VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP
10KSB40, 2000-03-30
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-KSB


 

[X]

Annual report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999

 

 

 

 

[   ]

Transition report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from _______________________ to _____________________

 

 

 


Commission File Number: 333-00724

VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP.
(Name of Small Business Issuer in Its Charter)

Michigan

38-2888214

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

Incorporation or Organization)

 

 

 

450 West Muskegon Avenue

 

Kent City, Michigan

49330

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)


(616) 678-5911
(Issuer's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act: None.

Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act: None.

Check whether the registrant: (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 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 _____

Check if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of Regulation S-B contained in this form, and no disclosure will be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-KSB or any amendment to this Form 10-KSB.

The issuer's revenues for the year ended December 31, 1999, were $13,253,311.

As of March 24, 2000, the aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $16,424,080. This amount is based on the sale price of $40.00 per share for the registrant's stock as of such date.

As of March 24, 2000, the registrant had outstanding 628,254 shares of Common Stock.

Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (check one): Yes _____ No X






FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains forward-looking statements that are based on management's beliefs, assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections about the financial services industry, the economy, and about the Corporation itself. Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "intends," "is likely," "plans," "predicts," "projects," variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence. Therefore, actual results and outcomes may materially differ from what may be expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Furthermore, the Corporation undertakes no obligation to update, amend or clarify forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Future factors include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates and interest rate relationships; demand for products and services; the degree of competition by traditional and non-traditional competitors; changes in banking regulations; changes in tax laws; changes in prices, levies and assessments; the impact of technological advances; governmental and regulatory policy changes; the outcomes of pending and future litigation and contingencies; trends in customer behavior as well as their ability to repay loans; and changes in the national economy. These are representative of the future factors that could cause a difference between an ultimate actual outcome and a preceding forward-looking statement.

PART I

Item 1. Description of Business.

          Valley Ridge Financial Corp. (the "Corporation") is a Michigan bank holding corporation with its headquarters in Kent City, Michigan. The Corporation was formed on May 20, 1988. The Corporation is the parent company of Valley Ridge Bank, a Michigan banking corporation. Valley Ridge Bank is the Corporation's only subsidiary. Valley Ridge Bank owns a 20% interest in a non-banking corporation, West Shore Computer Services, Inc., a data processing firm and owns 100% of the outstanding shares of Valley Ridge Investments, Inc., a company that holds a 6% interest in a title company, Valley Ridge Realty, Inc., a real estate brokerage company, and Valley Ridge Financial Services, Inc., an insurance agency.

          On July 1, 1996, Community Bank Corporation ("Community") merged with and into the Corporation (the "Merger"). The then-shareholders of Community received 152,159 shares of the Common Stock of the Corporation ("Valley Ridge Common Stock") for the shares of common stock of Community that they held, in addition to cash in lieu of fractional shares. The Merger was treated as a pooling of interests for accounting purposes and the assets and liabilities of Community were carried forward in the Corporation's accounts.

          Effective at the close of business on December 6, 1996, the Corporation's two subsidiary banks, The Grant State Bank ("Grant") and Kent City State Bank ("Kent City"), were consolidated into a single banking corporation (the "Consolidation"). The purpose of the Consolidation was to allow the Corporation to further realize operational efficiencies and provide more consistent and improved service to the market areas that the Corporation had been servicing. The Consolidation resulted in a single bank named "Valley Ridge Bank" (the "Bank"). On December 31, 1999, the Bank had assets totaling $167 million, deposits of $120 million and shareholders' equity of $14 million.

          The Corporation and the Bank operate in a single industry segment--the business of banking, which includes commercial banking, mortgage banking and other related activities. The Bank is a full service bank offering customary commercial banking services, which include commercial and retail loans, business and personal checking accounts, savings and individual retirement accounts, time deposit instruments, automated transaction machine services, money transfer services and safe deposit facilities, and insurance and real estate brokerage services. No material part of the business of the Corporation or the Bank is dependent upon a single customer or very few customers, the loss of which would have a materially adverse effect on the Corporation.

          The principal markets for the Corporation's financial services are presently the Michigan communities in which the Bank's offices are located and the areas immediately surrounding those communities. The Corporation and the Bank serve these markets through eight offices located in Kent City, Coopersville, Egelston, Grant, Newaygo, Ravenna, Sparta and White Cloud, Michigan. This diversification allows the Bank to spread some of its market risk over a wider area and not be subject to downturns in any specific community. Within this market area, the Bank competes with various banks, savings and loan associations and credit unions. The Bank is the only bank


2


with offices in Kent City and Grant, Michigan. Other banks and financial institutions have offices in some of the towns where the Bank's branches are located. The Corporation and the Bank have no material foreign assets or income.

          The business of banking is highly competitive. In addition to competition from other commercial banks, banks face significant competition from savings and loan associations, credit unions, finance companies, insurance companies and investment and brokerage firms. The principal methods of competition for financial services are price (interest rates paid on deposits, interest rates charged on borrowings and fees charged for services) and service (convenience and quality of services rendered to customers).

          Banks and bank holding companies are extensively regulated. The Bank is chartered under state law and is supervised, examined and regulated by both the Financial Institutions Bureau of the Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services (the "FIB") and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve Board"). The Corporation is regulated by the Federal Reserve Board. Deposits of the Bank are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC") to the extent provided by law.

          Federal and state laws that govern banks significantly limit their business activities in a number of respects. Prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board, and in some cases various other government agencies, is required for the Corporation to acquire control of any additional banks or other operating subsidiaries. The business activities of the Corporation and the Bank are limited to banking and other activities that are determined by the Federal Reserve Board to be closely related to banking.

          The Corporation is a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank. There are legal limitations on the extent to which the Bank can lend or otherwise supply funds to the Corporation. In addition, payment of dividends to the Corporation by the Bank is subject to various state and federal regulatory limitations.

          Under Federal Reserve Board policy, the Corporation is expected to act as a source of financial strength to the Bank and to commit resources to support it. Under federal law, the FDIC also has authority to impose special assessments on insured depository institutions to repay FDIC borrowings from the United States Treasury or other sources and to establish semi-annual assessment rates on Bank Insurance Fund ("BIF") member banks to maintain the BIF at the designated reserve ratio required by law.

          Banks are subject to a number of federal and state laws and regulations that have a material impact on their business. These include, among others, state usury laws, state laws relating to fiduciaries, the Truth in Lending Act, the Truth in Savings Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Expedited Funds Availability Act, the Community Reinvestment Act, electronic funds transfer laws, redlining laws, antitrust laws, environmental laws and privacy laws. The instruments of monetary policy of authorities such as the Federal Reserve Board may influence the growth and distribution of bank loans, investments and deposits, and may also affect interest rates on loans and deposits. These policies may have a significant effect on the operating results of banks.

          The Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 (the "Riegle-Neal Act") substantially changed the geographic constraints applicable to the banking industry. The Riegle-Neal Act allows bank holding companies to acquire banks located in any state in the United States without regard to geographic restrictions or reciprocity requirements imposed by state law. Effective June 1, 1997, the Riegle-Neal Act also allowed banks to establish interstate branch networks through acquisitions of other banks. The establishment of de novo interstate branches or the acquisition of individual branches of a bank in another state (rather than the acquisition of an out-of-state bank in its entirety) is allowed by the Riegle-Neal Act only if specifically authorized by state law. The legislation allowed individual states to "opt-out" of certain provisions of the Riegle-Neal Act by enacting appropriate legislation prior to June 1, 1997.

          Michigan permits both U.S. and non-U.S. banks to establish branch offices in Michigan. The Michigan Banking Code permits, in appropriate circumstances and with the approval of the Commissioner of the FIB, (i)  acquisition of Michigan banks by FDIC-insured banks, savings banks or savings and loan associations located in other states, (ii) sale by a Michigan bank of branches to an FDIC-insured bank, savings bank or savings and loan association located in a state in which a Michigan bank could purchase branches of the purchasing entity, (iii) consolidation of Michigan banks and FDIC-insured banks, savings banks or savings and loan associations located in other states having laws permitting such consolidation, (iv) establishment of branches in Michigan by FDIC-insured banks located in other states, the District of Columbia or U.S. territories or protectorates having laws


3


permitting a Michigan bank to establish a branch in such jurisdiction, and (v) establishment by foreign banks of branches located in Michigan.

          The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (the "GLB Act") represents sweeping reform of federal regulation of financial services. The GLB Act largely removes the restrictions that previously prevented affiliations among banks, securities firms, and insurance companies and provides for a system of functional regulation of the financial services industry. Among other provisions, the GLB Act:

 

Repeals the restrictions on banks affiliating with securities firms contained in the depression-era Glass-Steagall Act.

 

 

 

 

Creates a new "financial holding company." A financial holding company may engage in a statutory list of financial activities, including insurance underwriting and agency activities, securities underwriting and brokerage activities, merchant banking, and insurance company portfolio investment activities. Other activities that are "complimentary" to financial activities, a category to be defined by regulation, are also authorized for financial holding companies.

 

 

 

 

Provides a system of functional regulation under which, with certain exceptions, activities of banks and bank affiliates as securities brokers and investment advisors are subject to regulation and supervision by the Securities and Exchange Commission, eliminating an exemption banks previously enjoyed.

 

 

 

 

Reaffirms the traditional authority of states to regulate insurance companies and insurance agencies, but prohibits discrimination against bank affiliates that conduct those activities.

 

 

 

 

Requires financial institutions to disclose their privacy policy to consumers and provides protections to consumers against the transfer and use of nonpublic personal information by financial institutions.

 

 

 

 

Requires that agreements between banks and non-governmental entities in connection with the Community Reinvestment Act be disclosed to the public, and that community groups that receive funds from banks in excess of defined thresholds disclose how those funds are used.


Although the GLB Act repeals certain pre-existing statutory barriers to cross-industry affiliations and provides a structural framework for achieving the GLB Act's purposes, many details of implementing the changes authorized by the GLB Act will be the subject of the regulations to be adopted in the future by the FRB, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other federal agencies.

          The nature of the business of the Bank is such that it holds title, on a temporary or permanent basis, to a number of parcels of real property. These include properties owned for branch offices and other business purposes as well as properties taken in or in lieu of foreclosure to satisfy loans in default. Under current state and federal laws, present and past owners of real property may be exposed to liability for the cost of cleanup of environmental contamination on or originating from those properties, even if they are wholly innocent of the actions that caused the contamination. These liabilities can be material and can exceed the value of the contaminated property.

          The Corporation and the Bank employed approximately 107 persons (82 persons on a full-time equivalent basis) at December 31, 1999.

          Certain statistical information describing the business of the Corporation and the Bank appears in Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation included in Item 6 of this report and in the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in Item 7 of this report.


Item 2. Description of Property.

          The Corporation maintains its offices and conducts its business operations from the principal banking office of the Bank in Kent City, Michigan. The Bank's principal office is located at 450 West Muskegon Avenue, Kent City, Michigan. These premises encompass approximately 24,000 square feet, all of which are occupied by the Bank and the Corporation. The Corporation also owns a vacant lot located in an industrial park in Coopersville, Michigan.


4


          The Bank owns the premises occupied by its branch offices at the following addresses, all of which are in Michigan: 10 West Main Street, Grant (4,051 square feet), the corner of M-37 and M-82, Newaygo (1,450 square feet), 661 West Randall Road, Coopersville (1,950 square feet); 3069 Slocum Road, Ravenna (3,300 square feet); 5475 Apple Avenue, Egelston (3,300 square feet); and 11 South State Street, Sparta (1,040 square feet). The Bank leases its office at 47 South Charles Street, White Cloud, Michigan (approximately 500 square feet). The Corporation believes all of its and the Bank's properties are in good condition and repair and are adequately covered by insurance.

          As part of its business, the Bank generates all types of mortgages. The Bank occasionally purchases mortgages as part of its business, but typically relies on its ability to generate mortgages for most purposes.


Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

          From time to time, the Corporation or the Bank is party, as plaintiff or defendant, to legal proceedings in the normal course of operations. No pending litigation is considered material at this time.


Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

          Not applicable.



























5


PART II

Item 5. Market For Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.

          There is no established public trading market for Valley Ridge Common Stock. Transactions in Valley Ridge Common Stock are occasionally effected by individuals on an informal basis. Some transactions are effected through the involvement of local brokerage firms. The prices at which such transactions are effected are only occasionally reported to the Corporation. As of December 31, 1999, there were approximately 489 record holders of shares of Valley Ridge Common Stock.

          The Corporation has paid regular cash dividends since June 30, 1989. The following table summarizes the quarterly cash dividends paid to common shareholders during the last two full years:

 

Quarter

 

1998

 

1999

 

 

1st

 

$.25

 

$.25

 

 

2nd

 

.25

 

.25

 

 

3rd

 

.25

 

.25

 

 

4th

 

.25


 

.25


 

 

Total

 

$1.00


 

$1.00


 


          Holders of Valley Ridge Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by the Corporation's board of directors out of funds legally available for that purpose. The earnings of the Corporation, through dividends paid by the Bank, are the principal source of funds to pay cash dividends. Consequently, cash dividends are dependent upon the earnings, capital needs, regulatory constraints and other factors affecting the Corporation. Federal and state banking laws and regulations place certain restrictions on the amount of dividends and loans that a bank can pay to its parent company. These restrictions are not expected to prohibit the Corporation from continuing its normal dividend policy.


Item 6. Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation.

The following discussion is provided by Valley Ridge Financial Corp. management as its analysis of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of Valley Ridge Financial Corp. ("Corporation") and Valley Ridge Bank ("Bank"). This analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes.

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 1999 and 1998.

Results of Operations: The Corporation reported net income of $1,716,167 or $2.75 basic and diluted earnings per share for 1999. This was 5.5% higher than the $1,627,173, or $2.62 per share, earned in 1998. The increase in net income was primarily a result of increased net interest income from $6,384,613 in 1998 to $7,065,071 in 1999, along with an increase in non-interest income from $1,382,786 in 1998 to $1,523,437 in 1999.

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the total dollar amount of interest income from average interest-earning assets and the related yields, as well as the interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities.















6


 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

1 9 9 9

 

1 9 9 8

 

 

Average
Balance

 


Interest

 

Average
Rate

 

Average
Balance

 


Interest

 

Average
Rate

 

Taxable investment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     securities

$15,934,699

 

$972,049

 

   6.10%

 

$11,395,604

 

$686,176

 

   6.02%

 

Tax-exempt securities (1)

16,898,875


 

1,416,435


 

8.38

 

14,793,501


 

1,302,427


 

8.80

 

     Total securities

32,833,574

 

2,388,484

 

7.27

 

26,189,105

 

1,988,603

 

7.59

 

Loans (1)(2)(3)

108,125,222

 

9,851,681

 

9.11

 

95,943,606

 

9,091,258

 

9.48

 

Federal funds sold

209,315


 

10,968


 

5.24

 

3,108,766


 

165,341


 

5.32

 

     Total earning assets

141,168,111

 

12,251,133

 

8.68

 

125,241,477

 

11,245,202

 

8.98

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nonaccrual loans

262,702

 

 

 

 

 

315,833

 

 

 

 

 

Less allowance for

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     loan losses

(1,399,268

)

 

 

 

 

(1,225,931

)

 

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks

5,682,608

 

 

 

 

 

5,377,324

 

 

 

 

 

Other nonearning assets

9,657,322


 

 

 

 

 

8,382,550


 

 

 

 

 

     Total assets

$155,371,475


 

 

 

 

 

$138,091,253


 

 

 

 

 


















7


 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

1 9 9 9

 

1 9 9 8

 

 

Average
Balance

 


Interest

 

Average
Rate

 

Average
Balance

 


Interest

 

Average
Rate

 

Interest-bearing demand

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     deposits

$14,199,436

 

$167,936

 

   1.18%

 

$13,930,957

 

$206,008

 

   1.48%

 

Savings deposits

31,720,876

 

639,472

 

2.02

 

30,736,597

 

742,036

 

2.41

 

Time deposits

53,126,036


 

2,715,384


 

5.11

 

49,237,546


 

2,772,433


 

5.63

 

     Total interest-bearing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          deposits

99,046,348

 

3,522,792

 

3.56

 

93,905,100

 

3,720,477

 

3.96

 

Other borrowings

19,455,902


 

1,142,011


 

5.87

 

11,399,995


 

656,574


 

5.76

 

     Total interest-bearing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          liabilities

118,502,250

 

4,664,803


 

3.94

 

105,305,095

 

4,377,051


 

4.16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Demand deposits

18,962,971

 

 

 

 

 

17,351,318

 

 

 

 

 

Other liabilities

3,012,600


 

 

 

 

 

1,382,331


 

 

 

 

 

     Total liabilities

140,477,821

 

 

 

 

 

124,038,744

 

 

 

 

 

Average equity

14,893,654


 

 

 

 

 

14,052,509


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Total liabilities and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          equity

$155,371,475


 

 

 

 

 

$138,091,253


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income

 

 

$7,586,330


 

 

 

 

 

$6,868,151


 

 

 

Rate spread

 

 

 

 

4.74

 

 

 

 

 

4.82

 

Net interest margin

 

 

 

 

5.37

 

 

 

 

 

5.48

 


(1)

Yields reflected have been computed on a tax equivalent basis using a marginal tax rate of 34%.

(2)

Average outstanding balances exclude non-accruing loans.

(3)

Includes loans held for sale.


The following table presents the dollar amount of change in interest income and interest expense for major components of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. For purposes of this table, changes attributable to both rate and volume, which cannot be segregated, have been allocated proportionately to the change due to volume and change due to rate.

 

Year ended December 31,
1999 over 1998

 

 

Total

 

Volume

 

Rate

 

Increase (decrease) in interest income

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Loans (including loans held for sale)

$760,423

 

$1,120,224

 

$(359,801

)

     Taxable securities

285,873

 

276,780

 

9,093

 

     Nontaxable securities

114,008

 

178,709

 

(64,701

)

     Federal funds sold

(154,373


)

(151,965


)

(2,408


)

          Net change in tax-equivalent income

1,005,931

 

1,423,748

 

(417,817

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Interest-bearing demand deposits

(38,072

)

3,900

 

(41,972

)

     Savings deposits

(102,564

)

23,125

 

(125,689

)

     Time deposits

(57,049

)

209,634

 

(266,683

)

     Other borrowings

485,437


 

472,626


 

12,811


 

          Net change in interest expense

287,752


 

709,285


 

(421,533


)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

               Net change in tax-equivalent

 

 

 

 

 

 

                    net interest income

$718,179


 

$714,463


 

$3,716


 







8


Net interest margin remained strong at 5.37% for 1999, a decline of 11 basis points from 1998. The decrease is largely due to increased competition for loan and deposit accounts. Average loans increased by 12.7% to $108,125,222. Average securities increased 25.4% to $32,833,574. Average interest-bearing deposits increased $5,141,248 or 5.5%. The increase is primarily the result of various CD promotions throughout 1999. Average other borrowings increased by 70.7% to $19,455,902, and average equity increased $841,145, a 6% increase.

The provision for loan losses was $400,000 and $300,000 for 1999 and 1998, respectively. The provision for loan losses represents the adjustment to the allowance for loan losses needed to maintain the allowance at a level determined by management to cover inherent losses within the Corporation's loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses is based on the application of projected loss ratios to the risk-ratings of loans, both individually and by category. Projected loss ratios incorporate such factors as recent loss experience, current economic conditions and trends, trends in past due and impaired loans, and risk characteristics of various categories and concentrations of loans. Most of the loans charged-off were consumer loans for both years.

 

As of and for the years
ended December 31,

 

 

1999

 

1998

 

Balance at beginning of year

$1,388,700

 

$1,186,772

 

Provision charged to operating expense

400,000

 

300,000

 

 

Recoveries on loans previously charged to the allowance

38,225

 

43,612

 

Loans charged off

(207,237


)

(141,684


)

          Net charge offs

(169,012


)

(98,072


)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at end of year

$1,619,688


 

$1,388,700


 

Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of

 

 

 

 

     total loans as of year end

1.39%

 

1.40%

 

Ratio of net charge-offs to average total loans outstanding

 

 

 

 

     during the year

.0016

 

.0010

 


The allowance for loan losses at December 31, 1999 was 1.02 times impaired loans outstanding at year end. Loan recoveries were 27% of the prior year's charge-offs. Net charge-offs for 1999 increased from $98,072 in 1998 to $169,012. Management continually evaluates the loan portfolio for probable losses and makes provisions necessary to maintain the allowance at a level appropriate to provide for those losses. The provision increased from $300,000 in 1998 to $400,000 in 1999 due to increased losses incurred in 1999. The net effect was a $230,988 increase in the allowance balance at December 31, 1999. These factors resulted in the ratio of allowance to total loans remaining consistent at 1.39% at December 31, 1999 and 1.40% at December 31, 1998. Management believes that this level of allowance is adequate to cover problem credits in the loan portfolio.

The balance of impaired loans at December 31, 1999 of $1,587,226 is $1,420,909 higher than at December 31, 1998. Three loans totaling $1,499,609 are designated as impaired at December 31, 1999 that were not impaired as of December 31, 1998. As indicated in Note 4 of the consolidated financial statements, management does not anticipate significant loss exposure relating to the loans classified as impaired and has established no specific reserves against those loans due to favorable collateral positions. As management does not anticipate loss exposure on these loans, these loans have not been placed on nonaccrual.














9


The allowance for loan losses was allocated in an amount deemed necessary to provide for probable losses within the following loan categories as of December 31:

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

1 9 9 9

 

1 9 9 8

 

Balance at End of
Period Applicable to

Principal
Balance

 

Allocated
Allowance

 

% of Total
Loans

 

Principal
Balance

 

Allocated
Allowance

 

% of Total
Loans

 

 

Commercial and agricultural

$  53,512

 

$    583

 

  46%

 

$  44,968

 

$    379

 

  44%

 

Real estate - mortgages

44,352

 

132

 

38

 

41,734

 

113

 

40

 

Consumer

18,911

 

345

 

16

 

16,403

 

296

 

16

 

Unallocated

 


 

560


 

 


 

 


 

601


 

 


 

 

 

$116,775


 

1,620


 

100%


 

$103,105


 

$1,389


 

100%


 


Noninterest income was $1,523,437 and $1,382,786 for 1999 and 1998, respectively. The increase was primarily a result of increased service charges and net realized gain on the sale of premises and equipment for 1999 compared to 1998, offset by a loss on sale of securities. Noninterest expense increased to $6,080,861 compared to $5,436,531 in 1998. Noninterest expense was higher in 1999 when compared to 1998 largely because of salaries and benefits, which increased $198,671 or 7.2% representing annual salary increases and additional employees. Furniture and fixtures expense increased from 1998 to 1999 by $132,993 or 40.1% due to additional depreciation from furniture and equipment purchased for the new main office. Other expense increased $201,604 or 20.1% primarily due to an increase in the Michigan Single Business Tax as a result of a reduction in the deduction for the new main office, and legal and professional fees increased $53,443 or 29.7% also contributing to the increase in noninterest expense.

Following are overall return percentages and the dividend pay-out ratio for the past two years:

 

 

1999

 

1998

 

 

 

 

 

 

Return on average assets

     1.10%

 

      1.18%

 

Return on average equity

11.52

 

11.58

 

Dividend pay-out ratio

36.46

 

38.19

 

Average equity to average assets ratio

9.59

 

10.18


Management is not aware of any existing trends, events, uncertainties or current recommendations by regulatory authorities that are expected to have a material impact on Valley Ridge's future operating results or financial condition.

Financial Condition, Liquidity, and Capital Resources: Total assets increased by $18,686,430 or 12.6% to $166,881,540 at December 31, 1999 compared to $148,195,110 at December 31, 1998. This growth is attributable primarily to growth in the loan portfolio which was funded by FHLB advances. This growth was partially due to the Bank benefiting from consolidation of major regional banks in some of its markets in addition to the Bank's continued marketing efforts. Total liabilities increased by $18,607,870 or 13.9% to $152,318,529 at December 31, 1999 compared to $133,710,659 at December 31, 1998. The increase in shareholders' equity is due primarily to retention of earnings, and offset by an unrealized loss of $323,609 on securities available for sale.









10


Total loans increased by $17,340,894 or 17.4% from the balance at December 31, 1998 to $116,774,847 at December 31, 1999. Deposits decreased by $271,055 or 0.23% to $119,311,696 at December 31, 1999. The overall impact of these two changes was an increase in the net loan to deposit ratio to 97% at December 31, 1999 compared to 82% at December 31, 1998.

The following table shows the maturity of commercial, consumer, real estate construction and agricultural loans outstanding at December 31, 1999. Also provided below is the amount due after one year classified according to the terms of the loans. Demand loans, loans with no stated maturity and overdrafts are reported as due in one year or less.

 

 

Due in
One Year
or Less

 

Due after One
Year Through
Five Years

 

Due
After
Five Years

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial

$19,048

 

$32,100

 

$3,567

 

Consumer

1,503

 

23,413

 

2,898

 

Residential real estate

6,283

 

19,745

 

6,959

 

Agricultural

120


 

940


 

199


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$26,954


 

$76,198


 

$13,623


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans due after one year

 

 

 

 

 

 

          With fixed rates

 

 

$70,080

 

$12,119

 

          With floating rates

 

 

6,118


 

1,504


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$76,198


 

$13,623



The time remaining until maturity of time certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more at December 31, 1999 were as follows:

 

Three months or less

$5,979,000

 

 

Over three months through six months

3,039,000

 

 

Over six months through twelve months

1,290,000

 

 

Over twelve months

2,058,000


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$12,366,000


 


The Bank paid dividends totaling $625,650 in 1999, compared to $621,394 paid during 1998.

The Corporation's capital ratios exceeded the minimum levels prescribed by the Federal Reserve Board, as shown in Note 16 of the consolidated financial statements.













11


Total cash, cash equivalents and investment securities totaled $42,252,725 at December 31, 1999 or 25.3% of total assets. The principal source of funding for the Corporation continues to come from its deposit customers, which have historically been a stable source of funds. Other sources of funding include normal loan repayments, sales and maturities of securities, federal funds available from correspondent banks, and additional advances available from the Federal Home Loan Bank. Management believes that the current level of liquidity is sufficient to meet the normal operating needs of the Bank.

The following table shows by class of maturities at December 31, 1999, the amounts and weighted average yields of investment securities (1):

 

 

Carrying
Value

 

Average
Yield (2)

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.

 

 

 

 

 

     Government corporations and agencies

 

 

 

 

 

          One year or less

$1,919

 

5.93

%

 

          Over one through five years

3,503

 

6.06

 

 

          Over five through ten years

5,506

 

6.78

 

 

          Over ten years

 


 

 


 

 

 

10,928

 

6.40

 

 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

 

 

 

 

 

          One year or less

1,362

 

8.75

 

 

          Over one through five years

2,673

 

9.25

 

 

          Over five through ten years

5,262

 

8.11

 

 

          Over ten years

8,515


 

8.23


 

 

 

17,812

 

8.39

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities and other

1,414


 

6.60


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$30,154


 

7.58


%


Because of their variable payments, mortgage-backed securities are not reported by a specific maturity grouping.

(1)

Calculated on the basis of the cost and effective yields weighted for the scheduled maturity of each security.

(2)

Weighted average yield has been computed on a fully taxable equivalent basis. The rates shown on state and municipal securities have been adjusted to a fully taxable equivalent using a federal income tax rate of 34%.


As of December 31, 1999, the securities of no issuer except the U.S. Government had an aggregate carrying value that exceeded 10% of shareholders' equity.












12


Securities sold under agreements to repurchase generally mature within one to three days from the transaction date. The Bank has pledged certain investment securities, which are held in safekeeping, as collateral against these borrowings. Valley Ridge Bank had $4,975,085 and $1,204,014 in repurchase agreements at year end 1999 and 1998, respectively.

The Corporation had $25,000,000 and $11,000,000 in advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank at year end 1999 and 1998. Each advance requires monthly interest payments at either fixed or adjustable rates. These borrowings are collateralized by nonspecific loans within the mortgage portfolio up to the principal outstanding and nonspecific qualifying securities within the securities portfolio.

The following table shows the interest sensitivity gaps for four different time intervals as of December 31, 1999.

 

Maturity or Repricing Frequency

 

0-3 months

 

3-12 months

 

1-5 years

 

5 years+

Interest-earning assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

$40,508,000

 

$33,209,000

 

$36,668,000

 

$6,390,000

Investment securities

 


 

3,268,000


 

6,176,000


 

20,710,000


     Total

$40,508,000


 

$36,477,000


 

$42,844,000


 

$27,100,000


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing liabilities

Certificates of deposit

$13,689,000

 

$27,015,000

 

$13,807,000

 

$65,000

Savings accounts

18,947,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market accounts

14,608,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOW accounts

10,228,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

FHLB Loan

10,000,000


 

7,000,000


 

8,000,000


 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Total

$67,472,000


 

$34,015,000


 

$21,807,000


 

$65,000


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest sensitivity gap

$ (26,964,000


)

$2,462,000


 

$21,037,000


 

$27,035,000


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative gap

 

 

$(24,502,000


)

$(3,465,000


)

$23,570,000



The above table is based on contractual terms. Mortgage-backed securities do not have a single maturity date and therefore, were excluded from investment securities. Savings accounts, money market accounts, and NOW accounts are subject to immediate withdrawal and are presented as repricing in the earliest period presented. Although demand and savings accounts, for which rates paid are not readjusted on a pre-established contract cycle and are subject to immediate withdrawal, are presented as repricing in the 0-3 months period, management believes that these types of accounts are not as sensitive to changes in interest rates in the short-term as this presentation would indicate. The practice of underwriting loans with maturity dates of five years or less and with variable rates allows for a repricing of those assets over a relatively short period. Additionally, management does not aggressively price deposits, preferring to maintain a level of lending supported primarily by its base of core deposits. The Corporation's asset/liability management committee meets semi-annually, or more often as needed, to review gap positions and determine management strategies for loan and deposit pricing, purchase and sale of securities, and other borrowing decisions.













13


Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices. Most assets and liabilities of a financial institution are monetary in nature. This differs from most commercial and industrial companies that have significant investments in fixed assets or inventories. The effect of inflation on financial institutions is to a large extent indirect and the measure of such impact is largely subjective.

Noninterest expenses tend to rise during periods of general inflation. Inflation levels are to some degree reflected in interest rates. Changes in interest rates, which are to some extent attributable to changes in inflation rates or uncertainty concerning changes in inflation rates, do affect the earnings of the Corporation. The Corporation seeks to protect net interest income from the adverse effects of interest rate fluctuations through its asset/liability management program.

The Corporation's management believes that increases in financial institution assets and deposits result in part from monetary inflation. As assets increase, the financial institution must increase equity capital proportionately to maintain appropriate relationships between assets and equity.


Year 2000 Considerations

The Corporation completed the change to January 1, 2000 on all of its systems with no material problems. In addition, based on its knowledge as of the date of this annual report, the Corporation does not anticipate that any significant problems or difficulties will arise during 2000. Management and staff will continue to monitor the Corporation's systems and to test date sensitive calculations throughout 2000.


Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (Act) was passed by Congress and signed into law by the President on November 12, 1999. The Act's most publicized provisions eliminate many Federal and state law barriers to affiliations among banks, securities firms, insurance companies, and other financial service providers. The overall thrust of the Act is to remove the historic laws that separated commercial banking from other financial service organizations. Companies that are presently engaged primarily in insurance activities or securities activities will be permitted to acquire banks and bank holding companies and vice versa.

The Act does not introduce new products or services to the financial services industry overall. The Act, however, does provide for a more efficient means for financial institutions to offer those products and services by creating a "financial holding company," or "FHC." Banks, securities firms, and insurance companies can now affiliate within the FHC structure to offer a much broader range of financial products and services than had previously been possible under either a traditional bank or insurance holding company structure.



















14


A FHC may go beyond traditional bank holding company powers and engage in activities that the Federal Reserve deems to be "financial in nature." Prior to the passage of the Act, banks and their subsidiaries could pursue many activities, such as selling insurance, dealing in certain securities, and offering investment advisory services. However, prior regulatory rules generally placed limits on the extent of a bank's and bank holding company's involvement in those activities, or created barriers to entry. The Act allows for a more efficient means for bank holding companies to offer all financial services within the new structure - the FHC.

The new legislation is expected, in time, to alter the competitive landscape of the product market served by the Corporation and may, in the future, also increase the Corporation's competition to include large, more diversified financial companies.

The Act also requires financial institutions to disclose their privacy policy to customers and provides protections to customers against the transfer and use of nonpublic personal information by financial institutions.

Item 7. Financial Statements.


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



Board of Directors and Shareholders
Valley Ridge Financial Corp.
Kent City, Michigan


We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Valley Ridge Financial Corp. as of December 31, 1999 and 1998 and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Corporation's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to in the first paragraph present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Valley Ridge Financial Corp. at December 31, 1999 and 1998, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.




                                                                                s/Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP


Grand Rapids, Michigan
February 11, 2000







15


VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 1999 and 1998



 

1999

 

1998

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

     Cash and due from banks

$  10,657,692

 

$    5,553,484

 

     Federal funds sold

 


 

500,000


 

          Total cash and cash equivalents

10,657,692

 

6,053,484

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Securities available for sale

30,153,805

 

29,294,862

 

     Other securities

1,441,228

 

1,351,828

 

     Loans held for sale

 

 

3,670,761

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Loans

116,774,847

 

99,433,953

 

     Allowance for loan losses

(1,619,688


)

(1,388,700


)

 

115,155,159

 

98,045,253

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Accrued interest receivable

1,191,057

 

1,079,289

 

     Premises and equipment - net

5,067,827

 

5,721,881

 

     Other assets

3,214,772


 

2,977,752


 

 

 

 

 

 

          Total assets

$166,881,540


 

$148,195,110


 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

     Deposits

 

 

 

 

          Noninterest-bearing

$  20,952,744

 

$  20,473,900

 

          Interest-bearing

98,358,952


 

99,108,851


 

               Total

119,311,696

 

119,582,751

 

     Federal funds purchased

1,800,000

 

 

 

     Securities sold under agreement to repurchase

4,975,085

 

1,204,014

 

     Other borrowings

25,000,000

 

11,000,000

 

     Accrued expenses and other liabilities

1,231,748


 

1,923,894


 

          Total liabilities

152,318,529

 

133,710,659

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Shareholders' equity

 

 

 

 

          Common stock, no par value: 2,000,000 shares

 

 

 

 

             authorized and 628,670 and 622,573 shares

 

 

 

 

             outstanding in 1999 and 1998.

7,866,728

 

7,666,697

 

     Retained earnings

7,098,379

 

6,007,862

 

     Unearned restricted stock

(78,487

)

(40,441

)

     Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)

(323,609


)

850,333


 

          Total shareholders' equity

14,563,011


 

14,484,451


 

 

 

 

 

 

               Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$166,881,540


 

$148,195,110


 







See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


16


VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Years ended December 31, 1999 and 1998



 

1999

 

1998

Interest income

 

 

 

     Loans, including fees

$9,812,010

 

$9,050,545

     Federal funds sold

10,968

 

165,341

     Securities

 

 

 

          Taxable

972,049

 

686,176

          Nontaxable

934,847


 

859,602


               Total interest income

11,729,874

 

10,761,664

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

     Deposits

3,522,792

 

3,720,477

     Other

1,142,011


 

656,574


          Total interest expense

4,664,803


 

4,377,051


 

 

 

 

Net interest income

7,065,071

 

6,384,613

 

 

 

 

Provision for loan losses

400,000


 

300,000


 

 

 

 

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

6,665,071

 

6,084,613

 

 

 

 

Noninterest income

 

 

 

     Service charges

1,088,929

 

837,958

     Net realized gain (loss) on sale of securities

(15,935

)

182,268

     Income earned on life insurance policy

151,903

 

127,761

     Net realized gain on sale of loans

19,326

 

21,693

     Net realized gain on sale of premises and equipment

93,371

 

7,781

     Other income

185,843


 

205,325


          Total noninterest income

1,523,437

 

1,382,786

 

 

 

 

Noninterest expense

 

 

 

     Salaries and benefits

2,965,901

 

2,767,230

     Occupancy

429,248

 

412,368

     Furniture and fixtures

464,407

 

331,414

     Legal and professional fees

233,495

 

180,052

     Directors' fees

177,507

 

173,900

     Data processing

294,950

 

267,332

     Advertising

128,207

 

110,910

     Supplies

180,263

 

188,046

     Other expense

1,206,883


 

1,005,279


          Total noninterest expenses

6,080,861


 

5,436,531


 

 

 

 

Income before federal income tax

2,107,647

 

2,030,868

 

 

 

 

Federal income tax expense

391,480


 

403,695


 

 

 

 

Net income

$1,716,167


 

$1,627,173


 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share

$   2.75


 

$   2.62







See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


17


VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Years ended December 31, 1999 and 1998



 

1999

 

1998

 

Net income

$1,716,167

 

$1,627,173

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

 

 

 

 

     Unrealized holding gains and losses on

 

 

 

 

          available-for-sale securities

(1,794,635

)

411,914

 

     Less reclassification adjustments for gains (losses)

 

 

 

 

          later recognized in income

(15,935


)

182,268


 

     Net unrealized gains and losses

(1,778,700

)

229,646

 

               Tax effect

604,758


 

(78,080


)

 

 

 

 

 

     Other comprehensive income

(1,173,942


)

151,566


 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

$    542,225


 

$1,778,739


 




















See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


18


VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Years ended December 31, 1999 and 1998



 



Common
Stock

 



Retained
Earnings

 


Unearned
Restricted
Stock

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income/(Loss)

 


Total
Shareholders'
Equity

 

 

Balance, January 1, 1998

$7,596,526

 

$5,002,083

 

$                

 

$698,767

 

$13,297,376

 

                     

Net income for 1998

 

 

1,627,173

 

 

 

 

 

1,627,173

 

                     

Cash dividend ($1.00 per share)

 

 

(621,394

)

 

 

 

 

(621,394

)

                     

Issuance of restricted stock awards (unearned)

80,881

 

 

 

(80,881

)

 

 

 

 

                     

Restricted stock awards earned

 

 

 

 

40,440

 

 

 

40,440

 
                     

Stock repurchased

(10,710

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10,710

)

                     

Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on
     securities available for sale, net of tax of
     ($78,080)

 
 
 


 

 
 
 


 

 
 
 


 



151,566


 



151,566


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 1998

7,666,697

 

6,007,862

 

(40,441

)

850,333

 

14,484,451

 

                     

Net income for 1999

 

 

1,716,167

 

 

 

 

 

1,716,167

 

                     

Cash dividend ($1.00 per share)

 

 

(625,650

)

 

 

 

 

(625,650

)

                     

Issuance of restricted stock awards (unearned)

93,105

 

 

 

(93,105

)

 

 

 

 

                     

Restricted stock awards earned

 

 

 

 

55,059

 

 

 

55,059

 

                     

Stock options exercised

111,566

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

111,566

 

                     

Stock repurchased

(4,640)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,640

)

                     

Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on
securities available for sale, net of tax of
$604,758

 
 
 


 

 
 
 


 

 
 
 


 



(1,173,942




)



(1,173,942




)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 1999

$7,866,728


 

$7,098,379


 

$ (78,487


)

$ (323,609


)

$14,563,011


 



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


19


VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Years ended December 31, 1999 and 1998



 

1999

 

1998

 

Cash flows from operating activities

       

     Net income

$1,716,167

 

$1,627,173

 

     Adjustments to reconcile net income

       

        to net cash from operating activities

       

          Depreciation and amortization

358,601

 

317,530

 

          Amortization of the premiums and

       

            discounts on securities, net

89,283

 

50,435

 

          Provision for loan losses

400,000

 

300,000

 

          (Gain) loss on sale of securities

15,935

 

(182,268

)

          Gain on sale of loans

(19,326

)

(21,693

)

          Loans originated for sale

(4,028,488

)

(8,810,321

)

          Proceeds from loans sold

4,017,363

 

8,764,014

 

          Gain on sale of fixed assets

(93,371

)

(7,781

)

          Net change in

       

          Accrued interest receivable and other assets

332,669

 

(255,421

)

          Accrued expenses and other liabilities

(637,087


)

767,801


 

               Net cash from operating activities

2,151,746

 

2,549,469

 
         

Cash flows from investing activities

       

     Loan originations and payments, net

(13,890,166

)

(11,462,642

)

     Proceeds from

       

          Sale of securities available for sale

5,703,472

 

8,362,564

 

          Repayments and maturities of securities available for sale

3,738,507

 

3,036,554

 

          Premises and equipment

393,598

     

     Purchases of

       

          Securities available for sale

(12,184,841

)

(17,032,221

)

          Federal Home Loan Bank stock

(89,400

)

   

          Farmer Mac stock

   

(6,232

)

          Premises and equipment

 


 

(2,592,751


)

               Net cash from investing activities

(16,328,830

)

(19,694,728

)

         

Cash flows from financing activities

       

     Net increase in short-term borrowings

3,771,071

 

920,269

 

     Net increase (decrease) in deposits

(271,055

)

14,407,816

 

     Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

22,000,000

 

3,000,000

 

     Net change in federal funds purchased

1,800,000

     

     Payments on Federal Home Loan Bank advances

(8,000,000

)

(3,000,000

)

     Shares repurchased

(4,640

)

(10,710

)

     Stock options exercised

111,566

     

     Dividends paid

(625,650


)

(621,394


)

          Net cash from financing activities

18,781,292


 

14,695,981


 
         

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

4,604,208

 

(2,449,278

)

         

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

6,053,484


 

8,502,762


 
         

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

$10,657,692


 

$6,053,484


 
         

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information

       

     Cash paid during the year for

       

          Interest

$4,597,425

 

$4,457,914

 

          Income taxes

570,184

 

517,149

 
         

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities

       

          Transfer of loans from portfolio to held for sale

   

$3,670,761

 

          Transfer of loans from held for sale to portfolio

$3,752,253

     






See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


20


VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1999 and 1998



NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include Valley Ridge Financial Corp., its wholly-owned subsidiary, Valley Ridge Bank, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Valley Ridge Realty, Inc., Valley Ridge Investments, Inc., and Valley Ridge Financial Services, Inc., after elimination of significant intercompany transactions and accounts.

Nature of Operations: Valley Ridge Financial Corp. ("Corporation") is a regional, community-based financial institution, that owns all of the outstanding stock of Valley Ridge Bank ("Bank"). The Bank's loan and deposit accounts are primarily with customers located in Western Michigan, within the counties of Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon and Newaygo. The Bank also owns all of the outstanding stock of three subsidiaries, Valley Ridge Realty, Valley Ridge Investments, Inc., and Valley Ridge Financial Services, Inc. The primary business of these subsidiaries are real estate sales and insurance. Substantially all revenues are derived from banking products and services.

Use of Estimates: To prepare financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, management makes estimates and assumptions based on available information. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosures provided, and future results could differ. The allowance for loan losses and fair values of financial instruments are particularly subject to change.

Cash Flows: Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits with other financial institutions and federal funds sold. Cash flows are reported net for customer loan and deposit transactions, interest-bearing time deposits with other financial institutions and short-term borrowings with maturities of 90 days or less.

Securities: Securities are classified as held to maturity and carried at amortized cost when management has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity. Securities are classified as available for sale when they might be sold before maturity. Securities available for sale are carried at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported separately in shareholders' equity, net of tax. Other securities such as Federal Home Loan Bank stock are carried at cost. Gains and losses on the sales of securities available for sale are determined using the specific allocation method. Securities are written down to fair value when a decline in fair value is not temporary. Interest and dividend income, adjusted by amortization of purchase premium or discount, is included in earnings.

Loans: Loans are reported at the principal balance outstanding, net of unearned interest, deferred loan fees and costs, and an allowance for loan losses. Loans held for sale are reported at the lower of cost or market, on an aggregate basis. Interest income is reported on the interest method and includes amortization of net deferred loan fees and costs over the loan term.


















(Continued)


21


VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1999 and 1998



NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Interest income is not reported when full loan repayment is in doubt, typically when payments are past due over 90 days. Payments received on such loans are reported as principal reductions.

Allowance for Loan Losses: The allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance, increased by the provision for loan losses and recoveries, and decreased by charge-offs. Management estimates the allowance balance required based on past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions, and other factors. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management's judgment, should be charged-off.

Loan impairment is reported when full payment under the loan terms is not expected. Impairment is evaluated in the aggregate for smaller-balance loans of similar nature such as residential mortgage, consumer and credit card loans, and on an individual loan basis for other loans. If a loan is impaired, a portion of the allowance is allocated so that the loan is reported, net, at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan's existing rate. Loans are evaluated for impairment when payments are delayed, typically 90 days or more, or when it is probable that all principal and interest amounts will not be collected according to the original terms of the loan.

Premises and Equipment: Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using both straight-line and accelerated methods over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets.

Other Real Estate Owned: Real estate properties acquired in collection of a loan are recorded at fair value at acquisition. Any reduction to fair value from the carrying value of the related loan is accounted for as a loan loss. After acquisition, a valuation allowance reduces the reported amount to the lower of the initial amount or fair value less costs to sell. Expenses, gains and losses on disposition, and changes in the valuation allowance are reported in other expenses. The Corporation held approximately $51,000 and $662,000 of other real estate at December 31, 1999 and 1998.

Servicing Rights: Servicing rights represent the allocated cost of servicing rights retained on loans sold. Servicing rights are expensed in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing revenues. Impairment is evaluated based on the fair value of the rights, using groupings of the underlying loans as to interest rates and then, secondarily, as to geographic and prepayment characteristics. Any impairment of a grouping is reported as a valuation allowance.

















(Continued)


22


VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1999 and 1998



NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Intangibles: Purchased intangibles, primarily goodwill and core deposit value, are recorded at cost and amortized over the estimated lives. Goodwill amortization is straight-line over 25 years, and core deposit amortization is accelerated over 12 years.

Long-Term Assets: These assets are reviewed for impairment when events indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable from future undiscounted cash flows. If impaired, the assets are recorded at discounted amounts.

Repurchase Agreements: Substantially all repurchase agreement liabilities represent amounts advanced by various customers. Securities are pledged to cover these liabilities, which are not covered by federal deposit insurance.

Employee Benefits: The Corporation maintains a profit sharing 401(k) plan for substantially all employees. Effective October 1, 1999 the Bank and the Corporation merged the Employee Stock Ownership Plan into the profit sharing plan and moved sponsorship of the plan from the Bank to the Corporation. Contributions to the profit sharing plan are made at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The Plan allows employee contributions up to 12% of employee compensation. Up to 6% of the contributions are matched at 50% by the Bank.

Restricted Stock Awards: The measurement of total compensation cost for restricted stock awards is based upon the fair value of the shares at the grant date. Compensation expense is recognized on a prorata basis over the vesting period of the award. The unearned compensation value of the restricted stock awards is shown as a reduction of shareholders' equity.

Stock Options: Expense for employee compensation is recognized only if the options are granted below the market price at the date of grant. As shown in a separate footnote, pro forma disclosures of net income and earnings per share are provided as if the fair value method were used for stock-based compensation.

Income Taxes: Income tax expense is the sum of the current year income tax return liability plus the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.


















(Continued)


23


VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1999 and 1998



NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

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

Dividend Restrictions: Banking regulations require the maintenance of certain capital levels and may limit the amount of dividends which may be paid by the Bank to the Corporation or by the Corporation to shareholders.

Earnings Per Share: Basic earnings per share is based on weighted-average common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share includes the dilutive effect of additional potential common shares issuable under stock options. Earnings and dividends per share are restated for all stock splits and dividends through the date of issue of the financial statements.

Comprehensive Income: Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income includes unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale which are also recognized as separate components of equity.

New Accounting Pronouncements: Beginning January 1, 2001, a new accounting standard will require all derivatives to be recorded at fair value. Unless designated as hedges, changes in these fair values will be recorded in the income statement. Fair value changes involving hedges will generally be recorded by offsetting gains and losses on the hedge and on the hedged item, even if the fair value of the hedged item is not otherwise recorded. This is not expected to have a material effect but the effect will depend on derivative holdings when this standard applies.

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

Reclassifications: Some items in prior financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the current presentation.

















(Continued)


24


VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1999 and 1998



NOTE 2 - CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS

Minimum cash balances, which are based on the deposit levels of the Bank, are required to be maintained by the Federal Reserve as legal reserve requirements. Cash balances restricted from usage due to these requirements were approximately $696,000 and $690,000 at December 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively.


NOTE 3 - SECURITIES

The amortized cost and fair values of securities at year-end were as follows:

Available for Sale

               
 


Amortized
Cost

 

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 


Fair
Values

1999

             

     U.S. Treasury securities and

             

          obligations of U.S. Government

             

          corporations and agencies

$11,470,933

     

$(543,293

)

$10,927,640

     Obligations of states and

             

          political subdivisions

17,709,935


 

$    435,689


 

(333,171


)

17,812,453


 

29,180,868

 

435,689

 

(876,464

)

28,740,093

     Mortgage-backed securities

1,463,254


 

2,545


 

(52,087


)

1,413,712


               
 

$30,644,122


 

$    438,234


 

$ (928,551


)

$30,153,805


               

1998

             

     U.S. Treasury securities and

             

          obligations of U.S. Government

             

          corporations and agencies

$  8,115,226

 

$      75,340

 

$    (2,807

)

$  8,187,759

     Obligations of states and

             

          political subdivisions

15,613,694


 

1,255,911


 

(1,527


)

16,868,078


 

23,728,920

 

1,331,251

 

(4,334

)

25,055,837

     Mortgage-backed securities

4,277,558


 

13,266


 

(51,799


)

4,239,025


               
 

$28,006,478


 

$1,344,517


 

$  (56,133


)

$29,294,862













(Continued)


25


VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1999 and 1998



NOTE 3 - SECURITIES (Continued)

Other Securities

   

Cost
1999

 

Cost
1998

 
 

Federal Reserve stock

$    180,000

 

$    180,000

 

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

1,250,000

 

1,160,600

 

Farmer Mac stock

11,228


 

11,228


 
   

$1,441,228


 

$1,351,828



The amortized cost and fair values of debt investment securities at year-end 1999, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single maturity date, mortgage-backed securities, are shown separately.

   

Amortized
Cost

 

Fair
Values

         
 

Due in one year or less

$  3,368,549

 

$  3,267,762

 

Due after one year through five years

6,241,435

 

6,176,020

 

Due after five years through ten years

11,027,615

 

10,781,555

 

Due after ten years

8,543,269


 

8,514,756


   

29,180,868

 

28,740,093

 

Mortgage-backed securities

1,463,254


 

1,413,712


         
   

$30,644,122


 

$30,153,805



Gross realized gains from sales of securities available for sale were $22,729 and $182,493 for 1999 and 1998. Gross losses on those sales were $38,664 and $225 for 1999 and 1998.

Securities with a par value of approximately $400,000 were pledged to secure public deposits and for various other purposes as required or permitted by law at December 31, 1999 and 1998. Securities with a par value of $3,000,000 were pledged to secure short-term borrowings at December 31, 1999. Nonspecific securities were pledged to secure FHLB advances at December 31, 1999.












(Continued)


26


VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1999 and 1998



NOTE 4 - LOANS

Year-end loans were as follows:

   

1999

 

1998

 
 

Commercial

$  47,298,861

 

$37,528,868

 

Residential real estate

44,352,431

 

38,062,631

 

Consumer

18,910,988

 

16,403,123

 

Agricultural

6,212,567


 

7,439,331


         
   

$116,774,847


 

$99,433,953



Loans serviced for others were $18,535,487 and $16,670,404 at year-end 1999 and 1998, respectively.

Activity in the allowance for loan losses was as follows:

   

1999

 

1998

 
 
 

Balance at beginning of year

$1,388,700

 

$1,186,772

 
 

     Provision charged to operating expense

400,000

 

300,000

 
 

     Recoveries on loans previously

       
 

          charged to the allowance

38,225

 

43,612

 
 

     Loans charged off

(207,237


)

(141,684


)

           
 

Balance at end of year

$1,619,688


 

$1,388,700


 

Impaired loans were as follows:

   

1999

 

1998

 
 

Year-end loans with no allowance for loan losses allocated

$1,587,226

 

$166,317

 

Year-end loans with allowance for loan losses allocated

0

 

0

 

Amount of the allowance allocated

0

 

0

         
 

Average of impaired loans during the year

440,835

 

983,063

 

Interest income recognized during impairment

36,369

 

69,711

 

Cash basis interest income recognized

3,500

 

57,884

         

Nonperforming loans were as follows:

     
 

Loans past due over 90 days still on accrual

75,222

 

19,832

 

Nonaccrual loans

438,038

 

276,458














(Continued)


27


VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1999 and 1998



 

NOTE 5 - PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT - NET

Year-end premises and equipment were as follows:

 


Cost

 

Accumulated
Depreciation

 

Carrying
Value

1999

         

     Land

$    305,422

     

$    305,422

     Building and improvements

3,820,727

 

$    (763,982

)

3,056,745

     Furniture and equipment

4,262,741


 

(2,557,081


)

1,705,660


           
 

$8,388,890


 

$ (3,321,063


)

$5,067,827


1998

         

     Land

$    305,422

     

$    305,422

     Building and improvements

5,678,703

 

$ (1,016,847

)

4,661,856

     Furniture and equipment

3,005,369


 

(2,250,766


)

754,603


           
 

$8,989,494


 

$ (3,267,613


)

$5,721,881




NOTE 6 - DEPOSITS

Deposits at year-end are summarized as follows:

 

1999

 

1998

 

     Noninterest-bearing demand deposit accounts

$  20,952,744

 

$  20,473,900

     Money market accounts

14,607,935

 

15,850,182

     NOW and Super NOW accounts

10,227,546

 

10,953,463

     Savings accounts

18,947,274

 

19,268,254

     Certificates of deposit

54,576,197


 

53,036,952


       
 

$119,311,696


 

$119,582,751
















(Continued)


28


VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1999 and 1998



NOTE 6 - DEPOSITS (Continued)

At year-end 1999 and 1998, stated maturities of all time deposits were as follows:

   

1999

 

1998

 
 

In one year

$40,704,648

 

$37,766,111

 

In two years

6,749,791

 

6,428,237

 

In three years

5,940,216

 

3,194,754

 

In four years

707,789

 

3,367,580

 

In five years

409,160

 

2,245,053

 

Thereafter

64,593


 

35,217


         
   

$54,576,197


 

$53,036,952



Time deposit accounts of $100,000 or more were $12,366,000 and $9,379,000 at year-end 1999 and 1998, respectively.


NOTE 7 - OTHER BORROWINGS

The Corporation had the following advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB"):

 

Maturity Date

 

Interest Rate

 

1999

 

1998

 
 

February 1, 1999

 

5.23 %(fixed)

     

$  1,000,000

 

February 1, 1999

 

5.26 (fixed)

     

2,000,000

 

July 9, 1999

 

6.07 (fixed)

     

2,000,000

 

September 22, 1999

 

6.08 (fixed)

     

3,000,000

 

January 10, 2000

 

4.05 (variable)

 

$  2,000,000

   
 

February 16, 2000

 

5.88 (variable)

 

3,000,000

   
 

March 6, 2000

 

5.88 (variable)

 

2,000,000

   
 

March 21, 2000

 

5.88 (variable)

 

3,000,000

   
 

April 24, 2000

 

5.90 (variable)

 

1,000,000

   
 

May 3, 2000

 

5.88 (variable)

 

3,000,000

   
 

June 6, 2000

 

5.88 (variable)

 

1,000,000

   
 

July 10, 2000

 

6.06 (variable)

 

2,000,000

   
 

December 2, 2002

 

5.94 (fixed)

 

5,000,000

   
 

October 22, 2003

 

5.12 (fixed)

 

3,000,000


 

3,000,000


               
         

$25,000,000


 

$11,000,000












(Continued)


29


VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1999 and 1998



NOTE 7 - OTHER BORROWINGS (Continued)

 

Each advance requires monthly interest payments at either fixed or adjustable rates. These advances were required to be collateralized by at least $40,000,000 and $17,600,000 of the Corporation's first mortgage loans under a blanket lien arrangement at December 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively.


NOTE 8 - FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes consists of:

   

1999

 

1998

 
 
 

Current expense

$547,765

 

$559,129

 
 

Deferred benefit

(156,285


)

(155,434


)

   

$391,480


 

$403,695


 

Year-end deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of:

   

1999

 

1998

 
 

Deferred tax assets

       
 

     Allowance for loan losses

$399,458

 

$320,922

 
 

     Deferred loan fees

70,406

 

60,649

 
 

     Deferred compensation

278,689

 

210,528

 
 

     Core deposit amortization

21,056

 

27,576

 
 

     Net unrealized depreciation on securities

       
 

          available for sale

166,708

     
 

     Other

17,687


 

17,778


 
   

954,004

 

637,453

 
           
 

Deferred tax liabilities

       
 

     Fixed assets

(199,572

)

(201,952

)

 

     Net unrealized appreciation on securities available for sale

   

(438,051

)

 

     Accrual to cash

   

(23,777

)

 

     Other

(65,061


)

(45,346


)

   

(264,633


)

(709,126


)

           
 

Net deferred tax asset (liability)

$689,371


 

$ (71,673


)


No valuation allowance has been recorded against the deferred tax assets.










(Continued)


30


VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1999 and 1998



NOTE 8 - FEDERAL INCOME TAXES (Continued)


The effective tax rate differs from the statutory federal income tax rate as follows:

   

1999

 

1998

 
 
 

Statutory rates

$716,600

 

$690,495

 
 

Increase (decrease) from

       
 

     Tax-exempt interest

(334,564

)

(308,439

)

 

     Nondeductible interest expense

37,200

 

34,333

 
 

     Income related to officers' life insurance

(25,943

)

(17,735

)

 

     Other, net

(1,813


)

5,041


 
           
 

          Income tax expense

$391,480


 

$403,695


 
           
 

Effective tax rate

18.57%


 

19.88%


 

NOTE 9 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

The factors used in the earnings per share computation follow.

   

1999

 

1998

 

Basic

     
 

          Net income

$1,716,167


 

$1,627,173


 

          Weighted average common shares outstanding

624,508


 

620,418


         
 

     Basic earnings per common share

$          2.75


 

$          2.62


         
 

Diluted

     
 

          Net income

$1,716,167


 

$1,627,173


         
 

          Weighted average common shares outstanding

     
 

               for basic earnings per common share

624,508

 

620,418

 

          Add: Dilutive effect of assumed

     
 

               exercises of stock options

489


 

123


         
 

          Average shares and dilutive potential

     
 

               common shares

624,997


 

620,541


         
 

     Diluted earnings per common share

$          2.75


 

$          2.62



1,450 shares of unearned restricted stock were not considered in computing diluted earnings per common share for 1998 because they were antidilutive.













(Continued)


31


VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1999 and 1998



NOTE 10 - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Corporation maintains a profit sharing 401(k) plan for substantially all employees. Effective October 1, 1999, the Employee Stock Ownership Plan was merged into the profit sharing plan and sponsorship of the Plan was moved from the Bank to the Corporation. Under the Plan, employees may make voluntary contributions based on a percentage of compensation. The Plan also allows the Corporation, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, to provide an annual contribution. The Corporation's profit sharing contribution to the Plan was $180,000 and $120,000 in 1999 and 1998. Additionally, the Corporation made 401(k) matching contributions to the Plan of $43,800 and $39,000 in 1999 and 1998. The Corporation made ESOP contributions totaling $0 in 1999 and $50,000 in 1998.






















(Continued)


32


VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1999 and 1998



NOTE 11 - STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

A stock incentive plan was established during 1998 for directors, officers, and other key employees of the Corporation and its subsidiaries. The plan authorizes the issuance of up to 30,000 shares in the form of stock options and restricted stock awards.

Stock options for nonemployee directors are granted at the market price on the date of grant. Stock options awarded to nonemployee directors are fully vested on the date of grant and expire five years from the date of grant. Half of the restricted stock awards vest at the date of grant with the remainder vesting in five equal annual installments from the date of grant.

A summary of the activity in the plan is as follows:

     

Stock Options

 

Restricted Stock

 




Authorized

 




Options

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 




Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Balance outstanding

                 

     January 1, 1998

0

               

          Authorized

30,000

               

          Granted

(6,288


)

3,388


 

$27.89


 

2,900


 

$27.89


Balance outstanding

                 

     December 31, 1998

23,712

 

3,388

 

27.89

 

2,900

 

27.89

                   

          Granted

(5,395

)

2,695

 

35.00

 

2,700

 

35.00

          Exercised

   

(3,563

)

31.31

       

          Forfeited

(50


)

 


 

 


 

(50


)

27.89


                   

Balance outstanding

                 

     December 31, 1999

18,267


 

2,520


 

$30.66


 

5,550


 

$31.35


                   

Options (shares) exercisable

                 

       (vested) at year-end

   

2,520


 

$30.66


 

3,080


 

$31.01



Compensation expense related to restricted stock awards was $55,059 and $40,440 for 1999 and 1998.













(Continued)


33


VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1999 and 1998



NOTE 11 - STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN (Continued)

Had compensation cost for stock options been measured using FASB Statement No. 123, net income and earnings per share would have been the pro forma amounts indicated below. The pro forma effect may increase in the future if more options are granted.

   

1999

 

1998

 
 

Net income as reported

$1,716,167

 

$1,627,173

 

Pro forma net income

1,704,686

 

1,619,076

         
 

Basic earnings per share as reported

2.75

 

2.62

 

Pro forma basic earnings per share

2.73

 

2.61

         
 

Diluted earnings per share as reported

2.75

 

2.62

 

Pro forma diluted earnings per share

2.73

 

2.61

         
 

Weighted-average grant-date fair value per option

4.26

 

2.39


The pro forma effects are computed using option pricing models, using the following weighted-average assumptions as of grant date:

   

1999

 

1998

 
 

Risk-free interest rate

5.86%

 

5.65%

 

Expected option life

4 years

 

4 years

 

Expected stock price volatility

7.5%

 

3.87%

 

Dividend yield

2.67%

 

3.18%


NOTE 12 - DIRECTOR DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

The Corporation instituted a Director Deferred Compensation Plan in 1994, whereby directors may periodically defer a portion of current compensation. The Corporation has committed to pay to the directors, or the directors' designated beneficiaries or survivors, the total amount of deferred compensation plus accumulated interest at or following retirement. The interest is added to the accumulated deferred compensation liability at a periodic compound rate. The agreement also addresses termination, disability or death prior to retirement. The Corporation purchased single premium universal life insurance policies in connection with the establishment of the plan. The cash surrender value of these policies as of December 31, 1999 and 1998 was $2,136,415 and $1,854,412, respectively, which was included in other assets. The compensation expense was $177,507 and $173,900 for 1999 and 1998, respectively. The portion of the compensation expense deferred for 1999 and 1998 was $161,807 and $160,800, respectively. The accrued deferred compensation liability was $730,952 and $569,145 as of December 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively.













(Continued)


34


VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1999 and 1998



NOTE 13 - RELATED PARTIES

Certain directors and executive officers of the Corporation, including their immediate families and companies in which they are principal owners, were loan customers of the Corporation. At December 31, 1999 and 1998, the Corporation had approximately $2,331,000 and $2,115,000 in outstanding loans to directors and executive officers. New loans and repayments were $1,517,000 and $1,301,000, respectively, during 1999.

Related party deposits totaled approximately $1,647,000 and $2,514,000 at year-end 1999 and 1998.


NOTE 14 - COMMITMENTS, OFF-BALANCE-SHEET RISK AND CONTINGENCIES

There are various contingent liabilities that are not reflected in the consolidated financial statements, including claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, the ultimate disposition of these matters is not expected to have a material effect on financial condition or results of operations.

Some financial instruments are used to meet customer financing needs and to reduce exposure to interest rate changes. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These involve, to varying degrees, credit and interest-rate risk in excess of the amount reported in the financial statements.

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the commitment, and generally have fixed expiration dates. Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments to guarantee a customer's performance to a third party. Exposure to credit loss if the other party does not perform is represented by the contractual amount for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Collateral or other security is normally not obtained for these financial instruments prior to their use, and many of the commitments were expected to expire without being used.

Commitments at year-end are as follows:

   

1999

 

1998

         
 

Commitments to make loans

$2,473,000

 

$5,585,000

 

Commercial unused lines of credit

7,110,000

 

7,236,000

 

Consumer unused lines of credit

1,752,000

 

2,520,000

 

Standby letters of credit

194,000

 

45,000









(Continued)


35


VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1999 and 1998



NOTE 14 - COMMITMENTS, OFF-BALANCE-SHEET RISK AND CONTINGENCIES
(Continued)

Substantially all of the commitments to make loans at December 31, 1999 were made at fixed rates ranging from 8.5% to 10.5%. These commitments generally have termination dates of one year or less and may require a fee. Since many of the above commitments expire without being used, the above amounts do not necessarily represent future cash commitments. No losses are anticipated as a result of these transactions.


NOTE 15 - FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate fair values for financial instruments. The carrying amount is considered to estimate fair value for cash and short-term instruments, demand deposits, short-term borrowings, accrued interest, and variable rate loans or deposits that reprice frequently and fully. Securities fair values are based on quoted market prices or, if no quotes are available, on the rate and term of the security and on information about the issuer. For fixed rate loans or deposits and for variable rate loans or deposits with infrequent repricing or repricing limits, the fair value is estimated by discounted cash flow analysis using current market rates for the estimated life and credit risk. Fair values for impaired loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses or underlying collateral values, where applicable. Fair value of loans held for sale is based on market estimates. The fair value of debt is based on currently available rates for similar financing.

Financial instruments at year-end were as follows, in thousands:

   

1 9 9 9

 

1 9 9 8

   

Carrying
Amount

 

Fair
Value

 

Carrying
Amount

 

Fair
Value

   

(000's omitted)

 

(000's omitted)

                 
 

Financial assets

             
 

     Cash and short-term investments

$10,658

 

$10,658

 

$6,053

 

$6,053

 

     Securities available for sale

30,154

 

30,154

 

29,295

 

29,295

 

     Other securities

1,441

 

1,441

 

1,352

 

1,352

 

     Loans held for sale

       

3,671

 

3,671

 

     Loans - net

115,775

 

114,205

 

98,045

 

98,558

 

     Accrued interest receivable

1,191

 

1,191

 

1,079

 

1,079

                 
 

Financial liabilities

             
 

     Deposit liabilities

119,312

 

119,431

 

119,583

 

120,145

 

     Accrued interest payable

289

 

289

 

222

 

222

 

     Short-term borrowings

6,775

 

6,775

 

1,204

 

1,204

 

     Other borrowings

25,000

 

24,663

 

11,000

 

10,986











(Continued)


36


VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1999 and 1998



NOTE 16 - REGULATORY MATTERS

The Corporation and Bank are subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines and prompt corrective action regulations involve quantitative and qualitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices.

The prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications, including well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition. If adequately capitalized, regulatory approval is required to accept brokered deposits. If undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as is asset growth and expansion, and plans for capital restoration are required.

Actual capital levels (in millions) and minimum required levels for the Bank were:

 





Actual

 



Minimum Required
For Capital
Adequacy Purposes

 

Minimum Required
To Be Well
Capitalized Under
Prompt Corrective
Action Regulations

 
 

Amount

 

Ratio

 

Amount

 

Ratio

 

Amount

 

Ratio

 

1999

                       

     Total capital (to risk weighted assets)

                       

          Consolidated

$16.2

 

13.6

%

$9.5

 

8.0

%

$11.9

 

10.0

%

          Bank

15.9

 

13.4

 

9.6

 

8.0

 

11.9

 

10.0

 

     Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)

                       

          Consolidated

14.7

 

12.3

 

4.8

 

4.0

 

7.1

 

6.0

 

          Bank

14.4

 

12.1

 

4.8

 

4.0

 

7.2

 

6.0

 

     Tier 1 capital (to average assets)

                       

          Consolidated

14.7

 

9.1

 

6.5

 

4.0

 

8.1

 

5.0

 

          Bank

14.4

 

8.9

 

6.5

 

4.0

 

8.1

 

5.0

 
                         

1998

                       

     Total capital (to risk weighted assets)

                       

          Bank

$14.6

 

14.1

%

$8.3

 

8.0

%

$10.3

 

10.0

%

     Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)

                       

          Bank

13.3

 

12.9

 

4.1

 

4.0

 

6.2

 

6.0

 

     Tier 1 capital (to average assets)

                       

          Bank

13.3

9.1

 

5.9

 

4.0

 

7.3

 

5.0

 

The Corporation and the Bank were categorized as well capitalized at year end 1999 and 1998.











(Continued)


37


VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1999 and 1998



NOTE 17 - VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
    CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Following are condensed parent company only financial statements.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

 

December 31,

 

1999

 

1998

ASSETS

     

     Cash

$      315,382

 

$        43,075

     Investment in subsidiary

14,125,156

 

14,224,449

     Other assets

122,473


 

216,953


       

          Total assets

$14,563,011


 

$14,484,477


       

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

     

     Liabilities

   

$                26

     Shareholders' equity

$14,563,011


 

14,484,451


       

          Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$14,563,011


 

$14,484,477



CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

Years ended December 31,

 

1999

 

1998

Income

     

     Dividends from subsidiary

$    735,000

 

$    708,750

     Other

9


 

38


          Total income

735,009

 

708,788

       

Expenses

     

     Other operating expenses

68,166


 

81,774


 

     

Income before income tax and equity in

     

     undistributed net income of subsidiaries

666,843

 

627,014

       

Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiary

1,049,324


 

1,000,159


       

Net income

$1,716,167


 

$1,627,173












(Continued)


38


VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP.
    NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1999 and 1998



NOTE 17 - VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
    CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

Years ended December 31,

 
 

1999

 

1998

 

Operating activities

       

     Net income

$1,716,167

 

$1,627,173

 

     Adjustments to reconcile net income to

       

           net cash from operating activities

       

               Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiary

(1,049,324

)

(1,000,159

)

               Change in other assets and liabilities

124,188


 

(26,251


)

                    Net cash from operating activities

791,031

 

600,763

 
         

Financing activities

       

     Dividends paid

(625,650

)

(621,394

)

     Repurchase of common stock

(4,640

)

(10,710

)

     Stock options exercised

111,566


   
 

          Net cash from financing activities

(518,724


)

(632,104


)

         

Net change in cash

272,307

 

(31,341

)

         

Cash at beginning of year

43,075


 

74,416


 
         

Cash at end of year

$315,382


 

$      43,075


 



















39


Item 8. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

          Not applicable.

Part III

Item 9. Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters and Control Persons; Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange
              Act.

          The Corporation's board of directors is divided into three classes, which are as nearly equal in number as possible. Each director is a member of a class that has a term of office of three years, with the term of office of one class expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders in each successive year.

          All directors of the Corporation also have been directors of the Bank since the Consolidation. Directors who were directors of Community before the Merger also concurrently served as directors of Grant from the date of their election or appointment as a director of Community until the Consolidation. Directors who were not directors of Community also concurrently served as directors of Kent City from the date of their election or appointment as a director of the Corporation until the Consolidation.

          Except as otherwise indicated, all of the named individuals have had the same principal employment for over five years. Executive officers are appointed annually and serve at the pleasure of the board of directors of the Corporation.

          Directors With Terms Expiring in 2000

          Jerome B. Arends (age 55) has been a director of the Corporation and/or Kent City since 1987. Mr. Arends was Chief Executive Officer and President of Ravenna Farm Equipment, Inc., a distributor of farm implements and equipment, until early 1999. Mr. Arends is Store Manager and a salesman for Kent Power Equipment, Inc., a distributor of farm equipment.

          K. Timothy Bull (age 52) has been a director of the Corporation and/or Kent City since 1993 and was also a director of the Corporation from 1988 until 1991. Mr. Bull is President and sole shareholder of Moon Lake Orchards, Inc., a producer of fruit.

          Richard L. Edgar (age 55) has been a director of the Corporation and/or Kent City since 1974. Mr. Edgar has been President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation since 1988, and President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank (and, before the Consolidation, Kent City) since 1987. Prior to that, Mr. Edgar served Kent City in various management and other capacities since 1963. Mr. Edgar is also a director of West Shore Computer Services, Inc., a data processing company in which the Bank is a 20% shareholder.

          Fred J. Finkbeiner (age 70) has been a director of the Corporation since the Merger and was a director of Community and/or Grant from 1965 until the Merger. In 1996, Mr. Finkbeiner retired as a Sales Manager at V & P Produce, a distributor of vegetables located in Grant, Michigan.

          Directors With Terms Expiring in 2001

          Gary Gust (age 55) has been a director of the Corporation and/or Kent City since 1991. Mr. Gust is President and sole shareholder of Gust Construction Company, a general contractor.

          Ronald L. Hansen (age 55) has been a director of the Corporation since the Merger and was a director of Community from 1990 until the Merger. Mr. Hansen has been Vice President of the Corporation since the Merger and a Senior Vice President of the Bank since the Consolidation. Prior to that, Mr. Hansen was Secretary of Community from 1994 until the Merger, President and Chief Executive Officer of Grant from 1994 until the Consolidation, a director of Grant from 1982 until the Consolidation and Vice President and Cashier of Grant from 1982 until 1994. Prior to that, Mr. Hansen served Grant in various management and other capacities since 1973.


40


          Robert C. Humphreys (age 61) has been a director of the Corporation and/or Kent City since 1988. Mr. Humphreys has been Chairman of the Board of the Corporation and the Bank (and, before the Consolidation, Kent City) since 1993. Mr. Humphreys owns and operates Humphreys Orchards, a producer of fruit.

          Ben J. Landheer (age 64) has been a director of the Corporation since the Merger and was a director of Community and/or Grant from 1991 until the Merger. Mr. Landheer owns and operates Landheer Insurance Agency, an agent for insurance companies offering a broad range of insurance products.

          Directors With Terms Expiring in 2002

          Michael E. McHugh (age 50) has been a director of the Corporation and/or Kent City since 1989. Mr. McHugh is Secretary, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation. Mr. McHugh has also been Executive Vice President of the Bank (and, before the Consolidation, Kent City) since 1987.

          Dennis C. Nelson (age 51) has been a director of the Corporation since the Merger and was a director of Community and/or Grant from 1985 until the Merger. Mr. Nelson is a dentist practicing in Grant, Michigan.

          John J. Niederer (age 64) has been a director of the Corporation and/or Kent City since 1994. Mr. Niederer has been President and sole shareholder of Greenridge Fruit, Inc., a distributor of fruit, since 1990. Prior to that, Mr. Niederer was Vice President of Wm. Bolthouse Farms, Inc., a producer and distributor of vegetables.

          Paul K. Spoelman (age 64) has been a director of the Corporation and/or Kent City since 1994. Mr. Spoelman is an accountant with and founder of Spoelman, Hovingh & Feldt, Inc., an accounting firm.

          Donald Swanson (age 65) has been a director of the Corporation and/or Kent City since 1981. Mr. Swanson is Chairman and a majority shareholder of Swanson Pickle Co., Inc., a producer and distributor of pickles.

          Donald VanSingel (age 56) has been Vice Chairman and a director of the Corporation since the Merger and was Chairman of Community and/or Grant from 1982 until the Merger and a director of Community and/or Grant from 1973 until the Merger. Mr. VanSingel has been a consultant for Governmental Consultant Services, Inc. since 1993. Prior to that, Mr. VanSingel served in the Michigan House of Representatives.

          Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors

          Robert L. Karpinski (age 59) is Senior Vice President of the Bank and has served the Bank in various executive capacities since January 1985.

          As of the date of this Form 10-KSB, directors and officers of the Corporation and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of the outstanding shares of Valley Ridge Common Stock were not subject to the reporting obligations of Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").


Item 10. Executive Compensation.

          The following table shows certain information concerning the compensation for services rendered during each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1999, of the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and each executive officer of the Corporation who earned cash compensation in excess of $100,000 during 1999. Messrs. Edgar and McHugh were compensated by the Bank in the capacities indicated in the table.






41


SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE


 

   



Annual Compensation

 

Long-Term
Compensation
Awards

 

 

 

Name and
Principal
Position



Year

 



Salary(1)

 



Bonus(2)

 


Restricted Stock
Awards(3)

 


All Other Compensation(4)

 

Richard L. Edgar

1999

 

$142,250

 

$23,000

 

$28,000

 

$19,927

 

     Director, President

1998

 

132,311

 

25,694

 

22,312

 

26,500

 

     and Chief Executive

1997

 

123,510

 

32,900

 

--

 

25,801

 

     Officer of the Corporation

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     and the Bank

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael E. McHugh

1999

 

$  98,450

 

$11,500

 

$21,000

 

$16,564

 

     Director, Secretary,

1998

 

89,790

 

14,180

 

15,340

 

16,049

 

     Treasurer and Chief

1997

 

88,050

 

19,740

 

--

 

15,406

 

     Financial Officer of the

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Corporation and Director

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     and Executive Vice

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     President of the Bank

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
____________________________

(1)

Includes compensation deferred under the Bank's Profit Sharing/401(k) Plan and director fees paid by the Bank and its predecessors.

   

(2)

Includes compensation deferred under the Bank's Profit Sharing/401(k) Plan.

   

(3)

The values of restricted stock awards reported in this column are calculated using the market price of Valley Ridge Common Stock on the date of grant. At December 31, 1999, each of the named executive officers held shares of restricted stock. Dividends will be paid on shares of restricted stock at the same rate dividends are paid on Valley Ridge Common Stock. The number of shares of restricted stock held by each named individual and the aggregate value of those shares (based on the market price of Valley Ridge Common Stock on December 31, 1999) at the end of the Corporation's fiscal year are set forth below:


   

Number of
Shares

 

Aggregate
Value

 
           
 

Mr. Edgar

720

 

$28,800

 
 

Mr. McHugh

520

 

  20,800

 

 

Awards of restricted stock vest as follows: 50% of the shares vest on the date of grant; 10% of the shares vest on each anniversary of the date of grant thereafter. In 1999 and 1998, respectively, Mr. Edgar was awarded 800 and 800 shares of restricted stock and Mr. McHutgh was awarded 600 and 550 shares of restricted stock

   



42


(4)

All other compensation for 1999 includes: (i) contributions by the Bank under the Profit Sharing/401(k) Plan; and (ii) amounts paid by the Bank for life insurance. The amounts included for each such factor for 1999 are:


   

(i)


 

(ii)


   
 

Mr. Edgar

$18,818

 

$1,109

   
 

Mr. McHugh

  16,211

 

     353

   

          During 1999, the Bank compensated its directors at the rate of $3,800 per year and $400 per regular board meeting attended, except that the Chairman of the Board was paid $500 per meeting attended. Directors who were not executive officers of the Corporation or the Bank also received $125 per committee meeting attended. The Corporation has entered into deferred compensation agreements with some of its directors under which payments will be made to the directors after their retirement.

          Effective January 1, 1997, the Bank entered into Executive Employee Salary Continuation Agreements (the "Agreements") with each of the named executive officers. Under the Agreements, an executive officer is eligible to receive payment of a monthly retirement benefit from the Bank for 180 months following normal retirement date (age 65). An executive officer may retire early, after age 60, and receive a reduced benefit, or retire after age 65 and receive an increased benefit. If an executive officer terminates employment prior to early retirement, a vested benefit is payable. Vesting is based on five years of employment commencing January 1, 1997, with 100% vesting given upon death, disability or other involuntary termination of employment for reasons other than "cause." If a named executive officer dies before receiving the entire benefit, remaining payments will be made to a beneficiary. If the officer is terminated prior to early retirement, without "cause" but following a "change in control" of the Bank (as these terms are defined in the Agreements), the officer will receive the vested benefit plus payment of one year's salary. The monthly normal retirement benefit for each executive officer is $3,275 for Mr. Edgar and $758 for Mr. McHugh.

          Mr. Edgar and Mr. McHugh have employment agreements with the Corporation under which Mr. Edgar serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and the Bank, and Mr. McHugh serves as Secretary, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation and as Executive Vice President of the Bank. Mr. Edgar's agreement provides for a minimum annual salary of $116,761, or any increased amount authorized by the board of directors, and Mr. McHugh's agreement provides for a minimum annual salary of $80,340, or any increased amount authorized by the board of directors. Both agreements provide for annual salary reviews and bonuses in the discretion of the board of directors. Both agreements provide that if the Corporation terminates the executive's employment other than for "cause" or due to the executive's extended "disability" (as those terms are defined in the agreements), or if the executive terminates the employment for "good reason" (as defined in the agreements), the executive will be entitled to severance pay consisting of continuation of his salary and benefits for the remaining term of his agreement. Severance pay would be reduced by the amount of any disability benefits received by the executive (other than benefits under a specifically identified disability insurance policy) and would also be reduced as much as necessary to avoid any part of the executive's compensation from the Corporation being classified as "excess parachute payments" under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. Severance pay is subject to discontinuance if the executive materially competes with the Corporation. The term of Mr. Edgar's agreement is five years and extended one year on each anniversary of the effective date unless the board of directors gives written notice of its intention not to extend the term. The term of Mr. McHugh's agreement is five years.









43


Item 11. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.

          The following table sets forth information concerning the number of shares of Valley Ridge Common Stock held as of December 31, 1999 by each shareholder who is known to the Corporation's management to have been the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Valley Ridge Common Stock as of that date:

 

Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership of
Valley Ridge Common Stock (1)
 

     



Name and Address of
Beneficial Owner

Sole
Voting and
Dispositive
Power

 

Shared
Voting or
Dispositive
Power(2)

 


Total
Beneficial
Ownership

 



Percent
of Class

 
   

           

Robert C. Humphreys(3)
17660 Westbrook Drive
Casnovia, MI 49318



22,210

 



20,482

 



42,692

 



6.8%

 
                 

Valley Ridge
Profit Sharing Plan Trust
c/o Valley Ridge Bank
450 West Muskegon Avenue
Kent City, MI 49330





    --

 





58,037

 





58,037

 





9.2 

 
                 

Richard L. Edgar (4)
450 West Muskegon Avenue
Kent City, MI 49330



34,109

 



         --

 



34,109

 



5.4

 

__________________________
(Footnotes begin on page 45.)













44


          The following table shows certain information concerning the number of shares of Valley Ridge Common Stock held as of December 31, 1999, by each of the Corporation's directors, each of the named executive officers and all of the Corporation's directors and executive officers as a group:

 

Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership of
Valley Ridge Common Stock(1)
 



Name of
Beneficial Owner

Sole
Voting and
Dispositive
Power(3)

Shared
Voting or
Dispositive
Power(2)


Total
Beneficial
Ownership(3)



Percent
of Class

Jerome B. Arends

9,276 

6,715

15,991   

 2.5%

K. Timothy Bull

12,447   

3,845

16,292   

2.6 

Richard L. Edgar

34,109(4)

      --

34,109(4)

5.4 

Fred J. Finkbeiner

553

6,282

6,835   

1.2 

Gary Gust

11,945     

11,916 

23,861   

3.8 

Ronald L. Hansen

3,111   

      --

3,111 

  *

Robert C. Humphreys

22,210     

20,482 

42,692   

6.8 

Ben J. Landheer

17,382     

      --

17,382   

2.8 

Michael E. McHugh

  2,246(4)

9,821

12,067(4)

1.9 

Dennis C. Nelson

1,664   

      --

1,664 

  *

John J. Niederer

   --

3,131

3,131 

  *

Paul K. Spoelman

2,853   

      --

2,853 

  *

Donald Swanson

6,297   

1,494

7,791 

1.2 

Donald VanSingel

   --

5,573

5,573 

  *

 

All directors and
    executive officers
    as a group

128,239(4)   

69,259 

197,498(4)   

31.3%

_________________________
*Less than 1%

(1)

The numbers of shares stated are based on information furnished by each person listed and include shares personally owned of record by that person and shares that, under applicable regulations, are considered to be otherwise beneficially owned by that person. Under these regulations, a beneficial owner of a security includes any person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise has or shares voting power or dispositive power with respect to the security. Voting power includes the power to vote or direct the voting of the security. Dispositive power includes the power to dispose or direct the disposition of the security. A person is also considered the beneficial owner of a security if the person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership of the security within 60 days.

   

(2)

These numbers include shares over which the listed person is legally entitled to share voting or dispositive power by reason of joint ownership, trust, or other contract or property right, and shares held by spouses and children over whom the listed person may have influence by reason of relationship.

   

(3)

These numbers include shares that may be acquired by the exercise of stock options granted under the Stock Incentive Plan of 1999 within 60 days. The number of shares subject to stock options for each listed individual is shown below:


 

Mr. Arends

--

 
 

Mr. Bull

245

 
 

Mr. Finkbeiner

553

 
 

Mr. Gust

553

 
 

Mr. Humphreys

--

 
 

Mr. Landheer

--

 
 

Mr. Nelson

308

 



45


 

Mr. Niederer

--

 
 

Mr. Spoelman

553

 
 

Mr. Swanson

308

 
 

Mr. VanSingel

--

 
       
 

All directors and executive
     officers as a group

2,520

 

(4)

Mr. Edgar and Mr. McHugh may be considered to have voting and/or dispositive control over 58,037 shares of Valley Ridge Common Stock held by the Valley Ridge Profit Sharing Plan Trust by reason of the capacities in which they serve at the Corporation and the Bank. The number of shares reported as beneficially owned by Mr. Edgar excludes, and Mr. Edgar disclaims beneficial ownership of, 35,928 shares of Valley Ridge Common Stock held by the Valley Ridge Profit Sharing Plan Trust. The number of shares reported as beneficially owned by Mr. McHugh excludes, and Mr. McHugh disclaims beneficial ownership of, 48,408 shares of Valley Ridge Common Stock held by the Valley Ridge Profit Sharing Plan Trust.



Item 12. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.

          Directors and officers of the Corporation and their associates were customers of and had transactions with the Bank in the ordinary course of business between January 1, 1998, and March 28, 2000. It is anticipated that such transactions will take place in the future in the ordinary course of business. All loans and commitments included in such transactions were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons and did not involve more than the normal risk of collectibility or present other unfavorable features.


Item 13. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

          Exhibits. The following exhibits are filed as part of this Form 10-KSB:

Number

 

Exhibit

     

3.1

 

Restated Articles of Incorporation. Previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the Quarter ended June 30, 1999. Here incorporated by reference.

     

3.2

 

Bylaws and Amendments. Previously filed as Exhibit 3(b) to the Corporation's Form S-4 Registration Statement filed January 30, 1996. Here incorporated by reference.

     

4.1

 

Form of Stock Certificate. Previously filed as Exhibit 4(a) to the Corporation's Form S-4 Registration Statement filed January 30, 1996. Here incorporated by reference.

     

4.2

 

Long-Term Debt. The Corporation is a party to several long-term debt agreements which at the time of this report do not exceed 10% of the Corporation's total consolidated assets. The Corporation agrees to furnish copies of the agreements defining the rights of the other parties thereto to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

     

10.1

 

Data Processing Agreement. Previously filed as Exhibit 10(a) to the Corporation's Form S-4 Registration Statement filed January 30, 1996. Here incorporated by reference.

     

10.2

 

Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan and Form of Directors' Deferred Compensation Agreement.* Previously filed as Exhibit 10(d) to the Corporation's Form S-4 Registration Statement filed January 30, 1996. Here incorporated by reference.

     

10.3

 

Employment Agreement with Ronald Hansen.* Previously filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Corporation's Form 10-KSB filed March 31, 1997. Here incorporated by reference.




46


10.4

 

Employment Agreement with Michael McHugh.* Previously filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Corporation's Form 10-KSB filed March 31, 1998. Here incorporated by reference.

     

10.5

 

Employment Agreement with Richard Edgar.* Previously filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Corporation's Form 10-KSB filed March 31, 1998. Here incorporated by reference.

     

10.6

 

Form of Salary Continuation Agreement.* Previously filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Corporation's Form 10-KSB filed March 31, 1998. Here incorporated by reference.

     

10.7

 

Stock Incentive Plan of 1999.* Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the Quarter ended June 30, 1999. Here incorporated by reference.

     

21

 

Subsidiaries of the Registrant. Previously filed as Exhibit 21 to the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1998. Here incorporated by reference.

     

23

 

Consent of Independent Auditors.

     

24

 

Powers of Attorney.

     

27

 

Financial Data Schedule.


___________________________

*Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

          The Corporation will furnish a copy of any exhibit listed above to any shareholder of the Corporation without charge upon written request to Michael E. McHugh, Secretary, Valley Ridge Financial Corp., 430 West Muskegon Avenue, Kent City, Michigan 49330.

          Reports on Form 8-K. No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the fourth quarter of 1999.














47


SIGNATURES

          In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

   

VALLEY RIDGE FINANCIAL CORP.
(Registrant)

     
     

March 29, 2000

By

/s/Richard L. Edgar


Richard L. Edgar
President and Chief Executive Officer


          In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


March 29, 2000

*


Jerome B. Arends
Director
   

 

 

March 29, 2000

*


K. Timothy Bull
Director
   
   

March 29, 2000

/s/Richard L. Edgar


Richard L. Edgar
President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director (Principal Executive Officer)
   

 

 

March 29, 2000

*


Fred J. Finkbeiner
Director
   
   

March 29, 2000

*


Gary Gust
Director
   

 

 

March 29, 2000

*


Ronald L. Hansen
Director and Vice President
   

 

 

March 29, 2000

*


Robert C. Humphreys
Chairman of the Board and Director



48


March 29, 2000

*


Ben J. Landheer
Director
   
   

March 29, 2000

/s/Michael E. McHugh


Michael E. McHugh
Secretary and Treasurer and Director
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
   
   

March 29, 2000

*


Dennis C. Nelson
Director
   

 

 

March 29, 2000

*


John J. Niederer
Director
   

 

 

March 29, 2000

*


Paul K. Spoelman
Director
   
   

March 29, 2000

*


Donald Swanson
Director
   
   

March 29, 2000

*


Donald VanSingel
Director
   
   
 

*By /s/Richard L. Edgar


        Richard L. Edgar
        Attorney-in-Fact

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION TO BE FURNISHED WITH
REPORTS FILED PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE
EXHANGE ACT BY NON-REPORTING ISSUERS

No annual report or proxy material has been sent to security holders as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-KSB. It is anticipated that an annual report and proxy materials will be sent to security holders after the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-KSB, which will be provided to the Commission when they are sent to security holders.







49


Exhibit Index

Number

 

Exhibit

     

3.1

 

Restated Articles of Incorporation. Previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the Quarter ended June 30, 1999. Here incorporated by reference.

     

3.2

 

Bylaws and Amendments. Previously filed as Exhibit 3(b) to the Corporation's Form S-4 Registration Statement filed January 30, 1996. Here incorporated by reference.

     

4.1

 

Form of Stock Certificate. Previously filed as Exhibit 4(a) to the Corporation's Form S-4 Registration Statement filed January 30, 1996. Here incorporated by reference.

     

4.2

 

Long-Term Debt. The Corporation is a party to several long-term debt agreements which at the time of this report do not exceed 10% of the Corporation's total consolidated assets. The Corporation agrees to furnish copies of the agreements defining the rights of the other parties thereto to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

     

10.1

 

Data Processing Agreement. Previously filed as Exhibit 10(a) to the Corporation's Form S-4 Registration Statement filed January 30, 1996. Here incorporated by reference.

     

10.2

 

Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan and Form of Directors' Deferred Compensation Agreement.* Previously filed as Exhibit 10(d) to the Corporation's Form S-4 Registration Statement filed January 30, 1996. Here incorporated by reference.

     

10.3

 

Employment Agreement with Ronald Hansen.* Previously filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Corporation's Form 10-KSB filed March 31, 1997. Here incorporated by reference.

     

10.4

 

Employment Agreement with Michael McHugh.* Previously filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Corporation's Form 10-KSB filed March 31, 1998. Here incorporated by reference.

     

10.5

 

Employment Agreement with Richard Edgar.* Previously filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Corporation's Form 10-KSB filed March 31, 1998. Here incorporated by reference.

     

10.6

 

Form of Salary Continuation Agreement.* Previously filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Corporation's Form 10-KSB filed March 31, 1998. Here incorporated by reference.

     

10.7

 

Stock Incentive Plan of 1999.* Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the Quarter ended June 30, 1999. Here incorporated by reference.

     

21

 

Subsidiaries of the Registrant. Previously filed as Exhibit 21 to the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1998. Here incorporated by reference.

     

23

 

Consent of Independent Auditors.

     

24

 

Powers of Attorney.

     

27

 

Financial Data Schedule.


___________________________

*Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.






50


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