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


FORM 10-Q

x Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2009

or

¨Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Commission File Number: 0-24649

REPUBLIC BANCORP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Kentucky
 
61-0862051
(State of other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

601 West Market Street, Louisville, Kentucky
 
40202
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(502) 584-3600
 (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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

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

Large accelerated filer
¨
 
Accelerated filer
þ
Non-accelerated filer
¨
 
Smaller reporting company
¨

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, as of April 24, 2009, was 18,438,155and 2,310,381, respectively.

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
  3
     
Item 1.
Financial Statements.
  3
     
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
  32
     
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
  55
     
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures.
 55
     
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
  55
     
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings.
  55
     
Item 1A.
Risk Factors.
  55
     
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
 55
     
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
  56
     
Item 6.
Exhibits.
  57
     
 
SIGNATURES
  58
 
 
2

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands) (unaudited) 

   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
             
ASSETS:
           
             
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 442,039     $ 616,303  
Securities available for sale
    402,206       853,909  
Securities to be held to maturity (fair value of $49,777 in 2009 and $49,224 in 2008)
    50,576       50,765  
Mortgage loans held for sale
    11,499       11,298  
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $17,878 and $14,832 (2009 and 2008)
    2,296,811       2,289,025  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost
    26,248       25,082  
Premises and equipment, net
    40,700       42,885  
Goodwill
    10,168       10,168  
Other assets and accrued interest receivable
    57,398       39,933  
                 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 3,337,645     $ 3,939,368  
                 
LIABILITIES:
               
                 
Deposits:
               
Non-interest-bearing
  $ 380,039     $ 273,203  
Interest-bearing
    1,588,756       2,470,166  
Total deposits
    1,968,795       2,743,369  
                 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other short-term borrowings
    325,214       339,012  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    635,191       515,234  
Subordinated note
    41,240       41,240  
Other liabilities and accrued interest payable
    63,622       24,591  
                 
Total liabilities
    3,034,062       3,663,446  
                 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
               
                 
Preferred stock, no par value
    -       -  
Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, no par value
    4,899       4,878  
Additional paid in capital
    124,453       123,441  
Retained earnings
    169,956       146,983  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    4,275       620  
                 
Total stockholders’ equity
    303,583       275,922  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 3,337,645     $ 3,939,368  

See accompanying footnotes to consolidated financial statements.

 
3

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except per share data) 


   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
INTEREST INCOME:
           
             
Loans, including fees
  $ 91,326     $ 57,780  
Taxable investment securities
    5,154       6,996  
Tax exempt investment securities
    6       24  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock and other
    871       2,960  
Total interest income
    97,357       67,760  
                 
INTEREST EXPENSE:
               
                 
Deposits
    10,338       14,301  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase and
               
    other short-term borrowings
    339       2,767  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    5,244       5,437  
Subordinated note
    620       627  
Total interest expense
    16,541       23,132  
                 
NET INTEREST INCOME
    80,816       44,628  
                 
Provision for loan losses
    25,665       10,499  
                 
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION
               
    FOR LOAN LOSSES
    55,151       34,129  
                 
NON INTEREST INCOME:
               
                 
Service charges on deposit accounts
    4,422       4,545  
Electronic refund check fees
    22,905       13,960  
Net RAL securitization income
    412       12,587  
Mortgage banking income
    4,174       1,602  
Debit card interchange fee income
    1,159       1,149  
Net loss on sales, calls and impairment of securities
    (3,125 )     (219 )
Other
    555       320  
Total non interest income
    30,502       33,944  
                 
NON INTEREST EXPENSES:
               
                 
Salaries and employee benefits
    14,516       14,500  
Occupancy and equipment, net
    5,909       4,672  
Communication and transportation
    1,923       1,338  
Marketing and development
    10,977       6,759  
FDIC insurance assessments
    1,050       59  
Bank franchise tax expense
    635       723  
Data processing
    770       717  
Debit card interchange expense
    674       576  
Supplies
    878       556  
Other real estate owned expense
    1,711       25  
Other
    4,599       3,755  
Total non interest expenses
    43,642       33,680  
                 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE
    42,011       34,393  
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
    16,252       12,270  
NET INCOME
  $ 25,759     $ 22,123  

 (continued)

 
4

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED) (continued)
(in thousands, except per share data) 


   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX
           
             
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale
  $ 1,624     $ (4,211 )
Realized amount on securities impairment recorded, net
    2,031       442  
Realized amount on securities sold, net
    -       (300 )
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    3,655       (4,069 )
                 
COMPREHENISVE INCOME
  $ 29,414     $ 18,054  
                 
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE:
               
                 
Class A Common Stock
  $ 1.25     $ 1.09  
Class B Common Stock
    1.24       1.08  
                 
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE:
               
                 
Class A Common Stock
  $ 1.24     $ 1.07  
Class B Common Stock
    1.23       1.06  

See accompanying footnotes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
5

 


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

   
Common Stock
               
Accumulated
       
   
Class A
   
Class B
         
Additional
         
Other
   
Total
 
   
Shares
   
Shares
         
Paid In
   
Retained
   
Comprehensive
   
Stockholders'
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Outstanding
   
Outstanding
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Income
   
Equity
 
                                           
Balance, January 1, 2009
    18,318       2,310     $ 4,878     $ 123,441     $ 146,983     $ 620     $ 275,922  
                                                         
Net income
    -       -       -       -       25,759       -       25,759  
                                                         
Net change in accumulated other
                                                       
comprehensive income
    -       -       -       -       -       3,655       3,655  
                                                         
Dividend declared Common Stock:
                                                       
Class A ($0.121 per share)
    -       -       -       -       (2,224 )     -       (2,224 )
Class B ($0.110 per share)
    -       -       -       -       (255 )     -       (255 )
                                                         
Stock options exercised, net of
                                                       
shares redeemed
    100       -       22       892       (200 )     -       714  
                                                         
Repurchase of Class A Common Stock
    (6 )     -       (1 )     (38 )     (107 )     -       (146 )
                                                         
Notes receivable on Common Stock, net of cash payments
    -       -       -       (90 )     -       -       (90 )
                                                         
Deferred director compensation expense - Company Stock
    -       -       -       65       -       -       65  
                                                         
Stock based compensation expense
    -       -       -       183       -       -       183  
                                                         
Balance, March 31, 2009
    18,412       2,310     $ 4,899     $ 124,453     $ 169,956     $ 4,275     $ 303,583  

See accompanying footnotes to consolidated financial statements.

 
6

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 AND 2008 (in thousands) 

   
2009
   
2008
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
           
Net income
  $ 25,759     $ 22,123  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
               
by operating activities:
               
Depreciation, amortization and accretion, net
    3,017       2,348  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock dividends
    -       (307 )
Provision for loan losses
    25,665       10,499  
Net gain on sale of mortgage loans held for sale
    (3,974 )     (1,611 )
Origination of mortgage loans held for sale
    (183,563 )     (78,066 )
Proceeds from sale of mortgage loans held for sale
    187,336       73,089  
Net realized recovery of mortgage servicing rights
    (1,133 )     -  
Net gain on sale of RALs
    -       (8,371 )
Increase in RAL securitization residual
    412       (4,216 )
Origination of RALs sold
    -       (1,098,717 )
Proceeds from sale of RALs
    -       1,009,698  
Paydown of trading securities
    (412 )     104,201  
Net realized loss on sales, calls and impairment of securities
    3,125       219  
Net gain on sale of other real estate owned
    (20 )     (42 )
Write downs of other real estate owned
    1,663       -  
Net gain on sale of premises and equipment
    -       (43 )
Deferred director compensation expense – Company Stock
    65       43  
Employee Stock Ownership Plan compensation expense
    -       200  
Stock based compensation expense
    183       195  
Net change in other assets and liabilities:
               
Accrued interest receivable
    2,042       (3,569 )
Accrued interest payable
    (2,749 )     (1,972 )
Other assets
    (19,352 )     (4,068 )
Other liabilities
    39,800       33,989  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    77,864       55,622  
                 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Purchases of securities available for sale
    (300,114 )     (1,107,155 )
Purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    (1,166 )     (531 )
Proceeds from calls, maturities and paydowns of securities available for sale
    754,338       1,129,766  
Proceeds from calls, maturities and paydowns of securities to be held to maturity
    188       428  
Proceeds from the sale of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    -       360  
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned
    473       828  
Net (increase) decrease in loans
    (34,210 )     27,097  
Purchases of premises and equipment
    (1,320 )     (1,773 )
Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment
    -       848  
Net cash provided by investing activities
    418,189       49,868  
                 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net decrease in deposits
    (774,574 )     (163,377 )
Net decrease in securities sold under agreements to repurchase
               
and other short-term borrowings
    (13,798 )     (68,824 )
Payments on Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    (5,043 )     (52,970 )
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    125,000       198,000  
Repurchase of Common Stock
    (146 )     -  
Net proceeds from Common Stock options exercised
    714       439  
Cash dividends paid
    (2,470 )     (2,209 )
Net cash used in financing activities
    (670,317 )     (88,941 )
                 
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    (174,264 )     16,549  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD
    616,303       86,177  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
  $ 442,039     $ 102,726  
 
(continued)

 
7

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 AND 2008 (in thousands) 

   
2009
   
2008
 
             
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
           
             
Cash paid during the period for:
           
Interest
  $ 19,290     $ 25,104  
Income taxes
    63       236  
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL NONCASH DISCLOSURES:
               
                 
Transfers from loans to real estate acquired in settlement of loans
  $ 669     $ 941  
Retained securitization residual
    -       102,059  

See accompanying footnotes to consolidated financial statements.

 
8

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – MARCH 31, 2009 AND 2008 (UNAUDITED) AND DECEMBER 31, 2008 


1. 
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

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

Republic operates 45 banking centers, primarily in the retail banking industry, and conducts its operations predominately in metropolitan Louisville, Kentucky, central Kentucky, northern Kentucky, southern Indiana, metropolitan Tampa, Florida, metropolitan Cincinnati, Ohio and through an Internet banking delivery channel. Republic’s consolidated results of operations are primarily dependent upon net interest income, which represents the difference between the interest income and fees on interest-earning assets and the interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities. Principal interest-earning assets represent securities and real estate mortgage, commercial and consumer loans. Interest-bearing liabilities primarily consist of interest-bearing deposit accounts, as well as short-term and long-term borrowing sources.

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

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

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

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

RALs are short-term consumer loans offered to taxpayers that are secured by the customer’s anticipated tax refund, which represents the source of repayment. The Company underwrites the RAL application through an automated credit review process utilizing information contained in the taxpayer’s tax return and the tax-preparer’s history. If the application is approved, the Company advances the amount of the refund due on the taxpayer’s return up to specified amounts less the loan fee due to the Company and, if requested by the taxpayer, the fees due for preparation of the return to the tax-preparer. As part of the RAL application process, each taxpayer signs an agreement directing the IRS to send the taxpayer’s refund directly to the Company. The refund received from the IRS is used by the Company to pay off the RAL. Any amount due the taxpayer above the amount of the RAL is remitted to the taxpayer once the refund is received by the Company. The funds advanced by the Company are generally repaid by the IRS within two weeks. The fees earned on RALs are reported as interest income under the line item “Loans, including fees.”

 
9

 

For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
·      Part I Item 1 “Financial Statements:”
o      Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
o      Footnote 10 “Segment Information”
o      Footnote 11 “Securitization”
·      Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors” of the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K

Securitization – During the 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company utilized a securitization structure to fund a portion of the RALs originated during the respective tax seasons. From mid January to the end of February of each year, RALs which, upon origination, met certain underwriting criteria related to refund amount and Earned Income Tax Credit amount, were classified as loans held for sale and sold into the securitization. All other RALs originated were retained by the Company. There were no RALs held for sale as of any quarter end. The Company retained a related residual value in the securitization, which was classified on the balance sheet as a trading security. The initial residual interest had a weighted average life of approximately one month, and as such, substantially all of its cash flows were received by the end of the first quarter. The disposition of the remaining anticipated cash flows occurred within the remainder of the calendar year. At its initial valuation, and on a quarterly basis thereafter, the Company adjusted the carrying amount of the residual value to its fair value, which was determined based on expected future cash flows and was significantly influenced by the anticipated credit losses of the underlying RALs.

The Company chose not to utilize a securitization structure to fund its RAL portfolio during the first quarter of 2009. During the first quarter of 2008, the securitization consisted of a total of $1.1 billion of RALs originated and sold. The Company’s continuing involvement in RALs sold into the securitization was limited to only servicing of the RALs. Compensation for servicing of the securitized RALs was not contingent upon performance of the securitized RALs.

The Company concluded that the securitization was a sale as defined in Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) 140 “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities-a replacement of FASB Statement No. 125.” This conclusion was based on, among other things, legal isolation of assets, the ability of the purchaser to pledge or sell the assets and the absence of a right or obligation of the Company to repurchase the financial assets.

For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
·      Part I Item 1 “Financial Statements:”
o      Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
o      Footnote 10 “Segment Information”
o      Footnote 11 “Securitization”
·      Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors” of the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS 141(R), “Business Combinations,” which established principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in an acquiree, including the recognition and measurement of goodwill acquired in a business combination. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 160, “Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51,” which changed the accounting and reporting for minority interests. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

 
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of SFAS No. 133.” SFAS 161 amended and expanded the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 133 for derivative instruments and hedging activities. SFAS 161 requires qualitative disclosure about objectives and strategies for using derivative and hedging instruments, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of the instruments and gains and losses on such instruments, as well as disclosures about credit-risk features in derivative agreements. The Company adopted SFAS 161 at the beginning of the first quarter of 2009, and has included the expanded disclosures required by that statement.

 
10

 

On April 9, 2009, the FASB finalized four FASB Staff Positions (“FSPs”) regarding the accounting treatment for investments including mortgage-backed securities. These FSPs changed the method for determining if an Other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) exists and the amount of OTTI to be recorded through an entity’s income statement. The changes brought about by the FSPs provide greater clarity and reflect a more accurate representation of the credit and noncredit components of an OTTI event. The four FSPs are as follows:

 
·
FSP “SFAS 157-3 Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active” clarifies the application of SFAS 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” in a market that is not active and provides an example to illustrate key considerations in determining the fair value of a financial asset when the market for that financial asset is not active.

 
·
FSP “SFAS 157-4 Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Assets or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly” provides guidelines for making fair value measurements more consistent with the principles presented in SFAS 157, “Fair Value Measurements.”

 
·
FSP “SFAS 115-2 and SFAS 124-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other-than-temporary impairments” provides additional guidance designed to create greater clarity and consistency in accounting for and presenting impairment losses on securities.

 
·
FSP “SFAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments” enhances consistency in financial reporting by increasing the frequency of fair value disclosures.

These staff positions are effective for financial statements issued for periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early application possible for the first quarter of 2009. The Company elected not to adopt any of the above positions early. The Company has not completed its evaluation of the impact of these standards on its results of operation and financial position.

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

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, the financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for fair presentation have been included. Operating results for three months ended March 31, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2009. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in Republic’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 
11

 

2. 
INVESMENT SECURITIES

Securities available for sale:

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

   
Gross
   
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
       
March 31, 2009 (in thousands)
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
                         
U.S. Treasury securities and U.S.
                       
Government agencies
  $ 17,029     $ 286     $ (2 )   $ 17,313  
Private label mortgage backed and other
                               
private label mortgage-related securities
    10,623       106       -       10,729  
Mortgage backed securities
    288,123       6,810       (37 )     294,896  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    79,855       70       (657 )     79,268  
                                 
Total securities available for sale
  $ 395,630     $ 7,272     $ (696 )   $ 402,206  
 
   
Gross
   
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
       
December 31, 2008 (in thousands)
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
                         
U.S. Treasury securities and U.S.
                       
Government agencies
  $ 458,245     $ 596     $ (1 )   $ 458,840  
Private label mortgage backed and other
                               
private label mortgage-related securities
    14,678       -       -       14,678  
Mortgage backed securities
    305,902       2,829       (496 )     308,235  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    74,130       -       (1,974 )     72,156  
                                 
Total securities available for sale
  $ 852,955     $ 3,425     $ (2,471 )   $ 853,909  

Securities to be held to maturity:

The carrying value, gross unrecognized gains and losses, and fair value of securities to be held to maturity were as follows:

   
 
   
Gross 
   
Gross
       
   
Carrying
   
Unrecognized
   
Unrecognized
       
March 31, 2009 (in thousands)
 
Value
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
                         
U.S. Treasury securities and U.S.
                       
Government agencies
  $ 4,672     $ 1     $ -     $ 4,673  
Obligations of states and political
                               
subdivisions
    384       26       -       410  
Mortgage backed securities
    3,367       81       (2 )     3,446  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    42,153       5       (910 )     41,248  
                                 
Total securities to be held to maturity
  $ 50,576     $ 113     $ (912 )   $ 49,777  
 
 
12

 

   
 
   
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Carrying
   
Unrecognized
   
Unrecognized
       
December 31, 2008 (in thousands)
 
Value
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
                         
U.S. Treasury securities and U.S.
                       
Government agencies
  $ 4,670     $ 7     $ -     $ 4,677  
Obligations of states and political
                               
subdivisions
    384       17       -       401  
Mortgage backed securities
    3,527       63       (2 )     3,588  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    42,184       -       (1,626 )     40,558  
                                 
Total securities to be held to maturity
  $ 50,765     $ 87     $ (1,628 )   $ 49,224  

Market Loss Analysis

Securities with unrealized losses at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, are as follows:

   
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or more
   
Total
 
March 31, 2009 (in thousands)
 
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Loss
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
                                     
U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. 
Government agencies
  $ 8,047     $ (2 )   $ -     $ -     $ 8,047     $ (2 )
Mortgage backed securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations
    103,914       (1,604 )     57       (2 )     103,971       (1,606 )
                                                 
Total
  $ 111,961     $ (1,606 )   $ 57     $ (2 )   $ 112,018     $ (1,608 )

December 31, 2008 (in thousands)
 
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Loss
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
                                     
U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. 
Government agencies
  $ 24,999     $ (1 )   $ -     $ -     $ 24,999     $ (1 )
Mortgage backed securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations
    178,864       (4,092 )     77       (6 )     178,941       (4,098 )
                                                 
Total
  $ 203,863     $ (4,093 )   $ 77     $ (6 )   $ 203,940     $ (4,099 )
 
 
13

 

 
Other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”)

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

 
·
how much fair value has declined below amortized cost;
 
·
how long the decline in fair value has existed;
 
·
the financial condition of the issuer;
 
·
contractual or estimated cash flows of the security;
 
·
underlying supporting collateral;
 
·
past events, current conditions and forecasts;
 
·
significant rating agency changes on the issuer; and
 
·
the Company’s intent and ability to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.

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

Nationally, residential real estate values have declined significantly since 2007. These declines in value, coupled with the reduced ability of certain homeowners to refinance or repay their residential real estate obligations, have led to elevated delinquencies and losses in residential real estate loans. Many of these loans have previously been securitized and sold to investors as private label mortgage backed and other private label mortgage-related securities. The Company owned and continues to own five private label mortgage backed and other private label mortgage-related securities with a fair value of $10.7 million at March 31, 2009. These securities are not guaranteed by government agencies. Approximately $5.4 million (Securities 1 through 4 in the table below) of these securities are mostly backed by “Alternative A” first lien mortgage loans. The remaining $5.3 million (Security 5 in the table below) represents an asset backed security with an insurance “wrap” or guarantee. The average life of these securities is currently estimated to be approximately five years. Due to current market conditions, all of these assets are extremely illiquid, and as such, the Company determined that these securities are Level 3 securities in accordance with SFAS 157 “Fair Value Measurements.” Based on this determination, the Company utilized an income valuation model (present value model) approach, in determining the fair value of these securities. This approach is beneficial for positions that are not traded in active markets or are subject to transfer restrictions, and/or where valuations are adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability. Such adjustments are generally based on available market evidence. In the absence of such evidence, management’s best estimate is used. Management’s best estimate consists of both internal and external support for these investments.

All respective unrealized losses related to the private label mortgage backed and other private label mortgage-related securities have been transferred from accumulated other comprehensive loss to an immediate reduction of earnings classified as net loss on sales, calls and impairments of securities in the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income. In the future, with the adoption of the FSPs, all unrealized losses in the Company’s private label securities which are deemed to be non-credit in nature will be recorded as a reduction to other comprehensive income. Those losses deemed to be credit in nature will be transferred from accumulated other comprehensive loss to an immediate reduction of earnings classified as net loss on sales, calls and impairments of securities in the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income.

During the first quarter of 2009, the Company recognized total non cash OTTI charges to the income statement of $3.1 million for its available for sale private label mortgage backed securities and other private label mortgage-related securities (Security 1 through Security 5 in the table below). During the first quarter of 2008, the Company recognized a net loss on sales, calls and impairment on securities of $219,000. During the first quarter of 2008, management determined that its Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC” or “Freddie Mac”) preferred stock investment, with a cost basis of $2 million, was “other-than-temporarily impaired” and recorded an impairment charge of $680,000. This impairment charge was partially offset by a mandatory partial redemption of the Company’s Visa, Inc. Class B Common Stock holdings of $311,000 related to Visa’s initial public offering, as well as $150,000 in realized gains booked related to unamortized discount accretion on a portion of callable U.S. Government agencies that were called before their maturity during the first quarter of 2008.

 
14

 

For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company recorded total non cash OTTI charges of $14.2 million related to its available for sale private label mortgage backed securities and other private label mortgage-related securities (Security 1 through Security 5 in the table below). In determining these securities were other-than-temporarily impaired, the Company gave considerable weight to the significance of the downgrades of the securities by the various rating agencies throughout the year. These downgrades raised doubt about the ability of the Company to continue to collect future principal and interest payments from the security in accordance with its original terms. In addition, the Company recorded additional impairment charges, as the Company’s model indicated further credit deterioration of the underlying loans. In other words, the Company modeled future anticipated cash flows and projected a shortfall, or loss of contractual principal and interest.

Further deterioration in economic conditions and/or new or additional downgrades from applicable rating agencies could cause the Company to record additional impairment charges up to $10.6 million, which is the current carrying amount of its private label mortgage backed securities and other private label mortgage-related securities. Realized and unrealized loss detail for the Company’s private label mortgage backed and other private label mortgage-related securities as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2009 follows:

         
Estimated
                         
   
Amortized
   
Fair
   
Realized
   
Ratings as of the filing date
 
 (in thousands)
 
Cost
   
Value
   
Losses
   
S&P
   
Fitch
   
Moody's
 
                                     
Security 1
  $ 1,869     $ 1,869     $ (1,870 )  
B
   
-
   
Ca
 
Security 2
    240       240       (247 )  
BB
   
-
   
Ca
 
Security 3
    2,263       2,263       (707 )  
BB
   
CCC
   
-
 
Security 4
    1,010       1,010       (301 )  
AA
   
B
   
-
 
Security 5
    5,241       5,347       -    
AA
   
-
   
-
 
      -       -       -                          
Total
  $ 10,623     $ 10,729     $ (3,125 )                        

The ratings above range from extremely speculative (Moody’s Ca) to high grade (S&P AA).

Securities pledged to secure public deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and securities held for other purposes, as required or permitted by law are as follows:

(in thousands)
 
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
             
Amortized cost
  $ 410,688     $ 595,156  
Fair value
    409,800       593,922  

 
15

 
 
3. 
LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

The composition of the loan portfolio follows:

   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
(in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
 
             
Residential real estate
  $ 1,111,319     $ 1,095,540  
Commercial real estate
    641,257       653,048  
Real estate construction
    95,996       99,395  
Commercial
    107,593       111,604  
Consumer
    44,242       28,056  
Overdrafts
    971       2,796  
Home equity
    313,311       313,418  
Total loans
    2,314,689       2,303,857  
Less: Allowance for loan losses
    17,878       14,832  
                 
Loans, net
  $ 2,296,811     $ 2,289,025  

Activity in the allowance for loan losses follows:

   
Three Months Ended
 
    
March 31,
 
(in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
 
Allowance for loan losses, at beginning of period
  $ 14,832     $ 12,735  
                 
Provision for loan losses
    25,665       10,499  
                 
Charge offs – Banking
    (895 )     (1,060 )
Charge offs – Tax Refund Solutions
    (27,054 )     (7,873 )
Total Charge offs
    (27,949 )     (8,933 )
                 
Recoveries – Banking
    155       186  
Recoveries – Tax Refund Solutions
    5,175       538  
Total Recoveries
    5,330       724  
                 
Allowance for loan losses, at end of period
  $ 17,878     $ 15,025  

Information regarding Republic’s impaired loans follows:

   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
(in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
 
             
Loans with no allocated allowance for loan losses
  $ -     $ -  
Loans with allocated allowance for loan losses
    25,205       12,108  
                 
Total
  $ 25,205     $ 12,108  
                 
Amount of the allowance for loan losses allocated
  $ 4,432     $ 1,998  
Average of individually impaired loans during period
    2,291       13,355  
Interest income recognized during impairment
    -       -  
Cash basis interest income recognized
    -       -  

 
16

 

Detail of non-performing loans and non-performing assets follows:

 
(dollars in thousands)
 
March 31,
2009
   
December 31,
2008
 
             
Loans on non-accrual status
  $ 24,133     $ 11,324  
Loans past due 90 days or more and still on accrual
    352       2,133  
Total non-performing loans
    24,485       13,457  
Other real estate owned
    6,386       5,737  
Total non-performing assets
  $ 30,871     $ 19,194  
Non-performing loans to total loans
    1.06 %     0.58 %
Non-performing assets to total loans (including OREO)
    1.33       0.83  
 
The composition of non performing loans follows:

   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
(in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
 
             
Residential real estate
  $ 9,625     $ 7,147  
Commercial real estate
    6,243       2,665  
Real estate construction
    6,987       2,749  
Commercial
    577       243  
Consumer
    38       86  
Home equity
    1,015       567  
Total non performing loans
  $ 24,485     $ 13,457  
 
The following table details RAL originations and loss reserves for three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008:

Three Months Ended March 31, (in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
 
             
Originations:
           
             
RALs originated and retained on balance sheet
  $ 2,455,183     $ 672,258  
RALs originated and securitized
    -       1,090,473  
    Total RALs originated
  $ 2,455,183     $ 1,762,731  
                 
Estimated RAL losses:
               
                 
Estimated losses for RALs retained on balance sheet, net
  $ 22,008     $ 7,453  
Net reduction to estimated future expected cash
               
     flows for securitized RALs
    -       7,174  
     Total Estimated RAL losses, net
  $ 22,008     $ 14,627  
 
RAL Loss Reserves and Provision for Loan Losses:

Due to the excessive costs of securitization structures, which resulted from a significant lack of liquidity in the credit markets during the latter half of 2008, the Company elected not to obtain funding from a securitization structure for the first quarter 2009 tax season. Instead, the Company utilized its traditional borrowing sources, including brokered certificates of deposit, as its primary RAL funding source for the first quarter 2009 tax season. Accounting for this change in funding strategy caused, and will continue to cause throughout the year, differences among some income and expense items when comparing results of operations for 2009 to 2008. The securitization had the effect during 2008 of reclassifying for securitized RALs the fee income earned, interest expense paid and provision expense into “Net RAL securitization income,” which is a component of non interest income. During 2009, these items were, and will continue to be, classified in interest income on loans, interest expense on deposits and provision for loan losses, respectively.

 
17

 

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

Profitability in the Company’s TRS business operating segment is primarily driven by the volume of RAL transactions processed and the loss rate incurred on RALs, and is particularly sensitive to both measures. During the first quarter of 2009, the Company processed 39% more in dollars of RALs originated compared to the same period in 2008. As of March 31, 2009, $34.9 million of total RALs originated were outstanding past their expected funding date from the IRS compared to $19.2 million (includes $9.4 of securitized RALs) at March 31, 2008, representing 1.43% and 1.11% of total gross RALs originated during the respective tax years by the Company. The increase in estimated losses associated with RALs was primarily due the increased overall volume coupled with higher estimated RAL losses as a percent of total originations related to an increase in the amount of refunds held by the IRS for reasons such as audits and liens from prior debts. In addition, the overall dollar increase in uncollected RALs was also driven by the year-over-year growth in volume.

The Company expects the actual loss rate realized will be less than the current uncollected amount as the Company will continue to receive payments from the IRS throughout the year and make other collection efforts to obtain repayment on the RALs. As a result of the higher current overall RAL uncollected rate, however, the TRS segment’s provision for loan losses increased from $7.5 million during the first quarter of 2008 to $22.0 million during the first quarter of 2009. Included as a credit to the first quarter 2009 TRS provision for loan losses, and as a recovery in the analysis of the allowance for loan losses, was $2.8 million, which represents a limited preparer-provided guarantee on RAL product performance. The Company’s gross loss reserves for RALs equate to 1.10% and 0.87% of total RALs originated during the first quarter of each year. Based on the Company’s 2009 RAL volume, each 0.10% increase in the loss rate for RALs represents approximately $2.5 million in additional provision for loan loss expense.

 
18

 

The following tables illustrates the effect on the 2009 provision for loan losses of TRS if final losses of RALs differ from management’s current estimate by as much as 33 basis points higher or lower:

As of March 31, 2009 (dollars in thousands)

Total RALs retained on balance sheet during the current year tax season:
  $ 2,455,183  

         
Increase / (Decrease)
 
          
In Provision
 
If % of RALs That Do
 
Provision for
   
For Loan Losses
 
Not Payoff Changes
 
Loan Losses
   
From Current Estimate
 
             
Increase 33 basis points
  $ 30,110     $ 8,102  
Increase 30 basis points
    29,374       7,366  
Increase 25 basis points
    28,146       6,138  
Increase 20 basis points
    26,918       4,910  
Increase 15 basis points
    25,691       3,683  
Increase 10 basis points
    24,463       2,455  
Increase 5 basis points
    23,236       1,228  
Current Estimate (Base)
    22,008       -  
Decrease 5 basis points
    20,780       (1,228 )
Decrease 10 basis points
    19,553       (2,455 )
Decrease 15 basis points
    18,325       (3,683 )
Decrease 20 basis points
    17,098       (4,910 )
Decrease 25 basis points
    15,870       (6,138 )
Decrease 30 basis points
    14,642       (7,366 )
Decrease 33 basis points
    13,906       (8,102 )

For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
 
·
Part I Item 1 “Financial Statements:”
 
o
Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
 
o
Footnote 10 “Segment Information”
 
o
Footnote 11 “Securitization”
 
·
Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors” of the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K

4.
DEPOSITS

Deposit composition was as follows at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
(in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
 
Demand (NOW and SuperNOW)
  $ 222,388     $ 202,607  
Money market accounts
    576,427       555,346  
Brokered money market accounts
    180,822       163,965  
Internet money market accounts
    5,710       6,253  
Savings
    34,597       32,599  
Individual retirement accounts
    37,052       38,142  
Time deposits, $100,000 and over
    198,678       202,058  
Other certificates of deposit
    189,482       221,179  
Brokered deposits
    143,600       1,048,017  
Total interest-bearing deposits
    1,588,756       2,470,166  
Total non interest-bearing deposits
    380,039       273,203  
Total
  $ 1,968,795     $ 2,743,369  

 
19

 

5.
FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK (“FHLB”) ADVANCES

At March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, FHLB advances outstanding were as follows:

(in thousands)
 
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
             
Putable fixed interest rate advances with a weighted average interest rate of 4.51%(1)
  $ 150,000     $ 150,000  
                 
Fixed interest rate advances with a weighted average interest rate of 3.55% due through 2035
    485,191       365,234  
                 
Total FHLB advances
  $ 635,191     $ 515,234  
 

(1) Represents putable advances with the FHLB. These advances have original fixed rate periods ranging from one to five years with original maturities ranging from three to ten years if not put back to the Company earlier by the FHLB. At the end of their respective fixed rate periods and on a quarterly basis thereafter, the FHLB has the right to require payoff of the advances by the Company at no penalty. During the first quarter of 2007, the Company entered into $100 million of putable advances with a final maturity of 10 years and a fixed rate period of 3 years. Based on market conditions at this time, the Company does not believe that any of its putable advances are likely to be “put back” to the Company in the short-term by the FHLB.
 
Each FHLB advance is payable at its maturity date, with a prepayment penalty for fixed rate advances paid off earlier than maturity. FHLB advances are collateralized by a blanket pledge of eligible real estate loans. At March 31, 2009, Republic had available collateral to borrow an additional $327 million from the FHLB. In addition to its borrowing line with the FHLB, Republic also had unsecured lines of credit totaling $200 million available through various other financial institutions.

Aggregate future principal payments on FHLB advances, based on contractual maturity dates are detailed below:

Year
 
(in thousands)
 
       
2009
  $ 102,000  
2010
    92,370  
2011
    100,000  
2012
    85,000  
2013
    91,000  
Thereafter
    164,821  
Total
  $ 635,191  

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

   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
(in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
 
             
First lien, single family residential
  $ 811,740     $ 799,932  
Home equity lines of credit
    119,150       121,470  
Multi-family, commercial real estate
    43,386       38,082  

 
20

 

6. 
FAIR VALUE

SFAS 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

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

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

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

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. When that occurs, the Company classifies the fair value hierarchy on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company uses the following methods and significant assumptions to estimate fair value:

Securities available for sale: For all securities available for sale, excluding private label mortgage backed and other private label mortgage-related securities, fair value is typically determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges (Level 1 inputs) or matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities, but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities (Level 2 inputs). With the exception of private label mortgage backed and other private label mortgage-related securities securities, all securities available for sale are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

On April 9, 2009, the FASB finalized FOUR Staff Positions (“FSPs”) regarding the accounting treatment for investments including mortgage-backed securities. These FSPs changed the method for determining if an Other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) exists and the amount of OTTI to be recorded through an entity’s income statement. The changes brought about by the FSPs provide greater clarity and reflect a more accurate representation of the credit and noncredit components of an OTTI event. These staff positions are effective for financial statements issued for periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early application possible for the first quarter of 2009. The Company elected not to adopt any of these three positions early. The Company has not completed its evaluation of the impact of these standards on its results of operation and financial position.

See Footnote 2 “Investment Securities” of Part I Item I “Financial Statements” for additional discussion regarding the Company’s private label mortgage backed and other private label mortgage-related securities.

 
21

 

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

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

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

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

Assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis at March 31, 2009

(in thousands)
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   
Balance as of
March 31, 2009
 
Securities available for sale
  $ -     $ 391,477     $ 10,729     $ 402,206  
                                 
Forward contracts
    -       (748 )     -       (748 )
                                 
Rate lock loan commitments
    -       1,626       -       1,626  
                                 
Mortgage loans held for sale
    -       11,499       -       11,499  

Rollforwards of activity for the Company’s Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3), follows:

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

Three months ended March 31, (in thousands)
 
2009
 
       
Balance, January 1, 2009
  $ 14,678  
Net realized OTTI loss
    (3,125 )
Net change in unrealized gain/ (loss)     106  
Principal paydowns
    (930 )
Balance, March 31, 2009
  $ 10,729  

 
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Assets and liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis at March 31, 2009

(in thousands)
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   
Balance as of
December 31,
2008
 
Impaired loans
  $ -     $ -     $ 20,773     $ 20,773  
Mortgage servicing rights
    -       8,380       -       8,380  

The following represent impairment charges recognized during the period:

The Company recorded realized impairment loss related to its Level 3 private label mortgage backed and other private label mortgage-related securities totaling $3.1 million and $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008. See Footnote 2 “Investment Securities” for additional detail.

Due primarily to a decline in the expected prepayment speed of the Company’s sold loan portfolio with servicing retained, the fair value of the Company’s Mortgage Servicing Rights (“MSR”) increased during the first quarter of 2009. As a result of this increase, the Company reduced its corresponding valuation allowance to $122,000 at March 31, 2009, a reduction of $1.1 million.

Impaired loans, which are measured for impairment using the fair value of the collateral for collateral dependent loans, had a carrying amount of $25.2 million, with a valuation allowance of $4.4 million, resulting in an additional provision for loan losses of $1.3 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 
23

 

7.   MORTGAGE BANKING ACTIVITIES

Activity for mortgage loans held for sale was as follows:

March 31, (in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
 
             
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 11,298     $ 4,278  
Origination of mortgage loans held for sale
    183,563       78,066  
Proceeds from the sale of mortgage loans held for sale
    (187,336 )     (73,089 )
Net gain on sale of mortgage loans held for sale
    3,974       1,611  
Less: Allowance to adjust to lower of cost or market
    -       -  
Balance, end of period
  $ 11,499     $ 10,866  

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

March 31, (in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
 
             
Net gain on sale of mortgage loans held for sale
  $ 3,974     $ 1,611  
Decrease in valuation allowance for MSR impairment
    1,133       -  
Net loan servicing income, net of amortization
    (933 )     (9 )
Mortgage banking income
  $ 4,174     $ 1,602  

Activity for capitalized mortgage servicing rights was as follows:

March 31, (in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
 
             
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 5,809     $ 6,706  
Additions
    1,604       877  
Amortized to expense
    (1,601 )     (633 )
Change in valuation allowance
    1,133       -  
Balance, end of period
  $ 6,945     $ 6,950  

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

 
2009
   
2008
 
             
Balance, beginning of period
  $ (1,255 )   $ -  
Additions to expense
    -       -  
Decrease in valuation allowance for MSR impairment
    1,133       -  
    -       -  
Balance, end of period
  $ (122 )   $ -  

The fair value of MSRs was $8.4 million and $7.0 million at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008. The fair value at March 31, 2009 was calculated using a discount rate of 9% with prepayment speeds ranging from 194% to 408%, depending on the stratification of the specific MSR, and a weighted average default rate of 1.50%. The fair value for year end 2008 was calculated using a discount rate of 12% with prepayment speeds ranging from 187% to 509%, depending on the stratification of the specific MSR, and a weighted average default rate of 1.50%.

Due to the significant reduction in long-term interest rates during December of 2008, the fair value of the MSR portfolio declined as pre-payment speed assumptions were adjusted upwards resulting in an impairment charge of $1.3 million for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2008. During the first quarter of 2009, prepayment speed assumptions stabilized to levels last seen prior to December of 2008 and the Company reversed $1.1 million from the valuation allowance. At March 31, 2009 five of the total 22 tranches remained impaired for a total of $122,000. There were no impairment charges recorded prior to the fourth quarter of 2008.

 
24

 

Mortgage Banking derivatives used in the ordinary course of business consist of mandatory forward sales contracts and rate lock loan commitments. Forward contracts represent future commitments to deliver loans at a specified price and date and are used to manage interest rate risk on loan commitments and mortgage loans held for sale. Rate lock commitments represent commitments to fund loans at a specific rate. These derivatives involve underlying items, such as interest rates, and are designed to transfer risk. Substantially all of these instruments expire within 90 days from the date of issuance. Notional amounts are amounts on which calculations and payments are based, but which do not represent credit exposure, as credit exposure is limited to the amounts required to be received or paid.

The Company adopted SFAS 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” at the beginning of the first quarter of 2009, and has included here the expanded disclosures required by that statement.

The following tables include the notional amounts and realized gain (loss) for mortgage banking derivatives recognized in Mortgage Banking income for the period end March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

(in thousands)
 
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
             
Forward contracts:
           
Notional amount
  $ 111,800     $ 43,865  
Loss on change in market value of forward contracts
    (748 )     (451 )
                 
Rate lock loan commitments:
               
Notional amount
  $ 129,382     $ 66,902  
Gain on change in market value of rate lock commitments
    1,626       543  

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

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

On November 5, 2007, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 109, “Written Loan Commitments Recorded at Fair Value through Earnings.” Previously, SAB 105, “Application of Accounting Principles to Loan Commitments,” stated that in measuring the fair value of a derivative loan commitment, a company should not incorporate the expected net future cash flows related to the associated servicing of the loan. SAB 109 supersedes SAB 105 and indicates that the expected net future cash flows related to the associated servicing of the loan should be included in measuring fair value for all written loan commitments that are accounted for at fair value through earnings. SAB 105 also indicated that internally-developed intangible assets should not be recorded as part of the fair value of a derivative loan commitment, and SAB 109 retains that view. The Company adopted SAB 109 on January 1, 2008 which effectively caused Mortgage Banking revenue to be recognized on the date the Company enters into the rate lock commitment with the customer.

 
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8. 
OFF BALANCE SHEET RISKS, COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

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

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

As of March 31, 2009, exclusive of mortgage banking loan commitments, Republic had outstanding loan commitments of $511 million, which included unfunded home equity lines of credit totaling $319 million. At December 31, 2008, Republic had outstanding loan commitments of $550 million, which included unfunded home equity lines of credit totaling $331 million. These commitments generally have open ended maturities and variable rates. At March 31, 2009 rates primarily ranged from 4.00% to 7.50% with a weighted average rate of 5.01%.

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by Republic to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The terms and risk of loss involved in issuing standby letters of credit are similar to those involved in issuing loan commitments and extending credit. Commitments outstanding under standby letters of credit totaled $21 million and $14 million at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008. In addition to credit risk, the Company also has liquidity risk associated with standby letters of credit because funding for these obligations could be required immediately. The Company does not deem this risk to be material.

At March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, Republic had a $12 million letter of credit from the FHLB issued on behalf of one RB&T client. This letter of credit was used as a credit enhancement for a client bond offering and reduced RB&T’s available borrowing line at the FHLB. The Company uses a blanket pledge of eligible real estate loans to secure the letter of credit.

9. 
EARNINGS PER SHARE

Class A and Class B shares participate equally in undistributed earnings. The difference in earnings per share between the two classes of common stock results solely from the 10% per share cash dividend premium paid on Class A Common Stock over that paid on Class B Common Stock. The Class A Common shares are entitled to cash dividends equal to 110% of the cash dividend paid per share on Class B Common Stock. Class A Common shares have one vote per share and Class B Common shares have ten votes per share. Class B Common shares may be converted, at the option of the holder, to Class A Common shares on a share for share basis. The Class A Common shares are not convertible into any other class of Republic’s capital stock.

A reconciliation of the combined Class A and Class B Common Stock numerators and denominators of the earnings per share and diluted earnings per share computations is presented below:

 
26

 

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
2009
   
2008
 
             
Net income
  $ 25,759     $ 22,123  
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding
    20,662       20,339  
Effect of dilutive securities
    170       276  
Average shares outstanding including dilutive securities
    20,832       20,615  
                 
Basic earnings per share:
               
Class A Common Share
  $ 1.25     $ 1.09  
Class B Common Share
    1.24       1.08  
                 
Diluted earnings per share:
               
Class A Common Share
  $ 1.24     $ 1.07  
Class B Common Share
    1.23       1.06  

Stock options excluded from the detailed earnings per share calculation because their impact was antidilutive are as follows:
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
             
Antidilutive stock options
    665,644       516,445  
 
10.    SEGMENT INFORMATION

The reportable segments are determined by the type of products and services offered, distinguished between banking operations, mortgage banking operations and Tax Refund Solutions (“TRS”). Loans, investments and deposits provide the majority of the net revenue from banking operations; servicing fees and loan sales provide the majority of revenue from mortgage banking operations; RAL fees, ERC/ERD fees and Net RAL securitization income provide the majority of the revenue from TRS. All Company segments are domestic.

The accounting policies used for Republic’s reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Income taxes are allocated based on income before income tax expense. Transactions among reportable segments are made at fair value.

For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
 
·
Part I Item 1 “Financial Statements:”
 
o
Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
 
o
Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
 
o
Footnote 11 “Securitization”
 
·
Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors” of the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K

 
27

 

Segment information for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 follows:

   
Three Months Ended March 31, 2009
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Banking
   
 
Tax Refund
Solutions
   
Mortgage Banking
   
Total Company
 
                         
Net interest income
  $ 27,958     $ 52,574     $ 284     $ 80,816  
Provision for loan losses
    3,657       22,008       -       25,665  
                                 
Electronic Refund Check fees
    -       22,905       -       22,905  
Net RAL securitization income
    -       412       -       412  
Mortgage banking income
    -       -       4,174       4,174  
Other revenue
    2,834       15       162       3,011  
Total non interest income
    2,834       23,332       4,336       30,502  
                                 
Total non interest expenses
    24,307       18,901       434       43,642  
                                 
Gross operating profit
    2,828       34,997       4,186       42,011  
Income tax expense
    697       14,112       1,443       16,252  
Net income
  $ 2,131     $ 20,885     $ 2,743     $ 25,759  
                                 
Segment assets
  $ 3,187,188     $ 137,555     $ 12,902     $ 3,337,645  
                                 
Net interest margin
    3.85 %  
NM
   
NM
      8.12 %

   
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Banking
   
 
Tax Refund
Solutions
   
Mortgage Banking
   
Total Company
 
                         
Net interest income
  $ 25,130     $ 19,396     $ 102     $ 44,628  
Provision for loan losses
    3,046       7,453       -       10,499  
                                 
Electronic Refund Check fees
    -       13,960       -       13,960  
Net RAL securitization income
    -       12,587       -       12,587  
Mortgage banking income
    -       -       1,602       1,602  
Other revenue
    6,121       9       (335 )     5,795  
Total non interest income
    6,121       26,556       1,267       33,944  
                                 
Total non interest expenses
    20,877       12,564       239       33,680  
                                 
Gross operating profit
    7,328       25,935       1,130       34,393  
Income tax expense
    2,499       9,385       386       12,270  
Net income
  $ 4,829     $ 16,550     $ 744     $ 22,123  
                                 
Segment assets
  $ 2,852,709     $ 260,379     $ 10,943     $ 3,124,031  
                                 
Net interest margin
    3.84 %  
NM
   
NM
      5.57 %

 
28

 

11.  SECURITIZATION  

In January 2006, the Company established TRS RAL Funding, LLC (“TRS RAL, LLC”), a qualified special purpose entity (“QSPE”) and wholly-owned subsidiary corporation of RB&T. The QSPE securitized and sold a portion of the RAL portfolio to independent third parties during the first quarter of 2008. The purpose of the securitization was to provide a funding source for the Company’s RAL portfolio and also reduce the impact of the RAL program on the Company’s regulatory capital.

As part of the securitization, the Company established a two step structure to handle the sale of the assets to third party investors. In the first step, a sale provided for TRS RAL, LLC to purchase the assets from RB&T as Originator and Servicer. In the second step, a sale and administration agreement was entered into by and among TRS RAL, LLC and various other third parties, with TRS RAL, LLC retaining a residual interest in an over-collateralization.

During 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company utilized a securitization structure to fund a portion of the RALs originated during the respective tax seasons. From mid January to the end of February of each year, RALs which, upon origination, met certain underwriting criteria related to refund amount and Earned Income Tax Credit amount, were classified as loans held for sale and sold into the securitization. All other RALs originated were retained by the Company. There were no RALs held for sale as of any quarter end. The Company retained a related residual value in the securitization, which was classified on the balance sheet as a trading security. The initial residual interest had a weighted average life of approximately one month, and as such, substantially all of its cash flows were received by the end of the first quarter. The disposition of the remaining anticipated cash flows occurred within the remainder of the calendar year. At its initial valuation, and on a quarterly basis thereafter, the Company adjusted the carrying amount of the residual value to its fair value, which was determined based on expected future cash flows and was significantly influenced by the anticipated credit losses of the underlying RALs.

The Company chose not to utilize a securitization structure to fund its RAL portfolio during the first quarter of 2009. During the first quarter of 2008 the securitization consisted of a total of $1.1 billion of RALs originated and sold. The Company’s continuing involvement in RALs sold into the securitization was limited to only servicing of the RALs. Compensation for servicing of the securitized RALs was not contingent upon performance of the securitized RALs. The residual value related to the securitization was presented as a trading security on the balance sheet and was $2.0 million at March 31, 2008.

The Company concluded that the securitization was a sale as defined in SFAS 140 “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities-a replacement of FASB Statement No. 125.” This conclusion was based on, among other things, legal isolation of assets, the ability of the purchaser to pledge or sell the assets, and the absence of a right or obligation of the Company to repurchase the financial assets.
 
Due to the excessive costs of securitization structures, which resulted from a significant lack of liquidity in the credit markets during the latter half of 2008, the Company elected not to obtain funding from a securitization structure for the first quarter 2009 tax season. Instead, the Company utilized brokered certificates of deposits and its traditional borrowing lines of credit as its primary RAL funding source for the first quarter 2009 tax season. Accounting for this change in funding strategy has caused differences among some income and expense items when comparing income statement results for 2009 to results in 2008. The securitization had the effect during 2008 of reclassifying for securitized RALs the fee income earned, interest expense paid and provision expense into “Net RAL securitization income,” which is a component of non interest income. During 2009, these items were, and will continue to be, classified in interest income on loans, interest expense on deposits and provision for loan losses, respectively. The Company recognized net RAL securitization income of $12.6 million and sold $1.1 billion RALs into the securitization during the first quarter of 2008.

 
29

 

Detail of Net RAL securitization income follows:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
   
March 31,
 
 (in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
 
             
Net gain on sale of RALs
  $ -     $ 8,371  
Increase in securitization residual
    412       4,216  
Net RAL securitization income
  $ 412     $ 12,587  

For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
 
·
Part I Item 1 “Financial Statements:”
 
o
Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
 
o
Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
 
o
Footnote 10 “Segment Information”
 
·
Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors” of the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K

 
30

 
 
12.
REGULATORY MATTERS

Effective January 10, 2009, RB&T made public its Community Reinvestment Act Performance Evaluation (the “CRA Evaluation”). The CRA Evaluation assesses RB&T’s initiatives and performance that are designed to help meet the credit needs of the areas it serves, including low and moderate-income individuals, neighborhoods and businesses. The CRA Evaluation also includes a review of the RB&T’s community development services and investments in the RB&T’s assessment areas.

RB&T received “High Satisfactory” ratings on the Investment Test component and the Service Test component evaluated as part of the CRA Evaluation. Based on issues identified within RB&T’s Refund Anticipation Loan (“RAL”) program, RB&T received a “Needs to Improve” rating on the Lending Test component, and as a result, on its overall rating.

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

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

In response to the CRA Evaluation, RB&T changed certain procedures and processes to address the Reg B issues raised by the FDIC. By statute, a financial holding company, such as the Company, that controls a Bank with a “Needs to Improve” CRA rating has limitations on certain future business activities, including the ability to branch and to make acquisitions, until its CRA rating improves. As also required by statute, the FDIC referred their conclusions regarding the alleged Reg B violations to the Department of Justice (“DOJ”). As of the time of this filing, the Company has not received a communication from, nor has any corrective action been imposed by, the DOJ.

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

In addition to the compliance issues cited in regard to the RAL program, the Order also required RB&T to correct Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (“HMDA”) reporting errors. As part of the Order, RB&T made corrections to its 2006 and 2007 HMDA reporting, in December of 2008. As a result of the errors in its 2006 and 2007 HMDA reporting, RB&T paid a $22,000 civil money penalty during the first quarter of 2009.

The Order also reflected other alleged consumer compliance violations. RB&T has addressed these other alleged violations and management believes it has implemented all necessary and required corrective actions regarding these items in accordance with the expectations of its regulator.

 
31

 

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Republic Bancorp, Inc. (“Republic” or the “Company”) analyzes the major elements of Republic’s consolidated balance sheets and statements of income. Republic, a bank holding company headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is the Parent Company of Republic Bank & Trust Company, (“RB&T”), Republic Bank (collectively referred together with RB&T as the “Bank”), Republic Funding Company and Republic Invest Co. Republic Invest Co. includes its subsidiary, Republic Capital LLC. The consolidated financial statements also include the wholly-owned subsidiaries of RB&T: Republic Financial Services, LLC, TRS RAL Funding, LLC and Republic Insurance Agency, LLC. Republic Bancorp Capital Trust is a Delaware statutory business trust that is a 100%-owned unconsolidated finance subsidiary of Republic Bancorp, Inc. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Republic should be read in conjunction with Part I Item 1 “Financial Statements.”

This discussion includes various forward-looking statements with respect to credit quality, including but not limited to, delinquency trends and the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, business operating segments, corporate objectives, the Company’s interest rate sensitivity model and other financial and business matters. Broadly speaking, forward-looking statements may include:

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

The Company may make forward-looking statements discussing management’s expectations about various matters, including:

 
·
delinquencies, future credit losses, non-performing loans and non-performing assets;
 
·
the adequacy of the allowance for loans losses;
 
·
anticipated future funding sources for Tax Refund Solutions (“TRS”);
 
·
potential impairment on securities;
 
·
the future value of mortgage servicing rights;
 
·
the impact of new accounting pronouncements;
 
·
future short-term and long-term interest rates and the respective impact on net interest margin, net interest spread, net income, liquidity and capital;
 
·
legal and regulatory matters including results and consequences of regulatory examinations; and
 
·
future capital expenditures.

Forward-looking statements discuss matters that are not historical facts. As forward-looking statements discuss future events or conditions, the statements often include words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “target,” “can,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or similar expressions. Do not rely on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements detail management’s expectations regarding the future and are not guarantees. Forward-looking statements are assumptions based on information known to management only as of the date the statements are made and management may not update them to reflect changes that occur subsequent to the date the statements are made. See additional discussion under Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors” of the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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

 
32

 

OVERVIEW

Net income for the first quarter of 2009 was $25.8 million, representing an increase of $3.6 million, or 16%, compared to the same period in 2008. Diluted earnings per Class A Common Share increased 16% to $1.24 for the first quarter of 2009 compared to $1.07 for the same period in 2008.

General highlights for the first quarter of 2009 by business segment consist of the following:

Traditional Banking

 
·
Traditional Banking business operating segment net income decreased $2.7 million, or 56%, for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. The fluctuation in the traditional Banking segment net income resulted primarily from an Other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) charge recorded for a portion of the Company’s investment portfolio, which was partially offset by an increase in net interest income resulting from the year over year decline in short-term interest rates. In addition, the Company recorded significant write-downs during the first quarter of 2009 for two of its Other Real Estate Owned (“OREO”) properties.
 
 
·
Net interest income within the traditional Banking segment increased $2.8 million, or 11%, for the quarter to $28.0 million. During the first quarter of 2009, net interest income within the traditional Banking segment continued to benefit from declining short-term interest rates in combination with a “steepening” of the yield curve. Overall, the Banking segment’s net interest margin increased to 3.85% for first quarter of 2009.
 
 
·
The Banking segment provision for loan losses was $3.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 compared to $3.0 million for the same period in 2008. The increase in the traditional Banking segment provision expense related to the increase in classified, delinquent and non-performing loans. Approximately $1.9 million of the first quarter 2008 provision for loan loss related to one land development loan in Florida.
 
 
·
Non interest income decreased $3.3 million, or 53%, for the first quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. The Company recognized a net loss on sales, calls and impairment on securities of $3.1 million during the first quarter of 2009 compared to $219,000 during the first quarter of 2008. During the first quarter of 2009, the Company recorded additional non cash OTTI charges related to its available for sale private label mortgage backed securities and other private label mortgage-related securities. See Footnote 2 “Investment Securities” of Part I Item I “Financial Statements” for additional discussion.
 
 
·
Total non interest expense within the traditional Banking segment increased $3.4 million, or 16%, during the first quarter of 2009 compared to the first quarter of 2008. The Company recorded $1.7 million in write-downs during the first quarter of 2009 for two of its OREO properties. Excluding the OREO write downs, the increase in non interest expense was modest despite a growth in banking centers from the prior year. The remaining increase was predominantly in the occupancy and equipment and FDIC insurance categories. See additional discussion below under “Non interest Expenses.”
 
 
·
Total non-performing loans to total loans increased to 1.06% at March 31, 2009, from 0.58% at December 31, 2008, as the total balance of non-performing loans increased by $11 million for the same period. The increase in non performing loans was primarily within the real estate construction, commercial real estate and residential real estate categories and is attributable to general declines in the housing market over the past few years, falling home prices and increasing foreclosures. In addition, unemployment and under-employment have negatively impacted the credit performance of real estate related loans, in general. This market turmoil and tightening of credit have led to an increased level of commercial and consumer delinquencies, lack of consumer confidence, increased market volatility and widespread reduction of general business activity. If current levels of market disruption and volatility continue or worsen, there can be no assurance that the Company will not experience an adverse effect, which may be material, on the Company’s ability to access capital and on its business, financial condition and results of operations. Ten relationships classified as non performing for the first time during the first quarter of 2009 represented $8.0 million, or 72%, of the increase from December 31, 2009. As a result of these additions, the Company recorded additional provision for loan loss expense of approximately $1.4 million during the first quarter of 2009. The Company does not anticipate a substantial increase in losses resulting from the current rise in the level of these non-performing loans at this time. See additional discussion at Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors” of the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
33

 
Tax Refund Solutions (“TRS”)

 
·
Republic ended the quarter with total assets of $3.3 billion, representing an increase of $214 million, or 7%, compared to March 31, 2008 and a decline of $602 million, or 15%, compared to December 31, 2008. The majority of the decrease in total assets from December 31, 2008 resulted from a decline in excess cash which the Company used to pay down maturing brokered certificates of deposit. During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company obtained $918 million in brokered certificates of deposits to be used as funding for expected Refund Anticipation Loan (“RAL”) volume during the first quarter 2009 tax season. Substantially all of these brokered certificates of deposits matured during the first quarter of 2009. Federal Home Loan Bank Advances (“FHLB”) were used to replace the maturing brokered certificates of deposits when excess cash was not available to pay off the maturity.
 
 
·
Due to the excessive costs of securitization structures, which resulted from a significant lack of liquidity in the credit markets during the latter half of 2008, the Company elected not to obtain funding from a securitization structure for the first quarter 2009 tax season. Instead, the Company utilized its traditional borrowing sources, including brokered certificates of deposit, as its primary RAL funding source for the first quarter 2009 tax season. Accounting for this change in funding strategy caused, and will continue to cause throughout the year, differences among some income and expense items when comparing results of operations for 2009 to 2008. The securitization had the effect during 2008 of reclassifying for securitized RALs the fee income earned, interest expense paid and provision expense into “Net RAL securitization income,” which is a component of non interest income. During 2009, these items were, and will continue to be, classified in interest income on loans, interest expense on deposits and provision for loan losses, respectively.
 
 
·
TRS business operating segment net income increased $4.3 million, or 26%, for the first quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 primarily due to the overall growth in volume offset by higher estimated RAL losses as a percent of total originations. The total dollar volume of tax return refunds processed during the first quarter 2009 tax season increased $2.2 billion, or 45%, over the same period in 2008. Total RAL dollar volume increased from $1.8 billion during the first three months of 2008 to $2.5 billion during the first three months of 2009. The increase in overall volume discussed above was offset by higher estimated losses and the increase in non interest expenses. See additional discussion below under “RAL Provision for Loan Losses” and “Non interest expenses.”
 
 
·
In addition to the increased RAL volume, Electronic Refund Checks (“ERC”) and Electronic Refund Deposits (“ERD”) dollar volume also increased approximately 47% over the first quarter of 2008. The growth during 2009 related to additional business obtained through the Company’s Jackson Hewitt relationship and through the Company’s independent tax-preparer customer base.
 
 
·
Net interest income within the TRS segment increased $33.2 million or 171% for the quarter to $52.6 million. The increase in net interest income within the TRS segment was due to a 39% growth in the volume of RALs originated combined with the change in funding strategy for TRS from the prior year. During the first quarter 2009 tax season, all $56.8 million in RAL fee income was included in interest income on loans. During the first quarter of 2008, $18.4 million in RAL fees were included in interest income on loans with approximately $21.7 million included as a component of Net RAL securitization income.
 
 
·
Non interest income within the TRS segment decreased $3.2 million, or 12%, during the first quarter of 2009. The decrease in non interest income within the TRS segment was due primarily to the change in the Company’s funding strategy for the tax business. The Company recognized net RAL securitization income of $12.6 million during the first quarter of 2008. All fee and expense components that would have made up this amount in 2009 are included within interest income on loans, interest expense on deposits and provision for loan losses due to the change in funding strategy. In addition to the change in Net RAL securitization income, Electronic Refund Check (“ERC”) fees increased $8.9 million, or 64% during the first quarter of 2009 consistent with the overall growth in the business.
 
 
·
Profitability in the Company’s TRS business operating segment is primarily driven by the volume of RAL transactions processed and the loss rate incurred on RALs, and is particularly sensitive to both measures. Through March 31, 2009, the Company processed 39% more in dollars of RALs originated compared to the same period in 2008. As of March 31, 2009, $34.9 million of total RALs originated were outstanding past their expected funding date from the IRS compared to $19.2 million at March 31, 2008, representing 1.43% and 1.11% of total gross RALs originated during the respective tax years by the Company. The March 31, 2008 uncollected RAL amount includes $9.4 million for RALs that were securitized by the Company. The higher year-over-year uncollected RAL rate was primarily related to an increase in the amount of refunds held by the IRS for reasons such as audits and liens from prior debts. In addition, the overall dollar increase in uncollected RALs was also driven by the year-over-year growth in volume.
 
34

 
 
·
The Company expects the actual loss rate realized will be less than the current delinquency rate as the Company will continue to receive payments from the IRS throughout the year and make other collection efforts to obtain repayment on the RALs. As a result of the higher current overall RAL delinquency rate, however, the TRS segment’s provision for loan losses increased from $7.5 million during the first quarter of 2008 to $22.0 million during the first quarter of 2009. Included as a credit to the first quarter 2009 TRS provision for loan losses, and as a recovery in the analysis of the allowance for loan losses, was $2.8 million, which represents a limited preparer-provided guarantee on RAL product performance. The Company’s loss reserves for RALs equate to 1.10% and 0.87% of total RALs originated during the first quarter of each year. The higher estimated year over year loss rate was primarily related to an increase in the amount of refunds held by the IRS for reasons such as audits and liens from prior debts. In addition, the overall dollar increase in estimated losses was also driven by the year-over-year growth in RAL volume. Based on the Company’s 2009 RAL volume, each 0.10% increase in the loss rate for RALs represents approximately $2.5 million in additional provision for loan loss expense.
 
 
·
Total non interest expenses within the TRS segment increased $6.3 million, or 50%, during the first quarter of 2009 compared to 2008. This overall increase was related primarily to the overall growth in the program.
 
For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
 
·
Part I Item 1 “Financial Statements:”
 
o
Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
 
o
Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
 
o
Footnote 10 “Segment Information”
 
o
Footnote 11 “Securitization”
 
·
Part I Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:”
 
o
“Business Segment Composition”
 
o
“Results of Operations”
 
o
“Comparison of Financial Condition”
 
·
Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors” of the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K

Mortgage Banking

 
·
Within the Mortgage Banking segment, mortgage banking income increased $2.6 million during the first quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. The majority of this increase was in the “gain on sale of loan” category, as a meaningful decline in short-term interest rates caused an increase in demand for 15 and 30 year fixed rate loans, which the Company sells into the secondary market. The Company sold $187 million in fixed rate loans into the secondary market during the first quarter of 2009 compared to $73 million during the first quarter of 2008. As of March 31, 2009, the Company had $12 million in loans held for sale with $129 million in fixed rate loan commitments to its customers and $112 million in mandatory forward sales contracts primarily to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC” or “Freddie Mac”). At March 31, 2008, the Company had $11 million in loans held for sale with $27 million in fixed rate loan commitments to its customers and $32 million in mandatory forward sales contracts primarily to Freddie Mac. In accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 109, “Written Loan Commitments Recorded at Fair Value Through Earnings” and Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” the Company carries its loans held for sale, fixed rate loan commitments to its customers and mandatory forward commitments to Freddie Mac at fair value. As previously discussed, mortgage banking income during the first quarter of 2009 was also positively impacted by the reversal of $1.1 million of the valuation allowance related to the MSR portfolio.
 
35

 
BUSINESS SEGMENT COMPOSITION

As of March 31, 2009, the Company was divided into three distinct business operating segments: Banking, Tax Refund Solutions and Mortgage Banking.

Net income, total assets and net interest margin by business operating segment for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 are presented below:

   
Three Months Ended March 31, 2009
 
(in thousands)
 
Banking
   
Tax Refund
Solutions
   
Mortgage
Banking
   
Total Company
 
                         
Net income
  $ 2,131     $ 20,885     $ 2,743     $ 25,759  
Segment assets
    3,187,188       137,555       12,902       3,337,645  
Net interest margin
    3.85 %  
NM
   
NM
      8.12 %

   
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008
 
(in thousands)
 
Banking
   
Tax Refund
Solutions
   
Mortgage
Banking
   
Total Company
 
                         
Net income
  $ 4,829     $ 16,550     $ 744     $ 22,123  
Segment assets
    2,852,709       260,379       10,943       3,124,031  
Net interest margin
    3.84 %  
NM
   
NM
      5.57 %


NM – Not Meaningful

(I)  Banking

As of March 31, 2009, Republic had 45 full-service banking centers with 36 located in Kentucky, five located in metropolitan Tampa, Florida, three located in southern Indiana and one located in metropolitan Cincinnati, Ohio. RB&T’s primary market areas are located in metropolitan Louisville, Kentucky, central Kentucky, northern Kentucky and southern Indiana. Louisville, the largest city in Kentucky, is the location of Republic’s headquarters, as well as 20 banking centers. RB&T’s central Kentucky market includes 12 banking centers in the following Kentucky cities: Bowling Green (1); Elizabethtown (1); Frankfort (1); Georgetown (1); Lexington, the second largest city in Kentucky (5); Owensboro (2); and Shelbyville (1). RB&T’s northern Kentucky market includes banking centers in Covington, Florence, Fort Wright and Independence. Based on RB&T’s most recent banking center evaluation, one of its four northern Kentucky locations will be closed in the third quarter of 2009. RB&T also has banking centers located in Floyds Knobs, Jeffersonville and New Albany, Indiana. Republic Bank has locations in Hudson, New Port Richey, Palm Harbor, Port Richey and Temple Terrace, Florida, as well as metropolitan Cincinnati, Ohio.

(II)  Tax Refund Solutions (“TRS”)

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

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

36

 
RALs are short-term consumer loans offered to taxpayers that are secured by the customer’s anticipated tax refund, which represents the source of repayment. The Company underwrites the RAL application through an automated credit review process utilizing information contained in the taxpayer’s tax return and the tax-preparer’s history. If the application is approved, the Company advances the amount of the refund due on the taxpayer’s return up to specified amounts less the loan fee due to the Company and, if requested by the taxpayer, the fees due for preparation of the return to the tax-preparer. As part of the RAL application process, each taxpayer signs an agreement directing the IRS to send the taxpayer’s refund directly to the Company. The refund received from the IRS is used by the Company to pay off the RAL. Any amount due the taxpayer above the amount of the RAL is remitted to the taxpayer once the refund is received by the Company. The funds advanced by the Company are generally repaid by the IRS within two weeks. The fees earned on RALs are reported as interest income under the line item “Loans, including fees.”

Rebate Accruals

The Company makes rebate payments to third party technology and service providers within its TRS business operating segment. These rebates are reflected in the financial statements as a reduction to RAL fees and ERC fees. All rebate payments to an individual technology and service provider are based on the product volume funded by the IRS with various rebate tiers at different volume levels. In addition, rebate payments made to the service providers are significantly influenced by RAL losses. While the rebates paid to the Company’s technology providers are typically paid throughout the year, the rebate payments paid to the third party service providers are typically paid  subsequent to the first quarter.

Accounting for the Company’s rebates payable requires management’s judgment since the substantial majority of these liabilities are established in the first quarter of each year and accounted for based on cash flow modeling techniques that require management to make estimates regarding the amount and timing of expected future IRS payments, including assumptions regarding credit losses and final product volume tiers.

The Company accrued $30.0 million in total rebates during the first quarter of 2009 compared to $26.3 million during the same period in 2008. While total TRS gross product revenue increased 38% during the first quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, rebate accruals increased 18% for the same period. The overall increase in rebates was less than the increase in total gross revenue during the first quarter of 2009 due to larger payments made through a fixed fee component, in lieu of rebates. This fixed fee component is classified in non interest expense on the income statement. In addition, the Company was able to obtain more favorable contract terms during the first quarter 2009 tax season which effectively lowered the Company’s anticipated payments to its service providers.

TRS Funding – First Quarter 2009 Tax Season

Due to the excessive costs of securitization structures, which resulted from a significant lack of liquidity in the credit markets during the latter half of 2008, the Company elected not to obtain funding from a securitization structure for the first quarter 2009 tax season. Instead, the Company utilized brokered certificates of deposits and its traditional borrowing lines of credit as its primary RAL funding source for the first quarter 2009 tax season. Accounting for this change in funding strategy has caused differences among some income and expense items when comparing income statement results for 2009 to results in 2008. The securitization had the effect during 2008 of reclassifying for securitized RALs the fee income earned, interest expense paid and provision expense into “Net RAL securitization income,” which is a component of non interest income. During 2009, these items were, and will continue to be, classified in interest income on loans, interest expense on deposits and provision for loan losses, respectively.

During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company obtained $918 million in brokered certificates of deposits to be utilized to fund the RAL program. These brokered certificates of deposits had a weighted average life of three months with a weighted average rate of 2.71%. Also, during January of 2009, the Company obtained an additional $375 million in brokered certificates of deposits. These brokered certificates of deposits had a weighted average life of 45 days and a weighted average interest rate of 1.27%.

37

 
TRS Funding – First Quarter 2008 Tax Season
 
The Company recognized net RAL securitization income of $12.6 million and sold $1.1 billion RALs into the securitization during the first quarter of 2008. During 2008, in addition to the securitization structure, the Company also utilized brokered certificates of deposits to fund RALs retained on balance sheet. These brokered certificates of deposits had a weighted average life of three months with a weighted average interest rate of 5.09%. Also, during January of 2008, the Company obtained an additional $200 million in brokered certificates of deposits to fund additional RAL demand. These brokered certificates of deposits had a weighted average life of three months and a weighted average interest rate of 4.95%.

For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
 
·
Part I Item 1 “Financial Statements:”
 
o
Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
 
o
Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
 
o
Footnote 10 “Segment Information”
 
o
Footnote 11 “Securitization”
 
·
Part I Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:”
 
o
“Overview”
 
o
“Results of Operations”
 
o
“Comparison of Financial Condition”
 
·
Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors” of the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K

For additional discussion regarding RAL Provision for Loan Losses see Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loans Losses.” In addition, Footnote 3 contains a detailed table illustrating the effect on the 2009 provision for loan losses of TRS if final losses of RALs differ from management’s current estimate by as much as 33 basis points higher or lower.

(III)  Mortgage Banking

Mortgage Banking activities primarily include 15, 20 and 30-year fixed term single family residential rate real estate loans that are sold into the secondary market, primarily to Freddie Mac. Since 2003, the Bank has historically retained servicing on substantially all loans sold into the secondary market. Administration of loans with servicing retained by the Bank includes collecting principal and interest payments, escrowing funds for property taxes and insurance and remitting payments to secondary market investors. A fee is received by the Bank for performing these standard servicing functions.

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

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

See additional detail regarding Mortgage Banking above under “Overview” and under Footnote 10 “Segment Information” of Part I Item 1 “Financial Statements.”

38

 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net Interest Income
 
The largest source of Republic’s revenue is net interest income. Net interest income is the difference between interest income on interest-earning assets, such as loans and investment securities and the interest expense on liabilities used to fund those assets, such as interest-bearing deposits and borrowings. Net interest income is impacted by both changes in the amount and composition of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as market interest rates. The overall reduction in the Company’s cost of funds is illustrated in Table 2 “Volume/Rate Variance Analysis.” A detailed analysis of the change in net interest income by business segment is as follows:
 
Traditional Banking segment
 
The traditional Banking segment net interest margin increased 1 basis point to 3.85% for first quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. The increase in the traditional Banking segment’s net interest margin was primarily tied to decreases in the Federal Funds Target rate (“FFTR”). From September 2007 through December 2008, the Federal Open Markets Committee (“FOMC”) of the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) lowered the FFTR by 425 basis points. In December of 2008, the FFTR was lowered once again to end the year at an unprecedented “target range” between 0.00% and 0.25%. The FFTR is the index which many of the Company’s short-term deposit rates track. Because the Company’s interest bearing liabilities continue to be more sensitive to interest rate movements than its assets, the decreases in the FFTR have significantly benefited the Company’s net interest income and net interest margin since the fourth quarter of 2007.
 
The positive earnings impact of the FFTR reductions by the FOMC during the first quarter of 2009 were not as significant as those experienced by Republic in the past, due to the inability of the Company to further reduce deposit costs as short-term market rates have approached and/or reached zero percent. In addition, the general lack of liquidity in the wholesale markets has caused a large part of the Company’s incremental funding costs to increase, a trend that has also offset some of the positive impact to the Company’s net interest margin it received from declining short-term rates.
 
The Company also continues to experience paydowns in its loan and investment portfolios. These paydowns have caused, and will continue to cause, compression in Republic’s net interest income and net interest margin, as the cash received from these paydowns is reinvested at lower yields. Additionally, because the FFTR is now at a target range between 0.00% and 0.25%, no future FFTR decreases from the FOMC are possible, exacerbating the compression to the Company’s net interest income and net interest margin caused by its repricing loans and investments. The Company is unable to precisely determine the ultimate negative impact to the Company’s net interest spread and margin in the future because several factors remain unknown at this time, such as future demand for financial products and the overall future need for liquidity, among many other factors.

 
39

 

TRS segment

Net interest income within the TRS segment increased $33.2 million or 171% for the quarter to $52.6 million. The increase in net interest income within the TRS segment was due to a 39% growth in the volume of RALs originated volume combined with the change in funding strategy for TRS from the prior year. During the first quarter 2009 tax season, all $56.8 million in RAL fee income was included in interest income on loans. During the first quarter of 2009, TRS earned $56.8 million in net RAL fee income, compared to $40.1 million (includes $21.7 million in RAL fees recorded as a component of net RAL securitization income) for the same period in 2008.

For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
 
·
Part I Item 1 “Financial Statements:”
 
o
Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
 
o
Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
 
o
Footnote 10 “Segment Information”
 
o
Footnote 11 “Securitization”
 
·
Part I Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:”
 
o
“Overview”
 
o
“Business Segment Composition”
 
o
“Results of Operations”
 
o
“Comparison of Financial Condition”
 
·
Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors” of the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K

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

Table 1 provides detailed information as to average balances, interest income/expense and rates by major balance sheet category for the three month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008. Table 2 provides an analysis of the changes in net interest income attributable to changes in rates and changes in volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

 
40

 

Table 1 – Average Balance Sheets and Interest Rates for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008

   
Three Months Ended
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31, 2009
   
March 31, 2008
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Average
Balance
   
Interest
   
Average
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
   
Average
Rate
 
                                     
ASSETS
                                   
                                     
Earning assets:
                                   
Taxable investment securities(1)
  $ 570,862     $ 5,434       3.81 %   $ 622,687     $ 9,049       5.81 %
Tax exempt investment securities(4)
    1,832       6       2.02       1,783       24       8.28  
Federal funds sold and other
    795,834       591       0.30       119,573       907       3.03  
Loans and fees(2)(3)
    2,612,313       91,326       13.98       2,463,090       57,780       9.38  
Total earning assets
    3,980,841       97,357       9.78       3,207,133       67,760       8.45  
Less: Allowance for loan losses
    29,605                       16,059                  
Non-earning assets:
                                               
Cash and cash equivalents
    147,611                       132,229                  
Premises and equipment, net
    43,069                       39,885                  
Other assets(1)
    32,867                       29,998                  
Total assets
  $ 4,174,783                     $ 3,393,186                  
                                                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                               
                                                 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
Transaction accounts
  $ 239,703     $ 35       0.06 %   $ 225,940     $ 294       0.52 %
Money market accounts
    560,101       728       0.52       621,600       4,116       2.65  
Time deposits
    447,223       3,521       3.15       438,722       4,811       4.39  
Brokered deposits
    1,108,720       6,054       2.18       394,218       5,080       5.15  
Total deposits
    2,355,747       10,338       1.76       1,680,480       14,301       3.40  
                                                 
Repurchase agreements and other short-term borrowings
    327,006       339       0.41       405,214       2,767       2.73  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    547,540       5,244       3.83       519,637       5,437       4.19  
Subordinated note
    41,240       620       6.01       41,240       627       6.08  
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    3,271,533       16,541       2.02       2,646,571       23,132       3.50  
                                                 
Non-interest-bearing liabilities and stockholders’ equity:
                                               
Non-interest-bearing deposits
    531,496                       435,867                  
Other liabilities
    78,298                       56,012                  
Stockholders' equity
    293,456                       254,736                  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 4,174,783                     $ 3,393,186                  
                                                 
Net interest income
          $ 80,816                     $ 44,628          
                                                 
Net interest spread
                    7.76 %                     4.95 %
                                                 
Net interest margin
                    8.12 %                     5.57 %
 

(1)
For the purpose of this calculation, the fair market value adjustment on investment securities resulting from SFAS 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities” is included as a component of other assets.
(2)
The amount of loan fee income included in total interest income was $57.8 million and $19.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008.
(3)
Average balances for loans include the principal balance of non accrual loans.
(4)
Yields on tax exempt securities have been computed based on a fully tax-equivalent basis using the federal income tax rate of 35%.

 
41

 

Table 2 illustrates the extent to which changes in interest rates and changes in the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities impacted Republic’s interest income and interest expense during the periods indicated. Information is provided in each category with respect to (i) changes attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate), (ii) changes attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume) and (iii) net change. The changes attributable to the combined impact of volume and rate have been allocated proportionately to the changes due to volume and the changes due to rate.
 
Table 2 – Volume/Rate Variance Analysis

   
Three Months Ended March 31, 2009
Compared to
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008
 
         
Increase/(Decrease)
Due to
 
(in thousands)
 
Total Net Change
   
Volume
   
Rate
 
                   
Interest income:
                 
                   
Taxable investment securities
  $ (3,615 )   $ (703 )   $ (2,912 )
Tax exempt investment securities
    (18 )     1       (19 )
Federal funds sold and other
    (316 )     1,139       (1,455 )
Loans and fees
    33,546       43,529       (9,983 )
Net change in interest income
    29,597       43,966       (14,369 )
                         
Interest expense:
                       
                         
Transaction accounts
    (259 )     17       (276 )
Money market accounts
    (3,388 )     (371 )     (3,017 )
Time deposits
    (1,290 )     92       (1,382 )
Brokered deposits
    974       5,182       (4,208 )
Repurchase agreements and other short-term borrowings
    (2,428 )     (450 )     (1,978 )
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    (193 )     282       (475 )
Subordinated note
    (7 )     -       (7 )
Net change in interest expense
    (6,591 )     4,752       (11,343 )
                         
Net change in net interest income
  $ 36,188     $ 39,214     $ (3,026 )


 
42

 

Non interest Income

Non interest income decreased $3.4 million, or 10%, for the first quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. A detailed analysis of the change in non interest income by business segment follows:

Traditional Banking segment

Service charges on deposit accounts decreased $123,000, or 3%, during the first quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. The decrease was due primarily to a decline in the Company’s checking account base in combination with a reduction in the marketing of certain retail checking products. While certain retail checking products historically produced higher deposit fee revenue, they also experienced significantly higher account closings and charge-offs. As a result, management decided to reduce the Company’s marketing efforts on these more labor intensive accounts and focus more on its traditional retail checking account offerings. The overall decline in service charges on deposits was offset by a 3% increase in the Company’s per item overdraft fee which occurred in March of 2008. Included in service charges on deposits are net per item overdraft fees of $2.8 million and $3.2 million for the first quarters of 2009 and 2008, respectively.

The Company recognized a net loss on sales, calls and impairment on securities of $3.1 million during the first quarter of 2009 compared to $219,000 during the first quarter of 2008. During the first quarter of 2009, the Company recorded total non cash other-than-temporary impairment charges of $3.1 million related to its available for sale private label mortgage backed securities and other private label mortgage-related securities. See Footnote 2 “Investment Securities” of Part I Item I “Financial Statements” for additional discussion.

TRS segment

Approximately $12.2 million of the decrease in non interest income was due to the change in the Company’s funding strategy for the tax business during the first quarter of 2009. The securitization utilized during the first quarter of 2008 had the effect of reclassifying the fee income earned, interest expense paid for securitized RALs and provision expense for securitized RALS into “Net RAL securitization income,” which is a component of non interest income. During the first quarter of 2009, these items were classified in interest income on loans, interest expense on deposits and provision for loan losses, respectively. The Company recognized net RAL securitization income of $12.6 million and sold $1.1 billion RALs into the securitization during the first quarter of 2008.

ERC fees increased $8.9 million, or 64%, for the first quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 attributable to the overall increase in volume at TRS during the tax season. The increase in ERC fees was consistent with the growth in the overall tax program, which resulted from an increase in the Company’s tax preparer base.
 
For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
 
·
Part I Item 1 “Financial Statements:”
 
o
Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
 
o
Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
 
o
Footnote 10 “Segment Information”
 
o
Footnote 11 “Securitization”
 
·
Part I Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:”
 
o
“Overview”
 
o
“Business Segment Composition”
 
o
“Results of Operations”
 
o
“Comparison of Financial Condition”
 
·
Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors” of the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K

 
43

 

Mortgage Banking segment

Within the Mortgage Banking segment, mortgage banking income increased $2.6 million for the first quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. The majority of this increase was in the “gain on sale of loan” category, as a meaningful decline in short-term interest rates caused an increase in demand for 15 and 30 year fixed rate loans, which the Company sells into the secondary market. The Company sold $187 million in fixed rate loans into the secondary market during the first quarter of 2009 compared to $73 million during the first quarter of 2008. As of March 31, 2009, the Company had $12 million in loans held for sale with $129 million in fixed rate loan commitments to its customers and $112 million in mandatory forward sales contracts primarily to Freddie Mac. At March 31, 2008, the Company had $11 million in loans held for sale with $27 million in fixed rate loan commitments to its customers and $32 million in mandatory forward sales contracts primarily to Freddie Mac. In accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 109, “Written Loan Commitments Recorded at Fair Value Through Earnings” and Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” the Company carries its loans held for sale, fixed rate loan commitments to its customers and mandatory forward commitments to Freddie Mac at fair value.

Due to the significant reduction in long-term interest rates during December of 2008, the fair value of the Mortgage Servicing Rights (“MSR”) portfolio declined as pre-payment speed assumptions were adjusted upwards resulting in an impairment charge of $1.3 million for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2008. During the first quarter of 2009, prepayment speed assumptions stabilized to levels last seen prior to December of 2008 and the Company reversed $1.1 million from the valuation allowance. At March 31, 2009 five of the total 22 tranches remained impaired for a total of $122,000. There were no impairment charges recorded prior to the fourth quarter of 2008.

Non interest Expenses

Non interest expenses increased $10.0 million, or 30%, for the first quarter of 2009 to $43.6 million. Approximately $6.3 million of the increase was related to TRS and was driven by the significant year over year growth in the program. Within the Company’s other operating segments, non interest expenses increased $3.7, for the quarter, or 17%, over the first quarter of 2008. A detailed analysis of the change in non interest income by business segment follows:

TRS segment

TRS occupancy and equipment expense increased $436,000 primarily due to higher leased and rented equipment and facility rent expense, as the Company continued to expand its infrastructure to accommodate the increased volume of the business.

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

TRS communication and transportation expense and office supplies increased $694,000 and $290,000, respectively, consistent with the overall growth in the program.

FDIC insurance assessment expense increased $371,000 during the first quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. The increase related to primarily to higher premium assessments and brokered certificates of deposits acquired by the Company to fund the first quarter 2009 tax business.

Other expenses at TRS increased $398,000 primarily due to expenses such as routine professional fees, fraud detection and identification verification, and correspondent banking relationships. Included in professional fees is the annual review of the RAL underwriting by a third party consultant and increased routine audits of tax preparation offices nationwide.

44


For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
 
·
Part I Item 1 “Financial Statements:”
 
o
Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
 
o
Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
 
o
Footnote 10 “Segment Information”
 
o
Footnote 11 “Securitization”
 
·
Part I Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:”
 
o
“Overview”
 
o
“Business Segment Composition”
 
o
“Results of Operations”
 
o
“Comparison of Financial Condition”
 
·
Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors” of the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K

Traditional Banking segment

Occupancy and equipment increased $827,000 primarily due to growth in the Company’s infrastructure and banking center network, as well as increased leasing costs and service agreements for the Company’s technology and operating systems. In addition, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge in occupancy and equipment of $138,000 associated with remaining scheduled lease payments and acceleration of depreciation of leasehold improvements for one of its northern Kentucky locations which is scheduled to close during the third quarter of 2009.

FDIC insurance assessment expense increased $619,000 during the first quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. The increase related to primarily to higher premium assessments from the FDIC.

Other real estate owned expense increased $1.7 million primarily due to two write downs related to Other real estate owned (“OREO”) held in Florida. The Company currently has a sales contract pending for one of the properties.

COMPARISON OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AT MARCH 31, 2009 AND DECEMBER 31, 2008

Investment Securities

Investment securities available for sale primarily consist of U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government agency obligations, including agency mortgage backed securities (“MBSs”), agency collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) and private label mortgage backed and other private label mortgage-related investment securities. The agency MBSs primarily consist of hybrid mortgage investment securities, as well as other adjustable rate mortgage investment securities, underwritten and guaranteed by Ginnie Mae (“GNMA”), Freddie Mac (“FHLMC”) and Fannie Mae (“FNMA”). Agency CMOs held in the investment portfolio are substantially all floating rate investment securities that adjust monthly. The Company primarily uses the investment securities portfolio as collateral for securities sold under agreements to repurchase (“repurchase agreements”). The Company has historically invested in investment securities with shorter-term repricing features in order to mitigate its risk position from rising interest rates. Strategies for the investment securities portfolio may be influenced by economic and market conditions, loan demand, deposit mix and liquidity needs.

U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government agency obligations decreased $442 million at March 31, 2009 compared to December 31, 2008. As mentioned throughout this document, during the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company obtained $918 million in brokered certificates of deposits to be utilized to fund the first quarter 2009 tax season. These brokered certificates of deposits had a weighted average life of three months with a weighted average rate of 2.71%. During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company invested a portion of the funds obtained from the brokered certificates of deposits in short-term agency discount notes and callable securities which were called during the first quarter.

During the first quarter of 2009, Republic purchased $300 million in available for sale investment securities and had maturities and calls of $754 million. Substantially all of the investment securities purchased were agency discount notes, which the Company utilized primarily for short-term collateral purposes. The weighted average yield on these discount notes was 0.10% with an average term of 8 days. Substantially all of the cash received from the maturities and calls of the investment securities that was not reinvested into discount notes was utilized to pay down advances from the FHLB.

 
45

 

Nationally, residential real estate values have declined significantly since 2007. These declines in value, coupled with the reduced ability of certain homeowners to refinance or repay their residential real estate obligations, have led to elevated delinquencies and losses in residential real estate loans. Many of these loans have previously been securitized and sold to investors as private label mortgage backed and other private label mortgage-related securities. The Company owned and continues to own five private label mortgage backed and other private label mortgage-related securities with a fair value of $10.7 million at March 31, 2009. These securities are not guaranteed by government agencies. Approximately $5.4 million of these securities are mostly backed by “Alternative A” first lien mortgage loans. The remaining $5.3 million represents an asset backed security with an insurance “wrap” or guarantee. The average life of these securities is currently estimated to be approximately five years. Due to current market conditions, all of these assets are extremely illiquid, and as such, the Company determined that these securities are Level 3 securities in accordance with SFAS 157 “Fair Value Measurements.” Based on this determination, the Company utilized an income valuation model (present value model) approach, in determining the fair value of these securities. This approach is beneficial for positions that are not traded in active markets or are subject to transfer restrictions, and/or where valuations are adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability. Such adjustments are generally based on available market evidence. In the absence of such evidence, management’s best estimate is used. Management’s best estimate consists of both internal and external support for these investments.

As a result of the impairment charges noted above, all respective unrealized losses during 2008 and the first quarter of 2009 were transferred from accumulated other comprehensive loss to an immediate reduction of earnings classified as net loss on sales, calls and impairments of securities in the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income. See additional discussion above under Footnote 2 “Investment Securities” of Item 1 “Financial Statements.”

Loan Portfolio
 
Net loans, primarily consisting of secured real estate loans, within the Banking segment decreased by $11.3 million during the first quarter of 2009 to $2.3 billion at March 31, 2009. The Company continued to experience a decline in all loan categories during the first quarter of 2009 due to several factors, including the current economic environment, stricter underwriting guidelines implemented in 2008 and continued in 2009 and higher pricing requirements for portfolio level loans. The Company currently expects to maintain these pricing and underwriting strategies until it sees improvement in these conditions and, as a result, the Company anticipates a continued decline in loan balances throughout the remainder of the year. In addition, the Company experienced more borrowers opting for its secondary market fixed rate product over its portfolio ARM product during the first quarter of 2009 due to the historically low fixed rate environment. This shift in demand for fixed rate residential real estate loans also contributed to the overall decline in the Company’s loan portfolio during the quarter.

Allowance for Loan Losses and Provision for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans increased to 0.77% at March 31, 2009 compared to 0.64% at December 31, 2008. In general, the increase in the allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans was primarily attributable to additional reserves recorded based on the increase in past due loan balances, non-performing loan balances and classified loans. The Company believes, based on information presently available, that it has adequately provided for loan losses at March 31, 2009.

The Company recorded a provision for loan losses of $25.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, compared to $10.5 million for the same period in 2008. Included in the provision for loan losses for 2009 and 2008 was $22.0 million and $7.5 million for net estimated losses associated with RALs retained on balance sheet. The increase in estimated losses associated with RALs was primarily due to increased volume and an increase in the amount of refunds held by the IRS for reasons such as audits and liens from prior debts. In addition, as previously discussed within this filing, TRS’ prior year funding strategy had the effect of reclassifying $7.3 in losses on securitized RALs as a decrease to Net RAL securitization income because these losses represented a reduction to the future estimated cash flows of the Company’s residual interest. The Company’s current year funding strategy of keeping all RALs on-balance sheet caused all losses to be recorded through the allowance for loan losses like a traditional loan.

 
46

 

Within the traditional Banking segment the provision for loan losses for the first quarter of 2009 was $3.7 million compared to $3.0 million during the first quarter of 2008. Approximately $1.9 million of the decrease in the provision for loan losses within the traditional Banking segment was attributable to a reserve recorded during the first quarter of 2008 related to one land development loan in Florida placed on non accrual status. The decrease in the provision related to the one specific land development loan was largely offset by provisions during the first quarter of 2009 primarily related to increases in past due loan balances, non-performing loan balances and classified loans.

For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
 
·
Part I Item 1 “Financial Statements:”
 
o
Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
 
o
Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
 
o
Footnote 10 “Segment Information”
 
o
Footnote 11 “Securitization”
 
·
Part I Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:”
 
o
“Overview”
 
o
“Business Segment Composition”
 
o
“Results of Operations”
 
o
“Comparison of Financial Condition”
 
·
Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors” of the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K
 
 
47

 

An analysis of the changes in the allowance for loan losses and selected ratios follows:

Table 3 – Summary of Loan Loss Experience

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
 
Allowance for loan losses at beginning of period
  $ 14,832     $ 12,735  
Charge offs:
               
  Real Estate:
               
      Residential
    (254 )     (546 )
      Commercial
    -       -  
      Construction
    (4 )     -  
  Commercial
    (19 )     -  
  Consumer
    (371 )     (450 )
  Home Equity
    (247 )     (64 )
  Tax Refund Solutions
    (27,054 )     (7,873 )
  Total
    (27,949 )     (8,933 )
Recoveries:
               
  Real Estate:
               
      Residential
    9       42  
      Commercial
    16       18  
      Construction
    -       -  
  Commercial
    7       3  
  Consumer
    113       119  
  Home Equity
    10       4  
  Tax Refund Solutions
    5,175       538  
  Total
    5,330       724  
                 
Net loan charge offs
    (22,619 )     (8,209 )
Provision for loan losses
    25,665       10,499  
Allowance for loan losses at end of period
  $ 17,878     $ 15,025  
                 
Ratios:
               
Allowance for loan losses to total loans
    0.77 %     0.64 %
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans
    73       83  
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing assets
    58       79  
Annualized net loan charge offs to average loans outstanding - Total Company
    3.46       1.32  
Annualized net loan charge offs to average loans outstanding - Traditional Banking Segment
    0.13       0.14  

Asset Quality

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

Management evaluates the loan portfolio by reviewing the historical loss rate for each respective loan type, assigning risk multiples to certain categories to account for qualitative factors including current economic conditions. Both an average five-year loss rate and a loss rate based on heavier weighting of the previous two years’ loss experience are reviewed in the analysis. Management makes allocations within the allowance for loan losses for specifically classified loans regardless of loan amount, collateral or loan type. In addition, historical loss rates for non accrual loans and loans that are past due 90 days or more and that are not specifically classified are analyzed and applied based on respective balances and loan types.

 
48

 

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

Loans, including impaired loans under SFAS 114, “Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan,” but excluding consumer loans, are typically placed on non-accrual status when the loans become past due 75 days or more as to principal or interest, unless the loans are adequately secured and in the process of collection. Past due status is based on how recently payments have been received. When loans are placed on non-accrual status, all unpaid interest is reversed from interest income and accrued interest receivable. These loans remain on non-accrual status until the borrower demonstrates the ability to become and remain current or the loan or a portion of the loan is deemed uncollectible and is charged off.

Consumer loans are not placed on non-accrual status but are reviewed periodically and generally charged off when the loans reach 120 days past due or at any earlier point the loan is deemed uncollectible. RALs traditionally undergo a review in March, June and July of each year and those RALs deemed uncollectible are charged off against the allowance for loan losses.

Total non-performing loans to total loans increased to 1.06% March 31, 2009, from 0.58% at December 31, 2008, as the total balance of non-performing loans increased by $11 million for the same period. As detailed below in Table 5“Non Performing Loan Composition,” the increase in non performing loans was primarily within the real estate construction, commercial real estate and residential real estate categories.

Deterioration in the housing market over the past few years, reduced demand, falling home prices and increasing foreclosures, unemployment and under-employment have negatively impacted the credit performance of real estate related loans. This market turmoil and tightening of credit have led to an increased level of commercial and consumer delinquencies, lack of consumer confidence, increased market volatility and widespread reduction of general business activity. If current levels of market disruption and volatility continue or worsen, there can be no assurance that the Company will not experience an adverse effect, which may be material, on the Company’s ability to access capital and on its business, financial condition and results of operations. See additional discussion at Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors” of the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Ten relationships classified as non performing for the first time during the first quarter of 2009 represented $8.0 million, or 72%, of the increase from December 31, 2008. As a result of these additions, the Company recorded additional provision for loan loss expense of approximately $1.4 million during the first quarter of 2009. The Company does not anticipate a substantial increase in additional losses resulting from the current rise in the level of these non-performing loans at this time.

Other real estate owned (“OREO”) increased $649,000 at March 31, 2009 compared to December 31, 2008. During the first quarter of 2009, the Company transferred $805,000 from fixed assets to OREO, as management modified its intent to develop a banking center on land acquired during the GulfStream Community Bank purchase. The Company recorded an OREO write-down of $1.3 million related to this property during the first quarter of 2009. Approximately $4.0 million of the OREO category relates to one land development property in Florida. The Company currently has a sales contract pending for this property. The pending sales contract is expected to be finalized during the second quarter of 2009, and as a result of the contract, the Company recorded an additional OREO write-down of $372,000 during the first quarter of 2009.

 
49

 

Table 4 – Non-performing Loans and Non-performing Assets

 
(dollars in thousands)
 
March 31,
2009
   
December 31,
2008
 
             
Loans on non-accrual status(1)
  $ 24,133     $ 11,324  
Loans past due 90 days or more and still on accrual
    352       2,133  
Total non-performing loans
    24,485       13,457  
Other real estate owned
    6,386       5,737  
Total non-performing assets
  $ 30,871     $ 19,194  
                 
Non-performing loans to total loans
    1.06 %     0.58 %
Non-performing assets to total loans (including OREO)
    1.33 %     0.83  
 

 (1)
Loans on non-accrual status include impaired loans. See Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses” of Item 1 “Financial Statements” for additional discussion regarding impaired loans.

Table 5 – Non-performing Loan Composition

   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
(in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
 
             
Residential real estate
  $ 9,625     $ 7,145  
Commercial real estate
    6,243       2,665  
Real estate construction
    6,987       2,749  
Commercial
    577       243  
Consumer
    38       86  
Home equity
    1,015       567  
Total non performing loans
  $ 24,485     $ 13,457  

Republic defines impaired loans to be those commercial, commercial construction and commercial real estate loans that are:
 
·
classified as doubtful (collection of total amount due is improbable);
 
·
classified as loss (all or a portion of the loan has been written off or a specific allowance for loss has been provided);
 
·
classified as substandard, with the aggregate  relationship balance exceeding $500,000; or
 
·
any loan that would otherwise meet the definition of being impaired.

Republic’s policy is to charge off all or that portion of its investment in an impaired loan upon a determination that it is probable the full amount will not be collected. Impaired loans totaled $25.2 million at March 31, 2009 compared to $12.1 million at December 31, 2008. The increase during the first quarter of 2009 related to five commercial real estate relationships that were downgraded to substandard.

Deposits

Total deposits decreased $775 million from December 31, 2008 to March 31, 2009 to $2.0 billion. Interest-bearing deposits decreased $881 million, or 36%, while non interest-bearing deposits increased $106 million, or 39%, from December 31, 2008 to March 31, 2009. The increase in non interest bearing deposits was substantially all related to short-term float for tax refund checks issued to TRS clients.

The decrease in interest-bearing accounts was heavily concentrated in the brokered deposit category. Brokered deposits decreased $904 million during the first quarter of 2009 to $144 million. During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company acquired approximately $918 million in brokered certificates of deposits to be utilized in the first quarter of 2009 to fund RALs. These deposits had a weighted average cost of 2.71% with an average life of three months. Also, during January of 2009, the Company obtained an additional $375 million in brokered certificates of deposits to fund anticipated RAL demand. These brokered certificates of deposits had a weighted average life of 45 days and a weighted average interest rate of 1.27%. FHLB advances were used to replace those brokered certificates of deposit where enough excess cash was not available to pay off the maturity.

 
50

 

For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
 
 
·
Part I Item 1 “Financial Statements:”
 
o
Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
 
o
Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
 
o
Footnote 10 “Segment Information”
 
o
Footnote 11 “Securitization”
 
·
Part I Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:”
 
o
“Overview”
 
o
“Business Segment Composition”
 
o
“Results of Operations”
 
o
“Comparison of Financial Condition”
 
·
Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors” of the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K

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

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other short-term borrowings declined $14 million, or 4%, during 2009. The majority of the repurchase accounts are large treasury management transaction relationships with normal recurring large fluctuations in account balances. All of these accounts require security collateral on behalf of Republic. The substantial majority of these accounts are indexed to immediately repricing indices such as the Federal Funds target rate. Based on the transactional nature of the Company’s treasury management accounts, repurchase agreement balances are subject to large fluctuations on a daily basis.

Federal Home Loan Bank Advances

FHLB advances increased $120 million during 2009 to $635 million. During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company utilized excess cash from the previously mentioned brokered deposits to reduce overnight borrowings at the FHLB. FHLB advances were used during the first quarter to replace those brokered deposits where enough excess cash was not available to pay off the maturity.

Approximately $150 million of the FHLB advances at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 were putable advances with original fixed rate periods ranging from one to five years and original maturities ranging from three to ten years if not put back to the Company earlier by the FHLB. At the end of their respective fixed rate periods and on a quarterly basis thereafter, the FHLB has the right to require payoff of the advances by the Company at no penalty. The weighted average coupon on all of the Company’s putable advances at March 31, 2009 was 4.51%. Based on market conditions at this time, the Company does not believe that any of its putable advances are likely to be “put back” to the Company in the short-term by the FHLB.

Liquidity

The Company is significantly leveraged with a loan to deposit ratio (excluding brokered deposits) of 140% at March 31, 2009 and 150% at December 31, 2008. Traditionally, the Company has utilized secured and unsecured borrowing lines to supplement its funding requirements. At March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, Republic had available collateral to borrow an additional $327 million and $432 million, respectively from the FHLB. In addition to its borrowing line with the FHLB, Republic also had unsecured lines of credit totaling $200 million available through various other financial institutions as of March 31, 2009. If the Company were to lose a significant funding source, such as a few major depositors, or if any of its lines of credit were canceled, or if the Company cannot obtain brokered deposits, the Company would be forced to offer above market deposit interest rates to meet its funding and liquidity needs.

 
51

 

Republic maintains sufficient liquidity to fund routine loan demand and routine deposit withdrawal activity. Liquidity is managed by maintaining sufficient liquid assets in the form of investment securities. Funding and cash flows can also be realized by the sale of securities available for sale, principal paydowns on loans and MBSs and proceeds realized from loans held for sale. The Company’s liquidity is impacted by its ability to sell certain investment securities, which is limited due to the level of investment securities that are needed to secure public deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and for other purposes, as required by law. At March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, these investment securities had a fair value of $410 million and $594 million, respectively. Republic’s banking centers and its website, www.republicbank.com, provide access to retail deposit markets. These retail deposit products, if offered at attractive rates, have historically been a source of additional funding when needed.

At March 31, 2009, the Company had approximately $213 million in Premier First money market accounts, which is the Bank’s primary deposit product offering for medium to large business customers. These accounts do not require collateral, therefore, cash from these accounts can generally be utilized to fund the loan portfolio. The 25 largest Premier First relationships represent approximately $91 million of the total balance. If any of these balances are moved from the Bank, the Company would likely utilize overnight borrowings in the short-term to replace the balances. On a longer-term basis, the Company would likely utilize brokered deposits to replace withdrawn balances. Based on past experience utilizing brokered deposits, the Company believes it can quickly obtain brokered deposits if needed. The overall cost of gathering brokered deposits, however, could be substantially higher than the traditional retail bank deposits they replace, potentially decreasing the Company’s earnings.

The Company’s first quarter 2009 and 2008 RAL programs required significantly more liquidity than in prior tax seasons. In addition to the new business gained through the Jackson Hewitt relationship, the Company also experienced significant growth through its independent tax-preparer customer base. The Company utilized a securitization structure in addition to brokered deposits in 2008 to fund the RAL portfolio. Due to the excessive costs of securitization structures, which resulted from a significant lack of liquidity in the credit markets during the latter half of 2008, the Company elected not to obtain funding from a securitization structure for the first quarter 2009. Instead the Company primarily utilized brokered deposits as its RAL funding source for the first quarter 2009 tax season. FHLB advances were used during the first quarter of 2009 to replace those brokered certificates of deposit where enough excess cash was not available to pay off the maturity.

For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
 
·
Part I Item 1 “Financial Statements:”
 
o
Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
 
o
Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
 
o
Footnote 10 “Segment Information”
 
o
Footnote 11 “Securitization”
 
·
Part I Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:”
 
o
“Overview”
 
o
“Business Segment Composition”
 
o
“Results of Operations”
 
o
“Comparison of Financial Condition”
 
·
Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors” of the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K

The Parent Company’s principal source of funds for dividend payments are dividends received from RB&T. Banking regulations limit the amount of dividends that may be paid to the Parent Company by the Bank without prior approval of the respective states’ banking regulators. Under these regulations, the amount of dividends that may be paid in any calendar year is limited to the current year’s net profits, combined with the retained net profits of the preceding two years. At March 31, 2009 RB&T could, without prior approval, declare dividends of approximately $56 million. The Company does not plan to pay dividends from its Florida subsidiary, Republic Bank, in the foreseeable future.

Capital

Total stockholders’ equity increased from $276 million at December 31, 2008 to $304 million at March 31, 2009. The increase in stockholders’ equity was primarily attributable to net income earned during the first quarter of 2009 reduced by cash dividends declared. In addition, stockholders’ equity also increased to a lesser extent from stock option exercises during the quarter.
 
See Part II, Item 2. “Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds” for additional detail regarding stock repurchases and buy back programs.

 
52

 

Regulatory Capital Requirements – RB&T, Republic Bank and the Parent Company are each subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies. RB&T is a Kentucky chartered commercial banking and trust company, and as such, it is subject to supervision and regulation by the FDIC and the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions. Republic Bank is a federally chartered savings bank institution, and as such, it is subject to supervision and regulation by the OTS and secondarily by the FDIC, as the deposit insurer. Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, prompt corrective action regulations involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off balance sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators. Failure to meet capital requirements can initiate regulatory action.

Prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications: well-capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition. If adequately capitalized, regulatory approval is required to accept brokered deposits. If undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as is asset growth and expansion, and capital restoration plans are required. At March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the most recent regulatory notifications categorized the Bank as well-capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the institution’s category.

With regard to Republic Bank, the Qualified Thrift Lender (“QTL”) test requires at least 65% of assets be maintained in housing related loans and investments and other specified areas for nine out of the twelve calendar months each year. If this test is not met for at least nine out of twelve months, limits are placed on growth, branching, new investments, FHLB advances and dividends, or Republic Bank must convert to a commercial bank charter. Management currently believes that Republic Bank will meet the requirements of the QTL test for at least nine of out of twelve calendar months for 2009.

Banking regulators have categorized the Bank as well-capitalized. To be categorized as well-capitalized, the Bank must maintain minimum Total Risk Based, Tier I Capital and Tier I Leverage Capital ratios. Regulatory agencies measure capital adequacy within a framework that makes capital requirements, in part, dependent on the individual risk profiles of financial institutions. Republic continues to exceed the regulatory requirements for Total Risk Based Capital, Tier I Capital and Tier I Leverage Capital. Republic and the Bank intend to maintain a capital position that meets or exceeds the “well-capitalized” requirements as defined by the Federal Reserve Bank, FDIC and the OTS. Republic’s average capital to average assets ratio was 7.03% at March 31, 2009 compared to 8.28% at December 31, 2008. Formal measurements of the capital ratios for Republic and the Bank are performed by the Company at each quarter end.

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

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

 
53

 

The following table sets forth the Company’s risk based capital amounts and ratios as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008:
 
Table 6 – Capital Ratios

   
As of March 31, 2009
   
As of December 31, 2008
 
   
Actual
   
Actual
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
                         
Total Risk Based Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
                       
   Republic Bancorp, Inc.
  $ 347,852       17.26 %   $ 319,087       15.43 %
   Republic Bank & Trust Co.
    319,588       16.31       301,001       14.97  
   Republic Bank
    39,593       51.64       12,522       22.74  
                                 
Tier I Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
                               
   Republic Bancorp, Inc.
  $ 329,973       16.37 %   $ 304,255       14.72 %
   Republic Bank & Trust Co.
    278,783       14.23       263,213       13.09  
   Republic Bank
    39,069       50.96       12,028       21.85  
                                 
Tier I Leverage Capital (to Average Assets)
                               
   Republic Bancorp, Inc.
  $ 329,973       7.93 %   $ 304,255       8.80 %
   Republic Bank & Trust Co.
    278,783       6.79       263,213       7.76  
   Republic Bank
    39,069       10.08       12,028       15.70  

Asset/Liability Management and Market Risk

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

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

Republic utilized an earnings simulation model to analyze net interest income sensitivity. Potential changes in market interest rates and their subsequent effects on net interest income are evaluated with the model. The model projects the effect of instantaneous movements in interest rates of both 100 and 200 basis point increments equally across all points on the yield curve. These projections are computed based on various assumptions, which are used to determine the 100 and 200 basis point increments, as well as the base case (which is a twelve month projected amount) scenario. Assumptions based on growth expectations and on the historical behavior of Republic’s deposit and loan rates and their related balances in relation to changes in interest rates are also incorporated into the model. These assumptions are inherently uncertain and, as a result, the model cannot precisely measure future net interest income or precisely predict the impact of fluctuations in market interest rates on net interest income. Actual results will differ from the model’s simulated results due to timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes, as well as changes in market conditions and the application and timing of various management strategies. Additionally, actual results could differ materially from the model if interest rates do not move equally across all points on the yield curve. As with the Company’s previous simulation models, the March 31, 2009 simulation analysis continues to indicate that an increase in interest rates would generally have a negative effect on net interest income. The Company did not run a model simulation for declining interest rates as of March 31, 2009, because the FOMC effectively lowered the Federal Funds Target rate to 0.00% in December 2008 and therefore, no further short-term rate reductions can occur. As the Company implements strategies to mitigate the negative impact of rising interest rates in the future, these strategies will lessen the Company’s forecasted “base case” net interest income in the event of no interest rate changes.

 
54

 

Item 3.      Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

Information required by this item is included under Part I, Item 2., “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation.”

Item 4.      Controls and Procedures.

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

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.      Legal Proceedings.

In the ordinary course of operations, Republic and the Bank are defendants in various legal proceedings. In the opinion of management, there is no proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of management, threatened litigation in which an adverse decision could result in a material adverse change in the business or consolidated financial position of Republic or the Bank.
 
Item 1A.   Risk Factors.

Information regarding risk factors appears in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2008, under the heading titled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and in the Form 10-K Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors.” There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Item 2.      Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Details of Republic’s Class A Common Stock purchases during the first quarter of 2009 are included in the following table:
Period
 
Total Number of
Shares
Purchased
   
Average Price
Paid per Share
   
Total Number of
Shares
Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
 
 
Maximum
Number of Shares
that May Yet Be
Purchased
Under the Plan or
Programs
                     
Jan. 1– Jan. 31
    4,450     $ 26.21       4,450    
Feb. 1– Feb. 28
    7,895       13.51       1,821    
March 1 – March 31
    28,861       18.48       -    
    Total
    41,206 *   $ 18.36       6,271  
79,182
* - Represents 34,935 shares received by the Company in connection with stock option exercises.

During the first quarter of 2009, the Company repurchased 6,271 shares and there were 34,935 shares exchanged for stock option exercises. During the second quarter of 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors amended its existing share repurchase program by approving the repurchase of an additional 300,000 shares from time to time, as market conditions are deemed favorable to the Company. The repurchase program will remain effective until the total number of shares authorized is repurchased or until Republic’s Board of Directors terminates the program. As of March 31, 2009, the Company had 79,182 shares which could be repurchased under the current share repurchase programs.

 
55

 

During the first quarter of 2009, there were no shares of Class A Common Stock issued upon conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock by stockholders of Republic in accordance with the share-for-share conversion provision option of the Class B Common Stock. The exemption from registration of the newly issued Class A Common Stock relied upon was Section (3)(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933.

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

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

The annual meeting of the shareholders of Republic Bancorp, Inc. was held on April 23, 2008. The following items were considered:

Election of the following nominees to the Company’s Board of Directors for the ensuing year:
                                 
Nominee
 
Votes For
   
Votes Withheld
 
             
Bernard M. Trager
    33,997,088       1,907,408  
                 
Steven E. Trager
    34,169,279       1,735,217  
                 
A. Scott Trager
    33,959,515       1,944,981  
                 
R. Wayne Stratton
    35,722,451       182,044  
                 
Michael T. Rust
    35,585,115       319,381  
                 
Sandra Metts Snowden
    35,720,327       184,168  
                 
Susan Stout Tamme
    35,488,898       415,597  
                 
Craig A. Greenberg
    33,330,001       2,574,495  

Ratification of the appointment of Crowe Horwath LLP as the independent registered public accountants for the ensuing year:

For:
  35,839,521
Against:
  63,249
Abstain:
  1,726

 
56

 

Item 6. Exhibits.

(a)  Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed or furnished as a part of this report:

Exhibit Number
 
Description of Exhibit
     
31.1
 
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
31.2
 
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32*
 
Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

* -   
This certification shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 
57

 

SIGNATURES

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

 
REPUBLIC BANCORP, INC.
 
(Registrant)
   
 
Principal Executive Officer:
   
 
   
April 24, 2009
By:
Steven E. Trager
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
   
 
Principal Financial Officer:
   
 
   
April 24, 2009
By:
Kevin Sipes
   
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
   
Officer and Chief Accounting Officer

 
58