form10-k.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
 x  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                      For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009
                                                                                        OR
 o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                      For the transition period from ____ to ____

Commission file number 0-16772
     
PEOPLES BANCORP INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Ohio
 
31-0987416
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
138 Putnam Street, PO Box 738, Marietta, Ohio
 
 45750-0738
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
     
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
 
(740) 373-3155
     
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
   
 
Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
 
Common shares, without par value
 
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
     
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
 
None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  oNo x
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes  oNo x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x   No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).      Yes      o               No  o
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated
filer o
Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).          Yes  oNo x
 
As of June 30, 2009, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s Common Shares (the only common equity of the registrant) held by non-affiliates was $165,459,000 based upon the closing price as reported on The NASDAQ Global Select Market.  For this purpose, executive officers and directors of the registrant are considered affiliates.
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock as of the latest practical date: 10,492,076 common shares, without par value, at February 26, 2010.
 

Document Incorporated by Reference:
Portions of registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 22, 2010, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I
 
 
Page
     
Item 1.
Business
  3
     
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
 14
     
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
20
     
Item 2.
Properties
20
     
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
20
     
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
20
     
PART II
   
     
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases
 
 
of Equity Securities
21
     
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data
23
     
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation
25
     
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
53
     
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
53
     
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
53
     
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
53
     
Item 9B.
Other Information
54
     
PART III
   
     
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
93
     
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
93
     
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
 
 
Stockholder Matters
94
     
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
95
     
Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
95
     
PART IV
   
     
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
96
     
Signatures
97
     
Exhibit Index
98


 
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As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Form 10-K”), “Peoples” refers to Peoples Bancorp Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries collectively, except where the context indicates the reference relates solely to the registrant, Peoples Bancorp Inc.  Unless otherwise indicated, all note references contained in this Form 10-K refer to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

PART I
ITEM 1.  BUSINESS
 
Corporate Overview
Peoples Bancorp Inc. is a financial holding company organized in 1980.  Peoples operates principally through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Peoples Bank, National Association (“Peoples Bank”).  At December 31, 2009, Peoples’ other wholly-owned subsidiaries included Peoples Investment Company and PEBO Capital Trust I.  Peoples Bank also owned Peoples Insurance Agency, LLC (“Peoples Insurance”) and PBNA, L.L.C., an asset management company.  Peoples Investment Company also owned Peoples Capital Corporation.
 
Peoples Bank was first chartered in 1902 as an Ohio banking corporation under the name “The Peoples Banking and Trust Company” in Marietta, Ohio, and was later reorganized as a national banking association under its current name in 2000.  Peoples Insurance was first chartered in 1994 as an Ohio corporation under the name “Northwest Territory Property and Casualty Insurance Agency, Inc.”  In late 1995, Peoples Insurance was awarded insurance agency powers in the State of Ohio, becoming the first insurance agency in Ohio to be affiliated with a financial institution.  Peoples Insurance was converted from an Ohio corporation to an Ohio limited liability company under its current name in December 2009.
 
 Peoples Investment Company, its subsidiary, Peoples Capital Corporation, and PBNA, L.L.C. were formed in 2001 to optimize Peoples’ consolidated capital position and provide new investment opportunities as a means of enhancing profitability.  These opportunities include, but are not limited to, investments in low-income housing tax credit funds or projects, venture capital and other higher risk investments, which are either limited or restricted at Peoples Bank.  Presently, the operations of these companies do not represent a material part of Peoples’ overall business activities.
 
 
Business Overview
Peoples makes available a complete line of banking, investment, insurance and trust solutions through its financial units­ – Peoples Bank, Peoples Insurance and Peoples Financial Advisors (a division of Peoples Bank).  These products and services include the following:
 
o various demand deposit accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts and certificates of deposit
o commercial, consumer and real estate mortgage loans (both commercial and residential) and lines of credit
o debit and automated teller machine (“ATM”) cards
o corporate and personal trust services
o safe deposit rental facilities
o travelers checks, money orders and cashier’s checks
o full range of life, health and property and casualty insurance products
o custom-tailored fiduciary and wealth management services
 
Peoples’ financial products and services are offered through its financial service locations and ATMs in Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky, as well as telephone and internet-based banking.  Brokerage services are offered exclusively through an unaffiliated registered broker-dealer located at Peoples Bank’s offices.  Peoples also makes available credit cards to consumers and businesses, as well as merchant credit card processing services, through joint marketing arrangements with third parties.
 
Since 1996, Peoples has undertaken a controlled and steady expansion strategy involving a combination of internal and external growth.  This strategy has included the opening of de novo banking and loan production offices, acquisitions of existing banking offices, both individually and as part of entire institutions, and acquisitions of two insurance agencies.  As a result, Peoples has experienced growth in total assets and its capital position, as well as expansion of its customer base and primary market area.  This strategy has also provided opportunities for Peoples to integrate non-traditional products and services, such as insurance and investments, with the traditional banking products offered to its clients.
 
Since 2003, Peoples has taken steps to improve operating efficiency by redirecting resources to offices and markets with greater growth potential.  These actions have included the consolidation of existing banking offices with acquired offices in close proximity to each other and sale of certain banking offices.
 
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Recent Corporate Developments
In October 2008, the United States Department of the Treasury (the “U.S. Treasury”) established the TARP Capital Purchase Program under the authority granted by the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (the “EESA”), which appropriated $700 billion for the purpose of restoring liquidity and stability in the U.S. financial system.  Under the TARP Capital Purchase Program, the U.S. Treasury made $250 billion of capital available to U.S. financial institutions in the form of senior preferred stock investments and a warrant entitling the U.S. Treasury to buy the participating institution’s common stock with a market price equal to 15% of the senior preferred stock.
 
In late 2008, Peoples received preliminary approval from the U.S. Treasury for a capital investment of $39 million through the voluntary TARP Capital Purchase Program.  At the time of this preliminary approval, Peoples was not authorized to issue preferred shares under its Amended Articles of Incorporation.  The approved amount of capital, which represented 3% of Peoples’ total risk-weighted assets, was the maximum that Peoples was allowed to receive under the TARP Capital Purchase Program.
 
On January 22, 2009, Peoples’ shareholders adopted an amendment to Article FOURTH of Peoples’ Amended Articles of Incorporation to authorize the issuance of up to 50,000 preferred shares.  The preferred shares may be issued from time to time by Peoples’ Board of Directors in one or more series, with each series to consist of such number of shares and to have such voting powers, designations, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions as determined by the Board of Directors.  On January 28, 2009, Peoples’ Board of Directors adopted an amendment to Peoples’ Amended Articles of Incorporation to create a series of preferred shares designated as Peoples’ Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Shares, Series A, each without par value and having a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (the “Series A Preferred Shares”).  These actions enabled Peoples to obtain final approval for the $39 million capital investment through the TARP Capital Purchase Program.
 
On January 30, 2009, Peoples issued and sold to the U.S. Treasury (i) 39,000 of Peoples’ Series A Preferred Shares, and (ii) a ten-year warrant (the “Warrant”) to purchase 313,505 Peoples common shares, each without par value (“Common Shares”), at an exercise price of $18.66 per share (subject to certain anti-dilution and other adjustments), for an aggregate purchase price of $39 million in cash.  This issuance and sale was a private placement exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to Section 4(2) thereof.  Additional information regarding the Series A Preferred Shares and the Warrant can be found in Note 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
To finalize Peoples’ participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program, Peoples entered into certain agreements with the U.S. Treasury.  Additional information regarding the TARP Capital Purchase Program and the restrictions imposed on Peoples can be found under the “TARP Capital Purchase Program” heading in the “Supervision and Regulation” section included later in this item.
 
 
Primary Market Area and Customers
Peoples considers its primary market area to consist of the counties where it has a physical presence and neighboring counties.  This market area currently includes the counties of Athens, Belmont, Fairfield, Franklin, Gallia, Guernsey, Meigs, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble and Washington in Ohio; Cabell, Mason, Wetzel and Wood in West Virginia; and Boyd and Greenup in Kentucky.  This market area encompasses the Metropolitan Statistical Areas (“MSA”) of Parkersburg-Marietta-Vienna, WV-OH and Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, and portions of the Columbus OH and Wheeling, WV-OH MSAs.  This primary market area largely consists of rural or small urban areas with a diverse group of industries and employers.  Principal industries in this area include health care, education and other social services; plastics and petrochemical manufacturing; oil, gas and coal production; and tourism and other service-related industries.  Because of this diversity, Peoples is not dependent upon any single industry segment for its business opportunities.
 
 
Lending Activities
Peoples originates various types of loans, including commercial and commercial real estate loans, residential real estate loans, home equity lines of credit, real estate construction loans, and consumer loans.  In prior years, Peoples also originated and retained various credit card loans.  In 2003, Peoples sold its existing credit card portfolio and entered into joint marketing alliances to serve the credit card needs of its customers and prospects, which reduces Peoples’ risks since it does not own the loans.
 
Peoples’ lending activities are focused principally on lending opportunities within its primary market areas, although Peoples occasionally originates loans outside its primary markets related to existing customer relationships.  In general, Peoples retains the majority of loans it originates; however, certain longer-term fixed-rate mortgage loan originations, primarily one-to-four family residential mortgages, are sold into the secondary market.
 
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Peoples’ loans consist of credits to borrowers spread over a broad range of industrial classifications.  At December 31, 2009, Peoples had no concentration of loans to borrowers engaged in the same or similar industries that exceeded 10% of total loans nor had any loans outstanding to non-U.S. entities.
 
Legal Lending Limit
Federal regulations impose a limit on the aggregate amount a financial institution may lend to one borrower, including certain related or affiliated borrowers.  This legal lending limit is generally 15% of the institution’s total capital, as defined by risk-based capital regulations, plus any allowance for loan losses not already included in total capital.  At December 31, 2009, Peoples’ legal lending limit was approximately $28.4 million.  During 2009, Peoples did not extend credit to any one borrower in excess of its legal lending limit.
 
Commercial Lending
Commercial, financial and agricultural loans (“commercial loans”), including loans secured by commercial real estate, represent the largest portion of Peoples’ total loan portfolio, comprising approximately 63.0% of total loans at December 31, 2009.  Commercial lending inherently involves a significant degree of risk of loss since commercial loan relationships generally involve larger loan balances than other loan classes.  Additionally, repayment of commercial loans normally depends on adequate cash flows of a business, which can be negatively impacted by adverse changes in the general economy or in a specific industry.
 
 
Commercial Lending Practices. Loan terms include amortization schedules and interest rates commensurate with the purpose of each loan, the source of repayment and the
    risk involved.  The majority of Peoples’ commercial loans carry variable interest rates equal to an underlying index rate plus a margin.  Peoples occasionally originates
    commercial loans with fixed interest rates for periods generally ranging from 3 to 5 years.  The primary analytical technique used in determining whether to grant a
    commercial loan is the review of a schedule of cash flows to evaluate whether the borrower’s anticipated future cash flows will be adequate to service both interest and
    principal due.  Additionally, collateral is reviewed to determine its value in relation to the loan.
 
    The Peoples Bank Board of Directors Loan Committee is required to approve loans secured by real estate of $4 million or more, loans secured by all other assets of
    $2 million or more and unsecured loans of $1 million or more.   Approval of the Peoples Bank Board of Directors Loan Committee is required for all new loans, regardless
    of amount, to borrowers whose aggregate debt to Peoples Bank, including the principal amount of the proposed loan, of $5 million or more.
 
    The Peoples Bank Board of Directors is required to approve all new loans of $10 million or more and any loan, regardless of amount, to borrowers whose aggregate
    debt to Peoples Bank, including the principal amount of the proposed loan, of $15 million or more.
 
    Peoples evaluates all commercial loan relationships whenever a new loan causes the aggregate debt to Peoples to exceed $250,000.  On an annual basis, Peoples
    evaluates all loan relationships whose aggregate debt to Peoples is greater than $500,000 for possible credit deterioration.  This loan review process provides Peoples
    with opportunities to identify potential problem loans and take proactive actions to assure repayment of the loan or minimize Peoples’ risk of loss, such as reviewing the
    relationship more frequently based upon the loan quality rating and aggregate debt outstanding.  Upon detection of the reduced ability of a borrower to meet cash flow
    obligations, the loan is reviewed for possible downgrading or placement on nonaccrual status.
 
Real Estate Loans
While commercial loans comprise the largest portion of Peoples’ loan portfolio, generating residential real estate loans remains a major focus of Peoples’ lending efforts, whether the loans are ultimately sold into the secondary market or retained in Peoples’ loan portfolio.  At December 31, 2009, portfolio real estate loans comprised 20.5% of total loans.  Peoples also had $1.9 million of real estate loans held for sale and was servicing $227.8 million of loans, consisting primarily of one-to-four family residential mortgages, previously sold in the secondary market.
 
Peoples originates both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate real estate loans.  Typically, the longer-term fixed-rate real estate loans are sold in the secondary market, with Peoples retaining servicing rights on those loans.  In select cases, Peoples may retain certain fixed-rate real estate loans or sell the loans without retaining the servicing rights.
 
 
Real Estate Lending Practices. Peoples typically requires residential real estate loan amounts to be no more than 80% of the purchase price or the appraised value of the real
    estate securing the loan, which ever is lower, unless private mortgage insurance is obtained by the borrower for the percentage exceeding 80%.  In limited circumstances,
    Peoples may lend up to 100% of the appraised value of the real estate, although such lending currently is limited to loans that qualify under established federally backed
    rural housing programs.  The risk conditions of real estate loans are considered during underwriting for the purposes of establishing an interest rate commensurate with
    the risks inherent in mortgage lending and remaining equity of the home, if any.
 
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    Real estate loans are typically secured by first mortgages with evidence of title in favor of Peoples in the form of an attorney’s opinion of the title or a title insurance
    policy.  Peoples also requires proof of hazard insurance, with Peoples named as the mortgagee and loss payee.  Licensed appraisals are required for all real estate loans.
 
Home Equity Lines of Credit
Peoples originates home equity lines of credit that provide consumers with greater flexibility in financing personal expenditures.  At December 31, 2009, home equity lines of credit comprised 4.7% of Peoples’ total loans.  Peoples currently offers home equity lines of credit with a prime-based variable rate for the entire 10-year term of the loan.  In prior years, Peoples also offered a home equity line of credit whose terms included a fixed rate for the first five years and converting to a variable interest rate for the remaining five years.  At December 31, 2009, total outstanding principal balances and available credit amounts of these convertible rate home equity lines of credit were $16.0 million and $23.2 million, respectively, and weighted-average remaining maturity of 2.8 years.
 
 
Home Equity Lending Practices. Home equity lines of credit are generally made as second mortgages by Peoples.  The maximum amount of a home equity line of credit is
    generally limited to 80% of the appraised value of the property less the balance of the first mortgage.  Peoples will lend up to 90% of the appraised value of the property
    at higher interest rates that are commensurate with the additional risk being assumed in these situations.  The home equity lines of credit are written with ten-year terms
    and are subject to review upon request for renewal.  
 
Construction Loans
Peoples originates various construction loans to provide temporary financing during the construction phase for commercial and residential properties.  At December 31, 2009, construction loans comprised 3.1% of Peoples’ loan portfolio.  Construction financing is generally considered to involve the highest risk since Peoples is dependent largely upon the accuracy of the initial estimate of the property’s value at completion of construction and the estimated cost (including interest) of construction.  If the estimated construction cost proves to be inaccurate, Peoples may be required to advance funds beyond the amount originally committed to enable completion of the project.  In certain cases, such as real estate development projects, repayment of construction loans occurs as a result of subsequent sales of the developed real estate.
 
 
Construction Lending Practices. Peoples’ construction lending is focused primarily on commercial and residential projects of select real estate developers and
    homebuilders.  These projects include the construction of office, retail or industrial complexes and real estate development for either residential or commercial uses.  The
    underwriting criteria for construction loans is generally the same as for non-construction loans.
 
    To mitigate the risk of construction lending, Peoples requires periodic site inspections by a construction loan manager, appraiser or architect to ensure appropriate
    completion of the project prior to any disbursements.  Construction loans are structured to provide sufficient time to complete construction, including consideration for
    weather or other variables that influence completion time, although Peoples generally requires the term to be less than two years.
 
Consumer Lending
Peoples’ consumer lending activities primarily involve loans secured by automobiles, boats, recreational vehicles and other personal property.  At December 31, 2009, consumer loans comprised 8.5% of Peoples’ loan portfolio.
 
 
Consumer Lending Practices. Consumer loans generally involve more risk as to collectability than real estate mortgage loans because of the type and nature of the collateral
    and, in certain instances, the absence of collateral.  As a result, consumer lending collections are dependent upon the borrower’s continued financial stability, and are at
    more risk from adverse changes in personal circumstances.  In addition, application of various state and federal laws, including bankruptcy and insolvency laws, could
    limit the amount that may be recovered under these loans.  Credit approval for consumer loans typically requires demonstration of sufficiency of income to repay
    principal and interest due, stability of employment, credit history and sufficient collateral for secured loans.  It is the policy of Peoples to review its consumer loan
    portfolio monthly and to charge-off loans that do not meet its standards, and to adhere strictly to all laws and regulations governing consumer lending.  A qualified
    compliance officer is responsible for monitoring regulatory compliance performance and for advising and updating loan personnel.
 
    Peoples makes credit life insurance and accident and health insurance available to all qualified borrowers, thus reducing risk of loss when a borrower’s income is
    terminated or interrupted due to accident, disability or death.
 
Overdraft Privilege
Peoples grants Overdraft Privilege to qualified customers.  Overdraft Privilege is a service that provides overdraft protection to retail deposit customers by establishing an Overdraft Privilege amount.  After a 30-day waiting period to verify deposit ability, each new checking account usually receives an Overdraft Privilege amount of either $400 or $700, based on the type of account and other parameters.  Once established, customers are permitted to overdraw their checking account at Peoples’ discretion, up to their Overdraft Privilege limit, with each item being charged Peoples’ regular overdraft fee.  Customers repay the overdraft with their next deposit.  Overdraft Privilege is designed to allow Peoples to fill the void between traditional overdraft protection, such as a line of credit, and “check cashing stores”.  While Overdraft Privilege generates fee income, Peoples maintains an allowance for losses from checking accounts with overdrafts deemed uncollectible.  This allowance, along with the related provision and net charge-offs, is included in Peoples’ allowance for loan losses.
 
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Investment Activities
Investment securities comprise a significant portion of Peoples’ total assets.  The majority of Peoples’ investment activities are conducted through Peoples Bank, although Peoples and its non-banking subsidiaries engage in investment activities from time-to-time.  Investment activity by Peoples Bank is subject to certain regulatory guidelines and limitations on the types of securities eligible for purchase.  As a result, the investment securities owned by Peoples Bank include obligations of the U.S. Treasury, agencies and corporations of the U.S. government, including mortgage-backed securities, bank eligible obligations of any state or political subdivision in the U.S. and bank eligible corporate obligations, including private-label mortgage-backed securities.  The investments owned by Peoples are comprised of common stocks issued by various unrelated banking holding companies and tax-exempt municipal obligations.  The investments owned by Peoples’ non-banking subsidiaries currently consist of tax credit funds and corporate obligations.
 
Peoples’ investment activities are governed internally by a written, Board-approved policy, which is administered by Peoples’ Asset-Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”).  The primary purpose of Peoples’ investment portfolio is to: (1) employ excess funds not needed for loan demand; (2) provide a source of liquid assets to accommodate unanticipated deposit and loan fluctuations and overall liquidity needs; (3) provide eligible securities to secure public and trust funds; and (4) earn the maximum overall return commensurate with the investment’s risk and corporate needs.  Investment strategies to achieve these objectives are reviewed and approved by the ALCO.  In its evaluation of investment strategies, the ALCO considers various factors, including the interest rate environment, balance sheet mix, actual and anticipated loan demand, funding opportunities and Peoples’ overall interest rate sensitivity.  The ALCO also has much broader responsibilities, which are discussed in the “Interest Rate Sensitivity and Liquidity” section of “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” included in Item 7 of in this Form 10-K.
 
 
Funding Sources
Peoples’ primary sources of funds for lending and investing activities are interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing deposits.  Cash flows from both the loan and investment portfolios, which include scheduled payments, as well as prepayments, calls and maturities, also provide a relatively stable source of funds.  Peoples also utilizes a variety of short-term and long-term borrowings to fund asset growth and satisfy liquidity needs.  Peoples’ funding sources are monitored and managed through Peoples’ asset-liability management process, which is discussed further in the “Interest Rate Sensitivity and Liquidity” section of “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” included in Item 7 of this Form 10-K.
 
The following is a brief description of the various sources of funds utilized by Peoples:
 
Deposits
Peoples obtains deposits principally from individuals and businesses within its primary market area by offering a broad selection of deposit products to clients.  Retail deposit account terms vary with respect to the minimum balance required, the time the funds must remain on deposit and service charge schedules.  Interest rates paid on specific deposit types are determined based on (1) the interest rates offered by competitors, (2) the anticipated amount and timing of funding needs, (3) the availability and cost of alternative sources of funding and (4) the anticipated future economic conditions and interest rates.  Retail deposits are attractive sources of funding because of their stability and relative cost in addition to providing opportunities for Peoples to build long-term client relationships through the cross-selling of its other products and services.
 
 Peoples occasionally obtains deposits from clients outside Peoples’ primary market area, generally in the form of certificates of deposit and often through deposit brokers.  These deposits are used to augment Peoples’ retail deposits to fund loans originated to customers located outside Peoples’ primary market area, as well as provide diversity in funding sources.  While these deposits may carry slightly higher interest costs than other wholesale funds, they do not require Peoples to secure the funds with collateral, unlike most other borrowed funds.
 
Additional information regarding the amounts and composition of Peoples’ deposits can be found in the “Deposits” section of “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” included in Item 7 of this Form 10-K and in Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
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Borrowed Funds
Peoples obtains funds through a variety of short-term and long-term borrowings, which typically include advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati (“FHLB”), Federal Funds purchased, advances from the Federal Reserve Discount Window and repurchase agreements.  Occasionally, Peoples obtains funds from unrelated financial institutions in the form of loans or revolving lines of credit.  Short-term borrowings are used generally to manage Peoples’ daily liquidity needs since they typically may be repaid, in whole or part, at any time without a penalty.  Long-term borrowings provide cost-effective options for funding asset growth and satisfying capital needs, due to the variety of pricing and maturity options available.
 
Additional information regarding the amounts and composition of Peoples’ borrowed funds can be found in the “Borrowed Funds” section of “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” included in Item 7 of this Form 10-K and in Notes 8 and 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Peoples has an established statutory business trust subsidiary (PEBO Capital Trust I) that was formed for the sole purpose of issuing preferred securities and investing the proceeds in junior subordinated debt securities of Peoples.  The trust preferred securities qualify as Tier 1 capital for regulatory capital purposes, subject to certain quantitative limits and qualitative standards.  Additional information can be found in Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
Competition
Peoples experiences intense competition within its primary market area due to the presence of several national, regional and local financial institutions and other service providers, including finance companies, insurance agencies and mutual funds.  Competition within the financial service industry continues to increase as a result of mergers between, and expansion of, financial service providers within and outside of Peoples’ primary market areas.  In addition, the deregulation of the financial services industry (see the discussion of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 in the section of this item captioned “Supervision and Regulation-Bank Holding Company Act”) has allowed securities firms and insurance companies that have elected to become financial holding companies to acquire commercial banks and other financial institutions, which can create additional competitive pressure.
 
Peoples primarily competes based on client service, convenience and responsiveness to customer needs, available products, rates of interest on loans and deposits, and the availability and pricing of trust, brokerage and insurance services.  However, some competitors may have greater resources and, as such, higher lending limits than Peoples, which adversely affects Peoples’ ability to compete.  Peoples’ business strategy includes the use of a “needs-based” sales and service approach to serve customers and incentives intended to promote customers’ continued use of multiple financial products and services.  In addition, Peoples continues to emphasize the integration of traditional commercial banking products with non-traditional financial products, such as insurance and investment products.
 
Peoples historically has focused on providing its full range of products and services in smaller metropolitan markets rather than major metropolitan areas.  While management believes Peoples has developed a level of expertise in serving the financial service needs of smaller communities, Peoples’ primary market area has expanded into larger metropolitan areas, like central Ohio.  These larger areas typically contain entrenched service providers with an existing customer base much larger than Peoples’ initial entry position.  As a result, Peoples may be forced to compete more aggressively in order to grow its market share in these areas, which could reduce current and future profit potential from such markets.
 
 
Employees
At December 31, 2009, Peoples had 537 full-time equivalent employees.
 
 
Intellectual Property and Proprietary Rights
Peoples has registered the service marks “Peoples Bank (with logo)”, “Peoples Bancorp (with logo)”, “Peoples Financial Advisors (with logo)”, “Connect Card”, “Peoples Bank” and “peoplesbancorp.com” with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.  These service marks currently have expiration dates ranging from 2014 to 2017.  Peoples may renew the registrations of service marks with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office generally for additional 10-year periods indefinitely, provided it continues to use the service marks and files appropriate maintenance and renewal documentation with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office at times required by the federal trademark laws and regulations.
 
Peoples has a proprietary interest in the Internet Domain name “pebo.com”.  Internet Domain names in the U.S. and in foreign countries are regulated, but the laws and regulations governing the Internet are continually evolving.
 
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Supervision and Regulation
Peoples and its subsidiaries are subject to extensive supervision and regulation by federal and state agencies.  The regulation of financial holding companies and their subsidiaries is intended primarily for the protection of consumers, depositors, borrowers, the federal deposit insurance fund and the banking system as a whole and not for the protection of shareholders.  The following is a summary of the regulatory agencies, statutes and related regulations that have, or could have, a significant impact on Peoples’ business.  This discussion is qualified in its entirety by reference to such regulations and statutes.
 
Financial Holding Company
Peoples is a legal entity separate and distinct from its subsidiaries and affiliated companies.  As a financial holding company, Peoples is subject to regulation under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHC Act”), and to inspection, examination and supervision by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”).
 
The Federal Reserve Board also has extensive enforcement authority over financial holding companies.  In general, the Federal Reserve Board may initiate enforcement actions for violations of laws and regulations and unsafe or unsound practices.  The Federal Reserve Board may assess civil money penalties, issue cease and desist or removal orders and require that a financial holding company divest subsidiaries, including subsidiary banks.  Peoples is also required to file reports and other information with the Federal Reserve Board regarding its business operations and those of its subsidiaries.
 
Subsidiary Bank  
Peoples Bank is subject to regulation and examination primarily by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) and secondarily by the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). OCC regulations govern permissible activities, capital requirements, dividend limitations, investments, loans and other matters.  The OCC has the authority to impose sanctions on Peoples Bank and, under certain circumstances, may place Peoples Bank into receivership.
 
Peoples Bank is subject to certain restrictions imposed by the Federal Reserve Act and Federal Reserve Board regulations regarding such matters as the maintenance of reserves against deposits, extensions of credit to the financial holding company or any of its subsidiaries, investments in the stock or other securities of the financial holding company or its subsidiaries and the taking of such stock or securities as collateral for loans to any borrower.
 
Non-Banking Subsidiaries  
Peoples’ non-banking subsidiaries are also subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve Board and other applicable federal and state agencies.  Peoples Insurance, as a licensed insurance agency, is subject to regulation by the Ohio Department of Insurance and the state insurance regulatory agencies of those states where it may conduct business.
 
Other Regulatory Agencies
 
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and NASDAQ. Peoples is also under the jurisdiction of the SEC and certain state securities commissions for matters
    relating to the offering and sale of its securities.  Peoples is subject to the disclosure and regulatory requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
    “Securities Act”), and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the regulations promulgated thereunder, as administered by the
    SEC.  Peoples’ Common Shares are listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “PEBO” and Peoples is subject to the rules for
    NASDAQ listed companies.
 
 
Federal Home Loan Bank. Peoples Bank is a member of the FHLB, which provides credit to its members in the form of advances.  As a member of the FHLB, Peoples Bank
    must maintain an investment in the capital stock of the FHLB in a specified amount.  Upon the origination or renewal of an advance, the FHLB is required by law to
    obtain and maintain a security interest in certain types of collateral.  The FHLB is required to establish standards of community investment or service that its
    members must maintain for continued access to long-term advances from the FHLB.  The standards take into account a member’s performance under the Community
    Reinvestment Act and its record of lending to first-time homebuyers.
 
 
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation/Depository Insurance. The FDIC is an independent federal agency which insures the deposits, up to prescribed
    statutory limits, of federally-insured banks and savings associations and safeguards the safety and soundness of the financial institution industry.  Peoples Bank’s
    deposits are insured up to applicable limits by Deposit Insurance Fund of the FDIC and subject to deposit insurance assessments to maintain the Deposit Insurance
    Fund.
 
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    The FDIC utilizes a risk-based assessment system that imposes insurance premiums based upon a four-tier risk matrix based upon a bank’s capital level and
    supervisory, or CAMELS, rating.  The assessment rate determined by considering such information is then applied to the amount of the bank’s deposits to
    determine the bank’s insurance premiums.  An increase in the assessment rate could have a material adverse effect on the earnings of the affected insured
    depository institutions.  The FDIC may terminate insurance coverage upon a finding that the insured depository institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound
    practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition enacted or imposed by the institution’s
    regulatory agency.
 
 
U.S. Treasury and Special Inspector General. As a result of Peoples’ participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program, Peoples is also subject to the regulatory
    authority granted to the U.S. Treasury and the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Assets Relief Program under EESA and the American Recovery and
    Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “ARRA”), as discussed below under the caption “TARP Capital Purchase Program”.
 
Bank Holding Company Act
In general, the BHC Act limits the business of bank holding companies to banking, managing or controlling banks and other activities that the Federal Reserve Board has determined to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident thereto.  As a result of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 – also known as the Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999 –, which amended the BHC Act, bank holding companies that are financial holding companies may engage in any activity, or acquire and retain the shares of a company engaged in any activity that is either (1) financial in nature or incidental to such financial activity (as determined by the Federal Reserve Board in consultation with the OCC) or (2) complementary to a financial activity, and that does not pose a substantial risk to the safety and soundness of depository institutions or the financial system generally (as solely determined by the Federal Reserve Board).  Activities that are financial in nature include securities underwriting and dealing, insurance underwriting and making merchant banking investments.  In 2002, Peoples elected, and received approval from the Federal Reserve Board, to become a financial holding company.
 
In order for a financial holding company to commence any new activity permitted by the BHC Act, or to acquire a company engaged in any new activity permitted by the BHC Act, each insured depository institution subsidiary of the financial holding company must have received a rating of at least “satisfactory” in its most recent examination under the Community Reinvestment Act, which is more fully discussed in the section captioned “Community Reinvestment Act” included later in this item.  In addition, financial holding companies like Peoples are permitted to acquire companies engaged in activities that are financial in nature and in activities that are incidental and complementary to financial activities without prior Federal Reserve Board approval.
 
The BHC Act and other federal and state statutes regulate acquisitions of commercial banks.  The BHC Act requires the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board for the direct or indirect acquisition of more than 5% of the voting shares of a commercial bank or its parent holding company.  Under the Federal Bank Merger Act, the prior approval of the OCC is required for a national bank to merge with another bank or purchase the assets or assume the deposits of another bank.  In reviewing applications seeking approval of merger and acquisition transactions, the bank regulatory authorities will consider, among other things, the competitive effect and public benefits of the transactions, the capital position of the combined organization, the applicant’s performance record under the Community Reinvestment Act and fair housing laws and the effectiveness of the subject organizations in combating money laundering activities.
 
Under Federal Reserve Board policy, a financial holding company is expected to act as a source of financial strength to each subsidiary bank and to commit resources to support each such subsidiary bank.  Under this policy, the Federal Reserve Board may require a financial holding company to contribute additional capital to an undercapitalized subsidiary bank and may disapprove of the payment of dividends to the shareholders if the Federal Reserve Board believes the payment of such dividends would be an unsafe or unsound practice.
 
Capital Adequacy and Prompt Corrective Action
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”), among other things, identifies five capital categories for insured depository institutions and requires the respective federal regulatory agencies to implement systems for “prompt corrective action” for insured depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements within such categories.  The federal regulatory agencies, including the Federal Reserve Board and the OCC, have adopted substantially similar regulatory capital guidelines and regulations consistent with the requirements of FDICIA, as well as established a system of prompt corrective action to resolve certain of the problems of undercapitalized institutions.  This system is based on five capital level categories for insured depository institutions:  “well capitalized”, “adequately capitalized”, “undercapitalized”, “significantly undercapitalized” and “critically undercapitalized”.
 
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The federal banking agencies may (or in some cases must) take certain supervisory actions depending upon a bank’s capital level.  For example, the banking agencies must appoint a receiver or conservator for a bank within 90 days after it becomes “critically undercapitalized” unless the bank’s primary regulator determines, with the concurrence of the FDIC, that other action would better achieve regulatory purposes.  Banking operations otherwise may be significantly affected depending on a bank’s capital category.  For example, a bank that is not “well capitalized” generally is prohibited from accepting brokered deposits and offering interest rates on deposits higher than the prevailing rate in its market, and the holding company of any undercapitalized bank must guarantee, in part, specific aspects of the bank’s capital plan for the plan to be acceptable.
 
Both Peoples and Peoples Bank are subject to risk-based capital requirements and guidelines imposed by their respective primary regulatory agencies.  These capital guidelines and regulations are based on the 1998 capital accord of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (the “Basel Committee”) and divide the capital of Peoples and Peoples Bank into two tiers:
 
·  
“Tier 1 capital” consists of (1) common shareholders’ equity; (2) qualifying perpetual preferred stock and trust preferred securities (up to 25% of total Tier 1 capital); and (3) minority interests in equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, less goodwill and certain other deductions including intangible assets and net unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities.
 
·  
“Tier 2 capital” consists primarily of allowance for loan losses and net unrealized gains on certain available-for-sale equity securities, subject to limitations established by the guidelines, as well as any qualifying perpetual preferred stock and trust preferred securities amounts excluded from Tier 1 capital.  Tier 2 capital may also include, among other things, certain amounts of hybrid capital instruments, mandatory convertible debt and subordinated debt.
 
In addition, each asset on Peoples and Peoples Bank’s balance sheets, as well as credit equivalent amounts of certain derivatives and off-balance sheet items, are assigned to one of several broad risk weight categories: 0%, 20%, 50%, 100% and in some cases 200%, resulting in a calculation of “total risk-weighted assets”.
 
Peoples and Peoples Bank are required to maintain sufficient capital to meet both a risk-based asset ratio test and leverage ratio test.  From time to time, the regulatory agencies may require Peoples and Peoples Bank to maintain capital above these minimum levels should certain conditions exist, such as deterioration of their financial condition or growth in assets, either actual or expected.  Additional information regarding Peoples and Peoples Bank’s risk-based capital requirements and ratios can be found in Note 17 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
In 2004, the Basel Committee published a new capital accord to replace its 1988 capital accord (“Basel II”).  Basel II provides two approaches for setting capital standards for credit risk, sets capital requirements for operational risk and refines the existing capital requirements for market risk exposures.  In November 2007, the U.S. federal regulatory agencies adopted a definitive final rule for implementing Basel II in the United States.  The final rule applies only to internationally active banking organizations and organizations with consolidated total assets of at least $250 billion or consolidated on-balance sheet foreign exposures of at least $10 billion.  Currently, Peoples and Peoples Bank are not required to comply with Basel II.  In July 2008, the federal banking agencies proposed rules that would allow banks other than those subject to Basel II to elect to adopt the new risk weighting methodologies.  Until such rules are finalized, Peoples is unable to predict whether it will adopt the new standards.
 
Community Reinvestment Act
The Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 (the “CRA”) requires depository institutions to assist in meeting the credit needs of their market areas consistent with safe and sound banking practice.  Under the CRA, each depository institution is required to help meet the credit needs of its market areas by, among other things, providing credit to low and moderate-income individuals and communities.  Depository institutions are periodically examined for compliance with the CRA and are assigned ratings.  As of December 31, 2009, the OCC’s most recent performance evaluation of Peoples Bank resulted in an overall rating of “Outstanding”.
 
TARP Capital Purchase Program
As discussed in more detail above under the caption “Recent Corporate Developments,” Peoples elected to participate in the TARP Capital Purchase Program and received $39 million of new equity capital from the U.S. Treasury on January 30, 2009.  As part of its participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program, Peoples agreed to various requirements and restrictions imposed on all participants in the TARP Capital Purchase Program.  Among the terms of participation was a provision that the U. S. Treasury could change the terms of participation at any time.
 
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the ARRA enacted by the U.S. Congress.  The ARRA, among other things, imposed certain new executive compensation and corporate expenditure limits on all current and future recipients of funds under the TARP Capital Purchase Program, including Peoples, as long as any obligation arising from the financial assistance provided to the recipient under the TARP Capital Purchase Program remains outstanding, excluding any period during which the U.S. Treasury holds only warrants to purchase common stock of a TARP participation (the “Covered Period”).  On June 10, 2009, the U.S. Treasury issued an interim final rule describing how participating institutions are to comply with the executive compensation and corporate governance standards imposed by the EESA, as amended by the ARRA.  On December 7, 2009, the U.S. Treasury published technical amendments to the interim final rule (collectively, the interim final rule published on June 15, 2009 and the amendments published on December 7, 2009 are referred to as the "Interim Final Rule").
 
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The current terms of participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program include the following:
 
·  
Peoples must file with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act registering for resale the Series A Preferred Shares or, in the event the Series A Preferred Shares are deposited with a depository at the request of the U.S. Treasury, depository shares evidencing fractional interests in the Series A Preferred Shares; the Warrant to purchase 313,505 Common Shares; and any Common Shares issued from time to time upon exercise of the Warrant.  On March 6, 2009, Peoples filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 to register these securities, which Registration Statement became effective on April 7, 2009.
 
·  
As long as the Series A Preferred Shares remain outstanding, unless all accrued and unpaid dividends for all past dividend periods on the Series A Preferred Shares are fully paid, Peoples will not be permitted to declare or pay dividends on any Common Shares, any junior preferred shares or, generally, any preferred shares ranking pari passu with the Series A Preferred Shares (other than in the case of pari passu preferred shares, dividends on a pro rata basis with the Series A Preferred Shares), nor will Peoples be permitted to repurchase or redeem any Common Shares or preferred shares other than the Series A Preferred Shares.
 
·  
Unless the Series A Preferred Shares have been transferred to unaffiliated third parties or redeemed in whole, until January 20, 2012, the U.S. Treasury's approval is required for any increase in Common Share dividends or any share repurchases other than repurchases of the Series A Preferred Shares, repurchases of  junior preferred shares, or repurchases of Common Shares in connection with the administration of any employee benefit plan in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice and purchases under certain other limited circumstances specified in the Securities Purchase Agreement with the U.S. Treasury.
 
·  
Peoples must comply with the U.S. Treasury’s standards for executive compensation and corporate governance during the Covered Period.  The current standards include the following:
 
–  
compensation plans and arrangements for Senior Executive Officers (as defined in the Interim Final Rule) must not encourage unnecessary and excessive risks that threaten the value of the financial institution;
 
–  
any bonus, retention award or incentive compensation paid (or under a legally binding obligation to pay) to a Senior Executive Officer or any of Peoples’ next 20 most highly-compensated employees based on materially inaccurate financial statements or other materially inaccurate performance metric criteria must be subject to recovery, or “clawback”, by Peoples;
 
–  
Peoples is prohibited from paying or accruing any bonus, retention award or incentive compensation with respect to its five most highly-compensated employees, except for grants of long-term restricted stock that do not fully vest during the Covered Period and do not have a value which exceeds one-third of an employee’s total annual compensation;
 
–  
severance payments to a Senior Executive Officer and the next five most highly-compensated employees, generally referred to as “golden parachute” payments, are prohibited , except for payments for services performed or benefits accrued;
 
–  
compensation plans that encourage manipulation of reported earnings to enhance the compensation of any employees are prohibited;
 
–  
Peoples is prohibited from providing (formally or informally) “gross-ups” to a Senior Executive Officer or any of Peoples’ next 20 most highly-compensated employees;
 
–  
the U.S. Treasury may retroactively review bonuses, retention awards and other compensation previously paid to a Senior Executive Officer or any of Peoples’ next 20 most highly-compensated employees to determine whether such payments were inconsistent with the purposes of TARP or otherwise contrary to the public interest;
 
–  
Peoples’ compensation committee consisting of independent directors must engage in risk analysis of Senior Executive Officer and all other employee compensation plans;
 
–  
Peoples’ Board of Directors must establish a company-wide policy regarding excessive or luxury expenditures, which was adopted on August 27, 2009, and post this policy on Peoples’ website;
 
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–  
Peoples’ proxy statements for annual shareholder meetings must permit a non-binding “say on pay” shareholder vote on the compensation of executives, as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC;
 
–  
executive compensation in excess of $500,000 for each Senior Executive Officer must not be deducted for federal income tax purposes;
 
–  
Peoples must disclose to the U.S. Treasury and Peoples’ primary regulator the amount, nature and justification for offering to any of Peoples’ five most highly-compensated employees any perquisites whose total value exceeds $25,000;
 
–  
Peoples must disclose to the U.S. Treasury and Peoples’ primary regulator whether Peoples’ Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee engaged a compensation consultant and the service performed by that compensation consult and any of its affiliates;
 
–  
Peoples must disclose to the U.S. Treasury the identity of Peoples’ Senior Executive Officers and next 20 most highly-compensated employees, identified by name and title and ranked in descending order of annual compensation;
 
–  
Peoples must limit any Employee Compensation Plan (as defined in the Interim Final Rule) that unnecessarily exposes Peoples to risk; and
 
–  
Peoples must comply with the executive compensation reporting and recordkeeping requirements established by the U.S. Treasury.
 
The ARRA permits such TARP recipients, subject to consultation with the appropriate federal banking agency, to repay to the U.S. Treasury any financial assistance received under the TARP Capital Purchase Program without penalty, delay or the need to raise additional replacement capital.
 
Detailed information regarding the Series A Preferred Shares and the Warrant can be found in Note 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Dividend Restrictions
Current federal banking regulations impose restrictions on Peoples Bank’s ability to pay dividends to Peoples.  These restrictions include a limit on the amount of dividends that may be paid in a given year without prior approval of the OCC and a prohibition on paying dividends that would cause Peoples Bank’s total capital to be less than the required minimum levels under the risk-based capital requirements imposed by the OCC.  Peoples Bank’s regulators may prohibit the payment of dividends at any time if the regulators determine the dividends represent unsafe and/or unsound banking practices or reduce Peoples Bank’s total capital below adequate levels.  For further discussion regarding regulatory restrictions on dividends, see Note 17 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Peoples’ ability to pay dividends to its shareholders may also be restricted.  Current Federal Reserve Board policy requires a financial holding company to act as a source of financial strength to each of its banking subsidiaries.  Under this policy, the Federal Reserve Board may require Peoples to commit resources or contribute additional capital to Peoples Bank, which could restrict the amount of cash available for dividends.   In 2009, the Federal Reserve Board issued guidance and regulations on the declaration and payment of dividends by bank holding companies, which included conditions under which a bank holding company must provide advance notification of its intention to declare and pay dividends.
 
Peoples also has entered into certain agreements that place restrictions on dividends.  Specifically, Peoples will be prohibited from paying dividends on its Common Shares if it suspends interest payments related to the trust preferred securities issued by its trust subsidiary.  Additional information regarding Peoples’ trust subsidiary can be found in Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  The dividend rights of holders of Peoples’ Common Shares are also qualified and subject to the dividend rights of holders of Series A Preferred Shares described above under the caption “Supervision and Regulation – TARP Capital Purchase Program”.
 
Even when the legal ability exists, Peoples or Peoples Bank may decide to limit the payment of dividends in order to retain earnings for corporate use.
 
Customer Privacy and Other Consumer Protections
Peoples Bank is subject to regulations limiting the ability of financial institutions to disclose non-public information about consumers to nonaffiliated third parties.  These limitations require disclosure of privacy policies to consumers and, in some circumstances, allow consumers to prevent disclosure of certain personal information to a nonaffiliated party.  Peoples Bank is also subject to numerous federal and state laws aimed at protecting consumers, including the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Bank Secrecy Act, the Community Reinvestment Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
 
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USA Patriot Act
The Uniting and Strengthening of America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “USA Patriot Act”) and related regulations, among other things, require financial institutions to establish programs specifying procedures for obtaining identifying information from customers and establishing enhanced due diligence policies, procedures and controls designed to detect and report suspicious activity.  Peoples Bank has established policies and procedures that Peoples believes comply with the requirements of the USA Patriot Act.
 
Monetary Policy
The Federal Reserve Board regulates money and credit conditions and interest rates in order to influence general economic conditions primarily through open market operations in U.S. government securities, changes in the discount rate on bank borrowings, and changes in the reserve requirements against depository institutions’ deposits.  These policies and regulations significantly affect the overall growth and distribution of loans, investments and deposits, as well as interest rates charged on loans and paid on deposits.
 
The monetary policies of the Federal Reserve Board have had a significant effect on the operating results of financial institutions in the past and are expected to continue to have significant effects in the future.  In view of the changing conditions in the economy, the money markets and the activities of monetary and fiscal authorities, Peoples can make no definitive predictions as to future changes in interest rates, credit availability or deposit levels.
 
Regulatory Reform
In June 2009, President Obama’s administration proposed a wide range of regulatory reforms that, if enacted, may have significant effects on the financial services industry in the United States.  Key aspects of the proposed reforms include, among other things, proposals to: (i)  reassess and increase capital requirements for banks and bank holding companies and examine the types of instruments that qualify as regulatory capital; (ii)  combine the OCC and the Office of Thrift Supervision into a national bank supervisor with a unified federal bank charter; (iii)  expand the current eligibility requirements for financial holding companies so that a financial holding company must be “well capitalized” and “well managed” on a consolidated basis; (iv)  create a federal consumer financial protection agency to be the primary federal consumer protection supervisor with broad examination, supervision and enforcement authority with respect to consumer financial products and services; (v)  further limit the ability of banks to engage in transactions with affiliates; and (vi)  subject all “over-the-counter” derivatives markets to comprehensive regulation.
 
The U.S. Congress, state lawmaking bodies and federal and state regulatory agencies continue to consider a number of wide-ranging and comprehensive proposals for altering the structure, regulation and competitive relationships of the financial institutions, including rules and regulations related to the Obama administration’s proposals.  Separate comprehensive financial reform bills intended to address the proposals of the Obama administration were introduced in both houses of Congress in the second half of 2009 and remain under review by both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.  Peoples cannot predict whether or in what form further legislation or regulations may be adopted or the extent to which Peoples’ business activities could be affected.
 
 
Website Access to Peoples’ SEC Filings
Peoples maintains an Internet website at www.peoplesbancorp.com (this uniform resource locator, or URL, is an inactive textual reference only and is not intended to incorporate Peoples’ Internet website into this Form 10-K).  Peoples makes available free of charge on or through its website, its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable after Peoples electronically files each such report or amendment with, or furnishes it to, the SEC.
 

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

The following are certain risks that management believes are specific to Peoples’ business.  This should not be viewed as an all-inclusive list of risks or presenting the risk factors listed in any particular order.

·  
Current conditions in the financial markets, the real estate markets and economic conditions generally may adversely affect Peoples’ business.
Beginning in the latter half of 2007 and continuing into 2010, negative developments in the capital markets resulted in uncertainty in the financial markets and an economic downturn.  The housing market declined, resulting in decreasing home prices and increasing delinquencies and foreclosures.  The credit performance of mortgage and construction loans resulted in significant write-downs of asset values by financial institutions, including government-sponsored entities and major commercial and investment banks.  The declines in the performance and value of mortgage assets encompassed all mortgage and real estate asset types, leveraged bank loans and nearly all other asset classes, including equity securities.  These write-downs have caused many financial institutions to seek additional capital or to merge with larger and stronger institutions.  Some financial institutions have failed.
 
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Concerns over the stability of the financial markets and the economy have resulted in decreased lending by some financial institutions to their customers and to each other.  This tightening of credit has led to increased loan delinquencies, lack of customer confidence, increased market volatility and a widespread reduction in general business activity.  Competition among depository institutions for deposits has increased significantly, and access to deposits or borrowed funds has decreased for many institutions.  It has also become more difficult to assess the creditworthiness of customers and to estimate the losses inherent in Peoples’ loan portfolio.
 
The United States remains in a recession.  Business activity across a wide range of industries and regions is greatly reduced, and local governments and many companies are in serious difficulty due to the lack of consumer spending and the lack of liquidity in the credit markets.  A worsening of current conditions would likely adversely affect Peoples’ business and results of operations, as well as those of its customers.  As a result, Peoples may experience increased foreclosures, delinquencies and customer bankruptcies, as well as more restricted access to funds.
 
·  
Enactment of new legislation and increased regulatory oversight may significantly affect Peoples’ financial condition and results of operations.
The Federal Reserve Board, U.S. Congress, the U.S. Treasury, the FDIC and others have taken numerous actions to address the current liquidity and credit situation in the financial markets.  These measures include actions to encourage loan restructuring and modification for homeowners; the establishment of significant liquidity and credit facilities for financial institutions and investment banks; the lowering of the federal funds rate; and coordinated efforts to address liquidity and other weaknesses in the banking sector.  The long-term effect of actions already taken as well as new legislation is unknown.  Continued or renewed instability in the financial markets could weaken public confidence in financial institutions and adversely affect Peoples’ ability to attract and retain new customers.
 
Further, the U.S. Congress is considering several legislative proposals that, if enacted, could cause Peoples to make adverse changes to its business practices related to loans and deposits.  Specifically, proposed legislation would alter contractual rights and obligations of both Peoples and its customers under existing loan contracts by reducing amounts customers are required to pay or limiting Peoples’ ability to foreclose on collateral.  Other legislation would impact how Peoples assesses certain fees on deposit accounts, such as overdraft fees.   There can be no assurance that future legislation will not significantly impact Peoples’ ability to collect on its current loans and/or foreclose on collateral or require changes to business practices that would reduce the amount of revenue recognized in future periods.
 
·  
Adverse changes in national and/or local economic and political conditions could impact Peoples’ earnings and financial condition.
Peoples’ success depends, to a certain extent, upon economic and political conditions, local and national, as well as governmental fiscal and monetary policies.  Inflation, recession, unemployment, changes in interest rates, money supply and other factors beyond Peoples’ control may adversely affect its asset quality, deposit levels and loan demand and, therefore, Peoples’ financial condition and results of operations.  Because a significant amount of Peoples’ loans are secured by either commercial or residential real estate, additional decreases in real estate values could adversely affect the value of property used as collateral and Peoples’ ability to sell the collateral upon foreclosure.  Adverse changes in the economy may also have a negative effect on the ability of Peoples’ borrowers to make timely repayments of their loans, which would have an adverse impact on Peoples’ earnings and cash flows.
 
The local economies of the majority of Peoples’ market area historically have been less robust than the economy of the nation as a whole and typically are not subject to the same fluctuations as the national economy.  Adverse economic conditions in Peoples’ market area, including the loss of certain significant employers, could reduce Peoples’ growth rate, affect borrowers’ ability to repay their loans and generally affect Peoples’ financial condition and results of operations.  Furthermore, continued declines in real estate values could cause additional loans to become under-collateralized and require further increases to the allowance for loan losses.
 
·  
Adverse changes in the financial markets may adversely impact Peoples’ results of operations.
The global financial markets have experienced increased volatility and an overall loss of investor confidence for the last two years.  While Peoples generally invests in securities with limited credit risk, certain investment securities Peoples hold possess higher credit risk since they represent beneficial interests in structured investments collateralized by residential mortgages, debt obligations and other similar asset-backed assets.  Regardless of the level of credit risk, all investment securities are subject to changes in market value due to changing interest rates and implied credit spreads.
 
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Over the last few years, structured investments, like Peoples’ collateralized debt obligations, have been subject to significant market volatility due to the uncertainty of the credit ratings, deterioration in credit losses occurring within certain types of residential mortgages, changes in prepayments of the underlying collateral and the lack of transparency related to the investment structures and the collateral underlying the structured investment vehicles.  These conditions have resulted in Peoples’ recognizing impairment charges on certain investment securities during 2007, 2008 and 2009.  Given recent market conditions and changing economic factors, Peoples may be required to recognize additional impairment changes on securities held in its investment portfolio in the future.
 
·  
Recent levels of market volatility are unprecedented.
For more than two years, the capital and credit markets have been experiencing unprecedented levels of volatility. In some cases, share prices and credit availability for certain issuers have declined without regard to those issuers’ underlying financial strength.  If current levels of market disruption and volatility continue or worsen, Peoples may experience a material adverse effect on its ability to access capital and on its business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
·  
Defaults by larger financial institutions could adversely affect Peoples’ business, earnings and financial condition.
The commercial soundness of many financial institutions may be closely interrelated as a result of relationships between and among the institutions.  As a result, concerns about, or a default or threatened default by, one institution could lead to significant market-wide liquidity and credit problems, losses or defaults by other institutions.  This “systemic risk” may adversely affect Peoples’ business.
 
Additionally, Peoples’ investment portfolio continues to include investments in individual bank-issued trust preferred securities and collateralized debt obligations, comprised mostly of bank-issued trust preferred securities.   Under current market conditions, the fair value of these security types is based predominately on the present value of cash flows expected to be received in future periods.  Significant defaults by other financial institutions could adversely affect conditions within the financial services industry, thereby causing investors to require higher rates of return for these investments.  These factors could cause Peoples to recognize additional impairment losses on its investment in bank-issued trust preferred securities in future periods.
 
·  
Increases in FDIC insurance premiums may have a material adverse affect on Peoples’ earnings.
The number of bank failures increased significantly in 2008 and 2009, which dramatically increased resolution costs of the FDIC and depleted the Deposit Insurance Fund.  Also during this period, the FDIC and U.S. Congress have instituted two temporary programs to further insure customer deposits at FDIC-member banks: deposit accounts are now insured up to $250,000 per customer (up from $100,000) and non-interest-bearing transactional accounts are fully insured (unlimited coverage).  These actions have placed additional stress on the Deposit Insurance Funds.  On January 1, 2014, the standard insurance amount will return to $100,000 per depositor for all account categories except Individual Retirement Accounts and certain other retirement accounts, which will remain at $250,000 per depositor.
 
Since late 2008, the FDIC has taken various actions intended to maintain a strong funding position and restore reserve ratios of the Deposit Insurance Fund.  These actions included increasing assessment rates for all insured institutions, requiring riskier institutions to pay a larger share of premiums by factoring in rate adjustments based on secured liabilities and unsecured debt levels, imposing a special assessment on all insured depository institutions for the second quarter of 2009 and requiring insured depository institutions to prepay their quarterly risk-based assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009 and full years 2010 through 2012 on December 29, 2009.  In January 2010, the FDIC issued an advance notice of proposed rule-making asking for comments on how the FDIC’s risk-based deposit insurance assessment system could be changed to include the risks of certain employee compensation as criteria in the assessment system.
 
Peoples has limited ability to control the amount of premiums it is required to pay for FDIC insurance.  If there are additional financial institution failures, the FDIC may be required to increase assessment rates from the recently increased levels or take actions similar to those taken during 2009.  As a result, insured depository institutions, including Peoples, may be required to pay even higher FDIC premiums in future periods.  Increases in FDIC insurance premiums may materially adversely affect Peoples’ results of operations and ability to continue to pay dividends on its common shares at the current rate or at all.
 
·  
The Series A Preferred Shares impact net income available to Peoples’ common shareholders, and the Warrant may be dilutive to Peoples’ common shareholders.
The additional capital Peoples raised through its participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program has provided further funding for its lending activities.  Management also believes this capital has improved investor perceptions with regard to Peoples’ financial position.  However, such capital has increased Peoples’ equity and the number of dilutive outstanding common shares.  In addition, the dividends declared and the accretion of discount on the Series A Preferred Shares reduces the net income available to Peoples’ common shareholders and earnings per common share.  The Series A Preferred Shares will also receive preferential treatment in the event of Peoples’ liquidation, dissolution or winding up.  Additionally, the ownership interest of Peoples’ existing common shareholders will be diluted to the extent the Warrant Peoples issued to the U.S. Treasury is exercised.  Although the U.S. Treasury has agreed not to vote any of the common shares it receives upon exercise of the Warrant, a transferee of any portion of the Warrant or of any common shares acquired upon exercise of the Warrant is not bound by this agreement.
 
16

·  
If Peoples is unable to redeem the Series A Preferred Shares after five years, the cost of this capital will increase substantially.
If Peoples is unable to redeem the Series A Preferred Shares prior to February 15, 2014, the cost of this capital will increase substantially on that date, from 5.0% per annum to 9.0% per annum.  Depending on Peoples’ financial condition at the time, this increase in the annual dividend rate on the Series A Preferred Shares could have a material negative effect on Peoples’ liquidity.
 
·  
Changes in interest rates may adversely affect Peoples’ profitability.
Peoples’ earnings are dependent to a significant degree on net interest income, which is the amount by which interest income exceeds interest expense.  Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond Peoples’ control, including general economic conditions and policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies and, in particular, the Federal Reserve Board.  Changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, could influence not only the interest Peoples receives on loans and securities and the amount of interest it pays on deposits and borrowings, but such changes could also affect (i) Peoples’ ability to originate loans and obtain deposits, (ii) the fair value of Peoples’ financial assets and liabilities, and (iii) the average duration of Peoples’ mortgage-backed securities portfolio.  If the interest rates paid on deposits and other borrowings increase at a faster rate than the interest rates received on loans and other investments, Peoples’ net interest income and, therefore, earnings could be adversely affected.  Earnings could also be adversely affected if the interest rates received on loans and other investments fall more quickly than the interest rates paid on deposits and other borrowings.
 
Management uses various measures to monitor interest rate risk and believes it has implemented effective asset and liability management strategies to reduce the potential effects of changes in interest rates on Peoples’ results of operations.  Management also periodically adjusts the mix of assets and liabilities to manage interest rate risk.  However, any substantial, unexpected, prolonged change in market interest rates could have a material adverse effect on Peoples’ financial condition and results of operations.  See the sections captioned “Interest Income and Expense” and “Interest Rate Sensitivity and Liquidity” in Item 7 of this Form 10-K for further discussion related to Peoples’ interest rate risk.
 
·  
Peoples’ exposure to credit risk could adversely affect Peoples’ earnings and financial condition.
There are certain risks inherent in making loans.  These risks include interest rate changes over the time period in which loans may be repaid, risks resulting from changes in the economy, risks inherent in dealing with borrowers and, in the case of loans secured by collateral, risks resulting from uncertainties about the future value of the collateral.
 
Commercial and commercial real estate loans comprise a significant portion of Peoples’ loan portfolio.  Commercial loans generally are viewed as having a higher credit risk than residential real estate or consumer loans because they usually involve larger loan balances to a single borrower and are more susceptible to a risk of default during an economic downturn.  Since Peoples’ loan portfolio contains a significant number of commercial and commercial real estate loans, the deterioration of one or a few of these loans could cause a significant increase in nonperforming loans, and ultimately could have a material adverse effect on Peoples’ earnings and financial condition.
 
In deciding whether to extend credit or enter into other transactions with customers and counterparties, Peoples may rely on information provided to us by customers and counterparties, including financial statements and other financial information.  Peoples may also rely on representations of customers and counterparties as to the accuracy and completeness of that information and, with respect to financial statements, on reports of independent auditors.  For example, in deciding whether to extend credit to a business, Peoples may assume that the customer’s audited financial statements conform with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”) and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the customer.  Peoples may also rely on the audit report covering those financial statements.  Peoples’ financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be negatively impacted to the extent that Peoples relies on financial statements that do not comply with US GAAP or on financial statements and other financial information that are materially misleading.
 
·  
Peoples’ allowance for loan losses may be insufficient.
Peoples maintains an allowance for loan losses to provide for probable loan losses based on management’s quarterly analysis of the loan portfolio.  The determination of the allowance for loan losses requires management to make various assumptions and judgments about the collectibility of Peoples’ loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of its borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of loans.  Additional information regarding Peoples’ allowance for loan losses methodology and the sensitivity of the estimates can be found the discussion of Peoples’ “Critical Accounting Policies” included in Item 7 of this Form 10-K.
 
17

Peoples’ estimation of future loan losses is susceptible to changes in economic, operating and other conditions, including changes in interest rates, which may be beyond Peoples’ control, and these losses may exceed current estimates.  Peoples cannot fully predict the amount or timing of losses or whether the loan loss allowance will be adequate in the future.
 
If Peoples’ assumptions prove to be incorrect, Peoples’ allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover losses inherent in its loan portfolio, resulting in additions which could have a material adverse impact on Peoples’ financial condition and results of operations.  In addition, federal and state regulators periodically review Peoples’ allowance for loan losses as part of their examination process and may require management to increase the allowance or recognize further loan charge-offs based on judgments different than those of management.  Any increase in the provision for loan losses would decrease Peoples’ pretax and net income.
 
·  
Changes in accounting standards, policies, estimates or procedures may impact Peoples’ reported financial condition or results of operations.
The accounting standard setters, including the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC and other regulatory bodies, periodically change the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of Peoples’ Consolidated Financial Statements. These changes can be difficult to predict and can materially impact how Peoples records and reports its financial condition and results of operations. In some cases, Peoples could be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively, resulting in the restatement of prior period financial statements.
 
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make significant estimates that affect the financial statements. Due to the inherent nature of these estimates, no assurance can be given that Peoples will not be required to recognize significant, unexpected losses due to actual results varying materially from management’s estimates.  Additional information regarding Peoples’ critical accounting policies and the sensitivity of estimates can be found in the section captioned “Critical Accounting Policies” in Item 7 of this Form 10-K.
 
·  
The financial services industry is very competitive.
Peoples experiences significant competition in originating loans, principally from other commercial banks, savings associations and credit unions.  Several of Peoples’ competitors have greater resources, larger branch systems and a wider array of banking services.  This competition could reduce Peoples’ net income by decreasing the number and size of loans that Peoples originates and the interest rates it may charge on these loans.  Moreover, technology and other changes are allowing businesses and individuals to utilize alternative methods to complete financial transactions that historically have involved banks.  For example, consumers can now maintain funds in brokerage accounts or mutual funds that in the past had been held as bank deposits.  Consumers can also complete transactions such as paying bills and/or transferring funds directly without the assistance of banks.  The process of eliminating the use of banks to complete financial transactions could result in the loss of fee income, as well as the loss of customer deposits and the related income generated from those deposits.  The loss of these revenue streams and the lower cost deposits as a source of funds could have a material adverse effect on Peoples’ financial condition and results of operations.  For a more complete discussion of Peoples’ competitive environment, see “Competition” in Item 1 of this Form 10-K.  If Peoples is unable to compete effectively, Peoples would lose market share, which could reduce income generated from deposits, loans and other products.
 
·  
Peoples’ ability to pay dividends is limited.
Peoples is a separate and distinct legal entity from Peoples’ subsidiaries.  Peoples receives nearly all of its revenue from dividends from Peoples Bank, which are limited by federal banking laws and regulations.  These dividends also serve as the primary source of funds to pay dividends on Peoples’ common shares.  The inability of Peoples Bank to pay sufficient dividends to Peoples could have a material, adverse effect on its business.  In addition, Peoples’ participation in the U.S. Treasury’s TARP Capital Purchase Program currently restricts the ability to increase the dividend payable to holders of common shares above $0.23 per share without prior approval of the U.S. Treasury.  Further discussion of Peoples’ ability to pay dividends can be found under the captions “Supervision and Regulation – TARP Capital Purchase Program” and “Supervision and Regulation – Dividend Restrictions” in Item 1 of this Form 10-K and Note 17 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
·  
Government regulation significantly affects Peoples’ business.
The banking industry is heavily regulated under both federal and state law.  Peoples is subject to regulation and supervision by the Federal Reserve Board, and Peoples Bank is subject to regulation and supervision by the OCC, and secondarily the FDIC.  These regulations are primarily intended to protect depositors and the federal deposit insurance funds, not Peoples’ common shareholders.  Peoples’ non-bank subsidiaries are also subject to the supervision of the Federal Reserve Board, in addition to other regulatory and self-regulatory agencies including the SEC and state securities and insurance regulators.  Regulations affecting banks and financial services businesses are undergoing continuous change, and management cannot predict the effect of those changes.  Regulations and laws may be modified at any time, and new legislation may be enacted that affects Peoples and its subsidiaries.  Any modifications or new laws could adversely affect Peoples’ business.  Further information about government regulation of Peoples’ business can be found under the caption “Supervision and Regulation” in Item 1 of this Form 10-K.
 
18

Legislation has been proposed on both the federal and the state levels that could substantially increase the regulation of the financial services industry.  A substantial overhaul of the regulatory system in the United States is possible within the next few years.  Peoples is unable to predict the likelihood, timing or details of any of these initiatives.  Any such action could affect Peoples in unpredictable ways and have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations.
 
·  
Peoples is subject to several restrictions on compensation paid to Peoples’ executive officers because of its participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program.
As a recipient of government funding under the TARP Capital Purchase Program, Peoples must comply with the executive compensation and corporate governance standards imposed by the ARRA and the standards established by the Secretary of the Treasury under the ARRA.  The restrictions on executive compensation under these standards are more fully described in Item 1 of this Form 10-K under the caption “Supervision and Regulation – TARP Capital Purchase Program.”  These standards could impact Peoples’ ability to hire or retain key executives or cause Peoples to make material changes to its current compensation plans and philosophy that could result in higher compensation costs in future periods.
 
·  
Peoples’ business could be adversely affected by material breaches in security of its systems.
Peoples collects, processes and stores sensitive consumer data by utilizing computer systems and telecommunications networks operated by both us and third party service providers.  Peoples has security and backup and recovery systems in place, as well as a business continuity plan, to ensure the computer systems will not be inoperable, to the extent possible.  Peoples also has implemented security controls to prevent unauthorized access to the computer systems and requires Peoples’ third party service providers to maintain similar controls.  However, management cannot be certain these measures will be successful.  A security breach of the computer systems and release of confidential information, such as customer account numbers and related information, could negatively affect customers’ confidence in Peoples, which may cause a loss of business, and could result in Peoples’ incurring financial losses for any fraudulent transactions completed by third parties due to the security breach.
 
·  
Anti-takeover provisions may delay or prevent an acquisition or change in control by a third party.
Provisions in the Ohio General Corporation Law and Peoples’ amended articles of incorporation and code of regulations, including a staggered board and a supermajority vote requirement for significant corporate changes, could discourage potential takeover attempts and make attempts by shareholders to remove Peoples’ Board of Directors and management more difficult.  These provisions may also have the effect of delaying or preventing a transaction or change in control that might be in the best interests of Peoples’ shareholders
 
·  
Peoples and its subsidiaries are subject to examinations and challenges by tax authorities.
In the normal course of business, Peoples and its subsidiaries are routinely subject to examinations and challenges from federal and state tax authorities regarding positions taken regarding their respective tax returns.  State tax authorities have become increasingly aggressive in challenging tax positions taken by financial institutions, especially those positions relating to tax compliance and calculation of taxes subject to apportionment.  Any challenge or examination by a tax authority may result in adjustments to the timing or amount of taxable net worth or taxable income or deductions or the allocation of income among tax jurisdictions.
 
Management believes it has taken appropriate positions on all tax returns filed, to be filed or not filed and does not anticipate any examination would have a material impact on Peoples’ Consolidated Financial Statements.  However, the outcome of such examinations and ultimate resolution of any resulting assessments are inherently difficult to predict.  Thus, no assurance can be given that Peoples’ tax liability for any tax year open to examination will not be different than what is reflected in Peoples’ current and historical Consolidated Financial Statements.  Further information can be found in the “Critical Accounting Policies – Income Taxes” section of “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operation and Financial Condition” included in this Form 10-K.
 
19


ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.
 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Peoples’ sole banking subsidiary, Peoples Bank, generally owns its offices, related facilities and unimproved real property.  In Ohio, Peoples Bank operates offices in Marietta (4 offices), Belpre (2 offices), Lowell, Reno, Nelsonville, Athens (3 offices), The Plains, Middleport, Pomeroy (2 offices), Gallipolis, Cambridge (2 offices), Byesville, Quaker City, Flushing, Caldwell, McConnelsville, Baltimore, Carroll, Lancaster (2 offices), Westerville and Zanesville.  In West Virginia, Peoples Bank operates offices in Huntington (2 offices), Parkersburg (3 offices), Vienna, Point Pleasant (2 offices), New Martinsville (2 offices) and Steelton.  In Kentucky, Peoples Bank’s office locations include Greenup, Summit, Ashland and Russell.  Of these 45 offices, 15 are leased and the rest are owned by Peoples Bank.
 
Peoples Insurance Agency rents office space in various Peoples Bank offices.  In addition, Peoples Insurance Agency leases office buildings in Marietta, Ohio, and Ashland, Kentucky.
 
Rent expense on the leased properties totaled $894,000 in 2009, which excludes intercompany rent expense.  The following are the only properties that have a lease term expiring on or before June 2011:
 
Location
Address
Lease Expiration Date (a)
     
Westerville Office
515 Executive Campus Drive
Westerville, Ohio
April 2010
     
Lancaster Wheeling Street Office
117 West Wheeling Street
Lancaster, Ohio
June 2010
Athens Union Street Office
152 West Union Street
Athens, Ohio
January 2011
     
Lancaster Fair Avenue Office
2211 West Fair Avenue
Lancaster, Ohio
March 2011
     
Marietta Kroger Office
40 Acme Street
Marietta, Ohio
March 2011
     
(a) Information represents the ending date of the current lease period.  Peoples may have the option to renew the lease beyond this date under the terms of the lease agreement and intends to renew all expiring leases unless otherwise disclosed in this Item 2.

Additional information concerning the property and equipment owned or leased by Peoples and its subsidiaries is incorporated herein by reference from Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 


ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the ordinary course of their respective businesses or operations, Peoples or one of its subsidiaries may be named as a plaintiff, a defendant, or a party to a legal proceeding or any of their respective properties may be subject to various pending and threatened legal proceedings and various actual and potential claims. In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of such matters, Peoples cannot state what the eventual outcome of any such matters will be; however, based on current knowledge and after consultation with legal counsel, management believes that these proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity of Peoples.
 

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None.

 
20

 
PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Peoples’ common shares are traded on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol PEBO.  At December 31, 2009, Peoples had 1,187 shareholders of record.  The table presented below provides the high and low sales prices for Peoples’ common shares as reported on The NASDAQ Global Select Market and the cash dividends per share declared for the indicated periods.
 
 
High Sales
 
Low Sales
 
Dividends
Declared
2009
               
Fourth Quarter
$
13.52
 
$
8.51
 
$
0.10
Third Quarter
 
18.70
   
13.05
   
0.10
Second Quarter
 
19.01
   
12.25
   
0.23
First Quarter
 
19.92
   
7.25
   
0.23
                 
                 
2008
               
Fourth Quarter
$
22.92
 
$
13.59
 
$
0.23
Third Quarter
 
29.25
   
17.33
   
0.23
Second Quarter
 
25.75
   
18.33
   
0.23
First Quarter
 
26.10
   
20.38
   
0.22
                 

Peoples plans to continue to pay quarterly cash dividends, subject to certain regulatory restrictions described in Note 17 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, as well as in the sections captioned “Supervision and Regulation-TARP Capital Purchase Program” and “Supervision and Regulation-Dividend Restrictions” of Item 1 of this Form 10-K. On January 28, 2010, Peoples’ Board of Directors determined that, effective with the first calendar quarter of 2010, the decision as to whether a cash dividend should be declared in respect of Peoples’ common shares would be made in the third month of each calendar quarter.  Any dividends so declared would be paid to shareholders in the subsequent month.  Historically, Peoples’ Board of Directors had declared a cash dividend in respect of Peoples' common shares, when appropriate, in the second month of each calendar quarter.  
 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table details Peoples’ repurchases and purchases by “affiliated purchasers” as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, of Peoples’ common shares during the three months ended December 31, 2009:
 

 
(a)
Total Number of Common Shares Purchased
 
(b)
Average Price
Paid per
Share
 
 (c)
Total Number of Common Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (1)
 
(d)
Maximum
Number of Common Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1)
October 1 – 31, 2009
 2,727
(2)
 $               11.55
(2)
 –
 
 –
November 1 – 30, 2009
 –
 
 $                      –
 
 –
 
 –
December 1 – 31, 2009
 2,806
(2)
 $                 9.98
(2)
 –
 
 –
Total
 5,533
 
 $             10.75
 
 –
 
 –

              
(1) Peoples’ Board of Directors has not authorized any stock repurchase plans or programs for 2009, due in part to the restrictions
on stock repurchases imposed by the terms of the TARP Capital Investment.
 
 
                                                                                  (2) Information reflects solely common shares purchased in open market transactions by Peoples Bank under the Rabbi Trust
            Agreement establishing a Rabbi trust holding assets to provide funds for the payment of the benefits under the Peoples Bancorp
            Inc. Second Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries.
 
21

 
 
Performance Graph
The following Performance Graph and related information shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission, nor shall such information be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended, except to the extent that Peoples specifically incorporates it by reference into such filing.

The following line graph compares the five-year cumulative total shareholder return of Peoples’ common shares, based on an initial investment of $100 on December 31, 2004, and assuming reinvestment of dividends, against that of an index comprised of all domestic common shares traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ Stocks (U.S. Companies)”), and an index comprised of all depository institutions (SIC Code #602) and depository institution holding companies (SIC Code #671) that are traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ Bank Stocks”).
 

 
COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR TOTAL RETURN AMONG
 
PEOPLES BANCORP INC., NASDAQ STOCKS (U.S. COMPANIES),
 
AND NASDAQ BANK STOCKS

                                                              


 
At December 31,
 
2004
 
2005
 
2006
 
2007
 
2008
 
2009
Peoples Bancorp Inc.
 $100.00
 
 $107.00
 
 $114.53
 
 $  99.26
 
 $  79.69
 
 $  42.31
NASDAQ Stocks (U.S. Companies)
 $100.00
 
 $102.14
 
 $112.19
 
 $121.68
 
 $  58.64
 
 $  84.28
NASDAQ Bank Stocks
 $100.00
 
 $  97.69
 
 $109.64
 
 $  86.90
 
 $  63.36
 
 $  53.09

 
22

 

ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The information below has been derived from Peoples’ Consolidated Financial Statements.


 
At or For the Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
Operating Data
         
Total interest income
 $102,105
 $106,227
 $113,419
 $108,794
 $95,775
Total interest expense
 40,262
 47,748
 59,498
 55,577
 43,469
Net interest income
 61,843
 58,479
 53,921
 53,217
 52,306
Provision for loan losses
 25,721
 27,640
 3,959
 3,622
 2,028
Net impairment loss on investment securities
 (7,707)
 (4,260)
 (6,170)
 –
 –
Net gain on securities and asset transactions
 1,343
 2,424
 184
 746
 697
Total non-interest income
 32,050
 32,097
 31,350
 30,379
 28,470
FDIC insurance expense
 3,442
 361
 146
 143
 147
Other non-interest expense
 55,240
 53,124
 51,306
 51,154
 51,195
Preferred dividends (1)
 1,876
 –
 –
 –
 –
Net income available to common shareholders
 $2,314
 $7,455
 $18,314
 $21,558
 $20,499
           
           
Balance Sheet Data
         
Total assets
 $2,001,827
 $2,002,338
 $1,885,553
 $1,875,255
 $1,855,277
Investment securities
 751,866
 708,753
 565,463
 548,733
 589,313
Gross loans
 1,052,058
 1,104,032
 1,120,941
 1,132,394
 1,071,876
Allowance for loan losses
 27,257
 22,931
 15,718
 14,509
 14,720
Total intangible assets
 65,599
 66,406
 68,029
 68,852
 69,280
Non-interest-bearing deposits
 198,000
 180,040
 175,057
 170,921
 162,729
Retail interest-bearing deposits
 1,152,503
 1,142,212
 951,731
 933,480
 884,771
Brokered deposits
 45,383
 44,116
 59,589
 129,128
 41,786
Short-term borrowings
 76,921
 98,852
 222,541
 194,883
 173,696
Long-term borrowings
 246,113
 308,297
 231,979
 200,793
 362,466
Junior subordinated notes held by subsidiary trusts
 22,530
 22,495
 22,460
 29,412
 29,350
Preferred stockholders' equity (1)
 38,543
 –
 –
 –
 –
Common stockholders' equity
 205,425
 186,626
 202,836
 197,169
 183,077
Tangible assets (2)
 1,936,228
 1,935,932
 1,817,524
 1,806,403
 1,785,997
Tangible common equity (2)
 $139,826
 $120,220
 $134,807
 $128,317
 $113,797
           
           
Per Share Data
         
Earnings per common share – Basic
 $0.22
 $0.72
 $1.75
 $2.03
 $1.96
Earnings per common share – Diluted
 0.22
 0.72
 1.74
 2.01
 1.94
Cash dividends paid on common shares
 0.66
 0.91
 0.88
 0.83
 0.78
Book value at end of period
 19.80
 18.06
 19.70
 18.51
 17.40
Tangible book value at end of period (2)
 $13.48
 $11.63
 $13.09
 $12.05
 $10.82
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Basic
 10,363,975
 10,315,263
 10,462,933
 10,606,570
 10,444,854
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Diluted
 10,374,792
 10,348,579
 10,529,634
 10,723,933
 10,581,019
Common shares outstanding at end of period
 10,374,637
 10,333,884
 10,296,748
 10,651,985
 10,518,980


23


 
At or For the Year Ended December 31,
 
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
Significant Ratios
         
Return on average assets
0.21%
0.39%
0.98%
1.15%
1.12%
Return on average common stockholders’ equity
 1.17
 3.67
 9.21
 11.33
 11.52
Net interest margin
 3.48
 3.51
 3.32
 3.29
 3.32
Efficiency ratio
 60.14
 56.30
 57.07
 57.51
 59.05
Dividend payout ratio
 298.23
 127.03
 50.38
 41.09
 40.01
Average stockholders’ equity to average assets
 11.50
 10.62
 10.62
 10.18
 9.73
Average loans to average deposits
77.97%
88.10%
93.52%
94.80%
94.92%
           
           
Asset Quality
         
Allowance for loan losses to total loans
2.59%
2.08%
1.40%
1.28%
1.37%
Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans
 79.3
 55.5
 168.0
 145.0
 225.2
Nonperforming loans to total loans
 3.27
 3.74
 0.83
 0.88
 0.61
Nonperforming assets to total assets
 2.03
 2.09
 0.51
 0.53
 0.37
Nonperforming assets to total
         
      loans and other real estate owned
 3.85
 3.79
 0.87
 0.88
 0.64
Net charge-offs to average loans
 1.96
 1.83
 0.25
 0.35
 0.21
Provision for loan losses to average loans
2.35%
2.48%
0.35%
0.33%
0.19%
           
           
Capital Information
         
Tier 1 capital ratio
15.49%
11.88%
11.91%
11.98%
11.60%
Tier 1 common ratio
 10.58
 10.17
 10.18
 9.80
 9.26
Total risk-based capital ratio
 16.80
 13.19
 13.23
 13.17
 12.90
Leverage ratio
 10.06
 8.18
 8.48
 8.90
 8.10
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (2)
7.22%
6.21%
7.42%
7.10%
6.37%

(1)
Amounts relate to preferred shares issued and sold by Peoples in connection with its participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program.  Additional information regarding the preferred shares can be found in Note 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
(2)
These amounts represent non-GAAP measures since they exclude the balance sheet impact of intangible assets acquired through acquisitions on both total stockholders’ equity and total assets.  Additional information regarding the calculation of these measures can be found later in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis section under the caption “Capital/Stockholders’ Equity”.


 
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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION
 
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this Form 10-K which are not historical fact are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Words such as “anticipate”, “estimates”, “may”, “feels”, “expects”, “believes”, “plans”, “will”, “would”, “should”, “could” and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.  Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertain­ties that may cause actual results to differ materially.  Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to:
 
(1)  
continued deterioration in the credit quality of Peoples’ loan portfolio could occur due to a number of factors, such as adverse changes in economic conditions that impair the ability of borrowers to repay their loans, the underlying value of the collateral could prove less valuable than otherwise assumed and assumed cash flows may be worse than expected, which may adversely impact the provision for loan losses;
(2)  
competitive pressures among financial institutions or from non-financial institutions, which may increase significantly;
(3)  
changes in the interest rate environment, which may adversely impact interest margins;
(4)  
changes in prepayment speeds, loan originations, sale volumes and charge-offs, which may be less favorable than expected and adversely impact the amount of interest income generated;
(5)  
general economic conditions and weakening in the real estate market, either nationally or in the states in which Peoples and its subsidiaries do business, which may be less favorable than expected;
(6)  
political developments, wars or other hostilities, which may disrupt or increase volatility in securities markets or other economic conditions;
(7)  
legislative or regulatory changes or actions, which may adversely affect the business of Peoples and its subsidiaries;
(8)  
changes in accounting standards, policies, estimates or procedures may adversely affect Peoples’ reported financial condition or results of operations;
(9)  
adverse changes in the conditions and trends in the financial markets, which may adversely affect the fair value of securities within Peoples’ investment portfolio;
(10)  
a delayed or incomplete resolution of regulatory issues that could arise;
(11)  
Peoples’ ability to receive dividends from its subsidiaries;
(12)  
Peoples’ ability to maintain required capital levels and adequate sources of funding and liquidity;
(13)  
the impact of larger or similar financial institutions encountering problems, which may adversely affect the banking industry and/or Peoples;
(14)  
the impact of reputational risk created by these developments on such matters as business generation and retention, funding and liquidity;
(15)  
the costs and effects of regulatory and legal developments, including the outcome of regulatory or other governmental inquiries and legal proceedings and results of regulatory examinations; and
(16)  
other risk factors relating to the banking industry or Peoples as detailed from time to time in Peoples’ reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including those risk factors included in the disclosure under the heading “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS” of Part I of this Form 10-K.

All forward-looking statements speak only as of the filing date of this Form 10-K and are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements.  Although management believes the expectations in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of management’s knowledge of Peoples’ business and operations, it is possible that actual results may differ materially from these projections.  Additionally, Peoples undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the filing date of this Form 10-K or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events except as may be required by applicable legal requirements.  Copies of documents filed with the SEC are available free of charge at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and/or from Peoples Bancorp’s website.
 
The following discussion and analysis of Peoples’ Consolidated Financial Statements is presented to provide insight into management's assessment of the financial results.  This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto, as well as the ratios and statistics, contained elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
 
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Summary of Recent Transactions and Events
The following is a summary of recent transactions or events that have impacted or are expected to impact Peoples’ results of operations or financial condition:
 
·  
Peoples recognized other-than-temporary impairment losses on certain investment securities, totaling $7.7 million, $4.3 million and $6.2 million in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  These impairment losses related to Peoples’ investments in collateralized debt obligation (“CDO”) securities, individual bank-issued trust preferred securities and preferred stocks issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”).
 
·  
During 2009, the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) took steps to rebuild the Deposit Insurance Fund, which has been reduced substantially by the higher rate of bank failures in 2008 and 2009 compared to recent years.  These actions affected all FDIC-insured depository institutions and included increasing base assessment rates beginning April 1, 2009, collecting a one-time special assessment on September 30, 2009, and requiring the prepayment of assessments for fourth quarter 2009 and full years 2010 through 2012 on December 29, 2009.  As a result of the FDIC’s actions, Peoples recorded FDIC insurance expense of $3.4 million in 2009, of which $930,000 related to the special assessment, versus $361,000 and $146,000 in 2008 and 2007, respectively.  Additionally, Peoples prepaid $9.0 million of FDIC assessments on December 29, 2009, which was recorded as a prepaid expense included in “Other Assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  This prepayment did not have a material adverse effect on Peoples’ liquidity, financial condition or results of operations.
 
·  
Peoples’ Board of Directors declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.10 per common share for both the third and fourth quarters of 2009.  These dividends represented a reduction from the $0.23 per common share paid in prior quarters in 2009.  Management believes the lower dividend rate balances the need for Peoples to provide a return on shareholder investment and to maintain a dividend payout consistent with recent earnings levels and long-term capital needs.
 
·  
During the second quarter of 2009, Peoples Bank opened a new full-service office in Zanesville, Ohio and combined operations in Nelsonville, Ohio into a single facility.  Peoples Bank also closed its Rutland, Ohio and Lower Salem, Ohio banking offices and consolidated those offices into existing nearby offices effective June 30, 2009.  These actions were consistent with management’s ongoing strategic focus of improving operating efficiencies by directing resources to areas with greater business development potential.
 
·  
As described in “ITEM 1. BUSINESS-Recent Corporate Developments”, on January 30, 2009, Peoples received $39 million of new equity capital from the U.S. Treasury’s TARP Capital Purchase Program.  The investment was in the form of newly-issued non-voting cumulative perpetual preferred shares and a related 10-year warrant sold by Peoples to the U.S. Treasury (the “TARP Capital Investment”).
 
·  
Between August 2007 and December 2008, the Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee reduced the target Federal Funds rate 500 basis points and the Discount Rate 575 basis points, which caused a corresponding downward shift in short-term interest rates.  During this period, longer-term rates did not decrease to the same extent as short-term rates, resulting in a steepening of the yield curve.  In 2009, the Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee allowed the target Federal Funds Rate and Discount Rate to remain at their historically low levels of 0% to 0.25% and 0.50%, respectively, while the slope of the yield curve steepened slightly.  These interest rate conditions have provided Peoples with opportunities to improve net interest income and margin by taking advantage of lower-cost funding available in the market place and reducing certain deposit costs.
 
·  
Since early 2008, Peoples’ loan quality has been negatively impacted by worsening conditions within the commercial real estate market and economy as a whole, which has caused declines in commercial real estate values and deterioration in the financial condition of various commercial borrowers.  These conditions led to Peoples downgrading the loan quality ratings on various commercial real estate loans through its normal loan review process.  In addition, several impaired loans have become under-collateralized due to reductions in the estimated net realizable fair value of the underlying collateral.  As a result, Peoples’ provision for loan losses, net charge-offs and nonperforming loans in 2008 and 2009 were significantly higher than historical levels.
 
·  
During the fourth quarter of 2008, Peoples Bank sold its merchant credit card payment processing services to First Data Merchant Services Corporation (“First Data”).  Peoples Bank will continue to serve the credit card processing needs of its commercial customers through a referral program with First Data.  As a result of this transaction, Peoples recognized a pre-tax gain of $500,000 in the fourth quarter of 2008, which was not material to Peoples’ Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
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·  
At the close of business on October 17, 2008, Peoples Bank completed the sale of its Grayson, Kentucky banking office to First National Bank of Grayson.  This sale was consistent with Peoples’ strategic plan to optimize its branch network for better growth opportunities.  Under the terms of the agreement, Peoples received $475,000 for the Grayson office’s $13.4 million of deposits and $220,000 of fixed assets and sold $2.0 million of loans at book value, resulting in a fourth quarter 2008 pre-tax gain of $255,000.  This sale was not material to Peoples’ Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
·  
During 2008, Peoples systematically sold the preferred stocks issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac held in Peoples’ investment portfolio, due to the uncertainty surrounding these entities.  These securities had a total recorded value of $12.1 million at December 31, 2007.  In July 2008, Peoples sold its remaining Fannie Mae preferred stocks, which completely eliminated all equity holdings in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  As a result of the sales, Peoples recognized cumulative pre-tax losses of $1.2 million in 2008.
 
·  
Also during 2008 and continuing in 2009, Peoples sold selected lower yielding, longer-term investment securities, primarily obligations of U.S. government-sponsored enterprises, U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities and tax-exempt municipal bonds, as well as several small-lot mortgage-backed securities.  The proceeds from these sales were reinvested into similar securities with less price volatility risk.  These actions were intended to reposition the investment portfolio to reduce interest rate exposures and resulted in Peoples recognizing net pre-tax gains of $1.4 million in 2009 and $1.7 million in 2008.
 
·  
As described in “ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS” of Peoples’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, in December 2007, Peoples resolved certain issues concerning its Ohio corporation franchise tax liability and associated calculations for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2001 through 2007 (the “Ohio Franchise Tax Settlement”).  As a result, Peoples’ franchise tax expense was reduced by $782,000 during the fourth quarter of 2007.
 
The impact of these transactions or events, where significant, is discussed in the applicable sections of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.
 
 
Critical Accounting Policies
The accounting and reporting policies of Peoples conform to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) and to general practices within the financial services industry.  A summary of significant accounting policies is contained in Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  While all of these policies are important to understanding the Consolidated Financial Statements, certain accounting policies require management to exercise judgment and make estimates or assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.  These estimates and assumptions are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements; accordingly, as this information changes, the financial statements could reflect different estimates or assumptions.
 
Management views critical accounting policies to be those that are highly dependent on subjective or complex judgments, estimates and assumptions, and where changes in those estimates and assumptions could have a significant impact on the financial statements.  Management has identified the accounting policies described below as those that, due to the judgments, estimates and assumptions inherent in the policies, are critical to an understanding of Peoples’ Consolidated Financial Statements and management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operation.
 
Income Recognition
Interest income on loans and investment securities is recognized by methods that result in level rates of return on principal amounts outstanding, including yield adjustments resulting from the amortization of loan costs and premiums on investment securities and accretion of loan fees and discounts on investment securities.  Since mortgage-backed securities comprise a sizable portion of Peoples’ investment portfolio, a significant increase in principal payments on those securities could impact interest income due to the corresponding acceleration of premium amortization or discount accretion.
 
Peoples discontinues the accrual of interest on a loan when conditions cause management to believe collection of all or any portion of the loan’s contractual interest is doubtful.  Such conditions may include the borrower being 90 days past due on any contractual payments or current information regarding the borrower’s financial condition and repayment ability.  Any accrued interest deemed uncollectible that was recognized in income in the current year is reversed, which would reduce Peoples’ net interest income.  Interest received on nonaccrual loans is included in income only if principal recovery is reasonably assured.
 
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Allowance for Loan Losses
In general, determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses requires significant judgment and the use of estimates by management.  Peoples maintains an allowance for loan losses to absorb probable losses based on a quarterly analysis of the loan portfolio and estimation of the losses that are probable of occurrence within the loan portfolio.  This formal analysis determines an appropriate level and allocation of the allowance for loan losses among loan types and resulting provision for loan losses by considering factors affecting losses, including specific losses, levels and trends in impaired and nonperforming loans, historical loan loss experience, current national and local economic conditions, volume, growth and composition of the portfolio, regulatory guidance and other relevant factors.  Management continually monitors the loan portfolio through Peoples Bank’s Loan Review Department and Loan Loss Committee to evaluate the adequacy of the allowance.  The provision could increase or decrease each quarter based upon the results of management’s formal analysis.
 
The amount of the allowance for loan losses for the various loan types represents management’s estimate of probable losses from existing loans based upon specific allocations for individual lending relationships and historical loss experience for each category of homogeneous loans.  The allowance for loan losses related to impaired loans is based on discounted cash flows using the loan’s initial effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral for certain collateral dependent loans.  This evaluation requires management to make estimates of the amounts and timing of future cash flows on impaired loans, which consist primarily of loans placed on nonaccrual status, restructured or internally classified as substandard or doubtful.  While allocations are made to specific loans and pools of loans, the allowance is available for all loan losses.
 
Individual loan reviews are based upon specific quantitative and qualitative criteria, including the size of the loan, the loan cash flow characteristics, loan quality ratings, value of collateral, repayment ability of borrowers, and historical experience factors.  The historical experience factors utilized for individual loan reviews are based upon past loss experience, known trends in losses and delinquencies, the growth of loans in particular markets and industries, and known changes in economic conditions in particular lending markets.
 
Allowances for homogeneous loans (such as residential mortgage loans and consumer loans) are evaluated based upon historical loss experience, trends in losses and delinquencies, growth of loans in particular markets, and known changes in economic conditions in each lending market.  As part of the process of identifying the pools of homogenous loans, management takes into account any concentrations of risk within any portfolio segment, including any significant industrial concentrations.  Consistent with the evaluation of allowances for homogenous loans, the allowance relating to the Overdraft Privilege program is based upon management’s monthly analysis of accounts in the program.  This analysis considers factors that could affect losses on existing accounts, including historical loss experience and length of overdraft.
 
There can be no assurance the allowance for loan losses will be adequate to cover all losses, but management believes the allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2009, was adequate to provide for probable losses from existing loans based on information currently available.  While management uses available information to provide for loan losses, the ultimate collectibility of a substantial portion of the loan portfolio, and the need for future additions to the allowance, will be based on changes in economic conditions and other relevant factors.  As such, adverse changes in economic activity could reduce cash flows for both commercial and individual borrowers, which would likely cause Peoples to experience increases in problem assets, delinquencies and losses on loans.
 
Investment Securities
Presently, Peoples classifies the majority of its investment portfolio, which accounted for 38% of total assets at December 31, 2009, as available-for-sale.  Correspondingly, Peoples carries these securities at fair value on its Consolidated Balance Sheets, with any unrealized gain or loss recorded in stockholders’ equity as a component of comprehensive income.  As a result, both the investment and equity sections of Peoples’ Consolidated Balance Sheet are sensitive to changes in the overall market value of the investment portfolio, due to changes in market interest rates, investor confidence and other factors affecting market values.
 
While temporary changes in the fair value of available-for-sale securities are not recognized in earnings, Peoples is required to evaluate all investment securities with an unrealized loss on a quarterly basis to identify potential other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses.  This analysis requires management to consider various factors that can involve judgment and estimation, including duration and magnitude of the decline in value, the financial condition of the issuer or pool of issuers and structure of the security.
 
In early 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting pronouncement that modified the general standards of accounting for OTTI losses.  Prior to this pronouncement, if Peoples determined a loss to be “other-than-temporary”, then an impairment loss was recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the investment’s amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date.  Under the new standards adopted by Peoples in the second quarter of 2009, an OTTI loss is recognized in earnings only when (1) Peoples intends to sell the debt security; (2) it is more likely than not that Peoples will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis or (3) Peoples does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security.  In situations where Peoples intends to sell or when it is more likely than not that Peoples will be required to sell the security, the entire OTTI loss must be recognized in earnings.  In all other situations, only the portion of the OTTI losses representing the credit loss must be recognized in earnings, with the remaining portion being recognized in stockholders’ equity as a component of other comprehensive income, net of deferred taxes.
 
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Additional information regarding impairment losses recognized can be found later in this discussion under the caption “Net Impairment Losses”.
 
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
In prior years, Peoples has grown through mergers and acquisitions accounted for under the purchase method of accounting.  Under the purchase method, Peoples is required to allocate the cost of an acquired company to the assets acquired, including identified intangible assets, and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition.  The excess cost over the net assets acquired represents goodwill, which is not subject to periodic amortization.
 
Customer relationship intangibles are required to be amortized over their estimated useful lives.  The method of amortization reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are estimated to be consumed or otherwise used up.  Since Peoples’ acquired customer relationships are subject to routine customer attrition, the relationships are more likely to produce greater benefits in the near-term than in the long-term, which typically supports the use of an accelerated method of amortization for the related intangible assets.  Management is required to evaluate the useful life of customer relationship intangibles to determine if events or circumstances warrant a change in the estimated life.  Additionally, management is required to evaluate customer relationship intangibles for impairment when indicators of impairment exist, such as customer attrition greater than originally estimated.  Should management determine the estimated life of any intangible asset is shorter than originally estimated or that impairment exists, Peoples would adjust the amortization of the asset or record an impairment charge in earnings.
 
Goodwill arising from business combinations represents the value attributable to unidentifiable intangible elements in the business acquired.  Goodwill recorded by Peoples in connection with its acquisitions relates to the inherent value in the businesses acquired and this value is dependent upon Peoples’ ability to provide quality, cost-effective services in a competitive market place.  As such, goodwill value is supported ultimately by revenue that is driven by the volume of business transacted.  A decline in earnings as a result of a lack of growth or the inability to deliver cost-effective services over sustained periods can lead to impairment of goodwill that could adversely impact earnings in future periods.
 
Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment when indicators of impairment exist, or at least annually.  Potential goodwill impairment exists when the fair value of the reporting unit (as defined by US GAAP) is less than its carrying value.  An impairment loss is recognized in earnings only when the carrying amount of goodwill is less than its implied fair value.  Peoples performs its required annual impairment test as of June 30 each year.  Management concluded no impairment existed at June 30, 2009, since the fair value of Peoples’ single reporting unit exceeded its carrying value.
 
Peoples is required to perform interim tests for goodwill impairment in subsequent quarters should events occur or circumstances change that indicate potential goodwill impairment exists, such as adverse changes to Peoples’ business or a significant decline in Peoples’ market capitalization.
 
In the second half of 2009, Peoples incurred OTTI losses and recorded higher provisions for loan losses than the first half of 2009.  Additionally, Peoples’ market capitalization at year-end was significantly lower than its book value.  Management believed these conditions were indicators of potential goodwill impairment and performed an interim impairment test as of December 31, 2009.  Based on its analysis, management concluded that the estimated fair value of Peoples' reporting unit was less than its carrying amount.  As a result, management calculated the implied fair value of goodwill to determine the amount of any actual impairment and concluded no goodwill impairment existed at December 31, 2009, since the implied fair value of Peoples’ goodwill exceeded its recorded value by approximately $50.6 million, or 81%.
 
The significant assumptions made by management in estimating the reporting unit’s fair value are (1) level of future cash flows over the next four years, (2) long-term growth rate of cash flows after year four and (3) the discount rate.  Management’s analysis at year-end 2009 indicated a 25% sustained decline in future cash flows, a 380 basis point decrease in long-term growth rate or a 280 basis point increase in the discount rate would cause the implied fair value of goodwill to equal its carrying value.
 
29

During the first quarter of 2010, Peoples’ market capitalization has experienced a steady increase, which corroborates management’s estimate of fair value and its conclusion that goodwill is not impaired. However, conditions in future periods could cause management to re-evaluate Peoples’ recorded goodwill and conclude impairment exists.  Given the current carrying amount of goodwill on the Consolidated Balance Sheets of $62.5 million, any resulting impairment loss recognized could have a material, adverse impact on Peoples’ financial condition and results of operations.
 
Peoples records mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) in connection with its mortgage banking activities, which are intangible assets representing the right to service loans sold to third party investors.  These intangible assets are recorded initially at fair value and subsequently amortized over the estimated life of the loans sold.  MSRs are stratified based on their predominant risk characteristics and assessed for impairment at the strata level at each reporting date based on their fair value.  At December 31, 2009, management concluded no portion of the recorded MSRs was impaired since the fair value exceeded the carrying value.  However, future events, such as a significant increase in prepayment speeds, could result in a fair value that is less than the carrying amount, which would require the recognition of an impairment loss in earnings.
 
Income Taxes
Income taxes are provided based on the liability method of accounting, which includes the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the temporary differences between carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates.  In general, Peoples records deferred tax assets when the event giving rise to the tax benefit has been recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
A valuation allowance is recognized to reduce any deferred tax assets that, based upon available information, it is more-likely-than-not all, or any portion, of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.  Assessing the need for, and amount of, a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets requires significant judgment and analysis of evidence regarding realization of the deferred tax assets.  In most cases, the realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon Peoples generating a sufficient level of taxable income in future periods, which can be difficult to predict.  Peoples’ largest deferred tax assets involve differences related to Peoples’ allowance for loan losses and realization of income tax credits received from Peoples’ investments in low-income housing projects and funds.  Given the nature of Peoples’ deferred tax assets, management determined no valuation allowances were needed at either December 31, 2009 or 2008.
 
The calculation of tax liabilities is complex and requires the use of estimates and judgment since it involves the application of complex tax laws that are subject to different interpretations by Peoples and the various tax authorities.  These interpretations are subject to challenge by the tax authorities upon audit or to reinterpretation based on management’s ongoing assessment of facts and evolving case law.
 
From time-to-time and in the ordinary course of business, Peoples is involved in inquiries and reviews by tax authorities that normally require management to provide supplemental information to support certain tax positions taken by Peoples in its tax returns.  Uncertain tax positions are initially recognized in the financial statements when it is more likely than not the position will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities.  Such tax positions are initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the tax authority assuming full knowledge of the position and all relevant facts.  Management believes it has taken appropriate positions on its tax returns, although the ultimate outcome of any tax review cannot be predicted with certainty.  Still, no assurance can be given that the final outcome of these matters will not be different than what is reflected in the current and historical financial statements.
 
 
Fair Value Measurements
As a financial services company, the carrying value of certain financial assets and liabilities is impacted by the application of fair value measurements, either directly or indirectly.  In certain cases, an asset or liability is measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis, such as available-for-sale investment securities.  In other cases, management must rely on estimates or judgments to determine if an asset or liability not measured at fair value warrants an impairment write-down or whether a valuation reserve should be established.  Given the inherent volatility, the use of fair value measurements may have a significant impact on the carrying value of assets or liabilities, or result in material changes to the financial statements, from period to period.
 
Detailed information regarding fair value measurements can be found in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  The following is a summary of those assets and liabilities that may be affected by fair value measurements, as well as a brief description of the current accounting practices and valuation methodologies employed by Peoples:
 
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Available-for-Sale Investment Securities
Investment securities classified as available-for-sale are measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis.  For most securities, the fair value is based upon quoted market prices or determined by pricing models that consider observable market data.  However, the fair value of certain investment securities, such as collateralized debt obligations, must be based upon unobservable market data, such as non-binding broker quotes and discounted cash flow analysis or similar models, due to the absence of an active market for these securities.  As a result, management’s determination of fair value for these securities is highly dependent on subjective or complex judgments, estimates and assumptions, which could change materially between periods.  Management occasionally uses information from independent third-party consultants in its determination of the fair value of more complex investment securities, such as the collateralized debt obligations.  At December 31, 2009, nearly all of Peoples’ available-for-sale investment securities were measured using observable market data, with less than 1% measured using non-observable data.
 
Impaired loans  
For loans considered impaired, the amount of impairment loss recognized is determined based on a discounted cash flow analysis or the fair value of the underlying collateral if repayment is expected solely from the sale of the collateral.  Management typically relies on the fair value of the underlying collateral due to the significant uncertainty surrounding the borrower’s ability to make future payments.  The vast majority of the collateral securing impaired loans is real estate, although it may also include accounts receivable and equipment, inventory or similar personal property.  The fair value of the collateral used by management represents the estimated proceeds to be received from the sale of the collateral, less costs incurred during the sale, based upon observable market data and market value data provided by independent, licensed or certified appraisers.
 
Goodwill
The process of evaluating goodwill for impairment involves highly subjective or complex judgments, estimates and assumptions regarding the fair value of Peoples’ reporting unit and, in some cases, goodwill itself.  As a result, changes to these judgments, estimates and assumptions in future periods could result in materially different results.
 
Peoples currently possesses a single reporting unit for goodwill impairment testing.  While quoted market prices exist for Peoples’ common shares since they are publicly traded, these market prices do not necessarily reflect the value associated with gaining control of an entity.  Thus, management takes into account all appropriate fair value measurements in determining the estimated fair value of the reporting unit.  These measurements include valuations of recently acquired institutions based upon multiples of book value or earnings and discounted cash flow analysis.

For Peoples’ December 31, 2009 goodwill impairment test, management estimated the fair value of Peoples’ reporting unit using both an income approach and market approach.  The discount rate used represented the estimated cost of Peoples’ common equity based upon observable market data.  The income approach consisted of a discounted cash flow analysis of projected future earnings.  The market approach was based upon multiples of book value of recently acquired financial institutions, including distressed institutions.  The fair values derived under both approaches were weighted to arrive at an overall estimated fair value.  Management placed greater weight on the income approach due to the limited number of acquisitions occurring in 2009 involving healthy or non-distress entities compared to prior years.  Consequently, the estimated fair value of Peoples’ reporting unit could be materially different in future periods due to changes in either projected future earnings or the cost of common equity.
 
Should management determine the potential for goodwill impairment exists, the measurement of any actual impairment loss requires management to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill by deducting the fair value of all tangible and separately identifiable intangible net assets (including unrecognized intangible assets) from the fair value of the reporting unit.  The fair value of net tangible assets is calculated using the methodologies described in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  Customer relationship intangibles are the only separately identifiable intangible assets included in the calculation of the implied fair value of goodwill.  The amount of these intangibles represents the present value of future earnings stream attributable to the deposit relationships.
 
Mortgage Servicing Rights  
MSRs are carried at the lower of cost or market value, and, therefore, can be subject to fair value measurements on a nonrecurring basis.  MSRs do not trade in an active market with readily observable prices.  Thus, management determines fair value based upon a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income provided by an independent third party consultant.  This valuation model is affected by various input factors, such as servicing costs, expected prepayment speeds and discount rates, which are subject to change between reporting periods.  As a result, significant changes to these factors could result in a material change to the calculated fair value of MSRs.
 
31

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Peoples is required to recognize the funded status of defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans on its Consolidated Balance Sheets as an asset for a plan’s overfunded status or a liability for a plan’s underfunded status, with fluctuations in the funded status recognized through comprehensive income in the year in which the change occurs.  The funded status is based upon the fair value of plan assets compared to the projected benefit obligation.  The determination of the projected benefit obligation and periodic benefit costs involves significant judgment and estimation of employees’ length of service and future compensation levels, discount rate and expected rate of return on plan assets.  While these variables are equally important, changes to the discount rate can have a greater impact on the projected benefit obligation, and thus the amount of the asset or liability recognized, as well as the amount of pension plan expense recorded each period.
 

 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In 2009, net income available to common shareholders totaled $2.3 million, versus $7.5 million in 2008 and $18.3 million in 2007, representing diluted earnings per common share of $0.22, $0.72 and $1.74, respectively.  The lower earnings in both 2009 and 2008 were largely the result of higher provisions for loan losses.  Earnings for 2009 also included the impact of preferred dividends related to the TARP Capital Investment, which totaled $1.9 million.  Peoples also recognized OTTI losses in all three years, which negatively impacted net income available to common shareholders.  Despite these challenges, Peoples generated positive results in several key areas, including growth and diversification of revenues, expansion of retail deposits and expense control.
 
Provision for loan losses totaled $25.7 million in 2009, compared to $27.6 million in 2008 and $4.0 million in 2007.  These provisions reflect the amounts needed to maintain the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses based on management’s formal quarterly analysis.  The higher provisions for loan losses in both 2008 and 2009 were largely attributable to declines in commercial real estate values securing existing impaired loans and the deteriorating financial condition of borrowers commensurate with recessionary economic conditions.
 
Net interest income grew 6% in 2009 and 8% in 2008, due mostly to greater reductions in Peoples’ funding costs in comparison to asset yields in response to lower short-term market rates.  Net interest margin compressed slightly in 2009 due to Peoples maintaining a higher volume of short-term assets, consisting of excess cash reserves held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.  In comparison, net interest margin expanded 19 basis points in 2008, reflecting the impact of the lower short-term market rates.
 
In 2009, non-interest income totaled $32.1 million, unchanged from 2008, as significant growth in mortgage banking income was offset by declines in other non-interest revenue categories.  Non-interest income increased 2% in 2008 compared to $31.4 million for 2007, attributable to growth in several areas during 2008.  The largest increase in 2008 occurred in electronic banking income, which increased 10% due to sustained growth in debit card activity.
 
Total non-interest expense was $58.7 million, up $5.2 million year-over-year.  Most of this increase was due to $3.1 million in additional FDIC insurance expense.  Other significant factors included higher employee medical benefit costs and workout costs for problem loans.  In 2008, non-interest expense increased $2.0 million, largely the result of normal base salary adjustments, higher employee medical benefit costs, and the impact of the Ohio Franchise Tax Settlement on 2007 franchise tax expense.
 
Total assets were $2.00 billion at both December 31, 2009 and 2008.  Cash and cash equivalents were $41.8 million at year-end 2009, versus $35.6 million at December 31, 2008, as Peoples maintained excess cash reserves at the Federal Reserve Bank due to limited opportunities for attractive long-term asset investments.  Gross portfolio loan balances decreased $52.0 million in 2009, due primarily to charge-offs and normal commercial loan payoffs, coupled with lower demand for commercial loans due to economic conditions.  During 2009, the combination of elevated charge-off levels and increases in specific reserves for impaired loans necessitated building the allowance for loan losses by $4.3 million, to $27.3 million, or 2.59% of total loans, at December 31, 2009.  Total investment securities increased $43.1 million, to $751.9 million at December 31, 2009, mostly attributable to improved market value of Peoples’ available-for-sale investment portfolio.  Other assets increased $5.4 million since year-end 2008 as a result of Peoples’ reclassifying a $5.0 million commercial real estate loan as other real estate owned upon the completion of the foreclosure process.
 
Total liabilities were $1.76 billion at December 31, 2009, down $57.9 million compared to year-end 2008.  Total deposit balances increased $29.5 million in 2009.  Non-interest-bearing deposits increased $18.0 million, or 10%, in 2009, while interest-bearing retail deposits grew $10.3 million.  This growth, coupled with funds from the TARP Capital Investment, enabled Peoples to reduce borrowed funds $84.1 million, or 20%, during 2009, to $345.6 million at year-end.
 
32

Stockholders’ equity increased $57.3 million, or 31% in 2009, compared to $186.6 million at December 31, 2008.  The TARP Capital Investment accounted for most of this growth, while the fair value of Peoples’ available-for-sale investment portfolio increased $21.2 million, net of deferred income tax, further contributing to higher stockholders’ equity.  The TARP Capital Investment also allowed Peoples to strengthen already healthy regulatory capital ratios, with the Total Risk-Based capital ratio increasing to 16.80% at December 31, 2009, from 13.19% at the prior year-end.  Tangible common equity was 7.22% of tangible assets at year-end 2009, versus 6.21% at December 31, 2008, reflecting the impact of the higher fair value of Peoples’ available-for-sale investment portfolio.
 

RESULTS OF OPERATION
 
Interest Income and Expense
Peoples earns interest income on loans and investments and incurs interest expense on interest-bearing deposits and borrowed funds.  Net interest income, the amount by which interest income exceeds interest expense, remains Peoples’ largest source of revenue.  The amount of net interest income earned by Peoples is affected by various factors, including changes in market interest rates due to the Federal Reserve Board’s monetary policy, the level and degree of pricing competition for both loans and deposits in Peoples’ markets and the amount and composition of Peoples’ earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.
 
Peoples monitors net interest income performance and manages its balance sheet composition through regular Asset-Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”) meetings.  The asset/liability management process employed by the ALCO is intended to minimize the impact of future interest rate changes on Peoples’ net interest income and earnings.  However, the frequency and/or magnitude of changes in market interest rates are difficult to predict, and may have a greater impact on net interest income than adjustments by management.
 
As part of the analysis of net interest income, management converts tax-exempt income to the pre-tax equivalent of taxable income using an effective tax rate of 35%.  Management believes the resulting fully tax-equivalent (“FTE”) net interest income allows for a more meaningful comparison of tax-exempt income and yields to their taxable equivalents.  Net interest margin, calculated by dividing FTE net interest income by average interest-earning assets, serves as the primary measure used in evaluating the net revenue stream generated by the mix and pricing of Peoples’ earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.
 
The following table details Peoples’ average balance sheet for the years ended December 31:
 
       
2009
           
2008
           
2007
   
   
Average
 
Income/
 
Yield/
   
Average
 
Income/
 
Yield/
   
Average
 
Income/
 
Yield/
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Balance
 
Expense
 
Rate
   
Balance
 
Expense
 
Rate
   
Balance
 
Expense
 
Rate
Short-Term Investments:
                                       
Deposits with other banks
 
 $      28,496
 
 $        70
 
0.25%
   
 $        2,363
 
 $        53
 
2.26%
   
 $        2,435
 
 $      115
 
4.72%
Federal funds sold
 
                  –
 
             –
 
 – %
   
              508
 
           12
 
2.36%
   
           1,077
 
           55
 
5.11%
  Total short-term investments
 
         28,496
 
           70
 
0.25%
   
           2,871
 
           65
 
2.28%
   
           3,512
 
         170
 
4.84%
Investment Securities (1):
                                       
Taxable
 
       660,828
 
    34,522
 
5.22%
   
       549,687
 
    29,106
 
5.30%
   
       503,094
 
    25,646
 
5.10%
Nontaxable (2)
 
         67,471
 
      4,325
 
6.41%
   
         65,624
 
      4,289
 
6.54%
   
         60,368
 
      3,949
 
6.54%
  Total investment securities
 
       728,299
 
    38,847
 
5.33%
   
       615,311
 
    33,395
 
5.43%
   
       563,462
 
    29,595
 
5.25%
Loans (3):
                                       
Commercial
 
       725,021
 
    40,299
 
5.56%
   
       744,584
 
    48,291
 
6.49%
   
       750,906
 
    57,613
 
7.67%
Real estate (4)
 
       273,625
 
    17,163
 
6.27%
   
       283,285
 
    19,221
 
6.79%
   
       292,867
 
    20,985
 
7.17%
Consumer
 
         94,411
 
      7,331
 
7.76%
   
         85,378
 
      6,861
 
8.04%
   
         79,035
 
      6,552
 
8.29%
  Total loans
 
    1,093,057
 
    64,793
 
5.93%
   
    1,113,247
 
    74,373
 
6.69%
   
    1,122,808
 
    85,150
 
7.58%
Less: Allowance for loan losses
 
       (25,081)
           
       (17,428)
           
       (14,775)
       
  Net loans
 
    1,067,976
 
    64,793
 
6.07%
   
    1,095,819
 
    74,373
 
6.79%
   
    1,108,033
 
    85,150
 
7.68%
    Total earning assets
 
    1,824,771
 
  103,710
 
5.68%
   
    1,714,001
 
  107,833
 
6.29%
   
    1,675,007
 
  114,915
 
6.86%
Intangible assets
 
         66,010
           
         67,203
           
         68,440
       
Other assets
 
       133,530
           
       128,798
           
       128,670
       
    Total assets
 
 $ 2,024,311
           
 $ 1,910,002
           
 $ 1,872,117
       

 
33

 

       
2009
           
2008
           
2007
   
   
Average
 
Income/
 
Yield/
   
Average
 
Income/
 
Yield/
   
Average
 
Income/
 
Yield/
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Balance
 
Expense
 
Rate
   
Balance
 
Expense
 
Rate
   
Balance
 
Expense
 
Rate
Deposits:
                                       
Savings
 
 $    126,226
 
 $      645
 
0.51%
   
 $    114,651
 
 $      583
 
0.51%
   
 $    113,629
 
 $      725
 
0.64%
Interest-bearing transaction
 
       207,117
 
      3,127
 
1.51%
   
       199,639
 
      3,578
 
1.79%
   
       179,827
 
      3,841
 
2.14%
Money market
 
       235,690
 
      2,735
 
1.16%
   
       168,075
 
      3,482
 
2.07%
   
       147,565
 
      5,647
 
3.83%
Brokered time
 
         41,548
 
      1,675
 
4.03%
   
         39,151
 
      1,843
 
4.71%
   
         65,461
 
      3,364
 
5.14%
Retail time
 
       595,655
 
    17,941
 
3.01%
   
       561,143
 
    21,824
 
3.89%
   
       521,506
 
    23,398
 
4.49%
  Total interest-bearing deposits
 
    1,206,236
 
    26,123
 
2.17%
   
    1,082,659
 
    31,310
 
2.89%
   
    1,027,988
 
    36,975
 
3.60%
Borrowed Funds:
                                       
Short-term:
                                       
FHLB advances
 
           6,867
 
           15
 
0.19%
   
       102,146
 
      2,557
 
2.46%
   
       197,915
 
    10,065
 
5.09%
Retail repurchase agreements
 
         53,056
 
         468
 
0.87%
   
         40,524
 
         826
 
2.00%
   
         34,802
 
      1,528
 
4.39%
Wholesale repurchase agreements
 
                  –
 
             –
 
 – %
   
                  –
 
             –
 
 – %
   
           4,425
 
         242
 
5.47%
  Total short-term borrowings
 
         59,923
 
         483
 
0.81%
   
       142,670
 
      3,383
 
2.37%
   
       237,142
 
    11,835
 
4.93%
Long-term:
                                       
FHLB advances
 
       136,272
 
      5,354
 
3.93%
   
       116,176
 
      4,856
 
4.18%
   
         71,153
 
      3,256
 
4.58%
Wholesale repurchase agreements
 
       153,795
 
      6,323
 
4.05%
   
       148,251
 
      6,223
 
4.13%
   
       124,191
 
      5,257
 
4.23%
Other borrowings
 
         22,513
 
      1,979
 
8.67%
   
         22,478
 
      1,976
 
8.65%
   
         24,571
 
      2,175
 
8.73%
  Total long-term borrowings
 
       312,580
 
    13,656
 
4.37%
   
       286,905
 
    13,055
 
4.55%
   
       219,915
 
    10,688
 
4.81%
  Total borrowed funds
 
       372,503
 
    14,139
 
3.76%
   
       429,575
 
    16,438
 
3.78%
   
       457,057
 
    22,523
 
4.87%
Total interest-bearing liabilities
 
    1,578,739
 
    40,262
 
2.55%
   
    1,512,234
 
    47,748
 
3.15%
   
    1,485,045
 
    59,498
 
3.99%
Non-interest-bearing deposits
 
       195,688
           
       180,973
           
       172,571
       
Other liabilities
 
         17,036
           
         13,892
           
         15,707
       
    Total liabilities
 
    1,791,463
           
    1,707,099
           
    1,673,323
       
Preferred equity
 
         35,438
           
                  –
           
                  –
       
Common equity
 
       197,410
           
       202,903
           
       198,794
       
    Total stockholders’ equity
 
       232,848
           
       202,903
           
       198,794
       
    Total liabilities and
                                       
     stockholders’ equity
 
 $ 2,024,311
           
 $ 1,910,002
           
 $ 1,872,117
       
Interest rate spread
     
 $ 63,448
 
3.13%
       
 $ 60,085
 
3.14%
       
 $ 55,417
 
2.87%
Interest income/earning assets
         
5.68%
           
6.29%
           
6.86%
Interest expense/earning assets
         
2.20%
           
2.78%
           
3.54%
Net interest margin
         
3.48%
           
3.51%
           
3.32%
 
(1)  
Average balances are based on carrying value.
(2)  
Interest income and yields are presented on a fully tax-equivalent basis using a 35% federal tax rate.
(3)  
Nonaccrual and impaired loans are included in the average loan balances.  Related interest income earned on nonaccrual loans prior to the loan being placed on nonaccrual is included in loan interest income.  Loan fees included in interest income were immaterial for all periods presented.
(4)  
Loans held for sale are included in the average loan balance listed.  Related interest income on loans originated for sale prior to the loan being sold is included in loan interest income.

The following table details the calculation of FTE net interest income for the years ended December 31:
 

 
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2007
Net interest income, as reported
 $61,843
 
 $58,479
 
 $53,921
Taxable equivalent adjustments
 1,605
 
 1,606
 
 1,496
    Fully tax-equivalent net interest income
 $63,448
 
 $60,085
 
 $55,417

 
34

The following table provides an analysis of the changes in net interest income:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Change from 2008 to 2009 (1)
 
Change from 2007 to 2008 (1)
Increase (decrease) in:
Rate
Volume
Total
 
Rate
Volume
Total
INTEREST INCOME:
             
Short-term investments
 $(93)
 $98
 $5
 
 $(81)
 $(24)
 $(105)
Investment Securities: (2)
             
Taxable
 (421)
 5,837
 5,416
 
 1,037
 2,423
 3,460
Nontaxable
 (86)
 122
 36
 
                      –
 340
 340
  Total investment income
 (507)
 5,959
 5,452
 
 1,037
 2,763
 3,800
Loans:
             
Commercial
 (6,756)
 (1,236)
 (7,992)
 
 (8,839)
 (483)
 (9,322)
Real estate
 (1,422)
 (636)
 (2,058)
 
 (1,086)
 (678)
 (1,764)
Consumer
 (240)
 710
 470
 
 (203)
 512
 309
  Total loan income
 (8,418)
 (1,162)
 (9,580)
 
 (10,128)
 (649)
 (10,777)
    Total interest income
 (9,018)
 4,895
 (4,123)
 
 (9,172)
 2,090
 (7,082)
INTEREST EXPENSE:
             
Deposits:
             
Savings deposits
 1
 61
 62
 
 (149)
 7
 (142)
Interest-bearing transaction
 (580)
 129
 (451)
 
 (660)
 397
 (263)
Money market
 (1,851)
 1,104
 (747)
 
 (2,867)
 702
 (2,165)
Brokered time
 (276)
 108
 (168)
 
 (262)
 (1,259)
 (1,521)
Retail time
 (5,162)
 1,279
 (3,883)
 
 (3,272)
 1,698
 (1,574)
  Total deposit cost
 (7,868)
 2,681
 (5,187)
 
 (7,210)
 1,545
 (5,665)
Borrowed funds:
             
Short-term borrowings
 (1,818)
 (1,082)
 (2,900)
 
 (4,924)
 (3,528)
 (8,452)
Long-term borrowings
 (420)
 1,021
 601
 
 (441)
 2,808
 2,367
  Total borrowed funds cost
 (2,238)
 (61)
 (2,299)
 
 (5,365)
 (720)
 (6,085)
    Total interest expense
 (10,106)
 2,620
 (7,486)
 
 (12,575)
 825
 (11,750)
    Net interest income
 $1,088
 $2,275
 $3,363
 
 $3,403
 $1,265
 $4,668
 
(1)  
The change in interest due to both rate and volume has been allocated to volume and rate changes in proportion to the   relationship of the dollar amounts of the change in each.
(2)  
Presented on a fully tax-equivalent basis.
 
In both 2008 and 2009, net interest income benefited from the Federal Reserve’s actions to lower short-term interest rates, as Peoples experienced greater reductions in funding costs than asset yields.  Growth in low-cost retail deposits allowed Peoples to repay maturing higher-cost wholesale funding, further contributing to the decline in funding costs.  Net interest margin compressed slightly in 2009 as a result of Peoples maintaining excess cash reserves at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.  These cash balances were maintained due to limited opportunities for attractive long-term asset investments and Peoples’ planned paydowns of high-cost wholesale funding.  In comparison, net interest margin expanded 19 basis points in 2008, reflecting the impact of the lower short-term market rates.
 
  During the recent periods of changing interest rate conditions, Peoples has actively managed its balance sheet and interest rate risk profile to minimize the impact on earnings.  These actions have included adjusting the mix of earning assets and funding sources when opportunities were presented from loan demand and retail deposit growth.  However, average loan balances decreased in both 2008 and 2009, reflecting significant commercial loan payoffs during the second half of 2007 and elevated charge-off levels in 2008 and 2009.  Total average loan balances in 2009 were also impacted by residential real estate loans being refinanced and sold to the secondary market.  While these reductions in average loan balances negatively impacted interest income, Peoples took advantage of attractive investment opportunities that were available during 2008 and 2009, which accounted for the increase in average investment securities during both years.
 
A key component of management’s funding strategy over the last few years has been to grow core retail deposit balances, primarily low-cost and non-interest-bearing deposits, to reduce the amount of, and reliance on, wholesale funding sources that typically carry higher market rates of interest.  In addition, management has been adjusting the mix of wholesale funding by repaying higher-costing funds using other lower-cost borrowings and short-term assets.  In the second half of 2007, management initiated a strategy of systematically borrowing funds in a given maturity range over a period of time in order to create a stream of smaller future maturities and reduce the concentration of funding maturity at one time.  This strategy accounted for much of the increase in average long-term borrowings in 2008 and 2009 compared to prior years.
 
35

Loan yields declined in both 2008 and 2009 from downward repricing of variable rate loans in response to lower short-term market interest rates, coupled with the impact of additional loans being placed on nonaccrual status.  The average yield of Peoples’ investment portfolio was held relatively stable, due to management’s proactive actions during 2008 and 2009.  The impact of lower loan yields was countered with an overall reduction in Peoples’ cost of funds from the repayment of higher-costing funds using other lower-cost borrowings and short-term assets, coupled with the impact of lower short-term interest rates.
 
Detailed information regarding changes in Peoples’ Consolidated Balance Sheets can be found under appropriate captions of the “FINANCIAL CONDITION” section of this discussion.  Additional information regarding Peoples’ interest rate risk and the potential impact of interest rate changes on Peoples’ results of operations and financial condition can be found later in this discussion under the caption “Interest Rate Sensitivity and Liquidity”.
 
 
Provision for Loan Losses
The provision for loan losses is based on management’s formal quarterly evaluation of the loan portfolio and analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses described in the “Critical Accounting Policies” section of this discussion.  This analysis considers various factors that affect losses, such as changes in Peoples’ loan quality, historical loss experience and current economic conditions.  The following table details Peoples’ provision for loan losses:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2007
Provision for checking account overdrafts
 $799
 
 $1,125
 
 $558
Provision for other loan losses
 24,922
 
 26,515
 
 3,401
    Total provision for loan losses
 $25,721
 
 $27,640
 
 $3,959
           
As a percentage of average gross loans
2.35%
 
2.48%
 
0.35%
 
The provision for loan losses recorded in both 2008 and 2009 was significantly higher than amounts recorded in 2007 and prior years.  These elevated levels reflect the increases to the allowance for loan losses that occurred since mid-2008 and continued throughout 2009, due to changes in Peoples’ loan quality, coupled with losses on impaired loans from declines in commercial real estate values during the same period.
 
Additional information regarding changes in the allowance for loan losses and loan credit quality can be found later in this discussion under the caption “Allowance for Loan Losses”.
 
 
Net Impairment Losses
The following table details the net impairment losses recognized on available-for-sale securities:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2007
Individual bank-issued trust preferred securities
 $        4,000
 
 $         2,080
 
 $               –
Collateralized debt obligations
 3,707
 
 1,920
 
 2,875
Preferred stocks
 –
 
 260
 
 3,195
Equity securities
 –
 
 –
 
 100
     Total net impairment losses
 $       7,707
 
 $       4,260
 
 $       6,170
 
These impairment losses were the result of management determining certain securities were other-than-temporarily impaired.  These determinations were made in connection with management’s quarterly analysis of the investment portfolio described in the “Critical Accounting Policies” section of this discussion, which included evaluating the credit quality of underlying issuers and estimating cash flows to be received from the securities.
 
The losses attributable to individual bank-issued trust preferred securities involved two unrelated issuers who had deferred interest payments.  Management deemed the securities a total loss since its analysis indicated it was probable Peoples would not recover the entire principal amounts.  Subsequent to management’s determinations, federal banking regulators closed the banking subsidiaries of both issuers, with the FDIC being appointed as receiver of the failed institutions.
 
Since 2007, the fair value of CDO securities, including those held in Peoples’ investment portfolio, has been affected by the continued liquidity and credit concerns within the financial markets, as well as the downgrading of these securities by rating agencies.  Additionally, several underlying issuers have either deferred or defaulted on the payment obligations, which reduced the overall cash flow stream in these structured investments.  In the second half of 2009, management’s analysis indicated continued declines in the estimated cash flows to be received from two of Peoples’ CDO securities, which led to both securities being deemed a total loss at year-end 2009.  Additional information regarding Peoples’ investments in CDO securities can be found later in this discussion under the caption “Investment Securities”.
 
36

The preferred stock losses related to preferred stocks issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  The loss attributable to equity securities involved common stock issued by an unrelated bank holding company.
 
Management performed its quarterly analysis of the remaining investment securities with an unrealized loss at December 31, 2009, and concluded no other individual securities were other-than-temporarily impaired.
 
 
Non-Interest Income
Peoples generates non-interest income, which excludes gains and losses on investments and assets, from six primary sources: deposit account service charges, trust and investment activities, insurance sales revenues, electronic banking (“e-banking”), mortgage banking and bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”).
 
In recent years, Peoples has placed increased emphasis on reducing its reliance on net interest income by growing non-interest income, especially fee-based revenues not affected by interest rate changes, and, thus, diversifying its revenue stream.  In 2009, non-interest income was driven primarily by stronger mortgage banking income, as recessionary economic conditions and volatility in the financial markets negatively impacted other non-interest revenues.  Total non-interest income accounted for 34.1% of Peoples’ total revenues in 2009, compared to 35.4% in 2008 and 36.8% in 2007.
 
Service charges and other fees on deposit accounts, which are based on the recovery of costs associated with services provided, comprised the largest portion of Peoples’ non-interest income.  Management periodically evaluates its cost recovery fees to ensure they are reasonable based on operational costs and similar to fees charged in Peoples’ markets by competitors.  The following table details Peoples’ deposit account service charges:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2007
Overdraft fees
 $7,869
 
 $7,356
 
 $6,818
Non-sufficient funds fees
 1,467
 
 1,682
 
 1,965
Other fees and charges
 1,054
 
 1,099
 
 1,107
    Total deposit account service charges
 $10,390
 
 $10,137
 
 $9,890
 
The amount of deposit account service charges, particularly overdraft and non-sufficient funds fees, is largely dependent on the timing and volume of customer activity.  As a result, the amount ultimately recognized by Peoples can fluctuate from period to period.  Peoples experiences some seasonal changes in overdraft and non-sufficient funds fees, primarily in the first and fourth quarters.  Typically, the volume of overdraft and non-sufficient funds fees are lower in the first quarter attributable to customers receiving income tax refunds, while volumes generally increase in the fourth quarter in connection with the holiday shopping season.
 
Insurance income also comprises a significant portion of Peoples’ total non-interest income.  The following table details Peoples’ insurance income:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2007
Property and casualty insurance commissions
 $7,633
 
 $7,982
 
 $7,997
Life and health insurance commissions
 661
 
 645
 
 596
Credit life and A&H insurance commissions
 119
 
 175
 
 158
Performance based commissions
 828
 
 864
 
 817
Other fees and charges
 149
 
 236
 
 133
    Total insurance income
 $9,390
 
 $9,902
 
 $9,701
 
Peoples’ insurance income consists predominantly of commission revenue from the sale of property and casualty insurance to commercial customers.  The lower property and casualty insurance commissions in 2009 were due largely to the effects of a contracting economy on commercial insurance needs and lower pricing margins from competition within the insurance industry.  In 2008, these revenues remained stable as increased production more than offset the impact of lower pricing margins within the insurance industry.  The bulk of the performance based commission income is received annually by Peoples during the first quarter and is based on a combination of factors, including loss experience of insurance policies sold, production volumes and overall financial performance of the insurance industry during the preceding year.  As a result, the amount of contingent income recognized by Peoples is difficult to predict and could fluctuate from year to year.
 
37

Peoples’ trust and investment income is comprised of revenue generated from its fiduciary activities and the sale of investment services.  The following table details Peoples’ trust and investment income for the years ended December 31 and market value of managed assets at year-end:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2007
Fiduciary
 $3,760
 
 $4,113
 
 $4,099
Brokerage
 962
 
 1,026
 
 884
    Total trust and investment income
 $4,722
 
 $5,139
 
 $4,983
           
Trust assets under management
 $750,993
 
 $685,705
 
 $797,443
Brokerage assets under management
 216,479
 
 184,301
 
 223,950
    Total managed assets
 $967,472
 
 $870,006
 
 $1,021,393

Both fiduciary and brokerage revenues are based primarily on the value of assets under management.  The market value of Peoples’ managed assets was impacted by the downturn in the financial markets that occurred in the second half of 2008 and continued through most of 2009.  The timing of these market values fluctuation was the key cause of the lower trust and investment income in 2009.  During 2008, Peoples attracted over $50 million in new assets, which generated additional revenue and offset the impact of lower market values in the second half of 2008.
 
Peoples’ e-banking services include ATM and debit cards, direct deposit services and internet banking, and serve as alternative delivery channels to traditional sales offices for providing services to clients.  In 2009, Peoples’ customers used their debit cards to complete $290 million of transactions, versus $272 million in 2008 and $231 million in 2007, representing increases of 7% and 17%, respectively.  At December 31, 2009, Peoples had 40,663 deposit relationships with debit cards, or 57% of all eligible deposit accounts, compared to 39,279 relationships, or 57% of eligible accounts, at year-end 2008 and 37,427 relationships, or 53% of eligible accounts at December 31, 2007.
 
Peoples’ mortgage banking income is comprised mostly of net gains from the origination and sale of long-term, fixed-rate real estate loans to the secondary market and is largely dependent on customer demand and interest rates in general.  In 2009, Peoples’ secondary market loan production was stronger than recent years, due mostly to customers taking advantage of opportunities offered by the secondary market to refinance existing loans.  Long-term mortgage rates rose modestly during the second half of 2009, resulting in reduced refinancing activity.  During 2009, Peoples sold $95 million of residential real estate loans to the secondary market, versus $32 million in 2008 and $40 million in 2007.
 
Income generated by Peoples’ BOLI investment serves to enhance operating efficiency by partially offsetting rising employee benefit costs.  Changes in the interest rate environment can have an impact on the associated investment funds and thus the amount of BOLI income recognized by Peoples.  Management monitors the performance of Peoples’ BOLI and may make adjustments to improve the income streams and overall performance.  Still, management believes BOLI provides a better long-term vehicle for funding future employee benefit costs, and offsetting the related expense, than alternative investment opportunities with similar risk characteristics.
 
 
Non-Interest Expense
Salaries and employee benefit costs represent Peoples’ largest non-interest expense, accounting for over 50% of total non-interest expense, which is inherent in a service-based industry such as financial services.
 
The following table details Peoples’ salaries and employee benefit costs:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2007
Base salaries and wages
 $20,455
 
 $20,370
 
 $19,270
Employee benefits
 5,037
 
 3,983
 
 3,574
Sales-based and incentive compensation
 3,130
 
 3,672
 
 3,985
Stock-based compensation
 149
 
 498
 
 391
Deferred personnel costs
 (1,477)
 
 (1,984)
 
 (1,867)
Payroll taxes and other employment-related costs
 2,100
 
 1,982
 
 2,199
    Total salaries and employee benefit costs
 $29,394
 
 $28,521
 
 $27,552
           
Full-time equivalent employees:
         
Actual at December 31
 537
 
 546
 
 559
Average during the year
 543
 
 552
 
 554
 
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In 2009, Peoples limited salary increases for management, which has resulted in base salaries and wages remaining comparable to 2008.  The majority of the sales-based and incentive compensation is attributable to Peoples’ insurance and investment sales activities.  However, lower accruals for Peoples’ annual incentive award plan, which is based primarily upon corporate results, accounted for the decreased sales-based and incentive compensation in 2009 and 2008 over the prior year.  Peoples’ employee benefit costs have been impacted by a steady increase in employee medical benefit costs in recent years.
 
Stock-based compensation is generally recognized over the vesting period, typically ranging from 6 months to 3 years, although Peoples must immediately recognize the entire expense for awards to employees who are eligible for retirement at the grant date.  The majority of Peoples’ stock-based compensation expense is attributable to annual equity-based incentive awards to employees, which are awarded in the first quarter and based upon Peoples achieving certain performance goals during the prior year.  In 2009, Peoples did not grant any equity-based incentive awards to employees or non-employee directors due to lower corporate performance results.  As a result, the stock-based compensation expense recognized in 2009 was attributable to equity-based awards granted in prior years.  Additional information regarding Peoples’ stock-based compensation plans and awards can be found in Note 18 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Deferred personnel costs represent the portion of current period salaries and employee benefit costs considered direct loan origination costs.  These costs are recognized over the life of the loan through interest income as a yield adjustment.  During 2009, decreased commercial loan originations as a result of recessionary economic conditions have resulted in lower deferred costs compared to the same periods in 2008.
 
Peoples’ net occupancy and equipment expense was comprised of the following:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2007
Depreciation
 $1,998
 
 $2,066
 
 $2,061
Repairs and maintenance costs
 1,549
 
 1,452
 
 1,386
Net rent expense
 837
 
 671
 
 660
Property taxes, utilities and other costs
 1,372
 
 1,351
 
 1,191
    Total net occupancy and equipment expense
 $5,756
 
 $5,540
 
 $5,298
 
Depreciation expense decreased modestly in 2009 due to existing assets becoming fully depreciated, coupled with fewer shorter-lived assets, such as computers and other office equipment, being placed in service.  Management continues to monitor capital expenditures and explore opportunities to enhance Peoples’ operating efficiency.
 
While actions taken by the FDIC resulted in higher FDIC insurance costs during 2009, FDIC insurance expense in both 2007 and 2008 benefited from the utilization of a $1.0 million one-time credit received in 2007.  This credit was received in connection with changes to the deposit insurance system for use to offset future insurance premiums, subject to certain limitations.  Peoples utilized $0.5 million of this credit during 2007 and the remainder during the first nine months of 2008.  Despite the actions taken in 2009, the FDIC’s plan to restore the Deposit Insurance Fund to its federally mandated level may not be successful during 2010, due to continued bank failures.  Should this occur, the FDIC may consider increasing base assessments or imposing additional special assessments on all insured institutions similar to the one levied in the second quarter of 2009.  These or similar actions, if taken, could materially increase the total FDIC insurance expense recognized by Peoples in future quarters.
 
Peoples’ intangible asset amortization expense decreased in both 2009 and 2008 from the use of an accelerated method of amortization for its customer-related intangibles.  As a result, amortization expense will continue to be lower in subsequent years based on the intangible assets included on Peoples’ Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2009.
 
Professional fees expense, which includes the cost of accounting, legal and other third-party professional services, increased substantially in 2009 compared to 2008.  This increase was due mainly to increased utilization of external legal services attributable to higher levels of under performing loans.  Contributing to the year-to-date increase were legal and consulting fees incurred in the first quarter of 2009 associated with the TARP Capital Investment and preparation of proxy materials for the Special Meeting of Shareholders and Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
 
Marketing expense, which includes the cost of advertising, public relations and charitable contributions, decreased 18% in 2009, due to a general reduction in advertising and public relations activities.  In comparison, marketing expense was down 15% in 2008, compared to 2007, due to the completion of Peoples’ direct mail and gift campaigns, which had been initiated in late 2005.
 
Peoples’ e-banking expense, which is comprised of bankcard and internet-based banking costs, increased in both 2008 and 2009 as a result of customers completing a larger percentage of their transactions using their debit cards and Peoples’ internet banking service.  These factors have also produced a greater increase in the corresponding e-banking revenues over the same periods.  Overall, management believes e-banking expense levels are reasonable considering Peoples’ e-banking services have generated higher net revenues and have helped to improve overall relationship profitability, due to the lower transaction costs incurred by Peoples.
 
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Peoples is subject to state franchise taxes, which are based largely on Peoples Bank’s equity at year-end, in the states where it has a physical presence.  Overall, state franchise taxes have remained consistent over the last two years, from relatively stable equity levels at Peoples Bank, although the 2007’s franchise tax expense was lower due to the Ohio Franchise Tax Settlement.  Peoples regularly evaluates the capital position of its direct and indirect subsidiaries from both a cost and leverage perspective.  Ultimately, management seeks to optimize Peoples’ consolidated capital position through allocation of capital, which is intended to enhance profitability and shareholder value.
 
In both 2008 and 2009, Peoples incurred additional loan-related expenses associated with the higher level of impaired and nonperforming loans.  These expenses accounted for the 5% and 7% increases in other non-interest expense in 2009 and 2008, respectively, compared to prior year.
 
 
Income Tax Benefit/Expense
Peoples recognized an income tax benefit of $1.1 million in 2009, versus income tax expense of $160,000 in 2008 and $5.6 million in 2007.  These amounts primarily reflect the reduction in pre-tax income due to higher provisions for loan losses and OTTI charges in both 2008 and 2009, while income from tax-exempt sources and tax benefits received from Peoples’ investments in tax credit funds remained consistent with prior years.  A reconciliation of income tax expense and effective tax rate to the statutory tax rate can be found in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Management anticipates an effective tax rate in 2010 of approximately 20%.  However, the amount of pre-tax income derived from tax-exempt sources will have a major impact on the annual effective tax rate.
 

 
FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Peoples considers cash and cash equivalents to consist of Federal Funds sold, cash and balances due from banks, interest-bearing balances in other institutions and other short-term investments that are readily liquid.  The amount of cash and cash equivalents fluctuates on a daily basis due to customer activity and Peoples’ liquidity needs.  During 2009, Peoples maintained excess cash reserves at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland rather than federal funds sold due to more favorable current short-term interest rates.  These excess reserves are included in interest-bearing deposits in other banks on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and totaled $11.4 million at year-end and $8.2 million at September 30, 2009.  No excess reserves were maintained in any period of 2008.
 
At December 31, 2009, total cash and cash equivalents was consistent with the prior quarter-end, totaling $41.8 million.  In 2009, cash and cash equivalents decreased $6.2 million, as the majority of net cash provided by Peoples’ operating and investing activities of $23.3 million and $7.8 million, respectively, was used in financing activities.  Net cash provided by investing activities was the result of loan payments and payoffs exceeding new originations by $24.7 million, of which a portion was used for purchases of new investment securities.  Financing activities consumed $24.9 million of net cash, as Peoples reduced borrowed funds by $84.1 million, which was partially offset by $68.4 million of funds from net deposit growth and the TARP Capital Investment.
 
In comparison, cash and cash equivalents decreased $9.6 million in 2008, to $35.6 million at December 31, 2008.  Investing activities consumed $168.9 million of net cash, while financing and operating activities provided net cash of $123.8 million and $35.6 million, respectively.  Purchases of new investment securities exceeded the cash flows from sales, maturities, calls and principal payments and accounted for most of the cash used in investing activities.
 
Further information regarding the management of Peoples’ liquidity position can be found later in this discussion under “Interest Rate Sensitivity and Liquidity.”
 
40

Investment Securities
The following table details Peoples’ available-for-sale investment portfolio at December 31:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2007
Available-for-sale investment securities, at fair value:
         
Obligations of:
         
   U.S. Treasury and government agencies
 $82
 
 $176
 
 $197
   U.S. government sponsored agencies
 4,473
 
 8,442
 
 74,470
   States and political subdivisions
 62,953
 
 68,930
 
 69,247
Residential mortgage-backed securities
 558,825
 
 511,201
 
 356,605
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 24,188
 
 25,951
 
 –
U.S. government-backed student loan pools
 59,442
 
 44,985
 
 –
Bank-issued trust preferred securities
 13,826
 
 17,888
 
 19,185
Collateralized debt obligations
 165
 
 4,423
 
 5,896
Preferred stocks
 –
 
 –
 
 12,065
Equity securities
 2,593
 
 2,761
 
 4,566
        Total available-for-sale investment securities
 $726,547
 
 $684,757
 
 $542,231
    Total amortized cost
 $706,444
 
 $696,855
 
 $535,979
    Net unrealized gain (loss)
 $20,103
 
 $(12,098)
 
 $6,252
 
Overall, the size and composition of the investment portfolio at December 31, 2009 was fairly consistent with year-end 2008.  However, throughout 2008, management grew the investment portfolio to manage interest income and liquidity levels in response to lower loan balances caused by commercial loan payoffs and charge-offs, and significant deposit growth.  Management also took action to reduce credit and interest rate exposures in Peoples’ investment portfolio, which accounted for much of the change in the investment portfolio composition since December 31, 2007.
 
Peoples’ investment in mortgage-backed securities has increased as the result of management reinvesting some of the principal runoff from the portfolio into these types of securities, as well as repositioning of the portfolio during 2008 and 2009 to reduce credit and interest rate exposures.
 
A significant portion of Peoples’ residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities are comprised of securities either guaranteed by the U.S. government or issued by U.S. government-sponsored agencies, such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  The remaining portion of Peoples’ mortgage-backed securities consists of securities issued by other entities, including other financial institutions, which are not guaranteed by the U.S. government.  The amount of these “non-agency” securities included in the residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities totals above were as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2007
Residential
 $153,621
 
 $192,133
 
$ 46,990
Commercial
 24,188
 
 25,951
 
 –
        Total fair value
 $177,809
 
 $218,084
 
 $46,990
Total amortized cost
 $177,370
 
 $231,153
 
 $47,757
Net unrealized gain (loss)
 $439
 
 $(13,069)
 
 $(767)
 
The non-agency portfolio consists entirely of first lien residential and commercial mortgages and all securities are rated AAA or equivalent by Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s or Fitch.  Approximately 96% of the portfolio consists of 2003 or earlier originations and 99% of the portfolio consists of underlying fixed-rate mortgages.
 
At December 31, 2009, Peoples’ investment in individual bank-issued trust preferred securities consisted of holdings of 9 unrelated issuers.  All of these securities remain current on contractual interest payment.  In addition, an aggregate of $10 million of these securities relate to issuers that were involved in the comprehensive capital assessment conducted by federal bank supervisors in the first half of 2009 – known as the Supervisory Capital Assessment Program or “government stress test”.
 
Peoples previously invested in CDO securities issued by special purpose vehicles holding pools of collateral consisting of trust preferred and subordinated debt securities issued by banks, bank holding companies, insurance companies and real estate investment trusts.  CDO securities are generally segregated into several classes, known as tranches, with the typical structure including senior, mezzanine and equity tranches.  In these structures, an investor holding the equity tranche has the first loss position.  Interest and principal collected from the collateral is distributed with a priority that provides the highest level of protection to the senior-most tranches.  In order to provide a high level of protection to the senior tranches, cash flows are diverted to higher-level tranches if certain tests are not met.
 
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Peoples’ CDO investment has been limited to two lower mezzanine tranche CDO securities issued in 2006 and 2007 and two equity tranche CDO securities issued in 2002 and 2003.  During 2009, management determined the mezzanine tranche CDO securities were total losses based on the cash flows expected to be received.  As a result, Peoples’ CDO investment was limited to the two equity tranche CDO securities, which had an aggregate book value of $1.0 million or approximately 25% of their original value.
 
At December 31, 2009, Peoples’ investment portfolio included a single qualified school construction bond purchased during the fourth quarter of 2009.  Qualified school construction bonds were created under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 enacted during the first quarter of 2009.  Holders of these bonds receive federal income tax credits in lieu of interest, which significantly reduces borrowing costs for public school construction projects. The federal income tax credit rate is fixed for the life of the bonds.  However, there currently exists uncertainty regarding ownership rights of associated tax credits if the bonds are sold or transferred.  Given this uncertainty, management intends to hold this security to maturity and believes Peoples has the ability to do so.  Consequently, this security was designated as “held-to-maturity” at the time of its purchase.  In January 2010, Peoples purchased an additional $2 million of qualified school construction bonds, which were also designated as “held-to-maturity”.
 
Additional information regarding Peoples’ investment portfolio can be found in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
Loans
The following table details total outstanding loans at December 31:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 
2006
 
2005
Year-end loan balances:
                 
Commercial, mortgage
 $503,034
 
 $478,298
 
 $513,847
 
 $469,934
 
 $504,923
Commercial, other
 159,915
 
 178,834
 
 171,937
 
 191,847
 
 136,331
Real estate, mortgage
 215,735
 
 231,778
 
 237,641
 
 252,726
 
 272,327
Real estate, construction
 32,427
 
 77,917
 
 71,794
 
 99,311
 
 50,745
Home equity lines of credit
 49,183
 
 47,635
 
 42,706
 
 44,937
 
 43,754
Consumer
 90,144
 
 87,902
 
 80,544
 
 72,531
 
 62,737
Deposit account overdrafts
 1,620
 
 1,668
 
 2,472
 
 1,108
 
 1,059
    Total loans
 $1,052,058
 
 $1,104,032
 
 $1,120,941
 
 $1,132,394
 
 $1,071,876
Average total loans
 $1,093,057
 
 $1,113,247
 
 $1,122,808
 
 $1,108,575
 
 $1,040,029
Average allowance for loan losses
 (25,081)
 
 (17,428)
 
 (14,775)
 
 (15,216)
 
 (14,930)
    Average loans, net of allowance
 $1,067,976
 
 $1,095,819
 
 $1,108,033
 
 $1,093,359
 
 $1,025,099
Percent of loans to total loans at December 31:
               
Commercial, mortgage
47.8%
 
43.3%
 
45.8%
 
41.5%
 
47.1%
Commercial, other
15.2%
 
16.2%
 
15.3%
 
16.9%
 
12.7%
Real estate, mortgage
20.5%
 
21.0%
 
21.2%
 
22.3%
 
25.4%
Real estate, construction
3.1%
 
7.1%
 
6.4%
 
8.8%
 
4.7%
Home equity lines of credit
4.7%
 
4.3%
 
3.8%
 
4.0%
 
4.1%
Consumer
8.5%
 
7.9%
 
7.3%
 
6.4%
 
5.9%
Deposit account overdrafts
0.2%
 
0.2%
 
0.2%
 
0.1%
 
0.1%
    Total percentage
100.0%
 
100.0%
 
100.0%
 
100.0%
 
100.0%
 
In 2008 and 2009, commercial real estate loan balances were impacted by payoffs and charge-offs offsetting new production.  In addition, depressed conditions in the commercial real estate market and general economy resulted in lower commercial lending activity in both years.  During the fourth quarter of 2009, several large commercial construction loans, with total outstanding balances of approximately $40 million, were converted to term commercial mortgage loans, which accounted for the changes in commercial mortgage and real estate construction loan balances since year-end 2008.
 
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The following table details the maturities of Peoples’ commercial and construction loans at December 31, 2009:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Due in One Year or Less
 
Due in One to Five Years
 
Due After Five Years
 
Total
Loan Type
             
Commercial, mortgage:
             
Fixed
 $27,606
 
 $74,375
 
 $73,545
 
 $175,526
Variable
 26,505
 
 39,456
 
 261,547
 
 327,508
    Total
 $54,111
 
 $113,831
 
 $335,092
 
 $503,034
Commercial, other:
             
Fixed
 $9,279
 
 $62,784
 
 $9,439
 
 $81,502
Variable
 46,399
 
 18,763
 
 13,251
 
 78,413
    Total
 $55,678
 
 $81,547
 
 $22,690
 
 $159,915
Real estate, construction:
             
Fixed
 $2,708
 
 $4,693
 
 $847
 
 $8,248
Variable
 3,153
 
 417
 
 20,609
 
 24,179
    Total
 $5,861
 
 $5,110
 
 $21,456
 
 $32,427
 
Peoples’ real estate loan balances in recent periods have been impacted by customer demand for long-term, fixed-rate mortgages, which Peoples generally sells to the secondary market with servicing rights retained.  In 2009, residential real estate loan balances were impacted by existing residential real estate loans being refinanced and sold to the secondary market in response to historically low long-term fixed rates being offered during the first half of the year.  As a result, Peoples’ serviced loan portfolio has increased 26% since year-end 2008, to $227.8 million at December 31, 2009.
 
In recent years, Peoples experienced steady growth in consumer loan balances, due mainly to the efforts in indirect lending.  Peoples’ indirect lending activity involves the origination of consumer loans primarily through automobile dealers and comprises a significant portion of its total consumer loans.  Management remains committed to originating quality consumer loans based on sound underwriting practices and appropriate loan pricing discipline, which could limit opportunities for future growth.
 
 
Loan Concentration
Peoples categorizes its commercial loans according to standard industry classifications and monitors for concentrations in a single industry or multiple industries that could be impacted by changes in economic conditions in a similar manner.  Peoples’ commercial lending activities continue to be spread over a diverse range of businesses from all sectors of the economy, with no single industry comprising over 10% of Peoples’ total loan portfolio.
 
Loans secured by commercial real estate, including commercial construction loans, continue to comprise nearly half of Peoples’ loan portfolio.  The following table provides information regarding the largest concentrations of commercial real estate loans within the loan portfolioat December 31, 2009:
 
 
Outstanding
 
Loan
 
Total
 
% of
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance
 
Commitments
 
Exposure
 
Total
Real estate, construction loans:
             
Lodging and lodging related
 $          14,790
 
 $            2,362
 
 $          17,152
 
38.5%
Land and land development
               7,057
 
               1,136
 
               8,193
 
18.4%
Apartment complexes
               1,286
 
                  343
 
               1,629
 
3.7%
Other
               9,294
 
               8,242
 
             17,536
 
39.4%
    Total real estate, construction
 $        32,427
 
 $        12,083
 
 $        44,510
 
100.0%

 
43

 
 
Outstanding
 
Loan
 
Total
 
% of
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance
 
Commitments
 
Exposure
 
Total
Commercial, mortgage loans:
             
Lodging and lodging related
 $          59,417
 
 $            1,223
 
 $          60,640
 
11.8%
Office buildings and complexes:
             
    Owner occupied
               5,928
 
                  242
 
               6,170
 
1.2%
    Non-owner occupied
             46,248
 
                  506
 
             46,754
 
9.1%
        Total office buildings and complexes
             52,176
 
                  748
 
             52,924
 
10.3%
Apartment complexes
             64,415
 
               1,428
 
             65,843
 
12.8%
Retail facilities:
             
    Owner occupied
             13,230
 
                  616
 
             13,846
 
2.7%
    Non-owner occupied
             35,736
 
                  331
 
             36,067
 
7.0%
        Total retail facilities
             48,966
 
                  947
 
             49,913
 
9.7%
Residential property:
             
    Owner occupied
               6,452
 
                  680
 
               7,132
 
1.4%
    Non-owner occupied
             35,501
 
                  280
 
             35,781
 
7.0%
        Total residential property
             41,953
 
                  960
 
             42,913
 
8.4%
Light industrial facilities:
             
    Owner occupied
             29,649
 
                  182
 
             29,831
 
5.8%
    Non-owner occupied
             10,136
 
                      –
 
             10,136
 
2.0%
       Total light industrial facilities
             39,785
 
                  182
 
             39,967
 
7.8%
Assisted living facilities and nursing homes
             39,317
 
                      –
 
             39,317
 
7.7%
Land and land development
             30,150
 
               3,749
 
             33,899
 
6.6%
Health care facilities
             21,462
 
                    26
 
             21,488
 
4.2%
Other
           105,393
 
                  663
 
           106,056
 
20.7%
    Total commercial, mortgage
 $      503,034
 
 $           9,926
 
 $      512,960
 
100.0%
 
Peoples’ commercial lending activities continue to focus on lending opportunities inside its primary market areas, with loans outside Peoples’ primary market areas comprising approximately 10% of total outstanding loan balances, at both December 31, 2009 and 2008.  The majority of those out-of-market loans are still based in Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky, with total outstanding balances of $77.9 million and $76.6 million at year-end 2009 and 2008, respectively.  In all other states, the aggregate outstanding balance in each state was less than $5.0 million, except Florida, which had outstanding balances of $7.0 million at December 31, 2009.  The Florida loans were generated primarily through existing central Ohio-based client relationships.
 
 
Allowance for Loan Losses
The amount of the allowance for loan losses for the various loan types represents management’s estimate of expected losses from existing loans.  These estimates are based upon the formal quarterly analysis of the loan portfolio described in the “Critical Accounting Policies” section of this discussion.  While allocations are made to specific loans and pools of loans, the allowance is available for all loan losses.
 
The following details the allocation of the allowance for loan losses:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 
2006
 
2005
Commercial, mortgage
 $22,125
               
Commercial, other
 1,586
               
    Total commercial
 23,711
 
 $19,757
 
 $14,147
 
 $12,661
 
 $11,883
                   
Real estate, mortgage
 1,619
 
 1,414
 
 419
 
 957
 
 1,400
Home equity lines of credit
 528
 
 526
 
 433
 
 247
 
 426
Consumer
 1,074
 
 789
 
 435
 
 349
 
 723
Deposit account overdrafts
 325
 
 445
 
 284
 
 295
 
 288
    Total allowance for loan losses
 $27,257
 
 $22,931
 
 $15,718
 
 $14,509
 
 $14,720
As a percentage of total loans
2.59%
 
2.08%
 
1.40%
 
1.28%
 
1.37%
 
The significant allocations to commercial loans reflects the higher credit risk associated with this type of lending and the size of this loan category in relationship to the entire loan portfolio.  The higher allocations in 2008 and 2009 primarily reflect the elevated level of charge-offs in both years, which resulted in higher loss factors for graded loans, along with continued deterioration in credit quality of various commercial loans based on the financial condition of the borrowers.  Another significant contributing factor was the impact of distressed commercial real estate values and general economic conditions on specific reserves for impaired loans.  Given the continued rate of loss being experienced on commercial real estate loans, in the fourth quarter of 2009, management refined its methodology for estimating inherent losses on Peoples’ commercial loans by performing separate evaluations of, and allocations for, commercial mortgage loans and other commercial loans.  This refinement did not have a significant impact on the allowance for loan losses.
 
44

The allowance allocated to the real estate and consumer loan categories is based upon Peoples’ allowance methodology for homogeneous pools of loans.  The fluctuations in these allocations have been directionally consistent with the changes in loan quality, loss experience and changes in loan balances in each category.
 
The following table details the changes in the allowance for loan losses for the years ended December 31:

(Dollars in thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 
2006
 
2005
Allowance for loan losses:
                 
Allowance for loan losses, January 1
 $22,931
 
 $15,718
 
 $14,509
 
 $14,720
 
 $14,760
Gross charge-offs:
                 
  Commercial, mortgage
 18,802
 
 16,138
 
 892
 
 1,620
 
 838
  Commercial, other
 817
 
 1,923
 
 1,056
 
 550
 
 450
  Real estate, mortgage
 1,544
 
 1,524
 
 864
 
 842
 
 869
  Real estate, construction
 –
 
 –
 
 53
 
 855
 
 482
  Home equity lines of credit
 82
 
 145
 
 400
 
 82
 
 70
  Consumer
 1,381
 
 941
 
 587
 
 528
 
 519
  Deposit account overdrafts
 1,294
 
 1,298
 
 849
 
 1,007
 
 965
    Total gross charge-offs
 23,920
 
 21,969
 
 4,701
 
 5,484
 
 4,193
Recoveries:
                 
  Commercial, mortgage
 1,162
 
 278
 
 245
 
 269
 
 391
  Commercial, other
 91
 
 239
 
 662
 
 319
 
 197
  Real estate, mortgage
 257
 
 121
 
 214
 
 406
 
 266
  Real estate, construction
 –
 
 156
 
 54
 
 –
 
 572
  Home equity lines of credit
 55
 
 27
 
 144
 
 18
 
 4
  Consumer
 584
 
 388
 
 352
 
 336
 
 368
  Deposit account overdrafts
 376
 
 333
 
 280
 
 303
 
 327
    Total recoveries
 2,525
 
 1,542
 
 1,951
 
 1,651
 
 2,125
Net charge-offs (recoveries):
                 
  Commercial, mortgage
 17,640
 
 15,860
 
 647
 
 1,351
 
 447
  Commercial, other
 726
 
 1,684
 
 394
 
 231
 
 253
  Real estate, mortgage
 1,287
 
 1,403
 
 650
 
 436
 
 603
  Real estate, construction
 –
 
 (156)
 
 (1)
 
 855
 
 (90)
  Home equity lines of credit
 27
 
 118
 
 256
 
 64
 
 66
  Consumer
 797
 
 553
 
 235
 
 192
 
 151
  Deposit account overdrafts
 918
 
 965
 
 569
 
 704
 
 638
    Total net charge-offs
 21,395
 
 20,427
 
 2,750
 
 3,833
 
 2,068
Provision for loan losses, December 31
 25,721
 
 27,640
 
 3,959
 
 3,622
 
 2,028
     Allowance for loan losses, December 31
 $27,257
 
 $22,931
 
 $15,718
 
 $14,509
 
 $14,720
Net charge-offs to average loans:
                 
  Commercial, mortgage
1.61%
 
1.42%
 
0.06%
 
0.12%
 
0.04%
  Commercial, other
0.07%
 
0.15%
 
0.04%
 
0.02%
 
0.03%
  Real estate, mortgage
0.12%
 
0.13%
 
0.06%
 
0.04%
 
0.06%
  Real estate, construction
0.00%
 
-0.01%
 
0.00%
 
0.08%
 
-0.01%
  Home equity lines of credit
0.00%
 
0.01%
 
0.02%
 
0.01%
 
0.01%
  Consumer
0.07%
 
0.04%
 
0.02%
 
0.02%
 
0.02%
  Deposit account overdrafts
0.09%
 
0.09%
 
0.05%
 
0.06%
 
0.06%
    Total net charge-offs to average loans
1.96%
 
1.83%
 
0.25%
 
0.35%
 
0.21%

45

Gross charge-offs were significantly higher in 2008 and 2009 compared to prior years, due largely to losses on a limited number of impaired commercial loan relationships attributable to lower collateral values and associated workout costs.  The majority of these relationships were identified as being impaired during 2008.  Gross recoveries for 2009 were higher than recent periods as a result of a $1.0 million recovery on a single impaired commercial relationship during the second quarter of 2009.  This recovery was the result of higher than expected proceeds from sale of the underlying collateral.
 
The following table details Peoples’ nonperforming assets at December 31:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 
2006
 
2005
Loans 90+ days past due and accruing:
                 
    Commercial, mortgage
 $              164
 
 $                 –
 
 $                 –
 
 $                 –
 
 $                 –
    Commercial, other
 –
 
 –
 
 378
 
 –
 
 176
    Real estate, mortgage
 238
 
 –
 
 –
 
 –
 
 75
    Consumer
 9
 
 –
 
 –
 
 1
 
 –
        Total loans 90+ days past due and accruing
 411
 
 –
 
 378
 
 1
 
 251
                   
Renegotiated loans
 –
 
 –
 
 –
 
 1,218
 
 –
                   
Nonaccrual loans:
                 
    Commercial, mortgage
 25,852
 
 36,768
 
 4,832
 
 5,346
 
 3,679
    Commercial, other
 2,884
 
 1,734
 
 656
 
 34
 
 –
    Real estate, mortgage
 4,687
 
 2,271
 
 2,906
 
 3,071
 
 2,549
    Home equity lines of credit
 546
 
 543
 
 583
 
 327
 
 17
    Consumer
 3
 
 4
 
 3
 
 7
 
 39
        Total nonaccrual loans
 33,972
 
 41,320
 
 8,980
 
 8,785
 
 6,284
  Total nonperforming loans
 34,383
 
 41,320
 
 9,358
 
 10,004
 
 6,535
Other real estate owned
                 
    Commercial
 6,087
 
 378
 
 –
 
 –
 
 308
    Residential
 226
 
 147
 
 343
 
 –
 
 –
        Total other real estate owned
 6,313
 
 525
 
 343
 
 –
 
 308
    Total nonperforming assets
 $       40,696
 
 $       41,845
 
 $         9,701
 
 $       10,004
 
 $         6,843
Nonperforming loans as a percent of total loans
3.27%
 
3.74%
 
0.83%
 
0.88%
 
0.61%
Nonperforming assets as a percent of total assets
2.03%
 
2.09%
 
0.51%
 
0.53%
 
0.37%
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of
                 
     nonperforming loans
79.3%
 
55.5%
 
168.0%
 
145.0%
 
225.2%
 
Peoples’ nonaccrual commercial real estate loans primarily consist of non-owner occupied commercial properties and real estate development projects.  The combination of increased unemployment and depressed commercial real estate values in certain markets continue to challenge Peoples’ asset quality, as reflected by the higher level of nonperforming assets in 2008 and 2009, compared to prior years.
 
In 2009, Peoples placed additional commercial real estate loans on nonaccrual status, although the overall increase in nonperforming assets was offset by charge-downs and payoffs on existing nonaccrual loans.  Additionally, Peoples completed the foreclosure process on a $5.0 million commercial real estate loan in the fourth quarter of 2009 by acquiring ownership of the property securing the loan.  This action resulted in the loan being reclassified as other real estate owned at December 31, 2009.
 
Several nonperforming loans have been charged down to estimated net realizable fair value of the underlying collateral, resulting in a lower allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans ratio in recent quarters compared to Peoples’ historical levels.
 
Interest income on loans classified as nonaccrual and renegotiated at each year-end that would have been recorded under the original terms of the loans was $1,850,000; $1,936,000 and $786,000 for 2009; 2008 and 2007, respectively, of which $41,000; $20,000 and $47,000, respectively, was actually recorded consistent with the income recognition policy described in the “Critical Accounting Policies” section of this discussion.
 
A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that Peoples will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  The measurement of potential impaired loan losses is generally based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s contractual effective interest rate, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.  If foreclosure is probable, impairment loss is measured based on the fair value of the collateral, less selling costs.  Information regarding Peoples’ impaired loans is included in Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
46

Deposits
Peoples’ deposit balances were comprised of the following at December 31:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 
2006
 
2005
Retail certificates of deposit
 $       537,549
 
 $       626,195
 
 $       499,684
 
 $       514,885
 
 $       465,148
Money market deposit accounts
          263,257
 
          213,498
 
          153,299
 
          134,387
 
          110,372
Interest-bearing transaction accounts
          229,232
 
          187,100
 
          191,359
 
          170,022
 
          178,030
Savings accounts
          122,465
 
          115,419
 
          107,389
 
          114,186
 
          131,221
  Total retail interest-bearing deposits
       1,152,503
 
       1,142,212
 
          951,731
 
          933,480
 
          884,771
Brokered certificates of deposits
            45,383
 
            44,116
 
            59,589
 
          129,128
 
            41,786
  Total interest-bearing deposits
       1,197,886
 
       1,186,328
 
       1,011,320
 
       1,062,608
 
          926,557
Non-interest-bearing deposits
          198,000
 
          180,040
 
          175,057
 
          170,921
 
          162,729
    Total deposit balances
 $ 1,395,886
 
 $ 1,366,368
 
 $ 1,186,377
 
 $ 1,233,529
 
 $ 1,089,286

Overall, Peoples ability to attract and retain retail certificates of deposit (“CDs”) in recent years has been challenged by progressively intense competition for deposits within its markets.  During 2008, Peoples successfully grew retail CDs by attracting nearly $108 million of funds from customers outside its primary market area as an alternative to higher-cost brokered deposits.  Contributing to the higher retail CD balances in 2008 were $35.7 million of funds deposited by customers through the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry System, or CDARS, program, with $18 million attributable to a single commercial deposit during the fourth quarter of 2008.  Given the growth in low-cost and non-interest-bearing core deposits in 2009, management decided to reduce the amount of these higher-cost balances, which resulted in lower retail CD balances at year-end 2009.
 
Money market balances have more than doubled since year-end 2005, due largely to Peoples offering a consumer money market product with a very competitive rate.  Growth in money market balances also occurred in 2008 and 2009 due to customer preference for insured deposits over short-term investment alternatives and additional funds from trust customers.  In prior years, Peoples’ trust department had utilized money market funds offered by unaffiliated providers for its customers.  In late 2008, the ultra-low short-term interest rates caused certain money market funds to be closed to new deposits, which resulted in an influx of trust funds.  Management considers these additional trust funds to be a short-term, inexpensive funding source, although the amounts could change unexpectedly in future periods.
 
A significant portion of Peoples’ interest-bearing transaction account balances is comprised of deposits from state and local governmental entities, which are subject to periodic fluctuations based on the timing of tax collections and subsequent expenditures or disbursements.  While Peoples has experienced steady growth in these public funds over the last few years, management believes these balances could decrease slightly in 2010, as Peoples continues to emphasize growth of other low-cost deposits that do not require Peoples to pledge assets as collateral.
 
In late 2005, Peoples implemented a direct mail and free gift marketing campaign designed to attract new customers and increase non-interest-bearing deposits.  This campaign, which ended during 2007, generated many new customer accounts and higher consumer balances.  Peoples experienced continued success in growing non-interest-bearing deposit balances in 2008 and 2009, due largely to its focus on expanding core deposit balances as a means of reducing reliance on typically higher-costing, wholesale funding sources.
 
The maturities of CDs with total balances of $100,000 or more at December 31 were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 
2006
 
2005
3 months or less
 $60,882
 
 $66,757
 
 $42,809
 
 $26,601
 
 $25,884
Over 3 to 6 months
 25,637
 
 50,545
 
 33,411
 
 47,738
 
 25,628
Over 6 to 12 months
 35,412
 
 54,610
 
 24,718
 
 59,084
 
 34,207
Over 12 months
 93,002
 
 63,345
 
 43,386
 
 89,049
 
 82,174
    Total
 $214,933
 
 $235,257
 
 $144,324
 
 $222,472
 
 $167,893
 
47

 
Borrowed Funds
In 2009, Peoples reduced total borrowed funds by 20%, to $345.6 million at December 31, 2009.  This reduction occurred as a result of Peoples using funds generated from retail deposit growth and the TARP Capital Investment to repay maturing long-term borrowings.  Additional information regarding Peoples’ borrowed funds can be found in Notes 8 and 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
Capital/Stockholders' Equity
In 2009, total stockholders’ equity increased $57.3 million, to $244.0 million at year-end, due to the TARP Capital Investment and improvement in fair value of Peoples’ available-for-sale investment portfolio.
 
At December 31, 2009, capital levels for both Peoples and Peoples Bank remained substantially higher than the minimum amounts needed to be considered well capitalized institutions under banking regulations.  Since year-end 2008, regulatory capital ratios for both Peoples and Peoples Bank improved from already healthy levels, due to the TARP Capital Investment.  Further information regarding Peoples and Peoples Bank’s risk-based capital ratios can be found in Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
In 2009, Peoples took steps to preserve capital by reducing the quarterly cash dividend to common shareholders in the second half of the year.  As a result, Peoples declared cash dividends of $0.66 per common share for 2009, compared to $0.91 per common share for 2008.  The decision to reduce the quarterly cash dividend was based largely on Peoples’ desire to maintain a dividend payout consistent with then current earnings levels, as well as projected short-term earning levels and long-term capital needs.
 
Peoples historically has paid between 30% and 50% of quarterly earnings as dividends to shareholders.  However, future dividend payments will continue to be determined each quarter based upon Peoples’ performance and capital needs.  In addition, other restrictions and limitations may prohibit Peoples from paying dividends even when sufficient cash is available.  Further discussion regarding restrictions on Peoples’ ability to pay future dividends can be found in Note 17 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, as well as the “Supervision and Regulation –TARP Capital Purchase Program” and “Supervision and Regulation – Dividend Restrictions” sections under Item 1 of this Form 10-K.
 
In addition to traditional capital measurements, management uses tangible equity to evaluate the adequacy of Peoples’ stockholders’ equity.  This non-GAAP financial measure and related ratios facilitate comparisons with peers since it removes the impact of intangible assets acquired through acquisitions on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  The following table reconciles the calculation of tangible equity reported in Peoples’ Consolidated Financial Statements:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 
2006
 
2005
                   
Tangible Equity:
                 
Total stockholders' equity, as reported
 $    243,968
 
 $    186,626
 
 $    202,836
 
 $    197,169
 
 $    183,077
Less: goodwill and other intangible assets
         65,599
 
         66,406
 
         68,029
 
         68,852
 
         69,280
Tangible equity
 $    178,369
 
 $    120,220
 
 $    134,807
 
 $    128,317
 
 $    113,797
                   
Tangible Common Equity:
                 
Tangible equity
 $    178,369
 
 $    120,220
 
 $    134,807
 
 $    128,317
 
 $    113,797
Less: preferred stockholders' equity
         38,543
 
                  –
 
                  –
 
                  –
 
                  –
Tangible common equity
 $    139,826
 
 $    120,220
 
 $    134,807
 
 $    128,317
 
 $    113,797
                   
Tangible Assets:
                 
Total assets, as reported
 $ 2,001,827
 
 $ 2,002,338
 
 $ 1,885,553
 
 $ 1,875,255
 
 $ 1,855,277
Less: goodwill and other intangible assets
         65,599
 
         66,406
 
         68,029
 
         68,852
 
         69,280
Tangible assets
 $ 1,936,228
 
 $ 1,935,932
 
 $ 1,817,524
 
 $ 1,806,403
 
 $ 1,785,997
                   
Tangible Book Value per Share:
                 
Tangible common equity
 $    139,826
 
 $    120,220
 
 $    134,807
 
 $    128,317
 
 $    113,797
Common shares outstanding
  10,374,637
 
  10,333,884
 
  10,296,748
 
  10,651,985
 
  10,518,980
                   
Tangible book value per share
 $        13.48
 
 $        11.63
 
 $        13.09
 
 $        12.05
 
 $        10.82

 
48

 
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 
2006
 
2005
                   
Tangible Equity to Tangible Assets Ratio:
                 
Tangible equity
 $    178,369
 
 $    120,220
 
 $    134,807
 
 $    128,317
 
 $    113,797
Total tangible assets
 $ 1,936,228
 
 $ 1,935,932
 
 $ 1,817,524
 
 $ 1,806,403
 
 $ 1,785,997
                   
Tangible equity to tangible assets
9.21%
 
6.21%
 
7.42%
 
7.10%
 
6.37%
                   
Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets Ratio:
               
Tangible common equity
 $    139,826
 
 $    120,220
 
 $    134,807
 
 $    128,317
 
 $    113,797
Tangible assets
 $ 1,936,228
 
 $ 1,935,932
 
 $ 1,817,524
 
 $ 1,806,403
 
 $ 1,785,997
                   
Tangible common equity to tangible assets
7.22%
 
6.21%
 
7.42%
 
7.10%
 
6.37%

Interest Rate Sensitivity and Liquidity
While Peoples is exposed to various business risks, the risks relating to interest rate sensitivity and liquidity are typically the most complex and dynamic risks that can materially impact future results of operations and financial condition.  The objective of Peoples’ asset/liability management (“ALM”) function is to measure and manage these risks in order to optimize net interest income within the constraints of prudent capital adequacy, liquidity and safety.  This objective requires Peoples to focus on interest rate risk exposure and adequate liquidity through its management of the mix of assets and liabilities, their related cash flows and the rates earned and paid on those assets and liabilities.  Ultimately, the ALM function is intended to guide management in the acquisition and disposition of earning assets and selection of appropriate funding sources.
 
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk (“IRR”) is one of the most significant risks arising in the normal course of business of financial services companies like Peoples.  IRR is the potential for economic loss due to future interest rate changes that can impact both the earnings stream as well as market values of financial assets and liabilities.  Peoples’ exposure to IRR is due primarily to differences in the maturity or repricing of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.  In addition, other factors, such as prepayments of loans and investment securities or early withdrawal of deposits, can expose Peoples to IRR and increase interest costs or reduce revenue streams.
 
Peoples has assigned overall management of IRR to the ALCO, which has established an IRR management policy that sets minimum requirements and guidelines for monitoring and managing the level and amount of IRR.  The objective of Peoples’ IRR policy is to assist the ALCO in its evaluation of the impact of changing interest rate conditions on earnings and economic value of equity, as well as assist with the implementation of strategies intended to reduce Peoples’ IRR.  The management of IRR involves either maintaining or changing the level of risk exposure by changing the repricing and maturity characteristics of the cash flows for specific assets or liabilities.
 
The ALCO uses various methods to assess and monitor the current level of Peoples’ IRR and the impact of potential strategies or other changes.  However, the ALCO predominantly relies on simulation modeling in its overall management of IRR since it is a dynamic measure.  Simulation modeling also estimates the impact of potential changes in interest rates and balance sheet structures on future earnings and projected fair value of equity.
 
The modeling process starts with a base case simulation using the current balance sheet and current interest rates held constant for the next twelve months.  Alternate scenarios are prepared which simulate the impact of increasing and decreasing market interest rates, assuming parallel yield curve shifts.  Comparisons produced from the simulation data, showing the changes in net interest income from the base interest rate scenario, illustrate the risks associated with the current balance sheet structure.  Additional simulations, when deemed appropriate or necessary, are prepared using different interest rate scenarios than those used with the base case simulation and/or possible changes in balance sheet composition.  Comparisons showing the earnings and equity value variance from the base case are provided to the ALCO for review and discussion.
 
The ALCO has established limits on changes in net interest income and the economic value of equity.  In general, the ALCO limits the decrease in net interest income to 15% or less from base case for each 200 basis point shift in interest rates measured over a twelve-month period.  The ALCO limits the negative impact on net equity to 20% or less given an immediate and sustained 200 basis point shift in interest rates.
 
49

The following table illustrates the estimated impact of an immediate and sustained change in interest rates (dollars in thousands):
 
Increase in
 
Estimated Increase (Decrease)
 
Estimated Increase (Decrease)
Interest Rate
 
in Net Interest Income
 
in Economic Value of Equity
(in Basis Points)
 
December 31, 2009
 
December 31, 2008
 
December 31, 2009
 
December 31, 2008
300
 
 $    2,836
 
    4.6 %
 
 $   (1,713)
 
   (2.9)%
 
 $    2,974
 
    1.1 %
 
 $   (5,386)
 
   (2.4)%
200
 
       3,010
 
    4.8 %
 
         (418)
 
   (0.7)%
 
       9,730
 
    3.5 %
 
      (1,048)
 
   (0.5)%
100
 
       2,100
 
    3.4 %
 
            84
 
    0.1 %
 
       9,447
 
    3.4 %
 
       2,946
 
    1.3 %

This table uses a standard, parallel shock analysis for assessing the IRR to net interest income and the economic value of equity.  A parallel shock means all points on the yield curve (one year, two year, three year, etc.) are directionally shocked the same amount of basis points – 100 basis points equal to 1%.  While management regularly assesses the impact of both increasing and decreasing interest rates, the table above only reflects the impact of upward shocks due the fact a downward parallel shock of 100 basis points or more is not possible given that some short-term rates are currently less than 1%.
 
Although a parallel shock table can give insight into the current direction and magnitude of IRR inherent in the balance sheet, interest rates do not always move in a complete parallel manner during interest rate cycles.  These nonparallel movements in interest rates, commonly called yield curve steepening or flattening movements, tend to occur during the beginning and end of an interest rate cycle.  As a result, management conducts more advanced interest rate shock scenarios to gain a better understanding of Peoples’ exposure to nonparallel rate shifts.
 
During 2009, management shifted the balance sheet from a generally neutral interest risk position to an asset sensitive position in anticipation of eventual rising interest rates.  This change occurred largely as the result of management selectively extending maturities on the liability side of the balance sheet by issuing brokered deposits with maturities of five years or longer, while shortening the duration of the investment portfolio.  The ALCO will continue to monitor Peoples’ overall IRR position and take appropriate actions, when necessary, to preserve the current balance sheet risk position and minimize the impact of changes in interest rates on future earnings.
 
Liquidity
In addition to IRR management, another major objective of the ALCO is to maintain a sufficient level of liquidity.  The ALCO defines liquidity as the ability to meet anticipated and unanticipated operating cash needs, loan demand and deposit withdrawals, without incurring a sustained negative impact on profitability.  The ALCO’s liquidity management policy sets limits on the net liquidity position and the concentration of non-core funding sources, both wholesale funding and brokered deposits.
 
Typically, the main source of liquidity for Peoples is deposit growth.  Liquidity is also provided by cash generated from earning assets such as maturities, calls, principal payments and interest income from loans and investment securities.  Peoples also uses various wholesale funding sources to supplement funding from customer deposits.  These external sources also provide Peoples with the ability to obtain large quantities of funds in a relatively short time period in the event of sudden unanticipated cash needs.  Peoples also has a contingency funding plan that serves as an action plan for management in the event of a short-term or long-term funding crisis caused by a single or series of unexpected events.
 
At December 31, 2009, Peoples had available borrowing capacity through its wholesale funding sources and unpledged investment securities totaling approximately $185 million that can be used to satisfy liquidity needs, up from $124 million at year-end 2008.  This liquidity position excludes the $11 million excess cash reserves at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland and the impact of Peoples’ ability to obtain additional funding by either offering higher rates on retail deposits or issuing additional brokered deposits.  Management believes the current balance of cash and cash equivalents and anticipated cash flows from the investment portfolio, along with the availability of other funding sources, will allow Peoples to meet anticipated cash obligations, as well as special needs and off-balance sheet commitments.
 
 
Future Outlook
In 2009, financial services companies, including Peoples, continued to navigate through a variety of challenges resulting from the economic turmoil that has existed over the last two years.  These challenges included asset quality deterioration, additional regulatory burden and FDIC premium expense, plus depressed real estate values.  While national statistics may be showing signs of an economic recovery, management expects many of these challenges will persist in 2010­.  As a result, Peoples’ key priorities will include improving asset quality, maintaining liquidity, preserving capital and realizing operating efficiencies, while continuing to grow its business through client-focused strategies.
 
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One of Peoples’ recent successes was a modest reduction in nonperforming loans compared to year-end 2008 levels.  While nonperforming asset reduction will remain a priority in 2010, many of Peoples’ commercial borrowers continue to experience financial difficulty due to current economic conditions and reduced consumer spending.  Additionally, the market for selling commercial properties is expected to remain slower than prior years.  These conditions could limit any improvement in Peoples’ asset quality.  Even still, Peoples will remain diligent in its workout efforts and could take more aggressive actions to resolve existing problem loans.  However, such actions could require Peoples to recognize additional charge-offs, which may result in provision for loan losses remaining elevated in 2010.
 
Peoples also maintained sound capital positions, despite higher provision for loan losses and investment securities impairment losses, due in part to the capital received in the TARP Capital Investment.  While the TARP Capital Investment has afforded Peoples greater flexibility to work through asset quality issues and provided additional strength to continue lending in a difficult environment, this capital is not part of Peoples’ long-term capital plan.  Consequently, management anticipates repaying the TARP Capital Investment sooner than the 3 to 5 years originally planned, but only if it makes sense to do so based on asset quality and capital levels.
 
In 2009, Peoples’ interest rate strategies emphasized reducing funding costs by replacing higher-cost wholesale funding with lower-cost core deposits.  In 2010, Peoples will continue to grow low-cost core deposits and price some higher-cost deposits more selectively, especially in segments like government deposits that require pledging of investments.  Management anticipates a modest decrease in governmental deposits in 2010 in response to less aggressive pricing during the year.  However, Peoples’ ability to improve net interest income and margin may be limited as some contraction in earning asset levels could occur.  Loan growth could be minimal given the impact of economic conditions on loan demand and possibility charge-offs could remain elevated.
 
Peoples’ balance sheet is positioned for a rising interest rate environment, and management would expect net interest income and margin to benefit should interest rates increase during the year.  Given the uncertainty surrounding the timing and magnitude of future interest rate changes, as well as the impact of competition for loans and deposits, Peoples’ net interest margin and income remain inherently difficult to predict and manage.
 
Peoples’ investment securities portfolio could remain a significant portion of the earning asset base in 2010.  Given the limited opportunities to find attractive long-term investments, management believes it is likely the investment portfolio could experience a modest decrease in the early part of 2010.  Most of the reduction could occur as a result of normal monthly cash flows generated by the portfolio, given the significant investment in mortgage-backed securities.  However, Peoples could adjust the size or composition of the portfolio based on, among other factors, changes in the loan portfolio, liquidity needs and interest rate conditions.
 
In 2009, Peoples’ non-interest income benefited from sizable growth in mortgage banking activity and related income.  This increased activity was mostly attributable to significantly higher refinancing activity from customers taking advantage of historically low fixed interest rates.  Management does not anticipate the same level of secondary market loan production in 2010, which would result in lower mortgage banking income.  Non-interest income could be challenged further by new regulations governing overdraft fees that take effect on July 1, 2010, which impact Peoples’ ability to assess overdraft fees on certain transactions without the prior consent of customers.  Given the nature of this new regulation, management is unable to estimate the potential impact on Peoples’ deposit account services charges and earnings.  However, management continues to evaluate opportunities to mitigate the impact by enhancing other revenues and products to be offered to customers.  Additionally, Peoples remains committed to customer-focused delivery of financial services and increasing cross-sale activity among its business lines, which could produce additional non-interest revenues.
 
Operating expenses were controlled in 2009, with the overall increase in total non-interest expense limited to higher FDIC expenses, professional fees associated with problem loans and employee medical benefit plan costs.  During the second half of 2009, management intensified its cost control efforts and will be working to build on that progress in 2010.  Some of the initiatives implemented include freezing virtually all base salaries and curtailing certain employee benefits.  A key to achieving Peoples’ 2010 operating goals will be reductions in various operating expenses and improvement in overall operating efficiency.  Management continues to monitor expenses closely and seek additional efficiencies wherever possible, while at the same time evaluate opportunities to expand Peoples’ customer base and grow the company in a disciplined manner commensurate with the greater value of capital in the current operating environment.
 
Growing retail deposit balances and reducing Peoples’ reliance on higher-cost wholesale funding sources will remain a point of emphasis in 2010.  Competition for deposits could make it difficult for Peoples to build on its recent success.  Still, Peoples’ sales associates are focused on developing long-term relationships and uncovering other financial needs of these new customers, while at the same time expanding relationships with existing customers.
 
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Over the past couple decades, Peoples grew its business and revenues through strategic acquisitions and expansion.  Management believes conditions in several markets served by Peoples could provide opportunities for potential growth.  Further, management believes Peoples’ capital position remains at levels that will support disciplined balance sheet growth opportunities.  The evaluation of potential acquisitions will be more strenuous and selective, especially considering the value of capital during difficult economic times.  Ultimately, any future expansion will be driven by growth opportunities in both deposits and loans.
 
The economic outlook for 2010, and even 2011, also indicates the potential for a new set of challenges for financial services companies in the coming year due to sustained high unemployment and depressed prices of commercial real estate.  Management remains focused on building upon Peoples’ strengths to help its clients with financial solutions that fit their needs, while also investing in client services that add to Peoples’ growing customer base.
 
 
Off-Balance Sheet Activities and Contractual Obligations
Peoples routinely engages in activities that involve, to varying degrees, elements of risk that are not reflected in whole or in part in the Consolidated Financial Statements.  These activities are part of Peoples’ normal course of business and include traditional off-balance sheet credit-related financial instruments, interest rate contracts, operating leases, long-term debt and commitments to make additional capital contributions in low-income housing tax credit investments.
 
The following is a summary of Peoples’ significant off-balance sheet activities and contractual obligations.  Detailed information regarding these activities and obligations can be found in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as follows:
 
Activity or Obligation
 
Note
Off-balance sheet credit-related financial instruments
 
16
Low-income housing tax credit investments
 
16
Operating lease obligations
 
5
Long-term debt obligations
 
9
Junior subordinated notes held by subsidiary trusts
 
10

Traditional off-balance sheet credit-related financial instruments are primarily commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.  These activities are necessary to meet the financing needs of customers and could require Peoples to make cash payments to third parties in the event certain specified future events occur.  The contractual amounts represent the extent of Peoples’ exposure in these off-balance sheet activities.  However, since certain off-balance sheet commitments, particularly standby letters of credit, are expected to expire or only partially be used, the total amount of commitments does not necessarily represent future cash requirements.
 
Peoples also has commitments to make additional capital contributions in low-income housing tax credit funds, consisting of a pool of low-income housing projects.  As a limited partner in these funds, Peoples receives federal income tax benefits, which assist Peoples in managing its overall tax burden.  Since the future contributions are conditioned on certain future events, the total amount of future equity contributions at December 31, 2009, is not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
Peoples continues to lease certain facilities and equipment under noncancellable operating leases with terms providing for fixed monthly payments over periods generally ranging from two to ten years.  Several of Peoples’ leased facilities are inside retail shopping centers or office buildings and, as a result, are not available for purchase.  Management believes these leased facilities increase Peoples’ visibility within its markets and afford sales associates additional access to current and potential clients.
 
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The following table details the aggregate amount of future payments Peoples is required to make under certain contractual obligations as of December 31, 2009:
 
     
Payments due by period
(Dollars in thousands)
Total
 
Less than 1 year
 
1-3 years
 
3-5 years
 
More than 5 years
Long-term debt (1)
 $246,113
 
 $33,281
 
 $82,435
 
 $3,555
 
 $126,842
Junior subordinated notes held by
     subsidiary trust (1)
 22,530
 
                     –
 
                     –
 
                     –
 
 22,530
Operating leases
 6,410
 
 850
 
 1,669
 
 1,451
 
 2,440
Time deposits
 582,932
 
 310,575
 
 182,227
 
 53,887
 
 36,243
    Total
 $857,985
 
 $344,706
 
 $266,331
 
 $58,893
 
 $188,055
(1) Amounts reflect solely the minimum required principal payments.

Management does not anticipate Peoples’ current off-balance sheet activities and contractual obligations will have a material impact on future results of operations and financial condition based on past experience.
 
 
Effects of Inflation on Financial Statements
Substantially all of Peoples’ assets relate to banking and are monetary in nature.  As a result, inflation does not impact Peoples to the same degree as companies in capital-intensive industries in a replacement cost environment.  During a period of rising prices, a net monetary asset position results in a loss in purchasing power and conversely a net monetary liability position results in an increase in purchasing power.  The opposite would be true during a period of decreasing prices.  In the banking industry, monetary assets typically exceed monetary liabilities.  The current monetary policy targeting low levels of inflation has resulted in relatively stable price levels.  Therefore, inflation has had little impact on Peoples’ net assets.
 

 
ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Please refer to the section captioned “Interest Rate Sensitivity and Liquidity” under Item 7 of this Form 10-K, which section is incorporated herein by reference.
 

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes, and the report of independent registered public accounting firm, are set forth immediately following Item 9B of this Form 10-K.
 

ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

No response required.
 

ITEM 9A.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Peoples’ management, with the participation of Peoples’ President and Chief Executive Officer and Peoples’ Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, has evaluated the effectiveness of Peoples’ disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) (the “Exchange Act”) as of December 31, 2009.  Based upon that evaluation, Peoples’ President and Chief Executive Officer and Peoples’ Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer have concluded that:
 
(a)  
information required to be disclosed by Peoples in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports Peoples files or submits under the Exchange Act would be accumulated and communicated to Peoples’ management, including its President and Chief Executive Officer and its Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure;
 
53

 
(b)  
information required to be disclosed by Peoples in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports Peoples files or submits under the Exchange Act would be recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the timeframe specified in the SEC’s rules and forms; and
 
(c)  
Peoples’ disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
 
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The “Report of Management’s Assessment of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” required by Item 308(a) of SEC Regulation S-K is included on page 55 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
 
Attestation Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Effectiveness of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” required by Item 308(b) of SEC Regulation S-K is included on page 56 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the fourth quarter of Peoples’ fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, no changes were made in Peoples’ internal control over financial reporting that have materially effected, or are reasonably likely to materially effect, Peoples’ internal control over financial reporting.
 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
 
On February 25, 2010, Peoples’ Board of Directors established the 2010 corporate incentive performance goals for Peoples’ executive officers, which maintained the “balanced scorecard” approach adopted in 2009.  The “balanced scorecard” approach adopted is comprised of the following components and their corresponding weightings:  (i) Earnings Per Share Available to Common Shareholders (30% weighting); (ii) Total Revenue (5% weighting); (iii) Efficiency Ratio (5% weighting); (iv) Tier 1 Common Capital Ratio (15% weighting); (v) Non-Performing Assets as a Percent of Loans and Other Real Estate Owned (15% weighting); and (vi) Discretionary Measure (30% weighting).  The Discretionary Measure is unique to each executive officer and consists of quantitative and qualitative measures such as effectiveness in strategic planning and implementation of long-range plans, reduction in classified assets and other leadership-based factors.  These measures are intended to reflect results achieved for shareholders while ensuring that the compensation arrangement does not encourage unnecessary and excessive risk-taking that could threaten the value of Peoples.  The absolute minimum level of corporate performance remains in effect for 2010, but the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”) retains the ability to award both cash and equity-based incentive compensation based on results achieved by the individual executive officer if the absolute minimum level of performance is not achieved.
 
There are three levels of incentive awards under the plans: threshold, target and maximum.  Payouts as a percent of salary have been increased for achieving the threshold level of performance and decreased for achieving target and maximum levels of performance in an effort to reduce the magnitude of the potential incentives compared to risk-taking.  Fifty percent of the payout level attributable to achievement of the performance goals in the balanced scorecard would be awarded to the executive officer in the form of an annual cash incentive.  The remaining 50% of the payout level achieved would be in the form of restricted stock, 33% of which would be in the form of restricted stock with a two-year time-based vesting period and 67% of which would be in the form of restricted stock with a performance-based vesting based upon the achievement of an Earnings Per Share Available to Common Shareholders performance goal for the three-year period ending December 31, 2012.  The Committee believes restricted stock awards better align the interests of management with those of the shareholders than other forms of equity.  As a result, the Committee has increased the amount of the total performance-based compensation that would be awarded in equity-based awards from approximately one-third of aggregate incentive awards to one-half of the incentive awards, and from two forms of equity (split equally between SARs to be settled in stock and restricted stock) to a blend of time-vested and performance-vested restricted stock.  The addition of performance-based vesting lengthens the performance period being measured for one-third of the total incentive award from one year to three years, making it easier to factor in risk and risk outcome.  Additionally, the mandatory 25% deferral of the cash incentive award has been eliminated for 2010 since the retention benefit is now achieved through the use of time-vested and performance-vested restricted stock.
 
A summary of the incentive plan for Peoples’ executive officers is included as Exhibit 10.2(b) to this Form 10-K.

 
54

 

Report of Management’s Assessment of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Peoples’ management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Peoples’ internal control over financial reporting has been designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation, integrity, and fair presentation of Peoples’ Consolidated Financial Statements for external purposes in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.

With the supervision and participation of its President and Chief Executive Officer and its Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, management evaluated the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, using the framework set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

No matter how well designed, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all misstatements.  Projection of the evaluation of effectiveness to future periods is subject to risks, including but not limited to (a) controls may become inadequate due to changes in conditions; (b) a deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures; and (c) the possibility of control circumvention or override, any of which may lead to misstatements due to undetected error or fraud.  Effective internal control over financial reporting can provide only a reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and reporting.

Management assessed the effectiveness of Peoples’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, and, based on this assessment, has concluded Peoples’ internal control over financial reporting is effective as of that date.

Peoples’ independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP has audited the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report and has issued an attestation report on Peoples’ internal control over financial reporting.



/s/ MARK F. BRADLEY                                                          /s/ EDWARD G. SLOANE 
Mark F. Bradley                                                                                                               Edward G. Sloane
President and Chief Executive Officer                                                                          Executive Vice President,
                   Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
 
55

 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Effectiveness of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Peoples Bancorp Inc.

We have audited Peoples Bancorp Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria).  Peoples Bancorp Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Report of Management’s Assessment of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Peoples Bancorp Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Peoples Bancorp Inc. as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009, and our report dated March 1, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
 
                        
 
                                              


Charleston, West Virginia
March 1, 2010

 
56

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Consolidated Financial Statements


The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Peoples Bancorp Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Peoples Bancorp Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009.  These financial statements are the responsibility of Peoples Bancorp Inc.’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Peoples Bancorp Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Peoples Bancorp Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 1, 2010, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 
                                                 


Charleston, West Virginia
March 1, 2010



 
57

 
PEOPLES BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 
December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
 
2008
Assets
     
Cash and cash equivalents:
     
  Cash and due from banks
 $29,969
 
 $34,389
  Interest-bearing deposits in other banks
 11,804
 
 1,209
    Total cash and cash equivalents
 41,773
 
 35,598
       
Available-for-sale investment securities, at fair value (amortized cost of
     
    $706,444 and $696,855 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively)
 726,547
 
 684,757
Held-to-maturity investment securities, at amortized cost (fair value of
     
    $963 and $0 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively)
 963
 
 –
Other investment securities, at cost
 24,356
 
 23,996
    Total investment securities
 751,866
 
 708,753
       
Loans, net of deferred fees and costs
 1,052,058
 
 1,104,032
Allowance for loan losses
 (27,257)
 
 (22,931)
    Net loans
 1,024,801
 
 1,081,101
       
Loans held for sale
 1,874
 
 791
Bank premises and equipment, net
 24,844
 
 25,111
Bank owned life insurance
 52,924
 
 51,873
Goodwill
 62,520
 
 62,520
Other intangible assets
 3,079
 
 3,886
Other assets
 38,146
 
 32,705
    Total assets
 $2,001,827
 
 $2,002,338
       
Liabilities
     
Deposits:
     
Non-interest-bearing
 $198,000
 
 $180,040
Interest-bearing
 1,197,886
 
 1,186,328
    Total deposits
 1,395,886
 
 1,366,368
       
Short-term borrowings:
     
  Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
 51,921
 
 68,852
  Federal Home Loan Bank advances
 25,000
 
 30,000
    Total short-term borrowings
 76,921
 
 98,852
       
Long-term borrowings
 246,113
 
 308,297
Junior subordinated notes held by subsidiary trust
 22,530
 
 22,495
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
 16,409
 
 19,700
    Total liabilities
 1,757,859
 
 1,815,712
       
Stockholders’ Equity
     
Preferred stock, no par value, 50,000 shares authorized, 39,000 shares
     
    issued at December 31, 2009, and no shares issued at December 31, 2008
 38,543
 
 –
Common stock, no par value, 24,000,000 shares authorized,
     
  11,031,892 shares issued and 10,975,364 shares issued at December 31, 2009
     
  and 2008, respectively, including shares in treasury
 166,227
 
 164,716
Retained earnings
 46,229
 
 50,512
Accumulated comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income taxes
 9,487
 
 (12,288)
Treasury stock, at cost, 657,255 shares and 641,480 shares at December 31, 2009
     
  and 2008, respectively
 (16,518)
 
 (16,314)
    Total stockholders’ equity
 243,968
 
 186,626
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 $2,001,827
 
 $2,002,338

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
58

 
PEOPLES BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
2009
 
2008
 
2007
Interest Income:
         
Interest and fees on loans
 $64,701
 
 $74,268
 
 $85,035
Interest and dividends on taxable investment securities
 34,522
 
 29,106
 
 25,647
Interest on tax-exempt investment securities
 2,811
 
 2,788
 
 2,567
Other interest income
 71
 
 65
 
 170
  Total interest income
 102,105
 
 106,227
 
 113,419
Interest Expense:
         
Interest on deposits
 26,123
 
 31,310
 
 36,975
Interest on short-term borrowings
 482
 
 3,383
 
 11,835
Interest on long-term borrowings
 11,677
 
 11,079
 
 8,513
Interest on junior subordinated notes held by subsidiary trust
 1,980
 
 1,976
 
 2,175
  Total interest expense
 40,262
 
 47,748
 
 59,498
    Net interest income
 61,843
 
 58,479
 
 53,921
Provision for loan losses
 25,721
 
 27,640
 
 3,959
    Net interest income after provision for loan losses
 36,122
 
 30,839
 
 49,962
           
Gross impairment losses
 (7,406)
 
 (4,260)
 
 (6,170)
Less: Non-credit losses included in other comprehensive income
 301
 
 –
 
 –
Net impairment losses
 (7,707)
 
 (4,260)
 
 (6,170)
           
Other Income:
         
Deposit account service charges
 10,390
 
 10,137
 
 9,890
Insurance income
 9,390
 
 9,902
 
 9,701
Trust and investment income
 4,722
 
 5,139
 
 4,983
Electronic banking income
 3,954
 
 3,882
 
 3,524
Mortgage banking income
 1,719
 
 681
 
 885
Bank owned life insurance
 1,051
 
 1,582
 
 1,661
Gain on investment securities
 1,446
 
 1,668
 
 108
Gain on sale of banking offices
 –
 
 775
 
 –
Other non-interest income
 721
 
 755
 
 782
  Total other income
 33,393
 
 34,521
 
 31,534
Other Expenses:
         
Salaries and employee benefit costs
 29,394
 
 28,521
 
 27,552
Net occupancy and equipment
 5,756
 
 5,540
 
 5,298
FDIC insurance
 3,442
 
 361
 
 146
Professional fees
 3,042
 
 2,212
 
 2,246
Data processing and software
 2,417
 
 2,181
 
 2,210
Electronic banking expense
 2,401
 
 2,289
 
 2,206
Franchise taxes
 1,601
 
 1,609
 
 973
Amortization of other intangible assets
 1,252
 
 1,586
 
 1,934
Marketing
 1,061
 
 1,293
 
 1,515
Other non-interest expense
 8,316
 
 7,893
 
 7,372
  Total other expenses
 58,682
 
 53,485
 
 51,452
  Income before income taxes
 3,126
 
 7,615
 
 23,874
  Income tax (benefit) expense
 (1,064)
 
 160
 
 5,560
    Net income
 $4,190
 
 $7,455
 
 $18,314
  Preferred dividends
 1,876
 
 –
 
 –
    Net income available to common shareholders
 $2,314
 
 $7,455
 
 $18,314
           
Earnings per common share - basic
 $0.22
 
 $0.72
 
 $1.75
Earnings per common share - diluted
 $0.22
 
 $0.72
 
 $1.74
           
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding - basic
 10,363,975
 
 10,315,263
 
 10,462,933
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding - diluted
 10,374,792
 
 10,348,579
 
 10,529,634

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
59

 
PEOPLES BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

       
Accumulated Comprehensive
   
 
Preferred Stock
Common Stock
Retained Earnings
Treasury
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Income (Loss)
Stock
Total
Balance, December 31, 2006
 $                 –
 $162,654
 $43,439
 $(2,997)
 $(5,927)
 $197,169
Net income
   
 18,314
   
 18,314
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
     
 6,011
 
 6,011
Cash dividends declared of $0.88 per share
   
 (9,226)
   
 (9,226)
Stock option exercises
 
 (626)
   
 1,585
 959
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options
 
 146
     
 146
Purchase of treasury stock
       
 (12,350)
 (12,350)
Common stock issued under dividend
           
     reinvestment plan
 
 848
     
 848
Stock-based compensation expense
 
 391
     
 391
Issuance of common stock related to acquisitions:
         
     Putnam Agency, Inc.
 
 (5)
   
 129
 124
     Barengo Insurance Agency, Inc.
 
 (9)
   
 459
 450
Balance, December 31, 2007
 $                 –
 $163,399
 $52,527
 $3,014
 $(16,104)
 $202,836
Net income
   
 7,455
   
 7,455
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
     
 (15,302)
 
 (15,302)
Cash dividends declared of $0.91 per share
   
 (9,470)
   
 (9,470)
Stock option exercises
 
 (113)
   
 296
 183
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options
 
 (32)
     
 (32)
Purchase of treasury stock
       
 (506)
 (506)
Common stock issued under dividend
           
     reinvestment plan
 
 964
     
 964
Stock-based compensation expense
 
 498
     
 498
Balance, December 31, 2008
 $                 –
 $164,716
 $50,512
 $(12,288)
 $(16,314)
 $186,626
Net income
   
 4,190
   
 4,190
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
     
 22,079
 
 22,079
Issuance of preferred shares and common
           
  stock warrant
 38,454
 546
     
 39,000
Accrued dividends on preferred shares
   
 (1,787)
   
 (1,787)
Amortization of discount on preferred shares
 89
 
 (89)
   
 –
Cash dividends declared of $0.66 per common share
 
 (6,901)
   
 (6,901)
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options
 
 (14)
     
 (14)
Purchase of treasury stock
       
 (249)
 (249)
Common shares issued under dividend
           
     reinvestment plan
 
 830
     
 830
Stock-based compensation expense
 
 149
     
 149
Reissuance of treasury stock for deferred
           
     compensation plan
       
 45
 45
Cumulative effect adjustment for non-credit
           
     portion of previously recorded OTTI losses
   
 304
 (304)
 
 –
Balance, December 31, 2009
 $       38,543
 $166,227
 $46,229
 $9,487
 $(16,518)
 $243,968
 
See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
60

 
PEOPLES BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2007
Operating activities
         
Net income
 $4,190
 
 $7,455
 
 $18,314
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
         
  Depreciation, amortization, and accretion, net
 4,088
 
 5,749
 
 7,188
  Provision for loan losses
 25,721
 
 27,640
 
 3,959
  Bank owned life insurance income
 (1,051)
 
 (1,582)
 
 (1,661)
  Net loss on investment securities
 6,261
 
 2,592
 
 6,062
  Loans originated for sale
 (96,731)
 
 (31,069)
 
 (40,582)
  Proceeds from sales of loans
 96,399
 
 32,546
 
 40,065
  Net gains on sales of loans
 (1,602)
 
 (555)
 
 (750)
  Deferred income tax benefit
 –
 
 (2,861)
 
 (988)
  Increase (Decrease) in accrued expenses
 155
 
 (429)
 
 (1,941)
  (Decrease) increase in interest receivable
 (41)
 
 1,055
 
 610
  Other, net
 (14,133)
 
 (4,977)
 
 605
    Net cash provided by operating activities
 23,256
 
 35,564
 
 30,881
Investing activities
         
Available-for-sale securities:
         
  Purchases
 (279,018)
 
 (457,226)
 
 (151,912)
  Proceeds from sales
 90,239
 
 156,767
 
 151
  Proceeds from maturities, calls and prepayments
 174,808
 
 137,292
 
 136,491
Purchases of held-to-maturity securities
 (963)
 
 –
 
 –
Net decrease (increase) in loans
 24,670
 
 (3,109)
 
 9,260
Net expenditures for premises and equipment
 (2,154)
 
 (3,449)
 
 (3,027)
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned
 512
 
 273
 
 107
Acquisitions, net of cash received
 –
 
 –
 
 (1,070)
Sale of banking offices and other assets
 –
 
 775
 
 –
Investment in limited partnership and tax credit funds
 (248)
 
 (249)
 
 (426)
    Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
 7,846
 
 (168,926)
 
 (10,426)
Financing activities
         
Net increase in non-interest-bearing deposits
 17,960
 
 4,983
 
 4,136
Net increase (decrease) in interest-bearing deposits
 11,455
 
 174,900
 
 (51,453)
Net (decrease) increase in short-term borrowings
 (21,931)
 
 (123,689)
 
 27,658
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
 5,000
 
 140,000
 
 115,000
Payments on long-term borrowings
 (67,184)
 
 (63,682)
 
 (83,814)
Issuance of preferred shares and common stock warrant
 39,000
 
 –
 
 –
Preferred stock dividends
 (1,543)
 
 –
 
 –
Cash dividends paid on common shares
 (7,426)
 
 (8,423)
 
 (8,373)
Purchase of treasury stock
 (249)
 
 (506)
 
 (12,350)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
 5
 
 210
 
 989
Redemption of trust preferred securities
 –
 
 –
 
 (7,000)
Excess tax (expense) benefit for share based payments
 (14)
 
 (33)
 
 146
    Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
 (24,927)
 
 123,760
 
 (15,061)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 6,175
 
 (9,602)
 
 5,394
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
 35,598
 
 45,200
 
 39,806
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
 $41,773
 
 $35,598
 
 $45,200
Supplemental cash flow information:
         
   Interest paid
 $41,015
 
 $48,138
 
 $60,037
   Income taxes paid
 1,262
 
 4,395
 
 5,253
   Value of shares issued for acquisitions
 –
 
 –
 
 574

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
61

 
PEOPLES BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Peoples Bancorp Inc. is a financial holding company that offers a full range of financial services and products, including commercial and retail banking, insurance, brokerage and trust services, through its principal operating subsidiary, Peoples Bank, National Association (“Peoples Bank”).  Services are provided through 47 financial service locations and 39 automated teller machines in Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky, as well as internet-based banking.
 

 
Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 


The accounting and reporting policies of Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries (“Peoples” refers to, Peoples Bancorp Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries collectively, except where the context indicates the reference relates solely to Peoples Bancorp Inc.) conform to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) and to general practices within the banking industry.  The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  Certain items in prior financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation, which had no impact on net income, comprehensive income or loss, net cash provided by operating activities or stockholders’ equity.
 
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed in the preparation of the financial statements:
 
Consolidation: Peoples’ Consolidated Financial Statements include subsidiaries in which Peoples has a controlling financial interest, principally defined as owning a voting interest greater than 50%.  In addition, entities not controlled by voting interests or in which the equity investors do not bear the residual economic risks, but for which Peoples is the primary beneficiary are also consolidated.
 
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Peoples and its consolidated subsidiaries, Peoples Bank and Peoples Investment Company, along with their wholly-owned subsidiaries.  Peoples previously formed a statutory business trust described in Note 10 that is a variable interest entity for which Peoples is not the primary beneficiary.  As a result, the accounts of this trust are not included in Peoples’ Consolidated Financial Statements.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents include cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits in other banks, Federal Funds sold and other short-term investments, all with original maturities of ninety days or less.
 
Investment Securities: Investment securities are recorded initially at cost, which includes premiums and discounts if purchased at other than par or face value.  Peoples amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as an adjustment to interest income on a level yield basis.  The cost of investment securities sold, and any resulting gain or loss, is based on the specific identification method and recognized as of the trade date.
 
Management determines the appropriate classification of investment securities at the time of purchase.  Held-to-maturity securities are those securities that Peoples has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity and are recorded at amortized cost.  Available-for-sale securities are those securities that would be available to be sold in the future in response to Peoples’ liquidity needs, changes in market interest rates, and asset-liability management strategies, among other considerations.  Available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in stockholders’ equity as a separate component of other comprehensive income or loss, net of applicable deferred income taxes.  Trading securities are those securities bought and held principally for the purpose of selling in the near term.  Trading securities are reported at fair value, with holding gains and losses recognized in earnings.
 
Certain restricted equity securities that do not have readily determinable fair values and for which Peoples does not exercise significant influence, are carried at cost.  These cost method securities are reported as other investment securities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and consist solely of shares of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of Cincinnati and the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.
 
Management systematically evaluates investment securities for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis.  This analysis requires management to consider various factors, which include (1) duration and magnitude of the decline in value, (2) the financial condition of the issuer or issuers and (3) structure of the security.
 
An impairment loss is recognized in earnings only when (1) Peoples intends to sell the debt security; (2) it is more likely than not that Peoples will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis or (3) Peoples does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security.  In situations where Peoples intends to sell or when it is more likely than not that Peoples will be required to sell the security, the entire impairment loss must be recognized in earnings.  In all other situations, only the portion of the impairment loss representing the credit loss must be recognized in earnings, with the remaining portion being recognized in stockholders’ equity as a component of other comprehensive income, net of deferred taxes.
 
62

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase: Peoples enters into sales of securities under agreements to repurchase (“Repurchase Agreements”) with customers and other financial service companies, which are treated as financings.  The obligations to repurchase securities sold are recorded as a liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and disclosed in Notes 8 and 9.  Securities pledged as collateral under Repurchase Agreements are included in investment securities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are disclosed in Note 3.  The fair value of the collateral pledged to a third party is continually monitored and additional collateral is pledged or returned, as deemed appropriate.
 
Loans: Loans originated that Peoples has the positive intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or to maturity or payoff are reported at the principal balance outstanding, net of deferred loan fees and costs and an allowance for loan losses.  The foreseeable future is based upon current market conditions and business strategies, as well as balance sheet management and liquidity.  As the conditions change, so may management’s view of the foreseeable future.  Net deferred loan costs were $1.1 million and $946,000 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
A loan is considered impaired, based on current information and events, if it is probable that collection of principal and interest payments when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement is doubtful.  Impaired loans include commercial loans placed on nonaccrual status, renegotiated or internally classified as substandard or doubtful (as those terms are defined by banking regulations) and meet the definition of impaired loans.  The amount of impairment is based on the fair value of the underlying collateral if repayment is expected solely from the sale of the collateral.  Amounts deemed uncollectible are charged-off against the allowance for loan losses.  Consumer and residential real estate loans typically are not placed on nonaccrual, and instead are charged down to the net realizable value.
 
Loans acquired in a business combination that have evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination and for which it is probable, at acquisition, that Peoples will be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable are initially recorded at fair value (the present value of the amounts expected to be collected) with no valuation allowance.  The difference between the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition and the investment in the loan, or the “accretable yield”, is recognized as interest income on a level-yield method over the life of the loan. Contractually required payments for interest and principal that exceed the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition, or the “nonaccretable difference”, are not recognized as a yield adjustment or as a loss accrual or a valuation allowance.
 
Over the life of these acquired loans, management continues to monitor each acquired loan portfolio for changes in credit quality.  Increases in expected cash flows subsequent to acquisition are recognized prospectively over their remaining life as a yield adjustment on the loans.  Subsequent decreases in expected cash flows are recognized as impairment, with the amount of the expected loss included in management’s evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan loss.
 
Loans Held for Sale: Loans originated and intended to be sold in the secondary market, generally one-to-four family residential loans, are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value determined on an aggregate basis.  Gains and losses on sales of loans held for sale are included in mortgage banking income.
 
Peoples enters into interest rate lock commitments with borrowers and best efforts commitments with investors on loans originated for sale into the secondary markets.  Peoples uses these commitments to manage the inherent interest rate and pricing risk associated with selling loans in the secondary market.  The interest rate lock commitments generally terminate once the loan is funded, the lock period expires or the borrower decides not to contract for the loan.  The best efforts commitments generally terminate once the loan is sold, the commitment period expires or the borrower decides not to contract for the loan.  These commitments are considered derivatives which are generally accounted for by recognizing their estimated fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as either a freestanding asset or liability.  The valuation of such commitments does not consider expected cash flows related to the servicing of the future loan.  Management has determined these derivatives do not have a material effect on Peoples’ financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
Allowance for Loan Losses: The allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance for management’s estimate of the probable credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio.  Management’s evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan loss and the appropriate provision for loan losses is based upon a quarterly evaluation of the portfolio.  This formal analysis is inherently subjective and requires management to make significant estimates of factors affecting loan losses, including specific losses, levels and trends in impaired and nonperforming loans, historical loan loss experience, current national and local economic conditions, volume, growth and composition of the portfolio, regulatory guidance and other relevant factors.  Loans deemed to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance for loan losses, while recoveries of previously charged-off amounts are credited to the allowance for loan losses.
 
63

The amount of the allowance for the various loan types represents management’s estimate of expected losses from existing loans based upon specific allocations for individual lending relationships and historical loss experience for each category of homogeneous loans adjusted for certain qualitative risk factors.  The allowance for loan loss related to an impaired loan is based on discounted cash flows using the loan’s initial effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral for certain collateral dependent loans.  This evaluation requires management to make estimates of the amounts and timing of future cash flows on impaired loans, which consist primarily of nonaccrual and restructured loans.  While allocations are made to specific loans and pools of loans, the allowance is available for all loan losses.
 
Bank Premises and Equipment: Bank premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation.  Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets owned.  Major improvements to leased facilities are capitalized and included in bank premises at cost less accumulated depreciation, which is calculated on the straight-line method over the lesser of the remaining term of the leased facility or the estimated economic life of the improvement.
 
Bank Owned Life Insurance: Bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”) represents life insurance on the lives of certain employees who have provided positive consent allowing Peoples Bank to be the beneficiary of such policies.  These policies are recorded at their cash surrender value, or the amount that can be realized upon surrender of the policy.  Income from these policies and changes in the cash surrender value are recorded in other income.
 
Investments in Affordable Housing Limited Partnerships: Investments in affordable housing consist of investments in limited partnerships that operate qualified affordable housing projects or that invest in other limited partnerships formed to operate affordable housing projects.  These investments are considered variable interest entities for which Peoples is not the primary beneficiary.  Peoples generally utilizes the effective yield method to account for these investments with the tax credits, net of the amortization of the investment, reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income as a reduction of income tax expense.  The unamortized amount of the investments is recorded in other assets.  Peoples’ investments in affordable housing limited partnerships were $3.8 million and  $5.3 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
Other Real Estate Owned: Other real estate owned (“OREO”), included in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, is comprised primarily of commercial and residential real estate properties acquired by Peoples Bank in satisfaction of a loan.  OREO obtained in satisfaction of a loan is recorded at the lower of cost or estimated fair value based on appraised value at the date actually or constructively received, less estimated costs to sell the property.  Peoples had OREO totaling $6.3 million at December 31, 2009, and $525,000 at December 31, 2008.
 
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired in the business combination.  Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment at least annually and updated quarterly if necessary.  Based upon the most recently completed goodwill impairment test, Peoples concluded the recorded value of goodwill was not impaired as of December 31, 2009, based upon the estimated fair value of Peoples’ single reporting unit.
 
Peoples’ other intangible assets consist of customer relationship intangible assets, primarily core deposit intangibles, representing the present value of future net income to be earned from acquired customer relationships with definite useful lives.  These intangible assets are amortized on an accelerated basis over their estimated lives ranging from 7 to 10 years.
 
Mortgage Servicing Rights: Mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) represent the right to service loans sold to third party investors.  MSRs are recognized separately as a servicing asset or liability whenever Peoples undertakes an obligation to service financial assets.
 
Peoples initially records MSRs at fair value at the time of the sale of the loans to the third party investor.  Peoples follows the amortization method for the subsequent measurement of each class of separately recognized servicing assets and liabilities.  Under the amortization method, Peoples amortizes the value of servicing assets or liabilities in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income or net servicing loss and assesses servicing assets or liabilities for impairment or increased obligation based on fair value at each reporting date.  The fair value of the mortgage servicing rights is determined by using a discounted cash flow model, which estimates the present value of the future net cash flows of the servicing portfolio based on various factors, such as servicing costs, expected prepayment speeds and discount rates.
 
64

MSRs are reported in other intangible assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Serviced loans are not included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Loan servicing income included in mortgage banking income includes servicing fees received from the third party investors and certain charges collected from the borrowers.
 
Preferred Stock and Common Stock Warrant: As more fully described in Note 11, Peoples issued preferred stock and a common stock warrant, which are classified in stockholders’ equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  The outstanding preferred stock has similar characteristics of an “Increasing Rate Security” as described by Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 5Q, Increasing Rate Preferred Stock.  The proceeds received in conjunction with the issuance of the preferred stock and common stock warrant were allocated to the preferred stock and common stock warrant based on their relative fair values.  Discounts on the increasing rate preferred stock are amortized over the expected life of the preferred stock (5 years), by charging imputed dividend cost against retained earnings and increasing the carrying amount of the preferred stock by a corresponding amount.  The discount at the time of issuance is computed as the present value of the difference between dividends that will be payable in future periods and the dividend amount for a corresponding number of periods, discounted at a market rate for dividend yield on comparable securities.  The amortization in each period is the amount which, together with the stated dividend in the period, results in a constant rate of effective cost with regard to the carrying amount of the preferred stock.
 
Common stock warrants are evaluated for liability or equity treatment.  The common stock warrant outstanding is carried in stockholders’ equity until exercised or expired based on the view of both the SEC and Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) that they would not object to classification of such warrants as permanent equity.  This view is consistent with the objective of the Capital Purchase Program that equity in these securities should be considered part of equity for regulatory reporting purposes.  The fair value of the common stock warrant used in allocating total proceeds received was determined based on a binomial model.
 
Trust Assets Under Management: Peoples Bank manages certain assets held in a fiduciary or agency capacity for customers.  These assets under management, other than cash on deposit at Peoples Bank, are not included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets since they are not assets of Peoples Bank.
 
Interest Income Recognition: Interest income on loans and investment securities is recognized by methods that result in level rates of return on principal amounts outstanding.  Amortization of premiums has been deducted from, and accretion of discounts has been added to, the related interest income.  Nonrefundable loan fees and direct loan costs are deferred and recognized over the life of the loan as an adjustment of the yield.
 
Peoples discontinues the accrual of interest on loans when management believes collection of all or a portion of contractual interest has become doubtful, which generally occurs when a contractual payment on a loan is 90 days past due.  When interest is deemed uncollectible, amounts accrued in the current year are reversed and amounts accrued in prior years are charged against the allowance for loan losses.  Interest received on nonaccrual loans is included in income only if principal recovery is reasonably assured.  A nonaccrual loan is restored to accrual status when it is brought current, has performed in accordance with contractual terms for a reasonable period of time, and the collectibility of the total contractual principal and interest is no longer in doubt.
 
Other Income Recognition: Service charges on deposits include cost recovery fees associated with services provided, such as overdraft and non-sufficient funds.  Trust and investment income consists of revenue from fiduciary activities, which include fees for services such as asset management, recordkeeping, retirement services and estate management, and investment commissions and fees related to the sale of investments.  Income from these activities is recognized at the time the related services are performed.
 
Insurance income consists of commissions and fees from the sales of insurance policies and related insurance services.  Insurance commission income is recognized as of the effective date of the insurance policy, net of adjustments, including policy cancellations.  Such adjustments are recorded when the amount can be reasonably estimated, which is generally in the period in which they occur.  Contingent performance-based commissions from insurance companies are recognized when received and no contingencies remain.
 
Income Taxes: Peoples and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are provided for temporary differences between the tax basis of an asset or liability and its reported amount in the Consolidated Financial Statements at the statutory Federal tax rate.  A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the expected amount most likely to be realized.  Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of a sufficient level of future taxable income and recoverable taxes paid in prior years.  The components of other comprehensive income or loss included in the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity have been computed based upon a 35% Federal tax rate.
 
65

A tax position is initially recognized in the financial statements when it is more likely than not the position will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities.  Such tax positions are initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the tax authority assuming full knowledge of the position and all relevant facts.  Penalties and interest incurred under the applicable tax law are classified as income tax expense. The amount of Peoples’ uncertain income tax positions, unrecognized benefits and accrued interest were immaterial at both December 31, 2009 and 2008.
 
Advertising Costs: Advertising costs are generally expensed as incurred.
 
Earnings per Share: Basic earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding adjusted to include the effect of potentially dilutive common shares.  Potentially dilutive common shares include incremental shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options, SARs and non-vested restricted common shares using the treasury stock method.
 
Operating Segments: Peoples’ business activities are currently confined to one reporting unit and reportable segment which is community banking.  As a community banking entity, Peoples offers its customers a full range of products through various delivery channels.
 
Stock-Based Compensation: Compensation costs for stock options, restricted stock awards and stock appreciation rights are measured at the fair value of these awards on their grant date. The fair value of stock options and stock appreciation rights is estimated based upon a Black-Scholes model, while the market price of Peoples’ common shares at the grant date is used to estimate the fair value of restricted stock awards.  Compensation expense is recognized over the required service period, generally the vesting period for stock options and stock appreciation rights and the restriction period for restricted stock awards.  Compensation expense for awards granted to employees who are eligible for retirement is recognized to the date the employee is first eligible to retire.
 
New Accounting Pronouncements: On June 29, 2009, the FASB issued an accounting pronouncement establishing the FASB Accounting Standards CodificationTM (the “ASC”) as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities.  This pronouncement was effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009, for most entities.  On the effective date, all non-SEC accounting and reporting standards were superseded.  Peoples adopted this new accounting pronouncement for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, as required, and adoption did not have a material impact on Peoples’ financial statements taken as a whole.
 
On June 12, 2009, the FASB issued two related accounting pronouncements changing the accounting principles and disclosure requirements related to securitizations and special-purpose entities.  Specifically, these pronouncements eliminate the concept of a “qualifying special-purpose entity”, change the requirements for derecognizing financial assets and change how a company determines when an entity that is insufficiently capitalized or is not controlled through voting (or similar rights) should be consolidated.  These pronouncements also expand existing disclosure requirements to include more information about transfers of financial assets, including securitization transactions, and where companies have continuing exposure to the risks related to transferred financial assets.  These pronouncements will be effective as of the beginning of each reporting entity’s first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within that first annual reporting period and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter.  Earlier application is prohibited.  The recognition and measurement provisions regarding transfers of financial assets shall be applied to transfers that occur on or after the effective date.  Peoples will adopt these new pronouncements on January 1, 2010, as required.  Management does not anticipate adoption will have a material impact on Peoples’ consolidated financial statements.
 
On May 28, 2009, the FASB issued an accounting pronouncement establishing general standards of accounting for and disclosure of subsequent events, which are events occurring after the balance sheet date but before the date the financial statements are issued or available to be issued.  In particular, the pronouncement requires entities to recognize in the financial statements the effect of all subsequent events that provide additional evidence of conditions that existed at the balance sheet date, including the estimates inherent in the financial preparation process.  Entities may not recognize the impact of subsequent events that provide evidence about conditions that did not exist at the balance sheet date but arose after that date.  This pronouncement also requires entities to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated.  This pronouncement was effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009.  Peoples adopted the provisions of this pronouncement for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, as required, and adoption did not have a material impact on Peoples’ financial statements taken as a whole.
 
66

On April 9, 2009, the FASB issued three related accounting pronouncements intended to provide additional application guidance and enhance disclosures regarding fair value measurements and impairments of securities.  In particular, these pronouncements: (1) provide guidelines for making fair value measurements more consistent with the existing accounting principles when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have decreased significantly; (2) enhance consistency in financial reporting by increasing the frequency of fair value disclosures and (3) modify existing general standards of accounting for and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses for impaired debt securities.
 
The fair value measurement guidance of these pronouncements reaffirms the need for entities to use judgment in determining if a formerly active market has become inactive and in determining fair values when markets have become inactive.  The changes to fair value disclosures relate to financial instruments that are not currently reflected on the balance sheet at fair value.  Prior to these pronouncements, fair value disclosures for these instruments were required for annual statements only.  These disclosures now are required to be included in interim financial statements.  The general standards of accounting for OTTI losses were changed to require the recognition of an OTTI loss in earnings only when an entity (1) intends to sell the debt security; (2) more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis or (3) does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security.  In situations when an entity intends to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell the security, the entire OTTI loss must be recognized in earnings.  In all other situations, only the portion of the OTTI losses representing the credit loss must be recognized in earnings, with the remaining portion being recognized in other comprehensive income, net of deferred taxes.
 
All three pronouncements were effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009.  Entities were permitted to early adopt the provisions of these pronouncements for interim and annual periods ending after March 15, 2009, but had to adopt all three concurrently.  Peoples adopted these provisions of these pronouncements for the quarterly period ending June 30, 2009, as required.  As a result of adoption, Peoples recorded a cumulative effect adjustment on April 1, 2009, which increased retained earnings by $304,000, net of tax, for the non-credit portion of previously recorded OTTI losses, with a corresponding reduction in accumulated comprehensive income (loss) included in stockholders’ equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.  The adoption of the remaining provisions of these pronouncements did not have any material impact on Peoples’ financial statements taken as a whole.
 

 
Note 2.  Fair Values of Financial Instruments 


The measurement of fair value under US GAAP uses a hierarchy intended to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.  This hierarchy uses three levels of inputs to measure the fair value of assets and liabilities as follows:
 
Level 1: Quoted prices in active exchange markets for identical assets or liabilities; also includes certain U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government and agency securities actively traded in over-the-counter markets.
 
Level 2: Observable inputs other than Level 1 including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in less active markets, or other observable inputs that can be corroborated by observable market data; also includes derivative contracts whose value is determined using a pricing model with observable market inputs or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.  This category generally includes certain U.S. government and agency securities, corporate debt securities, derivative instruments, and residential mortgage loans held for sale.
 
Level 3: Unobservable inputs supported by little or no market activity for 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; also includes observable inputs for single dealer nonbinding quotes not corroborated by observable market data. This category generally includes certain private equity investments, retained interests from securitizations, and certain collateralized debt obligations.
 
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Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis comprised the following at December 31:
 
     
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(Dollars in thousands)
Fair Value
Quoted Prices
 in Active
Markets for Identical Assets
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
Significant Unobservable
 Inputs
 (Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
                 
December 31, 2009
               
Obligations of:
               
   U.S. Treasury and government agencies
$
 81
$
 –
$
 81
$
 –
   U.S. government sponsored agencies
 
 4,473
 
 –
 
 4,473
 
 –
   States and political subdivisions
 
 62,954
 
 –
 
 62,954
 
 –
Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
 558,826
 
 –
 
 558,826
 
 –
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
 24,188
 
 –
 
 24,188
 
 –
U.S. government-backed student loan pools
 
 59,440
 
 –
 
 59,440
 
 –
Bank-issued trust preferred securities
 
 13,826
 
 –
 
 12,826
 
 1,000
Collateralized debt obligations
 
 165
 
 –
 
 –
 
 165
Equity securities
 
 2,594
 
 2,420
 
 174
 
 –
Total available-for-sale securities
$
 726,547
$
 2,420
$
 722,962
$
 1,165
                 
December 31, 2008
               
Obligations of:
               
   U.S. Treasury and government agencies
$
 176
$
 –
$
 176
$
 –
   U.S. government sponsored agencies
 
 8,442
 
 –
 
 8,442
 
 –
   States and political subdivisions
 
 68,930
 
 –
 
 68,930
 
 –
Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
 511,201
 
 –
 
 511,201
 
 –
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
 25,952
 
 –
 
 25,952
 
 –
U.S. government-backed student loan pools
 
 44,985
 
 –
 
 44,985
 
 –
Bank-issued trust preferred securities
 
 17,888
 
 –
 
 16,888
 
 1,000
Collateralized debt obligations
 
 4,422
 
 –
 
 –
 
 4,422
Equity securities
 
 2,761
 
 2,575
 
 186
 
 –
Total available-for-sale securities
$
 684,757
$
 2,575
$
 676,760
$
 5,422
                 
 
The fair values used by Peoples are obtained from an independent pricing service and represent either quoted market prices for the identical securities (Level 1 inputs) or fair values determined by pricing models that consider observable market data, such as interest rate volatilities, LIBOR yield curve, credit spreads and prices from market makers and live trading systems.  The investment securities measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs are comprised of four collateralized debt obligations, for which there is not an active market.  Peoples uses multiple input factors to determine the fair value of these securities.  Those input factors are discounted cash flow analysis, structure of the security in relation to current level of deferrals and/or defaults, changes in credit ratings, financial condition of the debtors within the underlying securities, broker quotes for securities with similar structure and credit risk, interest rate movements and pricing of new issuances.
 
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The following is a reconciliation of activity for assets measured at fair value based on significant unobservable (non-market) information:

(Dollars in thousands)
Obligations of
U.S. Government Sponsored Agencies
Bank-Issued Trust Preferred Securities
Collateralized Debt Obligations
Balance, December 31, 2007
 $2,078
 $1,030
 $5,896
Transfers into Level 3
 –
 2,083
 –
Transfers out of Level 3
 (2,078)
 –
 –
Other-than-temporary impairment loss included in earnings
 –
 (2,080)
 (1,920)
Unrealized loss included in comprehensive income
 –
 (33)
 446
Balance, December 31, 2008
 $ –
 $1,000
 $4,422
Other-than-temporary impairment loss included in earnings
 –
 –
 (3,706)
Unrealized loss included in comprehensive income
 –
 –
 (1,018)
Cumulative effect adjustment for non-credit
     
     portion of previously recorded OTTI losses
 –
 –
 467
Balance, December 31, 2009
 $ –
 $1,000
 $165

Certain financial assets and financial liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment).  Financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis included the following:
 
Impaired Loans: Impaired loans are measured and reported at fair value when management believes collection of contractual interest and principal payments is doubtful.  Management’s determination of the fair value for these loans represents the estimated net proceeds to be received from the sale of the collateral based on observable market prices and market value provided by independent, licensed or certified appraisers (Level 2 Inputs).  At December 31, 2009, impaired loans with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $26.6 million were measured and reported at a fair value of $20.6 million.  During 2009, Peoples recognized losses of $13.2 million on these impaired loans through the allowance for loan losses.
 
The following table presents the fair values of financial assets and liabilities carried on Peoples’ consolidated balance sheet, including those financial assets and financial liabilities that are not measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis or non-recurring basis:
 
 
2009           
2008              
 
Carrying
Fair
Carrying
Fair
(Dollars in thousands)
Amount
Value
Amount
Value
Financial assets:
       
Cash and cash equivalents
 $41,773
 $41,773
 $35,598
 $35,598
Investment securities
 751,866
 751,866
 708,753
 708,753
Loans
 1,026,675
 892,182
 1,081,101
 1,088,322
         
Financial liabilities:
       
Deposits
 $1,395,886
 $1,406,371
 $1,366,368
 $1,376,614
Short-term borrowings
 76,921
 76,921
 98,852
 98,852
Long-term borrowings
 246,113
 253,943
 308,297
 324,809
Junior subordinated notes held by
     subsidiary trust
 22,530
 25,968
 22,495
 26,009
 
The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis are discussed above.  For certain financial assets and liabilities, carrying value approximates fair value due to the nature of the financial instrument.  These instruments include cash and cash equivalents, demand and other non-maturity deposits and overnight borrowings.  Peoples used the following methods and assumptions in estimating the fair value of the following financial instruments:
 
Loans: The fair value of portfolio loans assumes sale of the notes to a third party financial investor.  Accordingly, the value to Peoples if the notes were held to maturity is not included in the fair value estimate.  Peoples considered interest rate, credit and market factors in estimating the fair value of loans.  In the current whole loan market, financial investors are generally requiring a much higher rate of return than the return inherent in loans if held to maturity given the lack of market liquidity.  This divergence accounts for the majority of the difference in carrying amount over fair value.
 
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Deposits: The fair value of fixed maturity certificates of deposit is estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation based on current rates offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.
 
Long-Term Borrowings: The fair value of long-term borrowings is estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on rates currently available to Peoples for borrowings with similar terms.
 
Junior Subordinated Notes Held by Subsidiary Trust: The fair value of the junior subordinated notes held by subsidiary trust is estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on current market rates of securities with similar risk and remaining maturity.
 
Bank premises and equipment, customer relationships, deposit base, banking center networks, and other information required to compute Peoples’ aggregate fair value are not included in the above information.  Accordingly, the above fair values are not intended to represent the aggregate fair value of Peoples.
 

 
Note 3.  Investment Securities 


Available-for-sale
The following table summarizes Peoples’ available-for-sale securities at December 31:
 
       
Non-Credit
 
       
Losses included
 
   
Gross
Gross
in Other
 
 
Amortized
Unrealized
Unrealized
Comprehensive
Fair
(Dollars in thousands)
Cost
Gains
Losses
Income
Value
December 31, 2009
         
Obligations of:
         
    U.S. Treasury and government agencies
 $81
 $1
 $ –
 $ –
 $82
    U.S. government sponsored agencies
 4,384
 89
 –
 –
 4,473
    States and political subdivisions
 60,943
 2,064
 (54)
 –
 62,953
Residential mortgage-backed securities
 546,131
 17,576
 (4,882)
 –
 558,825
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 23,656
 675
 (143)
 –
 24,188
U.S. government-backed student loan pools
 52,972
 6,547
 (77)
 –
 59,442
Bank-issued trust preferred securities
 16,073
 47
 (2,294)
 –
 13,826
Collateralized debt obligations
 986
 –
 (655)
 (166)
 165
Equity securities
 1,218
 1,426
 (51)
 –
 2,593
    Total available-for-sale securities
 $706,444
 $28,425
 $(8,156)
 $(166)
 $726,547
           
December 31, 2008
         
Obligations of:
         
    U.S. Treasury and  government agencies
 $176
 $1
 $(1)
 $ –
 $176
    U.S. government sponsored agencies
 8,160
 282
 –
 –
 8,442
    States and political subdivisions
 67,830
 1,356
 (256)
 –
 68,930
Residential mortgage-backed securities
 519,744
 4,618
 (13,161)
 –
 511,201
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 26,835
 5
 (889)
 –
 25,951
U.S. government-backed student loan pools
 47,915
 21
 (2,951)
 –
 44,985
Bank-issued trust preferred securities
 20,742
 992
 (3,846)
 –
 17,888
Collateralized debt obligations
 4,225
 198
 –
 –
 4,423
Equity securities
 1,228
 1,581
 (48)
 –
 2,761
    Total available-for-sale securities
 $696,855
 $9,054
 $(21,152)
 $ –
 $684,757
 
At December 31, 2009, there were no securities of a single issuer, other than U.S. Treasury and government agencies and U.S. government sponsored agencies that exceeded 10% of stockholders' equity.  At December 31, 2009 and 2008, investment securities having a carrying value of $492.8 million and $444.9 million, respectively, were pledged to secure public and trust department deposits and repurchase agreements in accordance with federal and state requirements.  Peoples also had investment securities pledged with carrying values of $121.3 million and $174.4 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, to secure additional borrowing capacity at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati and Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.
 
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The gross gains and gross losses realized by Peoples from sales of available-for-sale securities for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
2008
2007
Gross gains realized
 $1,460
 $2,740
 $143
Gross losses realized
 14
 1,072
 35
Net gain realized
 $1,446
 $1,668
 $108

 
The following table presents a summary of available-for-sale investment securities that had an unrealized loss at December 31:
 
 
Less than 12 Months
 
12 Months or More
 
Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Loss
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Loss
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Loss
December 31, 2009
                     
Obligations of:
                     
   U.S. Treasury and government agencies
 $              –
 
 $              –
 
 $              –
 
 $              –
 
 $              –
 
 $              –
   U.S. government  sponsored agencies
                 –
 
                 –
 
                 –
 
                 –
 
                 –
 
                 –
   States and political subdivisions
          3,284
 
               54
 
                 –
 
                 –
 
          3,284
 
               54
Residential mortgage-backed securities
        37,720
 
          2,400
 
        60,120
 
          2,482
 
        97,840
 
          4,882
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
          1,966
 
             143
 
                 –
 
                 –
 
          1,966
 
             143
U.S. government-backed student loan pools
                 –
 
                 –
 
          2,923
 
               77
 
          2,923
 
               77
Bank-issued trust preferred securities
                 –
 
                 –
 
        11,574
 
          2,294
 
        11,574
 
          2,294
Collateralized debt obligations
                 –
 
                 –
 
             165
 
             655
 
             165
 
             655
Equity securities
                 –
 
                 –
 
             125
 
               51
 
             125
 
               51
    Total available-for-sale securities
 $     42,970
 
 $       2,597
 
 $     74,907
 
 $       5,559
 
 $   117,877
 
 $       8,156
                       
December 31, 2008
                     
Obligations of:
                     
   U.S. Treasury and government agencies
 $              –
 
 $              –
 
 $            29
 
 $              1
 
 $            29
 
 $              1
   U.S. government  sponsored agencies
                 –
 
                 –
 
                 –
 
                 –
 
                 –
 
                 –
   States and political subdivisions
        10,521
 
             256
 
                 –
 
                 –
 
        10,521
 
             256
Residential mortgage-backed securities
      197,594
 
        10,485
 
        38,318
 
          2,676
 
      235,912
 
        13,161
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
        20,283
 
             889
 
                 –
 
                 –
 
        20,283
 
             889
U.S. government-backed student loan pools
        38,261
 
          2,951
 
                 –
 
                 –
 
        38,261
 
          2,951
Bank-issued trust preferred securities
          5,675
 
          1,719
 
          3,342
 
          2,127
 
          9,017
 
          3,846
Collateralized debt obligations
                 –
 
                 –
 
                 –
 
                 –
 
                 –
 
                 –
Equity securities
             353
 
               48
 
                 –
 
                 –
 
             353
 
               48
    Total available-for-sale securities
 $   272,687
 
 $     16,348
 
 $     41,689
 
 $       4,804
 
 $   314,376
 
 $     21,152
 
The unrealized losses at both December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, were attributable to changes in market interest rates and spreads since the securities were purchased.  Management systematically evaluates investment securities for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis.  
 
During 2009, management concluded an individual bank-issued trust preferred security, with a book value of $4.0 million, and two collateralized debt obligation investment securities (“CDOs”), with an aggregate book value of $3.7 million, were other-than-temporarily impaired.  These securities were deemed total losses based on management’s evaluation of the underlying credit quality of the securities and estimations of cash flows expected to be collected from the securities, which indicated it was probable Peoples would not recover the amortized cost of the securities.  As a result, Peoples recognized a non-cash impairment loss of $7.7 million ($5.0 million after-tax) in earnings for the year ended December 31, 2009.  

The measurement of the credit loss incurred on the mezzanine tranche CDOs was based on a comparison of management’s estimate of future cash flows versus the cash flows projected previously.  In estimating future cash flows, management considers the structure and term of the pool and the financial condition of the underlying issuers.  Specifically, the evaluation incorporates factors such as over-collateralization and interest coverage tests, interest rates and appropriate risk premiums, the timing and amount of interest and principal payments and the allocation of payments to the various tranches.  Current estimates of cash flows are based on the recent trustee reports, announcements of deferrals or defaults and assumptions regarding expected future default rates, prepayment and recovery rates and other relevant information.  Additionally, management considers the impact on future cash flows should institutions identified as possessing a higher probability of default, based upon an evaluation of performance metrics, were to default in the near term.  Key assumptions used include: (1) current defaults would have no recovery and (2) current deferrals considered as defaults with no expected recovery.
 
71

Management performed its analysis of the remaining securities with an unrealized loss at December 31, 2009, and concluded no other individual securities were other-than-temporarily impaired.
 
The following table summarizes the roll-forward of cumulative credit losses on available-for-sale securities for which a portion of an other-than-temporary impairment is recognized in other comprehensive income, including those securities for which a cumulative effect adjustment was recorded (dollars in thousands):
 
Balance, January 1, 2009
 $1,200
Cumulative effect adjustment for non-credit
 
     portion of previously recorded OTTI losses
     (166)
Balance, December 31, 2009
 $1,034
 
The following table presents the amortized costs, fair value and weighted-average yield of securities by contractual maturity at December 31, 2009.  The average yields are based on the amortized cost.  In some cases, the issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations without call or prepayment penalties prior to the contractual maturity date.  Rates are calculated on a fully tax-equivalent basis using a 35% Federal income tax rate.
 

(Dollars in thousands)
Within 1 Year
1 to 5 Years
5 to 10 Years
Over 10
Years
Total
Amortized cost
         
Obligations of:
         
   U.S. Treasury and government agencies
 $ –
 $ –
 $81
 $ –
 $81
   U.S. government  sponsored agencies
 –
 –
 4,384
 –
 4,384
   States and political subdivisions
 1,482
 13,984
 17,289
 28,188
 60,943
Residential mortgage-backed securities
 –
 2,719
 112,434
 430,978
 546,131
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 –
 –
 –
 23,656
 23,656
U.S. government-backed student loan pools
 –
 –
 15,851
 37,121
 52,972
Bank-issued trust preferred securities
 –
 –
 –
 16,073
 16,073
Collateralized debt obligations
 –
 –
 –
 986
 986
Equity securities
 –
 –
 –
 1,218
 1,218
    Total available-for-sale securities
 $1,482
 $16,703
 $150,039
 $538,220
 $706,444
           
Fair value
         
Obligations of:
         
   U.S. Treasury and government agencies
 $ –
 $ –
 $82
 $ –
 $82
   U.S. government  sponsored agencies
 –
 –
 4,473
 –
 4,473
   States and political subdivisions
 1,513
 14,455
 18,124
 28,862
 62,954
Residential mortgage-backed securities
 –
 2,807
 114,602
 441,416
 558,825
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 –
 –
 –
 24,188
 24,188
U.S. government-backed student loan pools
 –
 –
 17,021
 42,419
 59,440
Bank-issued trust preferred securities
 –
 –
 –
 13,826
 13,826
Collateralized debt obligations
 –
 –
 –
 165
 165
Equity securities
 –
 –
 –
 2,594
 2,594
    Total available-for-sale securities
 $1,513
 $17,262
 $154,302
 $553,470
 $726,547
      Total average yield
7.04%
6.04%
4.86%
4.97%
4.97%
 
72

Held-to-Maturity
At December 31, 2009, Peoples’ held-to-maturity investment consisted of a single qualified school construction bond and is classified as held-to-maturity because of Peoples’ intent and ability to hold the security to maturity given uncertainty regarding ownership rights of associated tax credits.  This security is carried at an amortized cost of $963,000, has a cash coupon rate of 1.18%, tax credit rate of 6.04% and matures in 2025.
 

 
Note 4.  Loans 


Peoples Bank originates various types of loans including commercial loans, real estate loans and consumer loans, focusing primarily on lending opportunities in central and southeastern Ohio, west central West Virginia, and northeastern Kentucky markets.
 
The major classifications of loan balances, excluding loans held for sale, at December 31 were as follows:
 

(Dollars in thousands)
2009        
2008        
Commercial, mortgage
 $503,034
 $478,298
Commercial, other
 159,915
 178,834
Real estate, construction
 32,427
 77,917
Real estate, mortgage
 264,918
 279,413
Consumer
 90,144
 87,902
Deposit account overdrafts
 1,620
 1,668
    Total loans
 $1,052,058
 $1,104,032


Peoples has acquired various loans through business combinations for which there was, at acquisition, evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination and for which it was probable that all contractually required payments would not be collected.  The carrying amounts of these loans at December 31 included in the loan balances above are summarized as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2009         
2008         
Commercial, mortgage
 $4,112
 $5,330
Commercial, other
 896
 1,277
Real estate, mortgage
 20,242
 23,781
Consumer
 186
 263
    Total outstanding balance
 $25,436
 $30,651
    Net carrying amount
 $24,734
 $29,900

Peoples Bank has pledged certain loans secured by 1-4 family and multifamily residential mortgages under a blanket collateral agreement to secure borrowings from the FHLB as discussed in Note 8.  At December 31, 2009, the amount of such pledged loans totaled $200.8 million.  In February 2010, Peoples pledged commercial loans with outstanding balances totaling approximately $233 million to secure borrowings with the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.
 
Nonperforming/Past Due Loans
Nonperforming loans at December 31 were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
2009      
2008       
Loans 90+ days past due and accruing
 $411
 $ –
Nonaccrual loans
 33,972
 41,320
    Total nonperforming loans
 $34,383
 $41,320


Certain loans included in the nonaccrual loan totals above are not considered impaired and evaluated individually by Peoples.  These loans consist primarily of smaller balance homogenous consumer and residential real estate loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment and totaled $1.7 million and $1.8 million at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.
 
73

Impaired Loans
The following tables summarize loans classified as impaired at or for the years ended December 31:

(Dollars in thousands)
 
2009
2008
Impaired loans with an allocated allowance for loan losses
 $18,188
 $11,504
Impaired loans with no allocated allowance for loan losses
 15,052
 28,146
    Total impaired loans
 
 $33,240
 $39,650
Allowance for loan losses allocated to impaired loans
 $5,738
 $4,340
       
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
2008
2007
Average investment in impaired loans
 $38,109
 $25,644
 $16,412
Interest income recognized on impaired loans
 $19
 $108
 $826
 
Interest received on impaired loans is included in income if principal recovery is reasonably assured.
 
Related Party Loans
In the normal course of its business, Peoples Bank has granted loans to executive officers and directors of Peoples.  Related party loans were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates charged and collateral required, as those prevailing at the time for comparable loans with unrelated persons and did not involve more than normal risk of collectibility.  At December 31, 2009, no related party loan was past due 90 or more days, renegotiated or on nonaccrual status.  The following is an analysis of activity of related party loans for the year ended December 31, 2009:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Balance, December 31, 2008
 $   13,187
  New loans and disbursements
      10,391
  Repayments
     (14,237)
  Other changes
          (558)
    Balance, December 31, 2009
 $    8,783

Allowance for Loan Losses
Changes in the allowance for loan losses for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009, were as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2007
Balance, beginning of year
 $   22,931
 
 $   15,718
 
 $   14,509
Charge-offs
     (23,922)
 
     (21,969)
 
       (4,701)
Recoveries
        2,527
 
        1,542
 
        1,951
    Net charge-offs
     (21,395)
 
     (20,427)
 
       (2,750)
Provision for loan losses
      25,721
 
      27,640
 
        3,959
    Balance, end of year
 $ 27,257
 
 $ 22,931
 
 $ 15,718


Note 5.  Bank Premises and Equipment 


The major categories of bank premises and equipment and accumulated depreciation at December 31 are summarized as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
2009
 
2008
Land
 $     5,699
 
 $     5,764
Building and premises
      31,358
 
      30,737
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
      18,377
 
      17,626
    Total bank premises and equipment
      55,434
 
      54,127
Accumulated depreciation
     (30,590)
 
     (29,016)
    Net book value
 $ 24,844
 
 $ 25,111

 
74

 
Peoples depreciates its building and premises and furniture, fixtures and equipment over estimated useful lives generally ranging from 5 to 40 years and 2 to 10 years, respectively.  Depreciation expense was $1,998,000, $2,066,000 and $2,061,000, in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 

Leases
Peoples leases certain banking facilities and equipment under various agreements with original terms providing for fixed monthly payments over periods generally ranging from two to ten years.  Certain leases contain renewal options and rent escalation clauses calling for rent increases over the term of the lease.  All leases which contain a rent escalation clause are accounted for on a straight-line basis. Rent expense was $901,000, $739,000 and $748,000 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
Peoples leases certain properties from related parties.  Payments related to these leases totaled $160,000, $162,000 and $183,000 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The terms of these leases are substantially the same as those offered for comparable transactions with non-related parties at the time the lease transactions were consummated.
 
The future minimum payments under noncancellable operating leases with initial or remaining terms of one year or more consisted of the following at December 31, 2009:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2010
 $850
2011
 838
2012
 831
2013
 842
2014
 609
Thereafter
 2,440
    Total payments
 $6,410

 
Note 6.  Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets 


Goodwill
There were no changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008.
 
Peoples performed the required goodwill impairment tests and concluded the recorded value of goodwill was not impaired as of December 31, 2009, based upon the estimated fair value of the single reporting unit.
 
Other intangible assets
 Other intangible assets were comprised of the following at December 31:

 
Gross
 
Net
 
Intangible
Accumulated
Intangible
(Dollars in thousands)
Asset
Amortization
Asset
2009
     
Core deposits
 $10,564
 $(9,719)
 $845
Customer relationships
 6,182
 (5,112)
 1,070
 
 $16,746
 $(14,831)
 $1,915
Mortgage servicing rights
   
 1,164
    Total other intangible assets
   
 $3,079
       
2008
     
Core deposits
 $10,564
 $(9,042)
 $1,522
Customer relationships
 6,182
 (4,537)
 1,645
 
 $16,746
 $(13,579)
 $3,167
Mortgage servicing rights
   
 719
    Total other intangible assets
   
 $3,886
 
75

The estimated aggregate future amortization expense of core deposit and customer relationship intangible assets at December 31, 2009, is as follows:

 
Core
 
Customer
   
(Dollars in thousands)
Deposits
 
Relationships
 
Total
2010
 $        472
 
 $             446
 
 $        918
2011
           269
 
                316
 
           585
2012
           104
 
                202
 
           306
2013
               –
 
                106
 
           106
2014
               –
 
                    –
 
               –
Thereafter
               –
 
                    –
 
               –
    Total
 $       845
 
 $        1,070
 
 $    1,915

The following is an analysis of activity of MSRs for the years ended December 31:

(Dollars in thousands)
2009
2008
2007
Balance, beginning of year
 $719
 $756
 $792
Amortization
 (406)
 (318)
 (350)
Servicing rights originated
 851
 281
 314
    Balance, end of year
 $1,164
 $719
 $756
 
No valuation allowances were required at December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 for Peoples’ MSRs since the fair value exceeded the book value.
 

 
Note 7.  Deposits 


Peoples’ deposit balances were comprised of the following at December 31:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
 
2008
Retail certificates of deposit:
     
   $100,000 or more
 $         214,933
 
 $        235,257
   Less than $100,000
            322,616
 
           390,938
      Total retail certificates of deposit
            537,549
 
           626,195
Interest-bearing transaction accounts
            229,232
 
           187,100
Money market deposit accounts
            263,257
 
           213,498
Savings accounts
            122,465
 
           115,419
   Total retail interest-bearing deposits
         1,152,503
 
        1,142,212
Brokered certificates of deposits
              45,383
 
             44,116
   Total interest-bearing deposits
         1,197,886
 
        1,186,328
Non-interest-bearing deposits
            198,000
 
           180,040
      Total deposit balances
 $   1,395,886
 
 $  1,366,368
 
The contractual maturities of certificates of deposits for each of the next five years and thereafter are as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
Retail
Brokered
Total
2010
 $305,575
 $5,000
 $310,575
2011
 118,882
 –
 118,882
2012
 63,345
 –
 63,345
2013
 24,099
 –
 24,099
2014
 24,702
 5,086
 29,788
Thereafter
 946
 35,297
 36,243
    Total maturities
 $537,549
 $45,383
 $582,932
 
Included in the amount to mature in 2009 is $5 million of brokered deposits with a total interest cost of 4.75% that matured in January 2010.  Deposits from related parties approximated $8.8 million and $9.9 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 

76

 
Note 8.  Short-Term Borrowings 

 
Peoples utilizes various short-term borrowings as sources of funds, which are summarized as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Retail Repurchase Agreements
FHLB
Advances
National
Market Repurchase
Agreements
Other Short-Term Borrowings
2009
       
Ending balance
 $51,921
 $25,000
 $ –
 $ –
Average balance
 52,905
 6,867
 –
 150
Highest month end balance
 53,931
 25,000
 –
 10,000
Interest expense
 468
 13
 –
 1
Weighted-average interest rate:
       
   End of year
0.54%
0.09%
– %
– %
   During the year
0.88%
0.19%
– %
0.67%
         
2008
       
Ending balance
 $54,452
 $30,000
 $ –
 $14,400
Average balance
 39,329
 102,146
 –
 1,195
Highest month end balance
 56,079
 186,100
 –
 14,400
Interest expense
 813
 2,557
 –
 13
Weighted-average interest rate:
       
   End of year
1.26%
0.34%
– %
0.50%
   During the year
2.07%
2.50%
– %
1.09%
         
2007
       
Ending balance
 $35,041
 $187,500
 $ –
 $ –
Average balance
 34,770
 197,915
 4,425
 33
Highest month end balance
 36,515
 264,400
 7,000
 –
Interest expense
 1,526
 10,065
 242
 2
Weighted-average interest rate:
       
   End of year
3.96%
2.50%
– %
– %
   During the year
4.39%
5.09%
5.47%
6.06%
 
The FHLB advances consist of overnight borrowings and other advances with an original maturity of one year or less.  These advances, along with the long-term advances disclosed in Note 9, are collateralized by residential mortgage loans and investment securities.  Peoples’ borrowing capacity with the FHLB is based on the amount of collateral pledged and the amount of FHLB common stock owned.
 
Peoples’ national market repurchase agreements consist of agreements with unrelated financial service companies that have original maturities of one year or less.
 
Peoples’ retail repurchase agreements consist of overnight agreements with Peoples’ commercial customers and serve as a cash management tool.
 
Other short-term borrowings consist of Federal Funds purchased and advances from the Federal Reserve Discount Window.  Federal Funds purchased are short-term borrowings from correspondent banks that typically mature within one to ninety days.  Peoples has available Federal Funds of $25 million from certain of its correspondent banks.  Interest on Federal funds purchased is set daily by the correspondent bank based on prevailing market rates.  The Federal Reserve Discount Window provides credit facilities to financial institutions, which are designed to ensure adequate liquidity by providing a source of short-term funds.  Discount Window advances are typically overnight and must be secured by collateral acceptable to the lending Federal Reserve Bank.
 
77

 
Note 9.  Long-Term Borrowings 


Long-term borrowings consisted of the following at December 31:
 
 
2009
2008
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance
Weighted-
Average
Rate
Balance
Weighted-
Average
Rate
Callable national market repurchase agreements
 $145,000
4.01%
 $155,000
4.06%
Non-callable national market repurchase agreements
 –
– %
 5,000
4.97%
FHLB convertible rate advances
 7,500
4.81%
 24,500
5.38%
FHLB putable, fixed rate advances
 10,000
3.20%
 10,000
3.20%
FHLB amortizing, fixed rate advances
 18,613
3.56%
 23,797
3.94%
FHLB non-amortizing, non-callable, fixed rate advances
 15,000
3.90%
 40,000
4.62%
FHLB non-amortizing, callable, fixed rate advances
 50,000
3.29%
 50,000
3.29%
    Total long-term borrowings
 $246,113
3.82%
 $308,297
4.09%
 
Peoples’ national market repurchase agreements consist of agreements with unrelated financial service companies and have original maturities ranging from 3 to 10 years.  In general, these agreements may not be terminated by Peoples prior to the maturity without incurring additional costs.  The callable agreements contain call option features, in which the buyer has the right, at its discretion, to terminate the repurchase agreement after an initial period ranging from 3 months to 5 years.  After the initial call period, the buyer has the right to terminate the agreement on a quarterly basis thereafter until maturity.  If the buyer exercises its option, Peoples would be required to repay the agreement in whole at the quarterly date.
 
The FHLB advances consist of various borrowings with original maturities ranging from 3 to 20 years that generally may not be repaid prior to maturity without Peoples incurring a penalty.  The rate on the convertible rate advances are fixed from initial periods ranging from one to four years, depending on the specific advance.  After the initial fixed rate period, the FHLB has the option to convert each advance to a LIBOR based, variable rate advance.  If the FHLB exercises its option, Peoples may repay the advance in whole or in part on the conversion date or any subsequent repricing date without a prepayment fee.  At all other times, early repayment of any convertible rate advance would result in Peoples incurring a prepayment penalty.  For the putable advances, the FHLB has the option, at its sole discretion following an initial period of three months, to terminate the debt and require Peoples to repay the advance prior to the final stated maturity.  After the initial period, the FHLB has the option to terminate the debt on a quarterly basis.  If the advance is terminated prior to maturity, the FHLB will offer Peoples replacement funding at the then-prevailing rate on an advance product then-offered by the FHLB, subject to normal FHLB underwriting criteria. As discussed in Note 8, long-term FHLB advances are collateralized by assets owned by Peoples.
 
The aggregate minimum annual retirements of long-term borrowings in the next five years and thereafter are as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
Balance
 
Weighted-Average Rate
2010
 $     33,281
 
4.27%
2011
        45,212
 
4.50%
2012
        37,223
 
4.18%
2013
          2,033
 
3.68%
2014
          1,522
 
3.54%
Thereafter
      126,842
 
3.36%
    Total long-term borrowings
 $246,113
 
3.82%

 
 
Note 10.  Junior Subordinated Notes Held By Subsidiary Trust 


Peoples previously formed a statutory business trust (the “Trust”) for the purpose of issuing corporation-obligated mandatorily redeemable capital securities (the “Capital Securities” or “Trust Preferred Securities”), with 100% of the common equity in the Trust owned by Peoples.  The proceeds from the Capital Securities and common equity were invested in junior subordinated debt securities of Peoples (the “Debentures”).
 
78

The Debentures held by the trust are the sole assets of the trust.  Distributions on the Capital Securities are payable semiannually at a rate per annum equal to the interest rate being earned by the Trust on the Debentures and are recorded as interest expense by Peoples.  Since the Trust is a variable interest entity and Peoples is not deemed to be the primary beneficiary, the Trust is not included in Peoples’ Consolidated Financial Statements.  As a result, Peoples includes the Debentures as a separate category of long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets entitled “Junior Subordinated Notes Held by Subsidiary Trust” and the related expense as interest expense on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
 
Under the provisions of the Debentures, Peoples has the right to defer payment of interest on the Debentures at any time, or from time to time, for periods not exceeding five years.  If interest payments on the Debentures are deferred, the dividends on the Capital Securities are also deferred and Peoples will be prohibited from paying dividends on its common shares.  Interest on the Debentures is cumulative.  Peoples has entered into agreements which, taken collectively, fully and unconditionally guarantee the Capital Securities subject to the terms of each of the guarantees.
 
The Capital Securities are mandatorily redeemable upon maturity of the Debentures on May 1, 2029, and Peoples has the right to redeem the Debentures, in whole or in part, after May 1, 2009.  If redeemed prior to maturity, the redemption price of the Debentures will be the principal amount, plus any unpaid accrued interest, and a premium if redeemed before 2019.
 
Under the risk-based capital standards for bank holding companies adopted by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Trust Preferred Securities qualify as Tier 1 capital for regulatory capital purposes, subject to certain quantitative limits and qualitative standards.  Specifically, the aggregate amount of trust preferred securities and certain other capital elements that qualify as Tier 1 capital is limited to 25% of core capital elements, net of goodwill, with the excess amount not qualifying for Tier 1 capital being included in Tier 2 capital.  Additionally, trust preferred securities no longer qualify for Tier 1 capital within five years of their maturity.
 
The Capital Securities issued by the Trust at December 31 are summarized as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
2009
2008
Capital Securities of PEBO Capital Trust I, 8.62%, due May 1, 2029,
 $22,530
 $22,495
  net of unamortized issuance costs
   
     
    Amount qualifying for Tier 1 capital
 $22,530
 $22,495

 
Note 11.  Stockholders’ Equity 


The following table details the progression in balances of Peoples’ preferred, common and treasury stock during the years presented:
 
 
Preferred
Common
Treasury
Stock
 
Stock
Stock
Balance, December 31, 2006
 –
 10,889,242
 237,257
Changes related to stock-based compensation awards:
     
     Exercise of stock options for common shares
 
 5,703
 (57,988)
Purchase of treasury stock
   
 471,327
Common shares issued under dividend reinvestment plan
 
 31,009
 
Issuance of common stock related to acquisitions:
     
     Putnam Agency, Inc.
   
 (4,662)
     Barengo Insurance Agency, Inc.
   
 (16,728)
Balance, December 31, 2007
 –
 10,925,954
 629,206
Changes related to stock-based compensation awards:
     
     Exercise of stock options for common shares
 
 7,475
 (11,093)
Purchase of treasury stock
   
 23,367
Common shares issued under dividend reinvestment plan
 
 41,935
 
Balance, December 31, 2008
 –
 10,975,364
 641,480

 
79

 
 
Preferred
 
Common
 
Treasury
 
Stock
 
Stock
    Stock
Balance, December 31, 2008
                     –
 
  10,975,364
 
        641,480
Issuance of preferred shares
            39,000
       
Changes related to stock-based compensation awards:
         
     Release of restricted common shares
   
              3,415
   
Changes related to deferred compensation plan:
         
     Purchase of treasury stock
       
            17,984
     Reissuance of treasury stock
       
            (2,209)
Common shares issued under dividend reinvestment plan
   
            53,113
   
Balance, December 31, 2009
          39,000
 
  11,031,892
 
        657,255
 
On January 22, 2009, Peoples’ shareholders adopted an amendment to Article FOURTH of Peoples’ Amended Articles of Incorporation to authorize the issuance of up to 50,000 preferred shares.  The preferred shares may be issued by Peoples’ Board of Directors in one or more series, from time to time, with each such series to consist of such number of shares and to have such voting powers, designations, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions as determined by the Board of Directors.  On January 28, 2009, Peoples’ Board of Directors adopted an amendment to Peoples’ Amended Articles of Incorporation to create a series of preferred shares designated as Peoples’ Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Shares, Series A, each without par value and having a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (the “Series A Preferred Shares”).  These actions enabled Peoples to obtain final approval for a $39 million capital investment from the United States Department of the Treasury (“U.S. Treasury”) through the TARP Capital Purchase Program established by the U.S. Treasury under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.
 
On January 30, 2009, Peoples issued and sold to the U.S. Treasury (i) 39,000 of Peoples’ Series A Preferred Shares, and (ii) a ten-year warrant (the “Warrant”) to purchase 313,505 Peoples common shares (“Common Shares”), at an exercise price of $18.66 per share (subject to certain anti-dilution and other adjustments), for an aggregate purchase price of $39 million in cash.
 
Under standardized TARP Capital Purchase Program terms, cumulative dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares will accrue on the liquidation preference at a rate of 5% per annum until February 14, 2014, and at a rate of 9% per annum thereafter.  These dividends will be paid only if, as and when declared by Peoples’ Board of Directors.  The Series A Preferred Shares have no maturity date and rank senior to the Common Shares with respect to the payment of dividends and distributions and amounts payable upon liquidation, dissolution and winding up of Peoples.  Subject to the approval of the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement, which for Peoples is the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), the Series A Preferred Shares are redeemable at the option of Peoples at 100% of their liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends, without penalty, delay or the need to raise additional replacement capital.  The Series A Preferred Shares are generally non-voting.
 
The U.S. Treasury has agreed not to exercise voting power with respect to any Common Shares issued to it upon exercise of the Warrant.  Any Common Shares issued by Peoples upon exercise of the Warrant will be issued from Common Shares held in treasury to the extent available.  If no treasury shares are available, Common Shares will be issued from authorized but unissued Common Shares.
 
The Securities Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Series A Preferred Shares and the Warrant were sold, contains limitations on the payment of dividends on the Common Shares after January 30, 2009.  Prior to the earlier of (i) January 30, 2012 and (ii) the date on which the Series A Preferred Shares have been redeemed in whole or the U.S. Treasury has transferred the Series A Preferred Shares to third parties which are not Affiliates (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) of the U.S. Treasury, any increase in common share dividends by Peoples or any of its subsidiaries would be prohibited without the prior approval of the U.S. Treasury.
 
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “ARRA”) passed by the United States Congress and signed by the President on February 17, 2009, provides that the U.S. Treasury, subject to consultation with the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency, must permit a TARP recipient to repay any assistance previously provided under TARP, without regard to whether the TARP recipient has replaced those funds from any other source or to any waiting period.  As a result, subject to consultation with the Federal Reserve Board, the U.S. Treasury must permit Peoples to redeem the Series A Preferred Shares at the appropriate redemption price without regard to whether the redemption price is to be paid from proceeds of a qualified equity offering or any other source or when the redemption date occurs.  If the Series A Preferred Shares were redeemed, Peoples has the right to repurchase the Warrant at its appraised value.  If Peoples chooses not to repurchase the Warrant, the U.S. Treasury must liquidate the related Warrant at the current market price.
 
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Note 12.  Comprehensive Income (Loss) 

 
The components of other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2007
Net income
 $    4,190
 
 $    7,455
 
 $  18,314
Other comprehensive income (loss):
         
Available-for-sale investment securities:
         
Gross unrealized holding gain (loss) arising in the period
     26,573
 
    (20,941)
 
       1,697
  Related tax (expense) benefit
      (9,301)
 
       7,329
 
         (594)
Non-credit losses arising on securities during the period
         (166)
 
              –
 
              –
  Related tax benefit
            58
 
              –
 
              –
Less: reclassification adjustment for net loss included in earnings
      (6,261)
 
      (2,592)
 
      (6,062)
  Related tax benefit
       2,190
 
          907
 
       2,122
    Net effect on other comprehensive income (loss)
     21,235
 
    (11,927)
 
       5,043
Defined benefit plans:
         
Net gain (loss) arising during the period
       1,151
 
      (5,206)
 
       1,327
  Related tax (expense) benefit
         (403)
 
       1,822
 
         (464)
Amortization of unrecognized loss and service cost on pension plan
          148
 
            13
 
          162
  Related tax expense
           (52)
 
             (4)
 
           (57)
    Net effect on other comprehensive income (loss)
          844
 
      (3,375)
 
          968
    Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
     22,079
 
    (15,302)
 
       6,011
    Total comprehensive income (loss)
 $26,269
 
 $ (7,847)
 
 $24,325
 
Changes in the components of Peoples’ accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:
 
     
Unrecognized
   
 
Unrealized
 
Net Pension and
 
Accumulated
 
Gain (Loss)
 
Postretirement
 
Comprehensive
(Dollars in thousands)
on Securities
 
Costs
 
Income (Loss)
Balance, December 31, 2006
 $              (979)
 
 $            (2,018)
 
 $         (2,997)
Current period change, net of tax
                5,043
 
                     968
 
               6,011
Balance, December 31, 2007
 $             4,064
 
 $            (1,050)
 
$           3,014
Current period change, net of tax
             (11,927)
 
                (3,375)
 
           (15,302)
Balance, December 31, 2008
 $          (7,863)
 
 $            (4,425)
 
 $      (12,288)
Current period change, net of tax
              21,235
 
                     844
 
             22,079
Cumulative effect adjustment for non-credit
         
     portion of previously recorded OTTI losses
                  (304)
 
                         –
 
                (304)
Balance, December 31, 2009
 $         13,068
 
 $            (3,581)
 
 $          9,487

 
Note 13.  Employee Benefit Plans 


Peoples sponsors a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan that covers substantially all employees hired before January 1, 2010.  The plan provides retirement benefits based on an employee’s years of service and compensation.   For employees hired before January 1, 2003, the amount of postretirement benefit is based on the employee’s average monthly compensation pay over the highest five consecutive years out of the employee’s last ten years with Peoples while an eligible employee.  For employees hired on or after January 1, 2003, the amount of postretirement benefit is based on 2% of the employee’s annual compensation plus accrued interest.  Effective January 1, 2010, the pension plan was closed to new entrants.  Peoples also has a contributory postretirement benefit plan for former employees who were retired as of December 31, 1992.  The plan provides health and life insurance benefits.  Peoples’ policy is to fund the cost of the benefits as they are incurred.
 
81

The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in the plans’ benefit obligations and fair value of assets over the two-year period ending December 31, 2009, and a statement of the funded status as of December 31, 2009 and 2008:
 
 
Pension
Benefits
Postretirement Benefits
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
2008
2009
2008
Change in benefit obligation:
       
Obligation at January 1
 $12,938
 $11,868
 $226
 $246
Service cost
 799
 763
 –
 –
Interest cost
 785
 781
 16
 15
Plan participants’ contributions
 –
 –
 128
 123
Actuarial loss (gain)
 (82)
 492
 11
 (35)
Benefit payments
 (1,365)
 (966)
 (138)
 (123)
Increase due to plan changes
 –
 –
 –
 –
    Obligation at December 31
 $13,075
 $12,938
 $243
 $226
    Accumulated benefit obligation at December 31
 $11,379
 $11,164
 $ –
 $ –
         
Change in plan assets:
       
Fair value of plan assets at January 1
 $9,840
 $14,326
 $ –
 $ –
Actual return on plan assets
 2,261
 (3,520)
 –
  –
Employer contributions
 1,150
 –
 10
  –
Plan participants’ contributions
 –
 –
 128
 123
Benefit payments
 (1,365)
 (966)
 (138)
 (123)
    Fair value of plan assets at December 31
 $11,886
 $9,840
 $ –
 $ –
         
Funded status:
       
Funded status at December 31
 $(1,189)
 $(3,098)
 $(243)
 $(226)
Unrecognized prior service cost
 –
 –
 –
 –
Unrecognized net loss
 –
 –
 –
 –
    Net amount recognized
 $(1,189)
 $(3,098)
 $(243)
 $(226)
         
Amounts recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets:
       
Prepaid benefit costs
 $ –
 $ –
 $ –
 $ –
Accrued benefit liability
 (1,189)
 (3,098)
 (243)
 (226)
    Net amount recognized
 $(1,189)
 $(3,098)
 $(243)
 $(226)
         
Amounts recognized in Accumulated Comprehensive Income (Loss):
     
Unrecognized prior service cost
 $18
 $20
 $18
 $20
Unrecognized net loss
 3,568
 4,410
 52
 61
    Total
 $3,586
 $4,430
 $70
 $81
         
Weighted-average assumptions at year-end:
       
Discount rate
6.40%
6.30%
6.40%
6.30%
Rate of compensation increase
2.50%
2.50%
n/a
n/a

 
The estimated costs relating to Peoples’ pension benefits that will be amortized from accumulated comprehensive income (loss) into net periodic cost over the next fiscal year are $4,000 of prior service costs and $238,000 of net loss.
 
82

Net Periodic Benefit Cost
The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit cost for the plans:

 
Pension Benefits
Postretirement Benefits
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
2008
2007
2009
2008
2007
Service cost
 $799
 $763
 $847
 $ –
 $ –
 $ –
Interest cost
 785
 781
 757
 16
 15
 26
Expected return on plan assets
 (1,194)
 (1,202)
 (1,191)
 –
 –
 –
Amortization of prior service cost
 4
 4
 2
 (3)
  –
 –
Amortization of net loss
 145
 10
 160
 (3)
 (7)
 3
    Net periodic benefit cost
 $539
 $356
 $575
 $10
 $8
 $29
             
Weighted-average assumptions:
           
Discount rate
6.30%
6.70%
6.00%
6.30%
6.70%
6.00%
Expected return on plan assets
8.50%
8.50%
8.50%
n/a
n/a
n/a
Rate of compensation increase
2.50%
3.50%
3.50%
n/a
n/a
n/a
 
For measurement purposes, a 10% annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered benefits (i.e., health care cost trend rate) was assumed for 2009, grading down 1% per year to an ultimate rate of 5% in 2014.  The health care trend rate assumption does not have a significant effect on the contributory defined benefit postretirement plan; therefore, a one percentage point increase or decrease in the trend rate is not material in the determination of the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation or the ongoing expense.
 
Determination of Expected Long-term Rate of Return
The expected long-term rate of return on the plans’ total assets is based on the expected return of each category of the plan’s assets.  Management considers the long-term historical returns of the assets within the portfolio and adjusts the rate, as necessary, for expected future returns on the assets in the plans in determining the rate.
 
Plan Assets
Peoples’ investment strategy, as established by Peoples’ Retirement Plan Committee, is to invest assets based upon established target allocations, which include a target range of 60-75% allocation in equity securities, 24-39% in debt securities and approximately 1% of other investments.  The assets are reallocated periodically to meet the target allocations.  The investment policy is reviewed periodically, under the advisement of a certified investment advisor, to determine if the policy should be changed.
 
The following table provides the fair values of investments held in Peoples’ pension plan at December 31, by major asset category:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Fair Value
 
Quoted Prices
 in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
 (Level 1)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
2009
                 
Equity securities
 
$
       9,357
 
$
           9,357
 
$
                  –
Debt securities
   
       1,945
   
              924
   
           1,021
Other
   
          584
   
                  –
   
              584
Total fair value of pension assets
 
$
     11,886
 
$
         10,281
 
$
           1,605
                   
2008
                 
Equity securities
 
$
       6,072
 
$
           5,247
 
$
              825
Debt securities
   
       2,769
   
           1,134
   
           1,635
Other
   
          999
   
                  –
   
              999
Total fair value of pension assets
 
$
       9,840
 
$
           6,381
 
$
           3,459
 
The equity securities measured at fair value consist primarily of stock mutual funds (Level 1 inputs) and common and collective trust funds (Level 2 inputs).  Debt securities include corporate bonds and bond mutual funds (Level 1 inputs), U.S. government and agency securities and obligations of state and political subdivisions (Level 2 inputs).  Other investments consist of cash, money market deposits, and certificates of deposit (Level 2 inputs).  For further information regarding levels of input used to measure fair value, please refer to Note 2.
 
83

Equity securities of Peoples’ pension plan did not include any securities of Peoples or related parties in 2009 or 2008.
 
Cash Flows
Peoples has not determined if any contributions will be made to its pension plan in 2010; however, actual contributions are made at the discretion of the Retirement Plan Committee and Peoples’ Board of Directors.  Estimated future benefit payments, which reflect benefits attributable to estimated future service, for the years ending December 31 are as follows:

 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Pension Benefits
Post-
retirement Benefits
2010
 
 $            920
 
 $              31
2011
 
            1,022
 
                 31
2012
 
            1,604
 
                 28
2013
 
            1,130
 
                 26
2014
 
            1,402
 
                 24
2015 to 2019
 
            7,153
 
                 94
    Total
 
 $     13,231
 
 $           234

Retirement Savings Plan
Peoples also maintains a retirement savings plan, or 401(k) plan, which covers substantially all employees.  The plan provides participants the opportunity to save for retirement on a tax-deferred basis.  During 2009 and in prior years, Peoples made matching contributions equal to 100% of participants’ contributions that did not exceed 3% of the participants’ compensation, plus 50% of participants’ contributions between 3% and 5% of the participants’ compensation.  Effective January 1, 2010, Peoples began making matching contributions equal to 100% of participants’ contributions that do not exceed 2% of the participants’ compensation.  Matching contributions made by Peoples totaled $775,000, $776,000 and $740,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 
 
Note 14.  Income Taxes 


Peoples’ reported income tax (benefit) expense consisted of the following for the years ended December 31:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
2008
2007
Current income tax
 $4,148
 $3,021
 $6,548
Deferred income tax
 (5,212)
 (2,861)
 (988)
    Total income tax (benefit) expense
 $(1,064)
 $160
 $5,560
 
The reported income tax (benefit) expense and effective tax rate in the Consolidated Statements of Income differs from the amounts computed by applying the statutory corporate tax rate as follows for the years ended December 31:

 
2009
 
2008
 
2007
(Dollars in thousands)
Amount
 
Rate
 
Amount
 
Rate
 
Amount
 
Rate
Income tax computed at statutory federal tax rate
 $   1,063
 
   34.0%
 
 $   2,665
 
  35.0%
 
 $   8,356
 
  35.0%
Differences in rate resulting from:
                     
  Tax-exempt interest income
        (921)
 
  (29.5)
 
        (924)
 
 (12.1)
 
        (831)
 
   (3.5)
  Investments in tax credit funds
        (625)
 
  (20.0)
 
        (689)
 
   (9.0)
 
        (640)
 
   (2.7)
  Bank owned life insurance
        (357)
 
  (11.4)
 
        (554)
 
   (7.3)
 
        (581)
 
   (2.4)
  Change in valuation allowance
        –
 
       –
 
        (321)
 
   (4.2)
 
        (635)
 
   (2.6)
  Other, net
        (224)
 
    (7.2)
 
          (17)
 
   (0.3)
 
        (109)
 
   (0.5)
    Total income tax (benefit) expense
 $(1,064)
 
-34.1%
%
 $     160
 
2.1%
 
 $  5,560
 
23.3%
 
Peoples’ income tax returns are subject to review and examination by federal and state taxing authorities.  Peoples is currently open to audit under the applicable statutes of limitations by the Internal Revenue Service for the years ended December 31, 2006 through 2008.  The years open to examination by state taxing authorities vary by jurisdiction.  The significant components of Peoples' deferred tax assets and liabilities consisted of the following at December 31:
 
84

 
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
2008
Deferred tax assets:
   
  Allowance for loan losses
 $10,002
 $8,548
  Accrued employee benefits
 1,482
 2,103
  Available-for-sale securities
 –
 4,234
  Investments
 2,229
 –
  AMT credit carryforward
 3,676
 2,069
  Other
 283
 315
    Total deferred tax assets
 17,672
 17,269
     
Deferred tax liabilities:
   
  Bank premises and equipment
 1,317
 1,183
  Deferred income
 1,170
 1,013
  Deferred net loan costs
 389
 331
  Available-for-sale securities
 7,036
 –
  Investments
 –
 351
  Other
 3,556
 3,510
    Total deferred tax liabilities
 13,468
 6,388
    Net deferred tax asset
 $4,204
 $10,881

The AMT tax credit carryforward at December 31, 2009 and 2008 may be carried over indefinitely.  No valuation allowance for deferred tax assets was required at December 31, 2009 as it is more likely than not that all of the deferred tax assets will be realized in future periods.  The related federal income tax expense on securities transactions approximated $506,000 in 2009, $584,000 in 2008 and $38,000 in 2007.
 

 
Note 15.  Earnings Per Share 


The calculations of basic and diluted earnings per common share for years ended December 31 were as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
2009
2008
2007
Net income
 $4,190
 $7,455
 $18,314
Preferred dividends
 1,876
 -
 -
  Net income available to common shareholders
 2,314
 7,455
 18,314
       
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
10,363,975
10,315,263
10,462,933
Effect of potentially dilutive common shares
10,817
33,316
66,701
    Total weighted-average diluted common
     
        shares outstanding
10,374,792
10,348,579
10,529,634
       
Earnings per common share:
     
     Basic
 $0.22
 $0.72
 $1.75
     Diluted
 $0.22
 $0.72
 $1.74
 
As disclosed in Note 11, during 2009 Peoples issued a warrant to purchase 313,505 common shares, which remained outstanding at December 31, 2009.  This warrant was excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per common share since it was anti-dilutive.  In addition, stock options and SARs covering 285,678; 282,604 and 142,306 common shares were excluded from the calculations for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, since they were anti-dilutive.
 

 
Note 16.  Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk 


In the normal course of business, Peoples is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk necessary to meet the financing needs of customers.  These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.  The instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  The contract amounts of these instruments express the extent of involvement Peoples has in these financial instruments.
 
85

Loan Commitments and Standby Letters of Credit
Loan commitments are made to accommodate the financial needs of Peoples' customers.  Standby letters of credit are instruments issued by Peoples Bank guaranteeing the beneficiary payment by Peoples Bank in the event of default by Peoples Bank's customer in the nonperformance of an obligation or service.  Historically, most loan commitments and standby letters of credit expire unused.  Peoples' exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counter-party to the financial instrument for loan commitments and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments.  Peoples uses the same underwriting standards in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.  The amount of collateral obtained is based on management's credit evaluation of the customer.  Collateral held varies, but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant, and equipment, and income-producing commercial properties.
 
The total amounts of loan commitments and standby letters of credit at December 31 are summarized as follows:

 
Contractual Amount
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
2008
Home equity lines of credit
 $40,169
 $40,909
Unadvanced construction loans
 12,921
 49,615
Other loan commitments
 113,072
 110,670
  Loan commitments
 166,162
 201,194
     
Standby letters of credit
 $44,048
 $46,788
 
Other
Peoples also has commitments to make additional capital contributions in low-income housing projects.  Such commitments approximated $0.9 million at December 31, 2009, and $1.1 million at December 31, 2008.  The maximum aggregate amounts Peoples could be required to make for each of the next five years are as follows: $240,000 in 2010; $234,000 in 2011; $185,000 in 2012; $125,000 in 2013 and $66,000 in 2014.
 

 
Note 17.  Regulatory Matters 


The following is a summary of certain regulatory matters affecting Peoples and its subsidiaries:
 
Capital Requirements
Peoples and Peoples Bank are subject to various regulatory capital guidelines administered by the banking regulatory agencies.  Under capital adequacy requirements and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, Peoples and its banking subsidiary must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of each entity's assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices.  Peoples' and Peoples Bank’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.  Failure to meet future minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by the regulators that, if undertaken, could have a material effect on Peoples’ financial results.
 
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require Peoples and Peoples Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of Total and Tier I capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier I capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined).  Peoples and Peoples Bank met all capital adequacy requirements at December 31, 2009.
 
As of December 31, 2009, the most recent notifications from the banking regulatory agencies categorized Peoples and Peoples Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.  To be categorized as well capitalized, Peoples and Peoples Bank must maintain minimum Total risk-based, Tier I risk-based and Tier I leverage ratios as set forth in the table below.  There are no conditions or events since these notifications that management believes have changed Peoples or Peoples Bank's category.
 
86

Peoples and Peoples Bank’s actual capital amounts and ratios as of December 31 are also presented in the following table:

 
December 31, 2009
December 31, 2008
(Dollars in thousands)
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
PEOPLES
       
Total Capital (1)
       
Actual
 $209,144
16.8%
 $173,470
13.2%
For capital adequacy
 99,577
8.0%
 105,253
8.0%
To be well capitalized
 124,471
10.0%
 131,566
10.0%
         
Tier 1 (2)
       
Actual
 $192,822
15.5%
 $156,254
11.9%
For capital adequacy
 49,788
4.0%
 52,626
4.0%
To be well capitalized
 74,682
6.0%
 78,939
6.0%
         
Tier 1 Leverage (3)
       
Actual
 $192,822
10.1%
 $156,254
8.2%
For capital adequacy
 76,653
4.0%
 76,443
4.0%
To be well capitalized
 95,817
5.0%
 95,554
5.0%
Net Risk-Weighted Assets
 $1,244,707
 
 $1,315,657
 
         
PEOPLES BANK
       
Total Capital (1)
       
Actual
 $178,798
14.4%
 $158,030
12.1%
For capital adequacy
 99,150
8.0%
 104,715
8.0%
To be well capitalized
 123,938
10.0%
 130,894
10.0%
         
Tier 1 (2)
       
Actual
 $163,161
13.2%
 $141,587
10.8%
For capital adequacy
 49,575
4.0%
 52,357
4.0%
To be well capitalized
 74,363
6.0%
 78,536
6.0%
         
Tier 1 Leverage (3)
       
Actual
 $163,161
8.6%
 $141,587
7.5%
For capital adequacy
 76,277
4.0%
 75,866
4.0%
To be well capitalized
 95,346
5.0%
 94,833
5.0%
Net Risk-Weighted Assets
 $1,239,379
 
 $1,308,937
 
            (1)  Ratio represents total capital to net risk-weighted assets
            (2)  Ratio represents Tier 1 capital to net risk-weighted assets
            (3)  Ratio represents Tier 1 capital to average assets

As more fully disclosed in Note 11, on January 30, 2009, Peoples received $39.0 million of new equity capital from the sale of Series A Preferred Shares and the Warrant to U.S. Treasury as part of the TARP Capital Purchase Program.  All of the proceeds from the sale of the Series A Preferred Shares and the Warrant qualified as Tier 1 capital for regulatory purposes.
 
Limits on Dividends
The primary source of funds for the dividends paid by Peoples is dividends received from Peoples Bank.  The payment of dividends by Peoples Bank is subject to various banking regulations.  The most restrictive provision requires regulatory approval if dividends declared in any calendar year exceed the total net profits of that year plus the retained net profits of the preceding two years.  At December 31, 2009, Peoples Bank had approximately $6.3 million of net profits available for distribution to Peoples as dividends without regulatory approval.
 
Federal Reserve Requirements
Peoples Bank is required to maintain a minimum level of reserves, consisting of cash on hand and non-interest-bearing balances with the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, based on the amount of deposit liabilities.  Average required reserve balances were approximately $5.1 million and $4.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008.
 
87


 
Note 18.  Stock–Based Compensation 


Under the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Plan (the “2006 Equity Plan”) approved by shareholders, Peoples may grant, among other awards, nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock awards, stock appreciation rights or any combination thereof covering up to 500,000 common shares to employees and non-employee directors.  Prior to 2007, Peoples granted nonqualified and incentive stock options to employees and nonqualified stock options to non-employee directors under the 2006 Equity Plan and predecessor plans.  Since February 2007, Peoples has granted a combination of restricted common shares and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) to be settled in common shares to employees and restricted common shares to non-employee directors subject to the terms and conditions prescribed by the 2006 Equity Plan.  In general, common shares issued in connection with stock-based awards are issued from treasury shares to the extent available.  If no treasury shares are available, common shares are issued from authorized but unissued common shares.
 
Stock Options
Under the provisions of the 2006 Equity Plan and predecessor stock option plans, the exercise price per share of any stock option granted may not be less than the fair market value of the underlying common shares on the date of grant of the stock option.  The most recent stock options granted to employees and non-employee directors occurred in 2006.  The stock options granted to employees will vest three years from the grant date, while the stock options granted to non-employee directors vested six months from the grant date.  All stock options granted to both employees and non-employee directors expire ten years from the date of grant.
 
The following summarizes the changes to Peoples’ stock options for the year ended December 31, 2009:

 
Number of
Shares
Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
Weighted-
Average
Remaining Contractual
Life
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Outstanding at January 1
 304,447
 $22.91
   
Granted
 –
 –
   
Exercised
 –
 –
   
Expired
 33,690
 15.00
   
    Outstanding at December 31
270,757
 $23.90
3.5 years
 $ –
         
    Exercisable at December 31
270,757
 $23.90
3.5 years
 $ –

The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $0, $61,000 and $0.6 million in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
The following summarizes information concerning Peoples’ stock options outstanding at December 31, 2009:

     
Options Outstanding
Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices
Option Shares Outstanding
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
Option Shares Exercisable
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
$13.00
to
$22.24
 51,491
0.8 years
 $15.14
 51,491
 $15.14
$22.25
to
$23.49
 48,603
3.2 years
 22.32
 48,603
 22.32
$23.50
to
$25.99
 44,824
2.4 years
 23.95
 44,824
 23.95
$26.00
to
$28.24
 45,767
4.5 years
 27.06
 45,767
 27.06
$28.25
to
$28.49
 39,538
5.8 years
 28.25
 39,538
 28.25
$28.50
to
$32.00
 40,534
4.7 years
 29.03
 40,534
 29.03
    Total
   
 270,757
3.5 years
 $23.90
 270,757
 $23.90
 
Stock Appreciation Rights
 SARs granted to employees have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of Peoples’ common shares on the date of grant and will be settled using common shares of Peoples.  Additionally, the SARs granted will vest three years from the grant date and expire ten years from the date of grant.  The following summarizes the changes to Peoples’ SARs for the year ended December 31, 2009:
 
88


 
Number
 of Shares
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
Weighted-
Average
Remaining Contractual
Life
Aggregate Intrinsic
 Value
Outstanding at January 1
     57,433
 
 $     25.92
       
Granted
              –
 
            –
       
Exercised
              –
 
            –
       
Forfeited
       3,677
 
        27.62
       
    Outstanding at December 31
    53,756
 
 $   25.80
 
7.6 years
 
 $              –
    Exercisable at December 31
      1,124
 
 $   26.49
 
0.7 years
 
 $              –
 
The weighted-average estimated fair value of the SARs granted in 2008 and 2007 was $5.46 and $7.73, respectively.  The following summarizes information concerning Peoples’ SARs outstanding at December 31, 2009:

           Exercise Prices
Number of
Shares Outstanding
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
Number of
Shares
Exercisable
$23.26
 5,000
7.6 years
 $23.26
 –
$23.77
 25,765
8.0 years
 23.77
 567
             $23.80 to $27.99
 3,000
8.2 years
 24.52
 –
$29.25
 19,991
6.9 years
 29.25
 557
    Total
 53,756
7.6 years
 $25.80
 1,124

Restricted Shares
 Under the 2006 Equity Plan, Peoples may award restricted common shares to officers, key employees and non-employee directors.  In general, the restrictions on common shares awarded to non-employee directors expire after six months, while the restrictions on common shares awarded to employees expire after three years. The following summarizes the changes to Peoples’ restricted common shares for year ended December 31, 2009:

     
Weighted-
     
Average
 
Number
 
Grant Date
 
of Shares
 
Fair Value
Outstanding at January 1
     15,578
 
 $         26.10
Awarded
       2,000
 
            13.14
Released
       3,415
 
            25.16
Forfeited
          172
 
            26.26
Outstanding at December 31
    13,991
 
 $       24.48
 
The total intrinsic value of restricted stock released was $37,000, $158,000 and $220,000 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation
Peoples recognized stock-based compensation expense, which is included as a component of Peoples’ salaries and employee benefits costs, based on the estimated fair value of the awards on the grant date.  The following summarizes the amount of stock-based compensation expense and related tax benefit recognized for the years ended December 31:
 
 
2009
 
2008
 
2007
Total stock-based compensation
 $     149,000
 
 $     498,000
 
 $     391,000
Recognized tax benefit
        (52,000)
 
      (174,000)
 
      (137,000)
    Net expense recognized
 $     97,000
 
 $  324,000
 
 $  254,000
 
89

In 2009, restricted common shares were the only stock-based compensation awards granted by Peoples.  The estimated fair value of SARs granted in 2008 and 2007 was calculated at grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
 
 
2008
2007
Risk-free interest rate
4.38%
4.82%
Dividend yield
3.88%
3.05%
Volatility factor of the market price of parent stock
26.3%
25.5%
Weighted-average expected life
10.0 years
10.0 years

The Black-Scholes option valuation model was originally developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options, which have different characteristics than equity awards granted by Peoples, such as no vesting or transfer restrictions.  The model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility, which can materially affect the fair value estimate.  The expected volatility and expected life assumptions were based solely on historical data.  The expected dividend yield is computed based on the then current dividend rate, and the risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term approximating the expected life of the equity awards.
 
Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested awards was $85,000 at December 31, 2009, which will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.8 years.
 

 
Note 19.  Parent Company Only Financial Information 


 
Condensed Balance Sheets
December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
 
2008
Assets:
     
Cash and due from other banks
 $             996
 
 $          2,209
Interest-bearing deposits in subsidiary bank
           22,780
 
             3,776
Receivable from subsidiary bank
                575
 
                423
Available-for-sale investment securities, at estimated fair value (amortized
     
  cost of $1,394 and $1,405 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively)
             2,771
 
             2,940
Investments in subsidiaries:
     
  Bank
         216,339
 
         179,193
  Non-bank
           28,975
 
           28,025
Other assets
             1,342
 
             1,305
    Total assets
 $   273,778
 
 $   217,871
       
Liabilities:
     
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
 $          5,545
 
 $          5,872
Dividends payable
             1,291
 
             2,398
Junior subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trust
           22,975
 
           22,975
    Total liabilities
           29,811
 
           31,245
       
Preferred stockholders' equity
           38,543
 
            –
Common stockholders' equity
         205,424
 
         186,626
    Total stockholders' equity
         243,967
 
         186,626
    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 $   273,778
 
 $   217,871

90

 
Condensed Statements of Income
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2007
Income:
         
Dividends from subsidiary bank
 $     3,000
 
 $     2,000
 
 $   28,000
Dividends from non-bank subsidiary
        5,250
 
               –
 
        1,000
Interest and other income
           495
 
           361
 
           392
    Total income
        8,745
 
        2,361
 
      29,392
           
Expenses:
         
Interest expense on junior subordinated notes held by subsidiary trusts
        2,015
 
        2,011
 
        2,223
Intercompany management fees
           909
 
           821
 
           938
Other expense
        1,067
 
        1,380
 
        1,374
    Total expenses
        3,991
 
        4,212
 
        4,535
           
Income (loss) before federal income taxes and (excess dividends from) equity
         
  in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries
        4,754
 
       (1,851)
 
      24,857
Applicable income tax benefit
       (1,522)
 
       (1,798)
 
       (2,345)
(Excess dividends from) equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries
       (2,086)
 
        7,508
 
       (8,888)
    Net income
 $    4,190
 
 $    7,455
 
 $ 18,314
 
Statements of Cash Flows
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2009
 
2008
 
2007
Operating activities
         
Net income
 $     4,190
 
 $     7,455
 
 $   18,314
Adjustment to reconcile net income to cash provided by operations:
         
  Amortization and depreciation
               –
 
               –
 
               2
  Excess dividends from (equity in) undistributed earnings of subsidiaries
        2,086
 
       (7,508)
 
        8,888
  Other, net
          (142)
 
             59
 
        1,313
    Net cash provided by operating activities
        6,134
 
               6
 
      28,517
           
Investing activities
         
Net proceeds from sales and maturities (purchases of) investment securities
             38
 
            (45)
 
          (224)
Investment in subsidiaries
     (18,000)
 
               –
 
               –
Change in receivable from subsidiary
          (153)
 
           228
 
            (51)
Acquisitions, net of cash received
               –
 
               –
 
       (1,070)
    Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
     (18,115)
 
           183
 
       (1,345)
           
Financing activities
         
Issuance of preferred shares and common stock warrant
      39,000
 
               –
 
               –
Preferred stock dividends
       (1,543)
 
               –
 
               –
Purchase of treasury stock
          (249)
 
          (506)
 
     (12,350)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
               4
 
           210
 
           989
Redemption of Trust Preferred Securities
               –
 
               –
 
       (7,000)
Cash dividends paid
       (7,426)
 
       (8,423)
 
       (8,375)
Excess tax (expense) benefit for share based payments
            (14)
 
            (33)
 
           148
    Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
      29,772
 
       (8,752)
 
     (26,588)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
      17,791
 
       (8,563)
 
           584
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year
        5,985
 
      14,548
 
      13,964
    Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year
 $ 23,776
 
 $    5,985
 
 $ 14,548
           
Supplemental cash flow information:
         
Interest paid
 $     1,980
 
 $     1,980
 
 $     2,302

91

 
Note 20.  Summarized Quarterly Information (Unaudited) 


A summary of selected quarterly financial information for 2009 and 2008 follows:

 
2009              
 
First
Second
Third
Fourth
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Total interest income
 $26,334
 $25,745
 $25,472
 $24,554
Total interest expense
 10,807
 10,315
 10,003
 9,137
Net interest income
 15,527
 15,430
 15,469
 15,417
Provision for loan losses
 4,063
 4,734
 10,168
 6,756
Net impairment losses
 –
 –
 (5,930)
 (1,777)
Net gain on investment securities
 326
 262
 276
 582
Other income
 8,118
 8,302
 7,745
 7,782
Intangible asset amortization
 330
 319
 307
 296
FDIC insurance
 487
 1,608
 687
 660
Other expenses
 13,685
 13,594
 13,093
 13,616
Income tax expense (benefit)
 1,211
 893
 (2,630)
 (538)
Net income (loss)
 4,195
 2,846
 (4,065)
 1,214
Preferred dividends
 341
 511
 512
 512
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders
 $3,854
 $2,335
 $(4,577)
 $702
         
Earnings per common share - Basic
 $0.37
 $0.23
 $(0.44)
 $0.07
Earnings per common share - Diluted
 $0.37
 $0.23
 $(0.44)
 $0.07
         
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Basic
 10,344,862
 10,360,590
 10,372,946
 10,376,956
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Diluted
 10,355,280
 10,377,105
 10,390,275
 10,387,400



 
2008              
 
First
Second
Third
Fourth
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Total interest income
 $27,299
 $26,548
 $26,063
 $26,317
Total interest expense
 13,013
 11,674
 11,461
 11,600
Net interest income
 14,286
 14,874
 14,602
 14,717
Provision for loan losses
 1,437
 6,765
 5,996
 13,442
Net impairment losses
 –
 (260)
 –
 (4,000)
Net gain (loss) on investment securities
 293
 (48)
 (111)
 1,534
Other income
 8,234
 7,886
 8,142
 8,591
Intangible asset amortization
 415
 403
 390
 378
FDIC insurance
 34
 52
 55
 219
Other expenses
 13,293
 12,589
 12,748
 12,909
Income tax expense (benefit)
 1,986
 690
 493
 (3,009)
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders
 $5,648
 $1,953
 $2,951
 $(3,097)
         
Earnings per common share - Basic
 $0.55
 $0.19
 $0.29
 $(0.30)
Earnings per common share - Diluted
 $0.55
 $0.19
 $0.28
 $(0.30)
         
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Basic
 10,302,713
 10,304,666
 10,319,534
 10,333,888
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Diluted
 10,345,180
 10,352,135
 10,354,522
 10,359,491


 
92

 
PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information concerning (a) directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc. (“Peoples”), (b) the procedures by which shareholders of Peoples may recommend nominees to Peoples’ Board of Directors, (c) the Audit Committee of Peoples’ Board of Directors and (d) the Board of Directors’ determination that Peoples has an “audit committee financial expert” serving on its Audit Committee required by Items 401, 407(c)(3), 407(d)(4) and 407(d)(5) of SEC Regulation S-K is included in the sections captioned “PROPOSAL NUMBER 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS”, “THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD” and “NOMINATING PROCEDURES” of the definitive Proxy Statement of Peoples Bancorp Inc. relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 22, 2010 (“Peoples’ Definitive Proxy Statement”), which sections are incorporated herein by reference.  The procedures by which shareholders of Peoples may recommend nominees to Peoples’ Board of Directors have not changed materially from those described in Peoples’ definitive Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on April 23, 2009.
 
The information regarding Peoples’ executive officers required by Item 401 of SEC Regulation S-K is included in the section captioned “EXECUTIVE OFFICERS” of Peoples’ Definitive Proxy Statement, which section is incorporated herein by reference.
 
The information required by Item 405 of SEC Regulation S-K is included under the caption “SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE” of Peoples’ Definitive Proxy Statement, which section is incorporated herein by reference.
 
The Board of Directors of Peoples has adopted charters for each of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Governance and Nominating Committee.
 
In accordance with the requirements of Rule 4350(n) of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC Marketplace Rules, the Board of Directors of Peoples has adopted a Code of Ethics covering the directors, officers and employees of Peoples and its affiliates, including, without limitation, the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer and principal accounting officer of Peoples.  Peoples intends to disclose the following events, if they occur, in a Current Report on Form 8-K and on the “Corporate Governance & Ethics” page of Peoples’ Internet website at www.peoplesbancorp.com within four business days following their occurrence:
 
(A)  
the date and nature of any amendment to a provision of Peoples’ Code of Ethics that
 
(i)    
applies to the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller of Peoples, or persons performing similar functions,
 
 (ii)   
relates to any element of the code of ethics definition set forth in Item 406(b) of SEC Regulation S-K, and
 
(iii)  
is not a technical, administrative or other non-substantive amendment; and
 
(B)  
a description (including the nature of the waiver, the name of the person to whom the waiver was granted and the date of the waiver) of any waiver, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the Code of Ethics granted to the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller of Peoples, or persons performing similar functions, that relates to one or more of the elements of the code of ethics definition set forth in Item 406(b) of SEC Regulation S-K.

In addition, Peoples will disclose any waivers from the provisions of the Code of Ethics granted to a director or executive officer of Peoples in a Current Report on Form 8-K within four business days following their occurrence.
 
Each of the Code of Ethics, the Audit Committee Charter, the Governance and Nominating Committee Charter and the Compensation Committee Charter is posted on the “Corporate Governance & Ethics” page of Peoples’ Internet website.  Interested persons may also obtain copies of the Code of Ethics without charge by writing to Peoples Bancorp Inc., Attention: Corporate Secretary, 138 Putnam Street, P.O. Box 738, Marietta, Ohio 45750-0738.
 

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this Item 11 is included in the sections captioned “COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION”, “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION: COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS”, “LONG-TERM EQUITY-BASED INCENTIVE COMPENSATION”, “SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE FOR 2009”, “GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS FOR 2009”, “OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END 2009”, “OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED FOR 2009”, “PENSION BENEFITS FOR 2009”, “NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION FOR 2009” and “OTHER POTENTIAL POST EMPLOYMENT PAYMENTS” of Peoples’ Definitive Proxy Statement, which sections are incorporated herein by reference.
 
93


ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required by this Item 12 regarding the security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is included in the section captioned  “SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT” of Peoples’ Definitive Proxy Statement, which section is incorporated herein by reference.
 

Equity Compensation Plan Information
The table below provides information as of December 31, 2009, with respect to compensation plans under which common shares of Peoples are authorized for issuance to directors, officers or employees in exchange for consideration in the form of goods or services.  These compensation plans include:
 
(i)    
the Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan (the “1995 Plan”);
(ii)   
the Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan (the “1998 Plan”);
(iii)  
the Peoples Bancorp Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan (the “2002 Plan”);
(iv)  
the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Plan (the “2006 Plan”); and
(v)   
the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Second Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”).

All of these compensation plans were approved by the shareholders of Peoples.
 
Plan Category
(a)
Number of
common shares to
be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
(b)
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
(c)
Number of common
shares remaining
available for future
issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding common
shares reflected in
column (a))
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders
416,617(1)
$24.74(2)
396,732(3)
       
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders
Total
416,617
$24.74
396,732
(1)  
Includes an aggregate of 324,513 common shares issuable upon exercise of options granted under the 1995 Plan, the 1998 Plan and the 2002 Plan and options and stock appreciation rights granted under the 2006 Plan and 92,104 common shares allocated to participants’ bookkeeping accounts under the Deferred Compensation Plan.
 
(2)  
Represents weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options granted under the 1995 Plan, the 1998 Plan and the 2002 Plan and options and stock appreciation rights granted under the 2006 Plan.  The weighted-average exercise price does not take into account the common shares allocated to participants’ bookkeeping accounts under the Deferred Compensation Plan.
 
(3)  
Includes 395,055 common shares remaining available for future grants under the 2006 Plan at December 31, 2009.  No common shares were available for future grants under the 1995 Plan, the 1998 Plan and the 2002 Plan at December 31, 2009.  No amount is included for potential future allocations to participants’ bookkeeping accounts under the Deferred Compensation Plan since the terms of the Deferred Compensation Plan do not provide for a specified limit on the number of common shares which may be allocated to participants’ bookkeeping accounts.

 
Additional information regarding Peoples’ stock-based compensation plans can be found in Note 18 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
94

 
Since 1991, Peoples has maintained the Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors, which provides a non-employee director of Peoples the ability to defer all or part of the compensation, and related federal income tax, received for services provided as a director of Peoples or one of its subsidiaries.  Since 1998, directors participating in the Deferred Compensation Plan have been permitted to allocate their deferrals between a cash account and a stock account.  The cash account earns interest equal to Peoples Bank’s three-year certificate of deposit interest rate.  The stock account receives allocations of Peoples’ common shares on the first business day of each calendar quarter based upon amounts deferred during the quarter and fair market value of Peoples’ common shares and is credited with subsequent cash dividends on the common shares previously allocated to the account.  The only right a participant in the Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors has with respect to his or her cash account and/or stock account is to receive distributions upon termination of service as a director.  Distribution of the deferred amounts is made in a lump sum or annual installments.  The stock account is distributed in common shares of Peoples or in cash and the cash account is distributed only in cash.
 
In addition, Peoples maintains the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Retirement Savings Plan, which is intended to meet the qualification requirements of Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
 
ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by this Item 13 is included in the sections captioned “TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS”, “PROPOSAL NUMBER 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS”, “THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD” and “COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION” of Peoples’ Definitive Proxy Statement, which sections are incorporated by reference.
 

ITEM 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

    The information required by this Item 14 is included in the section captioned “INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM” of Peoples’ Definitive Proxy Statement, which section is incorporated herein by reference.

 
95

 

PART IV

 
ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)(1)Financial Statements:
    The following consolidated financial statements of Peoples Bancorp Inc. and subsidiaries are included in Item 8:
 
 
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Ernst & Young LLP) on Effectiveness of
 
    Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
56
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Ernst & Young LLP) on Consolidated
 
    Financial Statements
57
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008
58
Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the three years ended December 31, 2009
59
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for each of the three years ended December 31, 2009
60
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years ended December 31, 2009
61
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
62
Peoples Bancorp Inc. (Parent Company Only Financial Information is included in Note 19 of the
 
    Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements)
90

(a)(2)Financial Statement Schedules
   All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions 
   or are inapplicable and, therefore, have been omitted.

(a)(3)Exhibits
Exhibits filed with this Annual Report on Form 10-K are attached hereto or incorporated herein by reference.  For a list of such exhibits, see “Exhibit Index” beginning at page 98.  The Exhibit Index specifically identifies each management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to this Form 10-K.

(b)        Exhibits
Exhibits filed with this Annual Report on Form 10-K are attached hereto or incorporated herein by reference.  For a list of such exhibits, see “Exhibit Index” beginning at page 98.

(c)        Financial Statement Schedules
None.

 
96

 

SIGNATURES
      Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                                                                                                                                                 PEOPLES BANCORP INC.

 
Date:  March 1, 2010                                                                                                                     By:     /s/  MARK F. BRADLEY 
                                                                                                                                                                           Mark F. Bradley, President and
                                           Chief Executive Officer

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signatures
 
Title
 
Date
         
/s/ MARK F. BRADLEY
 
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
 
03/01/2010
Mark F. Bradley
       
         
/s/ EDWARD G. SLOANE
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
 
03/01/2010
Edward G. Sloane
 
Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
   
         
/s/ DAVID M. ARCHER*
 
Director
 
03/01/2010
David M. Archer
       
         
/s/ CARL L. BAKER, JR.*
 
Director
 
03/01/2010
Carl L. Baker, Jr.
       
         
/s/ GEORGE W. BROUGHTON*
 
Director
 
03/01/2010
George W. Broughton
       
         
/s/ WILFORD D. DIMIT*
 
Director
 
03/01/2010
Wilford D. Dimit
       
         
/s/ RICHARD FERGUSON*
 
Chairman of the Board and Director
 
03/01/2010
Richard Ferguson
       
         
/s/ BRENDA F. JONES, M.D.*
 
Director
 
03/01/2010
Brenda F. Jones, M.D.
       
         
/s/ DAVID L. MEAD*
 
Director
 
03/01/2010
David L. Mead
       
         
/s/ ROBERT W. PRICE*
 
Director
 
03/01/2010
Robert W. Price
       
         
/s/ THEODORE P. SAUBER*
 
Director
 
03/01/2010
Theodore P. Sauber
       
         
/s/ PAUL T. THEISEN*
 
Vice Chairman of the Board and Director
 
03/01/2010
Paul T. Theisen
       
         
/s/ JOSEPH H. WESEL*
 
Director
 
03/01/2010
Joseph H. Wesel
       
         
/s/ THOMAS J. WOLF*
 
Director
 
03/01/2010
Thomas J. Wolf
       

*
The above-named directors of the Registrant sign this Annual Report on Form 10-K by Mark F. Bradley, their attorney-in-fact, pursuant to Powers of Attorney signed by the above-named directors, which Powers of Attorney are filed with this Annual Report on Form 10-K as exhibits, in the capacities indicated and on the 1st day of March, 2010.
   
By:
/s/ MARK F. BRADLEY                                                                             
      Mark F. Bradley
      President and Chief Executive Officer
 

97

 
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
 
PEOPLES BANCORP INC. ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
         
Exhibit
Number
 
 
Description
 
 
Exhibit Location
3.1(a)
 
Amended Articles of Incorporation of Peoples Bancorp Inc. (as filed with the Ohio Secretary of State on May 3, 1993).
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to the Registration Statement of Peoples Bancorp Inc. (“Peoples”) on Form 8-B filed July 20, 1993 (File No. 0-16772).
         
3.1(b)
 
Certificate of Amendment to the Amended Articles of Incorporation of Peoples Bancorp Inc. (as filed with the Ohio Secretary of State on April 22, 1994).
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(a)(2) to Peoples’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 (File No. 0-16772) (“Peoples’ 1997 Form 10-K”).
         
3.1(c)
 
Certificate of Amendment to the Amended Articles of Incorporation of Peoples Bancorp Inc. (as filed with the Ohio Secretary of State on April 9, 1996).
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(a)(3) to Peoples’ 1997 Form 10-K.
         
3.1(d)
 
Certificate of Amendment to the Amended Articles of Incorporation of Peoples Bancorp Inc. (as filed with the Ohio Secretary of State on April 23, 2003).
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to Peoples’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2003 (File No. 0-16772)(“Peoples’ March 31, 2003 Form 10-Q”).
         
3.1(e)
 
Certificate of Amendment by Shareholders or Members to the Amended Articles of Incorporation of Peoples Bancorp Inc. (as filed with the Ohio Secretary of State on January 22, 2009).
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Peoples’ Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 22, 2009 and filed on January 23, 2009 (File No. 0-16772).
         
3.1(f)
 
Certificate of Amendment by Directors or Incorporators to Articles filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Ohio on January 28, 2009, evidencing adoption of amendments by the Board of Directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc. to Article FOURTH of Amended Articles of Incorporation to establish express terms of Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Shares, Series A, each without par value, of Peoples Bancorp Inc.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Peoples’ Current Report on Form 8-K dated and filed on February 2, 2009 (File No. 0-16772) (“Peoples’ February 2, 2009 Form 8-K”).
         
3.1(g)
 
Amended Articles of Incorporation of Peoples Bancorp Inc. (reflecting amendments through January 28, 2009) [For SEC reporting compliance purposes only – not filed with Ohio Secretary of State].
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1(g) to Peoples’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 (File No. 0-16772) (“Peoples’ 2008 Form 10-K”).
         
3.2(a)
 
Code of Regulations of Peoples Bancorp Inc.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(b) to Peoples’ Registration Statement on Form 8-B filed July 20, 1993 (File No. 0-16772).
         
3.2(b)
 
Certificate of Amendment to the Code of Regulations of Peoples Bancorp Inc. regarding adoption of amendments to Sections 1.03, 1.04, 1.05, 1.06, 1.08, 1.10, 2.03(C), 2.07, 2.08, 2.10 and 6.02 of the Code of Regulations of Peoples Bancorp Inc. by shareholders on April 10, 2003.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(c) to Peoples’ March 31, 2003 Form 10-Q.
 
98

 
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
 
PEOPLES BANCORP INC. ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
         
Exhibit
Number
 
 
Description
 
 
Exhibit Location
3.2(c)
 
Certificate of Amendment to the Code of Regulations of Peoples Bancorp Inc. regarding adoption of amendments to Sections 3.01, 3.03, 3.04, 3.05, 3.06, 3.07, 3.08 and 3.11 of the Code of Regulations of Peoples Bancorp Inc. by shareholders on April 8, 2004.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to Peoples’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2004 (File No. 0-16772)(“Peoples’ March 31, 2004 Form 10-Q”).
         
3.2(d)
 
Certificate regarding adoption of amendments to Sections 2.06, 2.07, 3.01 and 3.04 of Peoples Bancorp Inc.’s Code of Regulations by the shareholders on April 13, 2006
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Peoples’ Current Report on Form 8-K dated and filed on April 14, 2006 (File No. 0-16772) (“Peoples’ April 14, 2006 Form 8-K”)
         
3.2(e)
 
Code of Regulations of Peoples Bancorp Inc. (reflecting amendments through April 13, 2006)
[For SEC reporting compliance purposes only]
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(b) to Peoples’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006 (File No. 0-16772)
         
4.1
 
Agreement to furnish instruments and agreements defining rights of holders of long-term debt.
 
Filed herewith.
         
4.2
 
Indenture, dated as of April 20, 1999, between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, as Debenture Trustee, relating to Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-81251) filed on June 22, 1999 by Peoples Bancorp Inc. and PEBO Capital Trust I (“Peoples’ 1999 Form S-4”).
         
4.3
 
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of PEBO Capital Trust I, dated and effective as of April 20, 1999.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Peoples’ 1999 Form S-4.
         
4.4
 
Series B Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement, dated as of September 23, 1999, between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, as Guarantee Trustee, relating to Series B 8.62% Capital Securities.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 (i) to Peoples’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.  (File No. 0-16772)
         
4.5
 
Warrant to purchase 313,505 Shares of Common Stock (common shares) of Peoples Bancorp Inc., issued to the United States Department of the Treasury on January 30, 2009
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Peoples’ February 2, 2009 Form 8-K.
         
4.6
 
Letter Agreement, dated January 30, 2009, including Securities Purchase Agreement – Standard Terms attached thereto as Exhibit A, between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and the United States Department of the Treasury [Note: Annex A to Securities Purchase Agreement is not included therewith; filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Peoples’ February 2, 2009 Form 8-K and incorporated by reference at Exhibit 3.1(f) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K]
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Peoples’ February 2, 2009 Form 8-K.
 
99

 
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
 
PEOPLES BANCORP INC. ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
         
Exhibit
Number
 
 
Description
 
 
Exhibit Location
10.1(a)
 
Peoples Bancorp Inc. Second Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries (Amended and Restated Effective December 11, 2008.)*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1(a) to Peoples’ 2008 Form 10-K.
         
10.1(b)
 
Rabbi Trust Agreement, made January 6, 1998, between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and The Peoples Banking and Trust Company (predecessor to Peoples Bank, National Association)*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1(c) of Peoples’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 (File No. 0-16772) (“Peoples’ 2007 Form 10-K”).
         
10.2(a)
 
Peoples Bancorp Inc. Amended and Restated Incentive Award Plan (Amended and Restated Effective December 11, 2008) [Effective for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009]*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Peoples’ 2008  Form 10-K.
         
10.2(b)
 
Summary of Incentive Plan for Executive Officers and other employees of Peoples Bancorp Inc. [Effective for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010]*
 
 Filed herewith.
         
10.3
 
Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan.*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 to Peoples’ Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed May 24, 1995 (Registration Statement No. 33-59569).
         
10.4
 
Form of Stock Option Agreement used in connection with grant of non-qualified stock options to non-employee directors of Peoples under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan.*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(k) to Peoples’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 (File No. 0-16772) (“Peoples’ 1995 Form 10-K”).
         
10.5
 
Form of Stock Option Agreement used in connection with grant of non-qualified stock options to non-employee directors of Peoples’ subsidiaries under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan.*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(l) to Peoples’ 1995 Form 10-K.
         
10.6
 
Form of Stock Option Agreement used in connection with grant of incentive stock options under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan.*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(m) to Peoples’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 (File No. 0-16772) (“Peoples’ 1998 Form 10-K”).
         
10.7
 
Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan.*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10 to Peoples’ Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed September 4, 1998 (Registration Statement No. 333-62935).
         
10.8
 
Form of Stock Option Agreement used in connection with grant of non-qualified stock options to non-employee directors of Peoples under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan.*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(o) to Peoples’ 1998 Form 10-K.
         
*Management Compensation Plan
 
100

 
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
 
PEOPLES BANCORP INC. ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
         
Exhibit
Number
 
 
Description
 
 
Exhibit Location
10.9
 
Form of Stock Option Agreement used in connection with grant of non-qualified stock options to consultants/advisors of Peoples under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan.*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(p) to Peoples’ 1998 Form 10-K.
         
10.10
 
Form of Stock Option Agreement used in connection with grant of incentive stock options under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan.*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(o) to Peoples’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 (File No. 0-16772).
         
10.11
 
Peoples Bancorp Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan.*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10 to Peoples’ Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed April 15, 2002 (Registration Statement No. 333-86246).
         
10.12
 
Form of Stock Option Agreement used in connection with grant of non-qualified stock options to non-employee directors of Peoples under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan.*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(r) to Peoples’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 (File No. 0-16772) (“Peoples’ 2002 Form 10-K”).
         
10.13
 
Form of Stock Option Agreement used in connection with grant of non-qualified stock options to directors of Peoples’ subsidiaries under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan.*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(s) to Peoples’ 2002 Form 10-K.
         
10.14
 
Form of Stock Option Agreement used in connection with grant of non-qualified stock options to employees of Peoples under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan.*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(t) to Peoples’ 2002 Form 10-K.
         
10.15
 
Form of Stock Option Agreement used in connection with grant of incentive stock options under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan.*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(u) to Peoples’ 2002 Form 10-K.
         
10.16
 
Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement, between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Mark F. Bradley (amended and restated effective December 11, 2008)*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to Peoples’ 2008 Form 10-K.
         
10.17
 
Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement, between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Carol A. Schneeberger (amended and restated effective December 11, 2008)*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to Peoples’ 2008 Form 10-K.
         
10.18
 
Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and David T. Wesel (amended and restated effective December 11, 2008)*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to Peoples’ 2008 Form 10-K.
         
10.19
 
Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Joseph S. Yazombek (amended and restated effective December 11, 2008)*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to Peoples’ 2008 Form 10-K.
         
 
*Management Compensation Plan
 
 
101

 
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
 
PEOPLES BANCORP INC. ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
         
Exhibit
Number
 
 
Description
 
 
Exhibit Location
10.20
 
Summary of Perquisites for Executive Officers of Peoples Bancorp Inc.*
 
Filed herewith.
         
10.21
 
Summary of Base Salaries for Executive Officers of Peoples Bancorp Inc.*
 
Filed herewith.
         
10.22
 
Summary of Cash Compensation for Directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc.
 
Filed herewith.
         
10.23
 
Peoples Bancorp Inc. Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Plan*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to Peoples’ 2008 Form 10-K.
         
10.24
 
Form of Peoples Bancorp Inc. 2006 Equity Plan Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement used and to be used to evidence grant of nonqualified stock option to non-employee directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc.*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(c) of Peoples’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2006 (File No. 0-16772).
         
10.25
 
Form of Peoples Bancorp Inc. 2006 Equity Plan Restricted Stock Agreement for employees used and to be used to evidence awards of restricted stock granted to employees of Peoples Bancorp Inc.*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.29 of Peoples’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 (File No. 0-16722) (“Peoples’ 2006 Form 10-K”).
         
10.26
 
Form of Peoples Bancorp Inc. 2006 Equity Plan Restricted Stock Agreement for non-employee directors used and to be used to evidence awards of restricted stock granted to directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc.*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.30 of Peoples’ 2006 Form 10-K.
         
10.27
 
Form of Peoples Bancorp Inc. 2006 Equity Plan SAR Agreement for employees used and to be used to evidence awards of stock appreciation rights granted to employees of Peoples Bancorp Inc.
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.31 of Peoples’ 2006 Form 10-K.
         
10.28(a)
 
Letter Agreement, dated July 22, 2009, between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Mark F. Bradley.*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Peoples’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009 (File No. 0-16722) (“Peoples’ June 30, 2009 Form 10-Q”).
         
10.28(b)
 
Letter Agreement, dated July 22, 2009, between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Edward G. Sloane.*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Peoples’ June 30, 2009 Form 10-Q
         
10.28(c)
 
Letter Agreement, dated July 22, 2009, between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Carol A. Schneeberger.*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Peoples’ June 30, 2009 Form 10-Q
         
10.28(d)
 
Letter Agreement, dated Jull 22, 2009, between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and David T. Wesel.*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Peoples’ June 30, 2009 Form 10-Q
         
10.28(e)
 
Letter Agreement, dated July 22, 2009, between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Joseph S. Yazombek.*
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Peoples’ June 30, 2009 Form 10-Q
         
*Management Compensation Plan
 
102

 
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
 
PEOPLES BANCORP INC. ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
         
Exhibit
Number
 
 
Description
 
 
Exhibit Location
10.29
 
Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Edward G. Sloane (amended and restated effective December 11, 2008)*
 
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to Peoples’ 2008 Form 10-K.
         
10.30
 
Change in Control Agreement between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Daniel K. McGill (adopted September 14, 2009)*
 
 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Peoples’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009 (File No. 0-16722).
         
10.31
 
Change in Control Agreement between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Richard W. Stafford (adopted February 8, 2010)*
 
Filed herewith.
         
            10.32    
Letter Agreement between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Daniel K. McGill.*
  Filed herewith.
         
12
 
Statements of Computation of Ratios.
 
Filed herewith.
         
21
 
Subsidiaries of Peoples Bancorp Inc.
 
Filed herewith.
         
23
 
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - Ernst & Young LLP.
 
Filed herewith.
         
24
 
Powers of Attorney of Directors and Executive Officers of Peoples Bancorp Inc.
 
Filed herewith.
         
31(a)
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications [President and Chief Executive Officer]
 
Filed herewith.
         
31(b)
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications[Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer]
 
Filed herewith.
         
32
 
Section 1350 Certifications
 
Filed herewith.
         
99.1
 
Certification Pursuant to Section 111(B)(4)
of the Emergency Economic Stabilization
Act of 2008 and 31 CFR § 30.15[President and Chief Executive Officer]
 
Filed herewith.
         
99.2
 
Certification Pursuant to Section 111(B)(4)
of the Emergency Economic Stabilization
Act of 2008 and 31 CFR § 30.15 [Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer]
 
Filed herewith.
         
*Management Compensation Plan

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