmark Bancorp is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “LARK”.  Landmark National Bank is dedicated to providing quality financial and banking services to its local communities.  Landmark National Bank originates commercial, commercial real estate, one-to-four family residential mortgage loans, consumer loans, multi-family residential mortgage loans and home equity loans.

Our results of operations depend generally on net interest income, which is the difference between interest income from interest-earning assets and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities.  While net interest income was stable for the second quarter of 2009, results were affected by certain non-interest related items.  Net interest income is affected by regulatory, economic and competitive factors that influence interest rates, loan demand and deposit flows.  In addition, we are subject to interest rate risk to the degree that our interest-earning assets mature or reprice at different times, or at different speeds, than our interest-bearing liabilities.  Our results of operations are also affected by non-interest income, such as service charges, loan fees and gains from the sale of newly originated loans and gains or losses on investments.  Our principal operating expenses, aside from interest expense, consist of compensation and employee benefits, occupancy costs, data processing expenses and provision for loan losses.

We are significantly impacted by prevailing national and local economic conditions, including federal monetary and fiscal policies and federal regulations of financial institutions.  Deposit balances are influenced by numerous factors such as competing personal investments, the level of personal income and the personal rate of savings within our market areas.  Factors influencing lending activities include the demand for housing and commercial loans as well as the interest rate pricing competition from other lending institutions.

Critical Accounting Policies.  Critical accounting policies are those which are both most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations, and require our management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.  Our critical accounting policies relate to the allowance for loan losses, the valuation of investment securities, income taxes and business acquisitions, all of which involve significant judgment by our management.

Information about our critical accounting policies is included under Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.  The only change in our critical accounting policies since December 31, 2008 is a result of the change in U.S. GAAP related to the recognition and presentation of other than temporary impairment included in ASC Topic 320-10-65.  Based on the guidance, now if we deem a decline in the fair value of a debt security to be other than temporary, we lower the cost basis, through a charge to earnings, by the amount of credit losses inherent in the investment versus writing the security down to fair value through a charge to earnings.  

Summary of Results.  During the third quarter of 2009, our net earnings declined by $1.0 million, to $113,000, as compared to net earnings of $1.2 million in the same period of 2008.  The decline in earnings was primarily the result of a $1.4 million increase in our provision for loan losses, which increased from $500,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2008 to $1.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.  Our provision for loan losses was higher in 2009 based on the analysis of our loan portfolio, which indicated the additional provision for loan losses was warranted given the impact of declining residential and commercial real estate values impacting the underlying collateral in our loan portfolio, increased levels of non-accrual and past due loans and the impact of the current economic environment on our loan customers.  Our provision for loan losses was higher in both 2009 and 2008 as compared to historical levels prior to 2008, due to the difficult conditions that continue to exist in the economy and its impact on our loan portfolio as well as increased levels of charge-offs and nonperforming loans experienced in the difficult economic and credit environments that have existed during both 2008 and 2009.  Also during the third quarter of 2009 we identified a $1.0 million par investment in a pooled trust preferred security as other than temporarily impaired.  The credit-related impairment charge for this security was $133,000.  Absent the $1.4 million increase in provision for loan losses and the $133,000 net impairment loss, our 2009 third quarter earnings before income taxes were relatively flat compared to the prior year.  Our non-interest expenses increased by $515,000, to $4.8 million, during the third quarter of 2009 as compared to $4.3 million during the third quarter of 2008, primarily as the result of a $144,000 increase in FDIC insurance premiums due to higher assessment rates, which have been imposed on all financial institutions, and the depletion of our FDIC credits as well as expenses related to the acquisition and operation of a branch in Lawrence, KS.  Partially offsetting the increased expenses was an increase in non-interest income, which was primarily attributable to a $324,000 increase in gains on sale of loans, driven by higher origination volumes of residential real estate loans that were sold in the secondary market.

 
19

 

During the first nine months of 2009, our net earnings declined by $1.7 million to $2.1 million as compared to net earnings of $3.8 million in the same period of 2008.  The decline in earnings was primarily the result of a $1.6 million increase in our provision for loan losses, which increased from $1.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 to $3.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  Our provision for loan losses was higher in 2009 based on the analysis of our loan portfolio, which indicated the higher levels of provision for loan losses was warranted given the impact of declining residential and commercial real estate values impacting the underlying collateral in our loan portfolio, increased levels of non-accrual and past due loans and the impact of the current economic environment on our loan customers.  Our provision for loan losses was higher in both 2009 and 2008 as compared to historical levels prior to 2008, due to the difficult conditions that continue to exist in the economy and its impact on our loan portfolio as well as increased levels of charge-offs and nonperforming loans experienced in the difficult economic and credit environments that have existed during both 2008 and 2009.  During the first nine months of 2009 we identified two $1.0 million par investments in pooled trust preferred securities as other than temporarily impaired.  The net credit-related impairment charge related to these securities was approximately $709,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  Our non-interest expenses increased by $1.4 million, to $14.2 million, during the first nine months of 2009 as compared to the first nine months of 2008, primarily as a result of a $598,000 increase in FDIC insurance premiums.  Our FDIC insurance premiums increased by $598,000 as the result of a $277,000 special assessment, higher assessment rates and the depletion of our FDIC credits.  We also experienced increases in expenses relating to the acquisition and operation of a branch in Lawrence, KS and foreclosure and other real estate costs.  Partially offsetting the increased expenses was a $1.3 million increase in non-interest income, which was primarily attributable to a $1.5 million increase in gains on sale of loans driven by higher origination volumes of residential real estate loans that were sold in the secondary market.  Results for the first nine months of 2008 included a $246,000 gain from the prepayment of a FHLB advance, which represented the remaining unamortized fair value adjustment recorded in purchase accounting and $497,000 of gains on sales of investment securities.

Our net interest margin increased from 3.47% for the third quarter of 2008 to 3.59% for the third quarter of 2009.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2009, our net interest margin increased from 3.48% to 3.54%.  For each period, we were able to reduce our cost of deposits and borrowings enough to offset the lower yields earned on loans and investment securities in markets that experienced a dramatic decline in benchmark interest rates that began in late 2007 and continued throughout 2008 and 2009.  The lower cost of funding allowed us to maintain our net interest margin in a market that as of September 30, 2009 exhibited interest rates that are still very low compared to historical levels.

The following table summarizes earnings and key performance measures for the periods presented.

(Dollars in thousands)
 
Three months ended September
30,
   
Nine months ended September
30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Net earnings:
                       
Net earnings
  $ 113     $ 1,576     $ 2,134     $ 3,793  
Basic earnings per share
  $ 0.05     $ 0.66     $ 0.90     $ 1.57  
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.05     $ 0.66     $ 0.90     $ 1.57  
Earnings ratios:
                               
Return on average assets (1)
    0.07 %     0.75 %     0.47 %     0.83 %
Return on average equity (1)
    0.84 %     9.11 %     5.43 %     9.96 %
Equity to total assets
    9.01 %     8.27 %     9.01 %     8.27 %
Net interest margin (1) (2)
    3.59 %     3.47 %     3.54 %     3.48 %
Dividend payout ratio
    380.00 %     37.25 %     63.33 %     34.55 %

(1)
The ratio has been annualized and is not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year.
(2)
Net interest margin is presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis, using a 34% federal tax rate.

Interest Income.  Interest income for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, decreased $961,000, or 12.4%, to $6.8 million from $7.8 million in the same period of 2008.  Interest income on loans decreased $835,000, or 14.0%, to $5.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 due to decreases in the yields earned on our loans as rates declined during 2008 and decreased outstanding loan balances.  Our tax equivalent yields earned on loans declined from 6.27% during the third quarter of 2008 to 5.67% during the third quarter of 2009.  Average loan balances for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 decreased to $359.8 million from $379.5 million for the same period in 2008.  Interest income on investment securities decreased $126,000, or 7.0%, to $1.7 million for the third quarter of 2009, as compared to 2008.  Average investment securities increased from $172.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, to $186.3 million for 2009.  Offsetting the increase in average investments for the comparable period were lower yields earned on the investments, which declined from 4.82% during the third quarter of 2008 to 4.23% during the third quarter of 2009.  The increased levels of investments were the result of the increased liquidity primarily from lower outstanding loan balances.

 
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Interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, decreased $3.6 million, or 14.9%, to $20.6 million from $24.2 million in the same period of 2008.  Interest income on loans decreased $3.2 million, or 17.3%, to $15.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 due primarily to decreases in the yields earned on our loans as rates declined during 2008 and as a result of decreased outstanding loan balances.  Our tax equivalent yields earned on loans declined from 6.63% to 5.74% during the first nine months of 2008 as compared to the first nine months of 2009.  Average loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 decreased to $363.5 million from $380.1 million for 2008.  Interest income on investment securities decreased $357,000, or 6.5%, to $5.1 million for the first nine months of 2009, as compared to 2008.  Average investment securities increased from $170.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, to $184.5 million for 2009.  Offsetting the increase in average investments for the comparable period were lower yields earned on the investments, which declined from 4.90% during the first nine months of 2008 to 4.34% during the first nine months of 2009.  The higher levels of investments were the result of the increased liquidity from lower outstanding loan balances.

Interest Expense.  Interest expense during the quarter ended September 30, 2009 decreased $1.0 million, or 32.3%, as compared to the same period of 2008.  For the third quarter of 2009 interest expense on interest-bearing deposits decreased $858,000, or 38.0% as a result of lower rates on deposit balances, primarily consisting of lower rates for our maturing certificates of deposit and lower rates on money market and NOW accounts due to the decline in interest rates experienced during 2008 and continuing into 2009.  Our total cost of deposits declined from 2.32% during the third quarter of 2008 to 1.38% during the same period of 2009.  Partially offsetting the lower rates were increased average deposit balances, which increased from $388.2 million for the third quarter of 2008 to $401.8 million for the third quarter of 2009.  For the first nine months of 2009 interest expense on borrowings decreased $191,000, or 19.4%, due primarily to lower outstanding balances on our borrowings.  Our cost of borrowing decreased from 3.51% in the third quarter of 2008 to 3.48% in the same period of 2009 while our average outstanding borrowings declined from $111.7 million to $90.3 million over the same periods.

Interest expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 decreased $3.7 million, or 34.4%, as compared to the same period of 2008.  For the first nine months of 2009 interest expense on interest-bearing deposits decreased $3.4 million, or 42.5%, as a result of lower rates on deposit balances, primarily consisting of lower rates for our maturing certificates of deposit and lower rates on money market and NOW accounts due to the decline in interest rates.  Our total cost of deposits declined from 2.70% during the first nine months of 2008 to 1.53% during the same period of 2009.  Offsetting the lower cost of deposits was an increase in the average deposit balances from $395.5 million to $401.2 million during the third quarters of 2008 and 2009, respectively.  For the first nine months of 2009 interest expense on borrowings decreased $309,000, or 11.1%, due primarily to lower outstanding borrowings.  Our average outstanding borrowings declined from $104.4 million during the first nine months of 2008 to $94.0 million during the same period of 2009.  Our cost of borrowing declined from 3.57% in the first nine months of 2008 to 3.53% in the same period of 2009.

Net Interest Income.  Net interest income for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 totaled $4.6 million, increasing $88,000, or 1.9%, as compared to the $4.5 million of net interest income for the quarter ended September 30, 2008.  Our net interest margin, on a tax equivalent basis, increased from 3.47% during the third quarter of 2008 to 3.59% during the third quarter of 2009.  The increase in net interest margin occurred primarily because we were able to reduce our costs of funding by more than our yields declined on our interest earning assets as our interest earning assets and our interest bearing liabilities continue to reprice lower in this low interest rate environment.  The improvement in net interest margin from interest rates more than offset the lower average balances of interest earning assets which declined from $551.7 million in the third quarter of 2008 to $546.2 million in the third quarter of 2009.

Net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 totaled $13.6 million, increasing $105,000, or 0.8%, as compared to the $13.5 million of net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  Our net interest margin, on a tax equivalent basis, increased from 3.48% for the nine months ending September 30, 2008 to 3.54% for the same period in 2009.  The increase in net interest margin occurred primarily because we were able to reduce our costs of funding by more than our yields declined on our interest earning assets as our interest earning assets and our interest bearing liabilities continue to reprice lower in this low interest rate environment.  The improvement in net interest margin from interest rates more than offset the lower average balances of interest earning assets which declined from $550.9 million in the nine months ending September 30, 2008 to $548.0 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2009.

 
21

 

See the Rate\Volume Table at the end of Item 2 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition for additional details on asset yields, liability rates and net interest margin.
Provision for Loan Losses.  We maintain, and our Board of Directors monitors, an allowance for losses on loans.  The allowance is established based upon management's periodic evaluation of known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio, review of significant individual loans and collateral, review of delinquent loans, past loss experience, adverse situations that may affect the borrowers’ ability to repay, current and expected market conditions, and other factors management deems important.  Determining the appropriate level of reserves involves a high degree of management judgment and is based upon historical and projected losses in the loan portfolio and the collateral value of specifically identified problem loans.  Additionally, allowance strategies and policies are subject to periodic review and revision in response to a number of factors, including current market conditions, actual loss experience and management's expectations.

The provision for loan losses for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 was $1.9 million, compared to a provision of $500,000 during the same period of 2008.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 our provision for loan losses was $3.0 million as compared to $1.4 million for the same period of 2008.  Our provision for loan losses was higher in 2009 based on the analysis of our loan portfolio, which indicated the additional provision for loan losses was warranted given the impact of declining residential and commercial real estate values impacting the underlying collateral in our loan portfolio, increased levels of non-accrual and past due loans and the impact of the current economic environment on our loan customers.  Our provision for loan losses was higher in both 2009 and 2008 than compared to historical levels prior to 2008, due to the difficult conditions that continue to exist in the economy and its impact on our loan portfolio as well as increased levels of charge-offs and nonperforming loans experienced in the difficult economic and credit environments that have existed during both 2008 and 2009.  We have been working diligently to identify and address the credit weaknesses in our loan portfolio.  In addition we have reduced our outstanding construction loans from $19.6 million at December 31, 2009 to $12.4 million at September 30, 2009.  During the third of 2009 our non-accrual loans declined from $13.6 million at June 30, 2009 to $12.3 million at September 30, 2009.  While it is difficult to forecast future events, we believe that our current allowance for loan losses, coupled with our capital levels, loan portfolio management and underlying fundamental earnings before the provision for loan losses, positions us to deal with this challenging environment.  For further discussion of the allowance for loan losses, refer to the “Asset Quality and Distribution” section.

Non-interest Income.  Non-interest income increased $369,000, or 21.2%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, to $2.1 million, as compared to $1.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  The increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $324,000, or 81.3%, in gains on sale of loans.  The increased gains on sales of loans were driven by higher origination volumes of residential real estate loans that were sold in the secondary market.

Non-interest income increased $1.3 million, or 25.0%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, to $6.6 million, as compared to $5.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  The increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $1.5 million in gains on sale of loans.  The increased gains on sales of loans were driven by higher origination volumes of residential real estate loans that were sold in the secondary market.  Partially offsetting the increased gains on sales of loans, was a $246,000 gain that was recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 from the prepayment of a FHLB advance, which represented the remaining unamortized fair value adjustment required by purchase accounting.

Investment Securities Gains (Losses).  During the third quarter of 2009, we identified a $1.0 million par investment in a pooled trust preferred security as other than temporarily impaired.  The investment experienced increased levels of deferrals and defaults during the third quarter of 2009, which exceeded our expectations resulting in a net credit-related impairment loss on this security of $133,000.

During the first nine months of 2009, we identified two $1.0 million par investments in pooled trust preferred securities as other than temporarily impaired.  The net credit-related impairment losses totaled $709,000 on these two investments.  In the second quarter of 2008, we recorded $497,000 of gains on sales of investment securities.

Non-interest Expense.  Non-interest expense increased $515,000, or 12.0%, to $4.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, as compared to the same period of 2008.  The increase was primarily driven by increases of $146,000 in compensation and benefits, $143,000 in FDIC insurance premiums, and $81,000 in professional fees.  The increase in compensation and benefits was driven by higher salary costs and the addition of employees resulting from the acquisition of a branch in Lawrence, Kansas.  The increase in FDIC insurance premiums was the result of higher assessment rates, which have been imposed on all deposit institutions, and the depletion of our FDIC assessment credits.  We anticipate that our FDIC insurance premiums will remain higher than what we have historically paid.  The increases in professional fees are primarily associated with outsourcing part of our IT management, compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and increases in other legal fees.

 
22

 

Non-interest expense increased $1.4 million, or 10.6%, to $14.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, as compared to the same period of 2008.  The increase was primarily driven by increases of $598,000 in FDIC insurance premiums, $300,000 in compensation and benefits, $212,000 in professional fees and $155,000 in foreclosure and other real estate expenses.  The increase in FDIC insurance premiums was the result of a $277,000 special assessment, which affected all FDIC insured institutions, as well as higher assessment rates which have been imposed on all deposit institutions, and the depletion of our FDIC assessment credits.  The increase in compensation and benefits was driven by higher salary costs and the addition of employees resulting from the acquisition of a branch in Lawrence, Kansas.  The increases in professional fees are primarily associated with our branch acquisition, but were also elevated due to costs associated with outsourcing part of our IT management and compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.  The increase in foreclosure and other real estate expenses, which is included in other non-interest expense, was the result of increased foreclosure activity and other real estate balances.

 Income Tax Expense.  Income tax expense decreased $554,000, from an expense of $300,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 to a tax benefit of $254,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2009.  The decline in the income tax expense was the result of lower taxable earnings, primarily from the higher levels of provisions for loan losses and the other than temporary impairment losses.

Income tax expense decreased $1.1 million, or 88.6%, from $1.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, to $139,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  Our earnings before income taxes declined by $2.7 million during the first nine months of 2009 as compared to 2008, which resulted in an effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2009 of 6.1% as compared to 24.3% during the first nine months of 2008.  The decline in the effective tax rate was primarily driven by lower taxable income as a percentage of earnings before income taxes, while tax exempt income remained relatively constant between the periods.  The declines in taxable income were primarily from the higher levels of provisions for loan losses and the other than temporary impairment losses.

Asset Quality and Distribution.  Our primary investing activities are the origination of commercial, commercial real estate, mortgage and consumer loans and the purchase of investment securities.  Total assets increased to $603.9 million at September 30, 2009, compared to $602.2 million at December 31, 2008.  Net loans, excluding loans held for sale, decreased to $348.8 million at September 30, 2009 from $365.8 million at December 31, 2008.  The reduction in our total loans is primarily the result of reducing our exposure to construction loans in response to the current issues affecting real estate markets in addition to our normal one-to-four family residential loan runoff.  Our portfolio of one-to-four family residential loans declines as we typically sell most of our new one-to-four family residential loan originations while the existing portfolio refinances or pays off their loan balances.

The allowance for losses on loans is established through a provision for losses on loans based on our evaluation of the risk inherent in the loan portfolio and changes in the nature and volume of its loan activity.  Such evaluation, which includes a review of all loans with respect to which full collectibility may not be reasonably assured, considers the fair value of the underlying collateral, economic conditions, historical loan loss experience, level of classified loans and other factors that warrant recognition in providing for an adequate allowance for losses on loans.  During 2009, we have experienced an increase in our non-performing assets due to the difficult conditions that continue to exist in the economy and its impact on our loan portfolio.  As a result of the impact of declining residential and commercial real estate values on the underlying collateral in our loan portfolio, increased levels of non-accrual and past due loans and the current economic environment on our loan customers, we have increased our provision for loan losses.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2009 our provision for loan losses totaled $3.0 million as compared to $1.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  As a result, our allowance for loan losses has increased to $5.2 million at September 30, 2009 from $3.9 million at December 31, 2009.  We feel that higher levels of provisions for loan losses are justified based upon our analysis of our loan portfolio as well as the effects of the depressed market conditions on our loan portfolio.  We feel the external risks within the environment which we operate remain present today and will need to be continuously monitored.  We have identified the stresses in our loan portfolio and are working to reduce the risks of certain loan exposures, including significantly reducing our exposure to construction and land development loans.  Although we believe that we use the best information available to determine the allowance for loan losses, unforeseen market conditions could result in adjustment to the allowance for loan losses.  In addition, net earnings could be significantly affected if circumstances differ substantially from the assumptions used in establishing the allowance for loan losses.

 
23

 

Loans past due more than a month totaled $14.5 million at September 30, 2009, compared to $9.4 million at December 31, 2008.  At September 30, 2009, $12.3 million in loans were on non-accrual status, or 3.5% of net loans, compared to a balance of $5.7 million in loans on non-accrual status, or 1.6% of net loans, at December 31, 2008.  Non-accrual loans consist primarily of loans greater than ninety days past due and which are also included in the past due loan balances.  There were no loans 90 days delinquent and still accruing interest at September 30, 2009 or December 31, 2008.  The increase in non-accrual and past due loans was primarily driven by a $4.2 million construction loan relationship and a $2.9 million commercial agriculture loan that were classified as non-accrual and past due during the first nine months of 2009.  Our impaired loans increased from $7.1 million at December 31, 2008 to $12.2 million at September 30, 2009 primarily because of the same two loans that increased the non-accrual and past due loan balances.  Our analysis of the two nonperforming loans mentioned above concluded that the potential exists that the updated collateral values or sources of repayment may not be sufficient to fully cover the outstanding loan balances.  As part of the Company’s credit risk management, we continue to aggressively manage the loan portfolio to identify problem loans and have placed additional emphasis on its commercial real estate and construction relationships.  During the three months ended September 30, 2009 we had net loan charge-offs of $1.5 million compared to $38,000 of net loan charge-offs for the comparable period of 2008.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2009 we had net loan charge-offs of $1.6 million compared to $1.8 million of net loan charge-offs for the comparable period of 2008.  During the third quarter of 2009 we charged-off $1.1 million relating to one commercial loan relationship that went out of business during 2009.

Liability Distribution.  Our primary ongoing sources of funds are deposits, proceeds from principal and interest payments on loans and investment securities and proceeds from the sale of mortgage loans.  While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans are a predictable source of funds, deposit flows and mortgage prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions, competition and the restructuring of the financial services industry.  Total deposits increased $11.3 million to $450.8 million at September 30, 2009, from $439.5 million at December 31, 2008.  The increase was related to seasonal fluctuations, increased retail deposits, and the $6.4 million of deposits assumed with our branch purchase.  Total borrowings decreased $13.7 million to $90.7 million at September 30, 2009, from $104.4 million at December 31, 2008.  The decline was primarily from repaying a $10.0 million FHLB advance and the outstanding borrowings on our FHLB line of credit.

Certificates of deposit at September 30, 2009, which were scheduled to mature in one year or less, totaled $162.1 million.  Historically, maturing deposits have generally remained with our bank and we believe that a significant portion of the deposits maturing in one year or less will remain with us upon maturity.

Liquidity. Our most liquid assets are cash and cash equivalents and investment securities available for sale.  The levels of these assets are dependent on the operating, financing, lending and investing activities during any given period.  These liquid assets totaled $191.3 million at September 30, 2009 and $176.0 million at December 31, 2008.  During periods in which we are not able to originate a sufficient amount of loans and/or periods of high principal prepayments, we increase our liquid assets by investing in short-term U. S. federal agency obligations, high-grade municipal securities or FDIC insured certificates of deposits with other financial institutions.

Liquidity management is both a daily and long-term function of our strategy.  Excess funds are generally invested in short-term investments.  In the event we require funds beyond our ability to generate them internally, additional funds are generally available through the use of FHLB advances, a line of credit with the FHLB, other borrowings or through sales of securities.  At September 30, 2009, we had outstanding FHLB advances of $61.1 million and no borrowings against our line of credit with the FHLB.  At September 30, 2009, our total borrowing capacity with the FHLB was $103.6 million.  At September 30, 2009, we had no borrowings through the Federal Reserve discount window, while our borrowing capacity was $14.7 million.  We also have various other fed funds agreements, both secured and unsecured, with correspondent banks totaling approximately $48.8 million at September 30, 2009, which had no borrowings against at that time.  We had other borrowings of $29.7 million at September 30, 2009, which included $16.5 million of subordinated debentures and $8.1 million in repurchase agreements.  Additionally, we have a $9.0 million line of credit from an unrelated financial institution maturing on November 19, 2009 with an interest rate that adjusts daily based on the prime rate less 0.25%.  This line of credit has covenants specific to capital and other ratios, which the Company was in compliance with at September 30, 2009.  The outstanding balance on the line of credit at September 30, 2009 was $5.1 million, which was also included in other borrowings.  We are currently in discussions to renew our line of credit with the same financial institution.  Based on the negotiations, we anticipate that we will renew the line of credit for another one year period with a borrowing capacity of $7.5 million.  If we are unable to renew the line of credit, we will attempt to refinance with another financial institution, which may not be on similar terms, or repay the facility.

 
24

 

As a provider of financial services, we routinely issue financial guarantees in the form of financial and performance standby letters of credit. Standby letters of credit are contingent commitments issued by us generally to guarantee the payment or performance obligation of a customer to a third party. While these standby letters of credit represent a potential outlay by us, a significant amount of the commitments may expire without being drawn upon. We have recourse against the customer for any amount the bank is required to pay to a third party under a standby letter of credit. The letters of credit are subject to the same credit policies, underwriting standards and approval process as loans originated by us. Most of the standby letters of credit are secured, and in the event of nonperformance by the customer, we have the right to the underlying collateral, which could include commercial real estate, physical plant and property, inventory, receivables, cash and marketable securities. The contract amount of these standby letters of credit, which represents the maximum potential future payments guaranteed by us, was $2.0 million at September 30, 2009.

At September 30, 2009, we had outstanding loan commitments, excluding standby letters of credit, of $56.4 million.  We anticipate that sufficient funds will be available to meet current loan commitments.  These commitments consist of unfunded lines of credit and commitments to finance real estate loans.

Capital.  The Federal Reserve Board has established capital requirements for bank holding companies which generally parallel the capital requirements for national banks under the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency regulations.  The regulations provide that such standards will generally be applied on a consolidated (rather than a bank-only) basis in the case of a bank holding company with more than $150 million in total consolidated assets.  Banks and bank holding companies are generally expected to operate at or above the minimum capital requirements.  Our ratios are well in excess of regulatory minimums and should allow us to operate without capital adequacy concerns.

At September 30, 2009, we continued to remain well capitalized, with a leverage ratio of 9.01% and a total risk based capital ratio of 14.62%.  As shown by the following table, our capital exceeded the minimum capital requirements at September 30, 2009:

  (dollars in thousands)
 
Actual
   
For capital
adequacy purposes
   
To be well-
capitalized
 
Company
 
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
Leverage
  $ 53,554       9.01 %   $ 23,777       4.0 %   $ 29,722       5.0 %
Tier 1 Capital
  $ 53,554       13.35 %   $ 16,047       4.0 %   $ 24,070       6.0 %
Total Risk Based Capital
  $ 58,650       14.62 %   $ 32,094       8.0 %   $ 40,117       10.0 %

At September 30, 2009, Landmark National Bank continued to remain well capitalized, with a leverage ratio of 9.71% and a total risk based capital ratio of 15.63%.  As shown by the following table, the bank’s capital exceeded the minimum capital requirements at September 30, 2009:

  (dollars in thousands)
 
Actual
   
For capital
adequacy purposes
   
To be well-
capitalized
 
Landmark National Bank
 
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
Leverage
  $ 57,514       9.71 %   $ 23,700       4.0 %   $ 29,624       5.0 %
Tier 1 Capital
  $ 57,514       14.40 %   $ 15,982       4.0 %   $ 23,972       6.0 %
Total Risk Based Capital
  $ 62,453       15.63 %   $ 31,963       8.0 %   $ 39,954       10.0 %

 
25

 

Average Assets/Liabilities.  The following tables set forth information relating to average balances of interest-earning assets and liabilities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.  The following tables reflect the average tax equivalent yields on assets and average costs of liabilities for the periods indicated (derived by dividing income or expense by the monthly average balance of assets or liabilities, respectively) as well as “net interest margin” (which reflects the effect of the net earnings balance) for the periods shown:

   
Three months ended
   
Three months ended
 
   
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2008
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Average
balance
   
Interest
   
Average
annual
yield/rate
   
Average
balance
   
Interest
   
Average
annual
yield/rate
 
ASSETS:
                                   
Interest-earning assets:
                                   
Investment securities (1)
  $ 186,316     $ 1,987       4.23 %   $ 172,133     $ 2,083       4.82 %
Loans (2)
    359,839       5,144       5.67 %     379,547       5,979       6.27 %
                                                 
Total interest-earning assets
    546,155       7,131       5.18 %     551,680       8,062       5.81 %
Non-interest-earning assets
    62,391                       59,768                  
                                                 
Total
  $ 608,546                     $ 611,448                  
                                                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
                                               
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
Certificates of deposit
  $ 219,699     $ 1,232       2.22 %   $ 219,393     $ 1,862       3.38 %
Money market and NOW accounts
    153,167       151       0.39 %     140,912       376       1.06 %
Savings accounts
    28,884       18       0.25 %     27,916       21       0.30 %
Total deposits
    401,750       1,401       1.38 %     388,221       2,259       2.32 %
FHLB advances and other borrowings
    90,277       793       3.48 %     111,649       984       3.51 %
                                                 
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    492,027       2,194       1.77 %     499,870       3,243       2.58 %
Non-interest-bearing liabilities
    63,267                       61,362                  
Stockholders' equity
    53,252                       50,216                  
Total
  $ 608,546                     $ 611,448                  
                                                 
Interest rate spread (3)
                    3.41 %                     3.23 %
Net interest margin (4)
            4,937       3.59 %             4,819       3.47 %
Tax equivalent interest – imputed
            329       0.24 %             299       0.22 %
Net interest income
          $ 4,608       3.35 %           $ 4,520       3.26 %
                                                 
Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities
            111.0 %                     110.4 %        

 
(1)
Income on investment securities includes all securities, including interest bearing deposits in other financial institutions.  Income on tax exempt securities is presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis, using a 34% federal tax rate.
 
(2)
Includes loans classified as non-accrual.  Income on tax exempt loans is presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis, using a 34% federal tax rate.
 
(3)
Interest rate spread represents the difference between the average yield on interest-earning assets and the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
 
(4)
Net interest margin represents annualized net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

 
26

 

   
Nine months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2008
 
  (Dollars in thousands)
 
Average
balance
   
Interest
   
Average
annual
yield/rate
   
Average
balance
   
Interest
   
Average
annual
yield/rate
 
ASSETS:
                                   
Interest-earning assets:
                                   
Investment securities (1)
  $ 184,506     $ 5,988       4.34 %   $ 170,838     $ 6,272       4.90 %
Loans (2)
    363,533       15,615       5.74 %     380,055       18,851       6.63 %
                                                 
Total interest-earning assets
    548,039       21,603       5.27 %     550,893       25,123       6.09 %
Non-interest-earning assets
    61,081                       59,922                  
                                                 
Total
  $ 609,120                     $ 610,810                  
                                                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
                                               
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
Certificates of deposit
  $ 218,318     $ 4,047       2.48 %   $ 224,570     $ 6,482       3.86 %
Money market and NOW accounts
    154,328       493       0.43 %     143,843       1,453       1.35 %
Savings accounts
    28,550       58       0.27 %     27,129       61       0.30 %
Total deposits
    401,196       4,598       1.53 %     395,542       7,996       2.70 %
FHLB advances and other borrowings
    94,010       2,483       3.53 %     104,422       2,792       3.57 %
                                                 
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    495,206       7,081       1.91 %     499,964       10,788       2.88 %
Non-interest-bearing liabilities
    61,374                       59,971                  
Stockholders' equity
    52,540                       50,880                  
Total
  $ 609,120                     $ 610,815                  
                                                 
Interest rate spread (3)
                    3.36 %                     3.21 %
Net interest margin (4)
            14,522       3.54 %             14,335       3.48 %
Tax equivalent interest – imputed
            963       0.23 %             881       0.21 %
Net interest income
          $ 13,559       3.31 %           $ 13,454       3.26 %
                                                 
Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities
            110.7 %                     110.2 %        

 
(1)
Income on investment securities includes all securities, including interest bearing deposits in other financial institutions.  Income on tax exempt securities is presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis, using a 34% federal tax rate.
 
(2)
Includes loans classified as non-accrual.  Income on tax exempt loans is presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis, using a 34% federal tax rate.
 
(3)
Interest rate spread represents the difference between the average yield on interest-earning assets and the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
 
(4)
Net interest margin represents annualized net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

 
27

 

Rate/Volume Table.  The following table describes the extent to which changes in interest income and interest expense for major components of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities affected the Company’s interest income and expense for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008.  The table distinguishes between (i) changes attributable to rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume), (ii) changes attributable to volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate), and (iii) net change (the sum of the previous columns).  The net changes attributable to the combined effect of volume and rate, which cannot be segregated, have been allocated proportionately to the change due to volume and the change due to rate.
 
   
Three months ended September 30, 2009
compared with the same period of 2008
   
Nine months ended September 30, 2009
compared with the same period in 2008
 
   
Increase/(Decrease) Attributable to
   
Increase/(Decrease) Attributable to
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Volume
   
Rate
   
Net
   
Volume
   
Rate
   
Net
 
Interest income:
                                   
Investment securities
  $ 117     $ (214 )   $ (97 )   $ 383     $ (667 )   $ (284 )
Loans
    (285 )     (550 )     (835 )     (712 )     (2,524 )     (3,236 )
Total
    (168 )     (764 )     (932 )     (329 )     (3,191 )     (3,520 )
Interest expense:
                                               
Deposits
    45       (903 )     (858 )     64       (3,462 )     (3,398 )
Borrowings
    (184 )     (7 )     (191 )     (280 )     (29 )     (309 )
Total
    (139 )     (910 )     (1,049 )     (216 )     (3,491 )     (3,707 )
Net interest income
  $ (29 )   $ 146     $ 117     $ (113 )   $ 300     $ 187  
 
ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

Our assets and liabilities are principally financial in nature and the resulting net interest income thereon is subject to changes in market interest rates and the mix of various assets and liabilities.  Interest rates in the financial markets affect our decision on pricing our assets and liabilities, which impacts net interest income, a significant cash flow source for us.  As a result, a substantial portion of our risk management activities relates to managing interest rate risk.

Our Asset/Liability Management Committee monitors the interest rate sensitivity of our balance sheet using earnings simulation models and interest sensitivity gap analysis.  We have set policy limits of interest rate risk to be assumed in the normal course of business and monitor such limits through our simulation process.

We have been successful in meeting the interest rate sensitivity objectives set forth in our policy.  Simulation models are prepared to determine the impact on net interest income for the coming twelve months, including one using rates at September 30, 2009, and forecasting volumes for the twelve-month projection.  This position is then subjected to a shift in interest rates of 100 and 200 basis points rising and 100 basis points falling with an impact to our net interest income on a one year horizon as follows:

   
Dollar change in net
   
Percent change in
 
Scenario
 
interest income ($000’s)
   
net interest income
 
200 basis point rising
  $ 1,483       7.5 %
100 basis point rising
  $ 785       4.0 %
100 basis point falling
  $ (603 )     (3.0 )%

 
28

 

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

Forward-Looking Statements

This document (including information incorporated by reference) contains, and future oral and written statements by us and our management may contain, forward-looking statements, within the meaning of such term in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, with respect to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business.  Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of our management and on information currently available to management, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should” or other similar expressions.  Additionally, all statements in this document, including forward-looking statements, speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events.

Our ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain.  Factors which could have a material adverse effect on operations and future prospects by us and our subsidiaries include, but are not limited to, the following:
 
 
·
The strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which we conduct our operations which may be less favorable than expected and may result in, among other things, a deterioration in the credit quality and value of our assets.
 
·
The effects of, and changes in, federal, state and local laws, regulations and policies affecting banking, securities, insurance and monetary and financial matters.
 
·
The effects of changes in interest rates (including the effects of changes in the rate of prepayments of our assets) and the policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
 
·
Our ability to compete with other financial institutions as effectively as we currently intend due to increases in competitive pressures in the financial services sector.
 
·
Our inability to obtain new customers and to retain existing customers.
 
·
The timely development and acceptance of products and services, including products and services offered through alternative delivery channels such as the Internet.
 
·
Technological changes implemented by us and by other parties, including third party vendors, which may be more difficult or more expensive than anticipated or which may have unforeseen consequences to us and our customers.
 
·
Our ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems.
 
·
Our ability to retain key executives and employees and the difficulty that we may experience in replacing key executives and employees in an effective manner.
 
·
Consumer spending and saving habits which may change in a manner that affects our business adversely.
 
·
Our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses.
 
·
The costs, effects and outcomes of existing or future litigation.
 
·
Changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by state and federal regulatory agencies and the Financial Accounting Standards Board.
 
·
The economic impact of past and any future terrorist attacks, acts of war or threats thereof, and the response of the United States to any such threats and attacks.

These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.  Additional information concerning us and our business, including other factors that could materially affect our financial results, is included in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” section in our Form 10-K.

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of September 30, 2009.  Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2009.

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2009 that materially affected or were likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 
29

 

LANDMARK BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

There is no material pending legal proceedings to which the Company or its subsidiaries is a party other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to their respective businesses.

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes in the risk factors applicable to the Company from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors,” in the Company's 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None

ITEM 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION

None

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

Exhibit 31.1
 
Certificate of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
Exhibit 31.2
 
Certificate of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
Exhibit 32.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 32.2
  
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 
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SIGNATURES

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

 
LANDMARK BANCORP, INC.
 
     
Date: November 12, 2009
/s/ Patrick L. Alexander
 
 
Patrick L. Alexander
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
     
Date: November 12, 2009
/s/ Mark A. Herpich
 
 
Mark A. Herpich
 
 
Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer
 
 
  and Chief Financial Officer
 

 
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