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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
     
þ   Quarterly Report Under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2007 or
     
o   Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Transition period from__________ to __________
Commission File Number: 001-32550
     
 
WESTERN ALLIANCE BANCORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
     
Nevada   88-0365922
(State or Other Jurisdiction   (I.R.S. Employer I.D. Number)
of Incorporation or Organization)  
     
2700 W. Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas, NV   89102
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)
     
(702) 248-4200    
(Registrant’s telephone number,    
including area code)    
     
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
     
Yes þ
  No o
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.
         
Large accelerated filer o
  Accelerated filer þ   Non-accelerated filer o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)
     
Yes o
  No þ
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Common Stock Issued and Outstanding: 29,983,689 shares as of July 31, 2007.
 
 

 


 

Table of Contents
         
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2


 

Part I. Financial Information
ITEM I. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006
                 
(Unaudited)   June 30,     December 31,  
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)   2007     2006  
 
Assets
               
Cash and due from banks
  $ 122,886     $ 143,721  
Federal funds sold
    73,033       121,159  
     
Cash and cash equivalents
    195,919       264,880  
     
Securities held to maturity (approximate fair value $7,085 and $95,404, respectively)
    6,967       97,495  
Securities available for sale
    421,463       444,826  
Securities measured at fair value
    257,147        
 
               
Gross loans, including net deferred loan fees
    3,388,940       3,003,222  
Less: Allowance for loan losses
    (36,946 )     (33,551 )
     
Loans, net
    3,351,994       2,969,671  
     
 
               
Premises and equipment, net
    130,255       99,859  
Bank owned life insurance
    86,185       82,058  
Investment in restricted stock
    17,047       18,483  
Accrued interest receivable
    19,577       17,425  
Deferred tax assets, net
    5,355       8,000  
Goodwill
    204,187       132,188  
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $2,014 and $1,457, respectively
    33,213       16,042  
Other assets
    17,517       18,677  
     
Total assets
  $ 4,746,826     $ 4,169,604  
     
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Liabilities
               
Non-interest bearing demand deposits
  $ 1,160,492     $ 1,154,245  
Interest bearing deposits:
               
Demand
    263,832       246,318  
Savings and money market
    1,684,658       1,407,916  
Time, $100 and over
    634,757       524,935  
Other time
    72,108       67,009  
     
 
    3,815,847       3,400,423  
Customer repurchase agreements
    195,746       170,656  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings
               
One year or less
    32,500       11,000  
Over one year (2007 $29,670 measured at fair value)
    58,326       58,011  
Junior subordinated debt (2007 measured at fair value)
    70,202       61,857  
Subordinated debt
    40,000       40,000  
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities
    14,754       19,078  
     
Total liabilities
    4,227,375       3,761,025  
     
 
               
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)
               
 
               
Stockholders’ Equity
               
Preferred stock, par value $.0001; shares authorized 20,000,000; no shares issued and outstanding 2007 and 2006
           
Common stock, par value $.0001; shares authorized 100,000,000; shares issued and outstanding 2007: 30,128,242; 2006: 27,084,626
    3       3  
Additional paid-in capital
    383,841       287,553  
Retained earnings
    138,761       126,170  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (3,154 )     (5,147 )
     
Total stockholders’ equity
    519,451       408,579  
     
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 4,746,826     $ 4,169,604  
     
See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

3


 

Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006
                                 
(Unaudited)   Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)   2007     2006     2007     2006  
 
Interest income on:
                               
Loans, including fees
  $ 67,193     $ 52,004     $ 126,213     $ 86,758  
Securities — taxable
    8,044       6,429       14,939       12,956  
Securities — nontaxable
    230       116       288       579  
Dividends — taxable
    412       214       832       383  
Dividends — nontaxable
    458             845        
Federal funds sold and other
    509       619       1,042       902  
     
Total interest income
    76,846       59,382       144,159       101,578  
     
Interest expense on:
                               
Deposits
    25,832       15,417       47,705       25,341  
Short-term borrowings
    2,677       2,476       5,066       4,174  
Long-term borrowings
    639       808       1,155       1,421  
Junior subordinated debt and subordinated debt
    1,872       1,138       3,551       1,705  
     
Total interest expense
    31,020       19,839       57,477       32,641  
     
Net interest income
    45,826       39,543       86,682       68,937  
Provision for loan losses
    2,012       2,456       2,453       2,998  
     
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    43,814       37,087       84,229       65,939  
     
Other income:
                               
Trust and investment advisory services
    2,137       1,862       4,242       3,438  
Service charges
    1,167       867       2,236       1,536  
Income from bank owned life insurance
    960       609       1,888       1,221  
Other
    1,755       1,144       3,242       1,784  
     
Non-interest income, excluding securities and fair value gains (losses)
    6,019       4,482       11,608       7,979  
     
Investment securities gains, net
                284        
Unrealized gain/loss on assets and liabilities measured at fair value, net
    (3,766 )           (3,779 )      
     
Non-interest income
    2,253       4,482       8,113       7,979  
     
Other expense:    
Salaries and employee benefits
    18,821       13,532       35,854       25,109  
Occupancy
    4,872       3,140       9,111       5,590  
Customer service
    1,897       1,963       3,220       3,212  
Advertising and other business development
    1,458       921       2,920       1,960  
Legal, professional and director fees
    1,167       777       2,211       1,422  
Insurance
    1,095       278       1,393       504  
Merger expenses
    747             747        
Audits and exams
    632       520       1,163       926  
Data processing
    628       521       1,063       867  
Intangible amortization
    557       201       814       257  
Supplies
    510       372       1,019       657  
Correspondent and wire transfer costs
    457       438       875       839  
Telephone
    361       251       701       457  
Travel and automobile
    269       196       556       339  
Organizational costs
          428             428  
Other
    803       1,032       1,548       1,523  
     
 
    34,274       24,570       63,195       44,090  
     
 
                               
Income before income taxes
    11,793       16,999       29,147       29,828  
Income tax expense
    3,847       6,122       9,798       10,513  
     
 
                               
Net income
  $ 7,946     $ 10,877     $ 19,349     $ 19,315  
     
Comprehensive income
  $ 5,636     $ 8,065     $ 17,533     $ 15,944  
     
Earnings per share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.27     $ 0.41     $ 0.68     $ 0.79  
     
Diluted
  $ 0.25     $ 0.38     $ 0.63     $ 0.71  
     
See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

4


 

Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 (Unaudited)
                 
($ in thousands)   2007     2006  
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
               
Net income
  $ 19,349     $ 19,315  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Decrease in other assets
    4,309       1,193  
(Decrease) in accrued interest payable and other liabilities
    (9,434 )     (11,418 )
Provision for loan losses
    2,453       2,998  
Net unrealized loss on assets and liabilities measured at fair value
    3,779        
Other, net
    381       1,992  
     
Net cash provided by operating activities
    20,837       14,080  
     
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
               
Proceeds from maturities of securities
    44,160       107,921  
Purchases of securities
    (205,519 )     (21,234 )
Proceeds from the sale of securities
    73,100       102,641  
Net cash received in settlement of acquisition
    46,029       3,347  
Net increase in loans made to customers
    (95,768 )     (368,984 )
Purchase of premises and equipment
    (19,359 )     (14,881 )
Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment
    3,041        
Other, net
    1,625       (316 )
     
Net cash (used in) investing activities
    (152,691 )     (191,506 )
     
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
               
Net increase in deposits
    13,161       137,060  
Net proceeds from borrowings
    47,167       48,926  
Proceeds from issuance of junior subordinated debt and subordinated debt
          40,000  
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and stock warrants
    2,565       1,362  
Other, net
          80  
     
Net cash provided by financing activities
    62,893       227,428  
     
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (68,961 )     50,002  
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period
    264,880       174,336  
     
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period
  $ 195,919     $ 224,338  
     
 
               
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
               
Cash payments for interest
  $ 56,673     $ 30,963  
Cash payments for income taxes
  $ 12,410     $ 5,235  
Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities
               
Stock issued in connection with acquisition
  $ 91,304     $ 104,411  

5


 

Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Note 1. Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Nature of business
Western Alliance Bancorporation is a bank holding company providing a full range of banking services to commercial and consumer customers through its wholly owned subsidiaries Bank of Nevada and First Independent Bank of Nevada, operating in Nevada, Alliance Bank of Arizona, operating in Arizona, Torrey Pines Bank and Alta Alliance Bank, operating in California, Miller/Russell & Associates, Inc., operating in Nevada, Arizona and Southern California, and Premier Trust, Inc., operating in Nevada and Arizona. These entities are collectively referred to herein as the Company. First Independent Bank was acquired on March 30, 2007. The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and general industry practices.
Use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures 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 changes in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses and the fair value of collateralized debt obligations.
Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Bank of Nevada, First Independent Bank of Nevada, Alliance Bank of Arizona, Torrey Pines Bank, Alta Alliance Bank (collectively referred to herein as the Banks), Miller/Russell & Associates, Inc., and Premier Trust, Inc. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Interim financial information
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2007 and 2006 have been prepared in condensed format, and therefore do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. These statements have been prepared on a basis that is substantially consistent with the accounting principles applied to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
The information furnished in these interim statements reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for each respective period presented. Such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The results of operations in the interim statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other quarter or for the full year. The interim financial information should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements.

6


 

Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Condensed financial information as of December 31, 2006 has been presented next to the interim consolidated balance sheet for informational purposes.
Repurchase program
In June 2007, the Company repurchased 20,000 shares of common stock on the open market for $29.10 per share. The Company has the remaining authority to repurchase shares with an aggregate purchase price of $49.4 million under a share repurchase program authorized by the Board of Directors through December 31, 2008. All repurchased shares are retired as soon as is practicable after settlement.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement 109 (FIN 48), which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in tax positions. This Interpretation provides that the tax effects from an uncertain tax position can be recognized in our financial statements only if the position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. The provisions of FIN 48 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006, with the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle recorded as an adjustment to opening retained earnings. For further discussion of the impact of FIN 48, please refer to Note 8 of these financial statements.
In September 2006, the FASB ratified the consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 06-4, Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangement. EITF 06-4 applies to endorsement split dollar life insurance policies that provide a benefit to an employee that extends to postretirement periods and requires an employer to recognize a liability for future benefits over the service period based on the substantive agreement with the employee. EITF 06-4 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect EITF 06-4 to have a material impact on our financial statements.
Derivative Financial Instruments
All derivatives are recognized on the balance sheet at their value. On the date the derivative contract is entered into, the Company may designate the derivative as a hedge of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability “cash flow” hedge. Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is highly effective as — and that is designated and qualifies as — a cash-flow hedge are recorded in other comprehensive income, until earnings are affected by the variability of cash flows (e.g., when periodic settlements on a variable-rate asset or liability are recorded in earnings).
The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedged transactions. This process includes linking all derivatives that are designated as cash-flow hedges to specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet or forecasted transactions. The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of hedged items. When it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge or that it has ceased to be a highly effective hedge, the Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively, as discussed below.
The Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when (1) it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of a hedged item (including forecasted

7


 

Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
 
transactions); (2) the derivative expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised; (3) the derivative is dedesignated as a hedge instrument, because it is unlikely that a forecasted transaction will occur; or (4) management determines that designation of the derivative as a hedge instrument is no longer appropriate.
When hedge accounting is discontinued because it is probable that a forecasted transaction will not occur, the derivative will continue to be carried on the balance sheet at its fair value, and gains and losses that were accumulated in other comprehensive income will be recognized immediately in earnings. In all other situations in which hedge accounting is discontinued, the derivative will be carried at its fair value on the balance sheet, with subsequent changes in its fair value recognized in current-period earnings.
Note 2. Fair Value Accounting
The Company elected early adoption of SFAS 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, effective January 1, 2007. Instruments for which the fair value option (FVO) was adopted and the reasons therefore are as follows:
    Junior subordinated debt
 
    All investment securities previously classified as held-to-maturity, with the exception of tax-advantaged municipal bonds
 
    All fixed-rate securities previously classified as available-for-sale
The junior subordinated debt, with a balance of $61.9 million at January 1, 2007, (before the application of SFAS 159) is a primary source of funding for the Company’s held-to-maturity portfolio, which excluding tax-advantaged municipal obligations had an amortized cost of $90.5 million at the same date. The held-to-maturity portfolio consists primarily of fixed rate and hybrid adjustable rate mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations. The junior subordinated debt includes $20.0 million which carries a fixed rate through June 2011, with the remaining balances carrying rates which re-set at least semi-annually. This represents a natural hedge on the Company’s balance sheet, with changes in fair value of the fixed rate securities and fixed rate junior subordinated debt moving inversely from one another as market rates move up and down. The early adoption of SFAS 159 on these instruments will more accurately reflect this hedge in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The FVO was not elected for tax-advantaged securities since the tax benefit is based upon the contractual rate paid on the security at time of purchase and does not include changes in fair value or accretion or amortization of discounts or premiums resulting from revaluation. The carrying value of these tax-advantaged securities was $7.0 million at June 30, 2007.
Fixed-rate available-for-sale securities had an amortized cost of $215.6 million and an aggregate net unrealized loss of $5.9 million at January 1, 2007. These securities represent some of the most volatile on the Company’s balance sheet with long durations and low coupon rates relative to the market. While initially these investments were funded with relatively long duration non-interest bearing and administered rate money market deposits, as the liability structure of the company has shortened they are now preponderantly funded with overnight Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings, customer repurchase agreements and CDs. All of these sources of funding have pricing which moves with the market, and thus there is not an effective match for the fixed rate securities on the liability side of the balance sheet. This causes volatility in reported earnings as interest rates move and the net interest margin contracts and expands. The Company’s ability to hedge the market-value risk on the securities was historically limited by the complexities of accounting for derivative financial instruments. The adoption of SFAS 159 on these securities provides more transparency in the consolidated financial statements as users will be more able to ascertain changes in the Company’s net income caused by changes in market interest rates. The

8


 

Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
 
FVO was not elected for variable-rate available-for-sale securities since the liability funding match is more closely aligned with these shorter duration assets.
The following table provides the impact of adoption on the Company’s balance sheet as January 1, 2007 (in thousands):
                         
    Carrying             Carrying  
    Value     Cumulative     Value  
    Prior to     Effect     After  
Description   Adoption     Adjustment     Adoption  
 
Securities previously reported as held to maturity
  $ 97,495     $ (2,267 )   $ 95,228  
Securities previously reported as available for sale
    444,826       (5,861 )     444,826  
Junior subordinated debt
    (61,857 )     (2,270 )     (64,127 )
 
                     
Gross cumulative effect adjustment
            (10,398 )        
Less reclassification from other comprehensive income
            5,861          
 
                     
Pre-tax cumulative effect adjustment
            (4,537 )        
Effect on net deferred tax asset
            1,588          
 
                     
Cumulative effect adjustment, net
          $ (2,949 )        
 
                     
All securities for which the fair value measurement option has been elected are included in a separate line item on the balance sheet entitled “securities measured at fair value.”
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, gains and losses from fair value changes included in the Consolidated Statement of Income were as follows (in thousands):
                                 
    Changes in Fair Values for the Three and Six Month  
    Periods Ended June 30, 2007 for Items Measured at Fair  
    Value Pursuant to Election of the Fair Value Option  
                            Total  
    Unrealized             Interest     Changes in  
    Gain/Loss on             Expense on     Fair Values  
    Assets and             Junior     Included in  
    Liabilities     Interest     Subordinated     Current-  
    Measured at     Income on     Debt and     Period  
Description   Fair Value, Net     Securities     Borrowings     Earnings  
(Three months ended June 30,2007)
                               
Securities measured at fair value
  $ (4,097 )   $ 478     $     $ (3,619 )
Junior subordinated debt
                183       183  
Fixed-rate term borrowings
    331                   331  
 
                               
(Six months ended June 30, 2007)
                               
Securities measured at fair value
  $ (4,110 )   $ 954     $     $ (3,156 )
Junior subordinated debt
                384       384  
Fixed-rate term borrowings
    331                   331  

9


 

Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
 
The difference between the aggregate fair value of $70.2 million and the aggregate unpaid principal balance of $69.1 million of junior subordinated debt was $1.1 million at June 30, 2007.
Interest income on securities measured at fair value are accounted for similarly to those classified as available for sale and held to maturity. As of January 1, 2007, a discount or premium was calculated for each security based upon the difference between the par value and the fair value at that date. These premiums and discounts will generally be recognized in interest income over the term of the securities. For mortgage-backed securities, estimates of prepayments are considered in the constant yield calculations. Interest expense on junior subordinated debt is also determined under a constant yield calculation. As of January 1, 2007, a premium was recorded for certain junior subordinated debt offerings. These premiums are being amortized over the expected lives of the offerings.
During the three months ended June 30, 2007, the Company elected the FVO for two newly acquired financial instruments. These financial instruments and the reasons for the election are as follows:
    Collateralized debt obligation
 
    Fixed-rate term advance from the Federal Home Loan Bank
The collateralized debt obligation’s fair value is influenced by the perceived credit risk of the underlying collateral. The election of the FVO will allow the Company to better reflect the potential market value volatility of this instrument in its consolidated financial statements.
The fixed-rate term advance from the Federal Home Loan Bank, with a par value of $30.0 million, has an interest rate of 4.91% and is due in May 2010. The Company secured this advance primarily as a means of hedging a portion of the market value risk inherent in our securities measured at fair value portfolio.
Concurrent with the adoption of SFAS 159, the Company adopted SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements, effective January 1, 2007. SFAS 159 requires early adoption of SFAS 157 if the company chooses to early adopt SFAS 159. SFAS 157 provides a definition of fair value and provides a framework for calculating fair value.
The Company measures certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis, including securities available for sale, securities measured at market value and junior subordinated debt. The fair value of these assets and liabilities were determined using the following inputs at June 30, 2007:

10


 

Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
 
                                 
            Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using:  
            Quoted Prices              
            in Active     Significant        
            Markets for     Other     Significant  
            Identical     Observable     Unobservable  
            Assets     Inputs     Inputs  
Description   June 30, 2007     (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)  
 
Assets:
                               
Securities available for sale
  $ 421,463     $     $ 421,463     $  
Securities measured at fair value
    257,147             252,647       4,500  
     
Total
  $ 678,610     $     $ 674,110     $ 4,500  
     
Liabilities:
                               
Fixed-rate term borrowings
  $ 29,670     $     $ 29,670     $  
Junior subordinated debt
    70,202             70,202        
     
Total
  $ 99,872     $     $ 99,872     $  
     
To value securities available for sale and securities measured at fair value the Company utilizes matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique widely used in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities, but rather by relying on the securities’ similarities to other benchmark quoted securities.
Junior subordinated debt and fixed-rate term borrowings are valued by comparing interest rates and spreads to benchmark indices offered to institutions with similar credit profiles to our own and discounting the cash flows on our borrowings using these market rates.
Note 3. Merger and Acquisition Activity
Effective March 30, 2007, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding common stock of First Independent Capital of Nevada (FICN), headquartered in Reno, Nevada. FICN is the parent company of First Independent Bank of Nevada (FIB). The tax-free merger was accomplished according to the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement), dated December 19, 2006. At the date of acquisition, FIB became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. As the merger closed on March 30, 2007, FIB’s results for the three months ended March 31, 2007 were not included with the Company’s results of operations. The merger increases the Company’s presence in Northern Nevada.
Total assets, loans and deposits acquired in this merger were $530.8 million, $292.8 million and $402.9 million, respectively and are included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2007. We also added four full service offices in Northern Nevada through this merger.
As provided by the Merger Agreement and based on valuation amounts determined as of the merger date, approximately 1.12 million shares of FICN common stock were exchanged for approximately $21.9 million in cash and approximately 2.5 million shares of the Company’s common stock at a calculated exchange ratio of 2.84412. The exchange of shares represented approximately 8% of the Company’s outstanding common stock as of the merger date. As part of the acquisition, 389,000 replacement options were issued to FICN shareholders. As part of the merger agreement, $2.0 million of contingent consideration may be paid pro rata to the FICN shareholders at any time prior to the two-year anniversary of the merger date, depending on the performance of certain loans segregated in the FICN portfolio.

11


 

Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
 
The merger was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting in accordance with SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations. Accordingly, the purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the merger date. Appropriate amounts and adjustments shown were recorded by FIB and included in the FIB reporting segment. Certain amounts, including goodwill, are subject to change when the determination of the asset and liability values is finalized within one year from the merger date. Valuations of certain assets and liabilities of FIB will be performed with the assistance of independent valuation consultants. None of the resulting goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
Note 4. Earnings Per Share
Diluted earnings per share is based on the weighted average outstanding common shares during each period, including common stock equivalents. Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average outstanding common shares during the period.
Basic and diluted earnings per share, based on the weighted average outstanding shares, are summarized as follows:
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2007     2006     2007     2006  
    (in thousands, except per share amounts)  
     
Basic:
                               
Net income applicable to common stock
  $ 7,946     $ 10,877     $ 19,349     $ 19,315  
Average common shares outstanding
    29,666       26,295       28,308       24,589  
     
Earnings per share
  $ 0.27     $ 0.41     $ 0.68     $ 0.79  
     
Diluted:
                               
Net income applicable to common stock
  $ 7,946     $ 10,877     $ 19,349     $ 19,315  
     
Average common shares outstanding
    29,666       26,295       28,308       24,589  
Stock option adjustment
    1,091       1,439       1,113       1,375  
Stock warrant adjustment
    959       1,053       976       1,049  
Restricted stock adjustment
    119       196       112       156  
     
Average common equivalent shares outstanding
    31,835       28,983       30,509       27,169  
     
Earnings per share
  $ 0.25     $ 0.38     $ 0.63     $ 0.71  
     
Note 5. Loans
The components of the Company’s loan portfolio as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 are as follows (in thousands):

12


 

Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
 
                 
    June 30,     December 31,  
    2007     2006  
     
Construction and land development
  $ 765,357     $ 715,546  
Commercial real estate
    1,437,901       1,232,260  
Residential real estate
    436,607       384,082  
Commercial and industrial
    709,207       645,469  
Consumer
    46,896       29,561  
Less: net deferred loan fees
    (7,028 )     (3,696 )
     
 
    3,388,940       3,003,222  
Less:
               
Allowance for loan losses
    (36,946 )     (33,551 )
     
 
  $ 3,351,994     $ 2,969,671  
     
Changes in the allowance for loan losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 are as follows (in thousands):
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2007     2006     2007     2006  
     
Balance, beginning
  $ 37,519     $ 27,689     $ 33,551     $ 21,192  
Acquisitions
    83       2,488       3,789       8,365  
Provision charged to operating expense
    2,012       2,456       2,453       2,998  
Recoveries of amounts charged off
    92       120       171       283  
Less amounts charged off
    (2,760 )     (595 )     (3,018 )     (680 )
     
Balance, ending
  $ 36,946     $ 32,158     $ 36,946     $ 32,158  
     
At June 30, 2007, total impaired and non-accrual loans were $1.5 million compared with $2.3 million at December 31, 2006. Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing were $6.4 million at June 30, 2007 and $0.8 million at December 31, 2006.
Note 6. Contingencies
In the normal course of business, the Company is involved in various legal proceedings. In the opinion of management, any liability resulting from such proceedings would not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial statements.
Financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk
A summary of the contract amount of the Company’s exposure to off-balance sheet risk is as follows:

13


 

Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
 
                 
    June 30,     December 31,  
    2007     2006  
    (in thousands)  
     
Commitments to extend credit, including unsecured loan commitments of $260,896 in 2007 and $239,218 in 2006
  $ 1,131,057     $ 1,083,854  
Credit card commitments and guarantees
    21,376       16,233  
Standby letters of credit, including unsecured letters of credit of $14,663 in 2007 and $5,127 in 2006
    88,969       61,157  
     
 
  $ 1,241,402     $ 1,161,244  
     
Note 7. Stock-based Compensation
As of June 30, 2007, there were 2.5 million options outstanding, compared with 2.4 million at June 30, 2006. Related to the acquisition of FICN, 389,000 replacement options with a weighted average exercise price of $7.13 were issued. These replacement options have a total fair value of $10.1 million, were fully vested as of the grant date and were included in the purchase price.
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense related to all options of $0.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively, as compared to $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006.
For the three months ended June 30, 2007, 47,800 shares of restricted stock were issued. The Company estimates the compensation cost for restricted stock grants based upon the grant date fair value. These restricted stock grants have a three year vesting period.
There were 427,000 and 229,000 restricted shares outstanding at June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, the Company recognized stock-based compensation of $0.9 million and $1.8 million, respectively, compared to $0.4 million and $0.6 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 related to the Company’s restricted stock plan.
Note 8. Income Taxes
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and in various states. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state or local tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2003. The Company has not undergone any recent examinations by the Internal Revenue Service.
The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, on January 1, 2007. Management believes that the Company has appropriate support for the income tax positions taken and to be taken on its tax returns and that its accruals for tax liabilities are adequate for all open years on an assessment of many factors including past experience and interpretations of tax law applied to the facts of each matter.
The Company would recognize interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in tax expense. The Company has not recognized or accrued any interest or penalties for the periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006.
Note 9. Segment Information
The following is a summary of selected operating segment information as of and for the periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006:

14


 

Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Note 9. Segment Information (continued)
                                                                 
    Bank     Alliance Bank     Torrey Pines     Alta Alliance     First Independent             Intersegment     Consolidated  
(in millions)   of Nevada     of Arizona     Bank     Bank     Bank     Other     Eliminations     Company  
 
At June 30, 2007:
                                                               
Assets
  $ 2,921.8     $ 755.9     $ 611.2     $ 71.0     $ 539.3     $ 19.8     $ (172.2 )   $ 4,746.8  
Gross loans and deferred fees
    2,117.4       524.2       435.4       22.1       309.8             (20.0 )     3,388.9  
Less: Allowance for loan losses
    (22.2 )     (6.3 )     (4.5 )     (0.2 )     (3.7 )                 (36.9 )
     
Net loans
    2,095.2       517.9       430.9       21.9       306.1             (20.0 )     3,352.0  
     
Deposits
    2,171.6       662.0       523.8       48.5       414.0             (4.1 )     3,815.8  
Stockholders’ equity
    354.1       53.6       41.5       23.0       123.8       (76.6 )           519.4  
 
                                                               
Number of branches
    13       10       6       2       4                   35  
Number of full-time employees
    542       145       116       31       100       66             1,000  
(in thousands)
                                                               
Three Months Ended June 30, 2007:
                                                               
Net interest income
  $ 28,326     $ 7,279     $ 6,176     $ 473     $ 5,122     $ (1,550 )   $     $ 45,826  
Provision for loan losses
    1,427       545       45       104       (109 )                 2,012  
     
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    26,899       6,734       6,131       369       5,231       (1,550 )           43,814  
Gain/(loss) on sale of securities
                                               
Mark-to-market losses (net)
    (2,907 )     (440 )     (419 )                             (3,766 )
Noninterest income
    3,001       611       451       92       220       2,136       (492 )     6,019  
Noninterest expense
    (16,330 )     (5,842 )     (4,417 )     (1,445 )     (3,273 )     (3,459 )     492       (34,274 )
     
Income before income taxes
    10,663       1,063       1,746       (984 )     2,178       (2,873 )           11,793  
Income tax expense
    3,343       398       770       (394 )     730       (1,000 )           3,847  
     
Net income
  $ 7,320     $ 665     $ 976     $ (590 )   $ 1,448     $ (1,873 )   $     $ 7,946  
     
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007:
                                                               
Net interest income
  $ 57,292     $ 13,973     $ 12,032     $ 852     $ 5,122     $ (2,589 )   $     $ 86,682  
Provision for loan losses
    1,714       545       167       136       (109 )                 2,453  
     
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    55,578       13,428       11,865       716       5,231       (2,589 )           84,229  
Gain/(loss) on sale of securities
    (5 )                             289             284  
Mark-to-market losses (net)
    (2,921 )     (440 )     (418 )                             (3,779 )
Noninterest income
    5,942       1,142       898       173       220       3,986       (753 )     11,608  
Noninterest expense
    (31,383 )     (11,241 )     (8,741 )     (2,768 )     (3,273 )     (6,542 )     753       (63,195 )
     
Income before income taxes
    27,211       2,889       3,604       (1,879 )     2,178       (4,856 )           29,147  
Income tax expense
    8,852       1,109       1,497       (752 )     730       (1,638 )           9,798  
     
Net income
  $ 18,359     $ 1,780     $ 2,107     $ (1,127 )   $ 1,448     $ (3,218 )   $     $ 19,349  
     

15


 

Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Note 9. Segment Information (continued)
                                                 
    Bank     Alliance Bank     Torrey Pines             Intersegment     Consolidated  
(in millions)   of Nevada     of Arizona     Bank     Other     Eliminations     Company  
 
At June 30, 2006:
                                               
Assets
  $ 2,841.6     $ 605.3     $ 478.1     $ 27.8     $ (63.2 )   $ 3,889.6  
Gross loans and deferred fees
    1,907.2       494.4       381.0             (10.0 )     2,772.6  
Less: Allowance for loan losses
    (22.1 )     (6.1 )     (4.0 )                 (32.2 )
     
Net loans
    1,885.1       488.3       377.0             (10.0 )     2,740.4  
     
Deposits
    2,320.8       494.0       397.7             (14.1 )     3,198.4  
Stockholders’ equity
    318.9       47.9       36.5       (36.2 )           367.1  
 
                                               
Number of branches
    14       7       5                   26  
Number of full-time employees
    441       136       96       44             717  
(in thousands)
                                               
Three Months Ended June 30, 2006:
                                               
Net interest income
  $ 28,663     $ 6,382     $ 5,551     $ (1,053 )   $     $ 39,543  
Provision for loan losses
    1,927       148       381                   2,456  
     
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    26,736       6,234       5,170       (1,053 )           37,087  
Noninterest income
    1,873       665       408       15,033       (13,497 )     4,482  
Noninterest expense
    (13,133 )     (4,849 )     (3,598 )     (3,320 )     330       (24,570 )
     
Income before income taxes
    15,476       2,050       1,980       10,660       (13,167 )     16,999  
Income tax expense
    5,314       807       816       (815 )           6,122  
     
Net income
  $ 10,162     $ 1,243     $ 1,164     $ 11,475     $ (13,167 )   $ 10,877  
     
Six Months Ended June 30, 2006:
                                               
Net interest income
  $ 47,357     $ 12,177     $ 10,528     $ (1,125 )   $     $ 68,937  
Provision for loan losses
    1,714       682       602                   2,998  
     
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    45,643       11,495       9,926       (1,125 )           65,939  
Noninterest income
    3,490       1,031       675       25,533       (22,750 )     7,979  
Noninterest expense
    (23,158 )     (9,235 )     (6,785 )     (5,574 )     662       (44,090 )
     
Income before income taxes
    25,975       3,291       3,816       18,834       (22,088 )     29,828  
Income tax expense
    8,774       1,284       1,562       (1,107 )           10,513  
     
Net income
  $ 17,201     $ 2,007     $ 2,254     $ 19,941     $ (22,088 )   $ 19,315  
     

16


 

Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Note 10. Interest Rate Swaps
During the quarter ended June 30, 2007, the Company entered into two interest rate swaps to lock in the interest cash inflows on certain of its floating-rate securities. The interest rate swaps have an aggregate notional amount of $50 million. The estimated aggregate fair value of this agreement at June 30, 2007, was a liability of approximately $239,000, which is included in other long-term liabilities in the Company’s balance sheet.
Note 11. Subsequent Events
On July 12, 2007, the Company announced the formation of PartnersFirst Affinity Services, a division of its Torrey Pines Bank affiliate. PartnersFirst will focus on affinity credit card marketing using an innovative model and approach.
On July 25, 2007, the Company called junior subordinated debt with a carrying value of $15.9 million. The interest rate on the debt was equal to the six-month LIBOR plus 3.75%.
On July 31, 2007, the Company acquired a majority interest in Shine Investment Advisory Services (“Shine”), a registered investment advisor in Denver, Colorado. Shine had approximately $400 million in assets under management at June 30, 2007.

17


 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and our unaudited consolidated financial statements and related footnotes in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Unless the context requires otherwise, the terms “Company”, “us”, “we”, and “our” refer to Western Alliance Bancorporation on a consolidated basis.
Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements contained in this document, including, without limitation, statements containing the words “believes”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “expects”, “should” and words of similar import, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following: general economic and business conditions in those areas in which we operate, demographic changes, competition, fluctuations in interest rates, changes in business strategy or development plans, changes in governmental regulation, credit quality, the availability of capital to fund the expansion of our business, and other factors referenced in this Report. Except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.
Overview
During the second quarter of 2007, our earnings were challenged by slow balance sheet growth and certain non-recurring items. We continue to explore and invest in new and expanded business lines and products, including cash management services, credit cards, wealth management and equipment leasing. Organic loan growth for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 was $52.9 million, or 1.6%, as compared to $181.6 million, or 9.3% for the same period in 2006. Gross loans acquired in the FICN merger were $292.8 million. There was an organic decline in deposits of $33.3 million, or 0.9%, for the three months ended June 30, 2007, compared to organic growth of $57.5 million, or 2.3% for the same period in 2006. Total deposits acquired in the FICN merger were $402.9 million. We reported net income of $7.9 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2007, as compared to $10.9 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, for the same period in 2006. The decrease in earnings is primarily due to after-tax charges of $2.5 million related to mark-to-market securities losses under FAS 159, a $1.2 million provision expense resulting from charge-offs on loans from acquired branches, and $0.5 million in merger-related charges. The provision for loan losses decreased $0.4 million from the three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same period in 2007, primarily due to the lower loan growth. Non-interest income for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 increased 34.3% from the same period in the prior year, due to increases in trust and investment advisory fees, service charges and income from bank owned life insurance. Non-interest expense for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 increased 39.5% from the same period in 2006, due primarily to increases in salaries and benefits, occupancy and customer service costs caused by continued branch expansion and the acquisition of First Independent Bank of Nevada.

18


 

SFAS 159 and 157 were adopted by the Company on January 1, 2007. A detailed explanation of the adoptions is included in Note 2 of the financial statements.
Selected financial highlights are presented in the table below.
Western Alliance Bancorporation and
Subsidiaries
Summary Consolidated Financial Data
Unaudited
                                                 
    At or for the three months     For the six months  
    ended June 30,     ended June 30,  
    2007     2006     Change %     2007     2006     Change %  
     
Selected Balance Sheet Data:
                                               
($ in millions)
                                               
Total assets
  $ 4,746.8     $ 3,889.6       22.0 %                        
Gross loans, including net deferred fees
    3,388.9       2,772.7       22.2                          
Securities
    685.6       586.9       16.8                          
Federal funds sold
    73.0       86.8       (15.9 )                        
Deposits
    3,815.8       3,198.4       19.3                          
Customer repurchase agreements
    195.7       138.5       41.3                          
Borrowings
    90.8       88.1       3.1                          
Junior subordinated and subordinated debt
    110.2       81.9       34.6                          
Stockholders’ equity
    519.5       367.1       41.5                          
 
                                               
Selected Income Statement Data:
                                               
($ in thousands)
                                               
Interest income
  $ 76,846     $ 59,382       29.4 %   $ 144,159     $ 101,578       41.9 %
Interest expense
    31,020       19,839       56.4       57,477       32,641       76.1  
 
                                       
Net interest income
    45,826       39,543       15.9       86,682       68,937       25.7  
Provision for loan losses
    2,012       2,456       (18.1 )     2,453       2,998       (18.2 )
 
                                       
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    43,814       37,087       18.1       84,229       65,939       27.7  
Investment securities gains, net
                NA       284                
Unrealized gain/loss on assets and liabilities measured at fair value, net
    (3,766 )           (100.0 )     (3,779 )           (100.0 )
Non-interest income, excluding gains/losses on securities
    6,019       4,482       34.3       11,608       7,979       45.5  
Non-interest expense
    34,274       24,570       39.5       63,195       44,090       43.3  
 
                                       
Income before income taxes
    11,793       16,999       (30.6 )     29,147       29,828       (2.3 )
Income tax expense
    3,847       6,122       (37.2 )     9,798       10,513       (6.8 )
 
                                       
Net Income
  $ 7,946     $ 10,877       (26.9 )   $ 19,349     $ 19,315       0.2  
 
                                       
Memo: Intangible asset amortization expense, net of tax
  $ 557     $ 201       177.1     $ 814     $ 257       216.7  
 
                                       

19


 

Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Summary Consolidated Financial Data (Continued)
Unaudited
                                                 
    At or for the three months     For the six months  
    ended June 30,     ended June 30,  
    2007     2006     Change %     2007     2006     Change %  
     
Common Share Data:
                                               
Diluted net income per share
    0.25       0.38       (34.2 )     0.63       0.71       (11.3 )
Book value per share
    17.24       13.81       24.8                          
Tangible book value per share (2)
    9.73       8.52       14.2                          
Average shares outstanding (in thousands):
                                               
Basic
    29,666       26,295       12.8       28,308       24,589       15.1  
Diluted
    31,835       28,983       9.8       30,509       27,169       12.3  
Common shares outstanding
    30,128       26,586       13.3                          
 
                                               
Selected Performance Ratios:
                                               
Return on average assets (1)
    0.68 %     1.16 %     (41.4 )%     0.89 %     1.18 %     (24.6 )%
Return on average tangible assets (1)
    0.71       1.20       (40.8 )     0.93       1.20       (22.5 )
Return on average stockholders’ equity (1)
    6.15       12.02       (48.8 )     8.37       12.72       (34.2 )
Return on average tangible stockholders’ equity (1)
    10.84       18.63       (41.8 )     13.75       16.30       (15.6 )
Net interest margin (1)
    4.52       4.72       (4.2 )     4.55       4.64       (1.9 )
Net interest spread
    3.42       3.62       (5.5 )     3.41       3.56       (4.2 )
Efficiency ratio — tax equivalent basis
    64.23       55.74       15.2       63.16       57.14       10.5  
Loan to deposit ratio
    88.81       86.69       2.4                          
 
                                               
Capital Ratios:
                                               
Tangible Common Equity
    6.3 %     5.9 %     6.8 %                        
Tier 1 Leverage ratio
    8.2       8.3       (1.2 )                        
Tier 1 Risk Based Capital
    8.9       9.3       (4.3 )                        
Total Risk Based Capital
    10.7       11.0       (2.7 )                        
 
                                               
Asset Quality Ratios:
                                               
Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding (1)
    0.31 %     0.07 %     342.9 %     0.18 %     0.03 %     500.0 %
Non-accrual loans to gross loans
    0.02       0.00       NA                          
Non-accrual loans to total assets
    0.02       0.00       NA                          
Loans past due 90 days and still accruing to total loans
    0.19       0.01       1,800.0                          
Allowance for loan losses to gross loans
    1.09       1.16       (6.0 )                        
Allowance for loan losses to non-accrual loans
    5152.86 %     160790.00 %     (96.8 )                        
 
(1)   Annualized for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006.
 
(2)   Represents book value per share net of goodwill and other intangible assets decreased by the related deferred tax liability.
Primary Factors in Evaluating Financial Condition and Results of Operations
As a bank holding company, we focus on several factors in evaluating our financial condition and results of operations, including:

20


 

    Return on Average Equity (ROE) and Return on Tangible Average Equity (ROTE);
 
    Return on Average Assets (ROA) and Return on Average Tangible Assets (ROTA);
 
    Asset Quality;
 
    Asset and Deposit Growth; and
 
    Operating Efficiency.
Return on Average Equity. Our net income for the three months ended June 30, 2007 decreased 26.9% to $7.9 million compared to $10.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006. The decrease in net income was due primarily to after-tax charges of $2.5 million related to unrealized losses on securities measured at fair value under FAS 159, $1.2 million provision expense resulting from charge-offs on loans from acquired branches, and $0.5 million in merger-related charges. Basic earnings per share decreased to $0.27 per share for the three months ended June 30, 2007 compared to $0.41 per share for the same period in 2006. Diluted earnings per share was $0.25 per share for the three month period ended June 30, 2007, compared to $0.38 per share for the same period in 2006. The decrease in net income and the increase in equity resulted in an ROE of 6.15% for the three months ended June 30, 2007 compared to 12.02% for the three months ended June 30, 2006. ROTE decreased 41.8% to 10.84%.
Our net income for the six months ended June 30, 2007 remained flat at $19.3 million compared to the six months ended June 30, 2006. Basic earnings per share decreased to $0.68 per share for the six months ended June 30, 2007 compared to $0.79 per share for the same period in 2006. Diluted earnings per share was $0.63 per share for the six month period ended June 30, 2007, compared to $0.71 per share for the same period in 2006. The flat net income combined with the increase in equity resulted in an ROE and ROTE of 8.37% and 13.75%, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2007 compared to 12.72% and 16.30%, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2006.
Return on Average Assets. Our ROA for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 decreased to 0.68% and 0.89%, respectively, compared to 1.16% and 1.18%, respectively, for the same periods in 2006. The ROTA for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 decreased to 0.71% and 0.93%, respectively, compared to 1.20% for both periods in 2006. The decreases in ROA and ROTA are primarily due to the decreases in net income as discussed above.
Asset Quality. For all banks and bank holding companies, asset quality plays a significant role in the overall financial condition of the institution and results of operations. We measure asset quality in terms of non-accrual and restructured loans and assets as a percentage of gross loans and assets, and net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans. Net charge-offs are calculated as the difference between charged-off loans and recovery payments received on previously charged-off loans. As of June 30, 2007, non-accrual loans were $717,000 compared to $20,000 at June 30, 2006. Non-accrual loans as a percentage of gross loans were 0.02% as of June 30, 2007, compared to less than 0.01% as of June 30, 2006. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans were 0.31% and 0.18%, respectively. For the same periods in 2006, net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans were 0.07% and 0.03%.

21


 

Asset Growth. The ability to produce loans and generate deposits is fundamental to our asset growth. Our assets and liabilities are comprised primarily of loans and deposits, respectively. Total assets increased 22.0% to $4.75 billion as of June 30, 2007 from $3.89 billion as of June 30, 2006. Gross loans grew 22.2% (8.4% organically) to $3.39 billion as of June 30, 2007 from $2.77 billion as of June 30, 2006. Total deposits increased 19.3% (6.7% organically) to $3.82 billion as of June 30, 2007 from $3.20 billion as of June 30, 2006.
Operating Efficiency. Operating efficiency is measured in terms of how efficiently income before income taxes is generated as a percentage of revenue. Our tax-equivalent efficiency ratio (non-interest expenses divided by the sum of net interest income and non interest income, tax adjusted) was 64.23% for the three months ended June 30, 2007, compared to 55.74% for the same period in 2006. Our tax-equivalent efficiency ratios for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 were 63.16% and 57.14%, respectively. We recently implemented an initiative designed to reduce our efficiency ratio, which will include more efficient deployment of FTE and increased automation.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Notes to Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2006 contain a summary of our significant accounting policies, including discussions on recently issued accounting pronouncements, our adoption of them and the related impact of their adoption. We believe that certain of these policies, along with various estimates that we are required to make in recording our financial transactions, are important to have a complete picture of our financial position. In addition, these estimates require us to make complex and subjective judgments, many of which include matters with a high degree of uncertainty. The following is a discussion of these critical accounting policies and significant estimates. In addition to the information about these policies that can be found in Note 1 of the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, the following should be considered:
The Company elected early adoption of SFAS 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, effective January 1, 2007. See further discussion at Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements.
Concurrent with the adoption of SFAS 159, the Company adopted SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements, effective January 1, 2007. SFAS 159 requires early adoption of SFAS 157 if the company chooses to early adopt SFAS 159. SFAS 157 provides a definition of fair value and provides a framework for calculating fair value.
The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, on January 1, 2007. Management believes that the Company has appropriate support for the income tax positions taken and to be taken on its tax returns and that its accruals for tax liabilities are adequate for all open years on an assessment of many factors including past experience and interpretations of tax law applied to the facts of each matter.
The Company would recognize interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in tax expense. The Company has not recognized or accrued any interest or penalties for the periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006.

22


 

A material estimate that is particularly susceptible to significant change is the fair value of collateralized debt obligations.
Results of Operations
Our results of operations depend substantially on net interest income, which is the difference between interest income on interest-earning assets, consisting primarily of loans receivable, securities and other short-term investments, and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, consisting primarily of deposits and borrowings. Our results of operations are also dependent upon our generation of non-interest income, consisting of income from trust and investment advisory services and banking service fees. Other factors contributing to our results of operations include our provisions for loan losses, gains or losses on sales of securities and income taxes, as well as the level of our non-interest expenses, such as compensation and benefits, occupancy and equipment and other miscellaneous operating expenses.
The following table sets forth a summary financial overview for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006:
                                                 
    Three Months Ended             Six Months Ended        
    June 30,             June 30,        
    2007     2006     Increase     2007     2006     Increase  
                    (in thousands, except per share amounts)                  
Consolidated Statement of Earnings Data:
                                               
Interest income
    $76,846       $59,382       $17,464       $144,159       $101,578       $42,581  
Interest expense
    31,020       19,839       11,181       57,477       32,641       24,836  
     
Net interest income
    45,826       39,543       6,283       86,682       68,937       17,745  
Provision for loan losses
    2,012       2,456       (444 )     2,453       2,998       (545 )
     
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    43,814       37,087       6,727       84,229       65,939       18,290  
Other income
    6,019       4,482       1,537       11,608       7,979       3,629  
Investment securities gains, net
                      284             284  
Unrealized gain (loss) on assets and liabilities measured at fair value, net
    (3,766 )           (3,766 )     (3,779 )           (3,779 )
Other expense
    34,274       24,570       9,704       63,195       44,090       19,105  
     
Net income before income taxes
    11,793       16,999       (5,206 )     29,147       29,828       (681 )
Income tax expense
    3,847       6,122       (2,275 )     9,798       10,513       (715 )
     
Net income
  $7,946     $10,877     $(2,931 )   $19,349     $19,315     $34  
     
Diluted earnings per share
  $0.25     $0.38     $(0.13 )   $0.63     $0.71     $(0.08 )
     
The 26.9% decrease in net income for the three months ended June 30, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 was attributable primarily to after-tax charges of $2.5 million related to unrealized losses on securities measured at fair value under FAS 159, provision expense resulting from charge-offs on loans from acquired branches, and $0.5 million in merger-related charges. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and June 30, 2006 remained flat at $19.3 million, which is due to the above mentioned items as well.

23


 

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin. The 15.9% increase in net interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 was due to an increase in interest income of $6.3 million, reflecting the effect of an increase of $733.7 million in average interest-bearing assets which was primarily funded with an increase of $726.0 million in average deposits, of which $43.0 million was non-interest bearing.
Net interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2007 increased 25.7% over the same period in 2006. This was due to an increase in interest income of $42.6 million, reflecting the effect of an increase of $862.1 million in average interest-bearing assets which was primarily funded with an increase of $845.2 million in average deposits, of which $106.4 million was non-interest bearing.
The average yield on our interest-earning assets was 7.56% and 7.54% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, respectively, compared to 7.09% and 6.82% for the same periods in 2006. The increase in the yield on our interest-earning assets is primarily a result of an increase in market rates, repricing on our adjustable rate loans, and new loans originated with higher interest rates due to the higher interest rate environment.
The cost of our average interest-bearing liabilities increased to 4.14% and 4.13% in the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, respectively, from 3.47% and 3.26% in the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, respectively, which is a result of higher rates paid on deposit accounts and borrowings, partially offset by a reduction in interest expense related to the adoption of FAS 159.
Average Balances and Average Interest Rates. The tables below set forth balance sheet items on a daily average basis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 and present the daily average interest rates earned on assets and the daily average interest rates paid on liabilities for such periods. Non-accrual loans have been included in the average loan balances. Securities include securities available for sale, securities held to maturity and securities carried at market value pursuant to the adoption of FAS 159. Securities available for sale are carried at amortized cost for purposes of calculating the average rate received on taxable securities above. Yields on tax-exempt securities and loans are computed on a tax equivalent basis.

24


 

                                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,  
($ in thousands)   2007     2006  
                    Average                     Average  
    Average             Yield/Cost     Average             Yield/Cost  
    Balance     Interest     (6)     Balance     Interest     (6)  
Earning assets
                                               
Securities:
                                               
Taxable
  $ 589,735     $ 8,251       5.61 %   $ 599,310     $ 6,429       4.30 %
Tax-exempt (1)
    52,315       688       8.00 %     10,081       116       6.68 %
         
Total securities
    642,050       8,939       5.81 %     609,391       6,545       4.34 %
Federal funds sold and other
    36,034       509       5.67 %     47,823       619       5.19 %
Loans (1) (2) (3)
    3,402,596       67,193       7.92 %     2,688,362       52,004       7.76 %
Investment in restricted stock
    16,986       205       4.84 %     18,396       214       4.67 %
         
Total earnings assets
    4,097,666       76,846       7.56 %     3,363,972       59,382       7.09 %
Non-earning Assets
                                               
Cash and due from banks
    104,976                       109,484                  
Allowance for loan losses
    (37,792 )                     (30,048 )                
Bank-owned life insurance
    85,566                       54,376                  
Other assets
    405,603                       249,458                  
 
                                           
Total assets
  $ 4,656,019                     $ 3,747,242                  
 
                                           
Interest bearing liabilities
                                               
Sources of Funds
                                               
Interest-bearing deposits:
                                               
Interest checking
    269,838       1,663       2.47 %     265,212       1,703       2.58 %
Savings and money market
    1,646,757       15,715       3.83 %     1,176,374       8,818       3.01 %
Time deposits
    692,653       8,454       4.90 %     484,640       4,896       4.05 %
         
Total interest-bearing deposits
    2,609,248       25,832       3.97 %     1,926,226       15,417       3.21 %
Short-term borrowings
    241,415       2,677       4.45 %     220,515       2,476       4.50 %
Long-term debt
    47,786       639       5.36 %     88,090       808       3.68 %
Junior sub. and subordinated debt
    110,301       1,872       6.81 %     56,818       1,138       8.03 %
         
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    3,008,750       31,020       4.14 %     2,291,649       19,839       3.47 %
Non-interest bearing liabilities
                                               
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
    1,106,755                       1,063,756                  
Other liabilities
    22,284                       28,919                  
Stockholders’ equity
    518,230                       362,918                  
 
                                           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 4,656,019                     $ 3,747,242                  
 
                                           
Net interest income and margin (4)
          $ 45,826       4.52 %           $ 39,543       4.72 %
 
                                           
Net interest spread (5)
                    3.42 %                     3.62 %
 
(1)   Yields on loans and securities have been adjusted to a tax equivalent basis.
 
(2)   Net loan fees of $1,698 and $2,191 are included in the yield computation for June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
(3)   Includes average non-accrual loans of $1,503 in 2007 and $20 in 2006.
 
(4)   Net interest margin is computed by dividing net interest income by total average earning assets.
 
(5)   Net interest spread represents average yield earned on interest-earning assets less the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities.
 
(6)   Annualized.

25


 

                                                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,  
($ in thousands)   2007     2006  
                    Average                     Average  
    Average             Yield/Cost     Average             Yield/Cost  
    Balance     Interest     (6)     Balance     Interest     (6)  
Earning Assets
                                               
Securities:
                                               
Taxable
  $ 554,778     $ 15,290       5.56 %   $ 608,200     $ 12,956       4.30 %
Tax-exempt (1)
    45,126       1,133       7.69 %     32,248       579       5.18 %
         
Total securities
    599,904       16,423       5.72 %     640,448       13,535       4.34 %
Federal funds sold and other
    37,891       1,042       5.55 %     37,917       902       4.80 %
Loans (1) (2) (3)
    3,215,937       126,213       7.91 %     2,313,970       86,758       7.56 %
Investment in restricted stock
    17,155       481       5.65 %     16,434       383       4.70 %
         
Total earnings assets
    3,870,887       144,159       7.54 %     3,008,769       101,578       6.82 %
Non-earning Assets
                                               
Cash and due from banks
    102,066                       96,335                  
Allowance for loan losses
    (35,704 )                     (25,936 )                
Bank-owned life insurance
    83,985                       53,219                  
Other assets
    347,939                       176,774                  
 
                                           
Total assets
  $ 4,369,173                     $ 3,309,161                  
 
                                           
Interest Bearing Liabilities
                                               
Sources of Funds
Interest-bearing deposits:
                                               
Interest checking
    260,082       3,275       2.54 %     193,466       1,920       2.00 %
Savings and money market
    1,516,035       28,660       3.81 %     1,077,155       15,329       2.87 %
Time deposits
    653,088       15,770       4.87 %     419,856       8,092       3.89 %
         
Total interest-bearing deposits
    2,429,205       47,705       3.96 %     1,690,477       25,341       3.02 %
Short-term borrowings
    225,029       5,066       4,54 %     201,122       4,174       4.19 %
Long-term debt
    47,537       1,155       4.90 %     80,841       1,421       3.54 %
Junior sub. and subordinated debt
    106,197       3,551       6.74 %     43,944       1,705       7.82 %
         
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    2,807,968       57,477       4.13 %     2,016,384       32,641       3.26 %
Non-interest Bearing Liabilities
                                               
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
    1,072,149                       965,715                  
Other liabilities
    22,635                       20,826                  
Stockholders’ equity
    466,421                       306,236                  
 
                                           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 4,369,173                     $ 3,309,161                  
 
                                           
Net interest income and margin (4)
          $ 86,682       4.55 %           $ 68,937       4.64 %
 
                                           
Net interest spread (5)
                    3.41 %                     3.56 %
 
(1)   Yields on loans and securities have been adjusted to a tax equivalent basis.
 
(2)   Net loan fees of $2,906 and $3,662 are included in the yield computation for June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
(3)   Includes average non-accrual loans of $1,321 in 2007 and $71 in 2006.
 
(4)   Net interest margin is computed by dividing net interest income by total average earning assets.
 
(5)   Net interest spread represents average yield earned on interest-earning assets less the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities.
 
(6)   Annualized.

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Net Interest Income. The table below demonstrates the relative impact on net interest income of changes in the volume of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and changes in rates earned and paid by us on such assets and liabilities. For purposes of this table, non-accrual loans have been included in the average loan balances.
                                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2007 v. 2006     2007 v. 2006  
    Increase (Decrease)     Increase (Decrease)  
    Due to Changes in (1)     Due to Changes in (1)  
    Volume     Rate     Total     Volume     Rate     Total  
                    (in thousands)                  
Interest on securities:
                                               
Taxable
  $ (134 )   $ 1,956     $ 1,822     $ (1,472 )   $ 3,806     $ 2,334  
Tax-exempt
    555       17       572       323       231       554  
Federal funds sold
    (167 )     57       (110 )     (1 )     141       140  
Loans
    14,104       1,085       15,189       35,399       4,056       39,455  
Other investment
    (17 )     8       (9 )     20       78       98  
         
 
                                               
Total interest income
    14,341       3,123       17,464       34,269       8,312       42,581  
 
                                               
Interest expense:
                                               
Interest checking
    29       (69 )     (40 )     839       516       1,355  
Savings and Money market
    4,489       2,408       6,897       8,297       5,034       13,331  
Time deposits
    2,539       1,019       3,558       5,632       2,046       7,678  
Short-term borrowings
    232       (31 )     201       538       354       892  
Long-term debt
    (539 )     370       (169 )     (809 )     543       (266 )
Junior subordinated debt
    908       (174 )     734       2,082       (236 )     1,846  
         
 
                                               
Total interest expense
    7,658       3,523       11,181       16,579       8,257       24,836  
         
 
                                               
Net increase
  $ 6,683     $ (400 )   $ 6,283     $ 17,690     $ 55     $ 17,745  
         
 
(1)   Changes due to both volume and rate have been allocated to volume changes.
Provision for Loan Losses. The provision for loan losses in each period is reflected as a charge against earnings in that period. The provision is equal to the amount required to maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level that, in our judgment, is adequate to absorb probable loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio.
Our provision for loan losses was $2.0 million and $2.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, respectively, compared to $2.5 million and $3.0 million the same periods in 2006. Factors that impact the provision for loan losses are net charge-offs or recoveries, changes in the size of the loan portfolio, and the recognition of changes in current risk factors. During the

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three months ended June 30, 2007, we charged off three loans originated at offices we acquired in 2006. The largest of these loans was originated shortly after the merger was completed.
Non-Interest Income. We earn non-interest income primarily through fees related to:
    Trust and investment advisory services,
 
    Services provided to deposit customers, and
 
    Services provided to current and potential loan customers.
The following tables present, for the periods indicated, the major categories of non-interest income, excluding securities and fair value gains/ (losses):
                                                 
    Three Months Ended             Six Months Ended        
    June 30,     Increase     June 30,     Increase  
    2007     2006     (Decrease)     2007     2006     (Decrease)  
                    (in thousands)                  
Trust and investment advisory services
  $ 2,137     $ 1,862     $ 275     $ 4,242     $ 3,438     $ 804  
Service charges
    1,167       867       300       2,236       1,536       700  
Income from bank owned life insurance
    960       609       351       1,888       1,221       667  
Other
    1,755       1,144       611       3,242       1,784       1,458  
         
Non-interest income, excluding securities and fair value gains (losses)
  $ 6,019     $ 4,482     $ 1,537     $ 11,608     $ 7,979     $ 3,629  
         
The $1.5 million and $3.6 million, or 34.3% and 45.5%, respectively, increases in non-interest income excluding net investment securities gains and net unrealized gain/loss on assets and liabilities measured at fair value from the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 were due primarily to increases in Miller/Russell investment advisory revenues, increases in service-related charges and income from bank owned life insurance.
Assets under management at Miller/Russell and Associates were $1.58 billion at June 30, 2007, up 22.5% from $1.29 billion at June 30, 2006. At Premier Trust, assets under management increased 59.9% from $162 million to $259 million from June 30, 2006 to June 30, 2007. This growth resulted in 14.8% and 23.4% increases, respectively, in trust and advisory fee revenue for the three and six month periods ending June 30, 2007.
In the fourth quarter of 2006 we purchased $25.0 million in bank owned life insurance to help offset employee benefit costs, which resulted in increases of 57.6% and 54.6%, respectively, in BOLI income for the three and six month periods ending June 30, 2007 from the same periods in 2006.
Service charges increased 34.6% and 45.6% or $0.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively, from the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 due to higher deposit balances and the growth in our customer base.

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Other income increased 53.4% and 81.7% from the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 due primarily to the growth of the company and the sale of a branch facility in the first quarter 2007.
Unrealized gains/losses on assets and liabilities measured at fair value. During the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2007, we recognized unrealized losses on assets and liabilities measured at fair value of $3.8 million. These losses are primarily the result of an increase in market yields on securities similar to those in our portfolio. We view the majority of these losses as temporary in nature since the declines in value on most of our securities were not related to a deterioration in credit profile, but rather such losses were the result of an increase in market yields.
Non-Interest Expense. The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the major categories of non-interest expense:
                                                 
    Three Months Ended             Six Months Ended        
    June 30,     Increase     June 30,     Increase  
    2007     2006     (Decrease)     2007     2006     (Decrease)  
                    (in thousands)                  
Salaries and employee benefits
  $ 18,821     $ 13,532     $ 5,289     $ 35,854     $ 25,109     $ 10,745  
Occupancy
    4,872       3,140       1,732       9,111       5,590       3,521  
Customer service
    1,897       1,963       (66 )     3,220       3,212       8  
Advertising and other business development
    1,458       921       537       2,920       1,960       960  
Legal, professional and director fees
    1,167       777       390       2,211       1,422       789  
Insurance
    1,095       278       817       1,393       504       889  
Merger expenses
    747             747       747             747  
Audits and exams
    632       520       112       1,163       926       237  
Data processing
    628       521       107       1,063       867       196  
Intangible amortization
    557       201       356       814       257       557  
Supplies
    510       372       138       1,019       657       362  
Correspondent and wire transfer costs
    457       438       19       875       839       36  
Telephone
    361       251       110       701       457       244  
Travel and automobile
    269       196       73       556       339       217  
Organizational costs
          428       (428 )           428       (428 )
Other
    803       1,032       (229 )     1,548       1,523       25  
         
 
  $ 34,274     $ 24,570     $ 9,704     $ 63,195     $ 44,090     $ 19,105  
         
Non-interest expense grew $9.7 million and $19.1 million, respectively, from the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007. These increases are attributable to our overall growth, and specifically to merger and acquisition activity, the opening of new branches and hiring of new relationship officers and other employees. At June 30, 2007, we had 1,000 full-time equivalent employees compared to 717 at June 30, 2006, including 95 employees added from FIB. During the twelve months ended June 30, 2007, 11 banking branches were opened or acquired and 2 were closed. The increase in salaries expenses related to the above totaled $5.3 million and $10.8 million, respectively, which is 54.5% and 56.3%, respectively, of the total increases in non-interest expenses.

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Other non-interest expense increased, in general, as a result of the growth in assets and operations for our five banking subsidiaries.
Financial Condition
Total Assets
On a consolidated basis, our total assets as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were $4.75 billion and $4.17 billion, respectively. The overall increase from December 31, 2006 to June 30, 2007 of $577.2 million, or 13.8%, was due primarily to the acquisition of First Independent Capital of Nevada on March 31, 2007. On that date, FICN had gross loans of $292.8 million and total assets of $530.8 million. Assets experienced organic growth during the same period of $46.4 million, or 1.1%, including loan growth of $92.9 million, or 3.1%.
Loans
Our gross loans including deferred loan fees on a consolidated basis as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were $3.39 billion and $3.00 billion, respectively. Our overall growth in loans from December 31, 2006 to June 30, 2007 reflects our acquisition of FICN and is consistent with our focus and strategy to grow our loan portfolio by focusing on markets which we believe have attractive growth prospects.
The following table shows the amounts of loans outstanding by type of loan at the end of each of the periods indicated.
                 
    June 30,     December 31,  
    2007     2006  
    (in thousands)  
Construction and land development
  $ 765,357     $ 715,546  
Commercial real estate
    1,437,901       1,232,260  
Residential real estate
    436,607       384,082  
Commercial and industrial
    709,207       645,469  
Consumer
    46,896       29,561  
Net deferred loan fees
    (7,028 )     (3,696 )
 
           
 
               
Gross loans, net of deferred fees
    3,388,940       3,003,222  
Less: Allowance for loan losses
    (36,946 )     (33,551 )
 
           
 
               
 
  $ 3,351,994     $ 2,969,671  
 
           
Non-Performing Assets
Non-performing assets include loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest, non-accrual loans, restructured loans, and other real estate owned, or OREO. In general, loans are placed on non-accrual status when we determine timely recognition of interest to be in doubt due to the borrower’s financial condition and collection efforts. Restructured loans have modified terms to reduce either principal or interest due to deterioration in the borrower’s financial

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condition. OREO results from loans where we have received physical possession of the borrower’s assets that collateralized the loan.
The following table summarizes the loans for which the accrual of interest has been discontinued, loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest, restructured loans, and OREO.
                 
    June 30,     December 31,  
    2007     2006  
    ($ in thousands)  
Total non-accrual loans
  $ 717     $ 1,417  
Other impaired loans
    816       839  
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing
    6,431       794  
Restructured loans
           
Other real estate owned (OREO)
           
Non-accrual loans to gross loans
    0.02 %     0.05 %
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing to total loans
    0.19       0.03  
Interest income received on nonaccrual loans
  $ 19     $ 120  
Interest income that would have been recorded under the original terms of the loans
    80       147  
As of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, non-accrual loans totaled $717 and $1,417, respectively. Non-accrual loans at June 30, 2007 consisted of 11 loans.
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing increased to $6,431 at June 30, 2007 from $794 at June 30, 2006. These loans are generally well secured and in the process of collection.
Allowance for Loan Losses
Like all financial institutions, we must maintain an adequate allowance for loan losses. The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense. Loans are charged against the allowance for loan losses when we believe that collectibility of the principal is unlikely. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. The allowance is an amount that we believe will be adequate to absorb probable losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible, based on evaluation of the collectibility of loans and prior credit loss experience, together with the other factors noted earlier.
Our allowance for loan loss methodology incorporates several quantitative and qualitative risk factors used to establish the appropriate allowance for loan loss at each reporting date. Quantitative factors include our historical loss experience, peer group experience, delinquency and charge-off trends, collateral values, changes in non-performing loans, other factors, and information about individual loans including the borrower’s sensitivity to interest rate movements. Qualitative factors include the economic condition of our operating markets and the state of certain industries. Specific changes in the risk factors are based on perceived risk of similar groups of loans classified by collateral type, purpose and terms. Statistics on local trends, peers, and an internal five-year loss history are also incorporated into the allowance. Due to the credit concentration of our loan portfolio in real estate secured loans, the value of collateral is heavily dependent on real estate values in Nevada, Arizona and California. While management

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uses the best information available to make its evaluation, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if there are significant changes in economic or other conditions. In addition, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, and state banking regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination processes, periodically review the Banks’ allowance for loan losses, and may require us to make additions to the allowance based on their judgment about information available to them at the time of their examinations. Management periodically reviews the assumptions and formulae used in determining the allowance and makes adjustments if required to reflect the current risk profile of the portfolio.
The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific allowance relates to watch credits, criticized loans, and impaired loans. For such loans that are also classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan are lower than the carrying value of that loan, pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Statement No. 114, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan. The general allowance covers non-classified loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for the various qualitative and quantitative factors listed above, pursuant to FASB Statement No. 5, or FASB 5, Accounting for Contingencies. Loans graded “Watch List/Special Mention” and below are individually examined closely to determine the appropriate loan loss reserve.
The following table summarizes the activity in our allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated:

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    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2007     2006     2007     2006  
            ($ in thousands)          
Allowance for loan losses:
                               
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 37,519     $ 27,689     $ 33,551     $ 21,192  
Acquisitions
    83       2,488       3,789       8,365  
Provisions charged to operating expenses
    2,012       2,456       2,453       2,998  
Recoveries of loans previously charged-off:
                               
Construction and land development
                       
Commercial real estate
                       
Residential real estate
                      5  
Commercial and industrial
    83       99       154       227  
Consumer
    9       21       17       51  
     
Total recoveries
    92       120       171       283  
Loans charged-off:
                               
Construction and land development
                       
Commercial real estate
                       
Residential real estate
                       
Commercial and industrial
    2,727       594       2,818       677  
Consumer
    33       1       200       3  
     
Total charged-off
    2,760       595       3,018       680  
Net charge-offs
    2,668       475       2,847       397  
     
Balance at end of period
  $ 36,946     $ 32,158     $ 36,946     $ 32,158  
     
Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding
    0.31 %     0.07 %     0.18 %     0.03 %
Allowance for loan losses to gross loans
    1.09       1.16                  
Net charge-offs totaled $2,668 and $475 for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, net charge-offs totaled $2,847 and $397, respectively. The provision for loan losses totaled $2.0 million and $2.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, respectively, compared to $2.5 million and $3.0 million for the same periods in 2006.
Investments
The Company elected early adoption of SFAS 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, effective January 1, 2007. Instruments for which the fair value option (FVO) was adopted and the reasons therefore are as follows:
    Junior subordinated debt
 
    All investment securities previously classified as held-to-maturity, with the exception of tax-advantaged municipal bonds
 
    All fixed-rate securities previously classified as available-for-sale
The junior subordinated debt, with a balance of $61.9 million at January 1, 2007, (before the application of SFAS 159) is the primary source of funding for the Company’s held-to-maturity

33


 

portfolio, which excluding tax-advantaged municipal obligations had an amortized cost of $90.5 million at the same date. The held-to-maturity portfolio consists primarily of fixed rate and hybrid adjustable rate mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations. The junior subordinated debt includes $20.0 million which carries a fixed rate through June 2011, with the remaining balances carrying rates which re-set at least semi-annually. This represents a natural hedge on the Company’s balance sheet, with changes in fair value of the fixed rate securities and fixed rate junior subordinated debt moving inversely from one another as market rates move up and down. The early adoption of SFAS 159 on these instruments will more accurately reflect this hedge in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and will allow the Company more flexibility to engage in active balance sheet management in future periods. The FVO was not elected for tax-advantaged securities since the tax benefit is based upon the contractual rate paid on the security at time of purchase and does not include changes in fair value or accretion or amortization of discounts or premiums.
Fixed-rate available-for-sale securities had an amortized cost of $215.6 million and an aggregate net unrealized loss of $5.9 million at January 1, 2007. These securities represent some of the most volatile on the Company’s balance sheet with long durations and low coupon rates relative to the market. While initially these investments were funded with relatively long duration non-interest bearing and administered rate money market deposits, as the liability structure of the company has shortened they are now preponderantly funded with overnight Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings, customer repurchase agreements and CDs. All of these sources of funding have pricing which moves with the market, and thus there is not an effective match for the fixed rate securities on the liability side of the balance sheet. This causes much volatility in reported earnings as interest rates move and the net interest margin contracts and expands. The Company’s ability to hedge the market-value risk on the securities was historically limited by the complexities of accounting for derivative financial instruments. The adoption of SFAS 159 on these securities eases such accounting and will thus facilitate more active balance sheet management, and will provide more transparency in the consolidated financial statements as users will be more able to ascertain changes in the Company’s net income caused by changes in market interest rates. Indeed, the Company expects greater earnings volatility from changes in market interest rates prospectively. The FVO was not elected for variable-rate available-for-sale securities since the liability funding match is more closely aligned with these shorter duration assets.
During the three months ended June 30, 2007, the Company elected the FVO for two newly acquired financial instruments. These financial instruments and the reasons for the election are as follows:
    Collateralized debt obligation
 
    Fixed-rate term advance from the Federal Home Loan Bank
The collateralized debt obligation, with a par value of $5.0 million, carries a rate of interest that floats with the three-month LIBOR. The election of the FVO will allow the Company to better reflect the potential market value volatility of this instrument in its consolidated financial statements.
The fixed-rate term advance from the Federal Home Loan Bank, with a par value of $30.0 million, has an interest rate of 4.91% and is due in May 2010. The Company secured this advance

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primarily as a means of hedging a portion of the market value risk inherent in our securities measured at fair value portfolio.
Premises and Equipment
As of June 30, 2007, premises and equipment totaled $131.2 million, compared to $99.9 million as of December 31, 2006. The FICN acquisition on March 30, 2007 represented $17.8 million of this increase while the remaining increase was the result of continued expansion among our bank affiliates. We anticipate less expansion activity in the near future as part of our overall initiative to reduce our efficiency ratio.
Goodwill and other intangible assets
As a result of the acquisition of FICN, we recorded goodwill of $72.4 million and a core deposit intangible asset of $17.8 million. These amounts are subject to change when the determination of the asset and liability values is finalized within one year from the merger date.
Deposits
Deposits have historically been the primary source for funding our asset growth. As of June 30, 2007, total deposits were $3.82 billion, compared to $3.40 billion as of December 31, 2006. Deposits acquired as a result of the acquisition of FICN totaled $402.9 million. The organic decrease in total deposits is primarily attributable to a decline in our non-interest bearing deposits from title companies. This decline is a result of reduced residential real estate activity in the markets in which we operate. We expect this trend to continue in the near future.
Although we expect deposit growth to continue to be the primary source of funding the asset growth of the Company, we anticipate augmenting our liquidity through the use of alternative sources of funding, including overnight and term advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank, repurchase agreements, subordinated debt and lines of credit.
The following table provides the average balances and weighted average rates paid on deposits for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007:

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    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    June 30, 2007     June 30, 2007  
    Average Balance/Rate     Average Balance/Rate  
            ($ in thousands)          
Interest checking (NOW)
  $ 269,838       2.47 %   $ 260,082       2.54 %
Savings and money market
    1,646,757       3.83       1,516,035       3.81  
Time
    692,653       4.90       653,088       4.87  
 
                           
Total interest-bearing deposits
    2,609,248       3.97       2,429,205       3.96  
Non-interest bearing demand deposits
    1,106,755             1,072,149        
 
                           
Total deposits
  $ 3,716,003       2.79 %   $ 3,501,354       2.75 %
 
                           
Capital Resources
Current risk-based regulatory capital standards generally require banks and bank holding companies to maintain three minimum capital ratios. Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio compares “Tier 1” or “core” capital, which consists principally of common equity, and risk-weighted assets for a minimum ratio of at least 4%. Leverage ratio compares Tier 1 capital to adjusted average assets for a minimum ratio of at least 4%. Total risk-based capital ratio compares total capital, which consists of Tier 1 capital, certain forms of subordinated debt, a portion of the allowance for loan losses, and preferred stock, to risk-weighted assets for a minimum ratio of at least 8%. Risk-weighted assets are calculated by multiplying the balance in each category of assets by a risk factor, which ranges from zero for cash assets and certain government obligations to 100% for some types of loans, and adding the products together.
The following table provides a comparison of our risk-based capital ratios and leverage ratios to the minimum regulatory requirements as of June 30, 2007.
                                                 
                    Adequately-     Minimum For  
                    Capitalized     Well-Capitalized  
    Actual     Requirements     Requirements  
                    ($ in thousands)                    
As of June 30, 2007   Amount     Ratio     Amount     Ratio     Amount     Ratio  
 
                                               
Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
    441,944       10.7       330,425       8.0       413,032       10.0  
 
                                               
Tier I Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
    364,525       8.9       164,386       4.0       246,578       6.0  
 
                                               
Leverage ratio (to Average Assets)
    364,525       8.2       177,169       4.0       221,461       5.0  

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The Company and each of its banking subsidiaries met the “well capitalized” guidelines under regulatory requirements as of June 30, 2007.
ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Market risk is the risk of loss in a financial instrument arising from adverse changes in market prices and rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices. Our market risk arises primarily from interest rate risk inherent in our lending, investing and deposit taking activities. To that end, management actively monitors and manages our interest rate risk exposure.
There have not been any material changes in the market risk disclosure contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls
Based on their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported in within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, except for the following:
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2007, which have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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Part II. Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
There are no material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business, to which Western Alliance or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any of their property is the subject.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
     See the discussion of our risk factors in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, as filed with the SEC.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
     (a) There were no unregistered sales of equity securities during the period covered by this report.
     (b) A summary of our repurchases (in thousands, except average price per share) during the quarter under the $50 million stock repurchase program authorized by our Board of Directors and publicly announced on April 23, 2007, and expiring on December 31, 2008, is as follows:
                                 
                    Total Shares     Approximate Dollar  
                    Repurchased as     Value of Shares  
    Total Shares     Average Price     Part of Publicly     that May Yet  
Period   Repurchased     Per Share     Announced Program     Be Purchased  
 
April 1 - April 30
        $           $ 50,000,000  
May 1 - May 31
                      50,000,000  
June 1 - June 30
    20,000       29.10       20,000       49,417,965  
     
Total
    20,000     $ 29.10       20,000     $ 49,417,965  
     
(c) None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Not applicable.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
None
Item 5. Other Information
Not applicable.

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Item 6. Exhibits
     
31.1
  CEO Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-a4(a).
 
   
31.2
  CFO Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a).
 
   
32
  CEO and CFO Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes — Oxley Act of 2002, as amended.

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
         
  WESTERN ALLIANCE BANCORPORATION
 
 
Date: August 9, 2007  By:   /s/ Robert Sarver    
    Robert Sarver   
    President and Chief Executive Officer   
 
         
     
Date: August 9, 2007  By:   /s/ Dale Gibbons    
    Dale Gibbons   
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer   
 
         
     
Date: August 9, 2007  By:   /s/ Terry A. Shirey    
    Terry A. Shirey   
    Controller
Principal Accounting Officer 
 
 

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EXHIBIT INDEX
     
31.1
  CEO Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
 
   
31.2
  CFO Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
 
   
32
  CEO and CFO Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

41