body10qforsept302009.htm
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
     
 
FORM 10-Q
 
 
[ X ] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended:    September 30, 2009
 
OR
 
[   ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from __________ to __________
 
PEOPLES BANCORP OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
North Carolina
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
000-27205
56-2132396
(Commission File No.)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
 
518 West C Street, Newton, North Carolina
28658
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
 
(828) 464-5620
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 
Yes
  X  
No
   
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant 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 Accelerate Filer
   
Accelerated Filer
   
Non-Accelerated Filer
   
 
Smaller Reporting Company
X
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yes
   
No
  X  
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
5,539,056 shares of common stock, outstanding at October 31, 2009.
 

 
  INDEX
       
PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
PAGE(S)
       
  Item 1.
 
Financial Statements
 
       
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2009 (Unaudited) and
 
   
December 31, 2008
3
       
   
Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the three months ended
 
   
September 30, 2009 and 2008 (Unaudited), and for the nine months ended
 
   
September 30, 2009 and 2008 (Unaudited)
4
       
   
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months
 
   
ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (Unaudited), and for the nine months
 
   
ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (Unaudited)
5
       
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended
 
   
September 30, 2009 and 2008 (Unaudited)
6-7
       
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
8-17
       
  Item 2.
 
Management's Discussion  and Analysis of Financial Condition
 
   
and Results of Operations
18-30
       
  Item 3.
 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
31
       
  Item 4T.
 
Controls and Procedures
32
       
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
 
       
  Item 1.
 
Legal Proceedings
33
  Item 1A.
 
Risk Factors
33
  Item 2.
 
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
33
  Item 3.
 
Defaults upon Senior Securities
33
  Item 4.
 
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
33
  Item 5.
 
Other Information
33
  Item 6.
 
Exhibits
33-36
  Signatures
 
37
  Certifications
 
38-40
 
 

Statements made in this Form 10-Q, other than those concerning historical information, should be considered forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on the beliefs and assumptions of management and on the information available to management at the time that this Form 10-Q was prepared.  These statements can be identified by the use of words like “expect,”  “anticipate,” “estimate,” and “believe,” variations of these words and other similar expressions.  Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, (1) competition in the markets served by Peoples Bank, (2) changes in the interest rate environment, (3) general national, regional or local economic conditions may be less favorable than expected, resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality and the possible impairment of collectibility of loans, (4) legislative or regulatory changes, including changes in accounting standards, (5) significant changes in the federal and state legal and regulatory environments and tax laws, (6) the impact of changes in monetary and fiscal policies, laws, rules and regulations and (7) other risks and factors identified in the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to those described in Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc.’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
2

 
PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
   
Item 1.
Financial Statements
 
PEOPLES BANCORP OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
             
(Dollars in thousands)
 
             
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
Assets
 
2009
   
2008
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
             
Cash and due from banks
  $ 35,775       19,743  
Interest bearing deposits
    1,412       1,453  
Federal funds sold
    -         6,733  
Cash and cash equivalents
    37,187       27,929  
                 
Investment securities available for sale
    188,352       124,916  
Other investments
    6,117       6,303  
Total securities
    194,469       131,219  
                 
Mortgage loans held for sale
    1,577       -    
                 
Loans
    782,272       781,188  
Less allowance for loan losses
    (15,474 )     (11,025 )
Net loans
    766,798       770,163  
                 
Premises and equipment, net
    17,539       18,297  
Cash surrender value of life insurance
    7,216       7,019  
Accrued interest receivable and other assets
    16,445       14,135  
Total assets
  $ 1,041,231       968,762  
                 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
               
                 
Deposits:
               
Non-interest bearing demand
  $ 111,578       104,448  
NOW, MMDA & savings
    272,865       210,058  
Time, $100,000 or more
    240,440       220,374  
Other time
    169,435       186,182  
Total deposits
    794,318       721,062  
                 
Demand notes payable to U.S. Treasury
    444       1,600  
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase
    31,911       37,501  
Short-term Federal Reserve Bank borrowings
    12,500       5,000  
FHLB borrowings
    77,000       77,000  
Junior subordinated debentures
    20,619       20,619  
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities
    4,940       4,852  
Total liabilities
    941,732       867,634  
                 
Shareholders' equity:
               
                 
Series A preferred stock, $1,000 stated value; authorized
               
5,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding
               
25,054 shares in 2009 and 2008
    24,441       24,350  
Common stock, no par value; authorized
               
20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding
               
5,539,056 shares in 2009 and 2008
    48,269       48,269  
Retained earnings
    23,043       22,985  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    3,746       5,524  
Total shareholders' equity
    99,499       101,128  
                 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  $ 1,041,231       968,762  
                 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
               
 
3

 
PEOPLES BANCORP OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                 
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
 
                 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
                 
 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
2009
 
2008
 
2009
 
2008
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
Interest income:
               
Interest and fees on loans
$ 10,662     12,734     32,603     38,407  
Interest on federal funds sold
  -       17     1     52  
Interest on investment securities:
                       
U.S. Government agencies
  1,385     1,065     3,947     3,305  
States and political subdivisions
  325     225     866     668  
Other
  31     80     90     315  
Total interest income
  12,403     14,121     37,507     42,747  
                         
Interest expense:
                       
NOW, MMDA & savings deposits
  789     807     2,066     2,514  
Time deposits
  2,213     3,536     7,669     11,467  
FHLB borrowings
  911     891     2,666     2,722  
Junior subordinated debentures
  116     233     445     790  
Other
  103     159     312     513  
Total interest expense
  4,132     5,626     13,158     18,006  
                         
Net interest income
  8,271     8,495     24,349     24,741  
                         
Provision for loans losses
  3,139     1,035     7,156     2,107  
                         
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
  5,132     7,460     17,193     22,634  
                         
Non-interest income:
                       
Service charges
  1,511     1,411     4,094     3,814  
Other service charges and fees
  472     575     1,568     1,842  
Gain (loss) on sale and write-down of securities
  (79 )   (140 )   1,072     (140 )
Mortgage banking income
  129     165     633     526  
Insurance and brokerage commissions
  87     104     286     330  
Miscellaneous
  383     391     1,287     1,542  
Total non-interest income
  2,503     2,506     8,940     7,914  
                         
Non-interest expense:
                       
Salaries and employee benefits
  3,596     3,890     11,231     11,435  
Occupancy
  1,357     1,228     3,990     3,652  
Other
  2,391     2,160     7,421     6,234  
Total non-interest expense
  7,344     7,278     22,642     21,321  
                         
Earnings before income taxes
  291     2,688     3,491     9,227  
                         
Income taxes
  (9 )   942     1,206     3,234  
                         
Net earnings
  300     1,746     2,285     5,993  
                         
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock
  348     -       898     -    
                         
Net earnings (loss) available to common shareholders
$ (48 )   1,746     1,387     5,993  
                         
Basic earnings (loss) per share
$ (0.01 )   0.31     0.25     1.07  
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
$ (0.01 )   0.31     0.25     1.06  
Cash dividends declared per share
$ 0.07     0.12     0.24     0.36  
                         
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
                   
 
4

 
PEOPLES BANCORP OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                       
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
                       
 (Dollars in thousands)
 
                       
 
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
 
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
 
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
                       
Net earnings
$ 300     1,746     2,285     5,993  
                         
Other comprehensive income (loss):
                       
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities
                       
available for sale
  2,560     (636 )   839     (1,087 )
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses on sale
                       
and write-downs of securities available for sale
                       
included in net earnings
  79     140     (1,072 )   140  
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on derivative
                       
financial instruments qualifying as cash flow
                       
hedges
  (304 )   263     (2,294 )   876  
Reclassification adjustment for gains on
                       
derivative financial instruments qualifying as
                       
cash flow hedges included in net earnings
  (25 )   -       (25 )   -    
                         
Total other comprehensive income (loss),
                       
before income taxes
  2,310     (233 )   (2,552 )   (71 )
                         
Income tax expense (benefit) related to other
                       
comprehensive income:
                       
                         
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities
                       
available for sale
  997     (248 )   327     (423 )
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses on sale
                       
and write-downs of securities available for sale
                       
included in net earnings
  30     55     (418 )   55  
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on derivative
                       
financial instruments qualifying as cash flow
                       
hedges
  (158 )   19     (683 )   174  
                         
Total income tax (expense) benefit related to
                       
other comprehensive income
  869     (174 )   (774 )   (194 )
                         
Total other comprehensive income (loss),
                       
net of tax
  1,441     (59 )   (1,778 )   123  
                         
Total comprehensive income
$ 1,741     1,687     507     6,116  
                         
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
                   
 
5

 
PEOPLES BANCORP OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
           
Nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008
 
           
(Dollars in thousands)
 
           
 
2009
   
2008
 
 
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
         
Net earnings
$ 2,285     5,993  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to
           
net cash provided by operating activities:
           
Depreciation, amortization and accretion
  2,033     1,214  
Provision for loan losses
  7,156     2,107  
Gain on sale of investment securities
  (1,795 )   (160 )
Write-down of investment securities
  723     300  
Gain on ineffective portion of derivative financial instruments
  (25 )   -    
Loss (gain) on sale of repossessed assets
  44     (38 )
Write-down of other real estate and repossessions
  477     172  
Origination of mortgage loans held for sale
  (1,577 )   -    
Change in:
           
Cash surrender value of life insurance
  (197 )   (182 )
Other assets
  (2,853 )   (1,204 )
Other liabilities
  88     (1,258 )
             
Net cash provided by operating activities
  6,359     6,944  
             
Cash flows from investing activities:
           
Purchases of investment securities available for sale
  (128,710 )   (33,485 )
Proceeds from calls, paydowns and maturities of investment
           
securities available for sale
  35,361     14,142  
Proceeds from sales of investment securities available
           
for sale
  30,743     23,445  
Purchases of other investments
  (1,176 )   (2,978 )
Proceeds from sale of other investments
  788     3,110  
Net change in loans
  (6,361 )   (46,601 )
Purchases of premises and equipment
  (693 )   (1,613 )
Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment
  1     34  
Proceeds from sale of repossessed assets
  1,072     1,560  
             
Net cash used by investing activities
  (68,975 )   (42,386 )
             
Cash flows from financing activities:
           
Net change in deposits
  73,256     60,229  
Net change in demand notes payable to U.S. Treasury
  (1,156 )   -    
Net change in securities sold under agreement to repurchase
  (5,590 )   4,647  
Proceeds from FHLB borrowings
  24,100     68,600  
Repayments of FHLB borrowings
  (24,100 )   (79,100 )
Proceeds from FRB borrowings
  45,000     -    
Repayments of FRB borrowings
  (37,500 )   -    
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
  -       44  
Common stock repurchased
  -       (549 )
Cash dividends paid on Series A preferred stock
  (807 )   -    
Cash dividends paid on common stock
  (1,329 )   (2,015 )
             
Net cash provided by financing activities
  71,874     51,856  
             
Net change in cash and cash equivalent
  9,258     16,414  
             
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
  27,929     29,800  
             
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$ 37,187     46,214  
 
6

 
PEOPLES BANCORP OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, continued
 
           
Nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008
 
           
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
2009
   
2008
 
 
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
           
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
         
Cash paid during the year for:
         
Interest
$ 13,434     18,221  
Income taxes
$ 1,483     3,262  
             
Noncash investing and financing activities:
           
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities
           
 available for sale, net
$ (142 )   (578 )
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on derivative financial
           
 instruments, net
$ (1,636 )   702  
Transfer of loans to other real estate and repossessions
$ 3,387     3,209  
Financed portion of sale of other real estate
$ 818     883  
Accretion of Series A preferred stock discount
$ 91     -    
Cumulative effect of adoption of EITF 06-4
$ -       467  
             
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
           
 
7

 
PEOPLES BANCORP OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(1)
    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Peoples Bank (the “Bank”) and Community Bank Real Estate Solutions, LLC, along with the Bank’s wholly owned subsidiaries, Peoples Investment Services, Inc. and Real Estate Advisory Services, Inc. (collectively called the “Company”).  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The consolidated financial statements in this report are unaudited.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (none of which were other than normal accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented have been included.  Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Company’s accounting policies are fundamental to understanding management’s discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition.  Many of the Company’s accounting policies require significant judgment regarding valuation of assets and liabilities and/or significant interpretation of the specific accounting guidance.  A description of the Company’s significant accounting policies can be found in Note 1 of the notes to consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders which is Appendix A to the Proxy Statement for the May 7, 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
 
In April 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued new authoritative guidance under the following three ASC's intended to provide additional guidance and enhance disclosures regarding fair value measurements and impairment of securities:
 
ASC Topic 820 (formerly FASB Staff Position (FSP) FAS 157-4), "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures," provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with ASC Topic 820 when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have decreased significantly.  ASC Topic 820 also provides guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly.  The provisions of ASC Topic 820 was effective for the period ended June 30, 2009 and did not have a significant effect on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
ASC Topic 825 (formerly FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1), "Financial Instruments," requires disclosures about fair value of financial instruments in interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies that were previously only required to be disclosed in annual financial statements.  The provisions of ASC Topic 825 were effective for the Company's interim period ending on June 30, 2009.  The new interim disclosures are included in Note 5 - Fair Value.
 
ASC Topic 320 (formerly FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2), "Investments – Debt and Equity Securities," amends current other-than-temporary impairment guidance in GAAP for debt securities to make the guidance more operational and to improve the presentation and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairments on debt and equity securities in the financial statements.  This ASC Topic 320 does not amend existing recognition and measurement guidance related to other-than-temporary impairments of equity securities.  The provisions of ASC Topic 320 were effective for the Company's interim period ending on June 30, 2009.  The Company adopted the provisions of ASC Topic 320 as of June 30, 2009 and it did not have a significant effect on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
In June 2009, the FASB issued new authoritative guidance under ASC Topic 860 (formerly Statement No. 166) "Transfers and Servicing," to enhance reporting about transfers of financial assets, including securitizations, and where companies have continuing exposure to the risks related to transferred financial assets. ASC Topic 860 eliminates the concept of a "qualifying special-purpose entity" and changes the requirements for derecognizing financial assets. ASC Topic 860 also requires additional disclosures about all continuing involvements with transferred financial assets including information about gains and losses resulting from transfers during the period. The new authoritative guidance under ASC Topic 860 will be effective January 1, 2010 and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
8

 
In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)” (SFAS 167) to amend certain requirements of FASB Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” to improve financial reporting by enterprises involved with variable interest entities and to provide more relevant and reliable information to users of financial statements.  Under FASB’s Codification at ASC 105-10-65-1-d, SFAS 167 will remain authoritative until integrated into FASB Codification.  SFAS 167 is effective as of the beginning of each reporting entity’s first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within that first annual reporting period, and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter.  SFAS 167 is not expected to have any effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or disclosures.

In June 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-01 (“ASU 2009-01”), “Topic 105 – Generally Accepted Accounting Principles amendments based on Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 168 – The FASB Accounting Standards Codification TM and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.”  ASU 2009-01 amends the FASB Accounting Standards Codification for the issuance of FASB Statement No. 168 (“SFAS 168”), “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification TM and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.”  ASU 2009-1 includes SFAS 168 in its entirety, including the accounting standards update instructions contained in Appendix B of the Statement.  The FASB Accounting Standards Codification TM (“Codification”) became the source of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities.  Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. On the effective date of this Statement, the Codification will supersede all then-existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards.  All other non-grandfathered non-SEC accounting literature not included in the Codification will become non-authoritative. This Statement is effective for the Company’s financial statements beginning in the interim period ended September 30, 2009.

Following this Statement, the FASB will not issue new standards in the form of Statements, FASB Staff Positions, or Emerging Issues Task Force Abstracts.  Instead, it will issue Accounting Standards Updates.  The FASB does not consider Accounting Standards Updates as authoritative in their own right.  Accounting Standards Updates serve only to update the Codification, provide background information about the guidance, and provide the basis for conclusions on the change(s) in the Codification.  FASB Statement No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles”, which became effective on November 13, 2008, identified the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in preparing the financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with GAAP.  Statement 162 arranged these sources of GAAP in a hierarchy for users to apply accordingly.  Upon becoming effective, all of the content of the Codification carries the same level of authority, effectively superseding Statement 162. In other words, the GAAP hierarchy has been modified to include only two levels of GAAP: authoritative and non-authoritative.  As a result, this Statement replaces Statement 162 to indicate this change to the GAAP hierarchy.  The adoption of the Codification and ASU 2009-01 did not have any effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.  All references to accounting literature included in the notes to the financial statements have been changed to reference the appropriate sections of the Codification.

In June 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-02 (“ASU 2009-02”), “Omnibus Update – Amendments to Various Topics for Technical Corrections.”  The adoption of ASU 2009-02 did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

In August 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-03 (“ASU 2009-03”), “SEC Update – Amendments to Various Topics Containing SEC Staff Accounting Bulletins.”  ASU 2009-03 represents technical corrections to various topics containing SEC Staff Accounting Bulletins to update cross-references to Codification text.  This ASU did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

In August 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-04 (“ASU 2009-04”), “Accounting for Redeemable Equity Instruments – Amendment to Section 480-10-S99.”  ASU 2009-04 represents an update to Section 480-10-S99, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, per Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Topic D-98, Classification and Measurement of Redeemable Securities.  ASU 2009-04 did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

In August 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-05 (“ASU 2009-05”), “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) – Measuring Liabilities at Fair Value.”  ASU 2009-05 applies to all entities that measure liabilities at fair value within the scope of ASC Topic 820.  ASU 2009-05 provides clarification that in circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability is not
 
9

 
available, a reporting entity is required to measure fair value using one or more of the following techniques:
 
1)  A valuation technique that uses:
     a. The quoted price of the identical liability when traded as an asset
     b. Quoted prices for similar liabilities or similar liabilities when traded as assets.
2)  Another valuation technique that is consistent with the principles of ASC Topic 820.  Two examples would be an income approach, such as a technique that is based on the amount at the measurement date that the reporting entity would pay to transfer the identical liability or would receive to enter into the identical liability.

The amendments in ASU 2009-5 also clarify that when estimating the fair value of a liability, a reporting entity is not required to include a separate input or adjustment to other inputs relating to the existence of a restriction that prevents the transfer of the liability.  It also clarifies that both a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability at the measurement date and the quoted price for the identical liability when traded as an asset in an active market when no adjustments to the quoted price of the asset are required are Level 1 fair value measurements.  The guidance provided in ASU 2009-5 is effective for the Company in the fourth quarter of 2009.  Because the Company does not currently have any liabilities that are recorded at fair value, the adoption of this guidance will not have any impact on results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

ASU 2009-12, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) - Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent)," issued in September, 2009, allows a company to measure the fair value of an investment that has no readily determinable fair market value on the basis of the investee's net asset value per share as provided by the investee. This allowance assumes that the investee has calculated net asset value in accordance with the GAAP measurement principles of Topic 946 as of the reporting entity's measurement date.   Examples of such investments include investments in hedge funds, private equity funds, real estate funds and venture capital funds. The update also provides guidance on how the investment should be classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the value for which the investment can be redeemed.  The amendment is effective for interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 2009 with early adoption permitted.  The Company does not have investments in such entities and, therefore, there will be no impact to our financial statements.

ASU 2009-13, "Revenue Recognition (Topic 605): Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements – a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force" was issued in October, 2009 and provides guidance on accounting for products or services (deliverables) separately rather than as a combined unit utilizing a selling price hierarchy to determine the selling price of a deliverable.  The selling price is based on vendor-specific evidence, third-party evidence or estimated selling price.  The amendments in the Update are effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010 with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the update to have an impact on its financial statements.

Issued October, 2009, ASU 2009-15, "Accounting for Own-Share Lending Arrangements in Contemplation of Convertible Debt Issuance or Other Financing" amends ASC Topic 470 and provides guidance for accounting and reporting for own-share lending arrangements issued in contemplation of a convertible debt issuance.  At the date of issuance, a share-lending arrangement entered into on an entity's own shares should be measured at fair value in accordance with Topic 820 and recognized as an issuance cost, with an offset to additional paid-in capital.  Loaned shares are excluded from basic and diluted earnings per share unless default of the share-lending arrangement occurs.  The amendments also require several disclosures including a description and the terms of the arrangement and the reason for entering into the arrangement.  The effective dates of the amendments are dependent upon the date the share-lending arrangement was entered into and include retrospective application for arrangements outstanding as of the beginning of fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2009.   The Company has no plans to issue convertible debt and, therefore, does not expect the update to have an impact on its financial statements.

Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies are not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 (2)
    Allowance for Loan Losses

The following is an analysis of the allowance for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:
 
10

 
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
   
2008
 
           
Balance, beginning of period
$ 11,026     9,103  
Provision for loan losses
  7,156     2,107  
Less:
           
Charge-offs
  (3,166 )   (1,667 )
Recoveries
  458     220  
Net charge-offs
  (2,708 )   (1,447 )
             
Balance, end of period
$ 15,474     9,763  
 
 (3)
    Net Earnings Per Common Share
 
Net earnings per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period while the effects of potential common shares outstanding during the period are included in diluted earnings per common share.  The average market price during the year is used to compute equivalent shares.

The reconciliation of the amounts used in the computation of both “basic earnings per common share” and “diluted earnings per common share” for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 is as follows:
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2009
     
 
Net Earnings
 (Loss) Available to Common
Shareholders
(Dollars in
thousands)
 
Common Shares
 
Per Share Amount
 
               
Basic (loss) per common share
$ (48 )   5,539,056   $ (0.01 )
Effect of dilutive securities:
                 
Stock options
  -       3,526        
Diluted (loss) per common share
$ (48 )   5,542,582   $ (0.01 )
                   
For the nine months ended September 30, 2009
       
 
Net Earnings Available to
Common
Shareholders
(Dollars in
thousands)
 
Common Shares
 
Per Share Amount
 
                   
Basic earnings per common share
$ 1,387     5,539,056   $ 0.25  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                 
Stock options
  -       3,346        
Diluted earnings per common share
$ 1,387     5,542,402   $ 0.25  
 
11

 
For the three months ended September 30, 2008
     
 
Net Earnings Available to
Common
Shareholders
(Dollars in
thousands)
 
Common Shares
 
Per Share Amount
 
               
Basic earnings per common share
$ 1,746     5,589,056   $ 0.31  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                 
Stock options
  -       46,726        
Diluted earnings per common share
$ 1,746     5,635,782   $ 0.31  
                   
For the nine months ended September 30, 2008
       
 
Net Earnings Available to
Common
Shareholders
(Dollars in
thousands)
 
Common Shares
 
Per Share Amount
 
                   
Basic earnings per common share
$ 5,993     5,600,109   $ 1.07  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                 
Stock options
  -       64,544        
Diluted earnings per common share
$ 5,993     5,664,653   $ 1.06  
 
 (4)
    Stock-Based Compensation
 
The Company has an Omnibus Stock Ownership and Long Term Incentive Plan (the “1999 Plan”) whereby certain stock-based rights, such as stock options, restricted stock, performance units, stock appreciation rights, or book value shares, may be granted to eligible directors and employees.  The 1999 Plan expired on May 13, 2009.

Under the 1999 Plan, the Company granted incentive stock options to certain eligible employees in order that they may purchase Company stock at a price equal to the fair market value on the date of the grant.  The options granted in 1999 vest over a five-year period.  Options granted subsequent to 1999 vest over a three-year period.  All options expire ten years after issuance.  The Company did not grant any options during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.

The Company granted 3,000 shares of restricted stock in 2007 at a grant date fair value of $17.40 per share. The Company granted 1,750 shares of restricted stock during the third quarter 2008 at a grant date fair value of $12.80 per share during third quarter 2008 and 2,000 shares of restricted stock at a fair value of $11.37 per share during fourth quarter 2008. The Company recognizes compensation expense on the restricted stock over the period of time the restrictions are in place (three years from the grant date for the grants to date).  The amount of expense recorded each period reflects the changes in the Company’s stock price during the period.  As of September 30, 2009 there was $23,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock grants, respectively, which is expected to be recognized over a period of three years.

The Company has a new Omnibus Stock Ownership and Long Term Incentive Plan, which was approved by shareholders’ on May 7, 2009 (the “2009 Plan”) whereby certain stock-based rights, such as stock options, restricted stock, performance units, stock appreciation rights, or book value shares, may be granted to eligible directors and employees.  A total of 360,000 shares are currently reserved for possible issuance under the 2009 Plan.   All rights must be granted or awarded within ten years from the May 7, 2009 effective date of the 2009 Plan.  The Company has not granted any rights under this plan.

(5)
Fair Value

GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  FASB establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy for fair value measurements.  Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that a company has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or
 
12

 
liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.  The Company’s fair value measurements for items measured at fair value at September 30, 2009 included:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
             
 
Fair Value Measurements September 30, 2009
 
Level 1
Valuation
 
Level 2
Valuation
 
Level 3
Valuation
Investment securities available for sale
$ 188,352   852   186,250   1,250
Mortgage loans held for sale
$ 1,577   -   1,577   -
Market value of derivatives (in other assets)
$ 2,265   -   2,265   -
 
Fair values of investment securities available for sale are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges when available.  If quoted prices are not available, fair value is determined using 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.  Fair values of derivative instruments are determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities.

The following is an analysis of fair value measurements of investment securities available for sale using Level 3, significant unobservable inputs, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009:

(Dollars in thousands)
Investment Securities Available for Sale
 
Level 3 Valuation
Balance, beginning of period
$ 1,250
Change in book value
  -
Change in gain/(loss) realized and unrealized
  -
Purchases/(sales)
  -
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
  -
Balance, end of period
$ 1,250
     
Change in unrealized gain/(loss) for assets still held in Level 3
$ 0
 
The Company has specific loan loss reserves for loans that management has determined to be impaired.  These specific reserves are determined on an individual loan basis based on management’s current evaluation of the Company’s loss exposure for each credit, given the appraised value of any underlying collateral.  At September 30, 2009, the Company had specific reserves of $2.1 million in the allowance for loan losses on loans totaling $18.4 million.  The Company’s September 30, 2009 fair value measurement for impaired loans is presented below:

(Dollars in thousands)
         
 
Fair Value Measurements September 30, 2009
 
Level 1
Valuation
 
Level 2
Valuation
 
Level 3
Valuation
 
Total Gains/(Losses) for the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2009
 
Impaired loans
$ 16,282   -   12,498   3,784   (794 )
Other Real Estate
$ 3,662   -   3,662   -   -  
 
Companies must disclose the fair value of financial instruments within interim financial statements, adding to the current requirement to provide those disclosures annually.
 
The Company is required to disclose fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized on the face of the balance sheet, for which it is practicable to estimate that value. The assumptions used in the estimation of the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments are detailed below. Where quoted prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using discounted cash flows and other valuation techniques. The use of discounted cash flows can be significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. The following disclosures should not be considered a surrogate of the liquidation
 
13

 
value of the Company, but rather a good faith estimate of the increase or decrease in value of financial instruments held by the Company since purchase, origination, or issuance.

Cash and Cash Equivalents
For cash, due from banks, interest bearing deposits and federal funds sold, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Investment Securities Available for Sale
Fair values for investment securities are based on quoted market prices.

Other Investments
For other investments, the carrying value is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Mortgage Loan Held for Sale
Mortgage loans held for sale are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or market value. The cost of mortgage loans held for sale approximates the market value.

Loans
The fair value of fixed rate loans is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings. For variable rate loans, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance
For cash surrender value of life insurance, the carrying value is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Derivative Instruments
For derivative instruments, fair value is estimated as the amount that the Company would receive or pay to terminate the contracts at the reporting date, taking into account the current unrealized gains or losses on open contracts.

Deposits and Demand Notes Payable
The fair value of demand deposits, interest-bearing demand deposits, savings, and demand notes payable to U.S. Treasury is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of certificates of deposit is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase
For securities sold under agreements to repurchase, the carrying value is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

FHLB and Short-term FRB Borrowings
The fair value of FHLB and FRB borrowings is estimated based upon discounted future cash flows using a discount rate comparable to the current market rate for such borrowings.

Junior Subordinated Debentures
Because the Company’s junior subordinated debentures were issued at a floating rate, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Commitments to Extend Credit and Standby Letters of Credit
Commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are generally short-term and at variable interest rates. Therefore, both the carrying value and estimated fair value associated with these instruments are immaterial.

Limitations
Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on many judgments. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.
 
14


Fair value estimates are based on existing on and off-balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. Significant assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments include the deferred income taxes and premises and equipment. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in the estimates.

The carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are as follows:

 
   
September 30, 2009
 
December 31, 2008
   
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
 Carrying
Amount
 
 Estimated
Fair Value
   
(dollars in thousands)
                 
Assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
$
          37,187
 
          37,187
 
          27,929
 
          27,929
Investment securities available for sale
$
        188,352
 
        188,352
 
        124,916
 
        124,916
Other investments
$
            6,117
 
            6,117
 
            6,303
 
            6,303
Mortgage loans held for sale
$
            1,577
 
            1,577
 
                    -
 
                    -
Loans, net
$
        766,798
 
        768,775
 
        770,163
 
        773,256
Cash surrender value of life insurance
$
            7,216
 
            7,216
 
            7,019
 
            7,019
Derivative instruments
$
            2,265
 
            2,265
 
            4,981
 
            4,981
                 
Liabilities:
               
Deposits and demand notes payable
$
        794,762
 
        793,905
 
        722,662
 
        718,278
Securities sold under agreements
               
to repurchase
$
          31,911
 
          31,911
 
          37,501
 
          37,501
Short-term FRB borrowings
$
          12,500
 
          12,500
 
            5,000
 
            4,999
FHLB borrowings
$
          77,000
 
          92,897
 
          77,000
 
          83,038
Junior subordinated debentures
$
          20,619
 
          20,619
 
          20,619
 
          20,619
 
(6)
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Accounting Policy for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
The disclosure requirements for derivatives and hedging activities have the intent to provide users of financial statements with an enhanced understanding of: (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows.  The disclosure requirements include qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about the fair value of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative instruments.

The Company records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value.  The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk in a fair value hedge or the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge.  The Company may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of its risks, even though hedge accounting does not apply or the Company elects not to apply hedge accounting.
 
15

 
Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives
The Company has an overall interest rate risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to minimize significant unplanned fluctuations in earnings that are caused by interest rate volatility.  By using derivative instruments, the Company is exposed to credit and market risk.  If the counterparty fails to perform, credit risk is equal to the extent of the fair-value gain in the derivative.  The Company minimizes the credit risk in derivative instruments by entering into transactions with high-quality counterparties that are reviewed periodically by the Company.  As of September 30, 2009, the Company had cash flow hedges with a notional amount of $85.0 million.  These derivative instruments consist of one interest rate floor contract and one interest rate swap contract.

Fair Values of Derivative Instruments on the Balance Sheet
The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
 
FAIR VALUES OF DERIVATIVES DESIGNATED AS HEDGING INSTRUMENTS
(Dollars in thousands)
         
                       
  Asset Derivatives   Liability Derivatives
  As of September 30,         As of September   As of December 31,
  2009   As of December 31, 2008   30, 2009   2008
  Balance     Balance     Balance     Balance  
  Sheet Fair   Sheet Fair   Sheet Fair   Sheet Fair
  Location Value   Location Value   Location Value   Location Value
                       
Interest rate derivative
                     
contracts
Other assets
 $ 2,265
  Other assets
$     4,981
 
N/A
 $          -
 
N/A
 $         -
 
Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk
The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest income and expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps and floors as part of its interest rate risk management strategy.  For hedges of the Company’s variable-rate loan assets, interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of fixed-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making variable-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount.  For hedges of the Company’s variable-rate loan assets, the interest rate floor designated as a cash flow hedge involves the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty if interest rates fall below the strike rate on the contract in exchange for an up front premium.  As of September 30, 2009, the Company had one interest rate swap with a notional amount of $50.0 million and one interest rate floor with a notional amount of $35.0 million that were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk.

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings.  During 2009, such derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash inflows associated with existing pools of prime-based loan assets.  The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in earnings.  The Company’s recognized hedge ineffectiveness gains of $25,000 in earnings during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest income or expense as interest payments are received/made on the Company’s variable-rate assets/liabilities. During the next twelve months, the Company estimates that $1.6 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest income.

Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Income Statement
The tables below present the effect of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the Income Statement for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.
 
16

 
GAIN (LOSS) ON DERIVATIVES DESIGNATED AS HEDGING INSTRUMENTS
     
(Dollars in thousands)
       
                   
 
Amount of Gain
(Loss) Recognized in
OCI on Derivatives
 
Location of Gain
(Loss) Reclassified
from Accumulated
OCI into Income
 
Amount of Gain
(Loss) Reclassified
from Accumulated
OCI into Income
 
Nine months ended
September 30,
     
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
2009
 
2008
     
2009
 
2008
Interest rate derivative contracts
 $      342
 
$   3,088
 
Interest income
 
$  2,588
 
 $   2,212
         
Non-interest income
 
$       48
 
 $           -
 

(7)
Subsequent Events

In May 2009, the FASB issued SFAS 165 “Subsequent Events,” which was subsequently incorporated into FASB ASC Topic 855 “Subsequent Events.” Management performed an evaluation to determine whether there have been any subsequent events since the balance sheet date.  The evaluation was performed through November 12, 2009, the date on which the Company’s 10-Q was issued as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
 
 
 
 
17

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

The following is a discussion of our financial position and results of operations and should be read in conjunction with the information set forth under Item 1A Risk Factors and the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto on pages A-30  through A-61 of the Company’s 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders which is Appendix A to the Proxy Statement for the May 7, 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Introduction
Management's discussion and analysis of earnings and related data are presented to assist in understanding the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc (“the Company”). Peoples Bancorp is the parent company of Peoples Bank (the “Bank”) and a registered bank holding company operating under the supervision of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”). The Bank is a North Carolina-chartered bank, with offices in Catawba, Lincoln, Alexander, Mecklenburg, Iredell, Union and Wake counties, operating under the banking laws of North Carolina and the rules and regulations of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”).

Overview
Our business consists principally of attracting deposits from the general public and investing these funds in commercial loans, real estate mortgage loans, real estate construction loans and consumer loans. Our profitability depends primarily on our net interest income, which is the difference between the income we receive on our loan and investment securities portfolios and our cost of funds, which consists of interest paid on deposits and borrowed funds. Net interest income also is affected by the relative amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. When interest-earning assets approximate or exceed interest-bearing liabilities, any positive interest rate spread will generate net interest income. Our profitability is also affected by the level of other income and operating expenses. Other income consists primarily of miscellaneous fees related to our loans and deposits, mortgage banking income and commissions from sales of annuities and mutual funds. Operating expenses consist of compensation and benefits, occupancy related expenses, federal deposit and other insurance premiums, data processing, advertising and other expenses.

Our operations are influenced significantly by local economic conditions and by policies of financial institution regulatory authorities. The earnings on our assets are influenced by the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve, inflation, interest rates, market and monetary fluctuations.  Lending activities are affected by the demand for commercial and other types of loans, which in turn is affected by the interest rates at which such financing may be offered.  Our cost of funds is influenced by interest rates on competing investments and by rates offered on similar investments by competing financial institutions in our market area, as well as general market interest rates. These factors can cause fluctuations in our net interest income and other income. In addition, local economic conditions can impact the credit risk of our loan portfolio, in that (1) local employers may be required to eliminate employment positions of individual borrowers and (2) commercial borrowers may experience a downturn in their operating performance and become unable to make timely payments on their loans. Management evaluates these factors in estimating its allowance for loan losses, and changes in these economic conditions could result in increases or decreases to the provision for loan losses.

Our business emphasis has been to operate as a well-capitalized, profitable and independent community-oriented financial institution dedicated to providing quality customer service. We are committed to meeting the financial needs of the communities in which we operate. We believe that we can be more effective in servicing our customers than many of our non-local competitors because of our ability to quickly and effectively provide senior management responses to customer needs and inquiries. Our ability to provide these services is enhanced by the stability of our senior management team.

The Federal Reserve has decreased the Federal Funds Rate 1.75% since September 30, 2008 with the rate set at 0.25% as of September 30, 2009.  These decreases had a negative impact on earnings during the first nine months of 2009 and will continue to have a negative impact on the Bank’s net interest income in the future periods.  The negative impact from the decrease in the Federal Funds Rate has been partially offset by the increase in earnings realized on interest rate contracts, including both an interest rate swap and interest rate floors, utilized by the Company.  Additional information regarding the Company’s interest rate contacts is provided below in the section entitled “Asset Liability and Interest Rate Risk Management.”

On December 23, 2008, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (“Purchase Agreement”) with the United States Department of the Treasury (“UST”).  Under  the Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to issue and sell 25,054 shares of Series A preferred stock and a warrant to purchase 357,234 shares of common stock associated with the Company’s participation in the UST’s Capital Purchase Program (“CPP”) under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (“TARP”).  Proceeds from this issuance of preferred shares were allocated between preferred stock and the warrant based on their relative fair values at the time of the sale.  Of the $25.1 million in proceeds, $24.4 million was allocated to the
 
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Series A preferred stock and $704,000 was allocated to the common stock warrant.  The discount recorded on the preferred stock that resulted from allocating a portion of the proceeds to the warrant is being accreted directly to retained earnings over a five-year period applying a level yield.  As of September 30, 2009, the Company has accreted a total of $91,000 of the discount related to the Series A preferred stock.  The Company paid dividends of $807,000 on the Series A preferred stock during 2009 and cumulative undeclared dividends at September 30, 2009 were $157,000.  The CPP, created by the UST, was a voluntary program in which selected, healthy financial institutions were encouraged to participate.  Approved use of the funds includes providing credit to qualified borrowers, either as companies or individuals, among other things.  Such participation is intended to support the economic development of the community and thereby restore the health of the local and national economy.

The Series A preferred stock qualifies as Tier 1 capital and will pay cumulative dividends at a rate of 5% per annum for the first five years and 9% per annum thereafter.  The Series A preferred stock may be redeemed at the stated amount of $1,000 per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends.  Under the terms of the original Purchase Agreement, the Company could not redeem the preferred shares until December 23, 2011 unless the total amount of the issuance, $25.1 million, was replaced with the same amount of other forms of capital that would qualify as Tier 1 capital.  However, with the enactment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“ARRA”), the Company can now redeem the preferred shares at any time, if approved by the Company’s primary regulator.  The Series A preferred stock is non-voting except for class voting rights on matters that would adversely affect the rights of the holders of the Series A preferred stock.

The exercise price of the warrant is $10.52 per common share and it is exercisable at anytime on or before December 18, 2018.

The Company is subject to the following restrictions while the Series A preferred stock is outstanding: 1) UST approval is required for the Company to repurchase shares of outstanding common stock; 2) the full dividend for the latest completed CPP dividend period must be declared and paid in full before dividends may be paid to common shareholders; 3) UST approval is required for any increase in common dividends per share; and 4) the Company may not take tax deductions for any senior executive officer whose compensation is above $500,000.  There were additional restrictions on executive compensation added in the ARRA for companies participating in the TARP, including participants in the CPP.

It is the intent of the Company to utilize CPP funds to provide capital to support making loans to qualified borrowers in the Bank’s market area.  The funds will also be used to absorb losses incurred when modifying loans or making concessions to borrowers in order to keep borrowers out of foreclosure.  The Bank is also working with its current builders and contractors to provide financing for potential buyers who may not be able to qualify for financing in the current mortgage market in order to help these customers sell existing single family homes.  The Company will also use the CPP capital infusion as additional Tier I capital to protect the Bank from potential losses that may be incurred during this current recessionary period.

The Company continues to face challenges resulting from the impact of the current economy on the housing and real estate markets.  The Bank continues to monitor and evaluate all significant loans in its portfolio, and will continue to manage its credit risk exposure with the expectation that stabilization of the real estate market will not occur until 2010 or later.  The CPP funds have enhanced our capital position as the Company infused the Bank with $8.0 million additional regulatory capital. The Company has $19.5 million available that can be infused into the Bank as additional capital if needed to maintain its position as a well capitalized bank.  We anticipate increased loan losses in the short run and have prepared for that expectation. We have quality individuals managing our past due loans and foreclosed properties to minimize our potential losses. As the economy recovers, we are positioned to take advantage of all opportunities that present themselves.  Over the remainder of the year we anticipate net interest margin improvement as repricing of deposits should exceed repricing of loans. The amount and timing of any future Federal Reserve rate adjustment remains uncertain, and may further impact the Bank if those adjustments are significant.

The Company established a new subsidiary, Community Bank Real Estate Solutions, LLC (“Real Estate Solutions”), during second quarter 2009.  Real Estate Solutions will serve as a “clearing-house” for appraisal services for community banks.  Other banks are able to contract with Real Estate Solutions to find and engage appropriate appraisal companies in the area where the property is located.  This type of service ensures that the appraisal process remains independent from the financing process within the bank.

The Bank opened a new office in Iredell County, in Mooresville, North Carolina in September 2009.  Management continues to look for branching opportunities in nearby markets although there are no additional offices planned in 2009.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Peoples Bank and Community Bank Real Estate Solutions, LLC, along with the Bank’s
 
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wholly owned subsidiaries, Peoples Investment Services, Inc. and Real Estate Advisory Services, Inc. (collectively called the “Company”).  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company’s accounting policies are fundamental to understanding management’s discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition.  Many of the Company’s accounting policies require significant judgment regarding valuation of assets and liabilities and/or significant interpretation of specific accounting guidance.  A more complete description of the Company’s significant accounting policies can be found in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders which is Appendix A to the Proxy Statement for the May 7, 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Many of the Company’s assets and liabilities are recorded using various techniques that require significant judgment as to recoverability.  The collectibility of loans is reflected through the Company’s estimate of the allowance for loan losses.  The Company performs periodic and systematic detailed reviews of its lending portfolio to assess overall collectibility.  In addition, certain assets and liabilities are reflected at their estimated fair value in the consolidated financial statements.  Such amounts are based on either quoted market prices or estimated values derived from dealer quotes used by the Company, market comparisons or internally generated modeling techniques.  The Company’s internal models generally involve present value of cash flow techniques.  The various techniques are discussed in greater detail elsewhere in management’s discussion and analysis and the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

There are other complex accounting standards that require the Company to employ significant judgment in interpreting and applying certain of the principles prescribed by those standards.  These judgments include, but are not limited to, the determination of whether a financial instrument or other contract meets the definition of a derivative in accordance with GAAP.  For a more complete discussion of policies, see the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

The disclosure requirements for derivatives and hedging activities have the intent to provide users of financial statements with an enhanced understanding of: (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. The disclosure requirements include qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about the fair value of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative instruments.

The Company records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value.  The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk in a fair value hedge or the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge.  The Company may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of its risks, even though hedge accounting does not apply or the Company elects not to apply hedge accounting.

The Company has an overall interest rate risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to minimize significant unplanned fluctuations in earnings that are caused by interest rate volatility.  By using derivative instruments, the Company is exposed to credit and market risk.  If the counterparty fails to perform, credit risk is equal to the extent of the fair-value gain in the derivative.  The Company minimizes the credit risk in derivative instruments by entering into transactions with high-quality counterparties that are reviewed periodically by the Company.  As of September 30, 2009, the Company had cash flow hedges with a notional amount of $85.0 million.  These derivative instruments consist of one interest rate floor contract and one interest rate swap contract.

The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
 
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FAIR VALUES OF DERIVATIVES DESIGNATED AS HEDGING INSTRUMENTS
   
(Dollars in thousands)
     
                       
  Asset Derivatives   Liability Derivatives
 
As of September 30,
        As of September 30,   As of December 31,
  2009   As of December 31, 2008   2009   2008
  Balance     Balance     Balance     Balance  
  Sheet Fair   Sheet Fair   Sheet Fair   Sheet Fair
  Location Value   Location Value   Location Value   Location Value
Interest rate derivative
                     
contracts
Other assets
 $  2,265
 
Other assets
 $         4,981
 
N/A
 $            -
 
N/A
 $          -
 
The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest income and expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps and floors as part of its interest rate risk management strategy.  For hedges of the Company’s variable-rate loan assets, interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of fixed-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making variable-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount.  For hedges of the Company’s variable-rate loan assets, the interest rate floor designated as a cash flow hedge involves the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty if interest rates fall below the strike rate on the contract in exchange for an up front premium.  As of September 30, 2009, the Company had one interest rate swap with a notional amount of $50.0 million and one interest rate floor with a notional amount of $35.0 million that were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk.

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. During 2009, such derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash inflows associated with existing pools of prime-based loan assets.  The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in earnings. The Company’s recognized hedge ineffectiveness gains of $25,000 in earnings during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest income or expense as interest payments are received/made on the Company’s variable-rate assets/liabilities. During the next twelve months, the Company estimates that $1.6 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest income.

The tables below present the effect of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the Income Statement for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.
 
GAIN (LOSS) ON DERIVATIVES DESIGNATED AS HEDGING INSTRUMENTS
(Dollars in thousands)
       
                   
 
Amount of Gain
(Loss) Recognized in
OCI on Derivatives
 
Location of Gain
(Loss) Reclassified
from Accumulated
OCI into Income
 
Amount of Gain
(Loss) Reclassified
from Accumulated
OCI into Income
 
Nine months ended
September 30,
     
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
2009
 
2008
     
2009
 
2008
Interest rate derivative contracts
 $      342
 
$    3,088
 
Interest income
 
$  2,588
 
 $   2,212
         
Non-interest income
 
$       48
 
 $           -
 
Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Results of Operations
Summary.  Net earnings for the third quarter of 2009 were $300,000, or $0.05 basic and diluted net earnings per share before adjustment for preferred stock dividends and accretion as compared to $1.7 million, or $0.31 basic and diluted net earnings per share for the same period one year ago.  After adjusting for $348,000 in dividends and accretion on
 
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preferred stock, net loss available to common shareholders for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was $48,000 or $0.01 basic and diluted net loss per common share.  Net earnings from recurring operations for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was $670,000, or $0.12 basic and diluted net earnings per share, before adjustment for preferred stock dividends and accretion, as compared to third quarter 2008 net earnings from recurring operations of $2.0 million, or $0.35 basic and diluted net earnings per share.  The decrease in third quarter net earnings is attributable to an increase in provision for loan losses and a decrease in net interest income.  The decline in earnings for the third quarter reflects the continuing adverse impact on real estate values, new home sales and construction, necessitating an increase in the provision for loan losses as the risk of loss in the loan portfolio increases as a result of the recessionary environment.

The annualized return on average assets was 0.12% for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 0.74% for the same period in 2008, and annualized return on average shareholders' equity was 1.20% for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 9.40% for the same period in 2008.

Year-to-date net earnings as of September 30, 2009 was $2.3 million, or $0.41 basic and diluted net earnings per share, before adjustment for preferred stock dividends and accretion, as compared to $6.0 million, or $1.07 basic net earnings per share and $1.06 diluted net earnings per share, for the same period one year ago.  The decrease in year-to-date earnings is primarily attributable to an increase in provision for loan losses and an increase in non-interest expense, which were partially offset by an increase in non-interest income.  After adjusting for $898,000 in dividends and accretion on preferred stock, net earnings available to common shareholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $1.4 million, or $0.25 basic and diluted net earnings per common share.

Net earnings from recurring operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, which excludes non-recurring gains and losses on disposition of assets, was $1.9 million, or $0.35 basic and diluted net earnings per share, before adjustment for preferred stock dividends and accretion, as compared to $6.2 million, or $1.10 basic net earnings per share and $1.09 diluted net earnings per share, for the same period one year ago.

The annualized return on average assets was 0.30% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 0.87% for the same period in 2008, and annualized return on average shareholders' equity was 3.03% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 10.56% for the same period in 2008.

Net Interest Income.  Net interest income, the major component of the Company's net earnings, was $8.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to $8.5 million for the same period one year ago.  The decrease in net interest income is primarily due to a 175 point basis point reduction in the Bank’s prime commercial lending rate from September 30, 2008 to September 30, 2009 and was partially offset by a decrease in the cost of funds and an increase in interest earning assets.

Interest income decreased $1.7 million or 12% for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared with the same period in 2008.  The decrease was due to a 175 basis point reduction in the Bank’s prime commercial lending rate, which was partially offset by an increase in interest earning assets. Net income from derivative instruments was $662,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009 when compared to a net income of $907,000 for the same period in 2008.  The average yield on earning assets for the quarters ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was 5.18% and 6.43%, respectively.  During the quarter ended September 30, 2009, average loans increased $31.0 million to $788.4 million from $757.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008.  During the quarter ended September 30, 2009, average investment securities available-for-sale increased $58.5 million to $172.0 million from $113.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008.

Interest expense decreased $1.5 million or 27% for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared with the same period in 2008.  The average rate paid on interest-bearing checking and savings accounts was 1.25% for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to 1.57% for the same period of 2008.  The average rate paid on certificates of deposits was 2.16% for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 3.40% for the same period one year ago.

Net interest income decreased 2% to $24.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $24.7 million for the same period in 2008.  This decrease is primarily attributable to a reduction in the Bank’s prime commercial lending rate.   The decrease in loan interest income resulting from a decline in prime rate was partially offset by an increase in income from derivative instruments.

Interest income decreased $5.2 million or 12% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared with the same period in 2008.  The decrease was due to a reduction in the Bank’s prime commercial lending rate, which was partially offset by an increase in interest earning assets and income from interest rate derivative contracts. Net income from derivative instruments was $2.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $2.2 million for the
 
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same period one year ago.  The average yield on earning assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was 5.38% and 6.68%, respectively.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, average loans increased $44.8 million to $782.8 million from $738.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, average investment securities available-for-sale increased $35.7 million to $151.6 million from $115.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Interest expense decreased $4.8 million or 27% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared with the same period in 2008.  The average rate paid on interest-bearing checking and savings accounts was 1.20% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to 1.67% for the same period of 2008.  The average rate paid on certificates of deposits was 2.48% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 3.83% for the same period one year ago.

Provision for Loan Losses. For the three months ended September 30, 2009 a contribution of $3.1 million was made to the provision for loan losses compared to a $1.0 million contribution to the provision for loan losses for the three months ended September 30, 2008.  The increase in the provision for loan losses is primarily attributable to a $16.5 million increase in non-performing assets from September 30, 2008 to September 30, 2009.

The provision for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $7.2 million as compared to $2.1 million for the same period one year ago.  The increase in the provision for loan losses is primarily attributable to an increase in non-performing assets, a $1.3 million increase in net charge-offs during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period last year and growth in the loan portfolio.  Net charge-offs during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 included $752,000 on construction and acquisition and development loans, $1.1 million on mortgage loans and $856,000 on non-real estate loans, which included $409,000 on commercial loans.

Non-Interest Income.  Total non-interest income was $2.5 million in the third quarter of 2009 and 2008.  Service charges increased 7% to $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 when compared to the same period one year ago.  The increase in service charges and fees is primarily attributable to growth in the Bank’s deposit base coupled with normal pricing changes.  Other service charges and fees decreased to $472,000 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2009 as compared to $575,000 for the same period one year ago primarily due to a decrease in check cashing fees.  Mortgage banking income decreased to $129,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2009 from $165,000 for the same period in 2008.  Miscellaneous income was $383,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to $391,000 for the same period in 2008.  Recurring non-interest income amounted to $2.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, as compared to $2.8 million for the same period one year ago. Net non-recurring losses of $360,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009 included a $281,000 loss on the disposition of assets and a $79,000 write-down on an investment.  Management determined the market value of this investment had decreased significantly and was not considered temporary, therefore a write-down was appropriate during the third quarter of 2009.  Non-recurring losses of $316,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008 were due to a $176,000 loss on the disposition of assets and a $140,000 loss on sale of securities.

Total non-interest income was $8.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to $7.9 million for the same period of 2008.  This increase in non-interest income is attributable to an increase in gains on sale of securities which were partially offset by an increase in write-downs of securities and a decrease in miscellaneous income and other service charges and fees when compared to the same period last year.  Service charges increased 7% to $4.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 when compared to the same period one year ago.  The increase in service charges and fees is primarily attributable to growth in the Bank’s deposit base coupled with normal pricing changes.  Other service charges and fees decreased 15% to $1.6 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2009 when compared to the same period one year ago primarily due to a decrease in check cashing fees.  Mortgage banking income increased to $633,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from $526,000 for the same period in 2008 due to an increase in mortgage loan demand.  Miscellaneous income was $1.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, a 17% decrease from $1.6 million for the same period in 2008 primarily due to an increase in losses on the disposition of assets.  Recurring non-interest income increased 2% to $8.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, as compared to $8.2 million for the same period one year ago.  Net non-recurring gains of $552,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 included a $1.8 million gain on sale of securities partially offset by write-downs of three securities totaling $723,000.  This $1.1 million net gain on the sale and write-down of securities for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was partially offset by a $521,000 loss on the disposition of assets.  Net non-recurring losses of $276,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 were due to a $140,000 loss on the sale of securities and a $136,000 loss on the disposition of assets.

 Non-Interest Expense.  Total non-interest expense was $7.3 million for the third quarter of 2009 and 2008.  Salary and employee benefits totaled $3.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of 8% from the same period in 2008.  The decrease in salary and employee benefits is primarily due to a reduction in incentive expense.  
 
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Occupancy expense increased 11% for the quarter ended September 30, 2009.  The increase in occupancy expense is primarily attributable to an increase in furniture and equipment expense.  Other non-interest expense increased 11% to $2.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008.   This increase in other non-interest expense is primarily attributable to increase of $231,000 in FDIC insurance expense due to an increase in 2009 FDIC insurance assessment rates.

Total non-interest expense increased 6% to $22.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to $21.3 million for the corresponding period in 2008.  Salary and employee benefits totaled $11.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of 2% from the same period in 2008.  The decrease in salary and employee benefits is primarily due to a reduction in incentive expense.  Occupancy expense increased 9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  The increase in occupancy expense is primarily attributable to an increase in furniture and equipment expense.  Other non-interest expense increased 19% to $7.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008.   This increase in other non-interest expense is primarily attributable to increase of $1.0 million in FDIC insurance expense and an increase of $376,000 in debit card expense.  The increase in FDIC insurance expense is due to an increase in 2009 FDIC insurance assessment rates combined with a $453,000 FDIC insurance special assessment paid in September 2009.

Income Taxes.  The Company reported an income tax benefit of $9,000 for the third quarter of 2009.  This benefit is due to the reversal of expense calculated on an annual basis for the first six months of 2009, as earnings were lower during the three months ended September 30, 2009.  For the three months ended September 30, 2008, the Company reported income taxes of $942,000, which represented an effective tax rate of 35%.

The Company reported income taxes of $1.2 million and $3.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  This represented an effective tax rate of 35% for both periods.

Analysis of Financial Condition
Investment Securities.  Available-for-sale securities amounted to $188.4 million at September 30, 2009 compared to $124.9 million at December 31, 2008.  The increase in available-for-sale securities is primarily due to $77.3 million in securities purchased in a leverage transactions used to offset the cost of the Company’s CPP dividend.  Average investment securities available for sale for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 amounted to $151.6 million compared to $115.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Loans.  At September 30, 2009, loans amounted to $782.3 million compared to $781.2 million at December 31, 2008, an increase of $1.1 million.  Loans originated or renewed during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 amounting to approximately $103.6 million were offset by paydowns and payoffs of existing loans.  The Bank has modified terms on mortgage loans totaling $16.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  Average loans represented 83% and 85% of total earning assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and the year ended December 31, 2008, respectively.  The Company had $1.6 million in mortgage loans held for sale as of September 30, 2009 and no mortgage loans held for sale as of December 31, 2008.

Although the Company has a diversified loan portfolio, a substantial portion of the loan portfolio is collateralized by real estate, which is dependent upon the real estate market.  Real estate mortgage loans include both commercial and residential mortgage loans.  At September 30, 2009, the Company had $118.1 million in residential mortgage loans, $97.2 million in home equity loans and $292.6 million in commercial mortgage loans, which include $225.4 million using commercial property as collateral and $67.2 million using residential property as collateral.  At September 30, 2009, real estate construction loans included $109.6 million in speculative construction and development loans.

Residential mortgage loans include $62.2 million made to customers in the Company’s traditional banking offices and $55.9 million in mortgage loans originated in the Company’s Latino banking operations.  All residential mortgage loans are originated as fully amortizing loans, with no negative amortization.

Allowance for Loan Losses.  The allowance for loan losses reflects management's assessment and estimate of the risks associated with extending credit and its evaluation of the quality of the loan portfolio.  The Bank periodically analyzes the loan portfolio in an effort to review asset quality and to establish an allowance for loan losses that management believes will be adequate in light of anticipated risks and loan losses.  In assessing the adequacy of the allowance, size, quality and risk of loans in the portfolio are reviewed. Other factors considered are:

·  
the Bank’s loan loss experience;
·  
the amount of past due and non-performing loans;
·  
specific known risks;
·  
the status and amount of other past due and non-performing assets;
 
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·  
underlying estimated values of collateral securing loans;
·  
current and anticipated economic conditions; and
·  
other factors which management believes affect the allowance for potential credit losses.

                Management uses several measures to assess and monitor the credit risks in the loan portfolio, including a loan grading system that begins upon loan origination and continues until the loan is collected or collectibility becomes doubtful. Upon loan origination, the Bank’s originating loan officer evaluates the quality of the loan and assigns one of nine risk grades. The loan officer monitors the loan’s performance and credit quality and makes changes to the credit grade as conditions warrant. When originated or renewed, all loans over a certain dollar amount receive in-depth reviews and risk assessments by the Bank’s Credit Administration. Before making any changes in these risk grades, management considers assessments as determined by the third party credit review firm (as described below), regulatory examiners and the Bank’s Credit Administration. Any issues regarding the risk assessments are addressed by the Bank’s senior credit administrators and factored into management’s decision to originate or renew the loan. The Bank’s Board of Directors reviews, on a monthly basis, an analysis of the Bank’s reserves relative to the range of reserves estimated by the Bank’s Credit Administration.

As an additional measure, the Bank engages an independent third party to review the underwriting, documentation and risk grading analyses. This independent third party reviews and evaluates all loan relationships greater than $1.0 million.  The third party’s evaluation and report is shared with management and the Bank’s Board of Directors.

Management considers certain commercial loans with weak credit risk grades to be individually impaired and measures such impairment based upon available cash flows and the value of the collateral. Allowance or reserve levels are estimated for all other graded loans in the portfolio based on their assigned credit risk grade, type of loan and other matters related to credit risk.

Management uses the information developed from the procedures described above in evaluating and grading the loan portfolio. This continual grading process is used to monitor the credit quality of the loan portfolio and to assist management in estimating the allowance for loan losses.

The allowance for loan losses is comprised of three components: specific reserves, general reserves and unallocated reserves.  After a loan has been identified as impaired, management measures impairment.  When the measure of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, the amount of the impairment is recorded as a specific reserve. These specific reserves are determined on an individual loan basis based on management’s current evaluation of the Company’s loss exposure for each credit, given the appraised value of any underlying collateral. Loans for which specific reserves are provided are excluded from the general allowance calculations as described below.  At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the recorded investment in loans that were considered to be impaired was approximately $18.4 million and $7.5 million, respectively, with related allowance for loan losses of approximately $2.1 million and $462,000, respectively.

The general allowance reflects reserves established for collective loan impairment.  These reserves are based upon historical net charge-offs using the last three years’ experience.  This charge-off experience may be adjusted to reflect the effects of current conditions.  The Bank considers information derived from its loan risk ratings and external data related to industry and general economic trends.

The unallocated allowance is determined through management’s assessment of probable losses that are in the portfolio but are not adequately captured by the other two components of the allowance, including consideration of current economic and business conditions and regulatory requirements. The unallocated allowance also reflects management’s acknowledgement of the imprecision and subjectivity that underlie the modeling of credit risk.  Due to the subjectivity involved in determining the overall allowance, including the unallocated portion, this unallocated portion may fluctuate from period to period based on management’s evaluation of the factors affecting the assumptions used in calculating the allowance.

Management considers the allowance for loan losses adequate to cover the estimated losses inherent in the Company’s loan portfolio as of the date of the financial statements. Management believes it has established the allowance in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and in consideration of the current economic environment. Although management uses the best information available to make evaluations, significant future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic and other conditions, thus adversely affecting the operating results of the Company.

There were no significant changes in the estimation methods or fundamental assumptions used in the evaluation of the allowance for loan losses for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the year ended December 31,
 
25

 
2008. Such revisions, estimates and assumptions are made in any period in which the supporting factors indicate that loss levels may vary from the previous estimates.

Additionally, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Bank’s allowances for loan losses. Such agencies may require adjustments to the allowances based on their judgments of information available to them at the time of their examinations.

The allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2009 amounted to $15.5 million or 1.98% of total loans compared to $11.0 million or 1.41% of total loans at December 31, 2008.

The following table presents the percentage of loans assigned to each risk grade at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.

LOAN RISK GRADE ANALYSIS:
         
       
Percentage of Loans
       
By Risk Grade*
Risk Grade
     
09/30/2009
12/31/2008
Risk 1 (Excellent Quality)
     
3.56%
4.08%
Risk 2 (High Quality)
     
16.13%
17.95%
Risk 3 (Good Quality)
     
53.09%
63.08%
Risk 4 (Management Attention)
     
17.39%
10.42%
Risk 5 (Watch)
     
5.24%
2.14%
Risk 6 (Substandard)
     
1.51%
0.80%
Risk 7 (Low Substandard)
     
0.00%
0.00%
Risk 8 (Doubtful)
     
0.00%
0.00%
Risk 9 (Loss)
     
0.00%
0.00%
           
* Excludes non-accrual loans
         
 
At September 30, 2009 there were eight relationships exceeding $1.0 million (which totaled $19.5 million) in the Watch risk grade, three relationships exceeding $1.0 million (which totaled $8.6 million) in the Substandard risk grade and no relationships exceeding $1.0 million in the Low Substandard risk grade. These customers continue to meet payment requirements and these relationships would not become non-performing assets unless they are unable to meet those requirements.

Non-performing Assets.  Non-performing assets totaled $29.1 million at September 30, 2009 or 2.79% of total assets, compared to $14.2 million at December 31, 2008, or 1.47% of total assets.  Non-accrual loans were $24.0 million at September 30, 2009 and $11.8 million at December 31, 2008.  The increase in non-accrual loans is primarily due to the movement of five relationships exceeding $1.0 million, which totaled $9.8 million, into non-accrual in 2009.  The largest relationship has loans totaling $4.4 million.  These relationships have all been adversely impacted by declining real estate values and lower levels of new home sales in the Bank’s market area.  As a percentage of total loans outstanding, non-accrual loans were 3.07% at September 30, 2009 compared to 1.51% at December 31, 2008.  The Bank had loans 90 days past due and still accruing of $1.4 million and $514,000 at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  Other Real Estate Owned totaled $3.7 million as of September 30, 2009 as compared to $1.9 million at December 31, 2008. The Bank had no repossessed assets as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.

Total non-performing loans, which include non-accrual loans and loans 90 days past due and still accruing, were $25.4 million and $12.3 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  The ratio of non-performing loans to total loans was 3.25% at September 30, 2009, as compared to 1.58% at December 31, 2008.  Non-performing loans include $5.7 million in construction and acquisition and development loans, $18.6 million in commercial and residential mortgage loans and $1.1 million in other loans at September 30, 2009 as compared to $2.5 million in construction and acquisition and development loans, $8.7 million in commercial and residential mortgage loans and $1.1 million in other loans as of December 31, 2008.

               Deposits.  Total deposits at September 30, 2009 were $794.3 million, an increase of $73.2 million over deposits of $721.1 million at December 31, 2008. Core deposits, which include non-interest bearing demand deposits, NOW, MMDA, savings and non-brokered certificates of deposits of denominations less than $100,000, increased $50.8 million to $548.0 million at September 30, 2009 as compared to $497.2 million at December 31, 2008.  The Bank offers remote deposit capture for customers which has enabled the Bank to gather additional deposits from several existing customers and has been helpful in attracting new customers.  Certificates of deposit in amounts greater than $100,000 or more totaled $240.4 million at September 30, 2009 as compared to $220.4 million at December 31, 2008.  At September 30, 2009, brokered
 
26

 
deposits amounted to $92.0 million as compared to $61.0 million at December 31, 2008.  Brokered deposits outstanding as of September 30, 2009 had a weighted average rate of 2.00% with a weighted average original term of 13 months as compared to brokered deposits outstanding at December 31, 2008 which had a weighted average rate of 3.25% with a weighted average original term of eight months.

Borrowed Funds. Borrowings from the FHLB totaled $77.0 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.  The average balance of FHLB borrowings for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $77.3 million compared to $79.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008.  At September 30, 2009, $70.0 million of the Bank’s FHLB borrowings had maturities exceeding one year.  The FHLB has the option to convert $72.0 million of the total advances to a floating rate and, if converted, the Bank may repay advances without a prepayment fee.  The Company also has an additional $5.0 million in an advance that has been converted to a fixed rate by the FHLB, which may be repaid without a prepayment fee.

The Bank had $12.5 million at a rate of 0.25% and $5.0 million at a rate of 0.28% in borrowings from the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  Borrowings from the FRB are Term Auction Facility loans which have short-term maturities.

The Company had no federal funds purchased as of September 30, 2009 or December 31, 2008.

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase were $31.9 million at September 30, 2009 compared to $37.5 million at December 31, 2008.

Junior Subordinated Debentures (related to Trust Preferred Securities).  In June 2006 the Company formed a wholly owned Delaware statutory trust, PEBK Capital Trust II (“PEBK Trust II”), which issued $20.0 million of guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in the Company’s junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures.  All of the common securities of PEBK Trust II are owned by the Company.  The proceeds from the issuance of the common securities and the trust preferred securities were used by PEBK Trust II to purchase $20.6 million of junior subordinated debentures of the Company, which pay a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus 163 basis points.  The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the junior subordinated debentures were used to repay in December 2006 the trust preferred securities issued by PEBK Capital Trust I in December 2001 and for general purposes.  The debentures represent the sole asset of PEBK Trust II.  PEBK Trust II is not included in the consolidated financial statements.

The trust preferred securities issued by PEBK Trust II accrue and pay quarterly at a floating rate of three-month LIBOR plus 163 basis points.  The Company has guaranteed distributions and other payments due on the trust preferred securities to the extent PEBK Trust II has funds with which to make the distributions and other payments.  The net combined effect of the trust preferred securities transaction is that the Company is obligated to make the distributions and other payments required on the trust preferred securities.

These trust preferred securities are mandatorily redeemable upon maturity of the debentures on June 28, 2036, or upon earlier redemption as provided in the indenture.  The Company has the right to redeem the debentures purchased by PEBK Trust II, in whole or in part, on or after June 28, 2011.  As specified in the indenture, if the debentures are redeemed prior to maturity, the redemption price will be the principal amount and any accrued but unpaid interest.

Asset Liability and Interest Rate Risk Management.  The objective of the Company’s Asset Liability and Interest Rate Risk strategies is to identify and manage the sensitivity of net interest income to changing interest rates and to minimize the interest rate risk between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities at various maturities.  This is to be done in conjunction with the need to maintain adequate liquidity and the overall goal of maximizing net interest income.
 
               The Company manages its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates through policies established by the Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”) of the Bank.  The ALCO meets monthly and has the responsibility for approving asset/liability management policies, formulating and implementing strategies to improve balance sheet positioning and/or earnings and reviewing the interest rate sensitivity of the Company.  ALCO tries to minimize interest rate risk between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities by attempting to minimize wide fluctuations in net interest income due to interest rate movements.  The ability to control these fluctuations has a direct impact on the profitability of the Company. Management monitors this activity on a regular basis through analysis of its portfolios to determine the difference between rate sensitive assets and rate sensitive liabilities.

The Company’s rate sensitive assets are those earning interest at variable rates and those with contractual maturities within one year.  Rate sensitive assets therefore include both loans and available-for-sale securities.  Rate sensitive liabilities include interest-bearing checking accounts, money market deposit accounts, savings accounts, time deposits and borrowed funds.  The Company’s balance sheet is asset-sensitive, meaning that in a given period there will be
 
27

 
more assets than liabilities subject to immediate repricing as interest rates change in the market.  Because the majority of the Company’s loans are tied to the prime rate, they reprice more rapidly than rate sensitive interest-bearing deposits.  During periods of rising rates, this results in increased net interest income.  The opposite occurs during periods of declining rates.  Average rate sensitive assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 totaled $948.4 million, exceeding average rate sensitive liabilities of $786.4 million by $162.0 million.

The Company has an overall interest rate risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to minimize significant unplanned fluctuations in earnings that are caused by interest rate volatility.  By using derivative instruments, the Company is exposed to credit and market risk.  If the counterparty fails to perform, credit risk is equal to the extent of the fair-value gain in the derivative.  The Company minimizes the credit risk in derivative instruments by entering into transactions with high-quality counterparties that are reviewed periodically by the Company.  As of September 30, 2009, the Company had cash flow hedges with a notional amount of $85.0 million.  These derivative instruments consist of one interest rate floor contract and one interest rate swap contract.  The interest rate floor contract is used to hedge future cash flows from payments on the first $35.0 million of certain variable rate loans against the downward effects of their repricing in the event of a decreasing rate environment during the terms of the interest rate floor contracts.  If the prime rate falls below the contract rate during the term of the contract, the Company will receive payments based on notional amount times the difference between the contract rate and the weighted average prime rate for the quarter.  No payments will be received by the Company if the weighted average prime rate is equal to or higher than the contract rate.  The interest rate floor contract in effect at September 30, 2009 will expire in fourth quarter 2009.  The interest rate swap contract is used to convert $50.0 million of variable rate loans to a fixed rate.  Under the swap contract, the Company receives a fixed rate of 6.245% and pays a variable rate based on the current prime rate (3.25% at September 30, 2009) on the notional amount of $50.0 million.  The swap agreement matures in June 2011.  The Company recognized $2.6 million in interest income, net of premium amortization, from interest rate derivative contracts during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  Based on the current interest rate environment, it is expected the Company will continue to receive income on these interest rate contracts throughout 2009.  The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings.  During 2009, such derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash inflows associated with existing pools of prime-based loan assets.  The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in earnings.  The Company’s recognized hedge ineffectiveness gains of $25,000 in earnings during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009.
 
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
   
(Dollars in thousands)
   
                 
 Type of Derivative
 
Notional
Amount
 
Contract
Rate
 
Premium
 
Year-to-date Income
(Net of Premium Amortization)
Interest rate floor contact*
    -   -     -     106
Interest rate floor contact*
    -   -     -     623
Interest rate floor contact
    35,000   7.250%     634     746
Interest rate swap contact
    50,000   6.245%     -     1,161
    $ 85,000       $ 634   $ 2,636
                       
* Interest rate floor contract expired during 2009
               
 
Included in the rate sensitive assets are $492.1 million in variable rate loans indexed to prime rate subject to immediate repricing upon changes by the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”).  The Bank utilizes interest rate floors on certain variable rate loans to protect against further downward movements in the prime rate.  At September 30, 2009, the Bank had $303.3 million in loans with interest rate floors.  The floors were in effect on $300.8 million of these loans pursuant to the terms of the promissory notes on these loans.   The weighted average rate on these loans is 1.09% higher than the indexed rate on the promissory notes without interest rate floors.

           Liquidity. The objectives of the Company’s liquidity policy are to provide for the availability of adequate funds to meet the needs of loan demand, deposit withdrawals, maturing liabilities and to satisfy regulatory requirements.  Both deposit and loan customer cash needs can fluctuate significantly depending upon business cycles, economic conditions and yields and returns available from alternative investment opportunities.  In addition, the Company’s liquidity is affected by off-balance sheet commitments to lend in the form of unfunded commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.  As of September 30, 2009 such unfunded commitments to extend credit were $145.7 million, while commitments in the form of standby letters of credit totaled $3.4 million.
 
28

 
The Company uses several sources to meet its liquidity requirements.  The primary source is core deposits, which includes demand deposits, savings accounts and non-brokered certificates of deposits of denominations less than $100,000. The Company considers these to be a stable portion of the Company’s liability mix and the result of on-going consumer and commercial banking relationships.  As of September 30, 2009, the Company’s core deposits totaled $548.0 million, or 69% of total deposits.

The other sources of funding for the Company are through large denomination certificates of deposit, including brokered deposits, federal funds purchased, securities under agreement to repurchase and FHLB borrowings.  The Bank is also able to borrow from the FRB on a short-term basis.  In third quarter 2008, the Bank significantly improved its funding capacity by pledging loans to the FRB.  The Bank’s policies include the ability to access wholesale funding up to 40% of total assets.  The Bank’s wholesale funding includes FHLB borrowings, FRB borrowings, brokered deposits, internet certificates of deposit and certificates of deposit issued to the State of North Carolina.  The Company’s ratio of wholesale funding to total assets was 17.81% as of September 30, 2009.

At September 30, 2009, the Bank had a significant amount of deposits in amounts greater than $100,000, including brokered deposits of $92.0 million, which have an average maturity of 13 months.  The cost of these deposits is more susceptible to changes in the interest rate environment than other deposits.  Access to the brokered deposit market could be restricted if the Bank were to fall below the well capitalized level.

The Bank has a line of credit with the FHLB equal to 20% of the Bank’s total assets, with an outstanding balance of $77.0 million at September 30, 2009.  The remaining availability at the FHLB was $6.0 million at September 30, 2009.  At September 30, 2009, the carrying value of loans pledged as collateral to the FHLB totaled approximately $149.3 million.  The Bank had $12.5 million in borrowings from the FRB at September 30, 2009.  The FRB borrowings are collateralized by a blanket assignment on all qualifying loans that the Bank owns which are not pledged to the FHLB.  At September 30, 2009, the carrying value of loans pledged as collateral to the FRB totaled approximately $429.5 million.  In third quarter 2009, the Bank increased its overall borrowing capacity by pledging commercial real estate loans to the FRB that were previously pledged to the FHLB.

The Bank also had the ability to borrow up to $40.5 million for the purchase of overnight federal funds from four correspondent financial institutions as of September 30, 2009.

The liquidity ratio for the Bank, which is defined as net cash, interest bearing deposits with banks, federal funds sold, certain investment securities and certain FHLB advances available under the line of credit, as a percentage of net deposits (adjusted for deposit runoff projections) and short-term liabilities was 25.87% at September 30, 2009 and 26.80% at December 31, 2008.  The minimum required liquidity ratio as defined in the Bank’s Asset/Liability and Interest Rate Risk Management Policy is 20%.

Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.  The Company’s contractual obligations and other commitments as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are summarized in the table below.  The Company’s contractual obligations include the repayment of principal and interest related to FHLB advances and junior subordinated debentures, as well as certain payments under current lease agreements.  Other commitments include commitments to extend credit.  Because not all of these commitments to extend credit will be drawn upon, the actual cash requirements are likely to be significantly less than the amounts reported for other commitments below.
 
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND OTHER COMMITMENTS:
   
(Dollars in thousands)
   
       
 
September 30, 2009
 
December 31, 2008
       
Contractual Cash Obligations
     
Long-term borrowings
$ 70,000   77,000
Junior subordinated debentures
  20,619   20,619
Operating lease obligations
  4,041   4,554
         
Total
$ 94,660   102,173
         
Other Commitments
       
Commitments to extend credit
$ 145,718   158,939
Standby letters of credit and financial guarantees written
  3,366   4,316
         
Total
$ 149,084   163,255
 
29

 
The Company enters into derivative contracts to manage various financial risks.  A derivative is a financial instrument that derives its cash flows, and therefore its value, by reference to an underlying instrument, index or referenced interest rate.  Derivative contracts are carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet with the fair value representing the net present value of expected future cash receipts or payments based on market interest rates as of the balance sheet date.  Derivative contracts are written in amounts referred to as notional amounts, which only provide the basis for calculating payments between counterparties and are not a measure of financial risk.  Further discussions of derivative instruments are included above in the section entitled “Asset Liability and Interest Rate Risk Management”.

Capital Resources.  Shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2009 was $99.5 million compared to $101.1 million at December 31, 2008.  At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, accumulated comprehensive income amounted to $3.7 million and $5.5 million, respectively.  Annualized return on average equity for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was 3.03% compared to 8.38% for the year ended December 31, 2008.  Total cash dividends paid on common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 amounted to $1.3 million as compared to total cash dividends of $2.0 million paid for the first nine months of 2008.

In March 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 100,000 common shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock through its existing Stock Repurchase Plan effective through the end of March 2009.  The Company repurchased 65,500 shares, or $776,000, of its common stock under this plan during 2008.  As described below, during the period the Company has Series A preferred stock outstanding to the UST, the Company is prohibited from repurchasing its common stock except in limited circumstances.

On December 23, 2008, the Company entered into a Purchase Agreement with the UST.  Under the Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to issue and sell 25,054 shares of Series A preferred stock and a warrant to purchase 357,234 shares of common stock associated with the Company’s participation in the CPP under the TARP.  Proceeds from this issuance of preferred shares were allocated between preferred stock and the warrant based on their relative fair values at the time of the sale.  Of the $25.1 million in proceeds, $24.4 million was allocated to the Series A preferred stock and $704,000 was allocated to the common stock warrant.  Additional discussion of the Company’s participation in the CPP can be found on pages 18 and 19.

Under the regulatory capital guidelines, financial institutions are currently required to maintain a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater, with a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4.0% or greater.  Tier 1 capital is generally defined as shareholders' equity and Trust Preferred Securities less all intangible assets and goodwill.  Tier 1 capital at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 includes $20.0 million in trust preferred securities.  The Company’s Tier 1 capital ratio was 13.70% and 13.65% at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  Total risk-based capital is defined as Tier 1 capital plus supplementary capital.  Supplementary capital, or Tier 2 capital, consists of the Company's allowance for loan losses, not exceeding 1.25% of the Company's risk-weighted assets. Total risk-based capital ratio is therefore defined as the ratio of total capital (Tier 1 capital and Tier 2 capital) to risk-weighted assets.  The Company’s total risk-based capital ratio was 14.95% and 14.90% at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  In addition to the Tier 1 and total risk-based capital requirements, financial institutions are also required to maintain a leverage ratio of Tier 1 capital to total average assets of 4.0% or greater.  The Company’s Tier 1 leverage capital ratio was 11.51% and 12.40% at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.

The Bank’s Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 11.13% and 9.85% at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  The total risk-based capital ratio for the Bank was 12.39% and 11.10% at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.   The Bank’s Tier 1 leverage capital ratio was 9.35% and 8.94% at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.

A bank is considered to be "well capitalized" if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0 % or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.0% or greater, and has a leverage ratio of 5.0% or greater.  Based upon these guidelines, the Bank was considered to be "well capitalized" at September 30, 2009.
 
30

 
Item 3.            Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Not required for smaller reporting companies.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31

 
Item 4T.        Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act.

There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


 
 
32

 
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
   
  In the opinion of management, the Company is not involved in any material pending legal proceedings other than routine proceedings occurrinng in the ordinary
  course of business.
 
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
   
 
Not required for smaller reporting companies.
   
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
       
                 
              Total  
              Number of  
              Shares Maximum
              Purchased as Number of
              Part of Shares that
    Total         Publicly May Yet Be
    Number of     Average   Announced Purchased
    Shares      Price Paid   Plans or Under the Plans
              Period   Purchased     per Share   Programs or Programs
                 
 July 1 - 31, 2009
 
          2,260
   
$6.12
 
                     -
                         -
                 
 August 1 - 31, 2009
 
          1,080
   
            6.32
 
                     -
                         -
                 
 September 1 - 30, 2009
 
          1,140
   
            6.53
 
                     -
                         -
                 
 Total
 
         4,480
 (1)
 
$6.27
 
                     -
 
                 
(1) The Company purchased 4,480 shares on the open market in third quarter 2009 for its deferred compensation plan. All purchases were funded by participant contributions to the plan. The agreements with UST under the CPP program allow the Company to purchase its common stock pursuant to benefit plans.
 
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
   
 
Not applicable
   
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
   
 
No matter was submitted to a vote of the Company's shareholders during the quarter ended September 30, 2009.
   
Item 5.
Other Information
   
 
Not applicable
 
Item 6.
   Exhibits
 
     
 
   Exhibit (3)(1)
Articles of Amendment dated December 19, 2008, regarding the Series A Preferred
   
Stock, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3)(1) to the Form 8-K filed with the
   
Securities and Exchange Commission on December 29, 2008
     
 
   Exhibit (3)(i)
Articles of Incorporation of Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc., incorporated
   
by reference to Exhibit (3)(i) to the Form 8-A filed with the Securities and
   
Exchange Commission on September 2, 1999
 
33

 
 
Exhibit (3)(ii)
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc.,
   
incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3)(ii) to the Form 10-Q filed with the
   
Securities and Exchange Commission on November 7, 2007
     
 
Exhibit (4)
Specimen Stock Certificate, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4) to the Form 8-
   
A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 2, 1999
     
 
Exhibit (4)(2)
Warrant dated December 23, 2008, for the purchase of shares of Common Stock,
   
incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)(2) to the Form 8-K filed with the Securities
   
and Exchange Commission on December 29, 2008
     
 
Exhibit (10)(1)
Letter Agreement dated December 23, 2008 between the Registrant and the United
   
States Department of the Treasury, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(1) to
   
the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 29,
   
2008
     
 
Exhibit (10)(a)(i)
Employment Letter Agreement dated December 23, 2008 between Peoples Bancorp
   
of North Carolina, Inc. and Tony W. Wolfe, incorporated by reference to Exhibit
   
(10)(a)(i) to the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
   
December 29, 2008
     
 
Exhibit (10)(a)(ii)
Amendment to Employment Agreement between Peoples Bank and Tony W. Wolfe
   
dated December 18, 2008, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(a)(ii) to the
   
Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 29,
   
2008
     
 
Exhibit (10)(a)(iii)
Amended and Restated Executive Salary Continuation Agreement between Peoples
   
Bank and Tony W. Wolfe dated December 18, 2008, incorporated by reference to
   
Exhibit (10)(a)(iii) to the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
   
Commission on December 29, 2008
     
 
Exhibit (10)(b)(i)
Employment Letter Agreement dated December 23, 2008 between Peoples Bancorp
   
of North Carolina, Inc. and Joseph F. Beaman, Jr., incorporated by reference to
   
Exhibit (10)(b)(i) to the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
   
Commission on December 29, 2008
     
 
Exhibit (10)(b)(ii)
Amendment to Employment Agreement between Peoples Bank and Joseph F.
   
Beaman, Jr. dated December 18, 2008, incorporated by reference to Exhibit
   
(10)(b)(ii) to the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
   
December 29, 2008
     
 
Exhibit (10)(b)(iii)
Amended and Restated Executive Salary Continuation Agreement between Peoples
   
Bank and Joseph F. Beaman, Jr. dated December 18, 2008, incorporated by
   
reference to Exhibit (10)(b)(iii) to the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and
   
Exchange Commission on December 29, 2008
     
 
Exhibit (10)(c)(i)
Employment Letter Agreement dated December 23, 2008 between Peoples Bancorp
   
of North Carolina, Inc. and William D. Cable, Sr., incorporated by reference to
   
Exhibit (10)(c)(i) to the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
   
Commission on December 29, 2008
     
 
Exhibit (10)(c)(ii)
Amendment to Employment Agreement between Peoples Bank and William D.
   
Cable, Sr. dated December 18, 2008, incorporated by reference to Exhibit
   
(10)(c)(ii) to the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
   
December 29, 2008
     
 
Exhibit (10)(c)(iii)
Amended and Restated Executive Salary Continuation Agreement between Peoples
   
Bank and William D. Cable, Sr. dated December 18, 2008, incorporated by
   
reference to Exhibit (10)(c)(iii) to the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and
   
Exchange Commission on December 29, 2008
 
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Exhibit (10)(d)(i)
Employment Letter Agreement dated December 23, 2008 between Peoples Bancorp
   
of North Carolina, Inc. and Lance A. Sellers, incorporated by reference to Exhibit
   
(10)(d)(i) to the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
   
December 29, 2008
     
 
Exhibit (10)(d)(ii)
Amendment to Employment Agreement between Peoples Bank and Lance A.
   
Sellers dated December 18, 2008, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(d)(ii) to
   
the Form 8-K filed with the Securities  and Exchange Commission on December 29,
   
2008
     
 
Exhibit (10)(d)(iii)
Amended and Restated Executive Salary Continuation Agreement between Peoples
   
Bank and Lance A. Sellers dated December 18, 2008, incorporated by reference to
   
Exhibit (10)(d)(iii) to the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
   
Commission on December 29, 2008
     
 
Exhibit (10)(e)
Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc. Omnibus Stock Ownership and Long Term
   
Incentive Plan incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(f) to the Form 10-K filed
   
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2000
     
 
Exhibit (10)(e)(i)
Amendment No. 1 to the Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc. Omnibus Stock
   
Ownership and Long Term Incentive Plan incorporated by reference to Exhibit
   
(10)(e)(i) to the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
   
March 15, 2007
     
 
Exhibit (10)(f)
Employment Agreement between Peoples Bank and A. Joseph Lampron
   
incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(g) to the Form 10-K filed with the
   
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2002
     
 
Exhibit (10)(f)(i)
Employment Letter Agreement dated December 23, 2008 between Peoples Bancorp
   
of North Carolina, Inc. and A. Joseph Lampron, incorporated by reference to
   
Exhibit (10)(f)(i) to the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
   
Commission on December 29, 2008
     
 
Exhibit (10)(f)(ii)
Amendment to Employment Agreement between Peoples Bank and A. Joseph
   
Lampron dated December 18, 2008, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(f)(ii)
   
to the Form 8-K filed with the Securities  and Exchange Commission on December
   
29, 2008
     
 
Exhibit (10)(f)(iii)
Amended and Restated Executive Salary Continuation Agreement between Peoples
   
Bank and A. Joseph Lampron dated December 18, 2008, incorporated by reference
   
to Exhibit (10)(f)(iii) to the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
   
Commission on December 29, 2008
     
 
Exhibit (10)(g)
Peoples Bank Directors' and Officers' Deferral Plan, incorporated by reference to
   
Exhibit (10)(h) to the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
   
Commission on March 28, 2002
     
 
Exhibit (10)(h)
Rabbi Trust for the Peoples Bank Directors' and Officers' Deferral Plan,
   
incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(i) to the Form 10-K filed with the
   
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2002
     
 
Exhibit (10)(i)
Description of Service Recognition Program maintained by Peoples Bank,
   
incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(i) to the Form 10-K filed with the
   
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 27, 2003
     
 
Exhibit (10)(j)
Capital Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of June 26, 2006, by and among
   
Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc., PEBK Capital Trust II and Bear, Sterns
   
Securities Corp. incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(j) to the Form 10-Q filed
   
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 13, 2006
 
35

 
 
Exhibit (10)(k)
Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of PEBK Capital Trust II, dated as of June
   
28, 2006 incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(k) to the Form 10-Q filed with
   
the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 13, 2006
     
 
Exhibit (10)(l)
Guarantee Agreement of Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc. dated as of June
   
28, 2006 incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(l) to the Form 10-Q filed with
   
the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 13, 2006
     
 
Exhibit (10)(m)
Indenture, dated as of June 28, 2006, by and between Peoples Bancorp of North
   
Carolina, Inc. and LaSalle Bank National Association, as Trustee, relating to Junior
   
Subordinated Debt Securities Due September 15, 2036 incorporated by reference to
   
Exhibit (10)(m) to the Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange
   
Commission on November 13, 2006
     
 
Exhibit (10)(n)
Form of Amended and Restated Director Supplemental Retirement Agreement
   
between Peoples Bank and Directors Robert C. Abernethy, James S. Abernethy,
   
Douglas S. Howard, John W. Lineberger, Jr., Gary E. Matthews, Dr. Billy L. Price,
   
Jr., Larry E. Robinson, W. Gregory Terry, Dan Ray Timmerman, Sr. and Benjamin
   
I. Zachary, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(n) to the Form 8-K filed with
   
the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 29, 2008
     
 
Exhibit (10)(o)
2009 Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc. Omnibus Stock Ownership and Long
   
Term Incentive Plan incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(o) to the Form 10-K
   
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 20, 2009
     
 
Exhibit (14)
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc.,
   
incorporated by reference to Exhibit (14) to the Form 10-K filed with the Securities
   
and Exchange Commission on March 25, 2005
     
 
Exhibit (31)(a)
Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-
   
Oxley Act of 2002
     
 
Exhibit (31)(b)
Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-
   
Oxley Act of 2002
     
 
Exhibit (32)
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section
   
906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
36

 
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.
 
   
Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc.
     
     
     
  November 12,  2009
 
 /s/ Tony W. Wolfe
Date
 
Tony W. Wolfe
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
   
(Principal Executive Officer)
     
     
     
  November 12,  2009
 
 /s/ A. Joseph Lampron
Date
 
A. Joseph Lampron
   
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
   
(Principal Financial and Principal Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
37