SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-KSB
/x/ Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1996
/ / Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Commission File Number 0-17851
Bank Corporation of Georgia
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Georgia 58-1406233
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(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
4951 Forsyth Road, Macon, Georgia 31210
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(Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (912) 757-2000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share
Check whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such
shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such
reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for the past 90 days. Yes X No
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Check if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein and will not
be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in
definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by
reference in Part III of this Form 10-KSB or any amendment to
this Form 10-KSB. /X/
State issuer's revenues for its most recent fiscal year.
$27,445,780.
Transitional Small Business Disclosure format. Yes No X
State aggregate market value of the voting stock held by
non-affiliates (which for purposes hereof are all holders other
than executive officers and directors) computed by reference to
the price at which the stock was sold or the average bid and
asked prices of such stock as of March 19, 1997: $24,046,800.
At March 19, 1997, there were issued and outstanding
2,268,097 shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share.
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
GENERAL
Bank Corporation of Georgia ("BCG") is a bank holding
company operating two community banks in Georgia. BCG was
incorporated under the laws of Georgia in 1980 and commenced
operations that year by acquiring 100% of the outstanding shares
of Bank of Fort Valley. All of BCG's activities are currently
conducted by its wholly-owned community banking subsidiaries,
First South Bank, National Association, Macon, Georgia ("FSB"),
and Ameribank, National Association, Savannah, Georgia
("AMERIBANK") (FSB and Ameribank are sometimes referred to herein
collectively as the "Banks" and each individually as a "BANK").
During 1996, First South Bank of Middle Georgia, National
Association, Macon, Georgia and First South Bank of Coweta
County, National Association, Newnan Georgia were merged with
FSB, and FSB changed the address of its principal office to 4961
Forsyth Road, Macon, Georgia 31210.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On March 17, 1997, the Board of Directors of BCG signed
a statement of intent to merge with Century South Banks, Inc.
("Century"), a ten bank holding company headquartered in
Gainesville, Georgia. Under the terms of the statement of
intent, shareholders of BCG would receive 1.33 shares of Century
stock for each share of BCG stock they own. The Board expects
the merger, which is subject to regulatory and shareholder
approval, to be consummated in the third quarter of 1997.
ACQUISITIONS
On March 26, 1996, BCG acquired Ameribank when
Americorp, Inc. ("AMERICORP"), a Georgia corporation and holder
of 100% of the common stock of Ameribank, was merged with and
into BCG (the "AMERICORP MERGER"). The holders of common stock of
Americorp other than BCG received .084615 shares of common stock
of BCG, $1.00 par value per share (the "BCG COMMON STOCK") for
each of their shares of Americorp common stock in the Americorp
Merger. Prior to the Americorp Merger, BCG owned 66 2/3% of the
Americorp common stock and 100% of the Americorp preferred
stock.
On February 9, 1996, Ameribank purchased certain
assets, including approximately $3.3 million in loans, and
assumed certain liabilities, including approximately $16.7
million in deposit liabilities, related to the banking office of
Bank South (now NationsBank) located at 1976 East Victory Drive
in Savannah, Georgia pursuant to a Branch Purchase and Assumption
Agreement dated October 18, 1995. Bank South (now NationsBank)
also assigned the lease of the former Bank South Center located
at 7 East Congress Street, Savannah, Georgia to Ameribank.
Ameribank did not assume any of the deposits or other liabilities
related to the East Congress Street facility.
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On June 6, 1996, BCG acquired Effingham Bank & Trust
("Effingham"), a full service Georgia state chartered bank with
one office in Rincon, Effingham County, Georgia with
approximately $25,000,000 in assets. The holders of Effingham
Common stock received .59 shares of BCG $1 par value common stock
for each share of common stock held by them for an aggregate of 204,928
shares of BCG Common Stock. On October 1, 1996, Effingham was
merged into Ameribank.
In March 1994, FSB sold substantially all of the assets
and liabilities of its Ashburn, Georgia branch to Ashburn Bank.
In connection with the sale, FSB transferred deposit liabilities
totaling approximately $7,369,000 and assets, consisting
primarily of loans, of $4,787,000 and cash of approximately
$2,404,000. FSB recognized a gain of approximately $178,000 from
the sale. In September of 1994, BCG sold substantially all of
the assets and liabilities of First South Bank of Ben Hill
County, Fitzgerald, Georgia to Bankers First, FSB. BCG
transferred approximately $14,540,000 in deposit liabilities and
$3,791,000 in assets, primarily loans, and approximately
$10,114,000 in cash to Bankers First, FSB. The gain on the sale
of the First South Bank of Ben Hill County assets and liabilities
amounted to approximately $636,000 before related income tax
expense.
SERVICES
The Banks are community-oriented, with an emphasis on
lending to small businesses and professionals and other customary
banking services, such as consumer and commercial checking
accounts, NOW accounts, savings accounts, certificates of
deposit, lines of credit, Mastercard and VISA accounts and money
transfers. The Banks finance commercial and consumer
transactions, make secured and unsecured loans, including
residential mortgage loans, and provide a variety of other
banking services.
MARKETS
The primary markets for FSB are Bibb, Coweta, Johnson,
Macon and Peach Counties, Georgia. The primary markets for
Ameribank are Effingham and Chatham Counties, Georgia.
DEPOSITS
The Banks offer a full range of depository accounts and
services to both consumers and businesses. At December 31, 1996,
BCG's deposit base, totaling approximately $258.7 million,
consisted of approximately $44.7 million in non-interest-bearing
demand deposits (17.3% of total deposits), approximately $79.4
million in interest-bearing demand deposits (including money
market accounts) (30.7% of total deposits), approximately $9.4
million in savings deposits (3.6% of total deposits),
approximately $96.1 million in time deposits in amounts less than
$100,000 (37.1% of total deposits), and approximately $29.1
million in time deposits of $100,000 or more (11.3% of total
deposits).
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LOANS
The Banks make both secured and unsecured loans to
individuals, firms and corporations, and both consumer and
commercial lending operations include various types of credit for
their customers. Secured loans include first and second real
estate mortgage loans. The Banks also make direct installment
loans to consumers on both a secured and unsecured basis. At
December 31, 1996, consumer, real estate (including mortgage and
construction loans) and commercial loans represented
approximately 6.0%, 70.6%, and 23.4%, respectively, of BCG's
total loan portfolio. The Banks make a variety of real estate
loans, including loans for residential real estate construction,
acquisition and development loans, as well as loans for other
purposes that are secured by real estate.
Specific risk elements associated with each of the
Banks' lending categories are as follows:
Commercial, financial
and agricultural Industry concentrations,
inability to monitor the
condition of collateral
(inventory, accounts
receivable and vehicles), lack
of borrower management
expertise, increased
competition, and specialized
or obsolete equipment as
collateral
Real estate - construction Inadequate collateral and
long-term financing agreements
Real estate - mortgage Changes in local economy and
caps on variable rate loans
Installment loans to individuals Loss of borrower's employment,
changes is local economy, the
inability to monitor
collateral (vehicle, boats and
mobile homes)
LENDING POLICY
The current lending strategy of each of the Banks is to
offer consumer, real estate and commercial credit services to
individuals and entities that meet the particular Bank's credit
standards. Each Bank provides its lending officers with written
guidelines for lending activities. Lending authority is
delegated by the Board of Directors of the particular Bank to
loan officers, each of whom is limited in the amount of secured
and unsecured loans which he or she can make to a single borrower
or related group of borrowers.
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LOAN REVIEW AND NON-PERFORMING ASSETS
BCG reviews each Bank's portfolio to determine
deficiencies and corrective action to be taken. Periodic reviews
are conducted of borrowers with total direct and indirect
indebtedness of $100,000 or more and of all past-due loans.
Past-due loans are reviewed at least monthly by lending officers
and a summary report is reviewed monthly by senior management and
quarterly by the particular Bank's Board of Directors. The loan
review function periodically reviews all relationships over
$100,000, whether current or past due. The loan review function
reviews significant findings with the Board quarterly. In
addition, each Bank maintains internal classifications of problem
and potential problem loans.
ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT
Each Bank's Board of Directors is charged with
establishing policies to manage the assets and liabilities of the
particular Bank. Each Board's task is to manage asset growth,
net interest margin, liquidity and capital. The Board directs
the Bank's overall acquisition and allocation of funds. On a
quarterly basis, the Board of each Bank receives a report with
regard to the monthly asset and liability funds budget and income
and expense budget in relation to the actual composition and flow
of funds, the ratio of the amount of rate-sensitive assets to the
amount of rate-sensitive liabilities, the ratio of loan loss
reserves to outstanding loans, and other variables, such as
expected loan demand, investment opportunities, core deposit
growth within specified categories, regulatory changes, monetary
policy adjustments and the overall condition of the local, state
and national economy.
INVESTMENT POLICY
Each Bank's investment portfolio policy is to maximize
income consistent with liquidity, asset quality and regulatory
constraints. The policy is reviewed from time to time by the
particular Bank's Board of Directors. Individual transactions,
portfolio composition and performance are reviewed and approved
by the particular Bank's Board of Directors or a committee
thereof. The Treasurer of each Bank implements the policy and
reports to the Bank's full Board of Directors on a quarterly
basis information concerning sales, purchases, resultant gains or
losses, average maturity, federal taxable equivalent yields, and
appreciation or depreciation by investment categories.
In general, the Banks' investment policy is to place
all securities in the Available for Sale portfolio upon purchase.
As of December 31, 1996, substantially all of the Banks'
securities were in the Available for Sale security portfolio.
At December 31, 1996, a substantial portion all of the
Banks' securities consisted of single maturity, fixed-rate U.S.
Treasury and Agency securities with a weighted average maturity
of the portfolio of less than five years. Also included in the
available for sale portfolio are certain mortgage-backed
securities which were acquired when BCG acquired Effingham and
purchased by FSB in 1996. The primary risks in the Banks'
securities portfolio consist of:
Credit risk, or the risk of default of the issuer.
Substantially all of the securities are in Treasury and
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Agency securities; therefore, the credit risk is
primarily limited to the risk of default of the U.S.
Government and its agencies.
Interest rate risk, or the risk of adverse movements in
interest rates on the value of the portfolio. In
general, a rise in interest rates will cause the value
of the Banks' securities to decline. The longer the
maturity of an individual security, the greater the
effect of a change in interest rates on its value.
COMPETITION
The banking business is highly competitive. FSB
competes with two other banks in Peach County, two other banks in
Macon County, one other bank in Johnson County, eight other banks
in Bibb County, and five other banks in Coweta County. Ameribank
competes with ten other banks in Chatham County and two other
banks in Effingham County. The Banks also compete with other
financial service organizations, including thrifts, finance
companies, credit unions and certain governmental agencies. To
the extent that banks must maintain non-interest-earning reserves
against deposits, they may be at a competitive disadvantage when
compared with other financial service organizations that are not
required to maintain reserves against substantially equivalent
sources of funds.
SUPERVISION AND REGULATION
GENERAL. BCG is a registered bank holding company
subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve under the Bank
Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "BANK HOLDING ACT").
BCG is required to file financial information with the Federal
Reserve periodically and is subject to periodic examination by
the Federal Reserve.
The Bank Holding Act requires every bank holding
company to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve
before (i) it may acquire direct or indirect ownership or control
of more than 5% of the voting shares of any bank that it does not
already control; (ii) it or any of its subsidiaries, other than a
bank, may acquire all or substantially all of the assets of a
bank; and (iii) it may merge or consolidate with any other bank
holding company. In addition, a bank holding company is
generally prohibited from engaging in, or acquiring, direct or
indirect control of the voting shares of any company engaged in
non-banking activities. This prohibition does not apply to
activities found by the Federal Reserve, by order or regulation,
to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling
banks as to be a proper incident thereto. Some of the activities
that the Federal Reserve has determined by regulation or order to
be closely related to banking are: making or servicing loans and
certain types of leases; performing certain data processing
services; acting as fiduciary or investment or financial advisor;
providing discount brokerage services; underwriting bank eligible
securities; underwriting debt and equity securities on a limited
basis through separately capitalized subsidiaries; and making
investments in corporations or projects designed primarily to
promote community welfare.
BCG must also register with the Georgia Department of
Banking and Finance (DBF) and file periodic information with the
DBF. As part of such registration, the DBF requires information
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with respect to the financial condition, operations, management
and intercompany relationships of BCG and the Banks and related
matters. The DBF may also require such other information as is
necessary to keep itself informed as to whether the provisions of
Georgia law and the regulations and orders issued thereunder by
the DBF have been complied with, and the DBF may examine BCG.
BCG is an "affiliate" of the Banks under the Federal
Reserve Act, which imposes certain restrictions on (i) loans by
the Banks to BCG, (ii) investments in the stock or securities of
BCG by the Banks, (iii) the Bank's taking the stock or securities
of an "affiliate" as collateral for loans by the Banks to a
borrower and (iv) the purchase of assets from BCG by the Banks.
Further, a bank holding company and its subsidiaries are
prohibited from engaging in certain tie-in arrangements in
connection with any extension of credit, lease or sale of
property or furnishing of services.
The Banks are National Banks chartered under the
National Bank Act and are subject to examination by the OCC. The
OCC regulates or monitors all areas of the Bank's operations and
activities, including reserves, loans, mergers, issuance of
securities, payments of dividends, interest rates and
establishment of branches.
PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS. BCG is a legal entity separate
and distinct from the Banks. Most of the revenues of BCG result
from dividends paid to it by the Banks. There are statutory and
regulatory requirements applicable to the payment of dividends by
the Banks, as well as by BCG to its shareholders.
Under the regulations of the OCC, the Banks may declare
dividends out of their net profits. The approval of OCC is
required if the total of all dividends declared by a national
banking association exceed the total of its net profits for the
year combined with its retained net profits for the preceding two
years.
The payment of dividends by BCG and the Banks may also
be affected or limited by other factors, such as the requirement
to maintain adequate capital above regulatory guidelines. In
addition, if, in the opinion of the applicable regulatory
authority, a bank under its jurisdiction is engaged in or is
about to engage in an unsafe or unsound practice (which,
depending upon the financial condition of the Banks, could
include the payment of dividends), such authority may require,
after notice and hearing, that such bank cease and desist from
such practice. The FDIC has issued a policy statement providing
that insured banks should generally only pay dividends out of
current operating earnings. For 1996, BCG's cash dividend payout
to stockholders was 6.8% of net income.
MONETARY POLICY. The results of operations of the
Banks are affected by credit policies of monetary authorities,
particularly the Federal Reserve. The instruments of monetary
policy employed by the Federal Reserve include open market
operations in U.S. government securities, changes in the discount
rate on bank borrowings and changes in reserve requirements
against bank deposits. In view of changing conditions in the
national economy and in the money markets, as well as the effect
of actions by monetary and fiscal authorities, including the
Federal Reserve, no prediction can be made as to possible future
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changes in interest rates, deposit levels, loan demand or the
business and earnings of the Banks.
CAPITAL ADEQUACY. The Federal Reserve, the FDIC and
the OCC have implemented substantially identical risk-based rules
for assessing bank and bank holding company capital adequacy.
These regulations establish minimum capital standards in relation
to assets and off-balance sheet exposures as adjusted for credit
risk. Banks and bank holding companies are required to have (1)
a minimum level of total capital (as defined) to risk-weighted
assets of eight percent (8%); (2) a minimum Tier One Capital (as
defined) to risk-weighted assets of four percent (4%); and (3) a
minimum stockholders' equity to risk-weighted assets of four
percent (4%). In addition, the Federal Reserve, OCC and the FDIC
have established a minimum three percent (3%) leverage ratio of
Tier One Capital to total assets for the most highly-rated banks
and bank holding companies. "Tier One Capital" generally
consists of common equity not including unrecognized gains and
losses on securities, minority interests in equity accounts of
consolidated subsidiaries and certain perpetual preferred stock
less certain intangibles. The Federal Reserve, the FDIC and the
OCC will require a bank holding company and a bank, respectively,
to maintain a leverage ratio greater than three percent (3%) if
either is experiencing or anticipating significant growth or is
operating with less than well-diversified risks in the opinion of
the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve, the FDIC and the OCC
use the leverage ratio in tandem with the risk-based ratio to
assess the capital adequacy of banks and bank holding companies.
The FDIC, the OCC and the Federal Reserve have proposed
amending the capital adequacy standards to provide for the
consideration of interest rate risk in the overall determination
of a bank's capital ratio, requiring banks with greater interest
rate risk to maintain adequate capital for the risk. The
proposed revisions are not expected to have a significant effect
on BCG's capital requirements, if adopted in their current form.
In addition, effective December 19, 1992, a new Section
38 to the Federal Deposit Insurance Act implemented the prompt
corrective action provisions that Congress enacted as a part of
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991
(the "1991 Act"). The "prompt corrective action" provisions set
forth five regulatory zones in which all banks are placed largely
based on their capital positions. Regulators are permitted to
take increasingly harsh action as a bank's financial condition
declines. Regulators are also empowered to place in receivership
or require the sale of a bank to another depository institution
when a bank's capital leverage ratio reaches two percent. Better
capitalized institutions are generally subject to less onerous
regulation and supervision than banks with lesser amounts of
capital.
The FDIC has adopted regulations implementing the
prompt corrective action provisions of the 1991 Act, which place
financial institutions in the following five categories based
upon capitalization ratios: (1) a "well capitalized" institution
has a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10%, a Tier One
risk-based ratio of at least 6% and a leverage ratio of at least
5%; (2) an "adequately capitalized" institution has a total risk-
based capital ratio of at least 8%, a Tier One risk-based ratio
of at least 4% and a leverage ratio of at least 4%; (3) an
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"undercapitalized" institution has a total risk-based capital
ratio of under 8%, a Tier One risk-based ratio of under 4% or a
leverage ratio of under 4%; (4) a "significantly
undercapitalized" institution has a total risk-based capital
ratio of under 6%, a Tier One risk-based ratio of under 3% or a
leverage ratio of under 3%; and (5) a "critically
undercapitalized" institution has a leverage ratio of 2% or less.
Institutions in any of the three undercapitalized categories
would be prohibited from declaring dividends or making capital
distributions. The FDIC regulations also establish procedures
for "downgrading" an institution to a lower capital category
based on supervisory factors other than capital. Under the
FDIC's regulations, all of the Banks are "well capitalized"
institutions.
Set forth below are pertinent capital ratios for each
of the Banks and BCG as of December 31, 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Minimal Capital
Requirement BCG FSB Ameribank
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<S> <C> <C> <C>
Tier One Capital to Risk-based Assets: 4.00% <F1> 11.14% 11.69% 11.78%
Total Capital to Risk-based Assets: 8.00% <F2> 12.34% 12.94% 12.44%
Leverage Ratio (Tier One Capital to Total Assets):
3.00% <F3> 9.30% 8.76% 11.54%
<FN>
<F1> Minimum required ratio for "well capitalized" banks is 6%
<F2> Minimum required ratio for "well capitalized" banks is 10%
<F3> Minimum required ratio for "well capitalized" banks is 5%
</FN>
</TABLE>
RECENT LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY ACTION. On April 19,
1995, the four federal bank regulatory agencies adopted revisions
to the regulations promulgated pursuant to the Community
Reinvestment Act (the "CRA"), which are intended to set distinct
assessment standards for financial institutions. The revised
regulation contains three evaluation tests: (i) a lending test
which will compare the institution's market share of loans in low-
and moderate-income areas to its market share of loans in its
entire service area and the percentage of a bank's outstanding
loans to low- and moderate-income areas or individuals, (ii) a
services test which will evaluate the provisions of services that
promote the availability of credit to low- and moderate-income
areas, and (iii) an investment test, which will evaluate an
institution's record of investments in organizations designed to
foster community development, small- and minority-owned
businesses and affordable housing lending, including state and
local government housing or revenue bonds. The regulation is
designed to reduce some paperwork requirements of the current
regulations and provide regulators, institutions and community
groups with a more objective and predictable manner with which to
evaluate the CRA performance of financial institutions. The rule
became effective on January 1, 1996 at which time evaluation
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under streamlined procedures will begin for institutions with
assets of less than $250 million that are owned by a holding
company with total assets of less than $1 billion.
Congress and various federal agencies (including, in
addition to the Bank regulatory agencies, the Department of
Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Trade Commission and
the Department of Justice) (collectively the "FEDERAL AGENCIES")
responsible for implementing the nation's fair lending laws have
been increasingly concerned that prospective home buyers and
other borrowers are experiencing discrimination in their efforts
to obtain loans. In recent years, the Department of Justice has
filed suit against financial institutions, which it determined
had discriminated, seeking fines and restitution for borrowers
who allegedly suffered from discriminatory practices. Most, if
not all, of these suits have been settled (some for substantial
sums) without a full adjudication on the merits.
On March 8, 1994, the Federal Agencies, in an effort to
clarify what constitutes lending discrimination and specify the
factors the agencies will consider in determining if lending
discrimination exists, announced a joint policy statement
detailing specific discriminatory practices prohibited under the
Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act. In the
policy statement, three methods of proving lending discrimination
were identified: (1) overt evidence of discrimination, when a
lender blatantly discriminates on a prohibited basis, (2)
evidence of disparate treatment, when a lender treats applicants
differently based on a prohibited factor even where there is no
showing that the treatment was motivated by prejudice or a
conscious intention to discriminate against a person, and (3)
evidence of disparate impact, when a lender applies a practice
uniformly to all applicants, but the practice has a
discriminatory effect, even where such practices are neutral on
their face and are applied equally, unless the practice can be
justified on the basis of business necessity.
On September 23, 1994, President Clinton signed the
Reigle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of
1994 (the "REGULATORY IMPROVEMENT ACT"). The Regulatory
Improvement Act contains funding for community development
projects through banks and community development financial
institutions and also numerous regulatory relief provisions
designed to eliminate certain duplicative regulations and
paperwork requirements.
On September 29, 1994, President Clinton signed the
Reigle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of
1994 (the "FEDERAL INTERSTATE BILL") which amended federal law to
permit bank holding companies to acquire existing banks in any
state effective September 29, 1995, and any interstate bank
holding company is permitted to merge its various bank
subsidiaries into a single bank with interstate branches after
May 31, 1997. States have the authority to authorize interstate
branching prior to June 1, 1997, or alternatively, to opt out of
interstate branching prior to that date. The Georgia Financial
Institutions Code was amended in 1994 to permit the acquisition
of a Georgia bank or bank holding company by out-of-state bank
holding companies beginning July 1, 1995. On September 29, 1995,
the interstate banking provisions of the Georgia Financial
Institutions Code were superseded by the Federal Interstate Bill.
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On January 26, 1996, the Georgia legislature adopted a
bill (the "GEORGIA INTRASTATE BILL") to permit, effective July 1,
1996, any Georgia bank or group of affiliated banks under one
holding company to establish new or additional branch banks in
any three counties within the State of Georgia in which it is not
currently operating. After July 1, 1998, all restrictions on
state-wide branching will be removed. Prior to adoption of the
Georgia Intrastate Bill, Georgia only permitted branching via
merger or consolidation with an existing bank or in certain other
limited circumstances.
FDIC INSURANCE ASSESSMENTS FOR THE BANKS. The Banks are
subject to FDIC deposit insurance assessments for the Bank
Insurance Fund (the "BIF"). In the first five months of 1995,
the Banks were assessed $.23 per $1.00 of deposits, based on a
risk-based system whereby banks were assessed on a sliding scale
depending upon their placement in nine separate supervisory
categories, from $.23 per $100 of deposits for the healthiest
banks (those with the highest capital, best management and best
overall condition) to as much as $.31 per $100 of deposits for
the less-healthy institutions, for an average of $.259 per $100
of deposits.
On August 8, 1995, the FDIC lowered the BIF premium for
healthy banks 83% from $.23 per $100 in deposits to $.04 per $100
in deposits, while retaining the $.31 level for the riskiest
banks. The average assessment rate was therefore reduced from
$.232 to $.044 per $100 of deposits. The new rate took effect on
September 29, 1995 retroactive to June 1, 1995. On September 15,
1995, the FDIC refunded $119,908 to the Banks for premium
overpayments in the second and third quarter of 1995. On
November 14, 1995, the FDIC again lowered the BIF premium for
healthy banks from $.04 per $100 of deposits to zero for the
highest rated institutions (92% of the industry). As a result,
the Banks will pay only the legally required annual minimum
payment of $2,000 per year for insurance beginning in January
1996. Had the current rates been in effect for all of 1994 and
1995, the annual FDIC insurance premiums paid by the Banks would
have collectively been reduced by $588,908.
On September 29, 1996, the Economic Growth and Regulatory
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996 was enacted (the "1996 Act").
The 1996 Act's chief accomplishment was to provide for the
recapitalization of the Savings Association Insurance Fund
("SAIF") by levying a one-time special assessment on SAIF
deposits to bring the fund to a reserve ratio equal to $.25 per
$100 of insured deposits and to provide that beginning in 1997,
BIF assessments would be used to help pay off the $780 million in
annual interest payments on the $8 billion Financing Corporation
("FICO") bonds issued in the late 1980s as part of the government
rescue of the thrift industry. The law provides that BIF
assessments for FICO bond payments must be set at a rate equal to
20% of the SAIF rates for such assessments for 1997, 1998 and
1999. After 1999, all FDIC insured institutions will pay the
same assessment rates. For the first six months of 1997, the
assessment for the FICO bond payments will be $.0132 per $100 of
deposits for BIF deposits and $.0648 per $100 of deposits for
SAIF deposits. The FDIC announced on November 26, 1996 that the
premium for the first six months of 1997 for deposit insurance
assessments would range from zero to $.27 per $100 of deposits
with 94% of banks paying nothing for deposit insurance. One of
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the provisions of the 1996 Act was to eliminate the minimum $2000
per year charge for deposit insurance. As a result, the Banks
will pay no premium for deposit insurance in the first six months
of 1997 and a first quarter FICO bond assessment of $8,167.72.
The 1996 Act also provided for certain limited regulatory relief
and modifications to certain out-of-date regulations.
EMPLOYEES
As of March 19, 1997, the Banks had an aggregate of 155
full-time equivalent employees and BCG had a total of 10 full-
time equivalent employees. Neither BCG, nor any of the Banks is a
party to any collective bargaining agreement, and BCG and the
Banks believe that their employee relations are good.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
FSB's main office is located at 4961 Forsyth Road,
Macon, Georgia adjacent to BCG's headquarters and operations
center located at 4951 Forsyth Road, Macon, Georgia. Ameribank's
main office is located at 7393 Hodgson Memorial Drive, Savannah,
Georgia. Each Bank owns its main office. FSB leases its loan
operations office space from William H. Anderson, II, Chairman of
the BCG Board of Directors. In addition, FSB leases the space in
which the BCG Corporate office and the FSB operations center are
located from Mr. Anderson. See "ITEM 12 -- CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS
AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS." Also, during 1996, Ameribank entered
into a sublease agreement for the Ameribank downtown Savannah
location. This agreement was entered into in conjunction with
Ameribank's acquisition of a Bank South (now Nationsbank) facility.
FSB operates one branch in each of Peach, Macon, Johnson, Bibb
and Coweta counties. Ameribank operates three branches, one,
acquired from Bank South (now Nationsbank) in 1996, in Savannah,
Georgia, one in downtown Savannah, opened in 1996 and one in
Rincon, Georgia, acquired through BCG's acquisition of Effingham
Bank & Trust. Effective December 1, 1996, Ameribank closed its
Garden City, Georgia branch.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
The Registrant is not a party to, nor is any of its
property the subject of, any material pending legal proceedings.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders
of the Registrant during the fourth quarter of the 1996 fiscal
year.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS.
MARKETS FOR CAPITAL STOCK
The Common stock of BCG has been listed on the NASDAQ
stock market since May 1996. The following table sets forth the
reported high and low sales prices for the Common Stock for the
quarters indicated as reported on the NASDAQ stock market.
-12-<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 High Low
---- ---- ---
<S> <C> <C>
Second Quarter 19 17
Third Quarter 18 1/2 17
Fourth Quarter 17 15/16 16
</TABLE>
Prior to May 1996, the BCG Common Stock was not traded
on an established market. From January 1 through May 31, 1996,
management of BCG is aware of trades of BCG Common Stock
aggregating 42,300 shares at prices ranging from $14.00 per share
to $19.00 per share. During 1995, management of BCG is aware of
trades of BCG Common Stock aggregating 62,100 shares at prices
ranging from $8.28 per share to $15.00 per share. During 1994,
management of BCG is aware of trades of BCG Common Stock
aggregating 88,100 shares at prices ranging from $8.14 per share
to $9.23 per share.
On March 19, 1997, the last reported sales price of
the Common Stock on the NASDAQ market was $25 per share. As of
March 19, 1997, there were 2,268,097 shares of the BCG Common
Stock outstanding and 945 record holders of such shares.
DIVIDENDS
During 1996, BCG paid one cash dividend of $.10 per
share to its shareholders of record as of September 15, 1996. In
1995, BCG paid one 75% BCG Common Stock dividend to its common
shareholders of record in March of 1995. Also in 1995, BCG paid
one cash dividend of $.10 per share of BCG Common Stock to its
shareholders of record as of September 15, 1995. Although BCG
intends to continue paying cash dividends, the amount and
frequency of cash dividends will be determined by BCG's Board of
Directors after consideration of earnings, capital requirements
and the financial condition of BCG. No assurances can be given
that cash dividends will be declared in the future.
Additionally, BCG's ability to pay cash dividends will be
dependent on cash dividends paid to it by the Banks. The ability
of the Banks to pay dividends to BCG is restricted by applicable
regulatory requirements. See "ITEM 1 -- BUSINESS -- Supervision and
Regulation -- Payment of Dividends."
PART II
ITEM 6. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND PLAN OF OPERATION FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1996 AND 1995
This analysis has been prepared to provide insight into the
consolidated financial condition of BCG and addresses the factors
which have affected BCG's results of operations. Unless
otherwise noted, the financial and other information presented
with respect to BCG in this discussion and elsewhere in this
Proxy Statement/Prospectus generally includes the accounts of the
Banks. Although BCG did not have a majority ownership interest
in Americorp until December 1993, the accounts of Americorp have
generally been included in the information presented herein due
to BCG's operating control of Americorp arising from
representation on the Americorp Board of Directors and a
management contract between BCG and Americorp. BCG's
consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes which
follow are an integral part of this review and should be read in
conjunction with it.
GENERAL OVERVIEW OF BCG. Net income for 1996 was
$3,312,690 as compared to $2,863,658 for 1995. Pretax earnings
increased $342,000 over 1995 primarily due to an increase in net
interest income of $1,305,000, a decrease in the provision for
loan losses of $56,000, an increase in other income of $701,000,
offset by increases in salaries and employee benefits of $460,000
and increases in other operating expenses of $1,007,000.
The following table sets out certain ratios of BCG for the
years indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net income to:
Average stockholders' equity 13.52% 13.75% 13.33%
Average assets 1.17% 1.17% 1.02%
Average equity to average assets 8.62% 8.51% 7.63%
</TABLE>
-13-<PAGE>
ASSET QUALITY. The allowance represents an amount which, in
management's judgement, will be adequate to absorb losses on
existing loans that may become uncollectible. The adequacy of
the allowance for loan losses is evaluated monthly based on a
regular review of the Banks' loan portfolios, with particular
emphasis on non-accruing loans, past due loans, and other loans
that management believes require attention.
There was a favorable trend in the amount of loans past due
by 90 days or more over the last year. The percentage of these
past dues to the total loan portfolio was .39% at December 31,
1996, as compared to .63% at December 31, 1995. The Banks' levels
of non-performing assets have decreased from $1,468,000 at
December 31, 1995 to $1,040,000 at December 31, 1996, primarily
due to reduction of non-accrual loans. Non-performing assets are
composed of non-accrual loans (loans on which interest income is
no longer being accrued), and foreclosed assets (assets acquired
in full or partial satisfaction of debt).
As a result of management's ongoing review of the loan
portfolio, loans are classified as non-accruing when it is not
reasonable to expect collection of interest under the original
terms. These loans may be classified as non-accruing even though
the presence of collateral or the borrower's financial strength
may be sufficient to provide for ultimate repayment of principal.
The following table provides data on the Banks' levels of
past due loans as of December 31, 1996 and 1995.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Loans Past Due
(in thousands)
As of December 31,
1996 1995
--------------------- ----------------------
% of % of
Amount Total Loans Amount Total Loans
------ ----------- ------ -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Days Past Due
- - -------------
Accruing Loans:
30-90 $ 1,042 .56% $ 1,936 1.20%
Over 90 225 .12% 30 .02%
----- --- ----- ----
Total 1,267 .68% 1,966 1.22%
----- --- ----- ----
Non-Accruals:
30-90 -- -- -- --
Over 90 499 .27% 978 .61%
----- --- ----- ----
Total 499 .27% 978 .61%
----- --- ----- ----
Total Loans:
30-90 1,042 .56% 1,936 1.20%
Over 90 724 .39% 1,008 .63%
----- --- ----- ----
Total $ 1,766 .95% $ 2,944 1.83%
===== === ===== ====
</TABLE>
Loans past due on interest and/or principal payments have
decreased in dollar terms by $1,168,000 (39.8%) between year end
-14-<PAGE>
1995 and 1996. Commercial and commercial real estate loans 90
days or more past due as to principal or interest are transferred
to non-accruing status unless fully secured by collateral. In
addition, loans past due less than 90 days, which in the opinion
of management present significant uncertainty as to
collectability of interest, are also placed on non-accrual
status. Installment loans and credit lines are charged off when
losses become apparent, and in no event later than 120 days after
the date on which the balance became past due. See ITEM 6 --
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND PLAN OF OPERATION FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
AND 1995 -- Selected Statistical
Financial Data."
The allowance represents an amount which, in management's
judgement, will be adequate to absorb losses on existing loans
that may become uncollectible. Management determines the
allowance level and its allocation based upon its judgment
concerning factors affecting loan quality and its assumptions
regarding the economy. Based upon its extensive ongoing review of
the loan portfolio, management considers the 1996 year-end
allowance for loan losses to be adequate to cover potential
losses in the Banks' loan portfolio.
The following table provides a reconciliation of the allowance
for loan losses for the years 1996 and 1995.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SUMMARY OF LOAN LOSS EXPERIENCE
(IN THOUSANDS)
1996 1995
------ ------
<S> <C> <C>
Balance at beginning of period $ 2,652,412 2,316,054
========= =========
Charge offs:
Commercial, financial and agricultural 115,293 95,090
Real estate 167,076 145,138
Consumer 78,165 111,106
-------- --------
Total 360,534 351,334
-------- --------
Recoveries:
Commercial, financial & agricultural 14,275 67,905
Real estate 46,632 85,879
Consumer 87,555 68,903
-------- --------
Total 148,462 222,687
-------- --------
Net Charge-offs 212,072 128,647
Additions charged to operations 409,000 465,005
-------- --------
Balance at end of period $ 2,849,340 2,652,412
========= =========
Ratio of net charge-offs during the
period to average loans
outstanding during the period .111% .076%
====== ======
</TABLE>
The current levels of loans on non-accrual status and the
portfolio of other real estate owned impacts earnings as interest
is not earned and additional costs are incurred in the
disposition of these assets. In order to manage the non-
-15-<PAGE>
performing assets, management of the Banks have established
specific goals for the resolution of all loans on non-accrual
status and all other real estate owned.
EARNING ASSETS. In 1996, earning assets averaged $252.7
million, a 12.7% increase from $224.2 million in 1995. The
increase of $28.5 million is comprised mainly of a $22.0 million
increase in average loans, and an $8.3 million increase in
average federal funds sold offset by a $3.2 million decrease in
interest bearing deposits in banks.
LOANS. Loans are the single-largest component of earning
assets, as well as the highest yielding component. Because of
their importance, most other assets and liabilities are managed
to accommodate the needs of the loan portfolio. At December 31,
1996 and 1995, loans represented 73.4% and 76.6% of interest-
earning assets and 64.3% and 68.5%, respectively, of total
assets.
Net loans increased $8,694,095, or 4.89% in 1996, compared
to an increase of 13.32% in 1995.
BCG's primary emphasis in terms of lending is on commercial
business loans, as it attempts to define its market niche and
decrease its credit risk exposure. From a marketing perspective,
the Banks believe that the credit needs of small business owners
are often not handled effectively by smaller banks and are not
attractive to larger banks which typically pursue larger credits.
This provides an opportunity to the Banks within their markets.
From a perspective of credit risk reduction, the Banks' credit
standards require that prospective commercial borrower's provide
a high probability of adequate cash flow for debt service, as
well as commercial real estate collateral and personal guarantees
providing secondary loss protection for the Banks. In connection
with this increased emphasis on commercial, business, and real
estate lending, the Banks increased their commercial, financial
and agricultural loan and real estate loan portfolios by
$5,482,602 and $20,924,617 during 1996 and 1995, representing
increases of 3.7% and 16.2%, respectively.
INVESTMENTS. BCG's investment portfolio constitutes the
second-largest component of total earning assets. The portfolio
serves several functions such as providing a vehicle for the
investment of available funds at relatively attractive rates,
furnishing liquidity to meet increased loan demand and supplying
securities to pledge as collateral for public funds.
During 1996, holdings in investment securities increased
$3,488,564 or 8.6%. At December 31, 1996, investment securities
represented 17.3% of interest-earning assets as compared to 17.4%
at December 31, 1995. Securities with a carrying value of
approximately $18,433,000 were pledged as collateral for public
funds or other purposes as of December 31, 1996.
Unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, are reported as a
separate component of shareholders' equity, in accordance with
SFAS No. 115. Unrealized gains, net of tax, amounted to
approximately $289,000 at December 31, 1996, compared to
unrealized gains, net of tax, of approximately $779,000 at
December 31, 1995.
-16-
<PAGE>
DEPOSITS. Total deposits increased by approximately
$34,474,826 or 15.4%, in 1996, compared to increases of
$12,531,498 in 1995.
Non-interest-bearing deposits constituted 17.3% of total
deposits at December 31, 1996 versus 16.8% at December 31, 1995.
The increase of $6,994,000 from 1995 to 1996 is the result of
management's continued marketing efforts to attract
non-interest-bearing, fee-generating transaction accounts.
INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY. Interest rate sensitivity
management seeks to maximize net interest income as a result of
changing interest rates, but to do so without subjecting the
interest margin to an imprudent degree of risk. BCG attempts to
do this by structuring the balance sheet so that repricing
opportunities exist for both assets and liabilities in roughly
equivalent amounts at approximately the same time intervals.
Imbalances in these repricing opportunities at any point in time
constitute a bank's interest rate sensitivity.
An indicator of the interest rate sensitivity structure of
a financial institution's balance sheet is the difference between
its interest rate sensitive assets and interest rate sensitive
liabilities, which is referred to as the "gap." BCG attempts to
match the behavior of rate sensitive assets and rate sensitive
liabilities. While "gap" analysis is a traditional indicator of
interest rate risk, management has observed that the historical
behavior of certain categories of assets and liabilities vary
significantly from those indicated by the "gap". Consequently,
it relies more heavily on simulation models as its primary
interest rate management tool. Based upon its simulation model,
management believes that the company is not subject to any
material risk due to interest rate fluctuations.
-17-
<PAGE>
The schedule below reflects the gap positions of BCG's
consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 1996.
RATE SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1996
RATE SENSITIVE
IMMEDIATELY ONE OVER
RATE TWO TO 91 TO YEAR TO FIVE
SENSITIVE 90 DAYS 365 DAYS FIVE YEARS YEARS TOTAL
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
EARNING ASSETS
LOANS $ --- 103,537 30,282 43,986 12,364 190,169
INVESTMENT
SECURITIES --- 4,497 4,099 31,449 3,872 43,917
FEDERAL
FUNDS SOLD 5,210 --- --- --- --- 5,210
FEDERAL HOME
LOAN BANK DEPOSITS 3,054 15,588 --- --- --- 18,642
INTEREST RATE SWAPS --- --- --- 25,000 --- 25,000
INTEREST RATE FLOORS --- 30,000 --- --- --- 30,000
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL EARNING ASSETS 8,264 153,622 34,381 100,435 16,236 312,938
-------------------------------------------------------------------
SUPPORTING SOURCES
OF FUNDS
NOW AND MONEY
MARKET ACCOUNTS 79,418 --- --- --- --- 79,418
TIME CERTIFICATES
OF DEPOSIT --- 25,005 65,954 34,206 --- 125,165
DEMAND DEPOSIT
ACCOUNTS 44,709 --- --- --- --- 44,709
SAVINGS ACCOUNTS 9,406 --- --- --- --- 9,406
LONG-TERM DEBT/
BORROWED MONEY 1,500 --- --- --- --- 1,500
INTEREST RATE SWAPS --- 25,000 --- --- --- 25,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RATE
SENSITIVE
LIABILITIES 135,033 50,005 65,954 34,206 --- 285,198
-------------------------------------------------------------------
PERIODIC GAP -
INTEREST EARNING
ASSETS (INTEREST
BEARING LIABILITIES) (126,769) 103,617 (31,573) 66,229 16,236
-------------------------------------------------------------------
CUMULATIVE GAP -
INTEREST EARNING
ASSETS (INTEREST
BEARING LIABILITIES) $ (126,767) (23,152) (54,725) 11,504 27,740 27,740
CUMULATIVE RATIO
OF INTEREST EARNING
ASSETS TO INTEREST
BEARING LIABILITIES 6% 87% 78% 104% 110%
</TABLE>
-18-
<PAGE>
The rate sensitivity table is a form of "gap" analysis. A
ratio of interest earning assets to interest bearing liabilities
(more interest earning assets repricing in a given period than
interest bearing liabilities) greater than 100% suggests that an
increase in interest rates have a positive effect and a decrease
in interest rates have a negative effect on net interest income.
A ratio less than 100% would have the opposite effect.
Banking regulations currently prohibit the payment of
interest on certain types of demand deposits that are classified
under the "gap" analysis as "rate sensitive". To the extent that
this regulation remains in effect, classifying these deposits as
"immediately rate sensitive" understates the benefit to the net
interest margin of rising rates and understates the detriment of
falling rates to the net interest margin.
At December 31, 1996, BCG's interest rate sensitive
liabilities maturing within one year exceeded interest rate
sensitive assets maturing within one year by approximately $54.7
million with non-interest bearing demand deposits classified as
"immediately rate sensitive". This equates to a negative gap of
22% of earning assets which is identical to its position at
December 31, 1995. If non-interest bearing demand deposits were
excluded from the "immediately rate sensitive" category, the
negative gap would be reduced to $10.0 million or 4% of earning
assets, compared to $11.1 million or 7% at December 31, 1995.
Since interest rates and yields do not adjust at the same
velocity, the interest sensitivity gap is only an indicator of
the potential effects of interest rate changes on net interest
income.
LIQUIDITY. Liquidity management involves the ability to
meet cash flow requirements of customers who may be depositors
making withdrawals or borrowers who require credit funding.
BCG's cash flows are generated from interest and fee income, as
well as from loan repayments, deposit acquisition, and maturities
or sales of investments. BCG's liquidity needs are provided for
primarily through short-term securities, and the maturing of
loans. Federal funds sold, which averaged approximately
$13,943,000 in 1996, represent BCG's primary source of immediate
liquidity and are maintained at a level adequate to meet
immediate needs. In addition, FSB has an agreement with the
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) which provides additional
liquidity. While BCG had no outstanding advances from the FHLB
at December 31, 1996, this agreement allows the bank to borrow up
to $22,000,000 secured by 1-4 single family residential mortgage
loans. Maturities in BCG's loan and investment portfolios are
monitored regularly to avoid matching short-term deposits with
long-term loans and investments. Other assets and liabilities
are also monitored in an effort to provide the proper balance
between liquidity, safety and profitability. This monitoring
process must be continuous due to the constant flow of cash which
is inherent in a financial institution.
BCG manages its liquidity through changing deposit levels
and patterns in loan demand, its current liquidity position, its
ability to control funding needs and potential sources of funds.
As part of managing liquidity, BCG monitors its loan to deposit
ratio on a daily basis. The target ratio is 85%. At December
31, 1996 and 1995 the ratio was 72.1% and 79.3%, respectively.
-19-<PAGE>
BCG experienced an increase of $13,948,592 in cash and cash
equivalents during 1996. Operating activities provided
$3,059,324, primarily through income from operations of
$3,312,690.
Investing activities provides $715,938 in cash and cash
equivalents. Proceeds from calls, maturities, and sales within
the securities portfolio provided $16,771,760. These proceeds
were offset by purchases of investment securities of $21,021,208,
and a net increase in loans of $5,952,803. Also, BCG received
$12,687,620 in conjunction with the acquisition of certain assets
and liabilities of a banking unit.
Financing activities provided $10,173,330 of cash and cash
equivalents during 1996 due mainly to the net increase in
deposits of $17,783,870, offset by the repayment of FHLB advances
of $6,100,000.
CAPITAL RESOURCES AND DIVIDENDS. At December 31, 1996, BCG
had capital in excess of regulatory minimums, as measured by its
ending equity to assets ratio of 9.21%, compared to 8.56% at
December 31, 1995. The increase was primarily the result of an
increase in net earnings.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS-1996 VERSUS 1995
BCG's net income after minority interest in earnings of
Americorp for 1996 was $3,312,690 versus $2,863,658 for 1995, an
increase of $449,032. 1996 income was $1.41 per common share
versus $1.35 per common share for 1995.
Net interest income increased $1,305,052 or 9.8% from
$13,251,895 in 1995 to $14,556,947 in 1996. The effect of volume
changes was to increase net interest income by $1,908,536, and
the effect of rate changes was to decrease net interest income by
$603,484. Yields on interest earning assets decreased from
10.08% in 1995 to 9.67% in 1996. The cost of interest bearing
liabilities decreased from 4.89% to 4.64% over the same period.
The effect of these changes was to decrease the net interest
spread from 5.19% in 1995 to 5.03% in 1996.
BCG is a party to interest rate swap agreements for the
purpose of hedging against short term decreases in interest
rates. The notional amount on agreements outstanding at December
31, 1996 was $25,000,000. The agreements call for BCG to receive
fixed rates of interest, averaging 6.32%, while paying variable
rates, based on the three month LIBOR. Weighted average rates
paid by the company during 1996 were approximately 5.53%.
Reductions in interest expense of $243,000 resulting from the
difference in rates have been netted with interest expense on
time deposits.
In addition the Company has purchased interest rate floor
contracts with aggregate notional amounts of $30,000,000,
maturing in March 1997. Under the terms of the agreement, the
Company will be reimbursed on a quarterly basis for decreases in
the federal funds rate for any period during the agreement in
which the federal funds rate falls below 5.5%. At December 31,
1996, the federal funds rate was 5.25%. Increases in interest
income at $58,000 resulting from a drop in the federal funds rate
below 5.5% have been netted with interest and fees on loans.
-20-
<PAGE>
The provision for loan losses for 1996 was $409,000,
compared to $465,005 for 1995. Net charge-offs for 1995 were
$129,000 compared to net charge-offs of $212,000 during 1996.
The allowance for loan losses at December 31, 1996 and 1995 was
$2,849,340 and $2,652,412, respectively. The allowance for loan
losses represented 1.50% and 1.46% of gross outstanding loans at
December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Nonaccrual loans
decreased from $978,000 at December 31, 1995 to $499,000 at
December 31, 1996.
Non-interest income increased by $700,915 or 29.6% from
1995 to 1996. This increase was related to increases in service
charge income of 208,773, increases of $38,233 in gains on sale
of loans, and increases in miscellaneous other income of
$444,639.
Non-interest expense increased by $1,719,628 or 15.7% from
1995 to 1996. Included in the change is increases in salaries and
benefits of $459,480 increases in occupancy expense of $229,855,
increases in equipment expense of $22,901,and an increase in
other operating expense of $1,007,392 resulting primarily from
the opening of several new branches during 1996.
BCG recognized an income tax provision of $1,158,609 for
1996, compared to a provision of $930,750 for 1995. Reductions
in the valuation allowance of $551,956 and $439,294 were
recognized in 1996 and 1995, respectively.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS-1995 VERSUS 1994
BCG's net income after minority interest in earnings of
Americorp for 1995 was $2,863,658 versus $2,309,280 for 1994, an
increase of $544,378. 1995 income was $1.35 per common share
versus $1.11 per common share for 1994.
Net interest income increased $2,629,335 or 24.8% from
$10,622,560 in 1994 to $13,251,895 in 1995. The effect of volume
changes was to increase net interest income by $683,406, and the
effect of rate changes was to increase net interest income by
$1,945,929. Yields on interest earning assets increased from
8.59% in 1994 to 10.08% in 1995. The cost of interest bearing
liabilities increased from 3.97% to 4.89% over the same period.
The effect of these changes was to increase the net interest
margin to 5.91% in 1995 from 5.11% in 1994.
During 1995, BCG entered into interest rate swap agreements
for the purpose of hedging against short term decreases in
interest rates. The notional amount on agreements outstanding at
December 31, 1995 was $15,000,000. The agreements call for BCG
to receive fixed rates of interest, averaging 7.26%, while paying
variable rates, based on the three month LIBOR. Weighted average
rates paid by the company during 1995 were approximately 5.5%.
Reductions in interest expense resulting from the difference in
rates of $160,000 have been netted with interest expense on time
deposits.
The provision for loan losses for 1995 was $465,005,
compared to $447,003 for 1994. Net charge-offs for 1995 were
$129,000 compared to net charge-offs of $220,000 during 1994.
-21-
<PAGE>
The allowance for loan losses at December 31, 1995 and 1994 was
$2,652,412 and $2,316,054, respectively. The allowance for loan
losses represented 1.46% and 1.48% of gross outstanding loans at
December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Nonaccrual loans
increased from $529,000 at December 31, 1994 to $978,000 at
December 31, 1995.
Non-interest income declined by $513,112 or 17.8% from 1994
to 1995. Included in 1994 non-interest income is $814,035 of
non-recurring gains realized from the sale of certain banking
units. This decrease was offset by increases of $42,097 in gains
on sale of loans, and decreases in securities losses of $304,809.
Non-interest expense increased by $731,881 or 7.1% from
1994 to 1995. Included in the change are increases in salaries
and benefits of $723,642, increases in occupancy expense of
$35,962, and increases in equipment expense of $92,715, offset by
a decrease in other operating expense of $120,438.
BCG recognized an income tax provision of $930,750 for
1995, compared to a tax benefit of $151,321 for 1994. The net
increase in expense for 1995 compared to 1994 was due to the
recognition of deferred tax assets of Americorp (through
reduction of the valuation allowance) during 1994 of
approximately $1,197,000. A reduction in the valuation allowance
of approximately $439,000 was recognized in 1995.
INFLATION. Although inflation affects the growth of total
assets, it is difficult to measure its impact precisely. Net
income is also affected by inflation, but again there is no
simple way to measure its effect on the various types of income
and expense. Interest rates and operating expense, in
particular, are significantly affected by inflation, but neither
the timing nor the magnitude of interest-rate changes coincide
with changes in the Consumer Price Index.
Due to the complexities of measuring the effects of
inflation on BCG's consolidated financial statements, management
believes that it would be misleading to attempt to quantify those
effects.
ACCOUNTING FOR IMPAIRMENT OF A LOAN. As of January 1,
1995, BCG adopted SFAS 114, "Accounting by Creditors for
Impairment of a Loan." SFAS 114 requires that impaired loans be
measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows
discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, which is the
contractual interest rate adjusted for any deferred loan fees or
costs, premium or discount, existing at the inception or
acquisition of the loan, or at the loan's observable market
price, or at the fair value of the collateral of the loan if the
loan is collateral dependent. As of January 1, 1995, BCG adopted
SFAS 118, "Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan-
Income Recognition and Disclosures" which amends SFAS 114 to
require information about the recorded investment in certain
impaired loans and eliminates the provisions of SFAS 114
regarding how a creditor should report income on a impaired loan.
SFAS 118 allows creditors to use existing methods for recognizing
income on impaired loans, including methods used by certain
industry regulators. As of the date of adoption, and as of
December 31, 1995, the impact of SFAS 114 and SFAS 118 is not
considered material to BCG's consolidated financial statements.
Based on the immaterial amount of impaired loans and management's
-22-
<PAGE>
current policies regarding providing for losses on problem loans,
there have been no policy changes as a result of the
implementation of SFAS 114 and 118.
RISK ELEMENTS. The allowance for loan losses at December
31, 1996 was $2,849,340 or 7.4% higher than at December 31, 1995.
At December 31, 1996 the allowance represented 1.50% of total
loans as compared with 1.46% at December 31, 1995. At December
31, 1996 non-performing loans represented .38% of total gross
loans as compared with .55% at December 31, 1995. The allowance
for loan losses as a percentage of non-performing loans was 394%
at December 31, 1996 as compared with 263% at December 31, 1995.
CAPITAL RESOURCES. Shareholders' equity of $26,722,563 at
December 31, 1996 reflects an increase of 20.2% over the same
period in 1995, resulting in book value per outstanding common
share of $11.78 compared to $10.44 at December 31, 1995. Capital
for BCG is above regulatory requirements, with GAAP equity of
9.21% of total assets at December 31, 1996.
Set forth below are pertinent capital ratios for BCG as of
December 31, 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Minimum Capital Requirement
---------------------------
<S> <C>
Consolidated Tier 1 Capital to Risk-based 11.14%<F1>
Assets: 4.00%
Total Capital to Risk-based 12.34%<F2>
Assets: 8.00%
Leverage Ratio (Tier 1 Capital 9.30%<F3>
to Total Assets): 3.00%
<FN>
<F1> Minimum for "Well-Capitalized Banks" = 6%.
<F2> Minimum for "Well-Capitalized Banks" = 10%
<F3> Minimum for "Well-Capitalized Banks" = 5%.
</FN>
</TABLE>
For a discussion of the capital ratios for each of the
Banks as of December 31, 1996, see "ITEM 1 -- BUSINESS - SUPERVISION
AND REGULATION -- Capital Adequacy."
-23-
<PAGE>
SELECTED STATISTICAL FINANCIAL DATA
The following tables set forth certain statistical
information and should be read in conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements of BCG. Averages referred to
in the following statistical information are generally average
daily balances.
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS
Condensed average balance sheets for the periods indicated
are presented below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Interest-earning assets:
Interest-bearing deposits in banks $ 477,005 3,671,771 12,704,322
Taxable investment securities-held to maturity 1,000,000 1,250,000 8,495,261
Taxable investment securities-available for sale 46,406,909 44,629,744 29,276,840
Nontaxable investment securities 100,250 283,296 516,409
Federal funds sold 13,942,798 5,636,639 674,235
Loans 190,733,155 168,705,726 156,328,881
----------- ----------- -----------
Total interest-earning assets 252,660,117 224,177,176 207,995,948
----------- ----------- -----------
Allowance for loan losses (2,823,760) (2,531,418) (2,274,939)
Cash and due from banks 16,912,808 7,943,417 8,094,733
Other assets 17,496,810 15,241,466 13,197,820
----------- ----------- -----------
Total Assets $ 284,245,975 244,830,641 227,013,562
=========== =========== ===========
LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Deposits:
Interest-bearing demand $ 71,496,495 56,033,998 65,099,570
Savings 10,005,534 9,077,025 10,539,176
Time 125,808,432 118,052,167 98,197,897
Other borrowings 5,644,769 7,722,671 8,697,269
----------- ----------- -----------
Total interest-bearing liabilities 212,955,230 190,885,861 182,533,912
----------- ----------- -----------
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits 43,625,650 29,273,152 25,287,727
Other liabilities 3,159,011 3,839,510 1,873,728
----------- ----------- -----------
Total liabilities 259,739,891 223,998,523 209,695,367
Shareholders' equity 24,506,084 20,832,118 17,318,195
----------- ----------- -----------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 284,245,975 244,830,641 227,013,562
=========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
-24-<PAGE>
The following table sets forth the amount of interest income and
interest expense for each category of interest-earning assets and
interest-bearing liabilities and the average interest rate for total
interest-earning assets and total interest-bearing liabilities, net
interest spread and net yield on average interest-earning assets.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
1996 1995 1994
-------------------- ------------------ -------------------
Average Average Average
Total Yield/ Total Yield/ Total Yield/
Interest Rate Rate Rate Interest Rate
-------- ------ ---- ---- ------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INTEREST INCOME
Interest on fees and loans <F1> $ 20,526,340 10.76% 18,820,191 11.16% 15,456,899 9.89%
Interest on taxable securities-held
to maturity 58,972 5.90% 72,618 5.81% 656,999 7.73%
Interest on taxable securities-
available for sale <F2> 3,069,573 6.61% 3,125,402 7.00% 1,131,283 3.86%
Interest on nontaxable securities 11,374 11.35% 28,755 10.15% 53,068 10.28%
Interest on Federal Funds sold 740,545 5.31% 315,337 5.59% 26,973 4.00%
Interest on deposits in banks 28,058 5.88% 225,362 6.14% 544,223 4.20%
---------- ---------- ----------
Total interest income 24,434,862 9.67% 22,587,665 10.08% 17,869,445 8.59%
---------- ---------- ----------
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest on interest-bearing
demand deposits 2,291,925 3.21% 1,910,498 3.41% 1,984,458 3.05%
Interest on savings deposits 244,655 2.45% 244,335 2.69% 291,347 2.76%
Interest on time deposits 6,989,629 5.56% 6,682,067 5.66% 4,290,586 4.37%
Interest on other borrowings 351,706 6.22% 498,870 6.46% 680,494 7.82%
---------- ---------- ----------
Total interest expense 9,877,915 4.64% 9,335,770 4.89% 7,246,885 3.97%
---------- ---------- ----------
NET INTEREST INCOME $ 14,556,947 13,251,895 10,622,560
========== ========== ==========
Net interest spread 5.03% 5.19% 4.62%
==== ==== ====
Net yield on avg. interest-
earning assets 5.76% 5.91% 5.11%
==== ==== ====
<FN>
<F1> Interest and fees on loans include $1,185,728, $902,626 and $888,888
of loan fee income for the years ended December 1996, 1995 and 1994,
respectively. Interest income recognized during 1996, 1995 and 1994 on
non-accrual loans was $0, $0 and $11,000, respectively.
<F2> The average yield on available for sale securities represents interest
income on available for sale securities divided by the average balance of
available for sale securities on an historical basis.
</FN>
</TABLE>
-25-
<PAGE>
RATE AND VOLUME ANALYSIS
The following table describes the extent to which changes in
interest rates and changes in volume of interest-earning assets and
interest-bearing liabilities have affected interest income and expense
during the year indicated. For each category of interest-earning assets
and interest-bearing liabilities, information is provided on changes
attributable to (i) changes in volume (change in volumes multiplied by
old rate); (ii) changes in rates (change in rate multiplied by old
volume); and (iii) a combination of changes in rate and changes in
volume. The changes in interest income and interest expense attributable
to both volume and rate have been allocated proportionately to the change
due to volume and the change due to rate.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1996 vs. 1995
Changes Due To:
Increase
Rate Volume (Decrease)
-------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Increase (decrease) in:
Income from interest-earning assets:
Interest and fees on loans $ (632,255) 2,338,403 1,706,148
Interest on taxable securities-held to 1,116 (14,761) (13,645)
maturity
Interest on taxable securities-available (197,845) 142,016 (55,829)
for sale
Interest on nontaxable securities 3,874 (21,255) (17,381)
Interest on Federal funds sold (15,121) 440,329 425,208
Interest on deposits in banks (9,011) (188,293) (197,304)
-------------------------------------------------
Total interest income (849,242) 2,696,439 1,847,197
-------------------------------------------------
Expense from interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest on interest-bearing deposits (105,524) 486,951 381,427
Interest on savings deposits (2,745) 3,065 320
Interest on time deposits (119,946) 427,508 307,562
Interest on other borrowings (17,543) (129,621) (147,164)
-------------------------------------------------
Total interest expense (245,758) 787,903 542,145
-------------------------------------------------
Net interest income $ (603,484) 1,908,536 1,305,052
================================================
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1995 vs. 1994
Changes Due To:
Increase
Rate Volume (Decrease)
-------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) in:
Income from interest-earning assets:
Interest and fees on loans $ 2,079,633 1,283,659 3,363,292
Interest on taxable securities-held to (131,984) (452,397) (584,381)
Interest on taxable securities-available 1,211,814 782,305 1,994,119
Interest on nontaxable securities (644) (23,669) (24,313)
Interest on Federal funds sold 14,808 273,556 288,364
Interest on deposits in banks 496,031 (814,892) (318,861)
-------------------------------------------------
Total interest income 3,669,658 1,048,562 4,718,220
-------------------------------------------------
Expense from interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest on interest-bearing deposits 421,936 (495,896) (73,960)
Interest on savings deposits (7,485) (39,527) (47,012)
Interest on time deposits 1,419,849 971,632 2,391,481
Interest on other borrowings (110,571) (71,053) (181,624)
-------------------------------------------------
Total interest expense 1,723,729 365,156 2,088,885
-------------------------------------------------
Net interest income $ 1,945,929 683,406 2,629,335
=================================================
</TABLE>
-26-
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
Types of Investments
The carrying amounts of investment securities at the dates
indicated are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994
------------ ---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
U.S. Treasury and Government agencies $ 37,964,215 39,822,052 38,303,111
Municipal securities 88,719 135,448 400,753
Mortgage-backed securities 5,864,383 1,990,194 2,156,379
Total ------------ ---------- ----------
$ 43,917,317 40,428,753 42,379,184
============ ========== ==========
</TABLE>
Maturities
The amounts of investment securities in each category as of December
31, 1996 are shown in the following table according to contractual
maturity classifications (i) one year or less, (ii) after one year
through five years, (iii) after five years through ten years, and (iv)
after ten years.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
U.S. Treasury & Municipal Mortgage backed
Government Agencies Securities Securities
--------------------- ----------------- -----------------
Amount Yield Amount Yield Amount Yield
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
One year or less 6,513,911 6.867% 88,719 10.230% -- --
After one year through five 31,450,304 6.967% -- -- -- --
years
After five years through ten -- -- -- -- 2,913,408 6.935%
years
After ten years -- -- -- -- 2,950,975 6.550%
---------- ----- ------ ------ --------- -----
37,964,215 6.950% 88,719 10.230% 5,864,383 6.841%
========== ===== ====== ====== ========= =====
</TABLE>
-27-<PAGE>
LOAN PORTFOLIO
Types of Loans
The amount of loans outstanding at the indicated dates are shown in
the following table according to the type of loan.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Commercial, financial and $ 44,429,766 48,887,045 48,233,626 43,543,134 37,720,179
agricultural
Real-estate construction 23,477,730 19,934,134 20,509,888 11,752,644 4,426,925
Real-estate mortgage 110,836,258 100,896,377 80,625,179 85,729,493 89,214,135
Consumer installment
loans and other 11,425,654 11,756,065 10,516,027 13,668,173 15,190,494
------------------------------------------------------------------------
190,169,408 181,473,621 159,884,720 154,693,444 146,551,733
Less:
Unearned discount (736,360) (931,596) (864,348) (871,348) (1,128,716)
Allowance for loan (2,849,340) (2,652,412) (2,316,054) (2,254,768) (2,149,502)
losses
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$186,583,708 177,889,613 156,704,318 151,567,328 143,273,515
========================================================================
</TABLE>
-28-<PAGE>
MATURITIES AND SENSITIVITY TO CHANGES IN INTEREST RATES
Total loans as of the indicated dates are shown in the following
table according to maturity classifications (i) one year or less, (ii)
after one year through five years and (iii) after five years.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
1996 1995
------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Maturity:
One year or less:
Commercial and financial 20,882,701 17,568,246
Real estate-construction 15,247,261 15,943,057
All other loans 28,474,341 38,202,290
------------ ------------
64,604,303 71,713,593
------------ ------------
After one year through
five years:
Commercial and financial 14,572,051 19,989,933
Real estate-construction 4,655,398 2,785,602
All other loans 58,895,166 52,786,717
------------ ------------
78,122,615 75,562,252
------------ ------------
After five years:
Commercial and financial 8,975,014 11,328,866
Real estate-construction 3,575,070 1,205,475
All other loans 34,892,406 21,663,435
47,442,490 34,197,776
------------ ------------
190,169,408 181,473,621
============ ============
</TABLE>
-29-
<PAGE>
The following table summarizes loans at the indicated dates
with due dates after one year and which have predetermined and floating
or adjustable interest rates at the following year ends.
1996 1995
-----------------------------------
Predetermined interest
rates $ 45,282,000 48,152,000
Floating or adjustable
interest rates 77,140,000 57,865,000
-----------------------------------
122,422,000 106,017,000
===================================
NON-PERFORMING LOANS
Information with respect to non-accrual, past-due and
restructured loans at the indicated date is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
-----------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Non-accrual loans $499,000 $978,000 $529,000 $827,000 $885,000
Loans contractually past due
ninety days or more as to $225,000 30,000 64,000 903,000 159,000
interest or principal payments
and still accruing
Loans, the terms of which have
been renegotiated to provide a
reduction or deferral of
interest or principal because 0 0 0 0 0
of deterioration in the
financial position of the
borrower
Loans, now current about which
there are serious doubts as to
the ability of the borrower to 0 0 0 0 0
comply with present loan
repayment terms
</TABLE>
For a discussion of the policy of the Banks for placing past-
due loans on a non-accrual status, see " ITEM 6 -- MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND
ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION FOR THE YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1995 -- Asset Quality."
-30-
<PAGE>
NONPERFORMING ASSETS. The following table presents a history of
BCG's nonperforming assets for the past five years ending December 31,
1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
($ in thousands) 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Nonaccrual loans $ 499 978 529 827 887
Loans past due 90 days
or more 225 30 64 903 159
----- ----- ------ ------ ------
Total nonperforming
loans 724 1,008 593 1,730 1,046
Other real estate owned 541 490 559 1,081 1,108
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total nonperforming asset $ 1,265 1,498 1,152 2,811 2,154
===== ===== ===== ===== =====
</TABLE>
Beginning in 1990, the consolidated financial statements of BCG
included the accounts of Americorp. At the time of BCG's acquisition of
Americorp in 1990, Americorp had significant asset quality problems. The
decline in nonperforming assets from 1992 to 1996 was primarily the result
of the cleanup of the nonperforming assets of Americorp.
The following table presents a history of amounts of other real
estate owned by BCG that are attributable to write downs and sales at
year end for the past five years ending December 31, 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Writedowns of other real
estate included in results
of operations $ 13 82 61 115 180
== == == === =====
Proceeds of sales of other
real estate $ 265 379 455 197 1,053
=== === === === =====
</TABLE>
-31-
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF LOAN LOSS EXPERIENCE
The following table summarizes average loan balances for each
year determined by using the daily average balances during the year;
changes in the reserve for possible loan losses arising from loans
charged off and recoveries on loans previously charged off; additions to
the reserve which have been charged to operating expense; and the ratio
of net charge-offs during the period to average loans.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Average amount of loans
outstanding $190,733,155 168,705,726 156,328,881 139,702,024 137,735,000
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ -----------
Balance of allowance for
loan losses at beginning
of period 2,652,412 2,316,054 2,254,768 2,149,502 2,041,160
Loans charged off
Commercial (115,293) (95,090) (276,873) (177,847) (433,481)
Real estate (167,076) (145,138) (106,377) (317,736) (101,521)
Installment (78,165) (111,106) (127,710) (204,778) (303,547)
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ -----------
(360,534) (351,334) (510,960) (700,361) (838,549)
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ -----------
Loans recovered
Commercial 14,275 67,905 56,653 153,433 423,553
Real estate 46,632 85,879 152,989 37,862 50,686
Installment 87,555 68,903 81,601 90,751 92,093
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ -----------
148,462 222,687 291,243 282,046 566,332
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ -----------
Net charge offs (212,072) (128,647) (219,717) (418,315) (272,217)
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ -----------
Sales of banking units -- -- (166,000) -- --
Additions to allowance
charged to operating
expense during period 409,000 465,005 447,003 523,581 380,559
----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Balance of allowance for
loan losses at end of
period 2,849,340 2,652,412 2,316,054 2,254,768 2,149,502
=========== =========== ========== ========== ==========
Ratio of net loans charged
off during the period to
average loans outstanding .11% .08% .14% .30% .20%
=== === === === ===
</TABLE>
-32-
<PAGE>
PERCENT OF LOANS IN EACH CATEGORY TO TOTAL LOANS
The following table shows each category of loans as a percentage of
total loans (gross of unearned interest and the allowance for loan
losses) at each year end indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Commercial, financial
and agricultural 23% 27% 30% 28% 26%
Real estate 71% 67% 63% 63% 64%
Installment 6% 6% 7% 9% 10%
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
==== ==== ==== ==== ====
</TABLE>
ALLOCATION OF ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
The following table shows the allocation of allowance for loan
losses among commercial and financial loans, real estate loans, and
installment loans at each year end indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Commercial, financial
and agricultural $ 1,339,190 1,315,861 1,320,612 608,785 1,206,788
Real estate 1,082,749 741,113 460,197 958,051 249,895
Installment 427,401 595,438 535,245 687,932 692,819
---------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
$ 2,849,340 2,652,412 2,316,054 2,254,768 2,149,502
========== ========= ========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
-33-
<PAGE>
DEPOSITS
Average amounts of deposits and average rates paid thereon,
classified as non-interest-bearing demand deposits, interest-bearing
demand and savings deposits and time deposits, for the years indicated
are presented below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
1996 1995 1994
---------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Amount Rate Amount Rate Amount Rate
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Non-interest bearing
demand deposits $ 43,625,650 0.00% 29,273,152 0.00% 25,287,727 0.00%
Interest-bearing demand 71,496,495 3.21% 56,033,998 3.41% 65,099,570 3.05%
Savings deposits 10,005,534 2.45% 9,077,025 2.69% 10,539,176 2.76%
Time deposits 125,808,432 5.56% 118,052,167 5.66% 98,197,897 4.37%
----------- ----------- -----------
$ 250,936,111 212,436,342 199,124,370
=========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
Amounts of time certificates of deposit issued in amounts of
$100,000 or more as of December 31, 1996 are shown in the table below
based on time to maturity:
Three months or less $ 8,782,000
Over three months through six months 5,423,000
Over six months through twelve months 7,787,000
Over twelve months 7,086,000
---------
$ 29,078,000
==========
RETURN ON ASSETS AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Rate of return information for the years indicated is presented
below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Return on average assets 1.17% 1.17% 1.02%
Return on average equity 13.52% 13.75% 13.33%
Dividend payout ratio 6.84% 6.68% 4.65%
Average equity to average assets ratio 8.62% 8.51% 7.63%
</TABLE>
-34-
<PAGE>
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Bank Corporation of Georgia
Macon, Georgia
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of
Bank Corporation of Georgia and subsidiaries as of December 31,
1996 and 1995, and the related consolidated statements of
earnings, changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company'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
above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of Bank Corporation of Georgia and subsidiaries as of
December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the results of their operations
and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
PORTER KEADLE MOORE, LLP
/s/ Porter Keadle Moore, LLP
Successor to the practice of
Evans, Porter, Bryan & Co.
Atlanta, Georgia
March 5, 1997
-35-
<PAGE>
BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 1996 and 1995
Assets
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1995
(Restated
1996 Note 2)
---- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash and due from banks $ 34,027,974 11,429,382
Federal funds sold 5,210,000 13,860,000
----------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents 39,237,974 25,289,382
Investment securities available for sale 42,828,598 39,293,305
Investment securities 1,088,719 1,135,448
Loans, net 186,583,708 177,889,613
Premises and equipment, net 9,801,980 7,923,567
Accrued interest receivable 2,333,047 2,072,351
Other assets 8,380,296 6,068,104
----------- -----------
$ 290,254,322 259,671,770
=========== ===========
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
------------------------------------
Deposits:
Demand $ 44,709,405 37,715,723
NOW and money-market accounts 79,417,686 58,326,538
Savings 9,405,878 8,757,760
Time 125,165,463 119,423,585
----------- -----------
Total deposits 258,698,433 224,223,606
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 3,333,327 2,933,120
Notes payable 1,500,000 2,770,809
Federal Home Loan Bank advances - 6,100,000
----------- -----------
Total liabilities 263,531,759 236,027,535
Minority interest - 1,409,943
----------- -----------
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $1 par value; 3,000,000 shares authorized; 2,284,864
and 2,128,774 shares issued, respectively 2,284,864 2,128,774
Additional paid-in capital 6,170,157 4,507,789
Retained earnings 18,286,889 15,200,657
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities available for sale,
net of tax 288,689 779,421
Unearned employee stock ownership plan shares (196,496) (270,809)
Common stock in treasury, at cost, 16,767 shares (111,540) (111,540)
----------- -----------
Total shareholders' equity 26,722,563 22,234,292
----------- -----------
$ 290,254,322 259,671,770
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
-36-<PAGE>
BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
For the Years Ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1995 1994
(Restated (Restated
1996 Note 2) Note 2)
---- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Interest income:
Interest and fees on loans $ 20,526,340 18,820,191 15,456,899
Interest on Federal Home Loan Bank deposits 28,058 225,362 544,223
Interest on federal funds sold 740,545 315,337 26,973
Interest on investment securities:
U.S. Treasury and Government agencies 2,987,276 3,077,478 1,699,052
State and municipal 11,374 28,755 53,068
Other 141,269 120,542 89,230
---------- ---------- ----------
Total interest income 24,434,862 22,587,665 17,869,445
Interest expense 9,877,915 9,335,770 7,246,885
---------- ----------- ----------
Net interest income 14,556,947 13,251,895 10,622,560
Provision for loan losses 409,000 465,005 447,003
---------- ---------- ----------
Net interest income after provision for loan losses 14,147,947 12,786,890 10,175,557
---------- ---------- ----------
Other income:
Service charges and fee income 1,609,247 1,400,474 1,430,142
Securities gains (losses), net (1,497) (10,767) (315,576)
Gains on sales of loans 162,032 123,799 81,702
Miscellaneous 1,299,136 854,497 870,812
Gains on sales of banking units - - 814,035
---------- ---------- ----------
Total other income 3,068,918 2,368,003 2,881,115
---------- ---------- ----------
Other expenses:
Salaries and employee benefits 6,675,921 6,216,441 5,492,799
Occupancy 1,190,952 961,097 925,135
Equipment 691,909 669,008 576,293
Other operating 4,139,871 3,132,479 3,252,917
----------- ---------- ----------
Total other expenses 12,698,653 10,979,025 10,247,144
----------- ---------- ----------
Earnings before income taxes and minority
interest in earnings of subsidiary 4,518,212 4,175,868 2,809,528
Income taxes (benefit) 1,158,609 930,750 (151,321)
----------- ---------- ---------
Earnings before minority interest in earnings of subsidiary 3,359,603 3,245,118 2,960,849
Minority interest in earnings of subsidiary 46,913 381,460 651,569
----------- ---------- ---------
Net earnings $ 3,312,690 2,863,658 2,309,280
=========== =========== =========
Net earnings per share:
Primary $ 1.41 1.35 1.11
Fully diluted $ 1.41 1.34 1.10
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Primary 2,344,764 2,114,930 2,077,211
Fully diluted 2,341,815 2,129,550 2,103,317
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
-37-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
For the Years Ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
Net Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Additional on Securities
Common Paid-in Retained Available for Sale, Unearned Treasury
Stock Capital Earnings Net of Tax ESOP Shares Stock Total
------ -------- -------- ---------- ----------- ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, December 31, 1993, as
previously reported $ 1,081,500 1,269,608 12,372,757 - (520,904) (17,940) 14,185,021
Adjustment in connection with
pooling of interest (note 2) 188,703 2,986,767 (1,234,540) - - - 1,940,930
--------- --------- ---------- ------------ ---------- --------- -----------
Balance, December 31, 1993, as
restated 1,270,203 4,256,375 11,138,217 - (520,904) (17,940) 16,125,951
Cumulative effect of accounting
change for investment securities
net of tax - - - 35,209 - - 35,209
Issuance of common stock 1,333 12,164 - - - - 13,497
Release of unearned ESOP shares - - - - 220,005 - 220,005
Cash dividends paid - - (107,324) - - - (107,324)
Purchase of treasury stock - - - - - (93,600) (93,600)
Net earnings - - 2,309,280 - - - 2,309,280
Change in unrealized loss on
securities available for sale,
net of tax - - - (273,478) - - (273,478)
Minority interest in unrealized
loss on available for sale
securities at AmeriCorp - - - 17,223 - - 17,223
--------- --------- ---------- ------------ ---------- --------- -----------
Balance, December 31, 1994 1,271,536 4,268,539 13,340,173 (221,046) (300,899) (111,540) 18,246,763
Stock split effected in the
form of a 75% stock dividend 812,013 - (812,013) - - - -
Issuance of common stock
(note 2) 45,225 239,250 - - - - 284,475
Release of unearned ESOP shares - - - - 30,090 - 30,090
Cash dividends paid - - (191,161) - - - (191,161)
Net earnings - - 2,863,658 - - - 2,863,658
Change in unrealized gain (loss)
on securities available for sale,
net of tax - - - 1,126,180 - - 1,126,180
Minority interest in unrealized
gain on available for sale
securities at AmeriCorp - - - (125,713) - - (125,713)
--------- --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- -----------
Balance, December 31, 1995 2,128,774 4,507,789 15,200,657 779,421 (270,809) (111,540) 22,234,292
Issuance of common stock 6,875 26,323 - - - - 33,198
Release of unearned ESOP shares - - - - 74,313 - 74,313
Cash dividends paid - - (226,458) - - - (226,458)
Net earnings - - 3,312,690 - - - 3,312,690
Issuance of common stock in
conjunction with the
acquisition of AmeriCorp., Inc. 149,215 1,636,045 - - - - 1,785,260
Change in unrealized gain on
securities available for
sale, net of tax - - - (490,732) - - (490,732)
--------- --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- -----------
Balance, December 31, 1996 $2,284,864 6,170,157 18,286,889 288,689 (196,496) (111,540) 26,722,563
========= ========= ========== ========== ========= ========= ===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
-38-
<PAGE>
BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Years Ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1995 1994
(Restated (Restated
1996 Note 2) Note 2)
---- --------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities (net of effects of bank sales
and acquisitions):
Net earnings $ 3,312,690 2,863,658 2,309,280
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation 708,943 689,894 612,299
Amortization and accretion, net (99,149) (485,050) 97,139
Minority interest in earnings of subsidiary 46,913 381,460 651,569
Provision for loan losses 409,000 465,005 447,003
Provision for losses on other real estate owned 13,344 82,214 60,782
Provision for deferred taxes 104,810 (36,895) (967,788)
Loss (gain) on sale of securities, net 1,497 10,767 315,576
Loss (gain) on sale of other real estate, net (5,631) (104,282) (4,643)
Gains on sales of banking units - - (814,035)
Loss (gain) on sale of premises and equipment - (79,781) 4,099
Change in assets and liabilities:
Interest receivable and other assets (1,897,744) (636,917) (971,780)
Interest payable (169,828) 341,357 461,411
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 634,479 (15,374) 82,740
---------- ---------- ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities 3,059,324 3,476,056 2,283,652
---------- ---------- ---------
Cash flows from investing activities (net of effects of bank sales sales):
and acquisitions):
Proceeds from sales of investment securities available for sale 9,526,180 2,419,286 19,163,119
Proceeds from calls and maturities of investment securities 51,500 774,000 393,229
Proceeds from calls and maturities of investment securities
available for sale 7,194,080 20,938,152 25,624,058
Purchase of investment securities available for sale (21,021,208) (19,976,840) (52,166,887)
Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned 265,196 379,339 454,998
Improvements to other real estate owned - (61,945) (28,187)
Purchase of premises and equipment (2,034,627) (1,118,436) (1,708,982)
Cash received in acquisition of banking units 12,687,620 - -
Cash paid upon the sales of banking units - - (12,517,604)
Net increase in loans (5,952,803) (21,355,439) (13,817,922)
---------- ---------- ---------
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities 715,938 (18,001,383) (34,604,178)
---------- ---------- ---------
Cash flows from financing activities (net of effects of
bank sales and acquisitions):
Net increase in deposits 17,783,870 12,531,499 37,809,430
Repayment of notes payable (1,000,000) - (500,000)
Repayment of ESOP debt (196,496) - -
Proceeds from FHLB advances - 6,100,000 -
Repayments of FHLB advances (6,100,000) (5,000,000) -
Dividends paid (226,458) (191,161) (107,324)
Distributions to dissenting shareholders (120,784) - -
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 33,198 284,475 13,497
Purchase of treasury stock - - (96,300)
---------- ---------- ----------
Net cash provided by financing activities 10,173,330 13,724,813 37,122,003
---------- ---------- ----------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 13,948,592 (801,014) 4,801,477
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 25,289,382 26,090,396 21,288,919
---------- ---------- ----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 39,237,974 25,289,382 26,090,396
========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
-39-<PAGE>
BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, continued
For the Years Ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1995 1994
(Restated (Restated
1996 Note 2) Note 2)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest $ 9,867,345 8,994,413 6,785,474
Income taxes $ 1,279,700 1,149,000 990,000
Supplemental schedule of noncash investing
and financing activities:
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investment
securities available for sale, net of tax, including
$108,489 in 1996 previously attributed to the minority interest $ (599,221) 1,000,467 (221,046)
Transfers of loans to other real estate owned $ 132,000 411,247 637,612
Transfer of premises and equipment
to other real estate owned $ 187,294 - -
Financed sales of other real estate owned $ 4,472 436,493 635,609
Increase (decrease) in unearned ESOP Shares $ (74,313) (30,090) (220,005)
Deposit liabilities disposed in sale of banking units $ - - 21,909,276
Assets disposed in sale of banking units, other than cash $ - - 8,577,637
Assets acquired in bank acquisitions, net of cash received $ (4,325,812) - -
Liabilities assumed in bank acquisitions $ 17,013,432 - -
Issuance of common stock in conjunction with the
purchase of the remaining minority interest of
AmeriCorp, Inc., resulting in goodwill of $504,325 $ 1,785,260 - -
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
-40-<PAGE>
BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The accounting and reporting policies of the Company and its
subsidiaries, and the methods of applying these principles, conform
with generally accepted accounting principles and with general
practice within the banking industry. The more significant accounting
policies are described in this summary.
In preparing the financial statements, management is required to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets
and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet and income and
expenses for the year. Actual results could differ significantly from
those estimates. Material estimates common to the banking industry
that are particularly susceptible to significant change in an
operating cycle of one year include, but are not limited to, the
determination of the allowance for loan losses, the valuation of any
real estate acquired in connection with foreclosures or in
satisfaction of loans, and valuation allowances associated with the
realization of deferred tax assets which are based on future taxable
income.
CONSOLIDATION
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Bank
Corporation of Georgia (the "Company") and its wholly-owned bank
subsidiaries, First South Bank, N.A. ("FSB"), First South Bank of
Coweta County, N.A. ("Coweta"), First South Bank of Middle Georgia,
N.A. ("Middle Georgia") and First South Bank of Ben Hill County, N.A.
("Ben Hill"). During 1996, Coweta and Middle Georgia were merged with
FSB. During 1994, the Company sold Ben Hill and the Ashburn, Georgia
branch of FSB.
The financial statements also include the accounts of AmeriCorp, Inc.
("AmeriCorp") and its wholly-owned bank subsidiary AmeriBank, N.A.
("AmeriBank"). During 1996, AmeriCorp was dissolved upon the
Company's purchase of the remaining minority interest, and AmeriBank
became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
In consolidation, all significant intercompany accounts and
transactions have been eliminated.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash equivalents include amounts due from banks, interest-bearing
deposits with other banks due within three months, federal funds sold
and overnight investments with the Federal Home Loan Bank.
Included in cash and due from banks are interest bearing deposits
with the Federal Home Loan Bank amounting to $18,642,250 and $44,751
at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE
The Company classifies its securities in one of three categories:
trading, available for sale, or held to maturity. Trading securities
are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in
the near term. Held to maturity securities ("Investment Securities")
are those securities for which the Company has the ability and intent
to hold until maturity. All other securities not included in trading
or held to maturity are classified as available for sale ("Securities
AFS").
Securities AFS are recorded at fair value. Investment securities are
recorded at cost, adjusted for the amortization of premiums or
accretion of discounts. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of
the related tax effect, on Securities AFS are excluded from earnings
and are reported as a separate component of shareholders' equity
until realized. Transfers of securities between categories are
recorded at fair value at the date of transfer. Unrealized holding
gains or losses associated with transfers from Investment Securities
to Securities AFS are recorded as a separate component of
shareholders' equity. The unrealized holding gains or losses included
in the separate component of shareholders' equity for securities
transferred from Securities AFS to Investment Securities are
maintained and amortized into earnings over the remaining life of the
security as an adjustment to yield in a manner consistent with the
amortization or accretion of premium or discount on the associated
security.
-41-<PAGE>
BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, continued
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, CONTINUED
INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE,
CONTINUED
A decline in the market value of any Investment Securities or
Securities AFS below cost that is deemed other than temporary is
charged to earnings and establishes a new cost basis for the
security.
Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted over the life of the
related security as an adjustment to the yield. Realized gains and
losses for securities classified as Securities AFS and Investment
Securities are included in earnings and are derived using the
specific identification method for determining the cost of securities
sold.
LOANS
Loans are stated at the principal amount outstanding, net of unearned
interest and the allowance for loan losses. Interest income on loans
is recognized on the effective yield method. Nonrefundable loan fees
and certain direct loan origination costs are accounted for in
accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No.
91, "Accounting for Nonrefundable Fees and Costs Associated with
Originating or Acquiring Loans and Initial Direct Costs of Leases."
SFAS No. 91 requires recognition of loan origination fees, net of
direct costs, over the life of the related loan as an adjustment to
yield.
Effective January 1, 1995, the Company adopted SFAS No. 114,
"Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan" amended by SFAS
No. 118, "Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan - Income
Recognition and Disclosure" in regards to accounting for impaired
loans. A loan is impaired when, based on current information and
events, it is probable that all amounts due according to the
contractual terms of the loan agreement will not be collected.
Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected
future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate,
or at the loan's observable market price, or at the fair value of the
collateral of the loan if the loan is collateral dependent. The
adoption of these standards had no material effect on earnings.
The Banks are parties to agreements with the Federal Home Loan Bank
of Atlanta, ("FHLB"). The agreements allow for advances by the FHLB
at varying rates, secured by the Bank's stock in the FHLB, and
certain 1-4 family, first mortgage loans, up to 75% of the
outstanding balances of these residential loans. No advances were
outstanding at December 31, 1996. At December 31, 1995, the Banks had
total advances of $6,100,000.
UNEARNED DISCOUNT
The unearned discount on loans purchased is recognized over the
remaining lives of the loans using the effective yield method.
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for
loan losses charged to expense. The allowance represents an amount
which, in management's judgement, will be adequate to absorb losses
on existing loans that may become uncollectible. Management's
judgement in determining the adequacy of the allowance is based on
evaluations of the collectibility of loans. These evaluations take
into consideration such factors as changes in the nature and volume
of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions that may affect
the borrower's ability to pay, overall portfolio quality, and review
of specific problem loans.
Management's judgement in determining the adequacy of the allowance
is based on evaluations of the collectibility of loans. These
evaluations take into consideration such factors as changes in the
nature and volume of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions
that may affect the borrower's ability to pay, overall portfolio
quality, and review of specific problem loans.
Management believes that the allowance for loan losses is adequate.
While management uses available information to recognize losses on
loans, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on
changes in economic conditions. In addition, various regulatory
agencies, as an integral part of their examination process,
periodically review the Company's allowance for loan losses. Such
agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the
allowance based on judgements different than those of management.
-42-<PAGE>
BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, continued
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, CONTINUED
PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
Premises and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated
depreciation. Major additions and improvements are charged to the
property accounts while replacements, maintenance and repairs, which
do not improve or extend the life of respective assets, are expensed
currently. When property is retired or otherwise disposed of, the
cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the
accounts and the resulting gain or loss, if any, is recognized.
Depreciation expense is computed principally on the straight-line
method over the following estimated useful lives:
Buildings and improvements 15 - 40 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment 5 - 10 years
Computer equipment 3 - 5 years
INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The unamortized cost in excess of fair value of net assets acquired
in bank acquisitions ("goodwill") amounted to approximately
$1,323,000 and $394,000 at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
Goodwill is being amortized on a straight-line basis with periods
ranging from 15 to 25 years.
401(K) PLAN
The Company has a retirement plan qualified pursuant to Internal
Revenue Code Section 401(k) ("401(k) Plan"). The 401(k) Plan covers
substantially all employees subject to certain minimum age and
service requirements. Contributions to the plan by employees is
voluntary; however, the Company will match a minimum of 25% of the
employee's contributions. Contributions to the plan charged to
expense for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 amounted
to approximately $81,000, $153,000 and $151,000, respectively.
EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
The Company sponsors a leveraged employee stock ownership plan
("ESOP") that covers substantially all employees subject to certain
minimum age and service requirements. The Company makes contributions
to the ESOP which the plan trustee is required to use to make loan
principal and interest payments. All dividends received by the ESOP
are used to pay debt service. The ESOP shares initially were pledged
as collateral for its debt. As the debt is repaid, shares are
released from collateral and allocated to active employees, based on
the proportion of debt service paid in the year. The Company accounts
for its ESOP in accordance with Statement of Position 93-6 (SOP 93-
6). Accordingly, the debt of the ESOP is recorded as debt and the
shares pledged as collateral are reported as unearned ESOP shares in
the statement of financial position. All shares held by the Company's
ESOP plan are considered "old ESOP" shares as defined by SOP 93-6;
therefore, as shares are released from collateral, the Company
reports compensation expense equal to the cost of the shares, and the
shares become outstanding for earnings per share computations.
Dividends on allocated ESOP shares are recorded as a reduction of
retained earnings; dividends on unallocated ESOP shares are recorded
as a reduction of debt and accrued interest. ESOP compensation
expense was $74,300, $69,800 and $64,600 for years ended December 31,
1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. The ESOP shares as of December 31
were as follows:
<PAGE>
1996 1995
---- ----
Allocated shares 207,607 196,376
Unreleased shares 38,828 50,059
------- -------
Total ESOP shares 246,435 246,435
======= =======
Fair value of unreleased shares $651,000 726,000
======= =======
-43<PAGE>
BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, continued
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, CONTINUED
INCOME TAXES
The Company accounts for income taxes pursuant to the asset and
liability method which requires the recognition of deferred tax
assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable
to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of
existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.
Additionally, the method requires the recognition of future tax
benefits, such as net operating loss carryforwards, to the extent
that realization of such benefits is more likely than not. Deferred
tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates
expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which the assets
and liabilities are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect
on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is
recognized in income tax expense in the period that includes the
enactment date.
In the event the future tax consequences of differences between the
financial reporting bases and the tax bases of the Company's assets
and liabilities results in deferred tax assets, an evaluation of the
probability of being able to realize the future benefits indicated by
such asset is required. A valuation allowance is provided for the
portion of the deferred tax asset when it is more likely than not
that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be
realized. In assessing the realizability of the deferred tax assets,
management considers the scheduled reversals of deferred tax
liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning
strategies.
INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT
As part of the Company's overall interest rate risk management, the
Company uses interest rate swaps and interest rate floors. These
contracts are designated by the Company as hedges of interest rate
exposures, and interest income or expense derived from these
contracts is recorded over the life of the contract as an adjustment
to interest income or expense.
NET EARNINGS PER SHARE
Net earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of
shares outstanding during each year including consideration of stock
options, which represent common stock equivalents. It is assumed that
all dilutive stock options are exercised at the beginning of the year
and that the proceeds are used to purchase shares of the Company's
common stock. The average market price during each year is used to
compute equivalent shares assumed to be acquired for primary earnings
per share, whereas year-end prices are used for fully diluted per-
share amounts. Unearned ESOP shares are not considered outstanding
for purposes of earnings per share.
(2) ACQUISITIONS AND SALES
In November 1990, the Company acquired a 25% interest in the common stock
of AmeriCorp through the purchase of newly issued shares of AmeriCorp.
During 1992, the Company increased its ownership interest to 34% and in
December 1993 further increased its ownership to 67%. These investments
in AmeriCorp comprised both cash invested by the Company and stock issued
by AmeriCorp for management fees and accrued interest payable to the
Company. In March 1996, the Company issued 149,215 of its $1 par value
common stock in exchange for all of the remaining outstanding shares of
AmeriCorp and additionally paid certain acquisition costs. Dissenting and
fractional AmeriCorp shareholders were paid $67,432. The Company
accounted for this transaction, as well the incremental stock purchases,
using the purchase method. The reported purchase price for AmeriCorp was
based on the fair market value of the assets acquired and liabilities
assumed as of the closing dates, and the results of all operations have
been included in the consolidated financial statements since the initial
1990 acquisition, net of respective minority interests for each year.
The Company had also made investments in AmeriCorp through the
purchase of preferred stock. The preferred stock, which was not
convertible into common stock, required the payment of dividends in
cash or additional preferred stock at a fixed rate of 8%. It was
redeemable at the option of AmeriCorp and contained liquidation
preferences at par value.
At the time that the remaining AmeriCorp common stock was acquired in
1996, the Company liquidated AmeriCorp through the payment of
dividends-in-kind of the remaining net assets of AmeriCorp including
its investment in its wholly-owned subsidiary, AmeriBank, and
cancelled AmeriCorp's common and preferred stock.
-4-<PAGE>
BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, continued
(2) ACQUISITIONS AND SALES, CONTINUED
In February 1996, AmeriBank acquired certain assets and assumed
certain liabilities of the Victory Drive branch in Savannah, Georgia
of Bank South, N.A. As the result of the assumption of certain
deposit and other liabilities and the purchase of certain loans and
other assets, AmeriBank received $12,687,620 at closing. The excess
purchase price over fair value of the net liabilities assumed
(goodwill) was approximately $355,000 and is being amortized over 15
years using the straight line method.
In June 1996, the Company acquired all of the outstanding common
stock of Effingham Bank & Trust ("Effingham"), a $25 million
commercial bank located in Rincon, Georgia in exchange for 204,928
shares of its $1 par value common stock and approximately $53,352
paid for dissenting and fractional shares. The number of shares
exchanged for Effingham stock included 16,225 shares exchanged for
Effingham shares under options which were exercised during 1995 prior
to the merger. The acquisition was accounted for as a pooling of
interests and, accordingly, the consolidated financial statements for
all periods presented have been restated to include the financial
position and results of operations as if the combination had occurred
on January 1, 1994.
The following is a reconciliation of the amounts of net interest
income and net earnings previously reported with the restated
amounts:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net interest income:
The Company as previously reported in 1995 and 1994 $ 13,375,522 12,006,769 9,575,324
Effingham 1,115,425 1,245,126 1,047,236
----------- ---------- ----------
As restated $14,490,947 13,251,895 10,622,560
========== ========== ==========
Net earnings (loss):
The Company as previously reported in 1995 and 1994 $ 3,379,969 3,017,831 2,229,400
Effingham (67,279) (154,173) 79,880
---------- --------- ---------
As restated $ 3,312,690 2,863,658 2,309,280
========== ========= =========
</TABLE>
In March 1994, FSB sold substantially all the assets and liabilities
of its Ashburn banking unit to Ashburn Bank. The sale resulted in a
cash payment to Ashburn Bank of approximately $2,404,000 and a
transfer of deposit liabilities of $7,369,000 and assets, consisting
primarily of loans, of $4,787,000. FSB recognized a gain of
approximately $178,000 as a result of this sale.
In September 1994, the Company sold substantially all the assets and
liabilities of Ben Hill to Bankers First. The sale resulted in a cash
payment to Bankers First of approximately $10,114,000 and a transfer
of deposit liabilities of $14,540,000 and assets, consisting
primarily of loans, of $3,791,000. The gain on this sale amounted to
$636,000.
-45-
<PAGE>
BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, continued
(3)INVESTMENT SECURITIES
Investment Securities and Securities AFS at December 31, 1996 and
1995 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Gross Gross Estimated
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair
Cost Gains Losses Value
--------- ---------- ----------- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INVESTMENT SECURITIES:
December 31, 1996:
U.S. Treasury and
U.S. Government agencies $ 1,000,000 - 16,356 983,644
State, county and municipal 88,719 2,487 - 91,206
--------- ------- ------ ---------
$ 1,088,719 2,487 16,356 1,074,850
========= ======= ====== =========
December 31, 1995:
U.S. Treasury and
U.S. Government agencies $ 1,000,000 - 13,485 986,515
State, county and municipal 135,448 10,335 - 145,783
--------- -------- ------ ---------
$ 1,135,448 10,335 13,485 1,132,298
========= ======== ====== =========
Securities AFS:
December 31, 1996:
U.S. Treasury and
U.S. Government agencies $ 36,524,815 573,088 133,688 36,964,215
Mortgage backed securities 5,891,062 35,910 62,589 5,864,383
---------- -------- ------- ----------
$ 42,415,877 608,998 196,277 42,828,598
========== ======== ======= ==========
December 31, 1995:
U.S. Treasury and
U.S. Government agencies $ 35,892,851 1,417,154 6,894 37,303,111
Mortgage backed securities 2,055,131 - 64,937 1,990,194
---------- --------- ------- -----------
$ 37,947,982 1,417,154 71,831 39,293,305
========== ========= ======= ===========
</TABLE>
-46-<PAGE>
BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, continued
(3) INVESTMENT SECURITIES, CONTINUED
The amortized cost and fair value of Investment Securities and
Securities AFS at December 31, 1996, by contractual maturity, are
shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual
maturities because borrowers have the right to call or prepay
obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Investment Securities Securities AFS
December 31, 1996 December 31, 1996
------------------------- ---------------------
Estimated Estimated
Amortized Fair Amortized Fair
Cost Value Cost Value
--------- --------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
U.S. Treasury and
U.S. Government agencies
Within 1 year $ - - 6,475,285 6,513,911
1 to 5 years 1,000,000 983,644 30,049,530 30,450,304
--------- ------- ---------- ----------
$ 1,000,000 983,644 36,524,815 36,964,215
========= ======= ========== ==========
State, county and municipal:
1 to 5 years $ 88,719 91,206 - -
--------- ------- ---------- ----------
$ 88,719 91,206 - -
========= ======= ========== ===========
Total securities:
Within 1 year $ - - 6,475,285 6,513,911
1 to 5 years 1,088,719 1,074,850 30,049,530 30,450,304
Mortgage backed securities - - 5,891,062 5,864,383
--------- --------- ---------- ----------
$ 1,088,719 1,074,850 42,415,877 42,828,598
========= ========= ========== ==========
</TABLE>
Proceeds from sales of Securities AFS during 1996, 1995 and 1994 were
$9,526,180, $2,419,286 and $19,163,119, respectively. Gross gains of
$26,816, $2,000 and $8,114 and gross losses of $28,313, $12,767 and
$323,690 were realized on those sales in 1996, 1995 and 1994,
respectively.
Securities AFS with a carrying value of approximately $18,433,000 and
$14,740,000 at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively, were pledged
to secure public deposits or for other purposes.
(4) Loans
Major classifications of loans at December 31, 1996 and 1995 are
summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Commercial, financial and agricultural $ 44,429,766 48,887,045
Loans secured primarily by real estate 110,836,258 100,896,377
Construction 23,477,730 19,934,134
Consumer 11,425,654 11,756,065
------------ -----------
190,169,408 181,473,621
Less: Allowance for loan losses 2,849,340 2,652,412
Unearned discount 736,360 931,596
----------- -----------
$ 186,583,708 177,889,613
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
The loan portfolio is comprised of loans originated throughout Georgia
and participations purchased.
-47-<PAGE>
BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, continued
(4) LOANS, CONTINUED
Changes in the allowance for loan losses for the years ended December
31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, beginning of year $ 2,652,412 2,316,054 2,254,768
Provisions charged to operating expense 409,000 465,005 447,003
Loan charge-offs (360,534) (351,334) (510,960)
Recoveries 148,462 222,687 291,243
Sales of banking units - - (166,000)
--------- --------- ---------
Balance, end of year $ 2,849,340 2,652,412 2,316,054
========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
(5) TIME DEPOSITS
At December 31, 1996 the scheduled maturities of time deposits are
as follows:
1997 $ 86,690,119
1998 26,357,225
1999 9,257,643
2000 2,132,182
2001 728,294
---------
$ 125,165,463
===========
At December 31, 1996 and 1995, the Company had individual time
deposits over $100,000 of approximately $29,078,000 and $29,602,000,
respectively.
(6)NOTES PAYABLE
Notes payable at December 31, 1996 and 1995 are summarized as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Borrowings of the ESOP trust from a bank guaranteed by the
Company, payable in varying annual installments with
interest payable quarterly at the prime rate. The
ESOP may borrow a maximum of $600,000 on this note. $ - 270,809
Note payable to a bank in annual installments of $300,000
with interest payable quarterly at the prime rate and
secured by the common stock of all wholly-owned bank
subsidiaries. 1,500,000 2,500,000
--------- ---------
$ 1,500,000 2,770,809
========= =========
</TABLE>
The note payable to a bank allows for additional borrowings up to
$500,000 with the same repayment terms as described above. The loan
agreement contains covenants and restrictions pertaining to the
maintenance of certain financial ratios, limitations on the
incurrence of additional debt, and declaration of dividends or other
capital transactions.
-48-<PAGE>
BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, continued
(7) SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
During 1995, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a stock
split to be effected in the form of a 75% stock dividend. All
references in the financial statements to number of shares, per share
amounts, and stock option and ESOP data have been adjusted for the
stock split.
The Company has a Stock Option Plan under which a maximum of 404,766
shares of common stock have been reserved. The Plan also contains
certain stock appreciation rights whereby the Company would pay in
cash or stock an amount up to 200% of the excess of the fair market
value of the Company's stock at the date of exercise over the fair
market value at the grant date. Exercise of either the stock options
or the stock appreciation rights precludes exercise of the other.
SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," became
effective January 1, 1996. This statement encourages, but does not
require, entities to compute the fair value of options at the date of
grant and to recognize such costs as compensation expense immediately
if there is no vesting period or ratably over the vesting period of
the options. The Company has chosen not to adopt the cost recognition
principles of this statement. No compensation cost has been
recognized for the stock option plan. Had compensation cost for the
plan been determined based upon the fair value of the options at the
grant dates consistent with the methods as provided in SFAS No. 123,
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," the Company's net earnings
and net earnings per share would have been reduced to the proforma
amounts indicated below:
1996
Net earnings As reported $ 3,312,690
Proforma $ 3,085,693
Net earnings per share As reported $ 1.41
Proforma $ 1.32
The fair value of each option is estimated on the date of grant using
the Black-Scholes options-pricing model with the following weighted
average assumptions used for grants in 1996: dividend yield of 1%,
volatility of 34%, a risk free interest rate of 6%, and an expected
life of 8 years.
A summary status of the Company's Stock Option Plan as of December
31, 1996 and 1995, and changes during the years ending on those dates
is presented below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995
------------------- ------------------
Wtd. Avg. Wtd. Avg.
Exercise Exercise
Shares Price Shares Price
------ -------- ------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Outstanding, beginning of year 208,415 $ 6.36 243,540 $ 5.98
Options granted during the year 36,625 $ 11.26 - $ -
Options exercised during the year (6,875) $ 4.83 (32,500) $ 4.29
Options cancelled during the year - $ - (2,625) $ 7.43
------- ------- -------- -------
Outstanding, end of year 238,165 $ 7.16 208,415 $ 6.36
======= ====== ======= ======
Options exercisable at year end 205,290 $ 6.43 173,415 $ 6.14
======= ====== ======= ======
Weighted average fair value of options
granted during the year $ 10.00 $ -
====== =====
</TABLE>
-49-
<PAGE>
BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, continued
(7) SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY, CONTINUED
Options outstanding at December 31, 1996 had exercise prices ranging
from $5.57 to $13.00, with a weighted average exercise price of
$7.16, and an average remaining life of approximately 5 years.
Included in salaries and employee benefits expense for 1995 was
approximately $20,000 related to the exercise of 3,500 stock
appreciation rights by officers of the Company. There were no stock
appreciation rights exercised in 1996. Compensation expense is not
being recorded on the unexercised stock appreciation rights since, in
management's opinion, there is a higher probability that the stock
options will be exercised.
The loan agreement covering the Company's $1,500,000 note payable
restricts the payment of dividends by bank subsidiaries to the amount
as permitted by the regulators and requires that the subsidiaries
remain in compliance with certain capital levels specified in the
loan agreement. The loan agreement further restricts the payment of
cash dividends by the Company to its stockholders. In any year, the
Company may not, without advance approval by the lender, pay
dividends which together with the dividends paid in the preceding two
years, exceed 25% of consolidated net earnings for the three year
period.
(8) INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest expense for December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
NOW and money market deposits $ 2,291,925 1,910,498 1,984,458
Savings deposits 244,655 244,335 291,347
Time deposits 6,989,629 6,682,067 4,290,586
Notes payable and other 351,706 498,870 680,494
---------- --------- ---------
$ 9,877,915 9,335,770 7,246,885
========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
(9) INCOME TAXES
The components of income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current $ 1,501,074 967,645 816,467
Deferred (343,739) (88,901) (36,868)
Utilization of net operating
loss carryforwards 553,230 491,300 266,000
Change in valuation allowance (551,956) (439,294) (1,196,920)
--------- --------- ----------
$ 1,158,609 930,750 (151,321)
========= ======= ========
</TABLE>
-50-<PAGE>
BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, continued
(9) INCOME TAXES, CONTINUED
The differences between income tax expense and the "expected" amount
computed by applying the statutory Federal income tax rate to
earnings before taxes and minority interest in earnings of subsidiary
are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current "expected" tax expense $ 1,536,000 1,420,000 955,000
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
Reduction in deferred tax asset
valuation allowance (551,956) (439,294) (1,196,920)
Other 174,565 (49,956) 90,599
--------- -------- ----------
$ 1,158,609 930,750 (151,321)
========= ======= =========
</TABLE>
The following summarizes the sources and expected tax consequences of
future taxable deductions (income) which comprise the net deferred
tax assets as of December 31, 1996 and 1995. The net deferred tax
assets are included as components of other assets within the
consolidated balance sheets.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Gross deferred income tax assets:
Allowance for loan losses $ 572,642 426,775
Other real estate 76,729 65,000
State tax credit 100,815 41,917
Net operating loss 1,925,446 2,431,306
Other 77,817 97,042
--------- ---------
Total gross deferred income tax assets 2,753,449 3,062,040
Less valuation allowance - (551,956)
--------- ---------
Net deferred income tax assets 2,753,449 2,510,084
Gross deferred income tax liabilities:
Unrealized gains on Securities AFS (124,113) (457,441)
Premises and equipment (230,864) (297,811)
Other (50,980) (83,133)
--------- ---------
Total gross deferred income tax liabilities (405,957) (838,385)
--------- ---------
Net deferred tax asset $ 2,347,492 1,671,699
========= =========
</TABLE>
The deferred tax asset valuation allowance reflects management's
estimate of future tax benefits from Federal and State of Georgia net
operating loss carryforwards and credits included in the total deferred
tax asset, which may not be realized based on the weight of available
evidence. During 1994 and 1995, the Company reduced the beginning of the
year valuation allowance at AmeriCorp to reflect changes in judgement as
to the realizability of the AmeriCorp and AmeriBank net operating losses
as they began to generate sufficient and predictable current taxable
income during these two years. The Effingham deferred tax asset valuation
allowance was reduced effective with its acquisition by the Company.
Prior to 1996, AmeriCorp and AmeriBank filed separate consolidated
and Effingham filed separate Federal and State of Georgia income tax
returns. After the 1996 acquisitions, AmeriCorp, AmeriBank and
Effingham are included in the consolidated Company Federal and State
of Georgia income tax returns. Consolidated Federal and Georgia tax
net operating losses, approximating $4,600,000 and $8,955,000 at
December 31, 1996, respectively, are available to offset future
consolidated taxable income. The use of these carryforwards is
limited to future consolidated taxable earnings and to annual
limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. The Company may use
no more than $1,007,000 annually of its remaining Federal and State
of Georgia net operating losses which begin to expire in 2002.
-51-<PAGE>
BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, continued
(10) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Banks are parties to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet
risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of
their customers. These financial instruments include commitments to
extend credit and standby letters of credit. Those instruments
involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the
amount recognized in the balance sheet. The contractual amounts of
those instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Banks have in
particular classes of financial instruments.
The Banks' exposure to credit loss in the event of non-performance by
the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend
credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the
contractual amount of those instruments. The Banks use the same
credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as
they do for on-balance-sheet instruments.
In most cases, the Banks require collateral or other security to
support financial instruments with credit risk.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Approximate
Contractual Amount
------------------
1996 1995
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Financial instruments whose contract
amounts represent credit risk:
Commitments to extend credit $ 13,720,000 18,554,000
Standby letters of credit $ 905,000 655,000
</TABLE>
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as
long as there is no violation of any condition established in the
contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other
termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of
the commitments may expire without being drawn upon, the total
commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash
requirements. The Banks evaluate each customer's creditworthiness on
a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed
necessary, upon extension of credit is based on management's credit
evaluation. Collateral held varies but may include unimproved and
improved real estate, certificates of deposit, or personal property.
Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the
Banks to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party.
The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially
the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers.
The extent of collateral held for those commitments at December 31,
1996 and 1995 varies.
The Company has entered into certain agreements for the purpose of
managing its exposure to short term interest rate fluctuations.
Notional amounts are used to express the volume of these
transactions, however, they do not represent cash flows and the
amounts subject to credit risk are much smaller.
The Company entered into several interest rate swap agreements during
1995 and 1996 to manage its exposure to short-term interest rate
fluctuations. At December 31, 1996, five agreements were outstanding
with aggregate notional amounts of $25,000,000, and maturities
ranging from August 1997 through November 1999. Under the terms of
the agreements, the Company will receive fixed rates of interest
averaging approximately 6.32%, while paying floating rates of
interest based on the three month LIBOR. Weighted average rates paid
by the Company during 1996 were approximately 5.53%.
In addition the Company has purchased interest rate floor contracts
with aggregate notional amounts of $30,000,000, maturing in March
1997. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company will be
reimbursed on a quarterly basis for decreases in the federal funds
rate for any period during the agreement in which the federal funds
rate falls below 5.5%. At December 31, 1996, the federal funds rate
was 5.25%. Amortization of premiums related to the purchase of these
contracts amounted to approximately $44,000 for 1996.
-52-<PAGE>
BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, continued
(10) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES, CONTINUED
During 1996, in anticipation of the maturity of the interest rate
floor contracts in March 1997, the Company entered into forward
interest rate floor contracts effective beginning April, 1997 with
aggregate notional amounts of $30,000,000 maturing through May, 1999.
Under the terms of these agreements, the Company will be reimbursed
on a quarterly basis, for decreases in the federal funds rate for any
period during the agreement in which the federal funds rate falls
below 5.0%. Amortization of premiums related to the purchase of these
contracts amounted to approximately $26,000.
The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of non-performance
by the other party to the interest rate floor and interest rate swap
agreements; however, based on management's credit analysis, the
Company does not anticipate non-performance by the counterparty.
During 1996, AmeriBank assumed the lease of a branch facility. The
minimum lease payments amount to approximately $17,000 per month and
are subject to increases based on the Consumer Price Index and other
costs. The lease agreement expires in December 2007.
(11) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In the normal course of business, executive officers and directors of
the Company and certain business organizations and individuals
associated with them, maintain a variety of banking relationships
with the Banks. Transactions with executive officers and directors
are made on terms comparable to those available to other Bank
customers. The following table summarizes related party loan activity
during 1996:
Beginning balance $ 2,898,000
New loans 5,992,000
Repayments (2,012,000)
----------
Ending balance $ 6,878,000
==========
The Company leases its administrative office under an operating lease
arrangement with the Chairman of the Board of Directors. The lease
term extends through January, 2003 and is renewable for 8 years at
that time. Rental expense under this agreement will amount to
approximately $84,000 annually.
Outstanding deposits to related parties amounted to approximately
$8,238,000 and $8,156,000 at December 31, 1996 and 1995,
respectively.
(12) DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
SFAS No. 107, "Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial
Instruments", requires that the Company disclose estimated fair
values for its financial instruments. Fair value estimates, methods,
and assumptions are set forth below.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
For cash, due from banks, federal funds sold and interest-bearing
deposits with other banks due within three months, the carrying
amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.
INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE
For securities held for investment purposes, fair values are based
on quoted market prices.
LOANS
The fair value of fixed rate loans is estimated by discounting the
future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans
would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings. For
variable rate loans, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate
of fair value.
-53-<PAGE>
BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, continued
(12) DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, CONTINUED
DEPOSIT LIABILITIES
The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts, and certain
money market deposits is the amount payable on demand at the
reporting date. The fair value of fixed maturity certificates of
deposit is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits
of similar remaining maturities.
NOTES PAYABLE
Because the Company's notes payable carry a variable rate, the
carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.
FHLB Advances
The fair value of FHLB Advances is estimated by discounting the
future cash flows using the current rates at which advances of like
maturity would be made.
COMMITMENTS TO EXTEND CREDIT, STANDBY LETTERS OF CREDIT AND
FINANCIAL GUARANTEES WRITTEN
Because commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit
are made using variable rates and are for terms less than one year,
the contract value is a reasonable estimate of fair value.
INTEREST RATE SWAPS AND INTEREST RATE FLOORS
The fair value of interest rate swaps and interest rate floors is
obtained from dealer quotes. These values represent the estimated
amount the Company would receive to terminate the contracts or
agreements, taking into account current interest rates and when
appropriate, the current creditworthiness of the counterparties.
LIMITATIONS
Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on
relevant market information and information about the financial
instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount
that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company's
entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no
market exists for a significant portion of the Company's financial
instruments, fair value estimates are based on many judgements.
These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties
and matters of significant judgement and therefore cannot be
determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could
significantly affect the estimates.
Fair value estimates are based on existing on and off-balance sheet
financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of
anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities
that are not considered financial instruments. Significant assets
and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments
include deferred income taxes, premises and equipment, and
goodwill. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the
realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a
significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been
considered in the estimates.
-54-<PAGE>
BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, continued
(12) DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, CONTINUED
LIMITATIONS, CONTINUED
The carrying amount and estimated fair values of the Company's
financial instruments at December 31, 1996 and 1995 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995
----------------------- ----------------------
Carrying Estimated Carrying Estimated
Amount Fair Value Amount Fair Value
------ ---------- -------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 39,237,974 39,237,974 25,289,382 25,289,382
Investment securities 1,088,719 1,074,850 1,135,448 1,131,943
Securities AFS 42,828,598 42,828,598 39,293,305 39,293,305
Loans 186,583,708 185,720,314 177,889,613 179,112,329
Liabilities:
Deposits 258,698,432 259,754,641 224,223,006 225,068,763
Notes payable 1,500,000 1,500,000 2,770,809 2,770,809
Federal Home Loan Bank advances - - 6,100,000 6,100,000
Unrecognized financial instruments:
Commitments to extend credit 13,720,000 13,720,000 18,554,000 18,554,000
Standby letters of credit 905,000 905,000 655,000 655,000
Interest rate swaps - 225,140 - 610,076
Interest rate floors 111,000 213,052 47,250 212,454
</TABLE>
(13) REGULATORY MATTERS
The Banks and the Company are subject to various regulatory capital
requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to
meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and
possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if
undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Banks' financial
statements. Under certain adequacy guidelines and the regulatory
framework for prompt corrective action, the Banks must meet specific
capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Banks'
assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated
under regulatory accounting practices. The Banks' capital amounts and
classification are also subject to qualitative judgements by the
regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital
adequacy require the Banks to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of
total and Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets and of Tier 1 capital to
average assets. Management believes, as of December 31, 1996, that the
Bank meets all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.
As of December 31, 1996, the most recent notification from the
Comptroller of the Currency categorized the Banks as well capitalized
under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be
categorized as well capitalized the Banks must maintain minimum total
risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in
the table. There are no conditions or events since that notification that
management believes have changed the Bank's category.
-55-<PAGE>
BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, continued
(13) REGULATORY MATTERS, CONTINUED
The Banks' and the Company's actual capital amounts (in 000's) and
ratios are also presented in the table.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
To Be Well
Capitalized Under
For Capital Prompt Corrective
Actual Adequacy Purposes Action Provisions
----------------- ----------------- ---------------------
Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio
------ ----- ------ ----- ------ -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
As of December 31, 1996
Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets):
Consolidated $ 26,021 12.34% > 16,869 8.00% N/A N/A
-
First South Bank, N.A. $ 16,438 12.94% > 10,163 8.00% > 12,703 >10.00%
- - -
Ameribank, N.A. $ 10,517 12.44% > 6,763 8.00% > 8,454 >10.00%
- - -
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets):
Consolidated $ 23,488 11.14% > 8,434 4.00% N/A N/A
-
First South Bank, N.A. $ 14,850 11.69% > 4,989 4.00% > 7,483 > 6.00%
- - -
Ameribank, N.A. $ 9,572 11.78% > 3,250 4.00% > 4,875 >6.00%
- - -
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets):
Consolidated $ 23,488 9.30% > 10,102 4.00% N/A N/A
-
First South Bank, N.A. $ 14,850 8.76% > 6,658 4.00% > 8,322 > 5.00%
- - -
Ameribank, N.A. $ 9,572 11.54% > 3,138 4.00% > 4,147 > 5.00%
- - -
As of December 31, 1995
Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets):
Consolidated $ 25,768 12.22% > 16,869 8.00% N/A N/A
-
First South Bank, N.A. $ 16,053 12.81% > 10,025 8.00% > 12,532 > 10.00%
- - -
Ameribank, N.A. $ 9,715 13.15% > 5,910 8.00% > 7,388 > 10.00%
- - -
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets):
Consolidated $ 23,235 11.14% > 8,343 4.00% N/A N/A
-
First South Bank, N.A. $ 15,237 11.67% > 5,223 4.00% > 7,834 > 6.00%
- - -
Ameribank, N.A. $ 8,754 11.90% > 2,943 4.00% > 4,414 > 6.00%
- - -
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets):
Consolidated $ 23,235 8.99% > 10,338 4.00% N/A N/A
-
First South Bank, N.A. $ 15,237 9.10% > 6,698 4.00% > 8,372 > 5.00%
- - -
Ameribank, N.A. $ 8,754 9.62% > 3,640 4.00% > 4,550 > 5.00%
-
</TABLE>
At December 31, 1995, the ratios for First South Bank, N.A. include
the capital of Coweta and Middle Georgia. These charters were merged
with FSB during 1996.
(14) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On March 17, 1997, the Company's Board of Directors signed a
statement of intent to merge with Century South Banks, Inc.
("Century"), a ten bank holding company headquartered in Gainesville,
Georgia. Under the terms of the statement of intent, shareholders
will receive 1.33 shares of Century stock for each share of BCG stock
they hold. The Company expects the merger to be consummated by the
end of the third quarter 1997.
-56-
<PAGE>
BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, continued
(15)BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
<TABLE>
<CAPION>
Balance Sheets
December 31, 1996 and 1995
Assets
1995
(Restated
1996 Note 2)
----- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash $ 91,651 -
Accrued dividend receivable 380,647
-
Investments in common stock of subsidiaries 25,874,466 20,124,010
Investment in preferred stock of subsidiary 3,944,700
-
Other assets 2,600,768 1,393,076
---------- ----------
$ 28,566,885 25,842,433
========== ==========
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Accrued expenses and other liabilities $ 344,322 837,332
Notes payable 1,500,000 2,770,809
--------- ---------
Total liabilities 1,844,322 3,554,789
Shareholders' equity 26,722,563 22,234,292
---------- ----------
$ 28,566,885 25,842,433
========== ==========
</TABLE>
-57-
<PAGE>
BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, continued
(15) BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) FINANCIAL
INFORMATION, CONTINUED
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Statements of Earnings
For the Years Ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
1995 1994
(Restated (Restated
1996 Note 2) Note 2)
---- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Income:
Dividends from subsidiaries $ 2,655,405 1,379,181 3,473,425
Management fees 540,000 540,000 420,000
Interest - - 843
--------- --------- ---------
Total income 3,195,405 1,919,181 3,894,268
--------- --------- ---------
Expenses:
Interest 153,525 218,225 211,187
Salaries and employee benefits 674,022 782,455 575,516
Other 711,199 490,213 398,944
--------- --------- ---------
Total expenses 1,538,746 1,490,893 1,185,647
--------- --------- ---------
Earnings before income tax benefit and equity
in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries 1,656,659 428,288 2,708,621
Income tax benefit 796,791 315,300 300
--------- --------- ---------
Earnings before equity in undistributed
earnings of subsidiaries 2,453,450 743,588 2,708,921
Dividends received in excess
of earnings of subsidiaries - - (399,641)
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries 859,240 2,120,070 -
--------- --------- ---------
Net earnings $ 3,312,690 2,863,658 2,309,280
========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
-58-<PAGE>
BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, continued
(15) BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) FINANCIAL INFORMATION,
CONTINUED
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Statements of Cash Flows
For the Years Ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
1995 1994
(Restated (Restated
1996 Note 2) Note 2)
---- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings $ 3,312,690 2,863,658 2,309,280
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net
cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries (859,240) (2,120,070) -
Dividends received in excess of earnings of
subsidiaries - - 399,641
Change in accrued dividend receivable 300,000 (307,810) 2,680
Preferred stock dividends in kind (52,491) (302,800) (285,600)
Amortization 55,869 23,549 128,387
Change in other assets (714,979) (525,618) -
Change in accrued expenses and other
liabilities (439,658) 283,614 205,574
---------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided (used) by
operating activities 1,602,191 (85,477) 2,759,962
----------- --------- ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investment in bank subsidiaries - - (2,087,533)
Other - - (203,714)
----------- --------- ----------
Net cash used by investing activities - - (2,291,247)
----------- --------- ----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from (repayment of) notes payable (1,196,496) - (500,000)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 33,198 90,429 13,497
Cash paid to dissenting shareholders (120,784) - -
Purchase of treasury stock - - (93,600)
Dividends paid (226,458) (191,161) (107,324)
----------- --------- ----------
Net cash used by financing
activities (1,510,540) (100,732) (687,427)
----------- --------- ----------
Net increase (decrease) in cash $ 91,651 (186,209) (218,712)
Cash at beginning of year - 186,209 404,921
----------- --------- ----------
Cash at end of year $ 91,651 - 186,209
=========== ========= ==========
</TABLE>
-59-<PAGE>
BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, continued
(15) BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) FINANCIAL INFORMATION,
CONTINUED
Statements of Cash Flows, continued
For the Years Ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1995 1994
(Restated (Restated
1996 Note 2) Note 2)
---- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow
information:
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest $ 181,403 219,965 153,753
Income taxes $ 1,279,700 1,149,000 990,000
Supplemental schedule of noncash investing
and financing activities:
Change in unrealized loss
on investment securities
available for sale, net of tax, including $108,489 in
1996 previously attributed to the minority interest $ 599,221 1,000,467 (221,046)
Increase (decrease) in unearned ESOP Shares $ (74,313) (30,090) (220,005)
Change in AmeriCorp deferred tax asset
valuation allowance applied to reduce goodwill $ - - 763,632
Redemption of the preferred stock investment in
AmeriCorp, Inc. $ 4,077,838 - -
Receipt of dividend in kind $ 44,257 - -
Issuance of common stock in conjunction with the purchase
of the remaining minority interest of AmeriCorp, Inc. resulting $1,785,260 - -
in goodwill of $504,325
</TABLE>
-60-
<PAGE>
ITEM 8. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
During the Registrant's two most recent fiscal years,
the Registrant did not change accountants and had no disagreement
with its accountants on any matters of accounting principles or
practices or financial statement disclosure.
PART III
ITEM 9. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, PROMOTERS AND CONTROL
PERSONS; COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE
ACT.
The information contained under the heading
"Information About Nominees For Director" in the definitive Proxy
Statement used in connection with the solicitation of proxies for
BCG's annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May 28, 1997,
to be filed with the Commission, is incorporated herein by
reference.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Executive officers of BCG are elected by the Board of
Directors annually at the first meeting of the Board following
the annual meeting of BCG shareholders and hold office until such
officers' successors are chosen and qualified, unless they sooner
resign or are removed from office by the Board of Directors.
Information is set forth below with respect to the age,
positions with BCG and its subsidiaries, and business experience
of the executive officers of BCG as of December 31, 1996.
Name (Age) Principal Position and Business Experience
Joseph W. Evans (47) Mr. Evans has been President of BCG since
1980, and was President of FSB until 1991,
when he became Chairman of FSB. He is
currently a director of BCG, FSB and
Ameribank.
Stephen W. Doughty Mr. Doughty has been a director of FSB since
(45) 1985, an executive officer of FSB since
1987, and became President of FSB in 1991.
Mr. Doughty has been Executive Vice
President of BCG since August 29, 1988. He
is also a director of Ameribank.
J. Thomas Wiley, Jr. Mr. Wiley has served as President, CEO and a
(44) director of Ameribank since May, 1990. Mr.
Wiley is also a director of FSB. Mr. Wiley
has served as Executive Vice President for
FSB, and a member of its Executive Committee
and Board of Directors. He has been an
Executive Vice President of BCG since
January 1, 1990.
-61-<PAGE>
ITEM 10. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
The information contained under the heading "Executive
Compensation" in the definitive proxy statement is in connection
with the solicitation of proxies for BCG's annual meeting of
shareholders to be held on May 28, 1997, to be filed with the
Commission, is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 11. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT.
The information contained under the heading "Voting
Securities and Principal Holders" in the definitive proxy
statement used in connection with the solicitation of proxies for
BCG's annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May 28, 1997,
to be filed with the Commission, is incorporated herein by
reference. For purposes of determining the aggregate market
value of BCG's voting stock held by nonaffiliates, shares held by
all directors and executive officers of BCG have been excluded.
The exclusion of such shares is not intended to and shall not
constitute a determination as to which persons or entities may be
"affiliates" of BCG as defined by the Commission.
ITEM 12. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
The information contained under the heading "Certain
Relationships and Related Transaction" in the definitive Proxy
Statement used in connection with the solicitation of proxies for
all BCG's annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May 28,
1997, to be filed with the Commission, is incorporated herein by
reference.
ITEM 13. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
(a) Financial Statements.
--------------------
The following financial statements and notes thereto of
the Registrant are located in Item 7 of this Report:
Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants
Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 1996 and 1995
Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the Years Ended
December 31, 1996 and 1995 and 1994
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders'
Equity for the Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow for the Years
Ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Exhibits.
----------
The following exhibits are required to be filed with
this Report by Item 601 of Regulation S-K:
-62-<PAGE>
Exhibits Description of Exhibit
2.1 -- Agreement and Plan of Reorganization
by and between BCG and Effingham,
dated July 13, 1995, filed as
Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-4,
Commission File No. 33-98300, filed
with the Commission on October 16,
1995, which Exhibit is by this
reference herein incorporated.
2.2 -- Amendment Number One to Agreement
and Plan of Reorganization by and
between BCG and Effingham, dated
September 8, 1995, filed as Exhibit
2.2 to the Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-4, Commission
File No. 33-98300, filed with the
Commission on October 16, 1995,
which Exhibit is by this reference
herein incorporated.
2.3 -- Amendment Number Two to Agreement
and Plan of Reorganization by and
between BCG and Effingham, dated
October 2, 1995, filed as Exhibit
2.3 to the Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-4, Commission
File No. 33-98300, filed with the
Commission on October 16, 1995,
which Exhibit is by this reference
herein incorporated.
2.4 -- Amendment Number Three to Agreement
and Plan of Reorganization by and
between BCG and Effingham, dated
February 26, 1996, filed as Exhibit
2.8 to the Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-4, Commission
File No. 33-98300, filed with the
Commission on February 26, 1996,
which Exhibit is by this reference
herein incorporated.
2.5 -- Agreement and Plan of Merger by and
between BCG and Americorp dated
November 15, 1995, filed as Exhibit
2.1 to the Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-4, Commission
File Number 33-65071, filed with the
Commission on December 15, 1995,
which Exhibit is by this reference
herein incorporated.
-63-<PAGE>
2.6 -- Agreement and Plan of Merger by and
between Effingham and Interim, dated
February 26, 1996, filed as Exhibit
2.9 to the Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-4, Commission
File No. 33-98300, filed with the
Commission on February 26, 1996,
which Exhibit is by this reference
herein incorporated.
3.1 -- Articles of Incorporation of BCG, as
amended, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the
Registrant's Registration Statement
on Form S-4, Commission File No. 33-
98300, filed with the Commission on
October 16, 1995, which Exhibit is
by this reference herein
incorporated.
3.2 -- By-laws of BCG, incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 3.2 to the 10KSB for
the year ended December 31, 1995 previously
filed with the Commission which Exhibit is
by this reference herein incorporated.
4.1 -- See exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 for
provisions of the Articles of
Incorporation and By-laws, as
amended, which define the rights of
the holders of Common Stock of BCG.
10.1 -- Agreement dated December 10, 1993,
by and between Americorp and BCG,
filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the
Registrant's Registration Statement
on Form S-4, Commission File No. 33-
98300, filed with the Commission on
October 16, 1995, which Exhibit is
by this reference herein
incorporated.
10.2 -- Lease Agreement dated November 16,
1988 by and among Michael A. Angle
and W. H. Anderson, II as Lessors
and FSB as Lessee, filed as Exhibit
10.5 to the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-4,
Commission File No. 33-98300, filed
with the Commission on October 16,
1995, which Exhibit is by this
reference herein incorporated.
10.3 -- Lease Addendum dated March 12, 1992
by and among Michael A. Angle and W.
H. Anderson, II as Lessors and FSB
as Lessee, filed as Exhibit 10.6 to
the Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-4, Commission
File No. 33-98300, filed with the
Commission on October 16, 1995,
-64-<PAGE>
which Exhibit is by this reference
herein incorporated.
10.4 -- Sublease dated April 1, 1993 by and
among Michael A. Angle and W. H
Anderson, II as Lessors and FSB as
Lessee, filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the
Registrant's Registration Statement
on Form S-4, Commission File No. 33-
98300, filed with the Commission on
October 16, 1995, which Exhibit is
by this reference herein
incorporated.
10.5 -- Agreement dated May 1, 1993 by and
between BCG and Stephen W. Doughty,
filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the
Registrant's Registration Statement
on Form S-4, Commission File No. 33-
98300, filed with the Commission on
October 16, 1995, which Exhibit is
by this reference herein
incorporated.(1)
10.6 -- Agreement dated May 1, 1993 by and
between BCG and J. Thomas Wiley
filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the
Registrant's Registration Statement
on Form S-4, Commission File No. 33-
98300, filed with the Commission on
October 16, 1995, which Exhibit is
by this reference herein
incorporated.(1)
10.7 -- Incentive Compensation Agreement
dated January 1, 1993 by and between
BCG and Stephen W. Doughty, filed as
Exhibit 10.10 to the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-4,
Commission File No. 33-98300, filed
with the Commission on October 16,
1995, which Exhibit is by this
reference herein incorporated.(1)
10.8 -- Incentive Compensation Agreement
dated January 1, 1993 by and between
BCG and J. Thomas Wiley, filed as
Exhibit 10.11 to the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-4,
Commission File No. 33-98300, filed
with the Commission on October 16,
1995, which Exhibit is by this
reference herein incorporated.(1)
10.9 -- BCG Key Employee Stock Option Plan,
filed as Exhibit 10.12 to the
Registrant's Registration Statement
on Form S-4, Commission File No. 33-
98300, filed with the Commission on
October 16, 1995, which Exhibit is
by this reference herein
incorporated.
-65-<PAGE>
10.10 -- Revolving Credit and Term Loan
Agreement by and between BCG and
Liberty Savings Bank, FSB, dated
December 18, 1992, filed as Exhibit
10.13 to the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-4,
Commission File No. 33-98300, filed
with the Commission on October 16,
1995, which Exhibit is by this
reference herein incorporated.
10.11 -- Loan Commitment Letter from First
Liberty Bank to BCG dated October 5,
1995, filed as Exhibit 10.14 to the
Registrant's Registration Statement
on Form S-4, Commission File No. 33-
98300, filed with the Commission on
October 16, 1995, which Exhibit is
by this reference herein
incorporated.
10.12 -- Stock Redemption Agreement by and
between BCG and Joseph W. Evans,
dated April 26, 1995, filed as
Exhibit 10.15 to the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-4,
Commission File No. 33-98300, filed
with the Commission on October 16,
1995, which Exhibit is by this
reference herein incorporated.
10.13 -- Branch Purchase and Assumption
Agreement dated October 18, 1995 by
and between Bank South and
Ameribank, N.A., filed as Exhibit
10.16 to the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-4,
Commission File No. 33-65071, filed
with the Commission on December 15,
1995, which Exhibit is by this
reference herein incorporated.
21 -- Subsidiaries of the Registrant
24 -- Power of Attorney (included on the
signature page to the Registration
Statement).
27 -- Financial Data Schedule (For SEC use only)
_______________________
(1) Compensatory Plan or Arrangement.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K. No reports on Form 8-K were
filed during the last quarter of 1996.
-66-<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly
caused this Report on Form 10-KSB to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Macon,
State of Georgia, on the 28th of March, 1997.
BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA
By: /s/ Joseph W. Evans
Joseph W. Evans
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each person whose
signature appears below constitutes and appoints Joseph W. Evans
or William H. Anderson, II and either of them (with full power in
each to act alone), as true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with
full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this
Report on Form 10-KSB and to file the same, with all exhibits
thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorney-in-fact, or their substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
thereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of
1934, this Report on Form 10-KSB has been signed by the following
persons in the capacities indicated on the 28th day of March,
1997.
Signature Title
/s/ Joseph W. Evans President and Chief Executive
Joseph W. Evans Officer (Principal Executive
Officer) and Director
/s/ William H. Anderson, II Director
William H. Anderson, II
/s/ Halstead T. Anderson, II Director
Halstead T. Anderson, II
/s/ Oliver C. Bateman Director
Oliver C. Bateman
/s/ Malcolm L. Butler Director
Malcolm L. Butler
__________________________ Director
Charles B. Evans, Jr.
/s/ W. Carl Joiner, Jr. Director
W. Carl Joiner, Jr.
__________________________ Director
Kenneth D. Sams
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description
------------ -----------
21 Subsidiaries of BCG
27 Financial Data Schedule (For SEC use only)
EXHIBIT 21
Name of Subsidiary State of Incorporation
First South Bank, N.A. Not applicable
Ameribank, N.A. Not applicable
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 9
<CIK> 0000315708
<NAME> BANK CORPORATION OF GEORGIA
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996
<CASH> 20,595,724
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS> 18,642,250
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD> 5,210,000
<TRADING-ASSETS> 0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE> 42,828,598
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING> 1,088,719
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET> 1,074,850
<LOANS> 190,169,408
<ALLOWANCE> 2,849,340
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 290,254,322
<DEPOSITS> 258,698,433
<SHORT-TERM> 0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER> 3,333,327
<LONG-TERM> 1,500,000
0
0
<COMMON> 2,284,864
<OTHER-SE> 24,437,699
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY> 296,254,122
<INTEREST-LOAN> 20,526,340
<INTEREST-INVEST> 3,139,919
<INTEREST-OTHER> 768,603
<INTEREST-TOTAL> 24,434,862
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT> 9,526,209
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 9,877,915
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET> 14,556,947
<LOAN-LOSSES> 409,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS> (1,497)
<EXPENSE-OTHER> 12,698,653
<INCOME-PRETAX> 4,471,299
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY> 4,471,299
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 3,312,690
<EPS-PRIMARY> 1.41
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.41
<YIELD-ACTUAL> 5.76
<LOANS-NON> 499,000
<LOANS-PAST> 225,000
<LOANS-TROUBLED> 0
<LOANS-PROBLEM> 0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN> 2,652,412
<CHARGE-OFFS> 360,534
<RECOVERIES> 198,462
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE> 2,849,340
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC> 2,849,340
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN> 0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED> 0
</TABLE>
