1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accounting policies and practices of Union First Market Bankshares Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company") conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U. S.") ("GAAP") and follow general practices within the banking industry. Major policies and practices are described below. Effective February 1, 2010, the Company acquired First Market Bank, FSB, a privately held federally chartered savings bank ("First Market Bank" or "FMB"). Upon completion of the merger, the Company changed its name from Union Bankshares Corporation to Union First Market Bankshares Corporation. The acquisition of First Market Bank is discussed in Note 2 "Acquisition" in these "Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements" and the following footnotes do not contain any financial results of First Market Bank for 2009 or the month of January 2010.

Principles of Consolidation—The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, which is a bank holding company that owns all of the outstanding common stock of its banking subsidiary, Union First Market Bank (the "Bank") and of Union Investment Services Inc. Subsequent to the acquisition of First Market Bank, it was merged with the Company's largest subsidiary, Union Bank and Trust Company, in February 2010 and the combined bank operates under the name Union First Market Bank. The remaining two affiliates, Northern Neck State Bank and Rappahannock National Bank were merged into Union First Market Bank during October 2010. Union Mortgage Group, Inc. ("Union Mortgage") is a wholly owned subsidiary of Union First Market Bank. Union First Market Bank also has a non-controlling interest in Johnson Mortgage Company, L.L.C., which is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The Company's Statutory Trust I and II, wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company, were formed for the purpose of issuing redeemable Trust Preferred Capital Notes in connection with the Company's acquisitions of Guaranty Financial Corporation in May 2004 and its wholly owned subsidiary, Guaranty Bank ("Guaranty") and Prosperity Bank & Trust Company ("Prosperity") in April 2006. Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 860 Transfers and Servicing, precludes the Company from consolidating Statutory Trusts I and II. The subordinated debts payable to the trusts are reported as liabilities of the Company. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Variable Interest Entities—Current accounting guidance states that if a business enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, the assets, liabilities and results of the activities of the variable interest entity should be included in the consolidated financial statements of the business enterprise. This interpretation explains how to identify variable interest entities and how an enterprise assesses its interest in a variable interest entity to decide whether to consolidate the entity. It also requires existing unconsolidated variable interest entities to be consolidated by their primary beneficiaries if the entities do not effectively disperse risks among parties involved. Variable interest entities that effectively disperse risks will not be consolidated unless a single party holds an interest or combination of interests that effectively recombines risks that were previously dispersed. Management has evaluated the Company's investment in variable interest entities. The Company's primary exposure to variable interest entities are the trust preferred securities structures.

Currently, other than the impact described above from the deconsolidation of the trust preferred capital notes, this accounting guidance has not had a material impact on the financial condition or the operating results of the Company.

Use of Estimates—The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these 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 goodwill and intangible assets, other real estate owned, deferred tax assets and liabilities, other-than-temporary impairment of securities and the fair value of financial instruments.

Business Combinations—Business combinations are accounted for under ASC 805 Business Combinations, using the acquisition method of accounting. The acquisition method of accounting requires an acquirer to recognize the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the acquisition date measured at their fair values as of that date. To determine the fair values, the Company will continue to rely on third party valuations, such as appraisals, or internal valuations based on discounted cash flow analyses or other valuation techniques. Under the acquisition method of accounting, the Company will identify the acquirer and the closing date and apply applicable recognition principles and conditions. Costs that the Company expects, but is not obligated to incur in the future, to effect its plan to exit an activity of an acquiree or to terminate the employment of or relocate an acquiree's employees are not liabilities at the acquisition date. The Company will not recognize these costs as part of applying the acquisition method. Instead, the Company will recognize these costs in its post-combination financial statements in accordance with other applicable accounting guidance.

Acquisition-related costs are costs the Company incurs to effect a business combination. Those costs include advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees. Some other examples of costs to the Company include systems conversions, integration planning consultants and advertising costs. The Company will account for acquisition-related costs as expenses in the periods in which the costs are incurred and the services are received, with one exception. The costs to issue debt or equity securities will be recognized in accordance with other applicable accounting guidance. These acquisition-related costs are included within the Consolidated Statements of Income classified within the noninterest expense caption.

Additional information on acquisitions that occurred during the years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 is disclosed in Note 2.

Cash and Cash Equivalents—For purposes of reporting cash flows, the Company defines cash and cash equivalents as cash, cash due from banks, interest-bearing deposits in other banks, money market investments, other interest-bearing deposits, and Federal funds sold.

Investment Securities—Securities classified as available for sale are those debt and equity securities that management intends to hold for an indefinite period of time, including securities used as part of the Company's asset/liability strategy, and that may be sold in response to changes in interest rates, liquidity needs or other similar factors. Securities available for sale are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains or losses, net of deferred taxes, included in accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders' equity.

Debt securities that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and reported at amortized cost. The Company has no securities in this category.

Securities classified as held for trading are those debt and equity securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term and are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. The Company has no securities in this category.

Purchased premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities. Declines in the fair value of held to maturity and available for sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses. In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, an impairment is other-than-temporary if any of the following conditions exists: the entity intends to sell the security; it is more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis; or, the entity does not expect to recover the security's entire amortized cost basis (even if the entity does not intend to sell). If a credit loss exists, but an entity does not intend to sell the impaired debt security and is not more likely than not to be required to sell before recovery, the impairment is other-than-temporary and should be separated into a credit portion to be recognized in earnings and the remaining amount relating to all other factors recognized as other comprehensive loss. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method.

Due to restrictions placed upon the Company's common stock investment in the Federal Reserve Bank, Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta and Community Bankers Bank, these securities have been classified as restricted equity securities and carried at cost. These restricted securities are not subject to the investment security classifications. The Federal Home Loan Bank requires the Bank to maintain stock in an amount equal to 4.5% of outstanding borrowings and a specific percentage of the member's total assets. The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond requires the Company to maintain stock with a par value equal to 6% of its outstanding capital.

Loans Held for Sale—Loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are sold, servicing released and carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value, which is determined in the aggregate based on sales commitments to permanent investors or on current market rates for loans of similar quality and type. In addition, the Company requires a firm purchase commitment from a permanent investor before a loan can be closed, thus limiting interest rate risk. As a result, loans held for sale are stated at fair value. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recognized through a valuation allowance by charges to income.

Loans—The Company originates commercial and consumer loans to customers. A substantial portion of the loan portfolio is represented by commercial and residential real estate loans (including acquisition and development loans and residential construction loans) throughout its market area. The ability of the Company's debtors to honor their contracts is dependent upon the real estate and general economic conditions in those markets.

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-offs generally are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances adjusted for any charge-offs, the allowance for loan losses, and any deferred fees or costs on originated loans. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the related loan yield using the interest method.

The Company has two loan portfolio level segments and fourteen loan class levels for reporting purposes. The two loan portfolio level segments are commercial and consumer.

Within the commercial loan portfolio segment there are seven loan classes for reporting purposes: commercial real estate – owner occupied, commercial real estate – non owner occupied, commercial construction, commercial and industrial, raw land and lots, single family investment real estate, and other commercial.

Commercial real estate – owner occupied loans are term loans made to support owner occupied real estate properties that rely upon the successful operation of the business occupying the property for repayment. General market conditions and economic activity may affect these types of loans. In addition to using specific underwriting policies and procedures for these types of loans, the Company manages risk by avoiding concentrations to any one business or industry.

Commercial real estate – non owner occupied loans are term loans typically made to borrowers to support income producing properties that rely upon the successful operation of the property for repayment. General market conditions and economic activity may impact the performance of these types of loans. In addition to using specific underwriting policies and procedures for these types of loans, the Company manages risk by diversifying the lending to various lines of businesses, such as retail, office, multi-family, office warehouse, and hotel as well as avoiding concentrations to any one business or industry.

 

Commercial construction loans are generally made to commercial and residential builders for specific construction projects. The successful repayment of these types of loans is generally dependent upon (a) a pre-planned commitment for permanent financing from the Company or another lender, or (b) from the sale of the constructed property. These loans carry more risk than both types of commercial real estate term loans due to the dynamics of construction projects, changes in interest rates, long-term financing market, and state and local government regulations. As in commercial real estate term lending, the Company manages risk by using specific underwriting policies and procedures for these types of loans and by avoiding concentrations to any one business or industry.

Commercial and industrial loans generally support our borrowers need for equipment/vehicle purchases and other short-term or seasonal cash flow needs. Repayment relies upon the successful operation of the business. This type of lending carries a lower level of commercial credit risk as compared to other commercial lending within this segment of lending. The Company manages this risk by using general underwriting policies and procedures for these types of loans and by avoiding concentrations to any one business or industry.

Raw land and lot loans are loans generally made to residential home builders to support their land and lot inventory needs. Repayment relies upon the successful performance of the underlying residential real estate project. This type of lending carries a higher level of risk as compared to other commercial lending. This class of lending manages risks related to residential real estate market conditions, a functioning first and secondary market in which to sell residential properties, and the borrower's ability to manage inventory and run projects. The Company manages this risk by lending to experienced builders and developers, by using specific underwriting policies and procedures for these types of loans, and by avoiding concentrations with any particular customer or geographic region.

Single family investment real estate loans are term loans made to real estate investors to support permanent financing for single family residential income producing properties that rely on the successful operation of the property for repayment. This management mainly involves property maintenance and collection of rents due from tenants. This type of lending carries a lower level of risk as compared to other commercial lending. The Company manages this risk by avoiding concentrations with any particular customer or geographic region.

Other commercial loans generally support small business lines of credit and agricultural lending neither of which are a material source of business for the Company.

The consumer loan portfolio segment is comprised of seven classes; mortgage, consumer construction, indirect auto, indirect marine, home equity lines of credit ("HELOCs"), credit card and other consumer. These are generally small loans spread across many borrowers, supported by computer-based loan approval systems and business line policies and procedures that aid in managing risk. The Company's consumer portfolio consists principally of loans secured by real estate, followed by indirect auto lending and indirect marine lending.

The Company manages the unique risks related to consumer construction to acceptable levels through certain policies and procedures, such as, limiting loan to value ratios at loan origination, requiring standards for appraisers, and not making subprime loans under any circumstances.

The indirect auto lending generally carries certain risks associated with the values of the collateral that management must mitigate. The Company focuses its indirect auto lending on one to two year old used vehicles where substantial depreciation has already occurred thereby minimizing the risk of significant loss of collateral values in the future. This type of lending places reliance on computer-based loan approval systems to supplement other underwriting standards.

The indirect marine lending is to borrowers that are well qualified with ample capacity to repay and typically lends against large marine vessels (i.e., yachts). Risks in this class of lending are generally related to the borrower's ability to guard against the effects of economic downturns or sustained levels of unemployment. This type of lending places reliance on computer-based loan approval systems to supplement other underwriting standards.

Nonaccruals, Past Dues, and Charge-offs

The policy for placing commercial loans on nonaccrual status is generally when the loan is 90 days delinquent unless the credit is well secured and in process of collection, but in any event no later than 180 days past due. Consumer loans (consumer construction, mortgages, indirect auto and marine, HELOCs, credit cards and other) are typically charged-off when management judges the loan to be uncollectible or the borrower files for bankruptcy, but no later than 120 days past due and generally not placed on nonaccrual status prior to charge off. Commercial loans are typically written down to net realizable value when it is determined that the Company will be unable to collect the principal amount in full and the amount of the loss is estimable, in any event no later than 180 days. All classes of loans are considered past due or delinquent when a contractual payment has not been satisfied. In all cases, loans are placed on non-accrual status or charged off at an earlier date if collection of principal and interest is considered doubtful and in accordance with regulatory requirements.

For both the commercial and consumer loan segments, all interest accrued but not collected for loans placed on non-accrual status or charged-off is reversed against interest income and accrual of interest income is terminated. Payments and interest on these loans are accounted for using the cost-recovery method by applying all payments received as a reduction to the outstanding principal balance until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. The determination of future payments being reasonably assured varies depending on the circumstances present with the loan however, the timely payment of contractual amounts owed for six consecutive months is a primary indicator. In addition, the return of a loan to accrual status is considered and approved by the Company's Special Assets Loan Committee.

Allowance for Loan Losses ("ALL")—The provision for loan losses charged to operations is an amount sufficient to bring the allowance for loan losses to an estimated balance that management considers adequate to absorb potential losses in the portfolio. Loans are charged against the allowance when management believes the collectability of the principal is unlikely. Recoveries of amounts previously charged-off are credited to the allowance. Management's determination of the adequacy of the allowance is based on an evaluation of the composition of the loan portfolio, the value and adequacy of collateral, current economic conditions, historical loan loss experience, and other risk factors. Management believes that the allowance for loan losses is adequate. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions, particularly those affecting real estate values. In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company's allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.

The Company performs regular credit reviews of the loan portfolio to review the credit quality and adherence to our underwriting standards. The credit reviews consist of reviews by its internal credit administration group and reviews performed by an independent third party. Upon origination each commercial loan is assigned a risk rating ranging from one to nine, with loans closer to one having less risk, and this risk rating scale is our primary credit quality indicator. Consumer loans are generally not risk rated, the primary credit quality indicator for this portfolio segment is delinquency status. The Company has various committees that review and ensure that the allowance for loan losses methodology is in accordance with GAAP and loss factors used appropriately reflect the risk characteristics of the loan portfolio.

The Company's ALL consists of specific, general and unallocated components.

Specific Reserve Component—The specific component relates to commercial loans that are classified as impaired. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Upon being identified as impaired an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan for loans not considered to be collateral dependant. The significant majority of the Company's impaired loans are collateral dependent. The impairment of collateral dependent loans is measured based on the fair value of the underlying collateral (based on independent appraisals), less selling costs, compared to the carrying value of the loan. The Company obtains independent appraisals from a pre-approved list of independent, third party, appraisal firms located in the market in which the collateral is located. The Company's approved appraiser list is continuously maintained to ensure the list only includes such appraisers that have the experience, reputation, character, and knowledge of the respective real estate market. At a minimum, it is ascertained that the appraiser is currently licensed in the state in which the property is located, experienced in the appraisal of properties similar to the property being appraised, has knowledge of current real estate market conditions and financing trends, and is reputable. The Company's internal real estate valuation group performs either a technical or administrative review of all appraisals obtained. A technical review will ensure the overall quality of the appraisal while an administrative review ensures that all of the required components of an appraisal are present. Generally, independent appraisals are updated every 12 to 24 months or as necessary. The Company's impairment analysis documents the date of the appraisal used in the analysis, whether the officer preparing the report deems it current, and, if not, allows for internal valuation adjustments with justification. Adjustments to appraisals generally include discounts for continued market deterioration subsequent to appraisal date. Any adjustments from appraised value to carrying value are documented in the impairment analysis, which is reviewed and approved by senior credit administration officers and the Special Assets Loan Committee. External appraisals are the primary source to value collateral dependent loans; however, the Company may also utilize values obtained through broker price opinions or other valuations sources. These alternative sources of value are used only if deemed to be more representative of value based on updated information regarding collateral resolution. Impairment analyses are updated, reviewed and approved on a quarterly basis at or near the end of each reporting period.

General Reserve Component—The general component covers non-impaired loans and is derived from an estimate of credit losses adjusted for various environmental factors applicable to both commercial and consumer loan segments. The estimate of credit losses is a function of the product of net charge-off historical loss experience to the loan balance of the loan portfolio averaged during the preceding twelve quarters as management has determined this to adequately reflect the losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The environmental factors consist of national, local and portfolio characteristics and are applied to both the commercial and consumer segments. The following table shows the types of environmental factors management considers:

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Portfolio		National		Local
Experience and ability of lending team		Interest rates		Level of economic activity
Depth of lending team		Inflation		Unemployment
Pace of loan growth		Unemployment		Competition
Franchise expansion		Gross domestic product		Rural vs. urban market
Execution of loan risk rating process		General market risk and other concerns		Military/government impact
Degree of oversight / underwriting standards		Legislative and regulatory environment
Value of real estate serving as collateral
Delinquency levels in portfolio
Charge-off levels in portfolio
Credit concentrations / nature and volume of the portfolio

Unallocated Component – This component may be used to cover uncertainties that could affect management's estimate of probable losses. The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio. Together, the specific, general, and any unallocated allowance for loan loss represents management's estimate of losses inherent in the current loan portfolio. Though provisions for loan losses may be based on specific loans, the entire allowance for loan losses is available for any loan management deems necessary to charge-off. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, there were no material amounts considered unallocated as part of the allowance for loan losses.

Impaired Loans

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Generally, a loan that is classified substandard or worse is considered impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower's prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, the loan's obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. The impairment loan policy is the same for each of the seven classes within the commercial portfolio segment.

For the consumer loan portfolio segment, large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. This evaluation subjects each of the Company's homogenous pools to a historical loss factor derived from net charge-offs experienced over the preceding twelve quarters. The Company applies payments received on impaired loans to principal and interest based on the contractual terms until they are placed on nonaccrual status at which time all payments received are applied to reduce the principal balance and recognition of interest income is terminated as previously discussed.

Troubled Debt Restructurings—In situations where, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower's financial condition, management may grant a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider, the related loan is classified as a troubled debt restructuring ("TDR"). Management strives to identify borrowers in financial difficulty early and work with them to modify their loan to more affordable terms before their loan reaches nonaccrual status. These modified terms may include rate reductions, principal forgiveness, extension of terms that are considered to be below market, conversion to interest only, and other actions intended to minimize the economic loss and to avoid foreclosure or repossession of the collateral. In cases where borrowers are granted new terms that provide for a reduction of either interest or principal, management measures any impairment on the restructuring as noted above for impaired loans. There were no modifications that met this classification for the years ending December 31, 2011 and 2010. Restructured loans for which there was no rate concession, and therefore made at a market rate of interest, may subsequently be eligible to be removed from TDR status in periods subsequent to the restructuring depending on the performance of the loan. The Company reviews previously restructured loans quarterly in order to determine whether any have performed, subsequent to the restructure, at a level that would allow for them to be removed from TDR status. The Company generally would consider a change in this classification if the loan has performed under the restructured terms for a consecutive twelve month period.

On July 1, 2011, the Company adopted the amendments in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-02, A Creditor's Determination of Whether a Restructuring is a Troubled Debt Restructuring ("ASU 2011-02"). As a result of adopting the amendments in ASU 2011-02, the Company reassessed all loans that were renewed on or after January 1, 2011 for identification as a TDR. The Company identified as troubled debt restructurings certain loans for which impairment had previously been measured collectively within their homogeneous pool. Upon identifying those loans as TDRs, the Company identified them as impaired under the guidance in ASC 310-10-35. The amendments in ASU 2011-02 require prospective evaluation of the impairment measurement guidance for those receivables newly identified as impaired. At December 31, 2011, the recorded investment in loans for which the allowance for loan losses were previously measured collectively within their homogeneous pool and now considered impaired, due to being designated as a TDR, was $23.7 million, and the allowance for loan losses associated with those loans, on the basis of a current evaluation of loss, was $221,000. The impact of this new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's non-performing assets, allowance for loan losses, earnings, or capital.

Bank Premises and Equipment—Land is carried at cost. Bank premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method based on the type of asset involved. The Company's policy is to capitalize additions and improvements and to depreciate the cost thereof over their estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 40 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the life of the related lease or the estimated life of the related asset. Maintenance, repairs, and renewals are expensed as they are incurred.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets—The Company's intangible assets are comprised of goodwill and other intangible assets that were acquired in business combinations. ASC 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other ("ASC 350"), prescribes accounting for goodwill and intangible assets subsequent to initial recognition. The provisions of ASC 350 discontinue the amortization of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives but require at least an annual impairment review and more frequently if certain impairment indicators are in evidence. The Company has determined that core deposit intangibles have a finite life, and therefore, will continue to be amortized over their estimated useful life.

Other Real Estate Owned ("OREO")—Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value, less selling costs, at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. When the carrying amount exceeds the acquisition date fair value, less selling costs, the excess is charged off against the allowance for loan losses. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell, any valuation adjustments occurring from post acquisition reviews are charged to expense as incurred. Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the valuation allowance are included in Loan and OREO disclosed in Note 19, "Other Operating Expenses," in these "Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements."

Transfers of Financial Assets—Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company – put presumptively beyond reach of the transferor and its creditors, even in bankruptcy or other receivership, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity or the ability to unilaterally cause the holder to return specific assets.

Bank Owned Life Insurance—The Company has purchased life insurance on certain key employees and directors. These policies are recorded at their cash surrender value ($53.2 million and $51.0 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively) and included in "Other assets" on the consolidated balance sheet. Income generated from polices is recorded as noninterest income.

Derivatives—Derivatives are recognized as assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets and measured at fair value. The Company's derivatives are interest rate swap agreements. For asset/liability management purposes, the Company uses interest rate swap agreements to hedge various exposures or to modify the interest rate characteristics of various balance sheet accounts. For those derivatives designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the derivative's unrealized gain or loss is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. For the Company's loan swaps, offsetting fair values are recorded in other assets and other liabilities with no net effect on other operating income.

Loan Fees—Fees collected and certain costs incurred related to loan originations are deferred and amortized as an adjustment to interest income over the life of the related loans. Deferred fees and costs are recorded as an adjustment to loans outstanding using a method that approximates a constant yield.

Stock Compensation Plan—The Company has adopted ASC 718 Compensation – Stock Compensation ("ASC 718"), which requires the costs resulting from all stock-based payments to employees be recognized in the financial statements. Stock-based compensation is estimated at the date of grant, using the Black-Scholes option valuation model for determining fair value of stock options. The market price of the Company's common stock at the date of grant is used for nonvested stock awards. The model employs the following assumptions:

 

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Dividend yield—calculated as the ratio of historical dividends paid per share of common stock to the stock price on the date of grant;

 

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Expected life (term of the option)—based on the average of the contractual life and vesting schedule for the respective option;

 

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Expected volatility—based on the monthly historical volatility of the Company's stock price over the expected life of the options; and

 

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Risk-free interest rate—based upon the U. S. Department of the Treasury (the "Treasury") bill yield curve, for periods within the contractual life of the option, in effect at the time of grant.

ASC 718 requires the Company to estimate forfeitures when recognizing compensation expense and that this estimate of forfeitures be adjusted over the requisite service period or vesting schedule based on the extent to which actual forfeitures differ from such estimates. Changes in estimated forfeitures are recognized through a cumulative catch-up adjustment, which is recognized in the period of change, and also will affect the amount of estimated unamortized compensation expense to be recognized in future periods.

For more information and tables refer to Note 10 "Employee Benefits" within the "Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements."

Income Taxes—Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined using the asset and liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is determined based on the tax effects of the temporary differences between the book and tax bases of the various balance sheet assets and liabilities and gives current recognition to changes in tax rates and laws. Deferred taxes are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

When tax returns are filed, it is highly certain that some positions taken would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others are subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination.

Interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits are classified as additional income taxes in the consolidated statement of income. The Company did not have any of these for the periods ending December 31, 2011, 2010 or 2009.

Advertising Costs—The Company follows a policy of charging the cost of advertising to expense as incurred. Advertising costs are disclosed in Note 19 "Other Operating Expenses" in the "Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements."

Earnings Per Common Share—Basic earnings per common share ("EPS") is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Net income available to common stockholders deducts from net income the dividends and discount accretion on preferred stock. Diluted earnings per common share reflect additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares had been issued, as well as any adjustment to income that would result from the assumed issuance. Potential common shares that may be issued by the Company relate solely to outstanding stock options and nonvested stock and are determined using the treasury stock method.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)—Comprehensive income (loss) represents all changes in equity that result from recognized transactions and other economic events of the period. Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to revenues, expenses, gains and losses under GAAP that are included in comprehensive income, but excluded from net income, such as unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities and interest rate swaps.

Off Balance Sheet Credit Related Financial Instruments—In the ordinary course of business, the Company has entered into commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.

Rate Lock Commitments—The Company enters into commitments to originate mortgage loans whereby the interest rate on the loan is determined prior to funding (rate lock commitments). Rate lock commitments on mortgage loans that are intended to be sold are considered to be derivatives. The period of time between issuance of a loan commitment and closing and sale of the loan generally ranges from 30 to 120 days. The Company protects itself from changes in interest rates through the use of best efforts forward delivery commitments, whereby the Company commits to sell a loan at the time the borrower commits to an interest rate with the intent that the buyer has assumed interest rate risk on the loan. As a result, the Company is not exposed to losses and will not realize significant gains related to its rate lock commitments due to changes in interest rates. The correlation between the rate lock commitments and the best efforts contracts is very high due to their similarity.

 

The market value of rate lock commitments and best efforts contracts is not readily ascertainable with precision because rate lock commitments and best efforts contracts are not actively traded in stand-alone markets. The Company determines the fair value of rate lock commitments and best efforts contracts by measuring the change in the value of the underlying asset while taking into consideration the probability that the rate lock commitments will close. Because of the high correlation between rate lock commitments and best efforts contracts, no gain or loss occurs on the rate lock commitments.

Asset Prepayment Rates—The Company purchases amortizing loan pools and investment securities in which the underlying assets are residential mortgage loans subject to prepayments. The actual principal reduction on these assets varies from the expected contractual principal reduction due to principal prepayments resulting from the borrowers' election to refinance the underlying mortgage based on market and other conditions. The purchase premiums and discounts associated with these assets are amortized or accreted to interest income over the estimated life of the related assets. The estimated life is calculated by projecting future prepayments and the resulting principal cash flows until maturity. Prepayment rate projections utilize actual prepayment speed experience and available market information on similar instruments. The prepayment rates form the basis for income recognition of premiums and discounts on the related assets. Changes in prepayment estimates may cause the earnings recognized on these assets to vary over the term that the assets are held, creating volatility in the net interest margin. Prepayment rate assumptions are monitored monthly and updated periodically to reflect actual activity and the most recent market projections.

Concentrations of Credit Risk—Most of the Company's activities are with customers located in portions of Central and Tidewater Virginia. Securities Available for Sale and Loans also represent concentrations of credit risk and are discussed in Note 3 "Securities Available for Sale" and Note 4 "Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses" in the "Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements," respectively.

Reclassifications—The accompanying consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, for prior periods reflect certain reclassifications in order to conform to the current presentation. The results of the reclassifications are not considered material and have no effect on previously reported net earnings available to comment shareholders and earnings per share.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements—In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2010-06, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements" ("ASU 2010-06"). This amends previous guidance to clarify existing disclosures, require new disclosures, and includes conforming amendments to guidance on employers' disclosures about postretirement benefit plan assets. ASU 2010-06 became effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures were effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of the new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In July 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-20, "Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses." The new disclosure guidance significantly expands the existing requirements and will lead to greater transparency into a company's exposure to credit losses from lending arrangements. The extensive new disclosures of information as of the end of a reporting period became effective for both interim and annual reporting periods ending on or after December 15, 2010. Specific disclosures regarding activity that occurred before the issuance of the ASU, such as the allowance roll forward and modification disclosures were required for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The Company has included the required disclosures in its consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-29, "Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations." The guidance requires pro forma disclosure for business combinations that occurred in the current reporting period as though the acquisition date for all business combinations that occurred during the year had been as of the beginning of the annual reporting period. If comparative financial statements are presented, the pro forma information should be reported as though the acquisition date for all business combinations that occurred during the current year had been as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period. This ASU was effective for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010. Early adoption was permitted. The adoption of the new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-28, "When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts." The amendments in this guidance modify step 1 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. For those reporting units, an entity is required to perform step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. The amendments in this ASU were effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2010. The adoption of the new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

The Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") has issued Final Rule No. 33-9002, "Interactive Data to Improve Financial Reporting," which requires companies to submit financial statements in extensible business reporting language ("XBRL") format with their SEC filings on a phased-in schedule. Large accelerated filers and foreign large accelerated filers using U.S. GAAP were required to provide interactive data reports starting with their first quarterly reports for fiscal periods ending on or after June 15, 2010. All remaining filers were required to provide interactive data reports starting with their first quarterly report for fiscal periods ending on or after June 15, 2011. The Company complied with this Rule beginning with the filing on the June 30, 2011 Form 10-Q.

In March 2011, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") 114. This SAB revises or rescinds portions of the interpretive guidance included in the codification of the SAB. This update is intended to make the relevant interpretive guidance consistent with current authoritative accounting guidance issued as a part of the FASB's codification. The principal changes involve revision or removal of accounting guidance references and other conforming changes to ensure consistency of referencing through the SAB series. The effective date for SAB 114 was March 28, 2011. The adoption of the new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-02, "A Creditor's Determination of Whether a Restructuring Is a Troubled Debt Restructuring" ("ASU 2011-02"). This ASU clarifies the guidance on a creditor's evaluation of whether it has granted a concession to a debtor. It also clarifies the guidance on a creditor's evaluation of whether a debtor is experiencing financial difficulty. The amendments in this guidance became effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after June 15, 2011. Early adoption was permitted. Retrospective application to the beginning of the annual period of adoption for modifications occurring on or after the beginning of the annual adoption period was required. As a result of applying these amendments, the Company identified receivables that are newly considered to be impaired. For purposes of measuring impairment of those receivables, and in accordance with the ASU, the Company applied the amendments prospectively for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after June 15, 2011. The Company has adopted ASU 2011-02 and included the required disclosures in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-03, "Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860) – Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements" ("ASU 2011-03"). The amendments in this ASU remove from the assessment of effective control (1) the criterion requiring the transferor to have the ability to repurchase or redeem the financial assets on substantially the agreed terms, even in the event of default by the transferee and (2) the collateral maintenance implementation guidance related to that criterion. The amendments in this ASU are effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011. The guidance should be applied prospectively to transactions or modifications of existing transactions that occur on or after the effective date. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that ASU 2011-03 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) – Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs" ("ASU 2011-04"). This ASU is the result of joint efforts by the FASB and International Accounting Standards Board to develop a single, converged fair value framework on how (not when) to measure fair value and what disclosures to provide about fair value measurements. The ASU is largely consistent with existing fair value measurement principles in U.S. GAAP (Topic 820), with many of the amendments made to eliminate unnecessary wording differences between U.S. GAAP and international financial reporting standards. The amendments are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 with prospective application. Early application is not permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that ASU 2011-04 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, "Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) – Presentation of Comprehensive Income" ("ASU 2011-05"). The objective of this ASU is to improve the comparability, consistency and transparency of financial reporting and to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income by eliminating the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders' equity. The amendments require that all non-owner changes in stockholders' equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The single statement of comprehensive income should include the components of net income, a total for net income, the components of other comprehensive income, a total for other comprehensive income, and a total for comprehensive income. In the two-statement approach, the first statement should present total net income and its components followed consecutively by a second statement that should present all the components of other comprehensive income, a total for other comprehensive income, and a total for comprehensive income. The amendments do not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income, the option for an entity to present components of other comprehensive income either net of related tax effects or before related tax effects, or the calculation or reporting of earnings per share. The amendments in this ASU should be applied retrospectively. The amendments are effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted because compliance with the amendments is already permitted. The amendments do not require transition disclosures. The Company is currently assessing the impact that ASU 2011-05 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2011, the SEC issued Final Rule No. 33-9250, "Technical Amendments to Commission Rules and Forms related to the FASB's Accounting Standards Codification." The SEC has adopted technical amendments to various rules and forms under the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the Investment Company Act of 1940. These revisions were necessary to conform those rules and forms to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The technical amendments include revision of certain rules in Regulation S-X, certain items in Regulation S-K, and various rules and forms prescribed under the Securities Act, Exchange Act and Investment Company Act. The release was effective as of August 12, 2011. The adoption of the release did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, "Intangible – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) – Testing Goodwill for Impairment." The amendments in this ASU permit an entity to first assess qualitative factors related to goodwill to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill test described in Topic 350. The more-likely-than-not threshold is defined as having a likelihood of more than 50 percent. Under the amendments in this ASU, an entity is not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted, including annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed as of a date before September 15, 2011, if an entity's financial statements for the most recent annual or interim period have not yet been issued. The Company is currently assessing the impact that ASU 2011-08 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-11, "Balance Sheet (Topic 210) – Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities." This ASU requires entities to disclose both gross information and net information about both instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the balance sheet and instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. An entity is required to apply the amendments for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 and interim periods within those annual periods. An entity should provide the disclosures required by those amendments retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. The Company is currently assessing the impact that ASU 2011-11 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12, "Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) – Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05." The amendments are being made to allow FASB time to redeliberate whether to present on the face of the financial statements the effects of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the components of net income and other comprehensive income for all periods presented. While FASB is considering the operational concerns about the presentation requirements for reclassification adjustments and the needs of financial statement users for additional information about reclassification adjustments, entities should continue to report reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income consistent with the presentation requirements in effect before ASU 2011-05. All other requirements in ASU 2011-05 are not affected by ASU 2011-12, including the requirement to report comprehensive income either in a single continuous financial statement or in two separate but consecutive financial statements. Public entities should apply these requirements for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company is currently assessing the impact that ASU 2011-12 will have on its consolidated financial statements.