Simmons First National Corporation
Annual Report 2008
ShareholderS
FirSt
Simmons First has focused our retail banking
operations totally in Arkansas with the same
conservative culture we have displayed for the
past 106 years.
– J. Thomas May Chairman & CEO
1
After enjoying an extended growth cycle, 2008 can
other regions of our country. Likewise, Simmons First
best be described as a year of uncertainty, frustration,
has focused our retail banking operations totally in
and a reality check. The economy’s extraordinary
Arkansas with the same conservative culture we have
growth in previous years was apparently driven by
displayed for the past 106 years. Still, in late 2007, we
risk factors that were unrecognized, unprecedented,
made the decision that we would manage our company
and unregulated. The complexity and magnitude of
based on the same recessionary environment that
the problem is still being debated, but efforts toward
faces the rest of our nation and world. We introduced
the resolution are well under way. There is no absence
our strategy, “controlling our own destiny”, which
of debate on what pieces of the puzzle will work and
simply means that we would focus on maintaining our
whether the cost benefit is worth the long-term impact
strong asset quality, retaining a strong capital base,
on the citizens of our country. At this point, the depth
and building core liquidity. In doing so, we realized
and breadth of the recession appear to be longer than
we would be sacrificing short-term earnings. As you
anything we have experienced in many years. While
review our annual report, I think you will see we have
some regions of our country will be affected greater
been successful as we rank above the 75th percentile
than others, I think most will agree that everyone
of our peer banks in each of the three initiatives
will ultimately be impacted by the problems of this
mentioned above. As a result of our strategy, we
recession. Although national unemployment will
were able to achieve this excellent ranking as well as
vary by region, we are all impacted through our
record $26.9 million in net income, or $24.4 million in
retirement funds, life style, and uncertainty. I can
core earnings.
honestly say, that during these turbulent times, it is
great to live in rural America. Despite the fact that
The strength of our balance sheet is reflected in our
Arkansas will not go unscathed, and while no one
Asset Quality, Liquidity, and Capital. Each of these
is recession-proof, we are fortunate that our state
components is extremely important during a time of
does not have t he highs and lows seen in many
economic challenge.
asset
quality
Capital
liquidity
asset
quality
Capital
liquidity
Asset Quality clearly reflects balance sheet risk. While the
loan portfolio is where one normally thinks in terms of risks,
there are obviously potential risk factors in an investment
portfolio. Simmons First has a low risk portfolio consisting of
97% treasuries, government agencies, and municipal bonds.
We have less than ½ of 1% in mortgage backed securities.
Concerning our loan portfolio, our level of non-performing
assets to total assets are approximately 6/10ths of 1%, ranking
in the 87th percentile of our peer group. While we realize
that these numbers will change based on the depth of the
economic problems, we are very pleased with our progress
as we begin this new year. Likewise, we fully realize that
we have a national credit card portfolio that will be more
vulnerable to the unemployment issues that comes with a
recession. This past year, our loss ratio was approximately 2%
while the national average was closer to 6%. We fully expect
our credit card losses to increase in 2009, but we believe
that our underwriting culture and policy of no pre-approved
credit cards will mitigate the impact of a deeper recession.
Our level of non-performing
assets to total assets are
approximately 6/10ths of 1%,
ranking in the 87th percentile
of our peer group.
3
Liquidity can be defined many different ways, from core
deposits to wholesale deposits to borrowed funds. This past
asset
quality
Capital
year, our team’s strategy was to significantly change our
liquidity
liquidity mix by creating less reliance on the more expensive
and volatile Certificates of Deposits and a greater focus
toward a less volatile and less expensive Core Deposit. Early
in the year, our sales team introduced a corporate-wide
product called “The High Yield Money Market Investment
Account” which generated a significant number of new
customers and deposit relationships. The success of the
program is reflected in the shift in non-time Core Deposits
from 49% of our total deposits in 2007 to a level of 58%
at the end of the past year. While we understand that high
levels of liquidity during periods of low loan demand are
not conducive to maximizing earnings growth, we believe
liquidity remains very important during these turbulent
times. In particular, our liquidity position enables us to
not be reliant on funding sources from other banks, etc.
Today, even during our seasonal borrowing peaks for
credit cards, student loans, and agriculture, we remain in a
self-funding position.
Today, even during
our seasonal
borrowing peaks
for credit cards,
student loans,
and agriculture,
we remain in
a self-funding
position.
asset
quality
Capital
Capital
liquidity
not problem banks. While we have very strong capital,
liquidity, and asset quality, we believe the additional
capital will better position us to take advantage of
opportunities that we believe will arise over the next
few years.
Capital is our final and most important initiative as
Historically, the banking industry’s capital or funding
the industry navigates through troubled waters. While
needs could be handled through the equity or debt
there are many benchmarks that measure capital,
markets. However, because of the national economic
Simmons First ranks in the top quartile in virtually
problems, access to these markets is somewhat limited
every category. We have always been recognized as a
and very expensive. Since the equity market is basically
banking institution with very strong capital. In fact, for
frozen, having a tremendous war chest of capital is
many years, the market suggested we should manage
important as we navigate through the challenges and
our capital to lower levels through a stock buyback
opportunities of this economy. While there are some
program. Over the past several years, we have been
drawbacks of participating in the Capital Purchase
systematically repurchasing our shares throughout
Program, at this time, we consider the positives to
the course of the year. Even with two years of active
outweigh the negatives. Importantly, we continue
repurchases, we continue to have above peer capital
to have control of our own destiny by having the
ratios. As a part of our initiative to build capital during
ability to pay off the preferred stock, at a point of
these turbulent times, we suspended the repurchase
our choosing, in the future. Until then, a very strong
program. As you will see in this report, the capital
balance sheet simply gets stronger.
in your company is not only above our peer, but
significantly above regulatory requirement for well
capitalized banks. Not withstanding the strength
of our capital, in October of 2008, Simmons First
was invited to apply for participation under the U.S.
Treasury Capital Purchase Program and was approved
for up to $60 million. As mentioned in our February
letter to you concerning the Special Shareholders
meeting, we believe it is important to note that
t he Capital Purchase Program was established
by the Treasury to infuse capital into strong banks,
We have always been
recognized as a banking
institution with very
strong capital.
5
As I indicated earlier, we fully understand t hat
very painful, we will find our way out of the valley
increased loan standards, higher levels of liquidity,
and begin looking at a recovery period. Until then,
and building capital are not conducive to maximizing
patience is a virtue.
earnings. However, we think a bank should be managed
one way during growth cycles, yet another during times
The Simmons First community banking philosophy
of economic challenge. Now is the time to accept lower
is based on the concept of building a network of
earnings expectations relative to performance and
community banks. As you can see in the report, we
growth, yet expect that the conservative management
have eight banks, ranging in size from $150 million to
style will enable our company to best weather the
$1.4 billion, that are strategically located throughout
storm. Further, we will have positioned ourselves to
A rka nsas. Each ban k ’s management, boa rd of
take advantage of opportunities that always occur
directors, and associates are focused totally on their
during down cycles. While our net income was down
community. I genuinely believe that things don’t
slightly at 1.6%, the core earnings (net of Visa IPO
just happen, instead people make them happen. The
gain) were down 13.4%. Considering the challenges of
leadership of our boards, corporate management, and
the industry, we are very pleased with our $27 million
eight affiliate banks truly deserve credit for so much
in profitability, in which we paid out approximately
of our success.
40% in dividends.
However, we all know it is our associates that make
What about this year, 2009? We wish we could look
us look better than we deserve as they deliver great
into a crystal ball, but we can’t. However, I fully expect
Quality Customer Service. I am thankful to be a
that the economy will continue to have several months
member of the Simmons First team.
of bad news before we see some resemblance of the
bottom. However, I genuinely believe the Treasury and
We thank you for your investment, conf idence,
Federal Reserve will pull out all the stops to report
and support.
economic recovery through liquidity in the market,
treasury initiatives, and the President’s Stimulus
Package. Obviously, I do not know to what degree any
of this will work in the short-term, but I do think it
J. Thomas May
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
is very positive there are initiatives and expectations
for improvement. There is a risk the initiatives may
not work, but there is a greater risk of doing nothing.
I remain convinced that while this recession will be
LEADERSHIP
FIRST
Corporate Executive Officers Left to Right
David Bartlett
President & Chief Operating Officer
Bob Fehlman
Executive Vice President
& Chief Financial Officer
Marty Casteel
Executive Vice President
Robert Dill
Executive Vice President
Marketing Group
7
Affiliate Executive Officers Left to Right
Seated: Barry Ledbetter • Ron Jackson • Brooks Davis
Standing: Freddie Black • John Dews • Steve Trusty • Tom Spillyards • Glenn Rambin
Freddie Black
John Dews
Barry Ledbetter
Tom Spillyards
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
President & Chief Executive Officer
President & Chief Executive Officer
Simmons First Bank
Simmons First Bank
Simmons First Bank of Jonesboro
Simmons First Bank
of South Arkansas
of El Dorado, N.A.
of Northwest Arkansas
Brooks Davis
Ron Jackson
Glenn Rambin
Steve Trusty
President & Chief Executive Officer
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
President
President & Chief Executive Officer
Simmons First Bank of Searcy
Simmons First Bank of Russellville
Simmons First National Bank
Simmons First Bank of Hot Springs
CUSTOMERS
FIRST
It takes something special to be in business for over a century. We
have strong leadership, dedicated associates and a commitment
to the delivery of the very best quality customer service.
Since our beginning in 1903, we have understood that we are
nothing without our customers. That’s why for more than
105 years we’ve gone to great lengths to provide them with
the individual service and attention they deserve, creating
customers for life.
We put our customers first by offering the sound financial
products they need, delivered to them with the convenience
they want.
COMMUNITY
FIRST
As an Arkansas company, we don’t just serve the communities
within the walls of our buildings, but out in the community
itself. Providing sponsorships, supporting community projects,
developing deep relationships are the things that make a
community strong, stable and successful. We work hard to give
back to the places where our customers live and work. After all,
we live and work in those places too.
Our strength and stability lies squarely on the shoulders of
our talented and committed associates. Experienced and highly
qualified, whose goals are to make life better for our customers
and our communities. It’s not unusual for our associates to
Habitat for Humanity Home
have relationships with customers that span generations. That
trust can only be gained through smart, respected financial
Big Brother Big
Sister Program
practices and a dedication to customer service. For a Simmons
First associate going “above and beyond” for a customer is
simply standard operating procedure.
SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
9
Left to Right
Seated: Edward Drilling • J. Thomas May • Harry L. Ryburn • George A. Makris, Jr.
Standing: Robert L. Shoptaw • W. Scott McGeorge • Steven A. Cossé • William E. Clark, II • Stanley E. Reed •
Henry F. Trotter, Jr. • Lara F. Hutt, III • David R. Perdue • Jerry Watkins
William E. Clark, II
George A. Makris, Jr.
Harry L. Ryburn, D.D.S.
David R. Perdue
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
President
Clark Contractors, LLC
M.K. Distributors, Inc.
Steven A. Cossé
J. Thomas May
Robert L. Shoptaw
Chairman of the Board
Arkansas Blue Cross
Vice President
JDR, Inc.
Henry F. Trotter, Jr.
Executive Vice President
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
and Blue Shield
President
& General Counsel
Simmons First National Corporation
Trotter Auto Group
Murphy Oil Corporation
Edward Drilling
President
W. Scott McGeorge
Advisory Directors
Lara F. Hutt, III
President
Consultant to the Board
Jerry Watkins
President
AT&T Arkansas
Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel
Hutt Building Material
Retired Executive
Company, Inc.
Murphy Oil Corporation
Stanley E. Reed
Farmer & Retired President
Arkansas Farm Bureau
SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION
AFFILIATE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS
SIMMONS FIRST
NATIONAL BANK
Board of Directors
Met L. Jones, II
General Manager
Dickey Machine Works
John Lytle, M.D.
Orthopedic Surgeon
South Arkansas Orthopedic Center
J. Thomas May
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Simmons First National Bank
Beverly Morrow
Vice President
TLM Management
A.W. Nelson, Jr.
President
A.W. Nelson, Jr. Architect, P.A.
Mary Pringos
President
Phillips Planting Co., Inc.
Advisory Directors
Robert E. Dreher, Jr.
Partner
Dreher & Sons
Lara F. Hutt, III
President
Hutt Building Material Company, Inc.
Charles Nabholz
Chairman
The Nabholz Group
Advisory Director Emeritus
Joe S. Hiatt
Retired Banker / Rancher
CONWay ReGiON
Advisory Board of Directors
Steve W. “Bo” Conner
Partner
Conner & Sartain, P.A.
Bill Johnson
Community Chairman
Conway Region
Simmons First National Bank
H. Glenn Rambin
President
Simmons First National Bank
Charles Nabholz
Chairman
The Nabholz Group
Clifton Roaf, D.D.S.
Dentist
Clarence Roberts, III
Retired President
Roberts Brothers Tire Service, Inc.
Adam B. Robinson, Jr.
President
Ralph Robinson & Son, Inc.
Harry L. Ryburn, D.D.S.
Mark Shelton, III
President
M.A. Shelton Farming Company, Inc.
Phyllis S. Thomas
Chief Executive Officer
& Corporate Secretary / Treasurer
Smithwick, Inc.
H. Ford Trotter, III
General Manager
Trotter Auto Group
Phillip Stone, M. D.
President
Conway Emergency Physicians Group
Ritchie Howell
Community President
Conway Region
Simmons First National Bank
Steven C. Wade
Community President
Little Rock Region
Simmons First National Bank
WesteRN ReGiON
Advisory Board of Directors
Larry Bates
Community Chairman
Simmons First National Bank
Michael F. Flynn
Community President
Simmons First National Bank
Joe S. Hiatt
Retired Banker / Rancher
Margie Hiatt
Retired Banker
Sherman Hiatt
Mayor
City of Charleston
Clay Hiatt
Investments
Joe Larkin
Pharmacist / Owner
Medi-Sav Pharmacy
SIMMONS FIRST BANK
OF EL DORADO, N. A.
Board of Directors
Aubra Anthony, Jr.
President & Chief Executive Officer
Anthony Forest Products Company
David L. Bartlett
President & Chief Operating Officer
Simmons First National Corporation
Steven Cossé
Executive Vice President
& General Counsel
Murphy Oil Corporation
John F. Dews
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Simmons First Bank
of El Dorado, N. A.
Scott M. Fife
President
Simmons First Bank
of El Dorado, N. A.
Phil Herring
President
Herring Furniture Company
Larkin M. Wilson, III, D. D. S.
Dentist
SIMMONS FIRST BANK
OF HOT SPRINGS
Board of Directors
David L. Bartlett
Chairman
Simmons First Bank of Hot Springs
Stuart A. Fleischner, D. D. S.
Co-owner
Hot Springs National
Park Dental Group
Louis F. Kleinman
Chairman
Falk Supply Company
James B. Newman
President
Douglass-Newman Insurance Agency
Sam P. Stathakis, Jr.
President
Merritt Wholesale Distributors
Sara Stough
CPA
Consultant
Gene Thomason
Retired President
Simmons First Bank of Russellville
Steven W. Trusty
President & Chief Executive Officer
Simmons First Bank of Hot Springs
Advisory Director
John D. Selig
Retired Vice President
Weyerhaeuser
Sarah P. Kinard
Private Investor
SIMMONS FIRST BANK
OF JONESBORO
Denny McConathy
Retired President
Cross Oil and Refining Company, Inc.
Board of Directors
Dennis Abell
Executive Vice President
Insurance Network
Kenneth P. Oliver, Jr.
Private Investor
Floyd M. Thomas, Jr.
Partner
Compton, Prewett, Thomas
& Hickey, P. A., Attorneys
David L. Bartlett
President & Chief Operating Officer
Simmons First National Corporation
Barry Ledbetter
President & Chief Executive Officer
Simmons First Bank of Jonesboro
11
Harold Smith
President & Chief Executive Officer
Silviland, Inc.
Joe Dan Yee
Partner
Yee’s Food Land
Advisory Director
A. O. French
Retired Director
French Planting Company
Advisory Director Emeritus
Fred P. Michael
Retired Chairman of the Board
Simmons First Bank
of South Arkansas
dumas ReGiON
Advisory Board of Directors
Freddie Black
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Simmons First Bank
of South Arkansas
C. Kelly Farmer
Consultant
ARKAT Feeds, Inc.
A.O. French, Jr.
Retired Farmer
French Planting Company
Martin Henry
Farmer
M & A Farms
Bill Teeter
Farmer
Bill Teeter Farms
Guy P. Teeter
Farmer
Guy Teeter Farms
Teresa L. Wood
Senior Vice President
Simmons First Bank
of South Arkansas
Ben Owens, Jr., M.D.
Physician / Partner
Clopton Clinic
David Pyle, M.D.
Vice President, Medical Affairs
St. Bernards Regional Healthcare
Jim Scurlock
President
Scurlock Industries of Jonesboro, Inc.
Berl A. (Skipper) Smith
Attorney / CPA
Rainwater & Cox, Inc.
Mark Wimpy
Self Employed
Farmer
Sonya Jones Yates
Investments
Joe Giezeman
Consultant
SIMMONS FIRST BANK
OF RUSSELLvILLE
Board of Directors
Leon Anderson
Nationwide Representative
Nationwide Insurance Company
Terry G. Bowie
Retired
Entergy Corporation
H. Glenn Rambin
President
Simmons First National Bank
Robert Underwood
Owner
Underwood Construction /
Underwood Properties
SIMMONS FIRST BANK
OF SOUTH ARKANSAS
Charles C. Boyce, D. D. S.
Keith B. Cogswell, III
President
Cogswell Motors, Inc.
Board of Directors
Robert G. Bridewell
Attorney
Bridewell & Bridewell
SIMMONS FIRST BANK
OF NORTHWEST
ARKANSAS
Ronald B. Jackson
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Simmons First Bank of Russellville
Freddie Black
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Simmons First Bank
of South Arkansas
Board of Directors
David L. Bartlett
President & Chief Operating Officer
Simmons First National Corporation
Allen Laws, III
Attorney
Laws & Murdoch, P. A.
Dennis H. Ferguson
Executive Vice President
Simmons First Bank
of Northwest Arkansas
Martin Gilbert
Retired Attorney
Edward R. Stingley, III
Century 21
Real Estate Sales Associate
Harve J. Taylor
Owner / President
H. J. Taylor & Associates, Inc.
Ray Hobbs
President & Chief Executive Officer
Daisy Outdoor Products
Gene Thomason
Retired President
Simmons First Bank of Russellville
Clark Irwin
Vice President
Tyson Foods
Eric Pianalto
Chief Administration Officer
Mercy Health Systems
of Northwest Arkansas
Thomas W. Spillyards
President & Chief Executive Officer
Simmons First Bank
of Northwest Arkansas
James L. Tull, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Crafton Tull Sparks
SIMMONS FIRST BANK
OF SEARCY
Board of Directors
Richard Cargile
Owner
Cargile Insurance Agency
Brooks Davis
President & Chief Executive Officer
Simmons First Bank of Searcy
Dennis R. Donovan
Consultant
Al Fowler
Retired Administrator
Searcy Medical Center
Ben V. Floriani
Retired Chairman
Simmons First Bank
of South Arkansas
James Haddock
Attorney
James Haddock, P.A.
Craig Hunt
Executive Vice President
Simmons First National Bank
Tommy Jarrett
President
Simmons First Bank
of South Arkansas
Beverly Rowe
Secretary / Treasurer
Chicot Irrigation, Inc.
Jerry Selby
Partner
Four Star Partnership Farms
Shareholders may obtain a copy of the Company’s annual report as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Form 10-K)
by writing to John L. Rush, Secretary, Simmons First National
Corporation, P. O. Box 7009, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71611-7009, or
on the Company’s website at www.simmonsfirst.com. Simmons
First National Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
ExECUTIvE
MANAGEMENT
SIMMONS FIRST
NATIONAL
CORPORATION
J. Thomas May
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
David L. Bartlett
President & Chief Operating Officer
Robert A. Fehlman
Executive Vice President
& Chief Financial Officer
Marty D. Casteel
Executive Vice President
Robert C. Dill
Executive Vice President
Marketing Group
John L. Rush
Secretary
David W. Garner
Senior Vice President
Finance Group
Tommie K. Jones
Senior Vice President
& Human Resources Director
L. Ann Gill
Senior Vice President
Audit
Kevin J. Archer
Senior Vice President
Special Services
Robert C. Dill
Executive Vice President
Marketing Group
N. Craig Hunt
Executive Vice President
Specialty Banking Group
Glenda K. Tolson
Executive Vice President & Cashier
Operations Group
David W. Garner
Senior Vice President
Controller Department
David C. Bush
Senior Vice President
Bank Card
Shirley E. Crow
Senior Vice President
Student Loans
Patrick J. Anderson
Senior Vice President
Commercial Loans
Craig S. Attwood
Senior Vice President
Indirect Lending
W. Greg Bell
Senior Vice President
Agriculture Loans
Joel W. Cheatham
Senior Vice President
Real Estate
Amy W. Johnson
Senior Vice President
& Corporate Sales Director
Marketing Group
David W. Rushing
Senior Vice President & Manager
Operations Group-Information
Technology
Lisa W. Hunter
Senior Vice President
Cash Management / e-Banking
Joe W. Clement, III
President
Simmons First Trust Company, N. A.
SIMMONS FIRST
NATIONAL BANK
J. Thomas May
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
H. Glenn Rambin
President
Marty D. Casteel
Executive Vice President
Consumer Banking Group
Richard W. Johnson
President
Simmons First Investment Group
SIMMONS FIRST
NATIONAL BANK
REGIONS
CeNtRal ReGiON
Steven C. Wade
Community President
Tony L. Futrell
Senior Vice President
Jerry K. Morgan
Senior Vice President
SIMMONS FIRST
BANK OF NORTHWEST
ARKANSAS
Thomas W. Spillyards
President & Chief Executive Officer
Dennis H. Ferguson
Executive Vice President
Linda A. Hankins
Senior Vice President
SIMMONS FIRST BANK
OF RUSSELLvILLE
Ronald B. Jackson
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
R. Scott Hill
Community President-Russellville
Denton Tumbleson
Community President-Clarksville
SIMMONS FIRST BANK
OF SEARCY
Brooks Davis
President & Chief Executive Officer
SIMMONS FIRST BANK
OF SOUTH ARKANSAS
Freddie G. Black
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Tommy R. Jarrett
President
William F. Wisener
Senior Vice President
Teresa L. Wood
Senior Vice President
Linda S. Moreland
Senior Vice President
CONWay ReGiON
Ritchie D. Howell
Community President
NORth ReGiON
Stephen J. Smith
Community President
Donald L. Britnell
Community Executive
WesteRN ReGiON
Larry L. Bates
Community Chairman
Michael F. Flynn
Community President
Charles J. Brown
Senior Vice President
SIMMONS FIRST BANK
OF EL DORADO, N. A.
John F. Dews
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Scott M. Fife
President
L. S. Brown
Senior Vice President
A. J. Lockwood, Jr.
Senior Vice President
SIMMONS FIRST BANK
OF HOT SPRINGS
David L. Bartlett
Chairman
Steven W. Trusty
President & Chief Executive Officer
Rick Harris
Senior Vice President
SIMMONS FIRST BANK
OF JONESBORO
Barry K. Ledbetter
President & Chief Executive Officer
Wayne F. Bond
Senior Vice President
Kent P. Bridger
Senior Vice President
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
(cid:55)
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2008
or
(cid:133)
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Commission file number 0-6253
SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Arkansas
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
501 Main Street, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
(Address of principal executive offices)
71-0407808
(I.R.S. employer
identification No.)
71601
(Zip Code)
(870) 541-1000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
(Title of each class)
The Nasdaq Stock Market®
(Name of each exchange on which registered)
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.
(cid:133) Yes (cid:54) No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
(cid:133) Yes (cid:54) No
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. (cid:54) Yes (cid:133) No
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 in information statements incorporated
by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. (cid:133)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.
See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
(cid:133) Large accelerated filer
(cid:54) Accelerated filer
(cid:133) Non-accelerated filer
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act.). (cid:133) Yes (cid:54) No
The aggregate market value of the Registrant’s Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, held by non-affiliates on
June 30, 2008, was $350,885,496 based upon the last trade price as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market® of
$27.97.
The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant's Common Stock as of February 4, 2009 was 13,982,474.
Part III is incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
to be held on April 21, 2009.
Introduction
The Company has chosen to combine our Annual Report to Shareholders with our Form 10-K, which is a document that
U.S. public companies file with the Securities and Exchange Commission every year. Many readers are familiar with
“Part II” of the Form 10-K, as it contains the business information and financial statements that were included in the
financial sections of our past Annual Reports. These portions include information about our business that the Company
believes will be of interest to investors. The Company hopes investors will find it useful to have all of this information
available in a single document.
The Securities and Exchange Commission allows the Company to report information in the Form 10-K by “incorporated
by reference” from another part of the Form 10-K, or from the proxy statement. You will see that information is
“incorporated by reference” in various parts of our Form 10-K.
A more detailed table of contents for the entire Form 10-K follows:
FORM 10-K INDEX
Part I
Business ............................................................................................................................................... 1
Item 1
Item 1A Risk Factors ......................................................................................................................................... 7
Item 1B Unresolved Staff Comments ............................................................................................................. 13
Properties ........................................................................................................................................... 13
Item 2
Legal Proceedings.............................................................................................................................. 13
Item 3
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security-Holders ...................................................................... 13
Item 4
Part II
Item 5 Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters .................................... 14
Item 6
Selected Consolidated Financial Data............................................................................................... 16
Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations......................................................................................................................... 18
Item 7A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk ......................................................... 45
Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data .......................................................... 48
Item 8
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Item 9
Financial Disclosure .......................................................................................................................... 82
Item 9A Controls and Procedures.................................................................................................................... 82
Item 9B Other Information .............................................................................................................................. 82
Part III
Item 10 Directors and Executive Officers of the Company ........................................................................... 82
Executive Compensation ................................................................................................................... 82
Item 11
Item 12
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.............................................. 82
Item 13 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions............................................................................... 82
Principal Accounting Fees and Services ........................................................................................... 82
Item 14
Part IV
Item 15
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules..................................................................................... 83
Signatures........................................................................................................................................... 85
Certifications...................................................................................................................................... 86
ITEM 1.
BUSINESS
PART I
The disclosures set forth in this item are qualified by Item 1A. Risk Factors and the Forward Looking Statements
section in Item 5, “Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters” of this report and other
cautionary statements set forth elsewhere in this report.
The Company and the Banks
Simmons First National Corporation (the “Company”) is a financial holding company registered under the Bank
Holding Company Act of 1956. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley-Act ("GLB Act") has substantially increased the
financial activities that certain banks, bank holding companies, insurance companies and securities brokerage
companies are permitted to undertake. Under the GLB Act, expanded activities in insurance underwriting,
insurance sales, securities brokerage and securities underwriting not previously allowed for banks and bank holding
companies are now permitted upon satisfaction of certain guidelines concerning management, capitalization and
satisfaction of the applicable Community Reinvestment Act guidelines for the banks. Generally these new activities
are permitted for bank holding companies whose banking subsidiaries are well managed, well capitalized and have
at least a satisfactory rating under the Community Reinvestment Act. A bank holding company must apply to
become a financial holding company and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System must approve its
application.
The Company's application to become a financial holding company was approved by the Board of Governors on
March 13, 2000. The Company has reviewed the new activities permitted under the Act. If the appropriate
opportunity presents itself, the Company is interested in expanding into other financial services.
The Company is a publicly traded financial holding company headquartered in Arkansas with consolidated total
assets of $2.9 billion, consolidated loans of $1.9 billion, consolidated deposits of $2.3 billion and total equity capital
of $289 million as of December 31, 2008. The Company owns eight community banks in Arkansas. The Company
and its eight banking subsidiaries conduct their operations through 88 offices, of which 84 are financial centers,
located in 47 communities in Arkansas.
Simmons First National Bank (the “Bank”) is the Company’s lead bank. The Bank is a national bank, which has
been in operation since 1903. The Bank's primary market area, with the exception of its nationally provided credit
card product, is Central and Western Arkansas. At December 31, 2008 the Bank had total assets of $1.4 billion,
total loans of $955 million and total deposits of $1.1 billion. Simmons First Trust Company N.A., a wholly owned
subsidiary of the Bank, performs the trust and fiduciary business operations for the Bank as well as the Company.
Simmons First Investment Group, Inc. (“SFIG”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank, which is a broker-dealer
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and a member of the National Association of
Securities Dealers (“NASD”), performs the broker-dealer operations of the Bank.
Simmons First Bank of Jonesboro (“Simmons/Jonesboro”) is a state bank, which was acquired in 1984.
Simmons/Jonesboro’s primary market area is Northeast Arkansas. At December 31, 2008, Simmons/Jonesboro had
total assets of $295 million, total loans of $246 million and total deposits of $250 million.
Simmons First Bank of South Arkansas (“Simmons/South”) is a state bank, which was acquired in 1984.
Simmons/South’s primary market area is Southeast Arkansas. At December 31, 2008, Simmons/South had total assets
of $172 million, total loans of $91 million and total deposits of $147 million.
Simmons First Bank of Northwest Arkansas (“Simmons/Northwest”) is a state bank, which was acquired in 1995.
Simmons/Northwest’s primary market area is Northwest Arkansas. At December 31, 2008, Simmons/Northwest had
total assets of $287 million, total loans of $202 million and total deposits of $238 million.
Simmons First Bank of Russellville (“Simmons/Russellville”) is a state bank, which was acquired in 1997.
Simmons/Russellville’s primary market area is Russellville, Arkansas. At December 31, 2008, Simmons/Russellville
had total assets of $202 million, total loans of $121 million and total deposits of $146 million.
1
Simmons First Bank of Searcy (“Simmons/Searcy”) is a state bank, which was acquired in 1997. Simmons/Searcy’s
primary market area is Searcy, Arkansas. At December 31, 2008, Simmons/Searcy had total assets of $152 million,
total loans of $104 million and total deposits of $120 million.
Simmons First Bank of El Dorado, N.A. (“Simmons/El Dorado”) is a national bank, which was acquired in 1999.
Simmons/El Dorado’s primary market area is South Central Arkansas. At December 31, 2008, Simmons/El Dorado
had total assets of $258 million, total loans of $132 million and total deposits of $219 million.
Simmons First Bank of Hot Springs (“Simmons/Hot Springs”) is a state bank, which was acquired in 2004.
Simmons/Hot Springs’ primary market area is Hot Springs, Arkansas. At December 31, 2008, Simmons/Hot Springs
had total assets of $166 million, total loans of $82 million and total deposits of $117 million.
The Company's subsidiaries provide complete banking services to individuals and businesses throughout the market
areas they serve. Services include consumer (credit card, student and other consumer), real estate (construction, single
family residential and other commercial) and commercial (commercial, agriculture and financial institutions) loans,
checking, savings and time deposits, trust and investment management services, and securities and investment services.
Loan Risk Assessment
As part of the ongoing risk assessment, the Company has an Asset Quality Review Committee of management that
meets quarterly to review the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. The Committee reviews the status of past due,
non-performing and other impaired loans, reserve ratios, and additional performance indicators for all of its subsidiary
banks. The allowance for loan losses is determined based upon the aforementioned performance factors, and
adjustments are made accordingly. Also, an unallocated reserve is established to compensate for the uncertainty in
estimating loan losses, including the possibility of improper risk ratings and specific reserve allocations.
The Board of Directors of each of the Company's subsidiary banks reviews the adequacy of its allowance for loan
losses on a monthly basis giving consideration to past due loans, non-performing loans, other impaired loans, and
current economic conditions. The Company's loan review department monitors each of its subsidiary bank's loan
information monthly. In addition, the loan review department prepares an analysis of the allowance for loan losses for
each subsidiary bank twice a year, and reports the results to the Company's Audit and Security Committee. In order to
verify the accuracy of the monthly analysis of the allowance for loan losses, the loan review department performs an
on-site detailed review of each subsidiary bank's loan files on a semi-annual basis. Additionally, the Company has
instituted a Special Asset Committee for the purpose of reviewing criticized loans in regard to collateral adequacy,
workout strategies, and proper reserve allocations.
Growth Strategy
The Company's growth strategy has been to primarily focus on the state of Arkansas. In 2008, the Company completed
a four-year de novo branch expansion plan with the opening of a new regional headquarters for Simmons/Northwest,
along with an additional financial center in Little Rock. The Company added its first financial centers in the Arkansas
markets of North Little Rock, Beebe and Paragould during 2007. New locations were also opened in Little Rock and
El Dorado during 2006. In 2005 the Company added three branch locations in the Little Rock/Conway metropolitan
area, one in the Fayetteville/Springdale/Rogers metropolitan area and one in the Fort Smith metropolitan area. While
new financial centers can be dilutive to earnings in the short-term, the Company believes they will reward shareholders
in the intermediate and long-term. As completion of its desired footprint within the state of Arkansas nears, the
Company continues to evaluate opportunities to expand into contiguous states. More specifically, the Company is
interested in expansion by opening new financial centers or by acquisitions of financial centers in growth or strategic
markets, preferably with assets totaling $200 million or more.
With an expanded presence in Arkansas, ongoing investments in technology and enhanced products and services, the
Company is in position to meet the demands of customers in the markets it serves.
Competition
There is significant competition among commercial banks in the Company’s market areas. In addition, the Company
also competes with other providers of financial services, such as savings and loan associations, credit unions, finance
companies, securities firms, insurance companies, full service brokerage firms and discount brokerage firms. Some of
the Company’s competitors have greater resources and, as such, may have higher lending limits and may offer other
2
services that are not provided by the Company. The Company generally competes on the basis of customer service and
responsiveness to customer needs, available loan and deposit products, the rates of interest charged on loans, the rates
of interest paid for funds, and the availability and pricing of trust and brokerage services.
Employees
As of February 4, 2009, the Company and its subsidiaries had approximately 1,111 full time equivalent employees.
None of the employees is represented by any union or similar groups, and the Company has not experienced any labor
disputes or strikes arising from any such organized labor groups. The Company considers its relationship with its
employees to be good.
Executive Officers of the Company
The following is a list of all executive officers of the Company. The Board of Directors elects executive officers
annually.
NAME
AGE
POSITION
YEARS SERVED
J. Thomas May
David L. Bartlett
Robert A. Fehlman
Marty D. Casteel
Robert C. Dill
David W. Garner
Tommie K. Jones
L. Ann Gill
Kevin J. Archer
John L. Rush
62
57
44
57
65
39
61
61
45
74
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
President and Chief Operating Officer
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Executive Vice President
Executive Vice President, Marketing
Senior Vice President and Controller
Senior Vice President and Human Resources Director
Senior Vice President/Manager, Audit
Senior Vice President/Credit Policy and Risk Assessment
Secretary
22
12
20
20
42
11
34
43
13
41
Board of Directors of the Company
The following is a list of the Board of Directors of the Company as of December 31, 2008, along with their principal
occupation.
NAME
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
William E. Clark, II
Steven A. Cosse′
Edward Drilling
George A. Makris, Jr.
J. Thomas May
W. Scott McGeorge
Stanley E. Reed
Harry L. Ryburn
Robert L. Shoptaw
President and Chief Executive Officer
Clark Contractors LLC
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Murphy Oil Corporation
President
AT&T Arkansas
President
M.K. Distributors, Inc.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Simmons First National Corporation
President
Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel Company
Farmer
Orthodontist (retired)
Chairman of the Board
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
3
SUPERVISION AND REGULATION
The Company
The Company, as a bank holding company, is subject to both federal and state regulation. Under federal law, a bank
holding company generally must obtain approval from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System ("FRB")
before acquiring ownership or control of the assets or stock of a bank or a bank holding company. Prior to approval of
any proposed acquisition, the FRB will review the effect on competition of the proposed acquisition, as well as other
regulatory issues.
The federal law generally prohibits a bank holding company from directly or indirectly engaging in non-banking
activities. This prohibition does not include loan servicing, liquidating activities or other activities so closely related to
banking as to be a proper incident thereto. Bank holding companies, including the Company, which have elected to
qualify as financial holding companies, are authorized to engage in financial activities. Financial activities include any
activity that is financial in nature or any activity that is incidental or complimentary to a financial activity.
As a financial holding company, the Company is required to file with the FRB an annual report and such additional
information as may be required by law. From time to time, the FRB examines the financial condition of the Company
and its subsidiaries. The FRB, through civil and criminal sanctions, is authorized to exercise enforcement powers over
bank holding companies (including financial holding companies) and non-banking subsidiaries, to limit activities that
represent unsafe or unsound practices or constitute violations of law.
The Company is subject to certain laws and regulations of the state of Arkansas applicable to financial and bank
holding companies, including examination and supervision by the Arkansas Bank Commissioner. Under Arkansas law,
a financial or bank holding company is prohibited from owning more than one subsidiary bank, if any subsidiary bank
owned by the holding company has been chartered for less than five years and, further, requires the approval of the
Arkansas Bank Commissioner for any acquisition of more than 25% of the capital stock of any other bank located in
Arkansas. No bank acquisition may be approved if, after such acquisition, the holding company would control, directly
or indirectly, banks having 25% of the total bank deposits in the state of Arkansas, excluding deposits of other banks
and public funds.
Legislation enacted in 1994 allows bank holding companies (including financial holding companies) from any state to
acquire banks located in any state without regard to state law, provided that the holding company (1) is adequately
capitalized, (2) is adequately managed, (3) would not control more than 10% of the insured deposits in the United
States or more than 30% of the insured deposits in such state, and (4) such bank has been in existence at least five years
if so required by the applicable state law.
Subsidiary Banks
The Bank, Simmons/El Dorado and Simmons First Trust Company N.A., as national banking associations, are subject
to regulation and supervision, of which regular bank examinations are a part, by the Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency of the United States ("OCC"). Simmons/Jonesboro, Simmons/South, Simmons/Northwest and Simmons/Hot
Springs, as state chartered banks, are subject to the supervision and regulation, of which regular bank examinations are
a part, by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") and the Arkansas State Bank Department.
Simmons/Russellville and Simmons/Searcy, as state chartered member banks, are subject to the supervision and
regulation, of which regular bank examinations are a part, by the Federal Reserve Board and the Arkansas State Bank
Department. The lending powers of each of the subsidiary banks are generally subject to certain restrictions, including
the amount, which may be lent to a single borrower.
Prior to passage of the GLB Act in 1999, the subsidiary banks, with numerous exceptions, were subject to the
application of the laws of the state of Arkansas, regarding the limitation of the maximum permissible interest rate on
loans. The Arkansas limitation for general loans was 5% over the Federal Reserve Discount Rate, with an additional
maximum limitation of 17% per annum for consumer loans and credit sales. Certain loans secured by first liens on
residential real estate and certain loans controlled by federal law (e.g., guaranteed student loans, SBA loans, etc.) were
exempt from this limitation; however, a substantial portion of the loans made by the subsidiary banks, including all
credit card loans, have historically been subject to this limitation. The GLB Act included a provision which sets the
maximum interest rate on loans made in Arkansas, by banks with Arkansas as their home state, at the greater of
the rate authorized by Arkansas law or the highest rate permitted by any of the out-of-state banks which maintain
branches in Arkansas. An action was brought in the Western District of Arkansas, attacking the validity of the
4
statute in 2000. Subsequently, the District Court issued a decision upholding the statute, and during October 2001, the
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the statute on appeal. Thus, in the fourth quarter of 2001, the Company began
to implement the changes permitted by the GLB Act.
All of the Company's subsidiary banks are members of the FDIC, which provides insurance on deposits of each
member bank up to applicable limits by the Deposit Insurance Fund. For this protection, each bank pays a statutory
assessment to the FDIC each year.
Federal law substantially restricts transactions between banks and their affiliates. As a result, the Company's subsidiary
banks are limited in making extensions of credit to the Company, investing in the stock or other securities of the
Company and engaging in other financial transactions with the Company. Those transactions that are permitted must
generally be undertaken on terms at least as favorable to the bank as those prevailing in comparable transactions with
independent third parties.
Potential Enforcement Action for Bank Holding Companies and Banks
Enforcement proceedings seeking civil or criminal sanctions may be instituted against any bank, any financial or bank
holding company, any director, officer, employee or agent of the bank or holding company, which is believed by the
federal banking agencies to be violating any administrative pronouncement or engaged in unsafe and unsound
practices. In addition, the FDIC may terminate the insurance of accounts, upon determination that the insured
institution has engaged in certain wrongful conduct or is in an unsound condition to continue operations.
Risk-Weighted Capital Requirements for the Company and the Banks
Since 1993, banking organizations (including financial holding companies, bank holding companies and banks) were
required to meet a minimum ratio of Total Capital to Total Risk-Weighted Assets of 8%, of which at least 4% must be
in the form of Tier 1 Capital. A well-capitalized institution is one that has at least a 10% "total risk-based capital" ratio.
For a tabular summary of the Company’s risk-weighted capital ratios, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Capital" and Note 18, Stockholders’ Equity, of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements.
A banking organization's qualifying total capital consists of two components: Tier 1 Capital and Tier 2 Capital.
Tier 1 Capital is an amount equal to the sum of common shareholders' equity, hybrid capital instruments (instruments
with characteristics of debt and equity) in an amount up to 25% of Tier 1 Capital, certain preferred stock and the
minority interest in the equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries. For bank holding companies and financial holding
companies, goodwill (net of any deferred tax liability associated with that goodwill) may not be included in Tier 1
Capital. Identifiable intangible assets may be included in Tier 1 Capital for banking organizations, in accordance with
certain further requirements. At least 50% of the banking organization's total regulatory capital must consist of Tier 1
Capital.
Tier 2 Capital is an amount equal to the sum of the qualifying portion of the allowance for loan losses, certain preferred
stock not included in Tier 1, hybrid capital instruments (instruments with characteristics of debt and equity), certain
long-term debt securities and eligible term subordinated debt, in an amount up to 50% of Tier 1 Capital. The eligibility
of these items for inclusion as Tier 2 Capital is subject to certain additional requirements and limitations of the federal
banking agencies.
Under the risk-based capital guidelines, balance sheet assets and certain off-balance sheet items, such as standby letters
of credit, are assigned to one of four-risk weight categories (0%, 20%, 50%, or 100%), according to the nature of the
asset, its collateral or the identity of the obligor or guarantor. The aggregate amount in each risk category is adjusted by
the risk weight assigned to that category to determine weighted values, which are then added to determine the total
risk-weighted assets for the banking organization. For example, an asset, such as a commercial loan, assigned to a
100% risk category, is included in risk-weighted assets at its nominal face value, but a loan secured by a one-to-four
family residence is included at only 50% of its nominal face value. The applicable ratios reflect capital, as so
determined, divided by risk-weighted assets, as so determined.
5
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act ("FDICIA"), enacted in 1991, requires the FDIC to
increase assessment rates for insured banks and authorizes one or more "special assessments," as necessary for the
repayment of funds borrowed by the FDIC or any other necessary purpose. As directed in FDICIA, the FDIC has
adopted a transitional risk-based assessment system, under which the assessment rate for insured banks will vary
according to the level of risk incurred in the bank's activities. The risk category and risk-based assessment for a bank is
determined from its classification, pursuant to the regulation, as well capitalized, adequately capitalized or
undercapitalized.
FDICIA substantially revised the bank regulatory provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and other federal
banking statutes, requiring federal banking agencies to establish capital measures and classifications. Pursuant to the
regulations issued under FDICIA, a depository institution will be deemed to be well capitalized if it significantly
exceeds the minimum level required for each relevant capital measure; adequately capitalized if it meets each such
measure; undercapitalized if it fails to meet any such measure; significantly undercapitalized if it is significantly below
any such measure; and critically undercapitalized if it fails to meet any critical capital level set forth in regulations. The
federal banking agencies must promptly mandate corrective actions by banks that fail to meet the capital and related
requirements in order to minimize losses to the FDIC. The FDIC and OCC advised the Company that the subsidiary
banks have been classified as well capitalized under these regulations.
The federal banking agencies are required by FDICIA to prescribe standards for banks and bank holding companies
(including financial holding companies) relating to operations and management, asset quality, earnings, stock valuation
and compensation. A bank or bank holding company that fails to comply with such standards will be required to
submit a plan designed to achieve compliance. If no plan is submitted or the plan is not implemented, the bank or
holding company would become subject to additional regulatory action or enforcement proceedings.
A variety of other provisions included in FDICIA may affect the operations of the Company and the subsidiary banks,
including new reporting requirements, revised regulatory standards for real estate lending, "truth in savings" provisions,
and the requirement that a depository institution give 90 days prior notice to customers and regulatory authorities before
closing any branch.
Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program
On November 21, 2008, the Board of Directors of the FDIC adopted a final rule relating to the Temporary Liquidity
Guarantee Program (“TLG Program”). The TLG Program was announced by the FDIC on October 14, 2008, preceded
by the determination of systemic risk by the Secretary of the Department of Treasury (after consultation with the
President) as an initiative to counter the system-wide crisis in the nation’s financial sector. Under the TLG Program the
FDIC will (i) guarantee, through the earlier of maturity or June 30, 2012, certain newly issued senior unsecured debt
issued by participating institutions on or after October 14, 2008, and before June 30, 2009, and (ii) provide full FDIC
deposit insurance coverage for non-interest bearing transaction deposit accounts, Negotiable Order of Withdrawal
(“NOW”) accounts paying less than 0.5% interest per annum and Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (“IOLTA”)
accounts held at participating FDIC- insured institutions through December 31, 2009. Coverage under the TLG
Program was available for the first 30 days without charge. The fee assessment for coverage of senior unsecured debt
ranges from 50 basis points to 100 basis points per annum depending on the initial maturity of the debt. The fee
assessment for deposit insurance coverage is an annualized 10 basis points paid quarterly on amounts in covered
accounts exceeding $250,000. On December 5, 2008, the Company elected to participate in both guarantee programs.
On February 10, 2009, the FDIC extended the date for issuing debt under the TLG Program from June 30 to October
31, 2009.
Available Information
The Company maintains an Internet website at www.simmonsfirst.com. On this website under the section, Investor
Relations – Documents, the Company makes its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission available free of
charge. Additionally, the Company has adopted and posted on its website a Code of Ethics that applies to its principal
executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer.
6
ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS
Risks Related to the Company’s Business
The Company’s Business May Be Adversely Affected by Conditions in the Financial Markets and Economic Conditions
Generally
Since December 2007, the United States has been in a recession. Business activity across a wide range of industries
and regions is greatly reduced and local governments and many businesses are in serious difficulty due to the lack of
consumer spending and the lack of liquidity in the credit markets. Unemployment has increased significantly.
Since mid-2007, and particularly during the second half of 2008, the financial services industry and the securities
markets generally were materially and adversely affected by significant declines in the values of nearly all asset classes
and by a serious lack of liquidity. This was initially triggered by declines in home prices and the values of subprime
mortgages, but spread to all mortgage and real estate asset classes, to leveraged bank loans and to nearly all asset
classes, including equities. The global markets have been characterized by substantially increased volatility and short-
selling and an overall loss of investor confidence, initially in financial institutions, but more recently in companies in a
number of other industries and in the broader markets.
Market conditions have also led to the failure or merger of a number of prominent financial institutions. Financial
institution failures or near-failures have resulted in further losses as a consequence of defaults on securities issued by
them and defaults under contracts entered into with such entities as counterparties. Furthermore, declining asset values,
defaults on mortgages and consumer loans, and the lack of market and investor confidence, as well as other factors,
have all combined to increase credit default swap spreads, to cause rating agencies to lower credit ratings, and to
otherwise increase the cost and decrease the availability of liquidity, despite very significant declines in Federal
Reserve borrowing rates and other government actions. Some banks and other lenders have suffered significant losses
and have become reluctant to lend, even on a secured basis, due to the increased risk of default and the impact of
declining asset values on the value of collateral. The foregoing has significantly weakened the strength and liquidity of
some financial institutions worldwide. In 2008, the U.S. government, the Federal Reserve and other regulators have
taken numerous steps to increase liquidity and to restore investor confidence, including investing approximately $200
billion in the equity of other banking organizations, but asset values have continued to decline and access to liquidity
continues to be very limited.
The Company’s financial performance generally, and in particular the ability of borrowers to pay interest on and repay
principal of outstanding loans and the value of collateral securing those loans, is highly dependent upon on the business
environment in the markets where the Company operates (the State of Arkansas) and in the United States as a whole. A
favorable business environment is generally characterized by, among other factors, economic growth, efficient capital
markets, low inflation, high business and investor confidence, and strong business earnings. Unfavorable or uncertain
economic and market conditions can be caused by: declines in economic growth, business activity or investor or
business confidence; limitations on the availability or increases in the cost of credit and capital; increases in inflation or
interest rates; natural disasters; or a combination of these or other factors.
Overall, during 2008, the business environment has been adverse for many households and businesses in the United
States and worldwide. The business environment in Arkansas has been less adverse than in the United States generally
but continues to deteriorate. It is expected that the business environment in the State of Arkansas, the United States and
worldwide will continue to deteriorate for the foreseeable future. There can be no assurance that these conditions will
improve in the near term. Such conditions could adversely affect the credit quality of the Company’s loans, results of
operations and financial condition.
The Company is Subject to Interest Rate Risk
The Company’s earnings and cash flows are largely dependent upon its net interest income. Net interest income is the
difference between interest income earned on interest-earning assets such as loans and securities and interest expense
paid on interest-bearing liabilities such as deposits and borrowed funds. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many
factors that are beyond the Company’s control, including general economic conditions and policies of various
governmental and regulatory agencies and, in particular, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
Changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, could influence not only the interest the Company
receives on loans and securities and the amount of interest it pays on deposits and borrowings, but such changes could
also affect (i) the Company’s ability to originate loans and obtain deposits, (ii) the fair value of the Company’s financial
7
assets and liabilities, and (iii) the average duration of the Company’s 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, the Company’s 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.
Although management believes it has implemented effective asset and liability management strategies to reduce the
potential effects of changes in interest rates on the Company’s results of operations, any substantial, unexpected,
prolonged change in market interest rates could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition
and results of operations.
The Company is Subject to Lending Risk
There are inherent risks associated with the Company’s lending activities. These risks include, among other things, the
impact of changes in interest rates and changes in the economic conditions in the State of Arkansas and the United
States. Increases in interest rates and/or continuing weakening economic conditions could adversely impact the ability
of borrowers to repay outstanding loans or the value of the collateral securing these loans. The Company is also subject
to various laws and regulations that affect its lending activities. Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations
could subject the Company to regulatory enforcement action that could result in the assessment of significant civil
money penalties against the Company.
The Company’s Allowance for Possible Loan Losses May Be Insufficient
The Company maintains an allowance for possible loan losses, which is a reserve established through a provision for
possible loan losses charged to expense, that represents management’s best estimate of probable losses that have been
incurred within the existing portfolio of loans. The allowance, in the judgment of management, is necessary to reserve
for estimated loan losses and risks inherent in the loan portfolio. The level of the allowance reflects management’s
continuing evaluation of industry concentrations; specific credit risks; loan loss experience; current loan portfolio
quality; present economic, political and regulatory conditions and unidentified losses inherent in the current loan
portfolio. The determination of the appropriate level of the allowance for possible loan losses inherently involves a
high degree of subjectivity and requires the Company to make significant estimates of current credit risks and future
trends, all of which may undergo material changes. Continuing deterioration in economic conditions affecting
borrowers, new information regarding existing loans, identification of additional problem loans and other factors, both
within and outside of the Company’s control, may require an increase in the allowance for possible loan losses. In
addition, bank regulatory agencies periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan losses and may require an
increase in the provision for possible loan losses or the recognition of further loan charge-offs, based on judgments
different than those of management. In addition, if charge-offs in future periods exceed the allowance for possible loan
losses, the Company will need additional provisions to increase the allowance for possible loan losses. Any increases
in the allowance for possible loan losses will result in a decrease in net income and, possibly, capital, and may have a
material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
The Company’s Profitability Depends Significantly on Economic Conditions in the State of Arkansas
The Company’s success depends primarily on the general economic conditions of the State of Arkansas and the specific
local markets in which the Company operates. Unlike larger national or other regional banks that are more
geographically diversified, the Company provides banking and financial services to customers across Arkansas through
its 84 financial centers in the state. The economic condition of Arkansas has a significant impact on the demand for the
Company’s products and services as well as the ability of the Company’s customers to repay loans, the value of the
collateral securing loans and the stability of the Company’s deposit funding sources. Although economic conditions in
the State of Arkansas have experienced less decline than in the United States generally, these conditions are declining
and are expected to continue to decline. A significant decline in general economic conditions, whether caused by
recession, inflation, unemployment, changes in securities markets, acts of terrorism, outbreak of hostilities or other
international or domestic occurrences or other factors could impact these local economic conditions and, in turn, have a
material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
The Company Operates in a Highly Competitive Industry
The Company faces substantial competition in all areas of its operations from a variety of different competitors, many
of which are larger and may have more financial resources. Such competitors primarily include national, regional, and
8
community banks within the various markets where the Company operates. The Company also faces competition from
many other types of financial institutions, including, without limitation, savings and loans, credit unions, finance
companies, brokerage firms, insurance companies, factoring companies and other financial intermediaries. The
financial services industry could become even more competitive as a result of legislative, regulatory and technological
changes and continued consolidation. Banks, securities firms and insurance companies can merge under the umbrella
of a financial holding company, which can offer virtually any type of financial service, including banking, securities
underwriting, insurance (both agency and underwriting) and merchant banking. Also, technology has lowered barriers
to entry and made it possible for non-banks to offer products and services traditionally provided by banks, such as
automatic transfer and automatic payment systems. Many of the Company’s competitors have fewer regulatory
constraints and may have lower cost structures. Additionally, due to their size, many competitors may be able to
achieve economies of scale and, as a result, may offer a broader range of products and services as well as better pricing
for those products and services than the Company can.
The Company’s ability to compete successfully depends on a number of factors, including, among other things:
• The ability to develop, maintain and build long-term customer relationships based on top quality service, high
ethical standards and safe, sound assets.
• The ability to expand the Company’s market position.
• The scope, relevance and pricing of products and services offered to meet customer needs and demands.
• The rate at which the Company introduces new products and services relative to its competitors.
• Customer satisfaction with the Company’s level of service.
•
Industry and general economic trends.
Failure to perform in any of these areas could significantly weaken the Company’s competitive position, which could
adversely affect the Company’s growth and profitability, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on the
Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
The Company is Subject to Extensive Government Regulation and Supervision
The Company is subject to extensive federal and state regulation and supervision. Banking regulations are primarily
intended to protect depositors’ funds, federal deposit insurance funds and the banking system as a whole, not security
holders. These regulations affect the Company’s lending practices, capital structure, investment practices, dividend
policy and growth, among other things. Congress and federal regulatory agencies continually review banking laws,
regulations and policies for possible changes. It is likely that there will be significant changes to the banking and
financial institutions regulatory regimes in the near future in light of the recent performance of and government
intervention in the financial services sector. Changes to statutes, regulations or regulatory policies, including changes
in interpretation or implementation of statutes, regulations or policies, could affect the Company in substantial and
unpredictable ways. Such changes could subject the Company to additional costs, limit the types of financial services
and products the Company may offer and/or increase the ability of non-banks to offer competing financial services and
products, among other things. Failure to comply with laws, regulations or policies could result in sanctions by
regulatory agencies, civil money penalties and/or reputation damage, which could have a material adverse effect on the
Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. While the Company has policies and procedures
designed to prevent any such violations, there can be no assurance that such violations will not occur.
The Company’s Controls and Procedures May Fail or Be Circumvented
Management regularly reviews and updates the Company’s internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures, and
corporate governance policies and procedures. Any system of controls, however well designed and operated, is based
in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the objectives of the
system are met. Any failure or circumvention of the Company’s controls and procedures or failure to comply with
regulations related to controls and procedures could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results
of operations and financial condition.
New Lines of Business or New Products and Services May Subject the Company to Additional Risks
From time to time, the Company may implement new lines of business or offer new products and services within
existing lines of business. There are substantial risks and uncertainties associated with these efforts, particularly in
instances where the markets are not fully developed. In developing and marketing new lines of business and/or new
products and services the Company may invest significant time and resources. Initial timetables for the introduction
9
and development of new lines of business and/or new products or services may not be achieved and price and
profitability targets may not prove feasible. External factors, such as compliance with regulations, competitive
alternatives, and shifting market preferences, may also impact the successful implementation of a new line of business
or a new product or service. Furthermore, any new line of business and/ or new product or service could have a
significant impact on the effectiveness of the Company’s system of internal controls. Failure to successfully manage
these risks in the development and implementation of new lines of business or new products or services could have a
material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
The Company Relies on Dividends from Its Subsidiaries for Most of Its Revenue
The Company is a separate and distinct legal entity from its subsidiaries. It receives substantially all of its revenue from
dividends from its subsidiaries. These dividends are the principal source of funds to pay dividends on the Company’s
common stock and interest and principal on the Company’s debt. Various federal and/or state laws and regulations
limit the amount of dividends that the subsidiaries may pay to the Company. In the event the subsidiaries are unable to
pay dividends to the Company, the Company may not be able to service debt, pay obligations or pay dividends on the
Company’s common stock. The inability to receive dividends from its subsidiaries could have a material adverse effect
on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Potential Acquisitions May Disrupt the Company’s Business and Dilute Stockholder Value
The Company seeks merger or acquisition partners that are culturally similar and have experienced management and
possess either significant market presence or have potential for improved profitability through financial management,
economies of scale or expanded services. Acquiring other banks, businesses, or branches involves various risks
commonly associated with acquisitions, including, among other things:
• Potential exposure to unknown or contingent liabilities of the target company.
• Exposure to potential asset quality issues of the target company.
• Difficulty and expense of integrating the operations and personnel of the target company.
• Potential disruption to the Company’s business.
• Potential diversion of the Company’s management’s time and attention.
• The possible loss of key employees and customers of the target company.
• Difficulty in estimating the value of the target company.
• Potential changes in banking or tax laws or regulations that may affect the target company.
The Company regularly evaluates merger and acquisition opportunities and conducts due diligence activities related to
possible transactions with other financial institutions and financial services companies. As a result, merger or
acquisition discussions and, in some cases, negotiations may take place and future mergers or acquisitions involving
cash, debt or equity securities may occur at any time. Acquisitions typically involve the payment of a premium over
book and market values, and, therefore, some dilution of the Company’s tangible book value and net income per
common share may occur in connection with any future transaction. Furthermore, failure to realize the expected
revenue increases, cost savings, increases in geographic or product presence, and/or other projected benefits from an
acquisition could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
The Company May Not Be Able to Attract and Retain Skilled People
The Company’s success depends, in large part, on its ability to attract and retain key people. Competition for the best
people in most activities engaged in by the Company can be intense and the Company may not be able to hire people or
to retain them. The unexpected loss of services of key personnel of the Company could have a material adverse impact
on the Company’s business because of their skills, knowledge of the Company’s market, years of industry experience
and the difficulty of promptly finding qualified replacement personnel.
The Company’s Information Systems May Experience an Interruption or Breach in Security
The Company relies heavily on communications and information systems to conduct its business. Any failure,
interruption or breach in security of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in the Company’s customer
relationship management, general ledger, deposit, loan and other systems. While the Company has policies and
procedures designed to prevent or limit the effect of the failure, interruption or security breach of its information
systems, there can be no assurance that any such failures, interruptions or security breaches will not occur or, if they do
occur, that they will be adequately addressed. The occurrence of any failures, interruptions or security breaches of the
10
Company’s information systems could damage the Company’s reputation, result in a loss of customer business, subject
the Company to additional regulatory scrutiny, or expose the Company to civil litigation and possible financial liability,
any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
The Company Continually Encounters Technological Change
The financial services industry is continually undergoing rapid technological change with frequent introductions of new
technology-driven products and services. The effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial
institutions to better serve customers and to reduce costs. The Company’s future success depends, in part, upon its
ability to address the needs of its customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy
customer demands, as well as to create additional efficiencies in the Company’s operations. Many of the Company’s
competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements. The Company may not be
able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing these products
and services to its customers. Failure to successfully keep pace with technological change affecting the financial
services industry could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business and, in turn, the Company’s
financial condition and results of operations.
The Company is Subject to Claims and Litigation Pertaining to Fiduciary Responsibility
From time to time, customers make claims and take legal action pertaining to the Company’s performance of its
fiduciary responsibilities. Whether customer claims and legal action related to the Company’s performance of its
fiduciary responsibilities are founded or unfounded, if such claims and legal actions are not resolved in a manner
favorable to the Company they may result in significant financial liability and/or adversely affect the market perception
of the Company and its products and services as well as impact customer demand for those products and services. Any
financial liability or reputation damage could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, which, in turn,
could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
Severe Weather, Natural Disasters, Acts of War or Terrorism and Other External Events Could Significantly Impact
the Company’s Business
Severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism and other adverse external events could have a significant
impact on the Company’s ability to conduct business. Such events could affect the stability of the Company’s deposit
base, impair the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans, impair the value of collateral securing loans, cause
significant property damage, result in loss of revenue and/or cause the Company to incur additional expenses.
Although management has established disaster recovery policies and procedures, the occurrence of any such event in
the future could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, which, in turn, could have a material
adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Associated with the Company’s Common Stock
The Company’s Stock Price Can Be Volatile
Stock price volatility may make it more difficult for you to resell your common stock when you want and at prices you
find attractive. The Company’s stock price can fluctuate significantly in response to a variety of factors including,
among other things:
• Changes in securities analysts’ estimates of financial performance.
• Volatility of stock market prices and volumes.
• Rumors or erroneous information.
• Changes in market valuations of similar companies.
• Changes in interest rates.
• New developments in the banking industry.
• Variations in quarterly or annual operating results.
• New litigation or changes in existing litigation.
• Regulatory actions.
• Changes in accounting policies or procedures as may be required by the Financial Accounting Standards
Board or other regulatory agencies.
11
General market fluctuations, industry factors and general economic and political conditions and events, such as
economic slowdowns or recessions, interest rate changes or credit loss trends, could also cause the Company’s stock
price to decrease regardless of operating results.
The Trading Volume in the Company’s Common Stock is Less Than That of Other Larger Financial Services
Companies
Although the Company’s common stock is listed for trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the trading volume in
its common stock is less than that of other, larger financial services companies. A public trading market having the
desired characteristics of depth, liquidity and orderliness depends on the presence in the marketplace of willing buyers
and sellers of the Company’s common stock at any given time. This presence depends on the individual decisions of
investors and general economic and market conditions over which the Company has no control. Given the lower
trading volume of the Company’s common stock, significant sales of the Company’s common stock, or the expectation
of these sales, could cause the Company’s stock price to fall.
An Investment in the Company’s Common Stock is Not an Insured Deposit
The Company’s common stock is not a bank deposit and, therefore, is not insured against loss by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation (FDIC), any other deposit insurance fund or by any other public or private entity. Investment in
the Company’s common stock is inherently risky for the reasons described in this “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere
in this report and is subject to the same market forces that affect the price of common stock in any company. As a
result, if you acquire the Company’s common stock, you could lose some or all of your investment.
The Company’s Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws As Well As Certain Banking Laws May Have an Anti-Takeover
Effect
Provisions of the Company’s articles of incorporation and by-laws and federal banking laws, including regulatory
approval requirements, could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire the Company, even if doing so would be
perceived to be beneficial to the Company’s shareholders. The combination of these provisions effectively inhibits a
non-negotiated merger or other business combination, which, in turn, could adversely affect the market price of the
Company’s common stock.
Risks Associated with the Company’s Industry
The Earnings of Financial Services Companies Are Significantly Affected by General Business and Economic
Conditions
The Company’s operations and profitability are impacted by general business and economic conditions in the United
States and abroad. These conditions include short-term and long-term interest rates, inflation, money supply, political
issues, legislative and regulatory changes, fluctuations in both debt and equity capital markets, broad trends in industry
and finance, and the strength of the U.S. economy and the local economies in which the Company operates, all of
which are beyond the Company’s control. The continuing deterioration in economic conditions in the United States
and abroad could result in an increase in loan delinquencies and non-performing assets, decreases in loan collateral
values and a decrease in demand for the Company’s products and services, among other things, any of which could
have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
Financial Services Companies Depend on the Accuracy and Completeness of Information about Customers and
Counterparties
In deciding whether to extend credit or enter into other transactions, the Company may rely on information furnished by
or on behalf of customers and counterparties, including financial statements, credit reports and other financial
information. The Company may also rely on representations of those customers, counterparties or other third parties,
such as independent auditors, as to the accuracy and completeness of that information. Reliance on inaccurate or
misleading financial statements, credit reports or other financial information could have a material adverse impact on
the Company’s business and, in turn, the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
12
Consumers May Decide Not to Use Banks to Complete their Financial Transactions
Technology and other changes are allowing parties to complete financial transactions that historically have involved
banks through alternative methods. For example, consumers can now maintain funds that would have historically been
held as bank deposits in brokerage accounts or mutual funds. Consumers can also complete transactions such as paying
bills and/or transferring funds directly without the assistance of banks. The process of eliminating banks as
intermediaries, known as “disintermediation,” 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 the Company’s financial condition and results of
operations.
ITEM 1B.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
There are currently no unresolved Commission staff comments.
ITEM 2.
PROPERTIES
The principal offices of the Company and the Bank consist of an eleven-story office building and adjacent office space
located in the central business district of the city of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Additionally, the Company has corporate
offices located in Little Rock, Arkansas.
The Company and its subsidiaries own or lease additional offices throughout the state of Arkansas. The Company and
its eight banks conduct financial operations from 88 offices, of which 84 are financial centers, in 47 communities
throughout Arkansas.
ITEM 3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company and/or its subsidiaries have various unrelated legal proceedings, most of which involve loan foreclosure
activity pending, which, in the aggregate, are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial position of
the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company or its subsidiaries remain the subject of the following lawsuit
asserting claims against the Company or its subsidiaries.
On October 1, 2003, an action in Pulaski County Circuit Court was filed by Thomas F. Carter, Tena P. Carter and
certain related entities against Simmons First Bank of South Arkansas and Simmons First National Bank alleging
wrongful conduct by the banks in the collection of certain loans. The Company was later added as a party defendant.
The plaintiffs are seeking $2,000,000 in compensatory damages and $10,000,000 in punitive damages. The Company
and the banks have filed Motions to Dismiss. The plaintiffs were granted additional time to discover any evidence for
litigation and have submitted such findings. At the hearing on the Motions for Summary Judgment, the Court
dismissed Simmons First National Bank due to lack of venue. Venue has been changed to Jefferson County for the
Company and Simmons First Bank of South Arkansas. Non-binding mediation failed on June 24, 2008. Jury trial is set
for the week of June 22, 2009. At this time, no basis for any material liability has been identified. The Company and
the bank continue to vigorously defend the claims asserted in the suit.
ITEM 4.
SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY-HOLDERS
No matters were submitted to a vote of security-holders, through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise, during the
fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report.
13
PART II
ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The Company’s Common Stock trades on The Nasdaq Stock Market® in the Global Select Market System under the
symbol “SFNC.” The following table sets forth, for all the periods indicated, cash dividends declared and the high and
low closing bid prices for the Company’s Common Stock.
2008
1st quarter
2nd quarter
3rd quarter
4th quarter
2007
1st quarter
2nd quarter
3rd quarter
4th quarter
Price Per
Common Share
High
Low
$ 29.73
32.95
36.00
33.55
$ 32.19
30.49
29.00
29.48
$ 24.41
27.97
26.47
23.68
$ 25.33
25.75
22.33
23.81
Quarterly
Dividends
Per Common
Share
$ 0.19
0.19
0.19
0.19
$ 0.18
0.18
0.18
0.19
As of February 4, 2009, there were 1,376 shareholders of record of the Company’s Common Stock.
The Company's policy is to declare regular quarterly dividends based upon the Company's earnings, financial position,
capital requirements and such other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors. This dividend policy is subject
to change, however, and the payment of dividends by the Company is necessarily dependent upon the availability of
earnings and the Company's financial condition in the future. The payment of dividends on the Common Stock is also
subject to regulatory capital requirements. The Company has received approval from The Department of the Treasury
(the “Treasury”) to participate in the Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program (the “CPP”). If the
Company participates in the CPP by issuing Preferred Stock to the Treasury, dividend increases may be restricted and
will require the Treasury’s consent for three years. For further discussion on the CPP, see “Management’s Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation – Recent Market Developments.”
The Company's principal source of funds for dividend payments to its stockholders is dividends received from its
subsidiary banks. Under applicable banking laws, the declaration of dividends by the Bank and Simmons/El Dorado in
any year, in excess of its net profits, as defined, for that year, combined with its retained net profits of the preceding two
years, must be approved by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Further, as to Simmons/Jonesboro,
Simmons/Northwest, Simmons/South, Simmons/Hot Springs, Simmons/Russellville and Simmons/Searcy, regulators
have specified that the maximum dividends state banks may pay to the parent company without prior approval is
75% of the current year earnings plus 75% of the retained net earnings of the preceding year. At December 31, 2008,
approximately $14.3 million was available for the payment of dividends by the subsidiary banks without regulatory
approval. For further discussion of restrictions on the payment of dividends, see "Quantitative and Qualitative
Disclosures About Market Risk – Liquidity and Market Risk Management," and Note 18, Stockholders’ Equity, of
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Stock Repurchase
The Company made no purchases of its common stock during the three months ended December 31, 2008.
On November 28, 2007, the Company announced the substantial completion of the existing stock repurchase program
and the adoption by the Board of Directors of a new stock repurchase program. The program authorizes the repurchase
of up to 700,000 shares of Class A common stock, or approximately 5% of the outstanding common stock. Under the
repurchase program, there is no time limit for the stock repurchases, nor is there a minimum number of shares the
14
Company intends to repurchase. The Company may discontinue purchases at any time that management determines
additional purchases are not warranted. The shares are to be purchased from time to time at prevailing market prices,
through open market or unsolicited negotiated transactions, depending upon market conditions. The Company intends
to use the repurchased shares to satisfy stock option exercise, payment of future stock dividends and general corporate
purposes.
Effective July 1, 2008, the Company made a strategic decision to temporarily suspend stock repurchases. This decision
was made to preserve capital at the parent company due to the lack of liquidity in the credit markets and the
uncertainties in the overall economy. If the Company participates in the CPP by issuing Preferred Stock to the
Treasury, stock repurchases may be restricted and will require the Treasury’s consent for three years. For further
discussion on the CPP, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation –
Recent Market Developments.”
Performance Graph
The performance graph below compares the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company’s Common Stock
with the cumulative total return on the equity securities of companies included in the NASDAQ Bank Stock
Index and the S&P 500 Stock Index. The graph assumes an investment of $100 on December 31, 2003 and
reinvestment of dividends on the date of payment without commissions. The performance graph represents past
performance and should not be considered to be an indication of future performance.
e
u
l
a
V
x
e
d
n
I
Total Return Performance
Sim m ons Firs t National Corporation
NASDAQ Bank Index
S&P 500 Index
175
150
125
100
75
50
12/31/03
12/31/04
12/31/05
12/31/06
12/31/07
12/31/08
Index
Simmons First National Corporation
NASDAQ Bank Index
S&P 500 Index
12/31/03
100.00
100.00
100.00
12/31/04
107.31
110.99
110.88
12/31/05
105.09
106.18
116.33
12/31/06
121.93
117.87
134.70
12/31/07
105.75
91.85
142.10
12/31/08
120.66
69.88
89.53
Period Ending
15
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this Annual Report may not be based on historical facts and are “forward-looking
statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements may be identified by reference to a
future period(s) or by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “foresee,”
“may,” “might,” “will,” “would,” “could” or “intend,” future or conditional verb tenses, and variations or negatives of
such terms. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, those relating to the Company’s future
growth, revenue, assets, asset quality, profitability and customer service, critical accounting policies, net interest
margin, non-interest revenue, market conditions related to the Company’s stock repurchase program, allowance for
loan losses, the effect of certain new accounting standards on the Company’s financial statements, income tax
deductions, credit quality, the level of credit losses from lending commitments, net interest revenue, interest rate
sensitivity, loan loss experience, liquidity, capital resources, market risk, earnings, effect of pending litigation,
acquisition strategy, legal and regulatory limitations and compliance and competition.
We caution the reader not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this Report in that
actual results could differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors.
These factors include, but are not limited to, changes in the Company’s operating or expansion strategy, availability of
and costs associated with obtaining adequate and timely sources of liquidity, the ability to maintain credit quality,
possible adverse rulings, judgments, settlements and other outcomes of pending litigation, the ability of the Company to
collect amounts due under loan agreements, changes in consumer preferences, effectiveness of the Company’s interest
rate risk management strategies, laws and regulations affecting financial institutions in general or relating to taxes, the
effect of pending or future legislation, the ability of the Company to repurchase its Common Stock on favorable terms
and other risk factors. Other relevant risk factors may be detailed from time to time in the Company’s press releases
and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update these forward-
looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this Report.
ITEM 6.
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth selected consolidated financial data concerning the Company and is qualified in its
entirety by the detailed information and consolidated financial statements, including notes thereto, included
elsewhere in this report. The income statement, balance sheet and per common share data as of and for the years ended
December 31, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004, were derived from consolidated financial statements of the Company,
which were audited by BKD, LLP. The selected consolidated financial data set forth below should be read in
conjunction with the financial statements of the Company and related notes thereto and "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere in this report.
16
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
(In thousands, except per share data)
2008
Years Ended December 31 (1)
2006
2007
2005
2004
Income statement data:
Net interest income
Provision for loan losses
Net interest income after provision
for loan losses
Non-interest income
Non-interest expense
Provision for income taxes
Net income
Per share data:
Basic earnings
Diluted earnings
Diluted core earnings (non-GAAP) (2)
Book value
Dividends
Balance sheet data at period end:
Assets
Loans
Allowance for loan losses
Deposits
Long-term debt
Stockholders’ equity
Capital ratios at period end:
Stockholders’ equity to
total assets
Leverage (3)
Tier 1
Total risk-based
Selected ratios:
Return on average assets
Return on average equity
Return on average tangible equity (non-GAAP) (4)
Net interest margin (5)
Allowance/nonperforming loans
Allowance for loan losses as a
percentage of period-end loans
Nonperforming loans as a percentage
of period-end loans
Net charge-offs as a percentage
of average total assets
Dividend payout
$ 94,017
8,646
$ 92,116
4,181
$ 88,804
3,762
$ 90,257
7,526
$ 85,636
8,027
85,371
49,326
96,360
11,427
26,910
1.93
1.91
1.73
20.69
0.76
87,935
46,003
94,197
12,381
27,360
1.95
1.92
1.97
19.57
0.73
85,042
43,947
89,068
12,440
27,481
1.93
1.90
1.90
18.24
0.68
82,731
42,318
85,584
12,503
26,962
1.88
1.84
1.84
17.04
0.61
77,609
40,705
82,385
11,483
24,446
1.68
1.65
1.68
16.29
0.57
2,923,109
1,933,074
25,841
2,336,333
158,671
288,792
2,692,447
1,850,454
25,303
2,182,857
82,285
272,406
2,651,413
1,783,495
25,385
2,175,531
83,311
259,016
2,523,768
1,718,107
26,923
2,059,958
87,020
244,085
2,413,944
1,571,376
26,508
1,959,195
94,663
238,222
9.88%
9.15%
13.24%
14.50%
0.94%
9.54%
12.54%
3.75%
165.12%
10.12%
9.06%
12.43%
13.69%
1.03%
10.26%
13.78%
3.96%
226.10%
9.75%
8.83%
12.38%
13.64%
1.07%
10.93%
15.03%
3.96%
234.05%
9.67%
8.62%
12.26%
13.54%
1.08%
11.24%
15.79%
4.13%
319.48%
9.87%
8.46%
12.72%
14.00%
1.03%
10.64%
14.94%
4.08%
220.84%
1.34%
1.37%
1.42%
1.57%
1.69%
0.81%
0.60%
0.56%
0.49%
0.76%
0.28%
39.79%
0.16%
38.02%
0.15%
35.79%
0.28%
33.15%
0.34%
38.80%
(1) The selected consolidated financial data set forth above should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of the
Company and related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, included
elsewhere in this report.
(2) Diluted core earnings (net income excluding nonrecurring items) is a non-GAAP measure. The following nonrecurring
items were excluded in the calculation of diluted core earnings per share (non-GAAP). In 2008, the Company recorded a
$0.13 increase in EPS from the cash proceeds on a mandatory Visa stock redemption and a $0.05 increase in EPS from the
reversal of Visa, Inc.’s litigation expense recorded in 2007. In 2007, the Company recorded a $0.05 reduction in EPS from
litigation expense associated with the recognition of certain contingent liabilities related to Visa, Inc.’s litigation. In 2004,
the Company recorded a $0.03 reduction in EPS from the write-off of deferred debt issuance cost associated with the
redemption of trust preferred securities.
(3) Leverage ratio is Tier 1 capital to quarterly average total assets less intangible assets and gross unrealized gains/losses on
available-for-sale investments.
(4) Tangible calculations are non-GAAP measures that eliminate the effect of goodwill and acquisition related intangible
assets and the corresponding amortization expense on a tax-effected basis where applicable.
(5) Fully taxable equivalent (assuming an income tax rate of 37.5%).
17
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Recent Market Developments
In response to the financial crises affecting the banking system and financial markets and going concern threats to
investment banks and other financial institutions, on October 3, 2008, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of
2008 (the “EESA”) was signed into law. Pursuant to the EESA, the U.S. Treasury was given the authority to, among
other things, purchase up to $700 billion of mortgages, mortgage-backed securities and certain other financial
instruments from financial institutions for the purpose of stabilizing and providing liquidity to the U.S. financial
markets.
On October 14, 2008, the Secretary of the Department of the Treasury announced that the Department of the Treasury
(the “Treasury”) will purchase equity stakes in a wide variety of banks and thrifts. Under the program, known as the
Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program (the “CPP”), from the $700 billion authorized by the EESA,
the Treasury made $250 billion of capital available to U.S. financial institutions in the form of preferred stock. Under
the CPP, eligible healthy financial institutions, such as the Company, will be able to sell senior preferred shares (the
"Preferred Shares") on standardized terms to the Treasury in amounts equal to between 1% and 3% of an institution’s
risk-weighted assets. The CPP is completely voluntary, and, although the Company anticipates being profitable in the
current year, has adequate sources of liquidity, and is well-capitalized under regulatory guidelines, participation in the
CPP would allow the Company to raise additional low cost capital to ensure that, during these uncertain times, it is
well-positioned to support existing operations as well as anticipated future growth.
On October 29, 2008, the Treasury gave the Company approval to participate in the CPP. On January 6, 2009, the
Treasury amended its approval to allow the Company to participate in the CPP at a level up to $59.7 million. Because
the Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation do not authorize preferred stock, as required for participation in the
CPP, the Company is holding a Special Meeting of Shareholders on February 27, 2009, to amend the Restated Articles
of Incorporation to authorize the issuance of Preferred Shares in order to participate in the CPP.
Even if the proposed amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation is adopted, the Company has not yet
determined whether it will participate in the CPP or, if it does participate, how many Preferred Shares will be sold. If
the Company participates in the CPP by issuing Preferred Stock, the Treasury will also receive warrants to purchase
common stock with an aggregate market price equal to 15% of the preferred investment. The Company would also be
required to adopt the Treasury’s standards for executive compensation and corporate governance for the period during
which the Treasury holds equity issued under the CPP.
On November 21, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) adopted a final
rule relating to the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program (“TLG Program”). The TLG Program was announced by
the FDIC on October 14, 2008, preceded by the determination of systemic risk by the Secretary of the Department of
Treasury (after consultation with the President) as an initiative to counter the system-wide crisis in the nation’s financial
sector. Under the TLG Program the FDIC will (i) guarantee, through the earlier of maturity or June 30, 2012, certain
newly issued senior unsecured debt issued by participating institutions on or after October 14, 2008, and before June
30, 2009, and (ii) provide full FDIC deposit insurance coverage for non-interest bearing transaction deposit accounts,
Negotiable Order of Withdrawal (“NOW”) accounts paying less than 0.5% interest per annum and Interest on Lawyers
Trust Accounts (“IOLTA”) accounts held at participating FDIC-insured institutions through December 31, 2009.
Coverage under the TLG Program was available for the first 30 days without charge. The fee assessment for coverage
of senior unsecured debt ranges from 50 basis points to 100 basis points per annum depending on the initial maturity of
the debt. The fee assessment for deposit insurance coverage is an annualized 10 basis points paid quarterly on amounts
in covered accounts exceeding $250,000. On December 5, 2008, the Company elected to participate in both guarantee
programs. On February 10, 2009, the FDIC extended the date for issuing debt under the TLG Program from June 30 to
October 31, 2009.
18
Critical Accounting Policies
Overview
The accounting and reporting policies followed by the Company conform, in all material respects, to generally accepted
accounting principles and to general practices within the financial services industry. The preparation of financial
statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. While the Company
bases estimates on historical experience, current information and other factors deemed to be relevant, actual results
could differ from those estimates.
The Company considers accounting estimates to be critical to reported financial results if (i) the accounting estimate
requires management to make assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain and (ii) different estimates that
management reasonably could have used for the accounting estimate in the current period, or changes in the accounting
estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period, could have a material impact on the Company’s
financial statements.
The accounting policies that we view as critical to us are those relating to estimates and judgments regarding (a) the
determination of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, (b) the valuation of goodwill and the useful lives
applied to intangible assets, (c) the valuation of employee benefit plans and (d) income taxes.
Allowance for Loan Losses
The allowance for loan losses is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for loan losses
charged to income. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a
loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.
The allowance is maintained at a level considered adequate to provide for potential loan losses related to specifically
identified loans as well as probable credit losses inherent in the remainder of the loan portfolio that have been incurred
as of period end. This estimate is based on management's evaluation of the loan portfolio as well as on prevailing and
anticipated economic conditions and historical losses by loan category. General reserves have been established based
upon the aforementioned factors and allocated to the individual loan categories. Allowances are accrued on specific
loans evaluated for impairment for which the basis of each loan, including accrued interest, exceeds the discounted
amount of expected future collections of interest and principal or, alternatively, the fair value of loan collateral. The
unallocated reserve generally serves to compensate for the uncertainty in estimating loan losses, including the
possibility of changes in risk ratings and specific reserve allocations in the loan portfolio as a result of the Company’s
ongoing risk management system.
A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will not receive all amounts due according to the
contractual terms of the loan. This includes loans that are delinquent 90 days or more, nonaccrual loans and certain
other loans identified by management. Certain other loans identified by management consist of performing loans with
specific allocations of the allowance for loan losses. Specific allocations are applied when quantifiable factors are
present requiring a greater allocation than that established by the Company based on its analysis of historical losses for
each loan category. Accrual of interest is discontinued and interest accrued and unpaid is removed at the time such
amounts are delinquent 90 days unless management is aware of circumstances which warrant continuing the interest
accrual. Interest is recognized for nonaccrual loans only upon receipt and only after all principal amounts are current
according to the terms of the contract.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Other
intangible assets represent purchased assets that also lack physical substance but can be separately distinguished
from goodwill because of contractual or other legal rights or because the asset is capable of being sold or exchanged
either on its own or in combination with a related contract, asset or liability. The Company performs an annual
goodwill impairment test in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement No. 142
(“SFAS No. 142”), which requires that goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite lives no longer be
amortized but be reviewed for impairment annually, or more frequently if certain conditions occur. Prior to the
19
adoption of SFAS No. 142, goodwill was being amortized using the straight-line method over a period of 15 years.
Impairment losses on recorded goodwill, if any, will be recorded as operating expenses.
Employee Benefit Plans
The Company has adopted various stock-based compensation plans. The plans provide for the grant of incentive stock
options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, and bonus stock awards. Pursuant to the plans, shares are
reserved for future issuance by the Company upon exercise of stock options or awarding of bonus shares granted to
directors, officers and other key employees.
In accordance with FASB Statement No. 123, Share-Based Payment (Revised 2004) (“SFAS No. 123R”), the fair value
of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model that uses various
assumptions. This model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, changes to which can materially affect
the fair value estimate. For additional information, see Note 10, Employee Benefit Plans, in the accompanying Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report.
Income Taxes
The Company is subject to the federal income tax laws of the United States and the tax laws of the states and other
jurisdictions where it conducts business. Due to the complexity of these laws, taxpayers and the taxing authorities may
subject these laws to different interpretations. Management must make conclusions and estimates about the application
of these innately intricate laws, related regulations and case law. When preparing the Company’s tax returns,
management attempts to make reasonable interpretations of the tax laws. Taxing authorities have the ability to
challenge management’s analysis of the tax law or any reinterpretation management makes in its ongoing assessment of
facts and the developing case law. Management assesses the reasonableness of its effective tax rate quarterly based on
its current estimate of net income and the applicable taxes expected for the full year. On a quarterly basis, management
also reviews circumstances and developments in tax law affecting the reasonableness of deferred tax assets and
liabilities and reserves for contingent tax liabilities.
2008 Overview
Simmons First National Corporation recorded net income of $26.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, a
1.7% decrease from net income of $27.4 million in 2007. Net income in 2006 was $27.5 million. Diluted earnings per
share decreased $0.01, or 0.5%, to $1.91 in 2008 compared to $1.92 in 2007. Diluted earnings per share in 2006 were
$1.90. The Company’s return on average assets and return on average stockholders’ equity for the year ended
December 31, 2008, were 0.94% and 9.54%, compared to 1.03% and 10.26%, respectively, for the year ended 2007.
During the first quarter of 2008, the Company recorded a nonrecurring $0.05 increase in diluted earnings per share
related to the reversal of a $1.2 million pre-tax contingent liability established during the fourth quarter of 2007. That
contingent liability represented the Company’s pro-rata portion of Visa, Inc.’s, and its related subsidiary Visa U.S.A.’s
(collectively “Visa”) litigation liabilities, which was satisfied in conjunction with Visa’s initial public offering (“IPO”).
Also as a result of Visa’s IPO, the Company received cash proceeds from the mandatory partial redemption of its equity
interest in Visa, resulting in a nonrecurring $3.0 million pre-tax gain in the first quarter 2008, or $0.13 per diluted
common share. Finally, associated with its membership in Visa, the Company received 110,308 class B shares of Visa.
The class B shares have a restricted holding period, and the Company will not recognize any gain until such time the
shares are redeemed for cash or otherwise disposed of.
At December 31, 2008, the Company’s loan portfolio totaled $1.933 billion, which is an $82.6 million, or 4.5%,
increase from the same period last year. This increase is due primarily to a $35.3 million, or 46.3%, increase in student
loans and a $69.5 million, or 7.5%, increase in commercial and residential real estate loans. Loan growth was
somewhat mitigated by a $36.0 million, or 13.8%, decline in development and construction loans due to permanent
financing of completed projects and to the downturn in the construction industry.
Although the general state of the national economy remains volatile, and despite the challenges in the Northwest
Arkansas region, the Company continues to maintain relatively good asset quality. In fact, we continue to sustain good
asset quality in all other regions of Arkansas. The allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans was 1.34% at
December 31, 2008. Non-performing loans equaled 0.81% of total loans, up 21 basis points from 2007. Non-
performing assets were 0.64% of total assets, up 13 basis points from 2007. The allowance for loan losses was 165%
of non-performing loans. The Company’s annualized net charge-offs for 2008 were 0.50% of total loans. Excluding
20
credit cards, annualized net charge-offs for 2008 were 0.36% of total loans. Annualized net credit card charge-offs for
the 2008 were 1.78%, more than 400 basis points below the most recently published credit card charge-off industry
average. The Company does not own any securities backed by subprime mortgage assets and has no mortgage loan
products that target subprime borrowers.
Total assets for the Company at December 31, 2008, were $2.923 billion, an increase of $231 million, or 8.6%, over the
period ended December 31, 2007. Stockholders’ equity as of December 31, 2008 was $288.8 million, an increase of
$16.4 million, or approximately 6.0 %, from December 31, 2007.
Simmons First National Corporation is an Arkansas based, Arkansas committed financial holding company with
$2.9 billion in assets and eight community banks in Pine Bluff, Lake Village, Jonesboro, Rogers, Searcy, Russellville,
El Dorado and Hot Springs, Arkansas. The Company’s eight banks conduct financial operations from 88 offices, of
which 84 are financial centers, in 47 communities.
Net Interest Income
Net interest income, the Company's principal source of earnings, is the difference between the interest income
generated by earning assets and the total interest cost of the deposits and borrowings obtained to fund those assets.
Factors that determine the level of net interest income include the volume of earning assets and interest bearing
liabilities, yields earned and rates paid, the level of non-performing loans and the amount of non-interest bearing
liabilities supporting earning assets. Net interest income is analyzed in the discussion and tables below on a fully
taxable equivalent basis. The adjustment to convert certain income to a fully taxable equivalent basis consists of
dividing tax-exempt income by one minus the combined federal and state income tax rate of 37.50%.
The Federal Reserve Board sets various benchmark rates, including the Federal Funds rate, and thereby influences the
general market rates of interest, including the deposit and loan rates offered by financial institutions. The Company’s
loan portfolio is significantly affected by changes in the prime interest rate. The prime interest rate, which is the rate
offered on loans to borrowers with strong credit, began 2006 at 7.25% and increased 50 basis points in the first quarter
and 50 basis points in the second quarter to end the year at 8.25%. During 2007, the prime interest rate decreased
50 basis points in the third quarter and 50 basis points in the fourth quarter to end the year at 7.25%. During 2008, the
prime interest rate decreased 200 basis points in the first quarter, 25 basis points in the second quarter and another
175 basis points in the fourth quarter to end the year at 3.25%. The Federal Funds rate, which is the cost to banks of
immediately available overnight funds, began 2006 at 4.25%. During 2006, the Federal Funds rate increased 50 basis
points in the first quarter and 50 basis points in the second quarter to end the year at 5.25%. During 2007, the Federal
Funds rate decreased 50 basis points in the third quarter and 50 basis points in the fourth quarter to end the year at
4.25%. During 2008, the Federal Funds rate decreased 200 basis points in the first quarter, 25 basis points in the
second quarter and another 175-200 basis points in the fourth quarter to end the year at 0.00%-0.25%.
The Company’s practice is to limit exposure to interest rate movements by maintaining a significant portion of earning
assets and interest bearing liabilities in short-term repricing. Historically, approximately 70% of the Company’s loan
portfolio and approximately 80% of the Company’s time deposits have repriced in one year or less. These historical
percentages are consistent with the Company’s current interest rate sensitivity.
For the year ended December 31, 2008, net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis was $98.1 million, an
increase of $2.5 million, or 2.6%, from the same period in 2007. The increase in net interest income was the result of a
$14.3 million decrease in interest expense offset by an $11.8 million decrease in interest income. As a result, the net
interest margin was 3.75% for the year ended December 31, 2008, a decrease of 21 basis points from 2007.
The $14.3 million decrease in interest expense for 2008 is primarily the result of a 92 basis point decrease in cost of
funds due to competitive repricing during a falling interest rate environment, partially offset by a $175.5 million
increase in average interest bearing liabilities. The growth in average interest bearing liabilities was primarily due to
the Company’s initiatives to enhance liquidity during 2008 through (1) the introduction of a new high yield investment
deposit account and (2) securing additional long-term FHLB advances. The lower interest rates accounted for a
$16.2 million decrease in interest expense. The most significant component of this decrease was the $9.7 million
decrease associated with the repricing of the Company’s time deposits that resulted from time deposits that matured
during the period or were tied to a rate that fluctuated with changes in market rates. Historically, approximately 80% of
the Company’s time deposits reprice in one year or less. As a result, the average rate paid on time deposits decreased
92 basis points from 4.66% to 3.74%. Lower rates on federal funds purchased and other debt resulted in an additional
$4.8 million decrease in interest expense, with the average rate paid on debt decreasing by 184 basis points from
21
5.23% to 3.39%. The higher level of average interest bearing liabilities resulted in a $1.9 million increase in interest
expense. More specifically, the higher level of average interest bearing liabilities was the result of increases of
approximately $120.3 million from internal deposit growth and $55.2 million in federal funds purchased and other debt.
The $11.8 million decrease in interest income for 2008 is primarily the result of a 101 basis point decrease in yield on
earning assets associated with the repricing to a lower interest rate environment, offset by a $205.3 million increase in
average interest earning assets due to internal growth. The lower interest rates accounted for a $22.5 million decrease
in interest income. The most significant component of this decrease was the $20.9 million decrease associated with the
repricing of the Company’s loan portfolio that resulted from loans that matured during the period or were tied to a rate
that fluctuated with changes in market rates. Historically, approximately 70% of the Company’s loan portfolio reprices
in one year or less. As a result, the average rate earned on the loan portfolio decreased 111 basis points from 7.79% to
6.68%. The growth in average interest earning assets resulted in a $10.7 million improvement in interest income. The
growth in average loans accounted for $5.2 million of this increase, while the growth in investment securities resulted
in $3.8 million of the increase.
The Company’s net interest margin decreased 21 basis points to 3.75% for the year ended December 31, 2008, when
compared to 3.96% for the same period in 2007. This decrease in the net interest margin was primarily due to
significant repricing of earning assets due to declining interest rates throughout 2008, along with the Company’s
concentrated effort to grow core deposits. Based on its current interest rate risk pricing model, and considering the
most recent rate reductions, the Company anticipates additional margin compression during 2009.
For the year ended December 31, 2007, net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis was $95.6 million, an
increase of $3.6 million, or 3.9%, from the same period in 2006. The increase in net interest income was the result of a
$15.5 million increase in interest income offset by an $11.9 million increase in interest expense. As a result, the net
interest margin was 3.96% for the year ended December 31, 2007, unchanged from 2006.
22
Tables 1 and 2 reflect an analysis of net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis for the years ended
December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, as well as changes in fully taxable equivalent net interest
margin for the years 2008 versus 2007 and 2007 versus 2006.
Table 1:
(FTE =Fully Taxable Equivalent)
Analysis of Net Interest Income
(In thousands)
Interest income
FTE adjustment
Interest income - FTE
Interest expense
Years Ended December 31
2007
2006
2008
$ 156,141
4,060
$ 168,536
3,463
$ 153,362
3,185
160,201
62,124
171,999
76,420
156,547
64,558
Net interest income - FTE
$ 98,077
$ 95,579
$ 91,989
Yield on earning assets - FTE
Cost of interest bearing liabilities
Net interest spread - FTE
Net interest margin - FTE
6.12%
2.77%
3.35%
3.75%
7.13%
3.69%
3.44%
3.96%
6.74%
3.24%
3.50%
3.96%
Table 2:
Changes in Fully Taxable Equivalent Net Interest Margin
(In thousands)
Increase due to change in earning assets
(Decrease) increase due to change in earning asset yields
Increase (decrease) due to change in interest rates paid on
interest bearing liabilities
Decrease due to change in interest bearing liabilities
Increase in net interest income
2008 vs. 2007 2007 vs. 2006
$
10,688
(22,486)
$
6,959
8,496
16,216
(1,920)
(8,639)
(3,226)
$
2,498
$
3,590
23
Table 3 shows, for each major category of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, the average (computed on a
daily basis) amount outstanding, the interest earned or expensed on such amount and the average rate earned or
expensed for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2008. The table also shows the average
rate earned on all earning assets, the average rate expensed on all interest bearing liabilities, the net interest spread and
the net interest margin for the same periods. The analysis is presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis. Nonaccrual
loans were included in average loans for the purpose of calculating the rate earned on total loans.
Table 3:
Average Balance Sheets and Net Interest Income Analysis
2008
Years Ended December 31
2007
Average
Balance
Income/ Yield/
Expense Rate(%)
Average
Balance
Income/ Yield/
Expense Rate(%)
2006
Income/ Yield/
Average
Balance Expense Rate(%)
(In thousands)
ASSETS
Earning Assets
Interest bearing balances
due from banks
Federal funds sold
Investment securities - taxable
Investment securities - non-taxable
Mortgage loans held for sale
Assets held in trading accounts
Loans
Total interest earning assets
Non-earning assets
$
83,547 $ 1,415
748
34,577
21,057
437,612
10,173
157,793
411
6,909
73
5,711
126,324
1,891,357
160,201
2,617,506
250,675
22,957 $ 1,161
1.69 $
1,418
26,798
2.16
18,362
395,388
4.81
8,454
131,369
6.45
505
7,971
5.95
100
1.28
4,958
141,999
6.68 1,822,777
2,412,218
171,999
6.12
254,656
5.06 $
5.29
4.64
6.44
6.34
2.02
7.79
7.13
22,746 $ 1,072
1,057
20,223
15,705
410,445
7,573
117,931
476
7,666
71
4,590
1,740,477 130,593
2,324,078 156,547
4.71
5.23
3.83
6.42
6.21
1.55
7.50
6.74
251,261
$ 2,575,339
Total assets
$ 2,868,181
$ 2,666,874
LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities
Interest bearing liabilities
Interest bearing transaction
and savings deposits
Time deposits
Total interest bearing deposits
Federal funds purchased and
securities sold under agreement
to repurchase
Other borrowed funds
Short-term debt
Long-term debt
Total interest bearing liabilities
Non-interest bearing liabilities
Non-interest bearing deposits
Other liabilities
Total liabilities
Stockholders’ equity
Total liabilities and
stockholders’ equity
Net interest spread
Net interest margin
$
1,021,427
1,980,994
959,567 $ 14,924
38,226
53,150
1.56 $
3.74 1,124,557
1,860,717
2.68
736,160 $ 13,089
52,385
65,474
1.78 $
4.66
3.52
737,328 $ 11,658
1,052,705 42,592
54,250
1,790,033
1.58
4.05
3.03
113,964
2,110
1.85
113,167
5,371
4.75
100,280
4,615
4.60
4,333
146,218
2,245,509
111
6,753
62,124
2.56
4.62
2.77
14,757
81,408
2,070,049
804
4,771
76,420
5.45
5.86
3.69
21,065
82,525
1,227
4,466
1,993,903 64,558
5.82
5.41
3.24
317,772
22,714
2,585,995
282,186
307,041
23,156
2,400,246
266,628
308,804
21,114
2,323,821
251,518
$ 2,868,181
$ 2,666,874
$ 2,575,339
$ 98,077
3.35
3.75
$ 95,579
3.44
3.96
$ 91,989
3.50
3.96
24
Table 4 shows changes in interest income and interest expense, resulting from changes in volume and changes in
interest rates for each of the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, as compared to prior years. The changes in
interest rate and volume have been allocated to changes in average volume and changes in average rates in proportion
to the relationship of absolute dollar amounts of the changes in rates and volume.
Table 4:
Volume/Rate Analysis
(In thousands, on a fully
taxable equivalent basis)
Increase (decrease) in
Interest income
Interest bearing balances
due from banks
Federal funds sold
Investment securities - taxable
Investment securities - non-taxable
Mortgage loans held for sale
Assets held in trading accounts
Loans
Years Ended December 31
2008 over 2007
Yield/
Rate
Volume
Total
2007 over 2006
Yield/
Rate
Volume
Total
$ 1,436 $ (1,182) $ 254
(1,002)
(670)
2,665
571
1,719
15
(94)
(30)
3
1
(15,675)
(20,859)
332
2,094
1,704
(64)
2
5,184
$
10
348
(594)
865
19
6
6,305
$
79
13
3,252
17
10
24
5,101
$
89
361
2,658
882
29
30
11,406
Total
10,688
(22,486)
(11,798)
6,959
8,496
15,455
Interest expense
Interest bearing transaction and
savings deposits
Time deposits
Federal funds purchased
and securities sold under
agreements to repurchase
Other borrowed funds
Short-term debt
Long-term debt
Total
Increase (decrease) in
net interest income
Provision for Loan Losses
3,620
(4,504)
(1,785)
(9,655)
1,835
(14,159)
(18)
3,044
1,450
6,750
1,432
9,794
38
(3,299)
(3,261)
608
148
756
(396)
3,162
(297)
(1,180)
(693)
1,982
(347)
(61)
(75)
366
(422)
305
1,920
(16,216)
(14,296)
3,226
8,639
11,865
$ 8,768 $ (6,270) $ 2,498
$ 3,733
$ (143) $ 3,590
The provision for loan losses represents management's determination of the amount necessary to be charged against the
current period's earnings in order to maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level considered adequate in relation to
the estimated risk inherent in the loan portfolio. The level of provision to the allowance is based on management's
judgment, with consideration given to the composition, maturity and other qualitative characteristics of the portfolio,
historical loan loss experience, assessment of current economic conditions, past due and non-performing loans and net
loan loss experience. It is management's practice to review the allowance on at least a quarterly basis, but generally on
a monthly basis, and, after considering the factors previously noted, to determine the level of provision made to the
allowance.
The provision for loan losses for 2008, 2007 and 2006, was $8.6 million, $4.2 million and $3.8 million, respectively.
At various times throughout 2008, the Company recorded special provisions for loan losses totaling approximately
$2.4 million for possible loan losses related to the Northwest Arkansas region. During 2007, the Company sustained a
low rate of net credit card charge-offs of 1.14%, allowing the provision to remain at a level similar to that of 2006.
However, the provision increased somewhat due to an increase in non-performing assets and in net loan charge-offs,
particularly in the Northwest Arkansas region. See the Allowance for Loan Losses section for additional analysis of the
provision for loan losses.
25
Non-Interest Income
Total non-interest income was $49.3 million in 2008, compared to $46.0 million in 2007 and $43.9 million in 2006.
Non-interest income is principally derived from recurring fee income, which includes service charges, trust fees and
credit card fees. Non-interest income also includes income on the sale of mortgage loans, investment banking income,
premiums on sale of student loans, income from the increase in cash surrender values of bank owned life insurance and
gains (losses) from sales of securities.
Table 5 shows non-interest income for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, as well as
changes in 2008 from 2007 and in 2007 from 2006.
Table 5:
Non-Interest Income
(In thousands)
Years Ended December 31
2006
2007
2008
2008
Change from
2007
2007
Change from
2006
Trust income
Service charges on deposit accounts 15,145
2,681
Other service charges and fees
Income on sale of mortgage loans,
$ 6,230 $ 6,218 $ 5,612
15,795
2,561
14,794
3,016
$
0.19% $
12
351
2.37
(335) -11.11
606
(1,001)
455
10.80%
-6.34
17.77
net of commissions
Income on investment banking,
net of commissions
Credit card fees
Premiums on sale of student loans
Bank owned life insurance income
Gain on mandatory partial
redemption of Visa shares
Other income
Total non-interest income
2,606
2,766
2,849
(160)
-5.78
(83)
-2.91
1,025
13,579
1,134
1,547
623
12,217
2,341
1,493
341
10,742
2,071
1,523
64.53
402
1,362
11.15
(1,207) -51.56
3.62
54
282
1,475
270
(30)
82.70
13.73
13.04
-1.97
2,973
2,406
--
2,453
$ 49,326 $ 46,003 $ 43,947
2,535
--
2,973
(129)
$ 3,323
--
--
-5.09
82
7.22% $ 2,056
--
3.34
4.68%
Recurring fee income for 2008 was $37.6 million, an increase of $1.4 million, or 3.8%, when compared with the
2007 amounts. Service charges on deposit accounts increased by $351,000, principally due improvement in our fee
structure, along with core deposit growth. Other service charges and fees decreased by $335,000, primarily due to a
decrease in commission revenue from a third party official check vendor as a result of a contract expiration and the
change in business related to Check 21. Credit card fees increased $1.4 million, primarily due to a higher volume of
credit and debit card transactions, with the credit card volume increase a direct result of the addition of new credit card
accounts in 2007 and 2008.
Recurring fee income for 2007 was $36.2 million, an increase of $1.5 million, or 4.4%, when compared with the 2006
amounts. Trust income increased by $606,000, mainly due to the addition of new customer accounts. Service charges
on deposit accounts decreased by $1.0 million, principally due to reduced income on insufficient funds (“NSF”)
charges. The decrease in NSF income is primarily due to the increase in consumer use of debit cards and internet
banking, and the associated decrease in paper transactions. Other service charges and fees increased by $455,000,
primarily due to an increase in ATM income, driven by an increase in PIN-based debit card volume and an
improvement in the fee structure. Credit card fees increased $1.5 million, primarily due to a higher volume of credit
and debit card transactions.
During the year ended December 31, 2008, income on investment banking increased $402,000, or 64.5% from the year
ended 2007. This improvement was due to additional sales volume driven by the interest rate environment, called
securities and customer liquidity. During 2007, income on investment banking increased $282,000, or 82.7% from
2006, due to additional sales volume driven by the yield curve and customers’ expectation of future interest rate
decreases.
26
Premiums on sale of student loans decreased by $1.2 million, or 51.6%, in 2008 over 2007. The decrease was primarily
due to a reduction in sales of student loans during 2008. The student loan industry is going through major challenges
related to secondary market liquidity. The current liquidity of the secondary market has effectively disappeared;
therefore, the Company is currently unable to sell student loans at a premium. For the immediate future, it is the
Company’s intention, and we have the liquidity, to continue to fund new loans and hold those loans that normally
would be sold into the secondary market through the 2008-2009 school year. In July 2008, the United States
Department of Education announced a one-year program to create temporary stability and liquidity in the student loan
market. During the third quarter of 2009, the Company expects to sell into the government program all student loans
originated and fully funded during the 2008-2009 school year. Under the terms of the government program, the loans
will be sold at par plus reimbursement of the 1% lender fee and a premium of $75 per loan. The Company expects to
increase the student loan portfolio by approximately $50 million during the carrying period; however, we have the
option of creating liquidity by selling participation loans into the government program.
Premiums on sale of student loans increased by $270,000, or 13.0%, in 2007 over 2006. The increase was primarily
due to accelerating the sale of student loans during 2007. Generally, as student loans reach payout status, the Company
sells those loans into the secondary market. Because of changes in the industry relative to loan consolidations and in
order to protect the premium on these loans, the Company made the decision to sell student loans prior to the payout
period. This resulted in recognition of premium in 2007 on loans that normally would have been sold in 2008.
For 2009, the Company anticipates the entire premium on sale of student loans, currently estimated at $1.6 million, to
be recorded in the third quarter of 2009, when the loans are sold. We will continue to evaluate the profitability and
viability of this strategic business unit going forward.
During the first quarter of 2008, the Company recognized a nonrecurring $3.0 million gain from the cash proceeds
received on the mandatory partial redemption of the Company’s equity interest in Visa, which was the result of Visa’s
IPO completed in March, 2008.
There were no gains or losses on sale of securities during 2008 or 2007.
Non-Interest Expense
Non-interest expense consists of salaries and employee benefits, occupancy, equipment, foreclosure losses and other
expenses necessary for the operation of the Company. Management remains committed to controlling the level of non-
interest expense through the continued use of expense control measures that have been installed. The Company utilizes
an extensive profit planning and reporting system involving all affiliates. Based on a needs assessment of the business
plan for the upcoming year, monthly and annual profit plans are developed, including manpower and capital
expenditure budgets. These profit plans are subject to extensive initial reviews and monitored by management on a
monthly basis. Variances from the plan are reviewed monthly and, when required, management takes corrective action
intended to ensure financial goals are met. Management also regularly monitors staffing levels at each affiliate to
ensure productivity and overhead are in line with existing workload requirements.
Non-interest expense for 2008 was $96.4 million, an increase of $2.2 million or 2.3%, from 2007. The increase in non-
interest expense during 2008 compared to 2007 is primarily attributed to normal on-going operating expenses and the
incremental expenses of approximately $1.6 million associated with the operation of new financial centers opened
during 2008.
Also included in non-interest expense for 2008 is a $1.2 million nonrecurring item related to the reversal of the
Company’s portion of Visa’s contingent litigation liabilities. The Company established the liability and recorded a
$1.2 million nonrecurring expense item during the fourth quarter of 2007. This liability represented the Company’s
share of legal judgments and settlements related to Visa’s litigation, which was satisfied by the $3 billion escrow
account funded by the proceeds from Visa’s IPO, which was completed during the quarter ended March 31, 2008.
When normalized for the Visa litigation expense, its reversal and the additional expenses from the expansion, non-
interest expense for 2008 increased by 3.2% over 2007.
FDIC deposit insurance expense increased by $465,000 in 2008, or 142%, over 2007. During 2007, the FDIC issued
credits based on historical deposit levels to be used in offsetting deposit insurance assessments; the Company received
approximately $1.8 million of these credits. The majority of the credits were exhausted during the third quarter of
2008. As these credits are used, FDIC insurance expense increases. Based on the recent FDIC insurance assessment
27
projections, we estimate the Company’s annual deposit insurance expense to increase by approximately $1.8 million in
2009 over 2008.
Credit card expense for 2008 increased $576,000, or 14.1%, over 2007, primarily due to increased card usage,
interchange fees and other related expense resulting from initiatives the Company has taken to grow its credit card
portfolio. See Loan Portfolio section for additional information.
Other non-interest expense for 2008 includes an increase of $289,000 for compensation expense. Recognition of the
expense for endorsement split-dollar life insurance policies that provide a benefit to an employee that extends to post-
retirement periods is required by EITF 06-4, which became effective January 1, 2008. See Note 16, New Accounting
Standards, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Non-interest expense for 2007 was $94.2 million, an increase of $5.1 million or 5.8%, from 2006. The increase in non-
interest expense during 2007 compared to 2006 is primarily attributed to normal on-going operating expenses and the
incremental expenses of approximately $634,000 associated with the operation of new financial centers opened during
2007. Also, during 2007, the Company recorded a nonrecurring expense of $1.2 million related to indemnification
obligations with Visa’s litigation, as previously discussed. When normalized for both the Visa litigation expense and
the additional expenses from the expansion, non-interest expense for 2007 increased by 3.7% over 2006.
Credit card expense for 2007 increased $860,000, or 26.6%, over 2006, primarily due to the increased volume in credit
card applications, card creation, interchange and other related expense resulting from initiatives the Company has taken
to stabilize its credit card portfolio. See Loan Portfolio section for additional information.
Other non-interest expense for 2007 increased $832,000, or 7.8%, compared to 2006. The most significant component
of the increase was an increase of $442,000 of student loan origination fees paid by the Company in 2007. The Federal
Student Loan Program began a three-year phase out program of origination fees on its loans late in 2006. Most of the
national market began waiving and absorbing the fees themselves during the phase-out period; therefore, as a leader in
the Arkansas student loan market, the Company decided to do the same in order to prevent putting itself at a
competitive disadvantage. Proper accounting for these fees requires them to be amortized over the period in which the
Company holds the loans. The Company expensed $558,000 of student loan origination fees during 2007, compared to
$116,000 in 2007, an increase of 381%. Expense from the student loan origination fees in 2008 approximated 2007
levels.
Core deposit premium amortization expense recorded for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, was
$807,000, $817,000 and $830,000, respectively. The Company’s estimated amortization expense for each of the
following five years is: 2009 – $802,000; 2010 – $699,000; 2011 – $451,000; 2012 – $321,000; and 2013 – $268,000.
The estimated amortization expense decreases as core deposit premiums fully amortize in future years.
28
Table 6 below shows non-interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, as
well as changes in 2008 from 2007 and in 2007 from 2006.
Table 6:
Non-Interest Expense
Years Ended December 31
2006
2007
2008
2008
Change from
2007
2007
Change from
2006
$ 57,050 $ 54,865 $ 53,442
6,385
5,718
136
270
7,383
5,967
239
793
6,674
5,865
212
328
2,780
2,309
1,820
4,095
1,669
817
1,220
2,824
2,256
1,868
4,671
1,588
807
(1,220)
2,490
2,278
1,961
3,235
1,611
830
--
12,134 11,543 10,712
$ 96,360 $ 94,197 $ 89,068
3.98% $ 1,423
$2,185
289
10.62
709
147
1.74
102
76
27
12.74
58
465 141.77
2.66%
4.53
2.57
55.88
21.48
44
(53)
48
576
(81)
(10)
(2,440)
591
$2,163
290
1.62
31
-2.30
(141)
2.64
860
14.07
58
-4.85
(13)
-1.22
1,220
--
5.11
831
2.30% $ 5,129
11.61
1.36
-7.19
26.58
3.60
-1.57
--
7.77
5.76%
(In thousands)
Salaries and employee benefits
Occupancy expense, net
Furniture and equipment expense
Loss on foreclosed assets
Deposit insurance
Other operating expenses
Professional services
Postage
Telephone
Credit card expense
Operating supplies
Amortization of core deposits
Visa litigation liability expense
Other expense
Total non-interest expense
Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes for 2008 was $11.4 million, compared to $12.4 million in 2007 and $12.4 million in
2006. The effective income tax rates for the years ended 2008, 2007 and 2006 were 29.8%, 31.2% and 31.2%,
respectively.
Loan Portfolio
The Company's loan portfolio averaged $1.891 billion during 2008 and $1.823 billion during 2007. As of
December 31, 2008, total loans were $1.933 billion, compared to $1.850 billion on December 31, 2007. The most
significant components of the loan portfolio were loans to businesses (commercial loans, commercial real estate loans
and agricultural loans) and individuals (consumer loans, credit card loans and single-family residential real estate
loans).
The Company seeks to manage its credit risk by diversifying its loan portfolio, determining that borrowers have
adequate sources of cash flow for loan repayment without liquidation of collateral, obtaining and monitoring collateral,
providing an adequate allowance for loan losses and regularly reviewing loans through the internal loan review process.
The loan portfolio is diversified by borrower, purpose and industry and, in the case of credit card loans, which are
unsecured, by geographic region. The Company seeks to use diversification within the loan portfolio to reduce credit
risk, thereby minimizing the adverse impact on the portfolio, if weaknesses develop in either the economy or a
particular segment of borrowers. Collateral requirements are based on credit assessments of borrowers and may be
used to recover the debt in case of default. The Company uses the allowance for loan losses as a method to value the
loan portfolio at its estimated collectable amount. Loans are regularly reviewed to facilitate the identification and
monitoring of deteriorating credits.
Consumer loans consist of credit card loans, student loans and other consumer loans. Consumer loans were
$419.3 million at December 31, 2008, or 21.7% of total loans, compared to $379.9 million, or 20.5% of total loans at
December 31, 2007. The $39.4 million consumer loan increase from 2007 to 2008 is primarily due to the increase in
the loans held in the student loan portfolio resulting from the current lack of a secondary market.
The student loan portfolio balance at December 31, 2008 was $111.6 million, an increase of $35.3 million, or 46.3%,
from December 31, 2007. The Company expects a significant increase in student loan balances until the third quarter
of 2009 due to the departure of competitors from the market, the Company’s decision to hold loans normally sold in the
29
secondary market and other issues and challenges facing the student loan industry. See Non-Interest Income section
for additional information.
Historically, as student loans reached payout status, the Company would sell these loans into the secondary market.
Because of changes in the industry relative to loan consolidations in 2006 and 2007 and in order to protect the
premium, the Company made the decision to sell some student loans prior to the payout period in 2006 and continued
the practice throughout 2007. These early sales created a decline in the portfolio balance of student loans at December
31, 2007 and 2006.
The credit card portfolio balance at December 31, 2008, increased by $3.5 million, or 2.2%, when compared to the
same period in 2007. This follows a $22.7 million, or 15.8% growth during the previous year. The growth in
outstanding credit card balances is primarily the result of an increase in net new accounts. Management believes the
increase in outstanding balances and the addition of new accounts are the result of the introduction of several initiatives
over the past two years to make the Company’s credit card products more competitive, while maintaining extremely
high underwriting standards. The Company added approximately 15,000 net new accounts in 2007. Although the
account growth is slowing, the positive trend has continued with the addition of over 5,000 net new accounts in 2008.
Real estate loans consist of construction loans, single family residential loans and commercial loans. Real estate loans
were $1.219 billion at December 31, 2008, or 63.1% of total loans, compared to $1.186 billion, or 64.1% of total loans
at December 31, 2007, an increase of $33.5 million. Commercial real estate loans increased $42.7 million during 2008
and single-family residential loans increased by $26.9 million, primarily due to the permanent financing of completed
projects previously included in the construction loan category. Construction and development loans represent only
11.6% of the total loan portfolio.
Commercial loans consist of commercial loans, agricultural loans and loans to financial institutions. Commercial loans
were $284.2 million at December 31, 2008, or 14.7% of total loans, compared to the $274.0 million, or 14.8% of total
loans at December 31, 2007. This $10.2 million increase in commercial loans is primarily due to a $14.8 million
increase in agricultural loans, partially offset by a $4.0 million decrease in loans to financial institutions.
The amounts of loans outstanding at the indicated dates are reflected in table 7, according to type of loan.
Table 7:
Loan Portfolio
(In thousands)
Consumer
Credit cards
Student loans
Other consumer
Real Estate
Construction
Single family residential
Other commercial
Commercial
Commercial
Agricultural
Financial institutions
Other
2008
Years Ended December 31
2006
2005
2007
2004
$ 169,615 $ 166,044 $ 143,359 $ 143,058 $ 155,326
83,283
128,552
111,584
138,145
76,277
137,624
84,831
142,596
89,818
138,051
224,924
409,540
584,843
192,496
88,233
3,471
10,223
260,924
382,676
542,184
193,091
73,470
7,440
10,724
277,411
364,450
512,404
178,028
62,293
4,766
13,357
238,898
340,839
479,684
184,920
68,761
20,499
13,579
169,001
318,488
481,728
158,613
62,340
1,079
12,966
Total loans
$1,933,074 $ 1,850,454 $ 1,783,495 $ 1,718,107 $ 1,571,376
30
Table 8 reflects the remaining maturities and interest rate sensitivity of loans at December 31, 2008.
Table 8:
Maturity and Interest Rate Sensitivity of Loans
Over 1
year
through
5 years
1 year
or less
Over
5 years
Total
$ 344,100
781,849
227,676
7,644
$ 74,597
403,591
55,517
2,179
$
647
33,867
1,007
400
$ 419,344
1,219,307
284,200
10,223
$1,361,269
$ 535,884
$ 35,921
$ 1,933,074
$ 762,131
599,138
$ 470,971
64,913
$ 35,777
144
$ 1,268,879
664,195
$1,361,269
$ 535,884
$ 35,921
$ 1,933,074
(In thousands)
Consumer
Real estate
Commercial
Other
Total
Predetermined rate
Floating rate
Total
Asset Quality
A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will not receive all amounts due according to the
contracted terms of the loans. Impaired loans include non-performing loans (loans past due 90 days or more and
nonaccrual loans) and certain other loans identified by management that are still performing.
Non-performing loans are comprised of (a) nonaccrual loans, (b) loans that are contractually past due 90 days and
(c) other loans for which terms have been restructured to provide a reduction or deferral of interest or principal because
of deterioration in the financial position of the borrower. The subsidiary banks recognize income principally on the
accrual basis of accounting. When loans are classified as nonaccrual, generally, the accrued interest is charged off and
no further interest is accrued. Loans, excluding credit card loans, are placed on a nonaccrual basis either (1) when there
are serious doubts regarding the collectability of principal or interest or (2) when payment of interest or principal is
90 days or more past due and either (i) not fully secured or (ii) not in the process of collection. If a loan is determined
by management to be uncollectable, the portion of the loan determined to be uncollectable is then charged to the
allowance for loan losses.
Credit card loans are classified as impaired when payment of interest or principal is 90 days past due. Litigation
accounts are placed on nonaccrual until such time as deemed uncollectable. Credit card loans are generally charged off
when payment of interest or principal exceeds 180 days past due but are turned over to the credit card recovery
department to be pursued until such time as they are determined, on a case-by-case basis, to be uncollectable.
31
Table 9 presents information concerning non-performing assets, including nonaccrual and restructured loans and other
real estate owned.
Table 9:
Non-performing Assets
(In thousands)
2008
Years Ended December 31
2006
2005
2007
2004
Nonaccrual loans
Loans past due 90 days or more
(principal or interest payments)
Total non-performing loans
Other non-performing assets
Foreclosed assets held for sale
Other non-performing assets
Total other non-performing assets
$ 14,358
$ 9,909
$ 8,958
$ 7,296
$ 10,918
1,292
15,650
1,282
11,191
1,097
10,055
1,131
8,427
1,085
12,003
2,995
12
3,007
2,629
17
2,646
1,940
52
1,992
1,540
16
1,556
1,839
83
1,922
Total non-performing assets
$ 18,657
$ 13,837
$ 12,047
$ 9,983
$ 13,925
Allowance for loan losses to
non-performing loans
Non-performing loans to total loans
Non-performing assets to total assets
165.12%
0.81%
0.64%
226.10%
0.60%
0.51%
252.46%
0.56%
0.45%
319.48%
0.49%
0.40%
220.84%
0.76%
0.58%
There was no interest income on the nonaccrual loans recorded for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.
At December 31, 2008, impaired loans were $17.2 million compared to $12.5 million in 2007. On an ongoing basis,
management evaluates the underlying collateral on all impaired loans and allocates specific reserves, where appropriate,
in order to absorb potential losses if the collateral were ultimately foreclosed.
Allowance for Loan Losses
Overview
The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses. This allowance is created through charges to income and
maintained at a sufficient level to absorb expected losses in the Company’s loan portfolio. The allowance for loan
losses is determined monthly based on management’s assessment of several factors such as (1) historical loss
experience based on volumes and types, (2) reviews or evaluations of the loan portfolio and allowance for loan losses,
(3) trends in volume, maturity and composition, (4) off balance sheet credit risk, (5) volume and trends in delinquencies
and non-accruals, (6) lending policies and procedures including those for loan losses, collections and recoveries, (7)
national, state and local economic trends and conditions, (8) concentrations of credit that might affect loss experience
across one or more components of the loan portfolio, (9) the experience, ability and depth of lending management and
staff and (10) other factors and trends that will affect specific loans and categories of loans.
As the Company evaluates the allowance for loan losses, it is categorized as follows: (1) specific allocations,
(2) allocations for classified assets with no specific allocation, (3) general allocations for each major loan category and
(4) unallocated portion.
32
Specific Allocations
Specific allocations are made when factors are present requiring a greater reserve than would be required when using
the assigned risk rating allocation. As a general rule, if a specific allocation is warranted, it is the result of an analysis
of a previously classified credit or relationship. The evaluation process in specific allocations for the Company
includes a review of appraisals or other collateral analysis. These values are compared to the remaining outstanding
principal balance. If a loss is determined to be reasonably possible, the possible loss is identified as a specific
allocation. If the loan is not collateral dependent, the measurement of loss is based on the expected future cash flows of
the loan.
Allocations for Classified Assets with No Specific Allocation
The Company establishes allocations for loans rated “watch” through “doubtful” based upon analysis of historical loss
experience by category. A percentage rate is applied to each category of these loan categories to determine the level of
dollar allocation.
General Allocations
The Company establishes general allocations for each major loan category. This section also includes allocations to
loans which are collectively evaluated for loss such as credit cards, one-to-four family owner occupied residential real
estate loans and other consumer loans. The allocations in this section are based on an analysis of historical losses for
each loan category. The Company gives consideration to trends, changes in loan mix, delinquencies, prior losses and
other related information.
Unallocated Portion
Allowance allocations other than specific, classified and general for the Company are included in unallocated. While
allocations are made for loans based upon historical loss analysis, the unallocated portion is designed to cover the
uncertainty of how current economic conditions and other uncertainties may impact the existing loan portfolio. Factors
to consider include national and state economic conditions such as increases in unemployment, the recent real estate
lending crisis, the downturn in the stock market and the unknown impact of the Economic Stimulus package.
Reserve for Unfunded Commitments
Historically, the Company had included reserves for unfunded commitments in the allowance for loan losses. On
March 31, 2006, the reserve for unfunded commitments was reclassified from the allowance for loan losses to other
liabilities. This reserve is maintained at a level sufficient to absorb losses arising from unfunded loan commitments.
The adequacy of the reserve for unfunded commitments is determined monthly based on methodology similar to the
Company’s methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses. Net adjustments to the reserve for unfunded
commitments are included in other non-interest expense.
33
An analysis of the allowance for loan losses for the last five years is shown in table 10.
Table 10:
Allowance for Loan Losses
(In thousands)
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
Balance, beginning of year
$ 25,303
$ 25,385
$ 26,923
$ 26,508
$ 25,347
Loans charged off
Credit card
Other consumer
Real estate
Commercial
Total loans charged off
Recoveries of loans previously charged off
Credit card
Other consumer
Real estate
Commercial
Total recoveries
Net loans charged off
Allowance for loan losses of
acquired institutions
Reclass to reserve for unfunded commitments (1)
Provision for loan losses
3,760
2,105
2,987
1,394
10,246
883
519
207
529
2,138
8,108
--
--
8,646
2,663
1,538
1,916
715
6,832
1,024
483
648
414
2,569
4,263
--
--
4,181
2,454
1,242
1,868
1,317
6,881
1,040
629
901
536
3,106
3,775
--
(1,525)
3,762
4,950
1,240
1,048
3,688
10,926
4,589
2,144
1,263
2,409
10,405
832
636
251
2,096
3,815
7,111
--
--
7,526
720
683
277
751
2,431
7,974
1,108
--
8,027
Balance, end of year
$ 25,841
$ 25,303
$ 25,385
$ 26,923
$ 26,508
Net charge-offs to average loans
Allowance for loan losses to period-end loans
Allowance for loan losses to net charge-offs
0.43%
1.34%
318.71%
0.23%
1.37%
593.55%
0.22%
1.42%
672.45%
0.43%
1.57%
378.6%
0.52%
1.69%
332.4%
(1) On March 31, 2006, the reserve for unfunded commitments was reclassified from the allowance for loan losses
to other liabilities.
Provision for Loan Losses
The amount of provision to the allowance each year was based on management's judgment, with consideration given to
the composition of the portfolio, historical loan loss experience, assessment of current economic conditions, past due
and non-performing loans and net loss experience. It is management's practice to review the allowance on at least a
quarterly basis, but generally on a monthly basis, and after considering the factors previously noted, to determine the
level of provision made to the allowance.
Allocated Allowance for Loan Losses
The Company utilizes a consistent methodology in the calculation and application of its allowance for loan losses.
Because there are portions of the portfolio that have not matured to the degree necessary to obtain reliable loss statistics
from which to calculate estimated losses, the unallocated portion of the allowance is an integral component of the total
allowance. Although unassigned to a particular credit relationship or product segment, this portion of the allowance is
vital to safeguard against the uncertainty and imprecision inherent when estimating credit losses, especially when trying
to determine the impact the current and unprecedented economic crisis will have on the existing loan portfolios.
Several factors in the national economy, including the increase of unemployment rates, the continuing credit crisis, the
mortgage crisis, the uncertainty in the residential housing market and other loan sectors which may be exhibiting
weaknesses and the unknown impact of the Economic Stimulus package further justify the need for unallocated
reserves.
34
The Company’s allocation of the allowance for loans losses at December 31, 2008 remained relatively consistent with
the allocation at December 31, 2007, with the exception of the allocation to real estate loans, which increased by
approximately $1.5 million. The unallocated portion of the allowance decreased approximately $689,000 during the
year ended December 31, 2008. This decrease in the unallocated portion of the allowance is primarily related to
increases in general and specific allocations for loans secured by assets located in the Northwest Arkansas region,
which is also reflected by the increase in the allocation to real estate loans. In late 2006 the economy in Northwest
Arkansas, particularly in the residential real estate market, started showing signs of deterioration, which caused
concerns over the full recoverability of this portion of the Company’s loan portfolio. Management began assessing the
impact of these economic conditions on this portion of the loan portfolio; however, the economic downturn had not yet
negatively impacted specific credit relationships by December 31, 2006. Therefore, given this uncertainty,
management deemed it necessary to provide a higher level of unallocated allowance. As the Company continued to
monitor the Northwest Arkansas economy, beginning in the third quarter of 2007, specific credit relationships
deteriorated to a level requiring increased general and specific reserves. The identification of these specific credit
relationships and the increase in general and specific allocations allowed management to reduce the unallocated portion
of the allowance related to the Company’s Northwest Arkansas region at December 31, 2007, and again at
December 31, 2008.
The remaining unallocated allowance for loan losses is based on the Company’s concerns over the uncertainty of the
national economy and the economy in Arkansas. The impact of market pricing in the poultry, timber and catfish
industries in Arkansas remains uncertain. The Company is also cautious regarding the continued softening of the real
estate market in Arkansas, specifically in the Northwest Arkansas region. Although Arkansas’s unemployment rate is
lagging behind the national average, it has continued to rise. Management actively monitors the status of these
industries and economic factors as they relate to the Company’s loan portfolio and makes changes to the allowance for
loan losses as necessary. Based on its analysis of loans and external uncertainties, the Company believes the allowance
for loan losses is adequate for the year ended December 31, 2008.
The Company allocates the allowance for loan losses according to the amount deemed to be reasonably necessary to
provide for losses incurred within the categories of loans set forth in table 11.
Table 11:
Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses
2008
2007
December 31
2006
2005
2004
(In thousands)
Credit cards
Other consumer
Real estate
Commercial
Other
Unallocated
Allowance % of Allowance % of Allowance % of Allowance % of Allowance % of
loans(1)
loans(1) Amount
loans(1) Amount
loans(1) Amount
loans(1) Amount
Amount
$ 3,957
1,325
11,695
2,255
209
6,400
12.9%
63.1%
14.7%
0.5%
8.8% $ 3,841
1,501
10,157
2,528
187
7,089
11.5%
64.1%
14.8%
0.6%
9.0% $ 3,702
1,402
9,835
2,856
--
7,590
12.8%
64.7%
13.7%
0.8%
8.0% $ 3,887
1,158
9,870
5,857
--
6,151
13.3%
61.7%
15.9%
0.8%
8.3% $ 4,217
1,097
9,357
4,820
--
7,017
9.9%
13.5%
61.7%
14.1%
0.8%
Total
$ 25,841
100.0% $ 25,303
100.0% $ 25,385
100.0% $ 26,923
100.0% $ 26,508
100.0%
(1) Percentage of loans in each category to total loans
35
Investments and Securities
The Company's securities portfolio is the second largest component of earning assets and provides a significant source
of revenue. Securities within the portfolio are classified as either held-to-maturity, available-for-sale or trading.
Held-to-maturity securities, which include any security for which management has the positive intent and ability to hold
until maturity, are carried at historical cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts.
Premiums and discounts are amortized and accreted, respectively, to interest income using the constant yield method
over the period to maturity. Interest and dividends on investments in debt and equity securities are included in income
when earned.
Available-for-sale securities, which include any security for which management has no immediate plans to sell, but
which may be sold in the future, are carried at fair value. Realized gains and losses, based on amortized cost of the
specific security, are included in other income. Unrealized gains and losses are recorded, net of related income tax
effects, in stockholders' equity. Premiums and discounts are amortized and accreted, respectively, to interest income,
using the constant yield method over the period to maturity. Interest and dividends on investments in debt and equity
securities are included in income when earned.
The Company's philosophy regarding investments is conservative based on investment type and maturity. Investments
in the portfolio primarily include U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. Government agencies, mortgage-backed securities and
municipal securities. The Company's general policy is not to invest in derivative type investments or high-risk
securities, except for collateralized mortgage-backed securities for which collection of principal and interest is not
subordinated to significant superior rights held by others.
Held-to-maturity and available-for-sale investment securities were $187.3 million and $458.8 million, respectively,
at December 31, 2008, compared to the held-to-maturity amount of $190.3 million and available-for-sale amount of
$340.6 million at December 31, 2007.
As of December 31, 2008, $18.0 million, or 9.6%, of the held-to-maturity securities were invested in U.S. Treasury
securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies, none of which will mature in less than five years. In the
available-for-sale securities, $357.3 million, or 77.9%, were in U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agency securities,
12.2% of which will mature in less than five years.
In order to reduce the Company's income tax burden, an additional $168.3 million, or 89.8%, of the held-to-maturity
securities portfolio, as of December 31, 2008, was invested in tax-exempt obligations of state and political subdivisions.
In the available-for-sale securities, $637,000, or 0.14%, were invested in tax-exempt obligations of state and political
subdivisions. Most of the state and political subdivision debt obligations are non-rated bonds and represent relatively
small, Arkansas issues, which are evaluated on an ongoing basis. There are no securities of any one state or political
subdivision issuer exceeding ten percent of the Company's stockholders' equity at December 31, 2008.
As of December 31, 2008, $85.5 million, or 18.6%, of the available-for-sale securities were invested in a money market
mutual fund (the “AIM Fund), included in other securities. The AIM Fund is invested entirely in U.S. Treasury
securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies, or repurchase agreements secured by such obligations. The
AIM Fund has no stated maturity date. Investment amounts in the Fund are adjusted by the Company as needed,
without penalty.
The Company has approximately $109,000, or 0.06%, in mortgaged-backed securities in the held-to-maturity portfolio
at December 31, 2008. In the available-for-sale securities, $2.9 million, or 0.6% were invested in mortgaged-backed
securities.
As of December 31, 2008, the held-to-maturity investment portfolio had gross unrealized gains of $1.895 million and
gross unrealized losses of $1.876 million.
The Company had no gross realized gains or losses during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006,
resulting from the sales and/or calls of securities.
Trading securities, which include any security held primarily for near-term sale, are carried at fair value. Gains and
losses on trading securities are included in other income. The Company's trading account is established and maintained
for the benefit of investment banking. The trading account is typically used to provide inventory for resale and is not
36
used to take advantage of short-term price movements. As of December 31, 2008, $4.9 million, or 84.3%, of the
trading securities were invested in the AIM Fund.
Declines in the fair value of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be
other than temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses. In estimating other-than-temporary impairment
losses, management considers, among other things, (i) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has
been less than cost, (ii) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and (iii) the intent and ability of
the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated
recovery in fair value.
During the third quarter of 2008, the Company determined that its investment in FNMA common stock, held in the
AFS-Other securities category, had become other-than-temporarily impaired. As a result of this impairment the
security was written down by $75,000. The Company had accumulated this stock over several years in the form of
stock dividends from FNMA. The remaining balance of this investment is approximately $5,000. The Company
has no investment in FNMA or FHLMC preferred stock.
Management has the ability and intent to hold the securities classified as held to maturity until they mature, at which
time the Company expects to receive full value for the securities. Furthermore, as of December 31, 2008,
management also had the ability and intent to hold the securities classified as available-for-sale for a period of time
sufficient for a recovery of cost. The unrealized losses are largely due to increases in market interest rates over the
yields available at the time the underlying securities were purchased. The fair value is expected to recover as the
bonds approach their maturity date or repricing date or if market yields for such investments decline. Management
does not believe any of the securities are impaired due to reasons of credit quality. Accordingly, as of
December 31, 2008, management believes the impairments detailed in the table above are temporary.
Table 12 presents the carrying value and fair value of investment securities for each of the years indicated.
Table 12:
Investment Securities
Years Ended December 31
2008
2007
(In thousands)
Held-to-Maturity
U.S. Treasury
U.S. Government
agencies
Mortgage-backed
securities
State and political
subdivisions
Other securities
Gross
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized
Gains
(Losses)
Gross
Cost
Estimated
Fair
Value
Gross
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized
Gains
Fair
(Losses) Value
Gross Estimated
Cost
$
--
$
-- $
-- $
-- $
1,500
$
14 $
--
$
1,514
18,000
629
109
2
--
--
18,629
37,000
722
(19)
37,703
111
129
2
--
131
168,262
930
1,264
--
(1,876)
--
167,650
930
149,262
2,393
1,089
--
(354)
--
149,997
2,393
Total
$ 187,301
$ 1,895 $ (1,876) $ 187,320 $ 190,284
$ 1,827 $ (373) $ 191,738
Available-for-Sale
U.S. Treasury
U.S. Government
agencies
Mortgage-backed
securities
State and political
subdivisions
Other securities
$
5,976
$
113 $
-- $
6,089 $
5,498
$
26 $
--
$
5,524
346,585
5,444
(868)
351,161
317,998
3,090
(299)
320,789
2,909
37
(67)
2,879
2,923
--
(165)
2,758
635
97,625
2
448
--
(6)
637
98,067
855
10,608
3
109
--
--
858
10,717
Total
$ 453,730
$ 6,044 $
(941) $ 458,833 $ 337,882
$ 3,228 $ (464) $ 340,646
37
Table 13 reflects the amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities at December 31, 2008, by contractual maturity
and the weighted average yields (for tax-exempt obligations on a fully taxable equivalent basis, assuming a 37.5% tax
rate) of such securities. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the
right to call or prepay obligations, with or without call or prepayment penalties.
Table 13: Maturity Distribution of Investment Securities
December 31, 2008
Over
1 year
through
5 years
1 year
or less
Over
5 years
Total
through Over No fixed Amortized Par
10 years 10 years maturity
Cost
Value
Fair
Value
$
-- $
-- $ 18,000 $
-- $
-- $ 18,000 $ 20,000 $ 18,629
--
--
70
39
--
109
108
108
9,993
--
53,078
--
64,284
--
40,907
930
-- 168,262 168,415 167,653
930
--
930
930
(In thousands)
Held-to-Maturity
U.S. Government
agencies
Mortgage-backed
securities
State and political
subdivisions
Other securities
Total
$ 9,993 $ 53,078 $ 82,354 $ 41,876 $
-- $187,301 $189,453 $187,320
Percentage of total
5.3% 28.3%
44.0% 22.4%
0.0% 100.0%
Weighted average yield 4.0 % 4.0%
4.4% 4.3%
0.0% 4.3%
Available-for-Sale
U.S. Treasury
U.S. Government
agencies
Mortgage-backed
securities
State and political
subdivisions
Other securities
$ 1,989 $ 3,987 $
-- $
-- $
-- $ 5,976 $ 6,000 $ 6,089
6,255
31,300 309,030
--
-- 346,585 346,747 351,161
--
1
2,113
795
--
2,909
2,950
2,879
460
--
175
--
--
--
--
637
635
-- 97,625 97,625 97,625 98,067
635
--
Total
$ 8,704 $ 35,463 $311,143 $
795 $ 97,625 $453,730 $ 453,957 $ 458,833
Percentage of total
1.9%
7.8%
68.6% 0.2% 21.5%
100.0%
Weighted average yield 3.2%
2.6%
5.2% 5.3% 2.4%
4.3%
Deposits
Deposits are the Company’s primary source of funding for earning assets and are primarily developed through the
Company’s network of 84 financial centers. The Company offers a variety of products designed to attract and retain
customers with a continuing focus on developing core deposits. The Company’s core deposits consist of all deposits
excluding time deposits of $100,000 or more and brokered deposits. As of December 31, 2008, core deposits
comprised 80.7% of the Company’s total deposits.
The Company continually monitors the funding requirements at each affiliate bank along with competitive interest rates
in the markets it serves. Because of the Company’s community banking philosophy, affiliate executives in the local
markets establish the interest rates offered on both core and non-core deposits. This approach ensures that the interest
rates being paid are competitively priced for each particular deposit product and structured to meet the funding
requirements. The Company believes it is paying a competitive rate when compared with pricing in those markets.
38
The Company manages its interest expense through deposit pricing and does not anticipate a significant change in total
deposits. The Company believes that additional funds can be attracted and deposit growth can be accelerated through
deposit pricing if it experiences increased loan demand or other liquidity needs. The Company also utilizes brokered
deposits as an additional source of funding to meet liquidity needs.
The Company introduced a new high yield investment deposit account during the first quarter of 2008 as part of its
strategy to enhance liquidity. During 2008, the new account generated approximately $146 million in new core
deposits. Additionally, existing customers moved more volatile, expensive time deposits to the new high yield
investment account. The Company’s total deposits as of December 31, 2008 were $2.336 billion, an internal deposit
growth of $153 million, or 7.0%, from $2.183 billion at December 31, 2007.
Total time deposits decreased approximately $136.9 million to $974.56 million at December 31, 2008, from
$1.111 billion at December 31, 2007. Non-interest bearing transaction accounts increased $24.9 million to
$335.0 million at December 31, 2008, compared to $310.2 million at December 31, 2007. Interest bearing transaction
and savings accounts were $1.027 billion at December 31, 2008, a $265.6 million increase compared to $761.2 million
on December 31, 2007. The Company had $33 million and $39 million of brokered deposits at December 31, 2008 and
2007, respectively.
Table 14 reflects the classification of the average deposits and the average rate paid on each deposit category, which are
in excess of 10 percent of average total deposits for the three years ended December 31, 2008.
Table 14:
Average Deposit Balances and Rates
2008
Average Average
Amount Rate Paid
December 31
2007
Average Average
Amount Rate Paid
2006
Average Average
Amount Rate Paid
(In thousands)
Non-interest bearing transaction
accounts
$ 317,772
--
$ 307,041
--
$ 308,804
--
Interest bearing transaction and
savings deposits
Time deposits
$100,000 or more
Other time deposits
959,567
1.56%
736,160
1.78%
737,328
1.58%
426,304
595,123
3.80%
3.70%
441,854
682,703
4.81%
3.55%
407,778
644,927
4.08%
3.92%
Total
$2,298,766
2.31%
$2,167,758
3.02%
$2,098,837
2.59%
The Company's maturities of large denomination time deposits at December 31, 2008 and 2007 are presented in
table 15.
Table 15: Maturities of Large Denomination Time Deposits
Time Certificates of Deposit
($100,000 or more)
December 31
2008
2007
Balance
Percent
Balance
Percent
(In thousands)
Maturing
Three months or less
Over 3 months to 6 months
Over 6 months to 12 months
Over 12 months
$ 144,982
107,093
119,186
47,133
34.6%
25.6%
28.5%
11.3%
$ 188,388
101,297
120,924
41,653
41.7%
22.4%
26.7%
9.2%
Total
$ 418,394
100.00%
$ 452,262
100.00%
39
Short-Term Debt
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase were $115.4 million at December 31, 2008,
as compared to $128.8 million at December 31, 2007. Other short-term borrowings, consisting of U.S. TT&L Notes
and short-term FHLB borrowings, were $1.1 million at December 31, 2008, as compared to $1.8 million at
December 31, 2007.
The Company has historically funded its growth in earning assets through the use of core deposits, large certificates of
deposits from local markets, FHLB borrowings and Federal funds purchased. Management anticipates that these
sources will provide necessary funding in the foreseeable future.
Long-Term Debt
The Company’s long-term debt was $158.7 million and $82.3 million at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
The outstanding balance for December 31, 2008 includes $127.8 million in FHLB long-term advances and
$30.9 million of trust preferred securities. The outstanding balance for December 31, 2007, includes $51.4 million in
FHLB long-term advances and $30.9 million of trust preferred securities.
During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company increased long-term debt by $76.4 million, or 92.8% from
December 31, 2007. This increase resulted from the strategic decision made by the Company to secure additional long-
term funding from FHLB advances during 2008 in order to enhance the liquidity of the Company.
Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2008 are presented in table 16.
Table 16: Maturities of Long-Term Debt
(In thousands)
Year
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Thereafter
Annual
Maturities
$
7,350
28,331
41,052
5,604
10,938
65,396
Total
$ 158,671
Capital
Overview
At December 31, 2008, total capital reached $288.8 million. Capital represents shareholder ownership in the Company
– the book value of assets in excess of liabilities. At December 31, 2008, the Company’s equity to asset ratio was
9.88% compared to 10.12% at year-end 2007.
Capital Stock
At the Company’s annual shareholder meeting held on April 10, 2007, the shareholders approved an amendment to
the Articles of Incorporation increasing the number of authorized shares of Class A, $0.01 par value, Common
Stock from 30,000,000 to 60,000,000. Class A Common Stock is the Company’s only outstanding class of stock.
If the Company’s shareholders approve the proposed amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation to authorize
the issuance of Preferred Shares and if the Company participates in the CPP by issuing Preferred Stock to the Treasury,
then the Company will have Preferred Stock outstanding in 2009. For further discussion on the CPP, see “Recent
Market Developments” included elsewhere in this section.
40
Stock Repurchase
At the beginning of the calendar year 2007, the Company had a stock repurchase program which authorized the
repurchase of up to 733,485 shares of common stock. On November 28, 2007, the Company announced the substantial
completion of the existing stock repurchase program and the adoption by the Board of Directors of a new stock
repurchase program. The new program authorizes the repurchase of up to 700,000 shares of Class A common stock, or
approximately 5% of the outstanding common stock. Under the repurchase program, there is no time limit for the stock
repurchases, nor is there a minimum number of shares the Company intends to repurchase. The Company may
discontinue purchases at any time that management determines additional purchases are not warranted. The shares are
to be purchased from time to time at prevailing market prices through open market or unsolicited negotiated
transactions, depending upon market conditions. The Company intends to use the repurchased shares to satisfy stock
option exercise, payment of future stock dividends and general corporate purposes.
During the year ended December 31, 2008, by June 30, the Company repurchased a total of 45,180 shares of stock with
a weighted average repurchase price of $28.38 per share. Under the current stock repurchase plan, the Company can
repurchase an additional 645,672 shares.
Effective July 1, 2008, the Company made a strategic decision to temporarily suspend stock repurchases. This decision
was made to preserve capital at the parent company due to the lack of liquidity in the credit markets and the
uncertainties in the overall economy. If the Company participates in the CPP by issuing Preferred Stock to the
Treasury, stock repurchases may be restricted and will require the Treasury’s consent for three years. For further
discussion on the CPP, see “Recent Market Developments” included elsewhere in this section.
Cash Dividends
The Company declared cash dividends on its Common Stock of $0.76 per share for the twelve months ended
December 31, 2008, compared to $0.73 per share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007. In recent years, the
Company increased dividends no less than annually and presently plans to continue with this practice. However, if the
Company participates in the CPP by issuing Preferred Stock to the Treasury, dividend increases may be restricted and
will require the Treasury’s consent for three years. For further discussion on the CPP, see “Recent Market
Developments” included elsewhere in this section.
Parent Company Liquidity
The primary liquidity needs of the Parent Company are the payment of dividends to shareholders, the funding of debt
obligations and the share repurchase plan. The primary sources for meeting these liquidity needs are the current cash
on hand at the parent company and the future dividends received from the eight affiliate banks. Payment of dividends
by the eight affiliate banks is subject to various regulatory limitations. Reference is made to Item 7A, Liquidity and
Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, discussion for additional information regarding the parent company’s
liquidity.
Risk-Based Capital
The Company’s subsidiaries are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking
agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional
discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s financial
statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the
Company must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s assets, liabilities
and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company’s capital
amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk
weightings and other factors.
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company to maintain minimum
amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-
weighted assets (as defined) and of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined). Management believes that,
as of December 31, 2008, the Company meets all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.
41
As of the most recent notification from regulatory agencies, the subsidiaries were well capitalized under the regulatory
framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, the Company and subsidiaries must
maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table. There are no
conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the institutions’ categories.
The Company's risk-based capital ratios at December 31, 2008 and 2007, are presented in table 17 below:
Table 17:
Risk-Based Capital
(In thousands)
Tier 1 capital
Stockholders’ equity
Trust preferred securities
Goodwill and core deposit premiums (1)
Unrealized gain on available-
for-sale securities
Total Tier 1 capital
Tier 2 capital
Qualifying unrealized gain on
available-for-sale equity securities
Qualifying allowance for loan losses
Total Tier 2 capital
Total risk-based capital
Risk weighted assets
Ratios at end of year
Leverage ratio
Tier 1 capital
Total risk-based capital
Minimum guidelines
Leverage ratio
Tier 1 capital
Total risk-based capital
December 31
2008
2007
$ 288,792
30,000
(53,034)
$ 272,406
30,000
(63,706)
(3,190)
(1,728)
262,568
236,972
198
24,828
25,026
52
23,866
23,918
$ 287,594
$ 260,890
$1,983,654
$1,906,321
9.15%
13.24%
14.50%
4.00%
4.00%
8.00%
9.06%
12.43%
13.69%
4.00%
4.00%
8.00%
(1) For December 31, 2008, in accordance with an Interagency Final Rule, goodwill deducted from Tier 1
capital has been reduced by the amount of any deferred tax liability associated with that goodwill.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into a number of financial commitments. Examples of these
commitments include but are not limited to long-term debt financing, operating lease obligations, unfunded loan
commitments and letters of credit.
The Company’s long-term debt at December 31, 2008, includes notes payable, FHLB long-term advances and trust
preferred securities, all of which the Company is contractually obligated to repay in future periods.
Operating lease obligations entered into by the Company are generally associated with the operation of a few of the
Company’s financial centers located throughout the state of Arkansas. The financial obligation by the Company on
these locations is considered immaterial due to the limited number of financial centers that operate under an agreement
of this type.
Commitments to extend credit and letters of credit are legally binding, conditional agreements generally having fixed
expiration or termination dates. These commitments generally require customers to maintain certain credit standards
and are established based on management’s credit assessment of the customer. The commitments may expire without
being drawn upon. Therefore, the total commitment does not necessarily represent future funding requirements.
42
The funding requirements of the Company's most significant financial commitments, at December 31, 2008, are shown
in table 18.
Table 18:
Funding Requirements of Financial Commitments
(In thousands)
Long-term debt
Credit card loan commitments
Other loan commitments
Letters of credit
Payments due by period
Less than
1 Year
1-3
Years
3-5
Years
Greater than
5 Years
Total
$
7,350
247,969
422,127
10,186
$ 69,383 $ 16,542
--
--
--
--
--
--
$ 65,396 $ 158,671
247,969
422,127
10,186
--
--
--
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
The Company has $63.2 million and $64.0 million total goodwill and core deposit premiums for the periods ended
December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. Because of the Company’s high level of these two
intangible assets, management believes a useful calculation is return on tangible equity (non-GAAP). This non-GAAP
calculation for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004, which is similar to the GAAP
calculation of return on average stockholders’ equity, is presented in table 19.
Table 19:
Return on Tangible Equity
(In thousands)
Twelve months ended
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
Return on average stockholders equity: (A/C)
9.54%
Return on tangible equity (non-GAAP): (A+B)/(C-D) 12.54%
10.26%
13.78%
10.93%
15.03%
11.24% 10.64%
14.94%
15.79%
(A) Net income
(B) Amortization of intangibles, net of taxes
(C) Average stockholders' equity
(D) Average goodwill and core deposits, net
$ 26,910 $ 27,360 $ 27,481 $ 26,962 $ 24,446
494
229,719
62,836
504
282,186
63,600
511
266,628
64,409
519
251,518
65,233
522
239,976
65,913
The table below presents computations of core earnings (net income excluding nonrecurring items {Visa litigation
expense and reversal, gain from the cash proceeds on mandatory Visa stock redemption and the write-off of
deferred debt issuance costs}) and diluted core earnings per share (non-GAAP). Nonrecurring items are included in
financial results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
The Company believes the exclusion of these nonrecurring items in expressing earnings and certain other financial
measures, including “core earnings,” provides a meaningful base for period-to-period and company-to-company
comparisons, which management believes will assist investors and analysts in analyzing the core financial measures
of the Company and predicting future performance. This non-GAAP financial measure is also used by management
to assess the performance of the Company’s business because management does not consider these nonrecurring
items to be relevant to ongoing financial performance. Management and the Board of Directors utilize “core
earnings” (non-GAAP) for the following purposes:
• Preparation of the Company’s operating budgets
• Monthly financial performance reporting
• Monthly “flash” reporting of consolidated results (management only)
• Investor presentations of Company performance
The Company believes the presentation of “core earnings” on a diluted per share basis, “diluted core earnings per
share” (non-GAAP), provides a meaningful base for period-to-period and company-to-company comparisons,
which management believes will assist investors and analysts in analyzing the core financial measures of the
Company and predicting future performance. This non-GAAP financial measure is also used by management to
assess the performance of the Company’s business, because management does not consider these nonrecurring
43
items to be relevant to ongoing financial performance on a per share basis. Management and the Board of Directors
utilize “diluted core earnings per share” (non-GAAP) for the following purposes:
• Calculation of annual performance-based incentives for certain executives
• Calculation of long-term performance-based incentives for certain executives
• Investor presentations of Company performance
The Company believes that presenting these non-GAAP financial measures will permit investors and analysts to
assess the performance of the Company on the same basis as that applied by management and the Board of
Directors.
“Core earnings” and “diluted core earnings per share” (non-GAAP) have inherent limitations, are not required to be
uniformly applied and are not audited. To mitigate these limitations, the Company has procedures in place to
identify and approve each item that qualifies as nonrecurring to ensure that the Company’s “core” results are
properly reflected for period-to-period comparisons. Although these non-GAAP financial measures are frequently
used by stakeholders in the evaluation of a Company, they have limitations as analytical tools and should not be
considered in isolation or as a substitute for analyses of results as reported under GAAP. In particular, a measure of
earnings that excludes nonrecurring items does not represent the amount that effectively accrues directly to
stockholders (i.e., nonrecurring items are included in earnings and stockholders’ equity).
During the first quarter 2008, the Company recorded a nonrecurring $1.8 million after tax gain, or $0.13 per diluted
earnings per share, from the cash proceeds on the mandatory partial redemption of its equity interest in Visa. Also
during the first quarter 2008, the Company recorded nonrecurring after tax earnings of $744,000, or $0.05 per
diluted earnings per share, from the reversal of the Visa contingent liability established in the fourth quarter 2007.
During the fourth quarter 2007, the Company recorded a nonrecurring $744,000 after tax charge, or a
$0.05 reduction in diluted earnings per share, to establish a contingent liability related to indemnification obligations
with Visa U.S.A. litigation, which was reversed in 2008. For further discussion related to the Visa U.S.A. litigation,
see the analysis of “Non-Interest Expense” included elsewhere in this section. On December 31, 2004, the Company
recorded a nonrecurring $470,000 after tax charge, or a $0.03 reduction in diluted earnings per share, related to the
write off of deferred debt issuance cost associated with the redemption of its 9.12% trust preferred securities.
See Table 20 below for the reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures, which exclude nonrecurring items for
the periods presented.
Table 20:
Reconciliation of Core Earnings (non-GAAP)
(In thousands, except share data)
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
Twelve months ended
Net Income
Nonrecurring items
Write off of deferred debt issuance cost
Mandatory stock redemption gain (Visa)
Litigation liability expense/reversal (Visa)
Tax effect (39%)
Net nonrecurring items
Core earnings (non-GAAP)
Diluted earnings per share
Nonrecurring items
Write off of deferred debt issuance cost
Mandatory stock redemption gain (Visa)
Litigation liability expense/reversal (Visa)
Tax effect (39%)
Net nonrecurring items
Diluted core earnings per share (non-GAAP)
$ 26,910 $ 27,360 $ 27,481 $ 26,962 $ 24,446
--
--
1,220
--
(2,973)
(1,220)
1,635
(2,558)
771
--
--
(301)
470
$ 24,352 $ 28,104 $ 27,481 $ 26,962 $ 24,916
(476)
744
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
$ 1.91 $ 1.92 $ 1.90 $ 1.84 $ 1.65
--
(0.21)
(0.09)
0.12
(0.18)
0.05
--
--
(0.02)
0.03
$ 1.73 $ 1.97 $ 1.90 $ 1.84 $ 1.68
--
--
0.09
(0.04)
0.05
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
44
Quarterly Results
Selected unaudited quarterly financial information for the last eight quarters is shown in table 21.
Table 21:
Quarterly Results
(In thousands, except per share data)
First
Second
Quarter
Third
Fourth
Total
2008
Net interest income
Provision for loan losses
Non-interest income
Non-interest expense
Net income
Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share
2007
Net interest income
Provision for loan losses
Non-interest income
Non-interest expense
Net income
Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share
$ 22,792
1,467
14,992
23,130
8,816
0.63
0.63
$ 22,231
751
11,454
23,214
6,637
0.47
0.46
$ 23,098
2,214
11,720
24,209
5,994
0.43
0.42
$ 22,793
831
11,337
23,011
7,031
0.50
0.49
$ 24,347
$ 23,780
2,214
11,288
24,441
6,474
0.47
0.46
2,751
11,326
24,580
5,626
0.40
0.40
$ 23,570
850
11,373
23,223
7,500
0.53
0.53
$ 23,522
1,749
11,839
24,749
6,192
0.45
0.44
$ 94,017
8,646
49,326
96,360
26,910
1.93
1.91
$ 92,116
4,181
46,003
94,197
27,360
1.95
1.92
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT
MARKET RISK
Liquidity and Market Risk Management
Parent Company
The Company has leveraged its investment in subsidiary banks and depends upon the dividends paid to it, as the sole
shareholder of the subsidiary banks, as a principal source of funds for dividends to shareholders, stock repurchases and
debt service requirements. At December 31, 2008, undivided profits of the Company's subsidiaries were approximately
$156 million, of which approximately $14.3 million was available for the payment of dividends to the Company
without regulatory approval. In addition to dividends, other sources of liquidity for the Company are the sale of equity
securities and the borrowing of funds.
Banking Subsidiaries
Generally speaking, the Company's banking subsidiaries rely upon net inflows of cash from financing activities,
supplemented by net inflows of cash from operating activities, to provide cash used in investing activities. Typical of
most banking companies, significant financing activities include deposit gathering, use of short-term borrowing
facilities (such as Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements) and the issuance of long-term debt. The banks'
primary investing activities include loan originations and purchases of investment securities, offset by loan payoffs and
investment maturities.
Liquidity represents an institution's ability to provide funds to satisfy demands from depositors and borrowers by either
converting assets into cash or accessing new or existing sources of incremental funds. A major responsibility of
management is to maximize net interest income within prudent liquidity constraints. Internal corporate guidelines have
been established to constantly measure liquid assets as well as relevant ratios concerning earning asset levels and
purchased funds. The management and board of directors of each bank subsidiary monitor these same indicators and
make adjustments as needed.
In response to tightening credit markets in 2007 and anticipating potential liquidity pressures in 2008, the Company’s
management strategically planned to enhance the liquidity of each of its subsidiary banks during 2008. The Company
introduced a new high yield investment deposit account during the first quarter of 2008 as part of this strategy to
45
enhance liquidity. During 2008, the new account generated approximately $146 million in new core deposits. In
addition, the Company built liquidity in each of its banks by securing approximately $55 million in additional long-term
funding from FHLB borrowings. At December 31, 2008, each subsidiary bank was within established guidelines and
total corporate liquidity remains strong. At December 31, 2008, cash and cash equivalents, trading and available-for-
sale securities and mortgage loans held for sale were 21.0% of total assets, as compared to 17.4% at December 31,
2007.
Liquidity Management
The objective of the Company’s liquidity management is to access adequate sources of funding to ensure that cash flow
requirements of depositors and borrowers are met in an orderly and timely manner. Sources of liquidity are managed
so that reliance on any one funding source is kept to a minimum. The Company’s liquidity sources are prioritized for
both availability and time to activation.
The Company’s liquidity is a primary consideration in determining funding needs and is an integral part of
asset/liability management. Pricing of the liability side is a major component of interest margin and spread
management. Adequate liquidity is a necessity in addressing this critical task. There are five primary and secondary
sources of liquidity available to the Company. The particular liquidity need and timeframe determine the use of these
sources.
The first source of liquidity available to the Company is Federal funds. Federal funds, primarily from downstream
correspondent banks, are available on a daily basis and are used to meet the normal fluctuations of a dynamic balance
sheet. In addition, the Company and its affiliates have approximately $104 million in Federal funds lines of credit from
upstream correspondent banks that can be accessed, when needed. In order to ensure availability of these upstream
funds, the Company has a plan for rotating the usage of the funds among the upstream correspondent banks, thereby
providing approximately $40 million in funds on a given day. Historical monitoring of these funds has made it possible
for the Company to project seasonal fluctuations and structure its funding requirements on a month-to-month basis.
A second source of liquidity is the retail deposits available through the Company’s network of affiliate banks
throughout Arkansas. Although this method can be a somewhat more expensive alternative to supplying liquidity, this
source can be used to meet intermediate term liquidity needs.
Third, the Company’s affiliate banks have lines of credits available with the Federal Home Loan Bank. While the
Company uses portions of those lines to match off longer-term mortgage loans, the Company also uses those lines to
meet liquidity needs. Approximately $436 million of these lines of credit are currently available, if needed.
Fourth, the Company uses a laddered investment portfolio that ensures there is a steady source of intermediate term
liquidity. These funds can be used to meet seasonal loan patterns and other intermediate term balance sheet
fluctuations. Approximately 71% of the investment portfolio is classified as available-for-sale. The Company also uses
securities held in the securities portfolio to pledge when obtaining public funds.
Finally, the Company has the ability to access large deposits from both the public and private sector to fund short-term
liquidity needs.
The Company believes the various sources available are ample liquidity for short-term, intermediate-term and long-
term liquidity.
Market Risk Management
Market risk arises from changes in interest rates. The Company has risk management policies to monitor and limit
exposure to market risk. In asset and liability management activities, policies designed to minimize structural interest
rate risk are in place. The measurement of market risk associated with financial instruments is meaningful only when
all related and offsetting on- and off-balance-sheet transactions are aggregated, and the resulting net positions are
identified.
Interest Rate Sensitivity
Interest rate risk represents the potential impact of interest rate changes on net income and capital resulting from
mismatches in repricing opportunities of assets and liabilities over a period of time. A number of tools are used to
46
monitor and manage interest rate risk, including simulation models and interest sensitivity gap analysis. Management
uses simulation models to estimate the effects of changing interest rates and various balance sheet strategies on the level
of the Company’s net income and capital. As a means of limiting interest rate risk to an acceptable level, management
may alter the mix of floating and fixed-rate assets and liabilities, change pricing schedules and manage investment
maturities during future security purchases.
The simulation model incorporates management’s assumptions regarding the level of interest rates or balance changes
for indeterminate maturity deposits for a given level of market rate changes. These assumptions have been developed
through anticipated pricing behavior. Key assumptions in the simulation models include the relative timing of
prepayments, cash flows and maturities. These assumptions are inherently uncertain and, as a result, the model cannot
precisely estimate net interest income or precisely predict the impact of a change in interest rates on net income or
capital. Actual results will differ from simulated results due to the timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate
changes and changes in market conditions and management strategies, among other factors.
The table below presents the Company’s interest rate sensitivity position at December 31, 2008. This analysis is based
on a point in time and may not be meaningful because assets and liabilities are categorized according to contractual
maturities, repricing periods and expected cash flows rather than estimating more realistic behaviors as is done in the
simulation models. Also, this analysis does not consider subsequent changes in interest rate level or spreads between
asset and liability categories.
Table: 22
Interest Rate Sensitivity
(In thousands, except ratios)
Earning assets
Short-term investments
Assets held in trading
accounts
Investment securities
Mortgage loans held for sale
Loans
Total earning assets
Interest bearing liabilities
Interest bearing transaction
and savings deposits
Time deposits
Short-term debt
Long-term debt
Total interest bearing
0-30
Days
31-90
Days
91-180
Days
181-365
Days
1-2
Years
2-5
Years
Over 5
Years
Total
Interest Rate Sensitivity Period
$ 56,071 $
-- $
-- $
-- $
-- $
-- $
-- $ 56,071
904
152,218
10,336
622,566
842,095
--
75,159
--
239,461
314,620
--
79,312
--
159,564
238,876
--
94,623
--
332,040
426,663
--
77,587
--
249,732
327,319
--
74,188
--
286,151
360,339
--
97,897
--
43,560
141,457
904
650,984
10,336
1,933,074
2,651,369
696,307
128,404
116,561
602
--
182,053
--
11,339
--
244,106
--
1,542
--
289,105
--
4,231
66,103
104,820
--
38,727
198,310
26,013
--
62,214
66,104 1,026,824
974,511
116,561
158,671
10
--
40,016
liabilities
941,874
193,392
245,648
293,336
209,650
286,537
106,130
2,276,567
Interest rate sensitivity Gap
Cumulative interest rate
$ (99,779) $ 121,228 $
(6,772) $ 133,327 $ 117,669 $ 73,802 $ 35,327 $ 374,802
sensitivity Gap
$ (99,779) $ 21,449 $ 14,677 $ 148,004 $ 265,673 $ 339,475 $ 374,802
Cumulative rate sensitive assets
to rate sensitive liabilities
Cumulative Gap as a % of
89.4%
101.9%
101.1%
108.8%
114.1%
115.6%
116.5%
earning assets
-3.8%
0.8%
0.6%
5.6%
10.0%
12.8%
14.1%
47
ITEM 8.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
INDEX
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting ............................................49
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting .................................................................50
Report on Consolidated Financial Statements .............................................................................51
Consolidated Balance Sheets, December 31, 2008 and 2007 .........................................................52
Consolidated Statements of Income, Years Ended
December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 ............................................................................................53
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Years Ended
December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 ............................................................................................54
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, Years Ended
December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 ............................................................................................55
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,
December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 ............................................................................................56
Note:
Supplementary Data may be found in Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations – Quarterly Results” on page 45 hereof.
48
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The management of Simmons First National Corporation (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and
maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting
is a process designed under the supervision of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to
provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the Company’s
financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
As of December 31, 2008, management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting based on the criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting established in Internal Control -
Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
Based on the assessment, management determined that the Company maintained effective internal control over
financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on those criteria.
BKD, LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the consolidated financial statements of the
Company included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of the
Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008. The report, which expresses an
unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31,
2008, immediately follows.
49
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Audit Committee, Board of Directors and Stockholders
Simmons First National Corporation
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
We have audited Simmons First National Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31,
2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’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 Management’s Report on 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 and
testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit
also included 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 maintenances 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, Simmons First National Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over
financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United
States), the consolidated financial statements of Simmons First National Corporation and our report dated February 23,
2009, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
February 23, 2009
BKD, LLP
/s/ BKD, LLP
50
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Audit Committee, Board of Directors and Stockholders
Simmons First National Corporation
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Simmons First National Corporation as of
December 31, 2008, and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows, and stockholders’ equity
for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2008. The Company’s management is responsible for
these financial statements. 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 audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
financial statements are free of material misstatement. Our audits included examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that
our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the
financial position of Simmons First National Corporation as of December 31, 2008, and 2007, and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2008, in conformity
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United
States), Simmons First National Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based
on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations
of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report dated February 23, 2009, expressed an unqualified opinion on the
effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
February 23, 2009
BKD, LLP
/s/ BKD, LLP
51
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands, except share data)
2008
2007
ASSETS
Cash and non-interest bearing balances due from banks
Interest bearing balances due from banks
Federal funds sold
Cash and cash equivalents
Investment securities
Mortgage loans held for sale
Assets held in trading accounts
Loans
Allowance for loan losses
Net loans
Premises and equipment
Foreclosed assets held for sale, net
Interest receivable
Bank owned life insurance
Goodwill
Core deposit premiums
Other assets
TOTAL ASSETS
LIABILITIES
Non-interest bearing transaction accounts
Interest bearing transaction accounts and savings deposits
Time deposits
Total deposits
Federal funds purchased and securities sold
under agreements to repurchase
Short-term debt
Long-term debt
Accrued interest and other liabilities
Total liabilities
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Capital stock
Class A, common, par value $0.01 a share,
60,000,000 shares authorized, 13,960,680 issued
and outstanding at 2008 and 13,918,368 at 2007
Surplus
Undivided profits
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Unrealized appreciation on available-for-sale
securities, net of income taxes of $1,913 at 2008
and $1,037 at 2007
Total stockholders’ equity
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
52
$
71,801
61,085
6,650
139,536
646,134
10,336
5,754
1,933,074
(25,841)
1,907,233
78,904
2,995
20,930
39,617
60,605
2,575
8,490
$ 2,923,109
$ 334,998
1,026,824
974,511
2,336,333
115,449
1,112
158,671
22,752
2,634,317
$
82,630
21,140
6,460
110,230
530,930
11,097
5,658
1,850,454
(25,303)
1,825,151
75,473
2,629
21,345
38,039
60,605
3,382
7,908
$ 2,692,447
$
310,181
761,233
1,111,443
2,182,857
128,806
1,777
82,285
24,316
2,420,041
140
40,807
244,655
139
41,019
229,520
3,190
288,792
$ 2,923,109
1,728
272,406
$ 2,692,447
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(In thousands, except per share data)
2008
2007
2006
INTEREST INCOME
Loans
Federal funds sold
Investment securities
Mortgage loans held for sale
Assets held in trading accounts
Interest bearing balances due from banks
TOTAL INTEREST INCOME
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits
Federal funds purchased and securities sold
under agreements to repurchase
Short-term debt
Long-term debt
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE
NET INTEREST INCOME
Provision for loan losses
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION
FOR LOAN LOSSES
NON-INTEREST INCOME
Trust income
Service charges on deposit accounts
Other service charges and fees
Income on sale of mortgage loans, net of commissions
Income on investment banking, net of commissions
Credit card fees
Premiums on sale of student loans
Bank owned life insurance income
Gain on mandatory partial redemption of Visa shares
Other income
TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries and employee benefits
Occupancy expense, net
Furniture and equipment expense
Loss on foreclosed assets
Deposit insurance
Other operating expenses
TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
Provision for income taxes
NET INCOME
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
53
$ 126,079
748
27,415
411
73
1,415
156,141
$ 141,706
1,418
23,646
505
100
1,161
168,536
$ 130,248
1,057
20,438
476
71
1,072
153,362
53,150
2,110
111
6,753
62,124
94,017
8,646
65,474
5,371
804
4,771
76,420
92,116
4,181
54,250
4,615
1,227
4,466
64,558
88,804
3,762
85,371
87,935
85,042
6,230
15,145
2,681
2,606
1,025
13,579
1,134
1,547
2,973
2,406
49,326
57,050
7,383
5,967
239
793
24,928
96,360
38,337
11,427
$ 26,910
1.93
$
1.91
$
6,218
14,794
3,016
2,766
623
12,217
2,341
1,493
--
2,535
46,003
54,865
6,674
5,865
212
328
26,253
94,197
39,741
12,381
$ 27,360
1.95
$
1.92
$
5,612
15,795
2,561
2,849
341
10,742
2,071
1,523
--
2,453
43,947
53,442
6,385
5,718
136
270
23,117
89,068
39,921
12,440
$ 27,481
1.93
$
1.90
$
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(In thousands)
2008
2007
2006
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income
Items not requiring (providing) cash
Depreciation and amortization
Provision for loan losses
Gain on mandatory partial redemption of Visa shares
Net amortization of investment securities
Stock-based compensation expense
Deferred income taxes
Bank owned life insurance income
Changes in
Interest receivable
Mortgage loans held for sale
Assets held in trading accounts
Other assets
Accrued interest and other liabilities
Income taxes payable
Net cash provided by operating activities
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Net originations of loans
Purchases of premises and equipment, net
Proceeds from sale of foreclosed assets
Proceeds from mandatory partial redemption of Visa shares
Proceeds from sale of securities
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale securities
Purchases of available-for-sale securities
Proceeds from maturities of held-to-maturity securities
Purchases of held-to-maturity securities
Purchases of bank owned life insurance
Net cash used in investing activities
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net change in deposits
Net change in short-term debt
Dividends paid
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
Repayment of long-term debt
Net change in Federal funds purchased and
securities sold under agreements to repurchase
Repurchase of common stock, net
Net cash provided by financing activities
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND
CASH EQUIVALENTS
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,
BEGINNING OF YEAR
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
54
$ 26,910
$ 27,360
$ 27,481
5,729
8,646
(2,973)
194
548
739
(1,547)
415
761
(96)
(960)
(2,709)
(768)
34,889
(96,447)
(8,353)
5,353
2,973
--
318,114
(434,952)
41,680
(38,778)
(32)
(210,442)
153,476
(665)
(10,601)
91,029
(14,643)
(13,357)
(380)
204,859
5,510
4,181
--
116
338
865
(1,493)
629
(4,006)
(1,171)
2,603
508
538
35,978
(75,161)
(12,240)
3,250
--
--
146,379
(136,033)
31,123
(41,466)
(413)
(84,561)
7,326
(4,337)
(10,234)
10,786
(11,812)
23,770
(7,837)
7,662
5,501
3,762
--
188
233
2,221
(1,523)
(3,220)
766
143
3,363
3,596
(863)
41,648
(72,137)
(9,238)
1,049
--
2,161
130,345
(106,088)
29,431
(59,213)
(1,341)
(85,031)
115,573
(1,917)
(9,666)
7,275
(10,984)
(2,187)
(5,133)
92,961
29,306
(40,921)
49,578
110,230
$ 139,536
151,151
$ 110,230
101,573
$ 151,151
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
Common
Stock
$
143
Surplus
$ 53,723
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
$
(4,360)
Undivided
Profits
$ 194,579
Total
$ 244,085
(In thousands, except share data)
Balance, December 31, 2005
Comprehensive income
Net income
Change in unrealized depreciation on
available-for-sale securities, net of
income taxes of $1,296
Comprehensive income:
Stock issued as bonus shares – 10,200 shares
Exercise of stock options – 106,880 shares
Stock granted under
stock-based compensation plans
Securities exchanged under stock option plan
Repurchase of common stock
– 203,100 shares
Cash dividends declared ($0.68 per share)
Balance, December 31, 2006
Comprehensive income:
Net income
Change in unrealized depreciation on
available-for-sale securities, net of
income taxes of $1,037
Comprehensive income
Stock issued as bonus shares – 15,146 shares
Exercise of stock options – 33,720 shares
Stock granted under
stock-based compensation plans
Securities exchanged under stock option plan
Repurchase of common stock
– 320,726 shares
Cash dividends declared ($0.73 per share)
Balance, December 31, 2007
Cumulative effect of adoption of a new
Comprehensive income:
Net income
Change in unrealized appreciation on
available-for-sale securities, net of
income taxes of $877
Comprehensive income
Stock issued as bonus shares – 17,490 shares
Stock issued for employee stock
purchase plan – 5,359 shares
Exercise of stock options – 97,497 shares
Stock granted under
stock-based compensation plans
Securities exchanged under stock option plan
Repurchase of common stock
– 45,180 shares
Cash dividends declared ($0.76 per share)
Balance, December 31, 2008
--
--
--
1
--
--
(2)
--
142
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
275
1,516
88
(1,291)
(5,633)
--
48,678
--
--
419
509
178
(203)
(3)
--
139
(8,562)
--
41,019
--
--
--
530
135
1,207
169
(973)
--
--
--
--
1
--
--
--
27,481
27,481
2,162
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
(2,198)
--
(9,666)
212,394
2,162
29,643
275
1,517
88
(1,291)
(5,635)
(9,666)
259,016
--
27,360
27,360
3,926
--
--
--
--
--
--
1,728
--
--
1,462
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
(10,234)
229,520
3,926
31,286
419
509
178
(203)
(8,565)
(10,234)
272,406
(1,174)
(1,174)
26,910
26,910
--
--
--
--
--
--
1,462
28,372
530
135
1,208
169
(973)
--
--
140
(1,280)
--
$ 40,807
$
--
--
3,190
--
(10,601)
$ 244,655
$
(1,280)
(10,601)
$ 288,792
accounting principle, January 1, 2008 (Note 16)
--
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
55
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1:
NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature of Operations
Simmons First National Corporation (the “Company”) is primarily engaged in providing a full range of banking
services to individual and corporate customers through its subsidiaries and their branch banks in Arkansas. The
Company is subject to competition from other financial institutions. The Company also is subject to the regulation of
certain federal and state agencies and undergoes periodic examinations by those regulatory authorities.
Operating Segments
The Company is organized on a subsidiary bank-by-bank basis upon which management makes decisions regarding
how to allocate resources and assess performance. Each of the subsidiary banks provides a group of similar community
banking services, including such products and services as loans; time deposits, checking and savings accounts; personal
and corporate trust services; credit cards; investment management; and securities and investment services. The
individual bank segments have similar operating and economic characteristics and have been reported as one
aggregated operating segment.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported
amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change relate to the determination of the allowance for
loan losses, the valuation of foreclosed assets and the allowance for foreclosure expenses. In connection with the
determination of the allowance for loan losses and the valuation of foreclosed assets, management obtains independent
appraisals for significant properties.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Simmons First National Corporation and its subsidiaries.
Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Reclassifications
Various items within the accompanying financial statements for previous years have been reclassified to provide more
comparative information. These reclassifications had no effect on net earnings.
Cash Equivalents
For purposes of the statement of cash flows, the Company considers due from banks, Federal funds sold and securities
purchased under agreements to resell as cash equivalents.
56
Investment Securities
Held-to-maturity securities, which include any security for which the Company has the positive intent and ability to
hold until maturity, are carried at historical cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts.
Premiums and discounts are amortized and accreted, respectively, to interest income using the constant yield method
over the period to maturity.
Available-for-sale securities, which include any security for which the Company has no immediate plan to sell but
which may be sold in the future, are carried at fair value. Realized gains and losses, based on specifically identified
amortized cost of the individual security, are included in other income. Unrealized gains and losses are recorded, net of
related income tax effects, in stockholders' equity. Premiums and discounts are amortized and accreted, respectively, to
interest income using the constant yield method over the period to maturity.
Trading securities, which include any security held primarily for near-term sale, are carried at fair value. Gains and
losses on trading securities are included in other income.
Interest and dividends on investments in debt and equity securities are included in income when earned.
Mortgage Loans Held For Sale
Mortgage loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value, determined using an aggregate basis. Write-
downs to fair value are recognized as a charge to earnings at the time the decline in value occurs. Forward
commitments to sell mortgage loans are acquired to reduce market risk on mortgage loans in the process of origination
and mortgage loans held for sale. The forward commitments acquired by the Company for mortgage loans in process
of origination are not mandatory forward commitments. These commitments are structured on a best efforts basis;
therefore, the Company is not required to substitute another loan or to buy back the commitment if the original loan
does not fund. Gains and losses resulting from sales of mortgage loans are recognized when the respective loans are
sold to investors. Gains and losses are determined by the difference between the selling price and the carrying amount
of the loans sold, net of discounts collected or paid. Fees received from borrowers to guarantee the funding of
mortgage loans held for sale are recognized as income or expense when the loans are sold or when it becomes evident
that the commitment will not be used.
Loans
Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-offs are
reported at their outstanding principal adjusted for any loans charged off and any deferred fees or costs on originated
loans and unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans. Interest income is reported on the interest method
and includes amortization of net deferred loan fees and costs over the estimated life of the loan. Generally, loans are
placed on nonaccrual status at ninety days past due and interest is considered a loss unless the loan is well secured and
in the process of collection.
Discounts and premiums on purchased residential real estate loans are amortized to income using the interest method
over the remaining period to contractual maturity, adjusted for anticipated prepayments. Discounts and premiums on
purchased consumer loans are recognized over the expected lives of the loans using methods that approximate the
interest method.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company may enter into derivative contracts for the purposes of managing exposure to interest rate risk to meet the
financing needs of its customers. The Company records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. Historically,
the Company’s policy has been not to invest in derivative type investments, but, in an effort to meet the financing needs
of its customers, the Company has entered into one fair value hedge. Fair value hedges include interest rate swap
agreements on fixed rate loans. For derivatives designated as hedging the exposure to changes in the fair value of the
hedged item, the gain or loss is recognized in earnings in the period of change together with the offsetting loss or gain
57
of the hedging instrument. The fair value hedge is considered to be highly effective and any hedge ineffectiveness was
deemed not material. The notional amount of the loan being hedged was $1.8 million at December 31, 2008 and $1.8
million at December 31, 2007.
Allowance for Loan Losses
The allowance for loan losses is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for loan losses
charged to income. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a
loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.
The allowance is maintained at a level considered adequate to provide for potential loan losses related to specifically
identified loans as well as probable credit losses inherent in the remainder of the loan portfolio that have been incurred
as of period end. This estimate is based on management's evaluation of the loan portfolio as well as on prevailing and
anticipated economic conditions and historical losses by loan category. General reserves have been established based
upon the aforementioned factors and allocated to the individual loan categories. Allowances are accrued on specific
loans evaluated for impairment for which the basis of each loan, including accrued interest, exceeds the discounted
amount of expected future collections of interest and principal or, alternatively, the fair value of loan collateral. The
unallocated reserve generally serves to compensate for the uncertainty in estimating loan losses, including the
possibility of changes in risk ratings and specific reserve allocations in the loan portfolio as a result of the Company’s
ongoing risk management system.
A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will not receive all amounts due according to the
contractual terms of the loan. This includes loans that are delinquent 90 days or more, nonaccrual loans and certain
other loans identified by management. Certain other loans identified by management consist of performing loans with
specific allocations of the allowance for loan losses. Specific allocations are applied when quantifiable factors are
present requiring a greater allocation than that established by the Company based on its analysis of historical losses for
each loan category. Accrual of interest is discontinued and interest accrued and unpaid is removed at the time such
amounts are delinquent 90 days unless management is aware of circumstances which warrant continuing the interest
accrual. Interest is recognized for nonaccrual loans only upon receipt and only after all principal amounts are current
according to the terms of the contract.
Premises and Equipment
Depreciable assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is charged to expense using the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and
amortized by the straight-line method over the terms of the respective leases or the estimated useful lives of the
improvements, whichever is shorter.
Foreclosed Assets Held For Sale
Assets acquired by foreclosure or in settlement of debt and held for sale are valued at estimated fair value as of the date
of foreclosure, and a related valuation allowance is provided for estimated costs to sell the assets. Management
evaluates the value of foreclosed assets held for sale periodically and increases the valuation allowance for any
subsequent declines in fair value. Changes in the valuation allowance are charged or credited to other expense.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets of acquired subsidiaries and branches. Financial
Accounting Standards Board Statement No’s. 142 and 147 eliminated the amortization for these assets as of January 1,
2002. While goodwill is not amortized, impairment testing of goodwill is performed annually, or more frequently if
certain conditions occur.
58
Core Deposit Premiums
Core deposit premiums represent the amount allocated to the future earnings potential of acquired deposits. The
unamortized core deposit premiums are being amortized using both straight-line and accelerated methods over periods
ranging from 8 to 11 years. Unamortized core deposit premiums are tested for impairment annually, or more frequently
if certain conditions occur.
Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase
The Company sells securities under agreements to repurchase to meet customer needs for sweep accounts. At the point
funds deposited by customers become investable, those funds are used to purchase securities owned by the Company
and held in its general account with the designation of Customers’ Securities. A third party maintains control over the
securities underlying overnight repurchase agreements. The securities involved in these transactions are generally
U.S. Treasury or Federal Agency issues. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase generally mature on the
banking day following that on which the investment was initially purchased and are treated as collateralized financing
transactions which are recorded at the amounts at which the securities were sold plus accrued interest. Interest rates and
maturity dates of the securities involved vary and are not intended to be matched with funds from customers.
Fee Income
Periodic bankcard fees, net of direct origination costs, are recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the period
the fee entitles the cardholder to use the card. Origination fees and costs for other loans are being amortized over the
estimated life of the loan.
Income Taxes
Deferred tax liabilities and assets are recognized for the tax effects of differences between the financial statement and
tax bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is established to reduce deferred tax assets if it is more likely
than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized.
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each year.
Diluted earnings per share are computed using the weighted average common shares and all potential dilutive common
shares outstanding during the period.
The computation of per share earnings is as follows:
(In thousands, except per share data)
2008
2007
2006
Net Income
$ 26,910
$ 27,360
$ 27,481
Average common shares outstanding
Average common share stock options outstanding
Average diluted common shares
Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share
13,945
163
14,108
$
$
1.93
1.91
14,044
197
14,241
$
$
1.95
1.92
14,226
248
14,474
$
$
1.93
1.90
59
Stock-Based Compensation
On January 1, 2006, the Company began recognizing compensation expense for stock options with the adoption of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123R, Share-Based Payment (Revised 2004). See Note 10,
Employee Benefit Plans, for additional information.
SFAS No. 123R requires pro forma disclosures of net income and earnings per share for all periods prior to the
adoption of the fair value accounting method for stock-based employee compensation.
NOTE 2:
INVESTMENT SECURITIES
The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities that are classified as held-to-maturity and available-for-sale
are as follows:
Years Ended December 31
2008
2007
(In thousands)
Held-to-Maturity
U.S. Treasury
U.S. Government
agencies
Mortgage-backed
securities
State and political
subdivisions
Other securities
Gross
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized
(Losses)
Gains
Gross
Cost
Estimated
Fair
Value
Gross
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized
(Losses)
Gains
Cost
Fair
Value
Gross Estimated
$
-- $
-- $
-- $
-- $
1,500
$
14 $
--
$
1,514
18,000
629
109
2
--
--
18,629
37,000
722
(19)
37,703
111
129
2
--
131
168,262
930
1,264
--
(1,876)
--
167,650
930
149,262
2,393
1,089
--
(354)
--
149,997
2,393
Total
$ 187,301 $ 1,895 $(1,876) $ 187,320 $ 190,284
$ 1,827 $ (373) $ 191,738
Available-for-Sale
U.S. Treasury
U.S. Government
agencies
Mortgage-backed
securities
State and political
subdivisions
Other securities
$
5,976 $ 113 $
-- $
6,089 $
5,498
$
26 $
--
$
5,524
346,585
5,444
(868) 351,161
317,998
3,090
(299)
320,789
2,909
37
(67)
2,879
2,923
--
(165)
2,758
635
97,625
2
448
--
637
(6) 98,067
855
10,608
3
109
--
--
858
10,717
Total
$ 453,730 $ 6,044 $
(941) $ 458,833 $ 337,882
$ 3,228 $ (464) $ 340,646
Certain investment securities are valued at less than their historical cost. Total fair value of these investments at
December 31, 2008, was $167.8 million, which is approximately 26.0% of the Company’s available-for-sale and held-
to-maturity investment portfolio. These declines primarily resulted from previous increases in market interest rates.
Based on evaluation of available evidence, management believes the declines in fair value for these securities are
temporary. It is management’s intent to hold these securities to maturity.
Should the impairment of any of these securities become other than temporary, the cost basis of the investment will be
reduced and the resulting loss recognized in net income in the period the other-than-temporary impairment is identified.
60
The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and fair value of the Company’s investments with unrealized
losses, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous
unrealized loss position at December 31:
(In thousands)
December 31, 2008
Held-to-Maturity
Mortgage-backed securities
State and political subdivisions
Less Than 12 Months
Estimated Gross
Fair Unrealized
Value
Losses
12 Months or More
Estimated
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Total
Estimated
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
$ 3,623 $
58,790
1,673
-- $
--
3,854
$ -- $ 3,623 $ --
1,876
62,644
204
Total
$ 62,413 $ 1,673 $ 3,854
$
204 $ 66,267 $ 1,876
Available-for-Sale
U.S. Government agencies
Mortgage-backed securities
Other securities
$ 99,424 $ 868 $
1,571
49
46
6
--
493
--
$
21
--
-- $ 99,424 $
868
67
6
2,064
49
Total
$101,044 $ 920 $
493
$
21 $101,537 $
941
December 31, 2007
Held-to-Maturity
U.S. Government agencies
Mortgage-backed securities
State and political subdivisions
$
-- $
721
9,717
$
-- $ 6,981
--
--
32,921
93
19 $ 6,981 $
--
261
721
42,638
19
--
354
Total
$ 10,438 $
93 $ 39,902
$
280 $ 50,340 $
373
Available-for-Sale
U.S. Government agencies
Mortgage-backed securities
$ 15,931 $
--
21 $ 84,755
2,757
--
$
278 $100,686 $
165
2,757
299
165
Total
$ 15,931 $
21 $ 87,512
$
443 $103,443 $
464
Declines in the fair value of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be
other than temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses. In estimating other-than-temporary impairment
losses, management considers, among other things, (i) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has
been less than cost, (ii) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (iii) the intent and ability
of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated
recovery in fair value.
During the third quarter of 2008, the Company determined that its investment in FNMA common stock, held in the
AFS-Other securities category, had become other-than-temporarily impaired. As a result of this impairment the
security was written down by $75,000. The Company had accumulated this stock over several years in the form of
stock dividends from FNMA. The remaining balance of this investment is approximately $5,000. The Company
has no investment in FNMA or FHLMC preferred stock.
61
Management has the ability and intent to hold the securities classified as held to maturity until they mature, at which
time the Company expects to receive full value for the securities. Furthermore, as of December 31, 2008,
management also had the ability and intent to hold the securities classified as available-for-sale for a period of time
sufficient for a recovery of cost. The unrealized losses are largely due to increases in market interest rates over the
yields available at the time the underlying securities were purchased. The fair value is expected to recover as the
bonds approach their maturity date or repricing date or if market yields for such investments decline. Management
does not believe any of the securities are impaired due to reasons of credit quality. Accordingly, as of December
31, 2008, management believes the impairments detailed in the table above are temporary.
Income earned on the above securities for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, is as follows:
(In thousands)
Taxable
Held-to-maturity
Available-for-sale
Non-taxable
Held-to-maturity
Available-for-sale
Total
2008
2007
2006
$ 1,444
19,643
$ 2,521
15,841
$ 2,007
13,698
6,323
35
5,228
56
4,635
98
$ 27,445
$ 23,646
$ 20,438
The Statement of Stockholders’ Equity includes other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income for the
Company includes the change in the unrealized appreciation on available-for-sale securities. The changes in the
unrealized appreciation on available-for-sale securities for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, are as
follows:
(In thousands)
2008
2007
2006
Unrealized holding gains arising during the period
Losses realized in net income
$ 1,462
--
$ 3,926
--
$ 2,162
--
Net change in unrealized appreciation
on available-for-sale securities
$ 1,462
$ 3,926
$ 2,162
The amortized cost and estimated fair value by maturity of securities are shown in the following table. Securities are
classified according to their contractual maturities without consideration of principal amortization, potential
prepayments or call options. Accordingly, actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities.
(In thousands)
One year or less
After one through five years
After five through ten years
After ten years
Other securities
Held-to-Maturity
Available-for-Sale
Amortized
Cost
Fair
Value
Amortized
Cost
Fair
Value
$
9,993
53,078
82,354
41,876
--
$ 10,021
53,576
82,982
40,741
--
$
8,704
35,463
311,143
795
97,625
$
8,785
35,634
315,580
767
98,067
Total
$ 187,301
$ 187,320
$ 453,730
$ 458,833
The carrying value, which approximates the fair value, of securities pledged as collateral, to secure public deposits and
for other purposes, amounted to $435,120,000 at December 31, 2008 and $410,645,000 at December 31, 2007.
62
The book value of securities sold under agreements to repurchase amounted to $87,514,000 and $91,466,000 for
December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
The Company had no gross realized gains or losses during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006,
resulting from the sales and/or calls of securities.
Most of the state and political subdivision debt obligations are non-rated bonds and represent small Arkansas issues,
which are evaluated on an ongoing basis.
NOTE 3:
LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
The various categories of loans are summarized as follows:
(In thousands)
Consumer
Credit cards
Student loans
Other consumer
Real estate
Construction
Single family residential
Other commercial
Commercial
Commercial
Agricultural
Financial institutions
Other
2008
2007
$ 169,615
111,584
138,145
$ 166,044
76,277
137,624
224,924
409,540
584,843
192,496
88,233
3,471
10,223
260,924
382,676
542,184
193,091
73,470
7,440
10,724
Total loans before allowance for loan losses
$1,933,074
$1,850,454
At December 31, 2008 and 2007, impaired loans totaled $17,230,000 and $12,519,000, respectively. All impaired
loans had either specific or general allocations within the allowance for loan losses. Allocations of the allowance for
loan losses relative to impaired loans at December 31, 2008 and 2007, were $4,238,000 and $2,851,000, respectively.
Approximately $198,000, $203,000 and $350,000 of interest income was recognized on average impaired loans of
$15,315,000, $11,724,000 and $13,072,000 for 2008, 2007 and 2006 respectively. Interest recognized on impaired
loans on a cash basis during 2008, 2007 and 2006 was immaterial.
At December 31, 2008 and 2007, accruing loans delinquent 90 days or more totaled $1,291,000 and $1,282,000,
respectively. Non-accruing loans at December 31, 2008 and 2007 were $14,358,000 and $9,909,000, respectively.
As of December 31, 2008, credit card loans, which are unsecured, were $169,615,000 or 8.8%, of total loans versus
$166,044,000 or 9.0%, of total loans at December 31, 2007. The credit card loans are diversified by geographic region
to reduce credit risk and minimize any adverse impact on the portfolio. Credit card loans are regularly reviewed to
facilitate the identification and monitoring of creditworthiness.
63
Transactions in the allowance for loan losses are as follows:
(In thousands)
Balance, beginning of year
Additions
Provision for loan losses
Deductions
Losses charged to allowance, net of recoveries
of $2,138 for 2008, $2,569 for 2007 and $3,106 for 2006
Reclassification of reserve for unfunded commitments (1)
2008
2007
2006
$ 25,303
$ 25,385
$ 26,923
8,646
33,949
8,108
--
4,181
29,566
4,263
--
3,762
30,685
3,775
1,525
Balance, end of year
$ 25,841
$ 25,303
$ 25,385
(1) On March 31, 2006, the reserve for unfunded commitments was reclassified from the allowance for loan losses
to other liabilities.
NOTE 4:
GOODWILL AND CORE DEPOSIT PREMIUMS
Goodwill is tested annually for impairment. If the implied fair value of goodwill is lower than its carrying amount,
goodwill impairment is indicated, and goodwill is written down to its implied fair value. Subsequent increases in
goodwill value are not recognized in the financial statements. Goodwill totaled $60.6 million at December 31, 2008,
unchanged from December 31, 2007, as the Company made no acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2008,
and no goodwill impairment was recorded.
The carrying basis and accumulated amortization of core deposit premiums (net of core deposit premiums that were
fully amortized) at December 31, 2008 and 2007, were as follows:
(In thousands)
December 31, 2008
December 31, 2007
Gross
Gross
Carrying Accumulated
Amount Amortization
Net
Carrying Accumulated
Amount Amortization
Net
Core deposit premiums
$ 6,822
$ 4,247
$ 2,575
$ 7,246
$ 3,864
$ 3,382
Core deposit premium amortization expense recorded for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, was
$807,000, $817,000 and $830,000, respectively. The Company’s estimated amortization expense for each of the
following five years is: 2009 – $802,000; 2010 – $699,000; 2011 – $451,000; 2012 – $321,000; and 2013 – $268,000.
NOTE 5:
TIME DEPOSITS
Time deposits included approximately $418,394,000 and $452,262,000 of certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more,
at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Brokered deposits were $33,155,000 and $39,185,000 at December 31,
2008 and 2007, respectively. At December 31, 2008, time deposits with a remaining maturity of one year or more
amounted to $132,242,000. Maturities of all time deposits are as follows: 2009 – $842,269,000; 2010 – $104,820,000;
2011– $26,989,000; 2012 – $192,000; 2013 – $231,000 and $10,000 thereafter.
Deposits are the Company's primary funding source for loans and investment securities. The mix and repricing
alternatives can significantly affect the cost of this source of funds and, therefore, impact the interest margin.
64
NOTE 6:
INCOME TAXES
The provision for income taxes is comprised of the following components:
(In thousands)
2008
2007
2006
Income taxes currently payable
Deferred income taxes
$ 10,688
739
$ 11,516
865
$ 10,219
2,221
Provision for income taxes
$ 11,427
$ 12,381
$ 12,440
The tax effects of temporary differences related to deferred taxes shown on the balance sheet were:
(In thousands)
Deferred tax assets
Allowance for loan losses
Valuation of foreclosed assets
Deferred compensation payable
FHLB advances
Vacation compensation
Loan interest
Other
Gross deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities
Accumulated depreciation
Deferred loan fee income and expenses, net
FHLB stock dividends
Goodwill and core deposit premium amortization
Available-for-sale securities
Other
Gross deferred tax liabilities
2008
2007
$ 9,057
63
1,451
14
866
88
276
11,815
(406)
(1,229)
(586)
(8,643)
(1,913)
(1,019)
(13,796)
$ 8,705
63
1,432
29
820
88
234
11,371
(558)
(954)
(717)
(7,341)
(1,037)
(1,130)
(11,737)
Net deferred tax liability
$ (1,981)
$
(366)
A reconciliation of income tax expense at the statutory rate to the Company's actual income tax expense is shown
below.
(In thousands)
2008
2007
2006
Computed at the statutory rate (35%)
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit
Tax exempt interest income
Tax exempt earnings on BOLI
Other differences, net
$13,418
$13,910
$13,972
466
(2,369)
(542)
454
647
(2,020)
(523)
367
792
(1,858)
(511)
45
Actual tax provision
$11,427
$12,381
$12,440
The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an
interpretation of FASB Statement 109 (“FIN 48”), effective January 1, 2007. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold
and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected
to be taken in a tax return. Benefits from tax positions should be recognized in the financial statements only when it is
more-likely-than-not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority that
65
would have full knowledge of all relevant information. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition
threshold is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon
ultimate settlement. Tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should
be recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is met. Previously recognized
tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be derecognized in the first
subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is no longer met. FIN 48 also provides guidance on the
accounting for and disclosure of unrecognized tax benefits, interest and penalties. Adoption of FIN 48 did not have a
significant impact on the Company’s financial position, operations or cash flows.
The amount of unrecognized tax benefits may increase or decrease in the future for various reasons including adding
amounts for current tax year positions, expiration of open income tax returns due to the statutes of limitation, changes in
management’s judgment about the level of uncertainty, status of examinations, litigation and legislative activity and the
addition or elimination of uncertain tax positions.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction. The Company’s U.S. federal income tax returns
are open and subject to examinations from the 2005 tax year and forward. The Company’s various state income tax
returns are generally open from the 2005 and later tax return years based on individual state statute of limitations.
NOTE 7:
SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt at December 31, 2008, and 2007 consisted of the following components.
(In thousands)
2008
2007
FHLB advances, due 2009 to 2033, 2.40% to 8.41%,
secured by residential real estate loans
Trust preferred securities, due 12/30/2033, fixed at 8.25%,
callable without penalty
Trust preferred securities, due 12/30/2033, floating rate
of 2.80% above the three-month LIBOR rate,
reset quarterly, callable without penalty
Trust preferred securities, due 12/30/2033, fixed rate
of 6.97% through 2010, thereafter, at a floating rate of
2.80% above the three-month LIBOR rate, reset
quarterly, callable in 2010 without penalty
Total long-term debt
$ 127,741
$ 51,355
10,310
10,310
10,310
10,310
10,310
10,310
$ 158,671
$ 82,285
At December 31, 2008 the Company had no Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances with original maturities of
one year or less.
The Company had total FHLB advances of $127.7 million at December 31, 2008, with approximately $436.3 million of
additional advances available from the FHLB.
The trust preferred securities are tax-advantaged issues that qualify for Tier 1 capital treatment. Distributions on these
securities are included in interest expense on long-term debt. Each of the trusts is a statutory business trust organized
for the sole purpose of issuing trust securities and investing the proceeds thereof in junior subordinated debentures of
the Company, the sole asset of each trust. The preferred trust securities of each trust represent preferred beneficial
interests in the assets of the respective trusts and are subject to mandatory redemption upon payment of the junior
subordinated debentures held by the trust. The common securities of each trust are wholly-owned by the Company.
Each trust’s ability to pay amounts due on the trust preferred securities is solely dependent upon the Company making
payment on the related junior subordinated debentures. The Company’s obligations under the junior subordinated
securities and other relevant trust agreements, in aggregate, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by the
Company of each respective trust’s obligations under the trust securities issued by each respective trust.
66
Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2008 are as follows:
(In thousands)
Year
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Thereafter
Annual
Maturities
$
7,350
28,331
41,052
5,604
10,938
65,396
Total
$ 158,671
NOTE 8:
CAPITAL STOCK
At the Company’s annual shareholder meeting held on April 10, 2007, the shareholders approved an amendment to the
Articles of Incorporation increasing the number of authorized shares of Class A, $0.01 par value, Common Stock from
30,000,000 to 60,000,000. Class A Common Stock is the Company’s only outstanding class of stock.
On November 28, 2007, the Company announced the substantial completion of the existing stock repurchase program
and the adoption by the Board of Directors of a new stock repurchase program. The program authorizes the repurchase
of up to 700,000 shares of Class A common stock, or approximately 5% of the outstanding common stock. Under the
repurchase program, there is no time limit for the stock repurchases, nor is there a minimum number of shares the
Company intends to repurchase. The Company may discontinue purchases at any time that management determines
additional purchases are not warranted. The shares are to be purchased from time to time at prevailing market prices
through open market or unsolicited negotiated transactions, depending upon market conditions. The Company intends
to use the repurchased shares to satisfy stock option exercise, payment of future stock dividends and general corporate
purposes.
During the year ended December 31, 2008, by June 30, the Company repurchased a total of 45,180 shares of stock with
a weighted average repurchase price of $28.38 per share. Under the current stock repurchase plan, the Company can
repurchase an additional 645,672 shares.
Effective July 1, 2008, the Company made a strategic decision to temporarily suspend stock repurchases. This decision
was made to preserve capital at the parent company due to the lack of liquidity in the credit markets and the
uncertainties in the overall economy. If the Company participates in the CPP by issuing Preferred Stock to the
Treasury, stock repurchases increases may be restricted and will require the Treasury’s consent for three years. For
further discussion on the CPP, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operation – Recent Market Developments.”
NOTE 9:
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the subsidiary banks had extensions of credit to executive officers and directors and
to companies in which the subsidiary banks' executive officers or directors were principal owners in the amount of
$35.3 million in 2008 and $30.4 million in 2007.
(In thousands)
Balance, beginning of year
New extensions of credit
Repayments
Balance, end of year
2008
2007
$ 30,445
14,808
(9,942)
$ 51,442
8,704
(29,701)
$ 35,311
$ 30,445
67
In management's opinion, such loans and other extensions of credit and deposits (which were not material) were made
in the ordinary course of business and were made on substantially the same terms (including interest rates and
collateral) as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons. Further, in management's
opinion, these extensions of credit did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other
unfavorable features.
NOTE 10: EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Retirement Plans
The Company’s 401(k) retirement plan covers substantially all employees. Contribution expense totaled $575,000,
$550,000 and $525,000, in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
The Company has a discretionary profit sharing and employee stock ownership plan covering substantially all
employees. Contribution expense totaled $2,565,000 for 2008, $2,490,000 for 2007 and $2,370,000 for 2006.
The Company also provides deferred compensation agreements with certain active and retired officers. The agreements
provide monthly payments which, together with payments from the deferred annuities issued pursuant to the terminated
pension plan equal 50 percent of average compensation prior to retirement or death. The charges to income for the
plans were $12,000 for 2008, $358,000 for 2007 and $481,000 for 2006. Such charges reflect the straight-line accrual
over the employment period of the present value of benefits due each participant, as of their full eligibility date, using
an 8 percent discount factor.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The Company established an Employee Stock Purchase Plan in 2007 which generally allows participants to make
contributions of up 3% of the employee’s salary, up to a maximum of $7,500 per year, for the purpose of acquiring the
Company’s stock. Substantially all employees with at least two years of service are eligible for the plan. At the end of
each plan year, full shares of the Company’s stock are purchased for each employee based on that employee’s
contributions. The stock is purchased for an amount equal to 95% of its fair market value at the end of the plan year,
or, if lower, 95% of its fair market value at the beginning of the plan year.
Stock-Based Compensation Plans
Prior to January 1, 2006, employee compensation expense under stock option plans was reported only if options were
granted below market price at grant date in accordance with the intrinsic value method of Accounting Principles Board
Opinion (APB) No.25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and related interpretations. Because the exercise
price of the Company's employee stock options always equaled the market price of the underlying stock on the date of
grant, no compensation expense was recognized on options granted. As stated in Note 1, Significant Accounting
Policies, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 123R on January 1, 2006. SFAS 123R eliminates the ability to
account for stock-based compensation using APB 25 and requires that such transactions be recognized as compensation
cost in the income statement based on their fair values on the measurement date, which is generally the date of the
grant. The Company transitioned to fair-value based accounting for stock-based compensation using a modified
version of prospective application ("modified prospective application"). Under modified prospective application, as it
is applicable to the Company, SFAS 123R applies to new awards and to awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled
after January 1, 2006. Additionally, compensation cost for the portion of awards for which the requisite service has not
been rendered (generally referring to non-vested awards) that were outstanding as of January 1, 2006, will be
recognized as the remaining requisite service is rendered during the period of and/or the periods after the adoption of
SFAS 123R. The attribution of compensation cost for those earlier awards is based on the same method and on the
same grant date fair values previously determined for the pro forma disclosures required for companies that did not
previously adopt the fair value accounting method for stock-based employee compensation.
Stock-based compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards granted after January 1, 2006, is based on
the grant date fair value. For all awards except stock option awards, the grant date fair value is the market value per
68
share as of the grant date. For stock option awards, the fair value is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-
Scholes option-pricing model. This model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, changes to which can
materially affect the fair value estimate. Additionally, there may be other factors that would otherwise have a
significant effect on the value of employee stock options granted but are not considered by the model. Accordingly,
while management believes that the Black-Scholes option-pricing model provides a reasonable estimate of fair value,
the model does not necessarily provide the best single measure of fair value for the Company's employee stock options.
The Company’s Board of Directors has adopted various stock-based compensation plans. The plans provide for the
grant of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, and bonus stock awards.
Pursuant to the plans, shares are reserved for future issuance by the Company upon exercise of stock options or
awarding of bonus shares granted to directors, officers and other key employees.
The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model that
uses various assumptions. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock and other factors.
The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercise and employee termination within the valuation model.
The expected term of options granted is derived from the output of the option valuation model and represents the period
of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of
the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Forfeitures are estimated at the time
of grant, and are based partially on historical experience.
The table below summarizes the transactions under the Company's active stock compensation plans at December 31,
2008, 2007 and 2006, and changes during the years then ended:
Balance, January 1, 2006
Granted
Stock Options Exercised
Stock Awards Vested
Forfeited/Expired
Balance, December 31, 2006
Granted
Stock Options Exercised
Stock Awards Vested
Forfeited/Expired
Balance, December 31, 2007
Granted
Stock Options Exercised
Stock Awards Vested
Forfeited/Expired
Balance, December 31, 2008
Exercisable, December 31, 2008
Non-Vested Stock
Awards Outstanding
Number
of Shares
(000)
Weighted
Average
Grant-Date
Fair-Value
18
10
--
(6)
--
22
15
--
(6)
--
31
18
--
(12)
--
$ 24.63
26.96
--
24.60
--
25.69
27.68
--
25.31
--
26.72
30.31
--
27.16
--
37
$ 28.28
Stock Options
Outstanding
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
$ 14.77
26.19
14.19
--
13.50
16.32
28.42
15.11
--
12.13
17.71
30.31
12.38
--
14.77
$ 20.46
$ 17.51
Number
of Shares
(000)
609
60
(107)
--
(45)
517
57
(34)
--
(4)
536
49
(98)
--
(35)
452
333
69
The following table summarizes information about stock options under the plans outstanding at December 31, 2008:
Range of
Exercise Prices
$10.56 - $12.13
16.32
15.35 -
24.50
23.78 -
27.67
26.19 -
28.42
28.42 -
30.31
30.31 -
Number
of Shares
(000)
186
9
95
59
55
49
Options Outstanding
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (Years)
2.31
2.57
5.88
7.22
8.41
9.41
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
$12.09
15.90
24.05
26.20
28.42
30.31
Options Exercisable
Number
of Shares
(000)
186
9
93
27
18
--
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
$12.09
15.90
24.04
26.21
28.42
--
Stock-based compensation expense totaled $548 thousand in 2008, $338 thousand in 2007 and $233 thousand in 2006.
Stock-based compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for all stock-based awards.
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options totaled $601 thousand at December 31, 2008.
At such date, the weighted-average period over which this unrecognized expense is expected to be recognized was
1.85 years. Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested stock awards was $992 thousand at
December 31, 2008. At such date, the weighted-average period over which this unrecognized expense is expected to be
recognized was 2.00 years.
Aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding stock options and exercisable stock options was $4.1 million and $4.0 million,
respectively, at December 31, 2008. Aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the Company’s
closing stock price on the last trading day of the period, which was $29.47 at December 31, 2008, and the exercise price
multiplied by the number of options outstanding. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $1.7 million
in 2008, $384 thousand in 2007 and $1.6 million in 2006.
The fair value of the Company’s employee stock options granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-
Scholes option-pricing model. The weighted-average fair value of stock options granted was $6.60 for 2008, $5.96 for
2007 and $5.01 for 2006. The Company estimated expected market price volatility and expected term of the options
based on historical data and other factors. The weighted-average assumptions used to determine the fair value of
options granted are detailed in the table below:
Expected dividend yield
Expected stock price volatility
Risk-free interest rate
Expected life of options
2008
2.51%
23.00%
3.68%
7 Years
2007
2.53%
19.00%
5.17%
7 - 10 Years
2006
2.67%
17.74%
4.84%
5 - 10 Years
70
NOTE 11: ADDITIONAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
The following table presents additional information on cash payments and non-cash items:
(In thousands)
2008
2007
2006
Interest paid
Income taxes paid
Transfers of loans to other real estate
Post-retirement benefit liability established upon
adoption of EITF 06-4
$ 64,302
11,456
5,713
$ 76,958
10,563
3,939
$ 65,108
7,926
1,449
1,174
--
--
NOTE 12: OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES
Other operating expenses consist of the following:
(In thousands)
2008
2007
2006
Professional services
Postage
Telephone
Credit card expense
Operating supplies
Amortization of core deposit premiums
Visa litigation liability expense
Other expense
Total
$ 2,824
2,256
1,868
4,671
1,588
807
(1,220)
12,134
$ 24,928
$ 2,780
2,309
1,820
4,095
1,669
817
1,220
11,543
$ 26,253
$ 2,490
2,278
1,961
3,235
1,611
830
--
10,712
$ 23,117
The Company had aggregate annual equipment rental expense of approximately $356,000 in 2008, $546,000 in 2007
and $534,000 in 2006. The Company had aggregate annual occupancy rental expense of approximately $1,220,000 in
2008, $1,168,000 in 2007 and $1,106,000 in 2006.
NOTE 13: DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair
value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
SFAS No. 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an
orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. SFAS No. 157 also establishes a fair value
hierarchy that requires the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair
value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
• Level 1 Inputs – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
• Level 2 Inputs – Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar
assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that
are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market
data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
• Level 3 Inputs – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are
significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
71
Available-for-sale securities – Where quoted market prices are available in an active market, securities are classified
within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 1 securities would include highly liquid government bonds, mortgage
products and exchange traded equities. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using
pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or discounted cash flows. Level 2 securities
include U.S. agency securities, mortgage-backed agency securities, obligations of states and political subdivisions and
certain corporate, asset backed and other securities. In certain cases where Level 1 or Level 2 inputs are not available,
securities are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy. The Company’s investment in a money market mutual fund
(the”AIM Fund) is reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs. The remainder of the Company's available-for-sale
securities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs.
Assets held in trading accounts – The Company’s trading account investment in the AIM Fund is reported at fair value
utilizing Level 1 inputs. The remainder of the Company's assets held in trading accounts are reported at fair value
utilizing Level 2 inputs.
The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets and liabilities by level within the fair value hierarchy that
were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2008.
(In thousands)
Fair Value
Fair Value Measurements Using
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant Other
Observable Inputs Unobservable Inputs
Significant
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
Available-for-sale securities
Assets held in trading accounts
$ 458,833
5,754
$ 85,536
4,850
$ 373,297
904
$
--
--
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 and liabilities measured at fair
value on a nonrecurring basis including the following:
Impaired loans – Loan impairment is reported when full payment under the loan terms is not expected. Impaired loans
are carried at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan's existing rate, or the fair value of collateral
if the loan is collateral dependent. A portion of the allowance for loan losses is allocated to impaired loans if the value
of such loans is deemed to be less than the unpaid balance. If these allocations cause the allowance for loan losses to
require increase, such increase is reported as a component of the provision for loan losses. Loan losses are charged
against the allowance when Management believes the uncollectability of a loan is confirmed. Impaired loans, net of
specific allowance, were $12,992,000 as of December 31, 2008. This valuation would be considered Level 3,
consisting of appraisals of underlying collateral and discounted cash flow analysis.
Mortgage loans held for sale – Mortgage loans held for sale are reported at fair value if, on an aggregate basis, the fair
value of the loans is less than cost. In determining whether the fair value of loans held for sale is less than cost when
quoted market prices are not available, the Company may consider outstanding investor commitments, discounted cash
flow analyses with market assumptions or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Such loans
are classified within either Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Where assumptions are made using
significant unobservable inputs, such loans held for sale are classified as Level 3. At December 31, 2008, the aggregate
fair value of mortgage loans held for sale exceeded their cost. Accordingly, no mortgage loans held for sale were
marked down and reported at fair value.
72
The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets and liabilities by level within the fair value hierarchy that
were measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of December 31, 2008.
(In thousands)
Fair Value
Fair Value Measurements Using
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant Other
Observable Inputs Unobservable Inputs
Significant
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
Impaired loans
$ 12,992
$
--
$
--
$ 12,992
SFAS No. 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, requires disclosure of the fair value of financial
assets and financial liabilities, including those financial assets and financial liabilities that are not measured and
reported at fair value on a recurring basis or nonrecurring basis. The following methods and assumptions were used to
estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The carrying amount for cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value.
Held-to-Maturity Securities
Fair values for held-to-maturity securities equal quoted market prices, if available. If quoted market prices are not
available, fair values are estimated based on quoted market prices of similar securities.
Loans
The fair value of loans is estimated by discounting the future cash flows, using the current rates at which similar loans
would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities. Loans with similar
characteristics were aggregated for purposes of the calculations. The carrying amount of accrued interest approximates
its fair value.
Deposits
The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts and money market deposits is the amount payable on demand at
the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amount). The fair value of fixed-maturity time deposits is estimated using a
discounted cash flow calculation that applies the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.
The carrying amount of accrued interest payable approximates its fair value.
Federal Funds Purchased, Securities Sold Under Agreement to Repurchase
and Short-Term Debt
The carrying amount for Federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreement to repurchase and short-term debt
are a reasonable estimate of fair value.
Long-Term Debt
Rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities are used to estimate the
fair value of existing debt.
73
Commitments to Extend Credit, Letters of Credit and Lines of Credit
The fair value of commitments is estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into
account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counterparties. For fixed rate
loan commitments, fair value also considers the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed
rates. The fair values of letters of credit and lines of credit are based on fees currently charged for similar agreements
or on the estimated cost to terminate or otherwise settle the obligations with the counterparties at the reporting date.
The following table represents estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments. The fair values of certain
of these instruments were calculated by discounting expected cash flows. This method involves significant judgments
by management considering the uncertainties of economic conditions and other factors inherent in the risk management
of financial instruments. Fair value is the estimated amount at which financial assets or liabilities could be exchanged
in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. Because no market exists for
certain of these financial instruments and because management does not intend to sell these financial instruments, the
Company does not know whether the fair values shown below represent values at which the respective financial
instruments could be sold individually or in the aggregate.
(In thousands)
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Held-to-maturity securities
Mortgage loans held for sale
Interest receivable
Loans, net
December 31, 2008
Fair
Value
Carrying
Amount
December 31, 2007
Fair
Value
Carrying
Amount
$ 139,536
187,301
10,336
20,930
1,907,233
$ 139,536
187,320
10,336
20,930
1,904,421
$ 110,230
190,284
11,097
21,345
1,825,151
$ 110,230
191,738
11,097
21,345
1,824,235
Financial liabilities
Non-interest bearing transaction accounts
Interest bearing transaction accounts and
savings deposits
Time deposits
Federal funds purchased and securities
sold under agreements to repurchase
Short-term debt
Long-term debt
Interest payable
334,998
334,998
310,181
310,181
1,026,824
974,511
1,026,824
977,789
761,233
1,111,443
761,233
1,116,368
115,449
1,112
158,671
4,579
115,449
1,112
173,046
4,579
128,806
1,777
82,285
6,757
128,806
1,777
94,590
6,757
The fair value of commitments to extend credit and letters of credit is not presented since management believes the fair
value to be insignificant.
74
NOTE 14:
SIGNIFICANT ESTIMATES AND CONCENTRATIONS
The current economic environment presents financial institutions with unprecedented circumstances and challenges
which in some cases have resulted in large declines in the fair values of investments and other assets, constraints on
liquidity and significant credit quality problems, including severe volatility in the valuation of real estate and other
collateral supporting loans. The financial statements have been prepared using values and information currently
available to the Company.
Given the volatility of current economic conditions, the values of assets and liabilities recorded in the financial
statements could change rapidly, resulting in material future adjustments in asset values, the allowance for loan losses
and capital that could negatively impact the Company’s ability to meet regulatory capital requirements and maintain
sufficient liquidity.
Estimates related to the allowance for loan losses and certain concentrations of credit risk are reflected in Note 3, Loans
and Allowance for Loan Losses.
NOTE 15: COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT RISK
The Company grants agri-business, credit card, commercial and residential loans to customers throughout Arkansas.
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition
established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may
require payment of a fee. Since a portion of the commitments may expire without being drawn upon, the total
commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Each customer's creditworthiness is
evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary, is based on management's
credit evaluation of the counterparty. Collateral held varies but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property,
plant and equipment, commercial real estate and residential real estate.
At December 31, 2008, the Company had outstanding commitments to extend credit aggregating approximately
$247,969,000 and $422,127,000 for credit card commitments and other loan commitments, respectively. At
December 31, 2007, the Company had outstanding commitments to extend credit aggregating approximately
$244,052,000 and $411,421,000 for credit card commitments and other loan commitments, respectively.
Letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a
third party. Those guarantees are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements, including
commercial paper, bond financing and similar transactions. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is
essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers. The Company had total outstanding letters of
credit amounting to $10,186,000 and $9,906,000 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, with terms ranging
from 90 days to three years. The Company’s deferred revenue under standby letter of credit agreements was
approximately $52,000 and $42,000 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
At December 31, 2008, the Company did not have concentrations of 5% or more of the investment portfolio in bonds
issued by a single municipality.
NOTE 16: NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for
Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement 109 (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 prescribes a recognition
threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken
or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also requires expanded disclosure with respect to the uncertainty in
income taxes. The Company adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007, with no significant impact on the Company’s
financial position or results of operations.
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements
(“SFAS No. 157”). SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally
75
accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This Statement
applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, FASB having
previously concluded in those accounting pronouncements that fair value is the relevant measurement attribute.
Accordingly, this Statement does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial
statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years.
The Company adopted SFAS No. 157 on January 1, 2008, with no material effect on the Company’s financial position
or results of operations.
In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, The Fair Value Option for
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (“SFAS No. 159”), to
provide companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value. The objective is to
improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused
by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions.
This statement shall be effective as of the beginning of each reporting entity's first fiscal year that begins after
November 15, 2007. The Company has elected not to adopt SFAS No. 159.
In September 2006, the FASB Emerging Issue Task Force (“EITF”) issued EITF 06-4, Accounting for Deferred
Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements. The
EITF determined that for an endorsement split-dollar life insurance arrangement within the scope of the Issue, the
employer should recognize a liability for future benefits in accordance with SFAS No. 106, Employers' Accounting for
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions, or APB Opinion 12, Omnibus Opinion-1967, based on the substantive
agreement with the employee. In March 2007, the FASB EITF issued ElTF 06-10, Accounting for Deferred
Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Collateral Assignment Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements.
The EITF determined that an employer should recognize a liability for the postretirement benefit related to a collateral
assignment split-dollar life insurance arrangement in accordance with either Statement 106 (if, in substance, a
postretirement benefit plan exists) or Opinion 12 (if the arrangement is, in substance, an individual deferred
compensation contract) based on the substantive agreement with the employee. These Issues are effective for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 2007, with earlier application permitted. Entities should recognize the effects of
applying EITF 06-4 through either (a) a change in accounting principle through a cumulative effect adjustment to
retained earnings or to other components of equity or net assets in the statement of financial position as of the beginning
of the year of adoption or (b) a change in accounting principle through retrospective application to all prior periods. As
of December 31, 2007, the Company had split-dollar life insurance arrangements with executives of the Company that
have death benefits. EITF 06-4 was effective for the Company on January 1, 2008. The Company elected to apply
EITF 06-4 through a change in accounting principle through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings of
approximately $1 million as of January 1, 2008. The adoption of EITF 06-4 did not have a material impact on the
Company’s ongoing financial position or results of operations.
In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141R, Business Combinations
(Revised 2007) (“SFAS No. 141R”). SFAS No. 141R applies to all transactions and other events in which one entity
obtains control over one or more other businesses. SFAS No. 141R requires an acquirer, upon initially obtaining
control of another entity, to recognize the assets, liabilities and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree at fair value
as of the acquisition date. Contingent consideration is required to be recognized and measured at fair value on the date
of acquisition rather than at a later date when the amount of that consideration may be determinable beyond a
reasonable doubt. This fair value approach replaces the cost-allocation process required under SFAS No. 141 whereby
the cost of an acquisition was allocated to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated
fair value. SFAS No. 141R requires acquirers to expense acquisition-related costs as incurred rather than allocating
such costs to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as was previously the case under SFAS No. 141. Under SFAS
No. 141R, the requirements of SFAS No. 146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities, would
have to be met in order to accrue for a restructuring plan in purchase accounting. Pre-acquisition contingencies are to
be recognized at fair value, unless it is a non-contractual contingency that is not likely to materialize, in which case,
nothing should be recognized in purchase accounting and, instead, that contingency would be subject to the probable
and estimable recognition criteria of SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies. SFAS No. 141R is expected to have
a significant impact on the Company’s accounting for business combinations closing on or after January 1, 2009.
76
In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, Disclosures About
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (“SFAS No. 161”).
SFAS No. 161 amends Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS No. 133”), to amend and expand the disclosure requirements of SFAS
No. 133 to provide greater transparency about (i) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (ii) how
derivative instruments and related hedge items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133 and its related interpretations,
and (iii) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, results of
operations and cash flows. To meet those objectives, SFAS No. 161 requires qualitative disclosures about
objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses
on derivative instruments and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements.
SFAS No. 161 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2009, and is not expected to have a significant impact on
the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
Presently, the Company is not aware of any other changes from the Financial Accounting Standards Board that will
have a material impact on the Company’s present or future financial position or results of operations.
NOTE 17: CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
The Company and/or its subsidiaries have various unrelated legal proceedings, most of which involve loan foreclosure
activity pending, which, in the aggregate, are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial position of
the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company or its subsidiaries remain the subject of the following lawsuit
asserting claims against the Company or its subsidiaries.
On October 1, 2003, an action in Pulaski County Circuit Court was filed by Thomas F. Carter, Tena P. Carter and
certain related entities against Simmons First Bank of South Arkansas and Simmons First National Bank alleging
wrongful conduct by the banks in the collection of certain loans. The Company was later added as a party defendant.
The plaintiffs are seeking $2,000,000 in compensatory damages and $10,000,000 in punitive damages. The Company
and the banks have filed Motions to Dismiss. The plaintiffs were granted additional time to discover any evidence for
litigation and have submitted such findings. At the hearing on the Motions for Summary Judgment, the Court
dismissed Simmons First National Bank due to lack of venue. Venue has been changed to Jefferson County for the
Company and Simmons First Bank of South Arkansas. Non-binding mediation failed on June 24, 2008. Jury trial is set
for the week of June 22, 2009. At this time, no basis for any material liability has been identified. The Company and
the bank continue to vigorously defend the claims asserted in the suit.
In October 2007, the Company, as a member of Visa U.S.A. Inc. (Visa U.S.A.), received shares of restricted stock in
Visa, Inc. (Visa) as a result of its participation in the global restructuring of Visa U.S.A., Visa Canada Association, and
Visa International Service Association in preparation for an initial public offering. Visa U.S.A asserts that the
Company and other Visa U.S.A. member banks are obligated to share in potential losses resulting from certain
litigation. The Company accrued $1.2 million in 2007 in connection with the Company’s obligation to indemnify Visa
U.S.A. for costs and liabilities incurred in connection with certain litigation based on the Company’s proportionate
membership interest in Visa U.S.A.
As part of Visa’s IPO in the first quarter of 2008, Visa set aside a cash escrow fund for future settlement of covered
litigation. As a result, in the first quarter of 2008, the Company reversed the $1.2 million contingent liability
established in 2007. On October 27, 2008, Visa notified its U.S.A. members that it had reached a settlement on covered
litigation with Discover Financial Services, Inc. This obligation was covered by the litigation escrow fund through an
additional dilution of Visa Class B shares in the fourth quarter of 2008. The remaining covered litigation against Visa
is primarily with card retailers and merchants, mostly related to fees and interchange rates. As of December 31, 2008,
the Company has no litigation liability recorded for any additional contingent indemnification obligation. The
Company believes that it will not incur litigation expense on the remaining litigation due to the value of its Visa Class B
shares; however, additional accruals may be required in future periods should the Company’s estimate of its obligations
under the indemnification agreement change. The Company must rely on disclosures made by Visa to the public about
the covered litigation in making estimates of this contingent indemnification obligation.
77
NOTE 18:
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
The Company’s subsidiaries are subject to a legal limitation on dividends that can be paid to the parent company
without prior approval of the applicable regulatory agencies. The approval of the Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency is required if the total of all the dividends declared by a national bank in any calendar year exceeds the total of
its net profits, as defined, for that year, combined with its retained net profits of the preceding two years. Arkansas
bank regulators have specified that the maximum dividend limit state banks may pay to the parent company without
prior approval is 75% of the current year earnings plus 75% of the retained net earnings of the preceding year. At
December 31, 2008, the Company subsidiaries had approximately $14.3 million in undivided profits available for
payment of dividends to the Company without prior approval of the regulatory agencies.
The Company’s subsidiaries are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking
agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional
discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s financial
statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the
Company must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s assets, liabilities
and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company’s capital
amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk
weightings and other factors.
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company to maintain minimum
amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-
weighted assets (as defined) and of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined). Management believes that,
as of December 31, 2008, the Company meets all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.
As of the most recent notification from regulatory agencies, the subsidiaries were well capitalized under the regulatory
framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, the Company and subsidiaries must
maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table. There are no
conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the institutions’ categories.
78
The Company’s actual capital amounts and ratios along with the Company’s most significant subsidiaries are presented
in the following table.
To Be Well
Capitalized Under
Prompt Corrective
Adequacy Purposes Action Provision
Minimum
For Capital
Amount Ratio-%
Amount Ratio-%
Actual
Amount Ratio-%
(In thousands)
As of December 31, 2008
Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio
Simmons First National Corporation
Simmons First National Bank
Simmons First Bank of Jonesboro
Simmons First Bank of Russellville
Simmons First Bank of Northwest Arkansas
Simmons First Bank of El Dorado
$ 287,594
112,220
27,532
24,639
24,358
20,325
14.5 $ 158,673
77,393
11.6
18,509
11.9
10,160
19.4
17,093
11.4
12,134
13.4
8.0 $
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
Tier 1 Capital Ratio
Simmons First National Corporation
Simmons First National Bank
Simmons First Bank of Jonesboro
Simmons First Bank of Russellville
Simmons First Bank of Northwest Arkansas
Simmons First Bank of El Dorado
Leverage Ratio
Simmons First National Corporation
Simmons First National Bank
Simmons First Bank of Jonesboro
Simmons First Bank of Russellville
Simmons First Bank of Northwest Arkansas
Simmons First Bank of El Dorado
262,568
102,412
24,891
23,051
21,669
18,790
262,568
102,412
24,891
23,051
21,669
18,790
13.2
10.6
10.7
18.2
10.1
12.4
9.1
7.3
8.4
11.5
7.7
7.3
79,566
38,646
9,305
5,066
8,582
6,061
115,415
56,116
11,853
8,018
11,257
10,296
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
As of December 31, 2007
Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio
Simmons First National Corporation
Simmons First National Bank
Simmons First Bank of Jonesboro
Simmons First Bank of Russellville
Simmons First Bank of Northwest Arkansas
Simmons First Bank of El Dorado
$ 260,890
104,961
25,510
20,349
23,803
19,741
13.7 $ 152,345
74,972
11.2
16,592
12.3
10,369
15.7
17,797
10.7
11,281
14.0
8.0 $
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
Tier 1 Capital Ratio
Simmons First National Corporation
Simmons First National Bank
Simmons First Bank of Jonesboro
Simmons First Bank of Russellville
Simmons First Bank of Northwest Arkansas
Simmons First Bank of El Dorado
Leverage Ratio
Simmons First National Corporation
Simmons First National Bank
Simmons First Bank of Jonesboro
Simmons First Bank of Russellville
Simmons First Bank of Northwest Arkansas
Simmons First Bank of El Dorado
12.4
10.2
11.2
14.5
9.4
12.8
9.1
7.5
8.6
10.4
7.5
8.1
76,443
37,460
8,245
5,166
8,940
5,639
104,164
50,946
10,737
7,202
11,204
8,911
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
236,972
95,523
23,085
18,726
21,008
18,045
236,972
95,523
23,085
18,726
21,008
18,045
79
N/A
96,741
23,136
12,701
21,367
15,168
N/A
57,969
13,958
7,599
12,873
9,092
N/A
70,145
14,816
10,022
14,071
12,870
N/A
93,715
20,740
12,961
22,246
14,101
N/A
56,190
12,367
7,749
13,409
8,459
N/A
63,682
13,422
9,003
14,005
11,139
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
NOTE 19: CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands)
2008
2007
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
Investment securities
Investments in wholly-owned subsidiaries
Intangible assets, net
Premises and equipment
Other assets
TOTAL ASSETS
LIABILITIES
Long-term debt
Other liabilities
Total liabilities
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock
Surplus
Undivided profits
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Unrealized appreciation on available-for-sale
securities, net of income taxes of $1,913 at 2008
and $1,037 at 2007
Total stockholders’ equity
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
$ 19,890
2,401
291,392
158
796
7,079
$ 321,716
$
6,442
2,447
288,744
133
2,492
6,661
$ 306,919
$ 30,930
1,994
32,924
$ 30,930
3,583
34,513
140
40,807
244,655
139
41,019
229,520
3,190
288,792
$ 321,716
1,728
272,406
$ 306,919
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(In thousands)
INCOME
Dividends from subsidiaries
Other income
EXPENSE
Income before income taxes and equity in
undistributed net income of subsidiaries
Provision for income taxes
Income before equity in undistributed net
income of subsidiaries
Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries
2008
2007
2006
$ 27,705
6,015
33,720
10,969
22,751
(1,799)
24,550
2,360
$ 21,548
6,288
27,836
10,797
17,039
(1,438)
18,477
8,883
$ 20,472
5,809
26,281
10,111
16,170
(1,546)
17,716
9,765
NET INCOME
$ 26,910
$ 27,360
$ 27,481
80
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(In thousands)
2008
2007
2006
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income
Items not requiring (providing) cash
Depreciation and amortization
Deferred income taxes
Equity in undistributed income of bank subsidiaries
Changes in
Other assets
Other liabilities
Net cash provided by operating activities
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Net sales (purchases) of premises and equipment
Return of capital from subsidiary
Purchase of held-to-maturity securities
Purchase of available-for-sale securities
Proceeds from sale or maturity of investment securities
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Principal reduction on long-term debt
Dividends paid
Repurchase of common stock, net
Net cash used in financing activities
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND
CASH EQUIVALENTS
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,
BEGINNING OF YEAR
$ 26,910
$ 27,360
$ 27,481
265
1,122
(2,360)
(295)
(2,763)
22,879
1,431
--
(19)
(1,511)
1,481
1,382
298
33
(8,883)
366
505
19,679
(126)
--
(74)
--
--
(200)
213
226
(9,765)
(996)
(58)
17,101
(629)
1,706
(4,100)
--
4,640
1,617
--
(10,601)
(212)
(10,813)
(2,000)
(10,234)
(7,661)
(19,895)
(2,000)
(9,666)
(5,047)
(16,713)
13,448
(416)
2,005
6,442
6,858
4,853
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR
$ 19,890
$
6,442
$
6,858
81
ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
No items are reportable.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. The Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined
in 15 C. F. R. 240.13a-14(c) and 15 C. F. R. 240.15-14(c)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based
upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company's
current disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
(b) Changes in Internal Controls. There were no significant changes in the Company's internal controls or in other
factors that could significantly affect those controls subsequent to the date of evaluation.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
No items are reportable.
PART III
ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
Incorporated herein by reference from the Company's definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held April 21, 2009, to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A on or about March 13, 2009.
ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Incorporated herein by reference from the Company's definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held April 21, 2009, to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A on or about March 13, 2009.
ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
AND MANAGEMENT
Incorporated herein by reference from the Company's definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held April 21, 2009, to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A on or about March 13, 2009.
ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Incorporated herein by reference from the Company's definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held April 21, 2009, to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A on or about March 13, 2009.
ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Incorporated herein by reference from the Company's definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held April 21, 2009, to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A on or about March 13, 2009.
82
PART IV
ITEM 15.
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) 1 and 2. Financial Statements and any Financial Statement Schedules
The financial statements and financial statement schedules listed in the accompanying index to the consolidated
financial statements and financial statement schedules are filed as part of this report.
(b) Listing of Exhibits
Exhibit No.
Description
3.1
3.2
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
Restated Articles of Incorporation of Simmons First National Corporation (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the Quarter ended June 30, 2007 (File No. 6253)).
Amended By-Laws of Simmons First National Corporation (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.2 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year
ended December 31, 2007 (File No. 6253)).
Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2003, among the Company,
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Delaware and each
of J. Thomas May, Barry L. Crow and Bob Fehlman as administrative trustees, with respect to
Simmons First Capital Trust II (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Simmons First
National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003
(File No. 6253)).
Guarantee Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2003, between the Company and Deutsche
Bank Trust Company Americas, as guarantee trustee, with respect to Simmons First Capital
Trust II (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Simmons First National Corporation’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 6253)).
Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of December 16, 2003, among the Company and
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, with respect to the junior subordinated
note held by Simmons First Capital Trust II (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to
Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended
December 31, 2003 (File No. 6253)).
Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2003, among the Company,
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Delaware and each
of J. Thomas May, Barry L. Crow and Bob Fehlman as administrative trustees, with respect to
Simmons First Capital Trust III (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Simmons First
National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003
(File No. 6253)).
Guarantee Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2003, between the Company and Deutsche
Bank Trust Company Americas, as guarantee trustee, with respect to Simmons First Capital
Trust III (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Simmons First National Corporation’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 6253)).
Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of December 16, 2003, among the Company and
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, with respect to the junior subordinated
note held by Simmons First Capital Trust III (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to
83
10.7
10.8
10.9
10.10
Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended
December 31, 2003 (File No. 6253)).
Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2003, among the Company,
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Delaware and each
of J. Thomas May, Barry L. Crow and Bob Fehlman as administrative trustees, with respect to
Simmons First Capital Trust IV (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Simmons First
National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003
(File No. 6253)).
Guarantee Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2003, between the Company and Deutsche
Bank Trust Company Americas, as guarantee trustee, with respect to Simmons First Capital
Trust IV (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Simmons First National Corporation’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 6253)).
Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of December 16, 2003, among the Company and
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, with respect to the junior subordinated
note held by Simmons First Capital Trust IV (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to
Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended
December 31, 2003 (File No. 6253)).
Simmons First National Corporation Long Term Incentive Plan, adopted March 24, 2008, and
Notice of Grant of Long Term Incentive Award to J. Thomas May, David L. Bartlett, Marty
Casteel, and Robert A. Fehlman (incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.1 through 10.5 to
Simmons First National Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K for March 24, 2008 (File
No. 6253)).
14
Code of Ethics, dated December 2003, for CEO, CFO, controller and other accounting officers
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 6253)).
31.1
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification – J. Thomas May, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer.*
31.2
32.1
32.2
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification – Robert A. Fehlman, Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer.*
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sections 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 – J. Thomas May, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.*
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sections 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 – Robert A. Fehlman, Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer.*
* Filed herewith.
84
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.
SIGNATURES
/s/ John L. Rush
John L. Rush, Secretary
February 23, 2009
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on or about February 23, 2009.
Signature
Title
/s/ J. Thomas May
J. Thomas May
/s/ Robert A. Fehlman
Robert A. Fehlman
/s/ William E. Clark II
William E. Clark II
/s/ Steven A. Cosse′
Steven A. Cosse′
/s/ Edward Drilling
Edward Drilling
/s/ George A. Makris, Jr.
George A. Makris, Jr.
/s/ W. Scott McGeorge
W. Scott McGeorge
/s/ Stanley E. Reed
Stanley E. Reed
/s/ Harry L. Ryburn
Harry L. Ryburn
/s/ Robert L. Shoptaw
Robert L. Shoptaw
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
and Director
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
85
Exhibit 31.1
I, J. Thomas May, certify that:
CERTIFICATION
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Simmons First National Corporation;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such
statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this
report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of
the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining
disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and
internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the
registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and
procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to
the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those
entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over
financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented
in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as
of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting
that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter
in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially
affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of
internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the
registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal
control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's
ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a
significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
Date: February 23, 2009
/s/ J. Thomas May
J. Thomas May
Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer
86
Exhibit 31.2
I, Robert A. Fehlman, certify that:
CERTIFICATION
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Simmons First National Corporation;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such
statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this
report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of
the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining
disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and
internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the
registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and
procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to
the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those
entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over
financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented
in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as
of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting
that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter
in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially
affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of
internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the
registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal
control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's
ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a
significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
Date: February 23, 2009
/s/ Robert A. Fehlman
Robert A. Fehlman
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
87
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED
PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF
THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Simmons First National Corporation (the "Company"), on Form 10-K for
the period ending December 31, 2008 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the
"Report"), and pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to ss. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, J. Thomas May, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, hereby certifies that:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and
results of operations of the Company.
/s/ J. Thomas May
J. Thomas May
Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer
February 23, 2009
88
Exhibit 32.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED
PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF
THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Simmons First National Corporation (the "Company"), on Form 10-K for
the period ending December 31, 2008 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the
"Report"), and pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to ss. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, Robert A. Fehlman, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, hereby certifies
that:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and
results of operations of the Company.
/s/ Robert A. Fehlman
Robert A. Fehlman
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
February 23, 2009
89
Simmons First National Corporation
www.SimmonSFirSt.com
Corporate Headquarters:
Little Rock Corporate Office:
501 Main Street
100 Morgan Keegan Dr., Suite 410
Pine Bluff, AR 71601
(870) 541-1000
Little Rock, AR 72202
(501) 558-3100