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PEBO > SEC Filings for PEBO > Form 10-K on 4-Mar-2009All Recent SEC Filings

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Form 10-K for PEOPLES BANCORP INC


4-Mar-2009

Annual Report


ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this Form 10-K which are not historical fact are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "expects," "believes", "plans", "will", "would", "should", "could" and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertain­ties that may cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to:

(1) continued deterioration in the credit quality of Peoples' loan portfolio could occur due to a number of factors, such as adverse changes in economic conditions that impair the ability of borrowers to repay their loans, the underlying value of the collateral could prove less valuable than otherwise assumed and assumed cash flows may be worse than expected, which may adversely impact the provision for loan losses;

(2) Peoples' ability to deploy the capital received through the U.S. Treasury's TARP Capital Purchase Program;

(3) competitive pressures among financial institutions or from non-financial institutions, which may increase significantly;

(4) changes in the interest rate environment, which may adversely impact interest margins;

(5) changes in prepayment speeds, loan originations, sale volumes and charge-offs, which may be less favorable than expected and adversely impact the amount of interest income generated;

(6) general economic conditions and weakening in the real estate market, either national or in the states in which Peoples and its subsidiaries do business, which may be less favorable than expected;

(7) political developments, wars or other hostilities, which may disrupt or increase volatility in securities markets or other economic conditions;

(8) legislative or regulatory changes or actions, which may adversely affect the business of Peoples and its subsidiaries;

(9) adverse changes in the conditions and trends in the financial markets, which may adversely affect the fair value of securities within Peoples' investment portfolio;

(10) a delayed or incomplete resolution of regulatory issues that could arise;

(11) ability to receive dividends from its subsidiaries;

(12) Peoples' ability to maintain required capital levels and adequate sources of funding and liquidity;

(13) changes in accounting standards, policies, estimates or practices, which may impact Peoples' reported financial condition or results of operations;

(14) the impact of reputational risk created by these developments on such matters as business generation and retention, funding and liquidity;

(15) the costs and effects of regulatory and legal developments, including the outcome of regulatory or other governmental inquiries and legal proceedings and results of regulatory examinations; and

(16) other risk factors relating to the banking industry or Peoples as detailed from time to time in Peoples' reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including those risk factors included in the disclosure under the heading "ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS" of Part I of this Form 10-K.

All forward-looking statements speak only as of the filing date of this Form 10-K and are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements. Although management believes the expectations in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of management's knowledge of Peoples' business and operations, it is possible that actual results may differ materially from these projections. Additionally, Peoples undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the filing date of this Form 10-K or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events except as may be required by applicable legal requirements. Copies of documents filed with the SEC are available free of charge at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov and/or from Peoples Bancorp's website.

Summary of Recent Transactions and Events The following discussion and analysis of Peoples' Consolidated Financial Statements is presented to provide insight into management's assessment of the financial results. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto, as well as the ratios and statistics, contained elsewhere in this Form 10-K.


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References will be found in this Form 10-K to the following transactions that have impacted or will impact Peoples' results of operations:

· As described in "ITEM 1. BUSINESS-Recent Corporate Developments", on January 30, 2009, Peoples received $39 million of new equity capital from the U.S. Treasury's TARP Capital Purchase Program. The investment was in the form of newly-issued non-voting cumulative perpetual preferred shares and a related 10-year warrant sold by Peoples to the U.S. Treasury (the "TARP Capital Investment").

· As disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 12, 2009, management determined certain available-for-sale investment securities were other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2008. As a result, Peoples recorded a $4.0 million non-cash impairment charge in the fourth quarter of 2008, of which $2.0 million related to a single bank-issued trust preferred security previously carried at $2.0 million and $2.0 million related to four collateralized debt obligation ("CDO") investments previously carried at $6.1 million. These charges were based upon management's evaluation of the credit quality of underlying issuers. In comparison, Peoples recognized other-than-temporary impairment charges totaling $6.2 million in 2007, of which $3.2 million related to preferred stocks issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae") and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("Freddie Mac") and $2.9 million related to the CDO investments.

· Between August 2007 and December 2008, the Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee reduced the target Federal Funds rate 500 basis points and the Discount Rate 575 basis points. These actions caused a corresponding downward shift in short-term interest rates, while longer-term rates have not decreased to the same extent. This steepening of the yield curve has provided Peoples with opportunities to improve net interest income and margin by taking advantage of lower-cost funding available in the market place and reducing certain deposit costs.

· From mid-2004 through mid-2006, the Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee increased the target Federal Funds rate by 425 basis points, causing short-term market interest rates to increase. However, longer-term interest rates increased at a much slower pace, resulting in a flattened, and sometimes inverted, yield curve. These conditions resulted in increases in Peoples' funding costs that outpaced the improvement in asset yields.

· During 2008, Peoples' loan quality was impacted by the contracting economy and commercial real estate market, which caused declines in commercial real estate values and deterioration in financial condition of various commercial borrowers. These conditions led to Peoples downgrading the loan quality ratings on various commercial real estate loans through its normal loan review process. In addition, several impaired loans became under-collateralized due to the reduction in the estimated net realizable fair value of the underlying collateral. As a result, Peoples experienced significant increases in provision for loan losses, including a $13.4 million fourth quarter provision, net charge-offs and nonperforming loans in 2008 compared to historical periods.

· During the fourth quarter of 2008, Peoples Bank sold its merchant credit card payment processing services to First Data Merchant Services Corporation ("First Data"). Peoples Bank will continue to serve the credit card processing needs of its commercial customers through a referral program with First Data. As a result of this transaction, Peoples recognized a pre-tax gain of $500,000 in the fourth quarter of 2008, which was not material to Peoples' Consolidated Financial Statements.

· At the close of business on October 17, 2008, Peoples Bank completed the previously announced sale of its Grayson, Kentucky banking office to First National Bank of Grayson. This sale was consistent with Peoples' strategic plan to optimize its branch network for better growth opportunities. Under the terms of the agreement, Peoples received $475,000 for the Grayson office's $13.4 million of deposits and $220,000 of fixed assets and sold $2.0 million of loans at book value, resulting in a fourth quarter 2008 pre-tax gain of $255,000. This sale was not material to Peoples' Consolidated Financial Statements.

· During 2008, Peoples systematically sold the preferred stocks issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac held in its investment portfolio, due to the uncertainty surrounding these entities. These securities had a total recorded value of $12.1 million at December 31, 2007. In July 2008, Peoples sold its remaining Fannie Mae preferred stocks, which completely eliminated all equity holdings in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. As a result of the sales, Peoples recognized cumulative pre-tax losses of $1,243,000 ($808,000 after-tax) in 2008.

· Also during 2008, Peoples sold selected lower yielding, longer-term investment securities, primarily obligations of U.S. government-sponsored enterprises, U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities and tax-exempt municipal bonds, as well as several small-lot mortgage-backed securities. The proceeds from these sales were reinvested into similar securities with less price risk volatility. These actions were intended to reposition the investment portfolio to reduce interest rate exposures and resulted in a cumulative pre-tax gain of $2.5 million in 2008, of which $1.5 million was recognized in the fourth quarter of 2008.


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· As described in "ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS" of Peoples' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, in December 2007, Peoples resolved certain issues concerning its Ohio corporation franchise tax liability and associated calculations for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2001 through 2007 (the "Ohio Franchise Tax Settlement"). As a result, Peoples' franchise tax expense was reduced by $782,000 ($508,000, or $0.05 per diluted share, after-tax) during the fourth quarter of 2007.

· On April 23, 2007, Peoples repaid the entire $7.2 million of variable rate junior subordinated notes issued to and held by its subsidiary, PEBO Capital Trust II, which had a then current rate of 9.10%. This redemption had minimal impact on Peoples' regulatory capital ratios and produced a modest improvement in net interest income and margin, as the junior subordinated notes were replaced by lower cost borrowings.

· In 2006, Peoples Bank sold its banking offices located in Chesterhill, Ohio (the "Chesterhill Office") and South Shore, Kentucky (the "South Shore Office") as part of Peoples' strategy to optimize its branch network by redirecting resources to markets that management believes have greater growth potential. The sale of the South Shore Office included $4.6 million in deposits and approximately $600,000 of loans, while the sale of the Chesterhill Office involved $3.7 million of deposits. The sales of these offices resulted in an aggregate pre-tax gain of $454,000 in 2006. Concurrent with the sale of the Chesterhill Office, Peoples Bank acquired a full-service banking office located in Carroll, Ohio and its $5.4 million in deposits. These transactions did not have a material impact on Peoples' financial statements taken as a whole.

The impact of these transactions or events, where significant, is discussed in the applicable sections of this Management's Discussion and Analysis.

Critical Accounting Policies
The accounting and reporting policies of Peoples conform to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("US GAAP") and to general practices within the financial services industry. A summary of significant accounting policies is contained in Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. While all of these policies are important to understanding the Consolidated Financial Statements, certain accounting policies require management to exercise judgment and make estimates or assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates and assumptions are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements; accordingly, as this information changes, the financial statements could reflect different estimates or assumptions.

Management views critical accounting policies to be those that are highly dependent on subjective or complex judgments, estimates and assumptions, and where changes in those estimates and assumptions could have a significant impact on the financial statements. Management has identified the accounting policies described below as those that, due to the judgments, estimates and assumptions inherent in the policies, are critical to an understanding of Peoples' Consolidated Financial Statements and management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operation.

Income Recognition
Interest income on loans and investment securities is recognized by methods that result in level rates of return on principal amounts outstanding, including yield adjustments resulting from the amortization of loan costs and premiums on investment securities and accretion of loan fees and discounts on investment securities. Since mortgage-backed securities comprise a sizable portion of Peoples' investment portfolio, a significant increase in principal payments on those securities could impact interest income due to the corresponding acceleration of premium amortization or discount accretion.

In the event management believes collection of all or a portion of contractual interest on a loan has become doubtful, which generally occurs after the loan is 90 days past due, Peoples discontinues the accrual of interest. In addition, previously accrued interest deemed uncollectible that was recognized in income in the current year is reversed, while amounts recognized in income in the prior year are charged against the allowance for loan losses. Interest received on nonaccrual loans is included in income only if principal recovery is reasonably assured. A nonaccrual loan is restored to accrual status after appropriate review by lending and/or loan review personnel indicates the collectibility of the total contractual principal and interest is no longer considered doubtful, among other criteria.


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Allowance for Loan Losses
In general, determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses requires significant judgment and the use of estimates by management. Peoples maintains an allowance for loan losses to absorb probable losses based on a quarterly analysis of the loan portfolio and estimation of the losses that are probable of occurrence within the loan portfolio. This formal analysis determines an appropriate level and allocation of the allowance for loan losses among loan types and resulting provision for loan losses by considering factors affecting losses, including specific losses, levels and trends in impaired and nonperforming loans, historical loan loss experience, current national and local economic conditions, volume, growth and composition of the portfolio, regulatory guidance and other relevant factors. Management continually monitors the loan portfolio through Peoples Bank's Loan Review Department and Loan Loss Committee to evaluate the adequacy of the allowance. The provision could increase or decrease each quarter based upon the results of management's formal analysis.

The amount of the allowance for loan losses for the various loan types represents management's estimate of expected losses from existing loans based upon specific allocations for individual lending relationships and historical loss experience for each category of homogeneous loans. The allowance for loan losses related to impaired loans is based on discounted cash flows using the loan's initial effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral for certain collateral dependent loans. This evaluation requires management to make estimates of the amounts and timing of future cash flows on impaired loans, which consist primarily of loans placed on nonaccrual status, restructured or internally classified as substandard or doubtful. While allocations are made to specific loans and pools of loans, the allowance is available for all loan losses.

Individual loan reviews are based upon specific quantitative and qualitative criteria, including the size of the loan, the loan cash flow characteristics, loan quality ratings, value of collateral, repayment ability of borrowers, and historical experience factors. The historical experience factors utilized for individual loan reviews are based upon past loss experience, known trends in losses and delinquencies, the growth of loans in particular markets and industries, and known changes in economic conditions in particular lending markets. Allowances for homogeneous loans (such as residential mortgage loans, personal loans, etc.) are evaluated based upon historical loss experience, trends in losses and delinquencies, growth of loans in particular markets, and known changes in economic conditions in each lending market. Consistent with the evaluation of allowances for homogenous loans, the allowance relating to the Overdraft Privilege program is based upon management's monthly analysis of accounts in the program. This analysis considers factors that could affect losses on existing accounts, including historical loss experience and length of overdraft.

There can be no assurance the allowance for loan losses will be adequate to cover all losses, but management believes the allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2008, was adequate to provide for probable losses from existing loans based on information currently available. While management uses available information to provide for loan losses, the ultimate collectibility of a substantial portion of the loan portfolio, and the need for future additions to the allowance, will be based on changes in economic conditions and other relevant factors. As such, adverse changes in economic activity could reduce cash flows for both commercial and individual borrowers, which would likely cause Peoples to experience increases in problem assets, delinquencies and losses on loans.

Investment Securities
Presently, Peoples classifies its entire investment portfolio, which accounted for 35% of total assets at December 31, 2008, as available-for-sale and records changes in the estimated fair value of the portfolio in stockholders' equity as a component of comprehensive income. As a result, both the investment and equity sections of Peoples' Consolidated Balance Sheets are more sensitive to changes in the overall market value of the investment portfolio, due to changes in market interest rates, investor confidence and other factors affecting market values, than if the investment portfolio was classified as held-to-maturity.

While temporary changes in the fair value of available-for-sale securities are not recognized in earnings, a decline in fair value below amortized cost deemed to be "other-than-temporary" results in an adjustment to the cost basis of the investment, with a corresponding loss charged against earnings. Management systematically evaluates Peoples' investment securities on a quarterly basis to identify potential other-than-temporary losses. This analysis requires management to consider various factors that can involve judgment and estimation, including duration and magnitude of the decline in value, the financial condition of the issuer or pool of issuers, structure of the security, and Peoples' ability and intent to continue holding the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value.

In 2008 and 2007, Peoples recognized other-than-temporary impairment charges on certain investment securities whose market value had declined due primarily to increased risks within the broader credit market and erratic market liquidity. At December 31, 2008, there were no other investment securities identified by management to be other-than-temporarily impaired since Peoples had the ability and intent to hold those securities for a period of time sufficient to recover the amortized cost. If investments decline in fair value due to adverse changes in the financial markets, charges to income could occur in future periods.


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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Over the past several years, Peoples has grown through mergers and acquisitions accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. Under the purchase method, Peoples is required to allocate the cost of an acquired company to the assets acquired, including identified intangible assets, and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The excess cost over the net assets acquired represents goodwill, which is not subject to periodic amortization.

Customer relationship intangibles are required to be amortized over their estimated useful lives. The method of amortization reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are estimated to be consumed or otherwise used up. Since Peoples' acquired customer relationships are subject to routine customer attrition, the relationships are more likely to produce greater benefits in the near-term than in the long-term, which typically supports the use of an accelerated method of amortization for the related intangible assets. Management is required to evaluate the useful life of customer relationship intangibles to determine if events or circumstances warrant a change in the estimated life. Should management determine the estimated life of any intangible asset is shorter than originally estimated, Peoples would adjust the amortization of that asset, which could increase future amortization expense.

Goodwill arising from business combinations represents the value attributable to unidentifiable intangible elements in the business acquired. Goodwill recorded by Peoples in connection with its acquisitions relates to the inherent value in the businesses acquired and this value is dependent upon Peoples' ability to provide quality, cost effective services in a competitive market place. As such, goodwill value is supported ultimately by revenue that is driven by the volume of business transacted. A decline in earnings as a result of a lack of growth or the inability to deliver cost effective services over sustained periods can lead to impairment of goodwill that could adversely impact earnings in future periods.

Peoples reviewed its recorded goodwill at December 31, 2008, and concluded no impairment existed since the fair value of the single reporting unit exceeded its carrying value. Based on its most recently completed analysis, management believes a 20-25% sustained decline in future earnings would have to occur for any recorded goodwill to be considered impaired. Other future events, such as adverse changes to Peoples' business, could cause management to conclude that impairment indicators exist and require management to re-evaluate goodwill. Should such re-evaluation determine goodwill is impaired, any resulting impairment loss recognized could have a material, adverse impact on Peoples' financial condition and results of operations.

Peoples records mortgage servicing rights ("MSRs") in connection with its mortgage banking activities, which are intangible assets representing the right to service loans sold to third party investors. These intangible assets are recorded initially at fair value and subsequently amortized over the estimated life of the loans sold. MSRs are assessed for impairment at each reporting date based on their fair value. At December 31, 2008, management concluded no portion of the recorded MSRs was impaired since the fair value exceeded the carrying value. However, future events, such as a significant increase in prepayment speeds, could result in a fair value that is less than the carrying amount, which would require the recognition of an impairment loss in earnings.

Income Taxes
Income taxes are provided based on the liability method of accounting, which includes the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the temporary differences between carrying amounts and tax basis of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. The calculation of tax liabilities is complex and requires the use of estimates and judgment since it involves the application of complex tax laws that are subject to different interpretations by Peoples and the various tax authorities. These interpretations are subject to challenge by the tax authorities upon audit or to reinterpretation based on management's ongoing assessment of facts and evolving case law.

From time-to-time and in the ordinary course of business, Peoples is involved in inquiries and reviews by tax authorities that normally require management to provide supplemental information to support certain tax positions taken by Peoples in its tax returns. Uncertain tax positions are initially recognized in the financial statements when it is more likely than not the position will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. Such tax positions are initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the tax authority assuming full knowledge of the position and all relevant facts. Management believes that it has taken appropriate positions on its tax returns, although the ultimate outcome of any tax review cannot be predicted with certainty. Still, no assurance can be given that the final outcome of these matters will not be different than what is reflected in the current and historical financial statements.


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Fair Value Measurements
As a financial services company, the carrying value of certain financial assets and liabilities is impacted by the application of fair value measurements, either directly or indirectly. In certain cases, an asset or liability is measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis, such as available-for-sale investment securities. In other cases, management must rely on estimates or judgments to determine if an asset or liability not measured at fair value warrants an impairment write-down or whether a valuation reserve should be established. Given the inherent volatility, the use of fair value measurements may have a significant impact on the carrying value of assets or liabilities, or result in material changes to the financial statements, from period to period.

Detailed information regarding fair value measurements can be found in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The following is a summary of those assets and liabilities that may be affected by fair value measurements, as well as a brief description of the current accounting practices and valuation methodologies employed by Peoples:

Available-for-Sale Investment Securities Investment securities classified as available-for-sale are measured and reported . . .

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