Form 10-Q for Quarterly Period ended June 30, 2007

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2007

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number: 1-15773

CADENCE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Mississippi   64-0694775
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I. R. S. Employer
Identification No.)
301 East Main Street, P. O. Box 1187, Starkville, Mississippi   39760
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (662) 323-1341

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  ¨                    Accelerated filer  x                     Non-accelerated filer  ¨

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: Common Stock, $1 Par Value – 11,900,932 shares as of June 30, 2007.

 



PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

CADENCE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2007 AND 2006

(Unaudited)

 

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

   2007     2006

INTEREST INCOME

    

Interest and fees on loans

   $ 48,624     $ 32,003

Interest and dividends on securities

     10,676       10,443

Other interest income

     598       553
              

Total interest income

     59,898       42,999
              

INTEREST EXPENSE

    

Interest on deposits

     25,407       14,438

Interest on borrowed funds

     6,452       4,733
              

Total interest expense

     31,859       19,171
              

Net interest income

     28,039       23,828

Provision for loan losses

     2,129       1,228
              

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

     25,910       22,600
              

OTHER INCOME

    

Service charges on deposit accounts

     4,496       4,228

Insurance commissions, fees and premiums

     2,615       2,224

Trust Department income

     1,227       1,111

Mortgage loan fees

     812       323

Other income

     1,861       2,234

Securities gains (losses), net

     (132 )     19

Impairment loss on securities

     (5,097 )     —  
              

Total other income

     5,782       10,139
              

OTHER EXPENSE

    

Salaries and employee benefits

     15,501       13,589

Premises and fixed asset expense

     4,174       3,194

Other expense

     7,437       6,685
              

Total other expense

     27,112       23,468
              

Income before income taxes

     4,580       9,271

Income taxes

     867       2,527
              

Net income

   $ 3,713     $ 6,744
              

Net income per share:

    

Basic

   $ 0.31     $ 0.75
              

Diluted

   $ 0.31     $ 0.75
              

Dividends per common share

   $ 0.50     $ 0.50
              

 

2


CADENCE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2007 AND 2006

(Unaudited)

 

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

   2007     2006

INTEREST INCOME

    

Interest and fees on loans

   $ 24,652     $ 16,580

Interest and dividends on securities

     5,498       5,424

Other interest income

     283       384
              

Total interest income

     30,433       22,388
              

INTEREST EXPENSE

    

Interest on deposits

     12,672       7,825

Interest on borrowed funds

     3,421       2,477
              

Total interest expense

     16,093       10,302
              

Net interest income

     14,340       12,086

Provision for loan losses

     900       827
              

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

     13,440       11,259
              

OTHER INCOME

    

Service charges on deposit accounts

     2,343       2,243

Insurance commissions, fees and premiums

     1,114       1,099

Trust Department income

     615       585

Mortgage loan fees

     469       183

Other income

     936       1,267

Securities gains (losses), net

     (140 )     17
              

Total other income

     5,337       5,394
              

OTHER EXPENSE

    

Salaries and employee benefits

     7,725       6,797

Premises and fixed asset expense

     2,126       1,618

Other expense

     3,803       3,419
              

Total other expense

     13,654       11,834
              

Income before income taxes

     5,123       4,819

Income taxes

     1,513       1,325
              

Net income

   $ 3,610     $ 3,494
              

Net income per share:

    

Basic

   $ 0.30     $ 0.36
              

Diluted

   $ 0.30     $ 0.36
              

Dividends per common share

   $ 0.25     $ 0.25
              

 

3


CADENCE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

(In thousands)

   June 30, 2007     Dec. 31, 2006  
     (Unaudited)        

ASSETS

    

Cash and due from banks

   $ 31,843     $ 41,124  

Interest-bearing deposits with banks

     5,380       17,576  

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell

     1,414       24,804  
                

Total cash and cash equivalents

     38,637       83,504  

Securities available-for-sale

     396,695       413,812  

Securities held-to-maturity (estimated fair value of $24,608 at June 30, 2007 and $25,057 at December 31, 2006)

     23,470       23,478  

Other securities

     12,647       11,290  
                

Total securities

     432,812       448,580  

Loans

     1,283,906       1,222,946  

Less: allowance for loan losses

     (12,125 )     (12,236 )
                

Net loans

     1,271,781       1,210,710  

Interest receivable

     13,817       12,345  

Premises and equipment, net

     33,760       32,535  

Goodwill and other intangible assets

     70,711       71,342  

Other assets

     47,571       40,932  
                

Total Assets

   $ 1,909,089     $ 1,899,948  
                

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Liabilities:

    

Noninterest-bearing deposits

   $ 182,839     $ 178,018  

Interest-bearing deposits

     1,245,764       1,282,505  
                

Total deposits

     1,428,603       1,460,523  

Interest payable

     5,205       6,880  

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase

     89,120       80,838  

Subordinated debentures

     37,114       37,114  

Other borrowed funds

     148,997       112,664  

Other liabilities

     10,028       10,664  
                

Total liabilities

     1,719,067       1,708,683  
                

Shareholders’ Equity:

    

Common stock - $1 par value, authorized 50,000,000 shares in 2007 and 2006; issued 11,900,932 shares in 2007 and 11,888,932 shares in 2006

     11,901       11,889  

Surplus

     93,170       93,122  

Retained earnings

     90,711       92,947  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (5,760 )     (6,693 )
                

Total shareholders’ equity

     190,022       191,265  
                

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 1,909,089     $ 1,899,948  
                

 

4


CADENCE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2007 AND 2006

(Unaudited)

 

(Amounts in thousands)

   2007     2006  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net income

   $ 3,713     $ 6,744  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     2,176       1,647  

Deferred income taxes

     (25 )     (84 )

Provision for loan losses

     2,129       1,228  

Loss (gain) on sale of securities, net

     132       (19 )

Impairment loss on securities

     5,097       —    

(Increase) decrease in interest receivable

     (1,472 )     (952 )

(Increase) decrease in other assets

     (7,311 )     (2,292 )

Increase (decrease) in interest payable

     (1,675 )     833  

Increase (decrease) in other liabilities

     (636 )     2,617  
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     2,128       9,722  

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    

Proceeds from maturities and calls of securities

     28,301       17,322  

Proceeds from sale of securities

     162,728       1,916  

Purchase of securities

     (178,847 )     (63,334 )

(Increase) decrease in loans

     (63,200 )     (57,494 )

(Additions) disposal of premises and equipment

     (2,663 )     (4,344 )
                

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     (53,681 )     (105,934 )

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Increase (decrease) in deposits

     (31,920 )     73,750  

Dividend paid on common stock

     (5,949 )     (4,783 )

Increase (decrease) in borrowed funds

     44,615       1,691  

Proceeds from equity offering

     —         50,591  

Charges related to equity offering

     —         (300 )

Other financing activities

     (60 )     218  
                

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     6,686       121,167  

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (44,867 )     24,955  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     83,504       43,122  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 38,637     $ 68,077  
                

Cash paid during the period for:

    

Interest

   $ 33,534     $ 17,931  
                

Income taxes

   $ 3,226     $ 2,568  
                

 

5


CADENCE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cadence Financial Corporation (the “Corporation”), Cadence Bank, N.A. (“Cadence” or the “Bank”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation, Enterprise Bancshares, Inc. (“Enterprise”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation, Galloway-Chandler-McKinney Insurance Agency, Inc. (“GCM”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cadence, NBC Insurance Services of Alabama, Inc. (“Insurance”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cadence, NBC Service Corporation (“Service”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cadence, and Commerce National Insurance Company (“CNIC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Service. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

In the normal decision making process, management makes certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts that appear in these statements. Although management believes that the estimates and assumptions are reasonable and are based on the best information available, actual results could differ.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the financial statements presented in this report have been made. Such adjustments were of a normal recurring nature.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted. It is suggested that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Corporation’s latest annual report on Form 10-K.

Note 1. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” This Statement allows an irrevocable election to measure certain financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value on an instrument-by-instrument basis, with unrealized gains and losses recognized currently in earnings. Under this Statement, the fair value option may only be elected at the time of initial recognition of a financial asset or financial liability or upon the occurrence of certain specified events. The Statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, with early adoption permitted if FASB Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” is adopted concurrently, and if the adoption is made within 120 days of the beginning of the fiscal year and before any periodic financial statements are issued. The Corporation elected early adoption of FASB Statement No. 159 and adopted FASB Statement No. 157, effective January 1, 2007. See Note 10 for related disclosures.

In September 2006, the FASB ratified the consensus reached in Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 06-04, “Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements.” Under the terms of an endorsement arrangement, an employer owns and controls a policy that will provide future postretirement benefits to an employee. EITF Issue No. 06-04 requires that a liability be recognized for the benefit obligation, together with related compensation cost, based on the substantive agreement with the employee, because such obligations are not considered to be effectively settled upon entering into the related insurance arrangements. EITF Issue No. 06-04 is effective for the first interim reporting period beginning after December 15, 2007, with the guidance applied using either a retrospective approach or a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the year of adoption. The Corporation is currently assessing the financial statement impact of applying the provisions of EITF Issue No. 06-04.

Note 2. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the cost of acquired institutions in excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired. In accordance with FASB Statement No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” the Corporation does not amortize goodwill but performs periodic testing of goodwill for impairment. At June 30, 2007, the Corporation had approximately $67.1 million of goodwill on its consolidated balance sheet, which will remain at that level unless it becomes impaired under the definition of impairment in Statement No. 142.

 

6


Other identifiable intangible assets consist primarily of the core deposit premium arising from acquisitions. The core deposit premium was established using the discounted cash flow approach and is being amortized using an accelerated method over the estimated remaining life of the acquired core deposits.

Note 3. Stock Options/Performance Share Grants

The Corporation accounts for stock options in accordance with FASB Statement No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment.” This Statement requires that the fair value of equity instruments exchanged for employee services (as determined on the grant date of the award) be recognized as compensation cost over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award – the requisite service period (usually the vesting period).

In 2006, the Corporation’s shareholders adopted a new Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan. This plan gave the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors additional alternatives for using share-based compensation. During 2006, the Committee granted 18,750 performance shares to certain officers. These shares vest in equal amounts over a four-year period, following the period in which the performance targets are attained. The performance targets have been attained for the 2006 grants. In 2007, the Committee granted an additional 69,500 performance shares to certain officers. The performance targets have been met for 12,000 of those shares as of June 30, 2007, and the shares will vest in equal amounts over a four-year period. The remaining 57,500 shares are not considered issued, as the performance targets for earning them have not been met as of June 30, 2007. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, compensation expense relating to performance shares totaled $26,000 and $79,000, respectively.

Note 4. Variable Interest Entities

Through two business trust subsidiaries, the Corporation has issued $37.1 million in subordinated debentures that were used to support trust preferred securities. These debentures are the sole assets of the trust subsidiaries. In accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” neither of the trust subsidiaries is consolidated into the financial statements of the Corporation.

Note 5. Comprehensive Income

The following tables disclose comprehensive income for the periods reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 

(In thousands)

   2007     2006  

Net income

   $ 3,713     $ 6,744  

Net change in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

    

Realized (gains) losses included in net income

     82       (12 )

Impairment loss on securities

     3,147       —    

Unrealized gains (losses) on securities

     (2,309 )     (3,550 )

Unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate swaps

     13       (103 )
                

Net change in other comprehensive income (loss)

     933       (3,665 )
                

Comprehensive income

   $ 4,646     $ 3,079  
                

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at beginning of period

   $ (6,693 )   $ (8,160 )

Net change in other comprehensive income (loss)

     933       (3,665 )
                

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at end of period

   $ (5,760 )   $ (11,825 )
                

 

7


     Three Months Ended
June 30,
 

(In thousands)

   2007     2006  

Net income

   $ 3,610     $ 3,494  

Net change in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

    

Realized (gains) losses included in net income

     86       (10 )

Unrealized gains (losses) on securities

     (2,603 )     (3,406 )

Unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate swaps

     2       (82 )
                

Net change in other comprehensive income (loss)

     (2,515 )     (3,498 )
                

Comprehensive income

   $ 1,095     $ (4 )
                

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at beginning of period

   $ (3,245 )   $ (8,327 )

Net change in other comprehensive income (loss)

     (2,515 )     (3,498 )
                

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at end of period

   $ (5,760 )   $ (11,825 )
                

Note 6. Defined Benefit Pension Plan

The following tables contain the components of the net periodic benefit cost of the Corporation’s defined benefit pension plan for the periods indicated:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 

(In thousands)

   2007     2006  

Service cost

   $ 311     $ 291  

Interest cost

     344       352  

Expected return on assets

     (411 )     (418 )

Net (gain)/loss recognition

     166       189  

Prior service cost amortization

     (63 )     (63 )
                

Preliminary net periodic benefit cost

     347       351  

Immediate recognition due to settlements

     —         637  
                

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 347     $ 988  
                
     Three Months Ended
June 30,
 

(In thousands)

   2007     2006  

Service cost

   $ 164     $ 145  

Interest cost

     174       176  

Expected return on assets

     (201 )     (209 )

Net (gain)/loss recognition

     89       95  

Prior service cost amortization

     (31 )     (31 )
                

Preliminary net periodic benefit cost

     195       176  

Immediate recognition due to settlements

     —         318  
                

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 195     $ 494  
                

 

8


The expected rate of return for 2006 and 2005 was 7.5%.

Note 7. Investment Securities

In accordance with FASB Staff Position Nos. FAS 115-1 and FAS 124-1, “The Meaning of Other-than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments,” for the quarter and six-month period ended June 30, 2007, management reviewed the securities portfolio for securities that had unrealized losses for more than twelve months and that could be considered other-than-temporary. As of June 30, 2007, approximately 79% of the number of securities in the portfolio reflected an unrealized loss.

In conducting its review for other-than-temporary impairment, management evaluated a number of factors including, but not limited to the following: the amount of the unrealized loss; the length of time in which the unrealized loss has existed; the financial condition of the issuer; rating agency changes on the issuer; and management’s intent and ability to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. Based on this review, management does not believe any individual security with an unrealized loss as of June 30, 2007, is other-than-temporarily impaired.

The Corporation recognized a $5.1 million impairment loss in the first quarter of 2007 relating to certain collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage-backed securities. These securities were sold in early April, and the proceeds were invested in agency securities.

Note 8. Acquisitions

On November 14, 2006, the Corporation completed the acquisition of Seasons Bancshares, Inc. (“Seasons”), and its subsidiary bank, Seasons Bank, located in Blairsville, Georgia. The acquisition will allow the Corporation to expand its business into other growing Georgia markets. The acquisition was an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $17.6 million. As part of this total, option and warrant holders received the difference between the cash price and the exercise price of the options or warrants. Seasons’ assets and liabilities were recorded on the balance sheet at their respective fair values as of the closing date.

The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of the purchase price to the assets and liabilities acquired on November 14, 2006. The Corporation is in the process of obtaining income tax basis information on certain assets; thus, the allocation of the purchase price is subject to refinement.

 

(In thousands)

      

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 2,712  

Securities

     5,783  

Loans

     77,430  

Less allowance for loan losses

     (1,735 )
        

Net loans

     75,695  

Premises and equipment

     3,765  

Goodwill

     10,305  

Core deposit intangible

     424  

Other assets

     2,067  
        

Total assets acquired

     100,751  
        

Deposits

     82,089  

Other liabilities

     1,100  
        

Total liabilities assumed

     83,189  
        

Net assets acquired

   $ 17,562  
        

On August 17, 2006, the Corporation completed the acquisition of SunCoast Bancorp, Inc. (“SunCoast”), and its subsidiary bank, SunCoast Bank, located in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, Florida. The acquisition will allow the Corporation to expand further into the rapidly growing markets of Tampa, Sarasota, and Naples, Florida. The

 

9


acquisition was valued at approximately $35.9 million, of which 45% was paid in cash and 55% was paid in shares of the Corporation’s common stock. Option holders received the difference between the cash election price and the option price of their options, or an aggregate of approximately $1.0 million. SunCoast’s assets and liabilities were recorded on the balance sheet at their respective fair values as of the closing date.

The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of the purchase price to the assets and liabilities acquired on August 17, 2006. The Corporation is in the process of obtaining income tax basis information on certain assets; thus, the allocation of the purchase price is subject to refinement.

 

(In thousands)

      

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 3,563  

Securities

     9,217  

Loans

     125,584  

Less allowance for loan losses

     (1,382 )
        

Net loans

     124,202  

Premises and equipment

     4,278  

Goodwill

     20,564  

Core deposit intangible

     1,631  

Other assets

     1,004  
        

Total assets acquired

     164,459  
        

Deposits

     128,085  

Other liabilities

     434  
        

Total liabilities assumed

     128,519  
        

Net assets acquired

   $ 35,940  
        

The Corporation’s financial statements include the results of operations for Seasons and SunCoast from their respective merger dates. The pro forma impact of these acquisitions on the Corporation’s results of operations was immaterial. Goodwill resulting from these acquisitions is not deductible for income tax purposes.

Note 9. Derivative Instruments

In 2006, the Corporation hedged a portion of its floating rate prime based lending portfolio by entering into floating to fixed interest rate swaps. As of June 30, 2007, the total notional amount of the outstanding swaps is $20 million. Original maturities on these swaps range from eighteen to twenty-four months, and rates range from 8.01% to 8.02%. The transactions are cash flow hedges as defined by FASB Statement No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” and they are accounted for under the provisions of that Statement.

The effectiveness of the transactions described above was tested as of June 30, 2007, in accordance with Statement No. 133, and management determined that as of that date, the transactions remained “highly effective,” as defined by the Statement. For the quarter and six-month periods ended June 30, 2007, $2,000 and $13,000 in unrealized gains (net of tax), respectively, were recorded as adjustments to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the increase in fair value of these transactions. For the quarter and six-month periods ended June 30, 2006, $82,000 and $103,000 in unrealized losses (net of tax), respectively, were recorded as adjustments to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the decline in fair value of these transactions.

Note 10. Fair Value

The Corporation elected early adoption of FASB Statement No. 159 and adopted FASB Statement No. 157, effective January 1, 2007. As of June 30, 2007, the Corporation’s balance sheet does not include any financial assets or liabilities for which the fair value option of Statement No. 159 was elected.

 

10


The following table reflects assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

 

    

Fair Value at

June 30, 2007

Available-for-sale securities

   $ 396,695

Fair value for these assets was determined by reference to quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets.

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

Forward-Looking Information

The following provides a narrative discussion and analysis of significant changes in our results of operations and financial condition for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2007. Certain information included in this discussion contains forward-looking statements and information that are based on management’s conclusions, drawn from certain assumptions and information currently available. The Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995 encourages the disclosure of forward-looking information by management by providing a safe harbor for such information. This discussion includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions (some of which may prove to be incorrect) and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause the actual results to differ materially from our expectations. The forward-looking statements made in this document are based on management’s beliefs, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. When used in our documents, the words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “objective,” “projection,” “forecast,” “goal” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition to any assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with forward-looking statements, factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statements include, among others, increased competition, regulatory factors, economic conditions, changing interest rates, changing market conditions, availability or cost of capital, employee workforce factors, cost and other effects of legal and administrative proceedings, changes in federal, state or local laws and regulations and other factors identified in Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” included in this Form 10-Q, and Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and that may be discussed from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission subsequent to this report. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of changes in actual results, changes in assumptions or other factors affecting such statements.

Introduction and Management Overview

Cadence Financial Corporation is a financial holding company that owns Cadence Bank, N.A. (“Cadence” or the “Bank”), which operates in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida and Georgia. We provide full financial services, including banking, trust services, mortgage services, insurance and investment products. Our stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) under the ticker symbol of CADE.

For purposes of the following discussion, the words the “Corporation,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to the combined entities of Cadence Financial Corporation and Cadence, unless the context suggests otherwise.

For the first half of 2007, our net interest margin was 3.30%, compared to 3.57% for the same period of 2006. Our loan yields increased by 43 basis points as compared to the first half of 2006, as the loan portfolio, which is composed of approximately 63% variable rate loans and 37% fixed rate loans, repriced upward. In addition, our average loan balances increased by approximately $380 million. However, our net interest margin was negatively impacted by the increase in our overall cost of funds (96 basis points as compared to the first half of 2006), as the rate environment continued to put pressure on deposit and other borrowing rates.

 

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We have maintained our underwriting standards and we believe that the overall credit quality of the loan portfolio was good at the end of the second quarter. Our provision for loan losses was substantially higher in the first half of 2007 as compared to the first half of 2006, due primarily to two credits, one relating to a Mississippi commercial customer and the other relating to a Memphis customer.

Noninterest income, exclusive of securities gains and losses, was $11.0 million for the first half of 2007 and $10.1 million for the first half of 2006. During the first half of 2007, noninterest income, exclusive of securities gains and losses, accounted for 15.5% of total income. The growth of noninterest income continues to be one of our major strategic goals.

Another goal of management in 2007 is to continue to control the level of noninterest expenses. During the first half of 2007, total noninterest expenses increased by $3.6 million, or 15.5%, from the same period of 2006, primarily resulting from increased salaries, employee benefits, premises and fixed asset costs relating to our newly opened and acquired locations in Tennessee, Florida and Georgia.

For the first half of 2007, we reported net income of $3.7 million, or $0.31 per share, compared to $6.7 million, or $.75 per share, for the first half of 2006. The net income for 2007 includes a $5.1 million ($3.1 million after tax) impairment loss recorded for certain investment securities. The impairment loss resulted from our rescinding the application of FASB Statement No. 159 to those securities. The securities were sold in early April and the proceeds reinvested in higher-yielding securities that are expected to provide approximately $1.0 million annually in additional net interest income in future periods. The impairment loss was responsible for $0.30 of the difference in earnings per share between the first half of 2007 and the first half of 2006; however, average weighted shares outstanding also increased by 32.3%, resulting from the $50.2 million stock offering and shares issued in the SunCoast acquisition during 2006.

We are continuing our efforts to grow loans and improve our margin. With potential improvement in the Mississippi market, the continued strong growth in Tennessee and Alabama, and the addition of the Florida and Georgia markets, management believes that we will be able to achieve solid loan growth in 2007. The expansion or even maintenance of the margin, however, will be a more difficult objective to attain in the current interest rate environment. The inverted yield curve, an environment in which short-term rates are higher than long-term rates, presents a significant obstacle. Additionally, our need for funding has increased as our loan demand has increased, requiring us to pay higher rates to grow deposits.

Currently, management expects, based on available information, that interest rates will be flat to slightly down in 2007. We expect growth to continue in the Memphis and Tuscaloosa markets and anticipate that our recent entries into the Birmingham and Nashville MSAs and Florida will continue to provide us with additional growth markets. We based our 2007 projections, budgets and goals on these expectations. If these trends move differently than expected in either direction or speed, they could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations. The areas of our operations most directly impacted would be the net interest margin, loan and deposit growth and the provision for loan losses.

We continue to look for ways to grow noninterest income. The continued growth in the Memphis market, the expansion into the Birmingham and Nashville MSAs and the acquisitions of SunCoast in Florida and Seasons in Georgia should provide new customer bases for our other banking products and services.

In the area of noninterest income, our primary objective for 2007 is to expand our mortgage origination efforts into our new markets in Alabama and Tennessee. This process began in late 2006, with the reorganization of our mortgage division to take advantage of these opportunities. We will also continue our efforts to control noninterest expenses. In the area of noninterest expenses, our efforts will be focused on controlling these expense categories as we continue our efforts to achieve maximum efficiencies within our new expanded footprint. Reducing our efficiency ratio remains a key objective.

Our primary objective for the remainder of 2007 is to grow net income. The previously mentioned growth in assets, expansion of noninterest income, and control of noninterest expenses will all contribute to this net income growth. Other areas of focus to accomplish this goal will be controlling the cost of funding that will be needed to both

 

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support our current asset levels and our expected growth and maintaining our level of credit quality. Funding is a challenging issue, due to the inverted yield curve. This situation makes it very difficult to obtain the desired spread between loan yields and cost of funds. Also, there is increased competition for core deposits as all banks struggle to maintain this very important component of their funding. If the economy slows or the real estate market continues to soften, credit quality will become an issue. Currently our credit quality is good, and we anticipate we will continue our policy of not lowering our credit underwriting standards to obtain loan growth.

Even though we believe that we will have net income growth for the remainder of 2007, that growth will not translate into growth in earnings per share. The average shares outstanding for 2006 were 10,323,000. In 2007, we estimate that average shares outstanding will be at least 11,898,000, an increase of 1,575,000, or 15.3%.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our accounting and financial reporting policies conform to United States generally accepted accounting principles and to general practices within the banking industry. Note A of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, contains a summary of our accounting policies. Management is of the opinion that Note A, read in conjunction with all other information in the annual report, including management’s letter to shareholders, and this management’s discussion and analysis, is sufficient to provide the reader with the information needed to understand our financial condition and results of operations.

It is management’s opinion that the areas of the financial statements that require the most difficult, subjective and complex judgments, and, therefore, contain the most critical accounting estimates, are the provision for loan losses and the resulting allowance for loan losses; the liability and expense relating to our pension and other postretirement benefit plans; issues relating to other-than-temporary impairment losses in the securities portfolio; and goodwill and other intangible assets.

Provision for Loan Losses/Allowance for Loan Losses

Our provision for loan losses is utilized to replenish the allowance for loan losses on the balance sheet. The allowance is maintained at a level deemed adequate by management and the Board of Directors after their evaluation of the risk exposure contained in our loan portfolio. The senior credit officers and the loan review staff perform the methodology used to make this determination of risk exposure on a quarterly basis. As a part of this evaluation, certain loans are individually reviewed to determine if there is an impairment of our ability to collect the loans and the related interest. This determination is generally made based on collateral value. If the senior credit officers and loan review staff determine that impairments exist, specific portions of the allowance are allocated to these individual loans. We group all other loans into homogeneous pools and determine risk exposure by considering the following list of factors (this list is not all-inclusive and the factors reviewed may change as circumstances change): historical loss experiences; trends in delinquencies and non-accruals; and national, regional and local economic conditions. (These economic conditions would include, but not be limited to, general real estate conditions, the current interest rate environment and trends, unemployment levels and other information, as deemed appropriate.) Additionally, management looks at specific external credit risk factors that bring additional risk into the portfolio. For the period ended June 30, 2007, we identified the following five external risk factors: (1) stagnant to negative employment reports for the northeast Mississippi area; (2) the current higher rate environment resulting in higher borrowing costs and lower debt service coverages; (3) increased risk associated with commercial real estate credits; (4) slowdown trend in the real estate market; and (5) lack of familiarity with the north Georgia market. These external risk factors will be re-evaluated on a quarterly basis. Management makes its estimates of the credit risk in the portfolio and the amount of provision needed to keep the allowance for loan losses at an appropriate level using what management believes are the best and most current sources of information available at the time of the estimates; however, many of these factors can change quickly and with no advance warning. If management significantly misses its estimates in any period, it can have a material impact on the results of operations for that period and for subsequent periods.

 

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Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

Another area that requires subjective and complex judgments is the liability and expense relating to our pension and other postretirement benefit plans. We maintain several benefit plans for our employees. They include a defined benefit pension plan, a defined contribution pension plan, a 401(k) plan and a deferred compensation plan. We make all contributions to these plans when due.

The defined benefit pension plan is the only plan that requires multiple assumptions to determine the liability under the plan. This plan has been frozen to new participants for several years. Management evaluates, reviews with the plan actuaries, and updates as appropriate the assumptions used in the determination of pension liability, including the discount rate, the expected rate of return on plan assets, and increases in future compensation. Actual experience that differs from the assumptions could have a significant impact on our financial position and results of operations. The discount rate and the expected rate of return on the plan assets have a significant impact on the actuarially computed present value of future benefits that is recorded on the financial statements as a liability and the corresponding pension expense.

In selecting the expected rate of return, management, in consultation with the plan trustees, selected a rate based on assumptions compared to recent returns and economic forecasts. We consider the current allocation of the portfolio and the probable rates of return of each investment type. In selecting the appropriate discount rate, management, with the assistance of actuarial consultants, performs an analysis of the plan’s projected benefit cash flows against discount rates from a national Pension Discount Curve (a yield curve used to measure pension liabilities).

FASB Statement No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans,” requires us to recognize the funded status of the plan (defined as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligation) on the balance sheet and to recognize in other comprehensive income any gains or losses and prior service costs or benefits not included as components of periodic benefit cost.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment of Investment Securities

A third area that requires subjective and complex judgments on the part of management is the review of the investments in the securities portfolio for other-than-temporary impairments. EITF Issue 03-01 and FASB FSP FAS 115-1 and FAS 124-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments,” require us to review our investment portfolio and determine if it has impairment losses that are other-than-temporary. In making its determination, management considers the following items: (1) the length of time and extent to which the current market value is less than cost; (2) evidence of a forecasted recovery; (3) financial condition and the industry environment of the issuer; (4) downgrades of the securities by rating agencies; (5) whether there has been a reduction or elimination of dividends or interest payments; (6) whether we have the intent or ability to hold the securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for anticipated recovery of fair value; and (7) interest rate trends that may impact recovery and realization. As of March 31, 2007, we recorded an other-than-temporary impairment loss of $5.1 million on certain collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) and mortgage-backed securities. The securities were sold in early April.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

FASB Statement No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” eliminated the requirement to amortize goodwill; however, it does require periodic testing for impairment. We completed our impairment test in accordance with Statement No. 142 in October 2006 and concluded that no impairment writedown was warranted. At June 30, 2007, we had approximately $67.1 million of goodwill on our balance sheet, which will remain at that level unless it becomes impaired under the definition of impairment in Statement No. 142.

Other Accounting/Regulatory Issues

In the normal course of business, our wholly owned subsidiary bank, Cadence, makes loans to related parties, including our directors and executive officers and their relatives and affiliates. We make these loans on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other parties. Also, the loans are consistent with sound banking practices and within applicable regulatory and lending limitations. Please see Note O in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, and our proxy statement for additional details concerning related party transactions.

 

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Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 generally prohibits loans to executive officers. However, the rule does not apply to any loan made or maintained by an insured depository institution if the loan is subject to the insider lending restrictions of section 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act. All loans that the Bank makes to executive officers are subject to the above referenced section of the Federal Reserve Act.

We own two business trusts, both organized under the laws of the State of Connecticut for the purpose of issuing trust preferred securities. In accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003), the trusts, which are considered variable interest entities, are not consolidated into our financial statements because the only activity of the variable interest entities is the issuance of the trust preferred securities.

Effective January 1, 2007, we elected early adoption of FASB Statement No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” This Statement allows an irrevocable election to measure certain financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value on an instrument-by-instrument basis, with unrealized gains and losses recognized currently in earnings. Under this Statement, the fair value option may only be elected at the time of initial recognition of a financial asset or financial liability or upon the occurrence of certain specified events.

Because we elected early adoption of Statement No. 159, we were also required to adopt FASB Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” concurrently. The adoption of Statement No. 157 had no significant impact on our financial position.

Results of Operations

First two quarters of 2007 compared to the first two quarters of 2006

Earnings for the first half of 2007 were $3.7 million, or $.31 per share, compared to $6.74 million, or $.75 per share, for the first half of 2006.

Net interest income for the first half of 2007 was $28.0 million, compared to $23.8 million for 2006, an increase of 17.7%. During this period, the net interest margin was 3.30%, compared to 3.57% for the same period of 2006. In comparing the first half of 2007 to the same period of 2006, we gained 61 basis points of yield on our earning assets. However, during this period, the cost of funds increased by 96 basis points. Average earning assets increased to $1.72 billion in 2007 from $1.35 billion in 2006, an increase of $368.1 million, or 27.3%. This increase is primarily composed of an increase in average loan balances, from $869.3 million during the first half of 2006 to $1.25 billion during the first half of 2007. From the first half of 2006 to the first half of 2007, the yield on loans increased from 7.42% to 7.85%, the yield on federal funds sold increased from 5.42% to 5.61% and the yield on the investment securities portfolio increased from 4.62% to 4.86%. For additional information, see the table entitled “Analysis of Net Interest Earnings” at the end of this section.

The provision for loan losses increased from $1.2 million during the first half of 2006 to $2.1 million in the same period of 2007. This increase is due mostly to two credits, one of which is a bankruptcy. In management’s opinion, the current level of the provision should be sufficient to protect us from any unforeseen deterioration in the quality of the loan portfolio.

 

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Noninterest income includes various service charges, fees and commissions, including insurance commissions earned by GCM. It has been, and continues to be, one of our strategic focuses to diversify our other income sources so that we can be less dependent on net interest income. Noninterest income, exclusive of securities gains and losses, increased by $891,000, or 8.8%, from the first half of 2006 to the first half of 2007. The following table reflects the details of these amounts:

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,  

(In thousands)

   2007    2006    Change  

Service charges on deposit accounts

   $ 4,496    $ 4,228    $ 268  

Insurance commissions, fees and premiums

     2,615      2,224      391  

Trust Department income

     1,227      1,111      116  

Mortgage loan fees

     812      323      489  

Other income

     1,861      2,234      (373 )
                      

Total other income

   $ 11,011    $ 10,120    $ 891  
                      

Service charges on deposit accounts increased by $268,000, or 6.3%. The increase is due mostly to improved management and oversight of our noninterest-bearing accounts. Insurance commissions, fees, and premiums increased by $391,000, or 17.6%, because of an increase in profit sharing received from the insurance carriers based on loss experience. Mortgage loan fees increased by $489,000, or 151.4%, due primarily to our recent restructuring of the division and the expanding of our mortgage operations into our newer markets. Other noninterest income declined by $373,000, or 16.7%. In the first half of 2006, we recorded a $407,000 gain on early extinguishment of debt related to prepayments on certain Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) borrowings.

We recognized $132,000 in securities losses during the first half of 2007, compared to gains of $19,000 during the first half of 2006. Also during the first half of 2007, we recognized a $5.1 million impairment loss on certain CMOs and mortgage-backed securities. Those securities were sold in early April and the proceeds reinvested in agency securities.

Noninterest expense represents ordinary overhead expenses. These expenses increased by $3.6 million, or 15.5%, during the first half of 2007, compared with the first half of 2006. The following table reflects the details of this change:

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,

(In thousands)

   2007    2006    Change

Salaries and employee benefits

   $ 15,501    $ 13,589    $ 1,912

Premises and fixed asset expense

     4,174      3,194      980

Other expense

     7,437      6,685      752
                    

Total other expense

   $ 27,112    $ 23,468    $ 3,644
                    

Salaries and employee benefits increased by $1.9 million, or 14.1%, and expenses associated with premises and fixed assets increased by $980,000, or 30.7%. Both of these increases are due primarily to the de novo branch expansion in Brentwood, Tennessee, the SunCoast and Seasons acquisitions, and the addition of new branches in Memphis, Tennessee. Other noninterest expenses increased by $752,000, or 11.2%. This increase is due to increases in several expense categories, including accounting and professional fees, communications expense, computer service expense, and intangible asset amortization.

Changes in our income tax expense have generally paralleled changes in income. Our effective tax rate was 18.9% for the first half of 2007. The significant decrease in income tax expense for the first half of 2007 results from the tax benefits of our tax-exempt income, which was a much larger percentage of our pre-tax income due to the impairment loss recorded in the first half of 2007.

Second quarter of 2007 compared to the second quarter of 2006

Earnings for the second quarter of 2007 were $3.61 million, or $.30 per share, compared to $3.49 million, or $.36 per share, for the second quarter of 2006. Earnings per share decreased for the second quarter of 2007 because the diluted average shares outstanding increased from 9.8 million shares for the second quarter of 2006 to 11.9 million shares for the second quarter of 2007, an increase of 21.8%.

 

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Net interest income for the second quarter of 2007 was $14.3 million, compared to $12.1 million for 2006, an increase of 18.6%. During this quarter, the net interest margin was 3.33%, compared to 3.61% for the same period of 2006. This decrease in margin was partially due to the cost of funds increasing at a higher rate than the yield on earning assets. In comparing the second quarter of 2007 to the same quarter of 2006, we gained 52 basis points of yield on our average earning assets. However, during the same period, the cost of funds increased by 78 basis points. Our average earning assets increased by $355.5 million, primarily composed of an increase in our average loans, from $879.9 million during the second quarter of 2006 to $1.26 billion during the second quarter of 2007. From the second quarter of 2006 to the second quarter of 2007, the yield on loans increased from 7.56% to 7.84%, the yield on federal funds sold increased from 6.09% to 6.57% and the yield on the investment securities portfolio increased from 4.67% to 4.91%. The cost of deposits increased from 3.16% to 4.04% and the cost of other borrowings increased from 5.11% to 5.32%. For additional information, please see the table entitled “Analysis of Net Interest Earnings” at the end of this section.

The provision for loan losses increased from $827,000 during the second quarter of 2006 to $900,000 in the same quarter of 2007. In management’s opinion, the current level of the provision should be sufficient to protect us from any unforeseen deterioration in the quality of the loan portfolio.

Our noninterest income, exclusive of securities gains and losses, increased by $100,000, or 1.9%, from the second quarter of 2006 to the second quarter of 2007. The following table reflects the details of this change:

 

     Quarter Ended June 30,  

(In thousands)

   2007    2006    Change  

Service charges on deposit accounts

   $ 2,343    $ 2,243    $ 100  

Insurance commissions, fees and premiums

     1,114      1,099      15  

Trust Department income

     615      585      30  

Mortgage loan fees

     469      183      286  

Other income

     936      1,267      (331 )
                      

Total other income

   $ 5,477    $ 5,377    $ 100  
                      

The $286,000, or 156.3%, increase in mortgage loan fees is due primarily to our recent restructuring of the division and the expanding of our mortgage operations into our newer markets. The $331,000, or 26.1%, decrease in other noninterest income resulted primarily from a $407,000 gain on early extinguishment of debt related to prepayments of certain FHLB borrowings during the second quarter of 2006.

We recognized $140,000 in securities losses during the second quarter of 2007, compared to gains of $17,000 during the second quarter of 2006.

Noninterest expenses increased $1.8 million, or 15.4%, during the second quarter of 2007, compared with the second quarter of 2006. The following table reflects the details of this change:

 

     Quarter Ended June 30,

(In thousands)

   2007    2006    Change

Salaries and employee benefits

   $ 7,725    $ 6,797    $ 928

Premises and fixed asset expense

     2,126      1,618      508

Other expense

     3,803      3,419      384
                    

Total other expense

   $ 13,654    $ 11,834    $ 1,820
                    

Salaries and employee benefits increased by $928,000, or 13.7%, and expenses associated with premises and fixed assets increased by $508,000, or 31.4%. Both of these increases are due primarily to the de novo branch expansion in Brentwood, Tennessee, the SunCoast and Seasons acquisitions, and the addition of new branches in Memphis, Tennessee. Other noninterest expenses increased by $384,000, or 11.2%. The increase is due to increases in several expense categories, including accounting and professional fees, communications expense, and intangible asset amortization.

 

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Our effective tax rate increased from 27.5% for the second quarter of 2006 to 29.5% for the second quarter of 2007. This increase in the effective tax rate for the quarter resulted primarily from the mix of income from tax-free investments and the percentage relationship of tax-free income to total pre-tax income.

Financial Condition

During the first half of 2007, our balance sheet showed a slight increase in total assets from $1.90 billion to $1.91 billion, an increase of approximately $9.1 million. During the period, cash and cash equivalents decreased by approximately $44.9 million, or 53.7%, from $83.5 million to $38.6 million. Also during the first half of 2007, the investment securities portfolio decreased slightly from $448.6 million to $432.8 million, a decrease of $15.8 million, or 3.5%. The loan portfolio increased from $1.22 billion at the end of 2006 to $1.28 billion at June 30, 2007, an increase of $61.0 million, or 5.0%. Loan balances increased in our Alabama, Tennessee and Florida markets and decreased slightly in our Mississippi and Georgia markets. The declines in cash and securities were used to fund the growth in loans.

At June 30, 2007, the allowance for loan losses was $12.1 million. This amount represents an $111,000, or 1.0%, decrease from December 31, 2006. Even though there has been strong competition for good quality credits in our markets, we have not reduced our underwriting standards, and as a result, the quality of the portfolio remains strong.

The following table reflects some of the statistics we use to evaluate the quality and potential exposure within our loan portfolio:

 

     Six Months
Ended
6/30/07
    Year
Ended
12/31/06
    Six Months
Ended
6/30/06
 

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average net loans outstanding

   0.18 %   0.19 %   0.05 %

Non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans

   0.65 %   0.22 %   0.25 %

Classified assets as a percentage of average capital

   17.37 %   16.67 %   14.13 %

Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans

   0.94 %   1.00 %   1.10 %

Even though this table shows an increase in non-performing loans to total loans from December 31, 2006 to June 30, 2007, this increase is properly reflected in our allowance for loan losses balance at June 30, 2007. Based on the evaluations described earlier and the information above, the allowance for loan losses at June 30, 2007, was deemed adequate to cover exposure within our loan portfolio.

The liability side of the balance sheet increased from $1.71 billion at December 31, 2006, to $1.72 billion at June 30, 2007, an increase of $10.4 million, or 0.6%. During the first half of 2007, deposits decreased by $31.9 million, or 2.2%, from $1.46 billion to $1.43 billion. The decrease resulted from a $36.7 million, or 2.9%, decrease in interest-bearing deposits, somewhat offset by a $4.8 million, or 2.7%, increase in noninterest-bearing deposits. Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase increased by $8.3 million, or 10.2%, from $80.8 million to $89.1 million. Also during the six-month period, FHLB advances increased by $36.3 million.

The changes in liability mix happened because during much of the first half of 2007, retail deposits, specifically certificates of deposit (“CDs”), were costing 15 to 25 basis points more than wholesale funds. As a result, management decided to allow the single service retail CDs to leave the bank and to replace them with cheaper wholesale funding. This decision was the primary reason for the linked quarter improvement in our net interest margin from 3.26% to 3.33%.

In summary, during the first half of 2007, we increased our FHLB advances and decreased our cash and investments balances in order to fund loan growth and to offset the effect of a slight decline in deposits.

 

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Shareholders’ equity decreased from $191.3 million to $190.0 million during the first half of 2007. We earned $3.7 million in net income during the first half of 2007. Also affecting our shareholders’ equity was a slight increase in the market value of the available-for-sale portion of the investment securities portfolio, causing accumulated other comprehensive income to move from an unrealized loss of $6.7 million at December 31, 2006, to an unrealized loss of $5.8 million at June 30, 2007. In addition, during the first half of 2007, we declared dividends of approximately $5.9 million.

Cadence is required to maintain a minimum amount of capital to total risk-weighted assets as defined by the banking regulators. At June 30, 2007, the Bank’s Tier 1, Tier 2 and total risk-based capital ratios exceeded the well-capitalized standards developed under applicable regulatory guidelines.

Dividends paid by our holding company are provided from dividends received from the Bank. Under regulations controlling national banks, the payment of dividends by a bank without prior approval from the Comptroller of the Currency is limited in amount to the current year’s net profit and the retained net earnings of the two preceding years. At June 30, 2007, without approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, Cadence’s ability to pay dividends was limited to approximately $10.5 million.

Also, under regulations controlling national banks, the Bank is limited in the amount it can lend to our holding company or any of its non-banking subsidiaries, and such loans are required to be on a fully secured basis. At June 30, 2007, there were no formal borrowings between the holding company (or its non-banking subsidiaries) and the Bank.

In the normal course of business, Cadence makes loans to related parties, including our directors and executive officers and their relatives and affiliates. These loans are made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other parties. Also, they are consistent with sound banking practices and within applicable regulatory and lending limitations. See Note O in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K and our proxy statement for additional details concerning related party transactions.

Under Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, loans to executive officers are generally prohibited. However, the rule does not apply to any loan made or maintained by an insured depository institution, if the loan is subject to the insider lending restrictions of section 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act. All loans that the Bank makes to executive officers are subject to the above referenced section of the Federal Reserve Act.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In the ordinary course of our business, we enter into agreements with customers to loan money. When a loan agreement is executed, the customer can either borrow the money immediately or draw against the loan over a predetermined time period. If an unfunded commitment is drawn against, the Bank charges the customer the interest rate established in the original agreement for the amount of the draw for the time period outstanding. As of June 30, 2007, the amount of unfunded commitments outstanding was $363.4 million.

We also provide letters of credit to our customers. A letter of credit is a contingent obligation to make a loan to the customer for up to the amount of the letter of credit and at a predetermined rate of interest. The Bank charges the customer approximately 1.5% of the face amount of a letter of credit as a fee for issuance. As of June 30, 2007, the amount of outstanding letters of credit was $20.3 million.

The issuance of a letter of credit or a loan commitment is subject to the same credit and underwriting standards as any other loan agreement.

At any point in time, we do not know when or if these commitments will be funded. Generally, if they are funded, they are funded at various times over the commitment period. As a result, we are able to fund them out of normal cash flow. If all outstanding commitments were funded at the same time, we have the ability to fund them through our short-term borrowing lines, the brokered CD market and additional FHLB borrowings.

 

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It would be in our best interest for all outstanding commitments to be funded.

Market Risk

During the first six months of 2007, we maintained a consistent and disciplined asset/liability management policy focusing on interest rate risk and sensitivity.

During this period, we hedged a portion of our floating rate prime based lending portfolio using floating to fixed interest rate swaps. As of June 30, 2007, we had two outstanding swaps with a total notional amount of $20 million. Original maturities on these swaps range from eighteen to twenty-four months, and rates range from 8.01% to 8.02%. These transactions were initiated to protect us from future downward fluctuations in the prime rate and to help ensure a more constant cash flow from interest earned by our prime based lending portfolio.

These transactions are cash flow hedges as defined by FASB Statement No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” and were accounted for in accordance with the provisions of that Statement. As required by Statement No. 133, we measured the effectiveness of these transactions as of June 30, 2007 and determined that they remained “highly effective,” as defined by the Statement. See Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

In 2005, we entered into a $25 million structured repurchase transaction in the secondary market. This term repurchase transaction has a 4% embedded floor and a three-year term. It was priced at three-month LIBOR plus 24 basis points and reprices every three months. This transaction is in line with our asset/liability strategy and was entered into to help protect us against an unexpected downturn in short-term interest rates. This derivative instrument was accounted for as an embedded derivative under FASB Statement No. 133.

The primary objective of rate sensitivity management is to maintain net interest income growth while reducing exposure to adverse fluctuations in rates. We utilize an Asset/Liability Management Committee to evaluate and analyze our pricing, asset/liability maturities and growth, and balance sheet mix strategies in an effort to make informed decisions that will increase income and limit interest rate risk. The Committee uses simulation modeling as a guide for decision-making and to forecast changes in net income and the economic value of equity under assumed fluctuations in interest rate levels.

Due to the potential volatility of interest rates, our goal is to stabilize the net interest margin by maintaining a neutral rate sensitive position. At June 30, 2007, our balance sheet reflected approximately $47.2 million more in rate sensitive liabilities than assets that were scheduled to reprice within one year. This represents approximately 2.5% of total assets and indicates that we are slightly liability sensitive. This computation results from a static gap analysis that weights assets and liabilities equally. Management believes that interest rates will be flat to slightly down in 2007 and that our current position places us in the correct interest rate risk posture for this rate environment. Management does not believe that it is in our best interest to speculate on changes in interest rate levels. Although earnings could be enhanced if predictions were correct, they could also be put at significant risk if interest rates move against predictions.

 

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Analysis of Net Interest Earnings

The table below shows, for the periods indicated, an analysis of net interest earnings, including the average amount of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities outstanding during the period, the interest earned or paid on such amounts, the average yields/rates paid and the net yield on interest-earning assets:

 

     ($ in Thousands)
Average Balance
     Quarter Ended
6/30/07
   Six Months Ended
6/30/07
   Year Ended
12/31/06

EARNING ASSETS:

        

Net loans

   $ 1,260,775    $ 1,249,624    $ 973,466

Federal funds sold and other interest-bearing assets

     17,275      21,489      25,893

Securities:

        

Taxable

     344,799      338,598      343,515

Tax-exempt

     104,056      104,763      116,328
                    

Totals

     1,726,905      1,714,474      1,459,202
                    

INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES:

        

Interest-bearing deposits

     1,257,852      1,263,076      1,061,250

Borrowed funds, federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other interest-bearing liabilities

     258,124      245,724      207,927
                    

Totals

     1,515,976      1,508,800      1,269,177
                    

Net amounts

   $ 210,929    $ 205,674    $ 190,025
                    
    

($ In Thousands)

Interest For

     Quarter Ended
6/30/07
   Six Months Ended
6/30/07
   Year Ended
12/31/06

EARNING ASSETS:

        

Net loans

   $ 24,652    $ 48,624    $ 74,182

Federal funds sold and other interest-bearing assets

     283      598      1,312

Securities:

        

Taxable

     4,410      8,500      16,641

Tax-exempt

     1,088      2,176      4,859
                    

Totals

     30,433      59,898      96,994
                    

INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES:

        

Interest-bearing deposits

     12,672      25,407      35,992

Borrowed funds, federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other interest-bearing liabilities

     3,421      6,452      10,520
                    

Totals

     16,093      31,859      46,512
                    

Net amounts

   $ 14,340    $ 28,039    $ 50,482
                    

 

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     Yields Earned
And Rates Paid (%)
     Quarter Ended
6/30/07
   Six Months Ended
6/30/07
   Year Ended
12/31/06

EARNING ASSETS:

        

Net loans

   7.84    7.85    7.62

Federal funds sold and other interest-bearing assets

   6.57    5.61    5.07

Securities:

        

Taxable

   5.13    5.06    4.84

Tax-exempt

   4.19    4.19    4.18
              

Totals

   7.07    7.05    6.65
              

INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES:

        

Interest-bearing deposits

   4.04    4.06    3.39

Borrowed funds, federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other interest-bearing liabilities

   5.32    5.29    5.06
              

Totals

   4.26    4.26    3.66
              

Net margin

   3.33    3.30    3.46
              

Note: Yields on a tax equivalent basis would be:

        

Tax-exempt securities

   6.45    6.44    6.43
              

Total earning assets

   7.28    7.18    6.83
              

Net margin

   3.47    3.44    3.64
              

ITEM 3 – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Reference is made to Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Item 2 of this Part I), particularly to the section entitled “Market Risk.”

ITEM 4 – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As required by Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 of the Exchange Act, the Corporation has evaluated, with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures. Based on such evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Corporation, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, including being made known to the certifying officers by others within the Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. From time to time, the Corporation reviews the disclosure controls and procedures, and may from time to time make changes aimed at enhancing their effectiveness and to ensure that the Corporation’s system evolves with its business.

Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

There was no change in the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2007, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1 – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the normal course of business, the Corporation and its subsidiaries from time to time are involved in legal proceedings. There are no pending proceedings to which either the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries are a party that upon resolution are expected to have a material adverse effect upon the Corporation’s or its subsidiaries’ financial condition or results of operations.

ITEM 1A – RISK FACTORS

The Corporation’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, includes a detailed discussion of our risk factors. There have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, except for the following risk factors. The information presented below updates and should be read in conjunction with the risk factors and information disclosed in the Corporation’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

We have a concentration of credit exposure in commercial real estate.

At June 30, 2007, we had approximately $530.8 million in loans to borrowers in the commercial real estate industry, representing approximately 41.3% of our total loans outstanding as of that date. The real estate consists primarily of office buildings and shopping centers and also includes apartment buildings, owner-operated properties, warehouses and other commercial properties. These types of loans are generally viewed as having more risk of default than residential real estate loans. They are also typically larger than residential real estate loans and consumer loans and depend on cash flows from the property to service the debt. Cash flows may be affected significantly by general economic conditions, and a downturn in the local economy or in occupancy rates in the local economy where the property is located could increase the likelihood of default. Because our loan portfolio contains a number of commercial real estate loans with relatively large balances, the deterioration of one or a few of these loans could cause a significant increase in our percentage of non-performing loans. An increase in non-performing loans could result in a loss of earnings from these loans, an increase in the provision for loan losses and an increase in charge-offs, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

The banking regulators are giving commercial real estate lending greater scrutiny and may require banks with higher levels of commercial real estate loans to implement improved underwriting, internal controls, risk management policies and portfolio stress testing, as well as possibly higher levels of allowances for possible losses and capital levels as a result of commercial real estate lending growth and exposures.

If our allowance for loan losses is not sufficient to cover actual loan losses, our earnings could decrease.

Management maintains an allowance for loan and lease losses based upon, among other things, (1) historical experience, (2) an evaluation of local, regional and national economic conditions, (3) regular reviews of delinquencies and loan portfolio quality, (4) current trends regarding the volume and severity of past due and problem loans, (5) the existence and effect of concentrations of credit, and (6) results of regulatory examinations. Based on such factors, management makes various assumptions and judgments about the ultimate collectibility of the respective loan portfolios. Although we believe that the allowance for loan and lease losses is adequate, there can be no assurance that the allowance will prove sufficient to cover future losses. Future adjustments may be necessary if economic conditions differ or adverse developments arise with respect to nonperforming or performing loans. Material additions to the allowance for loan and lease losses would result in a decrease in our net income and our capital.

Our loan customers may not repay their loans according to the terms of these loans, and the collateral securing these loans may be insufficient to assure repayment. We may experience significant loan losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. We maintain an allowance for loan losses in an attempt to cover any loan losses that may occur. In determining the size of the allowance, we rely on an analysis of our loan portfolio

 

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based on the factors listed in the preceding paragraph and other pertinent information. As we expand into new markets, our determination of the size of the allowance could be inaccurate due to our lack of familiarity with market-specific factors.

If our assumptions are wrong, our current allowance may not be sufficient to cover our loan losses and adjustments may be necessary to allow for different economic conditions or adverse developments in our loan portfolio. In addition, federal regulators periodically review our allowance for loan losses and may require us to increase our provision for loan losses or recognize future loan charge-offs based on judgments different than those of our management. Material additions to our allowance would materially decrease our net income. Our allowance for loan losses was $12.1 million, or 0.9% of loans, as of June 30, 2007.

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

Not applicable

ITEM 3 – DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not applicable

ITEM 4 – SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

The 2007 annual meeting of shareholders was held on May 8, 2007. At this meeting, the following seventeen directors were elected to serve until the 2008 annual meeting of shareholders or their successors are elected and qualified:

 

Director

  

Votes

For

   Votes
Withheld

Mark A. Abernathy

   8,803,791    291,285

David Byars

   8,802,391    292,685

Robert S. Caldwell, Jr.

   8,800,327    294,749

Robert L. Calvert, III

   8,825,916    269,160

Robert A. Cunningham

   8,769,282    325,794

J. Nutie Dowdle

   8,812,531    282,545

Gregory M. Duckett

   7,647,289    1,447,787

H. R. Foxworthy

   8,662,842    432,234

James C. Galloway, Jr.

   8,801,323    293,753

Hunter M. Gholson

   8,750,829    344,247

James D. Graham

   8,811,096    283,980

Clifton S. Hunt

   8,828,386    266,690

Dan R. Lee

   8,799,076    296,000

Lewis F. Mallory, Jr.

   8,807,927    287,149

Allen B. Puckett, III

   7,659,104    1,435,972

H. Stokes Smith

   8,800,094    294,982

Sammy J. Smith

   8,805,083    289,993

ITEM 5 – OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable

 

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ITEM 6 – EXHIBITS

 

10.1    2006 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan
11    Statement re computation of per-share earnings
31.1    Certificate pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted pursuant to section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002-Chief Executive Officer
31.2    Certificate pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted pursuant to section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002-Chief Financial Officer
32.1    Certificate pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002—Chief Executive Officer
32.2    Certificate pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002—Chief Financial Officer

All other exhibits required by Section 601 of Regulation S-K were included or included by reference in Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, filed with the Commission on March 14, 2006, or in Form 10-Q/A for the quarter ended March 31, 2007, filed with the Commission on July 25, 2007.

The financial information furnished herein has not been audited by independent accountants; however, in the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for the three-month and the six-month periods ended June 30, 2007, have been included.

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

 

    CADENCE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Registrant
Date: August 8, 2007     /s/ Richard T. Haston
    Richard T. Haston
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX:

 

Exhibit   

Description

   Page
10.1    2006 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan    27
11    Statement re computation of per-share earnings    38
31.1    Certificate pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted pursuant to section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002-Chief Executive Officer    39
31.2    Certificate pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted pursuant to section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002-Chief Financial Officer    40
32.1    Certificate pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002—Chief Executive Officer    41
32.2    Certificate pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002—Chief Financial Officer    42

 

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