UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-K
 
(Mark One)
x
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011
 
or
o
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the transition period from   to  _________
 
Commission file number 000-23423
 
C&F FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
Virginia
 
54-1680165
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
802 Main Street
West Point, VA 23181
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (804) 843-2360
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share
 
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
NONE
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  o     No    x
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  o     No    x
 
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   o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes   x     No   o
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer
o
Accelerated Filer
o
       
Non-accelerated filer
o  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  o     No    x
 
The aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2011 was $62,878,652.
 
There were 3,195,278 shares of common stock outstanding as of February 27, 2012.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement dated March 15, 2012 to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 17, 2012 are incorporated by reference in Part III of this report.
 
 
 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
PART I
     
       
ITEM 1.
 
page 1
       
ITEM 1A.
 
page 12
       
ITEM 1B.
 
page 17
       
ITEM 2.
 
page 17
       
ITEM 3.
 
page 18
       
ITEM 4.
 
page 18
       
PART II
     
       
ITEM 5.
 
page 19
       
ITEM 6.
 
page 20
       
ITEM 7.
 
page 21
       
ITEM 7A.
 
page 52
       
ITEM 8.
 
page 54
       
ITEM 9.
 
page 96
       
ITEM 9A.
 
page 96
       
ITEM 9B.
 
page 98
       
PART III
     
       
ITEM 10.
 
page 98
       
ITEM 11.
 
page 98
       
ITEM 12.
 
page 99
       
ITEM 13.
 
page 99
       
ITEM 14.
 
page 99
       
PART IV
     
       
ITEM 15.
 
page 100
 
 
 
 
PART I
 
ITEM   1 .
BUSINESS
 
General
 
C&F Financial Corporation (the Corporation) is a bank holding company that was incorporated in March 1994 under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Corporation owns all of the stock of its sole operating subsidiary, Citizens and Farmers Bank (C&F Bank or the Bank), which is an independent commercial bank chartered under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Bank originally opened for business under the name Farmers and Mechanics Bank on January 22, 1927. The Bank has the following five wholly-owned subsidiaries, all incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia:
 
 
•
C&F Mortgage Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Hometown Settlement Services LLC and Certified Appraisals LLC

 
•
C&F Finance Company

 
•
C&F Investment Services, Inc.

 
•
C&F Insurance Services, Inc.

 
•
C&F Title Agency, Inc.
 
The Corporation operates in a decentralized manner in three principal business activities: (1) retail banking through C&F Bank, (2) mortgage banking through C&F Mortgage Corporation (C&F Mortgage) and (3) consumer finance through C&F Finance Company (C&F Finance). The following general business discussion focuses on the activities within each of these segments.
 
In addition, the Corporation conducts brokerage activities through C&F Investment Services, Inc., insurance activities through C&F Insurance Services, Inc. and title insurance services through C&F Title Agency, Inc. The financial position and operating results of any one of these subsidiaries are not significant to the Corporation as a whole and are not considered principal activities of the Corporation at this time.
 
The Corporation also owns two non-operating subsidiaries, C&F Financial Statutory Trust II (Trust II) formed in December 2007 and C&F Financial Statutory Trust I (Trust I) formed in July 2005. These trusts were formed for the purpose of issuing $10.0 million each of trust preferred capital securities in private placements to institutional investors. These trusts are unconsolidated subsidiaries of the Corporation and their principal assets are $10.3 million each of the Corporation’s junior subordinated debt securities (referred to herein as “trust preferred capital notes”) that are reported as liabilities of the Corporation.
 
Retail Banking
 
We provide retail banking services at the Bank’s main office in West Point, Virginia, and 17 Virginia branches located one each in Chester, Hampton, Mechanicsville, Midlothian, Newport News, Norge, Providence Forge, Quinton, Saluda, Sandston, Varina, West Point and Yorktown, and two each in Williamsburg and Richmond. These branches provide a wide range of banking services to individuals and businesses. These services include various types of checking and savings deposit accounts, as well as business, real estate, development, mortgage, home equity and installment loans. The Bank also offers ATMs, internet banking and credit cards, as well as travelers’ checks, safe deposit box rentals, collection, notary public, wire service and other customary bank services to its customers. Revenues from retail banking operations consist primarily of interest earned on loans and investment securities and fees related to deposit services. At December 31, 2011, assets of the Retail Banking segment totaled $772.6 million. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the net loss for this segment totaled $432,000.
 
Mortgage Banking
 
We conduct mortgage banking activities through C&F Mortgage, which was organized in September 1995. C&F Mortgage provides mortgage loan origination services through 13 locations in Virginia, three in Maryland, one each in Wilmington, Delaware; Moorestown, New Jersey; Gastonia, North Carolina; and York, Pennsylvania. The Virginia offices are located one each in Charlottesville, Chester, Fishersville, Fredericksburg, Glen Allen, Hanover, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, Newport News, Roanoke and Williamsburg, and two in Midlothian. The Maryland offices are located in Annapolis, Ellicott City and Waldorf. C&F Mortgage offers a wide variety of residential mortgage loans, which are originated for sale generally to the following investors: Wells Fargo Home Mortgage; Franklin American Mortgage Company; US Bank Home Mortgage; and the Virginia Housing Development Authority. C&F Mortgage does not securitize loans. The Bank also purchases lot and permanent loans from C&F Mortgage. C&F Mortgage originates conventional mortgage loans, mortgage loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (the FHA), mortgage loans partially guaranteed by the Veterans Administration (the VA) and home equity loans. A majority of the conventional loans are conforming loans that qualify for purchase by the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac). The remainder of the conventional loans is non-conforming in that they do not meet Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac guidelines, but are eligible for sale to various other investors. Through its subsidiaries, C&F Mortgage also provides ancillary mortgage loan origination services for loan settlement and residential appraisals. Revenues from mortgage banking operations consist principally of gains on sales of loans to investors in the secondary mortgage market, loan origination fee income and interest earned on mortgage loans held for sale. At December 31, 2011, assets of the Mortgage Banking segment totaled $82.3 million. For the year ended December 31, 2011, net income for this segment totaled $1.3 million.
 
 
Consumer Finance
 
We conduct consumer finance activities through C&F Finance, which the Bank acquired on September 1, 2002. C&F Finance is a regional finance company providing automobile loans throughout Virginia and in portions of Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Georgia and West Virginia through its offices in Richmond and Hampton, Virginia, in Nashville, Tennessee and in Towson, Maryland. C&F Finance is an indirect lender that provides automobile financing through lending programs that are designed to serve customers in the “non-prime” market who have limited access to traditional automobile financing. C&F Finance generally purchases automobile retail installment sales contracts from manufacturer-franchised dealerships with used-car operations and through selected independent dealerships. C&F Finance selects these dealers based on the types of vehicles sold. Specifically, C&F Finance prefers to finance later model, low mileage used vehicles because the initial depreciation on new vehicles is extremely high. C&F Finance’s typical borrowers have experienced prior credit difficulties. Because C&F Finance serves customers who are unable to meet the credit standards imposed by most traditional automobile financing sources, C&F Finance typically charges interest at higher rates than those charged by traditional financing sources. As C&F Finance provides financing in a relatively high-risk market, it expects to experience a higher level of credit losses than traditional automobile financing sources. Revenues from consumer finance operations consist principally of interest earned on automobile loans. At December 31, 2011, assets of the Consumer Finance segment totaled $249.7 million. For the year ended December 31, 2011, net income for this segment totaled $12.6 million.
 
Employees
 
At December 31, 2011, we employed 512 full-time equivalent employees. We consider relations with our employees to be excellent.
 
Competition
 
Retail Banking
 
In the Bank’s market area, we compete with large national and regional financial institutions, savings associations and other independent community banks, as well as credit unions, mutual funds, brokerage firms and insurance companies. Increased competition has come from out-of-state banks through their acquisition of Virginia-based banks and expansion of community and regional banks into our service areas.
 
The banking business in Virginia, and in the Bank’s primary service area in the Hampton to Richmond corridor, is highly competitive for both loans and deposits, and is dominated by a relatively small number of large banks with many offices operating over a wide geographic area. Among the advantages such large banks have are their ability to finance wide-ranging advertising campaigns, efficiencies through economies of scale and, by virtue of their greater total capitalization, to have substantially higher lending limits than the Bank.
 
Factors such as interest rates offered, the number and location of branches and the types of products offered, as well as the reputation of the institution, affect competition for deposits and loans. We compete by emphasizing customer service and technology, establishing long-term customer relationships, building customer loyalty, and providing products and services to address the specific needs of our customers. We target individual and small-to-medium size business customers.
 
No material part of the Bank’s business is dependent upon a single or a few customers, and the loss of any single customer would not have a materially adverse effect upon the Bank’s business.
 
Mortgage Banking
 
C&F Mortgage competes with large national and regional banks, credit unions, smaller regional mortgage lenders and small local broker operations. As loan volumes have decreased over the past five years, the industry has seen a consolidation in the number of competitors in the marketplace. However, the competition with regard to price has increased tremendously as the remaining participants struggle to achieve volume and profitability benchmarks. The downturn in the housing markets related to declines in real estate values, increased payment defaults and foreclosures have had a dramatic effect on the secondary market. The guidelines surrounding agency business (i.e., loans sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) have become much more restrictive and the associated mortgage insurance for loans above 80 percent loan-to-value has continued to tighten. The jumbo markets have slowed considerably and pricing has increased dramatically. These changes in the conventional market have caused a dramatic increase in government lending and state bond programs.
 
 
The competitive factors faced by C&F Mortgage may change due to financial regulatory reform legislation entitled the “Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act” (the Dodd-Frank Act), which was signed into law on July 21, 2010. The Dodd-Frank Act affects many aspects of mortgage finance regulation, which may result in changes to the competitive landscape in the future. The many modifications introduced will require extensive rulemaking, and the full effect of the Dodd-Frank Act and the size of the related compliance burden will not be known for some time to come. The reforms to mortgage lending encompass broad new restrictions on lending practices and loan terms, amend price thresholds for certain lending segment, add new disclosure forms and procedures for all mortgages, and mandate stronger legal liabilities in connection with real estate finance. While C&F Mortgage is continuing to evaluate all aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act, such legislation and regulations promulgated pursuant to such legislation could materially and adversely affect the manner in which it conducts it mortgage business, result in heightened federal regulation and oversight of its business activities, and result in increased costs and potential litigation associated with its business activities. Given the far-reaching effect of the Dodd-Frank Act on mortgage finance, compliance with the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act may require substantial changes to mortgage lending systems and processes and other implementation efforts.
 
To operate profitably in this environment, lenders must have a high level of operational and risk management skills and be able to attract and retain top mortgage origination talent. C&F Mortgage competes by attracting the top sales people in the industry, providing an operational infrastructure that manages the guideline changes efficiently and effectively, offering a product menu that is both competitive in loan parameters as well as price, and providing consistently high quality customer service.
 
No material part of C&F Mortgage’s business is dependent upon a single customer and the loss of any single customer would not have a materially adverse effect upon C&F Mortgage’s business. C&F Mortgage, like all residential mortgage lenders, would be impacted by the inability of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the FHA or the VA to purchase loans. Although C&F Mortgage sells loans to various intermediaries, the ability of these aggregators to purchase loans would be limited if these government-sponsored entities cease to exist or materially limit their purchases of mortgage loans.
 
Consumer Finance
 
The non-prime automobile finance business is highly competitive. The automobile finance market is highly fragmented and is served by a variety of financial entities, including the captive finance affiliates of major automotive manufacturers, banks, savings associations, credit unions and independent finance companies. Many of these competitors have substantially greater financial resources and lower costs of funds than our finance subsidiary. In addition, competitors often provide financing on terms that are more favorable to automobile purchasers or dealers than the terms C&F Finance offers. Many of these competitors also have long-standing relationships with automobile dealerships and may offer dealerships or their customers other forms of financing, including dealer floor plan financing and leasing, which we do not.
 
During 2008 and 2009, there was a significant contraction in the number of institutions providing automobile financing for the non-prime market. This contraction accompanied the economic downturn and the tightening of credit, which contributed to increasing defaults, a decline in collateral values and higher charge-offs.  As these issues have abated, institutions with access to capital have begun to re-enter the market, resulting in intensified competition for loans and qualified personnel. To continue to operate profitably, lenders must have a high level of operational and risk management skills and access to competitive costs of funds.
 
Providers of automobile financing traditionally have competed on the basis of interest rates charged, the quality of credit accepted, the flexibility of loan terms offered and the quality of service provided to dealers and customers. To establish C&F Finance as one of the principal financing sources at the dealers it serves, we compete predominately through a high level of dealer service, strong dealer relationships, by offering flexible loan terms and by quickly funding loans purchased from dealers.
 
No material part of C&F Finance’s business is dependent upon any single dealer relationship, and the loss of any single dealer relationship would not have a materially adverse effect upon C&F Finance’s business.
 
Regulation and Supervision
 
General
 
Bank holding companies and banks are extensively regulated under both federal and state law. The following summary briefly describes the more significant provisions of currently applicable federal and state laws and certain regulations and the potential impact of such provisions on the Corporation and the Bank. This summary is not complete, and we refer you to the particular statutory or regulatory provisions or proposals for more information. Because federal regulation of financial institutions changes regularly and is the subject of constant legislative debate, we cannot forecast how federal regulation of financial institutions may change in the future and affect the Corporation’s and the Bank’s operations.
 
Regulation of the Corporation
 
The Corporation must file annual, quarterly and other periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). The Corporation is directly affected by the corporate responsibility and accounting reform legislation signed into law on July 30, 2002, known as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the SOX Act), and the related rules and regulations. The SOX Act includes provisions that, among other things: (1) require that periodic reports containing financial statements that are filed with the SEC be accompanied by chief executive officer and chief financial officer certifications as to their accuracy and compliance with the law; (2) prohibit public companies, with certain limited exceptions, from making personal loans to their directors or executive officers; (3) require chief executive officers and chief financial officers to forfeit bonuses and profits if company financial statements are restated due to misconduct; (4) require audit committees to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by an issuer’s outside auditors, except for de minimis non-audit services; (5) protect employees of public companies who assist in investigations relating to violations of the federal securities laws from job discrimination; (6) require companies to disclose in plain English on a “rapid and current basis” material changes in their financial condition or operations, as well as certain other specified information; (7) require a public company’s Section 16 insiders to make Form 4 filings with the SEC within two business days following the day on which purchases or sales of the company’s equity securities were made; and (8) increased penalties for existing crimes and created new criminal offenses. While the Corporation has incurred additional expenses in complying with the requirements of the SOX Act and related regulations adopted by the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, we anticipate that those expenses will not have a material effect on the Corporation’s results of operations or financial condition.
 
 
When enacted in 2002, Section 404(a) of the SOX Act required public companies to include in their annual reports on Form 10-K an assessment from management of the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting, and Section 404(b) of the SOX Act required the company’s auditor to attest to and report on management’s assessment.  From 2002 through 2012, the SEC had delayed implementation of Section 404(b) of the SOX Act for public companies with a public float below $75 million (i.e. companies that are smaller reporting companies or non-accelerated filers).  The Dodd-Frank Act permanently exempted smaller reporting companies and non-accelerated filers from Section 404(b) of the SOX Act, and the SEC made conforming amendments to certain of its rules and forms in September 2010.  The Corporation has voluntarily provided an attestation by the Corporation’s auditor on management’s assessment of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
The Corporation is also subject to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Federal Reserve Board). The Federal Reserve Board has the power to order any bank holding company or its subsidiaries to terminate any activity or to terminate its ownership or control of any subsidiary when the Federal Reserve Board has reasonable grounds to believe that continuation of such activity or ownership constitutes a serious risk to the financial soundness, safety or stability of any bank subsidiary of the bank holding company.
 
The Federal Reserve Board has jurisdiction to approve any bank or non-bank acquisition, merger or consolidation proposed by a bank holding company. The Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (the BHCA) generally limits the activities of a bank holding company and its subsidiaries to that of banking, managing or controlling banks, or any other activity that is closely related to banking or to managing or controlling banks.  Since September 1995, the BHCA has permitted bank holding companies from any state to acquire banks and bank holding companies located in any other state, subject to certain conditions, including nationwide and state imposed concentration limits. The Dodd-Frank Act amended provisions of the BHCA (and corresponding provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act) to require that a bank holding company be well capitalized and well managed before the Federal Reserve will approve an interstate bank acquisition or merger.  Also as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act, banks also are able to branch across state lines, provided that the law of the state in which the branch is to be located would permit establishment of the branch if the bank were a state bank chartered by such state.
 
Federal law and regulatory policy impose a number of obligations and restrictions on bank holding companies and their depository institution subsidiaries to reduce potential loss exposure to the depositors and to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the FDIC) insurance funds. For example, a bank holding company must commit resources to support its subsidiary depository institutions. In addition, insured depository institutions under common control must reimburse the FDIC for any loss suffered or reasonably anticipated by the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) as a result of the default of a commonly controlled insured depository institution. The FDIC may decline to enforce the provisions if it determines that a waiver is in the best interest of the DIF. An FDIC claim for damage is superior to claims of stockholders of an insured depository institution or its holding company but is subordinate to claims of depositors, secured creditors and holders of subordinated debt, other than affiliates, of the commonly controlled insured depository institution.
 
The Federal Deposit Insurance Act (the FDIA) provides that amounts received from the liquidation or other resolution of any insured depository institution must be distributed, after payment of secured claims, to pay the deposit liabilities of the institution before payment of any other general creditor or stockholder. This provision would give depositors a preference over general and subordinated creditors and stockholders if a receiver is appointed to distribute the assets of the Bank.
 
The Corporation also is subject to regulation and supervision by the State Corporation Commission of Virginia.
 
Capital Requirements
 
The Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC have issued substantially similar risk-based and leverage capital guidelines applicable to banking organizations they supervise. Under the risk-based capital requirements of these federal bank regulatory agencies, the Corporation and the Bank are required to maintain a minimum ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.0 percent and a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 4.0 percent. At least half of the total capital must be Tier 1 capital, which includes common equity, retained earnings and qualifying perpetual preferred stock, less certain intangibles and other adjustments. The remainder may consist of Tier 2 capital, such as a limited amount of subordinated and other qualifying debt (including certain hybrid capital instruments), other qualifying preferred stock and a limited amount of the general loan loss allowance.
 
 
As long as the Corporation has total consolidated assets of less than $15 billion, the Corporation may include in Tier 1 and total capital the Corporation’s trust preferred securities that were issued before May 19, 2010. At December 31, 2011, the total capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of the Corporation was 16.4 percent and the ratio of the Bank was 16.2 percent. At December 31, 2011, the Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ratio was 15.1 percent for the Corporation and 14.9 percent for the Bank. In addition, each of the federal regulatory agencies has established leverage capital ratio guidelines for banking organizations. These guidelines provide for a minimum Tier l leverage ratio of 4.0 percent for banks and bank holding companies. At December 31, 2011, the Tier l leverage ratio was 11.5 percent for the Corporation and 11.3 percent for the Bank. The guidelines also provide that banking organizations experiencing internal growth or making acquisitions must maintain capital positions substantially above the minimum supervisory levels, without significant reliance on intangible assets.
 
On January 9, 2009, as part of the Capital Purchase Program (Capital Purchase Program or CPP) established by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (the EESA), as discussed below, the Corporation issued and sold to Treasury for an aggregate purchase price of $20.0 million in cash (1) 20,000 shares of the Corporation’s fixed rate cumulative perpetual preferred stock, Series A, par value $1.00 per share, having a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (Series A Preferred Stock) and (2) a ten-year warrant to purchase up to 167,504 shares of the Corporation’s common stock, par value $1.00 per share (Common Stock), at an initial exercise price of $17.91 per share (Warrant). On July 27, 2011, the Corporation redeemed $10.00 million, or 50 percent, of the $20.00 million of Series A Preferred Stock. The Series A Preferred Stock has been treated as Tier 1 capital for regulatory capital adequacy determination purposes.
 
In December 2010, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (the Basel Committee) released its final framework for strengthening international capital and liquidity regulation, now officially identified by the Basel Committee as “Basel III.”  Basel III, when implemented by the U.S. banking agencies and fully phased-in, will require bank holding companies and their bank subsidiaries to maintain substantially more capital, with a greater emphasis on common equity.  Implementation is presently scheduled to be phased in between 2014 and 2019, although it is possible that implementation may be delayed as a result of multiple factors including the current condition of the banking industry within the U.S. and abroad.
 
The Basel III final capital framework, among other things, (i) introduces as a new capital measure “Common Equity Tier 1” (CET1), (ii) specifies that Tier 1 capital consists of CET1 and “Additional Tier 1 capital” instruments meeting specified requirements, (iii) defines CET1 narrowly by requiring that most adjustments to regulatory capital measures be made to CET1 and not to the other components of capital and (iv) expands the scope of the adjustments as compared to existing regulations.
 
When fully phased in on January 1, 2019, Basel III requires banks to maintain (i) as a newly adopted international standard, a minimum ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 4.5%, plus a 2.5% “capital conservation buffer” (which is added to the 4.5% CET1 ratio as that buffer is phased in, effectively resulting in a minimum ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 7%), (ii) a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 6.0%, plus the capital conservation buffer (which is added to the 6.0% Tier 1 capital ratio as that buffer is phased in, effectively resulting in a minimum Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.5% upon full implementation), (iii) a minimum ratio of Total (that is, Tier 1 plus Tier 2) capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.0%, plus the capital conservation buffer (which is added to the 8.0% total capital ratio as that buffer is phased in, effectively resulting in a minimum total capital ratio of 10.5% upon full implementation) and (iv) as a newly adopted international standard, a minimum leverage ratio of 3%, calculated as the ratio of Tier 1 capital to balance sheet exposures plus certain off-balance sheet exposures (computed as the average for each quarter of the month-end ratios for the quarter).
 
Basel III also provides for a “countercyclical capital buffer,”" generally to be imposed when national regulators determine that excess aggregate credit growth becomes associated with a buildup of systemic risk, that would be a CET1 add-on to the capital conservation buffer in the range of 0% to 2.5% when fully implemented (potentially resulting in total buffers of between 2.5% and 5%).
 
The aforementioned capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Banking institutions with a ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but below the conservation buffer (or below the combined capital conservation buffer and countercyclical capital buffer, when the latter is applied) will face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases and compensation based on the amount of the shortfall.
 
The implementation of the Basel III final framework will commence January 1, 2013. On that date, banking institutions will be required to meet the following minimum capital ratios:
 
 
·
3.5% CET1 to risk-weighted assets.

 
·
4.5% Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets.

 
·
8.0% Total capital to risk-weighted assets.
 
The Basel III final framework provides for a number of new deductions from and adjustments to CET1. These include, for example, the requirement that mortgage servicing rights, deferred tax assets dependent upon future taxable income and significant investments in non-consolidated financial entities be deducted from CET1 to the extent that any one such category exceeds 10% of CET1 or all such categories in the aggregate exceed 15% of CET1.
 
 
Implementation of the deductions and other adjustments to CET1 will begin on January 1, 2014 and will be phased-in over a five-year period (20% per year). The implementation of the capital conservation buffer will begin on January 1, 2016 at 0.625% and be phased in over a four-year period (increasing by that amount on each subsequent January 1, until it reaches 2.5% on January 1, 2019).
 
The U.S. banking agencies have indicated informally that they expect to propose regulations implementing Basel III in mid-2012. In addition to Basel III, the Dodd-Frank Act requires or permits the federal banking agencies to adopt regulations affecting banking institutions' capital requirements in a number of respects, including potentially more stringent capital requirements for systemically important financial institutions. Accordingly, the regulations ultimately applicable to the Corporation may be substantially different from the Basel III final framework as published in December 2010. Requirements to maintain higher levels of capital or to maintain higher levels of liquid assets could adversely impact the Corporation's net income and return on equity.
 
Limits on Dividends
 
The Corporation is a legal entity, separate and distinct from the Bank. A significant portion of the revenues of the Corporation result from dividends paid to it by the Bank. Both the Corporation and the Bank are subject to laws and regulations that limit the payment of dividends, including requirements to maintain capital at or above regulatory minimums. Banking regulators have indicated that Virginia banking organizations should generally pay dividends only (1) from net undivided profits of the bank, after providing for all expenses, losses, interest and taxes accrued or due by the bank and (2) if the prospective rate of earnings retention appears consistent with the organization’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. In addition, the FDIA prohibits insured depository institutions such as the Bank from making capital distributions, including the payment of dividends, if, after making such distribution, the institution would become undercapitalized as defined in the statute.
 
We do not expect that any of these laws, regulations or policies will materially affect the ability of the Corporation or the Bank to pay dividends. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Bank declared $14.1 million in dividends payable to the Corporation, which were used to fund a portion of the Corporation’s debt service, dividends payable to common and preferred shareholders and the redemption of $10.0 million of Series A Preferred Stock.
 
Payment of dividends is at the discretion of the Corporation’s board of directors and is subject to various federal and state regulatory limitations. The purchase agreement pursuant to which the Series A Preferred Stock and the Warrant were sold includes a limitation that prohibited, prior to January 9, 2012, the payment of cash dividends in excess of the Corporation’s quarterly cash dividend at the time of issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock of $0.31 per share without the Treasury’s consent.
 
The Dodd-Frank Act
 
The Dodd-Frank Act implements far-reaching changes across the financial regulatory landscape, including changes that will affect all bank holding companies and banks, including the Corporation and the Bank.  Such provisions affecting the business of the Corporation and the Bank include the following:
 
 
·
Insurance of Deposit Accounts. The Dodd-Frank Act changed the assessment base for federal deposit insurance from the amount of insured deposits to consolidated assets less tangible capital, eliminated the ceiling on the size of the DIF and increased the floor applicable to the size of the DIF. The Dodd-Frank Act also made permanent the $250,000 limit for federal deposit insurance and increased the cash limit of Securities Investor Protection Corporation protection from $100,000 to $250,000 and provided unlimited federal deposit insurance until December 31, 2012 for non-interest bearing demand transaction accounts at all insured depository institutions.
 
·
Payment of Interest on Demand Deposits. The Dodd-Frank Act repealed the federal prohibitions on the payment of interest on demand deposits, thereby permitting depository institutions to pay interest on business transaction and other accounts.
 
·
Creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The Dodd-Frank Act centralized significant aspects of consumer financial protection by creating a new agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the CFPB), responsible for implementing, examining and enforcing compliance with federal consumer financial laws for institutions with more than $10 billion of assets and, to a lesser extent, smaller institutions. As a smaller institution, most consumer protection aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act will continue to be applied to the Corporation by the Federal Reserve and to the Bank by the FDIC.
 
·
Debit Card Interchange Fees. The Dodd-Frank Act amended the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) to, among other things, require that debit card interchange fees must be reasonable and proportional to the actual cost incurred by the issuer with respect to the transaction. In June 2011, the Federal Reserve Board adopted regulations setting the maximum permissible interchange fee as the sum of 21 cents per transaction and 5 basis points multiplied by the value of the transaction, with an additional adjustment of up to one cent per transaction if the issuer implements additional fraud-prevention standards. Although issuers that have assets of less than $10 billion are exempt from the Federal Reserve Board’s regulations that set maximum interchange fees, these regulations are expected to significantly affect the interchange fees that financial institutions with less than $10 billion in assets are able to collect.
 
In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act implements other far-reaching changes to the financial regulatory landscape, including provisions that:
 
 
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Restrict the preemption of state law by federal law and disallow subsidiaries and affiliates of national banks from availing themselves of such preemption.
 
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Apply the same leverage and risk-based capital requirements that apply to insured depository institutions to most bank holding companies.
 
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Require bank holding companies and banks to be both well capitalized and well managed in order to acquire banks located outside their home state.
 
·
Impose comprehensive regulation of the over-the-counter derivatives market, which would include certain provisions that would effectively prohibit insured depository institutions from conducting certain derivatives businesses in the institution itself.
 
·
Require large, publicly traded bank holding companies to create a risk committee responsible for the oversight of enterprise risk management.
 
·
Require loan originators to retain 5 percent of any loan sold or securitized, unless it is a “qualified residential mortgage”, which must still be defined by the regulators. FHA, VA and Rural Housing Service loans are specifically exempted from the risk retention requirements.
 
·
Implement corporate governance revisions, including with regard to executive compensation and proxy access by shareholders that apply to all public companies not just financial institutions.
 
Many aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act remain subject to rulemaking and will take effect over several years, making it difficult to anticipate the overall financial impact on the Corporation, its subsidiaries, its customers or the financial industry more generally. Provisions in the legislation that revoke the Tier 1 capital treatment of trust preferred securities and otherwise require revisions to the capital requirements of the Corporation and the Bank could require the Corporation and the Bank to seek other sources of capital in the future. Some of the rules that have been proposed and, in some cases, adopted to comply with the Dodd-Frank Act's mandates are discussed further below.
 
Economic Emergency Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) and the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)
 
In October 2008, the EESA was signed into law, which provided immediate authority and facilities that the Treasury could use to restore liquidity and stability to the financial system. Specifically, Section 101 of EESA established the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) to purchase, and to make and fund commitments to purchase, troubled assets from any financial institution, on such terms and conditions as are determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, and in accordance with EESA and the policies and procedures developed and published by the Secretary of the Treasury. Section 111 of EESA provides that entities that receive financial assistance from Treasury under TARP will be subject to specified executive compensation and corporate governance standards to be established by the Secretary of the Treasury. The statutory language in EESA includes three limitations on executive compensation for TARP recipients involved in a direct purchase. As described in more detail above, on January 9, 2009, through the CPP portion of TARP the Corporation sold and issued to Treasury shares of the Corporation’s Series A Preferred Stock and a Warrant to acquire shares of the Corporation’s common stock.
 
On February 17, 2009, the President signed the ARRA into law. ARRA contains a number of restrictions on executive and highly-paid employee compensation for those institutions that have received, or will receive, government assistance under TARP that are considerably more restrictive and far-reaching than the limited restrictions included in EESA.
 
On June 10, 2009, the Treasury released regulations in an Interim Final Rule (IFR) that sets standards for complying with the executive compensation and corporate governance provisions for TARP recipients contained in EESA, as amended by ARRA. The standards for compensation and corporate governance established in the IFR: (1) prohibit the payment or accrual of bonus, retention award and incentive compensation (with the exception of limited amounts of restricted stock) for specified individuals, depending upon the level of government assistance received by the institution; (2) prohibit making any golden parachute payments to a senior executive officer (SEO) or any of the next five most highly compensated employees (MHCE); (3) prohibit tax gross-ups to SEOs and any of the next 20 MHCEs; (4) provide for the recovery of any bonus, incentive compensation, or retention award paid to a SEO or the next 20 MHCEs based on materially inaccurate statements of earnings, revenues, gains, or other criteria (clawback); (5) require the establishment of a compensation committee of independent directors to meet semi-annually to review employee compensation plans and the risks posed by these plans to the institution; (6) limit compensation to exclude incentives for SEOs to take unnecessary and excessive risk that threaten the value of the institution and eliminate features of employee compensation plans that pose unnecessary risks to the institution; (7) prohibit employee compensation plans that would encourage manipulation of earnings to enhance an employee’s compensation; (8) require the adoption of an excessive or luxury expenditures policy; (9) require compliance with federal securities laws and regulations regarding non-binding resolution on SEO compensation to shareholders; (10) require disclosure of perquisites offered to SEOs and certain highly compensated employees; and (11) require disclosures related to compensation consultant engagements.
 
 
The corporate governance and executive compensation standards and restrictions of the EESA and the ARRA, as supplemented by the IFR and other interpretive guidance provided by Treasury, will apply to the Corporation as long as Treasury holds shares of the Corporation’s Series A Preferred Stock.
 
Incentive Compensation
 
In June 2010, the Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the FDIC issued a comprehensive final guidance on incentive compensation intended to ensure that the incentive compensation policies of banking organizations do not undermine the safety and soundness of such organizations by encouraging excessive risk-taking. The guidance, which covers all employees that have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of an organization, either individually or as part of a group, is based upon the key principles that a banking organization's incentive compensation arrangements should (i) provide incentives that do not encourage risk-taking beyond the organization's ability to effectively identify and manage risks, (ii) be compatible with effective internal controls and risk management, and (iii) be supported by strong corporate governance, including active and effective oversight by the organization's board of directors.
 
The Federal Reserve will review, as part of the regular, risk-focused examination process, the incentive compensation arrangements of banking organizations, such as the Corporation, that are not "large, complex banking organizations." These reviews will be tailored to each organization based on the scope and complexity of the organization's activities and the prevalence of incentive compensation arrangements. The findings of the supervisory initiatives will be included in reports of examination. Deficiencies will be incorporated into the organization's supervisory ratings, which can affect the organization's ability to make acquisitions and take other actions. Enforcement actions may be taken against a banking organization if its incentive compensation arrangements, or related risk-management control or governance processes, pose a risk to the organization's safety and soundness and the organization is not taking prompt and effective measures to correct the deficiencies.
 
The Dodd-Frank Act requires the SEC and the federal bank regulatory agencies to establish joint regulations or guidelines that require financial institutions with assets of at least $1 billion to disclose the structure of their incentive compensation practices and prohibit such institutions from maintaining compensation arrangements that encourage inappropriate risk-taking by providing excessive compensation or that could lead to material financial loss to the financial institution.  The SEC and the federal bank regulatory agencies proposed such regulations in March 2011, which may become effective before the end of 2012.  If the regulations are adopted in the form initially proposed, they will impose limitations on the manner in which the Corporation may structure compensation for its executives only if the Corporation’s total consolidated assets exceed $1 billion.  These proposed regulations incorporate the three principles discussed in the June 2010 comprehensive final guidance on incentive compensation that was issued by the Federal Reserve, the OCC and the FDIC in June 2010.
 
Restrictions on Proprietary Trading
 
The Dodd-Frank Act requires the federal financial regulatory agencies to adopt rules that prohibit banks and their affiliates from engaging in proprietary trading and investing in and sponsoring certain unregistered investment companies (defined as hedge funds and private equity funds), with implementation starting as early as July 2012.  This provision of the Dodd-Frank Act is commonly called the “Volcker Rule.”  In October 2011, federal financial regulators proposed rules to implement the Volcker Rule that included an extensive request for comments on the proposed rules.  The proposed rules are highly complex and many aspects of their application remain uncertain.  Based on the proposed rules, the Corporation does not currently anticipate that the Volcker Rule will have a material effect on the operations of the Corporation or the Bank, as the Corporation and the Bank do not engage in the businesses prohibited by the Volcker Rule.  Until final rules are adopted, the precise financial effect of these rules on the Corporation and the financial industry cannot be determined.
 
Insurance of Accounts, Assessments and Regulation by the FDIC
 
The Bank’s deposits are insured up to applicable limits by the DIF of the FDIC. In July 2010, the Dodd-Frank Act permanently raised the basic limit on federal deposit insurance coverage to $250,000 per depositor, but did not change FDIC deposit insurance coverage for retirement accounts, which remains $250,000 per depositor. In November 2010, the FDIC issued a final rule to implement provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act that provide for temporary unlimited deposit insurance coverage for noninterest-bearing transaction accounts. For purposes of this extension, the definition of noninterest-bearing transaction accounts includes traditional checking accounts or demand deposit accounts on which no interest is paid and Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts (IOLTAs), and excludes negotiable order of withdrawal consumer check accounts (NOW accounts) and money market deposit accounts.  The extended program is not optional and will no longer be funded by separate premiums.  This temporary unlimited deposit insurance coverage became effective on December 31, 2010 and terminates on December 31, 2012.
 
 
Under the FDIA, the FDIC may terminate deposit insurance upon a finding that the institution has engaged in unsafe and unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC, subject to administrative and potential judicial hearing and review processes.
 
Deposit Insurance Assessments.   In February 2011, the FDIC approved a final rule that changed the assessment base from domestic deposits to average consolidated total assets minus average tangible equity (defined as Tier 1 capital); adopted a new large-bank pricing assessment scheme; and set a target “designated reserve ratio” (described in more detail below) of 2 percent for the DIF.  The changes went into effect beginning with the second quarter of 2011, which was payable at the end of September 2011.  The rule also implements a lower assessment rate schedule when the fund reaches 1.15 percent and, in lieu of dividends, provides for a lower rate schedule, when the reserve ratio reaches 2 percent and 2.5 percent.
 
Under the FDIC’s deposit insurance assessment system, insured institutions are assigned to one of four risk categories, based on supervisory evaluations, regulatory capital levels and certain other factors. As applied to small institutions, Risk Category I, which contains the least risky depository institutions, contains further risk differentiation based on the FDIC’s analysis of financial ratios, examination component ratings (CAMELS components) and other information. An institution’s assessment rate depends upon the category to which it is assigned. Assessment rates are determined by the FDIC and, beginning April 1, 2011, initial base assessment rates ranges from 2.5 to 45 basis points. The FDIC may make the following further adjustments to an institution’s initial base assessment rates: decreases for long-term unsecured debt including most senior unsecured debt and subordinated debt; increases for holding long-term unsecured debt or subordinated debt issued by other insured depository institutions; and increases for broker deposits in excess of 10 percent of domestic deposits for institutions not well rated and well capitalized.
 
The Dodd-Frank Act transferred to the FDIC increased discretion with regard to managing the required amount of reserves for the DIF, or the “designated reserve ratio.” Among other changes, the Dodd-Frank Act (i) raised the minimum designated reserve ratio to 1.35 percent and removed the upper limit on the designated reserve ratio, (ii) requires that the designated reserve ratio reach 1.35 percent by September 2020, and (iii) requires the FDIC to offset the effect on institutions with total consolidated assets of less than $10 billion of raising the designated reserve ratio from 1.15 percent to 1.35 percent. The FDIA requires that the FDIC consider the appropriate level for the designated reserve ratio on at least an annual basis.
 
On October 2010, the FDIC adopted a new DIF restoration plan to ensure that the fund reserve ratio reaches 1.35 percent by September 30, 2020, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act. The restoration plan requires the FDIC to update its loss and income projections for the DIF at least semiannually, and if needed the FDIC may increase or decrease assessment rates following a notice-and-comment rulemaking.
 
Special Deposit Insurance Assessment and Prepayment of Assessments.   In May 2009, the FDIC adopted a final rule imposing a five basis point special assessment on each insured depository institution’s assets minus Tier 1 capital as of June 30, 2009. The assessment was part of the FDIC’s efforts to rebuild the DIF and help maintain public confidence in the banking system. The Corporation was assessed $391,000, all of which was expensed in 2009. In November 2009, the FDIC adopted a final rule requiring insured depository institutions to prepay their estimated quarterly risk-based assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009, and for all of 2010, 2011 and 2012, on December 31, 2009, along with each institution’s risk-based deposit insurance assessment for the third quarter of 2009. The prepayment was based on an institution’s assessment rate and assessment base for the third quarter of 2009, assuming a five percent annual growth in deposits each year. On December 30, 2009, the Corporation prepaid $3.2 million of FDIC assessments.
 
Regulation of the Bank and Other Subsidiaries
 
The Bank is subject to supervision, regulation and examination by the Virginia State Corporation Commission Bureau of Financial Institutions (VBFI) and the FDIC. The various laws and regulations administered by the regulatory agencies affect corporate practices, such as the payment of dividends, the incurrence of debt and the acquisition of financial institutions and other companies, and affect business practices, such as the payment of interest on deposits, the charging of interest on loans, the types of business conducted and the location of offices.
 
FDIA and Associated Regulations. Section 36 of the FDIA and associated regulations require management of every insured depository institution with total assets between $500 million and $1 billion at the beginning of a fiscal year to obtain an annual audit of its financial statements by an independent public accountant, report to the banking agencies on the institution’s compliance with designated laws and regulations and establish an audit committee comprised of outside directors, at least a majority of whom must be independent of management. The Bank is subject to the annual audit, reporting and audit committee requirements of Section 36 of the FDIA.
 
Community Reinvestment Act. The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) imposes on financial institutions an affirmative and ongoing obligation to meet the credit needs of their local communities, including low and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with the safe and sound operation of those institutions. A financial institution’s efforts in meeting community credit needs are assessed based on specified factors. These factors also are considered in evaluating mergers, acquisitions and applications to open a branch or facility. In 2010, the FDIC issued C&F Bank’s 2009 Community Reinvestment Act Performance Evaluation (the 2009 CRA Evaluation). C&F Bank received “Satisfactory” ratings on the Investment Test component and the Service Test component evaluated as part of the 2009 CRA Evaluation.  Based on issues identified at one of C&F Bank’s subsidiaries, C&F Mortgage, C&F Bank  received a “Needs to Improve” rating on the Lending Test component, and as a result, a “Needs to Improve” rating on its overall rating in January 2011. In its evaluation, the FDIC concluded that C&F Mortgage violated the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (the ECOA), Federal Reserve Regulation B, and the Fair Housing Act in connection with certain of its lending practices.   While C&F Bank’s board of directors and management strongly disagree with the FDIC’s conclusion, C&F Mortgage has strengthened and continues to strengthen its policies, procedures and monitoring of its lending practices to address the issues raised by the FDIC. As required by statute, the FDIC referred its conclusions regarding the alleged violations to the Department of Justice (DOJ) in 2011. As a result of the referral, the DOJ conducted an investigation and alleged a violation of the ECOA and the Fair Housing Act in connection with certain lending practices of C&F Mortgage during 2007. In September 2011, C&F Mortgage entered into a settlement with the DOJ and agreed to (i) implement certain policies, procedures and monitoring of its lending practices and (ii) provide a $140,000 settlement fund for borrowers who may have been affected. The DOJ investigation and settlement resulted in no factual findings or adjudications with respect to any matter of the alleged violation. The results of the DOJ investigation and the settlement did not have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s results of operations or financial condition. Upon the conclusion of the FDIC’s CRA examination in January 2012, the FDIC upgraded C&F Bank’s CRA Lending Test rating and the overall CRA rating to “Satisfactory.” As a result of the improvement in C&F Bank’s CRA rating in January 2012, limitations on certain business activities that had been imposed by statute while C&F Bank had a “Needs to Improve” CRA rating have been removed.
 
 
Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta. The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Atlanta, which is one of 12 regional FHLBs that provide funding to their members for making housing loans as well as for affordable housing and community development loans. Each FHLB serves as a reserve, or central bank, for the members within its assigned region. Each is funded primarily from proceeds derived from the sale of consolidated obligations of the FHLB System. Each FHLB makes loans to members in accordance with policies and procedures established by the Board of Directors of the FHLB. As a member, the Bank must purchase and maintain stock in the FHLB. In 2004, the FHLB converted to its new capital structure, which established the minimum capital stock requirement for member banks as an amount equal to the sum of a membership requirement and an activity-based requirement. In 2009, the FHLB imposed a temporary suspension of repurchases of excess capital, which has since been removed. At December 31, 2011, the Bank owned $3.8 million of FHLB stock.
 
USA Patriot Act. The USA Patriot Act, which became effective on October 26, 2001, amends the Bank Secrecy Act and is intended to facilitate information sharing among governmental entities and financial institutions for the purpose of combating terrorism and money laundering. Among other provisions, the USA Patriot Act permits financial institutions, upon providing notice to the Treasury, to share information with one another in order to better identify and report to the federal government activities that may involve money laundering or terrorists’ activities. The USA Patriot Act is considered a significant banking law in terms of information disclosure regarding certain customer transactions. Certain provisions of the USA Patriot Act impose the obligation to establish anti-money laundering programs, including the development of a customer identification program, and the screening of all customers against any government lists of known or suspected terrorists. Although it does create a reporting obligation and there is a cost of compliance, the USA Patriot Act does not materially affect the Bank’s products, services or other business activities.
 
Reporting Terrorist Activities. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has sent, and will send, banking regulatory agencies lists of the names of persons suspected of involvement in terrorist activities. The Bank has been requested, and will be requested, to search its records for any relationships or transactions with persons on those lists. If the Bank finds any relationships or transactions, it must file a suspicious activity report with the Treasury and contact the FBI.
 
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which is a division of the Treasury, is responsible for helping to insure that United States entities do not engage in transactions with “enemies” of the United States, as defined by various Executive Orders and Acts of Congress. OFAC sends banking regulatory agencies lists of names of persons and organizations suspected of aiding, harboring or engaging in terrorist acts, and publicly releases information on designations of persons and organizations suspected of engaging in these activities. If the Bank finds a name on any transaction, account or wire transfer that is on an OFAC list, it must freeze such account, file a suspicious activity report with the Treasury and notify the FBI. The Bank has appointed an OFAC compliance officer to oversee the inspection of its accounts and the filing of any notifications. The Bank actively checks high-risk areas such as new accounts, wire transfers and customer files. The Bank performs these checks utilizing software that is updated each time a modification is made to the lists of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons provided by OFAC and other agencies.
 
Mortgage Banking Regulation. In addition to certain of the Bank’s regulations, the Corporation’s Mortgage Banking segment is subject to the rules and regulations of, and examination by, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the FHA, the VA and state regulatory authorities with respect to originating, processing and selling mortgage loans. Those rules and regulations, among other things, establish standards for loan origination, prohibit discrimination, provide for inspections and appraisals of property, require credit reports on prospective borrowers and, in some cases, restrict certain loan features and fix maximum interest rates and fees. In addition to other federal laws, mortgage origination activities are subject to the ECOA, Truth-in-Lending Act, Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, and Home Ownership Equity Protection Act, and the regulations promulgated under these acts. These laws prohibit discrimination, require the disclosure of certain basic information to mortgagors concerning credit and settlement costs, limit payment for settlement services to the reasonable value of the services rendered and require the maintenance and disclosure of information regarding the disposition of mortgage applications based on race, gender, geographical distribution and income level. As noted above under “Community Reinvestment Act”, the FDIC concluded that C&F Mortgage violated the ECOA with certain of its lending practices in 2007. C&F Mortgage is and will continue to be committed to fair lending and, in part as a result of the settlement C&F Mortgage reached with the DOJ, has strengthened its policies, procedures and monitoring of its lending practices to address the issues raised by the FDIC and the DOJ.
 
 
Interagency Appraisal and Evaluation Guidelines.   In December 2010, the Federal Reserve Board, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the FDIC, jointly with other federal regulatory agencies, issued the Interagency Appraisal and Evaluation Guidelines. This guidance, which updates guidance originally issued in 1994, sets forth the minimum regulatory standards for appraisals. The guidance incorporates previous regulatory issuances affecting appraisals, addresses advances in information technology used in collateral evaluation, and clarifies standards for use of analytical methods and technological tools in developing evaluations. The guidance also requires institutions to use strong internal controls to ensure reliable appraisals and evaluations and to monitor and periodically update valuations of collateral for existing real estate loans and transactions.
 
Consumer Financing Regulation . The Corporation’s Consumer Finance segment also is regulated by the VBFI and the states and jurisdictions in which it operates. The VBFI regulates and enforces laws relating to consumer lenders and sales finance agencies such as C&F Finance. Such rules and regulations generally provide for licensing of sales finance agencies; limitations on amounts, duration and charges, including interest rates, for various categories of loans; requirements as to the form and content of finance contracts and other documentation; and restrictions on collection practices and creditors’ rights.
 
Consumer Protection. The Dodd-Frank Act created the CFPB, a federal regulatory agency that is responsible for implementing, examining and enforcing compliance with federal consumer financial laws for institutions with more than $10 billion of assets and, to a lesser extent, smaller institutions. The Dodd-Frank Act gives the CFPB authority to supervise and regulate providers of consumer financial products and services, and establishes the CFPB’s power to act against unfair, deceptive or abusive practices. The CFPB has stated that it will focus on (i) risks to consumers and compliance with federal consumer financial laws, (ii) the markets in which firms operate and risks to consumers posed by activities in those markets, (iii) depository institutions that offer a wide variety of consumer financial products and services, and depository institutions with a more specialized focus, and (iv) non-depository companies that offer one or more consumer financial products or services.
 
As a smaller institution (i.e., with assets of $10 billion or less), most consumer protection aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act will continue to be applied to the Corporation by the Federal Reserve and to the Bank by the FDIC. However, the CFPB may include its own examiners in regulatory examinations by a small institution’s prudential regulators and may require smaller institutions to comply with certain CFPB reporting requirements. In addition, regulatory positions taken by the CFPB and administrative and legal precedents established by CFPB enforcement activities could influence how the Federal Reserve and FDIC apply consumer protection laws and regulations to financial institutions that are not directly supervised by the CFPB. The precise effect of the CFPB’s consumer protection activities cannot be forecast.
 
Other Safety and Soundness Regulations
 
Prompt Correction Action. The federal banking agencies have broad powers under current federal law to take prompt corrective action to resolve problems of insured depository institutions. The extent of these powers depends upon whether the institution in question is “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” or “critically undercapitalized.” These terms are defined under uniform regulations issued by each of the federal banking agencies regulating these institutions. An insured depository institution which is less than adequately capitalized must adopt an acceptable capital restoration plan, is subject to increased regulatory oversight and is increasingly restricted in the scope of its permissible activities. As of December 31, 2011, the Bank was considered “well capitalized.”
 
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (GLBA) . The GLBA implemented major changes to the statutory framework for providing banking and other financial services in the United States. The GLBA, among other things, eliminated many of the restrictions on affiliations among banks and securities firms, insurance firms and other financial service providers. A bank holding company that qualifies and elects to be a financial holding company is permitted to engage in activities that are financial in nature or incident or complimentary to financial activities. The activities that the GLBA expressly lists as financial in nature include insurance underwriting, sales and brokerage activities, financial and investment advisory services, underwriting services and limited merchant banking activities.
 
To become eligible for these expanded activities, a bank holding company must qualify as a financial holding company. To qualify as a financial holding company, each insured depository institution controlled by the bank holding company must be well-capitalized, well-managed and have at least a satisfactory rating under the CRA. In addition, the bank holding company must file with the Federal Reserve Board a declaration of its intention to become a financial holding company.
 
 
The GLBA has not had a material adverse impact on the Corporation’s or the Bank’s operations. To the extent that it allows banks, securities firms and insurance firms to affiliate, the financial services industry may experience further consolidation. The GLBA may have the result of increasing competition that we face from larger institutions and other companies that offer financial products and services and that may have substantially greater financial resources than the Corporation or the Bank.
 
The GLBA and certain regulations issued by federal banking agencies also provide protections against the transfer and use by financial institutions of consumer nonpublic personal information. A financial institution must provide to its customers, at the beginning of the customer relationship and annually thereafter, the institution’s policies and procedures regarding the handling of customers’ nonpublic personal financial information. These privacy provisions generally prohibit a financial institution from providing a customer’s personal financial information to unaffiliated third parties unless the institution discloses to the customer that the information may be so provided and the customer is given the opportunity to opt out of such disclosure.
 
Future Regulation
 
From time to time, various legislative and regulatory initiatives are introduced in Congress and state legislatures, as well as by regulatory agencies. Such initiatives may include proposals to expand or contract the powers of bank holding companies and depository institutions or proposals to substantially change the financial institution regulatory system. Such legislation could change banking statutes and the operating environment of the Corporation in substantial and unpredictable ways. If enacted, such legislation could increase or decrease the cost of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities or affect the competitive balance among banks, savings associations, credit unions, and other financial institutions. The Corporation cannot predict whether any such legislation will be enacted, and, if enacted, the effect that it, or any implementing regulations, would have on the financial condition or results of operations of the Corporation. A change in statutes, regulations or regulatory policies applicable to the Corporation or C&F Bank, or any of its subsidiaries, could have a material effect on the business of the Corporation.
 
Available Information
 
The Corporation’s SEC filings are filed electronically and are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov . In addition, any document filed by the Corporation with the SEC can be read and copied at the SEC’s public reference facilities at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of documents can be obtained at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The Corporation’s SEC filings also are available through our web site at http://www.cffc.com under “About C&F/C&F Financial Corporation/SEC Filings” as of the day they are filed with the SEC. Copies of documents also can be obtained free of charge by writing to the Corporation’s secretary at P.O. Box 391, West Point, VA 23181 or by calling 804-843-2360.
 
ITEM 1A .
RISK FACTORS
 
A continuation or deterioration of the current economic environment could adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.
 
A continuation or deterioration of the current economic environment could adversely impact the Corporation’s performance, both directly by affecting our revenues and the value of our assets and liabilities, and indirectly by affecting our counterparties and the economy generally. Overall, during 2011 the economic environment has been adverse for many households and businesses in our markets, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States. Dramatic declines in the housing market that began during the recession have resulted in significant write-downs of asset values by financial institutions. The Corporation has recognized significantly higher loan loss provisions and write-downs and other expenses associated with foreclosed properties beginning in 2008 as the level of nonperforming assets increased throughout the period. The economic recovery has been less than robust and there can be no assurance that the measured economic recovery will continue. The continued high levels of unemployment coupled with the continued downward pressure in the housing market has and may continue to have an adverse impact on the Corporation’s results of operations.
 
Deterioration in the soundness of our counterparties or disruptions to credit markets could adversely affect us.
 
Our ability to engage in routine funding transactions could be adversely affected by the actions and commercial soundness of other financial institutions. Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty or other relationships, and we routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, and other institutional clients. As a result, defaults by, or even rumors or questions about, one or more financial services institutions, or the financial services industry generally, could create another market-wide liquidity crisis similar to that experienced in late 2008 and early 2009 and could lead to losses or defaults by us or by other institutions. In addition, over the last several years developments in the global or national economies or financial markets have caused temporary disruptions in the credit and liquidity markets, which at times has restricted the flow of capital to credit markets and financial institutions, and future disruptions could restrict our ability to engage in routine funding transactions and adversely affect our liquidity. There is no assurance that the failure of our counterparties would not materially adversely affect the Corporation’s results of operations.
 
 
Our home lending profitability could be significantly reduced if we are not able to originate and resell a high volume of mortgage loans.
 
One of the components of our strategic plan is to generate significant noninterest income from C&F Mortgage, which originates a variety of single-family residential loan products for sale to investors in the secondary market. The existence of an active secondary market is dependent upon the continuation of programs currently offered by government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs), such as the FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which account for a substantial portion of the secondary market in residential mortgage loans. Because the largest participants in the secondary market are GSEs whose activities are governed by federal law, any future changes in laws that significantly affect the activity of the GSEs could adversely affect our mortgage company’s operations. Further, in September 2008, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were placed into conservatorship by the U.S. government. Although to date, the conservatorship has not had a significant or adverse effect on our operations, it is unclear whether further changes or reforms would adversely affect our operations. Although we sell loans to various intermediaries, the ability of these aggregators to purchase loans would be limited if the GSEs cease to exist or materially limit their purchases of mortgage loans.
 
Compliance with laws, regulations and supervisory guidance, both new and existing, may adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
We are subject to numerous laws, regulations and supervision from both federal and state agencies. During the past few years, there has been an increase in legislation related to and regulation of the financial services industry. We expect this increased level of oversight to continue. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations could result in financial, structural and operational penalties, including receivership. In addition, establishing systems and processes to achieve compliance with these laws and regulations may increase our costs and/or limit our ability to pursue certain business opportunities.
 
Laws and regulations, and any interpretations and applications with respect thereto, generally are intended to benefit consumers, borrowers and depositors, not stockholders. The legislative and regulatory environment is beyond our control, may change rapidly and unpredictably and may negatively influence our revenues, costs, earnings, and capital levels. Our success depends on our ability to maintain compliance with both existing and new laws and regulations.
 
We are subject to interest rate risk and fluctuations in interest rates may negatively affect our financial performance.
 
Our profitability depends in substantial part on our net interest margin, which is the difference between the interest earned on loans, securities and other interest-earning assets, and interest paid on deposits and borrowings divided by total interest-earning assets. Changes in interest rates will affect our net interest margin in diverse ways, including the pricing of loans and deposits, the levels of prepayments and asset quality. We are unable to predict actual fluctuations of market interest rates because many factors influencing interest rates are beyond our control. We attempt to minimize our exposure to interest rate risk, but we are unable to eliminate it. We believe that our current interest rate exposure is manageable and does not indicate any significant exposure to interest rate changes. Since the interest rate cuts made by the Federal Reserve Bank in September 2007, our net interest margin has recovered gradually over the past three years because we have been able to reprice fixed-rate deposits at lower rates, as well as implement policies that established floors on variable rate loans. Although the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee has stated it will keep the federal funds target rate at 0%-0.25% until 2014, which could allow us to continue to reprice fixed-rate deposits at lower rates, sustained low interest rates could put further pressure on the yields generated by our loan portfolio and on our net interest margin. There is no guarantee we will continue to be able to reprice deposits at favorable rates as competition for deposits from both local and national financial institutions is intense, and continued pressure on our asset yields and net interest margin could adversely affect our results of operations.
 
In addition, a significant portion of C&F Finance’s funding is indexed to short-term interest rates and reprices as short-term interest rates change.  An upward movement in interest rates may result in an unfavorable pricing disparity between C&F Finance’s fixed rate loan portfolio and its adjustable-rate borrowings.
 
Weakness in the secondary residential mortgage loan markets will adversely affect income from our mortgage company.
 
One of the components of our strategic plan is to generate significant noninterest income from C&F Mortgage, which originates a variety of residential loan products for sale into the secondary market to investors. Significant disruptions in the secondary market for residential mortgage loans have limited the market for and liquidity of many mortgage loans. The correction in residential real estate market prices may not have reached bottom. We expect the ongoing effects of lower demand for home mortgage loans in recent years resulting from reduced demand in both the new and resale housing markets and housing market value declines, as well as fluctuations in mortgage rates, to keep pressure on loan origination volume at C&F Mortgage. At the same time as market conditions have been negatively impacting loan origination volume, efforts by the Federal Reserve Board to keep interest rates low and government initiatives, such as the homebuyer tax credits, which expired in the second quarter of 2010, and programs to assist borrowers to refinance residential mortgage loans (e.g., the Home Affordable Refinance Program, or HARP), have caused some increase in loan originations and refinancing activity. There is no guarantee that efforts by the Federal Reserve Board will have a positive impact on loan originations or that government loan modification programs will have a positive effect on mortgage refinancing transactions. These factors may cause our revenue from our mortgage company to be volatile from quarter to quarter.
 
 
In addition, credit markets have continued to experience difficult conditions and volatility. There have been significant increases in payment defaults by borrowers and mortgage loan foreclosures. These factors may result in potential repurchase or indemnification liability to C&F Mortgage on residential mortgage loans originated and sold into the secondary market in the event of claims by investors of borrower misrepresentation, fraud, early-payment default, or underwriting error, as investors attempt to minimize their losses. While we entered into an agreement with our largest purchaser of loans that resolved all known and unknown indemnification obligations related to loans sold to this investor through 2010, and while we mitigate the risk of repurchase liability by underwriting to the purchasers’ guidelines, we cannot be assured that a prolonged period of payment defaults and foreclosures will not result in an increase in requests for repurchases or indemnifications, or that established reserves will be adequate, which could adversely affect the Corporation’s net income.
 
Our business is subject to various lending and other economic risks that could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
 
Deterioration in economic conditions, such as the recent recession, continuing high unemployment, and rate of further declines in real estate values, could hurt our business. Our business is directly affected by general economic and market conditions; broad trends in industry and finance; legislative and regulatory changes; changes in governmental monetary and fiscal policies; and inflation, all of which are beyond our control. A deterioration in economic conditions, in particular a prolonged economic slowdown within our geographic region, could result in the following consequences, any of which could hurt our business materially: an increase in loan delinquencies; an increase in problem assets and foreclosures; a decline in demand for our products and services; and a deterioration in the value of collateral for loans made by our various business segments.
 
Our level of credit risk is increasing due to the concentration of our loan portfolio in commercial loans and in consumer finance loans.
 
At December 31, 2011, 33 percent of our loan portfolio consisted of commercial, financial and agricultural loans, which include loans secured by real estate for builder lines, acquisition and development and commercial development, as well as commercial loans secured by personal property. These loans generally carry larger loan balances and involve a greater degree of financial and credit risk than home equity and residential loans. The increased financial and credit risk associated with these types of loans is a result of several factors, including the concentration of principal in a limited number of loans and to borrowers in similar lines of business, the size of loan balances, the effects of general economic conditions on income-producing properties and the increased difficulty of evaluating and monitoring these types of loans.
 
At December 31, 2011, 38 percent of our loan portfolio consisted of consumer finance loans that provide automobile financing for customers in the non-prime market. During periods of economic slowdown or recession, delinquencies, defaults, repossessions and losses may increase in this portfolio. Significant increases in the inventory of used automobiles during periods of economic recession may also depress the prices at which we may sell repossessed automobiles or delay the timing of these sales. Because we focus on non-prime borrowers, the actual rates of delinquencies, defaults, repossessions and losses on these loans are higher than those experienced in the general automobile finance industry and could be dramatically affected by a general economic downturn. In addition, our servicing costs may increase without a corresponding increase in our finance charge income. While we manage the higher risk inherent in loans made to non-prime borrowers through our underwriting criteria and collection methods, we cannot guarantee that these criteria or methods will ultimately provide adequate protection against these risks.
 
If our allowance for loan losses becomes inadequate, our results of operations may be adversely affected.
 
Making loans is an essential element of our business. The risk of nonpayment is affected by a number of factors, including but not limited to: the duration of the credit; credit risks of a particular customer; changes in economic and industry conditions; and, in the case of a collateralized loan, risks resulting from uncertainties about the future value of the collateral. Although we seek to mitigate risks inherent in lending by adhering to specific underwriting practices, our loans may not be repaid. We attempt to maintain an appropriate allowance for loan losses to provide for potential losses in our loan portfolio. Our allowance for loan losses is determined by analyzing historical loan losses, current trends in delinquencies and charge-offs, current economic conditions that may affect a borrower’s ability to repay and the value of collateral, changes in the size and composition of the loan portfolio and industry information. Also included in our estimates for loan losses are considerations with respect to the impact of economic events, the outcome of which are uncertain. Because any estimate of loan losses is necessarily subjective and the accuracy of any estimate depends on the outcome of future events, we face the risk that charge-offs in future periods will exceed our allowance for loan losses and that additional increases in the allowance for loan losses will be required. Additions to the allowance for loan losses would result in a decrease of our net income. Although we believe our allowance for loan losses is adequate to absorb probable losses in our loan portfolio, we cannot predict such losses or that our allowance will be adequate in the future.
 
 
Competition from other financial institutions and financial intermediaries may adversely affect our profitability.
 
We face substantial competition in originating loans and in attracting deposits. Our competition in originating loans and attracting deposits comes principally from other banks, mortgage banking companies, consumer finance companies, savings associations, credit unions, brokerage firms, insurance companies and other institutional lenders and purchasers of loans. Additionally, banks and other financial institutions with larger capitalization and financial intermediaries not subject to bank regulatory restrictions have larger lending limits and are thereby able to serve the credit needs of larger clients. These institutions may be able to offer the same loan products and services that we offer at more competitive rates and prices. Increased competition could require us to increase the rates we pay on deposits or lower the rates we offer on loans, which could adversely affect our profitability.
 
The recent repeal of federal prohibitions on payment of interest on demand deposits could increase interest expense.
 
As part of the Dodd-Frank Act, the prohibition on the ability of financial institutions to pay interest on demand deposit accounts was repealed.  As a result, beginning on July 21, 2011 financial institutions may offer interest on demand deposits.  The Corporation does not yet know what interest rates other institutions may offer.  If we offer interest on demand deposit accounts to attract new customers or retain existing customers, our interest expense will increase and our net interest margin will decline, which could have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
We are subject to restrictions and obligations as a participant in the Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program.
 
In January 2009, as part of the Capital Purchase Program, we issued and sold to the Treasury Series A Preferred Stock and a Warrant for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $20.0 million. Participation in the Capital Purchase Program subjects us to specific restrictions under the terms of the Capital Purchase Program, including limits on our ability to pay dividends (quarterly dividends on our common stock are limited to $0.31 per share or less) and repurchase our capital stock, limitations on executive compensation, and increased oversight by the Treasury, regulators and Congress under the EESA.
 
Many recipients under the Capital Purchase Program have repaid the Treasury and are no longer subject to the restrictions imposed under the Capital Purchase Program. On July 27, 2011, the Corporation redeemed $10.0 million, or 50 percent, of the $20.0 million of its Series A Preferred Stock.  The funds for this redemption were provided by existing financial resources of the Corporation and no new capital was issued. Our goal is to exit the CPP in a timely and non-dilutive manner through the redemption of the remaining Series A Preferred Stock. We will, however, continue to assess our ongoing participation in the CPP based upon the economic and regulatory environment and our capital levels. In addition, withdrawing from the Capital Purchase Program requires approval of banking regulators and we may not be able to obtain such approval, or a condition of obtaining such approval may require us to raise additional capital.
 
We rely heavily on our management team and the unexpected loss of key officers may adversely affect our operations.
 
We believe that our growth and future success will depend in large part on the skills of our executive officers. We also depend upon the experience of the officers of our subsidiaries and on their relationships with the communities they serve. The loss of the services of one or more of these officers could disrupt our operations and impair our ability to implement our business strategy, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
The success of our business strategies depends on our ability to identify and recruit individuals with experience and relationships in our primary markets.
 
The successful implementation of our business strategy will require us to continue to attract, hire, motivate and retain skilled personnel to develop new customer relationships as well as new financial products and services. The market for qualified management personnel is competitive. In addition, the process of identifying and recruiting individuals with the combination of skills and attributes required to carry out our strategy is often lengthy. Our inability to identify, recruit and retain talented personnel to manage our operations effectively and in a timely manner could limit our growth, which could materially adversely affect our business.
 
Our corporate culture has contributed to our success, and if we cannot maintain this culture as we grow, we could lose the beneficial aspects fostered by our culture, which could harm our business.
 
We believe that a critical contributor to our success has been our corporate culture, which focuses on building personal relationships with our customers. As our organization grows, and we are required to implement more complex organizational management structures, we may find it increasingly difficult to maintain the beneficial aspects of our corporate culture. This could negatively impact our future success.
 
 
The Dodd-Frank Act could increase our regulatory compliance burden and associated costs, place restrictions on certain products and services, and limit our future capital raising strategies.
 
A wide range of regulatory initiatives directed at the financial services industry have been proposed in recent years. One of those initiatives, the Dodd-Frank Act, was signed into law on July 21, 2010. The Dodd-Frank Act represents a sweeping overhaul of the financial services industry within the United States and mandates significant changes in the financial regulatory landscape that will impact all financial institutions, including the Corporation. The Dodd-Frank Act will likely increase our regulatory compliance burden and may have a material adverse effect on us, by increasing the costs associated with our regulatory examinations and compliance measures. The federal regulatory agencies, and particularly bank regulatory agencies, have been given significant discretion in drafting the Dodd-Frank Act’s implementing rules and regulations and, consequently, many of the details and much of the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act will depend on the final implementing rules and regulations.  Accordingly, it remains too early to fully assess the complete effect of the Dodd-Frank Act and subsequent regulatory rulemaking processes on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
 
The Dodd-Frank Act increases regulatory supervision and examination of bank holding companies and their banking and non-banking subsidiaries, which could increase our regulatory compliance burden and costs and restrict our ability to generate revenues from non-banking operations. The Dodd-Frank Act imposes more stringent capital requirements on bank holding companies, which could limit our future capital strategies. The Dodd-Frank Act also increases regulation of derivatives and hedging transactions, which could limit our ability to enter into, or increase the costs associated with, interest rate hedging transactions.
 
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau may increase our regulatory compliance burden and could affect the consumer financial products and services that we offer.
 
Among the Dodd-Frank Act’s significant regulatory changes, the Dodd-Frank Act creates a new financial consumer protection agency that could impose new regulations on us and include its examiners in our routine regulatory examinations conducted by the FDIC, which could increase our regulatory compliance burden and costs and restrict the financial products and services we can offer to our customers. This agency, named the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, may reshape the consumer financial laws through rulemaking and enforcement of the Dodd-Frank Act’s prohibitions against unfair, deceptive and abusive consumer finance products or practices, which may directly impact the business operations of financial institutions offering consumer financial products or services, including the Corporation.  This agency’s broad rulemaking authority includes identifying practices or acts that are unfair, deceptive or abusive in connection with any consumer financial transaction or consumer financial product or service.  Although the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has jurisdiction over banks with $10 billion or greater in assets, rules, regulations and policies issued by the Bureau may also apply to the Corporation or its subsidiaries by virtue of the adoption of such policies and best practices by the Federal Reserve and FDIC.  The costs and limitations related to this additional regulatory agency and the limitations and restrictions that will be placed upon the Corporation with respect to its consumer product and service offerings have yet to be determined.  However, these costs, limitations and restrictions may produce significant, material effects on our business, financial condition and results of operations
 
Our deposit insurance premiums could increase in the future, which may adversely affect our future financial performance.
 
The FDIC insures deposits at FDIC insured financial institutions, including the Bank.  The FDIC charges insured financial institutions premiums to maintain the DIF at a certain level.  Economic conditions since 2008 have increased the rate of bank failures and expectations for further bank failures, requiring the FDIC to make payments for insured deposits from the DIF and prepare for future payments from the DIF.
 
During 2009, the FDIC imposed a special deposit insurance assessment on all institutions which it regulates, including the Bank.  This special assessment was imposed due to the need to replenish the DIF, as a result of increased bank failures and expected future bank failures.  In addition, the FDIC required regulated institutions to prepay their fourth quarter 2009, and full year 2010, 2011 and 2012 assessments in December 2009.  Any similar, additional measures taken by the FDIC to maintain or replenish the DIF may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
On February 7, 2011, the FDIC adopted final rules to implement changes required by the Dodd-Frank Act with respect to the FDIC assessment rules, which became effective April 1, 2011.  A depository institution’s deposit insurance assessment is now calculated based on the institution’s total assets less tangible equity, rather than the previous base of total deposits.  While the Corporation’s FDIC insurance assessments declined during 2011 as a result of this change, the Bank’s FDIC insurance premiums could increase if the Bank’s asset size increases, if the FDIC raises base assessment rates, or if the FDIC takes other actions to replenish the DIF.
 
 
Changes in accounting standards and management’s selection of accounting methods, including assumptions and estimates, could materially affect our financial statements.
 
From time to time, the SEC and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) change the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of the Corporation’s financial statements. These changes can be hard to predict and can materially affect how the Corporation records and reports its financial condition and results of operations. In some cases, the Corporation could be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively, resulting in changes to previously reported financial results, or a cumulative charge to retained earnings. In addition, management is required to use certain assumptions and estimates in preparing our financial statements, including determining the fair value of certain assets and liabilities, among other items. If the assumptions or estimates are incorrect, the Corporation may experience unexpected material consequences.
 
ITEM 1B .
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
 
The Corporation has no unresolved comments from the SEC staff.
 
PROPERTIES
 
The following describes the location and general character of the principal offices and other materially important physical properties of the Corporation.
 
The Corporation owns a building located at Eighth and Main Streets in the business district of West Point, Virginia. The building, originally constructed in 1923, has three floors totaling 15,000 square feet. This building houses the Bank’s Main Office and the main office of C&F Investment Services.
 
The Corporation owns a building located at 3600 LaGrange Parkway in Toano, Virginia. The building was acquired in 2004 and has 85,000 square feet. Approximately 30,000 square feet were renovated in 2005 in order to house the Bank’s operations center, which consists of the Bank’s loan, deposit and administrative functions and staff.
 
The building owned by the Corporation and previously used for the Bank’s deposit operations at Seventh & Main Streets in West Point, Virginia, which is a 14,000 square foot building remodeled by the Corporation in 1991, has been leased to the Economic Development Authority of the Town of West Point, Virginia (Development Authority) for the purpose of housing and operating incubator businesses under the supervision of the Development Authority. The building owned by the Corporation and previously used for the Bank’s loan operations at Sixth and Main Streets in West Point, Virginia, which is a 5,000 square foot building acquired and remodeled by the Corporation in 1998, has been retained as back-up facilities for the Toano operations center. Management has not yet determined the long-term utilization of these properties.
 
The Corporation owns a building located at 1400 Alverser Drive in Midlothian, Virginia. The building provides space for a branch office of the Bank and for a C&F Mortgage branch office, as well as C&F Mortgage’s main administrative offices. This two-story building has 25,000 square feet and was constructed in 2001. Also at the Midlothian location, the Corporation owns an office condominium that houses a regional commercial lending office.
 
The Corporation owns 15 other Bank branch locations and leases one Bank branch location and one regional commercial lending office in Virginia. Rental expense for these leased locations totaled $98,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011.
 
C&F Mortgage’s Newport News loan production office is located on the second floor of the Bank’s Newport News branch building. The Corporation has 18 leased loan production offices, 11 in Virginia, three in Maryland, and one each in Delaware, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, for C&F Mortgage. Rental expense for these leased locations totaled $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2011.
 
In January 2011, the Corporation entered into a five-year lease agreement with an unrelated third party for approximately 15,000 square feet of office space in Richmond, Virginia, which is being used for C&F Finance’s headquarters and its loan and administrative functions and staff. The Hampton office of C&F Finance is located on the second floor of the Bank’s Hampton branch building. The Corporation has two leased offices, one each in Maryland and Tennessee, for C&F Finance. Rental expense for these leased locations totaled $293,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011.
 
All of the Corporation’s properties are in good operating condition and are adequate for the Corporation’s present and anticipated future needs.
 
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
The Corporation and its subsidiaries may be involved in certain litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Although the ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be ascertained at this time, and the results of legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe, based on current knowledge, that the resolution of any such matters arising in the ordinary course of business will not have a material adverse effect on the Corporation.
 
As previously disclosed, the FDIC referred to the DOJ an alleged violation of the ECOA and the Fair Housing Act in connection with certain lending practices of C&F Mortgage, a wholly-owned subsidiary of C&F Bank.  On September 30, 2011, C&F Mortgage entered into a settlement with the DOJ pursuant to a consent order with respect to certain mortgage company practices.  While there has been no factual finding or adjudication with respect to any matter of the alleged violation, C&F Mortgage and the DOJ have mutually decided to reach a settlement to avoid the burden of litigation and the associated distractions.  As part of the consent order, C&F Mortgage agreed to implement certain policies, procedures and monitoring of its lending practices and to provide a $140,000 settlement fund for borrowers who may have been affected.  The results of this settlement did not have a material adverse impact on the Corporation’s results of operations or financial condition.
 
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
 
Not required.
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
 
Name (Age)
Present Position
 
Business Experience
During Past Five Years
     
Larry G. Dillon (59)
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
 
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and the Bank since 1989
     
Thomas F. Cherry (43)
Executive Vice President
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
 
Secretary of the Corporation and the Bank since 2002; Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation and the Bank since December 2004; Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation and the Bank from December 1998 to November 2004
     
Bryan E. McKernon (55)
 
President and Chief Executive Officer of C&F Mortgage since 1995
 
 
PART II
 
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
 
The Corporation’s Common Stock is traded on the over-the-counter market and is listed for trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market of the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol “CFFI.” As of February 27, 2012, there were approximately 2,200 shareholders of record. As of that date, the closing price of our Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Stock Market was $31.35. Following are the high and low sales prices as reported by the NASDAQ Stock Market, along with the dividends that were paid quarterly in 2011 and 2010.
   
2011
   
2010
 
Quarter
 
High
   
Low
   
Dividends
   
High
   
Low
   
Dividends
 
First
  $ 25.75     $ 21.21     $ 0.25     $ 21.36     $ 19.00     $ 0.25  
Second
    22.68       19.95       0.25       22.69       16.51       0.25  
Third
    23.75       19.00       0.25       19.70       17.05       0.25  
Fourth
    28.00       20.21       0.26       23.00       17.78       0.25  
 
Payment of dividends is at the discretion of the Corporation’s board of directors and is subject to various federal and state regulatory limitations. For further information regarding payment of dividends, including restrictions stemming from the Corporation’s participation in the Capital Purchase Program, refer to Item 1, “Business,” under the heading “Limits on Dividends” and Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” under the heading “Note 9: Shareholders’ Equity, Other Comprehensive Income and Earnings Per Common Share.”
 
In connection with the Corporation’s sale to the Treasury of its Series A Preferred Stock under the Capital Purchase Program, as previously described, there were certain limitations on the Corporation’s ability to purchase its Common Stock prior to January 9, 2012. Prior to such time, the Corporation generally could not purchase any of its Common Stock without the consent of the Treasury. In the fourth quarter of 2011, the Corporation did not purchase any of its Common Stock.
 
 
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
Five Year Financial Summary
 
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Selected Year-End Balances:
                             
Total assets
  $ 928,124     $ 904,137     $ 888,430     $ 855,657     $ 785,596  
Total shareholders’ equity
    96,090       92,777       88,876       64,857       65,224  
Total loans (net)
    616,984       606,744       613,004       633,017       585,881  
Total deposits
    646,416       625,134       606,630       550,725       527,571  
                                         
Summary of Operations:
                                       
Interest income
  $ 73,790     $ 69,848     $ 64,971     $ 64,130     $ 64,825  
Interest expense
    11,881       13,235       15,459       21,395       23,378  
                                         
Net interest income
    61,909       56,613       49,512       42,735       41,447  
Provision for loan losses
    14,160       14,959       18,563       13,766       7,130  
                                         
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    47,749       41,654       30,949       28,969       34,317  
Noninterest income
    27,046       29,700       36,689       25,149       25,878  
Noninterest expenses
    56,084       60,295       60,167       49,320       48,371  
                                         
Income before taxes
    18,711       11,059       7,471       4,798       11,824  
Income tax expense
    5,735       2,949       1,945       617       3,344  
                                         
Net income
    12,976       8,110       5,526       4,181       8,480  
Effective dividends on preferred stock
    1,183       1,149       1,130       —       —  
                                         
Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 11,793     $ 6,961     $ 4,396     $ 4,181     $ 8,480  
                                         
Per share:
                                       
Earnings per common share—basic
  $ 3.76     $ 2.26     $ 1.44     $ 1.38     $ 2.77  
Earnings per common share—assuming dilution
    3.72       2.24       1.44       1.37       2.67  
Dividends
    1.01       1.00       1.06       1.24       1.24  
                                         
Weighted average number of shares—assuming dilution
    3,172,277       3,103,469       3,048,491       3,058,274       3,181,445  
                                         
Significant Ratios:                                        
Return on average assets
    1.30 %     0.78 %     0.50 %     0.51 %     1.13 %
Return on average common equity
    14.86       9.74       6.60       6.39       13.03  
Dividend payout ratio – common shares
    26.86       44.25       73.48       89.79       44.45  
Average common equity to average assets
    8.75       8.01       7.61       7.98       8.69  
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
 
This report contains statements concerning the Corporation’s expectations, plans, objectives, future financial performance and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements may constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined by federal securities laws and may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding profitability, liquidity, the Corporation’s and each business segment’s loan portfolio, allowance for loan losses, trends regarding the provision for loan losses, trends regarding net loan charge-offs, trends regarding levels of nonperforming assets and troubled debt restructurings and expenses associated with nonperforming assets, provision for indemnification losses and the effect of the Corporation’s settlement agreement with regard to indemnification obligations, levels of noninterest income and expense, interest rates and yields, interest rate sensitivity, market risk, regulatory developments, capital requirements, growth strategy and financial and other goals. These statements may address issues that involve estimates and assumptions made by management and risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from historical results or those anticipated by such statements. Factors that could have a material adverse effect on the operations and future prospects of the Corporation include, but are not limited to, changes in:
 
 
•
interest rates

 
•
general business conditions, as well as conditions within the financial markets

 
•
general economic conditions, including unemployment levels

 
•
the legislative/regulatory climate, including the Dodd-Frank Act and regulations promulgated thereunder and the effect of restrictions imposed on us as a participant in the CPP

 
•
monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board

 
•
the value of securities held in the Corporation’s investment portfolios

 
•
the quality or composition of the loan portfolios and the value of the collateral securing those loans

 
•
the inventory level and pricing of used automobiles

 
•
the level of net charge-offs on loans and the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses

 
•
the level of indemnification losses related to mortgage loans sold

 
•
demand for loan products

 
•
deposit flows

 
•
the strength of the Corporation’s counterparties

 
•
competition from both banks and non-banks

 
•
demand for financial services in the Corporation’s market area

 
•
technology

 
•
reliance on third parties for key services

 
•
the commercial and residential real estate markets

 
•
demand in the secondary residential mortgage loan markets

 
•
the Corporation’s expansion and technology initiatives

 
•
accounting principles, policies and guidelines
 
These risks are exacerbated by the turbulence over the past several years in the global and United States financial markets.  Continued weakness in the global and United States financial markets could further affect the Corporation’s performance, both directly by affecting the Corporation’s revenues and the value of its assets and liabilities, and indirectly by affecting the Corporation’s counterparties and the economy in general.  While there are some signs of improvement in the economic environment, there was a prolonged period of volatility and disruption in the markets, and unemployment has risen to, and remains at, high levels. There can be no assurance that these unprecedented developments will not continue to materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as our ability to raise capital for liquidity and business purposes.
 
Although the Corporation had, and continues to have, diverse sources of liquidity and its capital ratios exceeded, and continue to exceed, the minimum levels required for well-capitalized status, the Corporation issued and sold its Series A Preferred Stock and Warrant for a $20.0 million investment from the United States Department of the Treasury under the Capital Purchase Program on January 9, 2009. On July 27, 2011, the Corporation redeemed $10.0 million, or 50 percent, of its Series A Preferred Stock. The funds for this redemption were provided by existing financial resources of the Corporation.
 
 
Our ability to engage in routine funding transactions could be adversely affected by the actions and commercial soundness of other financial institutions. Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty or other relationships, and we routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, and other institutions. As a result, defaults by, or even rumors or questions about defaults by, one or more financial services institutions, or the financial services industry generally, could create another market-wide liquidity crisis similar to that experienced in late 2008 and early 2009 and could lead to losses or defaults by us or by other institutions. There is no assurance that any such losses would not materially adversely affect the Corporation’s results of operations.
 
There can be no assurance that the actions taken by the federal government and regulatory agencies will stabilize the United States financial system or alleviate the industry or economic factors that may adversely affect the Corporation’s business and financial performance. Further, many aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act remain subject to rulemaking and will take effect over several years, making it difficult to anticipate the overall effect on the Corporation’s business and financial performance.
 
These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained herein. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on those statements, which speak only as of the date of this report.
 
The following discussion supplements and provides information about the major components of the results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and capital resources of the Corporation. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
The preparation of financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions. Those accounting policies with the greatest uncertainty and that require our most difficult, subjective or complex judgments affecting the application of these policies, and the likelihood that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions, or using different assumptions, are described below.
 
Allowance for Loan Losses: We establish the allowance for loan losses through charges to earnings in the form of a provision for loan losses. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when we believe that the collection of the principal is unlikely. Subsequent recoveries of losses previously charged against the allowance are credited to the allowance. The allowance represents an amount that, in our judgment, will be adequate to absorb any losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible. Our judgment in determining the level of the allowance is based on evaluations of the collectibility of loans while taking into consideration such factors as trends in delinquencies and charge-offs, changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions that may affect a borrower’s ability to repay and the value of collateral, overall portfolio quality and review of specific potential losses. This evaluation is inherently subjective because it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.  For more information see the section titled “Asset Quality” within Item 7.
 
Allowance for Indemnifications: The allowance for indemnifications is established through charges to earnings in the form of a provision for indemnifications, which is included in other noninterest expenses. A loss is charged against the allowance for indemnifications under certain conditions when a purchaser of a loan (investor) sold by C&F Mortgage incurs a loss due to borrower misrepresentation, fraud, early default, or underwriting error. The allowance represents an amount that, in management’s judgment, will be adequate to absorb any losses arising from indemnification requests. Management’s judgment in determining the level of the allowance is based on the volume of loans sold, current economic conditions and information provided by investors. This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.
 
Impairment of Loans: We consider a loan impaired when it is probable that the Corporation will be unable to collect all interest and principal payments as scheduled in the loan agreement. We do not consider a loan impaired during a period of delay in payment if we expect the ultimate collection of all amounts due. We measure impairment on a loan-by-loan basis for commercial, construction and residential loans in excess of $500,000 by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. We maintain a valuation allowance to the extent that the measure of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment. Troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) are also considered impaired loans, even if the loan balance is less than $500,000. A TDR occurs when we agree to significantly modify the original terms of a loan due to the deterioration in the financial condition of the borrower. For more information see the section titled “Asset Quality” within Item 7.
 
Impairment of Securities: Impairment of securities occurs when the fair value of a security is less than its amortized cost. For debt securities, impairment is considered other-than-temporary and recognized in its entirety in net income if either (i) we intend to sell the security or (ii) it is more-likely-than-not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If, however, we do not intend to sell the security and it is not more-likely-than-not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery, we must determine what portion of the impairment is attributable to a credit loss, which occurs when the amortized cost basis of the security exceeds the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected from the security. If there is no credit loss, there is no other-than-temporary impairment. If there is a credit loss, other-than-temporary impairment exists, and the credit loss must be recognized in net income and the remaining portion of impairment must be recognized in other comprehensive income. For equity securities, impairment is considered to be other-than-temporary based on our ability and intent to hold the investment until a recovery of fair value. Other-than-temporary impairment of an equity security results in a write-down that must be included in net income. We regularly review each investment security for other-than-temporary impairment based on criteria that includes the extent to which cost exceeds market price, the duration of that market decline, the financial health of and specific prospects for the issuer, our best estimate of the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from debt securities, our intention with regard to holding the security to maturity and the likelihood that we would be required to sell the security before recovery.
 
 
Other Real Estate Owned (OREO): Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at the lower of the loan balance or the fair value less costs to sell at the date of foreclosure. Subsequent to foreclosure, management periodically performs valuations of the foreclosed assets based on updated appraisals, general market conditions, recent sales of like properties, length of time the properties have been held, and our ability and intention with regard to continued ownership of the properties. The Corporation may incur additional write-downs of foreclosed assets to fair value less costs to sell if valuations indicate a further other-than-temporary deterioration in market conditions.
 
Goodwill: Goodwill is no longer subject to amortization over its estimated useful life. In assessing the recoverability of the Corporation’s goodwill, all of which was recognized in connection with the Bank’s acquisition of C&F Finance Company in September 2002, we must make assumptions in order to determine the fair value of the respective assets. Major assumptions used in determining impairment were increases in future income, sales multiples in determining terminal value and the discount rate applied to future cash flows. As part of the impairment test, we performed a sensitivity analysis by increasing the discount rate, lowering sales multiples and reducing increases in future income. We completed the annual test for impairment during the fourth quarter of 2011 and determined there was no impairment to be recognized in 2011. With the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2011-08, Intangible-Goodwill and Other-Testing Goodwill for Impairment , in 2012, the Corporation will no longer be required to complete a test for impairment unless, based on an assessment of qualitative factors related to goodwill, we determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of C&F Finance Company is less than its carrying amount. If the likelihood of impairment is more than 50 percent, the Corporation will perform a test for impairment and we may be required to record impairment charges.
 
Retirement Plan: The Bank maintains a non-contributory, defined benefit pension plan for eligible full-time employees as specified by the plan. Plan assets, which consist primarily of mutual funds invested in marketable equity securities and corporate and government fixed income securities, are valued using market quotations. The Bank’s actuary determines plan obligations and annual pension expense using a number of key assumptions. Key assumptions may include the discount rate, the interest crediting rate, the estimated future return on plan assets and the anticipated rate of future salary increases. Changes in these assumptions in the future, if any, or in the method under which benefits are calculated may impact pension assets, liabilities or expense.
 
Derivative Financial Instruments:   The Corporation recognizes derivative financial instruments at fair value as either an other asset or other liability in the consolidated balance sheet.  The derivative financial instruments have been designated as and qualify as cash flow hedges.  The effective portion of the gain or loss on the cash flow hedges is reported as a component of other comprehensive income, net of deferred taxes, and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings.
 
Accounting for Income Taxes: Determining the Corporation’s effective tax rate requires judgment. In the ordinary course of business, there are transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax outcomes are uncertain. In addition, the Corporation’s tax returns are subject to audit by various tax authorities. Although we believe that the estimates are reasonable, no assurance can be given that the final tax outcome will not be materially different than that which is reflected in the income tax provision and accrual.
 
For further information concerning accounting policies, refer to Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” under the heading “Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”
 
OVERVIEW
 
Our primary financial goals are to maximize the Corporation’s earnings and to deploy capital in profitable growth initiatives that will enhance long-term shareholder value. We track three primary financial performance measures in order to assess the level of success in achieving these goals: (i) return on average assets (ROA), (ii) return on average common equity (ROE), and (iii) growth in earnings.  In addition to these financial performance measures, we track the performance of the Corporation’s three principal business activities: retail banking, mortgage banking, and consumer finance.  We also actively manage our capital through growth and dividends, while considering the need to maintain a strong regulatory capital position.
 
 
Financial Performance Measures
 
Net income for the Corporation was $13.0 million in 2011, compared with net income of $8.1 million in 2010. Net income available to common shareholders for 2011 was $11.8 million, or $3.72 per common share assuming dilution, compared with $7.0 million, or $2.24 per common share assuming dilution for 2010. The difference between reported net income and net income available to common shareholders is a result of the Series A Preferred Stock dividends and accretion of the discount related to the Corporation’s participation in the Capital Purchase Program. The financial results for 2011 were affected by (1) the strong earnings in the Consumer Finance segment, which continues to benefit from substantial loan growth, robust automobile demand, low net charge-offs and the current low interest rate environment, (2) increased profitability in the Mortgage Banking segment, which benefited from lower provisions for indemnification losses and lower production-based compensation during 2011, with an offsetting volume-based decline in gains on sales of loans, and (3) a small net loss in the Retail Banking segment, which has incurred a decline in loans to non-affiliates due to weak loan demand in the current economic environment and increased competition for the limited loan demand that exists, continuing elevated loan loss provisions, higher personnel costs and higher expenses for technology investments. See “Principal Business Activities” below for additional discussion.
 
The Corporation’s ROE and ROA were 14.86 percent and 1.30 percent, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to 9.74 percent and 0.78 percent for the year ended December 31, 2010.  The increase in these ratios during 2011 was primarily due to the performance of the Consumer Finance and Mortgage Banking segments, while the Retail Banking segment continues to be negatively affected by the challenging economic environment and issues facing the financial services industry in general. See “Principal Business Activities” below for additional information.
 
While management believes that the Corporation is well positioned to see continued strong earnings in 2012, the following factors could influence the Corporation’s financial performance in 2012:
 
 
•
Retail Banking: Managing the continuing risks inherent in our loan portfolio and expenses associated with nonperforming assets will once again influence the Bank’s performance during 2012. General economic trends in the Bank’s markets will continue to affect the quality of the loan portfolio and our provision for loan losses, as well as the amount of our nonperforming assets. We expect to continue to see elevated expenses associated with properties that the Bank has already taken possession of and from future foreclosures. We do not expect significant loan growth in the loan portfolio due to the current economic environment. Further actions that may be taken by the federal government to restrict or control pricing on products offered by banks may affect the Bank’s noninterest income during 2012. Increases in noninterest expense are expected as a result of the increased cost associated with managing the ever increasing complexity of routine compliance, regulatory and asset quality issues.

 
•
Mortgage Banking: We expect the ongoing effects of lower demand for home mortgage loans resulting from reduced demand in both the new and resale housing markets to influence the origination volume at C&F Mortgage. While continued low interest rates may spur activity in 2012, the continued decline in housing market values, coupled with the availability of fewer mortgage loan products and tighter underwriting guidelines, will temper demand for home mortgage loans. Any rise in interest rates would ultimately reduce refinancing activity and potentially new and resale home purchases, thus reducing loan originations. In addition, C&F Mortgage will be affected during 2012 and beyond by the reforms to mortgage lending encompassed by the Dodd-Frank Act’s broad new restrictions on lending practices and loan terms. Compliance with the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act may require substantial changes to mortgage lending systems and processes and other implementation efforts due to the heightened federal regulation.

 
•
Consumer Finance: With the expectation that short-term interest rates will remain low, C&F Finance should generate strong operating results in 2012 because a significant portion of its funding is indexed to short-term interest rates. While delinquencies and charge-offs remain low entering 2012, the ongoing effects of the recent economic recession, including sustained unemployment levels, may result in more delinquencies and repossessions at C&F Finance. The general availability of consumer credit or other factors that affect consumer confidence or disposable income could increase loan defaults and may be accompanied by decreased consumer demand for automobiles and declining values of automobiles securing outstanding loans, which weakens collateral coverage and increases the amount of loss in the event of default. During 2008 and 2009, there was a significant contraction in the number of institutions providing automobile financing for the non-prime market. This contraction accompanied the economic downturn and the overall tightening of credit. As these issues have abated, institutions with access to capital have begun to re-enter the market. As a result, we expect intensified competition for loans and qualified personnel, which may affect loan pricing strategies to grow market share and personnel costs at C&F Finance during 2012.
 
 
Principal Business Activities
 
An overview of the financial results for each of the Corporation’s principal segments is presented below. A more detailed discussion is included in the section “Results of Operations.”
 
Retail Banking:   C&F Bank reported a net loss of $432,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to a net loss of $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. The improvement in financial results for 2011, as compared to 2010, resulted from an increase in activity-based interchange income, lower loan loss provisions and lower expenses associated with write-downs and holding costs of foreclosed properties and FDIC insurance premiums. Offsetting these positive factors were the negative effects of the following:  (1) a decline in average loans to non-affiliates resulting from weak demand in the current economic environment, intensified competition for loans in our markets, loan charge-offs and transfers of loans to foreclosed properties and (2) higher occupancy expenses associated with depreciation and maintenance of technology investments related to expanding the banking products we offer to our customers and to improving our operational efficiency and security.
 
C&F Bank’s average non-affiliate loan portfolio has declined to $406.1 million for 2011 from $430.0 million for 2010. In the coming months, it will be challenging to maintain the Retail Banking segment’s net interest margin at its current level if funds obtained from loan repayments and from deposit growth cannot be fully used to originate new loans and instead are reinvested in lower-yielding earning assets, and if the reduction in earning asset yields exceeds interest rate declines in interest-bearing liabilities.
 
The Bank’s nonperforming assets were $16.1 million at December 31, 2011, compared to $18.1 million at December 31, 2010. Nonperforming assets at December 31, 2011 included $10.0 million in nonaccrual loans, compared to $7.8 million at December 31, 2010, and $6.1 million in foreclosed properties, compared to $10.3 million at December 31, 2010. TDRs were $17.1 million at December 31, 2011, of which $8.4 million were included in nonaccrual loans, compared to $9.8 million at December 31, 2010, of which $402,000 were included in nonaccrual loans. The increase in TDRs reflects our efforts to work with our borrowers who are experiencing financial difficulties. Nonaccrual loans primarily consist of loans for residential real estate secured by residential properties and commercial loans secured by non-residential properties. Specific reserves of $2.2 million have been established for nonaccrual loans as of December, 2011. Management believes it has provided adequate loan loss reserves for all of the Retail Banking segment’s loans.  Foreclosed properties at December 31, 2011 consist of both residential and non-residential properties These properties have been written down to their estimated fair values less selling costs. The decline in foreclosed properties since December 31, 2010 resulted from sales of foreclosed properties as the Corporation focused efforts on improving asset quality.
 
Mortgage Banking: C&F Mortgage reported net income of $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to $782,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010. The improvement in financial results for 2011, as compared to the same period in 2010, was primarily attributable to a decrease in the provision for indemnification losses, offset in part by the effect of lower loan originations on gains on sales of loans. During the second quarter of 2010, C&F Mortgage entered into an agreement with one of its largest investors that resolved all known and unknown indemnification obligations for loans sold to that investor prior to 2010. As expected, with this agreement in place, there was a reduction in indemnification expense of $2.9 million in 2011. Also, contributing to the improvement in net income was lower production-based compensation for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010.
 
Loan origination volume for the year ended December 31, 2011 decreased to $616.4 million from $748.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. During 2011, the amount of loan originations for refinancings and new and resale home purchases were $184.9 million and $431.5 million, respectively, compared to $254.4 million and $493.9 million, respectively, during 2010. The decline in origination volume is largely a result of continued overall weakness in the housing market due to the challenging economic conditions and housing market value declines, as well as the expiration of the homebuyer tax credits, which were available during the first half of 2010. Lower loan originations in 2011 resulted in a decline in gains on sales of loans, which were $16.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to $18.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.
 
In addition to the decline in gains on sales of loans, C&F Mortgage’s earnings for 2011 were negatively affected by an increase in non-production salaries expense in order to manage the increasingly complex regulatory environment.
 
Consumer Finance:   C&F Finance reported net income of $12.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to $9.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. The increase in financial results for 2011, as compared to the same period in 2010, included the effects of the following:  (1) an increase in average loans outstanding of 15.9 percent from 2010 to 2011, (2) the sustained low cost of the consumer finance segment’s variable-rate borrowings, and (3) a decrease of $625,000 in the provision for loan losses. The reduction in the provision for loan losses during 2011 was attributable to lower net charge-offs, which resulted from prudent underwriting criteria, effective collection processes and higher recovery rates on the sale of repossessed vehicles. These items were partially offset by (1) an increase in compensation costs of $650,000 during 2011, which was a result of an increase in the number of personnel to manage the growth in loans outstanding, as well as higher variable compensation resulting from increased profitability, loan growth and portfolio performance and (2) higher occupancy expenses associated with the relocation of C&F Finance’s headquarters to a larger facility and depreciation and maintenance of technology investments to support growth.
 
 
The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans increased to 7.94 percent at December 31, 2011, compared to 7.90 percent at December 31, 2010. Management believes that the current allowance for loan losses is adequate to absorb probable losses in the loan portfolio.
 
Other and Eliminations:   The net loss for this combined segment was $533,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to a net loss of $580,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010. Revenue and expense of this combined segment include the results of operations of our investment, insurance and title subsidiaries, interest expense associated with the Corporation’s trust preferred capital notes, other general corporate expenses and the effects of intercompany eliminations.
 
Capital Management
 
Total shareholders’ equity was $96.1 million at December 31, 2011, compared to $92.8 million at December 31, 2010.  Capital growth resulted from earnings for the year ended December 31, 2011, offset to a large extent by the redemption of 50 percent, or $10.0 million, of the Series A Preferred Stock issued under the CPP, as described below, and dividends. Capital also included a $3.3 million net increase in other comprehensive income.
 
The capital and liquidity positions of the Corporation remain strong. Capital has continued to grow during 2011 and exceeds current regulatory capital standards for being well-capitalized. While the Corporation continues to participate in the CPP, on July 27, 2011, it completed the redemption of $10.0 million, or 50 percent, of the $20.0 million of preferred shares issued under the CPP. The funds for this redemption were provided by existing financial resources of the Corporation, and because no new capital was issued, there was no dilution to the Corporation’s common shareholders as a result of the redemption. As a result of this redemption, preferred stock dividends will be reduced annually by $500,000. Our goal is to exit the CPP, subject to regulatory approval, in a timely and non-dilutive manner through the redemption of the remaining Series A Preferred Stock. We will, however, continue to assess our ongoing participation in the CPP based upon the economic and regulatory environment and our capital levels.
 
We also manage capital through dividends to the Corporation’s shareholders.  The Corporation’s board of directors continued its policy of paying dividends in 2011 and increased the quarterly dividend in the fourth quarter of 2011 to 26 cents per share, which was a four percent increase over the 25 cents per common share for each of the first three quarters of 2011 and the four quarters of 2010. The dividend payout ratio was 26.9 percent of net income available to common shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2011. The board of directors continues to evaluate our dividend payout in light of changes in economic conditions, our capital levels and our expected future levels of earnings.
 
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
NET INTEREST INCOME
 
The following table shows the average balance sheets for each of the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009. The table also shows the amounts of interest earned on earning assets, with related yields, and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, with related rates. Loans include loans held for sale. Loans placed on a nonaccrual status are included in the balances and are included in the computation of yields, but had no material effect. Interest on tax-exempt loans and securities is presented on a taxable-equivalent basis (which converts the income on loans and investments for which no income taxes are paid to the equivalent yield as if income taxes were paid using the federal corporate income tax rate of 34 percent in all three years presented).
 
TABLE 1: Average Balances, Income and Expense, Yields and Rates
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Average
Balance
   
Income/
Expense
   
Yield/
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Income/
Expense
   
Yield/
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Income/
Expense
   
Yield/
Rate
 
Assets
                                                     
Securities:
                                                     
Taxable
  $ 19,366     $ 314       1.62 %   $ 20,531     $ 383       1.87 %   $ 15,839     $ 549       3.46 %
Tax-exempt
    118,984       7,362       6.19       105,526       6,786       6.43       98,596       6,502       6.59  
Total securities
    138,350       7,676       5.55       126,057       7,169       5.69       114,435       7,051       6.16  
Loans, net
    683,648       68,630       10.04       684,667       65,003       9.49       694,760       60,179       8.66  
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks and Fed funds sold
    19,863       46       0.23       11,628       43       0.37       3,936       6       0.15  
Total earning assets
    841,861       76,352       9.07       822,352       72,215       8.78       813,131       67,236       8.27  
Allowance for loan losses
    (30,652 )                     (25,893 )                     (21,615 )                
Total non-earning assets
    95,048                       95,431                       84,457                  
Total assets
  $ 906,257                     $ 891,890                     $ 875,973                  
                                                                         
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
                                                                       
Time and savings deposits:
                                                                       
Interest-bearing deposits
  $ 109,314       552       0.51 %   $ 95,005       537       0.57 %   $ 86,478       640       0.74 %
Money market deposit accounts
    77,882       507       0.65       64,085       563       0.88       66,562       1,027       1.54  
Savings accounts
    42,083       43       0.10       41,685       42       0.10       41,449       44       0.11  
Certificates of deposit, $100 thousand or more
    135,307       2,684       1.98       142,918       3,161       2.21       119,246       3,433       2.88  
Other certificates of deposit
    172,675       3,217       1.86       178,569       3,935       2.20       176,657       5,174       2.93  
Total time and savings deposits
    537,261       7,003       1.30       522,262       8,238       1.58       490,392       10,318       2.10  
Borrowings
    159,710       4,878       3.05       167,984       4,997       2.97       191,201       5,141       2.69  
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    696,971       11,881       1.70       690,246       13,235       1.92       681,593       15,459       2.27  
Demand deposits
    93,912                       89,430                       85,811                  
Other liabilities
    20,410                       20,776                       22,378                  
Total liabilities
    811,293                       800,452                       789,782                  
Shareholders’ equity
    94,964                       91,438                       86,191                  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 906,257                     $ 891,890                     $ 875,973                  
Net interest income
          $ 64,471                     $ 58,980                     $ 51,777          
Interest rate spread
                    7.37 %                     6.86 %                     6.00 %
Interest expense to average earning assets
                    1.41 %                     1.61 %                     1.90 %
Net interest margin
                    7.66 %                     7.17 %                     6.37 %
 
Interest income and expense are affected by fluctuations in interest rates, by changes in the volume of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, and by the interaction of rate and volume factors. The following table shows the direct causes of the year-to-year changes in the components of net interest income on a taxable-equivalent basis. We calculated the rate and volume variances using a formula prescribed by the SEC. Rate/volume variances, the third element in the calculation, are not shown separately in the table, but are allocated to the rate and volume variances in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each.
 
 
TABLE 2: Rate-Volume Recap
 
   
2011 from 2010
   
2010 from 2009
 
   
Increase (Decrease)
Due to
   
Total
Increase
(Decrease)
   
Increase (Decrease)
Due to
   
Total
Increase
(Decrease)
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Rate
   
Volume
   
Rate
   
Volume
 
Interest income:
                                   
Loans
  $ 3,724     $ (97 )   $ 3,627     $ 5,710     $ (886 )   $ 4,824  
Securities:
                                               
Taxable
    (21 )     (48 )     (69 )     (299 )     133       (166 )
Tax-exempt
    (282 )     858       576       (165 )     449       284  
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks and Fed funds sold
    (12 )     15       3       15       22       37  
Total interest income
    3,409       728       4,137       5,261       (282 )     4,979  
Interest expense:
                                               
Time and savings deposits:
                                               
Interest-bearing deposits
    (62 )     77       15       (161 )     58       (103 )
Money market deposit accounts
    (163 )     107       (56 )     (427 )     (37 )     (464 )
Savings accounts
    1       —       1       (2 )     —       (2 )
Certificates of deposit, $100 thousand or more
    (315 )     (162 )     (477 )     (881 )     609       (272 )
Other certificates of deposit
    (592 )     (126 )     (718 )     (1,295 )     56       (1,239 )
Total time and savings deposits
    (1,131 )     (104 )     (1,235 )     (2,766 )     686       (2,080 )
Borrowings
    129       (248 )     (119 )     516       (660 )     (144 )
Total interest expense
    (1,002 )     (352 )     (1,354 )     (2,250 )     26       (2,224 )
Change in net interest income
  $ 4,411     $ 1,080     $ 5,491     $ 7,511     $ (308 )   $ 7,203  
 
2011 Compared to 2010
 
Net interest income, on a taxable-equivalent basis, was $64.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to $59.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. The higher net interest income during 2011, as compared to the same period of 2010, resulted from a 49 basis point increase in net interest margin to 7.66 percent, coupled with a 2.4 percent increase in average earning assets. The increase in net interest margin was principally a result of an increase in the yield on loans and a decrease in the rates paid on money market and time deposits, partially offset by a lower yield on securities.  The increase in the yield on loans was primarily a result of a change in the mix of loans whereby lower yielding average loans at the Retail Banking and Mortgage Banking segments declined and higher yielding average loans at the Consumer Finance segment increased. The decrease in rates paid on money market and time deposits was primarily a result of a reduction in interest rates paid on money market deposit accounts resulting from the sustained low interest rate environment, and the repricing of higher rate certificates of deposit as they matured to lower rates. In addition, the mix in interest-bearing deposits has shifted to shorter-term interest-bearing and money market deposit accounts. The decline in the yield on securities resulted from purchases of securities with lower yields in the current low interest rate environment. The average interest rate paid on borrowings increased 8 basis points during 2011, as compared to the same period in 2010, due to the effects of changes in the mix of borrowings to less dependence on lower-cost short-term borrowings, which occurred as a result of deposit growth, and the effects of a 25 basis point increase in July 2010 in the rate on our variable-rate revolving line of credit.
 
Average loans, which includes both loans held for investment and loans held for sale, decreased slightly to $683.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 from $684.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. A portion of the decrease occurred in the Mortgage Banking segment’s portfolio of loans held for sale, the average balance of which declined $9.8 million during 2011. This decline is indicative of the lower loan production due to continued overall weakness in the housing market, housing market value declines, and the expiration of the homebuyer tax credits that boosted loan demand during the first half of 2010. In total, average loans to non-affiliates held for investment increased $8.8 million during 2011. However, the Retail Banking and Mortgage Banking segments’ portfolio of average loans held for investment decreased $23.9 million during 2011. Loan production at the Retail Banking segment has been negatively affected by weak demand for new loans and loan originations during 2011 did not keep pace with payments on existing loans, charge-offs and transfers to foreclosed properties. The declines in average loans at the Retail Banking segment have been substantially offset by increases in the Consumer Finance segment’s average loan portfolio, which increased $32.7 during 2011. This increase resulted from robust demand in existing and new markets.
 
The overall yield on average loans increased 55 basis points to 10.04 percent for the year ended December 31, 2011, when compared to the same period in 2010, principally as a result of the shift in the mix of the portfolio from lower-yielding loans held in our Retail Banking and Mortgage Banking segments to higher yielding loans in our Consumer Finance segment.
 
Average securities available for sale increased $12.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, when compared to the same period in 2010. The increase in securities available for sale occurred predominantly in the Retail Banking segment’s municipal bond portfolio in conjunction with the strategy to increase the investment portfolio as a percentage of total assets. This strategy is based on the investment portfolio’s role in managing interest rate sensitivity, providing liquidity and serving as an additional source of interest income. The funding for this strategy has come from the growth in deposits, coupled with reduced loan demand in the Retail Banking segment. The lower yield on the available-for-sale securities portfolio during 2011, compared to the same period in 2010, resulted from the calls and maturities of higher-yielding securities and purchases of lower-yielding securities in the current low interest rate environment, as well as purchases of shorter-term securities with lower yields during 2011.
 
 
Average interest-bearing deposits in other banks and Federal funds sold increased $8.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, when compared to the same period in 2010, as a result of excess liquidity provided by growth in the Corporation’s deposit portfolio, coupled with reduced loan demand at the Retail Banking and Mortgage Banking segments. The average yield on these overnight funds of 23 basis points during 2011 is a result of the continuing low interest rate environment.
 
Average interest-bearing time and savings deposits increased $15.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010, mainly due to higher deposit balances from municipal customers. In addition, the mix in interest-bearing deposits has shifted to shorter-term interest-bearing and money market deposit accounts from longer-term certificates of deposits, which allows depositors greater flexibility for funds management and investing decisions. The average cost of deposits declined 28 basis points for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010, because time deposits that matured throughout 2010 and into 2011 repriced at lower interest rates or were not renewed, interest rates paid on money market deposit accounts were reduced as a result of the sustained low interest rate environment, and the balances of shorter-term interest-bearing deposits, which pay a lower interest rate, increased.
 
Average borrowings decreased $8.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010.  This decrease was attributable to reduced funding needs as the growth in average earning assets has primarily been met through the growth in average deposits. The average cost of borrowings increased 8 basis points for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010, as a result of a change in the composition of borrowings, which occurred as lower-cost short-term variable-rate borrowings have been repaid with excess liquidity provided by lower loan demand and deposit growth. Further contributing to the increase in the average cost of borrowings during 2011 was a 25 basis point increase in July 2010 in the Consumer Finance segment’s variable-rate revolving line of credit.
 
It will be challenging to maintain the Retail Banking segment’s net interest margin at its current level if funds obtained from loan repayments and from deposit growth cannot be fully used to originate new loans and instead are reinvested in lower-yielding earning assets, and if the reduction in earning asset yields exceeds interest rate declines in interest-bearing liabilities. With the expectation that short-term interest rates will not change significantly during 2012 and the current low rate environment will be relatively unchanged, the net interest margin at the Consumer Finance segment will be most affected by competition from institutions re-entering the automobile financing market and the resulting loan pricing strategies used to grow market share.
 
2010 Compared to 2009
 
Net interest income, on a taxable-equivalent basis, for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $59.0 million, compared to $51.8 million for 2009. The higher net interest income resulted from a 80 basis point increase in net interest margin coupled with a 1.1 percent increase in average earning assets for 2010 compared to 2009.  The increase in net interest margin was principally a result of an increase in the yield on loans and a decrease in the rates paid on time and savings deposits partially offset by an increase in the rates paid on borrowings. The increase in the yield on loans was primarily a result of the changing mix of loans resulting from a decrease in lower yielding average loans at the Retail Banking and Mortgage Banking segments and an increase in the higher yielding loans at the Consumer Finance segment. In addition, an increase in the yields on loans at the Retail Banking segment resulted from the repricing of loans and implementation of interest rate floors on loans at renewal. The decrease in rates paid on time and savings deposits was primarily a result of a reduction in interest paid on interest bearing deposits and money market deposit accounts, resulting from the sustained low interest rate environment and the repricing of higher rate certificates of deposit as they matured. The increase in rates paid on borrowings was a result of the change in the mix of borrowings with a decline in average lower cost short-term borrowings primarily a result of deposit growth, as well as the effect of a 25 basis point increase in our variable rate revolving line of credit beginning in July 2010.
 
Average loans, which includes both loans held for investment and loans held for sale, decreased $10.1 million to $684.7 million in 2010 from $694.8 million in 2009.
 
Average loans held for investment decreased $5.7 million during 2010 compared to 2009. The Retail Banking segment’s portfolio of average loans to non-affiliates held for investment decreased $31.8 million in 2010, compared to 2009, primarily as current economic conditions reduced loan demand and caused an increase in loan charge-offs and foreclosures. Despite the reduction in average loans, the Retail Banking segment was able to increase its yield for 2010, compared to 2009, through increases in interest rates and the implementation of interest rate floors on new or renewing adjustable rate loans in the latter half of 2009 and throughout 2010. The Consumer Finance segment’s portfolio of average loans held for investment increased $26.8 million during 2010, compared to 2009, as a result of robust demand in existing and new markets. The Consumer Finance segment’s loans are typically higher yielding than other loans in our portfolio due to higher risks inherent in the portfolio.
 
 
Average loans held for sale at the Mortgage Banking segment decreased $4.4 million during 2010, compared to 2009, as loan origination volumes have declined since 2009. The decline in origination volumes are a result of fluctuations in mortgage rates, a continued overall weakness in the housing market due to the challenging economic conditions, the expiration of the home buyer tax credits during the first half of 2010 and loan officer turnover.  The yield on the Mortgage Banking segment’s loans has decreased in 2010, compared to 2009, as residential mortgage loan interest rates on average have declined since 2009.
 
The overall yield on average loans increased 83 basis points to 9.49 percent for 2010, compared to 2009, principally as a result of the shift in the mix of the portfolio from lower yielding loans held in our Retail Banking and Mortgage Banking segments to higher yielding loans in our Consumer Finance segment.
 
Average securities available for sale increased $11.6 million during 2010, compared to 2009. The increase in securities available for sale occurred predominantly in the Retail Banking segment’s municipal bond portfolio in conjunction with the strategy to increase the investment portfolio as a percentage of total assets. This strategy is based on the investment portfolio’s role of managing interest rate sensitivity, providing liquidity and serving as an additional source of interest income. The funding of this strategy has come from the growth in deposits, coupled with reduced loan demand in the Retail Banking segment. The lower yields on securities available for sale in 2010, compared to 2009, resulted from purchases of securities in the current low interest rate environment as well as purchases of shorter-term securities.
 
Average interest-bearing deposits in other banks increased $7.7 million during 2010, compared to 2009. The increase resulted from reduced loan demand, coupled with deposit growth.
 
Average interest-bearing time and savings deposits increased $31.9 million during 2010, compared to 2009. The mix in interest-bearing time and savings deposits has been shifting from shorter-term, lower rate money market deposits to longer-term, higher rate certificates of deposits. The average cost of deposits declined 52 basis points during 2010, compared to 2009 as time deposits that matured and repriced throughout 2009 and into 2010 were at lower interest rates and an increase in shorter-term interest-bearing deposits which pay a lower interest rate.
 
Average borrowings decreased $23.2 million during 2010, compared to 2009. This decrease was attributable to reduced funding needs as the growth in average earning assets has primarily been met through the growth in average deposits. The average cost of borrowings increased 28 basis points during 2010, compared to 2009, as a result of a change in the composition of borrowings, whereby lower-cost short-term variable-rate borrowings were repaid from excess liquidity provided by lower loan demand and deposit growth. In addition, a 25 basis point increase in the Consumer Finance segments variable rate revolving line of credit, which began in July 2010, contributed to the increase.
 
 
NONINTEREST INCOME
 
TABLE 3: Noninterest Income
 
   
Year Ended December 31, 2011
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Retail
Banking
   
Mortgage
Banking
   
Consumer
Finance
   
Other and
Eliminations
   
Total
 
Gains on sales of loans
  $ —     $ 16,094     $ —     $ —     $ 16,094  
Service charges on deposit accounts
    3,509       —       —       —       3,509  
Other service charges and fees
    2,245       2,876       10       159       5,290  
Gains on calls of available for sale securities
    13       —       —       —       13  
Other income
    190       55       845       1,050       2,140  
Total noninterest income
  $ 5,957     $ 19,025     $ 855     $ 1,209     $ 27,046  
 
   
Year Ended December 31, 2010
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Retail
Banking
   
Mortgage
Banking
   
Consumer
Finance
   
Other and
Eliminations
   
Total
 
Gains on sales of loans
  $ —     $ 18,567     $ —     $ (3 )   $ 18,564  
Service charges on deposit accounts
    3,511       —       —       —       3,511  
Other service charges and fees
    1,920       2,795       8       190       4,913  
Gains on calls of available for sale securities
    58       —       —       12       70  
Other income
    604       470       681       887       2,642  
Total noninterest income
  $ 6,093     $ 21,832     $ 689     $ 1,086     $ 29,700  
 
    Year Ended December 31, 2009  
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Retail
Banking
   
Mortgage
Banking
   
Consumer
Finance
   
Other and
Eliminations
   
Total
 
Gains on sales of loans
  $ —     $ 24,976     $ —     $ —     $ 24,976  
Service charges on deposit accounts
    3,303       —       —       —       3,303  
Other service charges and fees
    1,650       3,359       9       —       5,018  
Gains (losses) on calls of available for sale securities
    44       —       —       (22 )     22  
Other income
    807       852       594       1,117       3,370  
Total noninterest income
  $ 5,804     $ 29,187     $ 603     $ 1,095     $ 36,689  
 
2011 Compared to 2010
 
Total noninterest income decreased $2.7 million, or 8.9 percent, for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010. This decrease primarily resulted from lower gains on sales of loans at the Mortgage Banking segment due to the decline in loan production, which was partially offset by higher service charges and fees at the Retail Banking segment due to an increase in activity-based debit card interchange income. Further contributing to the decline in noninterest income during 2011 was a $285,000 gain recognized in 2010 by the Retail Banking segment for the sale of the facility previously occupied by the Consumer Finance segment and $640,000 of unrealized appreciation in the Corporation’s nonqualified defined contribution plan, as described in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” under the heading “Note 11:  Employee Benefit Plans.” Management anticipates that the Corporation’s noninterest income, in particular gains on sales of loans held for sale generated by the Mortgage Banking segment, will be negatively affected as long as the housing market and demand for mortgage loans remain suppressed by challenging economic conditions. In addition, the Corporation’s ability to generate revenue through service charges and fees in future periods, including deposit account service charges and fees and debit card interchange fees, may be limited by legislative or regulatory restrictions on fees related to consumer financial products and services, including as a result of the implementation of the Durbin Amendment’s restrictions on debit card interchange fees.
 
  2010 Compared to 2009
 
Total noninterest income decreased $7.0 million, or 19.0 percent, to $29.7 million during 2010 compared to 2009. The decrease primarily resulted from (1) decreased gains on sales of loans and ancillary fees associated with lower loan originations in the Mortgage Banking segment and (2) a one-time fee received in 2009 and recorded in other income, in connection with a change in the debit card processor in the Retail Banking segment. These decreases were partially offset by increases in (1) services charges on deposit accounts as higher overdraft protection and returned check charges were incurred by customers and (2) other service charges primarily due to higher debit card interchange fees in the Retail Banking segment.
 
 
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
 
TABLE 4: Noninterest Expense
 
   
Year Ended December 31, 2011
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Retail
Banking
   
Mortgage
Banking
   
Consumer
Finance
   
Other
   
Total
 
Salaries and employee benefits
  $ 14,722     $ 12,044     $ 6,712     $ 839     $ 34,317  
Occupancy expense
    3,886       1,901       677       27       6,491  
Other expenses:
                                       
OREO expenses
    1,416       —       —       —       1,416  
Provision for indemnification losses
    —       807       —       —       807  
Other expenses
    6,724       3,039       2,883       407       13,053  
Total other expenses
    8,140       3,846       2,883       407       15,276  
Total noninterest expense
  $ 26,748     $ 17,791     $ 10,272     $ 1,273     $ 56,084  
 
   
Year Ended December 31, 2010
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Retail
Banking
   
Mortgage
Banking
   
Consumer
Finance
   
Other
   
Total
 
Salaries and employee benefits
  $ 14,661     $ 13,448     $ 6,062     $ 718     $ 34,889  
Occupancy expense
    3,397       1,932       409       30       5,768  
Other expenses:
                                       
OREO expenses
    3,088       23       —       —       3,111  
Provision for indemnification losses
    —       3,745       —       —       3,745  
Other expenses
    6,627       3,192       2,484       479       12,782  
Total other expenses
    9,715       6,960       2,484       479       19,638  
Total noninterest expense
  $ 27,773     $ 22,340     $ 8,955     $ 1,227     $ 60,295  
 
   
Year Ended December 31, 2009
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Retail
Banking
   
Mortgage
Banking
   
Consumer
Finance
   
Other
   
Total
 
Salaries and employee benefits
  $ 13,881     $ 15,381     $ 5,183     $ 673     $ 35,118  
Occupancy expense
    3,471       1,808       408       27       5,714  
Other expenses:
                                       
OREO expenses
    2,414       15       —       —       2,429  
Provision for indemnification losses
    —       2,490       —       —       2,490  
Other expenses
    6,587       5,061       2,305       463       14,416  
Total other expenses
    9,001       7,566       2,305       463       19,335  
Total noninterest expense
  $ 26,353     $ 24,755     $ 7,896     $ 1,163     $ 60,167  
 
2011 Compared to 2010
 
Total noninterest expenses decreased $4.2 million, or 7.0 percent, for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010. This decrease occurred primarily at the Mortgage Banking segment due to a $2.9 million decline in the provision for indemnification losses, as previously described, as well as the $1.4 million decline in personnel expenses as a result of lower production-based compensation. Further expense reductions during 2011, compared to 2010, occurred at the Retail Banking segment as (1) OREO expenses declined $1.7 million and (2) FDIC deposit insurance premiums declined $204,000. These expense reductions were offset in part by (1) higher non-production salary expense at the Mortgage Banking segment due to the regulatory compliance environment, (2) higher personnel expenses at the Consumer Finance segment resulting from an increase in the number of personnel to manage the growth in loans outstanding and higher variable compensation resulting from increased profitability, loan growth and portfolio performance and (3) higher occupancy expenses at the Retail Banking associated with depreciation and maintenance of technology investments related to expanding the banking products we offer to our customers and to improving our operational efficiency and security and at the Consumer Finance segments associated with the relocation of C&F Finance’s headquarters to a larger facility and depreciation and maintenance of technology investments to support growth.
 
2010 Compared to 2009
 
Total noninterest expense increased $128,000, or 0.2 percent, to $60.3 million during 2010 compared to 2009.  Salaries and employee benefits expense for the Mortgage Banking segment for 2010 compared to 2009 were significantly lower as a result of a decline in loan originations and profitability. In addition, 2010 included an increase in the provision for indemnification losses of $1.3 million to $3.7 million due primarily to an agreement entered into during the second quarter of 2010 with the Mortgage Banking segment’s largest purchaser of loans.  The agreement resolves all known and unknown indemnification obligations for loans sold to this investor prior to 2010.  With this agreement in place, we expect a reduction in future indemnification obligations as the majority of our indemnification issues were with the types of loans originated for and sold to this investor. Salaries and employee benefits expense in the Retail Banking segment increased for 2010 compared to 2009 as a result of higher staffing levels and health care costs. The increase in staffing levels is primarily as result of an increase in the number of personnel to manage the complexity of routine compliance, regulatory and asset quality issues.  Other expenses in the Retail Banking segment include higher costs and provisions for losses associated with foreclosed properties for 2010, offset by the 2009 FDIC special assessment and higher debit card processing expenses in 2009. An increase in salaries and employee benefits expense for 2010 at the Consumer Finance segment was a result of staff additions to support loan growth.
 
 
INCOME TAXES
 
Applicable income taxes on 2011 earnings amounted to $5.7 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 30.7 percent, compared with $2.9 million, or 26.7 percent, in 2010 and $1.9 million, or 26.0 percent, in 2009. The increase in the effective rate in 2011 in relation to 2010 and the increase in the effective rate in 2010 compared to 2009 resulted from higher pre-tax earnings at the non-bank business segments, which are not exempt from state income taxes, partially offset by the increase in tax-exempt income generated by the Bank’s municipal bond portfolio.
 
ASSET QUALITY
 
Allowance and Provision for Loan Losses
 
Allowance for Loan Losses Methodology – Retail Banking and Mortgage Banking. We conduct an analysis of the loan portfolio on a regular basis. We use this analysis to assess the sufficiency of the allowance for loan losses and to determine the necessary provision for loan losses. The review process generally begins with loan officers or management identifying problem loans to be reviewed on an individual basis for impairment. In addition to these loans, all substandard commercial, construction and residential loans in excess of $500,000 and all troubled debt restructurings are considered for individual impairment testing.  We consider a loan impaired when it is probable that we will be unable to collect all interest and principal payments as scheduled in the loan agreement.  A loan is not considered impaired during a period of delay in payment if the ultimate collectibility of all amounts due is expected. If a loan is considered impaired, impairment is measured by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.  When a loan is determined to be impaired, we follow a consistent process to measure that impairment in our loan portfolio. We then establish a specific allowance for impaired loans based on the difference between the carrying value of the loan and its estimated fair value.  For collateral dependent loans we obtain an updated appraisal if we do not have a current one on file.  Appraisals are performed by independent third party appraisers with relevant industry experience.  We may make adjustments to the appraised value based on recent sales of like properties or general market conditions when appropriate.  We segregate loans meeting the classification criteria for special mention, substandard, doubtful and loss, as well as impaired loans from performing loans within the portfolio. The remaining non-classified loans are grouped by loan type (e.g., commercial, consumer) and by risk rating. We assign each loan type an allowance factor based on the associated risk, current economic conditions, past performance, complexity and size of the individual loans within the particular loan category. We assign classified loans (e.g., special mention, substandard, doubtful, loss) a higher allowance factor than non-classified loans within a particular loan type based on our concerns regarding collectibility or our knowledge of particular elements surrounding the borrower. Our allowance factors increase with the severity of classification. Allowance factors used for unclassified loans are based on our analysis of charge-off history and our judgment based on the overall analysis of the lending environment including the general economic conditions.  Our analysis of charge-off history also considers economic cycles and the trends during those cycles.  Those cycles that more closely match the current environment are considered more relevant during our review.   The allowance for loan losses is the aggregate of specific allowances, the calculated allowance required for classified loans by category and the general allowance for each portfolio type.
 
In conjunction with the methodology described above, we consider the following risk elements that are inherent in the loan portfolio:
 
 
•
Real estate residential mortgage loans carry risks associated with the continued credit-worthiness of the borrower and changes in the value of the collateral.

 
•
Real estate construction loans carry risks that the project will not be finished according to schedule, the project will not be finished according to budget and the value of the collateral may, at any point in time, be less than the principal amount of the loan. Construction loans also bear the risk that the general contractor, who may or may not be a loan customer, may be unable to finish the construction project as planned because of financial pressure unrelated to the project.

 
•
Commercial, financial and agricultural loans carry risks associated with the successful operation of a business or a real estate project, in addition to other risks associated with the ownership of real estate, because the repayment of these loans may be dependent upon the profitability and cash flows of the business or project. In addition, there is risk associated with the value of collateral other than real estate which may depreciate over time and cannot be appraised with as much precision.
 

 
•
Equity lines of credit carry risks associated with the continued credit-worthiness of the borrower and changes in the value of the collateral.

 
•
Consumer loans carry risks associated with the continued credit-worthiness of the borrower and the value of the collateral (e.g., rapidly-depreciating assets such as automobiles), or lack thereof. Consumer loans are more likely than real estate loans to be immediately adversely affected by job loss, divorce, illness or personal bankruptcy.

As discussed above we segregate loans meeting the criteria for special mention, substandard, doubtful and loss from non-classified, or pass rated, loans. We review the characteristics of each rating at least annually, generally during the first quarter. The characteristics of these ratings are as follows:
 
 
•
Pass rated loans are to persons or business entities with an acceptable financial condition, appropriate collateral margins, appropriate cash flow to service the existing loan, and an appropriate leverage ratio. The borrower has paid all obligations as agreed and it is expected that this type of payment history will continue. When necessary, acceptable personal guarantors support the loan.

 
•
Special mention loans have a specific defined weakness in the borrower’s operations and the borrower’s ability to generate positive cash flow on a sustained basis. The borrower’s recent payment history is characterized by late payments. The Corporation’s risk exposure is mitigated by collateral supporting the loan. The collateral is considered to be well-margined, well maintained, accessible and readily marketable.

 
•
Substandard loans are considered to have specific and well-defined weaknesses that jeopardize the viability of the Corporation’s credit extension. The payment history for the loan has been inconsistent and the expected or projected primary repayment source may be inadequate to service the loan. The estimated net liquidation value of the collateral pledged and/or ability of the personal guarantor(s) to pay the loan may not adequately protect the Corporation. There is a distinct possibility that the Corporation will sustain some loss if the deficiencies associated with the loan are not corrected in the near term. A substandard loan would not automatically meet our definition of impaired unless the loan is significantly past due and the borrower’s performance and financial condition provide evidence that it is probable that the Corporation will be unable to collect all amounts due.

 
•
Substandard nonaccrual loans have the same characteristics as substandard loans; however they have a non-accrual classification because it is probable that the Corporation will not be able to collect all amounts due.

 
•
Doubtful rated loans have all the weaknesses inherent in a loan that is classified substandard but with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable. The possibility of loss is extremely high.

 
•
Loss rated loans are not considered collectible under normal circumstances and there is no realistic expectation for any future payment on the loan. Loss rated loans are fully charged off.
 
Allowance for Loan Losses Methodology – Consumer Finance. The Consumer Finance segment’s loans consist of non-prime automobile loans. These loans carry risks associated with (1) the continued credit-worthiness of borrowers who may be unable to meet the credit standards imposed by most traditional automobile financing sources and (2) the value of rapidly-depreciating collateral. These loans do not lend themselves to a classification process because of the short duration of time between delinquency and repossession. Therefore, the loan loss allowance review process generally focuses on the rates of delinquencies, defaults, repossessions and losses. Allowance factors also include an analysis of charge-off history and our judgment based on the overall analysis of the lending environment.  Loans are segregated between performing and nonperforming loans.  Performing loans are those that have made timely payments in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement and are not past due 90 days or more.  Nonperforming loans are those that do not accrue interest and are greater than 90 days past due.
 
In accordance with its policies and guidelines and consistent with industry practices, C&F Finance, at times, offers payment deferrals to borrowers, whereby the borrower is allowed to move up to two payments within a twelve-month rolling period to the end of the loan. A fee will be collected for extensions only in states that permit it. An account for which all delinquent payments are deferred is classified as current at the time the deferment is granted and therefore is not included as a delinquent account. Thereafter, such an account is aged based on the timely payment of future installments in the same manner as any other account. We evaluate the results of this deferment strategy based upon the amount of cash installments that are collected on accounts after they have been deferred versus the extent to which the collateral underlying the deferred accounts has depreciated over the same period of time. Based on this evaluation, we believe that payment deferrals granted according to our policies and guidelines are an effective portfolio management technique and result in higher ultimate cash collections. Payment deferrals may affect the ultimate timing of when an account is charged off. Increased use of deferrals may result in a lengthening of the loss confirmation period, which would increase expectations of credit losses inherent in the portfolio and therefore increase the allowance for loan losses and related provision for loan losses.  The average amounts deferred, as a percentage of loans outstanding, was 0.69 percent in 2011, 1.03 percent in 2010 and 1.60 percent in 2009.
 
 
The allowance for loan losses represents an amount that, in our judgment, will be adequate to absorb any losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible. The provision for loan losses increases the allowance, and loans charged off, net of recoveries, reduce the allowance. The following table presents the Corporation’s loan loss experience for the periods indicated:
 
TABLE 5: Allowance for Loan Losses
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Allowance, beginning of period
  $ 28,840     $ 24,027     $ 19,806     $ 15,963     $ 14,216  
Provision for loan losses:
                                       
Retail Banking segment
    6,000       6,500       6,400       2,300       280  
Mortgage Banking segment
    360       34       563       796       120  
Consumer Finance segment
    7,800       8,425       11,600       10,670       6,730  
Total provision for loan losses
    14,160       14,959       18,563       13,766       7,130  
Loans charged off:
                                       
Real estate—residential mortgage
    1,096       334       1,655       179       34  
Real estate—construction 1
    —       —       2,234       —       —  
Commercial, financial and agricultural 2
    2,566       3,787       1,110       211       2  
Equity lines
    52       44       —       —       —  
Consumer
    319       189       190       362       187  
Consumer finance
    8,144       7,976       10,988       10,807       7,077  
Total loans charged off
    12,177       12,330       16,177       11,559       7,300  
Recoveries of loans previously charged off:
                                       
Real estate—residential mortgage
    98       6       3       —       1  
Real estate—construction 1
    —       —       11       —       —  
Commercial, financial and agricultural 2
    173       21       27       14       125  
Equity lines
    12       32       —       —       —  
Consumer
    122       83       63       97       114  
Consumer finance
    2,449       2,042       1,731       1,525       1,677  
Total recoveries
    2,854       2,184       1,835       1,636       1,917  
Net loans charged off
    9,323       10,146       14,342       9,923       5,383  
Allowance, end of period
  $ 33,677     $ 28,840     $ 24,027     $ 19,806     $ 15,963  
Ratio of net charge-offs to average total loans outstanding during period for Retail Banking and Mortgage Banking
    0.89 %     0.97 %     1.09 %     .14 %     —  
Ratio of net charge-offs to average total loans outstanding during period for Consumer Finance
    2.39 %     2.89 %     5.18 %     5.46 %     3.65 %
_______
1
Includes the Corporation’s real estate construction lending and consumer real estate lot lending.
2
Includes the Corporation’s commercial real estate lending, land acquisition and development lending, builder line lending and commercial business lending.
 
For further information regarding the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses, refer to “Nonperforming Assets” within this Item 7.
 
 
The allocation of the allowance at December 31 for the years indicated and the ratio of related outstanding loan balances to total loans are as follows:
 
TABLE 6: Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses
 
   
December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Allocation of allowance for loan losses, end of year:
                             
Real estate—residential mortgage
  $ 2,379     $ 1,442     $ 1,295     $ 1,576     $ 684  
Real estate—construction 1
    480       581       281       483       267  
Commercial, financial and agricultural 2
    10,040       8,688       7,022       4,752       3,384  
Equity lines
    912       380       211       167       143  
Consumer
    319       307       267       220       265  
Consumer finance
    19,547       17,442       14,951       12,608       11,220  
Unallocated
    —       —       —       —       —  
Balance, December 31
  $ 33,677     $ 28,840     $ 24,027     $ 19,806     $ 15,963  
Ratio of loans to total year-end loans:
                                       
Real estate—residential mortgage
    22 %     23 %     23 %     22 %     20 %
Real estate—construction 1
    1       2       2       4       5  
Commercial, financial and agricultural 2
    33       34       39       42       43  
Equity lines
    5       5       5       4       4  
Consumer
    1       1       1       1       1  
Consumer finance
    38       35       30       27       27  
      100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %
________
1
Includes the Corporation’s real estate construction lending and consumer real estate   lot lending.
2
Includes the Corporation’s commercial real estate lending, land acquisition and development lending, builder line lending and commercial business lending.
 
Loans by credit quality indicators as of December 31, 2011 were as follows:
 
TABLE 7A: Credit Quality Indicators
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Pass
   
Special
Mention
   
Substandard
   
Substandard
Nonaccrual
   
Total 1
 
Real estate – residential mortgage
  $ 140,304     $ 1,261     $ 3,130     $ 2,440     $ 147,135  
Real estate – construction 2
    2,867       —       2,870       —       5,737  
Commercial, financial and agricultural 3
    164,448       18,787       20,931       8,069       212,235  
Equity lines
    31,935       298       836       123       33,192  
Consumer
    5,271       10       776       —       6,057  
    $ 344,825     $ 20,356     $ 28,543     $ 10,632     $ 404,356  
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Performing
   
Non-performing
   
Total
 
Consumer finance
  $ 245,924     $ 381     $ 246,305  
_________
1
At December 31, 2011, the Corporation did not have any loans classified as Doubtful or Loss.
2
Includes the Corporation’s real estate construction lending and consumer real estate lot lending.
3
Includes the Corporation’s commercial real estate lending, land acquisition and development lending, builder line lending and commercial business lending.
 
 
Loans by credit quality indicators as of December 31, 2010 were as follows:
 
TABLE 7B: Credit Quality Indicators
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Pass
   
Special
 Mention
   
Substandard
   
Substandard
Nonaccrual
   
Total 1
 
Real estate – residential mortgage
  $ 140,651     $ 1,344     $ 3,889     $ 189     $ 146,073  
Real estate – construction 2
    7,368       —       4,727       —       12,095  
Commercial, financial and agricultural 3 2
    171,569       25,674       14,708       7,275       219,226  
Equity lines
    31,562       263       96       266       32,187  
Consumer
    4,804       11       400       35       5,250  
    $ 355,954     $ 27,292     $ 23,820     $ 7,765     $ 414,831  
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Performing
   
Non-performing
   
Total
 
Consumer finance
  $ 220,602     $ 151     $ 220,753  
_________
1
At December 31, 2010, the Corporation did not have any loans classified as Doubtful or Loss.
2
Includes the Corporation’s real estate construction lending and consumer real estate lot lending.
3
Includes the Corporation’s commercial real estate lending, land acquisition and development lending, builder line lending and commercial business lending.
 
The combined Retail Banking and Mortgage Banking segments’ allowance for loan losses increased $2.7 million since December 31, 2010, and the provision for loan losses at these combined segments decreased $174,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010. The allowance for loan losses to total loans for these combined segments increased to 3.49 percent at December 31, 2011, compared to 2.75 percent at December 31, 2010. The increase in this ratio since 2010 year end was attributable to uncertainties of the economic environment, lower net charge-offs in 2011, and the decline in loan balances  for these combined segments. Substandard loans increased to $28.5 million at December 31, 2011 from $23.8 million at December 31, 2010. This increase was concentrated in the commercial sector of the Retail Banking segment’s loan portfolio to which we have allocated the largest portion of the Retail Banking segment’s loan loss allowance. The equity lines sector also experienced an increase in substandard loans since December 31, 2010, and the allocation of the allowance for equity line losses increased $532,000. The allocation of the allowance for real estate-residential mortgage loans increased $937,000 since December 31, 2010 because second mortgage loans, which are included in this loan category, have experienced an increase in substandard loans. Throughout 2011, we have been updating credit scores, collateral values and loan-to-value ratios on the Retail Banking segment’s second mortgage loans and equity lines in order to better anticipate default risks within these portfolios. We believe that the current level of the allowance for loan losses at the combined Retail Banking and Mortgage Banking segments is adequate to absorb any losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible. If current economic conditions continue or worsen, a higher level of nonperforming loans may be experienced in future periods, which may then require a higher provision for loan losses.
 
The Consumer Finance segment’s allowance for loan losses increased to $19.5 million at December 31, 2011 from $17.4 million at December 31, 2010, and its provision for loan losses decreased $625,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010. The increase in the allowance for loan losses was primarily due to the growth in the loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses to total loans increased to 7.94 percent at December 31, 2011, compared to 7.90 percent at December 31, 2010. The decrease in the provision for loan losses during 2011 as compared to 2010, was primarily attributable to lower net charge-offs, the level of which was favorably affected by prudent underwriting criteria for new loans, effective collection processes, and a higher recovery rate on sales of repossessed vehicles fueled by robust used car demand. We believe that the current level of the allowance for loan losses at the Consumer Finance segment is adequate to absorb any losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible. However, if unemployment levels remain elevated or increase in the future, or if consumer demand for automobiles falls and results in declining values of automobiles securing outstanding loans, a higher provision for loan losses may become necessary.
 
Nonperforming Assets
 
A loan’s past due status is based on the contractual due date of the most delinquent payment due.  Loans are generally placed on nonaccrual status when the collection of principal or interest is 90 days or more past due, or earlier, if collection is uncertain based on an evaluation of the net realizable value of the collateral and the financial strength of the borrower. Loans greater than 90 days past due may remain on accrual status if management determines it has adequate collateral to cover the principal and interest. For those loans that are carried on nonaccrual status, payments are first applied to principal outstanding.  A loan may be returned to accrual status if the borrower has demonstrated a sustained period of repayment performance in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan and there is reasonable assurance the borrower will continue to make payments as agreed. These policies are applied consistently across our loan portfolio.
 
 
Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at the lower of the loan balance or the fair value less costs to sell at the date of foreclosure. Subsequent to foreclosure, management periodically performs valuations of the foreclosed assets based on updated appraisals, general market conditions, recent sales of like properties, length of time the properties have been held, and our ability and intention with regard to continued ownership of the properties. We may incur additional write-downs of foreclosed assets to fair value less costs to sell if valuations indicate a further other-than-temporary deterioration in market conditions. Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the property valuations are included in net expenses from foreclosed assets and improvements are capitalized.
 
During periods of economic slowdown or recession, delinquencies, defaults, repossessions and losses generally increase at the Consumer Finance segment. These periods also may be accompanied by decreased consumer demand for automobiles and declining values of automobiles securing outstanding loans, which weakens collateral coverage and increases the amount of a loss in the event of default. Significant increases in the inventory of used automobiles during periods of economic recession may also depress the prices at which we may sell repossessed automobiles or delay the timing of these sales. Because C&F Finance focuses on non-prime borrowers, the actual rates of delinquencies, defaults, repossessions and losses on these loans are higher than those experienced in the general automobile finance industry and could be more dramatically affected by a general economic downturn. While we manage the higher risk inherent in loans made to non-prime borrowers through the underwriting criteria and collection methods employed by C&F Finance, we cannot guarantee that these criteria or methods will afford adequate protection against these risks. However, we believe that the current allowance for loan losses is appropriate to absorb any losses on existing Consumer Finance segment loans that may become uncollectible.
 
At the Consumer Finance segment, the automobile repossession process is generally initiated after a loan becomes more than 60 days delinquent. Repossessions are handled by independent repossession firms engaged by C&F Finance. After the prescribed waiting period, the repossessed automobile is sold in a third-party auction. We credit the proceeds from the sale of the automobile, and any other recoveries, against the balance of the loan. Proceeds from the sale of the repossessed vehicle and other recoveries are usually not sufficient to cover the outstanding balance of the loan, and the resulting deficiency is charged off. The charge-off represents the difference between the actual net sale proceeds minus collections and repossession expenses and the principal balance of the delinquent loan. C&F Finance pursues collection of deficiencies when it deems such action to be appropriate.
 
Table 8 summarizes nonperforming assets at December 31 of each of the past five years.
 
TABLE 8: Nonperforming Assets
 
Retail Banking and Mortgage Banking
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Nonaccrual loans - Retail Banking
  $ 10,011     $ 7,765     $ 4,812     $ 17,222     $ 495  
Nonaccrual loans - Mortgage Banking
    621       —       204       1,460       732  
OREO* - Retail Banking
    6,059       10,295       12,360       1,370       —  
OREO* - Mortgage Banking
    —       379       440       596       —  
Total nonperforming assets
  $ 16,691     $ 18,439     $ 17,816     $ 20,648     $ 1,227  
Accruing loans past due for 90 days or more
  $ 68     $ 1,030     $ 451     $ 3,517     $ 578  
Troubled debt restructurings
  $ 17,094     $ 9,769     $ 3,111     $ —     $ —  
Total loans
  $ 404,356     $ 414,831     $ 447,592     $ 480,438     $ 441,648  
Allowance for loan losses
  $ 14,130     $ 11,398     $ 9,076     $ 7,198     $ 4,743  
Nonperforming assets to total loans and OREO*
    4.07 %     4.33 %     3.87 %     4.28 %     0.28 %
Allowance for loan losses to total retail banking and mortgage banking loans
    3.49       2.75       2.03       1.50       1.07  
Allowance for loan losses to nonaccrual loans
    132.90       146.79       180.94       38.53       386.55  
________
*
OREO is recorded at its fair market value less cost to sell.
 
 
  Consumer Finance
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Nonaccrual loans
  $ 381     $ 151     $ 387     $ 798     $ 1,388  
Accruing loans past due for 90 days or more
  $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —  
Total loans
  $ 246,305     $ 220,753     $ 189,439     $ 172,385     $ 160,196  
Allowance for loan losses
  $ 19,547     $ 17,442     $ 14,951     $ 12,608     $ 11,220  
Nonaccrual consumer finance loans to total consumer finance loans
    0.15 %     0.07 %     0.20 %     0.46 %     0.87 %
Allowance for loan losses to total consumer finance loans
    7.94       7.90       7.89       7.31       7.00  
 
Table 9 presents the changes in the OREO balance for 2011 and 2010:
 
TABLE 9: OREO Changes
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Balance at the beginning of year, gross
  $ 14,653     $ 15,202  
Transfers from loans
    5,040       5,265  
Capitalized costs
    —       218  
Charge-offs
    (963 )     (585 )
Sales proceeds
    (8,801 )     (5,492 )
Gain (loss) on disposition
    57       45  
Balance at the end of year, gross
    9,986       14,653  
Less allowance for losses
    (3,927 )     (3,979 )
Balance at the end of year, net
  $ 6,059     $ 10,674  
 
Nonperforming assets of the combined Retail Banking and Mortgage Banking segments totaled $16.7 million at December 31, 2011, compared to $18.4 million at December 31, 2010. Nonperforming assets at December 31, 2011 included $10.6 million of nonaccrual loans, compared to $7.8 million at December 31, 2010, and $6.1 million of foreclosed, or OREO, properties, compared to $10.7 million at December 31, 2010. Nonaccrual loans primarily consist of loans for residential real estate secured by residential properties and commercial loans secured by non-residential properties. Specific reserves of $2.2 million have been established for these nonaccrual loans. We believe we have provided adequate loan loss reserves based on current appraisals or evaluations of the collateral. In some cases, appraisals have been adjusted to reflect current trends including sales prices, expenses, absorption periods and other current relevant factors. OREO properties at December 31, 2011 primarily consisted of residential and non-residential properties associated with commercial relationships. These properties have been written down to their estimated fair values less cost to sell. The decline in OREO properties since December 31, 2010 resulted from $8.8 million in sales during 2011 as the Corporation focused efforts on disposing of OREO property, partially offset by $5.0 million of loans transferred to OREO during 2011.
 
Accruing loans past due for 90 days or more at the combined Retail Banking and Mortgage Banking segments decreased to $68,000 at December 31, 2011, compared to $1.0 million at December 31, 2010. The decrease was primarily due to loans being moved to a nonaccrual status, being charged-off or transferred to OREO during 2011.
 
Nonaccrual loans at the Consumer Finance segment increased to $381,000 at December 31, 2011 from $151,000 at December 31, 2010. As noted above, the allowance for loan losses increased from $17.4 million at December 31, 2010 to $19.5 million at December 31, 2011, and the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total consumer finance loans rose slightly from 7.90 percent at December 31, 2010 to 7.94 percent at December 31, 2011. Nonaccrual consumer finance loans remain relatively low compared to the allowance for loan losses and total consumer finance loan portfolio because the Consumer Finance segment frequently initiates repossession of loan collateral once a loan is 60 days or more past due but before the loan reaches 90 days or more past due and is evaluated for nonaccrual status.
 
If nonaccrual loans had been current we would have recorded additional gross interest income of $651,000 for 2011, $624,000 for 2010 and $668,000 for 2009. Interest received on nonaccrual loans was $119,000 in 2011, $24,000 in 2010 and $13,000 in 2009.
 
As discussed above, we measure impaired loans based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the effective interest rate of the loan or, as a practical expedient, at the loan’s observable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. We maintain a valuation allowance to the extent that the measure of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment. TDRs occur when we agree to significantly modify the original terms of a loan by granting a concession due to the deterioration in the financial condition of the borrower. These concessions typically are made for loss mitigation purposes and could include reductions in the interest rate, payment extensions, forgiveness of principal, forbearance or other actions. TDRs are considered impaired loans.
 
 
Impaired loans, which include TDRs of $17.1 million, and the related allowance at December 31, 2011, were as follows:
 
TABLE 10A: Impaired Loans
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Recoded
Investment in
 Loans
   
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
   
Related
Allowance
   
Average
Balance Total
Loans
   
Interest
Income
 Recognized
 
Real estate – residential mortgage
  $ 3,482     $ 3,698     $ 657     $ 3,723     $ 137  
Commercial, financial and agricultural:
                                       
Commercial real estate lending
    5,861       5,957       1,464       6,195       102  
Land acquisition & development lending
    5,490       5,814       1,331       6,116       372  
Builder line lending
    2,285       2,285       318       2,397       —  
Commercial business lending
    652       654       161       663       6  
Equity lines
    —       —       —       —       —  
Consumer
    324       324       49       324       14  
Total
  $ 18,094     $ 18,732     $ 3,980     $ 19,418     $ 631  
 
Impaired loans, which include TDRs of $9.8 million, and the related allowance at December 31, 2010, were as follows:
 
TABLE 10B: Impaired Loans
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Recoded
 Investment
in Loans
   
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
   
Related
Allowance
   
Average
Balance Total
Loans
   
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
Real estate – residential mortgage
  $ 3,110     $ 3,110     $ 466     $ 2,689     $ 137  
Commercial, financial and agricultural:
                                       
Commercial real estate lending
    5,760       6,816       1,263       3,582       30  
Land acquisition & development lending
    5,919       5,919       400       1,038       30  
Builder line lending
    —       —       —       1,014       —  
Commercial business lending
    1,142       1,267       404       613       —  
Equity lines
    148       150       49       149       4  
Consumer
    338       338       51       333       14  
Total
  $ 16,417     $ 17,600     $ 2,633     $ 9,418     $ 215  
 
At December 31, 2011, the balance of impaired loans was $18.1 million, including $17.1 million of TDRs, for which there were specific valuation allowances of $2.2 million. At December 31, 2010, the balance of impaired loans was $16.4 million, including $9.8 million of TDRs, for which there were specific valuation allowances of $2.6 million. The increase in troubled debt restructurings was primarily due to two commercial loan relationships totaling $7.1 million for which modifications were negotiated. These loans are included in the Corporation’s $14.3 million of commercial loan TDRs at December 31, 2011. TDRs at December 31, 2011 also include $2.5 million in restructured residential mortgage loans and $324,000 in restructured consumer loans.  While these relationships were also in nonaccrual status at December 31, 2011, the borrowers are servicing the loans in accordance with the modified terms. The Corporation has no obligation to fund additional advances on its impaired loans. While TDRs are considered impaired loans, we believe that TDR modifications can be a responsible approach to managing asset quality when working with borrowers who are experiencing financial difficulties.
 
TDRs at December 31, 2011 and 2010 were as follows:
 
TABLE 11: Troubled Debt Restructurings
 
   
December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Accruing TDRs
  $ 8,653     $ 9,367  
Nonaccrual TDRs 1
    8,441       402  
Total TDRs 2
  $ 17,094     $ 9,769  
_________
1
Included in nonaccrual loans in Table 8: Nonperforming Assets.
2
Included in impaired loans in Tables 10A and 10B: Impaired Loans.
 
 
At the time of a TDR, we consider the borrower’s payment history, past due status and ability to make payments based on the revised terms of the loan.  If a loan was accruing prior to being modified as a TDR and if we conclude that the borrower is able to make such payments and there are no other factors or circumstances that would cause us to conclude otherwise, we will maintain the loan on an accruing status. If a loan was on nonaccrual status at the time of the TDR, the loan remains on nonaccrual status following the modification. A loan may be returned to accrual status if the borrower has demonstrated a sustained period of repayment performance in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan and there is reasonable assurance the borrower will continue to make payments as agreed.
 
Allowance and Provision for Indemnification Losses
 
We establish an allowance for indemnifications through charges to earnings in the form of a provision for indemnifications, which is included in other noninterest expenses. Losses are charged against the allowance for indemnifications when a purchaser of a loan (investor) sold by C&F Mortgage incurs a loss due to borrower misrepresentation, fraud, or early default, or underwriting error. We determine the level of the allowance based on the volume of loans sold, current economic conditions and information provided by investors. The allowance represents an amount that we believe will be adequate to absorb any losses arising from indemnification requests. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. Foreclosures and payment defaults have continued to remain elevated in the marketplace, resulting in increased demands for loan repurchases and indemnification requests. Recourse periods for early payment default vary from 90 days up to one year.  Recourse periods for borrower misrepresentation or fraud, or underwriting error do not have a stated time limit. The following table presents the changes in the allowance for indemnification losses for the periods presented:
 
TABLE 12: Allowance for Indemnification Losses
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
     (Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Allowance, beginning of period
  $ 1,291     $ 2,538     $ 603  
Provision for indemnification losses
    807       3,745       2,490  
Payments
    396       4,992       555  
Allowance, end of period
  $ 1,702     $ 1,291     $ 2,538  
 
The decreases in the provision for indemnification losses and payments during 2011 were primarily due to an agreement reached during the second quarter of 2010 with C&F Mortgage’s largest investor that resolved all known and unknown indemnification obligations for loans sold to this investor prior to 2010. As expected, with this agreement in place, there was a $2.9 million decline in indemnification expense and a $4.6 million decline in payments during 2011.
 
FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
SUMMARY
 
A financial institution’s primary sources of revenue are generated by its earning assets and sales of financial assets, while its major expenses are produced by the funding of those assets with interest-bearing liabilities, provisions for loan losses and compensation to employees.  Effective management of these sources and uses of funds is essential in attaining a financial institution’s maximum profitability while maintaining an acceptable level of risk.
 
At December 31, 2011, the Corporation had total assets of $928.1 million compared to $904.1 million at December 31, 2010. The increase was principally a result of growth in the portfolio of securities available for sale, loan growth at the Consumer Finance segment, and increases in loans held for sale at the Mortgage Banking segment and in cash and cash equivalents at the Retail Banking segment, which were offset in part by reductions in loans held for investment at the Retail Banking segment and in OREO.
 
 
LOAN PORTFOLIO
 
General
 
Through the Retail Banking segment, we engage in a wide range of lending activities, which include the origination, primarily in the Retail Banking segment’s market area, of (1) one-to-four family and multi-family residential mortgage loans, (2) commercial real estate loans, (3) construction loans, (4) land acquisition and development loans, (5) consumer loans and (6) commercial business loans. We engage in non-prime automobile lending through the Consumer Finance segment and in residential mortgage lending through the Mortgage Banking segment with the majority of the loans sold to third-party investors. At December 31, 2011, the Corporation’s loans held for investment in all categories totaled $650.7 million and loans held for sale totaled $70.1 million.
 
Tables 13 and 14 present information pertaining to the composition of loans and maturity/repricing of loans.
 
TABLE 13: Summary of Loans Held for Investment
 
   
December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Real estate—residential mortgage
  $ 147,135     $ 146,073     $ 147,850     $ 141,341     $ 122,705  
Real estate—construction 1
    5,737       12,095       14,053       28,286       26,719  
Commercial, financial, and agricultural 2
    212,235       219,226       245,759       272,164       257,951  
Equity lines
    33,192       32,187       32,220       29,136       25,282  
Consumer
    6,057       5,250       7,710       9,511       8,991  
Consumer finance
    246,305       220,753       189,439       172,385       160,196  
Total loans
    650,661       635,584       637,031       652,823       601,844  
Less allowance for loan losses
    (33,677 )     (28,840 )     (24,027 )     (19,806 )     (15,963 )
Total loans, net
  $ 616,984     $ 606,744     $ 613,004     $ 633,017     $ 585,881  
________
1
Includes the Corporation’s real estate construction lending and consumer real estate lot lending.
2
Includes the Corporation’s commercial real estate lending, land acquisition and development lending, builder line lending and commercial business lending.
 
TABLE 14: Maturity/Repricing Schedule of Loans
 
   
December 31, 2011
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Commercial, Financial,
and Agricultural
   
Real Estate
Construction
 
Variable Rate:
           
Within 1 year
  $ 85,377     $ 4,860  
1 to 5 years
    —       —  
After 5 years
    —       —  
Fixed Rate:
               
Within 1 year
  $ 28,886     $ 877  
1 to 5 years
    67,444       —  
After 5 years
    30,528       —  
 
The increase in total loans held for investment primarily occurred in the consumer finance category as a result of robust demand for automobiles, partially offset by decreases in construction lending and builder line lending due to reduced construction activity and lending demand and foreclosures as a result of the continuing challenging economic environment.
 
Credit Policy
 
The Corporation’s credit policy establishes minimum requirements and provides for appropriate limitations on overall concentration of credit within the Corporation. The policy provides guidance in general credit policies, underwriting policies and risk management, credit approval, and administrative and problem asset management policies. The overall goal of the Corporation’s credit policy is to ensure that loan growth is accompanied by acceptable asset quality with uniform and consistently applied approval, administration, and documentation practices and standards.
 
 
Residential Mortgage Lending – Held for Sale
 
The Mortgage Banking segment’s guidelines for underwriting conventional conforming loans comply with the underwriting criteria established by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and/or the applicable third party investor. The guidelines for non-conforming conventional loans are based on the requirements of private investors and information provided by third-party investors. The guidelines used by C&F Mortgage to originate FHA-insured and VA-guaranteed loans comply with the criteria established by HUD, the VA and/or the applicable third party investor. The conventional loans that C&F Mortgage originates or purchases that have loan-to-value ratios greater than 80 percent at origination are generally insured by private mortgage insurance. The borrower pays the cost of the insurance.
 
Residential Mortgage Lending – Held for Investment
 
The Retail Banking segment originates residential mortgage loans secured by first and second liens on properties located in its primary market area in southeastern and central Virginia. The Bank offers various types of residential first mortgage loans in addition to traditional long-term, fixed-rate loans. The majority of such loans include 10, 15 and 30 year amortizing mortgage loans with fixed rates of interest and fixed-rate mortgage loans with terms of 20, 25 and 30 years but subject to call after five years at the option of the Bank. Second mortgage loans are offered with fixed and adjustable rates. Second mortgage loans are granted for a fixed period of time, usually between five and 20 years. Call option provisions are included in the loan documents for some longer-term, fixed-rate second mortgage loans, and these provisions allow the Bank to make interest rate adjustments for such loans.
 
Loans associated with residential mortgage lending are included in the real estate—residential mortgage category in Table 13: Summary of Loans Held for Investment.
 
Construction Lending
 
The Retail Banking segment has a real estate construction lending program. The Bank makes loans primarily for the construction of one-to-four family residences and, to a lesser extent, multi-family dwellings. The Bank also makes construction loans for office and warehouse facilities and other nonresidential projects, generally limited to borrowers that present other business opportunities for the Bank.
 
The amounts, interest rates and terms for construction loans vary, depending upon market conditions, the size and complexity of the project, and the financial strength of the borrower and any guarantors of the loan. The term for the Bank’s typical construction loan ranges from nine months to 15 months for the construction of an individual residence and from 15 months to a maximum of three years for larger residential or commercial projects. The Bank does not typically amortize its construction loans, and the borrower pays interest monthly on the outstanding principal balance of the loan. The interest rates on the Bank’s construction loans are fixed and variable. The Bank does not generally finance the construction of commercial real estate projects built on a speculative basis. For residential builder loans, the Bank limits the number of models and/or speculative units allowed depending on market conditions, the builder’s financial strength and track record and other factors. Generally, the maximum loan-to-value ratio for one-to-four family residential construction loans is 80 percent of the property’s fair market value, or 85 percent of the property’s fair market value if the property will be the borrower’s primary residence. The fair market value of a project is determined on the basis of an appraisal of the project conducted by an appraiser acceptable to the Bank. For larger projects where unit absorption or leasing is a concern, the Bank may also obtain a feasibility study or other acceptable information from the borrower or other sources about the likely disposition of the property following the completion of construction.
 
Construction loans for nonresidential projects and multi-unit residential projects are generally larger and involve a greater degree of risk to the Bank than residential mortgage loans. The Bank attempts to minimize such risks (1) by making construction loans in accordance with the Bank’s underwriting standards and to established customers in its primary market area and (2) by monitoring the quality, progress and cost of construction. Generally, the maximum loan-to-value ratio established by the Bank for non-residential projects and multi-unit residential projects is 80 percent; however, this maximum can be waived for particularly strong borrowers on an exception basis.
 
Loans associated with construction lending are included in the real estate—construction category in Table 13: Summary of Loans Held for Investment.
 
Consumer Lot Lending
 
Consumer lot loans are loans made to individuals for the purpose of acquiring an unimproved building site for the construction of a residence that generally will be occupied by the borrower. Consumer lot loans are made only to individual borrowers, and each borrower generally must certify his or her intention to build and occupy a single-family residence on the lot. These loans typically have a maximum term of either three or five years with a balloon payment of the entire balance of the loan being due in full at the end of the initial term. The interest rate for these loans is fixed or variable at a rate that is slightly higher than prevailing rates for one-to-four family residential mortgage loans. We do not believe consumer lot loans bear as much risk as land acquisition and development loans because such loans are not made for the construction of residences for immediate resale, are not made to developers and builders, and are not concentrated in any one subdivision or community. The Bank also purchases lot loans originated by C&F Mortgage. These loans must satisfy the Bank’s underwriting criteria, including loan-to-value and credit score guidelines.
 
 
Loans associated with consumer lot lending are included in the real estate—construction category in Table 13: Summary of Loans Held for Investment.
 
Commercial Real Estate Lending
 
The Bank’s commercial real estate loans are primarily secured by the value of real property. The proceeds of commercial real estate loans are generally used by the borrower to finance or refinance the cost of acquiring and/or improving a commercial property. The properties that typically secure these loans are office and warehouse facilities, hotels, retail facilities, restaurants and other commercial properties. The Bank’s present policy is generally to restrict the making of commercial real estate loans to borrowers who will occupy or use the financed property in connection with their normal business operations. However, the Bank also will consider making commercial real estate loans under the following two conditions. First, the Bank will consider making commercial real estate loans for other purposes if the borrower is in strong financial condition and presents a substantial business opportunity for the Bank. Second, the Bank will consider making commercial real estate loans to creditworthy borrowers who have substantially pre-leased the improvements to high-caliber tenants.
 
The Bank’s commercial real estate loans are usually amortized over a period of time ranging from 15 years to 25 years and usually have a term to maturity ranging from five years to 15 years. These loans normally have provisions for interest rate adjustments after the loan is three to five years old. The Bank’s maximum loan-to-value ratio for a commercial real estate loan is 80 percent; however, this maximum can be waived for particularly strong borrowers on an exception basis. Most commercial real estate loans are further secured by one or more unconditional personal guarantees.
 
In recent years, the Bank has structured some of its commercial real estate loans as mini-permanent loans. The amortization period, term and interest rates for these loans vary based on borrower preferences and the Bank’s assessment of the loan and the degree of risk involved. If the borrower prefers a fixed rate of interest, the Bank usually offers a loan with a fixed rate of interest for a term of three to five years with an amortization period of up to 25 years. The remaining balance of the loan is due and payable in a single balloon payment at the end of the initial term. We believe these loan terms give the Bank some protection from changes in the borrower’s business and income as well as changes in general economic conditions. In the case of fixed-rate commercial real estate loans, shorter maturities also provide the Bank with an opportunity to adjust the interest rate on this type of interest-earning asset in accordance with the Bank’s asset and liability management strategies.
 
Loans secured by commercial real estate are generally larger and involve a greater degree of risk than residential mortgage loans. Because payments on loans secured by commercial real estate are usually dependent on successful operation or management of the properties securing such loans, repayment of such loans is subject to changes in both general and local economic conditions and the borrower’s business and income. As a result, events beyond the control of the Bank, such as a downturn in the local economy, could adversely affect the performance of the Bank’s commercial real estate loan portfolio. The Bank seeks to minimize these risks by lending to established customers and generally restricting its commercial real estate loans to its primary market area. Emphasis is placed on the income producing characteristics and quality of the collateral.
 
Loans associated with commercial real estate lending are included in the commercial, financial and agricultural category in Table 13: Summary of Loans Held for Investment.
 
Land Acquisition and Development Lending
 
Land acquisition and development loans are made to builders and developers for the purpose of acquiring unimproved land to be developed for residential building sites, residential housing subdivisions, multi-family dwellings and a variety of commercial uses. The Bank’s policy is to make land acquisition loans to borrowers for the purpose of acquiring developed lots for single-family, townhouse or condominium construction. The Bank will make both land acquisition and development loans to residential builders, experienced developers and others in strong financial condition to provide additional construction and mortgage lending opportunities for the Bank.
 
The Bank underwrites and processes land acquisition and development loans in much the same manner as commercial construction loans and commercial real estate loans. For land acquisition and development loans, the Bank uses lower loan-to-value ratios, which are a maximum of 65 percent for raw land, 75 percent for land development and improved lots and 80 percent of the discounted appraised value of the property as determined in accordance with the Bank’s appraisal policies for developed lots for single-family or townhouse construction. The Bank can waive the maximum loan-to-value ratio for particularly strong borrowers on an exception basis. The term of land acquisition and development loans ranges from a maximum of two years for loans relating to the acquisition of unimproved land to, generally, a maximum of three years for other types of projects. All land acquisition and development loans generally are further secured by one or more unconditional personal guarantees. Because these loans are usually in a larger amount and involve more risk than consumer lot loans, the Bank carefully evaluates the borrower’s assumptions and projections about market conditions and absorption rates in the community in which the property is located and the borrower’s ability to carry the loan if the borrower’s assumptions prove inaccurate.
 
 
Loans associated with land acquisition and development lending are included in the commercial, financial and agricultural category in Table 13: Summary of Loans Held for Investment.
 
Builder Line Lending
 
The Bank offers builder lines of credit to residential home builders to support their land and lot inventory needs. A construction loan facility for a builder will typically have an expiration of 12 months or less. Each loan that is made under the master loan facility will have a stated maturity that allows time for the residential unit to be constructed and sold to a homebuyer under prevailing market conditions. Specific terms vary based on the purpose of the loan (e.g., lot inventory, spec or non pre-sold units, pre-sold units) and previous sales activity to new homebuyers in the particular development. Repayment relies upon the successful performance of the underlying residential real estate project. This type of lending carries a higher level of risk related to residential real estate market conditions, a functioning first and secondary market in which to sell residential properties, and the borrower’s ability to manage inventory and run projects. The Bank manages this risk by lending to experienced builders and by using specific underwriting policies and procedures for these types of loans.
 
Loans associated with builder line lending are included in the commercial, financial and agricultural category in Table 13: Summary of Loans Held for Investment.
 
Commercial Business Lending
 
Commercial business loan products include revolving lines of credit to provide working capital, term loans to finance the purchase of vehicles and equipment, letters of credit to guarantee payment and performance, and other commercial loans. In general, these credit facilities carry the unconditional guaranty of the owners and/or stockholders.
 
Revolving and operating lines of credit are typically secured by all current assets of the borrower, provide for the acceleration of repayment upon any event of default, are monitored monthly or quarterly to ensure compliance with loan covenants, and are re-underwritten or renewed annually. Interest rates generally will float at a spread tied to the Bank’s prime lending rate. Term loans are generally advanced for the purchase of, and are secured by, vehicles and equipment and are normally fully amortized over a term of two to five years, on either a fixed or floating rate basis.
 
Loans associated with commercial business lending are included in the commercial, financial and agricultural category in Table 13: Summary of Loans Held for Investment.
 
Equity Line Lending
 
The Bank offers its customers home equity lines of credit that enable customers to borrow funds secured by the equity in their homes. Currently, home equity lines of credit are offered with adjustable rates of interest that are generally priced at a spread to the prime lending rate. Home equity lines of credit are made on an open-end, revolving basis. Home equity loans generally do not present as much risk to the Bank as other types of consumer loans. These loans must satisfy the Bank’s underwriting criteria, including loan-to-value and credit score guidelines.
 
Loans associated with equity line lending are included in the equity lines category in Table 13: Summary of Loans Held for Investment.
 
Consumer Lending
 
The Bank offers a variety of consumer loans, including automobile, personal secured and unsecured, and loans secured by savings accounts or certificates of deposit. The shorter terms and generally higher interest rates on consumer loans help the Bank maintain a profitable spread between its average loan yield and its cost of funds. Consumer loans secured by collateral other than a personal residence generally involve more credit risk than residential mortgage loans because of the type and nature of the collateral or, in certain cases, the absence of collateral. However, the Bank believes the higher yields generally earned on such loans compensate for the increased credit risk associated with such loans.
 
Loans associated with consumer lending are included in the consumer category in Table 13: Summary of Loans Held for Investment.
 
 
Consumer Finance
 
C&F Finance has an extensive automobile dealer network through which it purchases installment contracts throughout its markets. Credit approval is centralized in two locations, which along with the application processing system, ensures that contract purchase decisions comply with C&F Finance’s underwriting policies and procedures.
 
Finance contract application packages completed by prospective borrowers are submitted by the automobile dealers electronically through a third-party online automotive sales and finance platform to C&F Finance’s automated origination and application system, which processes the credit bureau report, generates all relevant loan calculations and recommends the contract structure. C&F Finance personnel with credit authority review the system-generated recommendations and determine whether to approve or deny the purchase of the contract. The purchase decision is based primarily on the applicant’s credit history with emphasis on prior auto loan history, current employment status, income, collateral type and mileage, and the loan-to-value ratio.
 
C&F Finance’s underwriting and collateral guidelines form the basis for the purchase decision. Exceptions to credit policies and authorities must be approved by a designated credit officer. C&F Finance’s typical customers have experienced prior credit difficulties. Because C&F Finance serves customers who are unable to meet the credit standards imposed by most traditional automobile financing sources, we expect C&F Finance to sustain a higher level of credit losses than traditional automobile financing sources. However, C&F Finance generally purchases contracts with interest at higher rates than those charged by traditional financing sources. These higher rates should more than offset the increase in the provision for loan losses for this segment of the Corporation’s loan portfolio.
 
Loans associated with automobile sales finance are included in the consumer finance category in Table 13: Summary of Loans Held for Investment.
 
SECURITIES
 
The investment portfolio plays a primary role in the management of the Corporation’s interest rate sensitivity. In addition, the portfolio serves as a source of liquidity and is used as needed to meet collateral requirements. The investment portfolio consists of securities available for sale, which may be sold in response to changes in market interest rates, changes in prepayment risk, increases in loan demand, general liquidity needs and other similar factors. These securities are carried at estimated fair value.
 
Table 15 sets forth the composition of the Corporation’s securities available for sale in dollar amounts at fair value and as a percentage of the Corporation’s total securities available for sale at the dates indicated.
 
TABLE 15: Securities Available for Sale
 
   
December 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
U.S. government agencies and corporations
  $ 15,283       10 %   $ 13,656       10 %
Mortgage-backed securities
    2,216       2       2,300       2  
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
    127,079       88       114,288       88  
Total debt securities
    144,578       100       130,244       100  
Preferred stock
    68       *       31       *  
Total available for sale securities at fair value
  $ 144,646       100 %   $ 130,275       100 %
 
*    Less than one percent
 
Growth in debt securities occurred in both the Bank’s portfolio of U.S. government agencies and corporations and obligations of states and political subdivisions as a result of the Bank’s strategy to increase the securities portfolio as a percentage of total assets. The growth was a result of excess funding provided by the increase in deposits and decreased loan demand in the Retail Banking segment.
 
During the fourth quarter of 2011, the municipal bond sector, which is included in the Corporation’s obligations of states and political subdivisions category of securities, experienced rising securities prices as overall lower interest rates, limited supply, increased investor demand, and an absence of widespread defaults helped drive the market. A number of external factors, including U.S. monetary policy, the European debt crises and concerns about global economic weakness in general, have kept interest rates at near historically low levels. There were two key drivers of the reduced supply:  (1) many issuers accelerated issuance in the second half of 2010 to take advantage of the expiring Build America Bond program, which reduced their borrowing needs for 2011, and (2) state and local governments employed strict fiscal measures to balance their budgets and, as a result, reduced the funding of new projects in general. The vast majority of the Corporation’s municipal bond portfolio is comprised of securities where the issuing municipalities have unlimited taxing authority to support their debt servicing obligations. At December 31, 2011, approximately 96 percent of the Corporation’s obligations of states and political subdivisions, as measured by market value, were rated “A” or better by Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s Investors Service.  Of those in a net unrealized loss position, approximately 81 percent were rated “A” or better, as measured by market value, at December 31, 2011. Because the Corporation intends to hold these investments in debt securities to maturity and it is more likely than not that the Corporation will not be required to sell these investments before a recovery of unrealized losses, the Corporation does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2011 and no other-than-temporary impairment has been recognized.
 
 
Table 16 presents additional information pertaining to the composition of the securities portfolio by the earlier of contractual maturity or expected maturity. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 
TABLE 16: Maturity of Securities
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amortized
Cost
   
Weighted
Average
Yield
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Weighted
Average
Yield
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Weighted
Average
Yield
 
U.S. government agencies and corporations:
                                   
Maturing within 1 year
  $ 14,742       1.47 %   $ 10,707       1.17 %   $ 4,534       2.90 %
Maturing after 1 year, but within 5 years
    506       3.94       2,922       2.64       3,616       3.62  
Maturing after 5 years, but within 10 years
    —       —       —       —       —       —  
Maturing after 10 years
    —       —       —       —       1,622       5.56  
Total U.S. government agencies and corporations
    15,248       1.55       13,629       1.49       9,772       3.61  
Mortgage backed securities:
                                               
Maturing within 1 year
    73       4.67       9       6.42       686       4.32  
Maturing after 1 year, but within 5 years
    2,062       2.94       2,220       3.49       1,137       4.12  
Maturing after 5 years, but within 10 years
    —       —       —       —       805       4.43  
Maturing after 10 years
    —       —       —       —       —       —  
Total mortgage backed securities
    2,135       2.99       2,229       3.50       2,628       4.27  
States and municipals: 1
                                               
Maturing within 1 year
    15,106       4.72       14,148       5.27       7,463       6.24  
Maturing after 1 year, but within 5 years
    30,415       5.46       27,706       5.69       22,338       5.95  
Maturing after 5 years, but within 10 years
    47,545       6.02       45,244       6.13       46,606       6.29  
Maturing after 10 years
    27,099       6.33       26,522       6.32       26,690       6.30  
Total states and municipals
    120,165       5.78       113,620       5.96       103,097       6.22  
Total securities: 2
                                               
Maturing within 1 year
    29,921       3.12       24,864       3.50       12,683       4.94  
Maturing after 1 year, but within 5 years
    32,983       5.28       32,848       5.27       27,091       5.56  
Maturing after 5 years, but within 10 years
    47,545       6.02       45,244       6.13       47,411       6.26  
Maturing after 10 years
    27,099       6.33       26,522       6.32       28,312       6.26  
Total securities
  $ 137,548       5.27 %   $ 129,478       5.45 %   $ 115,497       5.95 %
________
1
Yields on tax-exempt securities have been computed on a taxable-equivalent basis.
2
Total securities exclude preferred stock at amortized cost of $27,000 at December 31, 2011 and 2010 and $1.3 million at December 31, 2009 (estimated fair value of $68,000 at December 31, 2011, $31,000 million at December 31, 2010 and $1.3 million at December 31, 2009).
 
DEPOSITS
 
The Corporation’s predominant source of funds is depository accounts, which are comprised of demand deposits, savings and money market accounts, and time deposits. The Corporation’s deposits are principally provided by individuals and businesses located within the communities served.
 
Deposits totaled $646.4 million at December 31, 2011, compared to $625.1 million at December 31, 2010, with the increase primarily due to a $23.0 million increase in noninterest-bearing demand deposits and money market accounts, resulting in a shift in the deposit mix to shorter duration, lower-cost deposits. Time deposits decreased slightly from $309.7 million at December 31, 2010 to $307.9 million at December 31, 2011. The Corporation had no brokered certificates of deposit outstanding at December 31, 2011 or 2010.
 
 
Table 17 presents the average deposit balances and average rates paid for the years 2011, 2010 and 2009.
 
TABLE 17: Average Deposits and Rates Paid
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Average
Balance
   
Average
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Average
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Average
Rate
 
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
  $ 93,912           $ 89,430           $ 85,811        
Interest-bearing transaction accounts
    109,314       0.51 %     95,005       0.57 %     86,478       0.74 %
Money market deposit accounts
    77,882       0.65       64,085       0.88       66,562       1.54  
Savings accounts
    42,083       0.10       41,685       0.10       41,449       0.11  
Certificates of deposit, $100 thousand or more
    135,307       1.98       142,918       2.21       119,246       2.88  
Other certificates of deposit
    172,675       1.86       178,569       2.20       176,657       2.93  
Total interest-bearing deposits
    537,261       1.30 %     522,262       1.58 %     490,392       2.10 %
Total deposits
  $ 631,173             $ 611,692             $ 576,203          
 
Table 18 details maturities of certificates of deposit with balances of $100,000 or more at December 31, 2011.
 
TABLE 18: Maturities of Certificates of Deposit with Balances of $100,000 or More
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
December 31, 2011
 
3 months or less
  $ 15,475  
3-6 months
    31,678  
6-12 months
    36,116  
Over 12 months
    65,348  
Total
  $ 148,617  
 
BORROWINGS
 
In addition to deposits, the Corporation utilizes short-term borrowings from the Federal Reserve Bank and the FHLB, to fund its day-to-day operations. Short-term borrowings also include securities sold under agreements to repurchase, which are secured transactions with customers and generally mature the day following the day sold, and overnight unsecured fed funds lines with correspondent banks. Long-term borrowings consist of advances from the FHLB, advances under a non-recourse revolving bank line of credit and securities sold under agreements to repurchase with a third-party correspondent bank. All FHLB advances are secured by a blanket floating lien on all of the Bank’s qualifying closed-end and revolving, open-end loans secured by 1-4 family residential properties. All Federal Reserve Bank advances are secured by loan-specific liens on certain qualifying loans of C&F Bank that are not otherwise pledged. The bank line of credit is non-recourse and is secured by loans at C&F Finance. The repurchase agreement is secured by a portion of the Bank’s securities portfolio.
 
In December, 2007, Trust II, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Corporation, was formed for the purpose of issuing trust preferred capital securities for general corporate purposes including the refinancing of existing debt. On December 14, 2007, Trust II issued $10.0 million of trust preferred capital securities in a private placement to an institutional investor and $310,000 in common equity to the Corporation. The principal asset of Trust II is $10.3 million of the Corporation’s trust preferred capital notes. In July 2005, Trust I, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Corporation, was formed for the purpose of issuing trust preferred capital securities to partially fund the Corporation’s purchase of 427,186 shares of its common stock. On July 21, 2005, Trust I issued $10.0 million of trust preferred capital securities in a private placement to an institutional investor and $310,000 in common equity to the Corporation. The principal asset of Trust I is $10.3 million of the Corporation’s trust preferred capital notes. For further information concerning the Corporation’s borrowings, refer to Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” under the heading “Note 8: Borrowings.”
 
 
OFF-BALANCE-SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
 
To meet the financing needs of customers, the Corporation is a party, in the normal course of business, to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, commitments to sell loans and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve elements of credit and interest rate risk in addition to the amount on the balance sheet. The Corporation’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit written is represented by the contractual amount of these instruments. We use the same credit policies in making these commitments and conditional obligations as we do for on-balance-sheet instruments. We obtain collateral based on our credit assessment of the customer in each circumstance.
 
Loan commitments are agreements to extend credit to a customer provided that there are no violations of the terms of the contract prior to funding. Commitments have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee by the customer. Since many of the commitments may expire without being completely drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The total amount of unused loan commitments was $83.5 million at December 31, 2011 and $83.4 million at December 31, 2010.
 
Standby letters of credit are written conditional commitments issued by the Bank to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers. The total contract amount of standby letters of credit was $9.3 million at December 31, 2011 and $7.1 million at December 31, 2010.
 
At December 31, 2011, C&F Mortgage had rate lock commitments to originate mortgage loans aggregating $60.4 million and loans held for sale of $70.1 million. C&F Mortgage has entered into corresponding commitments with third party investors to sell loans of approximately $130.5 million. Under the contractual relationship with these investors, C&F Mortgage is obligated to sell the loans, and the investor is obligated to purchase the loans, only if the loans close. No other obligation exists. As a result of these contractual relationships with these investors, C&F Mortgage is not exposed to losses, nor will it realize gains, related to its rate lock commitments due to changes in interest rates.
 
C&F Mortgage sells substantially all of the residential mortgage loans it originates to third-party investors, some of whom require the repurchase of loans in the event of loss due to borrower misrepresentation, fraud or early default. Mortgage loans and their related servicing rights are sold under agreements that define certain eligibility criteria for the mortgage loans. Recourse periods for early payment default vary from 90 days up to one year. Recourse for borrower misrepresentation or fraud, or underwriting error does not have a stated time limit. Payments made under these recourse provisions were $396,000 in 2011, $5.0 million in 2010 and $555,000 in 2009. Payments in 2010 included the satisfaction of all known and unknown indemnification obligations for loans sold to one of C&F Mortgage’s largest investors prior to 2010, which was part of a settlement with this investor. An allowance for indemnifications is established through charges to earnings.  The allowance represents an amount that, in management’s judgment, will be adequate to absorb any losses arising from valid indemnification requests.   Risks also arise from the possible inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. C&F Mortgage has procedures in place to evaluate the credit risk of investors and does not expect any counterparty to fail to meet its obligations.
 
The Corporation uses derivatives to manage exposure to interest rate risk through the use of interest rate swaps. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange of fixed and variable rate interest payments between two parties, based on a common notional principal amount and maturity date with no exchange of underlying principal amounts. The Corporation’s interest rate swaps qualify as cash flow hedges. The Corporation’s cash flow hedges effectively modify a portion of the Corporation’s exposure to interest rate risk by converting variable rates of interest on $10.0 million of the Corporation’s trust preferred capital notes to fixed rates of interest until September 2015. The cash flow hedges total notional amount is $10.0 million. At December 31, 2011, the cash flow hedges had a fair value of ($515,000), which is recorded in other liabilities. The cash flow hedges were fully effective at December 31, 2011 and therefore the loss on the cash flow hedges was recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income taxes.
 
LIQUIDITY
 
The objective of the Corporation’s liquidity management is to ensure the continuous availability of funds to satisfy the credit needs of our customers and the demands of our depositors, creditors and investors. Stable core deposits and a strong capital position are the components of a solid foundation for the Corporation’s liquidity position. Additional sources of liquidity available to the Corporation include cash flows from operations, loan payments and payoffs, deposit growth, sales of securities, the issuance of brokered certificates of deposit and the capacity to borrow additional funds.
 
Liquid assets, which include cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits at other banks, federal funds sold and nonpledged securities available for sale, totaled $49.2 million at December 31, 2011. The Corporation’s funding sources, including capacity, amount outstanding and amount available at December 31, 2011 are presented in Table 19.
 
 
TABLE 19: Funding Sources
 
   
December 31, 2011
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Capacity
   
Outstanding
   
Available
 
Federal funds purchased
  $ 59,000     $ 2,900     $ 56,100  
Repurchase agreements
    5,000       5,000       —  
Borrowings from FHLB
    108,484       52,500       55,984  
Borrowings from Federal Reserve Bank
    65,277       —       65,277  
Revolving line of credit
    120,000       75,487       44,513  
Total
  $ 357,761     $ 135,887     $ 221,874  
________
 
We have no reason to believe these arrangements will not be renewed at maturity.  Additional loans and securities are available that can be pledged as collateral for future borrowings from the Federal Reserve Bank or the FHLB above the current lendable collateral value.
 
Certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more, maturing in less than a year, totaled $83.3 million at December 31, 2011; certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more, maturing in more than one year, totaled $65.3 million.
 
The Corporation’s contractual obligations and scheduled payment amounts due at various intervals over the next five years and beyond as of December 31, 2011 are presented in Table 20.
 
Table 20: Contractual Obligations
 
   
Payments Due by Period
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Total
   
Less than 1 Year
   
1-3 Years
   
3-5 Years
   
More than 5 Years
 
Bank lines of credit
  $ 75,487     $ —     $ 75,487     $ —     $ —  
FHLB advances 1
    52,500       10,000       20,000       17,500       5,000  
Federal Reserve Bank borrowings 2
    —       —       —       —       —  
Federal funds purchased
    2,900       2,900       —       —       —  
Trust preferred capital notes
    20,620       —       —       —       20,620  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    9,644       4,644       —       —       5,000  
Operating leases
    3,191       1,378       1,236       577       —  
Total
  $ 164,342     $ 18,922     $ 96,723     $ 18,077     $ 30,620  
________
1
FHLB advances include convertible advances of $10.0 million maturing in 2012, $12.5 million maturing in 2014, $17.5 million maturing in 2017 and $5.0 million maturing in 2018. These advances have fixed rates of interest unless the FHLB exercises its option to convert the interest on these advances from fixed-rate to variable-rate (i.e., the conversion date). We can elect to repay the advances in whole or in part on their respective conversion dates and on any interest payment dates thereafter without the payment of a fee if the FHLB elects to convert the advances. However, we would incur a fee if we repay the advances prior to their respective conversion dates, if the FHLB does not convert the advance on the conversion date, or, after notification of conversion, on any date other than the conversion date or any interest payment date thereafter. FHLB advances also include a fixed rate hybrid advance of $7.5 million maturing in 2015. This advance provides fixed-rate funding until the stated maturity date. The bank may add interest rate caps or floors at a future date, at which time the cost of the caps or floors will be added to the advance rate. For further information concerning the Corporation’s FHLB borrowings, refer to Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” under the heading “Note 8: Borrowings.”
2
At December 31, 2011 there were no outstanding borrowings from the Federal Reserve Bank.
 
As a result of the Corporation’s management of liquid assets and the ability to generate liquidity through liability funding, we believe that we maintain overall liquidity sufficient to satisfy the Corporation’s operational requirements and contractual obligations.
 
 
CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
The assessment of capital adequacy depends on such factors as asset quality, liquidity, earnings performance, and changing competitive conditions and economic forces. We regularly review the adequacy of the Corporation’s capital. We maintain a structure that will assure an adequate level of capital to support anticipated asset growth and to absorb potential losses.
 
While we will continue to look for opportunities to invest capital in profitable growth, share purchases are another tool that facilitates improving shareholder return, as measured by ROE and earnings per share. However, in connection with the Corporation’s participation in the Capital Purchase Program, as previously described, certain limitations on the Corporation’s ability to repurchase its common stock have been imposed. For more information on these restrictions, see Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” under the heading “Note 9: Shareholders’ Equity, Other Comprehensive Income and Earnings Per Common Share.”
 
The Corporation’s capital position continues to exceed regulatory minimum requirements. The primary indicators relied on by bank regulators in measuring the capital position are the Tier 1 capital, total risk-based capital, and leverage ratios, as previously described in the “Regulation and Supervision” section of Item 1. The Corporation’s Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ratio was 15.1 percent at December 31, 2011, compared with 15.3 percent at December 31, 2010. The total capital to risk-weighted assets ratio was 16.4 percent at December 31, 2011, compared with 16.5 percent at December 31, 2010. The Tier 1 leverage ratio was 11.5 percent at December 31, 2011, compared with 11.6 percent at December 31, 2010. These ratios are in excess of the mandated minimum requirements. These ratios include the trust preferred securities issued in December 2007 and July 2005, as well as the $10.0 million and $20.0 million of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding on December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, in Tier 1 capital for regulatory capital adequacy determination purposes.
 
Shareholders’ equity was $96.1 million at year-end 2011 compared with $92.8 million at year-end 2010. During 2011, the Corporation declared common stock dividends of $1.01 per share, compared to $1.00 per share declared in 2010 and $1.06 per share in 2009. The dividend payout ratio, based on net income available to common shareholders, was 26.9 percent in 2011, 44.2 percent in 2010 and 73.5 percent in 2009. In addition, on July 27, 2011, the Corporation redeemed $10.0 million, or 50 percent, of the $20.0 million of Series A Preferred Stock. The funds for this redemption were provided by existing financial resources of the Corporation and no new capital was issued.
 
In December 2010, the Basel Committee released its final framework for strengthening international capital and liquidity regulation, now officially identified by the Basel Committee as “Basel III.” Basel III, when implemented by the U.S. banking agencies and fully phased-in on January 1, 2019, will require bank holding companies and their bank subsidiaries to maintain substantially more capital, with a greater emphasis on common equity. As discussed in Item 1. “Business” under the heading “Regulation and Supervision”, Basel III will be phased in between 2014 and 2019. The U.S. banking agencies have indicated informally that they expect to propose regulations implementing Basel III in mid-2012.
 
In addition to Basel III, Dodd-Frank requires or permits the U.S. banking agencies to adopt regulations affecting banking institutions' capital requirements in a number of respects, including potentially more stringent capital requirements for systemically important financial institutions. Accordingly, the regulations ultimately applicable to the Corporation may be substantially different from the Basel III final framework as published in December 2010. Requirements to maintain higher levels of capital or to maintain higher levels of liquid assets could adversely impact the Corporation's net income and return on equity.
 
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
Recent accounting pronouncements affecting the Corporation are described in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” under the heading “Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Recent Significant Accounting Pronouncements.”
 
EFFECTS OF INFLATION AND CHANGING PRICES
 
The Corporation's financial statements included herein have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). GAAP presently requires the Corporation to measure financial position and operating results primarily in terms of historic dollars. Changes in the relative value of money due to inflation or recession are generally not considered. The primary effect of inflation on the operations of the Corporation is reflected in increased operating costs. In management's opinion, changes in interest rates affect the financial condition of a financial institution to a far greater degree than changes in the inflation rate. While interest rates are greatly influenced by changes in the inflation rate, they do not necessarily change at the same rate or in the same magnitude as the inflation rate. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond the control of the Corporation, including changes in the expected rate of inflation, the influence of general and local economic conditions and the monetary and fiscal policies of the United States government, its agencies and various other governmental regulatory authorities.
 
 
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
                     
The Corporation’s primary component of market risk is interest rate volatility. Fluctuations in interest rates will impact the amount of interest income and expense the Corporation receives or pays on a significant portion of its assets and liabilities and the market value of its interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, excluding those which have a very short term until maturity. The Corporation does not subject itself to foreign currency exchange rate risk or commodity price risk due to the current nature of its operations. The Corporation had two outstanding interest rate swaps used as hedging transactions at December 31, 2011.  The interest rate swaps were entered into to fix the rate of interest paid on $10.0 million of the Corporation’s variable rate trust preferred capital notes. The interest rate swaps mature in 2015.
 
The primary objective of the Corporation’s asset/liability management process is to maximize current and future net interest income within acceptable levels of interest rate risk while satisfying liquidity and capital requirements. Management recognizes that a certain amount of interest rate risk is inherent and appropriate. Thus the goal of interest rate risk management is to maintain a balance between risk and reward such that net interest income is maximized while risk is maintained at an acceptable level.
 
The Corporation assumes interest rate risk as a result of its normal operations. The fair values of most of the Corporation’s financial instruments will change when interest rates change and that change may be either favorable or unfavorable to the Corporation. Management attempts to match maturities and repricing dates of assets and liabilities to the extent believed necessary to balance minimizing interest rate risk and increasing net interest income in current market conditions. However, borrowers with fixed rate obligations are less likely to prepay in a rising rate environment and more likely to prepay in a falling rate environment. Conversely, depositors who are receiving fixed rates are more likely to withdraw funds before maturity in a rising rate environment and less likely to do so in a falling rate environment. Management monitors rates, maturities and repricing dates of assets and liabilities and attempts to manage interest rate risk by adjusting terms of new loans, deposits and borrowings and by investing in securities with terms that manage the Corporation’s overall interest rate risk.
 
We use simulation analysis to assess earnings at risk and economic value of equity (EVE) analysis to assess economic value at risk. These methods allow management to regularly monitor both the direction and magnitude of the Corporation’s interest rate risk exposure. These modeling techniques involve assumptions and estimates that inherently cannot be measured with complete precision. Key assumptions in the analyses include maturity and repricing characteristics of both assets and liabilities, prepayments on amortizing assets, other embedded options, non-maturity deposit sensitivity and loan and deposit pricing. These assumptions are inherently uncertain due to the timing, magnitude and frequency of rate changes and changes in market conditions and management strategies, among other factors. However, the analyses are useful in quantifying risk and provide a relative gauge of the Corporation’s interest rate risk position over time.
 
Simulation analysis evaluates the potential effect of upward and downward changes in market interest rates on future net interest income. The analysis involves changing the interest rates used in determining net interest income over the next twelve months. The resulting percentage change in net interest income in various rate scenarios is an indication of the Corporation’s shorter-term interest rate risk. The analysis utilizes a “static” balance sheet approach, which assumes changes in interest rates without any management response to change the composition of the balance sheet. The measurement date balance sheet composition is maintained over the simulation time period with maturing and repayment dollars being rolled back into like instruments for new terms at current market rates. Additional assumptions are applied to modify volumes and pricing under the various rate scenarios. These include prepayment assumptions on mortgage assets, the sensitivity of non-maturity deposit rates, and other factors that management deems significant.
 
The simulation analysis results are presented in the table below. These results, based on a measurement date balance sheet as of December 31, 2011, indicate that the Corporation would expect net interest income to decrease over the next twelve months 4.63 percent assuming an immediate downward shift in market interest rates of 200 basis points (BP) and to increase 0.32 percent if rates shifted upward in the same manner.
 
1-Year Net Interest Income Simulation (dollars in thousands)
 
   
Hypothetical Change in Net
Interest Income for the Year Ended
December 31, 2012
 
Assumed Market Interest Rate Shift
 
Dollars
   
Percentage
 
-200 BP shock
  $ (2,878 )     (4.63 )%
+200 BP shock
  $ 199       0.32 %
 
 
The EVE analysis provides information on the risk inherent in the balance sheet that might not be taken into account in the simulation analysis due to the shorter time horizon used in that analysis. The EVE of the balance sheet is defined as the discounted present value of expected asset cash flows minus the discounted present value of the expected liability cash flows. The analysis involves changing the interest rates used in determining the expected cash flows and in discounting the cash flows. The resulting percentage change in net present value in various rate scenarios is an indication of the longer term repricing risk and options embedded in the balance sheet.
 
The EVE analysis results are presented in the table below. These results as of December 31, 2011 indicate that the EVE would decrease 0.99 percent assuming an immediate downward shift in market interest rates of 200 BP and would decrease 2.01 percent if rates shifted upward in the same manner.
 
Static EVE Change (dollars in thousands)
 
   
Hypothetical Change in EVE
 
Assumed Market Interest Rate Shift
 
Dollars
   
Percentage
 
-200 BP shock
  $ (1,251 )     (0.99 )%
+200 BP shock
  $ (2,531 )     (2.01 )%
 
In the net interest income simulation above, net interest income increases over the next twelve months in the event of an immediate upward shift in interest rates, but declines in the event of an immediate downward shift in interest rates. In a rising rate environment, the Corporation’s assets would reprice quicker than what the Corporation pays on its borrowings and deposits primarily due to the shorter maturity or repricing dates of its loan portfolios, cash on hand and short-term investments. However, in a falling rate environment the simulation assumes that adjustable-rate assets will continue to reprice downward, subject to floors on certain loans, and fixed-rate assets with prepayment or callable options will reprice at lower rates while certain deposits cannot reprice any lower.
 
The EVE analysis above indicates a decrease in the EVE in an immediate upward shift in interest rates, and a decrease in the EVE in an immediate downward shift in interest rates. In a rising rate environment, the Corporation’s assets would take longer to reprice over time than what the Corporation pays on its borrowings and deposits due to the longer maturity or repricing dates of its investment and loan portfolios as compared to time deposits and borrowings. In a falling rate environment, the Corporation’s borrowings and deposits would be limited in their repricing given the current exceptionally low interest rate environment, while fixed-rate assets that mature or those with prepayment or callable options will reprice lower.
 
At C&F Mortgage, we enter into commitments to originate residential mortgage loans whereby the interest rate on the loan is determined prior to funding (i.e., rate lock commitments). The period of time between issuance of a loan commitment and closing and sale of the loan generally ranges from 15 days to 90 days. The Corporation protects itself from changes in interest rates by entering into loan purchase agreements with third party investors that provide for the investor to purchase loans at the same terms (including interest rate) as committed to the borrower. Under the contractual relationship with the purchaser of each loan, the Corporation is obligated to sell the loan to the purchaser, and the investor is obligated to purchase the loan, only if the loan closes. No other obligation exists. As a result of these contractual relationships with purchasers of loans, the Corporation is not exposed to losses nor will it realize gains related to its rate lock commitments due to changes in interest rates.
 
We believe that our current interest rate exposure is manageable and does not indicate any significant exposure to interest rate changes.
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
   
December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Assets
           
Cash and due from banks
  $ 5,787     $ 7,150  
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks and federal funds sold
    5,720       2,530  
Total cash and cash equivalents
    11,507       9,680  
Securities—available for sale at fair value, amortized cost of $137,575 and $129,505, respectively
    144,646       130,275  
Loans held for sale, net
    70,062       67,153  
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $33,677and $28,840, respectively
    616,984       606,744  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost
    3,767       3,887  
Corporate premises and equipment, net
    28,462       28,743  
Other real estate owned, net of valuation allowance of $3,927 and $3,979, respectively
    6,059       10,674  
Accrued interest receivable
    5,242       5,073  
Goodwill
    10,724       10,724  
Other assets
    30,671       31,184  
Total assets
  $ 928,124     $ 904,137  
                 
Liabilities
               
Deposits
               
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
  $ 95,556     $ 87,263  
Savings and interest-bearing demand deposits
    242,917       228,185  
Time deposits
    307,943       309,686  
Total deposits
    646,416       625,134  
Short-term borrowings
    7,544       10,618  
Long-term borrowings
    132,987       132,902  
Trust preferred capital notes
    20,620       20,620  
Accrued interest payable
    1,111       1,160  
Other liabilities
    23,356       20,926  
Total liabilities
    832,034       811,360  
                 
Commitments and contingent liabilities
    —       —  
                 
Shareholders’ Equity
               
Preferred stock ($1.00 par value, 3,000,000 shares authorized, 10,000 and 20,000 shares issued and outstanding, respectively)
    10       20  
Common stock ($1.00 par value, 8,000,000 shares authorized, 3,178,510 and 3,118,066 shares issued and outstanding, respectively)
    3,091       3,032  
Additional paid-in capital
    13,438       22,112  
Retained earnings
    76,167       67,542  
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net
    3,384       71  
Total shareholders’ equity
    96,090       92,777  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 928,124     $ 904,137  
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Interest income
                 
Interest and fees on loans
  $ 68,571     $ 64,941     $ 60,116  
Interest on money market investments
    46       43       6  
Interest and dividends on securities
                       
U.S. government agencies and corporations
    206       281       418  
Tax-exempt obligations of states and political subdivisions
    4,859       4,459       4,208  
Corporate bonds and other
    108       124       223  
Total interest income
    73,790       69,848       64,971  
Interest expense
                       
Savings and interest-bearing deposits
    1,102       1,142       1,711  
Certificates of deposit, $100 thousand or more
    2,684       3,161       3,433  
Other time deposits
    3,217       3,935       5,174  
Borrowings
    3,892       3,998       4,071  
Trust preferred capital notes
    986       999       1,070  
Total interest expense
    11,881       13,235       15,459  
Net interest income
    61,909       56,613       49,512  
Provision for loan losses
    14,160       14,959       18,563  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    47,749       41,654       30,949  
Noninterest income
                       
Gains on sales of loans
    16,094       18,564       24,976  
Service charges on deposit accounts
    3,509       3,511       3,303  
Other service charges and fees
    5,290       4,913       5,018  
Investment services income
    1,008       834       648  
Net gains on calls and sales of available for sale securities
    13       70       22  
Other income
    1,132       1,808       2,722  
Total noninterest income
    27,046       29,700       36,689  
Noninterest expenses
                       
Salaries and employee benefits
    34,317       34,889       35,118  
Occupancy expenses
    6,491       5,768       5,714  
Other expenses
    15,276       19,638       19,335  
Total noninterest expenses
    56,084       60,295       60,167  
Income before income taxes
    18,711       11,059       7,471  
Income tax expense
    5,735       2,949       1,945  
Net income
    12,976       8,110       5,526  
Effective dividends on preferred stock
    1,183       1,149       1,130  
Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 11,793     $ 6,961     $ 4,396  
Earnings per common share—basic
  $ 3.76     $ 2.26     $ 1.44  
Earnings per common share—assuming dilution
  $ 3.72     $ 2.24     $ 1.44  
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Preferred
Stock
   
Common
Stock
   
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
   
Retained
Earnings
   
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
   
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
Balance December 31, 2008
  $ —     $ 2,992     $ 551     $ 62,361     $ (1,047 )   $ 64,857  
Comprehensive income:
                                               
Net income
    —       —       —       5,526       —       5,526  
Other comprehensive income, net:
                                               
Changes in defined benefit plan assets and benefit obligations, net
    —       —       —       —       734          
Unrealized holding gains on securities, net of reclassification adjustment
    —       —       —       —       1,281          
Other comprehensive income, net
    —       —       —       —       2,015       2,015  
Comprehensive income
    —       —       —       —       —       7,541  
Stock options exercised
    —       17       309       —       —       326  
Share-based compensation
    —       —       318       —       —       318  
Issuance of preferred stock and warrant
    20       —       19,894       —       —       19,914  
Accretion of preferred stock discount
    —       —       138       (138 )     —       —  
Cash dividends paid – common stock ($1.06 per share)
    —       —       —       (3,230 )     —       (3,230 )
Cash dividends paid – preferred stock (5% per annum)
    —       —       —       (850 )     —       (850 )
Balance December 31, 2009
    20       3,009       21,210       63,669       968       88,876  
Comprehensive income:
                                               
Net income
    —       —       —       8,110       —       8,110  
Other comprehensive loss, net:
                                               
Changes in defined benefit plan assets and benefit obligations, net
    —       —       —       —       (139 )        
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedging instruments, net
    —       —       —       —       (90 )        
Unrealized holding losses on securities, net of reclassification adjustment
    —       —       —       —       (668 )        
Other comprehensive loss, net
    —       —       —       —       (897 )     (897 )
Comprehensive income
    —       —       —       —       —       7,213  
Stock options exercised
    —       23       386       —       —       409  
Share-based compensation
    —       —       367       —       —       367  
Accretion of preferred stock discount
    —       —       149       (149 )     —       —  
Cash dividends paid – common stock ($1.00 per share)
    —       —       —       (3,088 )     —       (3,088 )
Cash dividends paid – preferred stock (5% per annum)
    —       —       —       (1,000 )     —       (1,000 )
Balance December 31, 2010
  $ 20     $ 3,032     $ 22,112     $ 67,542     $ 71     $ 92,777  
Comprehensive income:
                                               
Net income
    —       —       —       12,976       —       12,976  
Other comprehensive income, net:
                                               
Changes in defined benefit plan assets and benefit obligations, net
    —       —       —       —       (559 )        
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedging instruments, net
    —       —       —       —       (223 )        
Unrealized holding gains on securities, net of reclassification adjustment
    —       —       —       —       4,095          
Other comprehensive income, net
    —       —       —       —       3,313       3,313  
Comprehensive income
    —       —       —       —       —       16,289  
Stock options exercised
    —       34       660       —       —       694  
Share-based compensation
    —       —       395       —       —       395  
Restricted stock vested
    —       23       (111 )     —       —       (88 )
Preferred stock redemption
    (10 )     —       (9,990 )     —       —       (10,000 )
Accretion of preferred stock discount
    —       —       333       (333 )     —       —  
Common stock issued
    —       2       39       —       —       41  
Cash dividends paid – common stock ($1.01 per share)
    —       —       —       (3,168 )     —       (3,168 )
Cash dividends paid – preferred stock (5% per annum)
    —       —       —       (850 )     —       (850 )
Balance December 31, 2011
  $ 10     $ 3,091     $ 13,438     $ 76,167     $ 3,384     $ 96,090  
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Operating activities:
                 
Net income
  $ 12,976     $ 8,110     $ 5,526  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
                       
Depreciation
    2,121       1,887       2,067  
Deferred income taxes
    (1,341 )     (2,253 )     (3,477 )
Provision for loan losses
    14,160       14,959       18,563  
Provision for indemnifications
    807       3,745       2,490  
Provision for other real estate owned losses
    911       2,180       2,614  
Share-based compensation
    395       367       318  
Accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums on securities, net
    758       615       172  
Net realized gain on securities
    (13 )     (70 )     (22 )
Net realized (gain) loss on sale of other real estate owned
    (57 )     (45 )     93  
Origination of loans held for sale
    (616,438 )     (748,263 )     (1,063,108 )
Sale of loans
    613,529       709,866       1,071,394  
Change in other assets and liabilities:
                       
Accrued interest receivable
    (169 )     335       (312 )
Other assets
    6       (1,238 )     (4,579 )
Accrued interest payable
    (49 )     (409 )     (352 )
Other liabilities
    396       (3,194 )     454  
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    27,992       (13,408 )     31,841  
Investing activities:
                       
Proceeds from maturities, calls and sales of securities available for sale
    31,098       28,693       23,139  
Purchase of securities available for sale
    (39,914 )     (41,969 )     (39,286 )
Net redemptions of FHLB stock
    120       —       1,397  
Net increase in customer loans
    (29,440 )     (13,964 )     (15,424 )
Other real estate owned improvements
    —       (218 )     —  
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned
    8,801       5,492       3,495  
Purchases of corporate premises and equipment, net
    (1,840 )     (1,140 )     (426 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (31,175 )     (23,106 )     (27,105 )
Financing activities:
                       
Net increase in demand, interest-bearing demand and savings deposits
    23,025       23,352       10,269  
Net (decrease) increase in time deposits
    (1,743 )     (4,848 )     45,636  
Net decrease in borrowings
    (2,989 )     (6,692 )     (48,628 )
Issuance of preferred stock
    —       —       19,914  
Redemption of preferred stock
    (10,000 )     —       —  
Issuance of common stock
    41       —       —  
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    694       409       326  
Cash dividends
    (4,018 )     (4,088 )     (4,080 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
    5,010       8,133       23,437  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    1,827       (28,381 )     28,173  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    9,680       38,061       9,888  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ 11,507     $ 9,680     $ 38,061  
Supplemental disclosure
                       
Interest paid
  $ 11,930     $ 13,644     $ 15,811  
Income taxes paid
    6,955       4,070       4,231  
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities
                       
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale
  $ 6,300     $ (1,026 )   $ 1,970  
Loans transferred to other real estate owned
    (5,040 )     (5,265 )     (16,874 )
Pension adjustment
    (860 )     (215 )     1,129  
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
NOTE 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Principles of Consolidation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of C&F Financial Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary, Citizens and Farmers Bank. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In addition, C&F Financial Corporation owns C&F Financial Statutory Trust I and C&F Financial Statutory Trust II, which are unconsolidated subsidiaries. The subordinated debt owed to these trusts is reported as a liability of the Corporation. The accounting and reporting policies of C&F Financial Corporation and subsidiary (the Corporation) conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) and to predominant practices within the banking industry.
 
Nature of Operations: C&F Financial Corporation is a bank holding company incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Corporation owns all of the stock of its subsidiary, Citizens and Farmers Bank (the Bank), which is an independent commercial bank chartered under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Bank and its subsidiaries offer a wide range of banking and related financial services to both individuals and businesses.
 
The Bank has five wholly-owned subsidiaries: C&F Mortgage Corporation and Subsidiaries (C&F Mortgage), C&F Finance Company (C&F Finance), C&F Title Agency, Inc., C&F Investment Services, Inc. and C&F Insurance Services, Inc., all incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. C&F Mortgage, organized in September 1995, was formed to originate and sell residential mortgages and through its subsidiaries, Hometown Settlement Services LLC and Certified Appraisals LLC, provides ancillary mortgage loan production services, such as loan settlements, title searches and residential appraisals. C&F Finance, acquired on September 1, 2002, is a regional finance company providing automobile loans. C&F Title Agency, Inc., organized in October 1992, primarily sells title insurance to the mortgage loan customers of the Bank and C&F Mortgage. C&F Investment Services, Inc., organized in April 1995, is a full-service brokerage firm offering a comprehensive range of investment services. C&F Insurance Services, Inc., organized in July 1999, owns an equity interest in an insurance agency that sells insurance products to customers of the Bank, C&F Mortgage and other financial institutions that have an equity interest in the agency. Business segment data is presented in Note 17.
 
Basis of Presentation: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the allowance for indemnifications, impairment of loans, impairment of securities, the valuation of other real estate owned, the projected benefit obligation under the defined benefit pension plan, the valuation of deferred taxes, fair value measurements and goodwill impairment. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations in these financial statements, have been made. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current year presentation.
 
Significant Group Concentrations of Credit Risk: Substantially all of the Corporation’s lending activities are with customers located in Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee and North Carolina. At December 31, 2011, 32.6 percent of the Corporation’s loan portfolio consisted of commercial, financial and agricultural loans, which include loans secured by real estate for builder lines, acquisition and development and commercial development, as well as commercial loans secured by personal property. In addition, 37.9 percent of the Corporation’s loan portfolio consisted of non-prime consumer finance loans to individuals, secured by automobiles. The Corporation does not have any significant loan concentrations to any one customer. Note 3 discusses the Corporation’s lending activities. The Corporation invests in a variety of securities, principally obligations of U.S. government agencies and obligations of states and political subdivisions. While the Corporation does have a significant portion of its securities classified as obligations of states and political subdivisions, there are no concentrations in any one state of greater than 10.0 percent and no individual issuer greater than 1.5 percent. The Corporation does not have any other significant securities concentrations in any one industry or geographic region, or to any one issuer. Note 2 discusses the Corporation’s securities portfolio and investment activities.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents: For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash, balances due from banks, interest-bearing deposits in banks and federal funds sold, all of which mature within 90 days. The Bank is required to maintain average balances on hand or with the Federal Reserve Bank. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, these reserve balances amounted to $360,000 and $220,000, respectively.
 
Securities: Investments in debt and equity securities with readily determinable fair values are classified as either held to maturity, available for sale, or trading, based on management’s intent. Currently all of the Corporation’s investment securities are classified as available for sale. Available for sale securities are carried at estimated fair value with the corresponding unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income. Gains or losses are recognized in earnings on the trade date using the amortized cost of the specific security sold. Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities.
 
 
Impairment of securities occurs when the fair value of a security is less than its amortized cost. For debt securities, impairment is considered other-than-temporary and recognized in its entirety in net income if either (i) we intend to sell the security or (ii) it is more-likely-than-not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If, however, we do not intend to sell the security and it is not more-likely-than-not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery, we must determine what portion of the impairment is attributable to a credit loss, which occurs when the amortized cost basis of the security exceeds the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected from the security. If there is no credit loss, there is no other-than-temporary impairment. If there is a credit loss, other-than-temporary impairment exists, and the credit loss must be recognized in net income and the remaining portion of impairment must be recognized in other comprehensive income. For equity securities, impairment is considered to be other-than-temporary based on our ability and intent to hold the investment until a recovery of fair value. Other-than-temporary impairment of an equity security results in a write-down that must be included in net income. We regularly review each investment security for other-than-temporary impairment based on criteria that include the extent to which cost exceeds market price, the duration of that market decline, the financial health of and specific prospects for the issuer, our best estimate of the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from debt securities, our intention with regard to holding the security to maturity and the likelihood that we would be required to sell the security before recovery.
 
Loans Held for Sale: Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value, determined in the aggregate, net of deferred fees or costs. Fair value considers commitment agreements with investors and prevailing market prices. Substantially all loans originated by C&F Mortgage are held for sale to outside investors.
 
Loans: The Corporation makes mortgage, commercial and consumer loans to customers. Our recorded investment in loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off generally are reported at their unpaid principal balances adjusted for charges-offs, unearned discounts, any deferred fees or costs on originated loans, and the allowance for loan losses. Interest on loans is credited to operations based on the principal amount outstanding. Loan fees and origination costs are deferred and the net amount is amortized as an adjustment of the related loan’s yield using the level-yield method. The Corporation is amortizing these amounts over the contractual life of the related loans.
 
A loan’s past due status is based on the contractual due date of the most delinquent payment due.  Loans are generally placed on nonaccrual status when the collection of principal or interest is 90 days or more past due, or earlier, if collection is uncertain based on an evaluation of the net realizable value of the collateral and the financial strength of the borrower. Loans greater than 90 days past due may remain on accrual status if management determines it has adequate collateral to cover the principal and interest. For those loans that are carried on nonaccrual status, payments are first applied to principal outstanding.  A loan may be returned to accrual status if the borrower has demonstrated a sustained period of repayment performance in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan and there is reasonable assurance the borrower will continue to make payments as agreed.  These policies are applied consistently across our loan portfolio.
 
The Corporation considers a loan impaired when it is probable that the Corporation will be unable to collect all interest and principal payments as scheduled in the loan agreement. A loan is not considered impaired during a period of delay in payment if the ultimate collectibility of all amounts due is expected. Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis for commercial, construction and residential loans in excess of $500,000 by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, the Corporation does not separately identify individual consumer, residential and certain small commercial loans that are less than $500,000 for impairment disclosures, except for troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) as noted below. Consistent with the Corporation’s method for nonaccrual loans, payments on impaired loans are first applied to principal outstanding, except potentially for TDRs as noted below.
 
TDRs occur when the Corporation agrees to significantly modify the original terms of a loan due to the deterioration in the financial condition of the borrower.  TDRs are considered impaired loans. Upon designation as a TDR, the Corporation evaluates the borrower’s payment history, past due status and ability to make payments based on the revised terms of the loan.  If a loan was accruing prior to being modified as a TDR and if the Corporation concludes that the borrower is able to make such payments, and there are no other factors or circumstances that would cause it to conclude otherwise, the loan will remain on an accruing status.  If a loan was on nonaccrual status at the time of the TDR, the loan will remain on nonaccrual status following the modification and may be returned to accrual status based on the policy for returning loans to accrual status as noted above. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Corporation had $17.09 million and $9.77 million of loans classified as TDRs.
 
Allowance for Loan Losses: The allowance for loan losses is established through charges to earnings in the form of a provision for loan losses. Loan losses are charged against the allowance for loan losses for the difference between the carrying value of the loan and the estimated net realizable value or fair value of the collateral, if collateral dependent, when:
 
•
Management believes that the collectibility of the principal is unlikely regardless of delinquency status.
 
•
The loan is a consumer loan and is 120 days past due.
 
•
The loan is a non-consumer loan and is 180 days past due, unless the loan is well secured and recovery is probable.
 
•
The borrower is in bankruptcy, unless the debt has been reaffirmed, is well secured and recovery is probable.
 
 
Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.
 
The allowance represents an amount that, in management’s judgment, will be adequate to absorb any losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible. Management’s judgment in determining the level of the allowance is based on evaluations of the collectibility of loans while taking into consideration such factors as trends in delinquencies and charge-offs, changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions that may affect a borrower’s ability to repay and the value of collateral, overall portfolio quality and review of specific potential losses. This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.  The evaluation also considers the following risk characteristics of each loan portfolio:

 
•
Real estate residential mortgage loans carry risks associated with the continued credit-worthiness of the borrower and changes in the value of the collateral.

 
•
Real estate construction loans carry risks that the project will not be finished according to schedule, the project will not be finished according to budget and the value of the collateral may, at any point in time, be less than the principal amount of the loan. Construction loans also bear the risk that the general contractor, who may or may not be a loan customer, may be unable to finish the construction project as planned because of financial pressure unrelated to the project.

 
•
Commercial, financial and agricultural loans carry risks associated with the successful operation of a business or a real estate project, in addition to other risks associated with the ownership of real estate, because the repayment of these loans may be dependent upon the profitability and cash flows of the business or project. In addition, there is risk associated with the value of collateral other than real estate which may depreciate over time and cannot be appraised with as much precision.

 
•
Consumer loans carry risks associated with the continued credit-worthiness of the borrower and the value of the collateral (e.g., rapidly-depreciating assets such as automobiles), or lack thereof. Consumer loans are more likely than real estate loans to be immediately adversely affected by job loss, divorce, illness or personal bankruptcy.

 
•
Equity lines of credit carry risks associated with the continued credit-worthiness of the borrower and changes in the value of the collateral.

 
•
Consumer finance loans carry risks associated with the continued credit-worthiness of borrowers who may be unable to meet the credit standards imposed by most traditional automobile financing sources and the value of rapidly-depreciating collateral.

The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as impaired, and is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan.  For collateral dependent loans, an updated appraisal will be ordered if a current one is not on file.  Appraisals are performed by independent third-party appraisers with relevant industry experience.  Adjustments to the appraised value may be made based on recent sales of like properties or general market conditions when appropriate. The general component covers non-classified loans and those loans classified as doubtful, substandard or special mention that are not impaired.  The general component is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors, such as current economic conditions, including current home sales and foreclosures, unemployment rates and retail sales. Relative to non-classified loans, non-impaired classified loans are assigned a higher allowance factor which increases with the severity of classification.  The characteristics of the loan ratings are as follows:

 
•
Pass rated loans are to persons or business entities with an acceptable financial condition, appropriate collateral margins, appropriate cash flow to service the existing loan, and an appropriate leverage ratio. The borrower has paid all obligations as agreed and it is expected that this type of payment history will continue. When necessary, acceptable personal guarantors support the loan.

 
•
Special mention loans have a specifically identified weakness in the borrower’s operations and in the borrower’s ability to generate positive cash flow on a sustained basis. The borrower’s recent payment history is characterized by late payments. The Corporation’s risk exposure is mitigated by collateral supporting the loan. The collateral is considered to be well-margined, well maintained, accessible and readily marketable.

 
•
Substandard loans are considered to have specific and well-defined weaknesses that jeopardize the viability of the Corporation’s credit extension. The payment history for the loan has been inconsistent and the expected or projected primary repayment source may be inadequate to service the loan. The estimated net liquidation value of the collateral pledged and/or ability of the personal guarantor(s) to pay the loan may not adequately protect the Corporation. There is a distinct possibility that the Corporation will sustain some loss if the deficiencies associated with the loan are not corrected in the near term. A substandard loan would not automatically meet our definition of impaired unless the loan is significantly past due and the borrower’s performance and financial condition provide evidence that it is probable that the Corporation will be unable to collect all amounts due.
 
 
 
•
Substandard nonaccrual loans have the same characteristics as substandard loans; however, they have a non-accrual classification because it is probable that the Corporation will not be able to collect all amounts due.

 
•
Doubtful rated loans have all the weaknesses inherent in a loan that is classified substandard but with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable. The possibility of loss is extremely high.

 
•
Loss rated loans are not considered collectible under normal circumstances and there is no realistic expectation for any future payment on the loan. Loss rated loans are fully charged off.
   
The consumer finance loans are segregated between performing and nonperforming loans.  Performing loans are those that have made timely payments in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement and are not past due 90 days or more.  Nonperforming loans are those that do not accrue interest and are greater than 90 days past due.
 
Off-Balance-Sheet Credit Related Financial Instruments: In the ordinary course of business, the Corporation has entered into commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.
 
Rate Lock Commitments: The Corporation enters into commitments to originate residential mortgage loans for sale whereby the interest rate on the loan is determined prior to funding (i.e., rate lock commitments). The period of time between issuance of a loan commitment and closing and sale of the loan generally ranges from 15 to 90 days. The Corporation protects itself from changes in interest rates by entering into loan purchase agreements with third party investors that provide for the investor to purchase loans at the same terms (including interest rate) as committed to the borrower. Under the contractual relationship with the purchaser of each loan, the Corporation is obligated to sell the loan to the purchaser, and the purchaser is obligated to buy the loan, only if the loan closes. No other obligation exists. As a result of these contractual relationships with purchasers of loans, the Corporation is not exposed to losses nor will it realize gains related to its rate lock commitments due to changes in interest rates.
 
Allowance for Indemnifications: The allowance for indemnifications is established through charges to earnings in the form of a provision for indemnifications, which is included in other noninterest expenses. A loss is charged against the allowance for indemnifications when a purchaser of a loan (investor) sold by C&F Mortgage incurs an indemnified loss due to demonstrated borrower misrepresentation, fraud, early default or underwriting error.
 
The allowance represents an amount that, in management’s judgment, will be adequate to absorb any losses arising from valid indemnification requests. Management’s judgment in determining the level of the allowance is based on the volume of loans sold, current economic conditions and information provided by investors. This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.
 
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock: Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock is carried at cost. No ready market exists for this stock and it has no quoted market value. For presentation purposes, such stock is assumed to have a market value that is equal to cost. Management reviews FHLB stock for impairment based on the ultimate recoverability of the cost basis.
 
Other Real Estate Owned (OREO): Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at the lower of the loan balance or the fair value less costs to sell at the date of foreclosure. Subsequent to foreclosure, management periodically performs valuations of the foreclosed assets based on updated appraisals, general market conditions, recent sales of like properties, length of time the properties have been held, and our ability and intention with regard to continued ownership of the properties. The Corporation may incur additional write-downs of foreclosed assets to fair value less costs to sell if valuations indicate a further other-than-temporary deterioration in market conditions. Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the property valuations are included in net expenses from foreclosed assets and improvements are capitalized.
 
Corporate Premises and Equipment: Land is carried at cost.   Buildings and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation computed using a straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Estimated useful lives range from ten to forty years for buildings and from three to ten years for equipment, furniture and fixtures. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred and major improvements are capitalized. Upon sale or retirement of depreciable properties, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are netted against proceeds and any resulting gain or loss is included in income.
 
Goodwill: Goodwill is subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment by applying a fair value based test. The Corporation’s goodwill was recognized in connection with the Bank’s acquisition of C&F Finance in September 2002. The annual test for impairment was completed during the fourth quarter of 2011 and it was determined there was no impairment to be recognized in 2011.
 
Transfer of Financial Assets: Transfers of loans are accounted for as sales when control over the loans has been surrendered. Control over transferred loans is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the loans have been isolated from the Corporation, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred loans and (3) the Corporation does not maintain effective control over the transferred loans through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.
 
 
Income Taxes: The Corporation determines deferred income tax assets and liabilities using the liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is determined annually for differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Income tax expense is the tax payable or refundable for the period plus or minus the change during the period in deferred tax assets and liabilities.
 
When tax returns are filed, it is highly certain that some positions taken will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others are subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that will be ultimately sustained. The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying balance sheet along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination. Interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits are classified as additional income taxes in the statement of income.
 
Retirement Plan: The Corporation recognizes the overfunded or underfunded status of its defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability in the balance sheet and recognizes a change in the plan’s funded status in the year in which the change occurs through other comprehensive income. The funded status of a benefit plan is measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation. For the Corporation’s pension plan, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation as of December 31. In addition, enhanced disclosures about certain effects on net periodic benefit cost for the next fiscal year that arise from delayed recognition of the gains or losses, prior service costs or credits, and transition asset or obligation are presented in the notes to financial statements. Valuations for 2011 and 2010 determined that the Corporation’s pension plan was underfunded. As a result, the Corporation recognized pension liabilities of $473,000 at December 31, 2011 and $654,000 at December 31, 2010, and recognized a net loss of $559,000 in 2011, a net loss of $139,000 in 2010 and a net gain of $734,000 in 2009 as components of other comprehensive income (loss). The Corporation’s pension plan is described more fully in Note 11.
 
Share-Based Compensation: Compensation expense for grants of restricted shares is accounted for using the fair market value of the Corporation’s common stock on the date the restricted shares are awarded. Compensation expense for restricted shares is charged to income ratably over the vesting period. Compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 included $363,000 ($225,000 after tax), $367,000 ($228,000 after tax) and $318,000 ($197,000 after tax), respectively, for restricted stock granted during 2006 through 2011. As of December 31, 2011, there was $1.27 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock that will be recognized over the remaining vesting periods. The Corporation estimates forfeitures when recognizing compensation expense and this estimate of forfeitures is adjusted over the requisite service period or vesting schedule based on the extent to which actual forfeitures differ from such estimates. Changes in estimated forfeitures in future periods, if any, will be recognized through a cumulative catch-up adjustment in the period of change, which will affect the amount of estimated unamortized compensation expense to be recognized in future periods. The Corporation’s share-based compensation plans are described more fully in Note 13.
 
Earnings Per Common Share: In June 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) concluded that all outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends participate in undistributed earnings with common shareholders. This conclusion affects entities that accrue cash dividends on share-based payment awards during the awards’ service period when the dividends do not need to be returned if the employees forfeit the awards. Because the awards are considered participating securities, the issuing entity is required to apply the two-class method of computing basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS). The Corporation has applied the two-class method of computing basic and diluted EPS for each of the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 because the Corporation’s unvested restricted shares outstanding contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends. Accordingly, the weighted average number of common shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS includes both vested and unvested common shares outstanding. EPS calculations are presented in Note 9.
 
Comprehensive Income: Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income. Although certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities, changes in defined benefit plan assets and liabilities, and unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedging instruments are reported as a separate component of the equity section of the balance sheet, such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income. These components are presented in the Corporation’s Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and are described more fully in Note 9.
 
Derivative Financial Instruments: The Corporation recognizes derivative financial instruments at fair value as either an other asset or an other liability in the consolidated balance sheet. The Corporation’s derivative financial instruments have been designated as and qualify as cash flow hedges. Accordingly, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the Corporation’s cash flow hedges is reported as a component of other comprehensive income, net of deferred income taxes, and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The Corporation’s derivative financial instruments are described more fully in Note 18.
 
 
Recent Significant Accounting Pronouncements:
 
In July 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2010-20, Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses. The new disclosure guidance significantly expands the existing disclosure requirements and is intended to lead to greater transparency into a company’s exposure to credit losses from lending arrangements. The extensive new disclosures of information as of the end of a reporting period became effective for both interim and annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2010. Specific items regarding activity that occurred before the issuance of the ASU, such as the allowance rollforward and modification disclosures, are required for periods beginning after December 15, 2010. The adoption of ASU 2010-20 did not have a material effect on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.  The required disclosures have been included in the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.
 
In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-02, A Creditor’s Determination of Whether a Restructuring Is a Troubled Debt Restructuring . The amendments in this ASU are intended to provide guidance to allow a creditor to determine whether a restructuring is a TDR by clarifying the guidance on a creditor’s evaluation of whether it has granted a concession or not and whether a debtor is experiencing financial difficulties or not. The amendments in this ASU are effective for periods beginning after June 15, 2011 and should be applied retrospectively to the beginning of the annual period of adoption. Upon adoption, the disclosure requirements promulgated in ASU 2010-20 related to TDRs will become effective. The adoption of ASU 2011-02 did not have a material effect on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.
 
In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-03, Transfers and Servicing – Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements.   The amendments in this ASU remove from the assessment of effective control (1) the criterion requiring the transferor to have the ability to repurchase or redeem the financial assets on substantially the agreed terms, even in the event of default by the transferee and (2) the collateral maintenance implementation guidance related to that criterion.  The amendments in this ASU are effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011.  The guidance should be applied prospectively to transactions or modification of existing transactions that occur on or after the effective date.  The adoption of the new guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.
 
In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement – Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs .  This ASU is the result of joint efforts by the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board to develop a single, converged fair value framework on how (not when) to measure fair value and what disclosures to provide about fair value measurements.  The ASU is largely consistent with existing fair value measurement principles in U.S. GAAP, with many of the amendments made to eliminate unnecessary wording differences between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards.  The amendments are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, with prospective application.  The adoption of the amendments is not expected to have a material effect on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.
 
In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Comprehensive Income – Presentation of Comprehensive Income .  The objective of this ASU is to improve the comparability, consistency and transparency of financial reporting and to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income by eliminating the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. The amendments require that all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The amendments do not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income, the option for an entity to present components of other comprehensive income either net of related tax effects or before related tax effects, or the calculation or reporting of earnings per share. The amendments in this ASU should be applied retrospectively. The amendments are effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted because compliance with the amendments is already permitted. The amendments do not require transition disclosures. The adoption of the amendments is not expected to have a material effect on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.
 
In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, Intangible – Goodwill and Other – Testing Goodwill for Impairment .  The amendments in this ASU permit an entity to first assess qualitative factors related to goodwill to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill test described in Topic 350.  The more-likely-than-not threshold is defined as having a likelihood of more than 50 percent.  Under the amendments in this ASU, an entity is not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount.  The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011.  Early adoption is permitted, including for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed as of a date before September 15, 2011, if an entity’s financial statements for the most recent annual or interim period have not yet been issued.  The adoption of the amendments is not expected to have a material effect on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.
 
 
In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12, Comprehensive Income - Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in ASU 2011-05 . The amendments are being made to allow the FASB time to redeliberate whether to present on the face of the financial statements the effects of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the components of net income and other comprehensive income for all periods presented. While the FASB is considering the operational concerns about the presentation requirements for reclassification adjustments and the needs of financial statement users for additional information about reclassification adjustments, entities should continue to report reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income consistent with the presentation requirements in effect before ASU 2011-05. All other requirements in ASU 2011-05 are not affected by ASU 2011-12, including the requirement to report comprehensive income either in a single continuous financial statement or in two separate but consecutive financial statements, as presented above.
 
In December 2008, the SEC issued Final Rule No. 33-9002, Interactive Data to Improve Financial Reporting.  The rule requires companies to submit financial statements in extensible business reporting language (i.e., XBRL) format with their SEC filings on a phased-in schedule.  Based on this schedule, the Corporation was required to provide interactive data reports starting with the quarterly report for the period ending June 30, 2011.  The rule had no effect on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.  The interactive data reports have been included in this annual report as Exhibit 101.
 
NOTE 2: Securities
 
The Corporation’s debt and equity securities, all of which are classified as available for sale, at December 31, 2011 and 2010 are summarized as follows:
 
   
December 31, 2011
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amortized
Cost
   
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
Estimated
Fair Value
 
U.S. government agencies and corporations
  $ 15,248     $ 39     $ (4 )   $ 15,283  
Mortgage-backed securities
    2,135       81       —       2,216  
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
    120,165       6,998       (84 )     127,079  
Preferred stock
    27       41       —       68  
    $ 137,575     $ 7,159     $ (88 )   $ 144,646  
 
   
December 31, 2010
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amortized
Cost
   
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
Estimated
Fair Value
 
U.S. government agencies and corporations
  $ 13,629     $ 57     $ (30 )   $ 13,656  
Mortgage-backed securities
    2,229       78       (7 )     2,300  
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
    113,620       1,694       (1,026 )     114,288  
Preferred stock
    27       7       (3 )     31  
    $ 129,505     $ 1,836     $ (1,066 )   $ 130,275  
 
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities, all of which are classified as available for sale, at December 31, 2011 and 2010, by the earlier of contractual maturity or expected maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 
   
December 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amortized
Cost
   
Estimated
Fair Value
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Due in one year or less
  $ 29,921     $ 30,108     $ 24,864     $ 24,929  
Due after one year through five years
    32,983       34,169       32,848       33,050  
Due after five years through ten years
    47,545       51,021       45,244       45,450  
Due after ten years
    27,099       29,280       26,522       26,815  
Preferred stock
    27       68       27       31  
    $ 137,575     $ 144,646     $ 129,505     $ 130,275  
 
 
64
 
Proceeds from the maturities, calls and sales of securities available for sale in 2011 were $31.10 million, resulting in gross realized gains of $13,000; in 2010 were $28.69 million, resulting in gross realized gains of $88,000 and gross realized losses of $18,000; and in 2009 were $23.14 million, resulting in gross realized gains of $48,000 and gross realized losses of $26,000.
 
The Corporation pledges securities to primarily secure public deposits, Federal Reserve Bank treasury, tax and loan deposits and repurchase agreements. Securities with an aggregate amortized cost of $106.97 million and an aggregate fair value of $112.66 million were pledged at December 31, 2011. Securities with an aggregate amortized cost of $93.56 million and an aggregate fair value of $94.28 million were pledged at December 31, 2010.
 
Securities in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2011, by duration of the period of the unrealized loss, are shown below.
 
   
Less Than 12 Months
   
12 Months or More
   
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Loss
   
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Loss
   
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Loss
 
U.S. government agencies and corporations
  $ 2,064     $ 4     $ —     $ —     $ 2,064     $ 4  
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
    3,305       35       1,328       49       4,633       84  
Total temporarily impaired securities
  $ 5,369     $ 39     $ 1,328     $ 49     $ 6,697     $ 88  
 
There are 22 debt securities totaling $6.70 million considered temporarily impaired at December 31, 2011. The primary cause of the temporary impairments in the Corporation’s investments in debt securities was fluctuations in interest rates. During the fourth quarter of 2011, the municipal bond sector, which is included in the Corporation’s obligations of states and political subdivisions category of securities, experienced rising securities prices as overall lower interest rates, limited supply, increased investor demand, and an absence of widespread defaults helped drive the market. A number of external factors, including the European debt crises and concerns about global economic weakness in general, have kept interest rates at near historically low levels. There were two key drivers of the reduced supply of municipal bonds:  (1) many issuers accelerated issuance in the second half of 2010 to take advantage of the expiring Build America Bond program, which reduced their borrowing needs for 2011, and (2) state and local governments employed strict fiscal measures to balance their budgets and, as a result, reduced the funding of new projects in general. The vast majority of the Corporation’s municipal bond portfolio is comprised of securities where the issuing municipalities have unlimited taxing authority to support their debt servicing obligations. At December 31, 2011, approximately 96 percent of the Corporation’s obligations of states and political subdivisions, as measured by market value, were rated “A” or better by Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s Investors Service.  Of those in a net unrealized loss position, approximately 81 percent were rated “A” or better, as measured by market value, at December 31, 2011. Because the Corporation intends to hold these investments in debt securities to maturity and it is more likely than not that the Corporation will not be required to sell these investments before a recovery of unrealized losses, the Corporation does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2011 and no other-than-temporary impairment has been recognized.
 
The Corporation’s investment in FHLB stock totaled $3.77 million at December 31, 2011. FHLB stock is generally viewed as a long-term investment and as a restricted investment security, which is carried at cost, because there is no market for the stock, other than the FHLBs or member institutions. Therefore, when evaluating FHLB stock for impairment, its value is based on the ultimate recoverability of the par value rather than by recognizing temporary declines in value. The Corporation does not consider this investment to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2011 and no impairment has been recognized. FHLB stock is shown as a separate line item on the balance sheet and is not a part of the available for sale securities portfolio.
 
Securities in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2010, by duration of the period of the unrealized loss, are shown below.
 
   
Less Than 12 Months
   
12 Months or More
   
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Loss
   
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Loss
   
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Loss
 
U.S. government agencies and corporations
  $ 4,345     $ 30     $ —     $ —     $ 4,345     $ 30  
Mortgage-backed securities
    590       7       —       —       590       7  
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
    38,585       925       1,178       101       39,763       1,026  
Subtotal-debt securities
    43,520       962       1,178       101       44,698       1,063  
Preferred stock
    8       3       —       —       8       3  
Total temporarily impaired securities
  $ 43,528     $ 965     $ 1,178     $ 101     $ 44,706     $ 1,066  
 
 
65
 
NOTE 3: Loans
 
Major classifications of loans are summarized as follows:
 
   
December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Real estate – residential mortgage
  $ 147,135     $ 146,073  
Real estate – construction
    5,737       12,095  
Commercial, financial and agricultural 1
    212,235       219,226  
Equity lines
    33,192       32,187  
Consumer
    6,057       5,250  
Consumer finance
    246,305       220,753  
      650,661       635,584  
Less allowance for loan losses
    (33,677 )     (28,840 )
Loans, net
  $ 616,984     $ 606,744  
________
 
1
Includes the Corporation’s commercial real estate lending, land acquisition and development lending, builder line lending and commercial business lending.
 
Consumer loans included $299,000 and $378,000 of demand deposit overdrafts at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
 
Loans on nonaccrual status were as follows:
 
   
December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Real estate – residential mortgage
  $ 2,440     $ 189  
Real estate – construction:
               
Construction lending 1
    —       —  
Consumer lot lending 1
    —       —  
Commercial, financial and agricultural:
               
Commercial real estate lending
    5,093       5,760  
Land acquisition & development lending
    —       —  
Builder line lending
    2,303       67  
Commercial business lending
    673       1,448  
Equity lines
    123       266  
Consumer
    —       35  
Consumer finance
    381       151  
Total loans on nonaccrual status
  $ 11,013     $ 7,916  
____
 
1
At December 31, 2011 and 2010 there were no real estate construction lending loans or real estate consumer lot lending loans on nonaccrual status.
 
If interest income had been recognized on nonaccrual loans at their stated rates during years 2011, 2010 and 2009, interest income would have increased by approximately $651,000, $624,000 and $668,000, respectively.
 
 
The past due status of loans as of December 31, 2011 was as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
30-59 Days
 Past Due
   
60-89 Days
Past Due
   
90+ Days
Past Due
   
Total Past
Due
   
Current
   
Total Loans
   
90+ Days
 Past Due and
Accruing
 
Real estate – residential mortgage
  $ 1,270     $ 1,445     $ 533     $ 3,248     $ 143,887     $ 147,135     $ 65  
Real estate – construction:
                                                       
Construction lending
    —       —       —       —       5,084       5,084       —  
Consumer lot lending
    —       —       —       —       653       653       —  
Commercial, financial and agricultural:
                                                       
Commercial real estate lending
    986       1,311       —       2,297       114,475       116,772       —  
Land acquisition & development lending
    —       —       —       —       32,645       32,645       —  
Builder line lending
    —       —       —       —       17,637       17,637       —  
Commercial business lending
    480       —       —       480       44,701       45,181       —  
Equity lines
    69       90       33       192       33,000       33,192       —  
Consumer
    13       —       —       13       6,044       6,057       3  
Consumer finance
    5,327       1,041       381       6,749       239,556       246,305       —  
Total
  $ 8,145     $ 3,887     $ 947     $ 12,979     $ 637,682     $ 650,661     $ 68  
 
For the purposes of the above table, “Current” includes loans that are 1-29 days past due.
 
The past due status of loans as of December 31, 2010 was as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
30-59 Days
Past Due
   
60-89 Days
Past Due
   
90+ Days Past
Due
   
Total Past
Due
   
Current
   
Total Loans
   
90+ Days
Past Due and
Accruing
 
Real estate – residential mortgage
  $ 1,605     $ 826     $ 751     $ 3,182     $ 142,891     $ 146,073     $ 676  
Real estate – construction:
                                                       
Construction lending
    —       —       —       —       10,744       10,744       —  
Consumer lot lending
    —       —       —       —       1,351       1,351       —  
Commercial, financial and agricultural:
                                                       
Commercial real estate lending
    59       —       2,840       2,899       108,418       111,317       186  
Land acquisition and development lending
    —       —       —       —       34,314       34,314       —  
Builder line lending
    —       1,450       195       1,645       23,171       24,816       128  
Commercial business lending
    9       —       1,383       1,392       47,387       48,779       —  
Equity lines
    223       115       35       373       31,814       32,187       35  
Consumer
    1       11       38       50       5,200       5,250       5  
Consumer finance
    4,913       829       151       5,893       214,860       220,753       —  
Total
  $ 6,810     $ 3,231     $ 5,393     $ 15,434     $ 620,150     $ 635,584     $ 1,030  
 
For the purposes of the above table, “Current” includes loans that are 1-29 days past due.
 
As a result of adopting the amendments in ASU 2011-02, the Corporation reassessed all loan modifications that occurred on or after January 1, 2011 to determine whether they should be considered TDRs.  There were no additional TDRs identified in connection with this reassessment.
 
 
The balance at December 31, 2011 of loan modifications classified as TDRs during the year ended December 31, 2011 were as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
December 31,
2011
 
Real estate – residential mortgage – interest reduction
  $ 618  
Real estate – residential mortgage – interest rate concession
    210  
Commercial, financial and agricultural:
       
Commercial real estate lending – interest reduction
    171  
Commercial real estate lending – interest rate concession
    5,201  
Commercial real estate lending – principal reduction
    490  
Builder line lending – interest rate concession
    2,285  
Commercial business lending – interest rate concession
    652  
Total
  $ 9,627  
 
TDR additions during the year ended December 31, 2011 included two commercial relationships totaling $7.11 million at December 31, 2011 for which loan modifications were negotiated.  While these relationships were also in nonaccrual status at December 31, 2011, the borrowers are servicing the loans in accordance with the modified terms.  The Corporation has no obligation to fund additional advances on its impaired loans.
 
TDR payment defaults during year ended December 31, 2011 were as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 
Real estate – residential mortgage
  $ 153  
Consumer
    4  
Total
  $ 157  
 
For purposes of this disclosure, a TDR payment default occurs when, within 12 months of the original TDR modification, either a full or partial charge-off occurs or a TDR becomes 90 days or more past due.
 
Impaired loans, which include TDRs of $17.09 million, and the related allowance at December 31, 2011 were as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Recorded
Investment in
Loans
   
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
   
Related
Allowance
   
Average
Balance Total
Loans
   
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
Real estate – residential mortgage
  $ 3,482     $ 3,698     $ 657     $ 3,723     $ 137  
Commercial, financial and agricultural:
                                       
Commercial real estate lending
    5,861       5,957       1,464       6,195       102  
Land acquisition & development lending
    5,490       5,814       1,331       6,116       372  
Builder line lending
    2,285       2,285       318       2,397       —  
Commercial business lending
    652       654       161       663       6  
Equity lines
    —       —       —       —       —  
Consumer
    324       324       49       324       14  
Total
  $ 18,094     $ 18,732     $ 3,980     $ 19,418     $ 631  
 
 
Impaired loans, which include TDRs of $9.77 million, and the related allowance at December 31, 2010 were as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Recorded
Investment in
Loans
   
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
   
Related
Allowance
   
Average
Balance-Impaired
Loans
   
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
Real estate – residential mortgage
  $ 3,110     $ 3,110     $ 466     $ 2,689     $ 137  
Commercial, financial and agricultural:
                                       
Commercial real estate lending
    5,760       6,816       1,263       3,582       30  
Land acquisition & development lending
    5,919       5,919       400       1,038       30  
Builder line lending
    —       —       —       1,014       —  
Commercial business lending
    1,142       1,267       404       613       —  
Equity lines
    148       150       49       149       4  
Consumer
    338       338       51       333       14  
Total
  $ 16,417     $ 17,600     $ 2,633     $ 9,418     $ 215  
 
The average balance of impaired loans for 2009 was $12.43 million.
 
NOTE 4: Allowance for Loan Losses
 
Changes in the allowance for loan losses were as follows:
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Balance at the beginning of year
  $ 28,840     $ 24,027     $ 19,806  
Provision charged to operations
    14,160       14,959       18,563  
Loans charged off
    (12,177 )     (12,330 )     (16,177 )
Recoveries of loans previously charged off
    2,854       2,184       1,835  
Balance at the end of year
  $ 33,677     $ 28,840     $ 24,027  
 
 
The following table presents, as of December 31, 2011, the total allowance for loan losses, the allowance by impairment methodology (individually evaluated for impairment or collectively evaluated for impairment), the total loans and loans by impairment methodology (individually evaluated for impairment or collectively evaluated for impairment).
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Real Estate
Residential
Mortgage
   
Real Estate
Construction
   
Commercial,
Financial &
Agricultural
   
Equity Lines
   
Consumer
   
Consumer
Finance
   
Total
 
Allowance for loan losses:
                                         
Balance at the beginning of year
  $ 1,442     $ 581     $ 8,688     $ 380     $ 307     $ 17,442     $ 28,840  
Provision charged to operations
    1,935       (101 )     3,745       572       209       7,800       14,160  
Loans charged off
    (1,096 )     —       (2,566 )     (52 )     (319 )     (8,144 )     (12,177 )
Recoveries of loans previously charged off
    98       —       173       12       122       2,449       2,854  
Ending balance
  $ 2,379     $ 480     $ 10,040     $ 912     $ 319     $ 19,547     $ 33,677  
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
  $ 657     $ —     $ 3,274     $ —     $ 49     $ —     $ 3,980  
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
  $ 1,722     $ 480     $ 6,766     $ 912     $ 270     $ 19,547     $ 29,697  
Loans:
                                                       
Ending balance
  $ 147,135     $ 5,737     $ 212,235     $ 33,192     $ 6,057     $ 246,305     $ 650,661  
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
  $ 3,482     $ —     $ 14,288     $ —     $ 324     $ —     $ 18,094  
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
  $ 143,653     $ 5,737     $ 197,947     $ 33,192     $ 5,733     $ 246,305     $ 632,567  
 
The following table presents, as of December 31, 2010, the total allowance for loan losses, the allowance by impairment methodology (individually evaluated for impairment or collectively evaluated for impairment), the total loans and loans by impairment methodology (individually evaluated for impairment or collectively evaluated for impairment).
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Real Estate
Residential
Mortgage
   
Real Estate
Construction
   
Commercial,
Financial &
Agricultural
   
Equity Lines
   
Consumer
   
Consumer
Finance
   
Total
 
Allowance for loan losses:
                                         
Balance at end of period
  $ 1,442     $ 581     $ 8,688     $ 380     $ 307     $ 17,442     $ 28,840  
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
  $ 466     $ —     $ 2,067     $ 49     $ 51     $ —     $ 2,633  
Ending balance: collectively evaluated  for impairment
  $ 976     $ 581     $ 6,621     $ 331     $ 256     $ 17,442     $ 26,207  
Loans:
                                                       
Ending balance
  $ 146,073     $ 12,095     $ 219,226     $ 32,187     $ 5,250     $ 220,753     $ 635,584  
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
  $ 3,110     $ —     $ 12,821     $ 148     $ 338     $ —     $ 16,417  
Ending balance: collectively evaluated  for impairment
  $ 142,963     $ 12,095     $ 206,405     $ 32,039     $ 4,912     $ 220,753     $ 619,167  
 
 
Loans by credit quality indicators as of December 31, 2011 were as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Pass
   
Special
Mention
   
Substandard
   
Substandard
Nonaccrual
   
Total 1
 
Real estate – residential mortgage
  $ 140,304     $ 1,261     $ 3,130     $ 2,440     $ 147,135  
Real estate – construction:
                                       
Construction lending
    2,214       —       2,870       —       5,084  
Consumer lot lending
    653       —       —       —       653  
Commercial, financial and agricultural:
                                       
Commercial real estate lending
    96,773       5,413       9,493       5,093       116,772  
Land acquisition & development lending
    13,605       9,939       9,101       —       32,645  
Builder line lending
    12,480       1,434       1,420       2,303       17,637  
Commercial business lending
    41,590       2,001       917       673       45,181  
Equity lines
    31,935       298       836       123       33,192  
Consumer
    5,271       10       776       —       6,057  
    $ 344,825     $ 20,356     $ 28,543     $ 10,632     $ 404,356  
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Performing
   
Non-Performing
   
Total
 
Consumer finance
  $ 245,924     $ 381     $ 246,305  
_____________
 
1    At December 31, 2011, the Corporation does not have any loans classified as Doubtful or Loss.
 
Loans by credit quality indicators as of December 31, 2010 were as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Pass
   
Special
Mention
   
Substandard
   
Substandard
Nonaccrual
   
Total 1
 
Real estate – residential mortgage
  $ 140,651     $ 1,344     $ 3,889     $ 189     $ 146,073  
Real estate – construction:
                                       
Construction lending
    6,017       —       4,727       —       10,744  
Consumer lot lending
    1,351       —       —       —       1,351  
Commercial, financial and agricultural:
                                       
Commercial real estate lending
    93,235       12,002       320       5,760       111,317  
Land acquisition & development lending
    21,642       3,394       9,278       —       34,314  
Builder line lending
    13,827       6,112       4,810       67       24,816  
Commercial business lending
    42,865       4,166       300       1,448       48,779  
Equity lines
    31,562       263       96       266       32,187  
Consumer
    4,804       11       400       35       5,250  
    $ 355,954     $ 27,292     $ 23,820     $ 7,765     $ 414,831  
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Performing
   
Non-Performing
   
Total
 
Consumer finance
  $ 220,602     $ 151     $ 220,753  
__________
 
1   At December 31, 2010, the Corporation did not have any loans classified as Doubtful or Loss.
 
 
NOTE 5: Other Real Estate Owned
 
At December 31, 2011 and 2010, OREO was $6.06 million and $10.67 million, respectively. OREO is primarily comprised of residential properties and non-residential properties associated with commercial relationships, and are located primarily in the state of Virginia. Changes in the balance for OREO are as follows:
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Balance at the beginning of year, gross
  $ 14,653     $ 15,202  
Transfers from loans
    5,040       5,265  
Capitalized costs
    --       218  
Charge-offs
    (963 )     (585 )
Sales proceeds
    (8,801 )     (5,492 )
Gain (loss) on disposition
    57       45  
Balance at the end of year, gross
    9,986       14,653  
Less allowance for losses
    (3,927 )     (3,979 )
Balance at the end of year, net
  $ 6,059     $ 10,674  
 
Changes in the allowance for OREO losses are as follows:
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Balance at the beginning of year
  $ 3,979     $ 2,402     $ 73  
Provision for losses
    911       2,180       2,614  
Charge-offs, net
    (963 )     (603 )     (285 )
Balance at the end of year
  $ 3,927     $ 3,979     $ 2,402  
 
Net expenses applicable to OREO, other than the provision for losses, were $516,000, $931,000 and $129,000 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
NOTE 6: Corporate Premises and Equipment
 
Major classifications of corporate premises and equipment are summarized as follows:
 
   
December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Land
  $ 6,506     $ 6,506  
Buildings
    25,967       25,769  
Equipment, furniture and fixtures
    23,032       21,455  
      55,505       53,730  
Less accumulated depreciation
    (27,043 )     (24,987 )
    $ 28,462     $ 28,743  
 
 
NOTE 7: Time Deposits
 
Time deposits are summarized as follows:
 
   
December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Certificates of deposit, $100 thousand or more
  $ 148,617     $ 142,198  
Other time deposits
    159,326       167,488  
    $ 307,943     $ 309,686  
 
Remaining maturities on time deposits at December 31, 2011 are as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
     
2012
  $ 180,633  
2013
    47,395  
2014
    39,512  
2015
    28,110  
2016
    12,293  
Thereafter
    —  
    $ 307,943  
 
NOTE 8: Borrowings
 
The table below presents selected information on short-term borrowings:
 
   
December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Customer repurchase agreements 1
  $ 4,644     $ 6,848  
Federal Reserve Bank discount window 2
    —       —  
FHLB advances 3
    —       —  
Federal funds purchased 4
    2,900       3,770  
Balance outstanding at year end
  $ 7,544     $ 10,618  
Maximum balance at any month end during the year
  $ 7,750     $ 31,530  
Average balance for the year
  $ 5,831     $ 9,341  
Weighted average rate for the year
    0.69 %     0.78 %
Weighted average rate on borrowings at year end
    0.56 %     0.52 %
Estimated fair value at year end
  $ 7,544     $ 10,618  
 
 
1
Secured transactions with customers, which generally mature the day following the day sold.
 
2
Short-term borrowings through the Federal Reserve Bank’s discount window lending programs, which are secured by a loan-specific lien on certain qualifying loans.  At December 31, 2011 and 2010 there were no short-term borrowings from the Federal Reserve Bank.
 
3
Short-term borrowings from the FHLB secured by a blanket floating lien on certain loans secured by 1-4 family residential properties.  At December 31, 2011 and 2010 there were no short-term FHLB advances outstanding.
 
4
Advances against $59 million in federal funds lines with correspondent banks.
 
Long-term borrowings at December 31, 2011 consist of a repurchase agreement with a third-party broker, which is secured by investment securities; advances under a non-recourse revolving bank line of credit secured by loans at C&F Finance; and advances from the FHLB, which are secured by a blanket floating lien on all qualifying closed-end and revolving, open-end loans secured by 1-4 family residential properties.  The interest rate on the repurchase agreement, which matures in 2018, is 3.55% (7.00% minus three-month LIBOR with a maximum rate of 3.55%) and the outstanding balance as of December   31, 2011 was $5.00 million.  The interest rate on the revolving bank line of credit, which matures in 2014, floats at the one-month LIBOR rate plus a range of 200 basis points to 225 basis points, depending upon the average balance outstanding on the line, and the outstanding balance as of December 31, 2011 was $75.49 million.  C&F Finance’s revolving bank line of credit agreement contains covenants regarding C&F Finance’s capital adequacy, collateral performance, adequacy of the allowance for loan losses and interest expense coverage.  C&F Finance satisfied all such covenants during 2011.  Long-term advances from the FHLB at December 31, 2011 consist of $45.00 million of convertible advances and a $7.50 million fixed rate hybrid advance.  The convertible advances have fixed rates of interest unless the FHLB exercises its option to convert the interest on these advances from fixed rate to variable rate.  The fixed rate hybrid advance provides fixed-rate funding until the stated maturity date. The Bank may add interest rate caps or floors at a future date, at which time the cost of the caps or floors will be added to the advance rate.
 
 
The table below presents selected information on the FHLB advances:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
                 
Balance Outstanding at December 31, 2011
   
Interest Rate
   
Maturity Date
   
Next
Conversion
Option Date
Fixed Rate Hybrid Advance
                 
$ 7,500       3.39 %  
 08/10/15
     
Convertible Advances
                   
$ 5,000       3.90 %  
                    08/30/12
   
                 02/29/12
$ 5,000       4.08    
                    08/30/12
   
                 02/29/12
$ 5,000       3.95    
                    11/17/14
   
 02/17/12
$ 7,500       3.69    
                    11/28/14
   
                 02/28/12
$ 7,500       3.70    
                    10/19/17
   
                 04/19/12
$ 5,000       4.06    
                    10/25/17
   
                 01/25/12
$ 5,000       2.93    
                    11/27/17
   
                 02/27/12
$ 5,000       3.59    
                    06/06/18
   
                 06/06/12
 
The contractual maturities of long-term borrowings at December 31, 2011 are as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Fixed Rate
   
Floating Rate
   
Total
 
2012
  $ 10,000     $ —     $ 10,000  
2013
    —       —       —  
2014
    12,500       75,487       87,987  
2015
    7,500       —       7,500  
2016
    —       —       —  
Thereafter
    22,500       5,000       27,500  
    $ 52,500     $ 80,487     $ 132,987  
 
The Corporation’s unused lines of credit for future borrowings total approximately $221.87 million at December 31, 2011, which consists of $55.98 million available from the FHLB, $44.51 million on C&F Finance’s revolving bank line of credit, $65.28 million available from the Federal Reserve Bank and $56.10 million under federal funds agreements with a third party financial institution.  Additional loans are available that can be pledged as collateral for future borrowings from the Federal Reserve Bank or the FHLB above the current lendable collateral value.
 
In December 2007, C&F Financial Statutory Trust II (Trust II), a wholly-owned non-operating subsidiary of the Corporation, was formed for the purpose of issuing trust preferred capital securities for general corporate purposes including the refinancing of existing debt. On December 14, 2007, Trust II issued $10.00 million of trust preferred capital securities in a private placement to an institutional investor and $310,000 in common equity to the Corporation in exchange for cash. The securities mature in December 2037, are redeemable at the Corporation’s option beginning after five years, and require quarterly distributions by Trust II to the holder of the securities at a fixed rate of 7.73% as to $5.00 million of the securities and at a rate equal to the three-month LIBOR rate plus 3.15% as to the remaining $5.00 million, which rate was 3.70% at December 31, 2011. The fixed rate portion of the securities converts to the three-month LIBOR rate plus 3.15% in December 2012. The principal asset of Trust II is $10.31 million of the Corporation’s trust preferred capital notes with like maturities and like interest rates to the trust preferred capital securities. The interest payments by the Corporation on the debt securities will be used by Trust II to pay the quarterly distributions payable by Trust II to the holders of the trust preferred capital securities.
 
In July 2005, C&F Financial Statutory Trust I (Trust I), a wholly-owned non-operating subsidiary of the Corporation, was formed for the purpose of issuing trust preferred capital securities to partially fund the Corporation’s purchase of 427,186 shares of its common stock. On July 21, 2005, Trust I issued $10.00 million of trust preferred capital securities in a private placement to an institutional investor and $310,000 in common equity to the Corporation in exchange for cash. The securities mature in September 2035, are redeemable at the Corporation’s option beginning after five years, and require quarterly distributions by Trust I to the holder of the securities at a rate equal to the three-month LIBOR rate plus 1.57%.  During 2010, in order to mitigate the effect of rising interest rates in the future, the Corporation entered into two interest rate swap agreements whereby the effective fixed interest rate on $5.00 million of the securities became 3.48% and the effective fixed interest rate on the remaining $5.00 million of the securities became 4.31%.  The interest rate swaps mature in September 2015.  The principal asset of Trust I is $10.31 million of the Corporation’s trust preferred capital notes with like maturities and like interest rates to the trust preferred capital securities. The interest payments by the Corporation on the debt securities will be used by Trust I to pay the quarterly distributions payable by Trust I to the holders of the trust preferred capital securities.
 
 
Subject to certain exceptions and limitations, the Corporation may elect from time to time to defer interest payments on the junior subordinated debt securities, which would result in a deferral of distribution payments on the related capital securities.
 
NOTE 9: Shareholders’ Equity, Other Comprehensive Income and Earnings Per Common Share
 
Shareholders’ Equity
 
Preferred Shares.   On January 9, 2009, as part of the Capital Purchase Program (Capital Purchase Program) established by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA), the Corporation issued and sold to Treasury for an aggregate purchase price of $20.00 million in cash (1) 20,000 shares of the Corporation’s fixed rate cumulative perpetual preferred stock, Series A, par value $1.00 per share, having a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (Series A Preferred Stock) and (2) a ten-year warrant to purchase up to 167,504 shares of the Corporation’s common stock, par value $1.00 per share (Common Stock), at an initial exercise price of $17.91 per share (Warrant). The Series A Preferred Stock may be treated as Tier 1 capital for regulatory capital adequacy determination purposes.
 
Cumulative dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock will accrue on the liquidation preference at a rate of 5% per annum for the first five years, and at a rate of 9% per annum thereafter. The Series A Preferred Stock has no maturity date and ranks senior to the Common Stock with respect to the payment of dividends. The Corporation may redeem the Series A Preferred Stock at 100% of its liquidation preference (plus any accrued and unpaid dividends), subject to the consent of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
 
The Warrant has a 10-year term and was immediately exercisable upon issuance, with an exercise price, subject to anti-dilution adjustments, equal to $17.91 per share of Common Stock. Of the aggregate amount of $20.00 million received, approximately $19.21 million was attributable to the Series A Preferred Stock and approximately $792,000 was attributable to the Warrant, based on the relative fair values of these instruments on the date of issuance. The Corporation used a discounted cash flow analysis to determine the fair value of the Series A Preferred Stock, which included the following key assumptions: (i) a discount rate of 10 percent, (ii) a dividend rate for the first five years of 5 percent and (iii) a dividend rate after five years of 9 percent. The Corporation used the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of the Warrant, which included the following key assumptions: (i) volatility of 30 percent, (ii) an exercise price of $17.91, (iii) a dividend yield of 4.0 percent, and (iv) the five-year risk-free rate of 2.4 percent. The resulting fair values of the Series A Preferred Stock and the Warrant were used to allocate the aggregate purchase price of $20.00 million on a relative fair value basis. As the Series A Preferred Stock was initially valued at $19.21 million, the difference between the initial value and the par value of the Series A Preferred Stock will be accreted over a period of five years through a reduction to retained earnings on an effective yield basis. While this accretion does not affect net income, it, along with the dividends, reduces the amount of net income available to common shareholders, and thus reduces both basic and diluted earnings per common share.
 
The purchase agreement pursuant to which the Series A Preferred Stock and the Warrant were sold contains limitations, until January 9, 2012, on the payment of dividends or distributions on the Common Stock (including the payment of the cash dividends in excess of the Corporation’s quarterly cash dividend at the time of issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock of $0.31 per share) and on the Corporation’s ability to repurchase, redeem or acquire its Common Stock or other securities, and subjects the Corporation to certain of the executive compensation limitations included in the EESA until such time as Treasury no longer owns any Series A Preferred Stock acquired through the Capital Purchase Program.
 
On July 27, 2011, the Corporation redeemed $10.00 million, or 50 percent, of the total $20.00 million liquidation preference of its Series A Preferred Stock. The Corporation paid $10.10 million to redeem this portion of the Series A Preferred Stock, consisting of $10.00 million in liquidation preference and $100,000 of accrued and unpaid dividends associated with the preferred stock being redeemed.
 
Common Shares.   The Corporation did not repurchase any shares of its common stock during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 or 2009. Limitations on future share repurchases in effect as of December 31, 2011 are described above.
 
 
Other Comprehensive Income
 
The following table presents the cumulative balances of the components of other comprehensive income, net of deferred taxes,  of $1.79 million, $30,000 and $521,000 as of December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
   
December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Net unrealized gains on securities
  $ 4,596     $ 500     $ 1,168  
Net unrecognized loss on cash flow hedges
    (314 )     (90 )     —  
Net unrecognized losses on defined benefit plan
    (898 )     (339 )     (200 )
Total cumulative other comprehensive income
  $ 3,384     $ 71     $ 968  
 
The Corporation reclassified net gains from securities of $8,000, $46,000 and $14,000 from other comprehensive income to earnings for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Earnings Per Common Share
 
The components of the Corporation’s earnings per common share calculations are as follows:
 
   
December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Net income
  $ 12,976     $ 8,110     $ 5,526  
Accumulated dividends on Series A Preferred Stock
    (850 )     (1,000 )     (992 )
Amortization of Series A Preferred Stock discount
    (333 )     (149 )     (138 )
Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 11,793     $ 6,961     $ 4,396  
Weighted average number of common shares used in earnings per common share—basic
    3,135,645       3,085,025       3,044,009  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                       
Stock option awards and warrant
    36,632       18,444       4,482  
Weighted average number of common shares used in earnings per common share—assuming dilution
    3,172,277       3,103,469       3,048,491  
 
Potential common shares that may be issued by the Corporation for its stock option awards and Warrant are determined using the treasury stock method. Approximately 316,000 and 361,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and 548,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options and the Warrant for the year ended December 31, 2009 were not included in computing diluted earnings per common share because they were anti-dilutive.
 
NOTE 10: Income Taxes
 
Principal components of income tax expense as reflected in the consolidated statements of income are as follows:
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Current taxes
  $ 7,076     $ 5,202     $ 5,422  
Deferred taxes
    (1,341 )     (2,253 )     (3,477 )
    $ 5,735     $ 2,949     $ 1,945  
 
 
The income tax provision is less than would be obtained by application of the statutory federal corporate tax rate to pre-tax accounting income as a result of the following items:
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
Percent of
Pre-tax
Income
   
2010
   
Percent of
Pre-tax
Income
   
2009
   
Percent of
Pre-tax
Income
 
Income tax computed at federal statutory rates
  $ 6,362       34.0 %   $ 3,760       34.0 %   $ 2,540       34.0 %
Tax effect of exclusion of interest income on obligations of states and political subdivisions
    (1,652 )     (8.8 )     (1,516 )     (13.7 )     (1,431 )     (19.2 )
Reduction of interest expense incurred to carry tax-exempt assets
    98       0.5       100       0.9       115       1.5  
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit
    1,114       6.0       787       7.1       665       8.9  
Tax effect of dividends-received deduction on preferred stock
    —       —       (5 )     (0.1 )     (22 )     (0.2 )
Compensation in excess of deductible limits
    41       .2       —       —       219       2.9  
Tax credits
    (180 )     (1.0 )     (135 )     (1.2 )     (118 )     (1.6 )
Other
    (48 )     (0.3 )     (42 )     (0.3 )     (23 )     (0.3 )
    $ 5,735       30.6 %   $ 2,949       26.7 %   $ 1,945       26.0 %
 
The Corporation’s net deferred income taxes totaled $14.27 million and $14.99 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The tax effects of each type of significant item that gave rise to deferred taxes are:
 
   
December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Deferred tax asset
           
Allowance for loan losses
  $ 14,128     $ 10,797  
Reserve for indemnification losses
    647       491  
OREO expenses
    381       1,842  
Deferred compensation
    1,916       1,791  
Other-than-temporary impairment of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred stock
    614       614  
Defined benefit plan
    --       46  
Share-based compensation
    331       499  
Interest on nonaccrual loans
    119       132  
Depreciation
    --       27  
Cash flow hedges
    201       58  
Other
    1,240       1,140  
Deferred tax asset
    19,577       17,437  
Deferred tax liability
               
Goodwill and other intangible assets
    (2,509 )     (2,174 )
Defined benefit plan
    (318 )     --  
Depreciation
    (3 )     --  
Net unrealized gain on securities available for sale
    (2,475 )     (270 )
Deferred tax liability
    (5,305 )     (2,444 )
Net deferred tax asset
  $ 14,272     $ 14,993  
 
The Corporation files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and several states. With few exceptions, the Corporation is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2008.
 
NOTE 11: Employee Benefit Plans
 
The Bank maintains a Defined Contribution Profit-Sharing Plan (the Profit-Sharing Plan) sponsored by the Virginia Bankers Association (VBA). The Profit-Sharing Plan includes a 401(k) savings provision that authorizes a maximum voluntary salary deferral of up to 95% of compensation (with a partial company match), subject to statutory limitations. The Profit-Sharing Plan provides for an annual discretionary contribution to the account of each eligible employee based in part on the Bank’s profitability for a given year and on each participant’s yearly earnings. All salaried employees who have attained the age of eighteen and have at least three months of service are eligible to participate. Contributions and earnings may be invested in various investment vehicles offered through the VBA. All employee contributions are fully vested upon contribution. An employee is 20% vested in the Bank’s contributions after two years of service, 40% after three years, 60% after four years, 80% after five years and fully vested after six years, or earlier in the event of retirement, death or attainment of age 65 while an employee. The amounts charged to expense under this plan were $405,000, $372,000 and $409,000 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
 
C&F Mortgage maintains a Defined Contribution 401(k) Savings Plan that authorizes a voluntary salary deferral of from 1% to 100% of compensation (with a discretionary company match), subject to statutory limitations. Substantially all employees who have attained the age of eighteen are eligible to participate on the first day of the next month following employment date. The plan provides for an annual discretionary contribution to the account of each eligible employee based in part on C&F Mortgage’s profitability for a given year, and on each participant’s contributions to the plan. Contributions may be invested in various investment funds offered under the plan. All employee contributions are fully vested upon contribution. An employee is vested 25% in the employer’s contributions after two years of service, 50% after three years, 75% after four years, and fully vested after five years.  The amounts charged to expense under this plan were $12,000, $0 and $18,000 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
C&F Finance maintains a Defined Contribution Profit-Sharing Plan sponsored by the VBA with plan features similar to the Profit-Sharing Plan of the Bank. The amounts charged to expense under this plan were $139,000, $108,000 and $89,000 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Individual performance bonuses are awarded annually to certain members of management under a management incentive bonus plan. The Corporation’s Compensation Committee recommends to the Corporation’s Board of Directors the bonuses to be paid to the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation, and recommends to the Bank’s Board of Directors bonuses to be paid to certain other senior Bank and C&F Finance officers. In addition, the Chief Executive Officer recommends bonuses to be paid to other officers of the Bank and C&F Finance. In determining the awards, performance, including the Corporation’s growth rate, returns on average assets and equity, and absolute levels of income are considered. In addition, the Bank’s Board of Directors considers the individual performance of the members of management who may receive awards. The expense for these bonus awards is accrued in the year of performance. Expenses under these plans were $844,000, $816,000 and $418,000 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. In accordance with employment agreements for certain senior officers of C&F Mortgage, performance bonuses of $657,000, $336,000 and $1.8 million were expensed in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Performance used in determining the awards is directly related to the profitability of C&F Mortgage.
 
The Bank has a non-contributory, defined benefit pension plan (Cash Balance Plan) for all full-time employees over 21 years of age. Under the Cash Balance Plan, the benefit account for each participant will grow each year with annual pay credits based on age and years of service and monthly interest credits based on the prior year’s December average yield on 30-year Treasuries plus 150 basis points. The Bank funds pension costs in accordance with the funding provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
 
  The Corporation has a nonqualified defined contribution plan for certain executives. The plan allows for elective salary and bonus deferrals. The plan also allows for employer contributions to make up for limitations on covered compensation imposed by the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the Bank’s Profit Sharing Plan and Cash Balance Plan and to enhance retirement benefits by providing supplemental contributions from time to time. Expenses under this plan were $153,000, $124,000 and $90,000 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Investments for this plan are held in a Rabbi trust. These investments are included in other assets and the related liability is included in other liabilities.
 
 
The following table summarizes the projected benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status and rate assumptions associated with the Bank’s Cash Balance Plan based upon actuarial valuations.
 
   
December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Change in benefit obligation
                 
Projected benefit obligation, beginning
  $ 7,915     $ 6,816     $ 6,400  
Service cost
    611       531       504  
Interest cost
    438       397       373  
Actuarial loss (gain)
    154       523       (13 )
Benefits paid
    (350 )     (352 )     (448 )
Projected benefit obligation, ending
  $ 8,768     $ 7,915     $ 6,816  
Change in plan assets
                       
Fair value of plan assets, beginning
  $ 7,261     $ 6,385     $ 4,346  
Actual return on plan assets
    (116 )     828       1,487  
Employer contributions
    1,500       400       1,000  
Benefits paid
    (350 )     (352 )     (448 )
Fair value of plan assets, ending
  $ 8,295     $ 7,261     $ 6,385  
Funded status
  $ (473 )   $ (654 )   $ (431 )
Amounts recognized as an other liability
  $ (473 )   $ (654 )   $ (431 )
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income
                       
Net loss
  $ 2,525     $ 1,738     $ 1,595  
Net obligation at transition
    --       (4 )     (9 )
Prior service cost
    (1,144 )     (1,212 )     (1,279 )
Deferred taxes
    (483 )     (183 )     (107 )
Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income
  $ 898     $ 339     $ 200  
Weighted-average assumptions for benefit obligation at valuation date
                       
Discount rate
    4.5 %     5.5 %     6.0 %
Expected return on plan assets
    8.0       8.0       8.0  
Rate of compensation increase
    4.0       4.0       4.0  
 
The accumulated benefit obligation was $8.77 million and $7.91 million as of the actuarial valuation dates in 2011 and 2010, respectively.
 
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Components of net periodic benefit cost
                 
Service cost
  $ 611     $ 531     $ 504  
Interest cost
    438       397       373  
Expected return on plan assets
    (581 )     (495 )     (413 )
Amortization of prior service cost
    (68 )     (68 )     (68 )
Amortization of net obligation at transition
    (4 )     (5 )     (5 )
Recognized net actuarial loss
    63       48       115  
Net periodic benefit cost
    459       408       506  
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income
                       
Net loss (gain)
    788       142       (1,203 )
Amortization of net obligation at transition
    4       5       5  
Amortization of prior service costs
    68       68       68  
Deferred taxes
    (301 )     (76 )     396  
Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income
    559       139       (734 )
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income
  $ 1,018     $ 547     $ (228 )
 
The estimated net loss, obligation at transition and prior service cost that will be (accreted to) amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost over the next year are $106,000, zero and $(68,000), respectively.
 
   
January 1,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Weighted-average assumptions for net periodic benefit cost as of
                 
Discount rate
    5.5 %     6.0 %     6.0 %
Expected return on plan assets
    8.0       8.0       8.0  
Rate of compensation increase
    4.0       4.0       4.0  
 
The benefits expected to be paid by the plan in the next ten years are as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
       
2012
    $ 552  
2013
      119  
2014
      657  
2015
      181  
2016
      642  
2017 – 2021       3,095  
      $ 5,246  
 
The Bank selects the expected long-term rate of return on assets in consultation with its investment advisors and actuary, and with concurrence from their auditors. This rate is intended to reflect the average rate of earnings expected to be earned on the funds invested or to be invested to provide plan benefits. Historical performance is reviewed, especially with respect to real rates of return (net of inflation), for the major asset classes held or anticipated to be held by the trust and for the trust itself. Undue weight is not given to recent experience, which may not continue over the measurement period. Higher significance is placed on current forecasts of future long-term economic conditions.
 
Because assets are held in a qualified trust, anticipated returns are not reduced for taxes. Further, solely for this purpose, the plan is assumed to continue in force and not terminate during the period during which assets are invested. However, consideration is given to the potential impact of current and future investment policy, cash flow into and out of the trust, and expenses (both investment and non-investment) typically paid from plan assets (to the extent such expenses are not explicitly within periodic costs).
 
 
The Bank’s defined benefit pension plan’s weighted average asset allocations by asset category are as follows:
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Mutual funds-fixed income
    40 %     37 %
Mutual funds-equity
    60       63  
Cash and equivalents
    *       *  
      100 %     100 %
* Less than one percent.
 
As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the fair value of plan assets is as follows:
 
   
December 31, 2011
 
   
Fair Value Measurements Using
   
Assets at Fair
Value
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Mutual funds-fixed income (1)
  $ 3,306       —       —     $ 3,306  
Mutual funds-equity (2)
    4,983       —       —       4,982  
Cash and equivalents (3)
    6       —       —       6  
Total pension assets
  $ 8,295       —       —     $ 8,294  
 
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Fair Value Measurements Using
   
Assets at Fair
Value
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Mutual funds-fixed income (1)
  $ 2,665       —       —     $ 2,665  
Mutual funds-equity (2)
    4,591       —       —       4,591  
Cash and equivalents (3)
    5       —       —       5  
Total pension assets
  $ 7,261       —       —     $ 7,261  
_________
(1)
This category includes investments in mutual funds focused on fixed income securities with both short-term and long-term investments. The funds are valued using the net asset value method in which an average of the market prices for the underlying investments is used to value the funds.
(2)
This category includes investments in mutual funds focused on equity securities with a diversified portfolio and includes investments in large cap and small cap funds, growth funds, international focused funds and value funds. The funds are valued using the net asset value method in which an average of the market prices for the underlying investments is used to value the funds.
(3)
This category comprises cash and short-term cash equivalent funds. The funds are valued at cost which approximates fair value.
 
The trust fund is sufficiently diversified to maintain a reasonable level of risk without imprudently sacrificing return, with a targeted asset allocation of 40% fixed income and 60% equities. The investment advisor selects investment fund managers with demonstrated experience and expertise, and funds with demonstrated historical performance, for the implementation of the plan’s investment strategy. The investment manager will consider both actively and passively managed investment strategies and will allocate funds across the asset classes to develop an efficient investment structure.
 
It is the responsibility of the trustee to administer the investments of the trust within reasonable costs, being careful to avoid sacrificing quality. These costs include, but are not limited to, management and custodial fees, consulting fees, transaction costs and other administrative costs chargeable to the trust.
 
NOTE 12: Related Party Transactions
 
Loans outstanding to directors and executive officers totaled $603,000 and $350,000 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. New advances to directors and officers totaled $371,000 and repayments totaled $118,000 in the year ended December 31, 2011. These loans were made in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms and conditions, including interest rates, collateral and repayment terms, as those prevailing at the same time for comparable transactions with unrelated persons, and, in the opinion of management and the Corporation’s board of directors, do not involve more than normal risk or present other unfavorable features.
 
 
NOTE 13: Share-Based Plans
 
On April 15, 2008, the Corporation’s shareholders approved the Amended and Restated C&F Financial Corporation 2004 Incentive Stock Plan (the Amended 2004 Plan), which, among other things, expanded the group of eligible award recipients to include certain key employees of the Corporation, as well as non-employee directors (including non-employee regional or advisory directors). The Amended 2004 Plan authorizes an aggregate of 500,000 shares of Corporation common stock to be issued as equity awards in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and/or restricted stock units to key employees and non-employee directors. Since the Amended 2004 Plan’s approval in 2008, equity awards have only been issued in the form of restricted stock, which are accounted for using the fair market value of the Corporation’s common stock on the date the restricted shares are awarded.
 
Prior to the approval of the Amended 2004 Plan, the Corporation awarded options to purchase common stock and/or grants of restricted shares of common stock to certain key employees of the Corporation under the plan that was approved by the Corporation’s shareholders on April 20, 2004. Options were issued to employees at a price equal to the fair market value of common stock at the date granted. Restricted shares were accounted for using the fair market value of the Corporation’s common stock on the date the restricted shares were awarded. All options outstanding under this plan are exercisable as of December 31, 2011. All options expire ten years from the grant date.
 
Prior to the approval of the plan in 2004, the Corporation granted options to purchase common stock under the Amended and Restated C&F Financial Corporation 1994 Incentive Stock Plan (the 1994 Plan). The 1994 Plan expired on April 30, 2004. The maximum aggregate number of shares that could be issued pursuant to awards made under the 1994 Plan was 500,000. Options were issued to employees at a price equal to the fair market value of common stock at the date granted. All options outstanding under the 1994 Plan are exercisable as of December 31, 2011. All options expire ten years from the grant date.
 
In 1998, the Board of Directors authorized 25,000 shares of common stock for issuance under the C&F Financial Corporation 1998 Non-Employee Director Stock Compensation Plan (the Director Plan). In 1999, the Director Plan was amended to authorize a total of 150,000 shares for issuance. Under the Director Plan, options were issued to non-employee directors at a price equal to the fair market value of common stock at the date granted. All options outstanding under the Director Plan are exercisable as of December 31, 2011. All options expire ten years from the grant date. In 2008, the Corporation ceased granting awards to non-employee directors under the Director Plan, which expired in 2008, and non-employee directors were added to the group of eligible award recipients under the Amended 2004 Plan.
 
In 1999, the Board of Directors authorized 25,000 shares of common stock for issuance under the C&F Financial Corporation 1999 Regional Director Stock Compensation Plan (the Regional Director Plan). Options were issued to regional directors of the Bank at a price equal to the fair market value of common stock at the date granted. All options outstanding under the Regional Director Plan are exercisable as of December 31, 2011. All options expire ten years from the grant date. Upon approval of the Amended 2004 Plan in 2008, the Corporation ceased granting awards to regional directors of the Bank under the Regional Director Plan, which expired in 2009, and regional directors of the Bank were added to the group of eligible award recipients under the Amended 2004 Plan.
 
Stock option transactions under the various plans for the periods indicated were as follows:
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
(Dollars in thousands, except for per share amounts)
 
Shares
   
Exercise
Price*
   
Intrinsic
Value
   
Shares
   
Exercise
Price*
   
Shares
   
Exercise
Price*
 
Outstanding at beginning of year
    390,617     $ 34.95             417,717     $ 33.71       455,017     $ 32.71  
Granted
    —       —             —       —       —       —  
Exercised
    (34,800 )     18.70             (23,100 )     15.90       (17,100 )     16.91  
Cancelled
    (30,750 )     35.07             (4,000 )     15.75       (20,200 )     25.35  
Outstanding and exercisable at end of year
    325,067     $ 36.68     $ 190       390,617     $ 34.95       417,717     $ 33.71  
 
*
Weighted average
 
The total intrinsic value of in-the-money options exercised in 2011 was $131,000. Cash received from option exercises during 2011 was $651,000. The Corporation has a policy of issuing new shares to satisfy the exercise of stock options.
 
 
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2011:
 
     
Options Outstanding and Exercisable
 
Range of Exercise Prices
   
Number Outstanding
at December 31, 2011
   
Remaining
Contractual Life
(Years)*
   
Exercise Price*
 
$ 22.30 to $23.49       48,567       .9     $ 22.68  
$ 35.20 to $39.60       206,800       3.7       38.25  
$ 40.50 to $46.20       69,700       2.3       41.77  
Total
      325,067       3.0     $ 36.68  
 
*
Weighted average
 
As permitted under the Amended 2004 Plan, the Corporation awards shares of restricted stock to certain key employees and non-employee directors. Restricted shares awarded to employees are generally subject to a five-year vesting period and restricted shares awarded to non-employee directors are subject to a three-year vesting period. A summary of the activity for restricted stock awards for the periods indicated is presented below:
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
Shares
   
Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
   
Shares
   
Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Nonvested at beginning of year
    86,025     $ 25.89       58,725     $ 28.59  
Granted
    31,100       23.80       28,850       20.70  
Vested
    (22,650 )     35.44       —       —  
Cancelled
    (7,350 )     26.80       (1,550 )     31.40  
Nonvested at end of year
    87,125     $ 22.59       86,025     $ 25.89  
 
Compensation is accounted for using the fair market value of the Corporation’s common stock on the date the restricted shares are awarded. The weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted stock granted for the years 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $23.80, $20.70 and $16.63, respectively. Compensation expense is charged to income ratably over the vesting periods, and was $363,000 in 2011 $367,000 in 2010 and $318,000 in 2009. As of December 31, 2011, there was $1.27 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock granted under the Amended 2004 Plan. The cost is expected to be recognized through 2016.
 
NOTE 14: Regulatory Requirements and Restrictions
 
The Corporation (on a consolidated basis) and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly additional discretionary, actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Corporation’s and the Bank’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Corporation and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Corporation’s and the Bank’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Corporation’s and the Bank’s capital amounts and classification are subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors. Prompt corrective action provisions are not applicable to bank holding companies.
 
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Corporation and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total and Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets and of Tier 1 capital to average assets (all as defined in the regulations). For both the Corporation and the Bank, Tier 1 capital consists of shareholders’ equity excluding any net unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale, amounts resulting from changes in the funded status of the pension plan and goodwill net of any related deferred tax liability, and total capital consists of Tier 1 capital and a portion of the allowance for loan losses. For the Corporation only, Tier 1 and total capital also include trust preferred securities and exclude the unrealized loss on cash flow hedging instruments. Risk-weighted assets for the Corporation and the Bank were $690.07 million and $687.49 million, respectively, at December 31, 2011 and $683.09 million and $680.42 million, respectively, at December 31, 2010. Management believes that, as of December 31, 2011, the Corporation and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.
 
As of December 31, 2011, the most recent notification from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, the Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table below. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Bank’s category.
 
 
The Corporation’s and the Bank’s actual capital amounts and ratios are presented in the following table:
 
   
Actual
   
Minimum Capital
Requirements
   
Minimum To Be
Well Capitalized
Under Prompt
Corrective Action
Provisions
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
As of December 31, 2011:
                                   
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
                                   
Corporation
  $ 113,427       16.4 %   $ 55,205       8.0 %     N/A       N/A  
Bank
    111,029       16.2       54,999       8.0     $ 68,749       10.0 %
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
                                               
Corporation
    104,492       15.1       27,603       4.0       N/A       N/A  
Bank
    102,126       14.9       27,500       4.0       41,249       6.0  
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Tangible Assets)
                                               
Corporation
    104,492       11.5       36,362       4.0       N/A       N/A  
Bank
    102,126       11.3       36,252       4.0       45,315       5.0  
                                                 
As of December 31, 2010:
                                               
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
                                               
Corporation
  $ 112,947       16.5 %   $ 54,647       8.0 %     N/A       N/A  
Bank
    110,685       16.3       54,434       8.0     $ 68,042       10.0 %
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
                                               
Corporation
    104,158       15.3       27,324       4.0       N/A       N/A  
Bank
    101,929       15.0       27,217       4.0       40,825       6.0  
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Tangible Assets)
                                               
Corporation
    104,158       11.6       35,843       4.0       N/A       N/A  
Bank
    101,929       11.4       35,838       4.0       44,798       5.0  
 
On January 9, 2009, as part of the Capital Purchase Program, the Corporation issued and sold to Treasury 20,000 shares of the Corporation’s Series A Preferred Stock having a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share and a Warrant for the purchase of up to 167,504 shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock, for a total price of $20.0 million. On July 27, 2011, the Corporation redeemed $10.00 million, or 50 percent, of the $20.00 million of Series A Preferred Stock.  The Corporation paid $10.10 million to redeem the preferred stock, consisting of $10.00 million in liquidation value and $100,000 of accrued and unpaid dividends associated with the preferred stock.  The funds for this redemption were provided by existing financial resources of the Corporation and no new capital was issued. As a result of this redemption, preferred stock dividends will be reduced annually by $500,000. The Series A Preferred Stock and the Warrant has been treated as Tier 1 capital for regulatory capital adequacy determination purposes.
 
On December 14, 2007, the Corporation issued $10.00 million of trust preferred securities through a statutory business trust for general corporate purposes including the refinancing of existing debt. On July 21, 2005, the Corporation issued $10.00 million of trust preferred securities through a statutory business trust to partially fund the purchase of 427,186 shares of the Corporation’s common stock at $41 per share on July 27, 2005. Based on the Corporation’s Tier 1 capital, the entire $20.00 million of trust preferred securities was eligible for inclusion in Tier 1 capital for both 2011 and 2010.
 
Federal and state banking regulations place certain restrictions on dividends paid and loans or advances made by the Bank to the Corporation. The total amount of dividends that may be paid at any date is generally limited to the retained earnings of the Bank, and loans or advances are limited to 10 percent of the Bank’s capital stock and surplus on a secured basis.
 
 
NOTE 15: Commitments and Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk
 
The Corporation is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, commitments to sell loans, and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount on the balance sheet. The contract amounts of these instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Corporation has in particular classes of financial instruments. The Corporation’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit written is represented by the contractual amount of these instruments. The Corporation uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments. Collateral is obtained based on management’s credit assessment of the customer.
 
Loan commitments are agreements to extend credit to a customer provided that there are no violations of the terms of the contract prior to funding. Commitments have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee by the customer. Since many of the commitments may expire without being completely drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Bank evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of loan commitments was $83.50 million and $83.37 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
 
Standby letters of credit are written conditional commitments issued by the Bank to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers. The total contract amount of standby letters of credit, whose contract amounts represent credit risk, was $9.27 million and $7.12 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
 
At December 31, 2011, C&F Mortgage had rate lock commitments to originate mortgage loans amounting to approximately $60.48 million and loans held for sale of $70.06 million. C&F Mortgage has entered into corresponding commitments with third party investors to sell loans of approximately $130.54 million. Under the contractual relationship with these investors, C&F Mortgage is obligated to sell the loans, and the investors are obligated to purchase the loans, only if the loans close. No other obligation exists. As a result of these contractual relationships with these investors, C&F Mortgage is not exposed to losses nor will it realize gains related to its rate lock commitments due to changes in interest rates.
 
C&F Mortgage sells substantially all of the residential mortgage loans it originates to third-party investors, some of whom may require the repurchase of loans in the event of loss due to borrower misrepresentation, fraud or early default. Mortgage loans and their related servicing rights are sold under agreements that define certain eligibility criteria for the mortgage loans. Recourse periods for early payment default vary from 90 days up to one year.  Recourse periods for borrower misrepresentation or fraud, or underwriting error do not have a stated time limit. C&F Mortgage maintains an indemnification reserve for potential claims made under these recourse provisions. During the second quarter of 2010, C&F Mortgage reached an agreement with its largest third-party investor that resolved all known and unknown indemnification obligations for loans sold to this investor prior to 2010.  Risks also arise from the possible inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. C&F Mortgage has procedures in place to evaluate the credit risk of investors and does not expect any counterparty to fail to meet its obligations. The following table presents the changes in the allowance for indemnification losses for the periods presented:
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Allowance, beginning of period
  $ 1,291     $ 2,538     $ 603  
Provision for indemnification losses
    807       3,745       2,490  
Payments
    (396 )     (4,992 )     (555 )
Allowance, end of period
  $ 1,702     $ 1,291     $ 2,538  
 
As part of the Bank’s 2009 Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) evaluation by the FDIC, the Bank received a “Needs to Improve” rating because the FDIC concluded that C&F Mortgage violated the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (the ECOA), Federal Reserve Regulation B, and the Fair Housing Act in connection with certain of its lending practices. While the Bank’s board of directors and management strongly disagreed with the FDIC’s conclusion, C&F Mortgage has strengthened and continues to strengthen its policies, procedures and monitoring of its lending practices to address the issues raised by the FDIC. As required by statute, the FDIC referred its conclusions regarding the alleged violations to the Department of Justice (DOJ) in 2011. As a result of the referral, the DOJ conducted an investigation and alleged a violation of the ECOA and the Fair Housing Act in connection with certain of C&F Mortgage’s lending practices during 2007. In September 2011, C&F Mortgage entered into a settlement with the DOJ and agreed to (i) implement certain policies, procedures and monitoring of its lending practices and (ii) provide a $140,000 settlement fund for borrowers who may have been affected. The DOJ investigation and settlement resulted in no factual findings or adjudications with respect to any matter of the alleged violation.  The results of the DOJ investigation and the settlement did not have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s results of operations or financial condition. Upon the conclusion of the FDIC’s CRA examination in January 2012, the FDIC upgraded C&F Bank’s CRA rating to “Satisfactory.”   As a result of the improvement in C&F Bank’s CRA rating in January 2012, limitations on certain business activities that had been imposed by statute while C&F Bank had a “Needs to Improve” CRA rating have been removed.
 
 
The Corporation is committed under noncancelable operating leases for certain office locations. Rent expense associated with these operating leases was $1.49 million, $1.26 million and $1.23 million, for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Future minimum lease payments due under these leases as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
     
2012
  $ 1,378  
2013
    779  
2014
    457  
2015
    396  
2016
    181  
Thereafter
    --  
    $ 3,191  
 
NOTE 16: Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities
 
Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. U.S. GAAP requires that valuation techniques maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. U.S. GAAP also establishes a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the valuation inputs into three broad levels. Based on the underlying inputs, each fair value measurement in its entirety is reported in one of the three levels. These levels are:

 
•
Level 1—Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets. Level 1 assets and liabilities include debt and equity securities traded in an active exchange market, as well as U.S. Treasury securities.

 
•
Level 2—Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Valuations of other real estate owned are based upon appraisals by independent, licensed appraisers, general market conditions and recent sales of like properties.

 
•
Level 3—Valuation is determined using model-based techniques with significant assumptions not observable in the market.

U.S. GAAP allows an entity the irrevocable option to elect fair value (the fair value option) for the initial and subsequent measurement for certain financial assets and liabilities on a contract-by-contract basis. The Corporation has not made any fair value option elections as of December 31, 2011.
 
 
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
 
The following table presents the balances of financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
 
   
December 31, 2011
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
   
Assets at Fair
Value
 
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Assets:
                       
Securities available for sale
                       
U.S. government agencies and corporations
    —     $ 15,283       —     $ 15,283  
Mortgage-backed securities
    —       2,216       —       2,216  
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
    —       127,079       —       127,079  
Preferred stock
    —       68       —       68  
Total securities available for sale
    —     $ 144,646       —     $ 144,646  
Liabilities:
                               
Derivative payable
    —     $ 515       —     $ 515  
Total liabilities
    —     $ 515       —     $ 515  
 
   
December 31, 2010
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
   
Assets at Fair
Value
 
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Assets:
                       
Securities available for sale
                       
U.S. government agencies and corporations
    —     $ 13,656       —     $ 13,656  
Mortgage-backed securities
    —       2,300       —       2,300  
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
    —       114,288       —       114,288  
Preferred stock
    —       31       —       31  
Total securities available for sale
    —     $ 130,275       —     $ 130,275  
Liabilities:
                               
Derivative payable
    —     $ 148       —     $ 148  
Total liabilities
    —     $ 148       —     $ 148  
 
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
 
The Corporation is also required to measure and recognize certain other financial assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in the consolidated balance sheet. For assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and still held on the consolidated balance sheets, the following table provides the fair value measures by level of valuation assumptions used. Fair value adjustments for OREO are recorded in other non-interest expense, and fair value adjustments for loans held for investment are recorded in the provision for loan losses in the consolidated statements of income.
 
   
December 31, 2011
 
   
Fair Value Measurements Using
   
Assets at Fair
Value
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Impaired loans, net
    —     $ 14,114       —     $ 14,114  
OREO, net
    —       6,059       —       6,059  
Total
    —     $ 20,173       —     $ 20,173  
 
 
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Fair Value Measurements Using
   
Assets at Fair
Value
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Impaired loans, net
    —     $ 13,784       —     $ 13,784  
OREO, net
    —       10,674       —       10,674  
Total
    —     $ 24,458       —     $ 24,458  
 
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
The following reflects the fair value of financial instruments whether or not recognized on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value.
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
Carrying
   
Estimated
   
Carrying
   
Estimated
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
   
Fair Value
   
Amount
   
Fair Value
 
Financial assets:
                       
Cash and short-term investments
  $ 11,507     $ 11,507     $ 9,680     $ 9,680  
Securities
    144,646       144,646       130,275       130,275  
Loans, net
    616,984       624,219       606,744       607,264  
Loans held for sale, net
    70,062       72,859       67,153       67,314  
Accrued interest receivable
    5,242       5,242       5,073       5,073  
Financial liabilities:
                               
Demand deposits
    338,473       338,473       315,448       315,448  
Time deposits
    307,943       312,095       309,686       315,009  
Borrowings
    161,151       157,863       164,140       160,398  
Derivative payable
    515       515       148       148  
Accrued interest payable
    1,111       1,111       1,160       1,160  
 
The following describes the valuation techniques used by the Corporation to measure financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value as of December 31, 2011 and 2010.
 
Cash and short-term investments. The nature of these instruments and their relatively short maturities provide for the reporting of fair value equal to the historical cost.
 
Securities available for sale. Securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.
 
Loans, net. The estimated fair value of the loan portfolio is based on present values using discount rates equal to the market rates currently charged on similar products.
 
Certain loans are accounted for under ASC Topic 310— Receivables , including impaired loans measured at an observable market price (if available), or at the fair value of the loan’s collateral (if the loan is collateral dependent). Collateral may be in the form of real estate or business assets including equipment, inventory and accounts receivable. A significant portion of the collateral securing the Corporation’s impaired loans is real estate. The fair value of real estate collateral is determined utilizing an income or market valuation approach based on an appraisal conducted by an independent, licensed appraiser outside of the Corporation using observable market data, which in some cases may be adjusted to reflect current trends, including sales prices, expenses, absorption periods and other current relevant factors (Level 2). The value of business equipment is based upon an outside appraisal if deemed significant, or the net book value on the applicable business’s financial statements, if not considered significant, using observable market data (Level 2). At December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Corporation’s impaired loans were valued at $14.11 million and $13.78 million, respectively.
 
Loans held for sale, net. Loans held for sale are required to be measured at the lower of cost or fair value. These loans currently consist of residential loans originated for sale in the secondary market. Fair value is based on the price secondary markets are currently offering for similar loans using observable market data, which is generally not materially different than cost due to the short duration between origination and sale (Level 2). As such, the Corporation records any fair value adjustments on a nonrecurring basis. No nonrecurring fair value adjustments were recorded on loans held for sale during the year ended December 31, 2011.
 
 
Accrued interest receivable. The carrying amount of accrued interest receivable approximates fair value.
 
Deposits. The fair value of all demand deposit accounts is the amount payable at the report date. For all other deposits, the fair value is determined using the discounted cash flow method. The discount rate was equal to the rate currently offered on similar products.
 
Borrowings. The fair value of borrowings is determined using the discounted cash flow method. The discount rate was equal to the rate currently offered on similar products.
 
Derivative payable. The fair value of derivatives is determined using the discounted cash flow method.
 
Accrued interest payable. The carrying amount of accrued interest payable approximates fair value.
 
Letters of credit. The estimated fair value of letters of credit is based on estimated fees the Corporation would pay to have another entity assume its obligation under the outstanding arrangements. These fees are not considered material.
 
Unused portions of lines of credit. The estimated fair value of unused portions of lines of credit is based on estimated fees the Corporation would pay to have another entity assume its obligation under the outstanding arrangements. These fees are not considered material.
 
The Corporation assumes interest rate risk (the risk that general interest rate levels will change) as a result of its normal operations. As a result, the fair values of the Corporation’s financial instruments will change when interest rate levels change and that change may be either favorable or unfavorable to the Corporation. Management attempts to match maturities of assets and liabilities to the extent believed necessary to balance minimizing interest rate risk and increasing net interest income in current market conditions. However, borrowers with fixed rate obligations are less likely to prepay in a rising rate environment and more likely to prepay in a falling rate environment. Conversely, depositors who are receiving fixed rates are more likely to withdraw funds before maturity in a rising rate environment and less likely to do so in a falling rate environment. Management monitors interest rates, maturities and repricing dates of assets and liabilities and attempts to manage interest rate risk by adjusting terms of new loans, deposits and borrowings and by investing in securities with terms that mitigate the Corporation’s overall interest rate risk.
 
NOTE 17: Business Segments
 
The Corporation operates in a decentralized fashion in three principal business segments: Retail Banking, Mortgage Banking and Consumer Finance. Revenues from Retail Banking operations consist primarily of interest earned on loans and investment securities and service charges on deposit accounts. Mortgage Banking operating revenues consist principally of gains on sales of loans in the secondary market, loan origination fee income and interest earned on mortgage loans held for sale. Revenues from Consumer Finance consist primarily of interest earned on automobile retail installment sales contracts.
 
The Corporation’s other segment includes an investment company that derives revenues from brokerage services, an insurance company that derives revenues from insurance services, and a title company that derives revenues from title insurance services. The results of the other segment are not significant to the Corporation as a whole and have been included in “Other.” Revenue and expenses of the Corporation are also included in “Other,” and consist primarily of dividends received on the Corporation’s investment in equity securities and interest expense associated with the Corporation’s trust preferred capital notes and other general corporate expenses.
 
 
   
Year Ended December 31, 2011
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Retail
Banking
   
Mortgage
Banking
   
Consumer
Finance
   
Other
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Revenues:
                                   
Interest income
  $ 32,715     $ 1,673     $ 43,776     $ —     $ (4,374 )   $ 73,790  
Gains on sales of loans
    —       16,094       —       —       —       16,094  
Other noninterest income
    5,957       2,931       855       1,209       —       10,952  
Total operating income (loss)
    38,672       20,698       44,631       1,209       (4,374 )     100,836  
Expenses:
                                               
Provision for loan losses
    6,000       360       7,800       —       —       14,160  
Interest expense
    9,154       256       5,833       1,014       (4,376 )     11,881  
Salaries and employee benefits
    14,722       12,044       6,712       839       —       34,317  
Other noninterest expenses
    12,026       5,747       3,560       434       —       21,767  
Total operating expenses
    41,902       18,407       23,905       2,287       (4,376 )     82,125  
(Loss) income before income taxes
    (3,230 )     2,291       20,726       (1,078 )     2       18,711  
Income tax (benefit) expense
    (2,798 )     960       8,116       (544 )     1       5,735  
Net income (loss)
  $ (432 )   $ 1,331     $ 12,610     $ (534 )   $ 1     $ 12,976  
Total assets
  $ 772,552     $ 82,312     $ 249,671     $ 3,262     $ (179,673 )   $ 928,124  
Goodwill
  $ —     $ —     $ 10,724     $ —     $ —     $ 10,724  
Capital expenditures
  $ 957     $ 98     $ 786     $ 3     $ —     $ 1,844  
 
   
Year Ended December 31, 2010
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Retail
Banking
   
Mortgage
Banking
   
Consumer
Finance
   
Other
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Revenues:
                                   
Interest income
  $ 33,922     $ 2,210     $ 37,382     $ 184     $ (3,850 )   $ 69,848  
Gains on sales of loans
    —       18,567       —       —       (3 )     18,564  
Other noninterest income
    6,093       3,265       689       1,089       —       11,136  
Total operating income (loss)
    40,015       24,042       38,071       1,273       (3,853 )     99,548  
Expenses:
                                               
Provision for loan losses
    6,500       34       8,425       —       —       14,959  
Interest expense
    10,452       365       5,278       1,031       (3,891 )     13,235  
Salaries and employee benefits
    14,661       13,448       6,062       717       1       34,889  
Other noninterest expenses
    13,112       8,892       2,893       509       —       25,406  
Total operating expenses
    44,725       22,739       22,658       2,257       (3,890 )     88,489  
Income (loss) before income taxes
    (4,710 )     1,303       15,413       (984 )     37       11,059  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (3,216 )     521       6,011       (380 )     13       2,949  
Net income (loss)
  $ (1,494 )   $ 782     $ 9,402     $ (604 )   $ 24     $ 8,110  
Total assets
  $ 756,250     $ 78,550     $ 224,233     $ 2,840     $ (157,736 )   $ 904,137  
Goodwill
  $ —     $ —     $ 10,724     $ —     $ —     $ 10,724  
Capital expenditures
  $ 1,333     $ 411     $ 131     $ —     $ —     $ 1,875  
 
 
   
Year Ended December 31, 2009
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Retail
Banking
   
Mortgage
Banking
   
Consumer
Finance
   
Other
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Revenues:
                                   
Interest income
  $ 34,021     $ 2,471     $ 31,590     $ 259     $ (3,370 )   $ 64,971  
Gains on sales of loans
    —       24,976       —       —       —       24,976  
Other noninterest income
    5,804       4,211       603       1,095       —       11,713  
Total operating income (loss)
    39,825       31,658       32,193       1,354       (3,370 )     101,660  
Expenses:
                                               
Provision for loan losses
    6,400       563       11,600       —       —       18,563  
Interest expense
    12,588       267       4,881       1,124       (3,401 )     15,459  
Salaries and employee benefits
    13,881       15,381       5,183       673       —       35,118  
Other noninterest expenses
    12,472       9,374       2,713       490       —       25,049  
Total operating expenses
    45,341       25,585       24,377       2,287       (3,401 )     94,189  
Income (loss) before income taxes
    (5,516 )     6,073       7,816       (933 )     31       7,471  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (3,352 )     2,643       3,022       (379 )     11       1,945  
Net income (loss)
  $ (2,164 )   $ 3,430     $ 4,794     $ (554 )   $ 20     $ 5,526  
Total assets
  $ 739,390     $ 40,523     $ 193,817     $ 2,579     $ (87,879 )   $ 888,430  
Goodwill
  $ —     $ —     $ 10,724     $ —     $ —     $ 10,724  
Capital expenditures
  $ 155     $ 252     $ 66     $ 1     $ —     $ 474  
 
The Retail Banking segment extends a warehouse line of credit to the Mortgage Banking segment, providing a portion of the funds needed to originate mortgage loans. The Retail Banking segment charges the Mortgage Banking segment interest at the daily FHLB advance rate plus 50 basis points. The Retail Banking segment also provides the Consumer Finance segment with a portion of the funds needed to originate loans by means of a variable rate line of credit that carries interest at one-month LIBOR plus 200 basis points and fixed rate loans that carry interest rates ranging from 5.4 percent to 8.0 percent. The Retail Banking segment acquires certain residential real estate loans from the Mortgage Banking segment at prices similar to those paid by third-party investors. These transactions are eliminated to reach consolidated totals. Certain corporate overhead costs incurred by the Retail Banking segment are not allocated to the Mortgage Banking, Consumer Finance and Other segments.
 
NOTE 18: Derivative Financial Instruments
 
The Corporation uses derivatives to manage exposure to interest rate risk through the use of interest rate swaps. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange of fixed and variable rate interest payments between two parties, based on a common notional principal amount and maturity date with no exchange of underlying principal amounts. The Corporation’s interest rate swaps qualify as cash flow hedges. The Corporation’s cash flow hedges effectively modify a portion of the Corporation’s exposure to interest rate risk by converting variable rates of interest on $10.0 million of the Corporation’s trust preferred capital notes to fixed rates of interest until September 2015.
 
The cash flow hedges total notional amount is $10.0 million. At December 31, 2011, the cash flow hedges had a fair value of ($515,000), which is recorded in other liabilities. The cash flow hedges were fully effective at December 31, 2011 and therefore the loss on the cash flow hedges was recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income taxes.
 
 
NOTE 19: Parent Company Condensed Financial Information
 
Financial information for the parent company is as follows:
 
   
December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Balance Sheets
           
Assets
           
Cash
  $ 586     $ 328  
Securities available for sale
    68       31  
Other assets
    2,672       2,642  
Investments in subsidiary
    114,011       110,636  
Total assets
  $ 117,337     $ 113,637  
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
               
Trust preferred capital notes
  $ 20,620     $ 20,620  
Other liabilities
    627       240  
Shareholders’ equity
    96,090       92,777  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 117,337     $ 113,637  
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Statements of Income
                 
Interest income on securities
  $ —     $ 22     $ 92  
Interest expense on borrowings
    (986 )     (999 )     (1,070 )
Dividends received from bank subsidiary
    14,136       2,551       4,220  
Equity in undistributed net income (loss) of subsidiary
    (137 )     6,573       2,293  
Other income
    647       684       675  
Other expenses
    (684 )     (721 )     (684 )
Net income
  $ 12,976     $ 8,110     $ 5,526  
 
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Statements of Cash Flows
                 
Operating activities:
                 
Net income
  $ 12,976     $ 8,110     $ 5,526  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Equity in distributed (undistributed) earnings of subsidiary
    137       (6,573 )     (2,293 )
Share-based compensation
    363       367       318  
Net (gain) loss on securities
    —       (12 )     22  
Increase in other assets
    112       322       349  
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities
    (104 )     21       (2 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    13,484       2,235       3,920  
Investing activities:
                       
Proceeds from maturities and calls of securities
    —       1,262       265  
Investment in bank subsidiary
    —       —       (19,927 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    —       1,262       (19,662 )
Financing activities:
                       
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred stock
    —       —       19,914  
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
    41       —       —  
Redemption of preferred stock
    (10,000 )                
Cash dividends
    (4,018 )     (4,088 )     (4,080 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    651       409       326  
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (13,226 )     (3,679 )     16,160  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    258       (182 )     418  
Cash at beginning of year
    328       510       92  
Cash at end of year
  $ 586     $ 328     $ 510  
 
NOTE 20: Other Noninterest Expenses
 
The following table presents the significant components in the statements of income line “Noninterest Expenses-Other Expenses.”
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Data processing fees
  $ 2,129     $ 1,869     $ 2,122  
Loan and OREO expenses
    2,038       3,631       3,267  
Professional fees
    1,946       1,898       1,825  
Telecommunication expenses
    1,104       1,086       1,057  
Provision for indemnification losses
    807       3,745       2,490  
FDIC expenses
    749       952       1,341  
Tax service and investor fees
    646       743       1,018  
All other noninterest expenses
    5,857       5,714       6,215  
Total Other Noninterest Expenses
  $ 15,276     $ 19,638     $ 19,335  
 
 
NOTE 21: Quarterly Condensed Statements of Income—Unaudited
 
   
2011 Quarter Ended
 
Dollars in thousands (except per share amounts)
 
March 31
   
June 30
   
September 30
   
December 31
 
Total interest income
  $ 17,632     $ 18,369     $ 18,918     $ 18,871  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    11,748       12,011       11,912       12,078  
Other income
    6,457       6,358       7,140       7,091  
Other expenses
    13,949       13,969       13,923       14,243  
Income before income taxes
    4,256       4,400       5,129       4,926  
Net income
    2,969       3,083       3,513       3,411  
Net income available to common shareholders
    2,680       2,793       3,055       3,265  
Earnings per common share—assuming dilution
    0.85       0.88       0.96       1.02  
Dividends per common share
    0.25       0.25       0.25       0.26  
 
   
2010 Quarter Ended
 
Dollars in thousands (except per share amounts)
 
March 31
   
June 30
   
September 30
   
December 31
 
Total interest income
  $ 16,592     $ 17,362     $ 17,736     $ 18,158  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    10,016       10,744       10,683       10,210  
Other income
    5,882       7,194       7,824       8,800  
Other expenses
    13,592       16,206       14,804       15,692  
Income before income taxes
    2,306       1,732       3,703       3,318  
Net income
    1,730       1,417       2,586       2,378  
Net income available to common shareholders
    1,443       1,130       2,298       2,090  
Earnings per common share—assuming dilution
    0.47       0.36       0.74       0.67  
Dividends per common share
    0.25       0.25       0.25       0.25  
 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
C&F Financial Corporation
West Point, Virginia
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of C&F Financial Corporation and Subsidiary as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the Corporation's management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of C&F Financial Corporation and Subsidiary as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
 
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), C&F Financial Corporation and Subsidiary’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated March 5, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of C&F Financial Corporation and Subsidiary’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
/s/ Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C.
 
Winchester, Virginia
March 5, 2012
 
 
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
 
None
 
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Corporation’s management, including the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-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 that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2011 to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Corporation in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Corporation’s management, including the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures will detect or uncover every situation involving the failure of persons within the Corporation or its subsidiary to disclose material information required to be set forth in the Corporation’s periodic reports.
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Management of the Corporation is also responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
 
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control – Integrated Framework . Based on our assessment, we believe that, as of December 31, 2011, the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.
 
The effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011 has been audited by Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C., the independent registered public accounting firm who also audited the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C.’s attestation report on the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting appears on the following page.
 
Changes in Internal Controls. There were no changes in the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting during the Corporation’s quarter ended December 31, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
C&F Financial Corporation
West Point, Virginia
 
We have audited C&F Financial Corporation and Subsidiary’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  C&F Financial Corporation and Subsidiary’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting .  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Corporation's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk.  Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
A corporation's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  A corporation's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (a) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the corporation; (b) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the corporation are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the corporation; and (c ) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the corporation's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
In our opinion, C&F Financial Corporation and Subsidiary maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
 
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011 of C&F Financial Corporation and Subsidiary and our report dated March 5, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion.
 
/s/ Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C.
 
Winchester, Virginia
March 5, 2012
 
 
OTHER INFORMATION
 
On March 1, 2012, the Corporation entered into an amendment to the Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement dated as of December 30, 2008 with each of Thomas F. Cherry and Bryan McKernon. As disclosed in the Corporation’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on April 19, 2011, these agreements provide for certain payments and benefits in the event of a termination of the executive’s employment by the Corporation without “cause,” or by the executive for “good reason,” during a specified period following the occurrence of a “change in control” (as defined in the agreements) of the Corporation. The sole purpose of the amendments was to change the specified period covered by the agreements from one year and 61 days following a change in control to two years and 61 days following a change in control. These amendments are filed with this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as exhibits 10.3.1 and 10.14.1, respectively.
 
PART III
 
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
 
The information with respect to the directors of the Corporation is contained on pages 4 through 7 of the 2012 Proxy Statement under the caption, “Election of Directors,” and is incorporated herein by reference. The information regarding the Section 16(a) reporting requirements of the directors and executive officers is contained on page 42 of the 2012 Proxy Statement under the caption, “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” and is incorporated herein by reference. The information concerning executive officers of the Corporation is included after Item 4 of this Form 10-K under the caption, “Executive Officers of the Registrant.” The Corporation has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (Code) that applies to its directors, executives and employees including the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and controller, or persons performing similar functions. This Code is posted on our Internet website at http:// www.cffc.com under “About C&F/C&F Financial Corporation/Corporate Governance.” We will provide a copy of the Code to any person without charge upon written request to C&F Financial Corporation, c/o Secretary, P.O. Box 391, West Point, Virginia 23181. We intend to provide any required disclosure of any amendment to or waiver of the Code that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, on http://www.cffc.com under “About C&F/C&F Financial Corporation/Corporate Governance” promptly following the amendment or waiver. We may elect to disclose any such amendment or waiver in a report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC either in addition to or in lieu of the website disclosure. The information contained on or connected to our Internet website is not incorporated by reference in this report and should not be considered part of this or any other report that we file or furnish to the SEC.
 
The board of directors of the Corporation has a standing Audit Committee, which is comprised of three directors who satisfy all of the following criteria: (i) meet the independence requirements of the NASDAQ Stock Market’s (NASDAQ) listing standards, (ii) have not accepted directly or indirectly any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, (iii) are not an affiliated person of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, (iv) have not participated in the preparation of the financial statements of the Corporation or any of its current subsidiaries at any time during the past three years, and (v) are competent to read and understand financial statements. In addition, at least one member of the Audit Committee has past employment experience in finance or accounting or comparable experience that results in the individual’s financial sophistication. The members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. J. P. Causey Jr., Barry R. Chernack and C. Elis Olsson. The board of directors has determined that the chairman of the Audit Committee, Mr. Barry R. Chernack, qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of applicable regulations of the SEC, promulgated pursuant to the SOX Act. Mr. Chernack is independent of management based on the independence requirements set forth in the NASDAQ’s listing standards’ definition of “independent director.”
 
The Corporation provides an informal process for security holders to send communications to its board of directors. Security holders who wish to contact the board of directors or any of its members may do so by addressing their written correspondence to C&F Financial Corporation, Board of Directors, c/o Corporate Secretary, P.O. Box 391, West Point, Virginia 23181. Correspondence directed to an individual board member will be referred, unopened, to that member. Correspondence not directed to a particular board member will be referred, unopened, to the Chairman of the Board.
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
The information contained on pages 13 through 32 of the 2012 Proxy Statement under the captions, “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” “Compensation Policies and Practices as They Relate to Risk Management,” “Executive Compensation” and “Compensation Committee Report,” and the information on pages 33 through 38 of the 2012 Proxy Statement are incorporated herein by reference. The information regarding director compensation contained on pages 11 and 12 of the 2012 Proxy Statement under the caption, “Director Compensation,” is incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
 
The information contained on page 3 of the 2012 Proxy Statement under the caption, “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management,” is incorporated herein by reference.
 
The information contained on page 42 of the 2012 Proxy Statement under the caption, “Equity Compensation Plan Information,” is incorporated herein by reference.
 
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
 
The information contained on pages 12 and 13 of the 2012 Proxy Statement under the caption, “Interest of Management in Certain Transactions,” is incorporated herein by reference. The information contained on pages 7 and 8 of the 2012 Proxy Statement under the caption, “Director Independence,” is incorporated herein by reference.
 
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
 
The information contained on page 41 of the 2012 Proxy Statement under the captions, “Principal Accountant Fees” and “Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy,” is incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
PART IV
 
EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
(a) Exhibits:
 
 
  3.1
Articles of Incorporation of C&F Financial Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 10-KSB filed March 29, 1996)
 
 
  3.1.1
Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of C&F Financial Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1.1 to Form 8-K filed January 14, 2009)
 
 
  3.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of C&F Financial Corporation, as adopted October 16, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Form 8-K filed October 22, 2007)
 
Certain instruments relating to trust preferred securities not being registered have been omitted in accordance with Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K. The registrant will furnish a copy of any such instrument to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request.
 
 
  4.1
Certificate of Designations for 20,000 shares of Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1.1 to Form 8-K filed January 14, 2009)
 
 
  4.2
Warrant to Purchase up to 167,504 shares of Common Stock, dated January 9, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Form 8-K filed January 14, 2009)
 
 
*10.1
Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement dated December 30, 2008 between C&F Financial Corporation and Larry G. Dillon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-K filed March 9, 2009)
 
 
*10.3
Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement dated December 30, 2008 between C&F Financial Corporation and Thomas F. Cherry (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Form 10-K filed March 9, 2009)
 
 
Amendment to Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement dated March 1, 2012 between C&F Financial Corporation and Thomas F. Cherry
 
 
*10.4
Restated VBA Executives’ Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan for C&F Financial Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Form 10-K filed March 7, 2008)
 
 
*10.4.1
Adoption Agreement for the Restated VBA Executives’ Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan for C&F Financial Corporation dated as of December 31, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4.1 to Form 10-K filed March 9, 2009)
 
 
*10.4.2
Attachment to the Adoption Agreement for the Restated VBA Executives’ Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan for C&F Financial Corporation dated as of January 1, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4.2 to Form 10-K filed March 7, 2008)
 
 
*10.4.3
Amendment to Adoption Agreement for the Restated VBA Executives’ Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan for C&F Financial Corporation effectively dated as of December 31, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4.3 to Form 10-K filed March 9, 2009)
 
 
*10.4.4
Amendment to Adoption Agreement for the Restated VBA Executives’ Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan for C&F Financial Corporation effectively dated as of January 1, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4.4 to Form 10-K filed March 3, 2010)
 
 
*10.5
Restated VBA Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan for C&F Financial Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Form 10-K filed March 7, 2008)
 
 
*10.5.1
Adoption Agreement for the Restated VBA Director’s Deferred Compensation Plan for C&F Financial Corporation dated as of December 31, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5.1 to Form 10-K filed March 9, 2009)
 
 
*10.5.2
Amendment to Adoption Agreement for the Restated VBA Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan for C&F Financial Corporation effectively dated as of December 31, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5.2 to Form 10-K filed March 9, 2009)
 
 
*10.6
Amended and Restated C&F Financial Corporation 1994 Incentive Stock Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Form 10-K filed March 7, 2008)
 
 
*10.7
Amended and Restated C&F Financial Corporation 1998 Non-Employee Director Stock Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Form 10-K filed March 7, 2008)
 
 
*10.8
Amended and Restated C&F Financial Corporation 1999 Regional Director Stock Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Form 10-K filed March 7, 2008)
 
 
 
*10.9
C&F Financial Corporation Management Incentive Plan dated February 25, 2005, as amended January 18, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Form 10-K filed March 3, 2011)
 
 
*10.10
Amended and Restated C&F Financial Corporation 2004 Incentive Stock Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Form 10-K filed March 7, 2008)
 
 
*10.10.1
Form of C&F Financial Corporation Restricted Stock Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10.1 to Form 10-Q filed August 8, 2008)
 
 
*10.10.2
Form of C&F Financial Corporation Restricted Stock Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10.2 to Form 8-K filed December 8, 2009)
 
 
*10.10.3
Form of C&F Financial Corporation TARP-Compliant Restricted Stock Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10.3 to Form 8-K filed December 8, 2009)
 
 
*10.11
Form of C&F Financial Corporation Incentive Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K filed December 29, 2004)
 
 
*10.11.1
Form of Notice of Amendment to C&F Financial Corporation Incentive Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11.1 to Form 10-Q filed on November 8, 2011)
 
 
*10.12
Employment Agreement dated April 16, 2002 between C&F Mortgage Corporation and Bryan McKernon, as amended December 19, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Form 10-K filed March 9, 2007)
 
 
*10.12.1
Amendment to Employment Agreement between C&F Mortgage Corporation and Bryan McKernon, dated December 30, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12.1 to Form 10-K filed March 9, 2009)
 
 
*10.14
Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement dated December 30, 2008 between C&F Financial Corporation and Bryan McKernon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to Form 10-K filed March 9, 2009)
 
 
Amendment to Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement dated March 1, 2012 between C&F Financial Corporation and Bryan McKernon
 
 
Schedule of C&F Financial Corporation Non-Employee Directors’ Annual Compensation
 
 
Base Salaries for Named Executive Officers of C&F Financial Corporation
 
 
*10.17
Form of C&F Financial Corporation Restricted Stock Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to Form 8-K filed December 18, 2006)
 
 
  10.19
Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement by and between Wells Fargo Preferred Capital, Inc., various financial institutions and C&F Finance Company dated as of August 25, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to Form 8-K filed August 28, 2008)
 
 
  10.19.1
First Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement by and among Wells Fargo Preferred Capital, Inc., various financial institutions and C&F Finance Company dated as of July 1, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19.1 to Form 10-Q filed August 6, 2010)
 
 
  10.24
Letter Agreement, dated January 9, 2009, including the Securities Purchase Agreement-Standard Terms incorporated by reference therein, between C&F Financial Corporation and the United States Depart of the Treasury (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to Form 8-K filed January 14, 2009)
 
 
*10.25
Form of Waiver executed by each of Larry G. Dillon, Thomas F. Cherry and Bryan E. McKernon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to Form 8-K filed January 14, 2009)
 
 
*10.26
Omnibus Benefit Plan Amendment dated January 9, 2009, and Form of Consent executed by each of Larry G. Dillon, Thomas F. Cherry and Bryan E. McKernon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to Form 8-K filed January 14, 2009)
 
 
  10.27
Letter Agreement, dated July 27, 2011, between C&F Financial Corporation and the United States Department of the Treasury (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to Form 8-K filed July 28, 2011)
 
 
   21
Subsidiaries of the Registrant
 
 
   23
Consent of Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C.
 
 
   31.1
Certification of CEO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
 
 
   31.2
Certification of CFO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
 
 
   32
Certification of CEO/CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
 
 
   99.1
Certification of CEO pursuant to 31 C.F.R. Section 30.15
 
 
   99.2
Certification of CFO pursuant to 31 C.F.R. Section 30.15
 
 
 
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
 
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document
 
________
*
Indicates management contract
 
 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
C&F FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
 
(Registrant)
       
Date: March 5, 2012
 
By:
/ S /    L ARRY G. D ILLON
 
 
 
Larry G. Dillon
 
 
 
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
     
/ S /    L ARRY G. D ILLON
 
Date: March 5, 2012
Larry G. Dillon, Chairman, President and
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
     
/ S /    T HOMAS F. C HERRY
 
Date: March 5, 2012
Thomas F. Cherry, Executive Vice President,
 
 
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
 
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
 
     
/ S /    J. P. C AUSEY J R .
 
Date: March 5, 2012
J. P. Causey Jr., Director
 
 
     
/ S /    B ARRY R. C HERNACK
 
Date: March 5, 2012
Barry R. Chernack, Director
 
 
     
/ S /    A UDREY D. H OLMES
 
Date: March 5, 2012
Audrey D. Holmes, Director
 
 
     
/ S /    J AMES H. H UDSON III
 
Date: March 5, 2012
James H. Hudson III, Director
 
 
     
/ S /    J OSHUA H. L AWSON
 
Date: March 5, 2012
Joshua H. Lawson, Director
 
 
     
/ S /    C. E LIS O LSSON
 
Date: March 5, 2012
C. Elis Olsson, Director
 
 
     
/ S /    P AUL C. R OBINSON
 
Date: March 5, 2012
Paul C. Robinson, Director
 
 
 
 
  103
Exhibit 10.3.1
 
AMENDMENT TO
CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT
(AMENDED AND RESTATED)

THIS AMENDMENT is entered into as of the 1 st day of March, 2012, by and between C&F FINANCIAL CORPORATION, a Virginia corporation (the “Company”) and THOMAS F. CHERRY (the “Executive”).

RECITALS

I.           The Company and the Executive previously entered into an Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement dated as of December 30, 2008 (the “Agreement”); and

II.           The Company and the Executive desire to amend the Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby agreed as follows:

1.           Section 1(g) of the Agreement is amended to read as follows:
 
  (g)  “Coverage Period” means the period of time beginning with the Change in Control Date and ending on the earliest to occur of (i) the Executive’s death and (ii) the sixty-first day after the second anniversary of the Change in Control Date.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive’s hand and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.
 
 
C&F FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Larry G. Dillon
 
 
Name:
Larry G. Dillon
 
 
Its:
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
       
   
/s/ Thomas F. Cherry  
 
   
Executive
 
 
 
Exhibit 10.14.1
 
AMENDMENT TO
CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT
(AMENDED AND RESTATED)

THIS AMENDMENT is entered into as of the 1 st day of March, 2012, by and between C&F FINANCIAL CORPORATION, a Virginia corporation (the “Company”) and BRYAN McKERNON (the “Executive”).

RECITALS

I.           The Company and the Executive previously entered into an Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement dated as of December 30, 2008 (the “Agreement”); and

II.           The Company and the Executive desire to amend the Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby agreed as follows:

1.           Section 1(g) of the Agreement is amended to read as follows:

  (g)  “Coverage Period” means the period of time beginning with the Change in Control Date and ending on the earliest to occur of (i) the Executive’s death and (ii) the sixty-first day after the second anniversary of the Change in Control Date.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive’s hand and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.
 
 
C&F FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Larry G. Dillon
 
 
Name:
Larry G. Dillon
 
 
Its:
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
       
   
/s/ Bryan McKernon  
 
   
Executive
 
 
 
Exhibit 10.15
 
SCHEDULE OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS’ ANNUAL COMPENSATION
OF
C&F FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
Effective January 1, 2012

   
Amount
 
Annual Retainer Fees 1
     
Service as a Director
  $ 9,000  
Service as Chairman of Audit Committee
  $ 5,00 (additional)  
Service as Chairman of Compensation Committee
  $ 4,00 (additional)  
 
Meeting Fees 2
     
Base per day
  $ 500  
Secondary meeting(s) per day
  $ 250  
 
 
1
The retainer fees are payable in quarterly installments
 
 
2
All non-employee directors receive a base meeting fee of $500 per day for Corporation board, Bank board, Bank subsidiary board or committee meeting attendance and a fee of $250 for secondary meeting attendance for each additional Corporation board, Bank board, Bank subsidiary board or committee meeting held on the same day as a meeting for which the base meeting fee is paid.
 
 
Exhibit 10.16
 
BASE SALARIES FOR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
OF
C&F FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
The following are the base salaries (on an annual basis) effective as of January 1, 2012 of the named executive officers of C&F Financial Corporation:
 
Larry G. Dillon 
  $ 275,000  
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
       
         
Thomas F. Cherry
  $ 230,000  
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
       
         
Bryan E. McKernon
  $ 195,000  
President and Chief Executive Officer of C&F Mortgage Corporation
       
 
 
Exhibit 21
 
SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT
 
Citizens and Farmers Bank, incorporated in Virginia
 
C&F Mortgage Corporation, incorporated in Virginia
 
Hometown Settlement Services LLC, organized in Virginia
 
Certified Appraisals LLC, organized in Virginia
 
C&F Title Agency, Inc., incorporated in Virginia
 
C&F Finance Company, incorporated in Virginia
 
C&F Investment Services, Inc., incorporated in Virginia
 
C&F Insurance Services, Inc., incorporated in Virginia
 
C&F Financial Statutory Trust I, organized in Delaware
 
C&F Financial Statutory Trust II, organized in Delaware
 
 
Exhibit 23
 
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statements on Form S-8 (No.333-63699, No. 333-67535, No. 333-89551, No. 333-89505, No. 333-35996 and No. 333-125881) and Form S-3 (No. 333-156944, No. 333-60877 and No. 333-30497) of C&F Financial Corporation and Subsidiary of our report, dated March 5, 2012, relating to our audits of the consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting, included in and incorporated by reference in the Annual Report to Shareholders on Form 10-K of C&F Financial Corporation and Subsidiary for the year ended December 31, 2011.
 
/s/ Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C.
 
Winchester, Virginia
March 5, 2012
 
 
Exhibit 31.1
 
CERTIFICATIONS
 
I, Larry G. Dillon, certify that:
 
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of C&F Financial Corporation;
 
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
Date    
March 5, 2012
   
     
/s/ Larry G. Dillon
     
Larry G. Dillon, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
Exhibit 31.2
 
CERTIFICATIONS
 
I, Thomas F. Cherry, certify that:
 
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of C&F Financial Corporation;
 
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
Date    
March 5, 2012
   
     
/s/ Thomas F. Cherry
     
Thomas F. Cherry, Executive Vice President and
     
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
Exhibit 32
 
CERTIFICATION
 
The undersigned, as the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of C&F Financial Corporation, respectively, certify that to the best of their knowledge and belief the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, which accompanies this certification, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the information contained in the periodic report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of C&F Financial Corporation at the dates and for the periods indicated. The foregoing certification is made pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. §1350), and shall not be relied upon for any other purpose. The undersigned expressly disclaim any obligation to update the foregoing certification except as required by law.
 
Date:    
March 5, 2012
 
/s/ Larry G. Dillon
     
Larry G. Dillon
     
President and Chief Executive Officer
       
Date:    
March 5, 2012
 
/s/ Thomas F. Cherry
     
Thomas F. Cherry
     
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
Exhibit 99.1
 
CERTIFICATION
 
I, Larry G. Dillon, the President and Chief Executive Officer of C&F Financial Corporation, certify, based on my knowledge, that:
 
(i) The compensation committee of C&F Financial Corporation has discussed, reviewed and evaluated with senior risk officers at least once every six months during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, the senior executive officer (SEO) compensation plans and the employee compensation plans and the risks these plans pose to C&F Financial Corporation;
 
(ii) During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, the compensation committee of C&F Financial Corporation did not identify any features of the SEO compensation plans that could lead SEOs to take unnecessary and excessive risks that could threaten the value of C&F Financial Corporation or of the employee compensation plans that pose risks to C&F Financial Corporation. The compensation committee of C&F Financial Corporation will, at least once every six months during the TARP period, identify and limit any features of the SEO compensation plans that could lead SEOs to take unnecessary and excessive risks that could threaten the value of C&F Financial Corporation, and identify any features of the employee compensation plans that pose risks to C&F Financial Corporation, and limit those features to ensure that C&F Financial Corporation is not unnecessarily exposed to risks;
 
(iii) The compensation committee of C&F Financial Corporation has reviewed at least once every six months during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 the terms of each employee compensation plan and identified any features of the plan that could encourage the manipulation of reported earnings of C&F Financial Corporation to enhance the compensation of an employee and limited any such features. The compensation committee of C&F Financial Corporation will, at least once every six months during the TARP period, review the terms of each employee compensation plan, and identify any features of the plan that could encourage the manipulation of reported earnings of C&F Financial Corporation to enhance the compensation of an employee, and limit any such features;
 
(iv) The compensation committee of C&F Financial Corporation will certify to the reviews of the SEO compensation plans and employee compensation plans required under paragraphs (i) and (iii) above;
 
(v) The compensation committee of C&F Financial Corporation will provide a narrative description of how it limited during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 the features in:
 
(A) SEO compensation plans that could lead SEOs to take unnecessary and excessive risks that could threaten the value of C&F Financial Corporation;
 
(B) Employee compensation plans that unnecessarily expose C&F Financial Corporation to risks; and
 
(C) Employee compensation plans that could encourage the manipulation of reported earnings of C&F Financial Corporation to enhance the compensation of an employee;
 
(vi) C&F Financial Corporation has required that bonus payments, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under Section 111 of EESA (bonus payments), of the SEOs and twenty next most highly compensated employees be subject to a recovery or “clawback” provision during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 if the bonus payments were based on materially inaccurate financial statements or any other materially inaccurate performance metric criteria;
 
(vii) C&F Financial Corporation has prohibited any golden parachute payment, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under Section 111 of EESA, to an SEO or any of the next five most highly compensated employees during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011;

(viii) C&F Financial Corporation has limited bonus payments to its applicable employee in accordance with Section 111 of EESA and the regulations and guidance established thereunder during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011;
 
(ix) C&F Financial Corporation and its employees have complied with the excessive or luxury expenditures policy, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under Section 111 of EESA, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011; and any expenses that, pursuant to this policy, required approval of the board of directors, a committee of the board of directors, an SEO, or an executive officer with a similar level of responsibility were properly approved;
 
(x) C&F Financial Corporation will permit a non-binding shareholder resolution in compliance with applicable federal securities rules and regulations on the disclosures provided under the federal securities laws related to SEO compensation paid or accrued during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011;
 
 
 
 
 
(xi) C&F Financial Corporation will disclose the amount, nature, and justification for the offering during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 of any perquisites, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under Section 111 of EESA, whose total value exceeds $25,000 for the employee who is subject to the bonus payment limitations identified in paragraph (viii);
 
(xii) C&F Financial Corporation will disclose whether C&F Financial Corporation, the board of directors of C&F Financial Corporation, or the compensation committee of C&F Financial Corporation engaged during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, a compensation consultant; and the services the compensation consultant or any affiliate of the compensation consultant provided during this period;
 
(xiii) C&F Financial Corporation has prohibited the payment of any gross-ups, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under Section 111 of EESA, to the SEOs and the next twenty most highly compensated employees during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011;
 
(xiv) C&F Financial Corporation has substantially complied with all other requirements related to employee compensation that are provided in the agreement between C&F Financial Corporation and Treasury, including any amendments;
 
(xv) C&F Financial Corporation will submit to Treasury a complete and accurate list of the SEOs and the twenty next most highly compensated employees for the current fiscal year, with the non-SEOs ranked in descending order of level of annual compensation, and with the name, title, and employer of each SEO and most highly compensated employee identified; and
 
(xvi) I understand that a knowing and willful false or fraudulent statement made in connection with this certification may be punished by fine, imprisonment, or both. (See, for example, 18 USC 1001.)
 
Date    
March 5, 2012 
   
       
     
/s/ Larry G. Dillon
     
Larry G. Dillon, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
Exhibit 99.2
 
CERTIFICATION
 
I, Thomas F. Cherry, the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of C&F Financial Corporation, certify, based on my knowledge, that:
 
(i) The compensation committee of C&F Financial Corporation has discussed, reviewed and evaluated with senior risk officers at least once every six months during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, the senior executive officer (SEO) compensation plans and the employee compensation plans and the risks these plans pose to C&F Financial Corporation;
 
(ii) During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, the compensation committee of C&F Financial Corporation did not identify any features of the SEO compensation plans that could lead SEOs to take unnecessary and excessive risks that could threaten the value of C&F Financial Corporation or of the employee compensation plans that pose risks to C&F Financial Corporation. The compensation committee of C&F Financial Corporation will, at least once every six months during the TARP period, identify and limit any features of the SEO compensation plans that could lead SEOs to take unnecessary and excessive risks that could threaten the value of C&F Financial Corporation, and identify any features of the employee compensation plans that pose risks to C&F Financial Corporation, and limit those features to ensure that C&F Financial Corporation is not unnecessarily exposed to risks;
 
(iii) The compensation committee of C&F Financial Corporation has reviewed at least once every six months during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 the terms of each employee compensation plan and identified any features of the plan that could encourage the manipulation of reported earnings of C&F Financial Corporation to enhance the compensation of an employee and limited any such features. The compensation committee of C&F Financial Corporation will, at least once every six months during the TARP period, review the terms of each employee compensation plan, and identify any features of the plan that could encourage the manipulation of reported earnings of C&F Financial Corporation to enhance the compensation of an employee, and limit any such features;
 
(iv) The compensation committee of C&F Financial Corporation will certify to the reviews of the SEO compensation plans and employee compensation plans required under paragraphs (i) and (iii) above;
 
(v) The compensation committee of C&F Financial Corporation will provide a narrative description of how it limited during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 the features in:
 
(A) SEO compensation plans that could lead SEOs to take unnecessary and excessive risks that could threaten the value of C&F Financial Corporation;
 
(B) Employee compensation plans that unnecessarily expose C&F Financial Corporation to risks; and
 
(C) Employee compensation plans that could encourage the manipulation of reported earnings of C&F Financial Corporation to enhance the compensation of an employee;
 
(vi) C&F Financial Corporation has required that bonus payments, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under Section 111 of EESA (bonus payments), of the SEOs and twenty next most highly compensated employees be subject to a recovery or “clawback” provision during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 if the bonus payments were based on materially inaccurate financial statements or any other materially inaccurate performance metric criteria;
 
(vii) C&F Financial Corporation has prohibited any golden parachute payment, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under Section 111 of EESA, to an SEO or any of the next five most highly compensated employees during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011;

(viii) C&F Financial Corporation has limited bonus payments to its applicable employee in accordance with Section 111 of EESA and the regulations and guidance established thereunder during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011;
 
(ix) C&F Financial Corporation and its employees have complied with the excessive or luxury expenditures policy, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under Section 111 of EESA, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011; and any expenses that, pursuant to this policy, required approval of the board of directors, a committee of the board of directors, an SEO, or an executive officer with a similar level of responsibility were properly approved;
 
(x) C&F Financial Corporation will permit a non-binding shareholder resolution in compliance with applicable federal securities rules and regulations on the disclosures provided under the federal securities laws related to SEO compensation paid or accrued during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011;
 
 
 
 
 
(xi) C&F Financial Corporation will disclose the amount, nature, and justification for the offering during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 of any perquisites, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under Section 111 of EESA, whose total value exceeds $25,000 for the employee who is subject to the bonus payment limitations identified in paragraph (viii);
 
(xii) C&F Financial Corporation will disclose whether C&F Financial Corporation, the board of directors of C&F Financial Corporation, or the compensation committee of C&F Financial Corporation engaged during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, a compensation consultant; and the services the compensation consultant or any affiliate of the compensation consultant provided during this period;
 
(xiii) C&F Financial Corporation has prohibited the payment of any gross-ups, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under Section 111 of EESA, to the SEOs and the next twenty most highly compensated employees during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011;
 
(xiv) C&F Financial Corporation has substantially complied with all other requirements related to employee compensation that are provided in the agreement between C&F Financial Corporation and Treasury, including any amendments;
 
(xv) C&F Financial Corporation will submit to Treasury a complete and accurate list of the SEOs and the twenty next most highly compensated employees for the current fiscal year, with the non-SEOs ranked in descending order of level of annual compensation, and with the name, title, and employer of each SEO and most highly compensated employee identified; and
 
(xvi) I understand that a knowing and willful false or fraudulent statement made in connection with this certification may be punished by fine, imprisonment, or both. (See, for example, 18 USC 1001.)
 
Date    
March 5, 2012
   
       
     
/s/ Thomas F. Cherry
     
Thomas F. Cherry, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer