Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_____________________________________
FORM 10-Q
_____________________________________
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2015
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 No. 001-35870
_____________________________________
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
_____________________________________
Maryland
90-0947148
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
 
 
1233 O.G. Skinner Drive, West Point, Georgia
31833
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
(706) 645-1391
(Registrant’s telephone number)

N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
_____________________________________
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such 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 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
x
Non-accelerated filer
o    (Do not check if smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES   o     NO   x
The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of February 5, 2016 was 15,020,869 .


Table of Contents

CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page No.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (UNAUDITED)
 
December 31, 2015
 
September 30, 2015 (1)
Assets
Cash and amounts due from depository institutions
$
14,243,071

 
$
9,921,822

Interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions
37,638,231

 
20,421,403

Cash and cash equivalents
51,881,302

 
30,343,225

Loans held for sale, fair value of $2,330,930 and $1,444,042
2,285,847

 
1,406,902

Investment securities available for sale
175,988,229

 
184,404,089

Federal Home Loan Bank stock
3,005,600

 
3,515,600

Loans receivable
690,687,371

 
725,673,178

Unamortized loan origination fees, net
(1,121,570
)
 
(1,423,456
)
Allowance for loan losses
(9,695,387
)
 
(9,488,512
)
Loans receivable, net
679,870,414

 
714,761,210

Other real estate owned
3,164,705

 
3,410,538

Accrued interest and dividends receivable
2,495,117

 
2,668,406

Premises and equipment, net
19,455,816

 
19,660,012

Goodwill
4,325,282

 
4,325,282

Other intangible assets, net of amortization
108,241

 
157,226

Cash surrender value of life insurance
48,744,173

 
48,423,510

Deferred income taxes
6,218,864

 
5,674,095

Other assets
7,336,384

 
8,329,239

Total assets
$
1,004,879,974

 
$
1,027,079,334

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Deposits
$
744,233,967

 
$
738,855,076

Federal Home Loan Bank advances
50,000,000

 
62,000,000

Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance
790,435

 
1,745,753

Other liabilities
11,487,837

 
19,547,895

Total liabilities
806,512,239

 
822,148,724

Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 15,229,064 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 16,027,654 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2015
152,291

 
160,277

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015

 

Additional paid-in capital
85,546,958

 
95,355,054

Unearned compensation – ESOP
(5,106,169
)
 
(5,551,193
)
Retained earnings
118,228,061

 
114,362,386

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
(453,406
)
 
604,086

Total stockholders’ equity
198,367,735

 
204,930,610

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
1,004,879,974

 
$
1,027,079,334

__________________________________
(1)
Financial information at September 30, 2015 has been derived from audited financial statements.




See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
1

Table of Contents

CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Interest income:
 
 
 
Loans receivable
$
9,441,525

 
$
8,904,633

Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations
682,456

 
830,677

Federal Home Loan Bank stock
38,928

 
36,708

Other investment securities available for sale
264,054

 
44,853

Interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions
12,391

 
41,036

Amortization of FDIC loss share receivable

 
(888,911
)
Total interest income
10,439,354

 
8,968,996

Interest expense:
 

 
 

Deposits
665,433

 
732,927

Borrowings
552,882

 
602,746

Total interest expense
1,218,315

 
1,335,673

Net interest income
9,221,039

 
7,633,323

Provision for loan losses

 
4,000

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
9,221,039

 
7,629,323

Noninterest income:
 

 
 

Service charges on deposit accounts
1,752,558

 
1,581,978

Bankcard fees
1,145,826

 
947,623

Gain on investment securities available for sale
35,965

 
684

Bank owned life insurance
320,663

 
324,413

Gain on sale of loans and loan servicing release fees
347,856

 
367,002

Brokerage commissions
141,715

 
154,304

Recoveries on acquired loans previously covered under FDIC loss share agreements
2,875,000

 

FDIC receivable for loss sharing agreements accretion

 
47,461

Other
210,957

 
142,502

Total noninterest income
6,830,540

 
3,565,967

Noninterest expenses:
 

 
 

Salaries and employee benefits
5,262,989

 
5,014,267

Occupancy
1,910,452

 
1,875,663

Legal and professional
379,838

 
240,626

Marketing
260,914

 
265,232

Federal insurance premiums and other regulatory fees
223,843

 
195,590

Net benefit of operations of real estate owned
(21,243
)
 
(57,320
)
Furniture and equipment
168,415

 
150,535

Postage, office supplies and printing
184,712

 
240,607

Core deposit intangible amortization expense
48,985

 
74,308

Other
659,125

 
736,281

Total noninterest expenses
9,078,030

 
8,735,789

Income before income taxes
6,973,549

 
2,459,501

Income tax expense
2,359,271

 
785,998

Net income
$
4,614,278

 
$
1,673,503

Basic net income per share
$
0.31

 
$
0.10

Diluted net income per share
$
0.30

 
$
0.10

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
14,885,529

 
16,175,485

Weighted average number of common and potential common shares outstanding
15,545,216

 
16,709,543





See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
2

Table of Contents

CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

 
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
4,614,278

 
$
1,673,503

Reclassification adjustment for net gains realized in net income, net of taxes of $13,882 and $264, respectively
 
(22,083
)
 
(420
)
Net unrealized holding (losses) gains on investment and mortgage securities available for sale arising during the period, net of taxes of $(650,925) and $459,982, respectively
 
(1,035,409
)
 
731,681

Comprehensive income
 
$
3,556,786

 
$
2,404,764









See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
3

Table of Contents

CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

 
Common stock
 
Additional paid-in capital
 
Unearned compensation ESOP
 
Retained earnings
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
Total stockholders' equity
 
Number of shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at September 30, 2014 (1)
18,261,388

 
$
182,614

 
$
119,586,164

 
$
(5,984,317
)
 
$
111,924,543

 
$
(754,135
)
 
$
224,954,869

Net income

 

 

 

 
5,572,162

 

 
5,572,162

Dividends paid, $0.20 per share

 

 

 

 
(3,134,319
)
 

 
(3,134,319
)
Change in other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 
1,358,221

 
1,358,221

Allocation of ESOP common stock

 

 
128,135

 
433,124

 

 

 
561,259

Effect of restricted stock awards

 

 
792,619

 

 

 

 
792,619

Stock option expense

 

 
330,995

 

 

 

 
330,995

Issuance of common stock, restricted stock
2,265

 
23

 
(23
)
 

 

 

 

Repurchase of shares
(2,235,999
)
 
(22,360
)
 
(25,482,836
)
 

 

 

 
(25,505,196
)
Balance at September 30, 2015 (1)
16,027,654

 
$
160,277

 
$
95,355,054

 
$
(5,551,193
)
 
$
114,362,386

 
$
604,086

 
$
204,930,610

Net income

 

 

 

 
4,614,278

 

 
4,614,278

Dividends paid, $0.05 per share

 

 

 

 
(748,603
)
 

 
(748,603
)
Change in other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 
(1,057,492
)
 
(1,057,492
)
Allocation of ESOP common stock

 

 
216,340

 
445,024

 

 

 
661,364

Effect of restricted stock awards

 

 
196,070

 

 

 

 
196,070

Stock option expense

 

 
80,578

 

 

 

 
80,578

Repurchase of shares
(798,590
)
 
(7,986
)
 
(10,301,084
)
 

 

 

 
(10,309,070
)
Balance at December 31, 2015
15,229,064

 
$
152,291

 
$
85,546,958

 
$
(5,106,169
)
 
$
118,228,061

 
$
(453,406
)
 
$
198,367,735

__________________________________
(1)
Financial information at September 30, 2015 and 2014 has been derived from audited financial statements.







See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
4

Table of Contents

CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
4,614,278

 
$
1,673,503

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Provision for acquired loan losses

 
4,000

Depreciation and amortization
288,221

 
319,780

Accretion and amortization of premiums and discounts, net
291,481

 
392,788

Accretion of fair value discounts related to acquired loans
(1,168,982
)
 
(1,560,960
)
Accretion of fair value discounts related to FDIC receivable

 
(47,461
)
Amortization of FDIC loss share receivable

 
888,911

Gain on sale of loans and loan servicing release fees
(347,856
)
 
(367,002
)
Proceeds from sale of loans
12,766,789

 
12,543,287

Originations and purchases of loans held for sale
(13,297,878
)
 
(12,322,906
)
Gain on sale of mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and other investments
(35,965
)
 
(684
)
Write down of real estate owned

 
11,096

Gain on sale of real estate owned
(184,719
)
 
(137,289
)
Loss (gain) on sale of fixed assets
6,581

 
(3,250
)
Restricted stock award expense
196,070

 
198,697

Stock option expense
80,578

 
82,749

Increase in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance
(320,663
)
 
(324,413
)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Decrease (increase) in accrued interest and dividends receivable
173,289

 
(38,778
)
Decrease in other assets
636,075

 
865,477

Decrease in other liabilities
(7,398,694
)
 
(1,868,459
)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
(3,701,395
)
 
309,086

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from sales of investment securities available for sale
1,231,330

 
6,439,319

Principal collections on investment securities available for sale
5,403,881

 
5,440,247

Purchase of investment securities available for sale

 
(18,094,730
)
Proceeds from maturities or calls of investment securities available for sale

 
3,679,050

Proceeds from redemption of FHLB stock
510,000

 

Net decrease (increase) in loans receivable
35,857,671

 
(20,849,620
)
Net decrease in FDIC receivable

 
402,154

Principal reductions of OREO

 
39,961

Proceeds from sale of real estate owned
555,531

 
3,291,742

Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment

 
3,250

Disposition of premises and equipment, net of purchases
315,159

 
9,964

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
43,873,572

 
(19,638,663
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Repurchase of shares
(10,309,070
)
 
(14,218,889
)
Dividends paid
(748,603
)
 
(797,596
)
Increase (decrease) in deposits
5,378,891

 
(15,717,127
)
Principal payments on Federal Home Loan Bank advances
(12,000,000
)
 

Net decrease in advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance
(955,318
)
 
(668,205
)

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
5

Table of Contents

CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
continued
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
Net cash used in financing activities
(18,634,100
)
 
(31,401,817
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
21,538,077

 
(50,731,394
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
30,343,225

 
99,462,953

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
51,881,302

 
$
48,731,559

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
 
 
 
Interest paid
$
1,213,148

 
$
1,337,642

Income taxes paid

 

Supplemental disclosure of noncash activities:
 
 
 
Real estate acquired through foreclosure of collateral on loans receivable
$
124,979

 
$
1,033,671

Write down of real estate owned reimbursed by the FDIC

 
73,792

Gain on real estate sold payable to the FDIC

 
437,962

Provision for acquired loan losses reimbursed by the FDIC

 
76,000

Issuance of common stock under stock benefit plan
661,364

 
561,259

Unrealized (loss) gain on investment securities available for sale, net
(1,057,492
)
 
731,261









See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
6

Table of Contents

CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Note 1: Nature of Operations
Charter Financial Corporation (“Charter Financial” or the “Company”) is a savings and loan holding company that was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland in April 2013 to serve as the holding company for CharterBank (the “Bank”). The Bank is a federally-chartered savings bank that was originally founded in 1954 as a federally-chartered mutual savings and loan association.
On April 8, 2013, the Company completed its conversion and reorganization pursuant to which it converted from the mutual holding company form of organization to the stock holding company form of organization. The Company sold 14.3 million shares of common stock for gross offering proceeds of $142.9 million in the offering. Following the conversion and reorganization, the Bank became  100%  owned by Charter Financial and Charter Financial became 100% owned by public shareholders.
As of December 31, 2015 , the Company operated 14 branch offices in west-central Georgia, east-central Alabama and the Florida Gulf Coast, as well as a cashless branch office in Norcross, Georgia. Additionally, on December 3, 2015, the Company announced plans to acquire CBS Financial Corporation, the parent company of Community Bank of the South. As of December 31, 2015 , Community Bank of the South operated four branches in the Atlanta metro area. The transaction is expected to close in April 2016 , and is subject to approval by CBS’s shareholders, receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

Note 2: Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Charter Financial and the Bank include the accounts of the Company and the Bank as of December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 (derived from audited financial statements), and for the three -month periods ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 . All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include all necessary adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation for the periods presented. The results of operations for the three -month period ended December 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year or any other interim period.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures 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 valuation of real estate acquired in connection with foreclosures or in satisfaction of loans, the estimates used for fair value acquisition accounting, the estimate of expected cash flows on purchased impaired and other acquired loans, and the assessment for other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities, mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations. Certain reclassifications of prior fiscal year balances have been made to conform to classifications used in the current fiscal year. These reclassifications did not change net income or stockholders' equity.

Note 3: Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities , which is intended to improve the recognition and measurement of financial instruments by requiring: equity investments (other than equity method or consolidation) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income; public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset (i.e., securities or loans and receivables) on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements; eliminating the requirement to disclose the fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost for organizations that are not public business entities; eliminating the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet; and requiring a reporting organization to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk (also referred to as "own credit") when the organization has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments. This ASU is effective for public companies

7


for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This ASU permits early adoption of the instrument-specific credit risk provision. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

Note 4: Investment Securities
Investment securities available for sale are summarized as follows:

December 31, 2015
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
Other investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collateralized loan obligations
$
39,669,031

 
$
19,152

 
$
(289,844
)
 
$
39,398,339

Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FHLMC certificates
33,716,145

 
317,180

 
(199,231
)
 
33,834,094

FNMA certificates
93,483,148

 
289,978

 
(893,483
)
 
92,879,643

GNMA certificates
1,542,673

 
4,428

 

 
1,547,101

Private-label mortgage securities: (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade
1,011,341

 
3,387

 
(39,448
)
 
975,280

Split rating (2)
724,819

 

 
(6,034
)
 
718,785

Non-investment grade
6,528,052

 
193,094

 
(86,159
)
 
6,634,987

Total
$
176,675,209

 
$
827,219

 
$
(1,514,199
)
 
$
175,988,229

________________________________
(1)
Credit ratings are current as of December 31, 2015 .
(2)
Bonds with split ratings represent securities with both investment and non-investment grades.
 
September 30, 2015
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
Other investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collateralized loan obligations
$
39,637,499

 
$
59,751

 
$
(201,133
)
 
$
39,496,117

Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FHLMC certificates
35,533,446

 
485,501

 
(27,505
)
 
35,991,442

FNMA certificates
97,676,102

 
787,507

 
(245,560
)
 
98,218,049

GNMA certificates
1,553,500

 
5,095

 

 
1,558,595

Collateralized mortgage obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FHLMC
36,571

 
2,643

 

 
39,214

FNMA
61,929

 
1,386

 

 
63,315

Private-label mortgage securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade
1,068,490

 
4,040

 
(41,214
)
 
1,031,316

Split rating (1)
880,802

 

 
(5,386
)
 
875,416

Non-investment grade
7,040,469

 
179,372

 
(89,216
)
 
7,130,625

Total
$
183,488,808

 
$
1,525,295

 
$
(610,014
)
 
$
184,404,089

______________________________
(1)
Bonds with split ratings represent securities with both investment and non-investment grades.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities available for sale as of December 31, 2015 , by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

8


 
Amortized Cost
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
 
 
 
Due within one year
$

 
$

Due from one year to five years
4,456,059

 
4,415,985

Due after five years
35,212,972

 
34,982,354

Mortgage-backed securities
137,006,178

 
136,589,890

Total
$
176,675,209

 
$
175,988,229

There were no investment securities available for sale that were called or matured during the three months ended December 31, 2015 . Proceeds from called or matured investment securities during the three months ended December 31, 2014 were $3.7 million . Proceeds from sales of investment securities available for sale during the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 , were $1.2 million and $6.4 million , respectively. Gross realized gains on the sale of these securities were $36,224 and $2,507 for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Gross realized losses on the sale of these securities were $259 and $1,823 for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively.
Investment securities available for sale with an aggregate carrying value of $93.7 million and $103.0 million at December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 , respectively, were available to be pledged to secure Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances, however no securities were pledged at either period end to secure FHLB advances.
Investment securities available for sale that had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months at December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 are as follows:
 
December 31, 2015
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
Other investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
Collateralized loan obligations
$
27,740,650

 
$
(289,844
)
 
$
27,450,806

Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 

 
 
FHLMC certificates
15,339,191

 
(199,231
)
 
15,139,960

FNMA certificates
59,235,435

 
(573,328
)
 
58,662,107

Total
$
102,315,276

 
$
(1,062,403
)
 
$
101,252,873

 
September 30, 2015
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
Other investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
Collateralized loan obligations
$
19,912,486

 
$
(201,133
)
 
$
19,711,353

Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
FHLMC certificates
16,021,392

 
(27,505
)
 
15,993,887

FNMA certificates
35,454,134

 
(116,303
)
 
35,337,831

Total
$
71,388,012

 
$
(344,941
)
 
$
71,043,071


9


Investment securities available for sale that had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for greater than 12 months at December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 are as follows:
 
December 31, 2015
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
FNMA certificates
$
20,791,947

 
$
(320,155
)
 
$
20,471,792

Collateralized mortgage obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
Private-label mortgage securities
2,890,532

 
(131,641
)
 
2,758,891

Total
$
23,682,479

 
$
(451,796
)
 
$
23,230,683

 
September 30, 2015
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
FNMA certificates
$
21,182,347

 
$
(129,257
)
 
$
21,053,090

Collateralized mortgage obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
Private-label mortgage securities
3,250,506

 
(135,816
)
 
3,114,690

Total
$
24,432,853

 
$
(265,073
)
 
$
24,167,780

At December 31, 2015 the Company had approximately $132,000 of gross unrealized losses on private-label mortgage securities with aggregate amortized cost of approximately $2.9 million . Previously, in fiscal 2011, the Company recognized $380,000 in credit losses on its investment portfolio. During the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 , the Company recorded no other-than-temporary unrealized loss impairment charges. Other than what is discussed in the paragraphs below, the Company is projecting that it will receive essentially all contractual cash flows, so there is no break in yield or additional other than temporary impairment.
Regularly, the Company performs an assessment to determine whether there have been any events or economic circumstances to indicate that a security on which there is an unrealized loss is impaired other-than-temporarily. The assessment considers many factors including the severity and duration of the impairment, the Company’s intent and ability to hold the security for a period of time sufficient for recovery in value, recent events specific to the industry, and current characteristics of each security such as delinquency and foreclosure levels, credit enhancements, and projected losses and loss coverage ratios. It is possible that the underlying collateral of these securities will perform worse than current expectations, which may lead to adverse changes in cash flows on these securities and potential future other-than-temporary impairment losses. Events that may trigger material declines in fair values for these securities in the future include but are not limited to, deterioration of credit metrics, significantly higher levels of default and severity of loss on the underlying collateral, deteriorating credit enhancement and loss coverage ratios, or further illiquidity. All of these securities were evaluated for other-than-temporary impairment based on an analysis of the factors and characteristics of each security as previously enumerated. The Company considers these unrealized losses to be temporary impairment losses primarily because of continued sufficient levels of credit enhancements and credit coverage levels of less senior tranches to tranches held by the Company.

10


The following table shows issuer-specific information, including current par value, book value, fair value, credit rating and unrealized gain (loss) for the Company's portfolio of non-agency collateralized mortgage obligations as of December 31, 2015 :
Cusip
 
Description
 
Credit Rating   (1)
 
Cumulative Net Impairment Losses Recognized in Earnings
 
Current Par Value
 
Amortized Cost
 
Market Value
 
Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
 
 
 
Moody
 
S&P
 
Fitch
 
(dollars in thousands)
Investment Grade
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
36228FQF6
 
GSR 2003-4F 1A2
 
n/a
 
AA+
 
BBB
 
$

 
$
148

 
$
148

 
$
149

 
$
1

55265KL80
 
MASTR 2003-8 4A1
 
n/a
 
A+
 
A
 

 
137

 
137

 
138

 
1

86359BVF5
 
SARM 2004-6 3A3
 
n/a
 
A+
 
n/a
 

 
727

 
726

 
688

 
(38
)
 
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
1,012

 
1,011

 
975

 
(36
)
Split Rating
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
17307GDL9
 
CMLTI 2004-HYB1 A31
 
Ba2
 
n/a
 
BBB
 

 
725

 
725

 
719

 
(6
)
 
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
725

 
725

 
719

 
(6
)
Non-Investment Grade
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
576433UQ7
 
MARM 2004-13 B1
 
NR
 
CCC
 
n/a
 
380

 
2,915

 
2,534

 
2,723

 
189

576433VN3
 
MARM 2004-15 4A1
 
B3
 
n/a
 
B
 

 
1,439

 
1,439

 
1,352

 
(87
)
576433QD1
 
MARM 2004-7 5A1
 
Ba3
 
BB
 
n/a
 

 
2,554

 
2,555

 
2,560

 
5

 
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
380

 
6,908

 
6,528

 
6,635

 
107

 
 
Grand Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
380

 
$
8,645

 
$
8,264

 
$
8,329

 
$
65

______________________________
(1)
Credit ratings are current as of December 31, 2015 .

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income by component for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 are shown in the table below. All amounts are net of tax. The line item affected in the consolidated statements of income by the reclassified amounts is gain on investment securities available for sale.
 
Unrealized Gain/Loss on Available-for-Sale Securities
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
604,086

 
$
(754,135
)
Other comprehensive income/loss before reclassifications
(1,035,409
)
 
731,681

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/loss to gain on investment securities available for sale
(22,083
)
 
(420
)
Net current-period other comprehensive income/loss
(1,057,492
)
 
731,261

Ending balance
$
(453,406
)
 
$
(22,874
)


11


Note 5: Loans Receivable
Loans outstanding, by class, are summarized in the following table:
 
December 31, 2015
 
September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
1-4 family residential real estate
$
182,297,415

 
$
188,043,631

Commercial real estate
396,023,034

 
416,575,608

Commercial
39,836,473

 
37,444,399

Real estate construction
61,816,380

 
77,217,378

Consumer and other
10,714,069

 
6,392,162

Total loans, gross
690,687,371

 
725,673,178

Unamortized loan origination fees, net
(1,121,570
)
 
(1,423,456
)
Allowance for loan losses
(9,695,387
)
 
(9,488,512
)
Total loans, net
$
679,870,414

 
$
714,761,210

Loan Origination and Risk Management. The Company has certain lending policies and procedures in place that are designed to maximize loan income within an acceptable level of risk. Management reviews and approves these policies and procedures on a regular basis. A reporting system supplements the review process by providing management with frequent reports related to loan production, loan quality, concentrations of credit, loan delinquencies and nonperforming and potential problem loans. Diversification in the loan portfolio is a means of managing risk associated with fluctuations in economic conditions.
Commercial real estate loans are generally made by the Company to entities in Georgia, Alabama, Florida and adjoining states and are secured by properties in these states. Commercial real estate lending involves additional risks compared to one- to four-family residential lending. Repayment of commercial real estate loans often depends on the successful operations and income stream of the borrowers, and commercial real estate loans typically involve larger loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers compared to residential real estate loans. The Company’s underwriting criteria for commercial real estate loans include maximum loan-to-value ratios, debt coverage ratios, secondary sources of repayment, guarantor requirements, net worth requirements and quality of cash flow. As part of the loan approval and underwriting of commercial real estate loans, management undertakes a cash flow analysis, and generally requires a debt-service coverage ratio of at least 1.15 times. In addition, management tracks the level of owner-occupied commercial real estate loans versus non-owner occupied loans. At December 31, 2015 , approximately 23.8% of the outstanding principal balance of the Company’s commercial real estate loans was secured by owner-occupied properties.
The Company makes construction and land development loans primarily for the construction of one- to four-family residences but also for multi-family and nonresidential real estate projects on a select basis. The Company offers construction loans to builders including both speculative (unsold) and pre-sold loans to pre-approved local builders. The number of speculative loans that management will extend to a builder at one time depends upon the financial strength and credit history of the builder. The Company’s construction loan program is expected to remain a modest portion of the loan volume and management generally limits the number of outstanding loans on unsold homes under construction within a specific area.
The Company also originates first and second mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit secured by one- to four-family residential properties within Georgia, Alabama and the Florida panhandle. Management currently originates mortgages at all branch locations, but utilizes a centralized processing location to reduce the underwriting risk. The Company originates both fixed rate and adjustable rate one- to four-family residential mortgage loans. Fixed rate 30 year conforming loans are generally originated for resale into the secondary market and loans that are non-conforming due to property exceptions and that have adjustable rates are generally retained in the Company’s portfolio. The non-conforming loans originated are not considered to be subprime loans and the amount of subprime and low documentation loans held by the Company is not material. The Company also offers home equity lines of credit as a complement to one- to four-family residential mortgage lending. The underwriting standards applicable to home equity credit lines are similar to those for one- to four-family residential mortgage loans, except for slightly more stringent credit-to-income and credit score requirements. Home equity loans are generally limited to 80% of the value of the underlying property unless the loan is covered by private mortgage insurance. At December 31, 2015 , the Company had $17.7 million of home equity lines of credit and second mortgage loans.
The Company originates consumer loans that consist of loans on deposits, auto loans and various other installment loans. The Company primarily offers consumer loans as an accommodation to customers. Consumer loans tend to have a higher credit risk than residential mortgage loans because they may be secured by rapidly depreciable assets, or may be unsecured. The Company’s consumer lending generally follows accepted industry standards for non-subprime lending, including credit scores and debt to income ratios.

12


The Company’s commercial business loans are generally limited to terms of five years or less. While management typically collateralizes these loans with a lien on commercial real estate or, much less frequently, with a lien on business assets and equipment, the primary underwriting consideration is the business cash flow. Management also generally requires the personal guarantee of the business owner. Interest rates on commercial business loans are generally higher than interest rates on residential or commercial real estate loans due to the risk inherent in this type of loan. Commercial business loans are generally considered to have more risk than residential mortgage loans or commercial real estate loans because the collateral may be in the form of intangible assets and/or readily depreciable inventory. Commercial business loans may also involve relatively large loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers, with the repayment of such loans typically dependent on the successful operation and income stream of the borrower. Such risks can be significantly affected by economic conditions. In addition, commercial business lending generally requires substantially greater supervision efforts by management compared to residential mortgage or commercial real estate lending.
The Company maintains an internal loan review function that reviews and validates the credit risk program on a periodic basis. Results of these reviews are presented to management. The loan review process complements and reinforces the risk identification and assessment decisions made by lenders and credit personnel, as well as the Company’s policies and procedures.
Nonaccrual and Past Due Loans. An aging analysis of past due loans, segregated by class of loans, at December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 was as follows:
 
December 31, 2015
 
September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
Current
$
685,012,523

 
$
718,875,005

Accruing past due loans:
 
 
 
30-89 days past due
 
 
 
1-4 family residential real estate
1,028,481

 
692,019

Commercial real estate
2,037,207

 
1,748,329

Commercial
79,057

 
94,602

Real estate construction

 

Consumer and other
17,622

 
44,951

Total 30-89 days past due
3,162,367

 
2,579,901

90 days or greater past due (1)
 
 
 
1-4 family residential real estate
31,958

 
32,217

Commercial real estate
17,542

 
72,273

Commercial

 

Real estate construction

 

Consumer and other

 

Total 90 days or greater past due
49,500

 
104,490

Total accruing past due loans
3,211,867

 
2,684,391

Nonaccruing loans:   (2)
 
 
 
1-4 family residential real estate
1,111,040

 
1,469,088

Commercial real estate
1,210,339

 
2,513,204

Commercial
137,152

 
126,432

Real estate construction

 

Consumer and other
4,450

 
5,058

Nonaccruing loans
2,462,981

 
4,113,782

Total loans
$
690,687,371

 
$
725,673,178

________________________________
(1)
Previously covered loans in the amount of $35,496 and $90,226 at December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 , respectively, are regarded as accruing loans and included in this section. These loans which are accounted for under ASC 310-30 are reported as accruing loans because of accretable discounts established at the time of acquisition.
(2)
Previously covered loans in the amount of $655,777 and $4.8 million at December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 , respectively, are regarded as accruing loans and excluded from the nonaccrual section due to the ongoing recognition of accretion income established at the time of acquisition.

Impaired Loans. The Company evaluates “impaired” loans, which includes nonperforming loans and accruing troubled debt restructured loans, having risk characteristics that are unique to an individual borrower on a loan-by-loan basis with balances

13


above a specified level. For smaller loans, the allowance is calculated based on the credit grade utilizing historical loss experience and other qualitative factors.
Impaired loans for the periods ended December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 , segregated by class of loans are presented below. At December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 , there was no recorded allowance for loan losses on impaired loans.
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31, 2015
 
Recorded Investment
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Average Investment in Impaired Loans
 
Interest Income Recognized
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-4 family residential real estate
$
1,262,929

 
$
1,820,079

 
$
1,277,937

 
$
1,817

Commercial real estate
8,337,154

 
10,310,327

 
8,378,754

 
115,340

Commercial
137,152

 
252,880

 
144,734

 

Real estate construction

 

 

 

Total impaired loans
$
9,737,235

 
$
12,383,286

 
$
9,801,425

 
$
117,157

The recorded investment in accruing troubled debt restructured loans (“TDR”) at December 31, 2015 totaled $7.3 million and is included in the impaired loan table above.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
Recorded Investment
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Average Investment in Impaired Loans
 
Interest Income Recognized
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-4 family residential real estate
 
$
1,621,663

 
$
2,166,477

 
$
1,694,775

 
$
14,472

Commercial real estate
 
8,421,326

 
10,406,885

 
8,611,964

 
346,819

Commercial
 
126,432

 
241,581

 
158,547

 
298

Real estate construction
 

 

 

 

Total impaired loans
 
$
10,169,421

 
$
12,814,943

 
$
10,465,286

 
$
361,589

The recorded investment in accruing troubled debt restructured loans at September 30, 2015 totaled $6.0 million and is included in the impaired loan table above.
Loans are classified as restructured by the Company when certain modifications are made to the loan terms and concessions are granted to the borrowers due to financial difficulty experienced by those borrowers. The Company only restructures loans for borrowers in financial difficulty that have presented a viable business plan to fully pay off all obligations, including outstanding debt, interest, and fees, either by generating additional income from the business or through liquidation of assets. Generally, these loans are restructured to provide the borrower additional time to execute upon their plans. The concessions granted on TDRs generally include terms to reduce the interest rate or extend the term of the debt obligation.
Loans on nonaccrual status at the date of modification are initially classified as nonaccrual TDRs. Loans on accruing status at the date of concession are initially classified as accruing TDRs if the loan is reasonably assured of repayment and performance is expected in accordance with its modified terms. Such loans may be designated as nonaccrual loans subsequent to the concession date if reasonable doubt exists as to the collection of interest or principal under the restructuring agreement. TDRs are returned to accruing status when there is economic substance to the restructuring, there is documented credit evaluation of the borrower’s financial condition, the remaining balance is reasonably assured of repayment in accordance with its modified terms, and the borrower has demonstrated sustained repayment performance in accordance with the modified terms for a reasonable period of time (generally a minimum of six months ).
There were no new troubled debt restructurings in the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 . At December 31, 2015 , restructured loans with a modified balance of $7.3 million were accruing and $317,280 were nonaccruing while restructured loans with a modified balance of $6.1 million were accruing and $1.7 million were nonaccruing at December 31, 2014 . As of December 31, 2015 , there was one loan in the amount of $108,861 that was restructured within the past twelve months and subsequently defaulted. There were no loans that defaulted within twelve months of their restructure at December 31, 2014 .
Acquired Impaired Loans . The following table documents changes in the accretable discount on acquired credit impaired loans during the three months ended December 31, 2015 and the year ended September 30, 2015 :

14


 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2015
 
Year Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
$
3,391,288

 
$
5,843,697

Loan accretion
(1,149,075
)
 
(5,874,337
)
Transfer from nonaccretable difference

 
3,421,928

Balance, end of period
$
2,242,213

 
$
3,391,288

The following table presents the outstanding balances and related carrying amounts for all purchase credit impaired loans at the periods ended December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 :
 
December 31, 2015
 
September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
Contractually required payments receivable
$
27,285,534

 
$
31,522,816

Carrying amount
25,566,514

 
27,353,545

Credit Quality Indicators . As part of the ongoing monitoring of the credit quality of the Company’s loan portfolio, management tracks certain credit quality indicators including the level of classified loans, net charge-offs, nonperforming loans (see details above) and the general economic conditions in its market areas.
The Company utilizes a risk grading to assign a risk grade to each of its loans. Loans are graded on a scale of 1 to 8. The risk grade for each individual loan is determined by the loan officer and other approving officers at the time of loan origination and is adjusted from time to time to reflect an ongoing assessment of loan risk. Risk grades are reviewed on specific loans monthly for all delinquent loans as a part of monthly meetings held by the Loan Committee, quarterly for all nonaccrual and special reserve loans, and annually as part of the Company’s internal loan review process. In addition, individual loan risk grades are reviewed in connection with all renewals, extensions and modifications.
The following table presents the risk grades of the loan portfolio, segregated by class of loans:
December 31, 2015
 
1-4 family residential real estate
 
Commercial real estate
 
Commercial
 
Real estate construction
 
Consumer and other
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pass (1-4)
$
178,772,466

 
$
360,783,972

 
$
39,108,577

 
$
61,816,380

 
$
10,705,770

 
$
651,187,165

Special Mention (5)
193,150

 
8,398,086

 
11,467

 

 

 
8,602,703

Substandard (6)
3,331,799

 
26,840,976

 
716,429

 

 
8,299

 
30,897,503

Doubtful (7)

 

 

 

 

 

Loss (8)

 

 

 

 

 

Total loans
$
182,297,415

 
$
396,023,034

 
$
39,836,473

 
$
61,816,380

 
$
10,714,069

 
$
690,687,371

September 30, 2015
 
1-4 family residential real estate
 
Commercial real estate
 
Commercial
 
Real estate construction
 
Consumer and other
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pass (1-4)
$
182,991,645

 
$
380,049,378

 
$
36,697,618

 
$
77,217,378

 
$
6,363,643

 
$
683,319,662

Special Mention (5)
704,509

 
4,461,662

 
12,406

 

 

 
5,178,577

Substandard (6)
4,347,477

 
32,064,568

 
734,375

 

 
28,519

 
37,174,939

Doubtful (7)

 

 

 

 

 

Loss (8)

 

 

 

 

 

Total loans
$
188,043,631

 
$
416,575,608

 
$
37,444,399

 
$
77,217,378

 
$
6,392,162

 
$
725,673,178

Allowance for Loan Losses . The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense and is an amount that management believes will be adequate to absorb losses on existing loans that become uncollectible, based on evaluations of the collectability of loans. The evaluations take into consideration such factors as changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, historical loss rates, overall portfolio quality, review of specific problem loans, and current economic

15


conditions and trends that may affect a borrower’s ability to repay. Loans are charged against the allowance for loan losses when management believes that the collectability of the principal is unlikely. Subsequent recoveries are added to the allowance.
Management’s allowance for loan losses methodology is a loan classification-based system. Management bases the required reserve on a percentage of the loan balance for each type of loan and classification level. Loans may be classified manually and are automatically classified if they are not previously classified when they reach certain levels of delinquency. Unclassified loans are reserved at different percentages based on the loan loss history of the last seven years . Reserve percentages are also adjusted based upon our estimate of the effect that the current economic environment will have on each type of loan.
Management segments its allowance for loan losses into the following four major categories: (1) specific reserves; (2) general allowances for Classified/Watch loans; (3) general allowances for loans with satisfactory ratings; and (4) an unallocated amount. Risk ratings are initially assigned in accordance with CharterBank’s loan and collection policy. An organizationally independent department reviews risk grade assignments on an ongoing basis. Management reviews current information and events regarding a borrowers’ financial condition and strengths, cash flows available for debt repayment, the related collateral supporting the loan and the effects of known and expected economic conditions. When the evaluation reflects a greater than normal risk associated with the individual loan, management classifies the loan accordingly. If the loan is determined to be impaired, management allocates a portion of the allowance for loan losses for that loan based on the fair value of the collateral, if the loan is considered collateral-dependent, as the measure for the amount of the impairment. Impaired and Classified/Watch loans are aggressively monitored.
The allowances for loans by credit grade are further subdivided by loan type. Charter Financial has developed specific quantitative allowance factors to apply to each loan which considers loan charge-off experience over the most recent seven years by loan type. In addition, loss estimates are applied for certain qualitative allowance factors that are subjective in nature and require considerable judgment on the part of management. Such qualitative factors include economic and business conditions, the volume of past due loans, changes in the value of collateral of collateral-dependent loans, and other economic uncertainties. An unallocated component of the allowance is also established for potential losses that exist in the remainder of the portfolio, but have yet to be identified.
The Company incorporates certain refinements and improvements to its allowance for loan losses methodology from time to time. During the prior fiscal year, the Company made minor refinements to the qualitative risk factors but no significant changes to its allowance methodology. The adjustments in the Company's methodology were not material to the overall allowance or provision for the three months ended December 31, 2015 or for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 .
An unallocated allowance is generally maintained in a range of 4% to 12% of the total allowance in recognition of the imprecision of the estimates and other factors. In times of greater economic downturn and uncertainty, the higher end of this range is provided.
The Company maintained its allowance for loan losses for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 , in response to inconsistent economic conditions, net charge-offs/recoveries, financial indicators for borrowers in the real estate sectors, continuing low collateral values of commercial and residential real estate, and nonaccrual and impaired loans. However, the Company did not make a provision in either period due to the overall persisting trend of declining net charge-offs and general improvement in the credit quality of the loan portfolio.

16


The following tables are a summary of transactions in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 :
 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2015
 
1-4 family real estate
 
Commercial real estate
 
Commercial
 
Real estate construction
 
Consumer and other
 
Unallocated
 
Total
Allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
708,671

 
$
7,787,165

 
$
473,342

 
$
503,112

 
$
16,222

 
$

 
$
9,488,512

Charge-offs
(10,841
)
 

 
(504
)
 

 
(3,222
)
 

 
(14,567
)
Recoveries
16,646

 
91,664

 
108,998

 

 
4,134

 

 
221,442

Provision
(22,266
)
 
(675,850
)
 
(17,191
)
 
(41,689
)
 
19,716

 
737,280

 

Ending balance
$
692,210

 
$
7,202,979

 
$
564,645

 
$
461,423

 
$
36,850

 
$
737,280

 
$
9,695,387

Amounts allocated to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Other loans not individually evaluated
692,210

 
7,202,979

 
564,645

 
461,423

 
36,850

 
737,280

 
9,695,387

Ending balance
$
692,210

 
$
7,202,979

 
$
564,645

 
$
461,423

 
$
36,850

 
$
737,280

 
$
9,695,387

Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts collectively evaluated for impairment
$
177,812,787

 
$
369,590,945

 
$
35,449,441

 
$
61,816,380

 
$
10,714,069

 
 
 
$
655,383,622

Amounts individually evaluated for impairment
1,262,929

 
8,337,154

 
137,152

 

 

 
 
 
9,737,235

Amounts related to loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality
3,221,699

 
18,094,935

 
4,249,880

 

 

 
 
 
25,566,514

Ending balance
$
182,297,415

 
$
396,023,034

 
$
39,836,473

 
$
61,816,380

 
$
10,714,069

 
 
 
$
690,687,371


 
Year Ended September 30, 2015
 
1-4 family real estate
 
Commercial real estate
 
Commercial
 
Real estate construction
 
Consumer and other
 
Unallocated
 
Total
Allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
980,265

 
$
6,743,105

 
$
426,438

 
$
492,903

 
$
44,538

 
$
783,648

 
$
9,470,897

Charge-offs
(138,340
)
 
(351,841
)
 
(20,348
)
 

 
(18,483
)
 

 
(529,012
)
Recoveries
15,050

 
145,338

 
316,665

 
864

 
68,710

 

 
546,627

Provision (1)
(148,304
)
 
1,250,563

 
(249,413
)
 
9,345

 
(78,543
)
 
(783,648
)
 

Ending balance
$
708,671

 
$
7,787,165

 
$
473,342

 
$
503,112

 
$
16,222

 
$

 
$
9,488,512

Amounts allocated to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Other loans not individually evaluated
708,671

 
7,787,165

 
473,342

 
503,112

 
16,222

 

 
9,488,512

Ending balance
$
708,671

 
$
7,787,165

 
$
473,342

 
$
503,112

 
$
16,222

 
$

 
$
9,488,512

Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts collectively evaluated for impairment
$
182,841,754

 
$
385,614,400

 
$
36,084,518

 
$
77,217,378

 
$
6,392,162

 
 
 
$
688,150,212

Amounts individually evaluated for impairment
1,621,663

 
8,421,326

 
126,432

 

 

 
 
 
10,169,421

Amounts related to loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality
3,580,214

 
22,539,882

 
1,233,449

 

 

 
 
 
27,353,545

Ending balance
$
188,043,631

 
$
416,575,608

 
$
37,444,399

 
$
77,217,378

 
$
6,392,162

 
 
 
$
725,673,178

________________________________
(1)
Prior to the early termination of the FDIC loss share agreements in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, only the Company’s loss share percentage of the provision for covered loan losses was recognized in the Statement of Income as a provision expense (benefit). The remainder was recorded as an increase (decrease) to the FDIC receivable for loss sharing agreements in the Statement of Financial Condition.


17


Note 6: Income Per Share
Basic net income per share for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 was computed by dividing net income to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding, which consists of issued shares less unallocated employee stock ownership plan (“ESOP”) shares and unvested restricted shares.
Diluted net income per share for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 was computed by dividing net income by weighted average shares outstanding plus potential common shares resulting from dilutive stock options and unvested restricted shares, determined using the treasury stock method.
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Numerator:
 
 
 
Net income
$
4,614,278

 
$
1,673,503

Denominator:
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
14,885,529

 
16,175,485

Common stock equivalents
659,687

 
534,058

Diluted shares
15,545,216

 
16,709,543

Net income per share:
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.31

 
$
0.10

Diluted
$
0.30

 
$
0.10

For the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 there were 405,679 and 219,864 , respectively, of dilutive stock options. Additionally, for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 , there were 254,008 and 314,194 shares, respectively, of dilutive unvested restricted stock. There were no shares which were subject to options issued with exercise prices in excess of the average market value per share during the periods ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 .

Note 7: Real Estate Owned
The following is a summary of transactions in real estate owned:
 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2015
 
Year Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
$
3,410,538

 
$
7,315,791

Real estate acquired through foreclosure of loans receivable
124,979

 
3,237,134

Proceeds from real estate sold
(555,531
)
 
(7,676,904
)
Provision for losses on real estate owned recognized in noninterest expense

 
(246,891
)
Gain on sale of real estate owned recognized in noninterest expense
184,719

 
397,392

Gain on real estate sold payable to the FDIC

 
1,273,132

Increase of FDIC receivable for loss sharing agreements

 
(830,225
)
Principal reductions

 
(58,891
)
Balance, end of period
$
3,164,705

 
$
3,410,538

Included in the tables above is approximately $918,000 of foreclosed residential real estate property at December 31, 2015 . Additionally, the Company had approximately $178,000 of consumer mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate in the process of foreclosure at December 31, 2015 .


18


Note 8: Employee Benefits
The Company has a 2002 stock option plan which allows for stock option awards of the Company’s common stock to eligible directors and key employees of the Company. The option price is determined by a committee of the board of directors at the time of the grant and may not be less than 100% of the market value of the common stock on the date of the grant. For options granted under the 2002 stock option plan, when granted, the options vest over periods of up to four or five years from grant date or upon death, disability, or qualified retirement. All options must be exercised within a 10 -year period from grant date. The Company may grant either incentive stock options, which qualify for special federal income tax treatment, or non-qualified stock options, which do not receive such tax treatment. The Company’s stockholders have authorized 882,876 shares for the plan, of which 81,241 have been issued or retired upon the exercise of the option granted under the plan, 646,972 are granted and outstanding and no shares are available to be granted at December 31, 2015 within this plan. All share and share amounts related to employee benefits have been updated to reflect the completion of the second-step conversion on April 8, 2013 at a conversion ratio of 1.2471 . As of December 31, 2015 , 539,468 shares have vested under this plan. During the three months ended December 31, 2015 , 72,955 options from this plan vested.
In addition to the plan above, on December 19, 2013, the Company's stockholders approved the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan, which allows for stock option awards of the Company’s common stock to eligible directors and key employees of the Company. The option price is determined by a committee of the board of directors at the time of the grant and may not be less than 100% of the market value of the common stock on the date of the grant. When granted, the options vest from one year to five years from grant date or upon death or disability. All options must be exercised within a 10 -year period from the grant date. The Company may grant either incentive stock options, which qualify for special federal income tax treatment, or non-qualified stock options, which do not receive such tax treatment. The Company’s stockholders have authorized 1,428,943 shares for the plan, of which 1,004,680 were granted and outstanding as of December 31, 2015 , with the remaining 424,263 shares available to be granted at December 31, 2015 . During the three months ended December 31, 2015 , 33,000 options from this plan were granted and 194,335 options from this plan vested. As of December 31, 2015 , 388,670 shares have vested under this plan.
The fair value of the 33,000 options granted during the  three months ended December 31, 2015 , was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton model with the following assumptions:
 
 
33,000 Options
 
 
 
Risk-free interest rate
 
1.18 - 1.40%
Dividend yield
 
1.52 - 1.58%
Expected life at date of grant (months)
 
96 months
Volatility
 
13.13 - 13.70%
Weighted average grant-date fair value
 
$1.12 - 1.31
The following table summarizes activity for shares under option and weighted average exercise price per share:
 
Shares
 
Weighted average exercise price/share
 
Weighted average remaining life (years)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Options outstanding – September 30, 2015
1,618,652

 
$
9.91

 
7

Options exercised

 

 

Options forfeited

 

 

Options granted
33,000

 
12.71

 
10

Options outstanding – December 31, 2015
1,651,652

 
$
9.97

 
6

Options exercisable – December 31, 2015
928,138

 
$
9.51

 
6

The stock price at December 31, 2015 was greater than the exercise prices on 1,651,652 options outstanding and therefore had an intrinsic value of $5,359,024 . The total intrinsic value of all 928,138 shares exercisable at December 31, 2015 was $3,438,618 .

19


Stock option expense was $80,578 and $82,749 for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The following table summarizes information about the options outstanding at December 31, 2015 :
 
Number of options outstanding at
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
Remaining contractual life in years
 
 
 
Exercise price per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
384,458

 
 
 
 
3
 
 
 
$
8.82

 
 
 
174,594

 
 
 
 
5
 
 
 
$
8.18

 
 
 
66,720

 
 
 
 
5
 
 
 
$
7.22

 
 
 
16,212

 
 
 
 
6
 
 
 
$
7.34

 
 
 
4,988

 
 
 
 
6
 
 
 
$
7.79

 
 
 
971,680

 
 
 
 
8
 
 
 
$
10.89

 
 
 
30,000

 
 
 
 
10
 
 
 
$
12.66

 
 
 
3,000

 
 
 
 
10
 
 
 
$
13.16

 
 
 
1,651,652

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In addition to the above, the Company implemented the Charter Financial Corporation 2013 Equity Incentive Plan as described above, which has 571,577 shares authorized, and during the year ended September 30, 2014, the Company granted 360,092 shares of restricted stock to key employees and directors. During the three months ended December 31, 2015 , 72,015 shares vested. The remaining 211,485 shares are available to be granted at December 31, 2015 .
 
Shares
 
Weighted average grant date fair 
value per award
 
 
 
 
Unvested restricted stock awards - September 30, 2015
288,077

 
$
10.89

Granted

 

Vested
72,015

 
10.89

Canceled or expired

 

Unvested restricted stock awards – December 31, 2015
216,062

 
$
10.89

Grants between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2013 will be expensed to the earlier of scheduled vesting or substantive vesting which is when the recipient becomes qualified for retirement at age 65 . Grants subsequent to December 1, 2013 will be expensed to the scheduled vesting.

Note 9: Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
In the normal course of business, the Company makes various commitments and incurs certain contingent liabilities, which are not reflected in the accompanying financial statements. The commitments and contingent liabilities include guarantees, commitments to extend credit, and standby letters of credit. At December 31, 2015 , commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit totaled $141.3 million . The Company does not anticipate any material losses as a result of these transactions.
In the normal course of business, the Company is party (both as plaintiff and defendant) to certain matters of litigation. In the opinion of management, none of these matters should have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operation.

Note 10: Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement
Accounting standards define fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Accounting standards also establish a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The applicable standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value: Level 1- Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date; Level 2- Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, and other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data; Level 3- Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. The Company evaluates fair value measurement inputs on an ongoing basis in order to determine if there is a change of sufficient significance to warrant a transfer between levels. For example, changes in market activity or the addition of new unobservable

20


inputs could, in the Company’s judgment, cause a transfer to either a higher or lower level. For the three months ended December 31, 2015 , there were no transfers between levels.
All of the Company’s available for sale securities fall into Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. These securities are priced via independent service providers. In obtaining such valuation information, the Company has evaluated the valuation methodologies used to develop the fair values.
At December 31, 2015 , the Company holds, as part of its investment portfolio, available for sale securities reported at fair value consisting of collateralized loan obligations (“CLO”), mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations. The fair value of the majority of these securities is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including matrix pricing and broker-quote based applications. Inputs include benchmark yields, reported trades, issuer spreads, prepayment speeds and other relevant items. These are inputs used by a third-party pricing service used by the Company. To validate the appropriateness of the valuations provided by the third party, the Company regularly updates its understanding of the inputs used and compares valuations to an additional third party source.
The Company also holds assets available for sale reported at fair value and included in other assets on the Company's balance sheet, consisting of one former branch, a parcel of land adjacent to a current branch and a parcel of land initially acquired as a proposed branch site. These assets are included in other assets on the Company's condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The fair value of these assets is determined using current appraisals adjusted at management’s discretion to reflect any decline in the fair value of the properties since the time the appraisal was performed. Appraisal values are reviewed and monitored internally and fair value is reassessed at least quarterly or more frequently when circumstances occur that indicate a change in fair value. All of the Company’s assets held for sale fall into level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis:
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below.
 
December 31, 2015
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collateralized loan obligations
$
39,398,339

 
$

 
$
39,398,339

 
$

Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FHLMC certificates
33,834,094

 

 
33,834,094

 

FNMA certificates
92,879,643

 

 
92,879,643

 

GNMA certificates
1,547,101

 

 
1,547,101

 

Private-label mortgage securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade
975,280

 

 
975,280

 

Split rating (1)
718,785

 

 
718,785

 

Non-investment grade
6,634,987

 

 
6,634,987

 

Total investment securities available for sale
175,988,229

 

 
175,988,229

 

Assets held for sale
1,300,304

 

 

 
1,300,304

Total recurring assets at fair value
$
177,288,533

 
$

 
$
175,988,229

 
$
1,300,304

__________________________________
(1)
Bonds with split ratings represent securities with both investment and non-investment grades.

21


 
September 30, 2015
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collateralized loan obligations
$
39,496,117

 
$

 
$
39,496,117

 
$

Mortgage–backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FHLMC certificates
35,991,442

 

 
35,991,442

 

FNMA certificates
98,218,049

 

 
98,218,049

 

GNMA certificates
1,558,595

 

 
1,558,595

 

Collateralized mortgage obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FHLMC
39,214

 

 
39,214

 

FNMA
63,315

 

 
63,315

 

Private-label mortgage securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade
1,031,316

 

 
1,031,316

 

Split rating (1)
875,416

 

 
875,416

 

Non-investment grade
7,130,625

 

 
7,130,625

 

Total investment securities available for sale
184,404,089

 

 
184,404,089

 

Assets held for sale
1,657,084

 

 

 
1,657,084

Total recurring assets at fair value
$
186,061,173

 
$

 
$
184,404,089

 
$
1,657,084

__________________________________
(1)
Bonds with split ratings represent securities with both investment and non-investment grades.

When a determination is made to classify a financial instrument within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy, the determination is based upon the significance of the unobservable factors to the overall fair value measurement. However, since Level 3 financial instruments typically include, in addition to the unobservable or Level 3 components, observable components (that is, components that are actively quoted and can be validated to external sources), the losses below include changes in fair value due in part to observable factors that are part of the valuation methodology.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of Level 3 assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis is as follows:
 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2015
 
Year Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
Fair value, beginning balance
$
1,657,084

 
$
1,744,584

Sales
(356,780
)
 

Valuation loss recognized in noninterest expense

 
(87,500
)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3

 

Fair value, ending balance
$
1,300,304

 
$
1,657,084


22


Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Nonrecurring Basis:
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are summarized below.
 
 
 
 Fair value measurements using:
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impaired loans
3,258,405

 

 

 
3,258,405

Other real estate owned
3,164,705

 

 

 
3,164,705

September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impaired loans
3,357,250

 

 

 
3,357,250

Other real estate owned
3,410,538

 

 

 
3,410,538

Loans considered impaired are loans for which, based on current information and events, it is probable that the creditor will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired loans are subject to nonrecurring fair value adjustments to reflect write-downs that are based on the market price or current appraised value of the collateral, adjusted to reflect local market conditions or other economic factors. After evaluating the underlying collateral, the fair value of the impaired loans is determined by allocating specific reserves from the allowance for loan and lease losses to the loans. Thus, the fair value reflects the loan balance as adjusted by partial chargedowns less the specifically allocated reserve. Certain collateral-dependent impaired loans are reported at the fair value of the underlying collateral. Impairment is measured based on the fair value of the collateral, which is typically derived from appraisals that take into consideration prices in observed transactions involving similar assets and similar locations. Each appraisal is updated on an annual basis, either through a new appraisal or through the Company’s comprehensive internal review process. Appraised values are reviewed and monitored internally and fair value is re-assessed at least quarterly or more frequently when circumstances occur that indicate a change in fair value. The fair value of impaired loans that are not collateral dependent is measured using a discounted cash flow analysis considered to be a Level 3 input.
OREO is initially accounted for at fair value, less estimated costs to dispose of the property. Any excess of the recorded investment over fair value, less costs to dispose, is charged to the allowance for loan and lease losses at the time of foreclosure. A provision is charged to earnings for subsequent losses on OREO when market conditions indicate such losses have occurred. The ability of the Company to recover the carrying value of OREO is based upon future sales of the real estate. The ability to effect such sales is subject to market conditions and other factors beyond the Company's control, and future declines in the value of the real estate would result in a charge to earnings. The recognition of sales and gain on sales is dependent upon whether the nature and terms of the sales, including possible future involvement of the Company, if any, meet certain defined requirements. If those requirements are not met, sale and gain recognition is deferred. OREO represents real property taken by the Company either through foreclosure or through a deed in lieu thereof from the borrower. The fair value of OREO is based on property appraisals adjusted at management’s discretion to reflect a further decline in the fair value of properties since the time the appraisal analysis was performed. It has been the Company’s experience that appraisals may become outdated due to the volatile real-estate environment. Appraised values are reviewed and monitored internally and fair value is re-assessed at least quarterly or more frequently when circumstances occur that indicate a change in fair value. Therefore, the inputs used to determine the fair value of OREO and repossessed assets fall within Level 3. The Company may include within OREO other repossessed assets received as partial satisfaction of a loan. These assets are not material and do not typically have readily determinable market values and are considered Level 3 inputs.
The following table provides information describing the valuation processes used to determine recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy at December 31, 2015 :
 
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Input
 
General Range (Discount)
 
Weighted Average Discount
Impaired Loans
$
3,258,405

 
Property appraisals
 
Management discount for property type and recent market volatility
 
17%
 
 
52%
 
35%
OREO
$
3,164,705

 
Property appraisals
 
Management discount for property type and recent market volatility
 
14%
 
 
51%
 
32%
Assets Held for Sale
$
1,300,304

 
Valuation analysis
 
Management discount for property type and recent market volatility
 
0%
 
 
44%
 
26%

23


Accounting standards require disclosures of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the Statement of Condition, for which it is practicable to estimate that value. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. In that regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instrument. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts. Also, the fair value estimates presented herein are based on pertinent information available to management as of December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 .
The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments:
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS – The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.
INVESTMENTS AVAILABLE FOR SALE AND FHLB STOCK – The fair value of investment and mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations available for sale is estimated based on bid quotations received from securities dealers. The FHLB stock is considered a restricted stock and is carried at cost which approximates its fair value.
LOANS RECEIVABLE – Fair values are estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics. Loans are segregated by type. The fair value of performing loans is calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity using estimated market discount rates that reflect the credit risk inherent in the loan. The estimate of maturity is based on the Company’s historical experience with repayments for each loan classification, modified, as required, by an estimate of the effect of the current economic and lending conditions.
Fair value for significant nonperforming loans is based on recent external appraisals. If appraisals are not available, estimated cash flows are discounted using a rate commensurate with the risk associated with the estimated cash flows. Assumptions regarding credit risk, cash flows, and discount rates are determined using available market information and specific borrower information. In prior periods, the Company affected estimated fair value by a liquidation discount of 5.5% . Due to the continued stabilization of the whole loan market, this liquidation discount was discontinued during the year ended September 30, 2014.
LOANS HELD FOR SALE – Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or market value. The fair values of loans held for sale are based on commitments on hand from investors within the secondary market for loans with similar characteristics.
ASSETS HELD FOR SALE – The fair value of assets held for sale by the Company is generally based on the most recent appraisals of the asset or other market information as it becomes available to management.
DEPOSITS – The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as noninterest-bearing demand deposits, savings, money market and checking accounts, is equal to the amount payable on demand. The fair value of time deposits is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.
BORROWINGS – The fair value of the Company’s FHLB advances is estimated based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The fair value of securities sold under agreements to repurchase approximates the carrying amount because of the short maturity of these borrowings. The discount rate is estimated using rates quoted for the same or similar issues or the current rates offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities.
ACCRUED INTEREST AND DIVIDENDS RECEIVABLE AND PAYABLE – The carrying amount of accrued interest and dividends receivable on loans and investments and payable on borrowings and deposits approximate their fair values.
COMMITMENTS TO EXTEND CREDIT AND STANDBY LETTERS OF CREDIT – The value of these unrecognized financial instruments is estimated based on the fee income associated with the commitments which, in the absence of credit exposure, is considered to approximate their settlement value. Since no significant credit exposure existed, and because such fee income is not material to the Company's financial statements at December 31, 2015 and at September 30, 2015 , the fair value of these commitments is not presented.
Many of the Company's assets and liabilities are short-term financial instruments whose carrying amounts reported in the Statement of Condition approximate fair value. These items include cash and due from banks, interest-bearing bank balances, federal funds sold, other short-term borrowings and accrued interest receivable and payable balances. The estimated fair value of the Company’s remaining on-balance sheet financial instruments as of December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 is summarized below:

24


 
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Total Estimated Fair Value
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
51,881,302

 
$
51,881,302

 
$
51,881,302

 
$

 
$

Investments available for sale
175,988,229

 
175,988,229

 

 
175,988,229

 

FHLB stock
3,005,600

 
3,005,600

 

 
3,005,600

 

Loans receivable, net
679,870,414

 
677,889,396

 

 

 
677,889,396

Loans held for sale
2,285,847

 
2,330,930

 

 
2,330,930

 

Assets held for sale
1,300,304

 
1,300,304

 

 

 
1,300,304

Accrued interest and dividends receivable
2,495,117

 
2,495,117

 

 
490,113

 
2,005,004

Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
$
744,233,967

 
$
744,956,126

 
$

 
$
744,956,126

 
$

FHLB advances
50,000,000

 
52,708,818

 

 
52,708,818

 

Accrued interest payable
226,644

 
226,644

 

 
226,644

 

 
September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Total Estimated Fair Value
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
30,343,225

 
$
30,343,225

 
$
30,343,225

 
$

 
$

Investments available for sale
184,404,089

 
184,404,089

 

 
184,404,089

 

FHLB stock
3,515,600

 
3,515,600

 

 
3,515,600

 

Loans receivable, net
714,761,210

 
710,729,157

 

 

 
710,729,157

Loans held for sale
1,406,902

 
1,444,042

 

 
1,444,042

 

Assets held for sale
1,657,084

 
1,657,084

 

 

 
1,657,084

Accrued interest and dividends receivable
2,668,406

 
2,668,406

 

 
517,509

 
2,150,897

Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 


 


 


Deposits
$
738,855,076

 
$
739,513,754

 
$

 
$
739,513,754

 
$

FHLB advances
62,000,000

 
65,418,947

 

 
65,418,947

 

Accrued interest payable
221,476

 
221,476

 

 
221,476

 



25


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Management’s discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations at and for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 is intended to assist in understanding the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, appearing in Part I, Item 1 of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions and may describe future plans, strategies and expectations of the Company. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” “potential, ” “seek,” or similar expressions. The Company’s ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on the operations of the Company include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, either nationally or in our market areas, that are worse than expected; competition among depository and other financial institutions; changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our margins or reduce the fair value of financial instruments; adverse changes in the securities markets; changes in laws or government regulations or policies affecting financial institutions, including changes in regulatory fees and capital requirements; our ability to enter new markets successfully and capitalize on growth opportunities; the adverse effect of a breach of our computer system; our ability to successfully integrate acquired entities; our incurring higher than expected loan charge-offs with respect to assets acquired in FDIC-assisted acquisitions; changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the bank regulatory agencies and the Financial Accounting Standards Board; and changes in our organization, compensation and benefit plans. Additional factors are discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2015 under Part I Item 1A. “Risk Factors,” and in the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, the Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to release publicly the result of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of the statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.
Overview
Our results of operations depend primarily on our net interest income. Net interest income is the difference between the interest income we earn on our interest-earning assets, consisting primarily of loans, investment securities, mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and other interest-earning assets (primarily cash and cash equivalents), and the interest we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities, consisting primarily of deposits and FHLB advances.
Our principal business consists of attracting deposits from the general public and investing those funds primarily in loans. We make commercial real estate loans, loans secured by first mortgages on owner-occupied, one- to four-family residences, consumer loans, loans secured by first mortgages on non-owner-occupied one- to four-family residences, construction loans secured by one- to four-family residences, commercial business loans and multi-family real estate loans. While our primary business is the origination of loans funded through retail deposits, we also invest in certain investment securities and mortgage-backed securities, and use FHLB advances and other borrowings as additional funding sources or for contingency funding.
The Company is significantly affected by prevailing general and local economic conditions, particularly market interest rates, and by government policies concerning, among other things, monetary and fiscal affairs and the federal regulation of financial institutions. Deposit balances are influenced by a number of factors, including interest rates paid on competing personal investment products, the level of personal income, and the personal rate of savings within our market areas. Lending activities are influenced by the demand for housing and other loans, changing loan underwriting guidelines, as well as interest rate pricing competition from other lending institutions. The primary sources of funds for lending activities include deposits, loan repayments, investment income, borrowings, and funds provided from operations.
On a weekly basis, management reviews deposit flows, loan demand, cash levels, and changes in several market rates to assess all pricing strategies. Generally, deposit pricing is based upon a survey of competitors in the Bank’s market areas, and the need to attract funding and retain maturing deposits.
Net income was $4.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015 , compared to $1.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 .

26

Table of Contents

Atlanta Metro Expansion
As announced on December 3, 2015, the Company entered into a definitive agreement and plan of merger with CBS Financial Corporation (“CBS”), the parent company of Community Bank of the South. Community Bank of the South currently operates four branches located in Smyrna and Marietta, Georgia, and will add approximately $369 million in assets, $330 million in deposits, and $296 million in gross loans to CharterBank's operations. Upon consummation of the pending merger, approximately 60% of the Company's loans and deposits will be in the Atlanta Combined Statistical Area (“CSA”). The transaction is expected to close in April 2016 .

Critical Accounting Policies
Critical accounting policies are those that involve significant judgments and assessments by management, and which could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. As discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 , the Company considers its critical accounting policies to be the allowance for loan losses, other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities, real estate owned, goodwill and other intangible assets, deferred income taxes, and estimation of fair value. There have been no material changes in our critical accounting policies during the three months ended December 31, 2015 .

Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015
Assets. Total assets decreased $22.2 million to $1.0 billion at December 31, 2015 . This decrease was due in part an outlay of cash to pay off $12.0 million of overnight borrowing from the FHLB in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. Net loans declined $34.9 million , or 4.9% , to $679.9 million at December 31, 2015 , from $714.8 million at September 30, 2015 .
Cash and cash equivalents . Cash and cash equivalents increased $21.5 million to $51.9 million at December 31, 2015 , up from $30.3 million at September 30, 2015 . This increase was primarily due to a significant amount of loan prepayments and an increase in retail deposits, partially offset by the repurchase of shares under the ongoing stock buyback program and the repayment of overnight borrowings at the FHLB.
Loans. At December 31, 2015 , net loans were $679.9 million , or 67.7% of total assets, compared with $714.8 million , or 69.6% of total assets, at September 30, 2015 . As indicated by the table below, there was a noticeable decrease in net loans in the current period due to prepayments on a small number of large loan relationships. The prepayments were primarily due to the collateral in these loan relationships being sold, including a local home builder who was acquired by a national builder. We anticipate this trend reversing in the second half of fiscal 2016 as we expect to see portfolio growth through both acquisitions and organic sources. Despite this quarter over quarter decline, net loans increased $52.1 million , or 8.3% , since December 31, 2014.
________________________________
(1)
Loans are shown net of deferred loan fees, allowance for loan losses, nonaccretable differences and accretable discounts.


27

Table of Contents

Investment Securities Portfolio. At December 31, 2015 , our investment securities portfolio totaled $176.0 million , compared to $184.4 million at September 30, 2015 . The decrease was attributable to $5.6 million in principal paydowns, $1.2 million in net sales of securities and a $1.6 million increase in unrealized losses on available for sale securities during the first three months of fiscal 2016 .
During fiscal 2015 and the first quarter of fiscal 2016 , we have had no additional other-than-temporary impairment charges on non-agency collateralized mortgage backed securities. Through December 31, 2015 , we had recorded a cumulative $380,000 of other-than-temporary impairment charges with respect to one private label security. No other non-agency collateralized mortgage backed securities in our investment portfolio were other- than- temporarily impaired at December 31, 2015 .
Bank Owned Life Insurance . We invest in bank owned life insurance to provide us with a funding source for our benefit plan obligations. Bank owned life insurance also generally provides us noninterest income that is non-taxable. The total cash surrender values of bank owned life insurance policies at December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 were $48.7 million and $48.4 million , respectively.
Deposits. Total deposits increased $5.3 million to $744.2 million at December 31, 2015 from $738.9 million at September 30, 2015 . The increase was attributable to increases of $4.8 million , $4.2 million and $1.9 million in money market accounts, transaction accounts and retail CDs, respectively. This growth was partially offset by $5.0 million of a three-month brokered CD that matured during the quarter ended December 31, 2015 . At December 31, 2015 , $713.6 million of deposits were retail deposits. We currently have $30.6 million deposits classified as wholesale deposits, which are brokered deposits. The following table shows deposit fees earned and deposit balances by category for the quarter end periods indicated:
 
 
 
Deposit Balances
 
Deposit & Bankcard Fees
 
Checking
 
Savings
 
Money Market
 
Total Core Deposits
 
Retail Certificates of Deposit
 
Wholesale Certificates of Deposit
 
Total Deposits
 

 
(dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2015
$
2,898

 
$
331,570

 
$
50,017

 
$
131,997

 
$
513,584

 
$
200,061

 
$
30,589

 
$
744,234

September 30, 2015
2,767

 
327,373

 
50,566

 
127,215

 
505,154

 
198,124

 
35,577

 
738,855

June 30, 2015
2,679

 
328,961

 
51,292

 
125,468

 
505,721

 
197,750

 
30,767

 
734,238

March 31, 2015
2,507

 
328,012

 
49,848

 
122,990

 
500,850

 
205,118

 
30,835

 
736,803

December 31, 2014
2,530

 
310,891

 
48,380

 
124,017

 
483,288

 
218,187

 

 
701,475

September 30, 2014
2,512

 
314,201

 
48,486

 
123,561

 
486,248

 
230,944

 

 
717,192

June 30, 2014
2,370

 
312,962

 
48,752

 
124,678

 
486,392

 
243,217

 

 
729,609

March 31, 2014
2,235

 
314,788

 
48,775

 
128,022

 
491,585

 
250,479

 

 
742,064

December 31, 2013
2,256

 
295,848

 
47,531

 
131,010

 
474,389

 
258,265

 
5,000

 
737,654

Borrowings. Our borrowings consist of advances from the FHLB of Atlanta. At December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 , borrowings totaled $50.0 million and $62.0 million , respectively. The year-to-date decrease was due to $12.0 million of variable rate overnight borrowings that were repaid in the quarter ended December 31, 2015 . The remaining fixed-rate borrowings mature in May 2016 and February 2019.
Based upon actual collateral pledged, excluding cash, additional advances of $96.8 million were available along with securities available for sale with lendable collateral value of $89.0 million that were also available to be pledged at December 31, 2015 .
At December 31, 2015 , approximately $60.6 million of credit was available to us at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta based on loan collateral pledged. The line of credit at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta was not used other than during periodic testing to ensure the line was functional.
Stockholders’ Equity. At December 31, 2015 , total stockholders’ equity totaled $198.4 million , or $13.03 per net share, a $6.6 million decline from September 30, 2015 due to $10.3 million of shares repurchased, a $1.1 million decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss and $749,000 of cash dividends paid, partially offset by $4.6 million of net income during the three months ended December 31, 2015 . Despite the decrease in total stockholders’ equity, tangible book value increased to $12.73 per share at December 31, 2015 compared with $12.48 per share at September 30, 2015 , due to the stock repurchases and associated reduced weighted average share count for the three months ended December 31, 2015 .


28

Table of Contents

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014
General. Net income increased $2.9 million to $4.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 from $1.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 . The increase was primarily due to $2.9 million of recoveries on previously charged-off loss share loans recognized in noninterest income during the current year period, combined with a $1.6 million increase in net interest income. Net interest income increased primarily due to 13.4% increase in the average balance of loans receivable combined with a 19 basis point increase in yield on loans for the three months ended December 31, 2015 compared with the prior year quarter.
Interest Income. Total interest income increased $1.4 million, or 16.4% , to $10.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 from $9.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 . This increase was attributable to an increase in loan interest income, excluding accretion and amortization of the FDIC loss share receivable, of $929,000, combined with an increase in net discount accretion and amortization of $497,000 . The average balance of loans receivable for the three months ended December 31, 2015 , increase d $83.8 million to $707.9 million , compared with the prior year period, while yield on loans increased to 5.33% from 5.14% .
The table below shows discount accretion included in income over the past seven years and for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 and the remaining discount to be recognized as of December 31, 2015 :
 
 
Loan Accretion (Amortization)
 
 
2009
 
2010
 
2011
 
2012
 
2013
 
2014
 
2015
 
 
1Q 2016
 
 
Remaining (2)
 
 
(in thousands)
NCB
 
$
1,698

 
$
4,519

 
$
2,272

 
$
751

 
$
844

 
$
239

 
$
68

 
 
$

 
 
$

MCB
 

 
3,242

 
5,742

 
3,740

 
3,086

 
3,110

 
2,621

 
 
285

 
 
466

FNB
 

 

 
252

 
4,497

 
4,993

 
3,245

 
3,256

 
 
884

 
 
1,828

Total
 
1,698

 
7,761

 
8,266

 
8,988

 
8,923

 
6,594

 
5,945

 
 
1,169

 
 
2,294

Amortization (1)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(3,507
)
 
(2,387
)
 
 

 
 

Net
 
$
1,698

 
$
7,761

 
$
8,266

 
$
8,988

 
$
8,923

 
$
3,087

 
$
3,558

 
 
$
1,169

 
 
$
2,294

__________________________________
(1)
Based on revised estimated cash flows related to covered loans, $2.4 million of the FDIC indemnification asset was amortized as an offset to loan interest income in the year ended September 30, 2015 and $3.5 million in the year ended September 30, 2014.
(2)
Due to the termination of all loss share agreements with the FDIC in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, the FDIC indemnification asset was fully impaired and no amortization will be taken in future periods.

Interest on mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations decreased $149,000 to $682,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 from $831,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 . This decrease was primarily attributable to a $32.5 million , or 18.7% , decrease in the average balance of such securities to $141.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year due in part to the growth in our CLO portfolio. Interest on other investment securities, which consisted of municipal securities and CLOs, increased $219,000 to $264,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 from $45,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 as other investment securities average balances increased $23.9 million to $39.5 million . Additionally, the average yield increased to 2.67% for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 from 1.15% for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 as municipal securities were sold and replaced with higher yielding collateralized loan obligations.

29

Table of Contents

The following table shows selected average yield and cost information for the quarter end periods indicated:
 
 Three Months Ended
 
December 31, 2015
 
September 30, 2015
 
June 30, 2015
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Yield on loans
5.33%
 
5.40%
 
5.02%
 
4.95%
 
5.14%
Yield on securities
2.10%
 
2.00%
 
1.99%
 
2.01%
 
1.85%
Yield on assets
4.56%
 
4.58%
 
4.16%
 
4.10%
 
4.07%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of deposits
0.42%
 
0.42%
 
0.43%
 
0.43%
 
0.48%
Cost of CDs
0.88%
 
0.88%
 
0.92%
 
0.93%
 
1.04%
Cost of interest bearing checking
0.12%
 
0.13%
 
0.12%
 
0.12%
 
0.13%
Cost of bank rewarded checking
0.20%
 
0.20%
 
0.20%
 
0.20%
 
0.23%
Cost of savings
0.03%
 
0.02%
 
0.02%
 
0.02%
 
0.02%
Cost of MMDA
0.23%
 
0.22%
 
0.20%
 
0.21%
 
0.22%
Cost of borrowings
4.28%
 
3.81%
 
4.36%
 
4.29%
 
4.35%
Cost of liabilities
0.71%
 
0.70%
 
0.72%
 
0.74%
 
0.80%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loan/deposit spread
4.91%
 
4.98%
 
4.59%
 
4.52%
 
4.66%
Asset/liability spread
3.85%
 
3.88%
 
3.44%
 
3.36%
 
3.27%
Interest Expense. Total interest expense decreased $117,000 , or 8.8% , to $1.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 compared to $1.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 . Interest expense declined due in part to a nine basis point, or 11.3% , decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 0.71% for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 from 0.80% for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 , reflecting continued low market interest rates. While the cost of interest-bearing liabilities fell during the three months ended December 31, 2015 , the average balances increased $22.2 million to $689.2 million compared to the prior year quarter.
Interest expense on deposits decreased $68,000, or 9.1% , to $665,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 , compared to $733,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 . The decrease was primarily due to a six basis point decrease in the average cost of deposits to 0.42% for the current quarter compared to 0.48% for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 . The decrease in the average cost of deposits was largely due to low market interest rates and a decrease in higher costing certificates of deposit. Despite a $7.4 million , or 3.3% , increase in the average balance of CDs for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 , the cost fell $73,000 to $508,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 , from $581,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 , reflecting the 16 basis point decrease in the average cost to 0.88% . Interest expense on FHLB advances decreased $50,000 to $553,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 compared to $603,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 , due to a decrease of $3.8 million , or 6.8% , in the average balance of advances.
Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased $1.6 million , or 20.8% , to $9.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 , from $7.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 . The net increase was due to an increase in interest income of $1.5 million combined with a decrease in interest expense of $117,000 . Net interest income included $1.2 million of net purchase discount accretion income for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 , compared to $672,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 . Additionally, the year over year increase in average loans of $83.8 million combined with a 19 basis point increase in yield contributed to the increase in net interest income.
Despite an increase of $26.0 million in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits during the quarter ended December 31, 2015 compared to the prior year period, total interest expense decreased 8.8% . As the table below indicates, our net interest margin increased 56 basis points to 4.03% for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 from 3.47% for the prior year quarter, while our net interest rate spread increased 58 basis points to 3.85% for the first quarter of fiscal 2016 from 3.27% for the first quarter of fiscal 2015 . Additionally, net interest margin excluding the effects of purchase accounting was 3.51% for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 compared to 3.14% for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 . At December 31, 2015 , there was $2.3 million of discount remaining to accrete into interest income over the remaining life of the acquired loans with the accretion heavily weighted towards the early quarters based on current cash flow projections.

30

Table of Contents

 
For the Three Months Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Average Balance
 
Interest
 
Average Yield/Cost (10)
 
Average Balance
 
Interest
 
Average Yield/Cost (10)
 
(dollars in thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions
$
23,371

 
$
12

 
0.21
%
 
$
63,892

 
$
41

 
0.26
%
FHLB common stock and other equity securities
3,078

 
39

 
5.06

 
3,460

 
37

 
4.24

Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations available for sale
141,087

 
682

 
1.93

 
173,610

 
831

 
1.91

Other investment securities available for sale (1)
39,486

 
264

 
2.67

 
15,549

 
45

 
1.15

Loans receivable (1)(2)(3)(4)
707,926

 
8,273

 
4.67

 
624,082

 
7,343

 
4.71

Accretion and amortization of loss share loans receivable (5)
 
 
1,169

 
0.66

 
 
 
672

 
0.43

Total interest-earning assets
914,948

 
10,439

 
4.56

 
880,593

 
8,969

 
4.07

Total noninterest-earning assets
94,441

 
 
 
 

 
110,087

 
 
 
 

Total assets
$
1,009,389

 
 
 
 

 
$
990,680

 
 
 
 

Liabilities and Equity:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest-bearing liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest bearing checking
$
177,536

 
$
55

 
0.12
%
 
$
166,124

 
$
54

 
0.13
%
Bank rewarded checking
46,705

 
23

 
0.20

 
47,313

 
27

 
0.23

Savings accounts
50,390

 
4

 
0.03

 
48,232

 
2

 
0.02

Money market deposit accounts
130,890

 
75

 
0.23

 
125,302

 
69

 
0.22

Certificate of deposit accounts
232,011

 
508

 
0.88

 
224,592

 
581

 
1.04

Total interest-bearing deposits
637,532

 
665

 
0.42

 
611,563

 
733

 
0.48

Borrowed funds
51,630

 
553

 
4.28

 
55,381

 
603

 
4.35

Total interest-bearing liabilities
689,162

 
1,218

 
0.71

 
666,944

 
1,336

 
0.80

Noninterest-bearing deposits
103,433

 
 
 
 

 
95,240

 
 
 
 

Other noninterest-bearing liabilities
10,916

 
 
 
 

 
11,630

 
 
 
 

Total noninterest-bearing liabilities
114,349

 
 
 
 

 
106,870

 
 
 
 

Total liabilities
803,511

 
 
 
 

 
773,814

 
 
 
 

Total stockholders' equity
205,878

 
 
 
 

 
216,866

 
 
 
 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
1,009,389

 
 
 
 

 
$
990,680

 
 
 
 

Net interest income
 

 
$
9,221

 
 

 
 

 
$
7,633

 
 

Net interest-earning assets (6)
 

 
$
225,786

 
 

 
 

 
$
213,649

 
 

Net interest rate spread (7)
 

 
 

 
3.85
%
 
 

 
 

 
3.27
%
Net interest margin (8)
 

 
 

 
4.03
%
 
 

 
 

 
3.47
%
Net interest margin, excluding the effects of purchase accounting (9)
 
 
 
 
3.51
%
 
 
 
 
 
3.14
%
Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities
 
 
 
 
132.76
%
 
 
 
 
 
132.03
%
__________________________________
(1)
Tax exempt or tax-advantaged securities and loans are shown at their contractual yields and are not shown at a tax equivalent yield.
(2)
Includes net loan fees deferred and accreted pursuant to applicable accounting requirements.
(3)
Interest income on loans is interest income as recorded in the income statement and, therefore, does not include interest income on nonaccrual loans.
(4)
Interest income on loans excludes discount accretion and amortization of the indemnification asset.
(5)
Accretion of accretable purchase discount on loans acquired in FDIC-assisted acquisitions and amortization of the overstatement of FDIC indemnification asset.
(6)
Net interest-earning assets represent total average interest-earning assets less total average interest-bearing liabilities.
(7)
Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
(8)
Net interest margin represents net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.
(9)
Net interest margin, excluding the effects of purchase accounting represents net interest income excluding accretion and amortization of loss share loans receivable as a percentage of average net interest earning assets excluding loan accretable discounts in the amount of $3.1 million and $5.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively.
(10)
Annualized.

31

Table of Contents

Rate/Volume Analysis. The following table presents the effects of changing rates and volumes on our net interest income for the periods indicated. The rate column shows the effects attributable to changes in rates (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume). The volume column shows the effects attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate). The combined column represents the net change in volume between the two periods multiplied by the net change in rate between the two periods. The net column represents the sum of the prior columns.
 
For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2015
Compared to the Three Months Ended December 31, 2014
 
Increase/(Decrease) Due to
 
Volume
 
Rate
 
Combined
 
Net
 
(dollars in thousands)
Interest Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions
$
(26
)
 
$
(7
)
 
$
4

 
$
(29
)
FHLB common stock and other equity securities
(4
)
 
7

 
(1
)
 
2

Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations available for sale
(156
)
 
9

 
(2
)
 
(149
)
Other investment securities available for sale
69

 
59

 
91

 
219

Loans receivable
1,077

 
309

 
41

 
1,427

Total interest-earning assets
$
960

 
$
377

 
$
133

 
$
1,470

Interest Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Checking accounts
$
4

 
$
(7
)
 
$

 
$
(3
)
Savings accounts

 
2

 

 
2

Money market deposit accounts
3

 
2

 
1

 
6

Certificate of deposit accounts
19

 
(89
)
 
(3
)
 
(73
)
Total interest-bearing deposits
26

 
(92
)
 
(2
)
 
(68
)
Borrowed funds
(41
)
 
(10
)
 
1

 
(50
)
Total interest-bearing liabilities
$
(15
)
 
$
(102
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(118
)
Net change in net interest income
$
975

 
$
479

 
$
134

 
$
1,588

Provision for Loan Losses. No provision for loan losses was recorded in the quarter ended December 31, 2015 due to the trend of declining levels of charge-offs, along with an overall improvement in the loan portfolio in recent quarters. During the prior year period, a net provision of $4,000 related to acquired covered loans was recorded.
Net recoveries for the three months ended December 31, 2015 were $207,000 , compared to net charge-offs of $44,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2014 . The allowance for loan losses was  $9.7 million , or 1.40% of total loans receivable, at December 31, 2015 . Our nonperforming loans decreased to $2.5 million , or 0.36% , of total loans at December 31, 2015 from $3.3 million of total loans at December 31, 2014 . As a result, our allowance as a percent of nonperforming loans increased to 391.42% at December 31, 2015 . While our allowance coverage ratios strengthened during the quarter, based on our analysis, we did not feel it was appropriate to record negative provision at this time. See our discussion on the allowance for further information.
Noninterest Income.  Noninterest income increased $3.2 million, or 91.6% , to $6.8 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 from $3.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 . The increase was attributable to a $369,000 increase in bankcard fee and other deposit fee income along with $2.9 million in nonrecurring recoveries on charged-off loans that were previously covered by loss share agreements with the FDIC.

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The following table shows noninterest income by category for the periods indicated.
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
Dec 31, 2015
 
Sep 30, 2015
 
Jun 30, 2015
 
Mar 31, 2015
 
Dec 31, 2014
 
(dollars in thousands)
Service charges on deposit accounts
$
1,753

 
$
1,691

 
$
1,663

 
$
1,513

 
$
1,582

Bankcard fees
1,146

 
1,076

 
1,016

 
994

 
948

Gain on sale of loans and loan servicing release fees
348

 
459

 
435

 
352

 
367

Brokerage commissions
142

 
165

 
211

 
202

 
154

Bank owned life insurance
321

 
321

 
321

 
279

 
324

Gain (loss) on investment securities available for sale
36

 

 

 
(28
)
 
1

FDIC receivable (impairment) accretion

 
(2,529
)
 
20

 
27

 
47

Other (1)
3,085

 
313

 
150

 
112

 
143

Total noninterest income
$
6,831

 
$
1,496

 
$
3,816

 
$
3,451

 
$
3,566

__________________________________
(1)
$2.9 million of recoveries on loans that were previously covered by loss share agreements with the FDIC were recognized in noninterest income in the three months ended December 31, 2015.

Noninterest Expense.  Total noninterest expense increased to $9.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 , compared to $8.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 . The overall increase was primarily attributable to increases in salaries and employee benefits and legal and professional fees.
The following table shows noninterest expense by category for the periods indicated:
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
Dec 31, 2015
 
Sep 30, 2015
 
Jun 30, 2015
 
Mar 31, 2015
 
Dec 31, 2014
 
(dollars in thousands)
Salaries and employee benefits
$
5,263

 
$
5,586

 
$
5,035

 
$
5,078

 
$
5,014

Occupancy
1,910

 
2,030

 
1,927

 
1,838

 
1,876

Legal and professional
380

 
404

 
352

 
385

 
241

Marketing
261

 
344

 
306

 
367

 
265

Furniture and equipment
168

 
278

 
229

 
224

 
151

Postage, office supplies, and printing
185

 
186

 
222

 
224

 
241

Core deposit intangible amortization expense
49

 
60

 
64

 
68

 
74

Federal insurance premiums and other regulatory fees
224

 
191

 
189

 
180

 
196

Net (benefit) cost of operations of other real estate owned
(21
)
 
(19
)
 
(30
)
 
142

 
(57
)
Other
659

 
922

 
757

 
557

 
735

Total noninterest expense
$
9,078

 
$
9,982

 
$
9,051

 
$
9,063

 
$
8,736

Income Taxes. Income taxes increased to $2.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 from $786,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 . Our effective tax rate was 33.8% in the quarter ended December 31, 2015 and 32.0% in the quarter ended December 31, 2014 . The increase was due primarily to a relatively small change in favorable permanent tax differences in comparison to the significant increase in taxable income for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 .


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Table of Contents

Asset Quality
Delinquent Loans and Foreclosed Assets. Our policies require that management continuously monitor the status of the loan portfolio and report to the Loan Committee of the Board of Directors on a monthly basis. These reports include information on delinquent loans and foreclosed real estate, and our actions and plans to cure the delinquent status of the loans and to dispose of the foreclosed property. The Loan Committee is comprised of three outside directors including the chairman, a permanent position, and two other positions, which alternate between four outside directors. Additionally, two inside directors serve as ex officio members of the committee.
We generally stop accruing interest income when we consider the timely collectability of interest or principal to be doubtful. We generally stop accruing for loans that are 90 days or more past due unless the loan is well secured and we determine that the ultimate collection of all principal and interest is not in doubt. When we designate loans as nonaccrual, we reverse all outstanding unpaid interest that we had previously credited. These loans remain on nonaccrual status until a regular pattern of timely payments is established.
Impaired loans are individually assessed to determine whether the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the collateral or the present value of the expected cash flows to be received. Smaller balance homogeneous loans, such as residential mortgage loans and consumer loans, are collectively evaluated for impairment.
Real estate acquired as a result of foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure is classified as OREO until it is sold. When real estate is acquired through foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure, it is recorded at the lower of the related loan balance or its fair value as determined by an appraisal, less estimated costs of disposal. If the value of the property is less than the loan, less any related specific loan loss reserve allocations, the difference is charged against the allowance for loan losses. Any subsequent write-down of OREO or loss at the time of disposition is charged against earnings.

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Nonperforming Assets. The table below sets forth the amounts and categories of our nonperforming assets at the dates indicated.
 
December 31, 2015
 
September 30, 2015
 
(dollars in thousands)
Nonaccrual loans: (1) (2)
 
 
 
1-4 family residential real estate
$
1,112

 
$
1,470

Commercial real estate
1,210

 
2,513

Commercial
137

 
126

Real estate construction

 

Consumer and other loans
4

 
5

Total nonaccrual loans
2,463

 
4,114

Loans delinquent 90 days or greater and still accruing:
 
 
 
1-4 family residential real estate
14

 
14

Commercial real estate

 

Commercial

 

Real estate construction

 

Consumer and other loans

 

Total loans delinquent 90 days or greater and still accruing
14

 
14

Total nonperforming loans
2,477

 
4,128

Other real estate owned:
 
 
 
1-4 family residential real estate
919

 
1,104

Commercial real estate
2,246

 
2,307

Commercial

 

Real estate construction

 

Consumer and other loans

 

Total real estate owned
3,165

 
3,411

Total nonperforming assets
$
5,642

 
$
7,539

Ratios:
 
 
 
Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans, gross
0.36
%
 
0.57
%
Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets
0.56
%
 
0.73
%
__________________________________
(1)
Included in nonaccrual loans is $317,000 and $1.6 million of non-accruing troubled debt restructured loans at December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 , respectively.
(2)
Acquired FAS ASC 310-30 loans that were previously covered under loss share agreements with the FDIC, and have associated accretable discount remaining, in the amount of  $656,000 and $4.8 million are excluded from this table as of December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 , respectively. Due to the recognition of accretion income that was established at the time of acquisition, FAS ASC 310-30 loans that were greater than 90 days delinquent or otherwise considered nonperforming loans are regarded as performing loans for reporting purposes.

Nonperforming assets decreased $1.9 million during the three months ended December 31, 2015 due primarily to a $1.7 million decrease in nonaccrual loans combined with a slight decrease in real estate owned. We have 33 loans that remain nonperforming at December 31, 2015 , and the largest nonperforming loan had a balance of $621,000 and was secured by commercial real estate.
For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 , interest income recognized on impaired loans, which includes nonperforming loans and accruing troubled debt restructured loans, was approximately $117,000 and $362,000 , respectively. Additional gross interest income that would have been recorded had our impaired loans been current in accordance with their original terms was approximately $53,000 and $288,000 , respectively, for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 .
Allowance for Loan Losses on Loans . The allowance for loan losses represents a reserve for probable loan losses in the loan portfolio. The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is evaluated periodically based on a review of all significant loans with particular emphasis on impaired, nonaccrual, past due and other loans that management believes require special attention. The determination of the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting policy.

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Table of Contents

Additions to the allowance for loan losses are made periodically to maintain the allowance at an appropriate level based on management’s analysis of loss inherent in the loan portfolio. The amount of the provision for loan losses is determined by an evaluation of the level of loans outstanding, loss risk as determined based on a loan grading system, the level of nonperforming loans, historical loss experience, delinquency trends, the amount of losses charged to the allowance in a given period, and an assessment of economic conditions. Management believes the current allowance for loan losses is adequate based on its analysis of the losses in the portfolio.
The Company did not make a provision in the quarter ended December 31, 2015 due to the long term trend of declining net charge-offs and overall improvement in the credit quality of the loan portfolio. The following table sets forth activity in our allowance for loan losses for the period indicated.
 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2015
 
1-4 family real estate
 
Commercial real estate
 
Commercial
 
Real estate construction
 
Consumer and other
 
Unallocated
 
Total
Allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
708,671

 
$
7,787,165

 
$
473,342

 
$
503,112

 
$
16,222

 
$

 
$
9,488,512

Charge-offs
(10,841
)
 

 
(504
)
 

 
(3,222
)
 

 
(14,567
)
Recoveries
16,646

 
91,664

 
108,998

 

 
4,134

 

 
221,442

Provision
(22,266
)
 
(675,850
)
 
(17,191
)
 
(41,689
)
 
19,716

 
737,280

 

Ending balance
$
692,210

 
$
7,202,979

 
$
564,645

 
$
461,423

 
$
36,850

 
$
737,280

 
$
9,695,387

Amounts allocated to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Other loans not individually evaluated
692,210

 
7,202,979

 
564,645

 
461,423

 
36,850

 
737,280

 
9,695,387

Ending balance
$
692,210

 
$
7,202,979

 
$
564,645

 
$
461,423

 
$
36,850

 
$
737,280

 
$
9,695,387

Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts collectively evaluated for impairment
$
177,812,787

 
$
369,590,945

 
$
35,449,441

 
$
61,816,380

 
$
10,714,069

 
 
 
$
655,383,622

Amounts individually evaluated for impairment
1,262,929

 
8,337,154

 
137,152

 

 

 
 
 
9,737,235

Amounts related to loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality
3,221,699

 
18,094,935

 
4,249,880

 

 

 
 
 
25,566,514

Ending balance
$
182,297,415

 
$
396,023,034

 
$
39,836,473

 
$
61,816,380

 
$
10,714,069

 
 
 
$
690,687,371

Our allowance for loan loss methodology is a loan classification-based system. Our allowance for loan losses is segmented into the following four major categories: (1) specific reserves; (2) general allowances for Classified/Watch loans; (3) general allowances for loans with satisfactory ratings; and (4) an unallocated amount. We base the required reserve on a percentage of the loan balance for each type of loan and classification level. Loans may be classified manually and are automatically classified if they are not previously classified when they reach certain levels of delinquency. Unclassified loans are reserved at different percentages based on our loan loss history for the last two years. Reserve percentages are also adjusted based upon our estimate of the effect that the current economic environment will have on each type of loan.
Potential problem loans are loans as to which management has serious doubts about the ability of the borrowers to comply with present repayment terms. Management classifies potential problem loans as either special mention or substandard. Potential problem loans aggregated $39.5 million and $42.4 million at December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 , respectively, with $8.6 million and $5.2 million classified special mention and $30.9 million and $37.2 million classified substandard at December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 , respectively.
Our largest substandard loan relationship at December 31, 2015 had a balance of $4.8 million . As of December 31, 2015 , all loans in the relationship are current and interest due has been paid. The loan relationship is collateralized by income producing properties in Alabama. We believe we are adequately collateralized, even at lower current real estate values.
The allowance for loan losses represented 391.42% and 229.85% of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 , respectively. This increase was due to a $1.7 million decline in nonperforming loans in the current period along with a slight increase in our allowance for loan losses. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans was 1.40% and 1.30% at December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 , respectively. The increase was due to $207,000 of net recoveries that impacted our allowance for loan losses and no provision recorded in the current period, along with a 4.88% drop in net loan

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balances at December 31, 2015 . Management retained an unallocated allowance to maintain the overall allowance at a level reflective of continued economic uncertainties.
The growth in the allowance as a percentage of total loans was due primarily to the decline in total loan balances during the quarter. As noted earlier, this decline in loan balances in the current period was due to prepayments on a small number of large loan relationships and we do not feel that this will be an ongoing trend based on our loan growth over the past six quarters. For the quarter, rather than releasing allowance and recording negative provision, we maintained the level of the allowance by recording unallocated reserve which is in keeping with our allowance policies. Should the loan trends witnessed during this quarter continue, we may be required to release reserves in future periods.
Management reviews the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses on a continuous basis. Management considered the allowance for loan losses adequate at December 31, 2015 to absorb probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. However, adverse economic circumstances or other events, including additional loan review, future regulatory examination findings or changes in borrowers' financial conditions, could result in increased losses in the loan portfolio or in the need for increases in the allowance for loan losses.
Liquidity Management. Liquidity is defined as the ability to meet current and future short-term financial obligations. Our primary sources of funds consist of deposit inflows, advances from the FHLB, loan payments and prepayments, mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations repayments and maturities and sales of loans and other securities. While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and securities are predictable sources of funds, deposit flows and mortgage prepayments are greatly influenced by market interest rates, economic conditions and competition. Our Asset/Liability Management Committee is responsible for establishing and monitoring our liquidity targets and strategies in order to ensure that sufficient liquidity exists for meeting the borrowing needs of our customers as well as unanticipated contingencies. At December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 , we had access to immediately available funds of approximately $209.3 million and $180.5 million , respectively, including overnight funds, FHLB borrowing capacity and a Federal Reserve line of credit. Additionally, securities with lendable collateral value of $89.0 million and $97.9 million were available to be pledged at December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 , respectively.
We regularly adjust our investments in liquid assets based upon our assessment of expected loan demand, expected deposit flows, yields available on interest-earning deposits and securities, and the objectives of our asset/liability management program. Excess liquid assets are invested generally in interest-earning deposits and short- and intermediate-term securities.
Our most liquid assets are cash and cash equivalents. The levels of these assets are subject to our operating, financing, lending and investing activities during any given period. At December 31, 2015 , cash and cash equivalents totaled $51.9 million . Securities classified as available-for-sale, which provide additional sources of liquidity, totaled $176.0 million at December 31, 2015 . At December 31, 2015 , we had $50.0 million in advances outstanding from the FHLB. However, based on available pledged and unpledged collateral other than cash, $96.8 million and $89.0 million , respectively, in additional advances were available as of December 31, 2015 .
Our cash flows are derived from operating activities, investing activities and financing activities as reported in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows included in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
At December 31, 2015 , we had $41.4 million of new loan commitments outstanding, and $62.3 million of unfunded construction and development loans. In addition to commitments to originate loans, we had $37.6 million of unused lines of credit to borrowers. Certificates of deposit due within one year of December 31, 2015 totaled $124.1 million , or 16.7% of total deposits. If these deposits do not remain with us, we will be required to seek other sources of funds, including other certificates of deposit and FHLB advances. Depending on market conditions, we may be required to pay higher rates on such deposits or other borrowings than we currently pay on the certificates of deposit due on or before December 31, 2016. We believe, however, based on past experience that a significant portion of our certificates of deposit will remain with us. We have the ability to attract and retain deposits by adjusting the interest rates offered.
Our primary investing activities are the origination of loans and the purchase of securities. During the three months ended December 31, 2015 , we originated $51.4 million of loans. No securities were purchased during the period.
Financing activities consist primarily of additions to deposit accounts and FHLB advances. We experienced a net increase in total deposits of $5.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015 , primarily due to increases of $8.4 million and $1.9 million in core deposits and retail CDs, respectively. We also had $5.0 million of three-month brokered CDs mature during the period. Deposit flows are affected by the overall level of interest rates, the interest rates and products offered by us and our local competitors and other factors.

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Table of Contents

Liquidity management is both a daily and long-term function of business management. If we require funds beyond our ability to generate them internally, borrowing agreements exist with the FHLB which provides an additional source of funds. FHLB advances have been used primarily to fund loan demand and to purchase securities.
Capital Management and Resources. The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, including a risk-based capital measure. The risk-based capital guidelines include both a definition of capital and a framework for calculating risk-weighted assets by assigning balance sheet assets and off-balance sheet items to broad risk categories. Our regulatory capital ratios currently reflect the incorporation of Basel III and these changes had a minor impact on our capital ratios. The Bank upstreamed $17.5 million to the holding company during the second quarter of fiscal 2015 which is also reflected in these ratios at December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 . At December 31, 2015 , the Bank exceeded all of its regulatory capital requirements. The Bank is considered “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines.
 
 
Actual
 
For Capital Adequacy Purposes
 
To be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions
 
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total risk-based capital (to risk-weighted assets)
 
$
182,496

 
23.23
%
 
$
62,839

 
8.00
%
 
$
78,549

 
10.00
%
Tier 1 risk-based capital (to risk-weighted assets)
 
172,801

 
22.00

 
47,129

 
6.00

 
62,839

 
8.00

Common equity tier 1 risk-based capital (to risk-weighted assets)
 
172,801

 
22.00

 
35,347

 
4.50

 
51,057

 
6.50

Tier 1 leverage (to average assets)
 
172,801

 
17.19

 
40,213

 
4.00

 
50,266

 
5.00

September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total risk-based capital (to risk-weighted assets)
 
$
177,322

 
21.71
%
 
$
65,350

 
8.00
%
 
$
81,687

 
10.00
%
Tier 1 risk-based capital (to risk-weighted assets)
 
167,834

 
20.55

 
49,012

 
6.00

 
65,350

 
8.00

Common equity tier 1 risk-based capital (to risk-weighted assets)
 
167,834

 
20.55

 
36,759

 
4.50

 
53,097

 
6.50

Tier 1 leverage (to average assets)
 
167,834

 
16.04

 
41,857

 
4.00

 
52,321

 
5.00

The Company continues to seek strategic means to deploy the additional capital from the stock offering completed in 2013. This may include stock buybacks, dividends, loan portfolio growth when available and appropriately priced acquisitions of other financial institutions.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements . In the normal course of operations, we engage in a variety of financial transactions that, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, are not recorded in our consolidated financial statements. These transactions involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit, interest rate and liquidity risk. Such transactions are used primarily to manage customers’ requests for funding and take the form of loan commitments and lines of credit.
For the three months ended December 31, 2015 , we did not engage in any off-balance sheet transactions reasonably likely to have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Qualitative Aspects of Market Risk. The Company’s most significant form of market risk is interest rate risk. We manage the interest rate sensitivity of our interest-bearing liabilities and interest-earning assets in an effort to minimize the adverse effects of changes in the interest rate environment. Deposit accounts typically react more quickly to changes in market interest rates than mortgage loans because of the shorter maturities of deposits. As a result, sharp increases in interest rates may adversely affect our earnings. We employ several strategies to manage the interest rate risk inherent in our mix of assets and liabilities, including:
selling fixed rate mortgages we originate to the secondary market;
maintaining the diversity of our existing loan portfolio by originating commercial real estate and consumer loans, which typically have adjustable rates and/or shorter terms than residential mortgages;
emphasizing loans with adjustable interest rates;
maintaining fixed rate borrowings from the FHLB of Atlanta; and
increasing retail transaction deposit accounts, which typically have long durations.
We have an Asset/Liability Management Committee to communicate, coordinate and control all aspects involving asset/liability management. The committee establishes and monitors the volume, maturities, pricing and mix of assets and funding

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sources with the objective of managing assets and funding sources to provide results that are consistent with liquidity, growth, risk limits and profitability goals.
Quantitative Aspects of Market Risk. We compute the amounts by which the difference between the present value of an institution's assets and liabilities (the institution's net portfolio value or “NPV”) would change in the event of a range of assumed changes in market interest rates. Our simulation model uses a discounted cash flow analysis to measure the interest rate sensitivity of NPV. Depending on current market interest rates we historically have estimated the economic value of these assets and liabilities under the assumption that interest rates experience an instantaneous and sustained increase of 100, 200, or 300 basis points, or a decrease of 100 and 200 basis points. A basis point equals one-hundredth of one percent, and 100 basis points equals one percent. An increase in interest rates from 3% to 4% would mean, for example, a 100 basis point increase in the “Change in Interest Rates” column below. Given the current relatively low level of market interest rates, a NPV calculation for an interest rate decrease of greater than 100 basis points has not been prepared.
The table below sets forth, as of December 31, 2015 , our calculation of the estimated changes in the Bank’s net portfolio value that would result from the designated instantaneous parallel shift in the interest rate yield curve.
Change in Interest Rates (bp) (1)
 
Estimated NPV (2)
 
Estimated Increase (Decrease) in NPV
 
Percentage Change in NPV
 
NPV Ratio as a Percent of
Present Value of Assets  (3)(4)
 
Increase (Decrease) in NPV Ratio as a
Percent or Present Value of Assets  (3)(4)
(dollars in thousands)
300
 
$
213,311

 
$
(10,401
)
 
(4.6)%
 
21.3%
 
(1.0)%
200
 
$
216,837

 
$
(6,875
)
 
(3.1)%
 
21.6%
 
(0.7)%
100
 
$
220,329

 
$
(3,383
)
 
(1.5)%
 
22.0%
 
(0.3)%
 
$
223,712

 
$

 
—%
 
22.3%
 
—%
(100)
 
$
217,984

 
$
(5,728
)
 
(2.6)%
 
21.8%
 
(0.5)%
__________________________________
(1)
Assumes an instantaneous uniform change in interest rates at all maturities.
(2)
NPV is the difference between the present value of an institution’s assets and liabilities.
(3)
Present value of assets represents the discounted present value of incoming cash flows on interest-earning assets.
(4)
NPV Ratio represents NPV divided by the present value of assets.

The table above indicates that at December 31, 2015 , in the event of a 200 basis point increase in interest rates, we would experience a 3.1% decrease in net portfolio value. In the event of a 100 basis point decrease in interest rates, we would experience a 2.6% decrease in net portfolio value. Additionally, our internal policy states that our minimum NPV of estimated present value of assets and liabilities shall range from a low of 5.5% for a 300 basis point change in rates to 7.5% for no change in interest rates. As of December 31, 2015 , we were in compliance with our Board approved policy limits.
The effects of interest rates on net portfolio value and net interest income are not predictable. Computations of prospective effects of hypothetical interest rate changes are based on numerous assumptions, including relative levels of market interest rates, prepayments, and deposit run-offs, and should not be relied upon as indicative of actual results. Certain shortcomings are inherent in these computations. Although some assets and liabilities may have similar maturity or periods of repricing, they may react at different times and in different degrees to changes in market interest rates. Rates on other types of assets and liabilities may lag behind changes in market interest rates. Assets, such as adjustable rate mortgages, generally have features that restrict changes in interest rates on a short-term basis and over the life of the asset. After a change in interest rates, prepayments and early withdrawal levels could deviate significantly from those assumed in making the calculations set forth above. Additionally, increased credit risk may result if our borrowers are unable to meet their repayment obligations as interest rates increase.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures
The Company’s management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon their evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective for the purpose of ensuring that the information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (1) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (2) is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In addition, no change in the Company’s internal

39

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control over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2015 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


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Table of Contents

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we may be party to various legal proceedings incident to our business. At December 31, 2015 , we were not a party to any pending legal proceedings that we believe would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 1A. Risk Factors
Risk factors that may affect future results were discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 and in Charter Federal or Charter Financial’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings are not the only risks that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results. We do not believe that there have been any material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A. of Part I in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2015 .

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
(a)
Not applicable
(b)
Not applicable
(c)
The following table presents a summary of the Company's share repurchases during the quarter ended December 31, 2015 :
Shares repurchased during the period:
 
Total number of share repurchases
 
Average price paid per share
 
Total number of shares purchased as
part of publicly announced program (1)
 
Maximum number of shares that may yet
be purchased under the program (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
October 1 - October 31, 2015
 
83,907

 
$
12.71

 
7,171,483

 
325,094

November 1 - November 30, 2015
 
24,112

 
$
13.27

 
7,195,595

 
300,982

December 1 - December 31, 2015
 
690,571

 
$
12.92

 
7,886,166

 
410,411

Total
 
798,590

 
$
12.91

 
7,886,166

 
410,411

__________________________________
( 1)
In December 2015, the Company's Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program, the fifth approved and announced program since December 2013, allowing the repurchase of up to 800,000 shares, or approximately 5%, of the Company's outstanding shares. As a result of the five share repurchase programs initiated in December 2013 and following, shares have been repurchased at a total cost of approximately $89.1 million .

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information
None.


41

Table of Contents

Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit No.
 
Description
 
 
 
2.1
 
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 3, 2015, by and among Charter Financial Corporation, CHFN Merger Sub, LLC and CBS Financial Corporation
 
 
 
3.1
 
Articles of Incorporation of Charter Financial Corporation (1)
 
 
 
3.2
 
Bylaws of Charter Financial Corporation (2)
 
 
 
4.1
 
Specimen Stock Certificate of Charter Financial Corporation (3)
 
 
 
31.1
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(c) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
31.2
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(c) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
32.1
 
Section 1350 Certifications
 
 
 
101
 
Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015, (ii) the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, (iii) the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and the year ended September 30, 2015 (iv) the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Comprehensive Income for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, (v) the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, and (vi) the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
__________________________________
(1)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-185482) of Charter Financial Corporation, a Maryland corporation, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 14, 2012.
(2)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-185482) of Charter Financial Corporation, a Maryland corporation, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 14, 2012.
(3)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.0 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-185482) of Charter Financial Corporation, a Maryland corporation, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 14, 2012.






42

Table of Contents

Signatures

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

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
February 8, 2016
By:
/s/ Robert L. Johnson
 
 
 
 
Robert L. Johnson
 
 
 
 
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
February 8, 2016
By:
/s/ Curtis R. Kollar
 
 
 
 
Curtis R. Kollar
 
 
 
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 







43
Exhibit 2.1









AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
BY AND AMONG
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION,
CHFN MERGER SUB, LLC
AND
CBS FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Dated as of December 3, 2015












TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
1
 
 
 
1.1 MERGER.
 
1
1.2 TIME AND PLACE OF CLOSING.
 
1
1.3 SUBSEQUENT MERGERS.
 
2
1.4 RESTRUCTURING OF THE MERGER.
 
2
1.5 EFFECTIVE TIME.
 
2
 
 
 
 
3
 
 
 
2.1 ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION.
 
3
2.2 BYLAWS.
 
3
2.3 DIRECTORS.
 
3
2.4 OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.
 
3
 
 
 
 
3
 
 
 
3.1 CONVERSION OF SHARES.
 
3
3.2 DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS.
 
4
3.3 TREATMENT OF STOCK OPTIONS AND SARS.
 
5
 
 
 
 
6
 
 
 
4.1 PROCEDURES.
 
6
4.2 RIGHTS OF FORMER SELLER SHAREHOLDERS.
 
7
4.3 RETURN OF PAYMENT FUND.
 
7
 
 
 
 
8
 
 
 
5.1 ORGANIZATION, STANDING, AND POWER.
 
8
5.2 AUTHORITY OF SELLER; NO BREACH BY AGREEMENT.
 
8
5.3 CAPITAL STOCK.
 
9
5.4 SELLER SUBSIDIARIES.
 
11
5.5 SECURITIES.
 
11
5.6 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 
12
5.7 ABSENCE OF UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES.
 
12
5.8 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES OR EVENTS.
 
13
5.9 TAX MATTERS.
 
13
5.10 TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES.
 
16
5.11 LOANS.
 
16
5.12 ASSETS.
 
18
5.13 COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT COMPLIANCE.
 
20
5.14 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
 
21
5.15 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.
 
21
5.16 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.
 
22



5.17 LABOR RELATIONS.
 
23
5.18 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.
 
24
5.19 MATERIAL CONTRACTS.
 
27
5.20 PRIVACY OF CUSTOMER INFORMATION.
 
28
5.21 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
 
29
5.22 REPORTS.
 
29
5.23 BOOKS AND RECORDS.
 
29
5.24 LOANS TO EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS.
 
30
5.25 STATEMENTS TRUE AND CORRECT.
 
30
5.26 REGULATORY MATTERS.
 
30
5.27 STATE TAKEOVER LAWS.
 
30
5.28 CHARTER PROVISIONS.
 
31
5.29 TRUST BUSINESS.
 
31
5.30 SUPPORT AGREEMENTS.
 
31
5.31 BROKERS.
 
31
5.32 OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR.
 
31
5.33 BOARD RECOMMENDATION
 
31
5.34 INVESTMENT SECURITIES.
 
32
5.35 DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS.
 
32
5.36 DISASTER RECOVERY AND BUSINESS CONTINUITY.
 
33
5.37 BANK SECRECY ACT; PATRIOT ACT; ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING.
 
33
5.38 TRANSACTION EXPENSES.
 
33
5.39 NO FURTHER REPRESENTATIONS.
 
33
 
 
 
 
34
 
 
 
6.1 ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND POWER.
 
34
6.2 AUTHORITY; NO BREACH BY AGREEMENT.
 
34
6.3 FINANCING.
 
35
6.4 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
 
35
6.5 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.
 
35
6.6 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES OR EVENTS.
 
35
6.7 REGULATORY MATTERS.
 
35
6.8 STATEMENTS TRUE AND CORRECT.
 
36
6.9 NO FURTHER REPRESENTATIONS.
 
36
 
 
 
 
36
 
 
 
7.1 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS OF SELLER.
 
36
7.2 NEGATIVE COVENANTS OF SELLER.
 
38
7.3 COVENANTS OF BUYER.
 
41
7.4 ADVERSE CHANGES IN CONDITION.
 
41
7.5 REPORTS.
 
41
 
 
 



 
42
 
 
 
8.1 STAY BONUS POOL.
 
42
8.2 PROXY STATEMENT; SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL.
 
42
8.3 BOARD OF DIRECTORS; ADVISORY BOARD.
 
42
8.4 OTHER OFFERS, ETC.
 
42
8.5 CERTAIN ACTIONS.
 
43
8.6 CONSENTS OF REGULATORY AUTHORITIES.
 
45
8.7 AGREEMENT AS TO EFFORTS TO CONSUMMATE.
 
45
8.8 FILINGS WITH STATE OFFICES.
 
45
8.9 INVESTIGATION AND CONFIDENTIALITY.
 
46
8.10 PRESS RELEASES.
 
46
8.11 CHARTER PROVISIONS.
 
47
8.12 STATE TAKEOVER LAWS.
 
47
8.13 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND CONTRACTS; DIRECTORS.
 
47
8.14 D&O INDEMNIFICATION.
 
49
8.15 TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES.
 
50
8.16 DELIVERY OF SELLER DISCLOSURE MEMORANDUM AND DISCLOSURE SUPPLEMENTS.
 
50
8.17 ADDITIONAL ACTIONS.
 
51
 
 
 
 
51
 
 
 
9.1 S CORPORATION STATUS.
 
51
9.2 338(H)(10) ELECTION.
 
52
9.3 TAX RETURNS.
 
52
9.4 338(H)(10) PAYMENTS.
 
54
 
 
 
 
54
 
 
 
10.1 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF EACH PARTY.
 
54
10.2 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF BUYER AND MERGER SUB.
 
55
10.3 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF SELLER.
 
56
 
 
 
 
57
 
 
 
11.1 TERMINATION.
 
57
11.2 EFFECT OF TERMINATION.
 
59
 
 
 
 
60
 
 
 
12.1 DEFINITIONS.
 
60
12.2 EXPENSES.
 
70
12.3 BROKERS AND FINDERS.
 
71
12.4 ENTIRE AGREEMENT.
 
71
12.5 AMENDMENTS.
 
71



12.6 WAIVERS.
 
72
12.7 ASSIGNMENT.
 
72
12.8 NOTICES.
 
72
12.9 GOVERNING LAW; VENUE.
 
73
12.10 COUNTERPARTS.
 
74
12.11 CAPTIONS; ARTICLES AND SECTIONS.
 
74
12.12 INTERPRETATIONS.
 
74
12.13 ENFORCEMENT OF AGREEMENT.
 
74
12.14 THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES.
 
74
12.15 SEVERABILITY.
 
74





LIST OF EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number      Description
1            Short Form Merger Agreement
2            Plan of Bank Merger
3            Form of Support Agreement
4            Form of Director’s Agreement
5            Form of Claims Letter











AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “ Agreement ”) dated as of December 3, 2015 is by and among Charter Financial Corporation, a Maryland corporation (“ Buyer ”), CHFN Merger Sub, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company of which Buyer is the sole member (“ Merger Sub ”), and CBS Financial Corporation, a Georgia corporation (“ Seller ”).
Preamble
The respective Boards of Directors of Buyer (on behalf of Buyer and on behalf of Merger Sub) and Seller have determined that the transactions described herein are in the best interests of the Parties to this Agreement and their respective shareholders. This Agreement provides for the acquisition of Seller by Buyer pursuant to the merger of Merger Sub with and into Seller (the “ Merger ”). The transactions described in this Agreement are subject to the approvals of the shareholders of Seller, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “ FRB ”), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “ OCC ”), other regulatory authorities as applicable, and the satisfaction of certain other conditions described in this Agreement.
Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 12.1(a) of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the above and the mutual warranties, representations, covenants and agreements set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the Parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
Article 1
TRANSACTIONS AND TERMS OF MERGER
1.1      Merger.
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Effective Time (as hereinafter defined), Merger Sub shall be merged with and into Seller, in accordance with the Georgia Business Corporation Code (the “ GBCC ”), and Seller shall be the Surviving Company resulting from the Merger and will be wholly owned by Buyer. The Merger shall be consummated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, which has been approved and adopted by the respective Boards of Directors of Seller and Buyer (on behalf of Buyer and on behalf of Merger Sub).
1.2      Time and Place of Closing.
Unless otherwise mutually agreed in writing between Buyer and Seller, the closing for the Merger (the “ Closing ”) shall take place at the offices of Alston & Bird LLP, 1201 West Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30309, at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) on a date to be

1




mutually agreed upon by Buyer and Seller, which shall be no later than the third (3 rd ) business day following the satisfaction or waiver in accordance with this Agreement of all of the conditions set forth in Article 10 (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the fulfillment or waiver of those conditions), or at such other time and date as may be mutually agreed by Buyer and Seller. The date on which the Closing actually occurs is referred to as the “ Closing Date .”
1.3      Subsequent Mergers.
(a)      Immediately following the Effective Time, Seller shall be merged with and into Buyer pursuant to a Short Form Merger Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1 (“ Merger 2 ” ).
(b)      Immediately following Merger 2, or at such other time as determined by Buyer in its sole discretion, Community Bank of the South, a Georgia state chartered banking institution and a wholly owned subsidiary of Seller, shall be merged with and into CharterBank, a federal savings & loan association and a wholly owned subsidiary of Buyer (the “ Bank Merger ”), and CharterBank shall be the surviving entity from the Bank Merger (the “ Surviving Subsidiary ”) pursuant to a Plan of Bank Merger in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit 2 . Neither the receipt of regulatory approvals related to, nor the timing of, such Bank Merger shall affect the timing or consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
1.4      Restructuring of the Merger.
Buyer shall have the right to revise the structure of the Merger and other transactions herein contemplated if and to the extent that it deems such a change to be desirable in the event the consents necessary to make a 338(h)(10) Election (as hereinafter defined) are not obtained from all holders of Seller Common Stock; provided, that no such revision to the structure of the Merger (i) shall result in any changes in the amount or type of the consideration which the holders of shares of Seller Common Stock, Seller Stock Options and Seller SARs are entitled to receive under this Agreement or (ii ) would unreasonably impede or delay consummation of the Merger. Buyer may exercise this right of revision by giving written notice to Seller in the manner provided in Section 12.8, which notice shall be in the form of an amendment to this Agreement.
1.5      Effective Time.
The Merger and other transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall become effective on the date and time the Certificate or Articles of Merger (“ Certificate of Merger ”) reflecting the Merger shall become effective with the Secretary of State of the State of Georgia (the “ Effective Time ”).



- 2 -



ARTICLE 2     
TERMS OF MERGER
2.1      Articles of Incorporation.
The Articles of Incorporation of Seller in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Company until duly amended or repealed.
2.2      Bylaws.
The Bylaws of Seller in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Company until duly amended or repealed.
2.3      Directors.
The directors of Merger Sub in office immediately prior to the Effective Time shall serve as the directors of the Surviving Company, from and after the Effective Time, in accordance with the Bylaws of the Surviving Company.
2.4      Officers and Employees.
The officers of Merger Sub in office immediately prior to the Effective Time, together with such additional persons as may thereafter be appointed, shall serve as the officers of the Surviving Company, from and after the Effective Time, in accordance with the Bylaws of the Surviving Company.
ARTICLE 3     
MANNER OF CONVERTING SHARES
3.1      Conversion of Shares.
Subject to the provisions of this Article 3, at the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Merger Sub, Buyer, Seller, or the Subsidiaries or shareholders of any of the foregoing, the shares of the constituent corporations to the Merger shall be converted as follows:
(a)      The sole membership interest of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall automatically be converted into one share of Seller Common Stock and shall cease to exist from and after the Effective Time. Each share of Seller Common Stock held by Buyer shall remain issued and outstanding from and after the Effective Time.
(b)      Each share of capital stock of Buyer issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall remain issued and outstanding from and after the Effective Time.

- 3 -



(c)      Each share of Seller Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (excluding shares of Seller Common Stock held by Seller, Buyer, Community Bank of the South or CharterBank (other than any such shares held in a fiduciary capacity) and excluding shares held by shareholders of Seller who perfect their statutory dissenters’ rights, if applicable, as provided in Section 3.2), shall be converted into the right to receive $20.50 in cash per share of Seller Common Stock, payable to the holder thereof, without interest thereon and less any applicable withholding of Tax, in the manner provided in Article 4 (the “ Merger Consideration ”).
(d)      Each share of Seller Common Stock held by Seller, Community Bank of the South or CharterBank (other than any such shares held in a fiduciary capacity) shall be cancelled and shall cease to exist and no Merger Consideration shall be payable or delivered in exchange therefor.
(e)      In the event Seller changes the number of shares of Seller Common Stock issued and outstanding prior to the Effective Time as a result of a stock split, stock dividend or similar recapitalization with respect to such stock and the record date or effective date thereof is prior to the Effective Time, the Merger Consideration shall be proportionately adjusted.
3.2      Dissenting Shareholders.
Any holder of shares of Seller Common Stock who perfects such holder’s dissenter’s rights, if applicable and available, in accordance with and as contemplated by Article 13 of the GBCC and has not effectively withdrawn or lost such right as of the Effective Time shall be entitled to receive from the Surviving Company the value of such shares in cash as determined pursuant to such provision of Law (any shareholder duly making such demand being hereinafter called a “Dissenting Shareholder”); provided , that no such payment shall be made to any such Dissenting Shareholder unless and until such Dissenting Shareholder has complied with the applicable provisions of the GBCC and surrendered to Seller the certificate or certificates representing the shares for which payment is being made. Seller shall give Buyer prompt notice upon receipt by Seller of any such demands for payment of the fair value of such shares of Seller Common Stock and of withdrawals of such notice and any other instruments provided pursuant to applicable Law, and Buyer shall have the right to participate in all negotiations and proceedings with respect to any such demands. Seller shall not, except with the prior written consent of Buyer, make any payment with respect to, or settle, offer to settle or otherwise negotiate, any such demands, or waive any failure to timely deliver a written demand for appraisal or the taking of any other action as may be necessary to perfect dissenter’s rights. In the event that after the Effective Time a Dissenting Shareholder of Seller fails to perfect, or effectively withdraws or loses, such holder’s right to appraisal of and payment for such holder’s shares, the Surviving Company shall issue and deliver the Merger Consideration to which such holder of shares of Seller Common Stock is entitled under Section 3.1 (without interest) upon a proper surrender by such holder of the certificate or certificates representing the shares of Seller Common Stock held by such holder subject to the procedures in Article 4.

- 4 -





3.3      Treatment of Stock Options and SARs.
(a)      At the Effective Time, each option to purchase Seller Common Stock (each a “ Seller Stock Option ”) granted under any stock option or equity compensation plan, arrangement, or agreement of Seller or any Seller Entity (the “ Seller Stock Plans ”), or otherwise, whether vested or unvested, that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be cancelled and the holder thereof shall be entitled to receive an amount in cash, without interest, equal to the product of (i) the total number of shares of Seller Common Stock subject to such Seller Stock Option times (ii) the excess, if any, of the per share Merger Consideration over the exercise price per share of Seller Common Stock under such Seller Stock Option, less applicable Taxes required to be withheld with respect to such payment. No holder of a Seller Stock Option that has an exercise price per share of Seller Common Stock that is equal to or greater than the per share Merger Consideration shall be entitled to any payment with respect to such cancelled Seller Stock Option before, on, or after the Effective Time.
(b)      At the Effective Time, each Seller SAR, whether vested or unvested, that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be cancelled and the holder thereof shall be entitled to receive an amount in cash, without interest, equal to the product of (i) the total number of shares of Seller Common Stock subject to such Seller SAR times (ii) the excess, if any, of the per share Merger Consideration over the strike price per share of Seller Common Stock under such Seller SAR, less applicable Taxes required to be withheld with respect to such payment. No holder of a Seller SAR that has an exercise price per share of Seller Common Stock that is equal to or greater than the per share Merger Consideration shall be entitled to any payment with respect to such cancelled Seller SAR before, on, or after the Effective Time.
(c)      Seller shall take all actions necessary or appropriate to ensure that, as of the Effective Time, (i) the Seller Stock Plans shall terminate and (ii) no holder of Seller Stock Options, Seller SARs or any participant in the Seller Stock Plans shall have any rights to acquire, or other rights in respect of, the capital stock of Seller or any Seller Entity, except the rights contemplated by this Section 3.3.
(d)       At or immediately prior to the Effective Time, Seller’s Board of Directors (or, if appropriate, any committee administering the Seller Stock Plans) shall adopt such resolutions or take such other actions as may be required to effect the transactions described in this Section 3.3.
(e)      Buyer shall take all actions necessary so that, no later than three (3) Business Days after the Effective Time, the Surviving Company shall pay or cause to be paid to each holder of Seller Stock Options and Seller SARs the amounts to which such holder is entitled as determined in accordance with Sections 3.3(a) and 3.3(b), (i) if the holder is an employee

- 5 -



of Seller, through Seller’s or applicable Seller Entity’s payroll or (ii) if the holder is not an employee of Seller, by certified check or automated clearing house transaction to an account designated in writing by the holder to Seller.
ARTICLE 4     
PAYMENT FOR SHARES
4.1      Procedures.
(a)      Immediately following the Effective Time, Buyer shall make available to a paying agent selected by Buyer and reasonably acceptable to Seller (the “ Paying Agent ”) for the exchange in accordance with this Section 4.1 of cash in an aggregate amount equal to the product of the Merger Consideration and the number of shares of Seller Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and entitled to receive the Merger Consideration. As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, Buyer and Seller shall cause the Paying Agent to mail to each holder of record of a certificate or certificates which represented shares of Seller Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time (the “ Certificates ”) appropriate transmittal materials and instructions (which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to such Certificates shall pass, only upon proper delivery of such Certificates to the Paying Agent). The Certificate or Certificates of Seller Common Stock so delivered shall be duly endorsed as the Paying Agent may require. In the event of a transfer of ownership of shares of Seller Common Stock represented by Certificates that is not registered in the transfer records of Seller, the consideration provided in Section 3.1 may be issued to a transferee if the Certificates representing such shares are delivered to the Paying Agent, accompanied by all documents required to evidence such transfer and by evidence satisfactory to the Paying Agent that any applicable stock transfer taxes have been paid. If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen, mislaid or destroyed, upon receipt of (i) an affidavit of that fact from the holder claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen, mislaid or destroyed, (ii) such bond, security or indemnity as Buyer and the Paying Agent may reasonably require, and (iii) any other documents necessary to evidence and effect the bona fide exchange thereof, the Paying Agent shall issue to such holder the consideration into which the shares represented by such lost, stolen, mislaid or destroyed Certificate shall have been converted. The Paying Agent may establish such other reasonable and customary rules and procedures in connection with its duties as it may deem appropriate. Buyer shall pay all charges and expenses, including those of the Paying Agent, in connection with the distribution of the consideration provided in this Article 4.
(b)      After the Effective Time, each holder of shares of Seller Common Stock (other than shares to be canceled pursuant to Section 3.1(d) or as to which statutory dissenters’ rights have been perfected as provided in Section 3.2) issued and outstanding at the Effective Time shall surrender the Certificate or Certificates representing such shares to the Paying Agent and shall promptly upon surrender thereof receive in exchange therefor the consideration provided in Section 3.1, together with all undelivered dividends or distributions in respect of such shares (without interest thereon) pursuant to Section 4.2. Buyer shall not be obligated to deliver the Merger Consideration to which any former holder

- 6 -



of Seller Common Stock is entitled as a result of the Merger until such holder surrenders such holder’s Certificate or Certificates (or the documents required by Section 4.1(a) for a lost, stolen, mislaid or destroyed Certificate) for exchange as provided in this Section 4.1.
(c)      Each of Buyer, Merger Sub and the Paying Agent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any holder of shares of Seller Common Stock such amounts, if any, as it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code or any provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law. To the extent that any amounts are so withheld by Buyer, Merger Sub or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the holder of the shares of Seller Common Stock in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made by Buyer, Merger Sub or the Paying Agent, as the case may be.
4.2      Rights of Former Seller Shareholders.
At the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of Seller shall be closed as to holders of Seller Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time and no transfer of Seller Common Stock by any such holder shall thereafter be made or recognized. Until surrendered for exchange in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.1, each Certificate theretofore representing shares of Seller Common Stock (other than shares to be canceled pursuant to Section 3.1(d) or as to which statutory dissenters’ rights have been perfected as provided in Section 3.2) shall from and after the Effective Time represent for all purposes only the right to receive the Merger Consideration provided in Article 3 in exchange therefor, subject, however, to the Surviving Company’s obligation to pay any dividends or make any other distributions with a record date prior to the Effective Time which have been declared or made by Seller in respect of such shares of Seller Common Stock in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and which remain unpaid at the Effective Time.
4.3      Return of Payment Fund.
At any time following the nine-month period after the Effective Time, Buyer shall be entitled to require the Paying Agent to deliver to it any portions of the Merger Consideration which had been made available to the Paying Agent and not disbursed to holders of Certificates (including, without limitation, all interest and other income received by the Paying Agent in respect of all funds made available to it), and thereafter such holders shall be entitled to look to Buyer (subject to abandoned property, escheat and other similar laws) with respect to any Merger Consideration that may be payable upon due surrender of the Certificates held by them. Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of Buyer, Merger Sub or the Paying Agent shall be liable to any holder of a Certificate for any Merger Consideration delivered in respect of such Certificate to a public official pursuant to any abandoned property, escheat or other similar Law. Adoption of this Agreement by the shareholders of Seller shall constitute ratification of procedures for and the appointment of the Paying Agent.

- 7 -



ARTICLE 5     
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER
Except as disclosed in the applicable section of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum, Seller hereby represents and warrants to Buyer and Merger Sub as follows:
5.1      Organization, Standing, and Power.
Seller is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Georgia, and has the corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and to own, lease and operate its Assets. Seller is duly qualified or licensed to transact business as a foreign corporation in good standing in the states of the United States and foreign jurisdictions where the character of its Assets or the nature or conduct of its business requires it to be so qualified or licensed, except for such jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified or licensed is not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Seller Material Adverse Effect. The minute book and other organizational documents for Seller have been made available to Buyer for its review and are true and complete in all material respects as in effect as of the date of this Agreement and accurately reflect in all material respects all amendments thereto and all proceedings of the Board of Directors (including any committees of the Board of Directors) and shareholders thereof.
5.2      Authority of Seller; No Breach by Agreement.
(a)      Seller has the corporate power and authority necessary to execute, deliver, and, other than with respect to the Merger, perform this Agreement, and with respect to the Merger, upon the approval of this Agreement and the Merger by Seller’s shareholders in accordance with this Agreement, to perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein, including the Merger, have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action in respect thereof on the part of Seller, subject to the approval of this Agreement by the holders of the outstanding shares of Seller Common Stock as contemplated by Section 8.2, which is the only shareholder vote required for approval of this Agreement and consummation of the Merger by Seller. Subject to such requisite shareholder approval, this Agreement represents a legal, valid and binding obligation of Seller (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by Buyer), enforceable against Seller in accordance with its terms (except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally or by 12 U.S.C. Section 1818(b)(6)(D) (or any successor statute) and any bank regulatory powers and subject to general principles of equity).

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(b)      Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Seller, nor the consummation by Seller of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by Seller with any of the provisions hereof, will (i) conflict with or result in a breach of any provision of Seller’s Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws or the certificate or articles of incorporation or bylaws (or similar organizational documents) of any Seller Subsidiary or any resolution adopted by the board of directors or the shareholders of any Seller Entity, or (ii) constitute or result in a Default under, or, except as set forth in Section 5.2(b)(ii) of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum, require any Consent pursuant to, or result in any payment conditioned, in whole or in part, on a change of control of Seller or approval or consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, or result in the creation of any Lien on any Asset of any Seller Entity under, any Contract or Permit of any Seller Entity or, (iii) subject to receipt of the Consents referred to in Section 5.2(b)(ii) of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum, constitute or result in a Default under, or require any Consent pursuant to, any Law or Order applicable to any Seller Entity or any of their respective material Assets (including any Buyer Entity or any Seller Entity becoming subject to or liable for the payment of any Tax or any of the Assets owned by any Buyer Entity or any Seller Entity being reassessed or revalued by any Regulatory Authority).
(c)      Other than in connection or compliance with the provisions of applicable state corporate and Securities Laws, and other than filings with and Consents required from Regulatory Authorities, and other than notices to or filings with the Internal Revenue Service or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation with respect to any employee benefit plans, no notice to, filing with, or Consent of, any public body or authority is necessary for the execution and delivery by Seller of this Agreement or the consummation by Seller of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated in this Agreement.
5.3      Capital Stock.
(a)      The authorized capital stock of Seller consists of 5,000,000 shares of Seller Common Stock, of which (i) 2,731,628 (including treasury stock) shares are issued as of the date of this Agreement, (ii) 2,727,128 shares are outstanding as of the date hereof, (iii) 203,425 are reserved for issuance pursuant the Seller Stock Options (of which 203,425 shares were subject to outstanding Seller Stock Options) (iv) 19,500 shares are subject to Seller SARs, and (v) 4,500 shares of Seller Common Stock held by Seller as treasury stock. All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Seller have been duly authorized and are duly and validly issued and outstanding and are fully paid, nonassessable and free of any preemptive rights. None of the outstanding shares of capital stock or other security of Seller has been issued in violation of any preemptive rights of the current or past shareholders of Seller. Other than shares of Seller Common Stock and Seller Stock Options and Seller SARs as set forth in Section 5.3(a) of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum, Seller has no authorized, issued or outstanding (A) shares of capital stock or other voting securities or equity interests, (B) securities of Seller or any of its Subsidiaries convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of capital stock or other voting securities or equity interests of Seller or any of its Subsidiaries, (C) stock appreciation rights, “phantom” stock rights, performance units, interests in or rights to the ownership or earnings of Seller or any

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of its Subsidiaries or other equity equivalent or equity-based award or right, (D) subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, commitments, Contracts or other rights to acquire from Seller or any of its Subsidiaries, or obligations of Seller or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, register, transfer, or sell any shares of capital stock of Seller or any of its Subsidiaries, voting securities, equity interests or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for capital stock or other voting securities or equity interests of Seller or any of its Subsidiaries or rights or interests described in clause (C), or, (E) except for this Agreement and as set forth in Section 5.3(a) of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum, obligations of Seller or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any such securities or to issue, grant, deliver, register, transfer or sell, or cause to be issued, granted, delivered, registered, transferred or sold, any such securities. Except for this Agreement and as set forth in Section 5.3(a) of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum, there are no shareholder agreements, voting trusts or other agreements or understandings to which Seller or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or on file with Seller with respect to the holding, voting, registration, redemption, repurchase or disposition of, or that restricts the transfer of, any capital stock or other equity interest of Seller or any of its Subsidiaries. As of the date of this Agreement, there are no outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness having the right to vote on any matters on which shareholders of Seller may vote. CBS Financial Capital Trust I and CBS Financial Capital Trust II are subsidiaries of Seller, the common securities of which are wholly-owned by Seller, formed for the purpose of issuing “trust preferred securities.” The proceeds from the sale of the securities and the issuance of the common stock by the trusts were invested in Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures (the “ Junior Subordinated Debt ”) issued by Seller, which are the sole assets of such trusts. The Junior Subordinated Debt (i) is not convertible into Seller Common Stock, (ii) carries no voting rights with respect to any Seller Common Stock, and (iii) contains no dividend limitation provisions upon Seller Common Stock except in the event of default or in the event of deferral of the payments due thereon. Except as set forth above, neither Seller nor any of its Subsidiaries has any trust capital securities, subordinated debt securities or other similar securities outstanding, and there are currently no deferrals of any payments due under the Junior Subordinated Debt. Except as set forth in Section 5.3(a) of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum, no single shareholder holds in excess of five percent (5%) of the capital stock of the Seller.
(b)      Except for the Seller Common Stock issued and outstanding and the Seller Rights as disclosed in Section 5.3(b) of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum, there are no shares of capital stock or other equity securities of Seller outstanding and no outstanding Equity Rights relating to the capital stock of Seller. Except as specifically contemplated by this Agreement, no Person has any Contract or any right or privilege (whether pre-emptive or contractual) capable of becoming a Contract or Equity Right for the purchase, subscription or issuance of any securities of Seller. Section 5.3(b) of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum sets forth a true, correct and complete list of the aggregate number of shares of Seller Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of each Seller Right outstanding as of the date of this Agreement and the holder and exercise price for each such Seller Right.

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(c)      Except for this Agreement, neither Seller nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any agreement pursuant to which any Person is entitled to elect, designate or nominate any director of it or its Subsidiaries.
5.4      Seller Subsidiaries.
Seller has disclosed in Section 5.4 of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum each of the Seller Subsidiaries that is a corporation (identifying its jurisdiction of incorporation, each jurisdiction in which it is qualified and/or licensed to transact business, and the number of shares owned and percentage ownership interest represented by such share ownership) and each of the Seller Subsidiaries that is a general or limited partnership, limited liability company, or other non-corporate entity (identifying the form of organization and the Law under which such entity is organized, each jurisdiction in which it is qualified and/or licensed to transact business, and the amount and nature of the ownership interest therein). Seller owns, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock (or other equity interests) of each Seller Subsidiary. No capital stock (or other equity interest) of any Seller Subsidiary is or may become required to be issued (other than to another Seller Entity) by reason of any Equity Rights, and there are no Contracts by which any Seller Subsidiary is bound to issue (other than to another Seller Entity) additional shares of its capital stock (or other equity interests) or Equity Rights or by which any Seller Entity is or may be bound to transfer any shares of the capital stock (or other equity interests) of any Seller Subsidiary (other than to another Seller Entity). There are no Contracts relating to the rights of any Seller Entity to vote or to dispose of any shares of the capital stock (or other equity interests) of any Seller Subsidiary. All of the shares of capital stock (or other equity interests) of each Seller Subsidiary are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and are owned directly or indirectly by Seller free and clear of any Lien. Each Seller Subsidiary is a bank, corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership or limited liability partnership, and each such Subsidiary is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated or organized, and has the corporate or entity power and authority necessary for it to own, lease, and operate its Assets and to carry on its business as now conducted. Each Seller Subsidiary is duly qualified or licensed to transact business as a foreign entity in good standing in the States of the United States and foreign jurisdictions where the character of its Assets or the nature or conduct of its business requires it to be so qualified or licensed, except for such jurisdictions in which the failure to be so qualified or licensed is not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Seller Material Adverse Effect. The minute book and other organizational documents for each Seller Subsidiary have been made available to Buyer for its review, and are true and complete in all material respects as in effect as of the date of this Agreement and accurately reflect in all material respects all amendments thereto and all proceedings of the Board of Directors and shareholders thereof. Except for its interests in Subsidiaries and its ownership of marketable securities, Seller does not own, directly or indirectly, any capital stock, membership interest, partnership interest or other equity interest in any Person. Community Bank of the South is a member in good standing with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta to transact the business of banking.

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5.5      Securities.
No Seller Entity is required to file any Exchange Act Documents or make any reports or filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

5.6      Financial Statements.
(a)      Each of the Seller Financial Statements (including, in each case, any related notes), as well as the financial statements to be delivered by Seller pursuant to Section 7.5, have been prepared, or will be prepared, as the case may be, in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes to such consolidated financial statements), and fairly presented, or will fairly present in all material respects, as the case may be, the financial position of Seller and its Subsidiaries as of the respective dates and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods indicated, except that the unaudited interim financial statements were or are subject to normal and recurring year-end adjustments which were not or are not expected to be material in amount or effect.
(b)      Seller’s independent public accountants, which have expressed their opinion with respect to the Seller Financial Statements (except those Seller Financial Statements as of March 31, 2015, June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2015, which are unaudited), are and have been throughout the periods covered by such Seller Financial Statements an independent registered public accounting firm. Section 5.6(b) of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum lists all non-audit services performed by Seller’s independent public accountants for the Seller Entities.
(c)      The information for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016 contained in the budget and the pro forma financial information (including, without limitation, the most recent projections and forecasts contained therein) that was provided by Seller to Buyer, was based upon reasonable assumptions, which assumptions, to Seller’s Knowledge, remain reasonable, except as such assumptions are impacted by the effects of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(d)      The books and records kept by Seller and its Subsidiaries are in all material respects complete and accurate and have been maintained in accordance with applicable Laws and accounting requirements. The Seller Financial Statements have been prepared from, and are in accordance with, the books and records of Seller and its Subsidiaries.
5.7      Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities.
Other than unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit extended in the ordinary course of business, no Seller Entity has any material Liabilities, except Liabilities which are accrued or reserved against in the balance sheets of Seller as of September 30, 2015, included in the Seller Financial Statements delivered prior to the date of this Agreement or reflected in the notes thereto. No Seller Entity has incurred or paid any material Liability since September 30, 2015, except for such Liabilities incurred or paid (a) in the ordinary

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course of business consistent with past business practice or (b) in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No Seller Entity is directly or indirectly liable, by guarantee, indemnity, or otherwise, upon or with respect to, or obligated, by discount or repurchase agreement or in any other way, to provide funds in respect to, or obligated to guarantee or assume any Liability of any Person for any amount in excess of $10,000. Except (x) as reflected in Seller’s unaudited balance sheet at September 30, 2015 or Liabilities described in any notes to Seller’s audited balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 (or Liabilities for which neither accrual nor footnote disclosure is required pursuant to GAAP or any applicable Regulatory Authority) or (y) for Liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business since September 30, 2015 consistent with past practice or in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, neither Seller nor any of its Subsidiaries has any material Liabilities. Seller has delivered to Buyer copies of the documentation creating or governing, all securitization transactions and off-balance sheet arrangements effected by the Seller Entities other than letters of credit or unfunded loan commitments extended in the ordinary course of business.
5.8      Absence of Certain Changes or Events.
Since December 31, 2014, there has been no Seller Material Adverse Effect. Since September 30, 2015, and except as disclosed in Section 5.8 of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum, none of the Seller Entities has taken any action, or failed to take any action, prior to the date of this Agreement, which action or failure, if taken after the date of this Agreement, would represent or result in a material breach or violation of any of the covenants and agreements of Seller provided in Article 7 other than actions taken that would require the consent of Buyer pursuant to Section 7.2(f).
5.9      Tax Matters.
(a)      All Seller Entities have timely filed with the appropriate Taxing Authority all Tax Returns in all jurisdictions in which Tax Returns are required to be filed, and such Tax Returns are correct and complete in all material respects. None of the Seller Entities is currently the beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return. All Taxes of the Seller Entities that have become due and payable (whether or not shown on any Tax Return) have been fully and timely paid. There are no Liens for any Taxes (other than a Lien for ad valorem Taxes not yet due and payable) on any of the Assets of any of the Seller Entities. No claim has ever been made by a Taxing Authority in a jurisdiction where any Seller Entity does not file a Tax Return that such Seller Entity may be subject to Taxes by that jurisdiction.
(b)      None of the Seller Entities has received any notice of deficiency, assessment or proposed assessment in connection with any Taxes, and there are no threatened or pending disputes, claims, audits, examinations or requests for information regarding any Taxes of any Seller Entity or the assets of any Seller Entity. No officer or employee responsible for Tax matters of any Seller Entity expects any Taxing Authority to assess any additional Taxes for any period for which Tax Returns have been filed. No issue has been raised by a Taxing Authority in any prior examination of Seller which, by application of the same or similar

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principles, is expected to result in a proposed deficiency for any subsequent taxable period. None of the Seller Entities has waived any statute of limitations in respect of any Taxes or agreed to a Tax assessment or deficiency. Seller has delivered to Buyer correct and complete copies of all federal income Tax Returns, examination reports, and statements of deficiencies assessed against or agreed to by any Seller Entity filed or received since December 31, 2012.
(c)      Each Seller Entity has complied with all applicable Laws, rules and regulations relating to the withholding of Taxes and the payment thereof to appropriate authorities, including Taxes required to have been withheld and paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee or independent contractor, and Taxes required to be withheld and paid pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442, 1471 and 1472 of the Code or similar provisions under foreign Law.
(d)      The unpaid Taxes of each Seller Entity (i) did not, as of the most recent fiscal month end, exceed the reserve for Tax Liability (rather than any reserve for deferred Taxes established to reflect timing differences between book and Tax income) set forth on the face of the most recent balance sheet (rather than in any notes thereto) for such Seller Entity and was properly determined in accordance with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with past practices and (ii) do not exceed that reserve as adjusted for the passage of time through the Closing Date in accordance with past custom and practice of the Seller Entities in filing their Tax Returns. Since the date of the most recent balance sheet, no Seller Entity has incurred any liability for Taxes arising from extraordinary gains or losses, as that term is used in GAAP, outside the ordinary course of business consistent with past custom and practice.
(e)      None of the Seller Entities is a party to any Tax allocation or sharing agreement and none of the Seller Entities has been a member of an affiliated group filing a consolidated federal income Tax Return or has any Tax Liability of any Person under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502‑6 or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Law, or as a transferee or successor, by contract or otherwise, other than Tax allocation or sharing agreements for a group of which Seller is the common parent.
(f)      During the five-year period ending on the date hereof, none of the Seller Entities was a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” as defined in, and in a transaction intended to be governed by Section 355 of the Code.
(g)      None of the Seller Entities has made any payments (whether in cash, property or in the form of benefits), is obligated to make any payments (whether in cash, property or in the form of benefits), or is a party to any contract that could obligate it to make any payments (whether in cash, property or in the form of benefits) that could be disallowed as a deduction under Section 280G or 162(m) of the Code, or which would be subject to withholding under Section 4999 of the Code. None of the Seller Entities has been a United States real property holding corporation within the meaning of Code Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii). None of the Seller Entities has been or will be required to include any adjustment in taxable income for any Tax period (or portion thereof) pursuant to Section 481 of the Code or any comparable provision under state or foreign Tax Laws as a result of transactions or

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events occurring prior to the Closing. There is no taxable income of a Seller Entity that will be required under applicable Tax Law to be reported by Buyer or any of its Affiliates, including any Seller Entity, for a taxable period (or portion thereof) beginning after the Closing Date which taxable income was realized prior to the Closing Date.
(h)      At all times during its existence up to and including the Closing Date, Seller has been a validly electing “S corporation” (Subchapter S corporation) under Sections 1361 and 1362 of the Code for federal income Tax purposes, and an “S corporation” in all states that permit comparable flow-through income Tax treatment for state purposes (whether or not the state requires a separate state election). No actions or omissions have been committed by Seller, holders of Seller Common Stock or otherwise to cause Seller to cease to so qualify as an “S corporation.” The holders of Seller Common Stock are (i) eligible to join Buyer in making a 338(h)(10) Election with respect to Seller and the purchase and sale of Seller Common Stock resulting from the transactions contemplated herein, and (ii) all of the “S corporation shareholders” who must consent to the 338(h)(10) Election on IRS form 8023 as described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.338(h)(10)-1(c)(3). At no time has Seller had, within the meaning of Code Section 1361(b) and the Treasury Regulations thereunder: (i) more than 100 shareholders (taking into account the special rules regarding family members in Code Section 1361(c)(1)); (ii) any shareholder who is a person (other than an estate, a trust described in Code Section 1361(c)(2), or an organization described in Code Section 1361(c)(6)) who is not an individual; (iii) any shareholder that is a nonresident alien; or (iv) more than one class of stock. No Seller Entity is a financial institution which uses the reserve method of accounting for bad debts described in Code 585. Any “trust preferred securities” issued by a Seller Entity are properly treated as debt, rather than equity, for federal income Tax purposes. Seller shall not be liable for any Tax under Section 1374 of the Code in connection with the deemed sale of assets (including the assets of any Seller Subsidiary) caused by the 338(h)(10) Election. Neither Seller nor any Seller Subsidiary has, in the past ten years, acquired assets from a C corporation in a transaction in which the Tax basis of Seller or any Seller Subsidiary for the acquired assets was determined, in whole or in part, by reference to the Tax basis of the acquired assets in the hands of the transferor.
(i)      At all times during its existence up to an including the Closing Date, each Seller Subsidiary that otherwise would be taxed as a domestic corporation as that term is defined in Section 7701(a)(3) and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, is and always has been, within the meaning of Section 1361(b)(3) and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, a domestic corporation, a 100% subsidiary of Seller, a properly electing ‘‘qualified subchapter S subsidiary’’ within the meaning of Section 1361(b)(3)(B) of the Code.
(j)      None of the Seller Benefit Plans provides for the gross-up or reimbursement of Taxes under Section 4999 of the Code, or otherwise.
(k)      Each of the Seller Entities is in compliance with, and its records contain all information and documents (including properly completed IRS Forms W‑9) necessary to comply with, all applicable information reporting and Tax withholding requirements under

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federal, state, and local Tax Laws, and such records identify with specificity all accounts subject to backup withholding under Section 3406 of the Code.
(l)      None of the Seller Entities is subject to any private letter ruling of the IRS, or any closing agreement within the meaning of Section 7121 of the Code, or any comparable rulings or agreements involving any Taxing Authority.
(m)      No property owned by any of the Seller Entities is (i) property required to be treated as being owned by another Person pursuant to the provisions of Section 168(f)(8) of the Code and in effect immediately prior to the enactment of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, (ii) “tax-exempt use property” within the meaning of Section 168(h)(1) of the Code or (iii) “tax-exempt bond financed property” within the meaning of Section 168(g) of the Code, (iv) “limited use property” within the meaning of Rev. Proc. 76-30, (v) subject to Section 168(g)(1)(A) of the Code or (vi) subject to any provision of state, local or foreign Law comparable to any of the provisions listed above.
(n)      No Seller Entity has any “corporate acquisition indebtedness” within the meaning of Section 279 of the Code.
(o)      Seller Entities have disclosed on their federal income Tax Returns all positions taken therein that could give rise to substantial understatement of federal income Tax within the meaning of Section 6662 of the Code.
(p)      No Seller Entity has participated in any reportable transaction, as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b)(1), or a transaction substantially similar to a reportable transaction.
5.10      Transactions with Affiliates.
Except as disclosed in Section 5.10 of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum, there are no agreements, contracts, plans, arrangements or other transactions between a Seller Entity, on the one hand, and any (a) officer or director of a Seller Entity, (b) record or beneficial owner of five percent (5%) or more of the voting securities of Seller, (c) Affiliate or family member of any such officer, director or record or beneficial owner or (d) any other Affiliate of Seller, on the other hand, except those of a type available to non-Affiliates of Seller generally.
5.11      Loans.
(a)      Seller makes the following representations and warranties with respect to each Seller Bank Loan: (i) each Seller Bank Loan was originated and is administered and serviced in conformity in all material respects with all applicable Laws and Community Bank of the South’s internal loan policies, including with respect to the Loan Documentation related to each Seller Bank Loan; (ii) each Seller Bank Loan is a valid and legally binding obligation according to its terms; (iii) each Seller Bank Loan is enforceable in accordance with its terms (except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy laws and other laws

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of similar nature relating to creditors rights and to general principles of equity); (iv) the principal balance of each Seller Bank Loan and accrued interest thereon as shown on Seller’s books and records are true and correct as of the last date shown thereon; (v) with respect to each Seller Bank Loan that is secured, Seller has a valid and enforceable Lien on the collateral described in the Loan Documentation, Seller has properly perfected or caused to be properly perfected all Liens in any collateral securing each Seller Bank Loan and such Liens have the priority described in the Loan Documentation (except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy laws and other laws of similar nature relating to creditors rights and to general principles of equity); (vi) each Seller Bank Loan contains customary and enforceable provisions such that the rights and remedies of the holder thereof shall be adequate for the practical realization against any collateral therefor; (vii) each Seller Bank Loan is evidenced by Loan Documentation that is true, genuine and what it purports to be and (viii) all Seller Bank Loans are with full recourse to the borrowers and guarantors, if any, and Seller has not taken any action that will result in a waiver or negation of any material rights or remedies available to it against any borrower or guarantor, if any, on any Seller Bank Loan.
For the purposes of this Agreement, “ Loan Documentation ” means all Seller Bank Loan files and all documents included in any Seller Entity’s file or imaging system with respect to a Seller Bank Loan, including loan applications, notes, security agreements, deeds of trust, collectors notes, appraisals, credit reports, disclosures, titles to collateral, verifications (including employment verification, deposit verification, etc.), mortgages, loan agreements (including building and loan agreements), guarantees, pledge agreements, financing statements, intercreditor agreements, participation agreements, sureties and insurance policies (including title insurance policies) and all modifications, waivers and consents relating to any of the foregoing.
(b)        The information with respect to each Seller Bank Loan set forth in the data storage disk produced by Seller from its management information systems regarding the Seller Bank Loans and delivered to Buyer prior to the date hereof (the “ Loan Tape ” ), and, to the Knowledge of Seller, any third-party information set forth in the Loan Tape is true, correct and accurate as of the dates specified therein, or, if no such date is indicated therein, as of September 30, 2015.
(c)      The allowance for possible loan, lease, securities or credit losses (the “ Allowance ”) shown on the consolidated balance sheets of Seller included in the most recent Seller Financial Statements dated prior to the date of this Agreement was, and the Allowance shown on the consolidated balance sheets of Seller included in the Seller Financial Statements as of dates subsequent to the execution of this Agreement will be, as of the dates thereof, adequate (within the meaning of GAAP and applicable regulatory requirements or guidelines) in all material respects to provide for all known or reasonably anticipated losses relating to or inherent in the loan and lease portfolios (including accrued interest receivables, letters of credit and commitments to make loans or extend credit), by the Seller Entities as of the dates thereof.

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(d)      None of the agreements pursuant to which any Seller Entities have sold Seller Bank Loans or pools of Seller Bank Loans or participations in Seller Bank Loans or pools of Seller Bank Loans (each a “ Loan Sale Agreement ”) contains any obligation to repurchase such Seller Bank Loans or interests therein solely on account of a payment default by the obligor on any such Seller Bank Loan. There is no pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened, cancellation or termination of any Loan Sale Agreement to which Seller or any of its Subsidiaries is a party. There is no breach by Seller or any of its Subsidiaries under any Loan Sale Agreement, and no third party has exercised or, to the Knowledge of Seller, is threatening to exercise its contractual right to require Seller or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase any loan from such third party due to a breach of representation, warranty or covenant by Seller or any of its Subsidiaries under a Loan Sale Agreement.
(e)      Section 5.11(e) of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum sets forth a listing, as of the most recently available date, by account, of: (A) each borrower, customer or other party which has notified Seller or any Seller Entity during the past twelve months of, or has asserted against Seller or any other Seller Entity, in each case in writing, any “lender liability” or similar claim, and any oral notification of, or orally asserted to or against Seller or any other Seller Entity, any such claim; and (B) all loans (1) that are contractually past due 90 days or more in the payment of principal and/or interest, (2) that are non-accrual status, (3) that as of the date of this Agreement are classified as “Other Loans Specially Mentioned”, “Special Mention”, “Substandard”, “Doubtful”, “Loss”, “Classified”, “Criticized”, “Watch list” or words of similar import, together with the principal amount of and accrued and unpaid interest on each such Loan and the identity of the obligor thereunder, (4) where a reasonable doubt exists as to the timely future collectability of principal and/or interest, whether or not interest is still accruing or the loans are less than ninety (90) days past due (including loans for which the borrower has formally or informally notified Seller or any Seller Entity of the borrower’s financial difficulties or other factors that may cause the borrower to fail to make principal and/or interest payments on time), (5) where the interest rate terms have been reduced and/or the maturity dates have been extended subsequent to the agreement under which the loan was originally created due to concerns regarding the borrower’s ability to pay in accordance with such initial terms, or (6) where a specific reserve allocation exists in connection therewith; and (C) all other assets classified by Seller or any Seller Entity as real estate acquired through foreclosure in lieu of foreclosure, including in-substance foreclosure, and all other assets currently held that were acquired through foreclosure or in lieu of foreclosure.
5.12      Assets.
(a)      Except as disclosed or reserved against in the Seller Financial Statements delivered prior to the date of this Agreement, the Seller Entities have good and marketable title, free and clear of all Liens, to all of their respective Assets. All tangible properties used in the businesses of the Seller Entities are in good condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted, and are usable in the ordinary course of business consistent with Seller’s past practices.

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(b)      All Assets which are material to Seller’s business and which are held under leases or subleases by any of the Seller Entities, are held under valid Contracts enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, and each such Contract is in full force and effect.
(c)      Section 5.12(c) of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum lists (i) all real property owned by Seller or any Subsidiary and the owner and location of the property (the “ Owned Real Property ”); (ii) all leases, subleases, licenses or other contracts pursuant to which Seller or any of its Subsidiaries lease land and/or buildings, together with the real property rights (including security deposits), benefits and appurtenances pertaining thereto and rights in respect thereof, including ground leases (the “ Real Property Leases ”) (including identifying which entity is the party to each such agreement, and the location of the applicable property) and (iii) all leases, subleases, licenses or other use agreements between Seller or any of its Affiliates, as landlord, sublandlord or licensor, and third parties with respect to Owned Real Property or Leased Premises, as tenant, subtenant or licensee (“ Tenant Leases ”) (including identifying which entity is the party to each such agreement and the location of the applicable property). All such documentation (including all material amendments, modifications, and supplements thereto) has been made available to Buyer on or prior to the date hereof.
(d)      Either Seller or one of its Subsidiaries (in each instance identified on Section 5.12(c) of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum) (i) has good and indefeasible title to all Owned Real Properties, free and clear of all Liens, and (ii) has a valid and binding leasehold interest in all parcels of real property leased to Seller or one of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the Real Property Leases (the “ Leased Premises ”), free and clear of all Liens on the leasehold estate, and is in sole possession of the properties purported to be leased thereunder, subject and pursuant to the terms of the Real Property Leases. Since December 31, 2013, none of the Leased Premises or Owned Real Property has been taken by eminent domain (or, to the Knowledge of Seller, is the subject of a pending or contemplated taking which has not been consummated). The Owned Real Properties and Leased Premises constitute all interests in real property currently used, occupied or held for use in connection with the business of Seller and the Subsidiaries, as the business is currently conducted.
(e)      Subject to the Tenant Leases, if applicable, no Person other than Seller and its Subsidiaries has (or will have, at Closing) (i) any right in any of the Owned Real Property or any right to use or occupy any portion of the Owned Real Property or (ii) any right to use or occupy any portion of the Leased Premises. To Seller’s Knowledge, all buildings, structures, fixtures and appurtenances comprising part of the Owned Real Property are in material compliance with all zoning and other governmental requirements and are in good operating condition and not in current or imminent need of capital repairs in excess of $25,000 and are sufficient for the purposes to which they are used in the conduct of Seller’s and its Subsidiaries’ business. Seller and its Subsidiaries do not use in their businesses any real property other than the Owned Real Property and the Leased Premises.
(f)      Each of the Real Property Leases and each of the Tenant Leases is in full force and effect, without amendment and, to the Knowledge of Seller, there exists no default

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or event of default or event, occurrence, condition or act, with respect to Seller or any of its Subsidiaries or with respect to the other parties thereto, which, with the giving of notice, the lapse of time or the happening of any other event or condition, would become a default or event of default thereunder.
(g)      Seller and its Subsidiaries have operated the Owned Real Property and the Leased Premises, and the continued operation of the Owned Real Property and the Leased Premises in the manner it is used in Seller’s and its Subsidiaries’ business will be, in accordance in all material respects with all applicable Laws. Prior to the date hereof, Seller has provided to Buyer a true, correct and complete copy of each Real Property Lease, Tenant Lease, title policy, survey, environmental report, and any other property condition report related to the Owned Real Property or Leased Premises, in each instance to the extent in the possession of Seller or any Subsidiary.
(h)      Except as would not be material to Seller, (i) subject to any applicable lease under which Seller and its Subsidiaries lease Personal Property (as defined below), Seller and its Subsidiaries have good, valid and marketable title to all of the personal property of Seller and its Subsidiaries consisting of the trade fixtures, shelving, furniture, on-premises ATMs, equipment, security systems, safe deposit boxes (exclusive of contents), vaults, sign structures and supplies excluding any items consumed or disposed of, but including new items acquired, used or obtained in the ordinary course of the operation of the business of Seller and its Subsidiaries (“ Personal Property ”) and (ii) each of the leases under which Seller or any of its Subsidiaries lease Personal Property is valid, and in full force and effect, without default thereunder by the lessee or, to the Knowledge of Seller, the lessor.
(i)      The Seller Entities currently maintain insurance that is, in light of the Seller Entities’ operations, commercially reasonable in amount, scope and coverage. None of the Seller Entities has received notice from any insurance carrier, including in relation to its directors and officers insurance policy, that (i) any policy of insurance will be canceled or that coverage thereunder will be reduced or eliminated, or (ii) premium costs with respect to such policies of insurance will be substantially increased. There are presently no claims for amounts exceeding $10,000 individually or in the aggregate pending under such policies of insurance and no notices of claims in excess of such amounts have been given by any Seller Entity under such policies. All such insurance is valid and enforceable and in full force and effect, and within the last three years Seller and each Seller Entity has received each type of insurance coverage for which it has applied and during such periods has not been denied indemnification for any material claims submitted under any of its insurance policies. Seller has made no claims, and no claims are contemplated to be made, under its errors and omissions insurance or blanket bond.
(j)      The Assets of the Seller Entities include all Assets required to operate the business of the Seller Entities as presently conducted.
5.13      Community Reinvestment Act Compliance.

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Each of the Seller Entities that is an insured depositary institution is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 and the regulations promulgated thereunder and has received a Community Reinvestment Act rating of “satisfactory” or better in its most recently completed exam, and Seller has no Knowledge of the existence of any fact or circumstance or set of facts or circumstances which could reasonably be expected to result in any such Seller Entity having its current rating lowered.
5.14      Intellectual Property.
Each Seller Entity owns or has a license to use all of the Intellectual Property used by such Seller Entity in the course of its business, which are all set forth in Section 5.14 of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum, including sufficient rights in each copy possessed by each Seller Entity. Each Seller Entity is the owner of or has a license, with the right to sublicense, to any Intellectual Property sold or licensed to a third party by such Seller Entity in connection with such Seller Entity’s business operations, and such Seller Entity has the right to convey by sale or license any Intellectual Property so conveyed. No Seller Entity is in material Default under any of its Intellectual Property licenses. No proceedings have been instituted, or are pending or to the Knowledge of Seller threatened, which challenge the rights of any Seller Entity with respect to Intellectual Property used, sold or licensed by such Seller Entity in the course of its business, nor has any person claimed or alleged any rights to such Intellectual Property. The conduct of the business of the Seller Entities does not infringe any Intellectual Property of any other person in any material respect. No Seller Entity is obligated to pay any recurring royalties to any Person with respect to any such Intellectual Property. Seller has no Contracts with its directors, officers, or employees which requires such officer, director or employee to assign any interest in any Intellectual Property to a Seller Entity or to keep confidential any trade secrets, proprietary data, customer information or other business information of a Seller Entity, and no such officer, director or employee is party to any Contract with any Person other than a Seller Entity which requires such officer, director or employee to assign any interest in any Intellectual Property to any Person other than a Seller Entity or to keep confidential any trade secrets, proprietary data, customer information or other business information of any Person other than a Seller Entity. No officer, director or, to the Knowledge of Seller, employee of any Seller Entity is party to any Contract which restricts or prohibits such officer, director or employee from engaging in activities competitive with any provider of financial services, including any Seller Entity.
5.15      Environmental Matters.

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(a)      Each Seller Entity, its Participation Facilities, and its Operating Properties are, and have been during Seller’s operation, in material compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws.
(b)      There is no Litigation pending or, to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened before any Governmental Authority or other forum in which any Seller Entity (or Seller in respect of such Operating Property or Participation Facility) has been or, with respect to threatened Litigation, may be named as a defendant (i) for alleged noncompliance (including by any predecessor) with or Liability under any Environmental Law or (ii) relating to the release, discharge, spillage, or disposal into the environment of any Hazardous Material, whether or not occurring at, on, under, adjacent to, or affecting (or potentially affecting) a site currently or formerly owned, leased, or operated by any Seller Entity or any of its Operating Properties or Participation Facilities.
(c)      To Seller’s Knowledge, during the period of (i) any Seller Entity’s ownership or operation of any of their respective current properties, (ii) any Seller Entity’s participation in the management of any Participation Facility, or (iii) any Seller Entity’s holding of a security interest in any Operating Property, there have been no releases, discharges, spillages, or disposals of Hazardous Material in, on, under, adjacent to, or affecting (or potentially affecting) such properties, except for releases, discharges, spillages or disposals which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Seller Material Adverse Effect. Prior to the period of (i) any Seller Entity’s ownership or operation of any of their respective current properties, (ii) any Seller Entity’s participation in the management of any Participation Facility, or (iii) any Seller Entity’s holding of a security interest in any Operating Property, to Seller’s Knowledge and to the Knowledge of the respective Seller Entity, there were no releases, discharges, spillages, or disposals of Hazardous Material in, on, under, or affecting any such property, Participation Facility or Operating Property, except for releases, discharges, spillages or disposals which are not likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Seller Material Adverse Effect.
5.16      Compliance with Laws.
Seller is a registered bank holding company under the BHC Act. The deposit accounts of each Seller Entity that is a depository institution are insured by the FDIC through the Deposit Insurance Fund to the fullest extent permitted by Law, and all premiums and assessments required to be paid in connection therewith have been paid when due. No proceedings for the revocation or termination of such deposit insurance are pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened. None of the deposits of any Seller Entity is a “brokered deposit” as defined in 12 C.F.R. Section 337.6(a)(2). Each Seller Entity has in effect all Permits necessary for it to own, lease, or operate its Assets and to carry on its business as now conducted, except for those Permits the absence of which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Seller Material Adverse Effect, and there has occurred no Default under any such Permit, other than Defaults which could not reasonably be anticipated to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Seller Material Adverse Effect, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement do not materially violate

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any such Permit, or will result in any revocation, cancellation, suspension, material modification or nonrenewal thereof.
None of the Seller Entities:
(a)      is in Default under any of the provisions of its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws (or other governing instruments);
(b)      is not in compliance with, or in Default under any Laws, Orders, Permits or formal agreements with any Regulatory Authority or Governmental Authority applicable to its business or employees conducting its business; or
(c)      except as disclosed in Section 5.16(c) of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum, has received any notification or communication from any Governmental Authority (i) asserting that any Seller Entity is not, or may not be, in compliance with any Laws or Orders where such noncompliance is material, (ii) threatening to revoke any material Permits, or (iii) requiring or threatening to require any Seller Entity to enter into or consent to the issuance of a cease and desist order, injunction, formal agreement, directive, commitment, or memorandum of understanding, or to adopt any board resolution or similar undertaking, which restricts materially the conduct of its business or in any manner relates to its employment decisions, its employment or safety policies or practices, its capital adequacy, its credit or reserve policies, its hiring or compensation of management or the payment of dividends.
Except where such disclosure or availability would constitute a violation of the confidentiality restrictions of Part 309 of the Rules and Regulations of the FDIC or comparable regulations of any applicable Regulatory Authority, copies of all material reports, correspondence, notices and other documents relating to any inspection, audit, monitoring or other form of review or enforcement action by a Regulatory Authority have been made available to Buyer.
5.17      Labor Relations.
(a)      No Seller Entity is the subject of any Litigation asserting that it or any other Seller Entity has committed an unfair labor practice (within the meaning of the National Labor Relations Act or comparable state Law) or other violation of state or federal labor Law or seeking to compel it or any other Seller Entity to bargain with any labor organization or other employee representative as to wages or conditions of employment, nor is any Seller Entity party to any collective bargaining agreement or subject to any bargaining order, injunction or other Order relating to Seller’s relationship or dealings with its employees, any labor organization or any other employee representative. There is no strike, slowdown, lockout or other job action or labor dispute involving any Seller Entity pending or threatened and there have been no such actions or disputes in the past five years. To Seller’s Knowledge, there has not been any attempt by any Seller Entity employees or any labor organization or other employee representative to organize or certify a collective bargaining unit or to engage in any other union organization activity with respect to the workforce of any Seller Entity.

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Except as disclosed in Section 5.17 of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum, employment of each employee and the engagement of each independent contractor of each Seller Entity is terminable at will by the relevant Seller Entity without (i) any material penalty, liability or severance obligation incurred by any Seller Entity, and (ii) prior consent by any Governmental Authority. Except for in the ordinary course of business consistent with Seller’s past practices, no Seller Entity will owe any amounts to any of its employees or independent contractors as of the Closing Date, including any amounts incurred for any wages, bonuses, vacation pay, sick leave, contract notice periods, change of control payments or severance obligations.
(b)      No Seller Entity is a party to, or otherwise bound by, any consent decree with, or citation by, any Governmental Authority relating to employees or employment practices; and, to the Knowledge of Seller, there are no complaints or charges of discrimination, which have been asserted against any Seller Entity or that are now pending before any Governmental Authority, including but not limited to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and United States Department of Labor (“ DOL ”), relating to employees or employment practices that would result in liability to Seller or any of its Subsidiaries. Seller and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all applicable Laws in respect of employment and employment practices, including terms and conditions of employment, wages and hours, employment discrimination, employee classification, workers’ compensation, unemployment compensation, family and medical leave, and occupational safety and health requirements. Each individual who renders services to Seller or any of its Subsidiaries who is classified by Seller or such Subsidiary, as applicable, as having the status of an independent contractor, consultant or other non-employee status for any purpose (including for purposes of Taxes and Tax Returns under Seller Benefit Plans) is properly so characterized.
(c)      To Seller’s Knowledge, all of the employees of each Seller Entity employed in the United States are either United States citizens or are legally entitled to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, as amended, other United States immigration Laws and the Laws related to the employment of non-United States citizens applicable in the state in which the employees are employed .
5.18      Employee Benefit Plans.
(a)      Seller has disclosed in Section 5.18(a) of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum, (i) each Employee Benefit Plan currently adopted, maintained by, sponsored in whole or in part by, or contributed to by any Seller Entity or ERISA Affiliate thereof for the benefit of employees, former employees, retirees, dependents, spouses, directors, independent contractors, or other beneficiaries or under which employees, retirees, former employees, dependents, spouses, directors, independent contractors, or other beneficiaries are eligible to participate and (ii) a list of each Employee Benefit Plan that is not identified in (i) above (e.g., former Employee Benefit Plans) but for which any Seller Entity or ERISA Affiliate has or reasonably could have any obligation or Liability (collectively (i) and (ii) above are referred to as the “ Seller Benefit Plans ”). Any of the Seller Benefit Plans which is an

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“employee pension benefit plan,” as that term is defined in ERISA Section 3(2), is referred to herein as a “ Seller ERISA Plan .”
(b)      Seller has delivered to Buyer prior to the execution of this Agreement true and complete copies of the Seller Benefit Plans listed on Seller Disclosure Memorandum Section 5.18(a) including, as applicable (i) all plan documents, trust agreements or other funding arrangements for each Seller Benefit Plan (including insurance contracts), and all adopted amendments thereto, (ii) all determination letters, rulings, opinion letters, information letters or advisory opinions issued by the United States Internal Revenue Service (“ IRS ”), the DOL or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation during this calendar year or any of the preceding three calendar years, (iii) any filing or documentation (whether or not filed with the IRS) where corrective action was taken in connection with the IRS EPCRS program set forth in Revenue Procedure 2013-12 (or its predecessor or successor rulings), (iv) annual reports or returns, audited financial statements (to the extent financial statements are required), actuarial reports and valuations prepared for any Employee Benefit Plan for the current plan year and the three preceding plan years, and (v) the most recent summary plan descriptions and any material modifications thereto.
(c)      Except as disclosed in Section 5.18(c) of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum, each Seller Benefit Plan is in material compliance with the terms of such Seller Benefit Plan in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code, in material compliance with the applicable requirements of ERISA, and in material compliance with any other applicable Laws. Each Seller ERISA Plan which is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code (i) has received a current, favorable determination letter from the IRS that is still in effect and applies to the Seller ERISA Plan as amended and as administered or, (ii) within the time permitted under Code Section 401(b), has timely applied for a favorable determination letter which when issued will apply retroactively to the Seller ERISA Plan as amended and as administered, or (iii) is maintained pursuant to a prototype or volume submitter document and is fully entitled to rely upon the opinion or advisory letter issued by the IRS to the sponsor of the prototype or volume submitter plan documents. Seller is not aware of any circumstances that could reasonably result in the revocation of or the inability to rely upon any such favorable determination, opinion, or advisory letter. Seller has not received any communication (written or unwritten) from any government agency questioning or challenging the compliance of any Seller Benefit Plan with applicable Laws. No Seller Benefit Plan is currently being audited by any Governmental agency for compliance with applicable Laws or has previously been audited with a determination by Authorities among Governmental Authority that the Employee Benefit Plan failed to comply with applicable Laws.
(d)      There has been no material oral or written representation or communication with respect to any aspect of the Seller Benefit Plans made to employees of the Seller which is not in accordance with the written or otherwise preexisting terms and provisions of such plans. Neither the Seller nor, to the Knowledge of Seller, any administrator or fiduciary of any Seller Benefit Plan (or any agent of any of the foregoing) has engaged in any transaction, or acted or failed to act in any manner, which could subject the Seller or Buyer to any direct

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or indirect Liability (by indemnity or otherwise) for breach of any fiduciary, co-fiduciary or other duty under ERISA. To the Knowledge of Seller, there are no unresolved claims or disputes under the terms of, or in connection with, the Seller Benefit Plans other than claims for benefits which are payable in the ordinary course of business and no action, proceeding, prosecution, inquiry, hearing or investigation has been commenced with respect to any Seller Benefit Plan.
(e)      All Seller Benefit Plan documents and annual reports or returns, audited financial statements, actuarial valuations, summary annual reports, and summary plan descriptions issued with respect to the Seller Benefit Plans are correct and complete and have been timely filed with the IRS or the DOL to the extent filing is required. Summary plan descriptions, any material modifications thereto, and summary annual reports have been distributed to participants of the Seller Benefit Plans (to the extent required by Law), and there have been no changes in the information set forth therein that have not been timely disclosed pursuant to applicable Law.
(f)      To Seller’s Knowledge, no “ party in interest ” (as defined in ERISA Section 3(14)) or “ disqualified person ” (as defined in Code Section 4975(e)(2)) of any Seller Benefit Plan has engaged in any nonexempt “ prohibited transaction ” (described in Code Section 4975(c) or ERISA Section 406).
(g)      Except as disclosed in Section 5.18(g) of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum, Seller and its ERISA Affiliates do not and have never sponsored, maintained, contributed to, or been obligated under ERISA or otherwise to contribute to (i) a “defined benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA Section 3(35) and Code Section 414(j); (ii) a “multi-employer plan” (as defined in ERISA Sections 3(37) and 4001(a)(3) or (iii) a “multiple employer plan” (meaning a plan sponsored by more than one employer within the meaning of ERISA Sections 4063 or 4064 or Code Section 413(c)). Seller and its ERISA Affiliates have not incurred and there are no circumstances under which either could reasonably incur any liability under Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code.
(h)      No Seller Entity has any Liability for retiree health and life benefits under any of the Seller Benefit Plans and there are no restrictions on the rights of such Seller Entity to amend or terminate any such retiree health or benefit Plan without incurring any Liability thereunder except for required continued coverage to the extent provided under Part 6 of Title I of ERISA or Code Section 4980B or similar state Law. No Tax under Code Sections 4980B or 5000 has been incurred with respect to any Seller Benefit Plan and no circumstance exists which could give rise to such Taxes.
(i)      Except as disclosed in Section 5.18(i) of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (either alone or in conjunction with any other event) will (i) result in any payment or benefit (including severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute, or otherwise) becoming due to any current or former director, employee, officer or consultant of any Seller Entity from any Seller Entity under any Seller Benefit Plan or otherwise, (ii) increase the amount or value of any payments or benefits payable to

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any current or former director, employee, officer or consultant of any Seller Entity from any Seller Entity under any Seller Benefit Plan or otherwise, (iii) result in any acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any payments or benefits payable to any current or former director, employee, officer or consultant of any Seller Entity from any Seller Entity under any Seller Benefit Plan or otherwise, or (iv) result in any limitation on the right of Seller Entity to amend, merge, terminate or receive a reversion of assets from any Seller Benefit Plan or related trust.
(j)      The actuarial present values of all accrued deferred compensation entitlements (including entitlements under any executive compensation, supplemental retirement, or employment agreement) of employees and former employees of any Seller Entity and their respective beneficiaries, other than entitlements accrued pursuant to funded retirement plans subject to the provisions of Code Section 412 or ERISA Section 302, have been fully reflected on the Seller Financial Statements to the extent required by and in accordance with GAAP.
(k)      All individuals who participate in a Seller Benefit Plan pursuant to the terms of such Seller Benefit Plan are in fact eligible to and authorized to participate in such Seller Benefit Plan. All individuals participating in (or eligible to participate in) any Seller Benefit Plan are common-law employees or former employees of a Seller Entity or directors or former directors of a Seller Entity.
(l)      Except as disclosed in Section 5.18 of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum, there is no vesting of benefits and no payments or changes in terms due to any insured person as a result of this Agreement, the Merger or the transactions contemplated herein, under any bank-owned life insurance split dollar life insurance or similar arrangement or Contract, and the Surviving Company shall, upon and after the Effective Time, succeed to and have all the rights in, to and under such Contracts as Seller presently holds.
(m)      Each Seller Benefit Plan that is in any part a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” subject to Section 409A of the Code (A) complies and, at all times after December 31, 2008 has complied, both in form and operation, with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the final regulations and other applicable guidance thereunder and (B) between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2008 was operated in good faith compliance with section 409A of the Code, as determined under applicable guidance of the Treasury and the IRS. No compensation payable by any Seller Entity has been reportable as nonqualified deferred compensation in the gross income of any individual or entity, and subject to an additional tax, as a result of the operation of Section 409A of the Code. No assets set aside for the payment of benefits under any “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” are held outside of the United States, except to the extent that substantially all of the services to which such benefits are attributable have been performed in the jurisdiction in which such assets are held.
5.19      Material Contracts.

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Except as disclosed in Section 5.19 of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum, none of the Seller Entities, nor any of their respective Assets, businesses, or operations, is a party to, or is bound or affected by, or receives benefits under, (i) any employment, severance, termination, consulting, or retirement Contract providing for aggregate payments to any Person in any calendar year in excess of $10,000, (ii) any Contract relating to the borrowing of money by any Seller Entity or the guarantee by any Seller Entity of any such obligation (other than Contracts evidencing deposit liabilities, purchases of federal funds repurchase agreements, fully-secured by the United States government and government agency securities, and Federal Home Loan Bank advances of depository institution Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of Seller’s business, trade payables and Contracts relating to borrowings or guarantees made in the ordinary course of Seller’s business), (iii) any Contract which prohibits, limits or restricts any Seller Entity or any personnel of a Seller Entity from engaging in any business activities in any geographic area, line of business or otherwise in competition with any other Person, (iv) any Contract involving Intellectual Property (other than Contracts entered into in the ordinary course with customers and “shrink-wrap” software licenses), (v) any Contract relating to the provision of data processing, network communication, or other technical services to or by any Seller Entity, (vi) any Contract relating to the purchase or sale of any goods or services (other than Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business and involving payments under any individual Contract not in excess of $25,000, and (vii) any exchange-traded or over-the-counter swap, forward, future, option, cap, floor, or collar financial Contract, or any other interest rate or foreign currency protection Contract not included on its balance sheet, (viii) any material Contract that would be terminable other than by a Seller Entity or any Contract under which a material payment obligation of a Seller Entity (or any successor(s) thereto) would arise or be accelerated, in each case as a result of the announcement or consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (either alone or upon the occurrence of any additional acts or events), (ix) any Contract or agreement that contains any (A) exclusive dealing obligation, (B) “clawback” or similar undertaking requiring the reimbursement or refund of any fees, (C) “most favored nation” or similar provision granted by any Seller Entity or (D) provision that grants any right of first refusal or right of first offer or similar right or that limits or purports to limit the ability of any Seller Entity to own, operate, sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any assets or business, (x) any material Contract or agreement that would require any consent or approval of a counterparty as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (xi) any contract not listed above that is material to the financial condition, results of operations or business of Seller or any other Seller Entities ((i)-(xi), together with all Contracts referred to in Sections 5.14 and 5.18(a), the “ Seller Contracts ”). True and correct copies of agreements, Contracts, arrangements and instruments referred to in Section 5.19 of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum have been made available to Buyer on or before the date hereof. With respect to each Seller Contract: (A) the Contract is in full force and effect; (B) no Seller Entity is in Default thereunder; (C) no Seller Entity has repudiated or waived any material provision of any such Contract; (D) no other party to any such Contract is, to Seller’s Knowledge, in Default in any respect or has repudiated or waived any material provision thereunder; and (E) no consent is required by a Contract for the execution, delivery, or performance of this Agreement, the consummation of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby.

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Except as set forth in Section 5.19 of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum, all of the indebtedness (other than deposit liabilities) of any Seller Entity for money borrowed is prepayable at any time by such Seller Entity without penalty, premium or charge. No Contract, employment agreement, termination agreement, or similar agreement or arrangement to which Seller or any Seller Entity is a party or under which Seller or any Seller Entity may be liable contains provisions which permit an employee or independent contractor to terminate it without cause and continue to accrue future benefits thereunder.
5.20      Privacy of Customer Information.
(a)      Seller and Community Bank of the South, collectively, are the sole owner of all individually identifiable personal information relating to identifiable or identified natural persons who are customers, former customers and prospective customers that will be transferred to Buyer and the Surviving Subsidiary pursuant to this Agreement.
(b)      Seller and Community Bank of the South’s collection practices comply with Community Bank of the South’s privacy policy, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and all other applicable privacy Laws, and any Contract or industry standard relating to privacy.



5.21      Legal Proceedings.
There is no material Litigation instituted or pending, or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened (or unasserted but considered probable of assertion and which if asserted would have at least a reasonable possibility of an unfavorable outcome) against any Seller Entity, or against any director, officer, employee or agent of any Seller Entity in their capacities as such or with respect to any service to or on behalf of any Employee Benefit Plan or any other Person at the request of the Seller Entity or Employee Benefit Plan of any Seller Entity, or against any Asset, interest, or right of any of them, or which could adversely affect in any material respect the ability of Seller to perform under this Agreement, nor are there any material Orders outstanding against any Seller Entity. The Seller is not subject to any Litigation as of the date of this Agreement (a) to which any Seller Entity is a party and which names a Seller Entity as a defendant or cross-defendant or for which any Seller Entity has any potential Liability or (b) against any director or officer of Seller in his or her capacity as a director or officer of Seller. There are no Orders to which any Seller Entity is subject.
5.22      Reports.
Each Seller Entity has timely filed all reports and statements, together with any amendments required to be made with respect thereto, that it was required to file with

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Governmental Authorities. As of their respective dates, each of such reports and documents, including the Seller Financial Statements, exhibits, and schedules thereto, complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws. To Seller’s Knowledge, as of their respective dates, such reports and documents accurately set forth the information contained therein in all material respects.
5.23      Books and Records.
Each Seller Entity maintains accurate books and records reflecting its Assets and Liabilities and maintains proper and adequate internal accounting controls which are designed to provide reasonable assurance that (a) transactions are executed with management’s authorization; (b) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the consolidated financial statements of Seller and to maintain accountability for Seller’s consolidated Assets; (c) access to Seller’s Assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s authorization; (d) the reporting of Seller’s Assets is compared with existing Assets at regular intervals; and (e) accounts, notes and other receivables and inventory are recorded accurately, and proper and adequate procedures are implemented to effect the collection thereof on a current and timely basis. True and complete copies of all stock records have been made available to Buyer for its review and such stock records accurately reflect all capital stock transactions and the current stock ownership of Seller.
5.24      Loans to Executive Officers and Directors.
Seller has not, since December 31, 2013, extended or maintained credit, arranged for the extension of credit, or renewed an extension of credit, in the form of a personal loan to or for any director or Executive Officer (or equivalent thereof) of Seller, except as permitted by FRB Regulation O and that have been made in compliance with the provisions of Regulation O. Section 5.24 of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum identifies any loan or extension of credit maintained by Seller to which Regulation O applies.
5.25      Statements True and Correct.
(a)      None of the information supplied or to be supplied by any Seller Entity or any Affiliate thereof for inclusion in the Proxy Statement to be mailed to Seller’s shareholders in connection with the Seller’s Shareholders’ Meeting will, when first mailed to the Seller’s shareholders, be false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or, at the time of the Seller’s Shareholders’ Meeting be false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary to correct any statement in any earlier communication with respect to the solicitation of any proxy for the Seller’s Shareholders’ Meeting.
(b)      All documents that any Seller Entity or any Affiliate thereof is responsible for filing with any Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby will comply as to form in all material respects with the provisions of applicable Law. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by any Seller Entity or any Affiliate

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thereof to Buyer for inclusion in any documents filed with a Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby will be false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
5.26      Regulatory Matters.
No Seller Entity or any Affiliate thereof has taken or agreed to take any action or has any Knowledge of any fact or circumstance that is reasonably likely to materially impede or delay receipt of any Consents of Regulatory Authorities referred to in Section 10.1(b) or result in the imposition of a condition or restriction of the type referred to in the last sentence of such Section.
5.27      State Takeover Laws.
Each Seller Entity has taken all necessary action to exempt the transactions contemplated by this Agreement from, or if necessary to challenge the validity or applicability of, any applicable “moratorium,” “fair price,” “business combination,” “control share,” or other anti-takeover Laws, (collectively, “ Takeover Laws ”).
5.28      Charter Provisions.
Each Seller Entity has taken all action such that the entering into of this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement do not and will not result in the grant of any rights to any Person under the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws or other governing instruments of any Seller Entity or restrict or impair the ability of Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries to vote, or otherwise to exercise the rights of a shareholder with respect to, shares of any Seller Entity that may be directly or indirectly acquired or controlled by them.
5.29      Trust Business.
Each Seller Entity has properly administered all accounts for which it acts as a fiduciary, including accounts for which it serves as trustee, agent, custodian, personal representative, guardian, conservator or investment advisor, in accordance with the terms of the applicable governing documents and applicable laws and regulations, except for instances of noncompliance that have not had a Seller Material Adverse Effect.
5.30      Support Agreements.
Each of the directors, director emeritus and Executive Officers of Seller and Community Bank of the South who is a beneficial owner of any shares of Seller Common Stock has executed and delivered to Buyer the Support Agreements in the form of Exhibit 3 hereto.
5.31      Brokers.

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Other than the Seller Financial Advisor, the fees and expenses of which will be paid by Seller, no broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other Person is entitled to any broker’s, finder’s, financial advisor’s or other similar fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Seller or any of its Affiliates. True, correct and complete copies of all agreements with Seller Financial Advisor relating to any such fees or commissions have been furnished to Buyer prior to the date hereof.
5.32      Opinion of Financial Advisor.
Seller has received the opinion of Seller Financial Advisor, dated the date of this Agreement, to the effect that the Merger Consideration to be received by the holders of Seller Common Stock is fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders, a signed copy of which has been delivered to Buyer. Such opinion has not been amended or rescinded as of the date of this Agreement.
5.33      Board Recommendation
The Board of Directors of Seller, at a meeting duly called and held, has by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors in office (i) determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, taken together, are fair to and in the best interests of Seller's shareholders and (ii) resolved, subject to the terms of this Agreement, to recommend that the holders of the shares of Seller Common Stock approve this Agreement, the Merger and the related transactions and to call and hold a special meeting of Seller’s shareholders to consider this Agreement, the Merger and the related transactions.
5.34      Investment Securities.
(a)      Each of Seller and its Subsidiaries has good and marketable title to all securities held by it (except securities sold under repurchase agreements or held in any fiduciary or agency capacity), free and clear of any Lien, except to the extent that such securities are pledged in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices to secure obligations of Seller or any of its Subsidiaries. Such securities are valued on the books of Seller in accordance with GAAP.
(b)      Seller and each of its Subsidiaries employs and have acted in compliance in all material respects with investment, securities risk management and other policies, practices and procedures that Seller believes are prudent and reasonable in the context of such businesses.
5.35      Derivative Instruments.
All Derivative Transactions, whether entered into for the account of Seller or any of its Subsidiaries or for the account of a customer of Seller or any of its Subsidiaries were entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and in accordance with prudent banking practice and applicable Laws, rules, regulations and policies of any

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Regulatory Authority and in accordance with the investment, securities, commodities, risk management and other policies, practices and procedures employed by Seller and its Subsidiaries, and with counterparties believed at the time to be financially responsible and able to understand (either alone or in consultation with their advisers) and to bear the risks of such Derivative Transactions. All of such Derivative Transactions are legal, valid and binding obligations of Seller or one of its Subsidiaries and, to the Knowledge of Seller, each of the counterparties thereto, and are enforceable against Seller in accordance with their terms (except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and subject to general principles of equity), and are in full force and effect. Seller and its Subsidiaries have duly performed their obligations under the Derivative Transactions to the extent that such obligations to perform have accrued and, to Seller’s Knowledge, there are no breaches, violations or defaults or allegations or assertions of such by any party thereunder, which would reasonably be expected to have a Seller Material Adverse Effect. The financial position of Seller under or with respect to each such Derivative Transaction has been reflected in its books and records in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.
5.36      Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity.
Seller has developed and implemented a contingency planning program to evaluate the impact of significant events that may adversely affect Seller’s customers, Assets, or employees. To Seller’s Knowledge, such program ensures that Seller can recover its mission critical functions, and complies in all material respects with the requirements of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council and the FDIC.
5.37      Bank Secrecy Act; PATRIOT Act; Anti-Money Laundering.
Neither Seller nor any Seller Subsidiary has any reason to believe that any facts or circumstances exist, which would cause Seller or the Seller Subsidiaries to be deemed to be operating in violation in any material respect of the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970, as amended and its implementing regulations (31 C.F.R. Part 103), the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder (the “ PATRIOT Act ”), any order issued with respect to anti-money laundering by the United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, or any other applicable anti-money laundering law. Furthermore, the Board of Directors of Seller has adopted and Seller has implemented an anti-money laundering program that contains adequate and appropriate customer identification verification procedures, that has not been deemed ineffective by any Governmental Authority and that meets the requirements of Sections 326 and 352 of the PATRIOT Act.
5.38      Transaction Expenses.
The expenses payable to the Seller Financial Advisor or legal counsel to Seller incurred or to be incurred by Seller prior to Closing in connection with the transactions

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contemplated by this Agreement are not, as of the date of this Agreement, expected to exceed the amount set forth on Section 5.38 of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum.

5.39      No Further Representations.
Except for the representations and warranties specifically set forth in Article 5 of this Agreement, neither Seller nor any of its Affiliates or Representatives on behalf of Seller, nor any other Person on behalf of Seller, makes or shall be deemed to make any representation or warranty to Buyer, express or implied, at law or in equity, with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, and Seller hereby disclaims any such representation or warranty whether by Seller or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, or representatives on behalf of Seller, or any other person on behalf of Seller.
ARTICLE 6     
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER AND MERGER SUB
Buyer and Merger Sub hereby represent and warrant to Seller as follows:
6.1      Organization, Standing and Power.
Merger Sub is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Georgia, and has the corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and to own, lease and operate its Assets. Buyer is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Maryland, and has the corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and to own, lease and operate its Assets. Merger Sub and Buyer are duly qualified or licensed to transact business as foreign corporations in good standing in the states of the United States and foreign jurisdictions where the character of their Assets or the nature or conduct of their business requires them to be so qualified or licensed, except for such jurisdictions in which the failure to be so qualified or licensed is not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Buyer Material Adverse Effect.
6.2      Authority; No Breach By Agreement.
(a)      Both Merger Sub and Buyer have the corporate power and authority necessary to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement, and to perform their obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein, including the Merger, have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action in respect thereof on the part of both Merger Sub and Buyer. This Agreement represents a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Merger Sub and of Buyer (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by Seller), enforceable against Merger Sub and Buyer in accordance with its terms (except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally or by 12 U.S.C. Section 1818(b)(6)(D) (or any successor statute) and any bank regulatory powers and subject to general principles of equity).

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(b)      Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Merger Sub and Buyer, nor the consummation by Merger Sub and Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by Merger Sub and Buyer with any of the provisions hereof, will (i) conflict with or result in a breach of any provision of Buyer’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, (ii) conflict with or result in a breach of any provision of Merger Sub’s Articles of Organization or Operating Agreement, (iii) constitute or result in a Default under, or require any Consent pursuant to, or result in the creation of any Lien on any Asset of any Buyer Entity under, any Contract or Permit of any Buyer Entity, or, (iv) subject to receipt of the requisite Consents referred to in Section 10.1(b), constitute or result in a Default under, or require any Consent pursuant to, any Law or Order applicable to any Buyer Entity or any of their respective material Assets.
(c)      Other than in connection or compliance with the provisions of the applicable state corporate and Securities Laws, and other than filings with and Consents required from Regulatory Authorities, and other than notices to or filings with the IRS or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation with respect to any employee benefit plans, and other than Consents, filings, or notifications which, if not obtained or made, are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Buyer Material Adverse Effect, no notice to, filing with, or Consent of, any public body or authority is necessary for the consummation by Buyer and Merger Sub of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated in this Agreement.
6.3      Financing.
Buyer has, and will have at all times from the date hereof to the Effective Time, sufficient funds available to make all payments required under Articles 3 and 4 hereof and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
6.4      Legal Proceedings.
There is no Litigation instituted or pending, or, to the Knowledge of Buyer, threatened (or unasserted but considered probable of assertion and which if asserted would have at least a reasonable possibility of an unfavorable outcome) against any Buyer Entity, or against any director, employee or employee benefit plan of any Buyer Entity, or against any Asset, interest, or right of any of them, that is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Buyer Material Adverse Effect, nor are there any Orders outstanding against any Buyer Entity, that is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Buyer Material Adverse Effect.
6.5      Compliance with Laws.
Buyer is a non-diversified savings and loan holding company within the meaning of the Home Owners’ Loan Act of 1933, as amended. The deposit accounts of each Buyer Entity that is a depository institution are insured by the FDIC through the Deposit Insurance Fund to the fullest extent permitted by Law, and all premiums and assessments required to be paid in connection therewith have been paid when due. No proceedings for the revocation

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or termination of such deposit insurance are pending or, to the Knowledge of Buyer, threatened.
6.6      Absence of Certain Changes or Events.
Since December 31, 2014, there has been no Buyer Material Adverse Effect.

6.7      Regulatory Matters.
(a)      To Buyer’s Knowledge, no Buyer Entity has taken or agreed to take any action that is reasonably likely to materially impede or delay receipt of any Consents of Regulatory Authorities referred to in Section 10.1(b) or result in the imposition of a condition or restriction of the type referred to in the last sentence of such Section. Buyer is “well capitalized” and “well managed” as such terms are defined in 12 C.F.R. §238.2. CharterBank is an “eligible savings association” as defined in 12 C.F.R. §5.3(g).
(b)      No Buyer Entity is subject to any written agreement, memorandum or order or decree with or by any Regulatory Authority, nor has any Buyer Entity been advised by any Regulatory Authority that it is considering issuing or requesting any such written agreement, memorandum, letter, order or decree.

6.8      Statements True and Correct.
(a)      None of the information supplied or to be supplied by any Buyer Entity or any Affiliate thereof for inclusion in the Proxy Statement to be mailed to Seller’s shareholders in connection with the Seller’s Shareholders’ Meeting will, when first mailed to Seller’s shareholders, be false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or, at the time of the Seller’s Shareholders’ Meeting be false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary to correct any statement in any earlier communication with respect to the solicitation of any proxy for the Seller’s Shareholders’ Meeting.
(b)      All documents that any Buyer Entity or any Affiliate thereof is responsible for filing with any Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby will comply as to form in all material respects with the provisions of applicable Law.
6.9      No Further Representations.
Except for the representations and warranties specifically set forth in Article 6 of this Agreement, none of Merger Sub or Buyer or any of its Affiliates or Representatives, nor any other Person on behalf of Buyer or Merger Sub, makes or shall be deemed to make any representation or warranty to Seller, express or implied, at law or in equity, with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, and Merger Sub and Buyer hereby disclaim any such representation or warranty whether by Merger Sub or Buyer or any of its officers,

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directors, employees, agents, or representatives on behalf of Buyer or Merger Sub, or any other Person on behalf of Buyer or Merger Sub.
ARTICLE 7     
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING CONSUMMATION
7.1      Affirmative Covenants of Seller.
From the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement, unless the prior written consent of Buyer shall have been obtained, and except as otherwise expressly contemplated herein, Seller shall, and shall cause each Seller Entity to:
(a)      operate its business only in the usual, regular and ordinary course (materially consistent with all requirements of Regulatory Authorities) (“ Continued Business Operations ”); provided, that (i) Seller may consult with Buyer and its Representatives in order to maintain the continuity of Continued Business Operations, (ii) any such consultations shall be made at the discretion of Seller and (iii) all business decisions with regard to Continued Business Operations shall be made in the sole discretion of Seller; provided further, that it is the intent of the Parties that in no circumstance by reason of this Agreement shall Buyer be deemed to control, directly or indirectly, Seller, and that Buyer shall not exercise, or be deemed to exercise, directly or indirectly, a controlling influence over the management or policies of any Seller Entity;
(b)      utilize its best efforts to preserve intact its business organization and Assets and maintain its rights and franchises and its customer relationships;
(c)      take no action which would (i) adversely affect the ability of any Party to obtain any Consents required for the transactions contemplated hereby without imposition of a condition or restriction of the type referred to in Section 10.2(d), or (ii) adversely affect the ability of any Party to perform its covenants and agreements under this Agreement;
(d)      cooperate with Buyer and its Representatives to facilitate the conversion of systems and internal controls, to train Seller and Community Bank of the South employees in the policies, methods and practices utilized by Buyer and CharterBank;
(e)      cooperate and cause its independent auditors and any firm or firms engaged by Seller or Community Bank of the South to assist with internal controls to cooperate with Buyer, CharterBank and their Representatives to establish mutually acceptable scope and procedures and work product for their services, and to communicate with Buyer and CharterBank. Seller and Community Bank of the South shall consult with, and receive Buyer’s consent to any engagement of any consultants and the entry into any consulting agreements;

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(f)      cooperate with Buyer and allow Buyer, CharterBank and their Representatives access to Seller and Community Bank of the South and their employees and Representatives during normal business hours required to effect any of the foregoing;
(g)      utilize its best efforts to cause all holders of Seller Common Stock to consent to the 338(h)(10) Election within seventy-five (75) days of the date hereof, including, but not limited to, executing and delivering to Buyer such documents and forms as Buyer shall reasonably request or as are required by applicable law for an effective 338(h)(10) Election, including, without limitation, IRS form 8023 and form 8883 (together with any schedules or attachments thereto) or any successor form required pursuant to applicable Treasury regulations and any applicable state form; and
(h)      utilize its best efforts to obtain Consents for all Contracts listed in Section 5.2(b)(ii) of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum.


7.2      Negative Covenants of Seller.
From the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement, unless the prior written consent of Buyer shall have been obtained, and except as otherwise expressly contemplated herein, Seller covenants and agrees that it will not do or agree or commit to do, or permit any Seller Entity to do or agree or commit to do, any of the following:
(a)      amend or waive any provision of the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws or other governing instruments of any Seller Entity;
(b)      incur any additional debt obligation or other obligation for borrowed money in excess of an aggregate of $10,000 except in the ordinary course of the business of any Seller Entity consistent with past practices (which shall include, for Seller Entities that are depository institutions, creation of deposit liabilities, purchases of federal funds, advances from the Federal Reserve Bank or Federal Home Loan Bank, and entry into repurchase agreements fully secured by United States government or agency securities), or impose, or suffer the imposition, on any Asset of any Seller Entity of any Lien or permit any such Lien to exist (other than in connection with public deposits, repurchase agreements, bankers’ acceptances, “treasury tax and loan” accounts established in the ordinary course of business, the satisfaction of legal requirements in the exercise of trust powers, and Liens in effect as of the date hereof that are disclosed in the Seller Disclosure Memorandum);
(c)      repurchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire or exchange (other than exchanges in the ordinary course under employee benefit plans), directly or indirectly, any shares, or any securities convertible into any shares, of the capital stock of any Seller Entity, or, except for (i) a distribution of up to $0.40 per share of Seller Common Stock to holders of Seller Common Stock (excluding shares covered under Seller Stock Options and Seller SARs) in respect of such holders’ 2015 Tax obligations and (ii) the 338(h)(10) Distribution to the

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extent permitted by Section 9.4 hereof, declare or pay any dividend or make any other distribution in respect of Seller’s capital stock;
(d)      except for this Agreement or pursuant to the Seller Stock Options outstanding as of the date hereof, issue, sell, pledge, encumber, authorize the issuance of, enter into any Contract to issue, sell, pledge, encumber, or authorize the issuance of, or otherwise permit to become outstanding, any additional shares of Seller Common Stock, any other capital stock of any Seller Entity, any stock appreciation rights, or any option, warrant, or other Equity Right;
(e)      change the number of authorized or issued shares of its capital stock, issue any shares of Seller Common Stock that are held as “treasury shares” as of the date of this Agreement, issue or grant any Equity Right or agreement of any character relating to its authorized or issued capital stock or any securities convertible into shares of such stock, make any grant or award under the Seller Benefit Plan or otherwise, adjust, split, combine or reclassify any capital stock of any Seller Entity or issue or authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of or in substitution for shares of Seller Common Stock, or sell, lease, transfer, encumber, mortgage or otherwise dispose of any interest in (i) any shares of capital stock of any Seller Entity or (ii) any Asset other than in the ordinary course of business for reasonable and adequate consideration;
(f)      except for purchases of U.S. Treasury securities or United States Government agency securities, which in either case have maturities of one year or less, purchase any securities or make any material investment, either by purchase of stock or securities, contributions to capital, Asset transfers, or purchase of any Assets, in any Person other than a wholly owned Seller Subsidiary, or otherwise acquire direct or indirect control over any Person, other than in connection with foreclosures in the ordinary course of business consistent with this Section 7.2(f); and not make any new loans or extensions of credit or renew, extend or renegotiate any existing loans or extensions of credit (i) to any “insider” or to any of its affiliates as that term is defined in Regulation O, (ii) that are unsecured, in excess of $40,000, or (iii) that are secured, in excess of $500,000, provided , that this restriction shall not apply to the loans that have been approved but not yet funded that are set forth in Section 7.2(f) of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum; provided further, that Buyer shall be deemed to have consented to such extension of credit if Buyer does not object within a review period of two (2) business days following the date of delivery of notice of such transaction by Seller to Buyer, provided further , that such review period shall be extended to three (3) business days if such credit is in an amount in excess of $1,000,000; and (1) purchase or sell (except for (A) sales of single family residential first mortgage loans originated and sold on customary terms for fair market value in the ordinary course of Seller’s or Community Bank of the South’s business and (B) sales of portions of loans guaranteed by the United States Small Business Administration) any whole loans, leases, mortgages or any loan participations or agented credits or other interests therein, or (2) renew or renegotiate any loans or credits that are on any watch list and/or are classified or special mentioned or take any similar actions with respect to collateral held with respect to debts previously contracted or other real estate owned, except pursuant to safe and sound banking practices

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and with prior disclosure to CharterBank; provided, however, that Community Bank of the South may, without the prior notice to or written consent of CharterBank, renew or extend existing credits of less than $1,000,000 in principal amount on substantially similar terms and conditions as present at the time such credit was made or last extended, renewed or modified, for a period not to exceed the duration of the most recent term of such credit and at rates not less than market rates for comparable credits and transactions and without any release of any collateral, except as Community Bank of the South is presently obligated under existing written agreements kept as part of Community Bank of the South’s official records;
(g)      except as disclosed in Section 7.2(g) of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum, grant any increase in compensation or benefits to the employees or officers of any Seller Entity, except as required by Law and for merit-based salary increases not to exceed three percent (3%) of any employee’s previous salary; pay any severance or termination pay or any bonus; enter into or amend any severance agreements with officers of any Seller Entity; grant any material increase in fees or other increases in compensation or other benefits to directors of any Seller Entity or waive any stock repurchase rights, accelerate, amend or change the period of exercisability of any Equity Rights or restricted stock, or authorize cash payments in exchange for any Equity Rights other than as permitted by Section 9.4 hereof;
(h)      hire any officers or employees outside the normal course of business; provided , that any new hires that are made consistent with Seller’s budget provided to Buyer shall be deemed to be in the ordinary course of business;
(i)      except as disclosed in Section 7.2(i) of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum, enter into or amend any employment Contract between any Seller Entity and any Person (unless such amendment is required by Law) that the Seller Entity does not have the unconditional right to terminate without Liability (other than Liability for services already rendered), at any time on or after the Effective Time;
(j)      adopt any new employee benefit plan of any Seller Entity or terminate or withdraw from, or make any material change in or to, any existing employee benefit plans of any Seller Entity other than any such change that is required by Law or that, in the written opinion of counsel, is necessary or advisable to maintain the tax qualified status of any such plan, or make any distributions from such employee benefit plans, except as required by Law, the terms of such plans or consistent with past practice; or
(k)      make application for the opening or closing of any, or open or close any, branch or automated banking facility;
(l)      enter into any new line of business or introduce any new products other than Community Bank of the South’s planned introduction of a mobile banking product;
(m)      sell or otherwise dispose of capital stock of Seller or sell or otherwise dispose of any Asset of Seller or of any Seller Entity other than in the ordinary course of business

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consistent with past practice; subject any Asset of Seller or of any Seller Entity to a lien, pledge, security interest or other encumbrance other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
(n)      make any capital expenditures, other than (1) expenditures made in the ordinary course of business, (ii) pursuant to binding commitments existing on the date hereof and (iii) expenditures necessary to maintain existing assets in good repair, which capital expenditures in no event shall exceed $100,000;
(o)      take any action which would result in any of the representations and warranties of Seller set forth in this Agreement becoming untrue as of any date after the date hereof or in any of the conditions set forth in Article 10 hereof not being satisfied;
(p)      make any change in any Tax or accounting methods or systems of internal accounting controls, except as may be appropriate and necessary to conform to changes in Tax Laws, regulatory accounting requirements, GAAP or by Regulatory Authorities;
(q)      commence any Litigation other than in accordance with past practice, settle any Litigation involving any Liability of any Seller Entity for material money damages or restrictions upon the operations of any Seller Entity; or
(r)      except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and the Seller’s policies, enter into, modify, amend or terminate any material Contract (other than any loan Contract) or waive, release, compromise or assign any material rights or claims.
7.3      Covenants of Buyer.
From the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement, unless the prior written consent of Seller shall have been obtained, and except as otherwise expressly contemplated herein, Merger Sub and Buyer covenant and agree that they shall take no action which would (a) materially adversely affect the ability of any Party to obtain any Consents required for the transactions contemplated hereby without imposition of a condition or restriction of the type referred to in Section 10.2(d), or (b) materially adversely affect the ability of any Party to perform its covenants and agreements under this Agreement; provided, that the foregoing shall not prevent any Buyer Entity from acquiring any Assets, companies or other businesses or from discontinuing or disposing of any of its Assets or businesses if such action is, in the reasonable judgment of Buyer, desirable in the conduct of the business of the Buyer Entities, provided further , that such actions shall not materially delay the Effective Time or materially hinder consummation of the Merger.
7.4      Adverse Changes in Condition.
Seller agrees to give written notice promptly to Buyer upon becoming aware of the occurrence or impending occurrence of any event or circumstance relating to it or any of

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its Subsidiaries which (i) is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Seller Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) would cause or constitute a material breach of any of its representations, warranties, or covenants contained herein, and to use its reasonable efforts to prevent or promptly to remedy the same.
7.5      Reports.
Seller and its Subsidiaries shall file all reports required to be filed by it with Regulatory Authorities between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time and shall deliver to Buyer copies of all such reports promptly after the same are filed. If financial statements are contained in any such reports filed with any Regulatory Authority, such financial statements will fairly present the consolidated financial position of the entity filing such statements as of the dates indicated and the consolidated results of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the periods then ended in accordance with GAAP and applicable regulatory requirements or guidelines (subject in the case of interim financial statements to normal recurring year-end adjustments that are not material). In addition, as soon as reasonably practicable, Seller shall deliver to Buyer the audited consolidated balance sheet (including related notes and schedules, if any) of Seller for the year ended December 31, 2015, and the related statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows (including related notes and schedules, if any) for the year ended December 31, 2015.
ARTICLE 8     
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
8.1      Stay Bonus Pool.
Buyer may consider establishing a stay bonus pool, in the amount to be determined in the sole discretion of Buyer, in order to encourage Seller’s employees to remain with Buyer, thereby assisting Buyer with continuity planning following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
8.2      Proxy Statement; Shareholder Approval.
(a)      In connection with the Shareholders’ Meeting, Seller shall prepare a Proxy Statement and mail such Proxy Statement to Seller’s shareholders, and the Parties shall each cooperate in the preparation of such document and shall furnish all information as may reasonably be requested by Seller in connection with such action.

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(b)      Seller shall duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a Shareholders’ Meeting, to be held as soon as reasonably practicable after the date hereof, on a date reasonably acceptable to Buyer, for the purpose of voting upon approval and adoption of this Agreement, the Merger, and the related transactions (“ Seller Shareholder Approval ”) and such other related matters as it deems appropriate and shall, subject to the provisions of Section 8.5, through its Board of Directors, recommend to its shareholders the approval and adoption of this Agreement and the Merger and use its reasonable efforts to obtain such Seller Shareholder Approval.
8.3      Board of Directors; Advisory Board
Buyer shall (a) create an advisory board for CharterBank after the Effective Time, (b) appoint each current director of Seller to such advisory board and (c) maintain such advisory board as composed for at least one year after the Effective Time, with the compensation for the advisory board to be determined by Buyer.
8.4      Other Offers, Etc.
(a)      Seller agrees that no Seller Entity shall, nor shall it authorize or permit any of its Affiliates or their respective officers, directors, employees or Representatives to, directly or indirectly (i) solicit, initiate, encourage or induce the making, submission, negotiation or announcement of any Acquisition Proposal, (ii) participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any Person any nonpublic information with respect to, or take any other action to facilitate any inquiries or the making of any proposal that constitutes or may reasonably be expected to lead to, any Acquisition Proposal, (iii) subject to Section 8.5, effect a Change in Seller Recommendation, or (iv) enter into any Acquisition Agreement contemplating or otherwise relating to any Acquisition Transaction.
(b)      Seller and its Subsidiaries shall immediately cease any and all existing activities, discussions or negotiations with any Persons conducted heretofore with respect to any Acquisition Proposal and will use their respective reasonable best efforts to enforce any confidentiality or similar or related agreement relating to any Acquisition Proposal.
8.5      Certain Actions .
(a)    Notwithstanding Section 8.4(a) or any other provision of this Agreement, if at any time following the date of this Agreement and prior to receipt of the Seller Shareholder Approval, (i) Seller or any its Affiliates or Representatives receives an unsolicited, bona fide written Acquisition Proposal from any Person, which Acquisition Proposal did not result from any breach of Section 8.4, and (ii) Seller’s Board of Directors determines in good faith, after consultation with its financial advisor and outside legal counsel, that such Acquisition Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal, and Seller’s Board of Directors determines in good faith after consultation with outside legal counsel, that failure to take such action would be inconsistent with the directors’ fiduciary duties under applicable Law, then Seller’s Board of Directors, directly or indirectly through any Affiliate or Representative, may, subject to compliance with Section 8.5(c) and prior to receipt of the Seller Shareholder Approval, (1)

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thereafter furnish to such Person, in response to a written request therefor, non-public information relating to any Seller Entity pursuant to an executed customary confidentiality agreement that is no less restrictive than the Confidentiality Agreement, and (2) engage or otherwise participate in negotiations or discussions with such Person that has made (and not withdrawn) such Superior Proposal. The Seller Entities shall use their reasonable best efforts to provide any competitively sensitive non-public information to any competitor in connection with the actions permitted by this Section 8.5, only in accordance with “clean room” or other similar procedures, reasonably acceptable to Buyer, intended to limit any adverse effect of the sharing of such information regarding the Seller Entities.

(b)    Seller’s Board of Directors shall not take any of the actions referred to in clauses (1) or (2) of Section 8.5(a) unless Seller shall have delivered to Buyer a prior written notice (no less than twenty-four (24) hours in advance) advising Buyer that Seller intends to take such action. Seller shall notify Buyer promptly (but in no event later than twenty-four (24) hours) after it becomes aware of receipt by it (or any of its Affiliates or Representative) of any Acquisition Proposal. Such notice shall include, and Seller shall continue to provide, (i) a written summary of the material terms and conditions of any such Acquisition Proposal, indication or request not made in writing (including any updates, revisions or supplements thereto) provided to any Seller Entity or any Affiliate or Representative of Seller (including any financing commitments or other materials relating thereto), (ii) an unredacted copy of any Acquisition Proposal made in writing (including any updates, revisions or supplements thereto) provided to any Seller Entity or any Affiliate or Representative of Seller (including any financing commitments or other materials relating thereto) and, in each case, the identity of the Person making such Acquisition Proposal. Seller shall keep Buyer reasonably informed, on a prompt basis (and in any event within twenty-four (24) hours of the occurrence thereof), of the status and material terms of any such Acquisition Proposal, indication or request, including any significant developments, discussions or negotiations regarding any Acquisition Proposal. Seller shall simultaneously provide Buyer with a list of any non-public information concerning the Seller Entities’ business, present or future performance, financial condition or results of operations, provided to any third party, and, to the extent such information has not been previously provided to Buyer, copies of such information. Seller agrees that it will not, and will not permit any Seller Entity to, enter into any confidentiality agreement or other Contract with any Person subsequent to the date hereof which prohibits Seller from complying with its obligations under this Section 8.5.
(c)    Notwithstanding anything in Section 8.4, Seller’s Board of Directors may (i) in the case of Section 8.4(a)(iii) in response to an Acquisition Proposal made after the date hereof and prior to receipt of the Seller Shareholder Approval that did not result from a breach of Section 8.4(a)(i), effect a Change in Seller Recommendation, if Seller’s Board of Directors determines in good faith, after consulting with outside legal counsel and its financial advisor, that (1) failure to take such action would be inconsistent with, or a breach or violation of, the directors’ fiduciary duties under applicable Laws and (2) such Acquisition Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal; and (ii) in the case of Section 8.4(a)(iv), in response to an Acquisition Proposal made after the date hereof and prior to receipt of the Seller

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Shareholder Approval that did not result from a breach of Section 8.4(a)(i), cause or permit Seller to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1(e) and, in connection with such termination, authorize, adopt, approve, recommend or declare advisable such Superior Proposal, and cause or permit Seller to enter into an Acquisition Agreement with respect to such Acquisition Transaction, if Seller’s Board of Directors determines in good faith, after consulting with outside legal counsel and its financial advisor, that (A) failure to take such action would be inconsistent with, or a beach or violation of, the directors’ fiduciary duties under applicable Laws and (B) such Acquisition Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal; provided , however , that prior to affecting any Change in Seller Recommendation and/or termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1(e), (w) Seller has given notice to Buyer, in writing, at least five (5) business days (the “ Notice Period ”) before taking such action, of its intention to take such action with respect to an Acquisition Proposal, which notice shall state expressly that Seller has received an Acquisition Proposal that Seller’s Board of Directors intends to declare a Superior Proposal and that Seller’s Board of Directors intends to make a Change in Seller Recommendation and/or Seller intends to enter into an Acquisition Agreement with respect thereto; (x) Seller attaches to such notice the most current unredacted version of the relevant proposed transaction agreement(s) and a copy of any financing commitments relating thereto and a written summary of the material terms of any Superior Proposal not made in writing, including any financing commitments relating thereto (which version shall be updated on a prompt basis); (y) after providing such notice and prior to terminating this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1(e), Seller shall have, and shall have caused its Affiliates and Representatives to, during the Notice Period, negotiate with Buyer in good faith to make such adjustments in the terms and conditions of this Agreement as would permit Seller not to effect a Change in Seller Recommendation or terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1(e); (z) following the end of such Notice Period, Seller’s Board of Directors shall have considered in good faith any proposed revisions to this Agreement proposed in writing by Buyer, and shall have determined in good faith, after consultation with its financial advisor and outside legal counsel, that the Superior Proposal would continue to constitute a Superior Proposal if such revisions were to be given effect; provided , that, in the event of any material revisions to the Acquisition Proposal that Seller’s Board of Directors has determined to be a Superior Proposal, Seller shall be required to deliver a new written notice to Buyer and to comply with the requirements of this Section 8.5(c) de novo .
8.6      Consents of Regulatory Authorities.
The Parties hereto shall cooperate with each other and use their reasonable efforts to promptly prepare and file all necessary documentation and applications, to effect all applications, notices, petitions and filings and to obtain as promptly as practicable all Consents of all Regulatory Authorities and other Persons which are necessary or advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the Merger). The Parties agree that they will consult with each other with respect to the obtaining of all Consents of all Regulatory Authorities and other Persons necessary or advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and each Party will keep the other apprised of the status of matters relating to the transactions contemplated herein. Each

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Party also shall promptly advise the other upon receiving any communication from any Regulatory Authority whose Consent is required for consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement which causes such Party to believe that there is a reasonable likelihood that any requisite Consent will not be obtained or that the receipt of any such Consent will be materially delayed.
8.7      Agreement as to Efforts to Consummate.
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Party agrees to use, and to cause its Subsidiaries to use, its reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper, or advisable under applicable Laws to consummate and make effective, as soon as reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including using its reasonable efforts to lift or rescind any Order adversely affecting its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated herein and to cause to be satisfied the conditions referred to in Article 10; provided , that nothing herein shall preclude either Party from exercising its rights under this Agreement.
8.8      Filings with State Offices.
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, Seller and Merger Sub shall execute and file a Certificate of Merger and such other documents as may be required to give effect to the Merger and other transactions contemplated in this Agreement in such jurisdictions with the Secretary of State of the State of Georgia in connection with the Closing on the Closing Date.
8.9      Investigation and Confidentiality.
(a)      Prior to the Effective Time, Seller shall keep the Buyer advised of all material developments relevant to its business and to consummation of the Merger and shall permit Buyer or its Representative to make or cause to be made such investigation of its business and properties (including that of its Subsidiaries) and of its financial, tax and legal condition as Buyer reasonably requests, provided , that such investigation shall be reasonably related to the transactions contemplated hereby, shall not interfere unnecessarily with normal operations, and shall be conducted during normal business hours. No investigation by Buyer shall affect the ability of Buyer to rely on the representations and warranties of Seller. Between the date hereof and the Effective Time, Seller shall permit Buyer’s senior officers, outside counsel and independent auditors to meet with the senior officers of Seller, including officers responsible for the Seller Financial Statements, the internal controls of Seller and the disclosure controls and procedures of Seller and Seller’s independent public accountants, to discuss such matters.
(b)      In addition to the Parties’ respective obligations under the Confidentiality Agreement, which are hereby reaffirmed and adopted, and incorporated by reference herein, each Party shall, and shall cause its advisers and agents to, maintain the confidentiality of all confidential information furnished to it by the other Party concerning its and its

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Subsidiaries’ businesses, operations, and financial positions and shall not use such information for any purpose except in furtherance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. If this Agreement is terminated prior to the Effective Time, each Party shall promptly return or certify the destruction of all documents and copies thereof, and all work papers containing confidential information received from the other Party.
(c)      Seller shall use its reasonable efforts to exercise, and shall not waive any of, its rights under confidentiality agreements entered into with Persons which were considering an Acquisition Proposal with respect to Seller to preserve the confidentiality of the information relating to the Seller Entities provided to such Persons and their Affiliates and Representatives.
(d)      Each Party agrees to give the other Party notice as soon as practicable after any determination by it of any fact or occurrence relating to the other Party which it has discovered through the course of its investigation and which represents, or is reasonably likely to represent, either a material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of the other Party or which has had or is reasonably likely to have a Seller Material Adverse Effect or a Buyer Material Adverse Effect, as applicable.
8.10      Press Releases.
Prior to the Effective Time, Seller and Buyer shall obtain the other party’s written consent prior to releasing any press release or other public announcement related to this Agreement or any other negotiation or transaction contemplated hereby; provided , that nothing in this Section 8.10 shall be deemed to prohibit any Party from making any disclosure which its counsel deems necessary in order to satisfy such Party’s disclosure obligations imposed by Law.
8.11      Charter Provisions.
Each Seller Entity shall take all necessary action to ensure that the entering into of this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not result in the grant of any rights to any Person under the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws or other governing instruments of any Seller Entity or restrict or impair the ability of Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries to vote, or otherwise to exercise the rights of a shareholder with respect to, shares of any Seller Entity that may be directly or indirectly acquired or controlled by them.
8.12      State Takeover Laws.
Each Seller Entity shall take all necessary steps to exempt the transactions contemplated by this Agreement from, or if necessary to challenge the validity or applicability of, any applicable Takeover Law.
8.13      Employee Benefits and Contracts; Directors.

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(a)      Following the Effective Time, Buyer shall provide to officers and employees of the Seller Entities who continue employment with Buyer after the Effective Time employee benefits under employee benefit and welfare plans (other than stock option or other plans involving the potential issuance of Buyer Common Stock), on terms and conditions which when taken as a whole are substantially similar to those currently provided by the Buyer Entities to their similarly situated officers and employees. For purposes of participation, vesting and (except in the case of Buyer retirement plans) benefit accrual under Buyer’s employee benefit plans, the service of the employees of the Seller Entities prior to the Effective Time shall be treated as service with a Buyer Entity participating in such employee benefit plans, provided however, that no duplication of benefits shall occur. Subject to Section 8.13(b), Buyer also shall cause the Surviving Subsidiary to honor in accordance with their terms all employment, severance, consulting and other compensation Contracts disclosed in Section 8.13(a) of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum to Buyer between any Seller Entity and any current or former director, officer, or employee thereof, and all provisions for vested benefits or other vested amounts earned or accrued through the Effective Time under the Seller Benefit Plans.
(b)      Nothing in this Agreement (i) shall require Buyer or any Buyer Entity to continue to employ or make an offer of employment to any particular employee of Seller or any Seller Entity, except for those officers of Seller listed on Section 8.13(b) of the Buyer Disclosure Memorandum, following the Effective Time, or (ii) subject to Section 8.13(a), shall be construed to prohibit any Buyer Entity from amending or terminating any Seller Benefit Plan. Except as set forth in Section 12.14 hereof, no provisions of this Agreement shall create any third party beneficiary rights in any employee of any Seller Entity, any beneficiary or dependent thereof, or any collective bargaining representative thereof, with respect to the compensation, terms and conditions of employment and benefits that may be provided to any employee of any Seller Entity by Buyer, Buyer Entity, or any of their Affiliates or under any benefit plan which any of them may maintain, or otherwise. No provision of this Agreement shall operate as an amendment to any benefit plan maintained by any Buyer Entity or Seller Entity.
(c)      Any Non-Offer Employee shall be paid by Buyer immediately following such Person’s separation from employment by Seller or Buyer, as applicable, as severance, an amount equal to the product of (i) the number of whole years of service such Non-Offer Employee has been employed by any Seller Entity times (ii) (x) two (2) weeks base salary if such Non-Offer Employee is a non-officer, or (y) three (3) weeks base salary if such Non-Offer Employee is an officer not already subject to a change of control or employment agreement; provided, that each Non-Offer Employee shall receive a severance payment in an amount not less than five (5) times such Person’s weekly base salary and no Non-Offer Employee shall receive a severance payment in an amount greater than eighteen (18) times such Person’s weekly base salary. Buyer shall be entitled to withhold any applicable Taxes from payments made pursuant to this Section 8.13(c). Such payments shall be made through a Seller Entity’s or a Buyer Entity’s payroll.

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(d)      Upon the execution of this Agreement, each of Seller’s non-officer directors shall execute and deliver agreements not to compete with Seller or Buyer or any Buyer Entity upon terms and conditions in the form and substance set forth in Exhibit 4, (the “ Director’s Agreements ”).
(e)      Upon request from Buyer, no later than five (5) days before the Closing Date and at Seller’s cost, Seller shall take all actions necessary (including providing notice to third-party insurers, service providers and participants) to terminate such Seller Benefit Plan as requested by Buyer, with such termination effective no later than the day preceding the Closing Date. No later than the date immediately prior to the Closing Date, Seller shall provide Buyer with evidence that the Board of Directors of Seller has terminated each such Seller Benefit Plan, as requested by Buyer, pursuant to resolutions of the Board of Directors of Seller with such terminations being effective as of no later than the day immediately preceding the Closing Date. The form and substance of such resolutions shall be subject to the review and reasonable approval of Buyer.
(f)    If employees of any Seller Entity become eligible to participate in a medical, dental or other health plan of a Buyer Entity upon a date other than the last day of the plan year of the corresponding medical, dental or other health plan of the Seller Entity, the Buyer Entity shall cause each such plan of the Buyer Entity to: (i) waive any preexisting condition limitations to the extent such conditions are covered under the applicable medical, dental or other health plan of the Buyer Entity, (ii) provide full credit under such plan for any deductible, co-payment and out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the employees of the Seller Entity and their beneficiaries during the portion of the plan year of the applicable medical, dental or other health plan of the Seller Entity prior to such participation in such plan of the Buyer Entity; and (iii) waive any waiting period limitation or evidence of insurability requirement which would otherwise be applicable to such employee, in each case to the extent such employee had satisfied any similar limitation or requirement under the corresponding plan of the Seller Entity.

8.14      D&O Indemnification.
(a)      For a period of six (6) years after the Effective Time, Buyer shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the present and former directors, officers and employees of the Seller Entities (each, an “ Indemnified Party ”) against all Liabilities arising out of actions or omissions arising out of the Indemnified Party’s service or services as directors, officers or employees of Seller or, at Seller’s request, of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise occurring at or prior to the Effective Time (including the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) to the fullest extent permitted under the GBCC and by Seller’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws as in effect on the date hereof, including provisions relating to advances of expenses incurred in the defense of any Litigation and whether or not any Buyer Entity is insured against any such matter. Without limiting the foregoing, in any case in which approval by the Surviving Company is required to effectuate any indemnification, the Surviving Company shall direct, at the election of the Indemnified

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Party that the determination of any such approval shall be made by independent counsel mutually agreed upon between Buyer and the Indemnified Party.
(b)      At or prior to the Effective Time, Buyer shall (and Seller shall cooperate prior to the Effective Time in these efforts) purchase a non-rescindable extended reporting period for Seller’s existing directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy with a duration of up to six (6) years after the Effective Time ( provided, that Buyer may substitute therefore (i) policies of at least the same coverage and amounts containing terms and conditions which are substantially no less advantageous or (ii) with the consent of Seller given prior to the Effective Time, any other policy) with respect to claims arising from facts or events which occurred prior to the Effective Time and covering persons who are currently covered by such insurance; provided , that Buyer shall not be obligated to make aggregate annual premium payments for such six-year period in respect of such policy (or coverage replacing such policy) which exceed, for the portion related to Seller’s directors and officers, 300% of the annual premium payments on Seller’s current policy in effect as of the date of this Agreement (the “ Maximum Amount ”). If the amount of the premiums necessary to maintain or procure such insurance coverage exceeds the Maximum Amount, Buyer shall use its reasonable efforts to maintain the most advantageous policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance obtainable for a premium equal to the Maximum Amount.
(c)      Any Indemnified Party wishing to claim indemnification under paragraph (a) of this Section 8.14, upon learning of any such Liability or Litigation, shall promptly notify Buyer thereof; provided, that failure to provide such notice shall not relieve Buyer of its obligations pursuant to this Section unless such failure materially prejudices Buyer. In the event of any such Litigation (whether arising before or after the Effective Time), (i) Buyer shall have the right to assume the defense thereof and Buyer shall not be liable to such Indemnified Parties for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Parties in connection with the defense thereof, except that if Buyer elects not to assume such defense or counsel for the Indemnified Parties advises that there are substantive issues which raise conflicts of interest between Buyer and the Indemnified Parties, the Indemnified Parties may retain counsel satisfactory to them, and Buyer shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel for the Indemnified Parties promptly as statements therefore are received; provided , that Buyer shall be obligated pursuant to this paragraph (c) to pay for only one firm of counsel for all Indemnified Parties in any jurisdiction; (ii) the Indemnified Parties will cooperate in the defense of any such Litigation; and (iii) Buyer shall not be liable for any settlement effected without its prior written consent and which does not provide for a complete and irrevocable release of all Buyer’s Entities and their respective directors, officers and controlling persons, employees, agents and Representatives; and provided further, that Buyer shall not have any obligation hereunder to any Indemnified Party when and if a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine, and such determination shall have become final, that the indemnification of such Indemnified Party in the manner contemplated hereby is prohibited by applicable Law.
(d)      If Buyer or any successors or assigns shall consolidate with or merge into any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving Person of such consolidation

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or merger or shall transfer all or substantially all of its assets to any Person, then and in each case, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of Buyer shall assume the obligations set forth in this Section 8.14.
(e)      The provisions of this Section 8.14 are intended to be for the benefit of and shall be enforceable by, each Indemnified Party and their respective heirs and legal and personal representatives.
8.15      Trust Preferred Securities.
Prior to the Effective Time, Buyer and Seller shall take all actions necessary for Buyer to enter into, and Buyer shall enter into, supplemental indentures with the trustee(s) of the indentures for Seller’s outstanding floating rate junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures (the “ Seller Debentures ”) issued in connection with the issuance of the trust securities of CBS Financial Capital Trust I and CBS Financial Capital Trust II in order to evidence the assumption by Buyer of such indentures as of the Effective Time. The form of the supplemental indenture shall be reasonably acceptable to Buyer, and, pursuant to such supplemental indenture, Buyer will agree to assume the covenants, agreements and obligations of Seller under the indenture, including the obligations to make all payments when due in respect of the Seller Debentures.
8.16      Delivery of Seller Disclosure Memorandum and Disclosure Supplements.
Seller has delivered to Buyer a complete Seller Disclosure Memorandum as of this date of this Agreement, and from time to time prior to the Effective Time, Seller will promptly supplement or amend the Seller Disclosure Memorandum delivered in connection herewith with respect to any matter hereafter arising which, if existing, occurring or known at the date of this Agreement, would have been required to be set forth or described in such Seller Disclosure Memorandum or which is necessary to correct any information in such Seller Disclosure Memorandum which has been rendered materially inaccurate thereby. No supplement or amendment to such Seller Disclosure Memorandum shall have any effect for the purpose of determining satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Article 10.
8.17      Additional Actions.
If, at any time after the Effective Time, Buyer or Merger Sub shall consider or be advised that any further deeds, assignments or assurances in law or any other acts are necessary or desirable to (i) vest, perfect or confirm, of records or otherwise, in Buyer or Merger Sub their right, title or interest in, to or under any of the rights, properties or assets of any Seller Entity, or (ii) otherwise carry out the purposes of this Agreement, each Seller Entity and their officers and directors shall be deemed to have granted to Buyer or Merger Sub, as applicable, an irrevocable power of attorney to execute and deliver all such deeds, assignments or assurances in law or take any other acts as necessary or desirable to (a) vest, perfect or confirm, of record or otherwise, in Buyer or Merger Sub their right, title or interest in, to or under any of the rights, properties or assets of any Seller Entity or (b) otherwise carry out the purposes of this Agreement, and the officers and directors of Buyer or Merger

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Sub, as applicable, are authorized in the name of any Seller Entity or otherwise to take any and all such action.

ARTICLE 9     
TAX MATTERS

9.1      S Corporation Status.
(a)      On or prior to the Closing Date, Seller shall not permit any of the holders of Seller Common Stock to revoke Seller’s election to be Taxed as an “S corporation,” or take or allow any action or fail to take any action that would result in the termination of Seller’s status as a validly electing “S corporation” within the meaning of Sections 1361 and 1362 of the Code, or the termination of any Seller Subsidiary’s status as a ‘‘qualified subchapter S subsidiary’’ within the meaning of Section 1361(b)(3)(B) of the Code.
(b)      If any Tax authority determines or proposes to determine that Seller did not have a valid election in effect under Section 1362(a) of the Code to be treated as an S corporation as of the Closing Date (without regard to the transfer of Seller Common Stock under this Agreement), Seller, on behalf of the holders of Seller Common Stock, shall cooperate with Buyer, and use commercially reasonable efforts, to obtain from the IRS a waiver of the termination and reinstatement of such S corporation status through the Closing Date pursuant to Section 1362(f) or any similar relief available with respect to state and local income taxation. In the event of such a challenge to the S corporation status of Seller, Seller, on behalf of the holders of Seller Common Stock, shall promptly take all steps pursuant to Section 1362(f)(3) of the Code, and shall make such adjustments as may be required by the IRS pursuant to Section 1362(f)(4) as a condition of obtaining such waiver and reinstating the S corporation status through the Closing Date (and any similar adjustments required under analogous state and local Tax provisions. The holders of Seller Common Stock shall bear the entire expense of procuring the waiver and reinstatement of the S status of the Company described above, including the legal, accounting, and Tax costs of taking such steps and of making such adjustments as may be required.
9.2      338(h)(10) Election.
Provided all of the holders of Seller Common Stock consent to the 338(h)(10) Election in accordance with this Agreement, Buyer shall join Seller in the making of a timely, irrevocable and effective election under Section 338(h)(10) of the Code and any and all similar provisions of state law with respect to the transactions contemplated herein (the 338(h)(10) Election ”).
9.3           Tax Returns.

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Provided all of the holders of Seller Common Stock consent to the 338(h)(10) Election or the Merger is restructured in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.4, the parties agree as follows:
(a)      If applicable, Buyer shall prepare, execute and deliver to Seller promptly following the date of this Agreement and at least five (5) days prior to the Closing Date such documents and forms as shall be reasonably requested by Seller or as are required by applicable law for an effective 338(h)(10) Election, including, without limitation, IRS form 8023 (together with any schedules or attachments thereto) or any successor form required pursuant to applicable Treasury regulations and any applicable state form (collectively, the “ Election Form ” ). Seller shall cause the Election Forms to be properly completed by the holders of Seller Common Stock to the extent pertaining to such holders of Seller Common Stock and duly executed by each of the holders of Seller Common Stock at Closing. Buyer shall duly and timely file the Election Form as prescribed by the instructions issued by the IRS to such form or the corresponding provisions of applicable state, local or foreign income Tax law.
(b)      Within ninety (90) calendar days after the Closing Date, Buyer shall provide Seller’s Representative a complete IRS form 8594 or form 8883, as applicable, which shall include a proposed schedule (the “ Allocation Schedule ”) allocating the Purchase Price plus assumed liabilities plus all other items comprising the “adjusted grossed up basis” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation §1.338-5) among the deemed sale of assets resulting from the making of the 338(h)(10) Election or the deemed purchase of the assets, as the case may be. The allocation set forth in such Allocation Schedule shall comply with the rules of Sections 338 and 1060 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. The Allocation Schedule shall become final and binding on the parties hereto fifteen (15) calendar days after Buyer provides such schedule to Seller’s Representative, unless Seller’s Representative objects in writing to Buyer, specifying the basis for its objection and preparing an alternative allocation. If Seller’s Representative does object, Buyer and Seller shall in good faith attempt to resolve the dispute within fifteen (15) calendar days of written notice to Buyer of Seller’s Representative’s objection. Any such resolution shall be final and binding on the parties hereto. Any unresolved disputes shall be promptly submitted to the Accounting Arbitrator for determination, with such determination being final and binding on the parties hereto. Buyer shall pay the fees and expenses of the Accounting Arbitrator. Buyer and Seller shall cooperate with each other and the Accounting Arbitrator in connection with the matters contemplated by this Section 9.3, including, without limitation, by furnishing such information and access to books, records (including, without limitation, accountants work papers), personnel and properties as may be reasonably requested.
(c)      Each of the parties hereto agrees to (i) prepare and timely file all Tax Returns, including, without limitation, IRS form 8594, and form 8883 (and all supplements thereto) in a manner consistent with the Allocation Schedule as finalized and (ii) act in accordance with the Allocation Schedule for all Tax purposes, except as otherwise required by Law.

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(d)      Seller’s Representative shall prepare and file the S election termination or revocation Tax Return, form 1120S, U.S. Income Tax Return for an S Corporation, of the Seller, for any period ending on or before the Closing Date, and any related state or local income Tax Return of the Seller; in each case consistent with the agreements as to tax treatment and the Allocation Schedule reached by the Parties in this Section 9.3 . The selling shareholders shall be liable for any Taxes due on any such Tax Returns covered by this subsection (e).
(e)      Seller’s Representative, on the one hand, and the Buyer and Seller, on the other, shall provide each other with such cooperation and access to information as either of them reasonably may request of the other in connection with the preparation and filing of any Tax Return pursuant to subsection (e) or in connection with any audit or other action in respect of any such Tax Return. Such cooperation and information shall include providing copies of relevant Tax Returns or portions thereof, together with accompanying schedules, related work papers and documents relating to rulings or other determinations by tax authorities. Each of Seller’s Representative, on the one hand, and Buyer and Seller, on the other, shall retain all Tax Returns, schedules and work papers, records and other documents in its possession relating to any Pre-Closing Tax matters of the Seller, including Tax matters relating to Tax Returns prepared and filed in accordance with subsection (e), for any taxable period beginning before the Closing Date until the expiration of the statute of limitations of the taxable periods to which such Tax Returns and other documents relate, without regard to extensions except to the extent notified by the other party in writing of such extensions for the respective Tax periods. Prior to transferring, destroying or discarding any Tax Returns, schedules and work papers, records and other documents in its possession relating to Tax matters of the Seller for any taxable period beginning before the Closing Date, Seller’s Representative, Buyer and Seller (as the case may be) shall provide the other applicable Party or Parties with reasonable written notice and offer the other applicable Party or Parties the opportunity to take custody of such materials.
(f)      Prior to the Closing Date, Seller shall pay for the preparation and review of such Tax Returns, schedules, and related forms as are required to be prepared and/or field by Seller’s Representative pursuant to this Section 9.3.
9.4      338(h)(10) Payments.
In the event the Seller shall obtain the unanimous consent of the holders of Seller Common Stock to make a 338(h)(10) Election in accordance with this Agreement, Seller shall make (a) a distribution of $0.50 for each outstanding share of Seller Common Stock (excluding shares covered under Seller Stock Options and Seller SARs) (the “ 338(h)(10) Distribution ) and (b) a cash payment to each holder of a Seller Stock Option or Seller SAR equal to $0.50 times the number of shares of Seller Common Stock subject to such Seller Stock Option or Seller SAR (the “ 338(h)(10) Option Payments ). The 338(h)(10) Distribution and the 338(h)(10) Option Payments shall be made by the Seller at or immediately prior to the Effective Time. In the event, however, should Seller fail to obtain the unanimous consent of the holders of Seller Common Stock to make a 338(h)(10) Election

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pursuant to Section 7.1(g), the Seller shall not make the 338(h)(10) Distribution or the 338(h)(10) Option Payments.
ARTICLE 10     
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS TO CONSUMMATE

10.1      Conditions to Obligations of Each Party.
The respective obligations of each Party to perform this Agreement and to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, unless waived by both Parties pursuant to Section 12.6:
(a)      Seller Shareholder Approval . The shareholders of Seller Common Stock shall have approved this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, as and to the extent required by Law and by the provisions of Seller’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.
(b)      Regulatory Approvals . All Consents of, filings and registrations with, and notifications to, all Regulatory Authorities required for consummation of the Merger shall have been obtained or made and shall be in full force and effect and all waiting periods required by Law shall have expired.
(c)      Legal Proceedings . No Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any Law or Order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) or taken any other action which prohibits, restricts or makes illegal the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
(d)      OCC Dividend Approval . CharterBank shall have received approval from the OCC to make a dividend distribution to Buyer for purposes of satisfying the transactions contemplated in this Agreement.
10.2      Conditions to Obligations of Buyer and Merger Sub.
The obligations of Buyer and Merger Sub to perform this Agreement and consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, unless waived by Buyer pursuant to Section 12.6(a):
(a)      Representations and Warranties . For purposes of this Section 10.2(a), the accuracy of the representations and warranties of Seller set forth in this Agreement shall be assessed as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Effective Time with the same effect as though all such representations and warranties had been made on and as of the Effective Time ( provided that representations and warranties which are confined to a specified date shall speak only as of such date). The representations and warranties set forth in Sections 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.9(h) and (i), 5.30, 5.31, 5.32, 5.33 and the first sentence of Section 5.8

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shall be true and correct in all respects (except for inaccuracies which are de minimis in amount). There shall not exist inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of Seller set forth in this Agreement (including the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.9(h) and (i), 5.30, 5.31, 5.32, 5.33 and the first sentence of Section 5.8) such that the aggregate effect of such inaccuracies has, or is reasonably likely to have, a Seller Material Adverse Effect; provided that, for purposes of this sentence only, those representations and warranties which are qualified by references to “material” or “Material Adverse Effect” or to the “Knowledge” of any Person shall be deemed not to include such qualifications.
(b)      Performance of Agreements and Covenants . Each and all of the agreements and covenants of Seller to be performed and complied with pursuant to this Agreement and the other agreements contemplated hereby prior to the Effective Time shall have been duly performed and complied with in all material respects.
(c)      Certificates . Seller shall have delivered to Buyer (i) a certificate, dated as of the Effective Time and signed on its behalf by its chief executive officer and its chief financial officer, to the effect that the conditions set forth in Sections 10.1(a), 10.2(a) and 10.2(b) have been satisfied, and (ii) certified copies of resolutions duly adopted by Seller’s Board of Directors and shareholders evidencing the taking of all corporate action necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, all in such reasonable detail as Buyer and its counsel shall request.
(d)      Regulatory Consents. No Consent obtained from any Regulatory Authority which is necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby shall be conditioned or restricted in a manner (including requirements relating to the raising of additional capital or the disposition of Assets) which in the reasonable judgment of the Board of Directors of Buyer would so materially adversely affect the economic or business benefits of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that, had such condition or requirement been known, Buyer would not, in its reasonable judgment, have entered into this Agreement. No Consent of any Regulatory Authority shall impose upon Buyer or CharterBank any reporting or compliance obligations to which they are not subject as of the date hereof and which Buyer deems in its reasonable judgment to be material and burdensome.
(e)      Third Party Consents. Seller shall have obtained, in a form reasonably satisfactory to Buyer, the Consents listed on Section 10.2(e) of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum except for Consents to the assignment of such agreements that Buyer determines prior to the Effective Time to terminate at or following the Effective Time.
(f)      Support Agreements, Director’s Agreements, Claims Letters . Each of the (i) directors (including director emeritus) of Seller that are beneficial owners of any shares of Seller Common Stock and (ii) Executive Officers of Seller that are beneficial owners of any shares of Seller Common Stock, shall have executed and delivered to Buyer Support Agreements in the form of Exhibit 3 hereto, each of the non-officer directors of Seller shall have executed and delivered to Buyer Director’s Agreements in the form of Exhibits 4 hereto,

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and each of the directors and Executive Officers of Seller shall have executed and delivered to Buyer Claims Letters in the form of Exhibit 5 hereto.
(g)      Notices of Dissent . Holders of an aggregate of no more than ten percent (10.0%) of the outstanding shares of Seller Common Stock have delivered notice of their intent to exercise their statutory right to dissent with respect hereto.
(h)      Seller Material Adverse Effect . There shall not have been any Seller Material Adverse Effect between the date hereof and the Closing Date, and Buyer shall have received a certificate dated as of the Closing Date, signed by Seller, to such effect.
(i)      Receipt of the IRS Tax Representation .  Buyer shall have received from Seller evidence from the IRS reasonably acceptable to Buyer that Community Bank of the South is deemed to have been a Qualified Subchapter S Subsidiary of Seller since the tax year ended December 31, 2004.
10.3      Conditions to Obligations of Seller.
The obligations of Seller to perform this Agreement and consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, unless waived by Seller pursuant to Section 12.6(b):
(a)      Representations and Warranties . For purposes of this Section 10.3(a), the accuracy of the representations and warranties of Buyer and Merger Sub set forth in this Agreement shall be assessed as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Effective Time with the same effect as though all such representations and warranties had been made on and as of the Effective Time ( provided that representations and warranties which are confined to a specified date shall speak only as of such date). The representations and warranties set forth in Section 6.3 shall be true and correct in all respects (except for inaccuracies which are de minimis in amount). There shall not exist inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of Buyer set forth in this Agreement (including the representations and warranties set forth in Section 6.3) such that the aggregate effect of such inaccuracies has, or is reasonably likely to have, a Buyer Material Adverse Effect; provided that, for purposes of this sentence only, those representations and warranties which are qualified by references to “material” or “Material Adverse Effect” or to the “Knowledge” of any Person shall be deemed not to include such qualifications.
(b)      Performance of Agreements and Covenants . Each and all of the agreements and covenants of Buyer and Merger Sub to be performed and complied with pursuant to this Agreement and the other agreements contemplated hereby prior to the Effective Time shall have been duly performed and complied with in all material respects.
(c)      Certificates . Buyer shall have delivered to Seller (i) a certificate, dated as of the Effective Time and signed on its behalf and on behalf of Merger Sub, as its sole member, by Buyer’s chief executive officer and its chief financial officer, to the effect that the conditions set forth in Sections 10.3(a) and 10.3(b) have been satisfied, and (ii) certified

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copies of resolutions duly adopted by Buyer’s Board of Directors evidencing the taking of all corporate action, by both Buyer and Merger Sub, necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, all in such reasonable detail as Seller and its counsel shall request.
(d)      Buyer Material Adverse Effect . There shall not have been any Buyer Material Adverse Effect between the date hereof and the Closing Date, and Buyer shall have received a certificate dated as of the Closing Date, signed by Seller, to such effect.
ARTICLE 11     
TERMINATION
11.1      Termination.
This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, notwithstanding receipt of the Seller Shareholder Approval (except as otherwise specified in this Section 11.1):
(a)      by mutual written consent of Buyer and Seller;
(b)      by either Buyer or Seller:
(i)      (A) if the Merger shall not have been consummated on or before June 30, 2016, (the “ Outside Date ”), or (B) if a vote of the shareholders of Seller is taken and Seller fails to obtain the Seller Shareholder Approval; provided , that, neither Party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 11.1(b)(i) if the failure of such party to perform or comply in all material respects with the covenants and agreements of such party set forth in this Agreement shall have been the cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the Merger to be consummated by the Outside Date; or
(ii)      if any Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any Law or Order prohibiting any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and such Law or Order shall have become final and nonappealable; provided , that the party seeking to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 11.1(b)(ii) shall have used its reasonable best efforts to contest, appeal and remove such Law or Order in accordance with Sections 8.6 and 8.7.
(c)      by Buyer if Seller shall have breached or failed to perform any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement, which breach or failure to perform, either individually or in the aggregate, if occurring or continuing at the Effective Time (A) would result in the failure of any of the conditions set forth in Section 10.2(a), (b) or (i) (a “ Seller Terminating Breach ” ) and (B) cannot be or has not been cured or has not been waived by the earlier of (1) the Outside Date or (2) thirty (30) days after the giving of written notice to Seller of such breach or failure; provided , that Buyer shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 11.1(c) if a Buyer Terminating Breach shall have occurred and be continuing;

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(d)      by Seller if Buyer shall have breached or failed to perform any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement, which breach or failure to perform, either individually or in the aggregate, if occurring or continuing at the Effective Time (A) would result in the failure of any of the conditions set forth in Section 10.3(a) or (b) (a “ Buyer Terminating Breach ”) and (B) cannot be or has not been cured or has not been waived by the earlier of (1) the Outside Date or (2) thirty (30) days after the giving of written notice to Buyer of such breach or failure; provided , that Seller shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 11.1(d) if a Seller Terminating Breach shall have occurred and be continuing;
(e)      by Seller, at any time prior to the approval of this Agreement by the shareholders of Seller, for the purpose of entering into an Acquisition Agreement in compliance with the requirements set forth in Section 8.5, provided that Seller is not in material breach of any of its obligations under Section 8.4 or Section 8.5 of this Agreement;
(f)      by Buyer (on behalf of itself and Merger Sub), if (i) Seller’s board of directors determines that an Acquisition Proposal continues to be a Superior Proposal after the Notice Period pursuant to Section 8.5, (ii) Seller breaches its obligations under this Agreement by failing to comply in all material respects with Section 8.2, (iii) after mailing the Proxy Statement in accordance with Section 8.2, Seller effects a Change in Seller Recommendation, or (iv) Seller’s board of directors has authorized, recommended or publicly announced its intention to authorize or recommend any Acquisition Proposal with any person other than Buyer or Merger Sub or if Seller otherwise breaches, in any material respect, its obligations under Section 8.4 or 8.5 of this Agreement; or
(g)      by Buyer (on behalf of itself and Merger Sub) if holders of more than 10.0% of the shares of Seller Common Stock outstanding at any time prior to the Closing Date exercise dissenters’ rights pursuant to Article 13 of the GBCC.
(h)      For clarification, the failure of Seller to obtain the unanimous consent of the holders of Seller Common Stock to make a 338(h)(10) Election pursuant to Section 7.1(g) shall in no event directly or indirectly give the Seller a termination right under this Section 11.1.
11.2      Effect of Termination.
(a)      In the event of the termination and abandonment of this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1, this Agreement shall become void and have no effect, except that (i) the provisions of Sections 8.9(b), 11.2, 12.2 and 12.3 shall survive any such termination and abandonment, and (ii) no such termination shall relieve the breaching Party from Liability resulting from any breach by that Party of this Agreement.
(b)      In the event that (A) a Pre-Termination Takeover Proposal Event (as defined below) shall occur after the date of this Agreement and thereafter this Agreement is terminated by either Buyer or Seller pursuant to Section 11.1(b)(i)(B) or by Buyer pursuant to Section 11.1(c) as a result of a willful breach by Seller and (B) prior to the date that is

59




twelve (12) months after the date of such termination Seller enters into a definitive agreement with respect to, or consummates, an Acquisition Proposal with the party (or its affiliate) that gave rise to the Pre-Termination Takeover Proposal Event, then Seller shall, on the earlier of the date of such definitive agreement is executed or such Acquisition Proposal is consummated, pay Buyer a fee equal to the sum of $3,000,000 (the “ Termination Fee ”). The Termination Fee shall be paid by wire transfer within ten (10) days of the date of such termination and shall be paid in lieu of the Expense Fee described in Section 12.2.
(c)      In the event that this Agreement is terminated by Buyer pursuant to Section 11.1(f) or by Seller pursuant to Section 11.1(e), then Seller shall pay to Buyer the Termination Fee by wire transfer within ten (10) days of the date of such termination.
(d)      For purposes of this Section 11.2, a “Pre-Termination Takeover Proposal Event” (a “ Pre-Termination Takeover Proposal Event ”) shall be deemed to occur if, prior to the event giving rise to the right to terminate this Agreement, an Acquisition Proposal shall have been made known to the senior management or board of directors of Seller or shall have been made directly to its shareholders generally, or any person reasonably qualified to consummate an Acquisition Proposal shall have publicly announced an intention (whether or not conditional) to make an Acquisition Proposal, and such Acquisition Proposal or public announcement shall not have been irrevocably withdrawn not less than five (5) business days prior to (i) the date of the special meeting and Seller’s shareholders fail to approve this Agreement at such meeting (with respect to a termination pursuant to Section 11.1(b)(i)(B)) and the Seller Recommendation have not been reaffirmed by the Seller after such public announcement, or (ii) or the date of termination (with respect to a termination pursuant to Section 11.1(c)).
(e)      For purposes of this Section 11.2, all references in the definition of Acquisition Proposal to “25%” shall instead refer to “50%”.
ARTICLE 12     
MISCELLANEOUS
12.1      Definitions.
(a)      The capitalized terms set forth below have been defined herein in the respective sections or other parts hereof as set forth below:

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Term
Page
 
Term
Page
338(h)(10) Distribution
54
 
Loan Tape
17
338(h)(10) Election
52
 
Maximum Amount
49
338(h)(10) Option Payment
54
 
Merger
1
Agreement
1
 
Merger 2
2
Allocation Schedule
52
 
Merger Consideration
4
Allowance
17
 
Notice Period
44
Bank Merger
2
 
OCC
1
Buyer
1
 
Outside Date
57
Buyer Terminating Breach
58
 
Owned Real Property
19
CERCLA
64
 
PATRIOT Act
33
Certificates
6
 
Paying Agent
6
Closing
1
 
Personal Property
20
Closing Date
2
 
Pre-Termination Takeover Proposal Event
59
Continued Business Operations
37
 
Director’s Agreements
48
 
RCRA
64
DOL
24
 
Real Property Leases
19
Effective Time
2
 
Seller
1
Election Form
52
 
Seller Benefit Plans
24
Expense Fee
71
 
Seller Contracts
28
FRB
1
 
Seller Debentures
50
GBCC
1
 
Seller ERISA Plan
24
Indemnified Party
49
 
Seller Shareholder Approval
42
IRS
25
 
Seller Stock Option
5
Junior Subordinated Debt
10
 
Seller Terminating Breach
58
Leased Premises
19
 
Surviving Subsidiary
2
Loan Documentation
17
 
Takeover Laws
31
Loan Sale Agreement
17
 
Termation Fee
59

(b)      Except as otherwise provided herein, the capitalized terms set forth below shall have the following meanings:
Acquisition Agreement means any letter of intent, agreement in principle, definitive agreement, or other similar agreement related to any Acquisition Transaction.
Acquisition Proposal means any proposal (whether communicated to Seller or publicly announced to Seller’s shareholders) by any Person (other than Buyer or any of its Affiliates) for an Acquisition Transaction involving Seller or any of its present or future consolidated Subsidiaries, or any combination of such Subsidiaries, the assets of which constitute twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the consolidated assets of Seller as reflected on Seller’s consolidated statement of condition prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Acquisition Transaction means any transaction or series of related transactions (other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) involving: (i) any acquisition or purchase from Seller by any Person or Group (other than Buyer or any of its Affiliates) of twenty-five percent (25%) or more in interest of the total outstanding voting securities

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of Seller or any of its Subsidiaries, or any tender offer or exchange offer that if consummated would result in any Person or Group (other than Buyer or any of its Affiliates) beneficially owning twenty-five percent (25%) or more in interest of the total outstanding voting securities of Seller or any of its Subsidiaries, or any merger, consolidation, business combination or similar transaction involving Seller pursuant to which the shareholders of Seller immediately preceding such transaction hold less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the equity interests in the surviving or resulting entity (which includes the parent corporation of any constituent corporation to any such transaction) of such transaction; (ii) any sale or lease (other than in the ordinary course of business), or exchange, transfer, license (other than in the ordinary course of business), acquisition or disposition of ten percent (10%) or more of the assets of Seller; or (iii) any liquidation or dissolution of Seller.
Affiliate of a Person means: (i) any other Person directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person; (ii) any officer, director, partner, employer, or direct or indirect beneficial owner of any ten percent (10%) or greater equity or voting interest of such Person; or (iii) any other Person for which a Person described in clause (ii) acts in any such capacity.
Assets of a Person means all of the assets, properties, businesses and rights of such Person of every kind, nature, character and description, whether real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, accrued or contingent, or otherwise relating to or utilized in such Person’s business, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, whether or not carried on the books and records of such Person, and whether or not owned in the name of such Person or any Affiliate of such Person and wherever located.
BHC Act means the federal Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended.
Buyer Common Stock means the $0.01 par value common stock of Buyer.
Buyer Entities means, collectively, Buyer, Merger Sub and all Buyer Subsidiaries.
Buyer Financial Advisor means FIG Partners, LLC.
Buyer Material Adverse Effect means an event, change or occurrence which, individually or together with any other event, change or occurrence, has a material adverse effect on the ability of Buyer to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, provided that “Buyer Material Adverse Effect” shall not be deemed to include the effects of (A) changes in banking and other Laws of general applicability or interpretations thereof by Governmental Authorities, (B) changes in GAAP or regulatory accounting principles generally applicable to banks and their holding companies (including the enforcement, interpretation and implementation thereof), (C) actions and omissions of Buyer (or any of its Subsidiaries) taken pursuant to this Agreement or with the prior written Consent of Seller in contemplation of the transactions contemplated hereby, (D) the direct effects of compliance with this Agreement on the operating performance of Buyer, including expenses incurred by Buyer in consummating the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (E)

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effects of general economic, financial or securities market or political conditions in the United States or any other country or region, (F) effects demonstrably shown to have been proximately caused by the public announcement of, and the response or reaction of customers, vendors, licensors, investors or employees of Buyer to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (G) failure of Buyer to meet revenue or earnings predictions, or (H) hurricanes and other storms which occurred prior to the date of this Agreement.
Certificate of Merger shall mean the Certificate of Merger filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Georgia as contemplated by Section 1.5 of this Agreement.
Change in Seller Recommendation means any (i) withdrawal, qualification, modification, proposal to withdraw, qualify, or modify, in any manner adverse to Buyer, or refusal to approve or recommend the approval or recommendation by Seller’s Board of Directors of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby, (ii) approval, endorsement, or recommendation by Seller’s Board of Directors of an Acquisition Proposal (or, in the case of a tender offer or exchange offer, failure to promptly recommend rejection of such offer) or (iii) proposal to approve, endorse, or recommend any Acquisition Proposal.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Confidentiality Agreement means that certain Confidentiality Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2015, by and between Seller and Buyer.
Consent means any consent, approval, authorization, clearance, exemption, waiver or similar affirmation by any Person pursuant to any Contract, Law, Order or Permit.
Contract means any written or oral agreement, arrangement, authorization, commitment, contract, indenture, instrument, lease, license, obligation, plan, practice, restriction, understanding, or undertaking of any kind or character, or other document to which any Person is a party or that is binding on any Person or its capital stock, Assets or business.
Default means (i) any breach or violation of, default under, contravention of, or conflict with, any Contract, Law, Order, or Permit, (ii) any occurrence of any event that with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a breach or violation of, default under, contravention of, or conflict with, any Contract, Law, Order, or Permit, or (iii) any occurrence of any event that with or without the passage of time or the giving of notice would give rise to a right of any Person to exercise any remedy or obtain any relief under, terminate or revoke, suspend, cancel, or modify or change the current terms of, or renegotiate, or to accelerate the maturity or performance of, or to increase or impose any Liability under, any Contract, Law, Order, or Permit.
Derivative Transactions means any swap transaction, option, warrant, forward purchase or sale transaction, futures transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction or collar

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transaction relating to one or more currencies, commodities, bonds, equity securities, loans, interest rates, prices, values, or other financial or nonfinancial assets, credit-related events or conditions or any indexes, or any other similar transaction or combination of any of these transactions, including collateralized mortgage obligations or other similar instruments or any debt or equity instruments evidencing or embedding any such types of transactions, and any related credit support, collateral or other similar arrangements related to such transactions.
Employee Benefit Plan means each pension, retirement, profit-sharing, 401(k), savings, deferred compensation, stock option or other equity award, employee stock ownership, share purchase, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, phantom stock, stock bonus, severance pay, vacation, bonus, retention, change in control or other incentive plan, employment, retention, severance change in control or other agreement, medical, vision, dental or other health plan, any life insurance plan, flexible spending account, cafeteria plan, vacation, holiday, disability or any other employee benefit plan or fringe benefit plan, including any “employee benefit plan,” as that term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA and any other plan, fund, policy, program, practice, custom understanding or arrangement providing compensation or other benefits for the benefit of any current or former officer, director, employee, retiree, or independent contractor or any spouse, dependent, or beneficiary thereof, whether or not such Employee Benefit Plan is or is intended to be (i) covered or qualified under the Code, ERISA or any other applicable Law, (ii) written or oral, (iii) funded or unfunded, (iv) actual or contingent or (v) arrived at through collective bargaining or otherwise.
Environmental Laws shall mean all Laws relating to pollution or protection of human health or the environment (including ambient air, surface water, ground water, land surface or subsurface strata) and which are administered, interpreted or enforced by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and state and local Governmental Authorities with jurisdiction over, and including common law in respect of, pollution or protection of the environment, including but not limited to: (i) the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq. (“ CERCLA ”),; (ii) the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq. (“ RCRA ”),; (iii) the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (42 U.S.C. 11001 et seq.); (iv) the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.); (v) the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. §§1251 et seq.); (vi) the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. §§2601 et seq.); (vii) any state, county, municipal or local statues, laws or ordinances similar or analogous to the federal statutes listed in parts (i) - (vi) of this subparagraph; (viii) any amendments to the statues, laws or ordinances listed in parts (i) - (vii) of this subparagraph, regardless of whether in existence on the date hereof, (ix) any rules, regulations, guidelines, directives, orders or the like adopted pursuant to or implementing the statutes, laws, ordinances and amendments listed in parts (i) - (viii) of this subparagraph; (x) any other law, statute, ordinance, amendment, rule, regulation, guideline, directive, order or the like in effect now or in the future relating to environmental, health or safety matters; and (xi) other Laws relating to emissions, discharges, releases, or threatened releases of any Hazardous Material, or otherwise relating to the

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manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport, or handling of any Hazardous Material.
Equity Rights shall mean all arrangements, calls, commitments, Contracts, options, rights to subscribe to, scrip, warrants, or other binding obligations of any character whatsoever by which a Person is or may be bound to issue additional shares of its capital stock or other securities, securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for, shares of the capital stock or other securities of a Person or by which a Person is or may be bound to issue additional shares of its capital stock or other rights.
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
ERISA Affiliate means any trade or business, whether or not incorporated, which together with a Seller Entity would be treated as a single employer under Code Section 414 or would be deemed a single employer within the meaning of ERISA Section 4001(b).
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Exchange Act Documents means all forms, proxy statements, registration statements, reports, schedules, and other documents, including all certifications and statements required by the Exchange Act or Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act with respect to any report that is an Exchange Act Document, filed, or required to be filed, by a Party or any of its Subsidiaries with any Governmental Authority pursuant to the Securities Laws.
Executive Officer means each of the following officers of the Seller Entities:
Sylvia D. Hamby        President of Community Bank of the South
Lee A. Scroggins, Jr.        Chief Executive Officer
Mary P. Tinsley        Chief Financial Officer
Exhibits means the Exhibits so marked, copies of which are attached to this Agreement. Such Exhibits are hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part hereof, and may be referred to in this Agreement and any other related instrument or document without being attached hereto or thereto.
FDIC shall mean the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
GAAP shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, consistently applied during the periods involved.

Governmental Authority shall mean any federal, state, local, foreign, or other court, board, body, commission, agency, authority or instrumentality, arbitral authority, self-

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regulatory authority, mediator, tribunal, including Regulatory Authorities and Taxing Authorities.

Group shall mean two or more Persons acting in concert for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities of an issuer.

Hazardous Material shall mean any chemical, substance, waste, material, pollutant, or contaminant defined as or deemed hazardous or toxic or otherwise regulated under any Environmental Law, including but not limited to RCRA hazardous wastes, CERCLA hazardous substances, and Georgia Hazardous Site Response Act regulated substances, pesticides and other agricultural chemicals, oil and petroleum products or byproducts and any constituents thereof, urea formaldehyde insulation, lead in paint or drinking water, mold, asbestos (including asbestos requiring abatement, removal, or encapsulation pursuant to the requirements of Environmental Law), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), provided, notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the words “Hazardous Material” shall not mean or include any such Hazardous Material used, generated, manufactured, stored, disposed of or otherwise handled in normal quantities in the ordinary course of any Seller Entity’s business in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, or such that may be naturally occurring in any ambient air, surface water, ground water, land surface or subsurface strata.
Intellectual Property means copyrights, patents, trademarks, service marks, service names, trade names, domain names, together with all goodwill associated therewith, registrations and applications therefore, technology rights and licenses, computer software (including any source or object codes therefore or documentation relating thereto), trade secrets, franchises, know-how, inventions, and other intellectual property rights.
Knowledge as used with respect to a Person (including references to such Person being aware of a particular matter) means those facts that are known or should reasonably have been known after due inquiry by the chairman, chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, chief accounting officer, chief operating officer, chief credit officer, general counsel, any assistant or deputy general counsel, or any senior, executive or other senior vice president of such Person.
Law means any code, law (including common law), ordinance, regulation, reporting or licensing requirement, rule, statute, regulation or order applicable to a Person or its Assets, Liabilities or business, including those promulgated, interpreted or enforced by any Regulatory Authority.
Liability means any direct or indirect, primary or secondary, liability, indebtedness, obligation, penalty, cost or expense (including costs of investigation, collection and defense), claim, deficiency, guaranty or endorsement of or by any Person (other than endorsements of notes, bills, checks, and drafts presented for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business) of any type, whether accrued, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, matured or unmatured, or otherwise.

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Lien means any conditional sale agreement, default of title, easement, encroachment, encumbrance, hypothecation, infringement, lien, mortgage, pledge, reservation, restriction, security interest, title retention or other security arrangement, or any adverse right or interest, charge, or claim of any nature whatsoever of, on, or with respect to any property or any property interest, other than (i) Liens for current property Taxes not yet due and payable, (ii) for any depository institution, pledges to secure public deposits and other Liens incurred in the ordinary course of the banking business, and (iii) Liens that are of public record and do not preclude or restrict the ability to use the affected property for the purposes for which such property is being used on the date of this Agreement..
Litigation means any action, arbitration, cause of action, lawsuit, claim, complaint, criminal prosecution, governmental or other examination or investigation, audit (other than regular audits of financial statements by outside auditors), compliance review, inspection, hearing, administrative or other proceeding relating to or affecting a Party, its business, its Assets or Liabilities (including Contracts related to Assets or Liabilities), or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, but shall not include regular, periodic examinations of depository institutions and their Affiliates by Regulatory Authorities.
Material or material for purposes of this Agreement shall be determined in light of the facts and circumstances of the matter in question; provided that any specific monetary amount stated in this Agreement shall determine materiality in that instance.
Non-Offer Employee ” means any Person who (i) is an employee of any Seller Entity on the date of this Agreement, (ii) is not offered continued employment by a Buyer Entity with (A) salary at least equal to that provided to such Person by the Seller Entities on the date of this Agreement and benefits at least consistent with those provided by the Buyer Entities to their similarly situated employees and (B) no requirement to relocate such Person’s place of employment from such Person’s place of employment on the date of this Agreement except for such relocations within Cobb County, Georgia as may be approved by the Cobb County President of CharterBank, (iii) is an employee of any Seller Entity immediately prior to the Effective Time, and (iv) does not accept an offer of continued employment by a Buyer Entity. Any former employee of a Seller Entity who accepts employment with Buyer but whose employment with Buyer is terminated as a result of an elimination of such Person’s position with Buyer (and not as a result of actions or inactions by such Person that give rise to a termination of employment for cause) within six (6) months of the Closing Date shall also be considered a Non-Offer Employee.
Operating Property means any property owned, leased, or operated by the Party in question or by any of its Subsidiaries or in which such Party or Subsidiary holds a security interest or other interest (including an interest in a fiduciary capacity), and, where required by the context, includes the owner or operator of such property, but only with respect to such property.
Order means any administrative decision or award, decree, injunction, judgment, order, quasi-judicial decision or award, directive, ruling, or writ of any Governmental Authority.

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Participation Facility means any facility or property in which the Party in question or any of its Subsidiaries participates in the management and, where required by the context, means the owner or operator of such facility or property, but only with respect to such facility or property.
Party means Seller, Merger Sub and Buyer and Parties means all such Persons.
Permit means any federal, state, local, or foreign Governmental Authority approval, authorization, certificate, easement, filing, franchise, license, notice, permit, or right to which any Person is a party or that is or may be binding upon or inure to the benefit of any Person or its securities, Assets, or business.
Person means a natural person or any legal, commercial or Governmental Authority, such as, but not limited to, a corporation, general partnership, joint venture, limited partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, trust, business association, group acting in concert, or any person acting in a representative capacity.
Proxy Statement means the proxy statement used by Seller to solicit the approval of its shareholders of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Regulatory Authorities means, collectively, the FRB, the FDIC, the OCC, the GDBF, and all other federal, state, county, local or other Governmental Authorities having jurisdiction over a Party or its Subsidiaries.
Representative means any investment banker, financial advisor, attorney, accountant, consultant, or other representative or agent of a Person.
Sarbanes-Oxley Act means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Securities Laws means the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, as amended, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations of any Governmental Authority promulgated thereunder.
Seller Bank Loans means the loans, lines of credit and other extensions of credit, including all legally binding commitments and obligations to extend credit made by Community Bank of the South or Seller.
Seller Common Stock means the $5.00 par value common stock of Seller.
Seller Disclosure Memorandum means the written information entitled “Community Bank of the South Disclosure Memorandum” delivered prior to the date of this Agreement to Buyer describing in reasonable detail the matters contained therein and, with respect to each disclosure made therein, specifically referencing each Section of this

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Agreement under which such disclosure is being made. Information disclosed with respect to one Section shall not be deemed to be disclosed for purposes of any other Section not specifically referenced with respect thereto.
Seller Entities means, collectively, Seller and all Seller Subsidiaries.
Seller Financial Advisor means The Burke Group, LLC.
Seller Financial Statements means (i) the audited consolidated balance sheets (including related notes and schedules, if any) of Seller as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, and the related statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows (including related notes and schedules, if any) for each of the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 and (ii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheets of Seller (including related notes and schedules, if any) of Seller as of March 31, 2015, June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2015 and related statements of income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows (including related notes and schedules, if any).
Seller Material Adverse Effect means an event, circumstance, development, change, effect or occurrence which, individually or together with any other event, circumstance, development, change, effect or occurrence, has, or is reasonably likely to have, a material adverse effect on (i) the financial position, results of operations, business, assets, liabilities, operations, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of Seller and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) the ability of Seller to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, provided that “Seller Material Adverse Effect” shall not be deemed to include the effects of (A) changes in banking and other Laws of general applicability or interpretations thereof by Governmental Authorities, (B) changes in GAAP or regulatory accounting principles generally applicable to banks and their holding companies (including the enforcement, interpretation and implementation thereof), (C) actions and omissions of Seller (or any of its Subsidiaries) taken with the prior written Consent of Buyer in contemplation of the transactions contemplated hereby, or (D) the direct effects of compliance with this Agreement on the operating performance of Seller, including expenses incurred by Seller in consummating the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (E) effects demonstrably shown to have been proximately caused by the public announcement of, and the response or reaction of customers, vendors, licensors, investors or employees of Seller to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or (F) effects or general economic, financial or securities market or political conditions in the United States or any other country or region, further provided that the failure of the Seller to represent and warrant any of the statements made in Section 5.9(h) or Section 5.9(i) will de facto constitute a Seller Material Adverse Effect.
Seller Rights means the Seller Stock Options issued and outstanding as of the date hereof as disclosed in Section 5.3(a) of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum.
Seller SARs means the stock appreciation rights issued by Seller as disclosed in Section 5.3(a) of the Seller Disclosure Memorandum.

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Seller Subsidiaries means the Subsidiaries, if any, of Seller, as of the date of this Agreement.
Seller’s Representative means Mary P. Tinsley or, if Mary P. Tinsley is unwilling or unable to serve in such capacity, Jay Y. McClure.
Shareholders’ Meeting means the meeting of Seller’s shareholders to be held pursuant to Section 8.2, including any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
Subsidiaries means all those corporations, banks, associations, or other entities of which the entity in question either (i) owns or controls 50% or more of the outstanding equity securities either directly or through an unbroken chain of entities as to each of which 50% or more of the outstanding equity securities is owned directly or indirectly by its parent ( provided , there shall not be included any such entity the equity securities of which are owned or controlled in a fiduciary capacity), (ii) in the case of partnerships, serves as a general partner, (iii) in the case of a limited liability company, serves as a managing member, or (iv) otherwise has the ability to elect a majority of the directors, trustees or managing members thereof.
Superior Proposal means any unsolicited, bona fide written Acquisition Proposal that, if consummated, would be more favorable, from a financial point of view, to the shareholders of Seller than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (as it may be proposed to be amended by Buyer) and would be reasonably capable of being consummated on the terms proposed, taking into account all other legal, financial, regulatory and other aspects of the Acquisition Proposal and the Person making the proposal.
Surviving Subsidiary means CharterBank, pursuant to Section 1.3, as the surviving bank resulting from the Bank Merger.
Surviving Company means Seller as the surviving company resulting from the Merger.
Tax or Taxes means all taxes, charges, fees, levies, imposts, duties, or assessments, including income, gross receipts, excise, employment, sales, use, transfer, recording license, payroll, franchise, severance, documentary, stamp, occupation, windfall profits, environmental, federal highway use, commercial rent, customs duties, capital stock, paid-up capital, profits, withholding, Social Security, single business and unemployment, disability, real property, personal property, registration, ad valorem , value added, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated, or other taxes, fees, assessments or charges of any kind whatsoever, or any obligations or liabilities with respect to unclaimed property or escheat, imposed or required to be withheld by any Governmental Authority (domestic or foreign), including any interest, penalties, and additions imposed thereon or with respect thereto, whether or not disputed, and including any obligations to indemnify or otherwise assume or succeed to the liabilities of any other Person.

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Taxing Authority means the Internal Revenue Service and any other Governmental Authority responsible for the administration of any Tax.
Tax Return means any report, return, information return, or other information required to be supplied to a Governmental Authority in connection with Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto and any amendment thereof, and including any Tax Return of an affiliated or combined or unitary group that includes a Party or its Subsidiaries.
(c)      Any singular term in this Agreement shall be deemed to include the plural, and any plural term the singular. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed followed by the words “without limitation”, and such terms shall not be limited by enumeration or example.
12.2      Expenses.
(a)      Except as otherwise provided in this Section 12.2, Buyer and Seller shall bear and pay all direct costs and expenses incurred by it or on its behalf in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder, including application fees, printing fees, and fees and expenses of its own financial or other consultants, investment bankers, accountants, and counsel, except that Buyer and Seller shall bear and pay one-half of the printing costs incurred in connection with the printing of the Proxy Statement.
(b)      Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Agreement is terminated by either Buyer or Seller pursuant to Section 11.1(c) (other than pursuant to the circumstances described in Section 11.2(b)) or (d) as a result of a willful breach, the breaching party, in addition to the payments payable pursuant to Section 11.2, shall reimburse the non-breaching party for all of the non-breaching party’s actual and documented expenses incurred in connection with the preparation of this Agreement, including reasonable legal and accounting fees and expenses of up to $250,000 (the “ Expense Fee ”) in same day funds within two business days of such termination of the Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to limit the rights and remedies of any Party with respect to fraud committed by another Party.
(c)      The Parties acknowledge that the agreements contained in this Section 12.2 are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and that without these agreements, they would not enter into this Agreement; accordingly, if Seller or Buyer fails to pay promptly any fee payable by it pursuant to this Section 12.2, then Seller or Buyer shall pay to Buyer or Seller, as applicable, its costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) in connection with collecting such reimbursement, together with interest on the amount of the fee at the prime annual rate of interest (as published in The Wall Street Journal) plus five percent (5%) as the same is in effect from time to time from the date such payment was due under this Agreement until the date of payment.
(d)      Notwithstanding the foregoing Section 11.2(b), to the extent that there is a dispute regarding the termination or expenses described in Section 11.2(b) and the Party disputing such termination or expenses provides notice of such dispute to the other Party

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within two (2) business days after receiving notice of such termination or expenses, then any reimbursement of such expenses, as applicable, shall instead be made within two (2) business days after the resolution of such dispute, either by the mutual agreement of the Parties, or by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable judgment.
12.3      Brokers and Finders.
Except for Seller Financial Advisor as to Seller and Buyer Financial Advisor as to Buyer, each of Buyer and Seller represents and warrants that neither it nor any of its officers, directors, employees, or Affiliates has employed any broker or finder or incurred any Liability for any financial advisory fees, investment bankers’ fees, brokerage fees, commissions, or finders’ fees in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. In the event of a claim by any broker or finder based upon such broker’s representing or being retained by or allegedly representing or being retained by Seller or by Buyer, each of Seller and Buyer, as the case may be, agrees to indemnify and hold the other Party harmless of and from any Liability in respect of any such claim.
12.4      Entire Agreement.
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, this Agreement (including the documents and instruments referred to herein) constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereunder and supersedes all prior arrangements or understandings with respect thereto, written or oral (except, as to Section 8.9(b), for the Confidentiality Agreement). Nothing in this Agreement expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any Person, other than the Parties or their respective successors, any rights, remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, other than as provided in Section 8.14.
12.5      Amendments.
To the extent permitted by Law, and subject to Section 1.4, this Agreement may be amended by a subsequent writing signed by each of the Parties upon the approval of each of the Parties, whether before or after shareholder approval of this Agreement has been obtained; provided , that after any such approval by the holders of Seller Common Stock, there shall be made no amendment that reduces or modifies in any material respect the consideration to be received by holders of Seller Common Stock.
12.6      Waivers.
(a)      Prior to or at the Effective Time, Buyer, acting through its Board of Directors, chief executive officer or other authorized officer (on behalf of Buyer or on behalf of Merger Sub) shall have the right to waive any Default in the performance of any term of this Agreement by Seller, to waive or extend the time for the compliance or fulfillment by Seller of any and all of its obligations under this Agreement, and to waive any or all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of Buyer and Merger Sub under this Agreement, except any condition which, if not satisfied, would result in the violation of any Law. No such waiver

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shall be effective unless in writing signed by a duly authorized officer of Buyer and/or Merger Sub, as applicable.
(b)      Subject to Section 1.4, prior to or at the Effective Time, Seller, acting through its Board of Directors, chief executive officer or other authorized officer, shall have the right to waive any Default in the performance of any term of this Agreement by Buyer, to waive or extend the time for the compliance or fulfillment by Buyer of any and all of its obligations under this Agreement, and to waive any or all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of Seller under this Agreement, except any condition which, if not satisfied, would result in the violation of any Law. No such waiver shall be effective unless in writing signed by a duly authorized officer of Seller.
(c)      The failure of any Party at any time or times to require performance of any provision hereof shall in no manner affect the right of such Party at a later time to enforce the same or any other provision of this Agreement. No waiver of any condition or of the breach of any term contained in this Agreement in one or more instances shall be deemed to be or construed as a further or continuing waiver of such condition or breach or a waiver of any other condition or of the breach of any other term of this Agreement.
12.7      Assignment.
Except as expressly contemplated hereby, neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any Party hereto (whether by operation of Law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other Party. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Parties and their respective successors and assigns.
12.8      Notices.
All notices or other communications which are required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and sufficient if delivered by hand, by email, by registered or certified mail, postage pre-paid, or by courier or overnight carrier, to the persons at the addresses set forth below (or at such other address as may be provided hereunder), and shall be deemed to have been delivered as of the date so delivered:
Seller:
CBS Financial Corporation
3016 Atlanta Road SE
Smyrna, GA 30080-3856
Email Address: shamby@cbsouth.com
Attention: Sylvia D. Hamby

Copy to Counsel:
Bryan Cave LLP
One Atlantic Center
1201 W. Peachtree Street, NE, 14 th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30309-3424
Email Address:jonathan.hightower@bryancave.com

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Attention: Jonathan S. Hightower

Buyer or Merger Sub:
Charter Financial Corporation
1233 O.G. Skinner Drive
West Point, GA 31833
Email Address: bjohnson@charterbank.net
Attention: Robert L. Johnson

Copy to Counsel:
Alston & Bird LLP
One Atlantic Center
1201 W. Peachtree Street, NE
Atlanta, GA 30309-3424
Email Address: mark.kanaly@alston.com
Attention: Mark C. Kanaly
12.9      Governing Law; Venue.
Regardless of any conflict of law or choice of law principles that might otherwise apply, the Parties agree that this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in all respects in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia. The Parties all expressly agree and acknowledge that the State of Georgia has a reasonable relationship to the Parties and/or this Agreement. Each Party agrees that any action to enforce this Agreement, as well as any action relating to or arising out of this Agreement, shall be filed only in the state courts of Georgia. Each Party hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, (a) any objection that it may now or hereafter have to laying venue of any suit, action or proceeding brought in such court, (b) any claim that any suit, action or proceeding brought in such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum, and (c) any defense that it may now or hereafter have based on lack of personal jurisdiction in such forum.
12.10      Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
12.11      Captions; Articles and Sections.
The captions contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and are not part of this Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to particular Articles or Sections shall mean and refer to the referenced Articles and Sections of this Agreement.
12.12      Interpretations.

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Neither this Agreement nor any uncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construed or resolved against any Party, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise. No Party to this Agreement shall be considered the draftsman. The Parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement has been reviewed, negotiated, and accepted by all Parties and their attorneys and shall be construed and interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as fairly to accomplish the purposes and intentions of all Parties hereto.
12.13      Enforcement of Agreement.
The Parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement was not performed in accordance with its specific terms or was otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the Parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any court of the United States or any state having jurisdiction, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.
12.14      Third Party Beneficiaries.
From and after the Effective Time, (a) the employees of the Seller Entities immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be deemed to be third party beneficiaries of Section 8.13 of this Agreement and (b) each Indemnified Party shall be deemed a third party beneficiary of Section 8.14 of this Agreement. Except as set forth in the foregoing sentence, nothing in this Agreement expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any Person other than the Parties or their respective successors, any right, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.

12.15      Severability.
Any term or provision of this Agreement which is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction. If any provision of this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.
[Remainder of page intentionally blank]
 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , each of the Parties has caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by its duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(BUYER)

By:     /s/ Robert L. Johnson                
Name: Robert L. Johnson
Title: Chief Executive Officer and Chairman



CHFN MERGER SUB, LLC
(MERGER SUB)

By: Charter Financial Corporation, Sole Member

By: /s/ Curtis R. Kollar            
Name: Curtis R. Kollar
Title: Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice
President



CBS FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(SELLER)

By:     /s/ Charles J. Jones                    
Name: Charles J. Jones
Title: Chairman of the Board



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EXHIBIT 1

SHORT FORM MERGER AGREEMENT












SHORT FORM MERGER AGREEMENT


This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of ___________, 2016, by and between Charter Financial Corporation, a Maryland corporation (“ Parent ”), and CBS Financial Corporation, a Georgia corporation (“ Subsidiary ”), to provide for the merger of Subsidiary with and into Parent (the “ Merger ”). Parent and Subsidiary are referred to herein as the “ Parties ”.

WHEREAS, Parent owns 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Subsidiary; and

WHEREAS, the boards of directors of Parent and Subsidiary have approved the Merger, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and have determined that the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are in the best interests of their respective shareholders.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the covenants contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby make, adopt and approve this Agreement, and hereby prescribe the terms and conditions of the Merger and the mode of effecting the Merger as follows:

SECTION 1

TERMS OF MERGER

1.1     Merger . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Effective Time (as hereinafter defined), Subsidiary shall be merged with and into Parent in accordance with applicable law. Parent shall be the surviving corporation resulting from the Merger (the “ Surviving Corporation ”) and shall continue to exist and to be governed by the laws of the State of Maryland under the corporate name “Charter Financial Corporation.” The Merger shall be consummated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, which has been approved by the boards of directors of Parent and Subsidiary.

1.2     Effective Time . The Merger contemplated by this Agreement shall become effective on the date and time the Articles of Merger (“ Articles of Merger ”) reflecting the Merger shall become effective with the Secretary of State of the State of Maryland (the “ Effective Time ”).

1.3     Surviving Corporation . At the Effective Time, the separate existence of Subsidiary shall be merged with and into the Surviving Corporation. Without limiting the

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generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time and thereafter, except as otherwise provided herein:

(a) All the assets, rights, privileges, powers, immunities, franchises and interests of Subsidiary, and all property (real, personal, and mixed), all debts due on whatever account, and all other choses in action, and all and every other interest of or belonging to or due to Subsidiary shall be taken and deemed to be transferred to and vested in the Surviving Corporation by virtue of the Merger without any further act or deed or other instrument of transfer and without any other action on the part of any court of otherwise and without any transfer or assignment having occurred; and the title to any real estate, or any interest therein, vested in Subsidiary shall not revert or be in any way impaired by reason of the Merger. The Surviving Corporation shall hold and enjoy all assets, rights, privileges, immunities, powers, franchises and interests, including appointments, designations, and nominations, and all other rights and interests as trustee, executor, administrator, registrar of stocks and bonds, guardian of estates, assignee, receiver, and committee of estates of incompetent persons, and in every other fiduciary capacity, and all property (real, personal and mixed), debts due on whatever account, and choses in action in the same manner and to the same extent as held or enjoyed by Subsidiary immediately prior to the Effective Time; and

(b) The Surviving Company shall assume and be responsible and liable for all liabilities and obligations of Subsidiary, and all debts, liabilities, obligations and contracts of Subsidiary, matured or unmatured, whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise, and whether or not reflected or reserved against in the balance sheet, books of account or records of Subsidiary, shall be those of the Surviving Company, and shall not be released or impaired by the Merger; and all rights of creditors and other obligees and liens on the property of Subsidiary shall be preserved unimpaired.

1.4     Articles of Incorporation . The Articles of Incorporation of the Parent as they exist at the Effective Time shall remain the Articles of Incorporation for the Surviving Corporation unless and until altered or amended as provided in such Articles of Incorporation.

1.5     Bylaws . The bylaws of the Parent as they exist at the Effective Time shall remain the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation unless and until altered or amended as provided in such bylaws.

1.6     Board of Directors . The board of directors of Parent shall continue to serve as the board of directors of the Surviving Corporation, and shall hold office from and after the Effective Time until their respective successors are elected and qualify.

1.7     Officers . The officers of Parent shall continue to serve as the officers of the Surviving Corporation, and shall hold office from and after the Effective Time until their respective successors are elected and qualified.


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1.8     Income Tax Treatment . Each party to this Agreement agrees to treat the Merger for all income tax purposes as a liquidation qualifying under Section 332 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. None of the parties shall file a tax return or take any position with any taxing authority that is inconsistent with the tax treatment described in the preceding sentence.


SECTION 2
MANNER OF CONVERTING SHARES

As of the Effective Time, all of the issued and outstanding ownership interests in Subsidiary shall cease to be outstanding and shall be canceled. As of the Effective Time, all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Parent shall remain issued and outstanding.
    
SECTION 3
MISCELLANEOUS

3.1     Integration . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining thereto.

3.2     Further Assurances . Each party to this Agreement agrees to do such things as may be reasonably requested by the other party in order to more effectively consummate or document the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

3.3     Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia, without regard to any applicable principles of conflicts of laws that would result in the application of the law of another jurisdiction.

3.4     Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed (by facsimile or otherwise) by any one or more of the parties in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.






[ Signatures on following page ]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed on behalf of each of the Parties as of the day and year first written above by their respective duly authorized officers.


                        
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(PARENT)


By:                                 
Name:
Title:


CBS FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(SUBSIDIARY)


By:                                 
Name:
Title:








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EXHIBIT 2

PLAN OF BANK MERGER






    



PLAN OF BANK MERGER


This PLAN OF BANK MERGER (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of __________, 2016, by and between CharterBank, a federal savings & loan association with its main office located at 1233 O.G. Skinner Drive, West Point, GA 31833 (“ CharterBank ”), and Community Bank of the South, a Georgia state chartered banking institution with its main office located at 3016 Atlanta Road, Smyrna, GA 30080 (“ Community Bank of the South ”), to provide for the merger of Community Bank of the South with and into CharterBank (the “ Bank Merger ”). CharterBank and Community Bank of the South are referred to herein as the “ Merging Banks .”

WHEREAS , pursuant to (i) an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 3, 2015, by and among Charter Financial Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), CHFN Merger Sub, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company (“ Merger Sub ”), and CBS Financial Corporation, a Georgia corporation (“ CBS ”), and (ii) a related short form merger agreement, dated __________, 2016, by and between the Company and CBS (together with the agreement described in (i), the “ Merger Agreement ”), CBS merged with and into the Company (the “ Merger ”); and

WHEREAS , as a result of the Merger, Community Bank of the South became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and a sister bank of CharterBank; and
WHEREAS , the Merger Agreement contemplated the subsequent merger of Community Bank of the South with and into CharterBank, with CharterBank as the surviving bank (the “ Surviving Bank ”); and
WHEREAS , the respective boards of directors of the Company, CharterBank and Community Bank of the South have approved the Bank Merger, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and have determined that the Bank Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are in the best interests of their respective shareholders.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and of the covenants contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the Merging Banks, intending to be legally bound, hereby make, adopt and approve this Agreement, and hereby prescribe the terms and conditions of the Bank Merger and the mode of effecting the Bank Merger as follows:

ARTICLE 1

TERMS OF BANK MERGER

Section 1.1      The Bank Merger .

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(a)      As a result of the Bank Merger, (i) each share of common stock of Community Bank of the South, par value $5.00 per share, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease to be outstanding and shall be cancelled and (ii) each share of capital stock of CharterBank, par value $0.01 per share, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall remain issued and outstanding and shall constitute the only shares of capital stock of the Surviving Bank issued and outstanding immediately after the Effective Time. For purposes of this Agreement, the Bank Merger shall become effective on the date and time specified in the articles of combination executed by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “ OCC ”) (such time when the Bank Merger becomes effective, the “ Effective Time ”).
(b)      At the Effective Time, the Surviving Bank shall be considered the same business and corporate entity as each of the Merging Banks and thereupon and thereafter all the property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of each of the Merging Banks shall vest in the Surviving Bank and the Surviving Bank shall be subject to and be deemed to have assumed all of the debts, liabilities, obligations and duties of each of the Merging Banks and shall have succeeded to all of each of their relationships, fiduciary or otherwise, as fully and to the same extent as if such property, rights, privileges, powers, franchises, debts, liabilities, obligations, duties and relationships had been originally acquired, incurred or entered into by the Surviving Bank. The deposit-taking offices of Community Bank of the South shall be operated by the Surviving Bank, and the savings accounts issued by Community Bank of the South shall be issued on the same terms by the Surviving Bank. In addition, any reference to either of the Merging Banks in any contract, will or document, whether executed or taking effect before or after the Effective Time, shall be considered a reference to the Surviving Bank if not inconsistent with the other provisions of the contract, will or document; and any pending action or other judicial proceeding to which either of the Merging Banks is a party shall not be deemed to have abated or to have been discontinued by reason of the Bank Merger, but may be prosecuted to final judgment, order or decree in the same manner as if the Bank Merger had not been made or the Surviving Bank may be substituted as a party to such action or proceeding, and any judgment, order or decree may be rendered for or against it that might have been rendered for or against either of the Merging Banks if the Bank Merger had not occurred.
Section 1.2      Name of Surviving Bank and Principal Office. The name of the Surviving Bank shall be “CharterBank.” The principal office of CharterBank shall continue to be 1233 O.G. Skinner Drive, West Point, GA 31833 after the Effective Time. The branch offices of Community Bank of the South and CharterBank will be operated as branch offices of the Surviving Bank immediately following the Effective Time.
Section 1.3      Charter. On and after the Effective Time, the Charter of CharterBank shall be the Charter of the Surviving Bank until amended in accordance with applicable law.
Section 1.4      Bylaws. On and after the Effective Time, the Bylaws of CharterBank shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Bank until amended in accordance with applicable law.

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Section 1.5      Directors and Officers . On and after the Effective Time, until changed in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving Bank, (i) the directors of the Surviving Bank shall be the directors of CharterBank immediately prior to the Effective Time and (ii) the officers of the Surviving Bank shall be the officers of CharterBank immediately prior to the Effective Time. The directors and officers of the Surviving Bank shall hold office in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving Bank.
Section 1.6      Capital of Surviving Bank. The amount of capital stock of the Surviving Bank authorized immediately following the Effective Time shall continue to be 5,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value per share, of which 1,000 shares of common stock are issued and outstanding as of the date hereof.
Section 1.7      Income Tax Treatment . Each party to this Agreement agrees to treat the Bank Merger for all income tax purposes as a reorganization qualifying under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and hereby adopts this Agreement as a result of execution thereof as a plan of reorganization within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-2(g). None of the parties shall file a tax return or take any position with any taxing authority that is inconsistent with the tax treatment described in the preceding sentence.
Section 1.8      Offices . The offices of the Surviving Bank are set forth on Exhibit A .
ARTICLE I
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 2.1      Conditions Precedent. The respective obligations of each party pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to the approval by (i) the respective Boards of Directors of Community Bank of the South and CharterBank, (ii) the respective sole stockholders of Community Bank of the South and CharterBank, (iii) the OCC, (iv) the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance (the “Georgia Department”), and (v) other regulatory authorities as applicable.
Section 2.2      Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia, without regard to any applicable principles of conflicts of laws that would result in the application of the law of another jurisdiction.
Section 2.3      Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed (by facsimile or otherwise) by any one or more of the parties in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

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Section 2.4      Amendments. To the extent permitted by the OCC and the Georgia Department, this Agreement may be amended by a subsequent writing signed by the parties hereto upon the approval of the board of directors of each of the parties hereto.
Section 2.5      Successors. This Agreement shall be binding on the successors of Community Bank of the South and CharterBank.

[ Signature page follows ]




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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, CharterBank and Community Bank of the South have caused this Plan of Bank Merger to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the date first set forth above.
 
 
 
CharterBank
 
 
 
Attest:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
Name:
 
 
Name:
Title:
 
 
Title:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Community Bank of the South
ATTEST:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
Name:
 
 
Name:
Title:
 
 
Title:
 
 
 
 


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EXHIBIT A
BANKING OFFICES OF THE RESULTING BANK







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EXHIBIT 3

FORM OF SUPPORT AGREEMENT










FORM OF SUPPORT AGREEMENT

THIS SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of December 3, 2015, by and among Charter Financial Corporation, a Maryland corporation (“ Buyer ”), CBS Financial Corporation, a Georgia corporation (“ Seller ”), and the undersigned (i) director or director emeritus of Seller who is a beneficial owner of shares of Seller Common Stock or (ii) executive officer of Seller who is a beneficial owner of shares of Seller Common Stock (each of (i) and (ii), a “ Shareholder ”).

The Shareholder desires that Buyer and Seller consummate the transactions (the “ Transactions ”) set forth in that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 3, 2015, (as the same may be amended or supplemented, the “ Merger Agreement ”), by and among Buyer, CHFN Merger Sub, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company (“ Merger Sub ”), and Seller, that provides for, among other things, the merger of Merger Sub with and into Seller (the “ Merger ”).

The Shareholder, Seller and Buyer are executing this Agreement as an inducement and condition to Buyer and Merger Sub entering into, executing and performing the Merger Agreement and consummating the Transactions.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the execution and delivery by Buyer of the Merger Agreement and the mutual covenants, conditions and agreements contained herein and therein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

1.     Representations and Warranties . The Shareholder represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:

(a)    The Shareholder has voting power over the number of shares (“ Shareholder’s Shares ”) of the common stock of Seller, par value $5.00 per share (“ Seller Common Stock ”), set forth below such Shareholder’s name on the signature page hereof. Except for the Shareholder’s Shares, the Shareholder does not have voting power over any other shares of Seller Common Stock.

(b)    This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by, and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of, the Shareholder, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

(c)    Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation by the Shareholder of the transactions contemplated hereby will result in a violation of, or a default under, or conflict with, any contract, trust, commitment, agreement, understanding, arrangement or restriction of any kind to which the Shareholder is a party or bound or to which the Shareholder’s Shares

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are subject. Consummation by the Shareholder of the transactions contemplated hereby will not violate, or require any consent, approval, or notice under, any provision of any judgment, order, decree, statute, law, rule or regulation applicable to the Shareholder or the Shareholder’s Shares.

(d)    The Shareholder’s Shares and the certificates representing the Shareholder’s Shares are now, and at all times during the term hereof will be, held by the Shareholder, or by a nominee or custodian for the benefit of such Shareholder, free and clear of all pledges, liens, security interests, claims, proxies, voting trusts or agreements, understandings or arrangements or any other encumbrances whatsoever (any such encumbrance, a “ Lien ”), except for (i) any such Liens arising hereunder, and (ii) Liens, if any, which have been previously disclosed in writing to Buyer and will be satisfied and released at Closing.

(e)    Except as provided in this subsection 1(e), no broker, investment banker, financial adviser or other Person is entitled to any broker’s, finder’s, financial adviser’s or other similar fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Shareholder.

(f)    The Shareholder understands and acknowledges that Buyer entered into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon the Shareholder’s execution and delivery of this Agreement. The Shareholder acknowledges that the irrevocable proxy set forth in Section 2 of this Agreement is granted in consideration of the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement by Buyer.

2.     Voting Agreements . The Shareholder agrees with, and covenants to, Buyer as follows:

(a)    At any meeting of shareholders of Seller called to vote upon the Merger Agreement and the Transactions, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, or in any other circumstances upon which a vote, consent or other approval with respect to the Merger Agreement and the Transactions is sought (collectively, the “ Shareholders’ Meeting ”), the Shareholder shall vote (or cause to be voted) all of the Shareholder’s Shares in favor of the approval of the terms of the Merger Agreement and each of the Transactions, and shall not grant any proxies to any third party, except where such proxies are expressly directed to vote in favor of the Merger Agreement and the Transactions; provided, however , that if the ownership structure of any of the Shareholder’s Shares is such that the Shareholder cannot cause such shares to be voted, Shareholder shall use all reasonable efforts to cause such shares to be voted in favor of the approval of the terms of the Merger Agreement and each of the Transactions. The Shareholder hereby waives all notice and publication of notice of any Shareholders’ Meeting to be called or held with respect to the Merger Agreement and the Transactions. The Shareholder hereby grants the Buyer an irrevocable proxy, coupled with an

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interest, to vote all of the Shareholder’s Shares in favor of the Merger Agreement and the Transactions, and against any competing proposals.

(b)    At any Shareholders’ Meeting or in any other circumstances upon which their vote, consent or other approval is sought, the Shareholder shall vote (or cause to be voted) such Shareholder’s Shares against (i) any acquisition proposal, including, without limitation, any merger or exchange agreement or merger or exchange (other than the Merger Agreement and the Transactions), consolidation, combination, sale of substantial assets, reorganization, recapitalization, dissolution, liquidation or winding up of or by Seller, or (ii) any amendment of Seller’s articles of incorporation or bylaws or other proposal or transaction involving Seller or any of its Subsidiaries, which amendment or other proposal or transaction would in any manner delay, impede, frustrate, prevent or nullify the Merger Agreement, or any of the Transactions (each of the foregoing in clauses (i) or (ii) above, a “ Competing Transaction ”).

3.     Covenants . The Shareholder agrees with, and covenants to, the Buyer as follows:

(a)    Without the prior written consent of Buyer, the Shareholder shall not (i) “ Transfer ” (which term shall include, without limitation, for the purposes of this Agreement, any sale, gift, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition), or consent to any Transfer of, any or all of the Shareholder’s Shares or any interest therein, (ii) enter into any contract, option or other agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to any Transfer of any or all of Shareholder’s Shares or any interest therein, (iii) grant any proxy, power of attorney or other authorization in or with respect to Shareholder’s Shares, except for this Agreement, or (iv) deposit Shareholder’s Shares into a voting trust or enter into any voting agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to Shareholder’s Shares; provided that Shareholder may Transfer any of Shareholder’s Shares to any other person who is on the date hereof a party to this Agreement bound by all the obligations of the Shareholder hereunder, or to any family member of a person or charitable institution which, prior to the Shareholders’ Meeting and prior to such Transfer becomes, by executing and delivering to the Buyer a counterpart to this Agreement, a party to this Agreement bound by all the obligations of the Shareholder hereunder. The restriction on the Transfer of the Shareholder’s Shares set forth in this Section 3(a) shall terminate upon the first to occur of (x) the Effective Time of the Transactions or (y) the date upon which the Merger Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms.

(b)    The Shareholder hereby waives any rights of appraisal, or rights to dissent from the Transactions, that such Shareholder may have.

(c)    The Shareholder shall not, nor shall he or she cause any investment banker, attorney or other adviser or representative of the Shareholder to, directly

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or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate or encourage the submission of, any Competing Transaction, or (ii) participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any person any information with respect to, or take any other action to facilitate any inquiries or the making of any proposal that constitutes, or may reasonably be expected to lead to, any Competing Transactions, other than the Transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and other than any Transfer expressly permitted by Section 3(a) of this Agreement.

4.     No Prior Proxies . The Shareholder represents, warrants and covenants that any proxies or voting rights previously given in respect of the Shareholder’s Shares other than to Buyer are not irrevocable, and that any such proxies or voting rights are hereby irrevocably revoked.

5.     Certain Events . The Shareholder agrees that this Agreement and the obligations hereunder shall attach to the Shareholder’s Shares and shall be binding upon any person or entity to which legal or beneficial ownership of Shareholder’s Shares shall pass, whether by operation of law or otherwise, including the Shareholder’s successors or assigns. In the event of any stock split, stock dividend, merger, exchange, reorganization, recapitalization or other change in the capital structure of the Seller affecting the Seller Common Stock, or the acquisition of additional shares of Seller Common Stock or other voting securities of Seller by any Shareholder, the number of shares of Seller Common Stock subject to the terms of this Agreement shall be adjusted appropriately and this Agreement and the obligations hereunder shall attach to any additional shares of Seller Common Stock or other voting securities of the Seller issued to or acquired by the Shareholder.

6.     Regulatory Approvals . Each of the provisions of this Agreement is subject to compliance with applicable regulatory conditions and receipt of any required regulatory approvals, if any.

7.     Further Assurances . The Shareholder shall, upon request of the Buyer, execute and deliver any additional documents and take such further actions as may reasonably be deemed by the Buyer to be necessary or desirable to carry out the provisions hereof and to vest in the Buyer the power to vote such Shareholder’s Shares as contemplated by Section 2 of this Agreement and the other irrevocable proxies provided therein.

8.     Confidentiality . The undersigned recognizes and acknowledges that he or she may have access to certain confidential information of the Buyer and its subsidiaries (including that obtained from the Seller and its shareholders in connection with the Transactions), the Seller and its subsidiaries and their shareholders, including, without limitation, customer lists, information regarding customers, confidential methods of operation, lending, credit information, organization, pricing, mark-ups, commissions and other information and that all such information constitutes valuable, special and unique property of the Buyer, the Seller and the Buyer’s shareholders. All such information,

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which shall exclude any information that is publicly known or hereafter becomes publicly known other than as a result of any action or omission by the undersigned, is herein referred to as “ Trade Secrets .” The undersigned will not disclose or directly or indirectly utilize in any manner any such Trade Secrets for his own benefit or the benefit of anyone other than the Buyer and/or its shareholders during the term of this Agreement and for a period of two (2) years after the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.

9.     Termination . This Agreement, and all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder (except for Section 8 hereof, which shall terminate two (2) years after the termination of this Agreement), shall terminate upon the first to occur of (x) the Effective Time of the Transactions or (y) the date upon which the Merger Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms.

10.     Miscellaneous .

(a)    Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Merger Agreement. As used herein, the singular shall include the plural and any reference to gender shall include all other genders. The terms “ include ,” “ including ” and similar phrases shall mean including without limitation, whether by enumeration or otherwise.

(b)    All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally or sent by reliable overnight delivery or by facsimile to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice): (i) if to the Buyer or Seller, to the addresses set forth in Section 12.8 of the Merger Agreement; and (ii) if to the Shareholder, to its address shown below its signature on the last page hereof.

(c)    The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

(d)    This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts by facsimile or other electronic means, all of which shall be considered and have the same force and effect as one and the same agreement.

(e)    This Agreement (including the documents and instruments referred to herein) constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.


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(f)    This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia without regard to the applicable conflicts of laws principles thereof. Shareholder agrees that any action to enforce this Agreement, as well as any action relating to or arising out of this Agreement, shall be filed only in the state courts of Cobb County, Georgia. With respect to any such court action, Shareholder hereby (a) irrevocably submits to the personal jurisdiction of such courts; (b) consents to service of process; (c) consents to venue; and (d) waives any other requirement (whether imposed by statute, rule of court, or otherwise) with respect to personal jurisdiction, service of process, or venue. Both parties hereto further agree that the state courts of Cobb County, Georgia are convenient forums for any dispute that may arise herefrom and that neither party shall raise as a defense that such courts are not convenient forums.

(g)    The Shareholder agrees that, in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement are not performed in accordance with the specific terms set forth herein or are otherwise breached, irreparable damage will occur and the Buyer will not have any adequate remedy at law. It is accordingly agreed that the Buyer shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions and other equitable relief, including specific performance, to prevent breaches by the Shareholder of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

(h)     If any term, provision, covenant or restriction herein, or the application thereof to any circumstance, shall, to any extent, be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions herein and the application thereof to any other circumstances, shall remain in full force and effect, shall not in any way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and shall be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.

(i)    Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement shall be assigned, in whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise, by any of the parties without the prior written consent of the other parties, except as expressly contemplated by Section 3(a) of this Agreement. Any assignment in violation of the foregoing shall be void.


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(j)    No amendment, modification or waiver in respect of this Agreement shall be effective against any party unless it shall be in writing and signed by such party.




[Signatures on following pages.]





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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned parties have executed and delivered this Shareholder Support Agreement as of the day and year first above written.


“SELLER”

CBS FINANCIAL CORPORATION


By:                                 
Name:
Title:


“BUYER”

CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION


By:                                 
Name:
Title:


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“SHAREHOLDER”


                                

Name:                             

Address:                     

                         

                         

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned and Capacity of Ownership:

                                

                                

                                






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EXHIBIT 4

FORM OF DIRECTORS AGREEMENT











FORM OF DIRECTOR’S AGREEMENT

THIS DIRECTOR’S AGREEMENT (the “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of December 3, 2015, by and between Charter Financial Corporation, a Maryland corporation (“ Buyer ”), and the undersigned director (“ Director ”) of CBS Financial Corporation, a Georgia corporation (“ Seller ”), and shall become effective as of the Effective Time of the Merger as provided in the Merger Agreement (defined below).

WHEREAS, Buyer, CHFN Merger Sub, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company (“ Merger Sub ”), and Seller are parties to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 3, 2015, as the same may be amended or supplemented (the “ Merger Agreement ”), that provides for, among other things, the merger of Merger Sub with and into Seller (the “ Merger ”);
WHEREAS, the Director is a director and a shareholder of Seller and is receiving Merger Consideration pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Merger Agreement contemplates that, upon the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement by Seller, as a condition and inducement to the willingness of Buyer and Merger Sub to enter into the Merger Agreement, Director will enter into and perform this Agreement.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and for other good and valuable consideration, including, without limitation, the Merger Consideration to be received by Director, the sufficiency and receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

1.     Certain Definitions .

(a)    “ Affiliated Company ” means any company or entity controlled by, controlling or under common control with Buyer or Seller.

(b)    “ Confidential Information ” means all information regarding Seller, Buyer and their Affiliated Companies and any of their respective activities, businesses or customers that is not generally known to persons not employed by Seller, Buyer or their respective Affiliated Companies, and that is not generally disclosed publicly to persons not employed by Seller, Buyer or their respective Affiliated Companies (except to applicable regulatory authorities and/or pursuant to confidential or other relationships where there is no expectation of public disclosure or use by third Persons). “ Confidential Information ” shall include, without limitation, all customer information, customer lists, confidential methods of operation, lending and credit information, commissions, mark-ups, product/service formulas, information concerning techniques for use and integration of websites and other products/services, current and future development and expansion or contraction plans of Seller, Buyer or their respective Affiliated Companies, sale/acquisition plans and contacts, marketing plans and contacts, information concerning the

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legal affairs of and information concerning the pricing of products and services, strategy, tactics and financial affairs of Seller, Buyer or their respective Affiliated Companies. “ Confidential Information ” also includes any “confidential information,” “trade secrets” or any equivalent term under any applicable federal, state or local law. “ Confidential Information ” shall not include information that (i) has become generally available to the public by the act of one who has the right to disclose such information without violating any right or privilege of Seller or Buyer or their respective Affiliated Companies or any duty owed to any of them; or (ii) is independently developed by a person or entity without reference to or use of Confidential Information. The Director acknowledges and agrees that the trading in Buyer or Seller securities using Confidential Information or other non-public information may violate federal and state securities laws.

(c)    Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the same meanings provided in the Merger Agreement.

2.     Restrictive Covenants .

(a)     Nondisclosure of Confidential Information. For a period of one (1) year after the Effective Time of the Merger, except as required by law, Director shall not directly or indirectly transmit or disclose any Confidential Information to any Person, or use or permit others to use any such Confidential Information, directly or indirectly, without the prior express written consent of the Chief Executive Officer of Buyer, which consent may be withheld in the sole discretion of Buyer’s Chief Executive Officer. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, Director shall not be restricted from disclosing information that is required to be disclosed by law, court order or other valid and appropriate legal process; provided, however , that in the event such disclosure is required by law, Director shall provide Buyer with prompt notice of such requirement so that Buyer may seek an appropriate protective order prior to any such required disclosure by Director.

(b)     Nonrecruitment of Employees . Director hereby agrees that, for two (2) years following the Effective Time, Director shall not, without the prior written consent of the Buyer’s Chief Executive Officer, which consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of the Buyer’s Chief Executive Officer, directly or indirectly solicit or recruit for employment or encourage to leave employment with Buyer or any of its Affiliated Companies, on his own behalf or on behalf of any other Person other than Buyer or any of its Affiliated Companies, any then-current employee of Buyer or any of its Affiliated Companies or any employee of Seller who worked at Seller or any of its Affiliated Companies during Director’s services as a director of Seller or any Seller Affiliated Company, and who has not ceased employment with Buyer, Seller, or any Affiliated Companies, as applicable. It is acknowledged and agreed that general advertisements shall not be deemed to violate this provision.

(c) Nonsolicitation of Customers . Director hereby agrees that, for two (2) years following the Effective Time, Director shall not, without the prior written consent

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of the Buyer’s Chief Executive Officer, which consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of Buyer’s Chief Executive Officer, directly or indirectly, on behalf of himself or of anyone other than Seller, Buyer or any Affiliated Company, in the Restricted Area (as defined in Section 2(d) below), solicit or attempt to solicit any customer or client of the Seller for the purpose of either (i) providing any Business Activities (as defined in Section 2(d)) or (ii) inducing such customer to cease, reduce, restrict or divert its business with the Seller, Buyer or any Affiliated Company. It is acknowledged and agreed that general advertisements shall not be deemed to violate this provision. It is further acknowledges that this provision shall not in any way limit the activities of any business with which Director is associated with as of the date hereof.

(d)     Noncompetition . Director hereby agrees that, for two (2) years following the Effective Time, Director shall not, without the prior written consent of Buyer’s Chief Executive Officer, which consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of Buyer’s Chief Executive Officer, prepare or apply to commence, or engage or participate in, Business Activities with, for or on behalf of any other financial institution as an officer, director, owner, partner, joint venture, consultant, independent contractor, advisor, employee, agent or shareholder of, or on behalf of any other Person, business or enterprise that competes in the Restricted Area with the Buyer with respect to Business Activities. For purposes of this Agreement, “ Business Activities ” shall be any business activities conducted by Buyer, Seller or any of their Affiliated Companies, which consist of commercial or consumer loans and extensions of credit, letters of credit, commercial and consumer deposits and deposit accounts, securities repurchase agreements and sweep accounts, cash management services, money transfer and bill payment services, internet or electronic banking, automated teller machines, IRA and retirement accounts, mortgage loans, and home equity lines of credit. For purposes of this Agreement, the “ Restricted Area ” shall be Cobb County, Georgia and all adjacent counties. Nothing in this Section 2(d) shall prohibit Director from acquiring or holding, for investment purposes only, less than five percent (5%) of the outstanding securities of any business organization which may compete directly or indirectly with Seller, Buyer or any of their Affiliated Companies, or preclude Director from continuing any Business Activities conducted as of the date hereof.

(e)     Enforceability of Covenants. Director acknowledges and agrees that the covenants in this Agreement are direct consideration for a sale of a business and should be governed by standards applicable to restrictive covenants entered into in connection with a sale of a business. Director acknowledges that each of Buyer and its Affiliated Companies have a current and future expectation of business within the Restricted Area and from the current and proposed customers of Seller that are derived from the acquisition of Seller by Buyer. Director acknowledges that the term, geographic area, and scope of the covenants set forth in this Agreement are reasonable, and agrees that he will not, in any action, suit or other proceeding, deny the reasonableness of, or assert the unreasonableness of, the premises, consideration or scope of the covenants set forth herein. Director agrees that his position as a director of Seller involves duties and authority relating to all aspects of the Business Activities and all of the Restricted Area.

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Director further acknowledges that complying with the provisions contained in this Agreement will not preclude him from engaging in a lawful profession, trade or business, or from becoming gainfully employed. Director and Buyer agree that Director’s obligations under the above covenants are separate and distinct under this Agreement, and the failure or alleged failure of the Buyer to perform its obligations under any other provisions of this Agreement shall not constitute a defense to the enforceability of this covenant. Director and Buyer agree that if any portion of the foregoing covenants is deemed to be unenforceable because the geography, time or scope of activities restricted is deemed to be too broad, the court shall be authorized to substitute for the overbroad term an enforceable term that will enable the enforcement of the covenants to the maximum extent possible under applicable law. Director acknowledges and agrees that any breach or threatened breach of this covenant will result in irreparable damage and injury to the Buyer and its Affiliated Companies and that Buyer will be entitled to exercise all rights including, without limitation, obtaining one or more temporary restraining orders, injunctive relief and other equitable relief, including specific performance in the event of any breach or threatened breach of this Agreement, without the necessity of posting any bond or security (all of which are waived by the Director), and to exercise all other rights or remedies, at law or in equity, including, without limitation, the rights to damages.

3.     Successors .

(a)    This Agreement is personal to Director is not assignable by Director, and none of Director’s duties hereunder may be delegated.

(b)    This Agreement may be assigned by, and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Buyer and any its Affiliated Companies and their successors and assigns.

4.     Miscellaneous .

(a)     Waiver . Failure of any party to insist, in one or more instances, on performance by the other in strict accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of any right granted in this Agreement or of the future performance of any such term or condition or of any other term or condition of this Agreement, unless such waiver is contained in a writing signed by the party making the waiver.

(b)     Severability . If any provision or covenant, or any part thereof, of this Agreement should be held by any court to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, either in whole or in part, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions or covenants, or any part thereof, of this Agreement, all of which shall remain in full force and effect.


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(c)     Governing Law and Forum Selection . Buyer and Director agree that this Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia without giving effect to its conflicts of law principles. Director agrees that any action to enforce this Agreement, as well as any action relating to or arising out of this Agreement, shall be filed only in the state courts of Cobb County, Georgia. With respect to any such court action, Director hereby (a) irrevocably submits to the personal jurisdiction of such courts; (b) consents to service of process; (c) consents to venue; and (d) waives any other requirement (whether imposed by statute, rule of court, or otherwise) with respect to personal jurisdiction, service of process, or venue. Both parties hereto further agree that the state courts of Cobb County, Georgia are convenient forums for any dispute that may arise herefrom and that neither party shall raise as a defense that such courts are not convenient forums.

(d)     Notices . All notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered or three days after mailing if mailed, first class, certified mail, postage prepaid:

To Buyer:
Charter Financial Corporation
1233 O.G. Skinner Drive
West Point, GA 31833
Email: bjohnson@charterbank.net
Attention: Robert L. Johnson

To Director:
To the address set forth under such Director’s name on the signature page of this Agreement


Any party may change the address to which notices, requests, demands and other communications shall be delivered or mailed by giving notice thereof to the other party in the same manner provided herein.

(e)     Amendments and Modifications . This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a writing signed by both parties hereto, which makes specific reference to this Agreement.

(f)     Entire Agreement . Except as provided herein, this Agreement contains the entire agreement between Buyer and Director with respect to the subject matter hereof and, from and after the date hereof, this Agreement shall supersede any prior agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

(g)     Counterparts, etc . This Agreement may be executed in identical counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. A facsimile signature shall constitute and

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have the same force and effect as an original signature for all purposes under this Agreement.

(h)     Termination . If the Merger Agreement is terminated in accordance with Section 11.1 thereof, this Agreement shall, without further action by the parties hereto, become null and void and of no further force or effect.



[Signatures on following page]






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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first above written.

BUYER

CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION



By: __________________________________
Name:                
Title:                 


    


DIRECTOR    


                        
________________________________
Name:
Address: ________________________

________________________

________________________








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EXHIBIT 5

FORM OF CLAIMS LETTER






FORM OF CLAIMS LETTER


_____________, 2016


Charter Financial Corporation
1233 O.G. Skinner Drive
West Point, GA 31833
Attention: Robert L. Johnson

Gentlemen:

This claims letter (“ Claims Letter ”) is delivered pursuant to Section 10.2(f) of that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 3, 2015 (as the same may be amended or supplemented, the “ Merger Agreement ”), by and among Charter Financial Corporation, a Maryland corporation (“ Buyer ”), CHFN Merger Sub, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company, and CBS Financial Corporation, a Georgia corporation (“ Seller ”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement.

Concerning claims which the undersigned may have against Seller or Buyer or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates in all capacities, whether as an officer, director, employee, partner, controlling person or Affiliate or otherwise of Seller or any Seller Entity, and in consideration of the premises, and the mutual covenants contained herein and in the Merger Agreement and the mutual benefits to be derived hereunder and thereunder, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the undersigned, intending to be legally bound, hereby affirms and agrees to the following in each and every such capacity of the undersigned.

1.     Claims . The undersigned does not have, and is not aware of, any claims it might have against Seller or Buyer or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates, except for (i) compensation and related benefits for services rendered that have been accrued but not yet paid in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or other contract rights relating to severance and employment that are contemplated by Section 8.13 of the Merger Agreement or which have been disclosed on the Seller Disclosure Memorandum delivered in connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, (ii) contract rights, under written loan commitments and agreements between the undersigned and Seller, specifically limited to possible future advances in accordance with the terms of such commitments or agreements, (iii) certificates of deposit, and (iv) any rights that the undersigned has or may have under the Merger Agreement.


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2.     Releases . Upon the Closing, the undersigned hereby fully, finally and irrevocably releases and forever discharges Seller, Buyer and all other Seller Entities and Buyer Entities, and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys, representatives, Subsidiaries, partners, Affiliates, controlling persons and insurers, and their respective successors and assigns, and each of them (hereinafter, individually and collectively, the “ Releasees ”) of and from any and all liabilities, losses, claims, demands, debts, accounts, covenants, agreements, obligations, costs, expenses, actions or causes of action of every nature, character or description, now accrued or which may hereafter accrue, without limitation and whether or not in law, equity or otherwise, based in whole or in part on any known or unknown facts, conduct, activities, transactions, events or occurrences, matured or unmatured, contingent or otherwise, which have or allegedly have existed, occurred, happened, arisen or transpired from the beginning of time to the date of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, except for (i) compensation for services rendered that have been accrued but not yet paid in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or other contract rights relating to severance and employment which have been disclosed to Buyer in connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, (ii) contract rights, underwritten loan commitments and written agreements between the undersigned and Seller or Seller Entity, (iii) certificates of deposit and (iv) any rights the undersigned has or may have under the Merger Agreement (collectively, subject only to the foregoing exceptions, the “ Claims ”). The undersigned further irrevocably releases, discharges, and transfers to Buyer, as successor to Seller, respectively, all claims, actions and interests of the undersigned in any Intellectual Property of any nature whatsoever created, developed, registered, licensed or used by or for the undersigned or the Seller or any Seller Entity (which shall also be considered to be Claims). The undersigned represents, warrants and covenants that no Claim released herein has been assigned, expressly, impliedly, by operation of law or otherwise, and that all Claims released hereby are owned solely by the undersigned, which has the sole authority to release them.

3.     Forbearance . The undersigned shall forever refrain and forebear from commencing, instituting, prosecuting or making any lawsuit, action, claim or proceeding before or in any court, Regulatory Authority, Governmental Authority, Taxing Authority arbitral or other authority to collect or enforce any Claims which are released and discharged hereby.

4.     Miscellaneous .

(a)    This Claims Letter shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Georgia without regard to conflict of laws principles (other than the choice of law provisions thereof).

(b)    This Claims Letter contains the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the Claims released hereby, and such Claims Letter supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements or understandings (written or otherwise) with respect to such Claims, and no representation or warranty, oral or written, express or implied, has been

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made by or relied upon by any party hereto, except as expressly contained herein, in the Merger Agreement.

(c)    This Claims Letter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the undersigned and the Releasees and their respective successors and assigns.

(d)    In the event that a party seeks to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by this Claims Letter through Litigation (as defined in the Merger Agreement), and in the event that such party prevails in any such Litigation pursuant to which an arbitral panel, court or other Governmental Authority issues a final order, judgment, decree or award granting substantially the relief sought, then the prevailing party shall be entitled upon demand to be paid by the other party, all reasonable costs incurred in connection with such Litigation, including the reasonable legal fees and charges of one counsel, provided no party shall be entitled to any punitive or exemplary damages, which are hereby waived.

(e)    This Claims Letter may not be modified, amended or rescinded except by the written agreement of the undersigned and the Buyer, it being the express understanding of the undersigned and the Releasees that no term hereof may be waived by the action, inaction or course of dealing by or between the undersigned or the Releasees, except in strict accordance with this paragraph, and further that the waiver of any breach of this Claims Letter shall not constitute or be construed as the waiver of any other breach of the terms hereof.

(f)    The undersigned represents, warrants and covenants that he or she is fully aware of his or her rights to discuss any and all aspects of this matter with any attorney he or she chooses, and that the undersigned has carefully read and fully understands all the provisions of this Claims Letter, and that the undersigned is voluntarily entering into this Claims Letter.

(g)    This Claims Letter is effective when signed by the undersigned and delivered to Buyer and acknowledged by Buyer, and its operation to extinguish all of the Claims released hereby is not dependent on or affected by the performance or non-performance of any future act by the undersigned or the Releasees.
    
                        


[ Signatures on following page .]



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Sincerely,



                        
Signature of Officer or Director


                        
Printed Name of Officer or Director


On behalf of Releasees, the undersigned thereunto duly authorized, acknowledges receipt of this letter as of ____________, 2016.


CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION


By:_______________________________
Name:
Title:








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Exhibit 31.1


CERTIFICATION

I, Robert L. Johnson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Charter Financial Corporation, certify that: 
1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Charter 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(s) 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 subsidiary, 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(s) 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:
February 8, 2016
/s/ Robert L. Johnson
 
 
 
Robert L. Johnson
 
 
 
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 



Exhibit 31.2


CERTIFICATION

I, Curtis R. Kollar, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Charter Financial Corporation, certify that: 
1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Charter 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(s) 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 subsidiary, 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(s) 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:
February 8, 2016
/s/ Curtis R. Kollar
 
 
 
Curtis R. Kollar
 
 
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 



Exhibit 32.1


CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADDED BY SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Charter Financial Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), the undersigned hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as added by § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of their knowledge:  

(1)
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of and for the period covered by the Report.
 
Date:
February 8, 2016
/s/ Robert L. Johnson
 
 
 
Robert L. Johnson
 
 
 
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
February 8, 2016
/s/ Curtis R. Kollar
 
 
 
Curtis R. Kollar
 
 
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 

This certification “accompanies” the Form 10-Q to which it relates, is not deemed filed with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (whether made before or after the date of the Form 10-Q, irrespective of any general incorporation contained in such filing.)