form10qmarch2008.htm
 
 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC  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 March 31, 2008

OR
[   ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                to                 

Commission File Number 000-16435


COMMUNITY BANCORP.


Vermont
03-0284070
(State of Incorporation)
(IRS Employer Identification Number)
 
4811 US Route 5, Derby, Vermont
05829
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(zip code)
   
Registrant's Telephone Number:  (802) 334-7915

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 for such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes ( X )  No (  )

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, 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.

Large accelerated filer (  )
Accelerated filer (  )
Non-accelerated filer   (  )    (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company ( X )

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
YES (  )     NO(X)

At May 13, 2008, there were 4,416,027 shares outstanding of the Corporation's common stock.


 

 


FORM 10-Q
 
Page
PART I  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
   
4  
12  
25  
25  
   
PART II  OTHER INFORMATION
 
   
Item 1    Legal Proceedings
26  
26  
Item 6    Exhibits
27  
28  


 

 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  Financial Statements (Unaudited)

The following are the unaudited consolidated financial statements for Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary, "the Company".

 

 


COMMUNITY BANCORP. AND SUBSIDIARY
 
March 31
   
December 31
   
March 31
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
2008
   
2007
   
2007
 
   
(Unaudited)
         
(Unaudited)
 
Assets
                 
  Cash and due from banks
  $ 8,704,470     $ 17,486,535     $ 8,750,703  
  Federal funds sold and overnight deposits
    1,075,224       2,785,988       1,242,023  
     Total cash and cash equivalents
    9,779,694       20,272,523       9,992,726  
  Securities held-to-maturity (fair value $44,281,000 at 03/31/08,
                       
   $34,273,000 at 12/31/07, and $20,911,000 at 03/31/07)
    44,211,914       34,310,833       20,788,310  
  Securities available-for-sale
    38,366,253       46,876,771       21,717,027  
  Restricted equity securities, at cost
    3,456,850       3,456,850       2,308,950  
  Loans held-for-sale
    1,294,564       685,876       528,872  
  Loans
    357,467,878       355,885,207       266,475,860  
    Allowance for loan losses
    (2,969,847 )     (3,026,049 )     (2,295,985 )
    Unearned net loan fees
    (385,293 )     (443,372 )     (585,079 )
        Net loans
    354,112,738       352,415,786       263,594,796  
  Bank premises and equipment, net
    15,966,624       16,361,152       12,418,999  
  Accrued interest receivable
    2,619,771       2,304,055       1,799,659  
  Bank owned life insurance
    3,591,861       3,559,376       0  
  Core deposit intangible
    3,952,950       4,161,000       0  
  Goodwill
    10,560,339       10,347,455       0  
  Other assets
    7,175,651       7,279,941       5,602,488  
        Total assets
  $ 495,089,209     $ 502,031,618     $ 338,751,827  
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
                       
 Liabilities
                       
  Deposits:
                       
    Demand, non-interest bearing
  $ 48,820,207     $ 64,019,707     $ 46,801,261  
    NOW and money market accounts
    131,991,064       120,993,657       72,457,733  
    Savings
    50,165,818       46,069,943       40,098,014  
    Time deposits, $100,000 and over
    59,049,571       58,860,374       33,957,887  
    Other time deposits
    120,502,762       126,276,429       97,699,320  
        Total deposits
    410,529,422       416,220,110       291,014,215  
  Federal funds purchased and other borrowed funds
    16,476,000       13,760,000       40,000  
  Repurchase agreements
    14,820,990       17,444,933       14,457,778  
  Capital lease obligations
    940,704       943,227       0  
  Junior subordinated debentures
    12,887,000       12,887,000       0  
  Accrued interest and other liabilities
    4,715,341       5,855,988       2,255,765  
        Total liabilities
    460,369,457       467,111,258       307,767,758  
 Shareholders' Equity
                       
  Preferred stock, 1,000,000 shares authorized, 25 shares issued and
                       
    outstanding at 03/31/08 and 12/31/07, and no shares issued and
                       
    outstanding at 03/31/07
    2,500,000       2,500,000       0  
  Common stock - $2.50 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized at
                       
03/31/08 and 12/31/07, and 6,000,000 shares authorized at 03/31/07;
                 
   and 4,626,095 shares issued at 03/31/08, 4,609,268 shares issued
                       
   at 12/31/07, and 4,354,946 shares issued at 03/31/07
    11,565,237       11,523,170       10,887,365  
  Additional paid-in capital
    25,197,645       25,006,439       22,175,854  
  Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)
    (2,128,563 )     (1,597,682 )     733,787  
  Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    208,210       111,210       (198,205 )
  Less: treasury stock, at cost; 210,101 shares at 03/31/08 and
                       
    12/31/07 and 209,510 shares at 03/31/07
    (2,622,777 )     (2,622,777 )     (2,614,732 )
        Total shareholders' equity
    34,719,752       34,920,360       30,984,069  
        Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  $ 495,089,209     $ 502,031,618     $ 338,751,827  
 
 


 
           
Consolidated Statements of Income
           
(Unaudited)
           
For The First Quarter Ended March 31,
 
2008
   
2007
 
             
 Interest income
           
   Interest and fees on loans
  $ 6,127,296     $ 4,763,196  
   Interest on debt securities
               
     Taxable
    495,453       207,770  
     Tax-exempt
    395,161       206,790  
   Dividends
    59,660       49,957  
   Interest on federal funds sold and overnight deposits
    58,518       32,245  
        Total interest income
    7,136,088       5,259,958  
                 
 Interest expense
               
   Interest on deposits
    2,906,304       1,903,355  
   Interest on federal funds purchased and other borrowed funds
    144,358       7,714  
   Interest on repurchase agreements
    77,378       82,120  
   Interest on junior subordinated debentures
    292,523       0  
        Total interest expense
    3,420,563       1,993,189  
                 
    Net interest income
    3,715,525       3,266,769  
    Provision for loan losses
    62,499       37,500  
        Net interest income after provision
    3,653,026       3,229,269  
                 
 Non-interest income
               
   Service fees
    524,152       324,023  
   Income on bank owned life insurance
    32,485       0  
   Other income
    339,137       379,323  
        Total non-interest income
    895,774       703,346  
                 
 Non-interest expense
               
   Salaries and wages
    1,648,910       1,131,174  
   Employee benefits
    613,047       431,599  
   Occupancy expenses, net
    859,087       606,142  
   Other expenses
    1,456,076       981,079  
        Total non-interest expense
    4,577,120       3,149,994  
                 
   (Loss) income before income taxes
    (28,320 )     782,621  
    Income tax (benefit) expense
    (245,368 )     107,365  
        Net Income
  $ 217,048     $ 675,256  
                 
 Earnings per common share
  $ 0.05     $ 0.16  
 Weighted average number of common shares
               
  used in computing earnings per share
    4,405,237       4,342,230  
 Dividends declared per common share
  $ 0.17     $ 0.16  
 Book value per common share on shares outstanding at March 31,
  $ 7.86     $ 7.12  
                 
All share and per share data for prior periods restated to reflect a 5% stock dividend declared in June 2007.
 


 

 

 
COMMUNITY BANCORP. AND SUBSIDIARY
           
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
           
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2008
   
2007
 
             
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
           
  Net Income
  $ 217,048     $ 675,256  
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Operating Activities:
 
  Depreciation and amortization
    277,762       231,854  
  Provision for loan losses
    62,499       37,500  
  Deferred income taxes
    (157,562 )     (31,521 )
  Net gain on sale of loans
    (80,912 )     (57,644 )
  Gain on investment in Trust LLC
    (18,604 )     (44,709 )
  Amortization (accretion) of bond premium (discount), net
    (107,614 )     4,966  
  Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale
    6,745,555       5,759,917  
  Originations of loans held for sale
    (7,273,331 )     (5,664,845 )
  Decrease in taxes payable
    (231,722 )     (211,114 )
  Increase in interest receivable
    (315,716 )     (132,524 )
  Decrease (increase) in mortgage servicing rights
    48,023       (5,990 )
  Increase in other assets
    (958,048 )     (10,770 )
  Increase in bank owned life insurance
    (32,485 )     0  
  Amortization of core deposit intangible
    208,050       0  
  Amortization of limited partnerships
    100,500       97,530  
  Decrease in unamortized loan fees
    (58,079 )     (47,026 )
  Decrease in interest payable
    (71,103 )     (69,581 )
  Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses
    623,172       (212,535 )
  (Decrease) increase in other liabilities
    (631,880 )     32,019  
     Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
    (1,654,447 )     350,783  
                 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
               
  Investments – held-to-maturity
               
    Maturities and paydowns
    1,358,968       2,869,900  
    Purchases
    (11,260,049 )     (2,588,344 )
  Investments – available-for-sale
               
    Sales and maturities
    9,765,102       1,000,000  
    Purchases
    (1,000,000 )     0  
  Proceeds from redemption of restricted equity securities
    0       519,300  
  Decrease in limited partnership contributions payable
    0       (236,094 )
  Investments in limited partnership
    0       (222,000 )
  (Increase) decrease in loans, net
    (1,726,267 )     2,233,881  
  Capital expenditures, net of proceeds from sale of bank premises and equipment
    119,115       (316,829 )
  Recoveries of loans charged off
    24,895       10,649  
     Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
    (2,718,236 )     3,270,463  


 

 


 Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
           
  Net decrease in demand, NOW, money market and savings accounts
    (106,218 )     (7,919,989 )
  Net decrease in time deposits
    (5,584,470 )     (2,053,990 )
  Net decrease in repurchase agreements
    (2,623,943 )     (2,626,168 )
  Net increase in short-term borrowings
    10,716,000       0  
  Repayments on long-term borrowings
    (8,000,000 )     0  
  Common share dividends paid
    (521,515 )     (494,983 )
     Net cash used in financing activities
    (6,120,146 )     (13,095,130 )
                 
     Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (10,492,829 )     (9,473,884 )
  Cash and cash equivalents:
               
          Beginning
    20,272,523       19,466,610  
          Ending
  $ 9,779,694     $ 9,992,726  
                 
 Supplemental Schedule of Cash Paid During the Period
               
  Interest
  $ 3,491,666     $ 2,062,770  
  Income taxes
  $ 105,000     $ 350,000  
                 
Supplemental Schedule of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:
 
  Change in unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale
  $ 146,970     $ 109,786  
                 
 Common Share Dividends Paid
               
  Dividends declared
  $ 747,929     $ 702,136  
  Decrease (increase) in dividends payable attributable to dividends declared
    6,859       (2,587 )
  Dividends reinvested
    (233,273 )     (204,566 )
    $ 521,515     $ 494,983  


 

 

Index
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND CONSOLIDATION

     The interim consolidated financial statements of Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary are unaudited.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for fair presentation of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company contained herein have been made.  The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2007 contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.

NOTE 2.  5% STOCK DIVIDEND

     In June 2007, the Company declared a 5% stock dividend payable August 15, 2007 to shareholders of record as of July 15, 2007.  As a result of this stock dividend, all per share data and weighted average number of shares for prior periods have been restated.

NOTE 3.  RECENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS

     In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard, (SFAS) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”, which provides enhanced guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities.  This Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  This Statement applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, the Board having previously concluded in those accounting pronouncements that fair value is the relevant measurement attribute.  Accordingly, this Statement does not require any new fair value measurements.  SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company adopted SFAS 157 effective January 1, 2008.  Additional information regarding the Company’s fair value measurements under SFAS 157 is contained in Note 8.  FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-2 delays the measurement of goodwill and other intangible assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis until the first quarter of 2009.

     In February 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”, which gives entities the option to measure eligible financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value on an instrument by instrument basis. The election to use the fair value option is available when an entity first recognizes a financial asset or financial liability. Subsequent changes in fair value must be recorded in earnings. SFAS No. 159 contains provisions to apply the fair value option to existing eligible financial instruments at the date of adoption. This statement is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year after November 15, 2007, with provisions for early adoption.  To date the Company has not applied the fair value option to any financial instruments; therefore, SFAS No. 159 has not had any impact on the Company’s financial statements.

     In November 2007, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 109, Written Loan Commitments Recorded at Fair Value Through Earnings, in which the SEC Staff expresses its views concerning written loan commitments accounted for as derivatives or at fair value through earnings, as permitted by SFAS No. 159. It is the Staff's position that expected net future cash flows from servicing a loan should be included in the fair value measurement of a loan commitment when it qualifies for derivative accounting under SFAS No. 133 or at fair value through earnings, as permitted by SFAS No. 159. Implementation of SAB No. 109 did not have a material effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.

     In December 2007, FASB revised SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations” (SFAS No.141R). This statement requires an acquirer to recognize the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date, measured at their fair values as of that date. SFAS 141R recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase.  Additionally, SFAS 141R defines the acquirer as the entity that obtains control of one or more businesses in the business combination, establishes the acquisition date as the date that the acquiree achieves control and determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS 141R is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. Accordingly, SFAS did not apply to the Company’s acquisition of LyndonBank completed at year-end 2007, but would apply to business combinations (if any) in 2009 and subsequent years.

     In December 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Non controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) No. 51”.  This statement applies to all entities that prepare consolidated financial statements, except not-for-profit organizations, but will affect only those entities that have an outstanding non controlling interest in one or more subsidiaries or that deconsolidate a subsidiary. This statement amends ARB No. 51 to establish accounting and reporting standards for the non controlling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008.  The Company currently has one unconsolidated subsidiary, CMTV Statutory Trust I, which was created in 2007 in connection with the Company’s $12.5 million trust preferred securities financing.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of SFAS No. 160 but does not expect it will have a material effect on its financial condition or results of operations.

     In March 2008, FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133”. This statement requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities and thereby improves the transparency of financial reporting. Entities are required to provide enhanced disclosures about (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133 and its related interpretations, and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of SFAS No. 161 but does not expect it will have a material effect on its financial condition or results of operations.

NOTE 4.  INCOME TAXES

     In July 2006, FASB issued Financial Accounting Standards Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a company’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold of more-likely-than-not, and a measurement attribute for all tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return, in order for those tax positions to be recognized in the financial statements. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosures and transitions. Effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted FIN 48. The implementation of FIN 48 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

     The Company’s income tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 are open to audit under the statute of limitations by the Internal Revenue Service.  The Company’s policy is to record interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as part of its provision for income taxes.  A late estimated tax payment for the first quarter of 2006 resulted in penalty and interest of $15,208 which is reflected in the provision for income taxes for 2007.

NOTE 5.  EARNINGS PER SHARE

     Earnings per common share amounts are computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock issued during the period (retroactively adjusted for stock splits and stock dividends) and reduced for shares held in Treasury.

NOTE 6.  COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

     Accounting principles generally require recognized revenue, expenses, gains, and losses to be included in net income.  Certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as the after-tax effect of unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, are not reflected in the statement of income, but the cumulative effect of such items from period-to-period is reflected as a separate component of the equity section of the balance sheet (accumulated other comprehensive income or loss).  Other comprehensive income or loss, along with net income, comprises the Company's total comprehensive income.

The Company's total comprehensive income for the comparison periods is calculated as follows:

For the first quarter ended March 31,
 
2008
   
2007
 
             
Net income
  $ 217,048     $ 675,256  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
               
     Unrealized holding gain on available-for-sale
               
       securities arising during the period
    146,970       109,786  
     Tax effect
    (49,970 )     (37,327 )
     Other comprehensive income, net of tax
    97,000       72,459  
               Total comprehensive income
  $ 314,048     $ 747,715  


 

 

Index

NOTE 7.  MERGER AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

     On December 31, 2007, the Company completed its acquisition of LyndonBank, Lyndonville, Vermont, through the merger of LyndonBank with and into Community National Bank, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary.  The aggregate purchase price was approximately $26.7 million in cash.  To finance a portion of the acquisition costs, the Company issued $12.5 million of trust preferred securities and 25 shares of non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock for gross sale proceeds of $2.5 million.

     The transaction was accounted for as a purchase and, accordingly, the operations of LyndonBank are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the date of the acquisition.  The purchase price has been allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on estimates of fair value at the date of acquisition.  The excess of purchase price over the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired has been recorded as goodwill.  During the first quarter of 2008, the Company received valuations on bank premises and equipment to determine fair value and make the necessary adjustments to bank premises and equipment, goodwill and the related deferred tax liability.  The adjustment to goodwill was an increase of $212,884.

The purchase price allocation, including adjustments described above, was as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 12,079,764  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    1,006,700  
Investments
    23,541,893  
Loans, net
    94,898,984  
Bank premises and equipment
    3,906,979  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    4,785,076  
Identified intangible assets
    4,161,000  
Goodwill
    10,560,339  
Deposits
    (110,125,692 )
Borrowings
    (14,269,911 )
Long-term debt
    (943,227 )
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    (2,886,859 )
    Aggregate purchase price
  $ 26,715,046  

     The $4.2 million of acquired intangible assets is the core deposit intangible and is subject to amortization over the weighted-average life of the core deposit base which was determined to be approximately 10 years.

The goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes.

NOTE 8.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

     Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, which provides a framework for measuring and disclosing fair value under generally accepted accounting principles.  SFAS No. 157 requires disclosures about the fair value of assets and liabilities recognized in the balance sheet in periods subsequent to initial recognition, whether the measurements are made on a recurring basis (for example, available-for-sale investment securities) or on a nonrecurring basis (for example, impaired loans).

     SFAS No. 157 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.  SFAS No. 157 also establishes 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 standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.  Level 1 assets and liabilities include debt and equity securities and derivative contracts that are traded in an active exchange market, as well as U.S. Treasury, other U.S. Government and agency mortgage-backed debt securities that are highly liquid and are actively traded in over-the-counter markets.

Level 2
Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.  Level 2 assets and liabilities include debt securities with quoted prices that are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments and derivative contracts whose value is determined using a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.  This category generally includes certain derivative contracts, residential mortgage servicing rights, and impaired loans.

Level 3
Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.  Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.  For example, this category generally includes certain private equity investments, retained residual interest in securitizations, and highly-structured or long-term derivative contracts.

     A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2008 are summarized below:

   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Fair Value
 
Assets:
                       
Securities available for sale
  $ 4,742,550     $ 33,623,703     $ 0     $ 38,366,253  
Mortgages held-for-sale
    0       1,294,564       0       1,294,564  
Mortgage servicing rights
    0       1,207,259       0       1,207,259  
   Total
  $ 4,742,550     $ 36,125,526     $ 0     $ 40,868,076  

     The fair value of securities available for sale equals quoted market prices, if available.  If quoted market prices are not available, fair value is determined using quoted market prices for similar securities.  Level 1 securities include U.S. Government Bonds and certain preferred stock.  Level 2 securities include asset-backed securities including obligations of government sponsored entities, mortgage backed securities, municipal bonds and equity securities.

     The fair value of loans held-for-sale is based upon an actual purchase and sale agreement between the Company and an independent market participant.  The sale is executed within a reasonable period following quarter end at the stated fair value.

     Mortgage servicing rights are initially recorded at estimated fair value and are then periodically measured for impairment by projecting and discounting future cash flows associated with servicing at market rates.  The projection of cash flows is a Level 2 measurement, incorporating assumptions of changes in cash flows due to estimated prepayments, estimated costs to service and estimates of other servicing income.  Market assumptions are used and primarily include discount rates and expected prepayments.  As of March 31, 2008, the Company’s mortgage servicing rights measured at fair value totaled $1.2 million.  During the first quarter of 2008, the Company recorded $30,037 of non-interest expense related to the impairment of mortgage servicing rights.

Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and reflected in the balance sheet at March 31, 2008 are summarized below:

   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Fair Value
 
Impaired loans
  $ 0     $ 381,863     $ 0     $ 381,863  

     Impaired loans are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.  Loans which are deemed to be impaired are primarily valued at the fair values of the underlying real estate collateral.  Such fair values are obtained using independent appraisals, which the Company considers to be level 2 inputs.  These adjustments to fair value usually result from application of lower of cost or fair value accounting or write-downs of individual assets due to impairment.

NOTE 9.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     The Company's subsidiary, Community National Bank, as successor by merger to LyndonBank, is a defendant in an action filed in Quebec, Canada by a Canadian attorney who previously had been retained by LyndonBank to represent the bank in connection with a loan collection matter.  The plaintiff-attorney alleges that he is entitled to approximately $30,500 (CAN) (approximately $30,400 USD at the current exchange rate), which represents legal fees equal to 5% of the assessed value of the real property collateral, plus expenses.  The Bank disputes the amount of his claim as well as the existence of any percentage fee arrangement.  The Bank has retained new Canadian counsel in connection with this matter which is defending the action.  Pending resolution of the claim, the Bank will be required to place in escrow approximately $93,400 (CAN) (approximately $93,135 USD), representing the net proceeds previously received by LyndonBank from the sale of real property collateral in the collection matter (now concluded).  Although the Company does not believe that an adverse resolution of this claim would have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial condition, such a resolution could have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations in the annual or quarterly period in which the adverse resolution occurred.

     In addition to the foregoing matter, in the normal course of business the Company and its subsidiary are involved in litigation that is considered incidental to their business.  Management does not expect that any such litigation will be material to the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations.


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

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
for the Period Ended March 31, 2008

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     The Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations may contain certain forward-looking statements about the Company's operations, financial condition and business. When used therein, the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "plans," "predicts," or similar expressions, indicate that management of the Company is making forward-looking statements.

     Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance.  They necessarily involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  Future results of the Company may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements.  Examples of forward looking statements contained in this discussion include, but are not limited to, management’s expectations as to future asset growth, income trends, results of operations and other matters reflected in the Overview section, estimated contingent liability related to the Company's participation in the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) Mortgage Partnership Finance (MPF) program, assumptions made within the asset/liability management process, and management's expectations as to the future interest rate environment and the Company's related liquidity level. Although these statements are based on management's current expectations and estimates, many of the factors that could influence or determine actual results are unpredictable and not within the Company's control.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements as they speak only as of the date they are made.  The Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

     Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements include, among others, the following possibilities: (1) competitive pressures increase among financial services providers in the Company's northern New England market area or in the financial services industry generally, including competitive pressures from nonbank financial service providers, from increasing consolidation and integration of financial service providers, and from changes in technology and delivery systems, which erode the competitive advantage of in-market branch facilities; (2) interest rates change in such a way as to reduce the Company's margins; (3) general economic or monetary conditions, either nationally or regionally, are less favorable than expected, resulting in a deterioration in credit quality or a diminished demand for the Company's products and services; (4) changes in laws or government rules, or the way in which courts interpret those laws or rules, adversely affect the Company's business; and (5) unanticipated difficulties, expenses or delays might arise in the integration of LyndonBank’s operations or we may not fully realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition or realize them within expected timeframes.

A NOTE TO READER.

     The Company’s acquisition of LyndonBank became effective on December 31, 2007.  Accordingly, the Company’s first quarter 2008 results discussed in this report are of the merged institution of Community National Bank and the former LyndonBank.  The comparative period information in this report as of March 31, 2007 and for the quarter then ended does not include data for LyndonBank.

 

 

Index

OVERVIEW

     After months of extensive planning and testing, the computer systems of Community National Bank and the former LyndonBank were merged.  March 24, 2008, all 14 Community National Bank branches opened on the same computer system.  The cost associated with the conversion and other merger related expenses significantly affected first quarter earnings.

     Net income for the first quarter of 2008 was $217,048 or $0.05 per share versus $675,256 or $0.15 per share for the same period last year.  Net interest income for the first quarter of 2008 was $3.72 million compared to $3.27 million for the first quarter of 2007.  The increase was due to the growth in the balance sheet from the acquisition of Lyndonbank on December 31, 2007, offset somewhat by the compression of the net interest margin due to the declining interest rates during the quarter and the amortization of the fair value adjustments of the loans and deposits. Prolonged low interest rates will continue to pose challenges to the Company’s ability to increase net interest income.

     Total assets at March 31, 2008 were $495.1 million compared to $502.0 million at December 31, 2007 and $338.8 million at March 31, 2007.  The increase in assets when the merger transaction was completed, net of cash paid, was $128.5 million.  The assets acquired at December 31, 2007, net of fair value adjustments, were net loans of $94.9 million, investments of $24.6 million, fixed assets of $3.9 million and $4.8 million in other assets.  Contributing to the increase in assets year-to-year is an increase in Community National Bank’s municipal investments of $23.4 million.  With out the acquired loans, the loan portfolio would have decreased by $2.2 million.  Loan demand followed the normal cyclical pattern during the first quarter with lower loan demand at the beginning of the year and increasing toward the end of the quarter.

     Non-interest income for the first quarter of 2008 was $895,774 compared to $703,346 for the first quarter of 2007.  While the merger resulted in an increase in service charges on deposit accounts in the first quarter of 2008, 2007 included fee income from the credit card portfolio that was sold in the third quarter of 2007.  Non-interest expenses were $4.8 million for the first quarter of 2008 compared to $3.2 million for the same period in 2007.  Contributing significantly to the increase in non-interest expenses in 2008 were one-time merger related expenses in the first quarter of approximately $450,000, including the cost of the computer conversion and termination of contracts and service agreements of LyndonBank.    The regulatory environment continues to increase operating costs and place extensive burden on management resources to comply with rules such as Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the US Patriot Act and the Bank Secrecy Act to protect the U.S. Financial system and the customer from fraud, identity theft, anti-money laundering, and terrorism.

     The following pages describe our first quarter financial results in much more detail. Please take the time to read them to more fully understand the three months ended March 31, 2008 in relation to the 2007 comparison periods.  The discussion below should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and related notes included in this report and with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.  This report includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act").

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared according to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  The preparation of such financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and related notes.  The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has defined a company’s critical accounting policies as the ones that are most important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, and which require the Company to make its most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain.  Because of the significance of these estimates and assumptions, there is a high likelihood that materially different amounts would be reported for the Company under different conditions or using different assumptions or estimates.

     Management evaluates on an ongoing basis its judgment as to which policies are considered to be critical. Management believes that the calculation of the allowance for loan losses (ALL) is a critical accounting policy that requires the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.  In estimating the ALL, management considers historical experience as well as other factors including the effect of changes in the local real estate market on collateral values, current economic indicators and their probable impact on borrowers and changes in delinquent, non-performing or impaired loans.  Management’s estimates used in calculating the ALL may increase or decrease based on changes in these factors, which in turn will affect the amount of the Company’s provision for loan losses charged against current period income.  Actual results could differ significantly from these estimates under different assumptions, judgments or conditions.

     Occasionally, the Company acquires property in connection with foreclosures or in satisfaction of debt previously contracted.  To determine the value of property acquired in foreclosure, management often obtains independent appraisals for significant properties.  Because the extent of any recovery on these loans depends largely on the amount the Company is able to realize upon liquidation of the underlying collateral, the recovery of a substantial portion of the carrying amount of foreclosed real estate is susceptible to changes in local market conditions.  The amount of the change that is reasonably possible cannot be estimated.  In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowance for losses on loans and foreclosed real estate.  Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowances based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.

     Companies are required to perform periodic reviews of individual securities in their investment portfolios to determine whether decline in the value of a security is other than temporary. A review of other-than-temporary impairment requires companies to make certain judgments regarding the materiality of the decline, its effect on the financial statements and the probability, extent and timing of a valuation recovery and the company’s intent and ability to hold the security. Pursuant to these requirements, management assesses valuation declines to determine the extent to which such changes are attributable to fundamental factors specific to the issuer, such as financial condition, business prospects or other factors or market-related factors, such as interest rates. Declines in the fair value of securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are recorded in earnings as realized losses.

     Under current accounting rules, mortgage servicing rights associated with loans originated and sold, where servicing is retained, are capitalized and included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet. Mortgage servicing rights are amortized into non-interest income in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated future net servicing income of the underlying financial assets. Mortgage servicing rights are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to amortized cost. The value of capitalized servicing rights represents the present value of the future servicing fees arising from the right to service loans in the portfolio. The carrying value of the mortgage servicing rights is periodically reviewed for impairment based on a determination of fair value and impairment, if any, is recognized through a valuation allowance and is recorded as amortization of other assets.  Critical accounting policies for mortgage servicing rights relate to the initial valuation and subsequent impairment tests. The methodology used to determine the valuation of mortgage servicing rights requires the development and use of a number of estimates, including anticipated principal amortization and loan prepayments. Events that may significantly affect the estimates used are changes in interest rates and the payment performance of the underlying loans.  In conjunction with the implementation of SFAS No. 156, “Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets-an Amendment to FASB Statement No. 140”, the Company implemented changes to its valuation analysis, through the guidance of a third party provider.

     Accounting for a business combination requires the application of the purchase method of accounting.  Under the purchase method, the Company is required to record the net assets and liabilities acquired through the merger at fair market value, with the excess of the purchase price over the fair market value of the net assets recorded as goodwill and evaluated annually for impairment.  Management acknowledges the determination of fair value requires the use of assumptions, including discount rates, changes in which could significantly affect fair values.

     Management utilizes numerous techniques to estimate the carrying value of various assets held by the Company, including, but not limited to, bank premises and equipment and deferred taxes. The assumptions considered in making these estimates are based on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed by management to be reasonable under the circumstances.  Management acknowledges that the use of different estimates or assumptions could produce different estimates of carrying values.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     The first quarter of 2008 was the first quarter of combined operations following the Company’s acquisition of LyndonBank, which became effective on December 31, 2007.  Accordingly, in the discussion that follows prior period income and expense figures are for the Company, and do not include LyndonBank’s results of operations.

     The Company’s net income for the first quarter of 2008 was $217,048, representing a decrease of $458,208, or 67.9% over net income of $675,256 for the first quarter of 2007. This resulted in earnings per share of $0.05 and $0.15, respectively, for the first quarters of 2008 and 2007.  Core earnings (net interest income) for the first quarter of 2008 increased $448,756, or 13.7% over the first quarter of 2007.  Interest income on loans, the major component of interest income, increased $1.4 million or 28.6%, and interest and dividend income on investments increased $485,757 or 105.0%. Interest expense on deposits, the major component of interest expense, increased $1.0 million, or 52.7%, between periods and interest on federal funds purchased and other borrowed funds increased $136,644.  All of these increases are the result of increases in earning assets and interest bearing liabilities through the Company’s recent merger with LyndonBank.   As a result of the merger, the Company is required to amortize the fair value adjustments of the loans and deposits against net interest income.  The loan fair value adjustment was a net premium, therefore creating a decrease of $115,724 in interest income for the first quarter of 2008.  The amortization of the core deposit intangible and the certificate of deposit fair value adjustment resulted in $273,050 of additional interest expense for the first quarter of 2008.  The Company incurred some expenses during the first quarter of 2008 that were a direct result of the merger, including costs to terminate service contracts held by the former LyndonBank, costs of outside contracts to complete the computer and network conversions, the cost of a communication booklet for the customers, and salary and wages for the personnel needed to complete the merger and the conversion of computer systems.

      Return on average assets (ROA), which is net income divided by average total assets, measures how effectively a corporation uses its assets to produce earnings.  Return on average equity (ROE), which is net income divided by average shareholders' equity, measures how effectively a corporation uses its equity capital to produce earnings.  ROA and ROE were significantly lower in the first quarter of 2008 compared to 2007, reflecting the effect of merger-related expenses.  The following table shows these ratios annualized for the comparison periods.

For the first quarter ended March 31,
 
2008
   
2007
 
             
Return on Average Assets
    0.17 %     .78 %
Return on Average Equity
    2.50 %     9.21 %

INTEREST INCOME LESS INTEREST EXPENSE (NET INTEREST INCOME)

     Net interest income, the difference between interest income and interest expense, represents the largest portion of the Company's earnings, and is affected by the volume, mix, and rate sensitivity of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, market interest rates and the amount of non-interest bearing funds which support earning assets.  The three tables below provide a visual comparison of the consolidated figures, and are stated on a tax equivalent basis assuming a federal tax rate of 34%.  The Company’s corporate tax rate is 34%, therefore, to equalize tax-free and taxable income in the comparison, we must divide the tax-free income by 66%, with the result that every tax-free dollar is equal to $1.52 in taxable income.

     Tax-exempt income is derived from municipal investments, which comprise the entire held-to-maturity portfolio of $44.2 million, along with a small portfolio within the available-for-sale portfolio amounting to approximately $1.2 million.  The Company also has Agency Stock in its available-for-sale portfolio amounting to $1.3 million that carries a 70% tax exemption on the interest income generated.  Both of these available-for-sale portfolios were acquired through the merger with LyndonBank.

     The following table shows the reconciliation between reported net interest income and tax equivalent, net interest income for the three month comparison periods of 2008 and 2007:

For the three months ended March 31,
 
2008
   
2007
 
             
Net interest income as presented
  $ 3,715,525     $ 3,266,769  
Effect of tax-exempt income
    203,568       106,528  
   Net interest income, tax equivalent
  $ 3,919,093     $ 3,373,297  


 

 

Index

AVERAGE BALANCES AND INTEREST RATES

     The table below presents average earning assets and average interest-bearing liabilities supporting earning assets.  Interest income (excluding interest on non-accrual loans) and interest expense are both expressed on a tax equivalent basis, both in dollars and as a rate/yield for the 2008 and 2007 comparison periods.  Loans are stated before deduction of non-accrual loans, unearned discount and allowance for loan losses.  Average earning assets and liabilities for the 2007 comparison period do not include the earning assets and liabilities of LyndonBank.

   
For the Three Months Ended:
 
         
2008
               
2007
       
   
Average
   
Income/
   
Rate/
   
Average
   
Income/
   
Rate/
 
   
Balance
   
Expense
   
Yield
   
Balance
   
Expense
   
Yield
 
EARNING ASSETS
                                   
                                     
 Loans (gross)
  $ 356,296,534     $ 6,127,296       6.92 %   $ 268,765,407     $ 4,763,196       7.19 %
 Taxable Investment Securities
    40,640,048       495,453       4.90 %     21,771,660       207,770       3.87 %
 Tax Exempt Investment Securities
    41,801,655       598,729       5.76 %     20,863,909       313,318       6.09 %
 Federal Funds Sold
    0       0       0.00 %     0       0       0.00 %
 Interest Earning Deposit Accounts
    3,977,863       58,518       5.92 %     2,606,060       32,245       5.02 %
 Other Investments
    3,843,850       59,660       6.24 %     2,348,080       49,957       8.63 %
     TOTAL
  $ 446,559,950     $ 7,339,656       6.61 %   $ 316,355,116     $ 5,366,486       6.88 %
   
INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES & EQUITY
 
   
 NOW & Money Market Funds
  $ 119,486,783     $ 846,944       2.87 %   $ 75,401,509     $ 442,389       2.38 %
 Savings Deposits
    48,737,146       111,768       0.93 %     38,801,457       33,342       0.35 %
 Time Deposits
    183,071,611       1,947,592       4.31 %     132,171,953       1,427,625       4.38 %
 Fed Funds Purchased and
                                               
  Other Borrowed Funds
    11,100,352       125,307       4.58 %     544,533       7,713       5.74 %
 Repurchase Agreements
    17,491,623       77,378       1.79 %     14,999,911       82,120       2.22 %
 Capital Lease Obligations
    939,237       19,051       8.23 %     0       0       0.00 %
 Junior Subordinated Debentures
    12,887,000       292,523       9.21 %     0       0       0.00 %
     TOTAL
  $ 396,213,752     $ 3,420,563       3.52 %   $ 261,919,363     $ 1,993,189       3.09 %
                                                 
Net Interest Income
          $ 3,919,093                     $ 3,373,297          
Net Interest Spread(1)
                    3.09 %                     3.79 %
Interest Margin(2)
                    3.53 %                     4.32 %

(1)  Net interest spread is the difference between the yield on earning assets and the rate paid on interest bearing liabilities.
(2)  Interest margin is net interest income divided by average earning assets.

     The average volume of earning assets for the first three months of 2008 increased $130.2 million, or 41.2% compared to the same period of 2007, while average yield decreased 27 basis points.  The average volume of loans increased $87.5 million or 32.6%, while the average volume of the investment portfolio increased $39.8 million between periods.  These increases are attributable to the merger with LyndonBank at December 31, 2007, in which the Company acquired $94.8 million in loans, and $23.5 million in available-for-sale investments.  These figures are actual, compared to the average volumes discussed above and throughout this section.  Interest earned on the loan portfolio comprised approximately 83.5% of total interest income for the first three months of 2008 and 88.8% for the 2007 comparison period.  Interest earned on tax exempt investments (which is presented on a tax equivalent basis) comprised 8.2% for the first three months of 2008 compared to 5.8% for the same period in 2007.   As mentioned earlier in this discussion, the Company acquired $2.5 million in tax exempt investments in the merger with LyndonBank, contributing to this increase.

     In comparison, the average volume of interest bearing liabilities for the first three months of 2008 increased approximately $134.3 million, or 51.3% over the 2007 comparison period, and the average rate paid on these accounts increased 43 basis points.  The average volume of time deposits increased $50.9 million, or 38.5%, and the interest paid on time deposits, which comprises 56.9% and 71.6%, respectively, of total interest expense for the 2008 and 2007 comparison periods, increased $519,967, or 36.4%.  NOW and money market funds increased $44.1 million or 58.5%, and the interest paid on these funds comprises 24.8% and 22.2%, respectively, of the total interest expense for the three months of 2008 and 2007.  The Company acquired actual balances totaling $29.7 million in NOW and money market funds and $54.1 million in time deposits at December 31, 2007 through the merger with LyndonBank.  The increase in average rate is attributable, not only to a capital lease obligation the Company acquired through the merger with an average rate of 8.23%, but also through the issuance of $12.5 million of trust preferred securities with an average rate of 7.73%, and the issuance of 25 shares of non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock valued at $2.5 million with an average rate of 7.6%.  These securities helped to finance the year-end acquisition.  The cumulative result of all these changes was an increase of $545,796 in tax equivalent net interest income, however coupled with a significant increase in the balance sheet the result was a decrease in net interest spread of 70 basis points and a decrease of 79 basis points in the interest margin.


CHANGES IN INTEREST INCOME AND INTEREST EXPENSE

    The following table summarizes the variances in interest income and interest expense on a fully tax-equivalent basis for the first three months of 2008 and 2007 resulting from volume changes in average assets and average liabilities and fluctuations in rates earned and paid.

   
Variance
   
Variance
       
RATE / VOLUME
 
Due to
   
Due to
   
Total
 
   
Rate(1)
   
Volume(1)
   
Variance
 
                   
INCOME EARNING ASSETS
                 
                   
 Loans (2)
    (187,719 )     1,551,819       1,364,100  
 Taxable Investment Securities
    107,632       180,051       287,683  
 Tax Exempt Investment Securities
    (28,999 )     314,410       285,411  
 Federal Funds Sold
    0       0       0  
 Sweep and Other Interest Earning Accounts
    9,293       16,980       26,273  
 Other Investments
    (22,126 )     31,829       9,703  
       Total Interest Earnings
    (121,919 )     2,095,089       1,973,170  
                         
INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES
                       
                         
 NOW & Money Market Funds
    145,841       258,714       404,555  
 Savings Deposits
    69,851       8,575       78,426  
 Time Deposits
    (29,749 )     549,716       519,967  
 Fed Funds Purchased and Other Borrowed Funds
    (31,807 )     149,401       117,594  
 Repurchase Agreements
    (18,382 )     13,640       (4,742 )
 Capital Lease Obligations
    19,051       0       19,051  
 Junior Subordinated Debentures
    292,523       0       292,523  
       Total Interest Expense
    447,328       980,046       1,427,374  
                         
Changes in Net Interest Income
    (569,247 )     1,115,043       545,796  

(1) Items which have shown a year-to-year increase in volume have variances allocated as follows:
          Variance due to rate = Change in rate x new volume
          Variance due to volume = Change in volume x old rate
 
     Items which have shown a year-to-year decrease in volume have variances allocated as follows:
          Variance due to rate = Change in rate x old volume
          Variances due to volume = Change in volume x new rate
 
(2) Loans are stated before deduction of unearned discount and allowances for loan losses.  The
     principal balances of non-accrual loans is included in calculations of the yield on loans, while
     the interest on these non-performing assets is excluded.
 
 

Index

NON-INTEREST INCOME AND NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

     Non-interest income increased $192,428, or 27.4% for the first quarter of 2008 compared to the first quarter of 2007, from $703,346 to $895 774.  An increase in service fees of $200,129, or 61.8% was not only attributable to the increase in deposit accounts acquired through the merger with LyndonBank, but also through an increase in various fees on all deposit accounts.  The Company acquired bank owned life insurance (BOLI) through the merger, and recognized $32,485 in non-taxable income on this asset during the first quarter of 2008.  The decrease in other income is attributable to the sale of the Company’s credit card portfolio during the second half of 2007.  Credit card income of $6,285 was reported for the first three months of 2008, compared to $32,412 for the first three months of 2007, a decrease of $26,127 or 80.6%.  Credit card fee income is now limited to commissions earned based on activity of the sold portfolio.

     Non-interest expense increased $1.4 million or 45.3% for the first quarter of 2008 compared to 2007.  Salaries and wages increased $517,736 or 45.8% for the first quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007, which is not only attributable to normal increases in these expenses, but also to the increase in personnel resulting from the LyndonBank merger, as well as a temporary increase in personnel hours needed before and after the conversion of the computer system of LyndonBank.  In addition to the increase in salaries and wages, the Company reported approximately $450,000 in merger related expenses, which are a component of both occupancy and other expenses, during the first quarter of 2008.

     Management monitors all components of other non-interest expenses; however, a quarterly review is performed to assure that the accruals for these expenses are accurate.  This helps alleviate the need to make significant adjustments to these accounts that in turn affect the net income of the Company.

APPLICABLE INCOME TAXES

     Provisions for income taxes decreased $352,733 for the first quarter of 2008 compared to the same quarter of 2007 as a direct result of the decrease in income before taxes of $810,941.

CHANGES IN FINANCIAL CONDITION

     The merger of the Bank and LyndonBank occurred on December 31, 2007, therefore, the assets and liabilities presented in the discussion below for that period and March 31, 2008 include the assets and liabilities of the former LyndonBank.

     The following table reflects the composition of the Company's major categories of assets and liabilities as a percent of total assets or liabilities and shareholders’ equity, as the case may be, as of the dates indicated:

ASSETS
 
March 31, 2008
   
December 31, 2007
   
March 31, 2007
 
   
 Loans (gross)*
  $ 358,762,442       72.46 %   $ 356,571,083       71.03 %   $ 267,004,732       78.82 %
 Available for Sale Securities
    38,366,253       7.75 %     46,876,771       9.34 %     21,717,027       6.41 %
 Held to Maturity Securities
    44,211,914       8.93 %     34,310,833       6.83 %     20,788,310       6.14 %
*includes loans held for sale
                                               
                                                 
LIABILITIES
                                               
                                                 
 Time Deposits
  $ 179,552,333       36.27 %   $ 185,136,803       36.88 %   $ 131,657,207       38.87 %
 Savings Deposits
    50,165,818       10.13 %     46,069,943       9.18 %     40,098,014       11.84 %
 Demand Deposits
    48,820,207       9.86 %     64,019,707       12.75 %     46,801,261       13.82 %
 NOW & Money Market Funds
    131,991,064       26.66 %     120,993,657       24.10 %     72,457,733       21.39 %


     The Company's loan portfolio increased $2.2 million, or 0.6% from December 31, 2007 to March 31, 2008, and $91.8 million, or 34.4%, from March 31, 2007 to March 31, 2008.  The Company recorded $94.0 million in loans due to the merger on December 31, 2007.  Therefore, net of the merger, the Company’s loans would have decreased $2.2 million or .8% from March 31, 2007 to March 31, 2008.  Available-for-sale investments decreased $8.5 million or 18.2% through maturities and calls during the first quarter of 2008.  The increase of $16.6 million year to year is the result of $23.5 million in available-for-sale securities acquired in the merger less $6.9 million in maturities and calls.  Held-to-maturity securities increased $9.9 million or 28.9% during the first quarter of 2008, and $23.4 million or 112.7% year to year.  All LyndonBank investments were classified as available-for-sale, therefore, these increases are entirely attributable to increases in the Company’s own portfolio.

     Time deposits decreased $5.6 million or just over 3.0% for the first quarter of 2008, while an increase of $47.9 million or 36.4% is noted year to year.  The Company acquired $53.4 million in time deposits, net of fair value adjustments, without the merger the change would have been a decrease of $5.5 million or 4.2%. Demand deposits decreased $15.2 million for the first quarter of 2008, compared to an increase of just over $2.0 million year to year.  Although $18.1 million in demand deposits were acquired in the merger, approximately $8 million were reclassified to NOW accounts after the conversion.  Savings deposits and NOW and money market funds reported increases in both comparison periods, with a total increase of $15.1 million for the first quarter of 2008, and $69.6 million or 61.8% year to year.  Total savings, NOW and money market accounts acquired at December 31, 2007 were $38.6 million which also contributed to the total increase of $69.6 million.  The Company anticipated a post-merger runoff of 3% in non maturing deposits during the first quarter; actual run off of these deposits during the first quarter was closer to 5%.

RISK MANAGEMENT

Interest Rate Risk and Asset and Liability Management - Management actively monitors and manages its interest rate risk exposure and attempts to structure the balance sheet to maximize net interest income while controlling its exposure to interest rate risk.  The Company's Asset/Liability Management Committee (ALCO) formulates strategies to manage interest rate risk by evaluating the impact on earnings and capital of such factors as current interest rate forecasts and economic indicators, potential changes in such forecasts and indicators, liquidity, and various business strategies.  The ALCO meets monthly to review financial statements, liquidity levels, yields and spreads to better understand, measure, monitor and control the Company’s interest rate risk.  In the ALCO process, the committee members apply policy limits set forth in the Asset Liability, Liquidity and Investment policies approved by the Company’s Board of Directors.  The ALCO's methods for evaluating interest rate risk include an analysis of the effects of interest rate changes on net interest income and an analysis of the Company's interest rate sensitivity "gap", which provides a static analysis of the maturity and repricing characteristics of the entire balance sheet.

     Interest rate risk represents the sensitivity of earnings to changes in market interest rates.  As interest rates change, the interest income and expense streams associated with the Company’s interest sensitive assets and liabilities also change, thereby impacting net interest income (NII), the primary component of the Company’s earnings.  Fluctuations in interest rates can also have an impact on liquidity.  The ALCO uses an outside consultant to perform quarterly rate shock simulations to the Company's net interest income, as well as a variety of other analyses.  It is the ALCO’s function to provide the assumptions used in the modeling process.  The ALCO utilizes the results of this simulation model to quantify the estimated exposure of NII and liquidity to sustained interest rate changes.  The simulation model captures the impact of changing interest rates on the interest income received and interest expense paid on all interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities reflected on the Company’s balance sheet.  Furthermore, the model simulates the balance sheet’s sensitivity to a prolonged flat rate environment. All rate scenarios are simulated assuming a parallel shift of the yield curve; however further simulations are performed utilizing a flattening yield curve as well. This sensitivity analysis is compared to the ALCO policy limits which specify a maximum tolerance level for NII exposure over a 1-year horizon, assuming no balance sheet growth, given a 200 basis point (bp) shift upward and a 100 bp shift downward in interest rates.  The analysis also provides a summary of the Company's liquidity position. Furthermore, the analysis provides testing of the assumptions used in previous simulation models by comparing the projected NII with actual NII.  The asset/liability simulation model provides management with an important tool for making sound economic decisions regarding the balance sheet.

     While assumptions are developed based upon current economic and local market conditions, the Company cannot provide any assurances as to the predictive nature of these assumptions including how or when customer preferences or competitor influences might change.

Credit Risk - A primary concern of management is to reduce the exposure to credit loss within the loan portfolio. Management follows established underwriting guidelines, and any exceptions to the policy must be approved by a loan officer with higher authority than the loan officer originating the loan.  The adequacy of the loan loss coverage is reviewed quarterly by the risk management committee of the Board of Directors.  This committee meets to discuss, among other matters, potential exposures, historical loss experience, and overall economic conditions.  Existing or potential problems are noted and addressed by senior management in order to assess the risk of probable loss or delinquency.  A variety of loans are reviewed periodically by an independent firm in order to help ensure accuracy of the Company's internal risk ratings and compliance with various internal policies and procedures, as well as those set by the regulatory authorities.  The Company also employs a Credit Administration Officer whose duties include monitoring and reporting on the status of the loan portfolio including delinquent and non-performing loans.  Credit risk may also arise from geographic concentration of loans.  While the Company’s loan portfolio is derived primarily from its primary market area in northern Vermont, geographic concentration is partially mitigated by the continued growth of the Company’s loan portfolio in Washington and Franklin counties, its newest market areas.

The following table reflects the composition of the Company's loan portfolio as of the dates indicated:

   
March 31, 2008
   
December 31, 2007
 
   
Total Loans
   
% of Total
   
Total Loans
   
% of Total
 
Real Estate Loans
                       
  Construction & Land Development
    13,803,056       3.85 %     12,896,803       3.62 %
  Secured by Farm Land
    9,207,270       2.57 %     9,645,648       2.70 %
  1-4 Family Residential
    200,977,746       56.02 %     195,844,303       54.92 %
  Commercial Real Estate
    84,213,166       23.47 %     85,576,002       24.00 %
Loans to Finance Agricultural Production
    1,272,094       0.35 %     2,430,454       0.68 %
Commercial & Industrial Loans
    30,296,125       8.44 %     31,258,211       8.77 %
Consumer Loans
    17,210,507       4.80 %     18,461,620       5.18 %
All other loans
    1,782,478       0.50 %     459,241       0.13 %
     Total Gross Loans
    358,762,442       100.00 %     356,572,281       100.00 %
 Reserve for loan losses
    (2,969,847 )     -0.83 %     (3,026,049 )     -0.85 %
 Unearned loan fees
    (385,293 )     -0.11 %     (443,372 )     -0.12 %
      Net Loans
    355,407,302       99.06 %     353,119,281       99.03 %


Allowance for loan losses and provisions - The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses at a level that management believes is appropriate to absorb losses inherent in the loan portfolio (See “Critical Accounting Policies”). As of March 31, 2008, the Company maintained a residential loan portfolio (including home equity lines of credit) of $201.0 million, compared to $195.8 million at December 31, 2007, accounting for 56.0% and 54.9%, respectively, of the total loan portfolio.  The commercial real estate portfolio (including construction, land development and farmland loans) totaled $107.2 million and $108.1 million, respectively, at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, comprising 29.9% and 30.3%, respectively, of the total loan portfolio.  The Company's commercial loan portfolio includes loans that carry guarantees from government programs, thereby mitigating the Company's credit risk on such loans.  At March 31, 2008, the Company had $18.4 million in loans under various government loan guarantee programs, with the guaranteed portion totaling $13.9 million, which is comparable to the numbers at December 31, 2007.  The volume of residential and commercial loans secured by real estate, together with the low historical loan loss experience in these portfolios, and experienced loan officers and well established loan underwriting and credit administration staffs, helps to support the Company's estimate for loan loss coverage.

 

 

Index

The following table summarizes the Company's loan loss experience for the three months ended March 31,

   
2008
   
2007
 
Loans Outstanding End of Period
  $ 358,762,442     $ 267,004,732  
Average Loans Outstanding During Period
  $ 356,296,534     $ 268,765,407  
                 
Loan Loss Reserve, Beginning of Period
  $ 3,026,049     $ 2,267,821  
Loans Charged Off:
               
  Residential Real Estate
    0       0  
  Commercial Real Estate
    106,383       0  
  Commercial Loans not Secured by Real Estate
    7,044       0  
  Consumer Loans
    30,169       19,985  
       Total Loans Charged Off
    143,596       19,985  
Recoveries:
               
  Residential Real Estate
    482       0  
  Commercial Real Estate
    178       0  
  Commercial Loans not Secured by Real Estate
    7,952       0  
  Consumer Loans
    16,283       10,649  
        Total Recoveries
    24,895       10,649  
Net Loans Charged Off
    118,701       9,336  
Provision Charged to Income
    62,499       37,500  
Loan Loss Reserve, End of Period
  $ 2,969,847     $ 2,295,985  
                 
Net Charge Offs to Average Loans Outstanding
    0.033 %     .003 %
Loan Loss Reserve to Average Loans Outstanding
    0.834 %     0.854 %

Non-performing assets for the comparison periods were as follows:

   
March 31, 2008
   
December 31, 2007
 
             
         
Percent
         
Percent
 
   
Balance
   
of Total
   
Balance
   
of Total
 
                         
Non-Accruing loans
  $ 854,942       54.29 %   $ 1,337,641       90.66 %
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing
    719,876       45.71 %     137,742       9.34 %
   Total
  $ 1,574,818       100.00 %   $ 1,475,383       100.00 %

     Specific allocations are made in the allowance for loan losses in situations management believes may represent a greater risk for loss.  In addition, a portion of the allowance (termed "unallocated") is established to absorb inherent losses that probably exist as of the valuation date although not identified through management's objective processes for estimated credit losses.  A quarterly review of various qualitative factors, including levels of, and trends in, delinquencies and non-accruals and national and local economic trends and conditions, helps to ensure that areas with potential risk are noted and coverage increased or decreased to reflect the trends in delinquencies and non-accruals.  Due in part to local economic conditions, the Company increased this section of qualitative factors during the first quarter of 2007, to allocate portions of the allowance to this area.  Residential mortgage loans make up the largest part of the loan portfolio and have the lowest historical loss ratio, helping to alleviate the overall risk.  While the allowance is described as consisting of separate allocated portions, the entire allowance is available to support loan losses, regardless of category.

     The Company has experienced an increase in collection activity on loans 30 to 60 days past due during the first quarter of 2008.  The Company works actively with customers early in the delinquency process to help them to avoid default or foreclosure.  The Company’s non-accruing loan portfolio decreased $482,699 or 36.1% due in part to payoffs through foreclosure sales and partial chargeoffs on two other loans.  The increase in the loans 90 days or more past due is attributable to two commercial loans of substantial size.  The Company does not anticipate losses on these two commercial properties.



Index

Market Risk - In addition to credit risk in the Company’s loan portfolio and liquidity risk, the Company’s business activities also generate market risk.  Market risk is the risk of loss in a financial instrument arising from adverse changes in market prices and rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices.  The Company does not have any market risk sensitive instruments acquired for trading purposes.  The Company’s market risk arises primarily from interest rate risk inherent in its lending, investing, and deposit taking activities.  Interest rate risk is directly related to the different maturities and repricing characteristics of interest-bearing assets and liabilities, as well as to loan prepayment risks, early withdrawal of time deposits, and the fact that the speed and magnitude of responses to interest rate changes vary by product.  As discussed above under "Interest Rate Risk and Asset and Liability Management", the Company actively monitors and manages its interest rate risk through the ALCO process.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE-SHEET RISK

     The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers and to reduce its own exposure to fluctuations in interest rates.  These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit (including commercial and construction lines of credit), standby letters of credit and risk-sharing commitments on certain sold loans.   Such instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet.  The contract or notional amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in particular classes of financial instruments.  During the first three months of 2008, the Company did not engage in any activity that created any additional types of off-balance-sheet risk.

     The Company generally requires collateral or other security to support financial instruments with credit risk.  The Company's financial instruments or commitments whose contract amount represents credit risk as of March 31, 2008 were as follows:

   
Contract or
 
   
Notional Amount
 
       
Unused portions of home equity lines of credit
    14,399,385  
Other commitments to extend credit
    28,994,101  
Residential and commercial construction lines of credit
    4,278,119  
Standby letters of credit and commercial letters of credit
    215,680  
Recourse on sale of credit card portfolio
    1,311,950  
MPF credit enhancement obligation, net of liability recorded
    1,325,896  

     Since some commitments expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  The recourse provision under the terms of the sale of the Company’s credit card portfolio in 2007 is based on total lines, not balances outstanding.  Based on historical losses, the Company does not expect any significant losses from this commitment.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     Managing liquidity risk is essential to maintaining both depositor confidence and stability in earnings.  Liquidity management refers to the ability of the Company to adequately cover fluctuations in assets and liabilities.  Meeting loan demand (assets) and covering the withdrawal of deposit funds (liabilities) are two key components of the liquidity management process.  The Company’s principal sources of funds are deposits, amortization and prepayment of loans and securities, maturities of investment securities, sales of loans available for sale, and earnings and funds provided from operations.  Maintaining a relatively stable funding base, which is achieved by diversifying funding sources, competitively pricing deposit products, and extending the contractual maturity of liabilities, reduces the Company’s exposure to roll over risk on deposits and limits reliance on volatile short-term borrowed funds.  Short-term funding needs arise from declines in deposits or other funding sources and funding of loan commitments.  The Company’s strategy is to fund assets to the maximum extent possible with core deposits that provide a sizable source of relatively stable and low-cost funds.  When funding needs, including loan demand, out pace deposit growth, it is necessary for the Company to use alternative funding sources, such as investment portfolio maturities and short-term borrowings, to meet these funding needs.

     The Company has taken the approach of offering deposit specials at competitive rates, in varying terms that fit within the balance sheet mix.  The strategy of offering specials is meant to provide a means to retain deposits while not having to reprice the entire deposit portfolio.  The Company recognizes that with increasing competition for deposits, it may at times be desirable to utilize alternative sources of funding to supplement deposits.  In 2007, the Board of Directors approved an updated Asset Liability Management Funding Policy that contemplates the expanded use of brokered deposits.  This will allow the Company to augment retail deposits and borrowings with brokered deposits as needed to help fund loans.

     During the first three months of 2008, the Company's available-for-sale investment portfolio decreased $8.5 million through maturities and calls, while the held-to-maturity investment portfolio increased $9.9 million and the loan portfolio increased $2.2 million.  On the liability side, NOW and money market accounts increased $11.0 million and savings deposits increased $4.1 million, while time deposits decreased $5.6 million, and demand deposits decreased $15.2 million.  Approximately $8 million in demand deposits were reclassified into NOW accounts, accounting for a portion of the change in these accounts.

     As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLBB), the Company has access to pre-approved lines of credit.  The Company had a $1.0 million unsecured Federal Funds line with an available balance of the same at March 31, 2008.  Interest is chargeable at a rate determined daily, approximately 25 basis points higher than the rate paid on federal funds sold.  Additional borrowing capacity of approximately $79.3 million, less outstanding advances, through the FHLBB is secured by the Company's qualifying loan portfolio.

     To cover seasonal decreases in deposits primarily associated with municipal accounts, the Company typically borrows short-term advances from the FHLBB and pays the advances down as the municipal deposits flow back into the bank during the third and fourth quarter.  With the latest decrease in Federal Funds rate, the Company will consider extending a portion of the overnight funding need into short-term advances to mature as the seasonal deposits flow back into the bank.  At the end of the first quarter, the Company had outstanding advances of $16.5 million consisting of the following:

 
Annual
 
Principal 
    Purchase Date
Rate
     Maturity Date
Balance 
       
Long-term Advance
     
November 16, 1992
7.67%
November 16, 2012
  $10,000
     
Short-term Advances
     
March 28, 2008
2.5600%
April 28, 2008
$8,000,000
       
Overnight Funds Purchased (FHLBB)
2.3125%
April 1, 2008
$8,466,000

     Under a separate agreement with FHLBB, the Company has the authority to collateralize public unit deposits, up to its FHLBB borrowing capacity ($79.3 million less outstanding advances noted above) with letters of credit issued by the FHLBB.  At March 31, 2008, approximately $67.5 million was pledged under this agreement, as collateral for these deposits.  A letter of credit fee is charged to the Company quarterly based on the average daily balance for the quarter at an annual rate of 20 basis points.  The average daily balance for the first quarter of 2008 was approximately $24.8 million.

     During April, 2008, the Company chose to file a Qualified Collateral Report with FHLBB for the purpose of increasing its borrowing capacity.  This report was as of March 31, 2008, and included the qualifying loans of LyndonBank. The report filed for December 31, 2007 did not include these loans, which was the Company’s option.  As a result of the report filed in April with March 31, 2008 balances, the Company’s borrowing capacity increased to $101.7 million, less outstanding advances and pledges totaling $77.9 million.

     Other alternative sources of funding come from unsecured Federal Funds lines with two other correspondent banks that total $7.5 million.  There were no balances outstanding on either line at March 31, 2008.

     In the first quarter of 2008, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.17 per share, payable in the second quarter of 2008, requiring an accrual of $749,929 at March 31, 2008.

The following table illustrates the changes in shareholders' equity from December 31, 2007 to March 31, 2008:

Balance at December 31, 2007 (book value $7.94 per share)
  $ 34,920,360  
Net income
    217,048  
Issuance of stock through the Dividend Reinvestment Plan
    233,273  
Purchase of treasury stock
    0  
Total dividends declared
    (747,929 )
Unrealized holding gain arising during the period on available-for-sale securities, net of tax
    97,000  
     Balance at March 31, 2008 (book value $7.86 per share)
  $ 34,719,752  
 
 

Index

     At March 31, 2008, the Company reported that of the 405,000 shares authorized for the stock buyback plan, 178,890 shares have been purchased, leaving 226,110 shares available for repurchase.  The repurchase price paid for these shares ranged from $9.75 per share in May of 2000 to $16.50 per share paid in September of 2005.  During the first quarter of 2008, the Company did not repurchase any shares pursuant to the buyback authority.  The last purchase pursuant to such authority was December 23, 2005 in which 4,938 shares were repurchased at a price of $16.00 per share. For additional information on stock repurchases by the Company and affiliated purchasers (as defined in SEC Rule 10b-18) refer to Part II, Item 2 of this Report.

     The primary source of funds for the Company's payment of dividends to its shareholders is dividends paid to the Company by the Bank.  The Bank, as a national bank, is subject to the dividend restrictions set forth by the Comptroller of the Currency ("OCC").  Under such restrictions, the Bank may not, without the prior approval of the OCC, declare dividends in excess of the sum of the current year's earnings (as defined) plus the retained earnings (as defined) from the prior two years.

     Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of total and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and a so-called leverage ratio of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined).  Under current guidelines, banks must maintain a risk-based capital ratio of 8.0%, of which at least 4.0% must be in the form of core capital (as defined).

     Regulators have also established minimum capital ratio guidelines for FDIC-insured banks under the prompt corrective action provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended.  These minimums are a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0%, a Tier I risk-based capital ratio of 6%, and a leverage ratio of 5%.  As of March 31, 2008, the Company’s Subsidiary was deemed well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There are no conditions or events since that time that management believes have changed the Subsidiary's classification.

The risk based ratios of the Company and its subsidiary as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 exceeded regulatory guidelines and are presented in the table below.

         
Minimum To Be Well
     
Minimum
Capitalized Under
     
For Capital
Prompt Corrective
 
Actual
Adequacy Purposes:
Action Provisions:
 
Amount
Ratio 
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
As of March 31, 2008:
           
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)
           
   Consolidated
$34,318
10.48%
$26,206
8.0%
N/A
N/A
   Bank
$34,294
10.50%
$26,117
8.0%
$32,646
10.0%
Tier I capital (to risk-weighted assets)
           
   Consolidated
$31,348
9.57%
$13,103
4.0%
N/A
N/A
   Bank
$31,324
9.60%
$13,059
4.0%
$19,588
6.0%
Tier I capital (to average assets)
           
   Consolidated
$31,348
6.40%
$19,578
4.0%
N/A
N/A
   Bank
$31,324
6.41%
$19,553
4.0%
$24,442
5.0%
             
As of December 31, 2007:
           
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)
           
   Consolidated*
$36,975
15.48%
$19,104
8.0%
N/A
N/A
   Community National Bank
$48,506
20.41%
$19,013
8.0%
$23,766
10.0%
   Former LyndonBank
$13,536
12.94%
$  8,365
8.0%
$10,457
10.0%
Tier I capital (to risk-weighted assets)
           
   Consolidated*
$34,736
14.55%
$ 9,552
4.0%
N/A
N/A
   Community National Bank
$46,267
19.47%
$ 9,506
4.0%
$14,260
6.0%
   Former LyndonBank
$12,749
12.19%
$ 4,183
4.0%
$  6,274
6.0%
Tier I capital (to average assets)
           
   Consolidated*
$34,736
9.40%
$14,785
4.0%
N/A
N/A
   Community National Bank
$46,267
12.54%
$14,752
4.0%
$18,440
5.0%
   Former LyndonBank
$12,749
8.26%
$  6,153
4.0%
$  7,691
5.0%
 
 

Index

*Consolidated refers to Community Bancorp. and Community National Bank before consolidation of the former LyndonBank assets.  The Federal Regulators approved the filing of separate Call Reports for Community National Bank and the former LyndonBank; therefore, numbers presented in the table above for 2007 are as filed with the applicable reporting agencies at December 31, 2007.

     The Company intends to maintain a capital resource position in excess of the minimums shown above.  Consistent with that policy, management will continue to anticipate the Company's future capital needs.

     From time to time the Company may make contributions to the capital of Community National Bank.  At present, regulatory authorities have made no demand on the Company to make additional capital contributions.

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     The Company's management of the credit, liquidity and market risk inherent in its business operations is discussed in Part 1, Item 2 of this report under the caption "RISK MANAGEMENT", which is incorporated herein by reference.  Management does not believe that there have been any material changes in the nature or categories of the Company's risk exposures from those disclosed in the Company’s 2007 annual report on form 10-K.

ITEM 4T. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

     Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”).  As of March 31, 2008, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures.  Based on that evaluation, management concluded that its disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2008 were effective in ensuring that material information required to be disclosed in the reports it files with the Commission under the Exchange Act was recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

     Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal controls over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act.  As of December 31, 2007, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.  Management assessed the Company’s system of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, in relation to criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting as described in “Internal Control – Integrated Framework,” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  Based on this assessment, management believes that, as of December 31, 2007, its system of internal control over financial reporting met those criteria and is effective.  As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Company has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report.  This evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and its President and Chief Operating Officer (Chief Financial Officer).  Based upon that evaluation, such officers concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.  For this purpose, the term “disclosure controls and procedures” means controls and other procedures of the Company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by it in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.  Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

 

Index

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

     There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2008 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings


     The Company and/or its Subsidiary are subject to various claims and legal actions that have arisen in the normal course of business.  Management does not expect that the ultimate disposition of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table provides information as to purchases of the Company’s common stock during the first quarter ended March 31, 2008, by the Company and by any affiliated purchaser (as defined in SEC Rule 10b-18):

                     
Maximum
 
                     
Number of Shares
 
               
Total Number of
   
That May Yet Be
 
   
Total Number
   
Average
   
Shares Purchased
   
Purchased Under
 
   
Of Shares
   
Price Paid
   
as Part of Publicly
   
the Plan at the
 
For the period:
 
Purchased(1)(2)
   
Per Share
   
Announced Plan(3)
   
End of the Period
 
                         
January 1 – January 31
    1,000     $ 14.00       0       226,110  
February 1 – February 29
    2,136     $ 13.75       0       226,110  
March 1 - March 31
    1,000     $ 13.75       0       226,110  
     Total
    4,136     $ 13.81       0       226,110  

(1)  All 4,136 shares were purchased for the account of participants invested in the Company Stock Fund under the Company’s Retirement Savings Plan by or on behalf of the Plan Trustee, the Human Resources Committee of Community National Bank.  Such share purchases were facilitated through Community Financial Services Group, LLC (“CFSG”), which provides certain investment advisory services to the Plan.  Both the Plan Trustee and CFSG may be considered affiliates of the Company under Rule 10b-18.  All purchases by the Plan were made in the open market in brokerage transactions and reported on the OTC Bulletin Board©.

(2)  Shares purchased during the period do not include fractional shares repurchased from time to time in connection with the participant's election to discontinue participation in the Company's Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

(3)  The Company’s Board of Directors in April, 2000 initially authorized the repurchase from time to time of up to 205,000 shares of the Company’s common stock in open market and privately negotiated transactions, in management’s discretion and as market conditions may warrant.  The Board extended this authorization on October 15, 2002 to repurchase an additional 200,000 shares, with an aggregate limit for such repurchases under both authorizations of $3.5 million.  The approval did not specify a termination date.

 

 

Index

ITEM 6. Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed with this report:
Exhibit 31.1 - Certification from the Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 31.2 - Certification from the Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 32.1 - Certification from the Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
Exhibit 32.2 - Certification from the Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

*This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Act of 1934.

 

 

 Index

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.

COMMUNITY BANCORP.

DATED:  May 15, 2008
/s/ Stephen P. Marsh                    
 
 
Stephen P. Marsh, President &
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
     
DATED:  May 15, 2008
/s/ Louise M. Bonvechio                
 
 
Louise M. Bonvechio,  Vice President
 
 
& Chief Financial Officer