Free Writing Prospectus

ISSUER FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS

Filed Pursuant to Rule 433

(Supplementing Preliminary Prospectus Dated July 22, 2009)

Registration No. 333-160324

July 23, 2009

LOGO

This free writing prospectus should be read together with the preliminary prospectus dated July 22, 2009 relating to this offering (the “Preliminary Prospectus”), included in Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-160324). The most recent Registration Statement can be accessed through the following link: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/742054/000119312509152700/ds1a.htm

The information provided in the following press release issued by Cadence Financial Corporation on July 23, 2009 supplements and updates the information contained in the Preliminary Prospectus.

 

Contact:

 

Richard T. Haston

   For Immediate Release
 

662-324-4258

  

CADENCE FINANCIAL CORPORATION REPORTS SECOND QUARTER RESULTS

STARKVILLE, Miss. – (July 23, 2009) – Cadence Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: CADE), a $2.0 billion bank holding company whose principal subsidiary is Cadence Bank, N.A., today reported a net loss applicable to common shareholders of $14.7 million, or $1.23 per diluted share, for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009, compared with net income of $1.9 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2008. The loss for the 2009 period was due primarily to a higher provision for loan losses and higher non-interest expenses related to increased FDIC insurance premiums and expenses related to other real estate owned (OREO) compared with the second quarter of 2008.

Second Quarter Results

Net interest income declined 24.1% to $10.7 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared with $14.0 million in the second quarter of 2008. Net margin was 2.21% in the second quarter of 2009 compared with 3.11% in the second quarter of 2008. The decline in the net margin was due to the yield on earning assets declining 147 basis points while the cost of funding declined only 64 basis points. The reduction in net margin was due in part to Cadence intentionally building liquidity during the second quarter by accumulating deposits and investing in short-term assets. The increased liquidity resulted in lower yields on the short-term portfolio that was estimated to cost about 21 basis points in net margin for the second quarter of 2009. Interest income was also reduced by approximately $602,000 (12 basis points) in the second quarter of 2009 due to waived interest charges associated with loans on non-accrual status compared with $122,000 (2 basis points) in the second quarter of 2008.

Total interest income declined 20.6% to $20.4 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared with $25.7 million in the second quarter of 2008. Interest and fees on loans declined 23.7% due to a 114 basis point decrease in average yields and an $85.4 million decrease in average loan balances from the second quarter of 2008. Non-performing loans totaled $72.8 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared with $10.7 million in the second quarter of 2008. In the second quarter of 2009, interest and dividends on investment securities fell 9.1% to $4.7 million compared with the second quarter of 2008 due to a 51 basis point decline in yield offset partially by a $20.0 million increase in the average investment securities portfolio.

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CADE Reports Second Quarter Results

Page 2

July 23, 2009

 

Cadence’s provision for loan losses was $23.0 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared with $3.3 million in the second quarter of 2008 and $32.8 million in the first quarter of 2009. The second quarter 2009 provision included $15.3 million in net charge-offs and a $7.7 million increase in the allowance for loan losses. At the end of the second quarter of 2009, the allowance for loan losses was $46.7 million, or 3.8% of total loans, compared with $15.8 million, or 1.2% of total loans, in the second quarter of 2008. Net interest loss after provision for loan losses was $12.3 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared with $10.7 million in net interest income after provision for loan losses in the second quarter of 2008.

The majority of the increase in Cadence’s non-performing loans since last year was due to real estate loans in the residential construction and development sectors, reflecting the economy’s impact on real estate based loans. In the latest quarter, the growth in non-performing loans was due largely to the middle Tennessee market where Cadence has added staff with the sole focus on managing special assets.

Cadence has taken additional steps to reduce its exposure to real estate loans across its franchise and has achieved a decrease in loans for 1-4 speculative residential construction, land development and lots to builders in addition to lower balances on commercial real estate loans. These higher risk loan categories are down approximately $13.8 million in the latest three months and down $91.7 million since the second quarter of 2008. In addition, OREO is down by 13.1% since the first quarter of 2009 to $16.7 million and is at the lowest point in over a year. The reduction in OREO is due to increased special assets staff that is focused on minimizing losses from non-performing loans and repossessed assets.

Total non-interest income was $5.2 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared with $5.1 million in the second quarter of 2008. The increase in non-interest income was due to higher insurance fees and commissions, mortgage loan origination income, and gains on securities; offset partially by lower service charges on deposits, trust department income and other non-interest income. Trust department income was down due to lower fees related to the decline in the market value of equity investments under management, while the increase in mortgage fee income benefited from higher transaction volume due to an increase in home financings compared with the second quarter of 2008.

Non-interest expenses increased 20.2% to $16.3 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared with $13.6 million in the second quarter of 2008. The increase was due primarily to other operating expenses that rose 70% to $6.5 million compared with $3.8 million in the second quarter of 2008. Second quarter 2009 non-interest expenses increased due to higher costs for FDIC insurance premiums and special assessments, and expenses related to OREO. FDIC insurance premiums and special assessments increased from $274,000 in the second quarter of 2008 to $1,225,000 in the second quarter of 2009. OREO related costs increased to $1,609,000 in the second quarter of 2009 compared with $222,000 in the same quarter of the prior year. Salary expense was up 1.2% to $7.8 million and premises expenses were down 1.5% to $2.0 million compared with the second quarter of 2008. The minimal growth in salary and premises costs are attributable to Cadence’s continued focus on cost controls.

Cadence’s pre-tax loss for the second quarter of 2009 was $23.5 million compared with pre-tax income of $2.3 million in the second quarter of 2008.

Net loss for the second quarter of 2009 was $14.0 million. Net loss applicable to common shareholders was $14.7 million, or $1.23 per diluted share. This compares with net income of $1.9 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2008.

Cadence sold $44 million in senior preferred shares to the U.S. Treasury in mid-January 2009. The preferred shares pay a cumulative annual dividend of 5% for the first five years. Cadence’s second quarter 2009 loss applicable to common shareholders included $652,000 related to the preferred dividend and accretion of the discount recorded in relation to the preferred stock.

 

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CADE Reports Second Quarter Results

Page 3

July 23, 2009

 

Six Month Results

Net interest income declined 19.4% to $23.0 million in the first six months of 2009 compared with $28.6 million in the same period of 2008. The decrease in net interest income was due to a 75 basis point decrease in net margin, partially offset by a 5.8% increase in average earning assets for the first six months of 2009 compared with the same period in 2008. The provision for loan losses was $55.8 million in the first six months of 2009 compared with $6.3 million in the first six months of 2008.

Net loss applicable to common stockholders for the first six months of 2009 was $99.1 million, or $8.32 per diluted share, compared with net income of $4.6 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, in the same period of 2008. The 2009 results include a $66.8 million ($5.61 per diluted share) non-cash charge associated with the write-down of goodwill in the first quarter of the year. The goodwill impairment charge was required by FASB Statement 142 (Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets) and was an accounting adjustment that did not affect current operations, cash flows, liquidity, tangible book capital, regulatory capital, regulatory capital ratios and will not affect future operations.

We have filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents we have filed with the SEC for more complete information about us and this offering. You may obtain these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, you may obtain the prospectus related to the offering from us or from FBR Capital Markets & Co. if you request it by calling toll-free 1-800-846-5050.

About Cadence Financial Corporation

Cadence Financial Corporation is a $2.0 billion bank holding company providing full financial services, including banking, trust services, mortgage services, insurance and investment products in Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Cadence’s stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol CADE.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking as defined within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are provided to assist in the understanding of anticipated future financial results. However, such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties (including uncertainties relating to interest rates, management and operation of acquired operations and general market risks) that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in such statements. For a discussion of certain factors that may cause such forward-looking statements to differ materially from the Company’s actual results, see the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Cadence Financial Corporation is not responsible for updating the information contained in this press release beyond the published date, or for changes made to this document by wire services or Internet services.

 

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CADE Reports Second Quarter Results

Page 4

July 23, 2009

 

CADENCE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION

JUNE 30,

($ in thousands, except share data)

 

     2009     2008  

ASSETS:

    

Cash and Due From Banks

   $ 31,484      $ 40,273   

Interest Bearing Deposits Due From Banks

     44,371        8,509   
                

Total Cash and Due From Banks

     75,855        48,782   

Securities:

    

Securities Available-for-Sale

     546,728        405,691   

Securities Held-to-Maturity

     14,196        21,162   
                

Total Securities

     560,924        426,853   

Federal Funds Sold and

    

Securities Purchased Under Agreements To Resell

     20,566        11,760   

Other Earning Assets

     19,424        18,628   

Loans

     1,244,227        1,354,372   

Less: Allowance for Loan Losses

     (46,722     (15,825
                

Net Loans

     1,197,505        1,338,547   

Premises and Equipment, Net

     32,305        34,321   

Interest Receivable

     8,355        10,628   

Other Real Estate Owned

     16,686        18,207   

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

     1,667        69,244   

Other Assets

     46,885        20,852   
                

Total Assets

   $  1,980,172      $  1,997,822   
                

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

    

Noninterest-Bearing Deposits

   $ 167,971      $ 179,744   

Interest-Bearing Deposits

     1,377,297        1,227,369   
                

Total Deposits

     1,545,268        1,407,113   

Interest Payable

     2,312        2,941   

Federal Funds Purchased and

    

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

     88,374        99,540   

Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings

     167,535        254,993   

Subordinated Debentures

     30,928        30,928   

Other Liabilities

     16,262        12,713   
                

Total Liabilities

     1,850,679        1,808,228   

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

    

Preferred Stock - $10 Par Value, Authorized 10,000,000 shares, Issued - 44,000 Shares at June 30, 2009

     41,893        —     

Common Stock - $1 Par Value, Authorized 50,000,000 shares, Issued - 11,912,564 Shares at June 30, 2009 and 11,907,414 Shares at June 30, 2008

     11,913        11,907   

Surplus and Undivided Profits

     76,066        182,494   

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

     (379     (4,807
                

Total Shareholders’ Equity

     129,493        189,594   
                

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 1,980,172      $ 1,997,822   
                

 

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CADE Reports Second Quarter Results

Page 5

July 23, 2009

 

CADENCE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

($ in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

     FOR THE THREE MONTHS     FOR THE SIX MONTHS
     ENDED JUNE 30     ENDED JUNE 30
     2009     2008     2009     2008

INTEREST INCOME:

        

Interest and Fees on Loans

   $ 15,609      $ 20,458      $ 32,175      $ 43,503

Interest and Dividends on Investment Securities

     4,667        5,136        9,725        10,576

Other Interest Income

     141        136        223        260
                              

Total Interest Income

     20,417        25,730        42,123        54,339

INTEREST EXPENSE:

        

Interest on Deposits

     7,714        8,784        14,873        19,449

Interest on Borrowed Funds

     2,039        2,904        4,233        6,329
                              

Total Interest Expense

     9,753        11,688        19,106        25,778
                              

Net Interest Income

     10,664        14,042        23,017        28,561

Provision for Loan Losses

     22,995        3,300        55,756        6,300
                              

Net Interest Income After Provision for Loan Losses

     (12,331     10,742        (32,739     22,261
                              

OTHER INCOME:

        

Service Charges on Deposit Accounts

     2,125        2,201        4,130        4,338

Trust Department Income

     507        578        973        1,142

Insurance Commission and Fee Income

     1,050        1,037        2,356        2,416

Mortgage Loan Fee Income

     427        348        637        708

Other Non-Interest Income

     992        1,002        2,749        2,362

Gains (Losses) on Securities - Net

     76        (48     139        155
                              

Total Other Income

     5,177        5,118        10,984        11,121
                              

OTHER EXPENSE:

        

Salaries and Employee Benefits

     7,842        7,749        15,742        15,716

Net Premises and Fixed Asset Expense

     1,977        2,008        3,956        4,004

Impairment Loss on Goodwill

     —          —          66,846        —  

Other Operating Expense

     6,515        3,833        11,333        7,701
                              

Total Other Expense

     16,334        13,590        97,877        27,421
                              

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes

     (23,488     2,270        (119,632     5,961

Applicable Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

     (9,478     392        (21,461     1,322
                              

Net Income (Loss)

     (14,010     1,878        (98,171     4,639

Preferred Stock Dividend and Accretion of Discount

     652        —          974        —  
                              

Net Income (Loss) Applicable to Common Shareholders

   $ (14,662   $ 1,878      $ (99,145   $ 4,639
                              

Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Basic and Diluted

   $ (1.18   $ 0.16      $ (8.24   $ 0.39
                              

Net Income (Loss) Applicable to Common Shareholders Per Share - Basic and Diluted

   $ (1.23   $ 0.16      $ (8.32   $ 0.39
                              

Average Weighted Common Shares:

        

Basic

     11,912,564        11,907,414        11,913,683        11,905,262

Diluted

     11,912,586        11,936,114        11,914,689        11,927,228

 

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CADE Reports Second Quarter Results

Page 6

July 23, 2009

 

CADENCE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

($ in thousands, except per share data)

 

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30:    2009     2008  

Net Income (Loss) Applicable to Common Shareholders

   $  (14,662   $ 1,878   

Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

     (1.23     0.16   

Cash Dividends Per Common Share

     —          0.25   

ANNUALIZED RETURNS

    

Return on Average Assets

     -2.9     0.4

Return on Average Equity

     -42.6     3.9
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30:    2009     2008  

Net Income (Loss) Applicable to Common Shareholders

   $ (99,145   $ 4,639   

Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

     (8.32     0.39   

Cash Dividends Per Common Share

     0.05        0.50   

ANNUALIZED RETURNS

    

Return on Average Assets

     -9.9     0.5

Return on Average Equity

     -129.0     4.8
SELECTED BALANCES AT JUNE 30:    2009     2008  

Total Assets

   $  1,980,172      $  1,997,822   

Deposits and Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

     1,583,642        1,455,303   

Loans

     1,244,227        1,354,372   

Total Securities

     560,924        426,853   

Shareholders’ Equity

     129,493        189,594   

Closing Market Price Per Common Share

     2.23        10.83   

Book Value Per Common Share

     7.35        15.92   

Tangible Equity

     127,826        120,350   

Tangible Book Value Per Common Share

     7.21        10.11   

 

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CADE Reports Second Quarter Results

Page 7

July 23, 2009

 

CADENCE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

LOANS AND DEPOSITS BY STATE/REGION

AS OF JUNE 30, 2009:

 

      MISSISSIPPI     TUSCALOOSA     BIRMINGHAM     MEMPHIS     MIDDLE TN     FLORIDA     GEORGIA     TOTAL  

LOANS

   29   10   7   24   16   11   3   100

DEPOSITS

   58   10   2   13   5   10   2   100

AS OF JUNE 30, 2008:

  

         
     MISSISSIPPI     TUSCALOOSA     BIRMINGHAM     MEMPHIS     MIDDLE TN     FLORIDA     GEORGIA     TOTAL  

LOANS

   29   9   6   27   15   11   3   100

DEPOSITS

   63   11   1   11   6   6   2   100

REAL ESTATE LOAN BALANCES BY STATE/REGION - LINKED QUARTERS ($ in thousands)

 

          6/30/09      3/31/09  
          Balance    % of Total      Balance    % of Total  

Mississippi

      $ 218,223    24    $ 221,187    23

Tuscaloosa

        100,465    11      100,351    10

Birmingham

        71,326    8      71,561    7

Memphis

        188,391    21      206,343    21

Middle Tennessee

     143,787    16      181,744    19

Florida

        124,029    14      127,387    13

Georgia

        26,964    3      29,297    3

Administration

     30,651    3      33,612    4
                              

Total

      $ 903,836    100    $ 971,482    100
                              

 

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CADE Reports Second Quarter Results

Page 8

July 23, 2009

 

CADENCE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

($ in thousands)

 

     6/30/09     3/31/09     6/30/08  

LOAN BALANCES BY TYPE:

      

Commercial and Industrial

   $ 198,836      $ 205,262      $ 233,306   

Personal

     30,844        31,542        32,487   

Real Estate:

      

Construction

     85,667        156,525        274,925   

Commercial Real Estate

     661,087        657,774        589,859   

Real Estate Secured by Residential Properties

     130,964        128,796        130,811   

Mortgage

     26,118        28,387        32,243   
                        

Total Real Estate

     903,836        971,482        1,027,838   

Other

     110,711        84,733        60,741   
                        

Total

   $  1,244,227      $  1,293,019      $  1,354,372   
                        

ASSET QUALITY DATA:

      

Nonaccrual Loans

   $ 69,852      $ 38,359      $ 7,526   

Loans 90+ Days Past Due

     2,906        5,791        3,174   
                        

Total Non-Performing Loans

     72,758        44,150        10,700   

Other Real Estate Owned

     16,686        19,208        18,207   
                        

Total Non-Performing Assets

   $ 89,444      $ 63,358      $ 28,907   

Non-Performing Loans to Total Loans

     5.8     3.4     0.8

Non-Performing Assets to Total Loans and OREO

     7.1     4.8     2.1

Allowance for Loan Losses to Non-Performing Loans

     64.2     88.5     147.9

Allowance for Loan Losses to Total Loans

     3.8     3.0     1.2

Classified Assets to Capital

     120.7 % *      94.5 % **      30.4

Classified Loans to Capital

     107.9 % *      81.2 % **      20.3

Classified Loans to Total Loans

     11.2     9.2     2.8

Loans 30+ Days Past Due to Total Loans

     3.9     3.2     1.5

(loans not included in non-performing loans)

      

YTD Net Charge-offs to Average Loans YTD

     2.3     1.1     0.4

NET CHARGE-OFFS FOR QUARTER

   $ 15,331      $ 14,434      $ 2,496   

INTANGIBLE ASSET AMORTIZATION FOR QUARTER

   $ 155      $ 182      $ 218   

 

* Includes the effect of write-off of goodwill in the first quarter of 2009. Without the goodwill impairment charge, the ratio of classified assets to capital was 79.6% and classified loans to capital was 71.1%.
** Includes the effect of write-off of goodwill in the first quarter of 2009. Without the goodwill impairment charge, the ratio of classified assets to capital was 64.8% and classified loans to capital was 55.7%.

 

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CADE Reports Second Quarter Results

Page 9

July 23, 2009

 

CADENCE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

ANALYSIS OF NET INTEREST EARNINGS

($ in thousands)

 

     Average Balance
     Quarter Ended    Quarter Ended    Quarter Ended    Six Months Ended    Six Months Ended
     6/30/09    6/30/08    3/31/09    6/30/09    6/30/08

EARNING ASSETS:

              

Net loans

   $ 1,273,120    $ 1,358,550    $ 1,313,743    $ 1,293,319    $ 1,352,849

Federal funds sold and other interest-bearing assets

     221,341      21,970      112,586      166,936      20,225

Securities:

              

Taxable

     358,386      322,980      362,826      360,572      328,221

Tax-exempt

     83,389      111,719      104,967      94,118      111,242
                                  

Totals

     1,936,236      1,815,219      1,894,122      1,914,945      1,812,537
                                  

INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES:

              

Interest-bearing deposits

     1,415,793      1,213,598      1,340,621      1,378,415      1,225,781

Borrowed funds, federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other interest-bearing liabilities

     299,868      397,903      317,254      308,513      382,464
                                  

Totals

     1,715,661      1,611,501      1,657,875      1,686,928      1,608,245
                                  

Net amounts

   $ 220,575    $ 203,718    $ 236,247    $ 228,017    $ 204,292
                                  
     Interest For
     Quarter Ended    Quarter Ended    Quarter Ended    Six Months Ended    Six Months Ended
     6/30/09    6/30/08    3/31/09    6/30/09    6/30/08

EARNING ASSETS:

              

Net loans

   $ 15,609    $ 20,458    $ 16,566    $ 32,175    $ 43,503

Federal funds sold and other interest-bearing assets

     141      136      82      223      260

Securities:

              

Taxable

     3,835      3,980      4,038      7,874      8,269

Tax-exempt

     832      1,156      1,020      1,851      2,307
                                  

Totals

     20,417      25,730      21,706      42,123      54,339
                                  

INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES:

              

Interest-bearing deposits

     7,714      8,784      7,159      14,873      19,449

Borrowed funds, federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other interest-bearing liabilities

     2,039      2,904      2,194      4,233      6,329
                                  

Totals

     9,753      11,688      9,353      19,106      25,778
                                  

Net amounts

   $ 10,664    $ 14,042    $ 12,353    $ 23,017    $ 28,561
                                  

 

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CADE Reports Second Quarter Results

Page 10

July 23, 2009

 

CADENCE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

ANALYSIS OF NET INTEREST EARNINGS

($ in thousands)

 

     Yields Earned
     And Rates Paid (%)
     Quarter Ended    Quarter Ended    Quarter Ended    Six Months Ended    Six Months Ended
     6/30/09    6/30/08    3/31/09    6/30/09    6/30/08

EARNING ASSETS:

              

Net loans

     4.92      6.06      5.13      5.02      6.47

Federal funds sold and other interest-bearing assets

     0.26      2.49      0.30      0.27      2.59

Securities:

              

Taxable

     4.29      4.96      4.51      4.40      5.07

Tax-exempt

     4.00      4.16      3.94      3.97      4.17
                                  

Totals

     4.23      5.70      4.65      4.44      6.03
                                  

INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES:

              

Interest-bearing deposits

     2.19      2.91      2.17      2.18      3.19

Borrowed funds, federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other interest-bearing liabilities

     2.73      2.94      2.80      2.77      3.33
                                  

Totals

     2.28      2.92      2.29      2.28      3.22
                                  

Net margin

     2.21      3.11      2.64      2.42      3.17
                                  

Note: Yields on a tax equivalent basis would be:

              

Tax-exempt securities

     6.16      6.40      6.08      6.10      6.41
                                  

Total earning assets

     4.37      5.84      4.77      4.54      6.17
                                  

Net margin

     2.30      3.25      2.76      2.53      3.31
                                  

Tax equivalent income

              

(in thousands)

   $ 448    $ 623    $ 549    $ 997    $ 1,242
                                  

 

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