Ames National 10-Q 3-31-2007

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

[Mark One]
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2007

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

For the transition period from ____________ to ____________

Commission File Number 0-32637

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

IOWA
  
42-1039071
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
  
(I. R. S. Employer Identification Number)

405 FIFTH STREET
AMES, IOWA 50010
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (515) 232-6251

NOT APPLICABLE
(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ¨
Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨   No x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
 
COMMON STOCK, $2.00 PAR VALUE
  
9,425,013
(Class)
  
(Shares Outstanding at May 1, 2007)
 


AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION

INDEX

   
Page
     
     
PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
  
     
 
     
 
3
     
 
4
     
 
5
     
 
6
     
7
     
19
     
19
     
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION 
  
     
20
     
21

2

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets
  
(unaudited)
  
           
   
March 31,
  
December 31,
  
ASSETS
  
2007
  
2006
  
           
Cash and due from banks
 
$
18,571,224
  
$
16,510,082
  
Federal funds sold
    
13,974,000
   
13,100,000
 
Interest bearing deposits in financial institutions
    
1,020,123
   
1,544,306
 
Securities available-for-sale
   
354,595,476
   
354,571,864
 
Loans receivable, net
   
444,339,055
   
429,122,541
 
Loans held for sale
    
521,050
   
525,999
 
Bank premises and equipment, net
   
13,771,590
   
12,617,741
 
Accrued income receivable
    
7,557,719
   
7,871,365
 
Other assets
    
3,063,150
   
2,989,090
 
Total assets
  
$
857,413,387
  
$
838,852,988
  
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
              
               
LIABILITIES
              
Deposits
             
Demand, noninterest bearing
  
$
69,174,487
  
$
77,638,264
  
NOW accounts
    
177,802,564
   
158,584,115
 
Savings and money market
    
156,563,727
   
159,401,753
 
Time, $100,000 and over
    
105,825,829
   
102,230,631
 
Other time
    
180,232,717
   
182,501,710
 
Total deposits
    
689,599,324
   
680,356,473
 
               
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    
44,178,920
   
34,727,897
 
Other short-term borrowings
   
956,749
   
1,470,116
 
FHLB term advances
   
2,000,000
   
2,000,000
 
Dividends payable
    
2,544,754
   
2,450,503
 
Deferred income taxes
   
1,001,661
   
1,187,948
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    
4,558,559
   
3,736,739
 
Total liabilities
    
744,839,967
   
725,929,676
 
               
               
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
             
Common stock, $2 par value, authorized 18,000,000 shares; 9,425,013 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006
    
18,850,026
   
18,850,026
 
Additional paid-in capital
    
22,498,904
   
22,498,904
 
Retained earnings
    
65,832,887
   
65,856,627
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale
    
5,391,603
   
5,717,755
 
Total stockholders' equity
    
112,573,420
   
112,923,312
 
               
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  
$
857,413,387
  
$
838,852,988
  
 
3

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited)
 
   
Three Months Ended
  
   
March 31,
  
 
  
2007
  
2006
  
           
Interest and dividend income:
          
Loans, including fees
  
$
7,573,206
  
$
7,201,944
  
Securities:
             
Taxable
    
2,337,115
   
2,040,230
 
Tax-exempt
    
1,194,326
   
1,036,363
 
Federal funds sold
    
30,152
   
11,303
 
Dividends
    
390,568
   
339,774
 
Total interest income
    
11,525,367
   
10,629,614
 
               
Interest expense:
              
Deposits
    
5,325,205
   
4,436,184
 
Other borrowed funds
    
492,160
   
342,619
 
Total interest expense
    
5,817,365
   
4,778,803
 
               
Net interest income
    
5,708,002
   
5,850,811
 
               
Provision for loan losses
   
9,728
   
29,624
 
               
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    
5,698,274
   
5,821,187
 
               
Noninterest income:
              
Trust department income
    
383,345
   
363,403
 
Service fees
    
428,614
   
407,321
 
Securities gains, net
   
453,523
   
244,479
 
Gain on sales of loans held for sale
    
104,100
   
111,466
 
Merchant and ATM fees
    
137,674
   
143,060
 
Gain on foreclosure of real estate
    
-
   
471,469
 
Other
    
140,878
   
151,541
 
Total noninterest income
    
1,648,134
   
1,892,739
 
               
Noninterest expense:
              
Salaries and employee benefits
   
2,499,953
   
2,415,206
 
Data processing
    
550,442
   
500,102
 
Occupancy expenses
    
321,404
   
309,959
 
Other operating expenses
    
703,150
   
669,630
 
Total noninterest expense
    
4,074,949
   
3,894,897
 
               
Income before income taxes
    
3,271,459
   
3,819,029
 
               
Provision for income taxes
    
750,445
   
906,661
 
               
Net income
  
$
2,521,014
  
$
2,912,368
  
               
Basic and diluted earnings per share
  
$
0.27
  
$
0.31
  
               
Dividends declared per share
  
$
0.27
  
$
0.26
  
               
Comprehensive income
  
$
2,194,862
  
$
2,110,642
  
 
4

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
  
   
March 31,
  
   
2007
  
2006
  
           
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
      
Net income
  
$
2,521,014
  
$
2,912,368
  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
              
Provision for loan losses
    
9,728
   
29,624
 
Amortization and accretion
    
(38,225
)
  
71,768
 
Depreciation
    
207,666
   
219,777
 
Provision for deferred taxes
    
5,263
   
156,338
 
Securities gains, net
    
(453,523
)
  
(244,479
)
Gain on foreclosure of real estate
   
-
   
(471,469
)
Change in assets and liabilities:
              
Decrease (increase) in loans held for sale
    
4,949
   
(229,819
)
Decrease (increase) in accrued income receivable
    
313,646
   
(130,898
)
(Increase) decrease in other assets
    
(74,060
)
  
216,697
 
Increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities
    
821,820
   
3,214,738
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    
3,318,278
   
5,744,645
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
      
Purchase of securities available-for-sale
    
(12,459,950
)
  
(11,208,202
)
Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale
    
2,744,387
   
2,252,647
 
Proceeds from maturities and calls of securities available-for-sale
    
9,665,997
    
6,578,703
 
Net decrease in interest bearing deposits in financial institutions
    
524,183
   
1,433,459
 
Net increase in federal funds sold
    
(874,000
)
  
(18,550,000
)
Net (increase) decrease in loans
    
(15,226,242
)
  
1,088,191
 
Purchase of bank premises and equipment
    
(1,361,515
)
  
(576,427
)
Net cash used in investing activities
    
(16,987,140
)
  
(18,981,629
)
               
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
      
Increase in deposits
    
9,242,851
   
29,054,773
 
Increase (decrease) in federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    
9,451,023
   
(13,622,459
)
Decrease in other borrowings, net
    
(513,367
)
  
(2,840,948
)
Dividends paid
    
(2,450,503
)
  
(2,354,818
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
    
15,730,004
   
10,236,548
 
               
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    
2,061,142
   
(3,000,436
)
               
CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS
              
Beginning
    
16,510,082
   
18,092,139
 
Ending
  
$
18,571,224
  
$
15,091,703
  
               
Cash payments for:
              
Interest
 
$
5,866,106
  
$
5,040,329
  
Income taxes
    
100,638
   
317,633
 
 
5

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1.
Significant Accounting Policies

The consolidated financial statements for the three month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 are unaudited. In the opinion of the management of Ames National Corporation (the "Company"), these financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring accruals, necessary to present fairly these consolidated financial statements. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results which may be expected for an entire year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in complete financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been omitted in accordance with the requirements for interim financial statements. The interim financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the year-end audited financial statements contained in the Company's 10-K. The consolidated condensed financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned banking subsidiaries (the “Banks”). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

2.
Dividends

On February 14, 2007, the Company declared a cash dividend on its common stock, payable on May 15, 2007 to stockholders of record as of May 1, 2007, equal to $0.27 per share.

3.
Earnings Per Share

Earnings per share amounts were calculated using the weighted average shares outstanding during the periods presented. The weighted average outstanding shares for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 were 9,425,013 and 9,419,271, respectively.

4.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company is party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet. No material changes in the Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements have occurred since December 31, 2006.

5.
New Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in its tax return. The Interpretation also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. FIN 48 is effective in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The provisions of FIN 48 are to be applied to all tax positions upon initial adoption, with the cumulative effect adjustment reported as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The Company adopted FIN 48 as of January 1, 2007, and the adoption had no significant impact of the consolidated financial statements.

6

The following are disclosures made pursuant to the initial adoption of FIN 48:

 
·
Accounting policy regarding classification of interest and penalties:
The Company has adopted the policy of classifying interest and penalties as income tax expense.

 
·
Unrecognized tax benefits as of date of adoption:
The Company had no significant unrecognized tax benefits as of January 1, 2007 and, likewise, no significant unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.

 
·
Total interest and penalties recognized:
The Company had recorded no accrued interest or penalties as of the date of adoption.

 
·
Uncertainty on tax position:
The Company had no positions for which it deemed that it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of the unrecognized tax benefit will significantly increase or decrease within the 12 months of the date of adoption.

 
·
Open tax years:
The tax years that remain subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions currently are:

Federal 2004 - 2006
State of Iowa 2004 - 2006

On February 15, 2007, FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, the Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, a standard that provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value. The standard requires companies to provide additional information that will help investors and other users of financial statements to more easily understand the effect of the company’s choice to use fair value on its earnings. It also requires entities to display the fair value of those assets and liabilities for which the company has chosen to use fair value on the face of the balance sheet. The new statement does not eliminate disclosure requirements included in other accounting standards.

This statement is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2007. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of the previous fiscal year provided, among other things, that the entity makes that choice in the first 120 days of that fiscal year.

The Company will not early adopt the standard, rather it will adopt the standard effective January 1, 2008. The Company has not determined the impact that the standard might have on its consolidated financial statements.

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

Ames National Corporation is a bank holding company established in 1975 that owns and operates five bank subsidiaries in central Iowa. The following discussion is provided for the consolidated operations of the Company and its Banks, First National Bank, Ames, Iowa (First National), State Bank & Trust Co. (State Bank), Boone Bank & Trust Co. (Boone Bank), Randall-Story State Bank (Randall-Story Bank) and United Bank & Trust NA (United Bank). The purpose of this discussion is to focus on significant factors affecting the Company's financial condition and results of operations.

7

The Company does not engage in any material business activities apart from its ownership of the Banks. Products and services offered by the Banks are for commercial and consumer purposes including loans, deposits and trust services. The Banks also offer investment services through a third-party broker dealer. The Company employs twelve individuals to assist with financial reporting, human resources, audit, compliance, marketing, technology systems and the coordination of management activities, in addition to 183 full-time equivalent individuals employed by the Banks.

The Company’s primary competitive strategy is to utilize seasoned and competent Bank management and local decision making authority to provide customers with faster response times and more flexibility in the products and services offered. This strategy is viewed as providing an opportunity to increase revenues through creating a competitive advantage over other financial institutions. The Company also strives to remain operationally efficient to provide better profitability while enabling the Company to offer more competitive loan and deposit rates.

The principal sources of Company revenues and cashflow are: (i) interest and fees earned on loans made by the Banks; (ii) securities gains and dividends on equity investments held by the Company and the Banks; (iii) service charges on deposit accounts maintained at the Banks; (iv) interest on fixed income investments held by the Banks; and (v) fees on trust services provided by those Banks exercising trust powers. The Company’s principal expenses are: (i) interest expense on deposit accounts and other borrowings; (ii) salaries and employee benefits; (iii) data processing costs associated with maintaining the Bank’s loan and deposit functions; and (iv) occupancy expenses for maintaining the Banks’ facilities. The largest component contributing to the Company’s net income is net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on earning assets (primarily loans and investments) and interest paid on interest bearing liabilities (primarily deposits and other borrowings). One of management’s principal functions is to manage the spread between interest earned on earning assets and interest paid on interest bearing liabilities in an effort to maximize net interest income while maintaining an appropriate level of interest rate risk.

The Company earned net income of $2,521,000, or $0.27 per share for the three months ended March 31, 2007, compared to net income of $2,912,000, or $0.31 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2006, a decrease of 13%. Net interest income for the first quarter decreased $143,000, or 2%, from one year ago as the expense for attracting and retaining deposits rose more quickly than interest income on earning assets. Interest income increased 8% while interest expense rose 22% compared to the same quarter last year.

Non-interest income decreased $245,000, or 13%, primarily as the result of a $471,000 gain on the foreclosure of a commercial real estate property recognized in 2006. Partially offsetting the decline related to other real estate, was the higher level of net securities gains on the Company’s investment portfolio of $454,000 in 2007 compared $244,000 in 2006.

Non-interest expense was 5% higher in the first quarter of 2007 as the result of the initial costs of employee salaries and benefits associated with the Ankeny office and higher data processing costs of $50,000 related to updating four of the affiliate banks’ web sites.
 
The following management discussion and analysis will provide a summary review of important items relating to:

 
·
Challenges
 
·
Key Performance Indicators and Industry Results
 
·
Income Statement Review
 
·
Balance Sheet Review
 
·
Asset Quality and Credit Risk Management
 
·
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
·
Forward-Looking Statements and Business Risks

8

Challenges

Management has identified certain challenges that may negatively impact the Company’s revenues in the future and is attempting to position the Company to best respond to those challenges.

 
·
Short-term interest rates have increased significantly since June of 2004 while longer term rates (10 to 20 years) are relatively unchanged since 2004. This movement in short-term rates has caused the yield curve to be flat or slightly inverted since March 31, 2006. Banks have historically earned higher levels of net interest income by investing in intermediate and longer term loans and investments at higher yields and paying lower deposit expense rates on shorter maturity deposits. If the yield curve remains flat or inverted for the remainder of 2007, the Company’s net interest margin may continue to compress.

 
·
If interest rates continue to rise, maintaining net interest income revenues presents a challenge to the Company in 2007. Continued increases in interest rates may negatively impact the Company’s net interest margin particularly if existing trends of interest expense increases more quickly than interest income continue. The Company’s earning assets (primarily its loan and investment portfolio) have longer maturities than its interest bearing liabilities (primarily deposits and other borrowings); therefore, in a rising interest rate environment, interest expense will increase more quickly than interest income as the interest bearing liabilities reprice more quickly than earning assets. In response to this challenge, the Banks model quarterly the changes in income that would result from various changes in interest rates. Management believes Bank earning assets have the appropriate maturity and repricing characteristics to optimize earnings and the Banks’ interest rate risk positions.

 
·
The Company’s market in central Iowa has numerous banks, credit unions, and investment and insurance companies competing for similar business opportunities. This competitive environment will continue to put downward pressure on the Banks’ net interest margins and thus affect profitability. Strategic planning efforts at the Company and Banks continue to focus on capitalizing on the Banks’ strengths in local markets while working to identify opportunities for improvement to gain competitive advantages.

 
·
A potential challenge to the Company’s earnings would be poor performance in the Company’s equity portfolio, thereby reducing the historical level of realized security gains. The Company, on an unconsolidated basis, invests capital that may be utilized for future expansion in a portfolio of primarily financial and utility stocks totaling $23 million as of March 31, 2007. The Company focuses on stocks that have historically paid dividends that may lessen the negative effects of a bear market.

9

Key Performance Indicators and Industry Results

Certain key performance indicators for the Company and the industry are presented in the following chart. The industry figures are compiled by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and are derived from 8,832 commercial banks and savings institutions insured by the FDIC. Management reviews these indicators on a quarterly basis for purposes of comparing the Company’s performance from quarter to quarter against the industry as a whole.

Selected Indicators for the Company and the Industry

   
Quarter Ended
  
Year Ended December 31,
  
   
March 31, 2007
  
2006
  
2005
  
2004
  
                               
   
Company
     
Company
     
Industry
      
Company
     
Industry
      
Company
     
Industry
  
                               
Return on assets
   
1.21
%
  
1.34
%
  
1.28
%
  
1.40
%
  
1.28
%
  
1.56
%
  
1.29
%
                                             
Return on equity
   
9.00
%
  
9.99
%
  
12.34
%
  
10.57
%
  
12.46
%
  
11.47
%
  
13.28
%
                                             
Net interest margin
   
3.27
%
  
3.29
%
  
3.31
%
  
3.56
%
  
3.49
%
  
3.97
%
  
3.53
%
                                             
Efficiency ratio
   
55.40
%
  
52.27
%
  
56.79
%
  
49.09
%
  
57.24
%
  
46.59
%
  
58.03
%
                                             
Capital ratio
   
13.40
%
  
13.38
%
  
8.23
%
  
13.21
%
  
8.25
%
  
13.62
%
  
8.12
%
 
Key performances indicators include:

 
·
Return on Assets

This ratio is calculated by dividing net income by average assets. It is used to measure how effectively the assets of the Company are being utilized in generating income. The Company's annualized return on average assets was 1.21% and 1.43%, respectively, for the three month periods ending March 31, 2007 and 2006. The ratio declined in 2007 from the previous year as the result of lower net interest income, a large gain on the foreclosure of a commercial real estate property recognized in 2006, and higher non- interest expense primarily associated with the expected second quarter 2007 opening of the Ankeny office of First National Bank.

 
·
Return on Equity

This ratio is calculated by dividing net income by average equity. It is used to measure the net income or return the Company generated for the shareholders’ equity investment in the Company. The Company’s annualized return on equity ratio is below that of the industry primarily as a result of the higher level of capital the Company maintains for future growth and acquisitions. The Company's return on average equity was 9.00% and 10.66%, respectively for the three month periods ending March 31, 2007 and 2006.
 
10

 
·
Net Interest Margin

The net interest margin for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was 3.27% compared to 3.34% for the three months ended March 31, 2006. The ratio is calculated by dividing net interest income by average earning assets. Earning assets are primarily made up of loans and investments that earn interest. This ratio is used to measure how well the Company is able to maintain interest rates on earning assets above those of interest-bearing liabilities, which is the interest expense paid on deposits and other borrowings. The Company’s net interest margin declined 7 basis points when compared to March 31, 2006 and is 4 basis points below the industry average for 2006. Management expects the flat yield curve and the competitive nature of the Company’s market environment to put downward pressure on the Company’s margin for the remainder of 2007.

 
·
Efficiency Ratio

This ratio is calculated by dividing noninterest expense by net interest income and noninterest income. The ratio is a measure of the Company’s ability to manage noninterest expenses. The Company’s efficiency ratio compares favorably to the industry’s average and was 55.40% and 50.30% for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 
·
Capital Ratio

The average capital ratio is calculated by dividing average total equity capital by average total assets. It measures the level of average assets that are funded by shareholders’ equity. Given an equal level of risk in the financial condition of two companies, the higher the capital ratio, generally the more financially sound the company. The Company’s capital ratio is significantly higher than the industry average.

Industry Results

The FDIC Quarterly Banking Profile reported the following results for the fourth quarter of 2006:

FDIC-insured institutions reported total net income of $35.7 billion in the fourth quarter of 2006. This was the lowest quarterly earnings total in 2006, but it was still more than the industry has earned in any quarter prior to 2006. Fourth-quarter net income was $3.0 billion (9.3%) more than insured institutions reported in the last quarter of 2005 when large losses in credit-card portfolios hurt industry earnings. Fourth-quarter results were affected by accounting adjustments triggered by a few large corporate restructurings that occurred during the quarter; these adjustments had the effect of reducing a number of reported income and expense items. If not for these adjustments, industry net income probably would have set a new quarterly record, thanks to large one-time gains at a few big institutions. However, core earnings would have still been below the levels of the previous three quarters in 2006.
 
Net interest income was $178 million (0.2%) higher in the fourth quarter than a year earlier. This is the smallest year-over-year increase in quarterly net interest income in three years. Without the accounting impact of corporate restructurings, the underlying growth rate would have been closer to 3.3%. Similarly, the industry reported total noninterest income for the quarter of $56.1 billion, or $677 million (1.2%) more than it reported for the fourth quarter of 2005. Adjusted for the effect of the restructurings, the increase in noninterest income would have been approximately 13.7%. Among items that were not affected by the restructurings, sales of securities and other assets yielded net gains of $624 million in the fourth quarter, while extraordinary items contributed another $2.1 billion to pretax earnings. This is the largest quarterly amount of extraordinary gains ever reported. Most of the gains came from the sale of retail branches and a trust operation between insured institutions. One negative factor in fourth-quarter results was higher expenses for bad loans. The fourth-quarter loan-loss provision of $9.6 billion was $923 million (10.6%) higher than in the fourth quarter of 2005, and was the largest quarterly loss provision for the industry in two and a half years. The average return on assets (ROA) for the fourth quarter was 1.21%, the same as in the fourth quarter of 2005. Year-over-year improvements in quarterly profitability were concentrated among the largest institutions. More than half of all institutions — 52.4% — reported lower ROAs in the fourth quarter compared to the fourth quarter of 2005. Three out of every four institutions reporting lower ROAs also reported lower net interest margins.
 
11

About two out of every three insured institutions (64.4%) saw their net interest margins decline between the third and fourth quarters of 2006. The industry’s average margin declined from 3.38% to 3.20%, based on reported results. Excluding the accounting impact of corporate restructurings, the industry’s fourth-quarter margin would have been closer to 3.30%. In an environment of relatively stable interest rates and an inverted yield curve, insured institutions’ average funding costs rose more rapidly than their average asset yields. This development is especially problematic for smaller institutions. During 2006, insured institutions with assets less than $1 billion obtained three-quarters of their net operating revenue (total noninterest income plus net interest income) from net interest income. Larger institutions obtained only 57.1% of their net operating revenue from net interest income.

Income Statement Review

The following highlights a comparative discussion of the major components of net income and their impact for the three month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006:

Critical Accounting Policies

The discussion contained in this Item 2 and other disclosures included within this report are based, in part, on the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements. These statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The financial information contained in these statements is, for the most part, based on the financial effects of transactions and events that have already occurred. However, the preparation of these statements requires management to make certain estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses.

The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” contained in the Company’s 10-K. Based on its consideration of accounting policies that involve the most complex and subjective estimates and judgments, management has identified its most critical accounting policy to be that related to the allowance for loan losses.

The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses that is treated as an expense and charged against earnings. Loans are charged against the allowance for loan losses when management believes that collectibility of the principal is unlikely. The Company has policies and procedures for evaluating the overall credit quality of its loan portfolio, including timely identification of potential problem loans. On a quarterly basis, management reviews the appropriate level for the allowance for loan losses incorporating a variety of risk considerations, both quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative factors include the Company’s historical loss experience, delinquency and charge-off trends, collateral values, known information about individual loans and other factors. Qualitative factors include the general economic environment in the Company’s market area. To the extent actual results differ from forecasts and management’s judgment, the allowance for loan losses may be greater or lesser than future charge-offs.
 
12

AVERAGE BALANCES AND INTEREST RATES

The following two tables are used to calculate the Company’s net interest margin. The first table includes the Company’s average assets and the related income to determine the average yield on earning assets. The second table includes the average liabilities and related expense to determine the average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities. The net interest margin is equal to the interest income less the interest expense divided by average earning assets.

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND INTEREST RATES
 
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
  
                           
       
2007
          
2006
      
   
Average
  
Revenue/
  
Yield/
  
Average
  
Revenue/
  
Yield/
  
   
balance
  
expense
  
rate
  
balance
  
expense
  
rate
  
ASSETS
                        
(dollars in thousands)
                          
                           
Interest-earning assets
                          
                           
Loans 1
                          
Commercial
  
$
76,174
  
$
1,516
    
7.96
%
$
70,489
  
$
1,259
    
7.14
%
Agricultural
    
31,717
   
660
   
8.32
%
  
33,018
   
645
   
7.81
%
Real estate
    
309,525
   
5,014
   
6.48
%
  
309,192
   
4,758
   
6.16
%
Installment and other
    
23,493
   
383
   
6.52
%          
 
34,116
   
540
   
6.33
%
Total loans (including fees)
  
$
440,909
  
$
7,573
    
6.87
%
$
446,815
  
$
7,202
    
6.45
%
                                       
Investment securities
                                      
Taxable
  
$
212,557
  
$
2,460
    
4.63
%
$
206,308
  
$
2,120
    
4.11
%
Tax-exempt 2
    
136,833
   
2,225
   
6.50
%
  
122,334
   
1,936
   
6.33
%
Total investment securities
  
$
349,390
  
$
4,685
    
5.36
%
$
328,642
  
$
4,057
    
4.94
%
                                       
Interest bearing deposits with banks
  
$
1,047
  
$
16
    
6.11
%
$
5,368
  
$
38
    
2.83
%
Federal funds sold
    
3,111
   
30
   
3.86
%
  
743
   
11
   
5.92
%
Total interest-earning assets
  
$
794,457
  
$
12,304
    
6.19
%
$
781,568
  
$
11,308
    
5.79
%
                                       
Non-interest-earning assets
    
41,787
               
33,988
             
                                       
TOTAL ASSETS
  
$
836,244
              
$
815,556
              

1
Average loan balances include nonaccrual loans, if any. Interest income on nonaccrual loans has been included.
2
Tax-exempt income has been adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis using an incremental tax rate of 35%.
 
13

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND INTEREST RATES

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
  
                           
       
2007
          
2006
      
   
Average
  
Revenue/
  
Yield/
  
Average
  
Revenue/
  
Yield/
  
   
balance
  
expense
  
rate
  
balance
  
expense
  
rate
  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                  
(dollars in thousands)
                          
                           
Interest-bearing liabilities
                          
                           
Deposits
                          
Savings, NOW accounts, and money markets
  
$
316,128
  
$
2,103
    
2.66
%          
$
316,024
  
$
1,824
    
2.31
%
Time deposits < $100,000
    
182,108
   
1,944
   
4.27
%
  
180,710
   
1,601
   
3.54
%
Time deposits > $100,000
    
105,294
   
1,278
   
4.85
%
  
99,800
   
1,011
   
4.05
%
Total deposits
  
$
603,530
  
$
5,325
    
3.53
%
$
596,534
  
$
4,436
    
2.97
%
Other borrowed funds
    
43,906
   
492
   
4.48
%
  
35,428
   
343
   
3.87
%
Total Interest-bearing liabilities
  
$
647,436
  
$
5,817
    
3.59
%
$
631,962
  
$
4,779
    
3.02
%
                                       
Non-interest-bearing liabilities
                                      
Demand deposits
  
$
68,770
              
$
67,709
              
Other liabilities
    
7,966
               
6,576
             
                                       
Stockholders' equity
  
$
112,072
              
$
109,309
              
                                       
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  
$
836,244
              
$
815,556
              
                                       
Net interest: income / margin
       
$
6,487
    
3.27
%
      
$
6,529
    
3.34
%
Spread Analysis
                                      
Interest income/average assets
  
$
12,304
    
5.89
%
      
$
11,308
    
5.55
%
      
Interest expense/average assets
  
$
5,817
    
2.78
%
      
$
4,779
    
2.34
%
      
Net interest income/average assets
  
$
6,487
    
3.10
%
      
$
6,529
    
3.20
%
      
 
14

Net Interest Income

For the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company's net interest margin adjusted for tax exempt income was 3.27% and 3.34%, respectively. Net interest income, prior to the adjustment for tax-exempt income, for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006 totaled $5,708,000 and $5,851,000, respectively.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2007, net interest income decreased $143,000 or 2% when compared to the same period in 2006. Interest income increased $896,000 or 8% over that same time frame. The increase in interest income was primarily attributable to improved loan and investment yields and higher investment volume.

Interest expense increased $1,039,000 or 22% for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 when compared to the same period in 2006. The higher interest expense for the quarter is primarily attributable to a higher volume and rate on total deposits as market interest rates increased from one year ago.

Provision for Loan Losses

The Company’s provision for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was $10,000 compared to $30,000 during the same period last year.

Non-interest Income and Expense

Non-interest income decreased $245,000, or 13%, primarily as the result of a $471,000 gain on the foreclosure of a commercial real estate property recognized in 2006. Partially offsetting the decline related to other real estate, was the higher level of net securities gains on the Company’s investment portfolio of $454,000 in 2007 compared $244,000 in 2006.

Non-interest expense was 5% higher in the first quarter of 2007 as the result of the initial costs of employee salaries and benefits associated with the Ankeny office and higher data processing costs of $50,000 related to updating four of the affiliate banks’ web sites. The efficiency ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 was 55.40% and 50.30%, respectively.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes for March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006 was $750,000 and $907,000, respectively. This amount represents an effective tax rate of 23% for the three months ended March 31, 2007 versus 24% for the same quarter in 2006. The Company's marginal federal tax rate is currently 35%. The difference between the Company's effective and marginal tax rate is primarily related to investments made in tax exempt securities.

Balance Sheet Review

As of March 31, 2007, total assets were $857,413,000, an $18,560,000 increase compared to December 31, 2006. Asset growth was concentrated in the loan portfolio that was funded with a higher level of securities sold under agreement to repurchase (repurchase agreements) and temporary public fund deposit balances associated with the collection of property taxes.

Investment Portfolio

The investment portfolio totaled $354,595,000 as of March 31, 2007, slightly higher than the December 31, 2006 balance of $354,572,000.

15

Loan Portfolio

Loan volume grew $15,217,000, or 4%, during the quarter as net loans totaled $444,339,000 as of March 31, 2007 compared to $429,123,000 as of December 31, 2006. Loan growth was primarily in the commercial and commercial real estate portfolios.

Deposits

Deposits totaled $689,599,000 as of March 31, 2007, an increase of $9,243,000 from December 31, 2006. Much of the increase is related to public fund deposits included in the interest bearing checking (NOW) accounts.

Other Borrowed Funds

Other borrowed funds as of March 31, 2007 totaled $47,136,000, consisting primarily of repurchase agreements, compared to the December 31, 2006 total of $38,198,000. This increase was the result of higher repurchase account balances of existing commercial customers.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company is party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet. No material changes in the Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements have occurred since December 31, 2006.

Asset Quality Review and Credit Risk Management

The Company’s credit risk is centered in the loan portfolio, which on March 31, 2007 totaled $444,339,000 compared to $429,123,000 as of December 31, 2006. Net loans comprise 52% of total assets as of March 31, 2007. The object in managing loan portfolio risk is to reduce the risk of loss resulting from a customer’s failure to perform according to the terms of a transaction and to quantify and manage credit risk on a portfolio basis. The Company’s level of problem loans consisting of non-accrual loans and loans past due 90 days or more as a percentage of total loans of 0.13% is below that of the Company’s peer group of 413 bank holding companies with assets of $500 million to $1 billion as of December 31, 2006 of 0.55%.

Impaired loans totaled $570,000 as of March 31, 2007 compared to $1,049,000 as of December 31, 2006. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired loans generally include loans accounted for on a non-accrual basis, accruing loans which are contractually past due 90 days or more as to principal or interest payments, and any restructured loans. As of March 31, 2007, non-accrual loans totaled $171,000, loans past due 90 days still accruing totaled $399,000 and there were no restructured loans outstanding. Other real estate owned totaled $2,808,000 as of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006.

The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of outstanding loans as of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 was 1.45% and 1.50%, respectively. The allowance for loan and lease losses totaled $6,535,000 and $6,533,000 as of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. Net charge-offs for the most recent quarter end totaled $7,000 compared to the $13,000 for the three month period ended March 31, 2006.

16

The allowance for loan losses is management’s best estimate of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. Factors considered in establishing an appropriate allowance include: an assessment of the financial condition of the borrower, a realistic determination of value and adequacy of underlying collateral, the condition of the local economy and the condition of the specific industry of the borrower, an analysis of the levels and trends of loan categories and a review of delinquent and classified loans.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity management is the process by which the Company, through its Banks’ Asset and Liability Committees (ALCO), ensures that adequate liquid funds are available to meet its financial commitments on a timely basis, at a reasonable cost and within acceptable risk tolerances. These commitments include funding credit obligations to borrowers, funding of mortgage originations pending delivery to the secondary market, withdrawals by depositors, maintaining adequate collateral for pledging for public funds, trust deposits and borrowings, paying dividends to shareholders, payment of operating expenses, funding capital expenditures and maintaining deposit reserve requirements.
 
Liquidity is derived primarily from core deposit growth and retention; principal and interest payments on loans; principal and interest payments, sale, maturity and prepayment of investment securities; net cash provided from operations; and access to other funding sources. Other funding sources include federal funds purchased lines, Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances and other capital market sources.
 
As of March 31, 2007, the level of liquidity and capital resources of the Company remain at a satisfactory level and compare favorably to that of other FDIC insured institutions. Management believes that the Company's liquidity sources will be sufficient to support its existing operations for the foreseeable future.

The liquidity and capital resources discussion will cover the following topics:

 
·
Review the Company’s Current Liquidity Sources
 
·
Review of the Statements of Cash Flows
 
·
Company Only Cash Flows
 
·
Review of Commitments for Capital Expenditures, Cash Flow Uncertainties and Known Trends in Liquidity and Cash Flows Needs
 
·
Capital Resources

Review of the Company’s Current Liquidity Sources

Liquid assets of cash on hand, balances due from other banks, federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits in financial institutions for March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 totaled $33,565,000 and $31,154,000, respectively.

Other sources of liquidity available to the Banks as of March 31, 2007 include outstanding lines of credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, Iowa of $44,295,000 and federal funds borrowing capacity at correspondent banks of $99,500,000 with no current outstanding federal fund balances. The Company had securities sold under agreements to repurchase totaling $44,179,000 and FHLB advances of $2,000,000 as of March 31, 2007.

Total investments as of March 31, 2007 were $354,595,000 compared to $354,572,000 as of year-end 2006. These investments provide the Company with a significant amount of liquidity since all of the investments are classified as available for sale as of March 31, 2007.

The investment portfolio serves an important role in the overall context of balance sheet management in terms of balancing capital utilization and liquidity. The decision to purchase or sell securities is based upon the current assessment of economic and financial conditions, including the interest rate environment, liquidity and credit considerations. The portfolio’s scheduled maturities represent a significant source of liquidity.

17

Review of Statements of Cash Flows

Operating cash flows for March 31, 2007 and 2006 totaled $3,318,000 and $5,745,000, respectively. The primary variance in operating cash flows for the first three months of 2007 compared to the same period one year ago relates to higher level of accrued interest payable in 2006.

Net cash used in investing activities through March 31, 2007 and 2006 was $16,987,000 and $18,982,000, respectively. Additional growth in the loan portfolio was the most significant use of cash in the first quarter of 2007 while the temporary investment in federal funds sold was the largest use of cash for investing activities in the first quarter of 2006.

Net cash provided by financing activities for March 31, 2007 and 2006 totaled $15,730,000 and $10,237,000, respectively. A higher level of deposits and repurchase agreement balances are the largest source of financing cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2007 while deposits were the most significant in 2006. As of March 31, 2007, the Company did not have any external debt financing, off balance sheet financing arrangements, or derivative instruments linked to its stock.

Company Only Cash Flows

The Company’s liquidity on an unconsolidated basis is heavily dependent upon dividends paid to the Company by the Banks. The Company requires adequate liquidity to pay its expenses and pay stockholder dividends. For the quarter ended March 31, 2007, dividends paid by the Banks to the Company amounted to $2,211,000 compared to $2,183,000 for the same period in 2006. In 2006, dividends paid by the Banks to the Company amounted to $8,734,000 through December 31, 2006 compared to $8,634,000 for the year ended December 31, 2005. Various federal and state statutory provisions limit the amounts of dividends banking subsidiaries are permitted to pay to their holding companies without regulatory approval. Federal Reserve policy further limits the circumstances under which bank holding companies may declare dividends. For example, a bank holding company should not continue its existing rate of cash dividends on its common stock unless its net income is sufficient to fully fund each dividend and its prospective rate of earnings retention appears consistent with its capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. In addition, the Federal Reserve and the FDIC have issued policy statements, which provide that insured banks and bank holding companies should generally pay dividends only out of current operating earnings. Federal and state banking regulators may also restrict the payment of dividends by order.

The Company has unconsolidated interest bearing deposits and marketable investment securities totaling $35,362,000 that are presently available to provide additional liquidity to the Banks.

Review of Commitments for Capital Expenditures, Cash Flow Uncertainties and Known Trends in Liquidity and Cash Flows Needs

No material capital expenditures or material changes in the capital resource mix are anticipated at this time. The primary cash flow uncertainty would be a sudden decline in deposits causing the Banks to liquidate securities. Historically, the Banks have maintained an adequate level of short term marketable investments to fund the temporary declines in deposit balances. There are no known trends in liquidity and cash flows needs as of March 31, 2007 that is a concern to management.

Capital Resources

The Company’s total stockholders’ equity as of March 31, 2007 totaled $112,573,000 and was slightly lower than the $112,923,000 recorded as of December 31, 2006. At March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, stockholders’ equity as a percentage of total assets was 13.13% and 13.46%, respectively. The capital levels of the Company currently exceed applicable regulatory guidelines as of March 31, 2007.

18

Forward-Looking Statements and Business Risks

The discussion in the foregoing Management Discussion and Analysis and elsewhere in this Report contains forward-looking statements about the Company, its business and its prospects. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include use of the words “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “plan”, “estimate” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as “will”, “would”, “should”, “could” or “may”. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are subject to risks and uncertainties. A number of factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, could cause actual conditions, events or results to differ significantly from those described in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties with respect to the Company include, but are not limited to, those related to the economic conditions, particularly in the areas in which the Company and the Banks operate, competitive products and pricing, fiscal and monetary policies of the U.S. government, changes in governmental regulations affecting financial institutions (including regulatory fees and capital requirements), changes in prevailing interest rates, credit risk management and asset/liability management, the financial and securities markets and the availability of and costs associated with sources of liquidity.

These factors may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in any forward-looking statement. The Company operates in a continually changing business environment and new facts emerge from time to time. It cannot predict such factors nor can it assess the impact, if any, of such factors on its financial position or its results of operations. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. The Company disclaims any responsibility to update any forward-looking statement provided in this document.

Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company's market risk is comprised primarily of interest rate risk arising from its core banking activities of lending and deposit taking. Interest rate risk results from the changes in market interest rates which may adversely affect the Company's net interest income. Management continually develops and applies strategies to mitigate this risk. Management does not believe that the Company's primary market risk exposure and how it has been managed to-date in 2007 changed significantly when compared to 2006.

Item 4.
Controls and Procedures

An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of March 31, 2007. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective. There have been no significant changes in the Company’s disclosure controls or its internal controls over financial reporting, or in other factors that could significantly affect the disclosure controls or the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

Changes in Internal Controls

There was no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(d) of the Exchange Act that occurred during the Company's last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

19

PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.
Legal Proceedings

Not applicable

Item 1.a.
Risk Factors

No changes

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

Not applicable
 
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable
 
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None

Item 5.
Other Information

None

Item 6.
Exhibits

 
(a)
Exhibits

 
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
32.2
Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

20

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


 
AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION
     
DATE: May 3, 2007
By:
/s/ Daniel L. Krieger
     
   
Daniel L. Krieger, President
   
Principal Executive Officer
     
 
By:
/s/ John P. Nelson
     
   
John P. Nelson, Vice President
   
Principal Financial Officer
 
 
21